Heroica RPG - Quest #61: Grim Grinning Ghosts

[joeshmoe554]

"Who is this Grettir?" Jeaux asked the female dwarf. He was interested in learning more about the individual leading them.

[Cutcobra]

Heckz grabs the Potion and the Tonic. He turns to the skeletons "Cheese elemental? Do you know anything about that element?"

[Kintobor]

Arriving at Jerry's grave, Amma picks up the last words spoken by the skeletons. "Are you talking about cheese? Do you have any? I am starving!"

He turns to the skeletons "Cheese elemental? Do you know anything about that element?"

The three skeletons go into an uproar.

"Do we have any cheese?! Hahaha!"

"No, we're talking about the "Cheese" element!"

"Fire, water, ice, wind, wood, earth, lightning, light, darkness... and cheese. Someone obviously had to much time on their hands when they made that element up."

"It's highly effective against vermin. That, and finding a cheese elemental gem or weapon is very rare."

"Does anyone know who discovered the element?"

"Not now, Jerry."

[PsyKater]

"Who is this Grettir?" Jeaux asked the female dwarf. He was interested in learning more about the individual leading them.

Amma raises her eyes as she realizes that she has been thinking aloud. "Grettir? Grettir was a wild tomcat. A long time ago when I was... as I ... Y'know, I once lived in a huge dwarven community. We were like a family. And Grettir was kind of our heraldic animal, our mascot whatever you think sounds better. He protected our community against all kinds of vermin or other threats. You must know, cats have a special role in our culture. We used to ... worship them. However, Grettir and me were best friends, you know. We ruled together..." Amma mutters at the end. In this moment the red cat can be seen again. It draws closer to the party and starts to snuggle up against Amma and Jeaux' legs. "Gret...?" Amma shouts in a big surprise. "Is it you?" She knees down to the red cat. "You look slightly different, but I feel that it is you, Grettir! Where have you been?"

"Where have YOU been?" the cat suddenly answers so that everybody can understand.

Heckz grabs the Potion and the Tonic. He turns to the skeletons "Cheese elemental? Do you know anything about that element?"

"Cheese element? Don't believe those fools! That is not true!"

Edited March 17, 2013 by PsyKater

[Kintobor]

Amma raises her eyes as she realizes that she has been thinking aloud. "Grettir? Grettir was a wild tomcat. A long time ago when I was... as I ... Y'know, I once lived in a huge dwarven community. We were like a family. And Grettir was kind of our heraldic animal, our mascot whatever you think sounds better. He protected our community against all kinds of vermin or other threats. You must know, cats have a special role in our culture. We used to ... worship them. However, Grettir and me were best friends, you know. We ruled together..." Amma mutters at the end. In this moment the red cat can be seen again. It draws closer to the party and starts to snuggle up against Amma and Jeaux' legs. "Gret...?" Amma shouts in a big surprise. "Is it you?" She knees down to the red cat. "You look slightly different, but I feel that it is you, Grettir! Where have you been?"

"Where have YOU been?" the cat suddenly answers so that everybody can understand.

Thomas Jefferson gets a little skittish, his bones begin to rattle.

"Oi, get that cat out of here! I just so happen to be allergic!"

"Since when were you allergic to cats?"

"I've always been allergic. How many cats do you know go into haunted cemeteries?"

"Cheese element? Don't believe those fools! That is not true!"

"Well that makes two of us!"

"That makes two people who have Swiss cheese for brains."

"Pardon?"

"Just leave it Jerry, we'll explain it later."

Edited March 17, 2013 by Kintobor

[joeshmoe554]

Worshiping cats sounded rather odd to Jeaux, but it would explain why so many cats seemed to think of themselves as gods. He looked at the skeletons who had been discussing some sort of new weapon. The idea that a weapon would be imbued with the power of cheese sounded a bit ... cheesy. Though, mages were a strange bunch and it was entirely possible one had enchanted a weapon such as that simply because he could.

Edited March 17, 2013 by joeshmoe554

[PsyKater]

Amma stood back and was still stunned because of the talking cat. It had to be Grettir. But how did he find her? Did it have something to do with the cat statuette? Most probably.

The discussion about a cheese element attracts Amma's attention.

"How do you know of a cheese element? Does it really exist? Is it really an eatable element? I have to get it!"

"Are you really that stupid? A cheese element?! Gaah!" The cat turns towards Jeaux and says in its own language, so that only the rangers could understand her: "<Are you following her? Have you carefully considered this?>"

I'd appreciate updated stats after loot distribution. Or are you waiting on the party members to accept their loot? Then I have said nothing...

