Heroica RPG - Quest #38: The Lost Party

[Scorpiox]

"Seems like I still have use for the old gift, don't let him hit you like that again Tesni." Placing a friendly hand on Tesni's broad shoulder, Haldor hardened his expression and turned to Alexis, speaking with a cold tone. "Alexis, maybe you should keep cautious, wouldn't want you to get hurt now, would we?" The Nord said nothing more, he would have to keep his feelings at bay. The Shaman advanced toward the Angel of the Last General; Waiting until he was close before slashing quickly at his now unprotected foe, from the front row.

Battle Order:

Cronk

Arthur

Tesni

Haldor

Sasha

Alexis

Alexis

Edited September 13, 2012 by Scorpiox

[Masked Builder]

Alexis, though in major pain because of the burn manages to say; "Alright, I'll sit this one out."

[Flipz]

OOC: Just to be clear, if I roll a SHIELD, it will affect the Angel instead of Alexis, correct?

[Peppermint_M]

(Sorry, forgot Sasha was unblinded!)

Tesni gripped herself, taking a deep breath. The purple light drew up into her eyes again. "Angel, you shall fall. Sasha, let us hit this abomination together!"

[Zepher]

Round Ten Angel Battle

Cronk v. Angel - Shield

Arthur v. Alexis - Critical Hit ([5x2]+16=26)

Tesni v. Angel - Damage (38-11=27)

Haldor v. Angel - Damage (38-4=34)

Sasha v. Angel - Shield (31)

Alexis does nothing

Alexis does nothing

Other

Alexis (-3 max. health)

The battle rages. Cronk once more calls forth his Angel as Alexis is tapped by the Healing Staff with just enough strength, and feels power surge back through her. Tesni, feeling better, runs at the Angel. The Angel swipes his light blade once across her chest. Normally the strong barbarian woman would be able to withstand the blow, but in her weakened state, she gasps and fumbles and takes a knee, barely conscious, unable to fight. A few seconds later, she topples over and sprawls out on the ground, bleeding. Haldor rushes forth to protect her, but the Angel is prepared, and blasts him backwards with a stream of light that exhausts the Nord. Sasha is the only member of the party able to damage the Angel.

The Enemies

Angel of the Last General

Level 38 Holy *Immune to Magic (Scrolls/Spells)*

Health: 56/150

Ether: 0/60

Special Damage: Holy Fury – Curses and seals the attacker for the next three turns or until remedied.

Drops: Remedy x 6, Phoenix Essence

Passive Special: At the end of each turn, the angel will spend 1 ether to heal each of the auras for 35 health.

Note: The Angel may not take damage until the auras are destroyed. All damage dealt to the angel will be divided by ten and subtracted from his ether.

The Party

Haldor Skovgaard

Level 19 Shaman

*Immune to Weakened*

Power:

29

Defense:

4

Health:

2/36

Ether:

25/27

Gold:

50

(Owed 50 from Elgar Gligin (Jedi Master Brick), (Owes 33 to Dyric Rone (The Legonater)

Equipment:

Bear Claw Gloves (WP:8, SP:+2), Ethereal Cloak (SP:+2, +4 Ether), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power,

Weakened

Immunity).

Inventory:

Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12,

Light

and

Water

elemental), Paper Doll (

Hexed

immunity), Scroll of Blindness (

Blinded

effect), Shovel, Pickaxe, Diamond of Thoric, Bluehood's Aquamarine, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Health Core, Potion (x3), Remedy, Tonic, Mead

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

Level 16 1/2 Sorcerer

*Immune to Sealed*

Power:

37

Health:

26/26

Ether:

15/26

Defense:

3

Gold:

139

(Owes

4

44

124 Gold to Alf (Bricksandparts) and

50 gold to Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor)

debt entrusted to Boomingham)

Equipment:

Acerpusculum Blade (Acerpusculum Shuriken) (WP: 15 [21, Retrievable], suitable for rangers/rouges), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Ancient Crown (First successful strike of battle deals

Cursed

effect, borrowed from Atramor Gibbin)

Inventory:

Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9;

damage divided between all enemies, suitable for rogues

), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7;

50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics

), Healing Staff (WP:5;

heals instead of damaging

), Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Bedroll, Telescope, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Sasha

Level 17 1/2 Barbarian

Power

: 31

Health

: 24/24

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Axe of Ilrion (WP: 14, Fire Ice Elemental)

Inventory:

Mead, Nostrum, Potion

Alexis Fenral

Level 22 1/3

*Hastened*

*Immune to Fragile*

*Cursed (2 Turns)*

*Sealed (2 Turns)*

Power:

33

Defense:

3

Health:

27/27 (-3)

Ether:

11/23

Gold:

142

GP:

3

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP:11, ranged), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile)

Inventory:

Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a successful hit), Opal (

Ice

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Ruby (

Fire

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Tonic, Grand Tonic, Milk, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Raw Meat

Spirits:

Skorpios

(Amethyst),

Ocven the Ice Dragon

(Opal),

Shalma the Thunderbird

(Topaz),

Sarp Zarra

(Aquamarine),

Mandy

(Ruby),

????

