Heroica RPG - Quest #30: Ambassadors to Dastan

[Zepher]

OoC: CallMePie, it's night time, dearest.

Constance turns on the heroes.

"Try to pay attention. Your duties for the evening have already been laid out. You are supposed to go visit U'Stus right now. Victor has given you instructions. The Great Market is on your way. Take my sword with you."

Suddenly, Felton walks up.

"Heroes. Greetings... hello Constance. Pleasure to see you again. Here, I'll take that." Felton holds out his hand and Constance grudgingly gives him her sword. She storms off.

"I do not think she needs protection tonight, or any other night. Come with me, heroes. We will pay her a visit later, if time permits."

The heroes follow Felton to the Great Market. The heroes approach the Pongcanis blacksmith.

"I can fix 'er up," he tells the heroes. "But it will cost you. 1500 gold."

The heroes gawk until another figure approaches. The voice has a light laugh and wheeze to it.

"Never remembers to give the gold, does she, never remembers!" the voice laughs. "I'll pay for it, my dear Pongcanis, I'll pay. Here is the gold for the service that you will be performing, the gold is here." The U'Kin turns to the heroes, and they immediately recognize him as U'Stus. He seems to recognize them as well.

"Hello heroes, greetings! I am U'Stus, the U'Kin. I think that you were supposed to visit me tonight is what I am thinking! How lucky that our ways crossed out here in the marketplace, how lucky! Would you like to return to my estate while the Pongcanis works his magic we should return to my estate!"

Edited May 21, 2012 by Zepher

[Professor Flitwick]

"Greetings, Mr. U'Stus, what perfect timing you have. How long will the blacksmith take? Would it be possible to wait her till the sword is fixed, then escort you to your estate?"

[Rumble Strike]

"The Gods have truly blessed us this day, that our paths should cross so early. As we have had to let Constance go do her duties, I do not see why we should not go with U'Stus here, providing the blacksmith's work will take long enough to allow a visit."

[CMP]

Did I say early Dastan morning sun? I meant the late-night Dastan evening sky...

"Alright, I don't see a problem headin' to U'Stus' tonight, if Constance don't want us intrudin' on her all-important training...maybe we'll luck out and she'll get assassinated, she had a really nice sword..."

He cackled a little darkly. McCafferey ruffled her wings impatiently on his shoulder.

[Pandora]

"Mr U'Stus, it's lovely to meet you. Of course we'd like to go back to your estate with you, that's most kind. Do you have any biscuits? "

[Zepher]

The blacksmith passes the sword to the heroes. (Please assign it, Party Leader).

(picture forthcoming)

-

Dragon Heart

(WP: 15,

Fire

and

Wind

Elemental, Suitable for Knights, Rouges, and Barbarians)

The party follows U'Stus to his house. They pass under the gate house of Emperor Brunt's Wall. Atramor decides it's time to show the others the map that he received the previous day.

*(Red is where you normally meet the others).

The party arrive at U'Stus' house. He leads you to a small room - a den of sorts. U'Stus exits and brings back biscuits.

"Now, what can I do for you lovely heroes, what can I do for you? I hope that you haven't come to convince me I need protection because I don't need the protection you may be convincing me I need. I would prefer you protect the others. I am safely within my own people, who will keep me safe. What danger could touch me? However, if you have any questions, I will happily answer any questions. I know these assassins you will have to deal with, sadly, but information can help, and I have some on the assassins you will have to deal with."

Edited May 21, 2012 by Zepher

[CMP]

Atramor merely stands beside the fireplace, arms crossed. McCafferey beadily examines the parrot, the map clutched tightly in one of her talons.

"Sorry, but you need protection. Mallelio lived right across the street from the royal palace, and ya' know what I killed in his house? One of Wren's Chaos Beasts. At the same time he was bein' sacrificed by a crazed cultist...the assassins have proven repeatedly they have no trouble gettin' into even the toughest place in Drakencourt, and I doubt even hundreds of U'kin can keep you safe."

Edited May 21, 2012 by CallMePie

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn takes the plate of biscuits, bowing graciously, and offers it to Nyx.

"Thank you for inviting us into your home, U'Stus. What information do you have on our assassins? As you say, the more we know, the better we can protect you and the others."

[Professor Flitwick]

"Mr. Tarn, would you mind awfully if I kept possession of the Dragon Heart for now? Your Helbaerend has a higher weapon power than my Sabre, after all."

