Heroica RPG - Quest #29: Journey to Dastan

[JimBee]

QM Note: Thanks Nyx, I had an excellent time in Canada. Everyone, I've cleaned up character stats a bit to include defense and artifact abilities.

The Party:

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

Level 10 Cleric

Power: 16

Health: 17/17

Ether: 12/13

Defense: 0

Gold: 47

Inventory: Peace (Hammer, WP: 6), Wooden Staff (WP:3), Bedroll, Shovel, 2x Potion, Tonic, Remedy, Nostrum, Elixir, Grand Tonic, Venom, Bone, Fire Bomb

De'kra (played by Tanma)

Level 15.5 Rogue

Power: 20

Health: 21/21

Defense: 1

Gold: 214

Inventory: Kapura (WP:5, Fire), Chiara (WP:5, Lightning, Poisoned), Shadeaux Dagger (WP:5), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:5, unsuitable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, 2x Potion, 2x Remedy, Water Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Bone

Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan) *Party Leader*

Level 10.5 Mage

Power: 17

Health: 14/14

Ether: 11/14

Defense: 0

Gold: 38

Inventory: Dragon's Wrath (Staff WP: 6), Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Dragon's Heart (WP: 15, Fire/Wind Elemental, Suitable to Knights and Rogues), Opal(Ice), Sapphire(Wind), Topaz(Lightning), Potion, Tonic, Bone, Fire Bomb, Winged Helmet

Xander Unth'or (played by posades)

Level 14 Barbarian

Power: 22 (24 if fighting from front row)

Health: 21/21

Gold: 311

Defense: 0 (1 if fighting from back row)

Inventory: Pongcanis Club (WP: 8), Double-Sided Battle Ax (WP:6, Aim), Enigmatic Hammer (WP: 3), Robe of the Pongcanis Champion (WP: 1 Front Row)(SP: 1 Back Row), Potion (2), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, Horse (WP: 1 Front Row), Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2x Venom, Elven Bomb, Green Potion

Nyx (played by Pandora)

Level 20 Battle Mage *Immune to Asleep-effect*

Power: 33

Health: 30/30

Ether: 19/25

Defense: 0

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, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, 5 Bones, Wooden Shield (SP:2), Bomb XX, Phoenix Essence, Ether Core, Dragon Scale

Nyx goes over to Flavius, who rises and gives Denerii a hand up.

"You have beaten us fairly. Fine, we will help you. I assume that is what you seek?"

"We have come to realize that the Dastanians are not alone in this conflict. The elf is right, this war affects us as much as it does them. And you, heroes, you do not even come from this land, yet you help them. Our faith in humanity has been restored, somewhat. At any rate you heroes serve others before yourselves. That is why we shall do the same."

"And we shall need to know how exactly our tribe can help".

[Chromeknight]

The Rito warriors' words encouraged Nerwen.

Beaten you fairly it is. But you were right, we were arrogant ourselves and less than truly polite as we approached you.

My name is Nerwen, the Naga is Sarick, the echo, De'kra, the human Mage Nyx and the other human Xander. We also have a guide with us, Nikolai. He will have a better idea of what is needed.

You said that this is sacred ground. I was wrong to be dismissive of that. What god do you serve and how can atonement be made for the battle fought here? Some reparation? I feel we should make clear we are not merely warriors for hire, but truly seek the good of all peoples in this land.

Nerwen looks around for Nikolai.

Welcome back JimBee! My humble apologies. I think I've had my stats wrong for a while now. Health is lvl+9=19 and ether is lvl+5=15. I've updated my sig. Sorry again!

Edited July 2, 2012 by Chromeknight

[Chromeknight]

The absence of Nikolai worried Nerwen deeply. This would not be the first time their 'guide' had turned against them.

But in the calm after battle she was better able to understand what the voices that interrupted her healing magic had been. The rememants of the magics used by the Rito to summon their falcon allies echoed in the music of the winds.

Although not naturally adept at such calling the long day that she had just spent meditating while waiting for the Rito and the rest of the party to speak gave her insight into the method.

Nerwen drew a large circle in the dust with the tip of her staff, imbueing it with a squirt of erher as she closed it. With a loud voice she called the words she had heard echoing on the wind. She felt more than heard the answering scrall of a bird high above, right at the edge of her keen eyesight. A small thrill of excitation ran through Nerwen as the implications of her summoning sank in.

[JimBee]

QM Note: Sorry I've been extremely busy for the last few days, I know the updates have been slow. I just need to prepare some pictures for the next step and I should be able to update later tonight or tomorrow. Thank you all so much for your patience!

[Chromeknight]

QM Note: Sorry I've been extremely busy for the last few days, I know the updates have been slow. I just need to prepare some pictures for the next step and I should be able to update later tonight or tomorrow. Thank you all so much for your patience!