(Diamond), Potion

Cronk

Level 23 1/3 Paladin

Power:

35

Defense:

14

Health:

40/43

Ether:

8/26

Gold:

90

Equipment:

Zoot's Bane (Suitable only for Cronk; WP: 12,

Light

) Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP: 8), Elaborate Helmet (SP: 2), Paladin's Armour (Suitable for Paladins, +4 SP, +2 Max Ether)

Inventory:

Beast Skewer (Lance; WP: 12, Ice), Sword of Bashing (Longsword; WP:5), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Heavy Armor (SP:6, Power -6), Blacksmith Writ, Bedroll

Tesni Hightribe

Level 25 1/3 Berserker

*KO'd*

Power

: 45

Defence

: 11

Health

: 0/27 (-18)

Gold

: 655

Equipped

: Dryw ar Zoot, Longsword, Holy (WP:14), Bone Claws(WP:3,SP:2), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4)(+2 max health)

Inventory

: Mellt (Warhammer, Lightning, Ice (WP:10), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, Light, longsword), Cysgodion (WP: 11, Darkness, greatsword), Spiked Club (WP:8), Cryfder (WP:6), Emerald (Wood), 2 Potions, 2 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, 5 Venoms, Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, Minimizing Dust,

OoC: I'll run the next round. No one has a Phoenix Essence to get Tesni back up with, and I'd assume that you'd all attack with the guardian Angel this round.

Round Eleven Angel Battle

Cronk v. Angel - Special Damage (No Effect)

Arthur v. Angel - Confuses (No Effect) (1 ether)

Haldor v. Angel - Meditate (1 ether gained)

Sasha v. Angel - Shield (31)

Alexis v. Angel - Hit (33)

Alexis v. Angel - Shield

The battle rages. Cronk's Angel defends him from the more sinister angel, and Arthur tries to confuse the enemy Angel, though it seems to have no effect. Haldor prays for his fellow Nord, and Sasha and Alexis, both fearing for Tesni's health, end the battle swiftly and decisively. Haldor helps the wounded Tesni to her feet.

The Party

Haldor Skovgaard

Level 19 1/2 Shaman

*Immune to Weakened*

Power:

29

Defense:

4

Health:

21/36

Ether:

26/27

Gold:

50

(Owed 50 from Elgar Gligin (Jedi Master Brick), (Owes 33 to Dyric Rone (The Legonater)

Equipment:

Bear Claw Gloves (WP:8, SP:+2), Ethereal Cloak (SP:+2, +4 Ether), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power,

Weakened

Immunity).

Inventory:

Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12,

Light

and

Water

elemental), Paper Doll (

Hexed

immunity), Scroll of Blindness (

Blinded

effect), Shovel, Pickaxe, Diamond of Thoric, Bluehood's Aquamarine, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Health Core, Potion (x3), Remedy, Tonic, Mead

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

Level 17 Sorcerer

*Immune to Sealed*

Power:

38

Health:

27/27

Ether:

15/27

Defense:

3

Gold:

139

(Owes

4

44

124 Gold to Alf (Bricksandparts) and

50 gold to Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor)

debt entrusted to Boomingham)

Equipment:

Acerpusculum Blade (Acerpusculum Shuriken) (WP: 15 [21, Retrievable], suitable for rangers/rouges), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Ancient Crown (First successful strike of battle deals

Cursed

effect, borrowed from Atramor Gibbin)

Inventory:

Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9;

damage divided between all enemies, suitable for rogues

), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7;

50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics

), Healing Staff (WP:5;

heals instead of damaging

), Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Bedroll, Telescope, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Shovel, Grand Tonic

Sasha

Level 18 Barbarian

Power

: 32

Health

: 25/25

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Axe of Ilrion (WP: 14, Fire Ice Elemental)

Inventory:

Mead, Nostrum, Potion

Alexis Fenral

Level 22 2/3

*Hastened*

*Immune to Fragile*

Power:

33

Defense:

3

Health:

30/30

Ether:

11/23

Gold:

142

GP:

3

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP:11, ranged), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile)

Inventory:

Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a successful hit), Opal (

Ice

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Ruby (

Fire

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Tonic, Grand Tonic, Milk, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Raw Meat

Spirits:

Skorpios

(Amethyst),

Ocven the Ice Dragon

(Opal),

Shalma the Thunderbird

(Topaz),

Sarp Zarra

(Aquamarine),

Mandy

(Ruby),

????

(Diamond), Potion

Cronk

Level 23 2/3 Paladin

Power:

35

Defense:

14

Health:

40/43

Ether:

8/26

Gold:

90

Equipment:

Zoot's Bane (Suitable only for Cronk; WP: 12,

Light

) Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP: 8), Elaborate Helmet (SP: 2), Paladin's Armour (Suitable for Paladins, +4 SP, +2 Max Ether)

Inventory:

Beast Skewer (Lance; WP: 12, Ice), Sword of Bashing (Longsword; WP:5), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Heavy Armor (SP:6, Power -6), Blacksmith Writ, Bedroll

Tesni Hightribe

Level 25 1/3 Berserker

Power

: 45

Defence

: 11

Health

: 26/45

Gold

: 655

Equipped

: Dryw ar Zoot, Longsword, Holy (WP:14), Bone Claws(WP:3,SP:2), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4)(+2 max health)

Inventory

: Mellt (Warhammer, Lightning, Ice (WP:10), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, Light, longsword), Cysgodion (WP: 11, Darkness, greatsword), Spiked Club (WP:8), Cryfder (WP:6), Emerald (Wood), 2 Potions, 2 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, 2 Meads, 5 Venoms, Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, Minimizing Dust

Loot:

-

Holy Bomb

x4 – Causes 5 points of light-elemental damage to all enemies, doubled if the target is weak to light.

-

Remedy

x6 – Removes all negative effects from the target.

