Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Emjajoas]

Em draws his bow, placing an arrow on the string. "Be ready for anything behind that door," he grumbles, still unsure of what to expect.

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 24 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened*

Power: 37 (+4**)

Defense: 12

Health: 17/45 (+2*)

Ether: 22/23

Gold: 113

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 10, Darkness Fire, 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, immunity to sleep and weakened, accessory) ****Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Bedroll, 3 Meads, 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), Scroll of Blindness, 1 Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing, Garnet, Sapphire, Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Admantite Shard, Everlasting Venom. Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Pixie Dust

Debts: 128 Gold Arthur, 1 gold Docken, 75 gold Sorrow

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 24 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged!* *Lucky!* *Hastened!*

Power: 37 (24 + WP:13)

Health: 34/36 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 26/34 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1029 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,)

Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, 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.), Overkill Gloves

Inventory:

Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7, 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; suitable for Mages and Clerics), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP:6, dagger, hollow-blade [Mulled Wine]), Staff of Ennon - (WP: 5, Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging), Spider Leg (WP:8, doubled against flying enemies; spear; unsuitable)

Artifacts: Shackles of War (Accessory, Prevents anyone from fleeing battles), Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent), Ancient Crown (Headwear, First successful strike of battle deals Cursed-effect), Jester's Hat (Headwear, Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy), Stingy Gloves, Sticky Gloves

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

Tools: Bedroll, Telescope, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Magic Compass

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), 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.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Grand Potion x4, Remedy x8, Elixir x3, Nostrum x 3, Smelling Salts x 4, Mead x 3, Jinxy Juice x2, Ether Core, 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.), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Tesla Bomb, Grand Tonic, Double Rainbow

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 11.5 *Encouraged!*

Power: 17 (lvl 11 + WP: 6)

Health: 17/17

Gold: 217

Defence: 0

Equipment: Sexy (WP: 6, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear. ), Lover's Locket (Protects from enamoured effect)

Inventory: Potion (4), Mead (2), Remedy (2), Venom (1), Smoke bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1),, Topaz, Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1)

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86)

30 yrs old male human Rogue *Encouraged!*

Level 10

Power: 19 (9+9+1)

Defense: 3

Health: 16/16 (7+9)

Gold: 144

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Tricorne (SP:3), Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round)

Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 3 Venoms, Remedy, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Meads, Smelling Salts

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 10

Power: 16

Health: 13/15

Gold: 98

Equipment: Bow(WP:5), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear)

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x5, Remedy x3, Gentleman's Hat (SP: 1, suitable for men, headgear. The wearer has a 1/2 chance to not be affected by Asleep.), Venom, Ice Bomb, Grand Potion

The party inputs the directions given to them by the dog, punching in the numbers 3, 1, 5, and 9. The console beeps as the mechanism above the Portcullis springs to life with a metallic hiss, pulling up the giant steel door. In a few moments it clangs as it reaches maximum height - hardly over 2 feet. This machinery wasn't too reliable anymore, it seems - not even machinery was spared the stains of time. The party ducks under the giant portcullis, walking their way through one final desolate alley. The crescent moon hung in the sky now, providing the only light the party had. In a few minutes, they reach a grand steel door: the Armory.

The glinting spears on either side of the door made this building's designation painfully clear - this was the Armory. Nestled at the dead end of Sceleris Alley, this was the supply of wolfgang weapons. The party comes to a grim realization: this was the literal end of the road for Sceleris, and they had not laid eyes on The Stealer once. The party almost begins to panic as they realize that The Stealer may very well be in this armory... Their confrontation, or a meeting, at any rate, with The Stealer of Senses was nigh.

QM Note: You'll get to prepare even after you step in the armory. Roleplay a bit and I'll move you into the Armory soon...

[Emjajoas]

Hands somewhat shaky, Em shook his head to clear it. "If he's in there--"

Cutting himself off, Em looked around for any signs of passerby-- Footprints, blood stains, lack of dust, trails in the dirt, anything-- or any signs of wildlife he could communicate with.

[Endgame]

There seemed to be a few recent specks of dirt on the iron walkway in front of the door, but other then that, nothing.

[Kintobor]

Karie begins to shake herself loose, jog on the spot, and tilt her head back and forth.

