Heroica RPG - Quest #42: The Meaning Of It All

[Flare]

Palathadric if you want to equip the Magic Viper Skin instead of a different artifact then let me know...

Party:

Monk Pretzel

Level 12.5 Cleric

Power: 22

Defense: 5

Health: 22/22

Ether: 17/20

Gold: 122

Equipment: Staff of Malbert (WP:10,

Light-Elemental

), Tricorn (Artifact; SP:3), Ethereal Cloak (Artifact; SP:2, Max Ether +4)

Inventory: Cross (Nimbus Broomstick; Ranged; WP: 5), Grand Potion (3), Potion (2), Tonic, Grand Tonic (2), Remedy, Soma, Phoenix Essence, Deadly Venom, 2 Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Commerz Cannonball, Scroll of Sealing, Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, 3 Gold Bars, Magic Shovel

^{(will always find}

^something

^{when used, limited to three uses per quest)}

, Magic Viper Skin

Erdathcath Madilinas

*party leader*

Level 18 Druid

*lucky*

*immune to petrify*

Power: 28

Health: 32/32

Ether: 19/21

Gold: 452

Equipment: Tritech Handcannon (WP:10), Satchel of Awesomeness (bodywear, causes

lucky

effect), Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrify)

Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 3 Mead, 1 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Floral Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 1 Fire Bomb, 3 Smoke Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bomb, 1 Paralyzing Venom, 1 Grand Tonic, Bone, skeleton decoy, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Ruby, The Piece of Dirt That Changed The Universe, Bronze Statue, Demon Frog Essence

Adam

(NPC - controlled by The_Customizer)

Level 21 1/3 Berserker

Power: 30

Health: 40/40

Gold: 0

Equipment: Regular Standard Ordinary Sword (WP:9)

Inventory: nothing

"Somebody called!? You should be glad that I was in the neighborhood."

He looks at the amphibious and reptilian corpses and shudders.

"Eeks, glad I arrived after the battle finished. Otherwise I would've died of fright, if I didn't die of some other way. Anyways, what did you want Erdy dear?"

He looks around and notices that Eric is gone, and sees Adam. He "jumps" in shock.

"Adam!! Wha-wha-wha-whatttt are you-u-u- doin' here!?"

"I've been rescued by these heroes, how do you know them!?"

"They were hired by your father to find some items..."

"WHAT IS MY STUPID FATHER UP TO NOW!?"

"..."

"I asked you a question, answer it you jabbering baby of a genie, before I destroy you!"

Adam brandishes his sword and acts like he is going to attack the genie.

"No... leave me alone... It's not my fault he rejected you, Adam... I've always been your friend..."

The genie starts drifting away before Adam takes any violent actions.

Adam stares the genie down, not moving a muscle, but breathing loudly...

Edited November 15, 2012 by Flare

[The_Customizer]

Eunice, just hurry up and bring a hero from the Hall. Adam, whatever difficulties you may have with Eunice can be dealt with, once this quest is over. We don't even truly know the purpose your father has for these items, other than to build a staff, however perhaps while we travel you can tell us more about your father.

[Flare]

"It's Eugene. Fine. I'll get going. Seeya later, folks."

[The_Customizer]

My bad, I thought it was Eunice.

[Flare]

Eugene is gone. Adam seems to have calmed down. So... what now?

Want to look at the map maybe?

[Palathadric]

"It seems to be getting late. What do you say we build a campfire while we wait for the bluey glob to reappear with our...um...fellow hero, and we can chat and tell tales of quests gone by. So Adam, the doctor we're working for is your father, eh? Hmmm...interesting."

[The_Customizer]

Yeah, lets take a look at the map, then settle down for the night if need be.

[Palathadric]

"So, from what I recall Eric saying, we had to go to Shelbric to collect some Mythril and then to the "Place Where the Power Trees Grow."

I wonder how we will get the Mythril. I doubt we have enough to money to pay for it between the two of us and I certainly hope if we have to buy it, the doctor will pay us back for it apart from giving us the award."

[Flare]

The map is found stuck with Pretzel's many possessions:

[Flare]

"Its a long story..."

Adam sits down and starts to begin his tale.

"I was born at least 20 years ago, perhaps it is even more than 30 years by now, I have lost track of time because of the fact I was frozen. Anyways my full name is Adam Trice. My father is Bart Trice. It seems that you have unfortunately already met him, and if you are working for him then I think I have less reasons to trust you then I did previously. I do not know my mother. She must've died when I was very young. When I was 6 or 7 years old my father was "honorably discharged" from the guildhouse. We wandered around for a while until my father met a dangerous man named Almite Bob. He taught my father many deep secrets in the arts of alchemy and magic, and I disliked Bob ever so strongly. I think that my father had a fight with Bob or something, which left Bob insane and my father in control of some plans for some secret project. When I was eighteen years old..."

