Heroica RPG - Quest #48: Death's Homecoming

[Endgame]

QM Note: No, you aren't supposed to be like that. My mistake.

I'll move this along and post the final party when everyone gets a chance to gear up.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Good work Punii! I'm ready to search!"

OOC: I should have an extra mead. (1 from the loot of the battle Sylph gave me, and the one I bought from the marketplace before the quest.) Then I used 1 before we walked in.

[Dannylonglegs]

If it wasn't clear, Sylph smelled his smelling salts.

[Jedi master Brick]

Elgar drinks his mead. "I am ready to go in."

[Fugazi]

"Well done Punii. I'm ready to go."

[TheBoyWonder]

Lycan applies venom to SoTC and uses a mead.

Edited November 4, 2012 by TheBoyWonder

[Endgame]

The Party:

Sylph Solanum (Dannylonglegs) *Party Leader!* *Hastened!*

unknown age, unknown race Druid

Level 17.5

Power: 25 (17+7+1)

Defense: 0

Health: 26/33c(9+16+7+1)

Ether: 22/22 (5+16+1)

Gold: 234

Equipment: Merry Bow (WP:7, ranged, steals 1 gold with each successful hit except Shield-skills), Ranger's Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows), Helmet (Max. health +1)

Inventory: Mockthril Rod (WP:7), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, 2 Potions, 1 Grand Potion, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic, Remedy, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 3 Water Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, Floral Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, 8 Bones, Signet Ring, Saber Teeth, Decaying Venom, Journal of The Bleeding, Sword Fragment (1)

Galen Woodward (Fugazi)

36 year old male human Rogue

Level 13

Power: 21 (12+8)

Defense: 2 (+2)

Health: 23/23 (7+12+4)

Gold: 642

Equipment: Black Katana (WP:8), Chimera Headdress (Headwear, Suitable for Rangers and Rogues, +1 SP +4 Health), Leather Armour (SP:1)

Inventory: Fauxthril Shuriken (WP:5, ranged), Throwing Dagger (WP:4, ranged), Bedroll, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bomb XX, Grand Potion x4, Remedy x3, Nostrum x2, Mead x2, Fire Bomb, Deadly Venom, Decaying Venom x2 Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable) Mead

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts)

25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider

Level: 19.5

Power: 27 (18+8+0)

Health: 33/33 (18+8+1+7+0)

Shield Power: (1 + 5)

Ether: ~/0

Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed*), *Natural Respite*

Negative effects: (none)

Gold: 557 (186G(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M)

Equipment: Dog Statuette - (suitable for anyone, SP: 1, once named (Rover), speaking the name summons a dog almost certainly to tag along on madcap adventures and make snippy comments.), Sword of Decay (WP:8)(once the target is inflicted with damage they lose a quarter of the power of the strike each following turn for three turns. the effect cannot be compounded with more strikes. Suitable to Mages, Knights and Barbarians.) Hide of The Bleeding (Backwear, restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy killed, suitable for anyone)

Heavy Armour – SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians and knights.

Extra Artefacts: Helmet (+1 max health), Blessed Amulet – Protects from cursed-effect.

Extra Weapons: Greatsword (WP:3), Meteor Blade (WP:8, Light elemental), Focal Staff (WP:5, Focus Fire-Roll a 3 for 5 ether Suitable for clerics and mages)

Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1)

Consumables: Potion (3), Grand Potion (2), Venom, Ice Bomb (1), Phoenix Essence (1), Mead (1)

Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1)

Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (2), Scroll of Confusion (1)

Quest items: (None)

Elgar Gligin (played by Jedi master Brick) *Encouraged!*

Level 18 Evoker

Power: 29

Defense: 0

Health: 26/26

Ether: 18/18

Gold: 400

Equipment: Mockthril Crossbow (WP:11)

Inventory: Fauxthril Longbow (WP: 5),Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Emerald,SapphireTopaz ,3 Venoms, Spade,Pickaxe,3 Potions, Trickster's Mask of the Elf(Accessory, Changes user's appearance into an Elf),Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the badly poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether) ,Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable), Needlessly Large Rod (Non-Artifact Item, Curses a random enemy. Usuable once per battle.) Does not prevent free hits. Grand Potion x3, Grand Tonic x3

Lycan Dean (played by theBoyWonder) *Encouraged!*

Level 10 Rogue *Immune to weakened*

Power: 21

Health: 14/14

Gold: 323 (95 gold owed to Thormanil and 30 to Loreal)

