Heroica RPG - Quest #53: Chaos in Eubric

[Zepher]

"If there is someone depraved enough to emulated this demon, then it should worry you very much. Also, I'm Thothwick. A pleasure, Mr. Wizard, Ms. Triad."

"Emulating wouldn't bother me too much. Whoever this is is doing something different than that. A little more powerful."

"Sir Poletad! The bravest frog I ever met" Nyx curtseys gracefully "and Hans! It is so good to see you again, but I wish it were under better circumstances. I do not think I know your companions, however if you vouch for them I will consider them brave warriors, like yourselves. I am Nyx." She addresses this last, short statement to the strangers and accompanies it with a small bow of her head.

<Skrall!! Please tell Nyx I'm overjoyed to see her once more!!! Hi Nyx! Are you going to blow up the villains?! I'm sure you will!! And I'm not really that brave, just protecting the people of Olegia like Amphibiannoc tells all us Frog Paladins to do!>

"How do ya do, Nyx? Nice to see you again as well. Never hurts to have someone of your caliber on our side. Truth be told, I wasn't around when your pals from Heroica really saw these fellows fight, and Felton has been the one in contact with the Gray Wizard. He's much better at all that gibber gabber. But, yeah, looks like they'll be joining us."

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke makes his way out of the Hall and finds the party chatting amongst themselves. A chill breeze traces its icy fingers along Hoke's frame, and he draws his cape on more snugly He is glad for the fur jerkin his family sent him. He greets those that he is acquainted with and introduces himself to those he is not.

"My friends, I have two scrolls which I have not used and will lend out on this quest. I would prefer that they be used by our more magically inclined fellows and maidens."

Hoke slips his gloved hand into his pack and produces two scrolls with enchanted symbols and ancient tongues swirling about the parchments.

Hoke offers up for loan a SCROLL OF FRAILTY and a SCROLL OF WEAKENING.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Hoke offers up for loan a SCROLL OF FRAILTY and a SCROLL OF WEAKENING.

Cronk does not believe Cronk has quested with Hoke before. Well met.

Cronk would be glad to try Scroll of Frailty out on this quest.

[Masked Builder]

"Hm, never used a scroll myself Hoke. I'll try the Scroll of Weakening."

[Scorpiox]

Haldor jogged up to meet the party, nodding at his allies.

"Hans, Poletad, Grey Wizard, Triad. And you fellows, Cronk, Alexis, Arthur, Hoke, pirate, mage, Metasimian. What have I missed? Is it true what I have heard, is she coming to Eubric? Maybe this'll be a good chance to blood Zoot er Isen, after all."

[CMP]

Atramor thanked Alexis, taking the whip. Couldn't be all that different from the flail. He tucked it into his cloak, looking around as the other heroes arrived, glancing towards the shaman. He reminded him vaguely of Eric.

"Aye. Apparently we'll be buildin' up the defenses first."

He extended his hand towards the nord.

"Atramor Gibbin."

[Professor Flitwick]

"It is 'Thothwick', actually, Norsema- did you christen your Weapon in honorific of Zoot? My word, I don't believe I've met a living follower of Zoot. Save Wren, and here ilk."

Edited December 21, 2012 by Professor Flitwick

[Flipz]

"It is the way of Zoot's Playthings that they be named after the god from which they were spawned. Cronk has a similar weapon, though I cannot think of one who walks further from the path of Chaos."

"Perhaps Haldor has embraced different beliefs since last we met, but even if he has, he would be only the second follower of Zoot you have met," Arthur remarks proudly, indicating himself. "Though 'follower' may be something of a misnomer; my beliefs on the gods are somewhat...unorthodox, to say the least."

"Alexis, if I may, I'd like to use that Scroll of Weakening--my lens renders me uniquely suited to Scroll use. Of course, if you'd like to dabble further in Scroll work, then I'd gladly offer my own collection and my Lens for your use--heavens know I've got plenty of other artifacts bumping around in my pack that I could use."

