Heroica RPG - Quest #29: Journey to Dastan

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Let's all confront the commander, our numbers could take control of the situation, then we split up. If we split up, I'll go with Isabella, we need to talk.

[Flipz]

"I agree. I'm staying with Skrall, and I'd like it if De'kra came with us, in this place 'tis best to keep one's allies close at hand. And I want to be away from that schutta Isabella as soon as possible."

[CorneliusMurdock]

Cronk agrees that there no need to split up until Heroes talk to commander. As for forming new parties, Cronk not see reason to do so. But a lot depend on what commander say.

[Flipz]

"Say, what kind o' weapons are those? Mind if I take a look? A nice new spatha might be jus' tha thing fer me."

[JimBee]

All twelve party members and the soldier head upstairs. The battle seems to have ceased for the moment, but soldiers are running about preparing for another attack. A man shouting orders can be seen near the center of the great fort, so the parties approach him. The soldier explains the situation to him.

"As I understand it, you are all heroes sent from Eubric. I'm sorry we all had to meet like this, but welcome to Dastan. My name is Nikolai, and I'm in charge here. I've recently been sent from the city of Dragonclaw, but even I wasn't expecting an attack so quickly, and so close to our capital... Is there something I can assist you with?"

Meanwhile Count Knyghton inspects the weapons, which include swords and spears, but they don't seem to be suitable to him, either. They are probably intended for Dastanian soldiers.

[Flipz]

Cutting off Arthur, who was about to speak (and in Knyghton's view, possibly turn the whole battalion against them), Count Knyghton replies, "As a matter of fact there is. Were you told tha' our attachment of Lion Knights would be dispatched to tha Empire to help you fight off tha Rebellion? In fact, were you aware of Emperor Alandri's involvement in these affairs at all?"

"Also, we've had ta deal, rather unexpectedly, with resistance from a group called tha Cult of tha Chimaera. Do ya know anythin' about them, an' if they're workin' with tha Rebellion?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Luke gingerly accepts the staff from Arthur and nods in greeting to the other Party, "I remember this staff well and while I doubt I'll use a weapon that has caused so much destruction, I shall attempt to withold its evil influences from the other members of the party."

Skrall attempts to track down Russel before deciding to lead the party to meet with the commander.

[Flipz]

"Say, Luke, do ya think ya might be able ta identify tha' mysterious purple potion Master De'kra has, or should we just feed it ta Arthur and see what it does?"

The rest of the party distinctly hears Arthur mutter something about the potion and Isabella, but it's just quiet enough that they can choose whether or not to ignore it.

OOC: Also, Dharkan says you control Isabella until she gets back, WBD.

[Waterbrick Down]

"I may be of some assistance," Luke walks over and attempts to identify the potion.

[JimBee]

"As a matter of fact there is. Were you told tha' our attachment of Lion Knights would be dispatched to tha Empire to help you fight off tha Rebellion? In fact, were you aware of Emperor Alandri's involvement in these affairs at all?"

"I am mostly associated with Emperor Septrine, but yes, the Emperors, mainly Alandri, are working with the Lion Knights to help keep out the rogue Lions."

"Also, we've had ta deal, rather unexpectedly, with resistance from a group called tha Cult of tha Chimaera. Do ya know anythin' about them, an' if they're workin' with tha Rebellion?"

"A nuisance that has recently become more of a problem. We're not sure if they're allied with the rebellion, but they've been causing trouble."

Skrall attempts to track down Russel before deciding to lead the party to meet with the commander.

Skrall uses his Hunter skills to try to tack down Russel. Only encountering the soldier for a brief period, Skrall has a hard time recognizing the scent, but soon picks it up. Faint footprints lead out the door of the armory that was open, spaced far apart as if the prey were running.

Luke tries his hand at identifying the potion, but also fails. It is obviously a foreign concoction that was perhaps a custom recipe. The only way to know the effects is to drink it.

[Flipz]

"No luck? All right, then. Hold this." Arthur has Luke hold all of his gear. "I want this back the moment I finish drinking the potion, unless I'm dead or unconscious." Arthur then drinks the Purple Potion.

