Heroica RPG - Quest #40: The Strivvian Job

[Sandy]

Ellaria eyes the sharkling suspiciously, and is amazed to see that all of her companions are willing to make such shady deals with him.

"I will pass, thank you", Ellaria said as politely as she could. She was used to pinching the gold, especially with Elpis. Eubric was not a cheap city to live in, after all.

[Scubacarrot]

Gurnam hands Nyx and Rufindel also two small bags of gold, and says:

"Good doin' business with ya', Heroes. Don't go spendin' it all at once. And I expect to be the second person ye talk to when you get back from yer... trip."

Updated Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham

(Zepher)

-Party Leader-

Level 18.5 Paladin

*Counterstriking*

Power:

31

Defense:

7

Health:

40/40

Ether:

11/12

Gold:

160 (Owes 100 to Gurnam)

Equipment:

King of the Desert (Longsword)

(WP: 9,

Fire

Darkness

Earth

)

Round Metal Shield

(SP: 7),

Hood of Belthazar Bluehood

(+4 to Power, -6 to Ether),

Counterstrike Gloves

(On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level)

Inventory:

, Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect,

Light

), Shaduex Shield (SP: 5)Dress Uniform (User is encouraged for the 1st round of battle), Bedroll, 5 Bones, 4 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed, 1 Grand Tonic, Emerald Lamp of Summoning

Skrall (Waterbrick Down)

Level 21 Hunter

*Favors Humanoid Enemies*

*Immunity to

Slowed

and

Bound

*

Power:

41

Health:

34/34

Gold:

154 (Owes 125 to Gurnam)

Equipment:

Leojagd

(Greatsword, WP:20, User is

Slowed

),

Hunter's Quiver

(Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies),

Winged Sandles

(Immunity to

Slowed

and

Bound

effects)

Inventory:

Hunter's Crossbow (WP:11, +4 vs. Beasts), Heavy Crossbow (WP:8, Knockback), Smoke Bomb x1, Zoot's Plaything

, Nutritious Banana

Nyx (Pandora)

Level 22 Battle Mage

*Immune to

Asleep

and

Sealed

effects*

Power:

35

Defense:

3

Health:

31/31

Ether:

29/32

Gold:

125 (Owes 125 to Gurnam)

Equipment:

Book of a Thousand Creatures

(WP: 13; each hit has a 1/3 chance to summon

a creature

Edgar to aid the hero),

Sandman's Parasol

(immune to

Asleep

)

Robe of the Archmagi

(SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from

Sealed

-effect)

Inventory:

Dawnstar II (WP: 9), Shiny Helmet (+1 Max Health), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are

Hastened

), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Wooden Shield (SP:2),

Ruby (Fire)

,

Amethyst (Darkness)

,

Topaz (Lightning)

,

Sapphire (Wind)

,

Emerald (Wood)

,

Garnet (Earth)

, Scroll of Weakening, Potion, Tonics (2), Grand Tonics (2), Holy Bomb, Bones (5), Ether Core, Bedroll, Explosive Staff – WP: 12 (Does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Bomb XX

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

Level 21.66 Witch

*Deals

Badly Poisoned

*

*Counterstriking*

Health:

38/38

Ether:

16/19

Gold:

150 (Owes 187 to Gurnam)

Equipment:

Ratsbane

(WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike,

fire

,

ice

,

earth

,

wind

elemental),

Witch's Talisman

(

Poisoned

Hits becomes

Badly Poisoned

Hits),

Counterstrike Gloves

(When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level)

Inventory:

Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 5, gains 1 WP every kill made with it), Heavy Flail (WP: 5

Fragile

Effect), Staff of the Elven Warlock (WP: 5,

wood

elemental),

Topaz

, Grand Tonic, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Dragon Scale (Gives Lucky and Blessed effects on consumption)

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy)

Level 16 Druid

*Immune to

Sealed

-effect*

Power:

26 (22)

Health:

31/31

Ether:

18/21

Gold:

46

Equipment:

Ignis Fatuus

(WP:10,

fire

-elemental

staff

),

Mage's Muffler

(protects from

Sealed

effect)

Inventory:

Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:6,

wood

-elemental

crossbow), Potion, 2 Grand Potions, Tonic, Grand Tonic, 2 Elixirs, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass

, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance)

Rufindel Galadhras (Rufus)