If Alexis borrows Arthur's scrolls and Lens, he'll equip the Scarf of Misfortune in place of the Lens.

[Zepher]

OoC: My travels begin in a few minutes, and by the time I get home, it will be too dark for pictures. We will have a true update tomorrow morning, but keep chatting away among yourselves!

The Party

Cronk

Level 26 2/3 Paladin *Counterstirking*

Power: 38

Defense: 15

Health: 44/44

Ether: 27/27

Gold: 5

Equipment: Zoot's Bane (Suitable only for Cronk; WP: 12, Light), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP: 9), Elaborate Helmet (SP: 2), Paladin's Armour (Suitable for Paladins, +4 SP, +2 Max Ether), Counterstirke Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level)

Inventory:, Twin Broadswords (WP:21, user can attacks 2 enemies in the same turn, user is unable to use a shield), Beast Skewer (Lance; WP: 12), Ennoc's Gratitude (Artifact, Accessory, User Perma-Blessed, Requires Light Weapon), Sword of Bashing (Longsword; WP:5), Bedroll, Shovel, Holy Bomb, 4 Stakes (WP:1 to each of them), 2 Phoenix Essence, Scroll of Frailty,

Alexis Fenral (Masked Builder)

Level 25 1/3 *Hastened* *Immune to Fragile, and Blinded*

Power: 38 (25+13)

Defense: 3

Health: 41/41 (6+25+3+5)

Ether: 29/29 (28+1)

Gold: 60

GP: 3

Equipment: Mockthril Longbow (WP:13, ranged), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Ring of Sight (protects from blinded)

Inventory: Flute of the Magi (WP:3, asleep-effect), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Opal (Ice), Topaz (Lightning), Ruby (Fire), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Tonic, 3 Grand Tonics, Milk, 2 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Pickaxe, Shovel, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Potion, Holy Bomb, 2 Remedies, 3 Somas, 3 Phoenix Essences, 3 Grand Potions, Carrot, Scroll of Weakening

Spirits: Skorpios (Amethyst), Ocven the Ice Dragon (Opal), Shalma the Thunderbird (Topaz), Sarp Zarra (Aquamarine), Mandy (Ruby),????? (Diamond)

Nyx (Pandora)

Level 23 Battle Mage *Immune to Asleep, Fast Asleep and Sealed effects*

Power: 36

Defense: 3

Health: 33/33

Ether: 33/33

Gold: 55

Equipment: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:13, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health)

Inventory: Explosive Staff – WP: 12 (Does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Dawnstar II (WP: 9), The Fishstick (WP:7 Double damage while on ships), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Ruby (Fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Mead, Potion, 2 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Holy Bomb, 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Bomb XX

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

Level 22 2/3 *Deals Badly Poisoned* *Counterstriking*

Power: 32

Health: 42/42

Ether: 20/20

Gold: 101

Equipment: Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, fire, ice, earth, wind elemental), Witch's Talisman (Suitable for witches, Posioned Hits become Badly Poisoned Hits, accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear), White Cloak (Suitable for clerics, +3 maximum health, backwear)

Inventory: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP:9, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 6, gains 1 WP every kill made with it) Staff of the Elven Warlock (WP: 5, wood elemental), Heavy Flail (WP: 5, deals the Fragile effect) Topaz, Amethyst, Fire Bomb, Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row), Dragon Scale (Gives Lucky and Blessed effects on consumption), Shovel, Pickaxe

Haldor Skovgaard (Scorpiox)

Level 22 1/3 Shaman, 33 year old male human Nord. *Immune to Weakened, Fragile and Blinded*

Power: 36

Defense: 7

Health: 37/37

Ether: 28/28

Gold: 330

Equipment: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12, Light and Water elemental), Ethereal Cloak (SP:+2, +4 Ether, Blindness Immunity), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 Power, Weakened Immunity), Heavy Armour (SP:+5, Fragile Immunity).

