Heroica RPG - Quest #62: Insider Trading

[Kintobor]

Karie nodded her head in agreement.

"Of course, that makes total sense. I just so happen to be a Mercuito worshipper myself. It may not look like it, but I have a profession myself, if you know what I mean." She seductively leans on the table, no longer whispering, twirling one of her fingers around the table, smiling innocently. "Can you tell me who you heard this from? I want to be sure I can pass this info to my mother, and knowing her, she doesn't believe anything I tell her unless she knows exactly who it came from." She says innocently. "Of course, I'm willing to pay for this info."

Edited March 15, 2013 by Kintobor

[herrJJ]

With her elven ears (which are good for everyone who doesn't know) Nessa overheard Karie's louder conversation with Slightly Brown Vinny. 'She is at least worth being on this quest', Nessa thought and nodded satisfied. Than she turned back to Frank.

The portly man looked down at the coin as if he was surprised to even get it.

"Um, yeah. So, Pale Vinny, that pale guy over there," He pointed at Vinny "and me were talking yesterday night at the pub, and he was really worried about something, so I asked him what it was about, and he grabbed me by the shoulder and shook me a bit. He said that 'The Lord is getting involved with one of those big companies from the east, and they're going to strip us cloth traders of our rights to sell cloth by passing a law two days from now.' He was real freaked out, but he was also quite drunk, so I didn't think much of it. He's always hearing stories and stuff from one of his old friends." The man pocketed the coin, half-smiling. "I don't see how I could betray you, Lady."

"Thank you, Frank, for being that honest. Unfortunately I can't help you on deciding if the rumors are true or not. But to be honest myself I would put some hope in the deal if there is one and so the rumors are true. At least you could sell your cloth and don't have to fall into poverty. I wish you a good day."

So Nessa left Supersize Frank and walked to the centre of the road to meet up with the party...

[xxlrocka]

"No sir. We only sell cloth. If you want a cape, ask a clothes merchant." He commented, not really bothering to look like he cared. "Of course the damn market crashed. Where are you from? Eubric!?

"Uhh, kind of. I'm actually from a village far away somewhere, but the village was invaded by goblins and stuff. I'm the only one from that village that is left, other than the prince, but he's been captured by some evil clan somewhere."

And then Drake suddenly went on to tell the fat guy about his life and why he is a hero.

[Dannylonglegs]

Karie nodded her head in agreement.

"Of course, that makes total sense. I just so happen to be a Mercuito worshipper myself. It may not look like it, but I have a profession myself, if you know what I mean." She seductively leans on the table, no longer whispering, twirling one of her fingers around the table, smiling innocently. "Can you tell me who you heard this from? I want to be sure I can pass this info to my mother, and knowing her, she doesn't believe anything I tell her unless she knows exactly who it came from." She says innocently. "Of course, I'm willing to pay for this info."

The man chuckled at her display. Not offensively, but more to politely inform her that he was not going to be persuaded by her attractiveness--he was just being friendly. At least the laugh lightened up the man's sad face.

"You know, you remind me of my sister." he chuckled affectionately. He looked around to see if any of the guards or the other traders were listening before telling her in a hushed tone. "You don't have to pay me. Not all of us are obsessed with money." He said, referring to their relationship as worshipers of Mercutio. "My source is a relatively well known information broker (among worshipers of Mercutio) who hangs around the alleys near the meeting place of the Cult of Mercutio. If you don't know where that is (it isn't common information after-all.) It's in the banking district, actually in the vault of one of the older banks, The 'City of Silver' Bank, if you wish to attend a service. Anyways, his name is Marty, or 'Marty the Face,' as some of his information gatherers/spreaders call him. He's the face of their organization. You can tell your mother that." he finished, saying 'your mother' in a way that made it clear he knew it meant something else, but unsure what, and didn't need to know.

With her elven ears (which are good for everyone who doesn't know) Nessa overheard Karie's louder conversation with Slightly Brown Vinny. 'She is at least worth being on this quest', Nessa thought and nodded satisfied. Than she turned back to Frank.

"Thank you, Frank, for being that honest. Unfortunately I can't help you on deciding if the rumors are true or not. But to be honest myself I would put some hope in the deal if there is one and so the rumors are true. At least you could sell your cloth and don't have to fall into poverty. I wish you a good day."

So Nessa left Supersize Frank and walked to the centre of the road to meet up with the party...

"huh? oh, uh, yeah. G'day Lady."

"Uhh, kind of. I'm actually from a village far away somewhere, but the village was invaded by goblins and stuff. I'm the only one from that village that is left, other than the prince, but he's been captured by some evil clan somewhere."

