"And you think the Rebels will do any better by you?" Arthur snorts. "As if. Let me tell you something: people like that, break their oaths once? It gets a lot easier to break 'em again. At best, they'll ignore you just like the Emperors do, and at worst...well, the pogs always need feeding..." Arthur stops for a moment, considering. "Help us. Give up the rebel leaders, convince your people to do the same, and we'll do our best to get you out of here, move you someplace out of the Empire's reach, where you can live without the air itself trying to suck you dry." The gleam returns to Arthur's eyes, and the staff crackles with a new burst of energy. "Betray us, though, and we'll make the Empire look like angels by comparison."

"Sorry for interuptting you Arthur but I want to add one thing to Mr Teuthisal's word, we are not exactly "tools" as you said, we don't work for any particular group or person so, we just get the job done."

Isabella was a little bit annoyed of the rebel but calmed herself down and continued;

"Listen to what Arthur says, convince the rest of your people to leave rebellion. Or perhaps you can arrange a meeting between your people's leaders and us?" Isabella looked to see the reactions of rest of his party after saying that.

"High felutin' nobility again," thought Skrall to himself. "Sorry to break it to ya kids, but the Teuthisal is right, we are hired swords. If ya've got a problem with it, then ya're free to head back to Eubric." Skrall turned again to the Teuthisal, "The mage is right, that on occasion heroes have found them selves workin' for what they deem the "wrong" side and have changed their allegiance. But we don't have any reason to do so with what we've seen thus far. Now you mind tellin' us why we should be keepin' you alive? Ya were practically caught in the act of theivery and I'm sure the empire has strict punishments concernin' such behavior."

OOC: Do you guys do this in the middle of the night??? I can't post IC right now, I'm just confirming I'm still active, I can post later this evening.

  On 4/30/2012 at 12:30 PM, Capt.JohnPaul said:

OOC: Do you guys do this in the middle of the night??? I can't post IC right now, I'm just confirming I'm still active, I can post later this evening.

OOC: I have no life, so I'm online constantly. Dharkan lives in a different time zone, so her days are our nights, and WBD is apparently just a night owl, plain and simple.

  On 4/30/2012 at 9:51 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

"High felutin' nobility again," thought Skrall to himself. "Sorry to break it to ya kids, but the Teuthisal is right, we are hired swords. If ya've got a problem with it, then ya're free to head back to Eubric." Skrall turned again to the Teuthisal, "The mage is right, that on occasion heroes have found them selves workin' for what they deem the "wrong" side and have changed their allegiance. But we don't have any reason to do so with what we've seen thus far. Now you mind tellin' us why we should be keepin' you alive? Ya were practically caught in the act of theivery and I'm sure the empire has strict punishments concernin' such behavior."

Arthur "accidentally" hits the tethusial with his regular staff again to punctuate Skrall's point.

  On 4/30/2012 at 12:30 PM, Capt.JohnPaul said:

OOC: Do you guys do this in the middle of the night??? I can't post IC right now, I'm just confirming I'm still active, I can post later this evening.

QM Note:

No sleeping during Heroica.

  On 4/30/2012 at 9:51 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

Now you mind tellin' us why we should be keepin' you alive? Ya were practically caught in the act of theivery and I'm sure the empire has strict punishments concernin' such behavior."

"This is a rebellion. We'll do what's necessary in order to further our cause. Once the Empire falls, we will have control of the judicial system. Obviously, you want information from me, which is why I'm still alive. I don't know why you should you keep me alive; I'm a Teuthisal, how would I know the details of our plan?

"In fact, there is no reason for you to keep me alive. You can't get anything out of me."

  On 4/30/2012 at 2:02 PM, Flipz said:

Arthur "accidentally" hits the tethusial with his regular staff again to punctuate Skrall's point.

Seeing your staff descending, the Teuthisal abruptly reaches up and grabs the staff, using all of his strength to pull it back down. Before any of you can react, he thrust the tip of the staff into his chest. You watch in horror as the Darkness Elemental power courses through his body and he goes limp.

"Anybody much for Calamari?" Skrall snorted as the Teuthisal fell over dead. "Looks like we won't be gettin' any more info out of him. Someone come bury this rebel before it starts smellin' like dead fish over here." Skrall attempted to locate Lady Leofwena or the Minotaur.

OoC: Yeh, I'm in college so I'm up all night generally working on or avoiding assignments.

