Heroica RPG - Quest #48: Death's Homecoming

[Endgame]

"More then a pleasure to meet you.

Without your intereference, not only would my children would probably be dead, I would've remained as that savage husk that maniac made me. I'm glad to see that I was unable to actually hurt any of you."

Aranoc turns to his delighted children.

"I can only imagine how much pain I've caused you two, though."

And with that, the spider scoops up his two children and embraces them in a hug.

"We missed you, daddy..."

"I missed you too, Morxes, lyrol. More then you ever could...

but everything's going to be okay now, alright?"

"Okay, daddy!"

The Elder gently places his two children on the ground, pats them on the head, and turns back to the heroes.

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. I suppose an explanation is an order, huh?

A year and half ago, a man who calls himself the Dragonlord raided here once again. One of your leaders, if I recall. (I can hardly bear ill will to you though, especially after everything you've done.) Us spiders in the Murkwood decided enough was enough. All of the oldest spiders in the forest banded together and tried to flank him at once. They left a few dents on him, to be sure: but he was a more seasoned fighter then any of us. Eventually, the Elder, and all of the older spiders, fell.

Eventually, he made his way to the inner reaches of the forest, where me, my wife, and my three young children were.

Speaking of which, Morxes, Lyrol, where is your sister?"

"There was a much smaller Progg invasion a month or two ago, Daddy."

"Widow... she didn't make it."

Aranoc hung his head low, saddened by this information... but in his eyes the heroes could spot a flame of hatred in his eyes.

"So... they took my daughter... nearly took my sons... and transformed me into a puppet.

Heroes, please make sure that these Proggs get what they rightfully deserve. On everyone's behalf"

Aranoc continues his tale.

"So. inner-reaches of forest. My family's nest was there. Me and my wife were acolytes at the time. I told my wife to stay put and hide while I run to the edge of the forest with Morxes and Lyrol. When I got to the edge, I sent them off, in fear the Dragonlord may one day return and take them.

And when I returned to my nest? The Dragonlord was gone... and with him, my wife."

The Elder heaves a sorrowful sigh.

"I haven't foriven myself for that to this day.

I was the oldest Acolye left, so I became the new Elder. The rest, as they say, is history.

A blacksmith, you say? Yes, I have him. Shall I take you to him?"

QM Note: I'll allow a little roleplay before you go to save the smith.

Edited November 25, 2012 by Endgame

[Jedi master Brick]

"Are you ok Elder? Can you help us find the blacksmith? His equipment will help us on our quest."

[Endgame]

"Head is still a bit clouded, but I feel fine."

[TheBoyWonder]

Galen,Seeing as you have the whip, can I have my SOTC back?

[Fugazi]

"Of course Lycan, thanks for letting me use it."

Galen hands the Sword of the Croise back to Lycan.

Galen then turns to the Elder.

"Morxes and Lyrol were of great help to us, I'm sure they are promised to a bright future. If we manage to stop the invaders, of course. I'm sorry to hear about your wife, do you have any idea where she might be now or why the Dragonlord took her away? If all goes well, when we are back in Eubric we can try to have a word with the leaders of Heroica and see what can be done to free her."

[Endgame]

"If only I could know, Galen. I'd greatly appreciate that if you do decide to send a few words to your higher-ups."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Amazing! Good work all. Elder, I'm glad you're okay, where is this blacksmith?"

OOC: I should have 36 health!" <======

[Endgame]

"Right down this path. "

The Elder signals to a gap in the wall that was surrounding his den.

QM Note: I'll let you either progress or roleplay a bit more: I know Sylph has something of a dynamic with spiders, so I'm not sure whether or not he wants to chat with Aranoc and co. a bit more.

[Jedi master Brick]

"Thank you Elder" Elgar said as he bowed to the spider. Elgar then turned to the rest of the party and said. "We should hurry, the blacksmith could be hurt!"

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"So, what has this Dragonlord have to do with all this? Why would he even be here anyways?" Alexandre looks around to see someone with an answer.

[Endgame]

Nobody here seems to even have the faintest hypothesis.

QM Note: Are we ready to proceeed?

[Dannylonglegs]

"Right down this path. "

The Elder signals to a gap in the wall that was surrounding his den.

QM Note: I'll let you either progress or roleplay a bit more: I know Sylph has something of a dynamic with spiders, so I'm not sure whether or not he wants to chat with Aranoc and co. a bit more.

(Sorry, I've been car riding... )

"I Don't know why some humans care so little about their affect on the earth. I wish very dearly that I could show this Dragonlord what he has done... But I guess we must settle for telling him. And I will tell him, Aranoc. Mark my words. Now, unfortunately there is still work to be done. Thank you for your assistance, Elder. I'm glad to have reunited you to your senses, your subjects, and your children. now, we must depart."

Sylph followed the party to the Blacksmith.

[Endgame]

The Party:

Sylph Solanum (Dannylonglegs)

unknown age, unknown race Druid

Level 18.5

Power: 26 (18+7+1)

Defense: 0

Health: 34/34c(9+17+7+1)

Ether: 9/22 (5+16+1)

Gold: 64

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) 20-20 glasses

Inventory: Mockthril Rod (WP:7), Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, 1 Potions, 1 Grand Potion, Tonic x2, Grand Tonic x2, 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, Crumbling Venom, Journal of The Bleeding, Sword Fragment (1), Smelling Salts x2, Helmet (Max. health +1)

Galen Woodward (Fugazi)

36 year old male human Rogue

Level 14

Power: 24 (14+10)

Defense: 2 (+2)

Health: 24/24 (7+13+4)