Inventory: Bear Claw Gloves (WP:8, SP:+2), Paper Doll (Hexed immunity), Shovel, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Bluehood's Aquamarine, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Health Core, Potion (x3), Remedy (x2), Mead, Nostrum (x2), Smelling Salts, Soma (x2), Zoot's Plaything

Skrall (Waterbrick Down)

80 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 22 *Favors Humanoid and Mechanical Enemies* *Immunity to Fragile*

Power: 42

Defense: 8

Health: 36/36

Gold: 1

Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:11, +4 vs. Beasts), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile effect, body wear)

Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Zoot's Plaything, 3x Mead, Grand Potion, Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard")

Thothwick (Prof. Flitwick)

Level: 20 Black Knight *Damage Undead* *Immune to Stunned*

Power: 30 (28 Ranged)

Defence: 10

Health: 35

Gold: 200

Equipment: Sabre (WP 10), Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect), Cultist's Hat (regular attacks do Damage to Undead)

Inventory: Shuriken (WP 8) 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (Flipz)

Level 18 1/2 Sorcerer, *Immune to Sealed*

Power: 30

Health: 28/28

Ether: 28/28

Defense: 3

Gold: 5

Equipment: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory: Equipment: 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), Ancient Crown (First successful strike of battle deals Cursed effect, borrowed from Atramor Gibbin), Cloak of Deception (Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Scarf of Misfortune (Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round, accessory), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable)

Gems: Opal (Ice), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light)

Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering(Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Badly Poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.),

Consumables: Ether Core, Remedy (x3), Noxious Venom (When used on a weapon, the weapon deals the Badly Poisoned effect for the duration of the battle and the Confused effect for the next three rounds, for the duration of one battle.), Nostrum (x7)

Hoke Ablesword (UsernameMDM)

Level 18 1/2 Mystic Knight

Power: 30

Defense: 9

Health: 36/36

Ether: 18/18

Gold: 4

Equipment: Vintul (Great sword: WP 12), Steel Buckler (Shield: SP 7), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1)

Inventory: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Diamond, 2 Phoenix Essence, 4 Potions, 2 Grand Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Hollow Blade (Dagger: WP 6)

Everyman clears his throat. "I think that's all of them. Can we get a move on, then?"

The Gray Wizard raises an eyebrow at the strangely clad individual, but nods.

“Heroes, before we set out, I need not remind you how important it is to treat Bennetton with respect. He is an old friend of Heroica… though he may not seem it at times. He truly has the cities best interests at heart. This may seem a strange warning to you, heroes. It is more to my young friend, Triad. We’ve been out in the field too long. We seem to have forgotten some of our manners.”

“We see such corruption and evil and are expected to say nothing? We cannot do that. We know the Town Guard doesn’t really do any good, so we say what we see.”

"If there’s any good to be done, the Captain will be doing it. Don’t be rude, listen to what I say. You can walk and talk, heroes? Let us do that.”

As the heroes begin their march. Everyman falls into step on one side of Skrall, and Hans walks to the other.

"How was your ma, Mr. Hans?" asks Everyman with a sinister grin. Hans shrugs.

"Still kickin'."

Everyman chuckles and then produces an old beat-up scroll. "Mr. Skrall, thought I might gift you with this. It could be of some use to you guys, you know, you never know, you know. Besides, that map you've got in the Library of your's is prosaic, am I right? Got to keep up to date."

Edited December 21, 2012 by Zepher

[CMP]

Atramor nodded towards Triad.

"See, that's some good sense..."

He glances at Johnny and Hans, the former of which handing over a map to Skrall.

"That reminds me, aren't we s'posed to have a party leader?"

[Scorpiox]

Atramor thanked Alexis, taking the whip. Couldn't be all that different from the flail. He tucked it into his cloak, looking around as the other heroes arrived, glancing towards the shaman. He reminded him vaguely of Eric.

"Aye. Apparently we'll be buildin' up the defenses first."

He extended his hand towards the nord.

"Atramor Gibbin."