Thanks for letting us know. Hopefully you're having as much fun QMing as we're are questing!

Nerwen heard Nikolai toiling up the slope. She did not know what he had been doing, but he would be there soon to answer for himself. In the meantime she relaxed, slipping into a light, restful trance.

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra felt relief, their mission here might be a success. On a side note, Nerwen appeared to be taken over as leader of the group, not only in public relations but even in battle. The echo didn't mind, sure she had upset the Rito but that issue had been resolved and they might have been hostile regardless, the group were intruders after all. Interestingly she appeared to actively shape the group, rather than Sarick's slightly more laid back styles. And although keeping a level head is important in a war, being actively involved does play a factor...

"You're right, he is too passive. Not that I am complaining about the freedom and I am not an expert on this, but I think leaders are supposed to lead?"

"There are many kinds of leaders. Some are passive, some are active. Some are chosen, and some rise."

De'kra nodded vaguely at the first voice's equally vague words, while attempting to blot out the second voice's comment.

OOC: no offense to either players, you all have been great.

[JimBee]

QM Note: In the interest of keeping things moving, I'm going to go ahead and continue without pictures for the moment. I just haven't had the time or opportunity to get them, but hopefully tomorrow they will be ready.

Nikolai spoke up, addressing the Rito.

"I am glad we could come to an agreement, if only for the time being. If you are ready to help, we shall need to defend the capitol. One of our emperors has betrayed his people and --" Denerii mumbled something under her breath. "--And we will need to draw some of his guards away from the palace, where he is holed up. We don't have much time as the city is in imminent danger. An invasion is on it's way, in fact it might have already started. We must move quickly."

"Very well. While Denerii and I gather our people, you shall head down the mountain and back to your city. We will be ready for you when you arrive."

The heroes and Nikolai hurried down the mountain and back to the capitol. When they arrived, chaos had been unleashed. At the southern walls loyal troops could be seen fighting off Rogue Lion Knights, and at the western and northern walls hordes of citizens were evacuating. The party managed to sneak in the eastern gates unnoticed. Above them, they could see silhouettes of winged humanoids soaring towards the palace.

They arrived at Emeraldo's wing of the palace. In front of the door stood two guards, on the ground there were dark red stains.

"Oh no, not again... we just took care of two troublemakers dressed a lot like you, what is your purpose here?"

Suddenly Flavius and Denerii swooped down and landed next to the party. Other Rito could be seen doing the same in the distance.

"We've distributed our people around the city, to help us secure it. It appears the southern walls are under attack, so we must make haste in eliminating these guards."

Nikolai nodded.

"Wh-what? Rito! Wh-what are they doing here?! Call for backup!" the guard stammered in fear.

How will the party react?

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen waited for the other members of the party to speak. It seemed that they were still out of breath.

Now Denerii and Flavius had landed beside them, waiting expectantly. Nerwen hoped that De'kra was wearing his useful cloak, but she could not see him at the moment. Not, at least, without turning her back on the pair of guards. What looked like bloodstains lay at their feet, a detail that worried Netwen slightly. If the orcish paladin Cronk had still been with the party they might have tried some diplomacy. As it was it looked like battle was shortly to follow. Celebryon willing, the team was ready, but Nerwen, darting a glance left and right as she stared down the guards, did not see the others with weapons out. It was also unlikely Nikolai was going to be much help, given his record so far. She exhaled and took a step closer to the guards.

The emperor's life is in danger. And the city also. We have been sent to assist. The Rito are hereto strengthen our numbers, there is no need for fear.

We were travelling with Emperor Emeraldo and Russel before fetching the Rito. We have new instructions for you. Go to the southern wall and do what you can. We will make sure that anyone attempting to reach the Emperor will need to pass us to do so.

Go! Time is of the essence!

Nerwen speaks with confident assurance, hoping the ruse works and the others do not betray their true intent.

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra attempted to discreetly scan the potential foes with his cloak, though he was slightly distracted. The Rito seemed to have a prepared comment for news of Rolando's betrayal, like it was expected, or at least predictable. He would have to research into this.

But for now De'kra couldn't help but feel surprised. Despite all the trickery and falsehoods the group had seen, he hadn't even considered harnessing lies to their advantage. And it wasn't even a lie, only modified truth. The emperor's life was indeed in danger, and the city could be as well depending on the fighting. They have been sent to assist alongside the Rito, though by a different side. Everything said was a fact, it was brilliantly done. Perhaps the second voice had a point on who should be leader, though it would best to see if these truths worked first.

[JimBee]

EDIT: Sorry there's just a few things I need to sort out with the other QMs before we move on.

[Xarrzan]

Sarick was glad the Rito had not taken offense to his falcon snack. They must have been distracted by the battle. Sarick waited for the guard's response to Nerwen's statement...