-

Phoenix Essence

x3 – Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle.

As the Angel fades away, the heroes are shocked to see little Bal standing the clearing. He looks a little groggy and sad, but other than that seemed perfectly alright. He cocked his head at the heroes and Sasha.

"Will there be a story?" asked Bal. "Because I am very confused, and I also like stories."

[Flipz]

Arthur grinned. "Perhaps that Confusion spell I sent at the Angel struck you instead, friend. I will let Haldor tell you the tale of our present; at the moment, the story I am preoccupied with is my own." Remembering the Angel's boast to Cronk, Arthur digs around the area, hoping to find the Somas the Angel had offered as bribe.

As Arthur digs, he thinks about his story. Where was he within it? Near the beginning? Near the end? Near his end? He wondered what his place was--was he truly following in the steps of villainy, or would he, like Sasha, Mal, and the others, be another casualty to the power-lust of others? "No," he murmurs aloud. "I will not be a mere pawn. I am a player within my own struggle, and in that, at least, I am master of my own fate." Still, as he thinks of all that the Lost Party had missed, he cannot help but wonder what he himself had missed since his exile. His mother...Caroline...Vaygas...it had been nearly three years now. What events might I never live to learn of?

Far away, in a city well-known to the sorcerer, another man was remembering exactly one such event...

---Two years, eleven months ago. Zut'tau'ri homeland.--

"Hey, honey."

"

...

"

"Vaygas? What's wrong, honey?"

"

This shirt is...

wrong

.

"

"What do you mean?"

"

I envy you, Caroline. I don't know how you do it.

"

"Do what, Vay?"

"

Shut it all out.

Everything

.

Him

, my father, the village--

"

"Sweetheart, if I

don't

shut it out, I'll go insane. You need to as well."

"

I try. I try and try and try. But everywhere I go, everywhere I look, all I see is

him

. Did you know that

he

gave me this? Back when we were kids? I wore it all those years...a symbol of our friendship...and then he... Damn it, it's happening right now. It's like he died out there, and he's come back--to haunt me...

"

"Vaygas, don't. Stop talking like that, you're not doing yourself any good. Look, Arthur's betrayal hurt me as much as it hurt you. More, even. But we have to remember the good times, not the bad."

"

...I wish I could. But...sometimes I wonder...did we...? I mean did he...? Is that what caused him to...?

"

"What? No.

No.

He never found out about...us. I'm certain of that."

"

Then he really did just...I'll be right back.

"

"Where are you going?"

"

To do what I should have done the day we found that damned temple. I'm going back there and burning this, and everything else I have from those days. I wish I could burn

him

, but this'll have to be the next best thing. Don't wait up for me.

"

The door slams, and Vaygas is gone. Caroline approaches the bed. Draped hapahazardly across it are the shirt and epaulettes of Vaygas' late father, the shirt wrinked from having been worn recently. Caroline looks to the heavens, her eyes brimming with tears.

"My Zoot..." she cries plaintively, "what have I done?"

OOC: PLEASE NOTE that neither Arthur nor any of you can actually see this memory; this one's for audience benefeit.

Edited September 14, 2012 by Flipz

[Scorpiox]

Haldor clapped Tesni on the back, and went to revtrieve some objects from the charred corpse of the angel. "Excellent work there, we certainly showed that thing then error of its ways, whatever the hell it was. Let's see here, some more potions, and a couple of bombs, good, these should help us out. Help yourselves." The Nord then strolled on over to see the small creature known as Bal, to fill him on on what was happening. "Hello there, friend, I trust you do not need healing? We are sent from Heroica hall, to find you and uncover the truth of this place. Sasha, Triad, and the Gray Wizard are already with us. We found you here after you were betrayed by your allies...seven years after."

Loot!

Cronk (Pheonix Esscence, Holy Bomb, Remedy)

Tesni (Pheonix Esscence, Holy Bomb, Remedy)

Alexis (Holy Bomb, 2 Remedies)

Arthur (Holy Bomb, Remedy)

Haldor (Pheonix Esscence, Remedy)

Edited September 14, 2012 by Scorpiox

[Zepher]

Bal seems unconcerned that seven years of his life have passed him by.

"Okay! Thank you for saving me, heroes! I hope that I get to return the favor soon. If there are more monsters in the valley, I'll be sure to cut them apart before they can lay a finger on you. I am a little confused by how I survived those seven years, but I'm sure the Gray Wizard will explain it. He's always explaining things."

The party makes their way back to Triad, McColt, and the Gray Wizard. Triad is on her feet. Her face and voice are as unreadable as ever.

"We are better. It is time for us to descend into the passage and enter the Eye. Mage, we will need our weapon back."

Arthur hands back the weapon, and the party sets out through the dank passage, traveling in single or double file. The tunnel goes down a ways before evening out. It seems to stretch on forever. If the heroes wish to talk or prepare for whatever they meet in the Eye, now would be the time.

The Party

Haldor Skovgaard

Level 19 1/2 Shaman

*Immune to Weakened*

Power:

29

Defense:

4

Health:

21/36

Ether:

26/27

Gold:

50

(Owed 50 from Elgar Gligin (Jedi Master Brick), (Owes 33 to Dyric Rone (The Legonater)

Equipment:

Bear Claw Gloves (WP:8, SP:+2), Ethereal Cloak (SP:+2, +4 Ether), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power,

Weakened

Immunity).