And then Drake suddenly went on to tell the fat guy about his life and why he is a hero.

"Well, uh, wow. That's some fascinating stuff. A great story." He stated in his inelegant way, clearly impressed. "When I was a kid, my pop told me stories of the great heroes who fought in the Orcish invasion. I'm directly descended from one of the Ennon Paladins who was tasked with getting the refugees out of Ennon. Me, though," he started, looking down at his gut. "I'm no knight. I don't think average men should go about doing heroic stuff and fighting with swords. That's stuff better left to the Lord and his Militia... Or the Queen and her army. Not a regular person that don't got no reason to fight." He chuckled at himself.

Party:

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintober) *Party Leader*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 4

Power: 8

Health: 10/10

Gold: 17

Equipment: Dagger (WP:4)

Inventory: Potion (4), Mead (2), Remedy (2), Venom, (2) Smoke bomb (2), Lightning bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Map of Brendenton (1)

Nessa Anárion (herrJJ)

59 years old female elven Ranger

Level 8

Power: 14 (Lvl. 8 + WP: 6)

Defense: 1

Health: 13

Gold: 1

Equipment: Croise Bow (WP: 6), Leather Armour (SP: 1)

Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Venom

Drake Flamerobe

25 year old male human

Level 5 Knight

Power: 10

Defense: 2

Health: 15/15

Ether: 0/0

Gold: 291

Equipment: Greatsword (WP:5), Shield (SP:2) Helmet

Inventory: Torch(WP:3), Shield(SP:2), Potion, Phoenix Essence, Tonic, Greatsword(WP:5), Shovel, Bedroll

Dreyrugr (Vash the Stampede)

1000 year old Male Vampire Rogue

Level 12

Power: 17 (Level 12+Weapon 5)

Health: 18/18 (Rogue Base 7+ Level Bonus 11)

Gold: 4

Equipment: Fauxthril Scythe (WP:5), Psuedos Hood

Inventory: Potion, Venom x2, Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Remedy, Grand Potionx2, Smelling Salts x3, Amethyst, Shuriken (WP:5), Mead

Amorith Marvelo (Played by legobodgers)

Level 12 Mage

Power: 21 (12+8+1)

Health: 16/16

Ether: 16/16

Gold: 0

Equipment: Dual staff (WP: 8) damages 2 enemies in one hit

Inventory: Fang Dagger (WP: 5), opal (ice), ruby (fire), garnet (earth), diamond (light), amethyst (darkness), 7 potions, 9 tonics, 3 remedies, 1 elixir, 3 nostrums, 3 mead, holy bomb, ice bomb, smoke bomb, shovel, bedroll, 3 bones, jo-no tree seed

Edited March 16, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Kintobor]

Karie tapped the table she was leaning on and smiled.

"Thanks, I most certainly will! And good luck to you sir, I pray you find better work else where!" She left the table and walked back to the group, ensuring that VInny couldn't see her or the party. She let out a deep sigh. It had been a while since one of her rouse's worked so well, and she forgot how tense she got while doing it.

"Alright, I know where we're going. When you guys are ready, we're heading to the "CIty of Silver" Bank. Just give me the word and we'll get out of here."

[Dannylonglegs]

Karie tapped the table she was leaning on and smiled.

"Thanks, I most certainly will! And good luck to you sir, I pray you find better work else where!" She left the table and walked back to the group, ensuring that VInny couldn't see her or the party. She let out a deep sigh. It had been a while since one of her rouse's worked so well, and she forgot how tense she got while doing it.

"Alright, I know where we're going. When you guys are ready, we're heading to the "CIty of Silver" Bank. Just give me the word and we'll get out of here."

"Thank you, I'm sure I'll find something." The man said, smiling nicely for a brief moment. He turned away from her and back to Dreyrugr, who had been waiting for their conversation to end.

"So, What were you saying?" The man asked Dreyrugr suspiciously.

"I was offering you a new line of business," bluffed the Vampire. "Let's face it, the Cloth Market's crashed, and with all these rumours circulating..."

"You've heard them too?" Queried the Merchant.

"Of course. Very few informed business-men haven't. I'm looking to hire anyone who's looking for a way out of debt caused by the cloth market's collapse. It pays really well." finished the Vampire, having over-heard Karie acquire the crucial information already, and now looking for a way out of the conversation by intentionally sounding shady.

"What kind of business." Questioned the Merchant, now less interested then before and not wanting to get mixed up in a scam.