Equipment: Sword of the Croise (WP: 9 *envenomed!*), Pugillist Gloves^{(Power +2, protects from weakened)}, Sylvania's Cowl^{(grants Animal Talk to Wearer)}

Inventory: Bedroll, Staff of The Frog Paladin (WP:6, ^{1/6 chance of Amphibianocs Blessing (protects from damage)}), Throwing Dagger (WP6), Warhammer (WP:4), Fire Bomb, Grand Potion, Deadly Venom x2, Venom x3, Mead

Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul) *Encouraged!*

Level 15.5 Paladin, 20 year old elf male

Power: 23

Defense: 13

Health: 35/35

Ether: 15/15

Gold: 100

Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 8; ignores SP), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 10) (Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for Knights and Barbarians)

Inventory: Potions (4), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Tonic x2, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Potion, Remedy, Grand Tonic, Mead

"Boom-bassa-boom."

Punii, 2 month year old Progg Alchemist

Jellies: Green x2, Blue x1

"Well, *wheeze*, let's head in.

I'm coming for you, Ayla!"

The party proceeds through the charred door and into the luxurious bank's anteroom. Sylph grips the golden doorknob hesistantly and pulls, bringing them into the main portion of the bank - or at least what they thought All the lights were out, and they were plunged in a complete darkness. The party stumbles and fumbles through the dark room, while Punii's muscle memory guides him through the bank floorplan easily. After the party finishes tripping over counters and stumbling into tellers' windows, they rejoin Punii at the end of the door. Sylph once again opens it, and the party is greeted by 2 bright blue lights, side by side. Just as the party puts two-and-two together, it was already too late... The eyes emit a toxic torrent of gas, and the party is thrown backwards. Some hit pillars, other hit their head's on counters, and some just faceplant on the floor. But the result for all of them was the same: they were knocked unconcious.

When they came to, they were groggy and discombobulated. Their heads were spinning and their sight unfocused. When they finally regained enough strength to look around, all heroes noted four things:

1. They were currently all tied to pillars.

2. Punii was tied to a counter.

3. Their stuff was gone.

4. There was a megablockin' huge Progg watching them.

Their captors eyes, as well as a few candles scattered around the room, illuminated the room of the bank they were in.

"What? No "hello"? No "rivetting speech Rhodus"? My, what terrible manners you have. You didn't even bother knocking on the door or rining the door bell: you just trespassed uninvited!

Seems rather like what the previous Heroica idiots did to me, huh?"

The captive heroes shift their gaze to the Progg's hands.

"Pretty cool, eh? The previous heroes who fought me lopped off a few claws while I was playing dead. Do you know how hard it is to act like you're deceased when an untrained medical professional is cutting your fingers off? They eventually cut all the claws off of one hand, sooo... I cut it off and replaced it with a silver stalagmite. It has served me well.

The other missing finger? Oh, just an ice prostehtic I whipped up with my new ethereal powers. Speaking of which..."

The massive Progg snaps the fingers on his semi-good hand, and an aura of ice instantly fills the room. The tempature drops about 50 degrees, and the party instantly starts shivering and having their teeth chatter.

"Neat little parlor trick, hm? But still, what a bunch of wimps. My homeland was three timres this cold and this squishy, idiotic, insiduos, evokers managed to survive... until we killed them all."

Rhodus shifts his gaze to Johon.

"Speaking of that fateful day 800 years, ago... You look familiar. Do the names Alexander and Crystal ring a bell?"

"Now, I am not here to monologue you all to death. I am, in fact, here to torture you to death. Any last words before we get this little torture game started?"

The Party:

Sylph Solanum (Dannylonglegs) *Party Leader!* *Hastened!*

unknown age, unknown race Druid

Level 17.5

Power: 25 (17+7+1)

Defense: 0

Health: 26/33c(9+16+7+1)

Ether: 22/22 (5+16+1)

Gold: 234

Equipment: Merry Bow (WP:7, ranged, steals 1 gold with each successful hit except Shield-skills), Ranger's Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows), Helmet (Max. health +1)

Inventory: Mockthril Rod (WP:7), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, 2 Potions, 1 Grand Potion, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic, Remedy, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 3 Water Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, Floral Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, 8 Bones, Signet Ring, Saber Teeth, Decaying Venom, Journal of The Bleeding, Sword Fragment (1)

Galen Woodward (Fugazi)

36 year old male human Rogue

Level 13

Power: 21 (12+8)

Defense: 2 (+2)

Health: 23/23 (7+12+4)