Inventory:

Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12,

Light

and

Water

elemental), Paper Doll (

Hexed

immunity), Scroll of Blindness (

Blinded

effect), Shovel, Pickaxe, Diamond of Thoric, Bluehood's Aquamarine, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Health Core, Potion (x3), Remedy x2, Tonic, Mead, Phoenix Essence

Bal

Level 11 Rogue

*Hastened*

Power

: 16

Health

: 18/18

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Honor & Glory (Duel-Daggers, WP: 5, user is permanently hastened)

Inventory:

Potion x2, Emerald, Garnet, Throwing Dagger (WP: 2)

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

Level 17 Sorcerer

*Immune to Sealed*

Power:

38

Health:

27/27

Ether:

15/27

Defense:

3

Gold:

139

(Owes

4

44

124 Gold to Alf (Bricksandparts) and

50 gold to Bartholomew Docken (Brickdoctor)

debt entrusted to Boomingham)

Equipment:

, Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Ancient Crown (First successful strike of battle deals

Cursed

effect, borrowed from Atramor Gibbin)

Inventory:

Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9;

damage divided between all enemies, suitable for rogues

), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7;

50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics

), Healing Staff (WP:5;

heals instead of damaging

), Opal (

Ice

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Bedroll, Telescope, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Shovel, Grand Tonic, Holy Bomb, Remedy

Sasha

Level 18 Barbarian

Power

: 32

Health

: 25/25

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Axe of Ilrion (WP: 14, Fire Ice Elemental)

Inventory:

Mead, Nostrum, Potion

Triad

Level 22 1/3 Ranger

Power

: 37 (43)

Health

: 28/28

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Acerpusculum Blade (Acerpusculum Shuriken) (WP: 15 [21, Retrievable], suitable for rangers/rouges), Cowl of the Acerpusculum (Headwear, User is Immune to Status Effects)

Inventory:

None

Alexis Fenral

Level 22 2/3

*Hastened*

*Immune to Fragile*

Power:

33

Defense:

3

Health:

30/30

Ether:

11/23

Gold:

142

GP:

3

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP:11, ranged), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile)

Inventory:

Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a successful hit), Opal (

Ice

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Ruby (

Fire

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Tonic, Grand Tonic, Milk, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Raw Meat, Potion, Holy Bomb, 2 Remedies

Spirits:

Skorpios

(Amethyst),

Ocven the Ice Dragon

(Opal),

Shalma the Thunderbird

(Topaz),

Sarp Zarra

(Aquamarine),

Mandy

(Ruby),

????

(Diamond)

Cronk

Level 23 2/3 Paladin

Power:

35

Defense:

14

Health:

40/43

Ether:

8/26

Gold:

90

Equipment:

Zoot's Bane (Suitable only for Cronk; WP: 12,

Light

) Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP: 8), Elaborate Helmet (SP: 2), Paladin's Armour (Suitable for Paladins, +4 SP, +2 Max Ether)

Inventory:

Beast Skewer (Lance; WP: 12, Ice), Sword of Bashing (Longsword; WP:5), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Heavy Armor (SP:6, Power -6), Blacksmith Writ, Bedroll, Phoenix Essence, Holy Bomb, Remedy

Tesni Hightribe

Level 25 1/3 Berserker

Power

: 45

Defence

: 11

Health

: 26/45

Gold

: 655

Equipped

: Dryw ar Zoot, Longsword, Holy (WP:14), Bone Claws(WP:3,SP:2), Mockthril Shield (SP:5), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4)(+2 max health)

Inventory

: Mellt (Warhammer, Lightning, Ice (WP:10), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, Light, longsword), Cysgodion (WP: 11, Darkness, greatsword), Spiked Club (WP:8), Cryfder (WP:6), Emerald (Wood), 2 Potions, 3 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Meads, 5 Venoms, Nostrum, Smoke Bomb, Minimizing Dust, Holy Bomb

Gray Wizard

Level 27 Cleric

*Too Weak For Physical Attacks*

Power

: 39

Health

: 35/35

Ether

: 0/31

Gold

: 0

Equipped

: Old Stone Staff (WP: 12, Light Elemental)

Inventory

: None

The party members each find themselves talking to different members of the Lost Party.

"Mr. Orc, sorry, don't know your name, while I was awakening, I had a vision of the Angel offering you a bribe to not fight. How do you have the courage to not take such bribes? I would also not take the bribe, but many in Eubric, including some of your teammates, would. How are you so strong? I hope to one day be so strong too."

"Alexis, I think it's time that the two of us had a talk. You spoke of a lost love. What happened? How did he betray you? Did he lose his way in the darkness?"

"Haldor, Tesni, I am new to traveling the world, but you two are not. You served me well in Haddon, and protected my people. I thought that the riot led by Vonnetate was an isolated incident, and that there was only evil in a few small places. But my travels so far have already begun to teach me otherwise. The people of the High Kingdoms have always considered the Paladins to be the pinnacle of light and good, but this valley is far from that. There seems to be no lines between what is right and what is wrong. I've lived in a town and done my duty my whole life, and that's dictated my actions. I've made the logical choice for my men. But out here... the Gray Wizard has talked of the Grayness. How do you pick the best option in the Gray?"

"Mage, we can see you are troubled. What weighs on your soul? The Acerpusculum say to never go into a battle with distraction. Perhaps we can help you. You are young. We are not. The Acerpusculum have the wisdom of our whole race behind us. We have seen many things while on Olegia. We know much. What can we answer for you?

OoC: These are just prompts! Please, role-play away. I want to hear what you all have to say. Get most of those roleplay juices rolling now, because there won't be many chances after this.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Hooray! That will teach false angel not to mess with friends.

