Heroica RPG - Quest #56: The Stealer of Senses

[Kintobor]

Karie pulled out the box that the quest money came in.

"Alright boys, cough up them coins."

She addresses the SOS.

"Okay, so maybe 50 coins was a little measly. I'll admit, easy-peasy pickpocketing. But!- how about 175 coins!? Now that's a hard days work right there, eh, eh! 35 coins from each of us, in the box, we'll toss it to you, and everyone leaves alive! Win-win scenario!"

Edited March 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Brickington]

OOC: Come on, what do you want Endgame?

Using Diplomacy, "What do you want? We don't have much. We are very sorry."

[Endgame]

QM Note: Opportunity for creativity, but I do have a backup plan if you really do not want to face him!

"Your gold disinterests me. Seeing as I have no desire of having any witnesses to this little fiasco, I suppose you can help me erase a few. I will let you out of here intact... under a few terms. Attempt to report me to any authority whatsoever, and I will track you down and render you blind for the rest of your existence. Trust me, it won't be hard. Secondly, I have a small job for you..."

The Stealer of Senses was wicked, but not in the same way as The Apprentice. The Apprentice was bloodthirsty, a lunatic - where The Apprentice had untamed malice the Stealer was cold and calculating, eager to use any asset availibe to him. He hads over to the odd console on the side of the room, reaching over his cousin's corpse - and picks an odd vial off of the counter. He gives it a few light shakes, the thick blue liquid in the container sloshing around until The Stealer was satisfied.

"From what I understand from what the famel told me, there was another party of 4 involved in this entire incident, allied with the town watch. This is, obviously, a no-no for me. I'm assuming that if you are willing to fork over your life's savings, you're terrified and smart enough to perform a small job for me. This vial contains a rather peculiar substance, Exterlate - which has the wonderful effect of earasing someone's memory for the past 12 hours and knocking them out cold. You are their allies, you can get close to them. I've grown immune to the stuff, having working with it for the past six years."

The Stealer tears a small cloth off of his cape. He dabs the soltuion on it.

"Surely you can deduce what I'm going to ask you to do. Chloroform them, and drag their bodies out with you, place them on a park bench (or whatever suits your fancy) and continue on your merry way. After this unfortunate little encounter, I never want to see your faces meddling in my affairs again. If I do happen to catch even a glimpse of you again, or even entertain the notion that you are mucking with my carefully laid plans once more, I will dismantle your senses and leave you a pathetic wreck. As far as anyone is concerned, this night has never occured, lost to time. Do you understand? Or would you rather test your mettle against me?"

The Stealer's constant threats, although subtle, were deathly serious to the group of heroes. When they had signe dup for this quest, they had never expected being entangled in such a treachorous web as this... The party can't help but squirm and grimace at the position The Stealer was putting them in. Though his deadpan betrayed no emotion, the party can detect a hint of smile underneath all the hoods and robes. The Stealer currently held all the cards, even after the party had thought they had acheived victory. An aura of hatred hangs in the room, knowing that The Stealer seemed to have the upper-hand in every possible scenario. Will the party perform The Stealer's vile favor? He taps his foot impatiently, waiting for the party's ultimatum.

QM Note: Final choice of this quest!

Edited March 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Brickington]

"As a noble knight I would never do that to the townwatch. I'll let someone else decide." Sir Brickington grasp his sword just in case.

Edited March 2, 2013 by Brickington

[Kintobor]

"Can you give us a minute, please?" Karie motions to the party to form around her.

"Group huddle gang. So, the way I see it, yeah, sure, let's do it. Assuming this guy isn't a traitorous jerk and it actually kills the guards, we should be fine. I say we vote on this, majority rules. I say yes, let's do this, get out of here, and keep quiet. Kay?"

OOC: Time for politics! To assist with the decision, please bold your answer. It's either Yes, we knock them out, or No, we take our chances with the SOS.

Edited March 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Brickington]

"As long as they don't get killed I say let's do it. But I'll have to leave the job to you two rogues."

[Shoker86]

"Leave dirty job to me sir Brickington, i'm a rogue right" Arnulf looked at Sir Brickington with cold stare "I've done some things you knights may find wrong, but i have my own way of choosing, and doing job for this villain, NEVER"

Edited March 2, 2013 by Shoker86

[Kintobor]

"So that's two for yes, one for no. Let's see what the ranger's have to say before we make any radical decisions. And if we do go ahead of this, me and Arnie will knock them out, and then we'll decide on who's carrying who since that bearded on may take two of us."

Edited March 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Brickington]

"And for that, I applaud you, Arnulf." Sir Brickington was starting to feel about changing his mind.