Level 13.5 Cleric

Power

:

23

Defense:

2

Health:

23/23

Ether:

14/19

Gold:

165 (Owes 125 to Gurnam)

Equipment:

Fauxthril Staff

(WP:10) ,

Warlord's Helmet

(SP:2 Grants 'Natural Respite')

,

Cloak of Chimera

(+2 Health, +2 Ether)

Inventory:

Malfunctioning Staff (WP:12, on succesful attack, has a 50% chance to do half of WP damage to self instead(Ignoring SP and Row))

,

Potion x2, Remedy x2, Bone x2, Pickaxe, Tonic x2, Bedroll, Venom, Deadly Venom, Grand Potion, Wooden Shield(SP:2)

Their pockets filled with (Gurnam's) coin, the Heroes leave the warehouse and the shady sharkling, and go on to follow the Recruit to what was supposed to be their first stop, Captain Patricia. To the heroes' slight surprise, they walk past the barracks they expected they were to go to, and went on to the docks district. People all around were hurrying to get inside before the storm would break loose, some of them gave the recruit and the odd party that was following them a look, but most of them were too busy or just did not care. Eventually. the recruit stopped at an unremarkable building in the docks district, inbetween a brewery and a shipping warehouse, and very close to the actual docks. The other side of the street was waterside, and a ship called "The Armory"was docked there. The heroes recognized the Bonaparte colours on it.

The Heroes went in, followed by the recruit. They see a large room, furnished practically, but with high-quality stuff. The walls are lined with important looking papers, reports and maps of Uland, Eubric and the Free Isles. A frowning Captain Patricia is in the room, flanked by two guards in the standard uniform. Also in the room, the Antiquarian some of the Heroes already met, and the others recognize from the stories the others told, and a man in blue sailor's clothes that is a bit familiar to the heroes, but they can't quite place.

The Captain is the first to speak:

"Heroes. You are late."

Edited August 30, 2012 by Scubacarrot

[Waterbrick Down]

"Ogres are never late, my dear captain, they arrive precisely when people don't want them to. I believe yer the replacement fer the late Lieutenant Lilbelly, who I personally had the pleasure of servin' a year or so ago. Anyways, we had a bit of a scuffle with some of the local gangs while obtainin' some documents yer recruit was s'pposed to pick up."

[Zepher]

Boomingham raises an eyebrow at Captain, and the sides of his mouth curl up. He pulls himself up slightly and confidently paces the room with even more confidence and flourish than usual.

"Hello, m'lady. I don't believe we've had the pleasure yet. King Lawrence Boomingham, General during the Orcish Invasion, given the title the King of the Desert by the King of Cathargo, Slayer of Balthazar the Blue. How do you do?" Boomingham takes Patricia's hand and kisses it lightly. "Forgive our absence, we ran into your recruit, who insisted that we go collect the documents he was to bring to you. I of course obliged. Couldn't show up empty handed. We dispatched of some Metsamians waiting in ambush for us easily enough, and we picked up these papers. What would you have us do next? Your wish is my command. i live to serve, now, m'lady."

[Scubacarrot]

The captain first adresses Skrall:

"Skrall, is it not? Yes, I am well aware my predecessor hired you and some others to catch Donny Dozenhands. I have reports where it says you failed your given task, and the pickpocket 'got away'. I also have reports from people in the fishmarket that have seen you chasing said thief, albeit in disguise. So unless you are incredibly incompetent, or yoy acted the same way as some 'heroes' I had hired to catch another Wolfgang Lieutenant, and you made a deal with Donny. If you pull a trick like that here I will have you and your family in chains, Ogre. Eubric may be a freeport, but collaborating with the Wolfgang is equal to high treason."

Patricia looks at the recruit, and says short:

"I'll deal with you later."

"Gulp!"

The Captain then turns to Boomingham:

"Oh, please. I did not get this position for my good looks, don't think titles or courtious behaviour impress me. And for the record, Carthago does not have a 'King'. Touch me again and you will regret it, you are lucky I need you for this job. And only this job."