"Go outside the town near the West Wharves at sunset in two days and everything will be prepared" he said, placing his hand on the table and walking away to meet up with Karie (of course, not exposing the group).

OoC: Since Vash the Stampede can't play on weekends, I resolved that conversation for him (some of the text was his)

[legobodgers]

Amorith walks over to meet up with the rest of the group.

"Has anybody learned anything?"

OOC: My ether should be at max and my power should be 21 (level 12 + WP 8 + 1 from potion in quest 22) it is my fault, I didn't update the hero statistics thread

[Kintobor]

Amorith walks over to meet up with the rest of the group.

"Has anybody learned anything?"

OOC: My ether should be at max and my power should be 21 (level 12 + WP 8 + 1 from potion in quest 22) it is my fault, I didn't update the hero statistics thread

Karie beamed with pride, a huge grin adorned her face. "We have quite a bit of information! A man by the name of Marty the Face gave Vinny the info. He's working out of the City of Silver Bank in the Banking district, and is running a service to the god Mercutio. If we're done here we should head there as quickly as possible." Edited March 15, 2013 by Kintobor

[herrJJ]

"So what are we waiting for?" Nessa turned in the direction of the banking district and started to walk, not really waiting for the rest of the group... nor their 'leader'. 'You are in command. But don't think of the rest. Only you are important!'

Edited March 15, 2013 by herrJJ

[Kintobor]

Karie noticed Nessa was running off without the rest of the group. Hotheaded, arrogant, and now impulsive!

"Nessa! Nessa! Get back here! Where are you going!" Karie yelled to her, but she wouldn't stop.

"I swear I'm up to here with that girl! Come gang, we gotta catch up with the wasp before she decides to sting one of us. Stupid jerk."

She muttered the last line under her breath as she ran ahead to the Banking district, beckoning her party to follow.

[Dannylonglegs]

The party, having traced the source of the rumours back to an Information Broker named Marty the Face, member of the Cult of Mercutio in the Banking District, decided to head there to find him and perhaps get to the bottom of the unfolding crisis....

The party made its way through town on its way to the Banking District, It was around mid-day, and there were still few people in the streets. The town seemed quiet. As they crossed the bridge, they could see great storm clouds rolling in from the sea. Hopefully they were off the streets before the rain started. Entering the Banking District, the party was confronted with a startlingly large number of banks and accounting agencies. This part of town had fewer buildings, but the buildings it had were large and respectable looking. Remembering the comment that Bart had made about the shadier part of town being to the west, closer to the poor district, the party searched there. Sure enough, they eventually came across a maze-like series of alleys that lead to a large building with the words "Silver City Bank" engraved on the front.

What would the party like to do?

Edited March 16, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Kintobor]

Having finally caught up with Nessa at the bank, she looks about for anything out of the ordinary.

"Let's get inside quickly, I don't want my makeup to start running, especially considering how long it takes to reapply it."

She looked at Nessa sternly. She had to set things straight here and now before things dissolve into even more anarchy.

"Give me a moment though."

She pulls her away from the party with every ounce of authority she can muster and into a nearby alley.

"Listen lively, because I'm only saying this once. I don't know what compelled you to run off like that back there, or why you decided that after giving you a map, you prompted you to shove it in my face, or what your stupid little problem is inside your head, but me and you are not on the same level of thinking. See this?" She motions around her badge with her hand. "It says "Party Leader", got that? Ever since you made eye contact with me you have jostled me about like an owner holding a dog on a leash. I'm going to ask you once more to calm down, shut up, put your problems aside, and let me attempt to not get us all killed. Kay?" She didn't smile like she normal did after ending a question with "Kay?". She felt like a mother with kids in a market, all running about, not knowing what they were doing or where they all could be.

And Nessa was the brat.

Edited March 16, 2013 by Kintobor

[herrJJ]

"You don't have any idea." Nessa replied angrily. "Since you are our 'leader' there were nearly no right decisions you made. But you are right in one thing."

"... but me and you are not on the same level of thinking."

"We aren't on the same level of thinking. I am on top of you. So don't care about me. If it comes to battle we will see who is the strong one. For now I hope I made my point clear as I am also not willing to say that twice."

Nessa left Karie where she was not impressed of her words (perhaps of her attempt to show some leadership) and searched the surrounding of the bank for something suspicious or worthy.

Edited March 16, 2013 by herrJJ

[xxlrocka]

Drake looked around. He could see that two specific party members weren't gonna get along any time soon. He then looked towards the bank.