Edited March 17, 2013 by PsyKater

[joeshmoe554]

Jeaux addressed the cat with a series of meows and purrs. "<We were hired to perform a task and she was appointed as the leader of this group. Is there a reason we should be wary around her?>"

[Kintobor]

PARTY

Stigveladi ("Amma") Kötturin (PsyKater) *Party Leader*

247 years old dwarven Mage (f)

Level 8

Power: 11 (Lvl 4 + WP 3)

Health: 8/13 (Base 4 + Lvl 8 + Cat Statuette 1)

Ether: 11/12 (Base 4 + Lvl 8)

Gold: 3

Equipment: Dwarven Broomstick (WP: 3), Cat Statuette (+1 HP)

Inventory: Fragment of an Opal (Gem; Ice), Scroll of Inspiration, Bedroll, Potion (2x), Tonic (2x)

Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554)

Automaton male, Ranger

Level 5

Power: 11 (Level 5 + WP: 5 + Artifact boost: 1)

Defense: 0

Health: 10/10 (base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 4)

Gold: 15

Equipment: Eminus (WP: 5; bow), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1; backwear)

Inventory: Bow (WP: 4; bow), Bedroll, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Potion x4, Holy Bomb x3, Remedy

Name: Unknown. Most call him "Em," though his real name remains largely mysterious. (emjajoas)

Age: Unknown. Presumably mid twenties.

Gender: Male.

Race: Human.

Class: Ranger.

Level 4

Power: 10

Health: 7/9

Gold: 5

Equipment: Bow(WP:5), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows)

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x3.

Heckz Brutenhal (Eric-Su)

32 year old male Mage.

Level: 2

Power: 5

Health: 6/6

Ether: 3/5

Gold: 5

Equipment: Cheap Wand (WP 3)

Inventory: Opal (Ice), Bedroll, Potion, Tonic

Zoltan (LTPro)

22 Year Old Male Human Knight

Level 2

Power: 5

Defense: 2

Health: 11/11

Gold: 10

Equipment: Shield (SP: 2), Longsword (WP: 3)

Inventory: Potion, Remedy

"When your ready to head out, let us know and we'll point you in the right direction! Or you can head back to see ole man Timmins in his shack if you wish to purchase something."

Edited March 17, 2013 by Kintobor

[Emjajoas]

Em raises an eyebrow at the cat, interested in what it had to say. He kept quiet, however, and prepared to head to the next objective.

[Cutcobra]

Heckz voice changed "Geez, double damage to vermin with cheese? I prefer to whack them with a little freeze"

Heckz's voice turned normal again. "Speaking of damage, is there anything useful you can give us before heading into another place?"

OOC: Everytime Heckz says something with green imagine an Irish accent.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Eric Su

[PsyKater]

Jeaux addressed the cat with a series of meows and purrs. "<We were hired to perform a task and she was appointed as the leader of this group. Is there a reason we should be wary around her?>"

"<Well, make your own experiences. Or ask the 300 dead dwarven bodies buried in the mountains. Oh and by the way: Wait for a suitable moment and then call her 'Amma' and see what happens>" The tomcat seems to giggle.

Amma realizes that Jeaux and Grettir have a chat she does not understand. Worrying what they are talking about, she turns around and addresses the skeletons. "Well, I for sure would like to hear more about an eatable element, it sounds like it was perfect for me. Or not as may eat it up by accident. But maybe I am then cheesy myself.

However, I think, we are curious to know what that trio of nasty spooks are desiring. I am wondering though if they are more awkward than you three are...

If nobody wants to buy anything at the shack, I say, we head out to the Hero's Monument. Do you want to lead us there or do we have to go on our own?"

Amma looks around but Grettir seems to be disappeared. He is nowhere to be seen.

Edited March 18, 2013 by PsyKater

[Kintobor]

If nobody wants to buy anything at the shack, I say, we head out to the Hero's Monument. Do you want to lead us there or do we have to go on our own?"

Amma looks around but Grettir seems to be disappeared. He is nowhere to be seen.

"Do you I look the kind of guy whose going to go with you? We're staying right here, thank you very much. It's down that way. Do try not to get killed!"

With that in mind, the party heads to The Hero's Monument. When they arrive there, they notice a trio of ghost hanging around the imposing monument.

The one in the bowlers hat notices the party, his imposing eyes, glancing over them

"Well well, look who's here? A group of adventurers!"

"The good pastor must of sent them here! Hehahe!"

"Well we have no reason to leave, and you aren't making us. So scram!"

"Now hold on boys, there's no reason to get all angry! I'll tell you what. I'm in a sporting mood. We'll give you fighting chance. Why don't we play a little game. If we win, we're not budging! If you win, we'll leave. Deal?"

