Heroica RPG - Quest #48: Death's Homecoming

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"It moves left... keep going left! With this strange maze, we'll end up on the right anyways."

[Endgame]

The party pushes the statue right back into it's starting position, the statue once agian locking up as soon as it reahces were it started from. The distant rumbling resumes as theypush the statue, and ceases as soon as they stop.

Which way will they have the statyue placed: left or right? Which way will the party go?

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"This must be a kind of lever. If we push one one way, the other magically goes with it. LEt's push it to the left then go back to the bigger statue."

[Endgame]

...It currently is in left position/starting position. And while it is in that position, the statue was blocking the path. So, will the party keep it as is before reutrning to the big statue room, or push the small statue right?

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Oops, sorry. I read something wrong. I thought you said it wouldn't move right, but I see it now.

Ok, push it right.

[Endgame]

The party pushes the staue to the right, the distant rumbling once again sounding. With the statue relocated, they head back to the room with the large statue...

Only to see it too had moved when it's younger borther was being shifted! Will the party progress down the revealed passage?

[Dannylonglegs]

"Let's go through. We probably won't be able to return... And I fear that flying noise was The Wound."

[Endgame]

"And I fear that flying noise was The Wound."

QM Note: He's dead, Sherlock. The Suffering is the winged member of the Gladius Unit, not The Wound.

The party presses onwards, completely drenched by the unrelenting downpour.

Pressing onwards, the party finds themselves in a new area of this perplexing forest. Water spouts from a crack in the wall, creating another miniature pond. The only way seems to be straight.

[Dannylonglegs]

QM Note: He's dead, Sherlock. The Suffering is the winged member of the Gladius Unit, not The Wound.

The party presses onwards, completely drenched by the unrelenting downpour.

Pressing onwards, the party finds themselves in a new area of this perplexing forest. Water spouts from a crack in the wall, creating another miniature pond. The only way seems to be straight.

"If anyone wants to risk putting their hand in the pond, do so now. Otherwise, let's go straight. Oh, and I meant the Suffering, but it doesn't really matter. All four of the Gladiolus Unit will be dead by the end of this." Sylph looked into the water.

[Endgame]

Sylph looks into the water's depths, unable to discern it's contents - not unlike the previous body of water they had encountered. However, it seemed deeper... The rewards would be greater if they dared to reach in - as would the consequences!

Will Sylph reach in?

QM Note: Once again, a die will be rolled.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Endgame

[Dannylonglegs]

Sylph? Reach in? Really? Never!

"Would anyone in the Party like to risk it? It's not necessary."

[Bricksandparts]

Johon, wearing his Bravado boots reaches into the magical pond.

[Endgame]

Johon reaches into the pond. Kneeling down on the muddy ground and submering his arm in the mystical waters, Johon fishes around for something - anything! He pulls up a small wooden box containing...

30 gold.

QM Note: You rolled a three. B&P, please note, you can only have 3 artefacts equipped: I accidentally allowed you to equip the hood, despite the fact you already had the Heavy Armor, Rover, and The Hide of The Bleeding on. Please choose which 3 artefacts you'd like to equip!

The Party:

Sylph Solanum (Dannylonglegs) *Party Leader!*

unknown age, unknown race Druid

Level 20

Power: 28 (20+7+1)

Defense: 0

Health: 36/36c(20+17+7+1)

Ether: 20/23 (5+16+1)

Gold: 19

Equipment: Shrapnel Bow (WP: 9, Bow. Every successful hit drops the target's SP by 1) , Ranger's Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows), 20-20 glasses (headwear, +1 turn of effect for scrolls)

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 x3, Venom, 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), Quartz, Tale of the Invincible King, Psych Documents, Merry Bow (WP:7, ranged, steals 1 gold with each successful hit except Shield-skills), Journal of The Wound, Sword Fragment (2), Grand Tonic, Emerald, Trial Brew, Nostrum, Mycelium Tendril

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider

Level: 21.33

Power: 33 (21+8+4)

Health: 36/36 (19+8+1+7+0)

Shield Power: (1 + 5)

Ether: ~/0

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

Negative effects: (none)

Gold: 479 (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. Bravado Boots (1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle), Scarlet Hood (+4 to power, immunity to stunned)

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 (5), Grand Potion, Venom, Ice Bomb (1), Mead, Phoenix Essences (2), Trial Brew (1), Smelling Salts, Remedy, Nostrum, Dragon Scale (Lucky and blessed effects upon consumption)

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 20.33 Evoker *Immune to Fragile!*

Power: 31

Defense: 6

Health: 30/30

Ether: 19/19

Gold: 233

Equipment: Mockthril Crossbow (WP:11), Chainmail (SP: 2, Bodywear: half damage from Fire elemental enemies and double from Electric elemental enemies) Emerald Hood (SP: 4, headwear, protects from Fragile)

Inventory: Fauxthril Longbow (WP: 5),Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Opal, (Borrowed) Garnet,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. Usable once per battle.) Does not prevent free hits. Grand Potion x2, Grand Tonic x3, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Fireworks, Remedy, Tonic x3, Dualis Scepters (WP: 8, Club/Staff, Dual-striking)