  On 4/30/2012 at 4:57 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

"Anybody much for Calamari?" Skrall snorted as the Teuthisal fell over dead. "Looks like we won't be gettin' any more info out of him. Someone come bury this rebel before it starts smellin' like dead fish over here." Skrall attempted to locate Lady Leofwena or the Minotaur.

"Sir, no one's seen Lady Leofwena since that butcher jumped her at the beginning of the raid. The minotaur returned to the palace a few minutes ago."

  On 4/30/2012 at 4:59 PM, Brickdoctor said:

"Sir, no one's seen Lady Leofwena since that butcher jumped her at the beginning of the raid. The minotaur returned to the palace a few minutes ago."

"Perhaps you should Track her down with your Hunter skills, Master Skrall." Arthur casually pulls off the Tethusial's arm and begins munching on it.

  On 4/30/2012 at 5:11 PM, Flipz said:

Arthur casually pulls off the Tethusial's arm and begins munching on it.

You gag and vomit violently as you attempt to consume raw Teuthisal meat, and you feel weakened as you lose 1 Health.

Party:

Skrall

, Level 16 Hunter (Waterbrick Down) *Party Leader*

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

Power:

24

Health:

29/29

Defense:

0

Gold:

9

Inventory:

Heavy Crossbow: WP 8 (Knockback)

, Hunter's Crossbow: WP 10 (+4 vs beasts), Potion, Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Emperor Alandri's Letter

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 10.5 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

15

Health:

13/14

Ether:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

10

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

,

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Amethyst (Darkness), Opal (Ice), Potion(x2), Bedroll, Telescope, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Isabella del Toboso

, Level 8 Rogue (Dharkan)

Power:

15

Health:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

111

Inventory:

Fauxthril Dagger (WP:7)

, Golden Dagger (WP:3),

Cloak of the Invisible Elf (SP: 1;

untargetable for first 2 Rounds of every Battle

)

, Venom, Potions (2), Bedroll, Fire Bombs (2)

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 10.5 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

16

Health:

17/19

Defense:

7

Gold:

40

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 6; ignores SP)

, Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7), Potions (2), Fire Bombs (2), Bedroll

Luke

, Level 16.5 Sage (controlled by Waterbrick Down)

*Pacifist*

Power:

17

Health:

31/31

Ether:

23/23

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Wooden Staff (WP: 1)

, Diamond (Light)

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 11.5 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

13

Health:

18/18

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Spatha (WP: 3)

  On 4/30/2012 at 5:33 PM, Brickdoctor said:

You gag and vomit violently as you attempt to consume raw Teuthisal meat, and you feel weakened as you lose 1 Health.

Properly chagrined, Arthur drags the rest of the fire to the Lion Knight fort and cooks the meat before eating it.

OOC: I laughed so hard I almost couldn't type.

Edited April 30, 201212 yr by Flipz

  On 4/30/2012 at 6:18 PM, Flipz said:

Properly chagrined, Arthur drags the rest of the fire to the Lion Knight fort and cooks the meat before eating it.

QM Note:

I'm going to assume that you want to drag the Teuthisal to a fire in the fort, because if you're trying to drag a fire, I'm going to take away more HP.

You drag the dead Teuthisal to a nearby fire, cook it, and eat it. You notice that the soldiers look disgusted.

Count Knyghton is among the disgusted, shocked speechless by Arthur's actions. He feebly tries to defend his...ally. "It's, uh...I guess...what the Pogs woulda done ta us, if, uh, ya know. Er...I think. Somethin' like that. I'm uh, sure he's got a reason for it..."

OOC:

  On 4/30/2012 at 6:18 PM, Flipz said:

Properly chagrined, Arthur drags the rest of the fire to the Lion Knight fort and cooks the meat before eating it.

  On 4/30/2012 at 6:26 PM, Brickdoctor said:

QM Note:

I'm going to assume that you want to drag the Teuthisal to a fire in the fort, because if you're trying to drag a fire, I'm going to take away more HP.

...the heck? See, I should have waited until I got over laughing before I tried to type. Yeah, I did mean to take "the rest of the body to the fire in the Lion Knight fort."