Karie, you can do this. There's no reason to be scared. He's just a big, scary, ugly, sense stealing psycho who wants to use me as a footstool. Everything's going to be all right...

Karie presses her ear against the door, trying to listen to see if anyone's inside.

[Endgame]

The steel door prevented much sound from escaping, but there was definitely something making noise in there - a conversation, by the sound of things.

Edited June 8, 2013 by Endgame

[Zepher]

Boomingham looks at his party.

"Listen, chaps, lady, when we're in there, we're a team. That means no bothering your partners during battle, Arthur, and a stiff upper lip from all." Boomingham glances at Karie at the end of his comment. He yanks a mead out of his sack and begins to nurse it. "I personally find this Stealer chap offensive, and I trust that you'll all join me in taking him out of the picture if he happens to be around. I have yet to deal with a party that doesn't cooperate with me. You'd hate to be the first."

[Kintobor]

"Well,would someone like to do the honours and kick the door in?"

Edited June 8, 2013 by Kintobor

[Shoker86]

Boomingham looks at his party.

"Listen, chaps, lady, when we're in there, we're a team. That means no bothering your partners during battle, Arthur, and a stiff upper lip from all." Boomingham glances at Karie at the end of his comment. He yanks a mead out of his sack and begins to nurse it. "I personally find this Stealer chap offensive, and I trust that you'll all join me in taking him out of the picture if he happens to be around. I have yet to deal with a party that doesn't cooperate with me. You'd hate to be the first."

"Doublecrossing ain't my thing. Even if I don't personally wants to see him burn and I do want to see him dead. Mission is mission, and team is team. You won't see nonsense from me." Arnulf agreed with party leader. Mutiny was bad thing, he knew to well. Years in service, many betrayals. "Atrhur and myself have cleared out our disagreements, if he has any doubts, we will solve it as a men of honour."

Edited June 8, 2013 by Shoker86

[Emjajoas]

"His knowledge is worth a fortune," Em remarks to himself. "His weapons, his technology... It would be unwise to kill him off without any alternative-- but for some reason, I doubt it will come to that today."

[Endgame]

The party's resolve varies from hero to hero, but nonetheless they are ready to confront whatever lurked in the Armory. Swallowing their fears and doubts they reach for their weapons, arming themselves for whatever brawl was before them. The Armory Door was heavy, and the giant steel door required the entire party to push. They throw the door open, stepping inside of the armory.

The walls were bristling with all types of equipment. Racks of weapons, kiosks of shields, shelves of potions, bags of bombs, treasure chests of loot... they all cluttered every wall of the Armory, giving the Wolfgang plenty of material to work from. Two tables sat in the middle of the room, empty bottles of beer and rum discarded on them. The room was kept surprisingly neat, but they had no time to admire their adversary's organizational skills.

Mostly because they didn't know who was their adversary yet.

Standing in the center of it all was The Stealer of Senses. Those who had encountered him before choked back the screams, too well aware about the power he wielded. He held the Harvester in one hand, the blade glistening in the moonlight. The blade seemed more powerful then ever, the light at the base of its dual-scimitar like blades glowing an eerie blue. The entire device seemed to hum and pulse, as if it was living. The man wielding it demanded more attention. He wasn't a hulking giant, but he was still a formidable figure. He seemed to be in peak physical condition, his entire body protected by layers of armor and purple robes. His eyes were concealed by a face mesh, but Karie could still recall their chilling blue hue. He had with him an authoritative aura, a serene presence that seemed to unsettle everyone in the room.

He speaks to the Wolfgang woman, the woman apparently the strongest of all the goons here. The other Wolfgang mooks stood at the outskirts of the Armory, seeing the situation unfold. She seemed intimidated, but her voice or words didn't betray that.

"I take it you refuse." Notes the Stealer nonchalantly. The heroes had walked in on a conversation, it seemed.

"Like hell we do! What did you expect, coming here in the dead of night? Hospitality?!"

"Perhaps not, but I was hoping I could appeal to your reason. So we can't do this peacefully, I take it?"

"You lost hope of "peaceful" when you stepped into Sceleris Alley. Surround this maniac, boys."

