Heroica RPG - Quest#52: Tower of Doom

[Rumble Strike]

QM Note: Sorry Scuba, it's just not registering with me that Guts is part Barbarian, obviously! Fixed below. I did remember to put the Ruby in your inventory, though.

Maurice heals up himself, Nagure, Nerwen, Sorrow and Mizuki at the cost of 5 Ether, whilst Guts drinks a grand potion from his vast stash, along with his Mead, Nostrum and Smelling Salts. He is up and raring to go, and is disappointed when the Guardsmen are nowhere to be seen.

The party:

Maurice Ratibor (Etzel)

51 years old male human Paladin

Level 19.5

Power:

31

(19 + 12)

Defense:

5

(5)

Health:

42/42

(9 + 18 + 11 + 1 + 3)

Ether:

14/24

(5 + 1 + 18)

Gold:

218

Equipment:

(Manta Tail Staff (WP:12+50% Stun chance), Fauxthril Shield with Paladin emblem (SP:5), Helmet (+1 max. health)), White Cloak (Max. Health +3)

Inventory:

(Emerald Staff (WP:10

Wood-elemental

), Mace (WP:5), Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, 3 Potions, 2 Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 3 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essences, 1 Nostrum, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, Torch, Bone, Plume)

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

*Immune to

Weakened

,

Asleep

,

Confusion

and

Blinded

**Immune to

Darkness

Elemental Damage*

**Party Leader**

*Lucky, Hastened, Encouraged*

42 year old male human Raider

Level 22

Power: 49

(22+24 + 3)

, 34 for ranged attacks

(22+9+3)

Health: 35/35

(7+20+7)

Gold:

749

Equipment:

Lifestealer

(WP: 24,

Ice

,

Darkness

, attacks restore 3 health),

Dancing Shoes

(Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Sleep, Confusion and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness Magic. Footwear),

Pugilist's Gloves

(2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear),

Spiked Collar

(+1 Power, accessory).

Inventory:

Throwing Knife (WP: 9, Light, Retrievable), Hollow Dagger (WP: 6, Hollow),

Opal

, 3x Mead, 2x Nostrum, 2x Smelling Salts, 9x Grand Potion, 1 Elixir, 1x Grand Tonic, 6x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bedroll, 3x Mythril Shard, Summoning Amulet (Quest Item),

Ruby

.

Nagure(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Barbarian.

*Immune to Fragile*

Level 12

Power: 26

(Level 12 + WP 14)

Defense: 5

(Heavy Armour)

Health: 19/19

(Barbarian base 8 + level bonus 11)

Gold: 41

Equipment: (Fafnir (WP: 14). Axe of the Croise(WP: 10), Heavy Armour (SP5, Protects from Fragile-effect.)

Inventory: (Remedy, Phoenix Essence x2, Smoke Bomb, Pickaxe, Helmet (Artifact, headwear, SP: 1, suitable for Rogues or Clerics and their Advanced Classes), Summoning Amulet (Quest Item))

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

262 year old female Elven Cleric

Level 15

*Immune to wind*

Power:

24

(Level 15+ WP:9)

Defense:

2

(Winged Circlet)

Health:

26/26

(Base Cleric 9 + Level bonus 14 + 3(White Cloak))

Ether:

15/19

(Base Cleric 5 + Level bonus 14)

Gold:

41

Equipment:

Mourning Star (WP:9, inflicts fragile-effect; mace), White Cloak(+3 Max health; backwear), Winged Circlet (SP:2, Immune to

wind

; headwear)

Inventory:

Staff (WP:6,

Wood

) Torch Staff (WP:5,

Fire

), Hammer (WP: 6), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, 2 potions, 3 elixirs, 4 remedies, Phoenix essence, Phoenix incense, Mead, Venom,

Fire

Bomb, 2

Ice

Bombs, Shovel, Bedroll, Bone

Sorrow (Endgame)

428 year old undead Assassin

Level:

16

Power:

28

Defense

: 1

Health:

27/27

Gold:

987

Equipment:

Steel fan (WP12,

Ice elemental

) Sticky Gloves, Armor of the Croise

Inventory:

Bedroll, Tonic, Phoenix Essence, Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes)

Mizuki Kimura (zakura)

Age: 21 Gender: Female Race: Human Class: Rogue

Level: 13.5

Power: 23 (

13 + 10

)

Health: 19/19 (7 + 12)

Gold:44

Equipment: (Dagger[WP 10], Eye Patch (Artifact, headwear. 50% Chance to stop Blind effect, suitable for any class))

Inventory:

Sylph Shuriken (WP:12,

wind

- and

light

-elemental; throwing weapon), Potion, Grand Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 2 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 2 Mead, 2 Nostrum, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Cannonball, Death Progg Claw

Hergrit responds to Maurice's suggestion that they go to the church with a look of alarm.

"That's where the Sisterhood is! You must be careful when you go there!"

Ismelda shakes her head as she responds to Nerwen.