Thothwick stood with his back to the fire, arms behind his back, watching the biscuit tray being served around. He checked the time of his pocket watch, and winced at the picture of Hoptet inside.

"So... Mr. U'Stus, if I may ask, why aren't you segregated like the rest of your kind?"

Edited May 22, 2012 by Professor Flitwick

[Zepher]

"I don't need protection, heroes, and I'll tell you why right now why I don't need protection. The assassins have two people in charge, don't they have two people in charge? Sphinx and U'Vires. Sphinx has no reason to try to kill me. His goal is simple and clear and he has stated it many times and so everyone knows it because it is simple and clear. He wants to raise the Chimera. There is nothing linking me the Chimera. The U'Kin were not involved the last time, and we are not involved this time. We are woefully bad at magic, though we are good at alchemy because we are so bad at magic. I am not his target. Sphinx is clear with his plan and I have it on good authority that he will not come after me. He has stated his goals, and I am not one."

"U'Vires will likewise not come after me. U'Vires and I worked together for U'Kin rights. Though we have gone our separate ways, he and I share the same goal, though we use different means to achieve it, we share the same goal. He will not attack me. It would hurt his image with the U'Kin too much, though that is a proud thing to claim it is true that it would hurt his image with the U'Kin too much. He will not do it. XX is hired by him, so he will also not attack. You heroes are used to fighting disorganized foes. Our enemies are organized, which makes them more dangerous but easier to predict, because they are organized."

"The reason that I am put on that list is because Constance insisted I was. My allies and advisers were furious that Constance put me on that list because they think she put me on the list to restrict my movement because she hates the U'Kin and was trying to restrict my movement. I believe that she was concerned for my safety, but my advisers tell me that is not so. I think your efforts and times would be better spent elsewhere, heroes."

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn nodded to Thothwick about Dragon Heart. He has happy for the Metasimian Rogue to use it.

He then spoke up after U'Stus's revelation about Constance. "Why does Constance hate you and the U'Kin so much?"

[Zepher]

"So... Mr. U'Stus, if I may ask, why aren't you segregated like the rest of your kind?"

"I am! All the houses on this side of the wall belong to the U'Kin and the Teuthsial on this side of the wall! Emperor Brunt built it specifically to separate us from the rest of the city. I have been offered a place closer to the palace, but I don't want to leave my people and be closer to the palace. I am a representative. I must be near the people who I represent. And, if I must be perfectly honest, I feel safer among my kind if I'm being honest. They will protect me... not from assassins, but from the bad sentiments of others who do not like my kind and may wish me harm."

"Why does Constance hate you and the U'Kin so much?"

"The same reason as everyone else. We are looked down upon. The Lion Knights were not the only group that the empire swallowed. It is the same as your Orcs, though we U'Kin never fought a war before being hated like your Orcs. The people of Dastan do not like the U'Kin. The people of Dastan think the U'Kin are inferior. They think the same of the Lion Knights, and the Teuthsial, and the Pongcanis, and the Acerpusculum, and even some think it of the Dragons. There have been strides recently. Victor and Emperor Septrine are trying to, behind closed doors, aid our struggle for equality, behind closed doors. Ella Septrine has publicly declared herself our ally."

"Please, if you have no more questions, return to Constance. I am not in danger, but you will be if you are late with her weapon. Besides, I do not like this fact, but being seen with races that are not U'Kin can hurt my image with the people, a fact I hate, but a true one. U'Vires will not try to hurt me physically, but if he can paint me in a darker light, he will, and accepting help from outsiders hired by those who oppress us so greatly. I will answer all questions, but I cannot accept your protection. I don't need it and it would reflect poorly on me. I am a leader, I must stand strong."

[Professor Flitwick]

"I am! All the houses on this side of the wall belong to the U'Kin and the Teuthsial on this side of the wall! Emperor Brunt built it specifically to separate us from the rest of the city. I have been offered a place closer to the palace, but I don't want to leave my people and be closer to the palace. I am a representative. I must be near the people who I represent. And, if I must be perfectly honest, I feel safer among my kind if I'm being honest. They will protect me... not from assassins, but from the bad sentiments of others who do not like my kind and may wish me harm."