Captain Patricia takes a moment to let her words sink in, then continues:

"I think it's about time you got briefed, Captain Lorenzo here wants to sail out next morning, and you need to know everything before that. As you know, we have 32 guards missing, captured by the Wolfgang, and I want them back. Since we last met, Gibbin, Galadhras, Miss Nyx, we have been talking to all potential contacts, cracked down on whatever there was to crack down to, and using every resource we could get our hands on to deal with this case. What we have found out is that the Wolfgang has been anonymously moving cargo to Strivvi, a citystate on the western coast of Abra through commercial ships that we have reason to believe are actually pirates, slavers or both. Now, Strivvi is if you remember, also the place this Keystone is supposedly from. Therefore, we have high reason to believe the two issues are related, and this mission is therefore twofold. Mr. Quarian here can better explain the issue with the Keystone to you."

"Good day, Heroes! In the last months, I have been in touch with several colleagues, and I was lucky enough to be notified that there is an expert in this kind of things in Strivvi itself! Through the Z-Mail system I have been exchanging messages, and what we have found out is the following. Now, the Keystone is as you know connected to a vault, and only that Keystone can open a specific Vault. Luckily for us, my colleague overseas knows of two excavations of closed vaults. No one has been able to penetrate them or crack the locks, but can you imagine if that keystone corresponds to one of those two vaults? There has only been one vault that has been opened in our knowledge, but that was a long time ago and the details are lost in time. Can you imagine if one is opened by us, the scientific esteem, not to mention the contents of the vault! The reports on that opening are vague, speaking of 'wealth beyond measure', but you can bet it is good! You will get a good cut, of course, if you actually open a vault! But I'm rambling, to make a long story short, I have set up a meeting for you with that colleague, in Strivvi, he will assist you further once you are there! I can also try to answer any questions you have here now, about this?"

"Mr. Quarian has been most cooperative, and made clear the Wolfgang must be after the contents of the Vault. The relation of that with the kidnapped Guards is yet unclear, but it matters not. You are to go to Strivvi, and find the missing guards, and make whatever progress you can on the Keystone issue. Some of my own men will be there to assist you, and are already on board Captain Lorenzo's boat. They are of course fully briefed. Any questions?"

[Sandy]

OoC: Hope you don't mind me hijacking Patricia for this post, Scuba. This is purely for my own roleplaying purposes, and I think I've shown my ability to portray her character well enough.

Ellaria, who has been standing behind the others, finally speaks.

"Captain, if I may be so bold... I have no questions about the mission, it seems we need to travel to Strivvi before we can expect to learn anything else. I have a personal question to ask, though. If I may borrow a second of your time..."

Ellaria and the captain of the watch walk a respectful distance away from the others. Ellaria then recounts the kidnapping of her baby, and asks if the watch has found any abandoned infants from the streets lately.

"I am sorry to hear of your loss, Miss. Unfortunately there has been no such findings in the last few weeks. Be aware that this is a cutthroat city, and a little child has very slim chances of surviving without protection." Ellaria hangs her head when she hears this. She has to fight to prevent the tears from coming. The captain certainly does not mince words...

"Miss Arbour, I have to question your ability to participate on this mission. You are free to abort your quest and return to the city to find your daughter."

"No!" Ellaria says, more fiercely than she intends. "This is something I need to do, and I will not let you down. I just hope... you could keep your eyes open for my little Elpis."

The captain nods, and it's agreed. The two women then return to the others.

[CMP]

Atramor walked silently into the building, practically rolling his eyes as Patricia demonstrated her usual strict, get-to-the-goddamn-point-before-I-have-you-hanged-for-treason attitude. He ignored her openly expressed grievances with Skrall and the somewhat fitting response to Boomingham, but listened quite closely to the description of the situation. McCafferey flapped over to the table, looking down as if to examine the maps.

Once Patricia finished, he nodded to the antiquarian, and merely narrowed his eyes at the bearded fellow. He looked...familiar, and not in a good way. He had no questions, deciding to leave anything needed to be clarified for the others to ask. While Patricia was distracted speaking with Ellaria, he strode over to the man who'd apparently be the captain on the ship, crossing his arms.

"I won't waste time wonderin' whether or not you'll be able to sail us through a storm. I'm no stranger to them, gettin' another captain is impossible because of it, and I doubt Patricia is paying us to wait 'round here. I'd simply like to know whether or not you can be trusted," he stated tonelessly, waiting for his reaction. He didn't bother masking the fact that he doubts about the trustworthiness of the increasingly familiar man.