"I don't know of anywhere that sells those items. The Guardsmen have shut down most of the traders and vendors here in Miranda. Just another thing to blight our city."

[Tachyon]

Mizuki asks Ismelda "Where would the traders and vendors store their goods ?"

[Chromeknight]

To the church then. There seems to have been enough foreshadowing that that is where we should go next.

[Costy]

I pass 22 gold to Maurice.

"Here, I owe you this. While I'm giving stuff out, would anyone like to borrow my helmet? (suitable for Rogues &clerics)"

[Scubacarrot]

"To the church it is."

[Rumble Strike]

Nagure gives 22 gold to Maurice.

The party:

Maurice Ratibor (Etzel)

51 years old male human Paladin

Level 19.5

Power:

31

(19 + 12)

Defense:

5

(5)

Health:

42/42

(9 + 18 + 11 + 1 + 3)

Ether:

14/24

(5 + 1 + 18)

Gold:

240

Equipment:

(Manta Tail Staff (WP:12+50% Stun chance), Fauxthril Shield with Paladin emblem (SP:5), Helmet (+1 max. health)), White Cloak (Max. Health +3)

Inventory:

(Emerald Staff (WP:10

Wood-elemental

), Mace (WP:5), Diamond, Scroll of Sleep, 3 Potions, 2 Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 3 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essences, 1 Nostrum, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 2 Fire Bombs, Torch, Bone, Plume)

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

*Immune to

Weakened

,

Asleep

,

Confusion

and

Blinded

**Immune to

Darkness

Elemental Damage*

**Party Leader**

*Lucky, Hastened, Encouraged*

42 year old male human Raider

Level 22

Power: 49

(22+24 + 3)

, 34 for ranged attacks

(22+9+3)

Health: 35/35

(7+20+7)

Gold:

749

Equipment:

Lifestealer

(WP: 24,

Ice

,

Darkness

, attacks restore 3 health),

Dancing Shoes

(Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Sleep, Confusion and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness Magic. Footwear),

Pugilist's Gloves

(2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear),

Spiked Collar

(+1 Power, accessory).

Inventory:

Throwing Knife (WP: 9, Light, Retrievable), Hollow Dagger (WP: 6, Hollow),

Opal

, 3x Mead, 2x Nostrum, 2x Smelling Salts, 9x Grand Potion, 1 Elixir, 1x Grand Tonic, 6x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Bedroll, 3x Mythril Shard, Summoning Amulet (Quest Item),

Ruby

.

Nagure(Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Barbarian.

*Immune to Fragile*

Level 12

Power: 26

(Level 12 + WP 14)

Defense: 5

(Heavy Armour)

Health: 19/19

(Barbarian base 8 + level bonus 11)

Gold: 19

Equipment: (Fafnir (WP: 14). Axe of the Croise(WP: 10), Heavy Armour (SP5, Protects from Fragile-effect.)

Inventory: (Remedy, Phoenix Essence x2, Smoke Bomb, Pickaxe, Helmet (Artifact, headwear, SP: 1, suitable for Rogues or Clerics and their Advanced Classes), Summoning Amulet (Quest Item))

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

262 year old female Elven Cleric

Level 15

*Immune to wind*

Power:

24

(Level 15+ WP:9)

Defense:

2

(Winged Circlet)

Health:

26/26

(Base Cleric 9 + Level bonus 14 + 3(White Cloak))

Ether:

15/19

(Base Cleric 5 + Level bonus 14)

Gold:

41

Equipment:

Mourning Star (WP:9, inflicts fragile-effect; mace), White Cloak(+3 Max health; backwear), Winged Circlet (SP:2, Immune to

wind

; headwear)

Inventory:

Staff (WP:6,

Wood

) Torch Staff (WP:5,

Fire

), Hammer (WP: 6), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, 2 potions, 3 elixirs, 4 remedies, Phoenix essence, Phoenix incense, Mead, Venom,

Fire

Bomb, 2

Ice

Bombs, Shovel, Bedroll, Bone

Sorrow (Endgame)

428 year old undead Assassin

Level:

16

Power:

28

Defense

: 1

Health:

27/27

Gold:

987

Equipment:

Steel fan (WP12,

Ice elemental

) Sticky Gloves, Armor of the Croise

Inventory:

Bedroll, Tonic, Phoenix Essence, Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes)

Mizuki Kimura (zakura)

Age: 21 Gender: Female Race: Human Class: Rogue

Level: 13.5

Power: 23 (

13 + 10

)

Health: 19/19 (7 + 12)

Gold:44

Equipment: (Dagger[WP 10], Eye Patch (Artifact, headwear. 50% Chance to stop Blind effect, suitable for any class))

Inventory:

Sylph Shuriken (WP:12,

wind

- and

light

-elemental; throwing weapon), Potion, Grand Potion, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, 2 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 2 Mead, 2 Nostrum, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Holy Bombs, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Cannonball, Death Progg Claw

Ismelda says to Mizuki:

"Well I believe you have already been to the warehouses. The Guardsmen may keep special, confiscated items in the Armoury, I don't know."