[Zepher]

"We are no fools, heroes of Heroica. We have just seen two of your kind, stand down-"

There is a flash of light, and the six heroes who departed to fight the Chimera stand, shocked, confused, staring blankly as their wits return to them. The guards react as calmly as possible and withdraw behind their door.

The sound of feet are heard, walking strongly and with confidence. Ella, Mallelio, Tarn and Atramor appear, led by Phil. Nikolai goes to greet him. As he does so, Leofard appears, leading the party who were on the outskirts of the city. For the first time in Dastan, all of the heroes of Heroica are gathered.

"At last, we are all gathered. Now we are a force to be reckoned with."

"We have gathered the Rito to us, and are ready to strike at the Lion Knights."

"I fear they may strike at us first. Ella has had a vision... she believes Drakencourt will be invaded."

"The Rogues have already struck at the Southern wall. We scared them away."

"The people of Dastan are not foolish. We do not underestimate our enemies. We have all run into many problems in the last few days. We know a storm is growing. We must once more strike out and defend Dastan. I have formulated a plan. Listen heroes. This is the fourteenth hour."

"Those under Nikolai, you will need to force your way into Roland's wing. Morale can not continue to be high if we have a traitor at the heart of our city. It is dangerous and embarrassing. You must deal with it."

"Those who I brought here myself, I will accompany you to the jail so that we may interrogate Blackenord. Nyx tells us he is with the Assassins. He is our only lead. You will get information out of him."

"Those serving under the Lion Knights must prepare to defend our city. THe enemy has struck our South Wall. I have no doubt they will soon strike again, and in a bigger force."

"But before any of that, take a moment to reconnect, heroes." Ella turned to Phil apologetically. "I'm sorry, but they need it. They are caught in a whirlwind. You know how dangerous confusion can be. Let them fully understand their objectives before they strike out once more."

"You are correct, of course, m'lady. You must take time to prepare, but as soon as possible, we will crush this threat. The people of Dastan are strong. We are prepared." Phil winks at Thothwick, something none of the heroes have seen him do up to this point. "I think it's finally time for me to dig out my old war hammer."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall stands up, slightly confounded by all of the new faces. "Lion knights to the wall eh? I'm afraid if ya all even told me yer names I'd ferget them just as quickly, be that as it may if ya all wouldn't mind straightenin' me out on what's goin' on here, I'd be appreciative. In the mean time, what are we goin' to be facin' Sir Leofard, siege engines, ladders, mages?"

[CMP]

At last!

Atramor stared as he and Tarn were brought before...everyone, literally, practically everyone he'd run into in Dastan, not to mention a man who was obviously a Lion Knight, and a few other, new heroes, including Arthur and the ogre ranger fellow he'd seen several times before in the hall. Even McCafferey was rather quiet, perched stoically on his shoulder and icily examining the fated meeting between no less than 15 heroes.

"...Well, I don't think there's ever been this many heroes meetin' outside the hall before. Huh...er, Phil, what information are we tryin' to coerce outta Blackenord, exactly?"

[Zepher]

"Do not worry, Skrall. I understand the confusion. I am here because I can serve, not because my mind wraps easily around political turmoil. I too am sometimes lost in the fog. But I will try to explain as simply and quickly as I can. Even I do not understand all that has happened in this war so far."

"The team I hired was asked to protect certain key ambassadors in Drakencourt, as our army was mostly off fighting Rouge Lion Knights from U'Land led by Lord Loren. They protected a general named Nikolai, who stands before you, from an assassin named XX, hired by the lead assassin, U'Vires, a radical U'Kin. They were then asked to protect Mallelio, who is over there with Ella, Atramor, and Tarn. They did so, protecting him from Sphinx and a few mechanical brutes. They also ran into Sir Lyons, confirming that the Lion Knights and assassins were working together. They then botched saving U'Stus, our ally in the U'Kin community, and then assassinated Constance themselves, believing her to be a traitor because Felton told them that he thought she was. Felton was carted off to jail."

"Roland, who is in there, hired the heroes led by the naga. I haven't received any full report from then because it turns out Roland is the traitorous higher up who has been funding the Lion Knight rouges and the assassins. He's locked himself away with a mass of guards behind that door. To make amends for fighting alongside the traitor, this party was sent with Nikolai to recruit the help of the Rito, those winged fellows you see with them."

"As for the group hired by the Lion Knights... a Knight named Lawrence sent them over to help our army. He feels guilty that his men have attacked Drakencourt, so he sent troops and supplies. The Lion Knights have been in the field for the most part under our Emperor Alandri, who is directing the war effort while Severus runs the city and all day-to-day matters. I don't work with the Lion Knights at all, so I can't tell you exactly what they've been up to either. This gentleman is named Leofard, I believe. He seems to be a hell of a commander. Sometimes, it's no wonder to me that the Lion Knights hail from our land."

