Heroica RPG - Quest #57: Green and Gone

[-obelix-]

"I can understand your distrust master Boomingham, but I disagree that we, mages, can change the world too much. In the physical sense, most I can muster is a short blizzard or a firestorm which changes the surface of the world as insignificantly as a fire started by an inexperienced arsonist. Some can do more the others I suppose, but in my experience, the balance is kept in the end. In a non-material sense, it is as master Sorrow says, actions of an ether user are no different then actions of any other person. And I have seen a lot of them walking the earth for over, and using magic a little under, two centuries; knights without any sense of honor or duty, cutthroats that give to charity, clerics that murder, the lot of them..." Thalion paused for a moment, "You are absolutely right about one thing tough, we must seek our own path and let our actions speak for us."

Edited February 22, 2013 by -obelix-

[Zepher]

"I have met people who don't deserve to touch a sword or even weild a weapon - ended quite a few of them."

"I've met more than a few in my day as well. They're just, as you say, a bit easier to end."

"Do not speak to him, Lawrence. He is unholy. Nothing good can come of the risen dead."

"Scamper off, Barty." Boomingham turns to Sorrow. "Sorry, chap, don't think I caught your name."

"I can understand your distrust master Boomingham...You are absolutely right about one thing tough, we must seek our own path and let our actions speak for us."

"I'm not against anyone who can command ether. I've got a bit of it in me too, it turns out. But I'm also distrustful of mages. Anyone who can turn me into a frog- no thank you. Now, I'm not saying that all magic users are tyrants, but they fight more cowardly than those of us with swords, and they can be a menace to take down. It's not their power I dislike so much as how unchecked it might go."

[Flare]

"So heroes, ready to go? Or is this mission too difficult to understand?"

[Endgame]

"She reminds me of myself!"

Unfortunately.

"Lets proceed."

[-obelix-]

"So heroes, ready to go? Or is this mission too difficult to understand?"

Again, Thalion turned and smiled at Morgan, "I believe we got it, track and talk to the frogs until we find your brother."

"I'm not against anyone who can command ether. I've got a bit of it in me too, it turns out. But I'm also distrustful of mages. Anyone who can turn me into a frog- no thank you. Now, I'm not saying that all magic users are tyrants, but they fight more cowardly than those of us with swords, and they can be a menace to take down. It's not their power I dislike so much as how unchecked it might go."

"Aaaaaah, I see what you mean! Yes, we had several such lapses in the academy; mostly newly arrived apprentices who had trouble containing their energy. That is why we study it for so long, but we mainly learn about elemental energies, as they are most common. I've never heard of anyone turning someone else into a frog, on purpose or accident - though hearing about it wouldn't surprise me at all. But magic/ether is not the only kind of power that, left unchecked, can be dangerous; politics, religion, money - people who wield those are the ones I distrust..." Thalion remembered the end of riot in the Hovels, and shuddered. After a short while he raised his head and looked at the party enthusiastically, "Instead of this gloomy talk, let us go help a boy!" A faint smile appeared on his face.

[Endgame]

"My second quest involving helping children. The last one involving kidsconsisted of walking through some twisted labryinth and fighting abominations... Needless to say, I am hoping this little venture is a bit more grounded in reality."

I groan. "Sorrow, the ancient, undead, baby sitting, split-personality assassin. How much of an oddball am I?"

Edited February 23, 2013 by Endgame

[Wedge09]

"Ready to go"

[Costy]

"Lets go."

[Flare]

"Great. I'll be accompanying you until the evening, probably as an animal of some sort. See you guys soon!"

She pushes the heroes out of the nursery, and the heroes not knowing how to respond, tip-toe downstairs and out the front door.

It seems that there are three ways the heroes could investigate outside of the Ziegfried manor. Which way should they choose?

[Costy]

"That man on the left is wearing far too little for comfort so I say we go to the right."

I also toss my Helmet SP:1 to Alexander.

[-obelix-]

"That man on the left is wearing far too little for comfort so I say we go to the right."

"As good a direction as any to start. Lead the way master Nagure."

[Wedge09]

Alexander takes on the fly the Helmet launched by Nagure "Oh, ehm, thank you for the helmet; if you agree, I will return it to you when we will finish the quest." Then Alexander wears the helmet and follow the group to the right street.

OOC: I'm level 10, therefore I think I can equip the Helmet.

[Endgame]

"No reason not to go right, I suppose."

[Flare]

The guy has tan pants on

The heroes leave the Ziegfried estate. Despite the lack of wind, the gates eerily close shut as they walk out.

Outside of the gate, the party turns right. They look around on the ground. Miracle of miracles! Tracks! They seem to be too small to be a person's footprints, so perhaps these are the frog tracks they were looking for...?

The Party:

Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09)

Level 10 Ranger

Power: 15

Defense: 3

Health: 17/17

Gold: 28

Equipment: Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 5, darkness-elemental), Chevalier of Charis Armor (Artifact, bodywear, maximum health +2, SP: 2), Helmet (SP:1, borrowed from Nagure)

Inventory: Bedroll, Shovel, Potion, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2 Ice Bombs, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable)

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

Level 21 Paladin *Immune to Fragile*

Power: 35

Defense: 12

Health: 43/43

Ether: 21/21

Gold: 5 (Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur)

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 10, Darkness- Fire- Elemental, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Counterstrike Gloves (On Free Hits, Deals damage to enemy equal to Boomingham's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, accessory)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light- Ice- Elemental, stunned effect), Bedroll, 4 Bones, 5 Meads, Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Marksman's Monocle, Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Garnet, 2 Potions, 1 Grand Potion, Military Grade Fire Bomb, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether)