Adam starts to choke up but controls himself and continues.

"When I was eighteen years old my father decided that I should be sent to the Invision Guildhouse to start proper training to become an alchemist. Little did he know that I had already been training with swords and real weapons with friends that I met a couple times a week. We had a long argument. In the end he discovered that I had no love for alchemy and magic, and I ran away from home."

A shade of regret and perhaps anger is seen in Adam's face.

"I'll never forget that day."

"..."

"Afterwards me and my friends started roaming the mountains, looking for things to do. Soon we ran into a terrible man and his gang. The gang is called the Ostrich Raiders. They are a vicious bunch who ride on ostriches, which are equally vicious. I have no clue how they got ostriches to here, since this isn't even a desert. :confused: It is a small gang but they are known to pick on travelers on the road to Shelbric."

He pauses.

"Wait... where are we going next, exactly?"

[The_Customizer]

Umm, it appears we are traveling to Shelbric next... We must keep in mind to be aware of the possibility of being attacked by Ostrich Raiders. Perhaps we can find a way from the beaten path that would safely get us to Shelbric.

As for the story of your father, it seems to match pretty well with what we heard, just from a different perspective. However, you can trust us, after all, we did free you from your frozen state. There is also the fact that we were hired by your father, though before this quest, we never knew him, we are simply helping him because it is our duty to help those who pay enough for the help.

[Palathadric]

"Well, I have to say, I wasn't awake for most of the talk with your father. He's a rather rude fellow and kept us waiting outside his house for an eternity. What was I to do? An old man needs his sleep!"

I turn to Adam and whisper, "Just between the two of us, I have no idea what we're gathering these items for at all. I know Eric, our former companion was talking about the different places we had to visit and that is how I know where we're going. Apart from that...well, I don't know. Your father does seem a questionable character though. He tried to entice me with his tales of alchemy and the like. I gave him no heed of course, but as I always say, one must never trust an alchemist. You never know what they may start experimenting around with next. One simply cannot be too careful with such people. The places that he requested us to go to and the items he asked us to get don't sit well with me...I don't even know what they're for..."

[Flare]

"Um, my dear Monk, you are a cleric you know. Pretty close to an alchemist... uh yeah."

Adam slides over to talk with Erdy again.

"So when are we going to start on our trip to Shelbric then? What exactly is my father working on and why did he hire you?"

[Palathadric]

"Nay, lad. Clerics are healers. Clerics serve their God. Clerics are godly men. Alchemists are far from clerics. Alchemy defies the Divine. Clerics on the other hand, always have the Divine in mind, and use His power to perform all of their miracles. It's like the difference between a mage and a cleric. Some people consider them akin, but it is not so. A cleric has power from God to work miracles, a mage studies dark magics to develop his source of power. They claim the use of ether, but ether is a gift of God that no man can give or take away and those who try should be forewarned. Their dealing in such dark arts is an abomination to God!"

[The_Customizer]

We shall head out for Shelbric in the morning. Though we should try going off the main course, as it will hopefully prevent any battles with the ostrich Raiders.

As for your father, he hired us to find 3 items for him, which he is using to make a staff of some sort.

[Palathadric]

"Eric, do you mind keeping a watch for tonight? I have a feeling that I need to refresh my strength, but Erdy can always nurture you if you need strength."

...Besides, you don't have a bedroll

[Flare]

"I'm not tired, so I have no problem to keep watch."

Erdy and Pretzel go to lullaby land................

...............and in the morning they wake up, feeling refreshed.

"Finally, you woke up. Ready to go?"

QM Question: Does the bedroll replenish ether?

[Palathadric]

Yep!

"Sweet sleep! I suggest we eat our meal and start out fresh. So what will it be all? Pretzels and salt? Just plain ol' pretzels...?" I munch contentedly on one. So will we head straight to Shelbric in light of the latest information from Adam, or do we want to take a different route? Say...all the way around? I'm not afraid of a band of raiders on creepy birds, but if everyone would feel better going another way, that's fine by me. Erdy, it seems like 'Eunice' is a bit slack on the job. He had all night and he still hasn't gotten us a fellow hero. Ah, well!"