The party say farewell to Ismelda and Hergrit, who start to sadly shuffle off back to their burnt out and debris-strewn kitchen.

Hergrit turns and in his soft voice says:

"At least we know know that there is someone fighting for us, fighting for Miranda. Thank you, heroes."

The party travel to the Church marked on the map given to them by Byverion, always on the lookout for Guardsmen now that they were Miranda's most wanted, but the short journey passed without incident. The church was an imposing white structure, ornate, with lots of gleaming pillars.

As they passed through the two large pillars, they could see something at the end of the room.

Getting closer, they could see it was the third Summoning Amulet, suspended in the air.

What will the party do?

Edited December 15, 2012 by Rumble Strike

[Endgame]

"This is easy, far too easy. We already have 2 of the summoning amulets and the 3rd one is before us.

I smell a trap."

[Etzel]

"Hm, where is this "Sisterhood" that Hergrit talked about? I thought they would be here at the church and I had hoped to talk to them."

Maurice looks around in the church to see if he can find someone.

"Hello?! Anyone here?"

[Rumble Strike]

There is no answer to Maurice's words. The church is still and silent.

[Scubacarrot]

Guts inspects the stone tablet thingys with his magnifying glass.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen's agile mind picks out the face of their former employer, Sonora, scrambled on the floor tiles. She grips her weapon tighter.

You are right rogue. This is a trap. Beware.

[Endgame]

I look closely at the floor tiles. I shift, tilt, rotate, swap them in my mind: eventually it forms a human face. What kind of sorcery is this...?

"Guts? I believe I see our villanesses' face scrambled over the floor. maybe we should throw a bomb or something to blow up the tiles?

[Etzel]

I look closely at the floor tiles. I shift, tilt, rotate, swap them in my mind: eventually it forms a human face. What kind of sorcery is this...?

"Guts? I believe I see our villanesses' face scrambled over the floor. maybe we should throw a bomb or something to blow up the tiles?

"That seems a bit over the top. Mind that this is a sacred place, we should pay respect unless forced otherwise. Maybe someone with a Magnifying glass could inspect the amulet?"

[Rumble Strike]

Guts examines the four raised floor tiles and sees that they are able to be moved with a little force.

What does the party want to do?

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen moves briskly rotating

A 180 degrees

B 90 degrees clockwise

C 90 degrees anti-clockwise

D 180 degrees

There.

Edited December 16, 2012 by Chromeknight

[Scubacarrot]

Guts nods.

[Rumble Strike]

Nerwen moves the tiles in her precise way, leaving the image of a face created by the four tiles. As anticipated by the keen eyes of the Elf, it resembles the face of Sorona, their previous handler in their initial attempts to find the Darkstar gem..

With the four tiles locked into position, they slide inwards together, finishing off the face mural, and the Summoning Amulet drops to the floor with a loud clang, which echoes around the silent walls.

What would the party like to do?

QM Note: Well done Chromeknight. You solved the puzzle before it was even revealed as a puzzle! Hope you enjoyed the idea anyway.

Edited December 16, 2012 by Rumble Strike

[Etzel]

Maurice carefully walks up to the amulet and picks it up.

"Now lets get out of here, I have bad feeling about this."

[Scubacarrot]

"I did see it. This... Sisterhood... I bet it's work of Sorona. Haroka is a dangerous man, but I'd choose a fight with him over one with Sorona any day, be careful."

Guts looks around carefully while Maurice picks up the amulet, and unsheaths Lifestealer.

[Tachyon]

Mizki pulls out her magic compass and checks it.

[Rumble Strike]

Mizuki checked her compass, and it pointed directly to the amulet. Maurice grasped the Amulet and was immediately frozen, unable to move. A cold, mocking laugh echoed around the church as Sorona stepped into their view, accompanied by several pale attendents and a priestess on a bizarre, skeletal, stag-like creature.

"Perhaps you should have followed up on the poor Paladin's request to inspect the amulet for traps", Sorona smiled, but there was no warmth in her voice. "I really thought it would be you who was caught, my dear Guts. You, who are always looking for something else to take. Welcome to my church, everyone. Welcome to the Sisterhood of Sorrow. I knew you'd find your way back to me, Rogue. It is also good to see you, Nerwen. Still playing the level-headed one to Gut's rash impetuousness?"

[Endgame]

"Oh, hello, Sorrow. I'm Sorrow.

Dedicating an entire Sisterhood to worshipping you... Tsk. A sign of insecurity at best."

[Rumble Strike]

"You are an insolent wretch, Assassin. My name is Sorona. The Sisterhood is dedicated not to me, but to my ideals."

[Endgame]

"You are an insolent wretch, Assassin. My name is Sorona. The Sisterhood is dedicated not to me, but to my ideals."

"Perhaps you gave up the moniker when you learned that someone more capable was using it.

Tell me, what are these ideals?"

[Scubacarrot]

"I only need to take two more things. Sorrow. Your pathetic excuse for a life, and that of Haroka."