OOC: Hope that's OK, De'kra HAD handed it to Arthur for analysis earlier. If anyone has an objection, just stop Arthur.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Hello, Nikolai. Cronk wants to ask if Emperor Roland is authorized to take these weapons Heroes have found.

Also did a guard named Russel just come talk to Nikolai? Russel left Cronk's party without warning and when Russel return, Russel said Russel talked to commander of fort.

[Chromeknight]

"No luck? All right, then. Hold this." Arthur has Luke hold all of his gear. "I want this back the moment I finish drinking the potion, unless I'm dead or unconscious." Arthur then drinks the Purple Potion.

OOC: Hope that's OK, De'kra HAD handed it to Arthur for analysis earlier. If anyone has an objection, just stop Arthur.

The recent events took Nerwen a little while to process. In the elvish way often she could be standing and hearing, but also meditating and recalling past events in order to shed light on the present. Little Nerwen had seen or done had prepared her for the confusion that seemed to be perpetrated by the lack of communication between the Emperors, or more correctly, their minions and underlings.

However the thinking over colour theory taught to her by an uncle when she was quite young, Nerwen now had some idea about the potions.

Seeing Arthur raising it to his lips she stepped forward, bold enough to put her hand on his arm and stay Arthur's motion of drinking the potion.

Please wait. I have been thinking about the potions, I believe they are beneficial, but they are a reward and perhaps you might let De'kra drink it. I think purple, the colour of magic, may enhance ether. Red, the potion I hold enhance health. Green is possibly strength and blue perhaps defensive in some way. At least that is my idea from thinking about colours.

De'kra, you've been very talkative since meeting this mage, I take it you know and trust him? You've said more in the last little while than in the whole quest previous. Is he connected to your past somehow?

[Tanma]

OOC: we so will never find out what the potions do.

IC: De'kra nodded and clicked, "I know him, but I only met him before I previous quest. He and I use that journal system to communicate across two different quests back in Uland, to share ideas for defeat siege in Quest 17. Sorry, I not most comfortable in start conversation. It easier for I to talk if someone approach first, likewise have past communications and person make it much easier. At least that what I observe."

"It should have been obvious Russel was traitor," said De'kra after a pause, "When Team was in cultists caves, he not help Team fight beasts nor help Team fight cultists. He was soldier, why would he not fight? Especially since his homeland is in danger? I thought it was odd, but yet I not follow it to logical explanation. I got to remember to stop trust any guide that just sit back in fights."

"I probably not use potion," commented De'kra, "I know too little of it and if it bad I not want to be poison in war zone. I would only take resources away from wound soldiers. So if anything I will wait."

[Flipz]

The recent events took Nerwen a little while to process. In the elvish way often she could be standing and hearing, but also meditating and recalling past events in order to shed light on the present. Little Nerwen had seen or done had prepared her for the confusion that seemed to be perpetrated by the lack of communication between the Emperors, or more correctly, their minions and underlings.

However the thinking over colour theory taught to her by an uncle when she was quite young, Nerwen now had some idea about the potions.

Seeing Arthur raising it to his lips she stepped forward, bold enough to put her hand on his arm and stay Arthur's motion of drinking the potion.

Please wait. I have been thinking about the potions, I believe they are beneficial, but they are a reward and perhaps you might let De'kra drink it. I think purple, the colour of magic, may enhance ether. Red, the potion I hold enhance health. Green is possibly strength and blue perhaps defensive in some way. At least that is my idea from thinking about colours.

De'kra, you've been very talkative since meeting this mage, I take it you know and trust him? You've said more in the last little while than in the whole quest previous. Is he connected to your past somehow?

Arthur shoots a quick glare at Nerwen, but stops as asked. "Very well then, I'll leave it up to De'kra, since it is his potion. De'kra, do you want this, or want to give it to another? The Elf's words are convincing, but there truly is only one way to know what these potions do, and as I'm sure most of my Quest-mates will tell you, I am the one among them who would be least missed." He pauses, thinking. "In fact, it would be better to suffer whatever ill effects it may have here, when there are many Heroes to deal with it, than later, when we may be split against our will." He looks to De'kra for permission to drink the Purple Potion.