[Flare]

Party:

Monk Pretzel

Level 12.5 Cleric

Power: 22

Defense: 5

Health: 22/22

Ether: 20/20

Gold: 122

Equipment: Staff of Malbert (WP:10,

Light-Elemental

), Tricorn (Artifact; SP:3), Ethereal Cloak (Artifact; SP:2, Max Ether +4)

Inventory: Cross (Nimbus Broomstick; Ranged; WP: 5), Grand Potion (3), Potion (2), Tonic, Grand Tonic (2), Remedy, Soma, Phoenix Essence, Deadly Venom, 2 Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Holy Bomb, Commerz Cannonball, Scroll of Sealing, Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, 3 Gold Bars, Magic Shovel

^{(will always find}

^something

^{when used, limited to three uses per quest)}

, Magic Viper Skin

Erdathcath Madilinas

*party leader*

Level 18 Druid

*lucky*

*immune to petrify*

Power: 28

Health: 32/32

Ether: 21/21

Gold: 452

Equipment: Tritech Handcannon (WP:10), Satchel of Awesomeness (bodywear, causes

lucky

effect), Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrify)

Inventory: Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, Suitable to rangers, provides hastened effect for one round each battle), Helmet (+1 max. health), 6 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 3 Mead, 1 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Floral Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 1 Fire Bomb, 3 Smoke Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bomb, 1 Paralyzing Venom, 1 Grand Tonic, Bone, skeleton decoy, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Saber teeth, Scroll of Weakening, Ruby, The Piece of Dirt That Changed The Universe, Bronze Statue, Demon Frog Essence

Adam

(NPC - controlled by The_Customizer)

Level 21 1/3 Berserker

Power: 30

Health: 40/40

Gold: 0

Equipment: Regular Standard Ordinary Sword (WP:9)

Inventory: nothing

[Palathadric]

I dig in the earth with my new magical shovel to pass the time since the others are still half asleep.

[The_Customizer]

Yawning and stretching wide, Erdy finally awakes from her sleep, fully replenished, and ready for another day of adventure. First things first, she rolls up her bedroll, eats a small breakfast of tea and biscuits. Then decides to look forward toward the future distances they will travel with her telescope. Then decides to join the Monk in digging with her shovel as well.

Could we get a picture of where we are located on the map?

[Palathadric]

"We have just passed the Demon Frog Valley, my dear elf! Surely you must remember the tiresome fight of yesterday evening.

The question is, where do we go from here. If we want, we could take the road as far east as it leads us, and then cross over to the other road and head down to the "Place Where the Power Trees Grow," thereby, hopefully, bypassing the ostrich raiders, but somehow I think we should just take the normal road to Shelbric. God doesn't seem to want us to go the other way or he would have made a path amid the trees for us to walk through."

[Flare]

I dig in the earth with my new magical shovel to pass the time since the others are still half asleep.

Pretzel digs and digs and after a little less than 30 seconds Pretzel finds a quite, uh, interesting, item!

Rotting Hand - (Artifact, accessory, makes owner smell even worse than he/she already does)

Pretzel has the choice to either keep the artifact or drop it back into the muck.

(Pretzel has two more uses with his magic shovel for this quest.)

Yawning and stretching wide, Erdy finally awakes from her sleep, fully replenished, and ready for another day of adventure. First things first, she rolls up her bedroll, eats a small breakfast of tea and biscuits. Then decides to look forward toward the future distances they will travel with her telescope. Then decides to join the Monk in digging with her shovel as well.

Could we get a picture of where we are located on the map?

Erdy looks into the distance on the path they will probably take. He sees some travelers, a few pairs, a couple groups and one solitary wanderer. While she peers into the far distance she also notices what looks like large birds with long necks... or small birds with long necks... its hard to tell from this distance. The rest of the path is obscured by a downwards curve in the path to the left. Erdy uses her shovel to dig up a piece of charcoal. Adam grabs it and with dirty hands makes a big checkmark on their current location.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Flare

[Palathadric]

I loan the artifact I dug up to Adam for the duration of the quest, unless Erdathcath wants it.

"My two slots are already taken up, but I noticed that you don't have any equipment apart from your sword, so you may as well have this ol' thing.

...Aren't I nice?"

"Once your father pays us, you are free to give it to him...or that slimy blue glob!"

[The_Customizer]

Ok, I say we go straight east, to the Power trees, and get what we need there, then go up to Shelbric, that will most likely prevent any difficulties with the Ostrich Raiders.

If you want, I can mark which hexagons to take for the path.