Heroica RPG - Quest #30: Ambassadors to Dastan

[Zepher]

"I'm afraid to say that I don't quite know how it would help us, just yet. That's part of the exploration once I have it! All I know is that it was used against the Lion Knight sorcerers long ago, and now rests in one of their ancient castles, since then lost to time. If I can retrieve it... oh, it would be wonderful."

[CMP]

"Alright, let's head off, I s'pose. Could do with some good ol' dungeon crawlin'. I hear heroes do a lot of dungeon crawlin', anwyay. Unless one of the other important folks is doing somethin' and we need to split up again, I don't see nothin' wrong with going for this Dragon Tooth."

Edited April 29, 2012 by CallMePieOrDie

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn hands over 10 gold pieces to Thothwick. "This is all the coin I have, but I give it gladly to know that it will help the party."

[Professor Flitwick]

Tarn hands over 10 gold pieces to Thothwick. "This is all the coin I have, but I give it gladly to know that it will help the party."

"That is polite of you, Mr. Tarn, but due to my mugging ability, I can easily reimburse my lost funds. Are you positive you wish to enact this transaction?"

[Rumble Strike]

"I would not hear of it, that I took coin for personal gain. Please, take it."

[Pandora]

"I didn't realise I had the 10 gold you'd given me Thothwick, I thought it had already been taken back by Wren or something, which is why I said I had no money. If you'd like it, it's yours. "

[Zepher]

The heroes follow Mallelio, who leads them for a half a day's journey to a near-by mountain. They hike upwards, Drakencourt nestled behind them, miniature. It's sprawling towers and ancient palaces are a sight to see. Mallelio talks the whole way up, pointing out places of ancient folk lore in the town, and telling of his own experiences with witches and ghosts and dragons. He seems so enthused by every adventure he's been on, the heroes are enraptured, and the time passes quickly.

Soon they are at the mouth of a cave. Mallelio lights the way. Around them they see crumbling ruins - clearly once belonging to the fledgling Lion Knights.

By the time the heroes hear voices... it is too late to turn back. The heroes hang back, hoping to remain unnoticed as long as possible.

"Shall I just take it? Ho ho ho! Just place my hand on it and grab it! You know it killed many of my people, a long time back. And here I am, ready to just grab it and go! Ho ho ho! I thought being Sphinx's errand boy for the day would be boring! I didn't want Loran to send me from the front lines, but look how wonderful this is! Ho ho ho!"

"Don't touch it yet, Lion Knight. We don't know if there are any traps..."

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr."

"Oh, you quiet down, won't you, Mane? Ho ho ho. I can tell you from Uland, these bad boys pack a punch. Never trust a Poggy, that's what I always say, ho ho ho!"

"We have some visitors, Sir Lyons."

"Oh do we, Claw?"

"Hello heroes, have you come to try to stop us from trying to take the Tooth which we both want I would presume you have come to prevent us from taking the Tooth which we both want, yes?"

"Let's rip them to shreds."

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr."

"Hold on, my boys, hold on. Are these some of the blokes from Heroica, ho ho ho?! Let me have a word with them, let me have a word with them. I know these boys, I know them. Well, their type at least... don't know any of these blokes persay!"

The Lion Knight snatches the Tooth off of it's pedestal and swings his visor up.

"Hello, heroes, hello. What can I do for you today? Ho ho ho. Excuse me, excuse me of course, I'm Sir Lyons, one of the four right hand men of Sir Loren, patriotic Lion Knight sent here to reclaim Dastan's shores. Have any of you worked with us Lion Knights before? I don't think so, I don't recognize any of you! Ho ho ho! So, what can I help you with, heroes?"

[CMP]

"I bet this Lion is onna the traitorous bastards the rest of the empire's holdin' off. We're here to get the Tooth to disembowel your Chimera, thanks for askin'. So, if you could hand it over, that'd be dandy."

Atramor steps in front of Mallelio defensively.

[Fred Daniel Yam]

"I've worked with Lion Knights. Sir Lawrence at BricBay Fort."

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick once more stumbled backwards and forwards, eyes unfocused. Two seconds later, he was back to normal.

"Tell me, Mr. Lyons, are you part of the Lion Knights hoping to assist the cultists? I just had a vision to that affect, and would dearly love to assess its validity."