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra replied, "Not yet. As I said, Teams in war zone, Teams can not afford to test potions under these conditions. If drinker becomes sick, they might not be able to get aid they require, or just take away medical attention from wound soldiers. Either way fighting force will be down one soldier unnecessarily. Whoever drink potion should wait till Teams leave fort and are in safe place, it too great risk. If you want you can have potion, but wait until you in safer place before drink. Maybe some town and healers would be best, not that I doubt ability of Healers in parties. But just because Teams have healers still not mean group should risk deplete Ether and Tonics, especially near battle. This make sense?"

[Flipz]

Arthur nods. "Perhaps when we return to one of the Emperors' palaces." Arthur is itching to guzzle the potion, but he holds himself in check for De'kra's sake.

OOC: And now you see why Arthur hasn't attacked anyone yet.

Arthur accepts the Purple Potion, and reclaims his gear from Luke. "Speaking of my gear, Skrall, you, uh, gonna hold onto my Telescope or can I have it back?" While he waits his thoughts drift back to the potion, and the power that he was now convinced lay within. Violet. The color of magic...the color of darkness...the color of power. He steals another quick, dark look at Nerwen. Greedy Cleric. Probably just wants it for herself. Dirty Elf--no, no, it's not that, Luke's an okay guy. He glares at Isabella, and at Nerwen both. Perhaps I was wrong about Isabella--about the Rogues. De'kra is still just the same, and he bears me no ill tidings. While studying his foes, he stumbles upon a "solution." Ah, yes. I see it now. It is now as it once was...as it always was... "I should have learned then," he mutters.

OOC: Thanks Chromeknight for the chance to set up more backstory stuff, I've had this one in my pocket for quite a long time.

[Tanma]

OOC: anyone know what this is? (Note, the Matoran language is an entire language, I do not doubt that there are other currently unknown words that could fulfill the requirements of these letters. So feel free to reject De'kra's not yet mentioned theory in your plans for the journal)

IC: De'kra glanced at Arthur to notice a slight intensity, lurking beneath the surface. De'kra gazed carefully at the journal once more, hoping to find more specific runes. Finally he caught sight of a damaged word that said -l-si. De'kra turned to Arthur and commented, "I think I found something in runes, might factor into journal ability. Might you know this image?" The shade drew an image in his journal, that of a strange patched together face with two large horns, an few spikes on the top, and with a demented grin. The echo showed the image to Arthur, his face still unchanging.

Edited May 24, 2012 by Tanma

[Flipz]

Arthur stared at the image with an unhealthy fascination, but it was a gaze of new discovery, not recognition. "I've never...seen...what is that?" He asks in wonder. "Is that Abraxas? It certainly looks demonic..." A thought springs to his mind. "Hey, is that thing the reason you lost your memory when you first came to Heroica?"

[Tanma]

OOC: maybe the reason De'kra and Arthur get along is because they both love exposition.

IC: De'kra shook his head no and explained, "You know how I sometimes describe things as Karzahni? Karzahni is place near home where villagers were sent to be...heal. It always frightful place, and volcanoes of burn ice and terrible monster crabs. But ruler of realm, who Karzahni was name for, was terrible healer, and anyone who came there end up twist and distort. Karzahni ruler began to keep villagers sent to him to hide his failure, and force them to build monuments in his honor. If villager not work, or even just stay still for minute, theyir bodies would turn to stone. When I compare place to Karzahni, I say it place of eternal undeserve pain, where cruelty and evil rules."

"This face of Karzahni ruler," continued De'kra, "Or at least, his mask. It pretty much same thing, as if he lost his mask, much of his strength would be lost. It is same and almost all mask wear people back home, it so bad for villagers that they slip into comas if they are without masks for short periods of time. But Karzahni has one of kind mask, made by Creators themselves. It is Olisi, Great Mask of Alternate Futures. Olisi allows user to see possible future, or another timeline where different choices were made. One can see alternate past, present, and future and Olisi, though it not as dangerous as Olmak. It is powerful weapon though, Karzahni ruler would use it to break will of villagers sent to him, by show them all ways they could have mess up, or could mess up. And if you threat to him he might show you reality where you not make mistakes of past, utopian timeline. You might feel such joy to see old friends alive, that you willingly forget you are in vision, and forget true history for you. but unlike Olmak if you break this mask and it not work again."