Hello, new friend. Yes, Cronk not take bribe from false angel. Cronk's mommy told Cronk long ago to beware evil bearing gifts. It most important to do what is right when it is easiest to do what's wrong. Cronk would not abandon friends and join with evil.

Cronk saw vision of when Bal's party attack angel. Cronk saw much strength in Bal risking life to save friends. Made Cronk extra sad thinking that same friends ended up betraying Bal. Cronk's point is that Bal just as strong as Cronk where it counts.

Cronk hopes that Cronk and Bal can bash much more evil together today.

[Flipz]

"I presume the Gray Wizard told you something of my past? Regardless, it is a tale that would be familiar to you--I am Zut'tau'ri, and thus, despite my people's futile claims to the contrary, a child of Zoot. I have seen now...Sasha, and Dastan, and even Wren herself, in her own misguided way, have shown me, Chaos does not have to be a force of destruction. The knowledge of the Tome of Chaos, burned deep into my mind, tells me this. And yet...destruction...devastation...it is all I see." Arthur pauses. "Triad, what Wren did to you was wrong. Forgive me for saying this, but I do not mean the betrayal. From the start, she had to betray the rest of you; it was her path, I cannot judge her for this. But you didn't deserve the fate you met. People should deserve their fate. They should earn it. And at once I judge Wren for this, and yet I pity her. For her choice was not wholly her own." Arthur walks forward a few more steps in silence, but the weight of the Acerpusculum's expectant listening compelled him to continue. "There is a part of me--a large part--that admires Wren. Whatever else she is, she has found her path, and walks it without doubt, without hesitation. To my view, she was misguided, but not irretrievably so; and even if it is not her fate to be saved, she knows her place in the struggle, and embraces it. She knows what needs to be done, and does it unflinchingly. But now..." Arthur struggles a moment for the right words. "I have lost a degree of respect for her. And that scares me, Triad. For that respect for her own force of will is what gave me the strength to defy her, and yet support her in my own way. Do you understand? Some would call the concept a 'worthy foe', but it goes much deeper than that. There is a kinship...a unity...among all users of Chaos. And, whether I hide from it or I embrace it, whether I choose to admit it or not, I am one. I have been from the day I opened that Tome, and I will be until the day I perish from this earth. It is not for me to decide whether or not I use this gift; it is a part of me, each and every day. All I can do is to decide what to do with the time granted to me. When I first chose to join this Quest, I had not a thought, nor a plan, but a destiny, a knowledge that I had a place in this tale, that the decision was the one I needed to make. But now, I find myself wandering directionless, even as I walk the only path appointed before me. I understand this. I clearly see that this path is the only way. And yet, I cannot help but wonder what I am missing, what crucial piece of my tale has yet to fall into place. And until I know, until I regain that complete confidence that each step I take is, if not the right one, the necessary one, I feel I am a liability to myself, to Heroica, and to this team."

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni mulled over the question for a moment. "Well, grey is all about us and everywhere in the world. Sadly there is no black or white as you have realised. I bless and curse Wren for introducing this to others, for while it is good for many to know that all is grey in morality, it is for them to find, not to be forced onto them by such chaos." She pasued.

"Then again I had my first taste of grey as but a stripling, so maybe it is somethign you are forced into... As for choosing my path? I save my own life and that of those I wish to, first and formost. I fight the cause that will keep me safest and best in pocket." Tesni chuckled wryly. "Not the most noble of ideals I know but I at least walk a path that also protects others." Se noticed the astonished looks. "Ok, put it this way, there are self made beacons in the grey of life. Those causes and things you value highly. Use them to navigate and you'll do right by at least yourself. No one can fault that."

She touched the amythest and the diamond upon her blades. "As I stand now, I am the grey in all interpretations." She grinned.

[Flipz]

Arthur listens as Tensi speaks her views. "Perhaps, then," he says, "you could say that I have lost sight of my beacons, and know not how--or if--I should relight them."

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni shrugged. "You build new ones. The shifting grey can obscure and douse some and make others unimportant. Those that still burn bright are what you aim for. To have none at all... Well, you start again."

[Zepher]

Hello, new friend. Yes, Cronk not take bribe from false angel. Cronk's mommy told Cronk long ago to beware evil bearing gifts. It most important to do what is right when it is easiest to do what's wrong. Cronk would not abandon friends and join with evil.

Bal nods in wonder at the Orc's words, but the Gray Wizard cuts in before Bal can weigh his thoughts in once more.

"You speak as if temptation holds no power over you. Most people can identify and combat evil, Cronk, but can you say that nothing tempts you to stray from your path? We have seen through these visions how Roderick fought for good but committed evil. How do you prevent yourself from doing the same? I ask not to dishearten you, but due to curiosity. I have lived a long life, and I have seen many heroes stray from their paths while trying to do good. Sometimes, temptation takes them. Are you truly such a special breed?"

"I also must warn you, Cronk. The path of a hero is littered with traps. How do you avoid them? How do you avoid falling in love and committing wrongs in the name of that? How do you avoid the temptations of money and power and fame? Do these hold no appeals to you? What do you fight for Cronk? What fills your heart with joy. It is not enough to know what you fight against. Many heroes lose themselves because they cannot say what they fight for."

