Heroica RPG - Quest #36: The Voracious Vault

[Endgame]

Round Seven of the Final Battle Redux

>Pretzel seals Death Progg? D: Success!

>Pretzel seals Death Progg? D: Failure!

>Mizuki VS Death Progg? D (front): Critical Hit (10x2=20+10=30-14=16x2=32 damage)

>Mizuki VS Death Progg? D (front): Hit (10+10=20-14=6x2=12)

>Daxus VS Death Progg? D (front): Mug (9x3=27+10=37-14=23x2=46 damage)

>Daxus VS Death Progg? D (front): Miss

>Erik VS Death Progg? D (front): Critical Hit (10x3=30+10-40-14=26x2=52 damage)

The taxing battle has reached it's finale. Pretzel seals the Death Progg at the cost of one ether. mizuki attacks the Death Progg twice, her dagger leaving gashes in the Death Progg's now weakened shell. Daxus mugs, and misses. Erik, seeking to draw the battle to a close, scores a critical hit on the Death Progg. He goes into an electrical spasm, his loimbs twitching and bending at unnatural angles. Finally, his tail falls limp and hits the floor with a THUD.

THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOU-

"NOT SO FAAAAAASTLRRRRRGYRGH!!

The Death Progg spring up yet again, screaming. In the process he unleashes one last torrent of poison, forcing the party down to their knees. Thousands of Death Proggs surround them - has the poison finally made their minds collapse?

Daxus's will remains strong, however. Stumbling upwards like a drunkard, he draws Combrys and shambles towards the Death Progg, seeking to kill. His breath is heavy and laced with pain.

The Death Progg simply laughs at the display as Daxus stumbles towards a hallucination. He swings half-heartedly at the fake, collapsing to the ground when he realizes the fatal mistake he had made. In one swift motion, the Death Progg drew his tail up... and plunged it straight through Daxus. The Death Progg dangled his shishkebbabed snack at eye level, gleeful he could watch one of the interlopers squirm in his final moments. Daxus mouths foul vitriol at the beast as blood drips out of his chest wound. Finally, his limbs fall limp and his brain stops working. Daxus... was dead. Mockingly, the Death Progg dangles the corpse in front of the helpless party.

"No... Daxus!!"

"You... monster!"

"WAAAAAHHH! *wheezewheezewheezewheezewheeze* D-daxus!!"

*Fumbles desperately for a Phoenix Essence*

"HAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! YOU POOR, DELUDED, MONK. A PHOENIX ESSENCE CAN'T FIX EVERYTHING. I'VE PIERCED HIS HEART, SNAPPED HIS SPINE IN TWO, AND PROBABLY PUNCTURED BOTH LUNGS AS WELL. THE LIGHT YOU MENTIONED? THE POWER YOU SAID WOULD "PREVENT YOU FROM ENDING US BEFORE YOUR TIME?" WHERE IS IT NOW, HM?! WHERE IS IT NOW?! YOU'RE HELPLESS! NOW... PREPARE TO JOIN YOUR FRIEND!"

The Death Progg cackles, his fiendish laugh bouncing off the walls of the room. He pulls up his tail, preparing to skewer the rest of the party. Monk pretzel refuses to give up, however. Summoning all the power his faith had given him, Monk Pretzel shambles up... and mounts his broom. In a flash, with white light trailing behind him, he sees through the Death Progg's ruse... and navigates the broom in between the Death Progg's face grid. The broom pierces right between the beast's eyes, and his tail falls limp: the sharp point falling and impaling his through the back. A pool of blood gurgles out of the wound, staining the floor an ugly scarlet. Monk Pretzel grunts as he pulls the broomstick out of the Death Progg's face. He turns around to see the Death Pprogg's glassy, now lifeless gaze, still staring at him in shock and surprise. The Death Progg... had been slain.

The party tries to pull Daxus's body off of the Death Progg's tail to give him a proper burial, but to no avail - The Death Progg's tail tail was sunk too deep in his body to pull Daxus off of it. In retribution, Erik cuts off 4 of the Death Progg's claws with Voltedge.

Death Progg Claw: A trophy that proves you have slain the mighty Death Progg. Worthless in most places, but can be sold for 35 gold at magic shops.

QM Note: The above is just a roleplay item, mostly. Show it to all your friends and family!

Punii gives each person a holy bomb from his stockpile as well, knowing he didn't need them anymore. He keeps one to experiment with. The battle had been won, but at what cost?

The party stumbles out of the vault, the poison still having it's effects. Knowing they had explored everything in the vault, they exit it and walk back above ground. The fresh air manages to clear the poisoning, and the party can see straight within a matter of minutes. They start a small fire and retreat to their bedrolls. A half moon dangles in the sky, surrounded by other beautiful stars and constellations. The time is about midnight - they had only been in the vault for 6 hours. Would the party like to talk before going to sleep? Ayla would pick them up tomorrow morning.