Edited April 30, 201212 yr by Flipz

Skrall glanced at the young mage, "I was joking young Regulus." Skrall new that his anscesters had done the very thing to humans, but he was slightly appalled to witness it from the other way round. "Now is not the time fer eatin', let the soldiers get their rest, we were busy just shoutin' out orders. Show some respect fer the dead. Sod, yer representin' Heroica not a Pog convention." Skrall glanced around the site of the original ambush, looking for any signs of Lady Leofwena. "Probably smaller feet and a shorter stride than the rest," he thought to himself as he surveyed the ground attempting to track down her movements following the battle.

  On 4/30/2012 at 10:00 PM, Waterbrick Down said:

Skrall glanced at the young mage, "I was joking young Regulus." Skrall new that his anscesters had done the very thing to humans, but he was slightly appalled to witness it from the other way round. "Now is not the time fer eatin', let the soldiers get their rest, we were busy just shoutin' out orders. Show some respect fer the dead. Sod, yer representin' Heroica not a Pog convention." Skrall glanced around the site of the original ambush, looking for any signs of Lady Leofwena. "Probably smaller feet and a shorter stride than the rest," he thought to himself as he surveyed the ground attempting to track down her movements following the battle.

Picking up Lady Leofwena's trail, you follow it, leading the party back towards the palace, where you are approached by an imperial pikeman.

"Sir! Emperor Alandri was assaulted in his study about fifteen minutes ago. Your presence is required there immediately!"

Glancing at each other, you rush to the emperor's study. Entering, you see a very angry minotaur watching over the emperor. You see that the emperor's cloak has been removed and draped over a chest, against which Emperor Alandri is resting. Objects are strewn around the room, books have been hastily picked up and stacked on a shelf, and the pedestal that had held the emperor's crown has been tipped over and is glowing slightly.

"Heroes. I'm glad to see you."

As the party walked along the trail, Count Knyghton hit Arthur in the back of the head. Arthur stumbled, and threw the engineer an odd look of mixed loathing and confusion. That's when Knyghton noticed the flecks in the mage's iris... before he could get a closer look, Arthur spun around and refused to speak to or even look at Knyghton.

***

As Arthur entered the palace and caught sight of the devastation, he looked around in confusion. "Have we really been here before? I can hardly recognize this room in this state!" He rushes up to the Emperor, pulling out his healing staff and gently laying it upon the man's shoulders. "What happened, your highness? Who did this? We shall flay the flesh from their bones!" The flecks in Arthur's eyes began to glow as he said this...

  On 4/30/2012 at 10:15 PM, Flipz said:

As Arthur entered the palace and caught sight of the devastation, he looked around in confusion. "Have we really been here before? I can hardly recognize this room in this state!" He rushes up to the Emperor, pulling out his healing staff and gently laying it upon the man's shoulders. "What happened, your highness? Who did this? We shall flay the flesh from their bones!" The flecks in Arthur's eyes began to glow as he said this...

"A woman. Jumped me from behind and was wearing a brown cloak; I didn't get a good look at her face. She tucked a couple of my books into her cloak and was trying to get away with that pedestal when I called for the guards and stabbed her with this elven sword."

  On 4/30/2012 at 10:20 PM, Brickdoctor said:

"A woman. Jumped me from behind and was wearing a brown cloak; I didn't get a good look at her face. She tucked a couple of my books into her cloak and was trying to get away with that pedestal when I called for the guards and stabbed her with this elven sword."

"Damn. Had to have been..." The flecks disappeared from Arthur's eyes, and his speech grew more gentle and respectful. "My lord, does that blade have any special properties? Anything that may help us find her? And what's so special about that pedestal?" Arthur examines the bookshelf to see which books are missing.

OOC: Ha ha, random characterization yields an unexpected benefeit!

Alexandre loses his thinking about the past events, and rushes to the emperor.

"Are you alright my Lord?"

To the party:

"I don't think it was Leofwena, since she wasn't seen, she could've been captured or something, or put under a spell. We put crossbowmen guarding her master, they couldn't have planned something so suddenly and unnoticed. Also, if they devised this earlier, how would they know WHEN we would meet the emperor in the first place? How would they know we would be gone at a certain time? Could Leofwena attack Alandri in the condition of injuries? We should probably ask Leofard some questions, though."

  On 4/30/2012 at 10:28 PM, Flipz said:

"Damn. Had to have been..." The flecks disappeared from Arthur's eyes, and his speech grew more gentle and respectful. "My lord, does that blade have any special properties? Anything that may help us find her? And what's so special about that pedestal?" Arthur examines the bookshelf to see which books are missing.