"I suspect that this isn't gonna be easy. I think that there is some guards nearby that are gonna get rid of unwanted visitors. A.K.A. Us" Drake said quietly to the rest of the group so as to not draw attention.

[herrJJ]

OOC: perhaps there are some coins lying around some bank managers lost

[Kintobor]

"You don't have any idea." Nessa replied angrily. "Since you are our 'leader' there were nearly no right decisions you made. But you are right in one thing."

"We aren't on the same level of thinking. I am on top of you. So don't care about me. If it comes to battle we will see who is the strong one. For now I hope I made my point clear as I am also not willing to say that twice."

Nessa left Karie where she was not impressed of her words (perhaps of her attempt to show some leadership) and searched the surrounding of the bank for something suspicious or worthy.

Karie watched as Nessa walked away. She laughed harshly.

"That's nice to know since I never cared about you ever since I formally met you! If you wish to leave an imprint on every individual you meet in the shape of a stuck up, arrogant, self centered jerk, you certainly left one! And if you feel like you've had a terrible hand dealt, you should hear mine!"

The laughter grew more forced, as tears began to form around the bottom of her eyes. Her voice became softer.

"Me and you, we aren't so different, you know. We both had rather terrible events happen in our lives. But you wanna know something?

I moved on. The images are still there, but I moved on. The scars of some of them are still there, and I'm going to assume some scars are left on you, as well. If you wish to believe that your better than me and everyone else, fine, do so. Your hurting yourself more than anyone else for being like that."

She stood in the street as storm clouds began to make their way closer to the port town.

Edited March 16, 2013 by Kintobor

[herrJJ]

Karie watched as Nessa walked away. She laughed harshly.

"That's nice to know since I never cared about you ever since I formally met you! If you wish to leave an imprint on every individual you meet in the shape of a stuck up, arrogant, self centered jerk, you certainly left one! And if you feel like you've had a terrible hand dealt, you should hear mine!"

The laughter grew more forced, as tears began to form around the bottom of her eyes. Her voice became softer.

"Me and you, we aren't so different, you know. We both had rather terrible events happen in our lives. But you wanna know something?

I moved on. The images are still there, but I moved on. The scars of some of them are still there, and I'm going to assume some scars are left on you, as well. If you wish to believe that your better than me and everyone else, fine, do so. Your hurting yourself more than anyone else for being like that."

She stood in the street as storm clouds became to make their way closer to the port town.

The words hit Nessa hard. She was just going her path to fulfuill her dedtiny, as she tought. But she pretended not to care about Karie's speech. 'You see what happens when you act that selfish and arrogant? You will end up alone.'

Edited March 16, 2013 by herrJJ

[Dannylonglegs]

Drake looked around. He could see that two specific party members weren't gonna get along any time soon. He then looked towards the bank.

"I suspect that this isn't gonna be easy. I think that there is some guards nearby that are gonna get rid of unwanted visitors. A.K.A. Us" Drake said quietly to the rest of the group so as to not draw attention.

Drake looks around and is surprised to see not a single guard. He remembers the last guard he saw was before they entered the maze of alleys marking the entrance to the older part if the Banking District.

"You don't have any idea." Nessa replied angrily. "Since you are our 'leader' there were nearly no right decisions you made. But you are right in one thing."

"We aren't on the same level of thinking. I am on top of you. So don't care about me. If it comes to battle we will see who is the strong one. For now I hope I made my point clear as I am also not willing to say that twice."

Nessa left Karie where she was not impressed of her words (perhaps of her attempt to show some leadership) and searched the surrounding of the bank for something suspicious or worthy.

OOC: perhaps there are some coins lying around some bank managers lost

After looking around the nearby alleys, Nessa was disappointed to find very few loiterers, none of whom she'd peg as Information Brokers. There was a gristled man in his late 20s, early 30s with gray hair exiting the church with a woman about 20, who looked like she could be his sister or companion. He said hello cordially to the party as he walked by, holding a large pocket of money he'd taken from his bank account. Two older looking peasants argued with each other in a nearby alley over the price of a vegetable one was selling. From the looks of it, the vegetable was worth less than half the price the salesman was demanding. Nessa looked up and noticed the clouds were getting quite close to the city. Perhaps, she thought, Marty would be waiting inside the bank. Before she acted upon that thought though, with her keen elven eyes, she noticed a shining gold piece that looked like it had been dropped by a banker or the gray-haired man... but could she stoop down low enough to pick it up?

Edited March 18, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Kintobor]

The words hit Nessa hard. She was just going her path to fulfuill her dedtiny, as she tought. But she pretended not to care about Karie's speech. 'You see what happens when you act that selfish and arrogant? You will end up alone.'