"I am pretty sure Karzahni ruler not involve in I amnesia though, " commented De'kra, "Last I heard he was driven mad by great evil I often mention, after Karzahni ruler show him world where his plan fail and Great Spirit Mata-Nui punish great evil for his betrayal. Great Evil not like pain he felt in that vision, probably help to fuel him to his success. Regardless Karzahni ruler is vegetable now, at least his brain is that of vegetable. Not count mobile plants of course. You think artifact like Olisi might be connect to journal system, similar word to it in runes. Might there be possibility that Olisi could distrupt journals?"

[Flipz]

OOC: maybe the reason De'kra and Arthur get along is because they both love exposition.

IC: De'kra shook his head no and explained, "You know how I sometimes describe things as Karzahni? Karzahni is place near home where villagers were sent to be...heal. It always frightful place, and volcanoes of burn ice and terrible monster crabs. But ruler of realm, who Karzahni was name for, was terrible healer, and anyone who came there end up twist and distort. Karzahni ruler began to keep villagers sent to him to hide his failure, and force them to build monuments in his honor. If villager not work, or even just stay still for minute, theyir bodies would turn to stone. When I compare place to Karzahni, I say it place of eternal undeserve pain, where cruelty and evil rules."

"This face of Karzahni ruler," continued De'kra, "Or at least, his mask. It pretty much same thing, as if he lost his mask, much of his strength would be lost. It is same and almost all mask wear people back home, it so bad for villagers that they slip into comas if they are without masks for short periods of time. But Karzahni has one of kind mask, made by Creators themselves. It is Olisi, Great Mask of Alternate Futures. Olisi allows user to see possible future, or another timeline where different choices were made. One can see alternate past, present, and future and Olisi, though it not as dangerous as Olmak. It is powerful weapon though, Karzahni ruler would use it to break will of villagers sent to him, by show them all ways they could have mess up, or could mess up. And if you threat to him he might show you reality where you not make mistakes of past, utopian timeline. You might feel such joy to see old friends alive, that you willingly forget you are in vision, and forget true history for you. but unlike Olmak if you break this mask and it not work again."

"I am pretty sure Karzahni ruler not involve in I amnesia though, " commented De'kra, "Last I heard he was driven mad by great evil I often mention, after Karzahni ruler show him world where his plan fail and Great Spirit Mata-Nui punish great evil for his betrayal. Great Evil not like pain he felt in that vision, probably help to fuel him to his success. Regardless Karzahni ruler is vegetable now, at least his brain is that of vegetable. Not count mobile plants of course. You think artifact like Olisi might be connect to journal system, similar word to it in runes. Might there be possibility that Olisi could distrupt journals?"

OOC: Quite possibly. You might be on to something there.

Arthur nods in understanding. "I know of a similar realm, it's called the Nether. We use it for fast travel, and to mine for some of the fantastically rare and valuable substances that exist only there. There are many dangers, though, and it is a place of exlie for the druly depraved."

"This 'Karzahni'...he sounds like a Chaos user. Eerily so. Do you think...is it possible he had an apprentice? Or that he is otherwise related to Zoot?" Arthur was becoming more and more intrigued by the possibilities. "If it is this "mask" that is interrupting my familial magicks...well, I don't think I'd mind getting my hands on it..."

At this Arthur frowned. "You said that without mask, your people lose their strength. So where is your mask?"

[Fugazi]

Galen listened to the heroes for a long while, but he was starting to become restless.

"Listen up folks. We were all sent to fulfil a mission, and it's far from being over. I think we're losing focus -- we're on the verge of being attacked, and a decision must be made. We can either all fight here, then return to Emperor Emeraldo with the weapons he sorely needs on the main battle front. Or we can split up now and go our separate ways, following our original missions."

Galen cast a glance at his leader, Sarick.

"Us six have been told to move stealthily, so that we're not spotted by the Lion Knights. However, Russel's disappeareance incriminates him and I have no doubt that he is the infiltrator we were told to look for. It's probably too late to find him, he must have reported our presence to the Lion Knights by now. Will they call off their attack knowing that we're much stronger than they initially expected? I can't say. But in any case, there's no need to hide our presence anymore. How fast the Emperor needs the weapons is also unclear, maybe we just can't afford to wait until the battle here is over."