"My apologies, Mr. U'Stus, I believed the red cross to be the location of your manor. I realise it was hurtful of me to suggest you do not stand arm-in-arm with your kinsmen. I can assure you, myself and my race are no stranger to Human prejudice. As for your attempts to get us to move, I'm afraid I must disagree, to a point. We were hired to protect both you and Ms. Constance. Perhaps, fellow heroes, it maybe best if we were to divide our forces?"

[Zepher]

"I must insist you do not remain. I am in no danger. I have gone on record saying I will not accept personal assistance from the Empire until the same assistance goes out to all my people from the Empire. You may of course strong arm me and force my hand, and I will not hold it against you. You are trying to preform your duty, I understand that you are trying to perform your duty. I am simply requesting from myself, U'Stus, to you, the heroes of Heroica, that you do not stay as it would hurt my goals more than if you left. I know I am not in danger, please spend your energy elsewhere and allow my people to continue to view me in the light that they do. That is my request. I understand if you do not comply, it is just my request.

[Rumble Strike]

"So we've been charged to protect Constance and U'Stus, and yet neither want our help protecting them. A fine conundurum we find ourselves in once again!"

[CMP]

Atramor whispers hastily and quietly to the party while U'Stus is occupied with the others, one by one.

"If ya' think he's really in danger, one of us could trail him anyway...in a more...subtle manner. I don't think he's in too much trouble, though, myself..."

[Pandora]

Nyx daintily takes a couple of biscuits from the plate that Tarn kindly offers her, before stuffing them all in her mouth at once and proceeding to speak with a shower of crumbs and a broad smile.

"Uhm, firstly, thank you for the biscuits, they're really great, but I just don't understand. Constance doesn't want us to protect her and you don't want us to either, and we want to keep you both happy, but we're really worried that we'll just say 'oh, yeah ok, we'll go shoe shopping instead' and then you'll both be brutally murdered and mutilated and cut up into little pieces and posted to your friends. And that'd be a bit of a shame. So if you don't want a protector, would you just settle for a temporary houseguest who'll quietly sit around your house and eat your biscuits? And then, if anyone nasty turns up I could set them on fire for you, or punch them really hard, and I haven't set anyone or anything on fire for ages, so, really, you'd be doing me a favour. And perhaps now is the time to mention I really shouldn't have sugar, sorry, but basically we really want to help, that's kinda why we're here, and not just because we're paid to but because we do this sort of stuff because we feel it is the right thing to do..."

Nyx trails off and guiltily eyes the plate of biscuits, before grabbing a handful more and stuffing them into her mouth.

"These are really nice biscuits " is about all her companions can make out between munches.

[Zepher]

"I will not prevent you from doing your duties I will not stop you. If one of you wishes to remain here, I will accommodate you if you wish to stay here. I have made my plea and you have your orders. I will accept any outcome. I know you do not mean any harm in anyway. I know you are here because you care, not only for the gold, but my fellow U'Kin will still view you as my receiving a privilege from the Emperors that I have not yet won for them.

[Rumble Strike]

"How will keeping up appearances matter if you are assassinated? Your kin will still blame us. "It was U'Stus's consorting with outsiders!", they will say. Normally I am opposed to splitting up our party, but I agree with my team-mates, I feel it would be wise for someone to stay, even if they double back later and remain hidden."

[CMP]

Atramor irritably brushes a rapidly increasing volume of biscuit crumbs off his cloak.

"If Nyx wants to stay, I say go for it. If not, well, he seems sure he's safe 'ere. I, for one, am ready to take this sword back to its owner. I've done enough exchangin' pleasantries with civilized folk for a few days, I wanna stab somethin'..."

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn looked at Atramor curiously. He knew that his former party leader had certainly outgrown his Rogueish roots, but his eagerness to fight surprised him. He hadn't been like that before.

[CMP]

Atramor blinks at Tarn.

"What? Just 'cuz I'm not a barbarian means I can't like to fight? Do you have any idea how much talkin' I had to do yesterday? We need a knight for that type'a junk...an' why am I always the one doin' the puzzles...?"

[Zepher]

"Please attempt to control yourself in front of politicians, Atramor. You could learn a thing or two about silently hiding your true motives from them," Felton half jokes, but his eyes glint. "Thothwick, make your choice, and let us move on. I have things I would like to discuss with you."

[Professor Flitwick]

"Very well. It appears the general consensus is to spilt up. Ms. Nyx, as you are our most capable fighter, and you do seem to like the food here. Would you be willing to remain here to ensure that Mr. U'Stus does not fall foul to any assassination attempts?"