The Party:

Monk Pretzel, Level 11 Cleric. 463-year-old male "hermit". (Played by Palathadric)*Party Leader!*

Power: 16

Health: 21/21(+1,+1)

Ether: 3/15

Gold: 172

Inventory: Cross (=Nimbus Broomstick) (WP: 5), Viking Helmet (+1 HP), Arm-Mounted Shield (+1 HP), Potion (x2), Shovel, Bedroll, Grand Tonic x2, Scroll of Sealing, Cannonball, Brewer's Book, Tonic x1, Smoke bomb, Phoenix Essence x2, Holy bomb

Erik Tyrvarr, Level 10.5 Barbarian. Male Human, 18 years old. (Played by Myrrdn)

Power: 20

Health: 17/17

Gold: 161

Inventory: Voltedge (WP10, lightning elemental) Spear (WP9), Axe (WP3), Holy bomb

Mizuki Kimura, Level 11 Rogue. 21 years old female human. (Played by Zakura)

Power: 21

Health: 17/17

Gold: 562

Inventory: Dagger (WP: 10), Venom, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Shovel, Pick, Remedy, Cannonball

"We've *wheeze* won... I guess..."

Punii, 2 week old Progg runt (NPC)

Stockpile: Holy Bomb x1

QM Note: Distribute the loot and roleplay a bit, and tell me when you want to all sleep. Then, the conclusion will be put up.

Edited August 5, 2012 by Endgame

[Myrddyn]

"So, what are you doing now, Punii? Going off to join the Toxiproggs?"

[Endgame]

"So, what are you doing now, Punii? Going off to join the Toxiproggs?"

"Would if I could. *cough* I can't exactly dig because of my lack of arms and pathetically *wheeze* stubby tail, so I have no way of them reaching me, and vicey-versey. I'll probably just scurry off and find some alley to live in."

"That Death Progg was a real jerk, huh?"

[Tachyon]

Mizuki says to Erik and Monk Pretzal "When we get to the hall, we should hold a funeral for Daxus."

[Palathadric]

I pant a little after killing the Death Progg.

"That devil deserved it..."

I suddenly remember Daxus. Rushing over, I pour his Phoenix Essence down his mouth, and using all the power/ether at my command I manage to get his heart pumping. His eyes open as he stares hazily at me.

"Daxus, I'm afraid this is the end for you. There is little I can do to save you now, but we will be certain to give you a decent funeral. You have done what you could in ridding the world of demons. First the Draugr in our last quest and then the many lesser devils and finally the master devil of them all here in these caverns. May God bless the deeds you have done and the extra gold given and grant you a glorious future in the life to come."

I bow my head in prayer. Daxus is gone, but a hint of a smile plays on the corner of his lips. I stare down at him in a rather melacholy mood. I hear Mizuki make a comment. Without looking up, I reply,

"You are right, Mizuki. We must take him back to Eubric and give him a proper buial at the Hall. I would bury him here in honour of his last struggle against this evil, but I am afraid that the proggs may return to avenge the Death Progg and desecrate his body while they do so. No! We must bury him at Heroica Hall."

I turn to Mizuki and Erik.

"I have no need for these claws. Why don't you take two each. Otherwise, we could place one in Daxus' tomb in tribute to his accomplishments. What say you both?"

[Endgame]

I pant a little after killing the Death Progg.

"That devil deserved it..."

I suddenly remember Daxus. Rushing over, I pour his Phoenix Essence down his mouth, and using all the power/ether at my command I manage to get his heart pumping. His eyes open as he stares hazily at me.

"Daxus, I'm afraid this is the end for you. There is little I can do to save you now, but we will be certain to give you a decent funeral. You have done what you could in ridding the world of demons. First the Draugr in our last quest and then the many lesser devils and finally the master devil of them all here in these caverns. May God bless the deeds you have done and the extra gold given and grant you a glorious future in the life to come."

I bow my head in prayer. Daxus is gone, but a hint of a smile plays on the corner of his lips. I stare down at him in a rather melacholy mood. I hear Mizuki make a comment. Without looking up, I reply,

"You are right, Mizuki. We must take him back to Eubric and give him a proper buial at the Hall. I would bury him here in honour of his last struggle against this evil, but I am afraid that the proggs may return to avenge the Death Progg and desecrate his body while they do so. No! We must bury him at Heroica Hall."

I turn to Mizuki and Erik.

"I have no need for these claws. Why don't you take two each. Otherwise, we could place one in Daxus' tomb in tribute to his accomplishments. What say you both?"

QM Note: Are you using your phoenix essence for roleplaying purpose? if so, kudos - not many would sacrifice an item like that for roleplay!

I'm afraid Daxus's body can't be removed from the the Death Progg's tail, though - since Daxus is skewered on the tail, and the Death Progg's tail is currently firmly rooted in his own skull, well... You get the idea.

Someone just give the command and I'll put up the ending.

[Tachyon]

Mizuki goes to Daxus's body and lights it up before collecting the ashes and putting it away in an empty potion jar for burial later.

Mizuki then says to her teammates "We should go back to Eubric soon, to bury Daxus's ashes."