Phil sighs.

"No wonder you feel so lost. Talking about it takes the wind from me a little. We seem to be up against many enemies with more information than us, and we've not got all that many friends."

Phil then turns to Atramor.

"As for what we want to get from Blackenord, anything and everything. Namely, we need to figure out how Wren, U'Vires, and Lyons have all entered our city at different times. If an army is coming and they know how to get by our gates... the people of Drakencourt will fight, but we are not a trained army."

[Waterbrick Down]

As it didn't look like they'd be going anywhere soon, Skrall unsheathed the Greatsword of Lion Nobles, taking out his dragon scale he began to hone the blade. He wasn't sure about how he felt about the sword, but he knew that it had to be maintained until it at least found its rightful owner. Skrall glanced up at the hero who had just entered with the chicken on his shoulder, he raised an eyebrow surprised that the bird had survived what had probably been many a dangerous encounter with who knew what other fowl creatures that populated Dastan.

[CMP]

"Alright. I can handle interrogation, just ask Cronk and Nyx."

Atramor tilts his head to the paladin and battle mage and turn, chuckling.

"Okay. The Lions, Rito, and Alandri's guys hold off the Rogue Lions, the Roland folk go and take out their traitor emperor, and we go and interrogate Blackenord. Sounds good enough...'ya don't suppose Roland could be the one letting the assassins in, could he?"

[Zepher]

"We've no doubt he's the one letting them in, it's the how that's troubling us. Blackenord knows, maybe even thought up the plan, and is easier to question. Remember, he invented those machines you fought and that gun that U'Vires carries, and he's advised in this very palace before. His mind is dangerous. He could figure out how to get them in, and even if Roland is the one who did the action, we think that Blackenord might be the one who figured out the how... which is the part we need."

[Xarrzan]

Sarick listend to the statements before saying "Do you know a way to get into Roland's wing undetected? Where would he most likely be hiding inside? Any surprise defensesss that you know about that we can look out for?"

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick winked back at Phil. "Your weapons hold many memories, Mr. Phil. Try not to dust them off."

Thothwick turned to Tarn. "So, Mr. Tarn, what tasks were you tasked with, once you departed our company?"

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra shook his head to keep it from spinning. The echo decided he disliked teleportation, or whatever that was. Though it is odd that if the Dastan people had access to teleportation that the heroes had to walk. Shaking his head of that, the echo clicked, "I know this question probably redundant, but you are sure Rolando guilty? I mean no disrespect, I think he guilty too, but I just not want to enact another Constance. But you have undeniable evidence, yes?

[Fugazi]

Galen greets all the heroes, secretly hoping that their meeting wouldn't turn into another fight. Then he tries on his newly acquired headdress.

"Thank you Skrall for my generous share of the loot, this will surely be helpful in battles to come. Though it is quite unsettling to wear something that belonged to that hellish beast."

OOC: Zepher, do you have any idea what this headdress looks like?

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Greetings." Alexandre nods. "Skrall. I think we're the only ones left sane in our party. Arthur, Luke, and Knyghton have strangely fallen asleep."

IC: De'kra shook his head to keep it from spinning. The echo decided he disliked teleportation, or whatever that was. Though it is odd that if the Dastan people had access to teleportation that the heroes had to walk. Shaking his head of that, the echo clicked, "I know this question probably redundant, but you are sure Rolando guilty? I mean no disrespect, I think he guilty too, but I just not want to enact another Constance. But you have undeniable evidence, yes?

"Yes, Roland is guilty. Arthur and I tried to ask him some questions, but we had to fight off 3 waves of guards and retreat."

[Rumble Strike]

Thothwick winked back at Phil. "Your weapons hold many memories, Mr. Phil. Try not to dust them off."

Thothwick turned to Tarn. "So, Mr. Tarn, what tasks were you tasked with, once you departed our company?"

"Glad to see you again, Mr Thothwick. Ella here requested our assistance with a troubled spirit, a former Emperor of Dastan called Brunt. It was a long battle but Atramor's tactics were sound and we triumphed. How it relates to our situation here, I do not know, but I trust Ella and Mallelio so it must help our cause.

I hope that we can get some answers from this inventor, because I still do not feel we are being told the whole story."

Edited July 7, 2012 by Rumble Strike

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra nodded at the knight, though he wished that the knight had gone into more details. "It is too bad that you not get much information from traitor," he commented, "Anything else you have to add? Unusual items in his possession or something?"

"So, you going to ask about the teleportation thing?"

With a slighty annoyed tone the echo asked, "how were you able to move heroes so quickly from so far? Any reason this not use previously?"