Gold: 391

Equipment: Murkwood Thread (WP: 10), 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 x5, Remedy x3, Nostrum x5, Mead x5, Fire Bomb, Deadly Venom x2, Crumbling Venom, Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable), Black Katana (WP:8), Phoenix Essence, Smelling Salts x2

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts)

25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider

Level: 20.5

Power: 28 (20+8+0)

Health: 35/35 (19+8+1+7+0)

Shield Power: (1 + 5)

Ether: ~/0

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

Negative effects: (none)

Gold: 385(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, Venom, Ice Bomb (1), Mead (2), Phoenix Essence (3), Trail Brew (1), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts (2)

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)

Level 19 Evoker

Power: 30

Defense: 0

Health: 27/27

Ether: 16/18

Gold: 420

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 x2, Grand Tonic x3, Opal

Lycan Dean (played by theBoyWonder)

Level 10.5 Rogue *Immune to weakened*

Power: 21

Health: 14/14

Gold: 33 (95 gold owed to Thormanil and 30 to Loreal)

Equipment: Combrys (WP: 8, consecutive successful strikes raise Combry's WP by 1, unsuccessful strikes drop it to it's base WP), Sword of the Croise (WP: 9) 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), Grand Potion, Deadly Venom x2, Venom x3, Mead, Phoenix Essence, Smelling Salts x2, Nostrums x5

Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul)

Level 16.5 Paladin, 20 year old elf male

Power: 24

Defense: 13

Health: 36/36

Ether: 10/16

Gold: 61

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, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum, Deadly Posion

"That *wheeze* was quick..."

Punii, 2 month year old Progg Alchemist

Jellies: Green x3, Red x1, Blue x1

"I'm the one who set and knows how to undo the lock, so I shall follow."

With that, ducking through a crevice in the wall surrounding them, (or in this case, the Elder walked over the wall entirely.) they go down a fairly straightforward path - and find their blacksmith.

He looks at the heroes then distastefully at his fromer captor; he was clearly in a sour mood

"Weeelll then. Dinner already? I assume that I'm the appetizer and those whippersnappers are the main course?"

Despite completely dwarfing the blacksmith, Aranoc looks sheepish.

"I... must apologize for my behavior previously."

Aranoc shoots a thread of web on top of the cage and manuevers it into a keyhole on top. With a twist of the thread, the cages bars fall out of place... the blacksmith was free. The old man steps out, brushes the dust off of his overalls, and says:

"So, who are you, lads?"

Edited November 25, 2012 by Endgame

[TheBoyWonder]

We are heroes.

[Endgame]

We are heroes.

"Hah! If it weren't for the fact you probably beat some sense into 8 eyes here, I wouldn't have belieived ya! Not going to refuse a rescue though. Thanks for that.

Luosh definately needs heroes, huh?"

Edited November 25, 2012 by Endgame

[Fugazi]

"Galen, rogue. Sylph here is our leader. Alex, Lycan, Elgar, Johon. Yes, Luosh is in trouble, and the rest of Uland isn't far behind if the Proggs aren't stopped now. We have done our best, The Bleeding is dead, Rhodus is dead. But tougher challenges lie ahead and we will take any help Luosh can provide. When we were told that you were detained here, we didn't waste time and came to your rescue. You obviously are important enough that the Proggs felt the need to imprison you, rather than ignore or simply kill you. Is there anything you can tell us about their plans, their weaknesses?"

[Endgame]

"Those sluggy fellas? Proggs, they're called? Huh.

Thanks, now I have a name to my grudge.

I saw a huge flying one circling around directly south of here. He had some smaller flying fellas behind him, and they were carrying some crates. That's all I got."

[Fugazi]

I saw a huge flying one circling around directly south of here. He had some smaller flying fellas behind him, and they were carrying some crates. That's all I got."

Galen checks on Punii's map.

"South from here? Let's see... It could be this spot marked Dini Manor. Do you know anything about this Dini mage by any chance, smith? Oh, and I didn't catch your name."

OoC: My Power should now be: 24 (14+10)

[Endgame]

"Adam. Adam Envill.

Dini? He is a bit nutty. Nice enouch guy, though - we sit down to play some bridge on occasion. Flies on a magic carpet.

Whoever that big flying lug was, he looked pretty tough."

[Fugazi]

"What about you, Adam? We will take you back to Luosh, but your shop is probably unsafe now. The Marketplace has been abandoned. The Town Hall is well guarded though, so we could take you there if that is your wish."

[Endgame]

"If ya could take me to my shop just for a couple of minutes I could grab as much equipment as I can. From there I could probably set up in the Town Hall."

[Fugazi]

"I don't think there's anything more we can achieve here. We can help you move your equipment to the Town Hall."

Galen turns to the Elder.

"I don't know when we will meet again, but I promise to send news when we figure out what happened to your wife. Someone close to me disappeared without a trace years ago, and ever since I have been looking for her. Hope springs eternal, and I wish that at least your story had a happy ending."

[Dannylonglegs]

"I don't think there's anything more we can achieve here. We can help you move your equipment to the Town Hall."

Galen turns to the Elder.

"I don't know when we will meet again, but I promise to send news when we figure out what happened to your wife. Someone close to me disappeared without a trace years ago, and ever since I have been looking for her. Hope springs eternal, and I wish that at least your story had a happy ending."

"I agree, We'll accompany you to your shoppe, Adam, and bring you back to the Town Hall."

"Elder, I know not whether we'll meet again, but we will figure out what happened to your wife."

[Endgame]

QM Note: Well, my Thanksgiving Vacation is over. I'll update this afternoon, this morning is pretty busy.

[Dannylonglegs]

QM Note: Well, my Thanksgiving Vacation is over. I'll update this afternoon, this morning is pretty busy.

Same. Take your time.