[Scubacarrot]

Captain Patricia only raises an eyebrow at Atramor's words, but the man who was introduced by the Captain of the watch as Captain Lorenzo, takes of his hat and says to Atramor:

"My friend, I am Capitano Lorenzo Diablo the Fourth, Captain of the 'Armory', in service of the Bonapartes. Capitano... Captain Patricia asked the Bonapartes for a ship and crew, and I was assigned. I... do not understand your hostility, but know that both me and my crew will do everything in our power to get you and your friends safely to Strivvi."

He then leans closer to Atramor and whispers:

"We should talk more after setting sail."

[CMP]

Atramor raises one eyebrow almost unnoticeably, but only nods, stepping back to the other heroes and glancing at Patricia.

"Does Strivvi have a ruler who knows what we're doin' over there? Or is it just another lawless backwater where anythin' asked about us can be answered with a weapon? You say citystate, but then ya' add pirates and slavers..."

[Zepher]

OoC: Patricia should read up on her geography. Cathargo does indeed have a King.

Boomingham doesn't appear even remotely put off by the strict woman's response. "As you say, m'lady. I am ready to lead my merry band out whenever your men are ready to sail!"

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall knew the captain's threats were baseless unless of course the town watch had power outside of Uland, but he didn't reveal his annoyance. "As I'm sure you are aware, Lilbelly had a few incompetencies of his own and catching one of the key members of the Wolfgang is not as staight forward as it seems. No matter, I'm glad to see the watch in what appears to be more capable and efficient hands. I have no questions and am all set to leave, though I am curious as to the nature of the documents that had us almost killed earlier."

[Pandora]

Nyx smirks slightly as Patricia adopts her usual tone, and sniggers a little when she hears her response to Boomingham.

"Captain Patricia, delightful to see you again, you have gained a promotion I see, and you remain as... pleasant as ever."

Nyx turns to the Ship's Captain and flashes a winning smile.

"And who's this dashing gentleman? Capitano Lorenzo Diablo the Fourth? Hmm, that's a name that rolls off the tongue nicely. Pleasure to meet you Capitano, will you be able to do everything in your power to get us safely home from Strivvi too?"

Whilst still smiling, Nyx turns to the Antiquarian.

"Good day to you too, sir. It seems you've made great strides in your research, and I am pleased you have a contact in Strivvi. May I ask his name and what he looks like, you know, to prevent painful misunderstandings later?

Oh, and Captain Patricia, will it matter what state we find the guards in, as long as we find them? I seem to remember something similar being an issue before."

Nyx shrugs, still smiling.

[Scubacarrot]

OoC: Patricia should read up on her geography. Cathargo does indeed have a King.

While he wears a crown, he is only called "Leader" .

Patricia answers to Skrall and Atramor:

"Strivvi is currently between leaders, if our information is correct. The documents are your shipping papers, as I very much doubt the Strivvians are going to allow a bunch of armed vigilantes in their city with no other reason than some vague information about missing men. No, you will be acting as hired protection for the ship, not unreasonable considering the waters you'll be sailing through."

She then turns to Nyx:

"I sincerely hope you will find all my men, and alive at that. If it turns out something has happened to them, I can hardly hold you responsible."

Lorenzo mimics Boomingham's gesture from earlier, but succeeds in doing it more stylish and less wobbly, and kisses Nyx' hand gently:

"Of course, it will be an honor to personally escort you down the gangway to these shores again, Miss... Nyx?"

The antiquarian answers:

"His name is Mortimer, I have no idea what he looks like, I've only contacted him via Z-Mail, you see..."

[Pandora]

Lorenzo mimics Boomingham's gesture from earlier, but succeeds in doing it more stylish and less wobbly, and kisses Nyx' hand gently:

"Of course, it will be an honor to personally escort you down the gangway to these shores again, Miss... Nyx?"

Nyx giggles as Lorenzo makes his flamboyant introduction, and just about manages not to blush.

"Yes, I'm Nyx, and you sir are definitely a charmer. I can see us having a lot of fun on this journey. Don't think I haven't noticed that you still didn't say anything about getting us back here, but I'm sure we can.. discuss it more when we're at sea.

Shall we go then? Anyone else have anything to say?"

[CMP]

"Aye, I'm ready to head off too."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Aye, let's be goin'," commented Skrall as he adjusted his heavy cossbow strapped to his back.

[Sandy]

"Yes, we should be heading off", Ellaria said with a serious expression on her face. She half hoped, half feared that this quest would take her mind off of Elpis.