[joeshmoe554]

Jeaux felt that the man before them was not the bluffing type and in a straight up fight, the probability was high his party would not be the victors. "I have no qualms with what you are proposing, though I cannot make any promises regarding the future. We had no intention of meddling in your plans in the first place and the town watch were merely investigating reports of strange activities. If their memories are wiped, there is nothing to prevent them from returning if those same reports are made one more, and they may really try to employ the assistance of Heroica once again. I will wipe the guards memory but I would suggest, if you wish to remain undisturbed, you try to keep a low profile from this day forward."

OOC: Just to be clear, that is a vote for yes.

at the mention of memories a thought crossed Jeaux's mind.

"You say you have the ability to steal one's memories, might you also have the ability to restore what was once stolen?"

[Emjajoas]

"I say we do his dirty work," Em says, crossing his arms, his bow now on his back. "I'm rather interested in seeing what his plans are, but that's for another day-- I don't want bad blood."

[Kintobor]

Karie dismisses the huddle and looks at her teammates.

"If what you state is true, and that no harm will come to these guards, then we'll take your offer on the conditions set beforehand."

Karie had a gut feeling that this guy was lying about the guards safety, but they were stuck against a rock and a sharp, sense stealing weapon.

Edited March 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

Put in an awful position, the party come to a unanimous decision: They would do the Stealer's favor, even if it meant endangering the people who had helped the before. The betrayal felt sick in their stomachs, but they did not want to face The Stealer's wrath. Knowing that he would easily crush them, the party bends to his will and announce their decision.

"You chose wisely."

"Your concern is unnecessary, automaton. Although it pains me to say this, with Theo out of the picture, I will be much more incognito. And no, Exterlate is just a raw material, one of the hundreds of ingredients used to make the Harvester - I have no way of restoring memories."

The Stealer tosses the drenched cloth at the heroes, the party careful not to breathe in whatever it was doused in. Its smell was strong and putrid, and just being around it gave the party a headache. They required no further words from The Stealer - they knew what they had to do. Heading to the previous room, they find Ian and his crew licking their wounds. They had not yet fully recovered from their previous battle, or even the Harvester's effects. This just made their job easier physically... but more of a burden on their conscious. Ian speaks to them:

"Made it out of there, huh? Nice one; we're done here, then?"

Jeaux wordlessly approaches Ian, the cloth tucked behind his back. Getting within arm's reach of the town watchman, with a jolt of his arm he takes it out and covers Ian's mouth the chemical-doused cloth. Ian's eyes bulge for a second in shock, and he collapses to the ground seconds after. He entered fitful sleep, grunting and moaning after inhaling the dangerous chemical. Even in his slumber he has the occasional twitch or spasm of pain. The other three watchsmen take a step back in surprise, not sure what was happening. Why them? Why were the heroes doing this? The rogues of the party proceed to chloroform the rest of the guards, they all crumpling into twitching heaps on the ground. The experience seemed none too pleasant for the guards, and the heroes felt a jolt of guilt flutter in their stomach. Was this the right thing to do? Will the guards be okay? Questions like this running amuck in their conscious, the party hoist the four watchsmen on their back and return to the Stealer.

"Huh. Funny, isn't it? Your first quest for Heroica, and in the end, you do the dirty work for someone who you know is going to commit crimes - out of pure cowardice, no less. I suppose there is no such thing as hero, at least not here in Eubric. This city seems hellbent on tainting every soul who wanders within here, and ruin them... I guess it is no surprise even the heroes of this city are not excluded from wrongdoing. I sure know what this city did to me, and my family... and I can't wait to take a little bit of revenge on it for doing so.

Enough of my lamenting and rambling. You did your job - although I may have under exaggerated Exterlates effectiveness a tad. Lets just say those 4 will be lucky if they remember that the sky is blue by the time they stir awake, heh. Now then, I never want to see your faces again. Shall I escort you out?"

The party processes The Stealer's last few nuggets of information, disgusted. What would happen to the guardsmen? The Harvester begins to hum as The Stealer says those last words. Glowing a ghastly purple, the party has no time to react to what was about to happen. In one slash of The Harvester a flash of black light overcomes the heroes. Their senses fade, vanishing altogether in mere seconds. They collapse to the ground, their last sight being The Stealer's feet. They try to resist the waves of nausea overcoming them, but fail. IN just a few moments, the entire party was knocked as unconscious as the guardsmen. As the last lights of consciousness fade from the party, they can't help but ask themselves: what in the name of Zoot did they do the those four poor souls?

The party stirs awake in front of Heroica Hall, the morning sun beginning to rise. They groggily get back up to their feet, rubbing their aching heads. Fortunately, their memories were indeed intact - and all of the loot they had acquired was also present!