"No. It was the closest weapon available.

"I have no idea. I got in a bulk purchase from an antiques dealer a decade ago. Came with a number of those books."

Looking at the shelf, you notice that the book about transformation of Mopag root, the book about bringing people back from the dead, the book about creating chimeras, and the book about archaic languages are missing.

  On 4/30/2012 at 10:33 PM, Brickdoctor said:

"No. It was the closest weapon available.

"I have no idea. I got in a bulk purchase from an antiques dealer a decade ago. Came with a number of those books."

Looking at the shelf, you notice that the book about transformation of Mopag root, the book about bringing people back from the dead, the book about creating chimeras, and the book about archaic languages are missing.

OMG. Undead Chimeras.... well, that's what I understand from these clues. You know how I said Leofwena could be put under a spell? "Archaic languages, transformations..." They could have wizards, which certainly cast spells, they could even have made a look-alike for a spy.

Arthur goes over his notes, attempting to see if there's anything he can translate regarding ways to prevent summoning of the undead, or weaknesses of Chimaeras, or anything that could give a clue to the Cult's plans or ways to stop them. "My lord, have the other Emperors been informed of this attack?"

Count Knyghton walks up to Arthur. "I'll handle this," he says grudgingly, "you go investigate that pedestal, see if you can divine its properties."

"Isn't it obvious? That must be the pedestal in which the ancient Chimaera was created. I'd wager the sword is related to that battle somehow as well." Arthur examines the sword closely in a attempt to learn of its properties.

  On 4/30/2012 at 10:57 PM, Flipz said:

Arthur goes over his notes, attempting to see if there's anything he can translate regarding ways to prevent summoning of the undead, or weaknesses of Chimaeras, or anything that could give a clue to the Cult's plans or ways to stop them. "My lord, have the other Emperors been informed of this attack?"

Count Knyghton walks up to Arthur. "I'll handle this," he says grudgingly, "you go investigate that pedestal, see if you can divine its properties."

"Isn't it obvious? That must be the pedestal in which the ancient Chimaera was created. I'd wager the sword is related to that battle somehow as well." Arthur examines the sword closely in a attempt to learn of its properties.

"My men are attempting to contact them as we speak."

You examine the elven sword, but it is obviously just a sword of elven make that shows no connection to lions, dragons, chimeras, or past civilizations.

Arthur then moves on to examine the pedestal, consulting both his notes and the remaining books to see if he could glean any extra clues.

  On 4/30/2012 at 11:17 PM, Flipz said:

Arthur then moves on to examine the pedestal, consulting both his notes and the remaining books to see if he could glean any extra clues.

You examine the pedestal. You lean forward to touch it, and you quickly yank your hand back as you feel a cold sucking feeling race up your arm, but not before you feel 5 Ether being drained at an incredible rate from your body. You see the pedestal glow more brightly, but as you remove your hand, it emits a puff and a small white cloud before going dim. You see the cloud almost form the shape of lion's head before it dissipates.

Party:

Skrall

, Level 16 Hunter (Waterbrick Down) *Party Leader*

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

Power:

24

Health:

29/29

Defense:

0

Gold:

9

Inventory:

Heavy Crossbow: WP 8 (Knockback)

, Hunter's Crossbow: WP 10 (+4 vs beasts), Potion, Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, Emperor Alandri's Letter

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 10.5 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

15

Health:

13/14

Ether:

9/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

10

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

,

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Amethyst (Darkness), Opal (Ice), Potion(x2), Bedroll, Telescope, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Isabella del Toboso

, Level 8 Rogue (Dharkan)

Power:

15

Health:

14/14

Defense:

1

Gold:

111

Inventory:

Fauxthril Dagger (WP:7)

, Golden Dagger (WP:3),

Cloak of the Invisible Elf (SP: 1;

untargetable for first 2 Rounds of every Battle

)

, Venom, Potions (2), Bedroll, Fire Bombs (2)

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 10.5 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

16

Health:

17/19

Defense:

7

Gold:

40

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 6; ignores SP)

, Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7), Potions (2), Fire Bombs (2), Bedroll

Luke

, Level 16.5 Sage (controlled by Waterbrick Down)

*Pacifist*

Power:

17

Health:

31/31

Ether:

23/23

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Wooden Staff (WP: 1)

, Diamond (Light)

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 11.5 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

13

Health:

18/18

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Spatha (WP: 3)