How do you respond?

[PsyKater]

"Nice costumes you wear. Are you hired by the Father to 'spook' around and scare people? Well, since I have seen talking skeletons (you are now the fourth since I arrived here), you are maybe really ghosts. Whatever.

What kind of game do you have in mind?"

[joeshmoe554]

Jeaux's features were eclipsed by a shadow the shade of night as he replied, "'Ooh, I love a good game. What are we playing Canasta, Snakes and Ladders, or maybe the ever classy game of Duck Duck SQUAWK!' The automaton turned to their brave and noble leader to get her opinion. 'Oh brave and noble leader, what is your opinion?'"

[PsyKater]

Amma turned around in a surprise. Why was this ... thing so excited about games? "Why are you so excited about games?", she asks. "My opinion is that we could hear what they suggest to play. I'd rather let them go than fighting them to death." She addresses the man with the hat. "What did you do that the Father wants to get rid of you?"

[Emjajoas]

Em snickers slightly. though his face betrays little amusement. "I'm afraid if the game was fighting them to death, we've already won; the poor blighters are already dead."

[joeshmoe554]

"Why are you so excited about games?"

"Everybody loves a good game. I mean you'd have to be some sort of short stuffy character who lives in a hole in the ground to not like games. Don't get me wrong, I like a fight to the death just as much as any other man, but a game is a game. What's wrong Amma, afraid you're gonna lose."

Edited March 18, 2013 by joeshmoe554

[PsyKater]

"You have to listen to your 'brave and noble' leader better, little mechabeing!" Amma likes the Jeaux addressed him better and better. What a wonderful little ... boy? "I already said that I rather want to play a game than to fight. I am just still curious what they did wrong to get banned from this place." She then whispers in Jeaux' ears... no, under his hood: "It's a win-win-situation. We win the game and everything is fine. If we lose the game, we will fight them and win. Easy as that."

Edited March 18, 2013 by PsyKater

[joeshmoe554]

"Mechabeing! that's a new one. I like it, it's got a ring to it, and not some cheap plastic ring but like a big whompin diamond one." This dwarf seemed to have a bit more life to her than he had first thought. When he heard the little hairy woman might have a massive pile of bodies somewhere, he wasn't sure quite what to think. Most mass murderers were either a complete drag, or awesome to have at a party. It seemed their current party leader could be the latter. The wooden man turned back to the 3 ghoulish figures. "FEAR ME, FOR I AM MECHABEING! So seriously, why were you guys expelled. Did you insult the guy's mother or was it something more sinister, and hows about you start laying down the rules for our little game."

Edited March 18, 2013 by joeshmoe554

[PsyKater]

"and hows about you start laying down the rules for our little game."

"Yeah, really. Otherwise I starved to death before we even started..."

[Cutcobra]

Heckz looked at the undead/dark beings angrily. When Heckz finally spoke, he was floating in the air with white pupils and his voice echoed "I AM HECKZ BRUTENHAL. I AM THE SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON, DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF TRICKING US!" I wonder if my fellow party members will fall for that too.

[Kintobor]

Amma turned around in a surprise. Why was this ... thing so excited about games? "Why are you so excited about games?", she asks. "My opinion is that we could hear what they suggest to play. I'd rather let them go than fighting them to death." She addresses the man with the hat. "What did you do that the Father wants to get rid of you?"

"We're hitchhiking ghosts, my dear, we move from one town to another, causing a scare wherever we go!"

The trio of spooks laugh hysterically at the parties responses.

"You're a funny lot, you are! Very well than! Let us play a game!"

The ghosts dissolve into thin air, disappearing in front of the parties eyes.

"As you can see, there are a total of 9 tombstones surrounding the monument. If you can guess where all three of us, we'll depart peacefully."

"But be fore warned! If we ruin the other six tombstones before you find us, well, tough luck! Oh, did I mention we'll destroy any tombstone we aren't hiding in!"

The trio laugh maniacally. It appears that the ghosts would be more of a hassle than they thought...

Tombstones left:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Which tombstone will the party investigate first?

(Use the numbers provided)

Edited March 18, 2013 by Kintobor

[PsyKater]

Amma grumbles. That was not the kind of game she likes to play.

"Okay, brainies. We can go for flowers, for tall tombstones, small ones, dark ones, light ones. We can choose randomly. What do you suggest?"

[Kintobor]

OOC: The appearance of the tombstones have nothing to do with it. You'll just need a bit of luck, and a bit of courage to figure this out. Also, the ghosts do not move, just to clarify.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Kintobor