Gold: 642

Equipment: Black Katana (WP:8), Chimera Headdress (Headwear, Suitable for Rangers and Rogues, +1 SP +4 Health), Leather Armour (SP:1)

Inventory: Fauxthril Shuriken (WP:5, ranged), Throwing Dagger (WP:4, ranged), Bedroll, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bomb XX, Grand Potion x4, Remedy x3, Nostrum x2, Mead x2, Fire Bomb, Deadly Venom, Decaying Venom x2 Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable) Mead

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts)

25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider

Level: 19.5

Power: 27 (18+8+0)

Health: 33/33 (18+8+1+7+0)

Shield Power: (1 + 5)

Ether: ~/0

Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed*), *Natural Respite*

Negative effects: (none)

Gold: 557 (186G(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M)

Equipment: Dog Statuette - (suitable for anyone, SP: 1, once named (Rover), speaking the name summons a dog almost certainly to tag along on madcap adventures and make snippy comments.), Sword of Decay (WP:8)(once the target is inflicted with damage they lose a quarter of the power of the strike each following turn for three turns. the effect cannot be compounded with more strikes. Suitable to Mages, Knights and Barbarians.) Hide of The Bleeding (Backwear, restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone)

Heavy Armour – SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians and knights.

Extra Artefacts: Helmet (+1 max health), Blessed Amulet – Protects from cursed-effect.

Extra Weapons: Greatsword (WP:3), Meteor Blade (WP:8, Light elemental), Focal Staff (WP:5, Focus Fire-Roll a 3 for 5 ether Suitable for clerics and mages)

Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1)

Consumables: Potion (3), Grand Potion (2), Venom, Ice Bomb (1), Phoenix Essence (1), Mead (1)

Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1)

Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (2), Scroll of Confusion (1)

Quest items: (None)

Elgar Gligin (played by Jedi master Brick) *Encouraged!*

Level 18 Evoker

Power: 29

Defense: 0

Health: 26/26

Ether: 18/18

Gold: 400

Equipment: Mockthril Crossbow (WP:11)

Inventory: Fauxthril Longbow (WP: 5),Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Emerald,SapphireTopaz ,3 Venoms, Spade,Pickaxe,3 Potions, Trickster's Mask of the Elf(Accessory, Changes user's appearance into an Elf),Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the badly poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether) ,Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable), Needlessly Large Rod (Non-Artifact Item, Curses a random enemy. Usuable once per battle.) Does not prevent free hits. Grand Potion x3, Grand Tonic x3

Lycan Dean (played by theBoyWonder) *Encouraged!*

Level 10 Rogue *Immune to weakened*

Power: 21

Health: 14/14

Gold: 323 (95 gold owed to Thormanil and 30 to Loreal)

Equipment: Sword of the Croise (WP: 9 *envenomed!*), Pugillist Gloves^{(Power +2, protects from weakened)}, Sylvania's Cowl^{(grants Animal Talk to Wearer)}

Inventory: Bedroll, Staff of The Frog Paladin (WP:6, ^{1/6 chance of Amphibianocs Blessing (protects from damage)}), Throwing Dagger (WP6), Warhammer (WP:4), Fire Bomb, Grand Potion, Deadly Venom x2, Venom x3, Mead

Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul) *Encouraged!*

Level 15.5 Paladin, 20 year old elf male

Power: 23

Defense: 13

Health: 35/35

Ether: 15/15

Gold: 100

Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 8; ignores SP), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 10) (Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for Knights and Barbarians)

Inventory: Potions (4), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Tonic x2, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Potion, Remedy, Grand Tonic, Mead

"It's a trap!"

Punii, 2 month year old Progg Alchemist

Jellies: Green x2, Blue x1

Edited November 4, 2012 by Endgame

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Voice in the sky! Where's my mead! "

[Endgame]

QM Note: Some weird timey-wimey thing is going on with this formatting. Refer above for what you're supposed to see.

Edited November 4, 2012 by Endgame

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Lord Rhodus," Alexandre says using diplomacy, "This is an interesting way to meet. But what grudge do you have against me? If I may ask."

[Endgame]

QM Note: Argh, have to fix some formatting. You aren't supposed to see that huge picture so many times, only once. This new software is wacky.

"Because you stand in my way, you poor, deluded vermin.

You would have to be an imbecile to think your words will work on me."

Edited November 4, 2012 by Endgame

[Fugazi]

Galen had never felt so helpless before. Through chattering teeth he only managed to produce a few words, directed more to his party than to the towering beast ahead.

"Where's Ayla?"