[Scubacarrot]

I'm sorry guys but I have a major issue, nothing serious, but most of my pictures I have taken for this quest are gone, so I am having to rebuild everything and retake pictures, add to the fact I can only build on afternoon's after work, things might get slow. I will do my very best to make sure there is enough updates and content, but please bear with me.

[Scubacarrot]

Patricia said to the heroes:

"No more Questions? Very well. You can stay here tonight, you will sail at dawn. I won't be here tomorrow morning when you leave, I am afraid I have other duties. And one more thing, Heroes, I have set up a bounty system regarding those wolfgang thugs. For every Wolfgang Emblem you bring me, I will give you 30 gold when you return. Farewell heroes, and good luck."

With that, the Captain left the building, followed by her guards, the antiquarian and the sailor. With it getting darker, the heroes go to bed, after all, they had to be up early. They can't get much sleep that night, as it was then when the storm broke lose. Thunder and wind kept the heroes from being rested, until it eventually settled down. The heroes woke up when light fell through the windows of the building. When the heroes went outside, they were pleasantly surprised by a clear sky, and a warm glow from the rising sun. It seemed the storm that night had a positive effect, after all. The heroes walked up to the dock where the 'Armoury' was docked, and were greeted by a man:

"Hello Heroes, I am Bob, the first mate of the 'Armoury'. It is my pleasure to welcome you aboard. She may not look like much, but she is faster than she looks, and she has a damn fine crew, If I may say so myself. Patricia's men, Captain Lorenzo and the rest of the crew is already on board, and we can leave at any moment."

The heroes followed this Bob on board, and not long after, the Armoury set sail. The crew worked the sails and the ropes, and not before too long, they were on open sea. The heroes were left alone as the crew worked around them, and were free to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea. Some of the heroes had a little trouble adjusting to the movements of the ship, but not before too long, they found the Armory was a more steady ship than most, and no one had an issue with the rolling of the vessel. At noon the heroes were brought some dried fruit, some bread and a jug of fresh water by a sailor, and a few hours later the first mate came to speak with them again.

"The crew has finished their most important tasks, and we are steady and on course. If you wish to speak with any of them if you any questions about the ship, the sea, our destination or even themselves, I'm sure they can help you. Or you could help Jacob and Christian with their fishing, or play a game with Mac. I'm afraid the Captain is busy, still. When he is free, I'm sure he will come and speak with you."

Edited September 2, 2012 by Scubacarrot

[Sandy]

Ellaria wobbled a bit on the deck, grasping a railing to keep her footing. She remembered the last time she had been on a ship - it had gotten into a magical storm and stranded on an island where an ancient wizard was kept imprisoned. That was not something she wanted to experience again, so she hoped for an uneventful sailing.

"Actually, Mr. Bob, I would like to know about the voyage to Strivvi. Are there any perils to be expected on our journey there?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Actually, Mr. Bob, I would like to know about the voyage to Strivvi. Are there any perils to be expected on our journey there?"

"Well miss, not on the geographical front, the currents are all well documented, and with clear skies like we'll have for the next days, there's no way we can get lost. There is another danger though, while we are now still in Bonaparte protected waters, Strivvi's waters are far from as safe as Eubric's. Let's pray to Neron and Neredice no pirates or slavers will be on our route. Although after a storm like this... you can bet there are ships out there. "

[Zepher]

Boomingham keeps a hand on his stomach, but he holds his lunch.

"Don't much like boat travel," he admits. "Say, Mac, what sort of game are you playing? I've never tried my hand at fishing, but I might as well now, so Jacob and Christian, I'm coming your way even before I start this game of Mac's. Say, you, with a eyepatch, that's pretty swanky, where'd you pick it up?"

[Scubacarrot]

"I have some colored and some normal dice, we could do Triple Magic, or we could just see who rolls the highest. And thanks, Mister, it's not an eyepatch, but actually a Monocle. It allows me to see far, like a telescope! Tell you what, how about I set in my Monocle if you win, and if I win, I get 50 gold?"

[Zepher]

"Fifty gold is a high price to pay for not getting a telescope. Drop it to twenty, and we've got ourselves a deal," Boomingham says with all the diplomacy he can muster.

[Scubacarrot]

"Hmmmm. Alright then. So what will it be? Triple Magic or High Roll?"