Haldor eyed up the man. He looked a strong, no-nonsense character, one who wouldn't be afraid to make tough decisions.

"Haldor Skovgaard, pleasure to meet you. You've got some kind of fowl on your head, by the way."

"It is 'Thothwick', actually, Norsema- did you christen your Weapon in honourific of Zoot? My word, I don't believe I've met a living follower of Zoot. Save Wren, and here ilk."

This metasimian, not so much. Haldor could feel a headache forming already.

"Well pardon me for not knowing your name, 'Thothwick', and you can call me Haldor, since you didn't ask. Do I look like a follower of Zoot? I'm a nord, I would rather eat my own hair than honour Zoot in any way. And anyway, why on earth would I be here to fight Wren if not for my deep abhorance of that dark god?"

Zepher, I have a shiny new weapon, and a new avatar too.

[Flipz]

Atramor nodded towards Triad.

"See, that's some good sense..."

He glances at Johnny and Hans, the former of which handing over a map to Skrall.

"That reminds me, aren't we s'posed to have a party leader?"

"I have a feeling we shall all be trusted to our own means, a threat this widespread is not well-suited for a large party with a single leader. That is, of course, only my opinion; both Skrall and Haldor have proven excellent Party Leaders in our past encounters with Wren, though I myself would be willing to lead a smaller group if it proves necessary."

[CMP]

Atramor chuckled dryly at Haldor's first impression of Thothwick, while the chicken merely stared beadily at the nord.

"Oh, this is McCafferey, my-..." he paused, unsure of how to explain their relationship. 'My insane demonic conscience'? 'Travelling companion'? It certainly wasn't as straightforward as 'my best mate' anymore. "...well, in any case, she's mine."

'In the future, 'the guide to my destined path' will do, if you really deem it necessary to introduce me' she remarked, silently. Atramor grumbled. No, the days of having an ordinary pet chicken were long past.

[Professor Flitwick]

"It is the way of Zoot's Playthings that they be named after the god from which they were spawned. Cronk has a similar weapon, though I cannot think of one who walks further from the path of Chaos."

"Really? 'The way'? You make it sound different from other weapons... "

"Perhaps Haldor has embraced different beliefs since last we met, but even if he has, he would be only the second follower of Zoot you have met," Arthur remarks proudly, indicating himself. "Though 'follower' may be something of a misnomer; my beliefs on the gods are somewhat...unorthodox, to say the least."

"I thought you said your people abandoned the worship of Zoot? Or is that where these 'unorthodox' applications of piety manifest themselves?"

"Well pardon me for not knowing your name, 'Thothwick', and you can call me Haldor, since you didn't ask. Do I look like a follower of Zoot? I'm a nord, I would rather eat my own hair than honour Zoot in any way. And anyway, why on earth would I be here to fight Wren if not for my deep abhorance of that dark god?"

"I felt it fairly obvious that when one announced ones name, and you would announce yours. It's a gentlemanly way to do it. Can't say I know what a Nordic Zoot worshipper looks like. All bar one Nord I've met has been intoxicated, so I wouldn't know what a Nordic priest of Zoot looked like anymore than I would a Nordic worshipper of Fabula Sibylla looks like... although the mental image is indeed hilarious! As for your motives here, I don't know. I just assumed, that like most of us, you'd be here to prevent Wren's slaughter of innocents, and end her Quest to reach divinity, as opposed to being here as she subscribes to a different divinity to that of your own."

[Scorpiox]

"I felt it fairly obvious that when one announced ones name, and you would announce yours. It's a gentlemanly way to do it. Can't say I know what a Nordic Zoot worshipper looks like. All bar one Nord I've met has been intoxicated, so I wouldn't know what a Nordic priest of Zoot looked like anymore than I would a Nordic worshipper of Fabula Sibylla looks like... although the mental image is indeed hilarious! As for your motives here, I don't know. I just assumed, that like most of us, you'd be here to prevent Wren's slaughter of innocents, and end her Quest to reach divinity, as opposed to being here as she subscribes to a different divinity to that of your own."