Final Party:

Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554) *Party Leader!*

Age: Unknown, Male Automaton Ranger

Level 4

Power: 8

Health: 9/9

Gold: 130

Equipment: Sagitta (WP: 3, longbow) Bow (WP: 4)

Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Venom

Sir Brickington (Brickington)

19 year old human male knight

Level 4

Power: 8 (Level 4 + WP: 4)

Defense: 2 (SP: 2)

Health: 13/13

Gold: 135

Equipment: Great Sword (WP: 3), Triangle Shield (SP: 2), Great Sword Mk. II (WP: 4)

Inventory: Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Grand Potion, Soma

Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. (I just can't think of a good name, okay?)

Age: Unknown. Presumably mid twenties.

Gender: Male.

Race: Human.

Class: Ranger.

Level 3

Power: 6

Health: 4/8

Gold: 150

Equipment: Bow(WP:3)

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Remedy, Potion, Nostrum

Name: Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86)

30 yrs old male Human Rogue

Level: 4

Power: 8 (4+4)

Health: 10/10

Ether: 0

Gold: 143

Equipment: Dagger(WP:3), Long Sword (WP: 4)

Inventory: Bedroll, Remedy, Potion, Venom

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintober)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 4

Power: 8

Health: 8/10

Gold: 146

Equipment: Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Dagger (WP: 4)

Inventory: Venom (1), Bedroll (1), Mead (1)

The party heads inside the hall, reviewing the events of the previous night. They had ended the life of one foul person... but failed to eliminate his master, not even trying to face him in their fear. Worse yet, their rotten deed may have damaged the minds of some of the few kind souls that dwell in this corrupt city... One thing was agreed on, though.

They could all use a drink.

~The Quest Is Successful!~

Epilogue:

In the dead of the night, a figure cloaked in purple dumped four limp bodies into a dark alley, careful to evade the eyes and ears of those nearby. Come the waning hours of the night, the four stir awake - not even sure where they were.

Though they had saw some heroes a few hours earlier, by now they could swear those five never existed - even the building they were in no longer held any meaning to them, also blotted out of their mind. They all had pounding migraines, the men caressing their aching skulls. Their minds were frayed - their body didn't seem to want to respond, and hardly anything in the world held any meaning to them anymore. Though they had worked alongside each other for years now, they were complete strangers to each other: though they all seemed to remember each other somewhat, they were now mere acquaintances, years of friendship and teamwork destroyed in a single night. All that was left was a ghost of a memory, and even that was crumbling quickly. The four split up and walked separate paths, trying their hardest to reacquaint themselves with the city around them. However, it simply wasn't possible. Even mustering up their own names for the men was a massive task. The four shamble about Eubric, trying to find their way around the world again...

Meanwhile, The Stealer sits in isolation, restructuring all of his plans. His previous ones all required two people, and thanks to the heroes, that simply wasn't possible. After disposing of the watchsmen The Stealer set to work setting up a temporary abode in the Locunon. It was quaint, but livable. The Stealer was planning to work over time on his schemes, and constantly walking between his home and his office would simply not do. Too time consuming, not to mention suspicion arousing. The purple-clad man was content isolating himself from the world in the dismal little room if it meant his schemes finally coming to fruition...

The End...?

QM Note: That's all, folks! You can roleplay in this thread a little bit more if needed, or return to the hall. If anyone could leave comments and criticism in the QM Lounge, it'd be greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoyed your first experience in Heroica, 56ers! I'll have my analysis up by the end of the day.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Karie had had enough of questing for one day. Was this truly the last time she'd see the Harvester? As she stood up, she winced in pain. The Harvester's scar was still sore. She sulked her way through the snow, and back to the warmth of the Hall.

"Last time I go willy-nilly into a quest like that..." She mumbles.

[Emjajoas]

Em remains on the ground for a moment, eyebrows furrowed. "I would have liked to know more of the weapon," he muttered dejectedly to himself, rising. Shaking his head, he hefted his kit and made his way silently back to Heroica Hall, eyes downcast.

Four more lives he had ruined. Was it four? Maybe five, if you count the Apprentice. He couldn't dwell on it.

[Shoker86]

OOC: Why i drugged guardsmen , i said i won't do it it's against Arnulf moral code, it didn't happen. It was pleasure doing this quest Endgame, i've enjoyed a lot only i ave a plea not to include Arnulf in last part if it's possible

" Before i go i have to say that i'm dissapointed in decision you've made. Sir Brickington esspecialy you. You traded your code of honour in favour of safe passage home, and put lives of the innocent in this creatures hands"

[Kintobor]

OOC: If you have a problem with Brickington, he's in the hall. Go talk to him there.

[Endgame]

QM Note: I didn't see the edit that clarified your post, Arnulf - I'm sorry! I'll fix that up.

Edited March 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

OOC: No problem Endgame That's why i pointed up, maybe it seemed that i agreed to do the work, but i wasn't able to post sooner to RP more with other members