"Finally, I must caution you. Listen to your fellow hero Tesni. She is a wealth of wisdom. Life is not black and white. You cannot fight evil without siding with evil. Even now, you said with Heroica against Wren, but many people would argue that Heroica itself is a force of evil, working for the highest bidder as it does. She also talks about how the gray shifts. You seem an experienced Orc. Have you not learned anything from your previous journeys, or do you have the same exact ideals as you had when you joined the Hall? They say those who do not learn from the mistakes of others are destined to make those same mistakes."

"...And until I know, until I regain that complete confidence that each step I take is, if not the right one, the necessary one, I feel I am a liability to myself, to Heroica, and to this team."

"What Wren did to us is an injustice, we agree with that. People do earn their fates, that is one of the core beliefs of the Acerpusculum. We have watched history almost as long as the Gods, and we have seen that the people who flourish are the ones who choose to flourish. We were in the way of the fate that Wren was trying to earn for herself. We expected she would need to eliminate us. We acted too late, hoping she would change her mind. We, in a sense, earned what happened to us. That is the danger of connecting with others and straying from who we are at our core."

"Many people make a mistake, mage. They choose to take from the world. We did not make that choice. We do not believe that that's a choice that someone can make. One can not take from the world. They can only shape the world. That is what we do."

"We hear talk of grayness. That may be the shape the world takes, we will not deny it, but that is not the shape that we take as a person. We pick the things we stand for. We stand for justice and honor, and we do not stand for injustice and evil. We shape the world by eliminating these things. There is no grayness in that. You must make the same choice. See the world as gray as we do, but see yourself as what you are. Choose the way you will shape the world and shape it that way."

"Wren has chosen who she is. We admire that in her as well. Wren is a powerful and important individual. She will remain one of our friends, and the people that we admire. But the fate she is shaping for herself disagrees with the shape we have chosen to build the world into. She has done no wrong but to have an opposite ideal, so dangerous that we must stop it. We will always love Wren, but we will also destroy her for the benefit of others, because that is the fate we chose for ourselves long ago."

"Then again I had my first taste of grey as but a stripling, so maybe it is somethign you are forced into... As for choosing my path? I save my own life and that of those I wish to, first and formost. I fight the cause that will keep me safest and best in pocket." Tesni chuckled wryly. "Not the most noble of ideals I know but I at least walk a path that also protects others."

"I have always walked the path of my duty, but that doesn't seem to be a choice anymore. I have taken on more tasks than my duty entailed. Simply by being here, I chose a new duty. I made Wren my duty. The only thing that worries me now is how you choose between a duty that serves others, and a duty that serves yourself."

Edited September 14, 2012 by Zepher

[Masked Builder]

"No, no not completely. Though I suppose it was a kind of darkness. He...he took another woman, a friend too, out on a date with me. It was so wrong. He's moved on, then we had a big fight when we got back to our room, he stomped out, and I ignored him until I left. I just feel so torn." Alexis manages, though she's choking back sobs.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Cronk will not go down dark path again. Cronk has learned from Cronk's mistakes. Cost was... too great. Cronk expects to always be tested. Without temptation, there can be no integrity. Just like friends would not know what light was without darkness. But Cronk is not mindless being with no soul. Cronk will choose to do what is right and just.

Cronk does believe in gray. Almost all beings are gray. It is being's actions that are good or bad. Wren profess to love Chaos and that Wren truly embraces the gray. But what has Wren wrought but evil? On other hand, Wizard stood up to Wren and Roderick. Wizard may be gray but Wizard's actions were good.

Last General thought General was working for good. But General presumed to use gods as tools. Gods are not things to play with or to bend to mortal being's will.

Roderick was blinded by hate. Hate for Zoot. Roderick not understand how world works. How balance among the heavens must be achieved. And for that, Cronk suspect Roderick suffer terrible fate.

Heroica may have evil within it. But Cronk chooses what Cronk does. Cronk hopes all of Cronk's friends choose right path. Beings start out gray but become soiled by evil deeds. Cronk hope friends can find cleansing in doing right thing. Cronk believe in redemption.

[Flipz]

Tesni shrugged. "You build new ones. The shifting grey can obscure and douse some and make others unimportant. Those that still burn bright are what you aim for. To have none at all... Well, you start again."

"What Wren did to us is an injustice, we agree with that. People do earn their fates, that is one of the core beliefs of the Acerpusculum. We have watched history almost as long as the Gods, and we have seen that the people who flourish are the ones who choose to flourish. We were in the way of the fate that Wren was trying to earn for herself. We expected she would need to eliminate us. We acted too late, hoping she would change her mind. We, in a sense, earned what happened to us. That is the danger of connecting with others and straying from who we are at our core."

"Many people make a mistake, mage. They choose to take from the world. We did not make that choice. We do not believe that that's a choice that someone can make. One can not take from the world. They can only shape the world. That is what we do."

"We hear talk of grayness. That may be the shape the world takes, we will not deny it, but that is not the shape that we take as a person. We pick the things we stand for. We stand for justice and honor, and we do not stand for injustice and evil. We shape the world by eliminating these things. There is no grayness in that. You must make the same choice. See the world as gray as we do, but see yourself as what you are. Choose the way you will shape the world and shape it that way."

"Wren has chosen who she is. We admire that in her as well. Wren is a powerful and important individual. She will remain one of our friends, and the people that we admire. But the fate she is shaping for herself disagrees with the shape we have chosen to build the world into. She has done no wrong but to have an opposite ideal, so dangerous that we must stop it. We will always love Wren, but we will also destroy her for the benefit of others, because that is the fate we chose for ourselves long ago."