Alexandre le Chevalier (Played by Capt.JohnPaul)

Level 18.5 Paladin, 20 year old elf male

Power: 28

Defense: 13

Health: 38/38

Ether: 18/18

Gold: 18

Equipment: Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 10; ignores SP, +1 gold per successful strike), Cross Heater Shield (SP: 10) (Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; suitable for Knights and Barbarians), Dapper Hat (Headwear, wearer has a 1/6 chance of becoming encouraged at the start of each battle)

Inventory: Potions (4), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Tonic x3, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Potion, Grand Tonic, Scroll of Sealing, Elixir, Nostrum

Lycan Romulus Dean (played by theBoyWonder)

Level 13.5 Rogue *Immune to weakened* *Immune to Stunned*

Power: 33

Health: 17/17

Gold: 3 (95 gold owed to Thormanil and 30 to Loreal)

Equipment: Combrys (WP: 14 Contagious!, consecutive successful strikes raise Combry's WP by 1, unsuccessful strikes drop it to it's base WP), Scarlet Hood ^{(Headwear, Power +4, Protects from Stunned)}, Pugilist Gloves^{(Power +2, protects from weakened)}

Inventory: Bedroll, Staff of The Frog Paladin (WP:6, ^{1/6 chance of Amphibianocs Blessing (protects from damage)}), Throwing Dagger (WP6), Deadly Venom, Venom x3, Sylvania's Cowl^{(grants Animal Talk to Wearer)}, Garnet, Potion, Nostrum,

Galen Woodward (Fugazi)

36 year old male human Rogue

Level 16

Power: 26 (16+10)

Defense: 1 (+1)

Health: 26/26 (7+15+4)

Gold: 889

Equipment: Murkwood Thread (WP: 10), Chimera Headdress (Headwear, Suitable for Rangers and Rogues, +1 SP +4 Health), Stretchy Rubber Band (Accessory, returns thrown weapons immediately)

Inventory: Fauxthril Shuriken (WP:5, ranged), Throwing Dagger (WP:4, ranged), Bedroll, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bomb XX, Grand Potion x4, Remedy x3, Nostrum x3, Mead x3, Fire Bomb, Deadly Venom x2, Crumbling Venom, Goblin's Wrench(WP:10,retrievable), Black Katana (WP:8), Smelling Salts x3, Trial Brew, Goblin's Wrench (WP:10,retrievable), Cast, Potion, Leather Armour (SP:1), Soma, Leather Armour (SP:1), Potion, Peculiar Egg, Leather Armour (SP:1), Hide of The Wound (+6 power to throwing weapons), Phoenix Essence x2

"Mr Dini is a nice *wheeze* guy. His forest is not."

Punii, 2 month year old Progg Alchemist

Jellies: Red x1

"Achoo!"

Hal Bohrd, Luosh Guard Captain

Level 18

Power: 28

Defense: 3

Health: 35/35

Gold: 50

Equipment: Halberd (WP: 10) Luoshian Armor (SP: 3, Bodywear)

Inventory: Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Potion

Rolls:

6: Charge! Does damage to the target equal to all conscious party member's WP added together. The special effects in the weapon (such as decay) are not transmitted.

5: Critical Hit: WPx3+Level

After Johon pcokets his waterlogged loot, the party proceeds onwards. The familiar purple gas congregates around the party, completely enveloping them. However, at this point the party has been completely desensitized, and simply press forward.

They eventually break free from the peculiar fog, greeted by a new area. An odd symbol lies at the party's feet, a symbol similar to the one above the archway they just passed through. A sign gives a foreboding warning:

He who wnaders endlessly - thou are a fool.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Endgame

[Bricksandparts]

Johon equips: Scarlet hood, Bravado boots, and heavy armor.

[Bricksandparts]

Johon traces his finger over the symbol. It was never ending, just a loop.

"What does it mean?"

[TheBoyWonder]

"Infinity."

[Bricksandparts]

"I get that, but where should we go?"

[TheBoyWonder]

"Backwards is my guess."

[Bricksandparts]

Johon again uses his compass.

[Endgame]

Although it's previous results were somewhat helpful, the compass proved useless right now. It simply flailed randomly and rapidly, providing no meaningful information whatsoever. The party heads backwards, still processing the mysterious symbol.

They find themselves in a new room, this one also having a mere one way to go: straight. The room was populated with a variety of flora hanging from the walls, swaying in the breeze as their thirst was quenched by the consant downpour of rain. A single stump stis in the room.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Alexandre bends over and looks into the stump.

[Endgame]

There is a carving on the inside of the stump. Infinity sign, U, U, U, U, U, U, U, U, U, D, JOY.

What could it mean?

[Bricksandparts]

"What? U? D? JOY, capitalized?"

[TheBoyWonder]

"U could mean up?"

[Endgame]

"Hmm... I think that *wheeze* they are instructions of sorts, and that the infinity symbol correlates with the symbol we saw before... Maybe "JOY" is the end *cough* result?"