Nagure (Costy) *Party Leader!*

Level 14 Barbarian *Immune to Ice* *Counterstriking*

Power: 28

Defense: 12

Health: 21/21

Gold: 304

Equipment: Stone Hammer (WP: 14, Earth-elemental, suitable for barbarians, clerics and alchemists), Yeti Fur Coat ((Artefact) - SP:12, immunity to ice; suitable for yetis only; bodywear), Counterstrike Gloves ((Artefact)After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; handwear)

Inventory: Ruby, Pickaxe, Axe of the Croise(WP: 10), Phoenix Essence x2, Mead x2, Potion x2, Remedy, Smoke Bomb x2

Sorrow (Endgame)

Level 17.5 Assassin

Power: 37

Defense: 1

Health: 28/28

Gold: 656

Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, Ice-elemental), Sticky Gloves, Armor of the Croise

Inventory: Longsword (WP: 5), Bedroll, Tonic, Venom, Phoenix Essence x3, Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes), Ether Core, Mead x10, Smelling Salts x10, Nostrum x10

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

Level 13 Mage

Power: 18

Defense: 1

Health: 17/17

Ether: 17/17

Gold: 110

Equipment: Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP: 5, has a 1/6 chance to deal the "Cursed" effect on successful spells, and a 1/6 chance to deal the "Blessed" effect on successful healing), Cloack of Espionage (Artefact, backwear, Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle), Leather Cap (SP:1)

Inventory: Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Dirt Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, 3 Potions

[Zepher]

Boomingham squints at the tracks, thoroughly invested in figuring out what they could possibly mean and which way they might lead. He mumbles to himself. "Back in the day, I once found Orc trails while patrolling. I took my troop and tried to give the Orcs a good old fashion ambush, but they were on the prowl and we couldn't catch up with them. Eventually I realized we had gone full circled, and then I realized they were tracking us too. I stopped our troop and we lay in wait for them and got them... course, that was a long time ago, and now these damned eyes of mine-" Boomingham scrunches his brow a little while longer before shrugging. "Someone else will have to have a go at it."

[-obelix-]

Thalion notices the tracks and tries to determine who they could belong to. His basic ranger training was not enough so he gives up after several minutes of looking at, and around, them and turns to Alexander and Sorrow, "I cant seem to figure out who's tracks could those be. Perhaps you two should give it a try, maybe you'll have more luck..."

Edited February 25, 2013 by -obelix-

[Endgame]

"Hm. If you notice, they alternate, barely inching forward... Then, there is a sudden stop and there is a small leap. Perhaps a frog, or maybe just a human with a jaunty walk. They are just too indistinguishable - shall we follow them and find out?"

[-obelix-]

"Hm. If you notice, they alternate, barely inching forward... Then, there is a sudden stop and there is a small leap. Perhaps a frog, or maybe just a human with a jaunty walk. They are just too indistinguishable - shall we follow them and find out?"

"I didn't notice that, good eye master Sorrow." Thalion focused on the tracks, but could still not see anything Sorrow pointed out. "I don't see why we shouldn't follow them if they are what you say."

[Costy]

"There's only one way to find out what they are. Let's follow the tracks."

[Flare]

The party starts to follow the tracks, not knowing where they lead. Not paying attention to their surroundings, they intently follow the tracks through the city, and in 15 minutes they already have no clue where they were (next time, pay attention! ). The tracks surprising are very fresh and distinct, so they must be on the right path...

A half hour later the intrepid party is still following the tracks. They have traveled to a muddy road which smells like singed hair and animal waste.

But it doesn't seem that they are frog tracks that they were following!

The party must've been following this hooded man on his... Ostrich. Wait, he's getting down now. Its not clear whether he has noticed the heroes or not, but it wont be long til he notices. What does the party wish to do?

Edited February 26, 2013 by Flare

[-obelix-]

Walking in the back with Alexander, Thalion stops and looks at the strange bird for a moment, and an even stranger man who was riding it. Something like that he has never seen, only read about it. He looks at the party and raises his eyebrows in a questioning gesture, silently.

[Wedge09]

"Really strange animals, I think we should query the man trying to ride the ostrich before trying to take another path."

[Endgame]

Weren't birds meant to fly?

"I have never seen anything like that before." I murmur. "Although, I get the inkling that the rider means us harm in some way. Anyone else feel the same?"

Edited February 27, 2013 by Endgame

[Flare]

The ostrich rider is on the ground and prepares to lead his ostrich by foot. But the stubborn ostrich won't budge, as he has noticed the heroes whispering behind them...

The stupid ostrich squawks loudly in alarm.

"SQUAAAWWRRRKK!" <"Ack! Intruders! Thieves!! Assassins!!! Serial Killers!!!!">

The hooded figures quickly jumps around, but doesn't seem upset like his ostrich, and he doesn't seem dangerous like the party perhaps thought. Instead, he is smiling in a friendly manner, ignoring the insane squawkings of his ostrich.

"Assassins? I doubt it. Serial killers you do not seem to me. But I must admit, friends, it is a bit suspicious that you've been following me. An explanation perhaps? I don't know who you are, but I can only assume from the looks of your group that perhaps you are heroes of Heroica? If so, then we are friends."

The friendly ostrich-riding man lowers his hood, still with his previous friendly grin.

"Well friends, the name everyone calls me by is Smiling Sancho, so you can feel free to call me that as well. Smiling Sancho - part-time ranger, tracker, hunter, whatever you need that involves animals or nature, I can help you out. Nice to meet you all. Can I just ask though... why were you following me? Or at least it seemed that way."

[Wedge09]

"Hi, we weren't following you in person, only your traces on the ground; we are on the trail of a frog or something like that, you saw it??"