Arthur nods. He did not agree with everything the Acerpusculum said, but he recognized the wisdom in much of it. Thinking of Tensi's words, he replied, "I do not fully know what fate I chose that day. Perhaps part of my destiny is to find out."

As the sorcerer spoke these words, he once more felt an indescribable spark within him, and he reached for it. In his mind's eye he saw a hand, reaching out to him from the darkness, and in his spirit he chose to take it, to step forward, to embrace his destiny, even though he didn't know what it was. The reassuring tug of fate upon his spirit bolstered him, and confidence once more entered his step. His eyes glazed slightly, his attention no longer on things of the material realm. "Yes," he said aloud, unconscious of his own speech, "For that is a part of it. To seek those beacons in the Gray, and to light them for myself--and for others." He is about to speak more, when Cronk chooses to reply to the Gray Wizard.

Cronk will not go down dark path again. Cronk has learned from Cronk's mistakes. Cost was... too great. Cronk expects to always be tested. Without temptation, there can be no integrity. Just like friends would not know what light was without darkness. But Cronk is not mindless being with no soul. Cronk will choose to do what is right and just.

Cronk does believe in gray. Almost all beings are gray. It is being's actions that are good or bad. Wren profess to love Chaos and that Wren truly embraces the gray. But what has Wren wrought but evil? On other hand, Wizard stood up to Wren and Roderick. Wizard may be gray but Wizard's actions were good.

Last General thought General was working for good. But General presumed to use gods as tools. Gods are not things to play with or to bend to mortal being's will.

Roderick was blinded by hate. Hate for Zoot. Roderick not understand how world works. How balance among the heavens must be achieved. And for that, Cronk suspect Roderick suffer terrible fate.

Heroica may have evil within it. But Cronk chooses what Cronk does. Cronk hopes all of Cronk's friends choose right path. Beings start out gray but become soiled by evil deeds. Cronk hope friends can find cleansing in doing right thing. Cronk believe in redemption.

Still half in the immaterial realm, Arthur replies. "Wren has accomplished one great work of good, and continues to right up to this day: she has reforged Heroes. She has, through her own deeds and motives, incited the Heroes who meet her to reexamine their own. It is a wyrdly noble deed: to strengthen the good at the sacrifice of oneself, at the cost of one's destiny; to incite good to good through the practice of evil. She creates the means to her own defeat, but not merely her own; for many Heroes are better for having met her. It is a fate not meant for many, but a strange and wondrous choice. She cannot be judged; for though she may not fully see it, yet there is some part of her who knows this truth, and accepts it, and it is what allows her to embrace her fate. And yet, even so, she may be that which can have redemption; for though rare is the fate that does evil for good, rarer still is that which may accomplish this deed and return to light. The Lady is, truly, a rare soul, and one that should be celebrated, despite and because of her villainy." Arthur's eyes close, and when they flutter open again his presence is fully in evidence. "Like you said, Cronk, we would not know what light is without darkness. And so it is with the Lady Wren. We who have met her are more conscious of both our actions and their consequences, and indeed pay more heed to the very nature and morality of our world. That is Wren's Blessing upon us all."

[Scorpiox]

Haldor vowed to keep silent while Arthur philosofied chaos and the witch, the Nord had to admit that this young man had knowledge far beyond his age, and should be left to discuss his area of expertise. There was, however, one thing that Haldor had to do. Taking a deep breath, he turned to Alexis. "My friend, Alexis, you have such very little trust in those who trust you. I ask, did you ever love Althior, did you ever truly care? To leave him on the first trial that crossed your paths, that doesn't tell trust and love for my ears." Alexis looked astonished, but her expression quickly turned to anger, it was all going to plan. "...and what about Ellaria, you think that she would be affable to carry on with your man while her daughter lies missing? You think that little of your friend, you think that she is that shallow? Did you ever even trust the vunerable girl to sit next to Althior without her grabbing a sneaky bit of reflected love? Is that what you think of all your friends? And of Althior, who you will not allow to invite a helpless and victimised girl to share a meal with you? Because that means they are at it behind the curtain?!" Haldor stopped for a breath, Alexis had turned a violent shade of purple now, good good. "What about me? I'm helping myself to a bit of giant Hightribe on the side am I, because I helped dear Tesni up off the damn floor?! Is that what you think of everyone?! Oh, the ignorance of youth still bloody astounds me."Haldor was on the brink of getting angry himself, he knew he had to stay calm, or all this would be worthless. He took another gulp of air. "Yes, that's it, be angry at me. I'm the villain here, hate me, why don't you? Hate me, not Althior, can't you see now that he has done nothing wrong? You made him leave, you made him feel that you had such little trust in him that he wasn't even wanted. I know, it took all of my body and mind to stop him from buggering off alltogether. Hate me, throw things at me, I don't care. Alexis, just know from this that it is you who created the end to your relationship, out of nothing, and only you can fix it."

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni listened to the other's words. "Aye, Wren certainly knew how to forge her path, she is an interesting one at that." She paused, too keep alert for new threats...

She smiled as a thought came to her. "In the mountains, we looked after the sheep, doing for them what they needed but could not obtain on their own. They obeyed us and followed us knowing that they would benefit. I protected them and cared for them, but I admired the goats, who would come when they pleased to have done what they needed. Trading their milk for the tasks they could not do for themselves."