[Endgame]

"Oh, she's bound and gagged in the other room. I used her as bait to lead you here, where I could ambush you, tie you to some pillars, and beat you to death. When you're dead..."

Rhodus looks over to the struggling Punii.

"I'll take shrimpy here, kill Ayla in front of his eyes, then eat him as a snack.

My, what a wonderful day I'm having!"

[TheBoyWonder]

"So Rhodus, tell us the tale of your last fight against Heroica."

[Endgame]

"Oh, I killed a hero. Ate him. Driven the rest of the party to madness and was about to shishkebab them in one swipe. Then a zealot took a lucky shot and I decided it was best to play dead for a bit and regroup with my brothers and 1,500 more Proggs.

It's funny. The way I was able to prove to my brother's and my father that it was worth bringing an entire army was... this."

Rhodus hold up a white and black sword with a curved crosspiece. The bade hums with power and is stained with blood.

I believe this is Combrys. It was a proof that I wasn't a total failure, for I killed the blade's wielder, and that there was oppistion against us in Uland. from there, bringing an entire army was easy."

[Bricksandparts]

OoC: I doubt it, but does the hide add to the maximum hp/ether?

[Endgame]

QM Note: No. When you, the wearer, kill an enemy, the hide restores 10 HP and 5 ether.

Also, I threw you a line for that RP we talked about.

Edited November 4, 2012 by Endgame

[Bricksandparts]

OoC: Ok, just wondering.

Johon bitterly listens to the diseased maniac of a scorpion. After hearing Rhodus address him, he was confused.

"No, I don't recognize those names, why do you ask?"

Johon wriggles his foot in his boot and tries to decide if he still has his hidden whittling knife.

[Endgame]

"I pat you down head to toe while you were taking a nap. You have nothing but the clothes on your back and the will I'm about to beat out of you.

You remind me of two people I murdered during the invasion. A sorcerer and a sorceress. Alexander and Crystal. When I came barging in their house during the uprising, I saw the most funny sight. Their fear. They cowered, they grovelled, the begged for mercy. They tired a few weak spells, but they hardly left a dent. I didn't give them any mercy. In fact, I purposely stretched out the little encounter to see how afraid they'd get. The pure fear filling their eyes? It was hilarious.

They had a little child. A little, afraid child cowering in the corner, crying and whining for mommy and daddy. I made an effort to expose him to as much violence and bloodshed as possible. I made sure he saw his own parents die horribly. It was quite the riot. After the little boy's parents were nothing but a little pile of picked-off bones, I closed in on the child. He had the same look in his eyes as his parents. Unlike them, he didn't even bother fighting. he just cried and sobbed and cried some more, wanting his dead mommy and daddy. I was about to impale the loudmouthed brat when he suddenly just... disappeared. Out of thin air. It confuses me to this day, but I think I found where that little brat went after all these years.

The look on all 3 of those peoples' eyes?"

Rhodus slams the ground, and a stalagtite of ice pops up in front of Johon. Johon looks at his expression.

"Not unlike the one you have now.

So tell me, where'd you go all those years after I killed mommy and daddy? I'm dying to know."

[Bricksandparts]

Johon looks down, his eyes filled with rage. Suddenly he loses all fear.

"You... You caused my parents death. But you know what else you caused?"

Johon shoves his body upwards on the pillar he is tied to, kicks the stalagmite, and tries to use the shattered pieces to cut the rope binding him.

"You caused my destiny."

[TheBoyWonder]

Lycan glares at the Progg, then at Johon. "That monstrosity killed your parents? Didn't see that one coming.... "

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre silently prays for a miracle. Then he whispers to Lycan and Elgar as Rhodus is distracted on Johon, "You're a werewolf, do you have the strength to rip off that rope. Or Elgar, you're an evoker, perhaps you could summon an animal or something to bite off these things?"

[Endgame]

Johon tries to kick the stalactite, but it is, of course, of the ethereal variety. Johon's boot pings off harmlessly.

"Idiots. All of you. There is no escape, no dues ex machinama, no startling epiphany that can save you.

Though I'm glad you finally remember who I am, brat. I must say, your parents were quite tasty.

It's hopeless. Give up, all of you."

QM Note: I'll begin the torture when everyone gets the chance to speak to Rhodus a bit.

Edited November 4, 2012 by Endgame

[Jedi master Brick]

"You will pay for your insolence, lets see what you can throw at us, and we will throw it back at you. There will be no glory for you crimes Rhodus, just the hide of another prat which Heroica will of dispatched, any last words, as incompetence did not help your friend, The Bleeding."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Torture will only make it easy to escape."