She was getting a little upset at Nessa for ignoring her. She wasn't ignored very often, and when she was, it wasn't for long.

"Fine! Be like that! See what I, or anyone else cares! If you wanna be a one woman wolf pack, go ahead! Just don't come running back to me saying your sorry! 'Cause I don't care!"

Before Nessa could even consider picking up the coin, Karie scooped it up instead, and walked back to the party.

"If anyone wishes to apply venom, now might not be a bad time, just conceal your poisoned weapon, and let's not do it all at once. We don't want to waste it all in one shot."

[Dannylonglegs]

She was getting a little upset at Nessa for ignoring her. She wasn't ignored very often, and when she was, it wasn't for long.

"Fine! Be like that! See what I, or anyone else cares! If you wanna be a one woman wolf pack, go ahead! Just don't come running back to me saying your sorry! 'Cause I don't care!"

Before Nessa could even consider picking up the coin, Karie scooped it up instead, and walked back to the party.

"If anyone wishes to apply venom, now might not be a bad time, just conceal your poisoned weapon, and let's not do it all at once. We don't want to waste it all in one shot."

Picking up the coin, she noticed that it was in-fact, not marked the same as most of her coins. It possessed a very ornate image of a spider in the center of a web. The image was clear, but aside from that it looked (weighed, smelled, tasted, felt, sounded) no different than any other coin she'd acquired.

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintober) *Party Leader*

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 4

Power: 8

Health: 10/10

Gold: 17

Equipment: Dagger (WP:4)

Inventory: Potion (4), Mead (2), Remedy (2), Venom, (2) Smoke bomb (2), Lightning bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1)

Would the Party like to Enter the Bank or Apply Venom to their Weapons or Something Else?

Edited March 18, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Kintobor]

Karie examined the coin.

"A spider? Obvious Mercutio symbol. But why mint coins with a Mercutio emblem on it?"

Karie takes her dagger out and pours venom on it. She then conceals it.

Just in case, she thought to herself.

"Once everyone's prepared themselves, we'll enter the bank."

Edited March 16, 2013 by Kintobor

[herrJJ]

"You greedy b.... nah, hold that money if you need it that much. So, we go into the bank, great leader? Or are we loitering around her for longer? In that case I would say we make a little fire." Nessa words were dripping of sarcasm. While she waited for another decision Nessa went to the door of the bank and pushed the door handle a little, just to make her point clear that waiting is no option.

[Kintobor]

"You greedy b.... nah, hold that money if you need it that much. So, we go into the bank, great leader? Or are we loitering around her for longer? In that case I would say we make a little fire." Nessa words were dripping of sarcasm. While she waited for another decision Nessa went to the door of the bank and pushed the door handle a little, just to make her point clear that waiting is no option.

Karie took the kid gloves off.

"In that case, perhaps we could use your wooden acting, because we all know your not all that tough!" She still didn't feel good after the argument, and there were still tears in her eyes, but it wasn't going to keep her down. Nessa's attitude was starting to get to her.

"We'll go inside, if only to ensure you'll shut up."

Edited March 16, 2013 by Kintobor

[legobodgers]

"I am ready" Amorith replied

[Dannylonglegs]

Karie took the kid gloves off.

"In that case, perhaps we could use your wooden acting, because we all know your not all that tough!" She still didn't feel good after the argument, and there were still tears in her eyes, but it wasn't going to keep her down. Nessa's attitude was starting to get to her.

"We'll go inside, if only to ensure you'll shut up."

When the contentious comrades concluded their concise altercation, they proceeded to enter the bank, Nessa first, chin parallel with the floor, and the antagonized Party Leader centimeters behind her. the rest of the party not involved in their squabble shuffled in as well, hoping to avoid the rain before it started. When they got into the dark brick building, they found that many people were just exiting a hallway which led to a door and a set of stairs leading down. Some of them were in the act of putting coins in their pockets. One lady had a coin on a necklace that she was returning to beneath her clothes. Several of the people eyed the party suspiciously as they left. The clerk behind his table seemed surprised to see the party enter, but the look vanished quickly.

"Hello, would you like to open a bank account here?" He starts, and looks around, shuffles some papers he has, concealing a signed list of people's names, "Or," he begins in a quieter voice, "Are you here for something else?"

The people who had been in the subterranean assemblage shuffled out, talking in hushed tones to each other. They eyed the party like dangerous strangers as they collected their things and passed through the doors.