"Also, all this talk of good and evil? What is good? What is evil? In my first task as a hero of Heroica I was called to defend a farm from monsters, who was to define these creatures as monster? They had merely taken up residence in nature's bounty. We went and destroyed them but only our actions caused major damage to the crops. Were they bad because the brothers sought to take the givings of the earth and they stood in the way? Was the farm a noble cause, growing food for people to eat. Perhaps they had taken the land from those owned it?" Cysgodin glowed in the darkness and Dryw gleamed. "I next went to clear out the undead from a cavern. They were just chaos, no motivation... I hear the creators of the cave were encountered once more... Their motivations would be clearer then."

She stopped a moment, wary of the company she kept but settled that these would not make problems. "My next task, that was different again. I went to a clever man's home, for he had accidentaly shrunk his children! Excellent parenting no? We were sent down without warning off the other group he had hired... Orc mercenaries, only different to us in that they had not enrolled in 'Mighty Heroica'. Ha, we fought each other long and hard, Cysgodion made himself known that day. We killed creatures that stood in our way, innocents. Evil or good? Nothing but grey, to protect myself and comrades. The Orcs fought for money too, gold to ransom their kinfolk from extremist Ennocians, we defeated them and rescued the children but the orcs were still without kinfolk or gold to help them."

"You know of my exploits in Haddon. Next I thought to be a simple courier, taking packages for a merchant to his client. Lo and behold we fought many battles and it turned out right at our last that many of them had been instigated by the client of the merchant! He sought not to lose his treasures. A goal any of us would also keep. All causes are grey see, good and evil are subject to the whole world's opinion."

[Flipz]

In a case of extreme irony, Arthur, like Haldor, chose to remain silent during Haldor's tirade against his Master's former love. Does he not see that there was something beneath? Context is foremost in the ways of both Chaos and love. However, he merely offers one small insight. "In matters of Chaos, rarely is there just one cause to an end. Is perhaps love the same way? I sense there is more of this tale to be told." Arthur smiles reassuringly at Alexis, but says no more.

As Tensi concludes her speech, Arthur speaks up again. "Aye, well said. Perhaps it could be said that 'good' and 'evil' are not end aspects of beings, but merely directions in which they travel; 'good' for those who travel towards their beacons in the gray and seek not to hinder us in our pursuit of our own, and 'evil' for those who try to stop us. To the Lady, then, some of us would be 'evil', just as some of us see her in the same way. But these are dangerous terms; they account not for the shifting of time, of perspective, of truth. Let us instead not judge, and instead let each seek their own way, their own happiness. For the only truly universal crime is that of harming the life and journey of others, and of that we are all guilty." Keenly aware of Tensi's alertness, Arthur attempts to use his telescope to ensure the group is not snuck up on as they talk.

[Scorpiox]

Haldor kept up his serious expression, nudging Arthur with his elbow not all that gently. "Go along with it, I'm doing this for Althior. Let's hope she'll feel guilty, or let me be the object of her anger. You're a smart man, Arthur, but don't overthink things, chaos isn't all there is is to know, sometimes things are as complicated as you make them."

[Flipz]

Haldor kept up his serious expression, nudging Arthur with his elbow not all that gently. "Go along with it, I'm doing this for Althior. Let's hope she'll feel guilty, or let me be the object of her anger. You're a smart man, Arthur, but don't overthink things, chaos isn't all there is is to know, sometimes things are as complicated as you make them."

"The study of Chaos is the study of all things. But nonetheless, I will let Alexis find her own path."

[CorneliusMurdock]

Good and evil are not subjective, Arthur. Pain, suffering, despair, death... Not subjective. Cronk is saddened that some friends not believe evil exists. Especially that good does not exist. Cronk had hard life but Cronk has never given up hope. Cronk want make world better. Why else would Cronk exist?

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni shrugged. "Evil, good... They rarely matter in the long run. What someone calls evil is good in another's eyes. My village died of poison from a coward, found by soldiers hunting the man as it was afire. I survived by pure chance. Doing a naughty thing... I was told to come home before meal time yet I stayed with the priestess. On any day, aye, if that had been a normal day... I would have been punished for tarrying." She paused and the flames seemed to dance in her eyes.

"Then, I grew strong and tall. I earned the sword of the temple then once the priestess passed I left. I did not remain to continue the traditions in the worship cave. An act some would call wrong." She clanked Cryfder in her bag. "I got to the town and found the man who had killed the village. Heard his boasts of killing the place and struck him down where he sat." She set a grim smile. "A good act no? Killing one who had murdered many... Then it occurs that this man had a family and I there had killed a father, deprived his sons and wife. Surely an evil act from that position?"

Tesni laughed, one devoid of mirth. "Later still I come upon some soldiers with a familiar blazon. I travelled some way with them, heard their tales and shared stories of my feats of strength. Aye, I was soon to tell of whence I had come only to find, from their captain no less, of the tale of their easiest mission. That man had been sent to destroy a village and all who lived there, when he was but an enlisted man with a large force of comrades. Their king had heard prophecy that one of Hightribe blood would cause his demise. They found a braggart who knew the village and asked for directions. They let slip their plan. The man disappeared then. When they came upon the village 'all' were dead already." She chuckled. "I beat him well and left these men a-tizz on the roadway. I hear later that the absence of this captain and his men cost the king a skermish, a battle, the war and his life."

"Good and evil? All is grey. I wish life could be as simple."

[Masked Builder]

Alexis tries not to look enraged, but doesn't succeed. "Haldor, just stay out of it, you don't understand." She growls. "It's different being a woman. He left me," she says with malice, "he didn't care, I don't think he ever will."