[Pandora]

Nyx remains happily in the shadows, watching and assessing, subconsciously maintaining a battle stance. She sees Thothwick temporarily stumble and recognises that he's having yet another vision. There is tension in the air, so she just mumbles something about being a girl not a bloke and keeps her eyes on the strangers.

[Zepher]

"Ho ho ho! What a lively bunch to be sure! I'm sorry, Master Harkenshire, you are right, I do recognize your face. Good show on that battle, taught those bloody Brobric Elves who was in charge of Uland! I was there, well, not there there, but very near-by. I found and dismantled three of their Onagers, so you've got me to thank for that. What I wouldn't have given to get my hands on that Lord Davril..."

"Hoping to assist the Cultists? I'm not hoping to do anything! Ho ho ho! I am well on my way to assisting the cultists, with this Dragon Tooth being my first major contribution. And I'm afraid, if you feisty little heroes don't think that's the way things ought to go, you know what we have to do. I know how to deal with heroes of Heroica. Which one was the expendable one... oh yes, Maw, you're a U'Kin... filthy creatures, I'm told, ho ho ho... would you mind dealing with these heroes? I don't want to see them alive again. Thank you."

Sir Lyons swings back down his visor and he, Mane and Claw walk further into the cave as Maw turns to the heroes.

"I have been tasked with the task of killing you, the heroes of Heroica, which I will be happy to do to further the goals of my master, who is Sphnix, who will rise the Chimera, but only if I'm able to stop you from stopping us, heroes of Heroica, so I will kill you."

Enemies

Maw

Level 15 Humanoid

Health: 500/500

Special: Lion’s Roar - Burns all heroes for 3 damage, and gives all burned effect, causing 2 more damage at the end of each turn.

Drops: Cultist’s Hat

The Party

Thothwick

, Level 15 Rouge *Party Leader*

Power: 23 (20 Ranged)

Health: 26/26

Gold: 402

Inventory - Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope

Tarn Valco

, Level 13 Barbarian

Power: 23

Health: 20/20

Gold: 0

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

William Harkenshire

, Level 11.5 Ranger

Power: 16

Health: 16/16

Gold: 20

Inventory: Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood) Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Potion (3),Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX

Atramor Gibbin

, Level 17 Witch

Power: 27

Health: 35/35

Defense: 2

Ether: 15/15

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

Nyx

, Level 17 1/2 Battle Mage

Power: 30

Health: 27/27

Ether: 22/22

Gold: 0

Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:13, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Sandman's Parasol, Potion, Remedy, 2 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, 5 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:2), Bomb XX

Mallelio

(NPC)

Level 15 Sage

Power: 16

Health: 30/30

Ether: 22/22

Gold: 0

Inventory: Wooden Staff (WP: 1), Topaz (Lightning)

Note - If Mallelio is KO'd, it will count as a failure to protect him from assassination.

[Pandora]

Nyx steps forward from where she'd been leaning against a wall examining her nails and listening to the odd creature in front of the group babble.

"You will kill us, Maw? I think not."

Nyx then begins to summon a whorl of Darkness magic to hurl at Maw from the back row.

"Mallelio, it may be best if you do not target this fool, but rather save your Ether for healing so we may best use the Witch for his offense?"

[Rumble Strike]

Not really following all the politics and backstabbing, all Tarn knew was that they had a charge to protect. Eager to prove himself a better fighter than last time, Tarn raised Helbaerend and attacked Maw from the front row.

[CMP]

"Mallelio, it may be best if you do not target this fool, but rather save your Ether for healing so we may best use the Witch for his offense?"

"That'd be nice."

Atramor swings Ratsbane at Maw from the front row.

[Professor Flitwick]

"You don't have to be a slave to him. Feel free to join us at any time before you perish. I'll attack Maw from the back row, with my Shuriken."

[Fred Daniel Yam]

"Heretic! Prepare for your end chaos filth! I shoot Maw twice!"