[Flipz]

Galen listened to the heroes for a long while, but he was starting to become restless.

"Listen up folks. We were all sent to fulfil a mission, and it's far from being over. I think we're losing focus -- we're on the verge of being attacked, and a decision must be made. We can either all fight here, then return to Emperor Emeraldo with the weapons he sorely needs on the main battle front. Or we can split up now and go our separate ways, following our original missions."

Galen cast a glance at his leader, Sarick.

"We six have been told to move stealthily, so that we're not spotted by the Lion Knights. However, Russel's disappeareance incriminates him and I have no doubt that he is the infiltrator we were told to look for. It's probably too late to find him, he must have reported our presence to the Lion Knights by now. Will they call off their attack knowing that we're much stronger than they initially expected? I can't say. But in any case, there's no need to hide our presence anymore. How fast the Emperor needs the weapons is also unclear, maybe we just can't afford to wait until the battle here is over."

Arthur nods. Here was another Rogue who was confirming his new hypothesis. "We have a Hunter in our party. Skrall seems to have a bead on Russel; if he can track Lady Leofwena, the traitorous cultist spy among our ranks, then he can certainly catch up with this "Russel" fellow. I say we all fight together, drop the wepons off for your Emperor, and then take out the infiltrator. Our mission is to take down the Rebellion as best we can, and I feel it is in our parties' best interests to stick together, at least for now."

[Tanma]

OOC: good catch by Arthur

IC: De'kra shook his head, "Karzahni land also not realm, you can walk there from Great City of Metru-Nui, or any other location in...I universe. It not a separate plane, just different island encase in massive dome, like all islands back home save two glorious lands. As for Zoot himself, I never heard of him or any other people worship in Uland in I past. I was not familar and concept of physical chaos before I came here, though physical evil was known. Karzahni could however scan minds of almost anyone though, which Wren can too. But all in all I think there no relation. In I memories all I knew of as gods were Great Beings themselves and Ma..."

De'kra's eyes dimmed for a second and his emotionless face fell, before he continued, "Not important right now. On matter of diet, people of I homeland not need to eat so much, but when they need to they eat through their hands."

De'kra glanced at Galan and replied, "It might be good idea to head out soon, though team should wait for Commander's answers. After that Team could probably head back to Emperor if time urgent."

Edited May 24, 2012 by Tanma

[Flipz]

OOC: good catch by Arthur

IC: De'kra shook his head, "Karzahni land also not realm, you can walk there from Great City of Metru-Nui, or any other location in...I universe. It not a separate plane, just different island encase in massive dome, like all islands back home save two glorious lands. As for Zoot himself, I never heard of him or any other people worship in Uland in I past. I was not familar and concept of physical chaos before I came here, though physical evil was known. Karzahni could however scan minds of almost anyone though, which Wren can too. But all in all I think there no relation. In I memories all I knew of as gods were Great Beings themselves and Ma..."

De'kra's eyes dimmed for a second and his emotionless face fell, before he continued, "Not important right now. On matter of diet, people of I homeland not need to eat so much, but when they need to they eat through their hands."

De'kra glanced at Galan and replied, "It might be good idea to head out soon, though team should wait for Commander's answers. After that Team could probably head back to Emperor if time urgent."

"The Nether isn't a separate Plane, it's...for lack of a non-arcane term, it's a "different side" of our own. It's difficult to explain--"

Count Knyghton interjects. "Yes, yes, I'm sure we'd all be fascinated by your messin' about with tha arcane arts, but we need to focus on tha here and now. I'm open to going anywhere I'm asked, but I feel that we ought ta fight this one out together--after all, tha enemy's on tha way now, better to fight them here from the defensible fort rather than on tha open plains. We've brought our own troops with us, as well, so there's that advantage as well. If you help us fight off tha enemy, we can ensure safe passage back to tha Emperors. It'd be good ta meet the Emperor you've been working with, as well--a lack of commnication almost set us against each other, I think if we both go back we migh' be able ta get them both in tha same room, so they can coordinate their orders a bit better."

Arthur notices some papers sticking slightly out of Cronk's pack. "Cronk, what are those?" he asks curiously.