[Zepher]

OoC: I believe she has already indicated that she'd like to stay behind, so I'm just going to go on ahead.

The heroes bid farewell to Nyx, who happily crams biscuits down her throat as the party heads out. U'Stus chuckles throatily at her.

The party walks back towards the Palace, relatively unsure of what to do. It is clear that they should return the sword to Constance, but beyond that... Tarn is correct, neither of their remaining charges seem to want protection. A thought crosses their mind - Phil is also one of the 'targets', but he has (apparently) seemed so independent and safe that they haven't bothered to protect him. Regardless, for the time being, he is out of town.

"Heroes, I have something I would like to discuss with you," says Felton as the heroes march. "I think that we may be being tricked. I know that it is not technically my concern, and that I am actually here for Wren, but Hans and I cannot stand by as we watch an Empire crumble. It is clear that the assassins, while wrong in many regards, are correct in their claim that something is wrong with the interior. I think that there must be an insider here, in Drakencourt. How else would the Wren, and presumably the other assassins, be able to enter and exit the city with such ease. Wren is powerful, but so is Dastan, and if they wanted to keep her out, they could. Unless she was already inside."

The heroes have been meandering, and find that they've wandered into the Great Market as Felton has talked. The stores are all closed. They walk towards the blacksmith from earlier in the day and are greeted with a number of familiar faces.

"Hm? What?! The heroes of Heroica? You're not Constance at all! Ho ho ho! Didn't think I'd see you again! Mane and Claw told us all last night over some wine how they whipped the floor with you! Lord Lyons, in case you've forgotten, though I doubt you have after I stole the Dragon Tooth right out from under you! Ho ho ho!"

"Hello again, heroes," snarls one of the Bombsters. His face is still bruised up. The other one gnashes his teeth. "We told you that we'd see you again. This time, we will end you."

"Ho ho ho. Such enthusiasm. Yes, please do that. I'm going to retire for the evening. I wish to hear Loren's report when it comes in, and I believe today is the day of the turning. Don't leave them alive."

Sir Lyons walks off as the other three prepare for combat!

The Enemies

Bombster A

Level 12 Fiery, Humanoid

Health: 200/250

Special: Burn – Burns the hero, dealing a further 2 damage each round until the end of the battle (does not stack).

Drops: Nothing

Bombster B

Level 12 Fiery, Humanoid

Health: 200/250

Special: Burn – Burns the hero, dealing a further 2 damage each round until the end of the battle (does not stack).

Drops: Nothing

Cultist

Level 14 Humanoid

Health: 100/100

Special: Lion’s Mane – If targeted the following round, the hero targeting them receives 3 damage regardless of row/SP.

Drops: 25 Gold

The Party

Thothwick

, Level 16 Rouge *Party Leader*

Power: 24 (21 Ranged)

Health: 27/27

Gold: 481

Inventory - Dragon Heart (WP: 15,

Fire

and

Wind

Elemental), Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venom, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, Cultist's Hat, Phoenix Essence

Atramor Gibbin

, Level 18 Witch

Power: 27

Health: 26/26 (-9 for remainder of Quest)

Defense: 2

Ether: 7/7 (-9 for remainder of Quest)

Gold: 0

Inventory: Ratsbane, WP: 10, Sand Worm Hide, Witch's Talisman, Black Katana, WP: 8, Staff of the Elven Warlock, WP: 5, Scroll of Sealing, Bone x2, Grand Tonic, Fire Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Ether Core, Tonic

Tarn Valco

, Level 14 1/2 Barbarian

Power: 24

Health: 21/21

Gold: 0

Inventory: Helbaerend (WP: 10, Water, Ice and Lightning Elemental, Hollow Blade), Fauxthril Spear (WP: 6), Phoenix Essence, Grand Potion, Remedy, Holy Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Bomb XX, Dragon Scale

William Harkenshire

, Level 12 1/2 Ranger

Power: 17

Health: 17/17

Gold: 20

Inventory: Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood) Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Potion (2), Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX

Felton

(NPC)

Level 15 1/2 Wren Fighter

Power: 15

Health: 55/55

Gold: 0

Inventory: Rapier of Dastan (WP: 5), Phoenix Essence, Felton's Hat (+10 Health, -5 Power)

Shield – Deceive – Deals damage to enemy equal to enemy’s level x2.

Critical Hit – WPx2+Lvl

Edited May 23, 2012 by Zepher