Haldor sighed.

"Go away, I don't care about your imposed self-righteous opinions. And anyway, back home we have our own set of gods, there is no such thing as a nordic Zoot worshipper."

[Professor Flitwick]

"The land of the Nords sounds magically indeed. Let us hope you can return there, post-haste!" said Thothwick, positively enjoying himself. "How I love to play with those whom carry stagnating chips on their shoulders!"

Edited December 21, 2012 by Professor Flitwick

[CorneliusMurdock]

Cronk does not know what is trouble between Haldor and Thothwick, but Cronk would like it to stop. Quarrels among friends only weakens party. The need for strength has never been greater if friends are to save world from Wren.

[Masked Builder]

"You know Arthur, I would like to try that." She smiles at him, then takes the items. "I've never used a scroll, so we'll see how this goes." She moves up to the Metasimian. "Hello there, I do not believe I've met you or one of your kind. My name is Alexis Fenral, currently an Evoker."

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke hands the scrolls over to party members better suited for use.

Cronk does not know what is trouble between Haldor and Thothwick, but Cronk would like it to stop. Quarrels among friends only weakens party. The need for strength has never been greater if friends are to save world from Wren.

"Agreed," Hoke nodded at Cronk. "Besides, Haldor, you're a month's beard growth away from being a metasimian, and Thothwick, you're a shave away from being a Nord." Hoke shot the two a wink and smiled.

"Let us solidify our purpose as one, especially with the witch and her madness on its way."

Edited December 21, 2012 by UsernameMDM

[Scorpiox]

Haldor turned briefly.

"I don't know what your problem is, Thothwick, but I hope it isn't going to get in the way of what we're trying to do here. I know Wren, I know how this is exactly what she wants to happen. So let's not waste any more breath on this, eh?"

The nord walked away, tired of hypocrites and their irrelevent views, to find some more interesting people.

"Hello Hoke, I haven't seen you for donkey's years. How's it been going?"

[UsernameMDM]

"Hello Hoke, I haven't seen you for donkey's years. How's it been going?"

"My greetings to you Haldor! It appears that questing has gone well with you. All is well with me now. I was off to home to attend to matters. I journeyed back to Eurobric just a small time ago. Seems I made it just in time to usher the witch to her demise."

Hoke smiled. He was glad to be in the presence in these strong warriors and experienced questers. They would need every skill and trick they knew and more to complete the quest ahead of them.

[Professor Flitwick]

She moves up to the Metasimian. "Hello there, I do not believe I've met you or one of your kind. My name is Alexis Fenral, currently an Evoker."

"Good morning, Ms. Fenral. We're quite a widespread race, though not quite so as you Elves, several of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting."

Cronk does not know what is trouble between Haldor and Thothwick, but Cronk would like it to stop. Quarrels among friends only weakens party. The need for strength has never been greater if friends are to save world from Wren.

"Agreed," Hoke nodded at Cronk. "Besides, Haldor, you're a month's beard growth away from being a metasimian, and Thothwick, you're a shave away from being a Nord." Hoke shot the two a wink and smiled.

"I don't know where the notion that I have animosity with the Norseman emanates from. I introduced myself, and he responded in a rude manner, and has chastised me since. I have no 'problem' as it were." Thothwick said indignantly, affronted that a shared blame was being assigned to a verbal sparring.

[CMP]

"You suggested he was a follower of a Zoot....and you have several problems, mate."

[Professor Flitwick]

"He carries a weapon called 'Zoot'. What little room for interpretation there was lead me to my assumptions. Oh - this should be good - come now Witch, what could you possibly be hinting at?" Thothwick changed his tone from defensive to jovial, as he addressed Atramor's points.

[Masked Builder]

"Good morning, Ms. Fenral. We're quite a widespread race, though not quite so as you Elves, several of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting."

"One learns something new every day! Nice to meet you Mr...?"