[Zepher]

Round One Maw Battle

Nyx - Special Damage

Tarn - Hit

Atramor - Shield

Thothwick - Damage

William - Special Damage

William - Hit

Mallelio does nothing

The battle starts off horridly for the heroes. Nyx charges forward, but Maw catches all the heroes in a black flame, dealing 2 damage to Mallelio, William, Thothwick and Nyx, 1 damage to Atramor, and 3 damage Tarn. The fire burns them all. Tarn growls and attacks Maw with his weapon, which Maw meets with his sword. The force of Tarn's swing is so great it sends Maw spiraling across the cavern (-23). Atramor takes his chance and hexes Maw, who's eyes start to glow red. Atramor regains one health. Sensing that he will be unable to hurt the heroes the following round, Maw makes good on this round, slicing Thothwick up a little (-8), before shooting out a black flame once more dealing 2 damage to Mallelio, William, Thothwick and Nyx, 1 damage to Atramor, and 3 damage Tarn. The burns sizzle, nice and fresh. William fires off a quick shot (-16).

Enemies

Maw

*Hexed*

Level 15 Humanoid

Health: 461/500

Special: Lion’s Roar - Burns all heroes for 3 damage, and gives all burned effect, causing 2 more damage at the end of each turn.

Drops: Cultist’s Hat

The Party

Thothwick

, Level 15 Rouge *Party Leader*

*Burned*

Power: 23 (20 Ranged)

Health: 11/26

Gold: 402

Inventory - Sabre (WP 8), Whip Chain (WP 6), Shuriken (WP 5), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 1 Floral Bomb, 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope

Tarn Valco

, Level 13 Barbarian

*Burned*

Power: 23

Health: 12/20

Gold: 0

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

William Harkenshire

, Level 11.5 Ranger

*Burned*

Power: 16

Health: 10/16

Gold: 20

Inventory: Hand Cannon (WP: 5; Lightning, Wood) Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5 May not be upgraded; Fire; Hastened), Potion (3),Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Pickaxe, Horse, Skeleton Decoy, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, Elven Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX

Atramor Gibbin

, Level 17 Witch

*Burned*

Power: 27

Health: 32/35

Defense: 2

Ether: 15/15

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

Nyx

, Level 17 1/2 Battle Mage

*Burned*

Power: 30

Health: 21/27

Ether: 22/22

Gold: 0

Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:13, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Sandman's Parasol, Potion, Remedy, 2 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, 5 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:2), Bomb XX

Mallelio

(NPC)

*Burned*

Level 15 Sage

Power: 16

Health: 24/30

Ether: 22/22

Gold: 0

Inventory: Wooden Staff (WP: 1), Topaz (Lightning)

Note - If Mallelio is KO'd, it will count as a failure to protect him from assassination.

"I am no one's slave! I do not work for the man that you have just seen but for a man much greater than the one that you have just seen, who also works for the man. I am a servant of Sphinx and U'Vires, the two great men of this area, and I am happy to serve them. And I am no servant to Chaos. U'Vires wouldn't allow that."

Edited May 1, 2012 by Zepher

[CMP]

Atramor relaxes some, despite the fact that his hair is on fire, eyes glowing as brightly as Maw's.

"He can't hit us for crap next round. While this would be a good time to heal, I suggest we all focus our strongest attacks, since one way or another, he will take damage."

[Fred Daniel Yam]

"I shoot Maw twice with my crossbow from the back row!"

[Professor Flitwick]

"I'll attack Maw from the front row, with my Sarbe!"

Battle Order

Atramor Gibbin

William Harkenshire

Tarn Valco

Thothwick

Nyx

Mallelio

"Doesn't really matter, considering he's hexed, but..."

Edited May 1, 2012 by Professor Flitwick

[Rumble Strike]

Feeling his skin burning, Tarn lets out a cry of pained rage and attacks Maw from the front row with his axe Helbaerend.

[Zepher]

OoC: Fixed the last round, forgot to have William shoot twice! Waiting on you Pandora.

[Pandora]

Battle Order

Hans

Atramor Gibbin

William Harkenshire

Tarn Valco

Thothwick

Nyx

"Uhhhm, we don't have Hans, but we do have Mallelio, and it'd be handy if he started healing Tarn so Tarn can continue his front-row assaults in the rounds after the next round (and then Mallelio might be kind enough to start working through healing the rest of us?)

Naturally I plan to smite this chattering fool Maw with some Darkness magic, from the back row. I'd to see my little spider, but that might be too much to hope for. "

[Professor Flitwick]

"Uhhhm, we don't have Hans, but we do have Mallelio, and it'd be handy if he started healing Tarn so Tarn can continue his front-row assaults in the rounds after the next round (and then Mallelio might be kind enough to start working through healing the rest of us?)"

OOC: Force of habit!