Edited August 5, 2012 by zakura

[Palathadric]

I take up Combrys and, with a great effort, hack the tail off the death progg.

"Part of the trophy I am guessing," I mutter. "Punii, I see you still have a Holy Bomb in your collection. Kindly hand it to Mizuki, if it's alright with you."

Mizuki goes to Daxus's body and lights it up before collecting the ashes and putting it away in an empty potion jar for burial later.

Mizuki then says to her teammates "We should go back to Eubric soon, to bury Daxus's ashes."

Oops, didn't see this post. Yes, Endgame, I'll use the Phoenix Essence.I restrain Mizuki from lighting the body. I then take up Combrys and sever the tail from the Death Progg. I turn to the others.

"Is their a temporary "coffin" we can put his body in for the remainder of the night?"

[Tachyon]

Mizuki also picks up Daxus's hat and brings it with her.

[Endgame]

QM Note: I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Pretzel: The Death Progg will have to remain intact and the Combrys will have to remain where it is for followup purposes. Sorry. I will hand the holy bomb to Mizuki, though.

The Party:

Monk Pretzel, Level 11 Cleric. 463-year-old male "hermit". (Played by Palathadric)*Party Leader!*

Power: 16

Health: 21/21(+1,+1)

Ether: 15/15

Gold: 172

Inventory: Cross (=Nimbus Broomstick) (WP: 5), Viking Helmet (+1 HP), Arm-Mounted Shield (+1 HP), Potion (x2), Shovel, Bedroll, Grand Tonic x2, Scroll of Sealing, Cannonball, Brewer's Book, Tonic x1, Smoke bomb, Phoenix Essence, Holy bomb, Death Progg claw

Erik Tyrvarr, Level 10.5 Barbarian. Male Human, 18 years old. (Played by Myrrdn)

Power: 20

Health: 17/17

Gold: 161

Inventory: Voltedge (WP10, lightning elemental) Spear (WP9), Axe (WP3), Holy bomb, Death Progg Claw

Mizuki Kimura, Level 11 Rogue. 21 years old female human. (Played by Zakura)

Power: 21

Health: 17/17

Gold: 562

Inventory: Dagger (WP: 10), Venom, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Shovel, Pick, Remedy, Cannonball, Death Progg Claw, Holy Bomb x2

A sorrowful mood weighing on all the heroes shoulders, the party drifts off into a sleep. Daxus's cremated remains lays in the middle of the triangle created by the sleeping heroes' bedrolls, a testament to what happened this faithful day. Much tossing and turning later, the entire party finds peace in slumber.

The morning sun slowly rises, and with it, Mrs. Commerz's chariot trundles down next to them. The party clambers up and rolls up their bedrolls. Ayla notices the jar ashes, and as the heroes travel back to Mrs. Commerz's office, they explain the sorrowful situation to Ayla. When they reach her office, Ayla hangs her head low.

"I'm... so, so, sorry... I had no idea the beasts in there were so powerful...?"

With a sigh, she lifts up a bag of gold from under the desk and pushes it towards the heroes.

600 gold!

Suddenly, Monk Pretzel's cart begins to wobble. Ayla goes up to expect it, and Punii bursts out - the little rascal was sleeping there!

"Did I miss anythi- where the *wheeze* are we...? Hey, you're that lady I saved!"

The party explains Punii's role in the entire fiasco, her expression changing from contempt, to curiosity, to understanding as the story goes. Finally, she picks up Punii, and says:

"Need a home, little guy?"

~The Quest is Successful!~

Epilogue

The Toxiproggs and the trivia triplets lived their lives out in a small cavern shooting off of the vault. As they expected, the cavern was jam-packed with subterranean fauna - all you could eat buffet indeed! They stuffed themselves until they couldn't fit anymore. And needless to say, there was leftovers that would last awhile...

Punii finally got what he always wanted - a family. He quickly became the mascot of Commerz Bank, lounging around Luosh and delivering important business letters around town. An odd pet to have, but a loving and smart one nonetheless.

With the burden of the Proggs lifted from her shoulders, Ayla Commerz found her job more enjoyable then ever. Business was booming lately, and she and Punii tackled the challenge with enthusiasm. Who said accounting couldn't be fun?

Punii and Ayla, one night, paid a visit to the vault - to cremate what was left of the Proggs. They cremated each Progg one by one, scattering their ashes to the wind. They entered the Death Progg's chambers, the floor still stained with the monster's blood. They went to where the Death Progg should've been, however, something was amiss - the beast's remains wasn't there. Taking a step back and looking down, they realize that the blood wasn't simply in a random pattern - it was a message.

I'm leaving

and won't be coming back to this vault

but Luosh will see me again soon.

The End??

QM Note: It's been really fun, questies - but 36 is officially over! Feel free to split up the gold when you get to the hall. Please leave me as much feedback as possible in the QM's Lounge.

And who knows? Maybe the Progg's story will be continued... but that is a tale for another day.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Endgame