The four Wolfgang goons skulk out from the corners of the Armory, all armed. They surround and corner The Stealer of Senses, having him beat in numbers and position. You had to feel bad for them.

The goons, that is.

The Armory erupts into a brawl, and the party's doubts on the victor quickly evaporate... though they wish they hadn't. The club wielding goon springs off of his table, attempting to smash The Stealer from above. Without hesitation The Stealer simply grabs the hilt of the club - right above the goon's hand - and flings him to the floor. An archer lets loose an arrow, but The Stealer deflects it away effortlessly and closes in on the Archer in a flash. The Archer runs and fires behind him, frantically trying to shoot The Stealer... but the Harvester had brushed him as he bolted back, robbing him of his sight. The Stealer dodged or deflected every arrow, jabbing the archer's solar plexus when he got close enough. The bomber ignites a bomb, but his scheme is quickly ruined when The Stealer steals his hearing. Unable to hear the hiss of his own bomb, the bomber snuffs it out and foolishly rushes The Stealer for hand to hand. The purple-clad fighter knocks him out cold in a single blow. The minion wielding a butcher knife rushes him, slicing frantically. One chop to the windpipe sent him toppling to the floor.

The elite Wolfgang puts forth a valiant effort, but The Stealer was not to be beaten. He jumps out of the way of her lunge, but the Wolfgang henchwoman quickly swings down with another blade. He catches it between the prongs of the Harvester, wrenching the blade out of her hand with a flick of the wrist. She sputters in disbelief.

"B-but... how...?!"

The Stealer does not mince words, hitting her on the skull with the blunt end of The Harvester. The five wolfgang goons lay knocked out on the floor around him. Unconsciousness, but no fatal attacks - no injuries, in fact.

It occurs to the party that he just took on a 5 versus 1 battle and won effortlessly. Without a single scratch. The Stealer of Senses was a force to be reckoned with - he was even better of a fighter then the heroes had imagined, this being the first time heroes had seen him in combat.

As if on cue, his line of sight switches to the heroes in the doorway, some with their mouths agape.

"Ah. Hello." He says dryly.

He notes Karie and her new attire, the hero hanging in the back of the party.

"La petite mort, ma chère." he says flatly.

The phrase "la petite mort" had two meanings, and both were probably equally appropriate in this situation...

Edited June 8, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

Damn. they didn't even touched him. I forgot how dangerous this man is. ​

"We meet again, Stealer of Senses. You haven't lost any of your abilities i see. I have a few questions first if you don't mind"

Edited June 8, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

"Ask away."

[Shoker86]

"Ask away."

"What happened to those watchmen we drugged?" Arnulf feared for the worst. "Tell me the truth"

[Kintobor]

Karie was shaking, but tried not to show it. Her voice at a twinge of fear in it. She was surprised she was speaking at all.

"La petite mort, the little death. You either a speak French, or you're from Chairis, oui?"

Edited June 8, 2013 by Kintobor

[Shoker86]

Karie was clearly shaken. Arnulf was trying to hide his nervous behavior. This guy made his life much worse, since he came to Eubric. Arnulf did some bad things in his raiding days, but nothing compared to this. "Our fates are so inetertwined, Stealer. We hurted you by killing your friend, you hurted us." Arnulf tried to keep calm in his voice. "I hope when we finish what we started , i can sleep at night again"

[Endgame]

"What happened to those watchmen we drugged?" Arnulf feared for the worst. "Tell me the truth"

"Their memory of the last four years of their lives is almost nonexistent. I essentially wiped out all memories of their career as a Town Watchmmen. Their intelligence and personalities are intact, and they know who their family is. I wouldn't be surprised if they are already back to work someplace else in Eubric."

Karie was shaking, but tried not to show it. Her voice at a twinge of fear in it. She was surprised she was speaking at all.

"La petite mort, the little death. You either a speak French, or you're from Chairis, oui?"

"Born in Charis, spent the first few years of my life in Charis. Didn't last too long.

So nice to see you Karie. So nice to see all of those returning faces from that night... New faces are welcome as well, I suppose. Now, what are you doing here?"

The Stealer's voice seems to be calm enough, but has a hint of an edge to it...

[Emjajoas]

Em eyes the stealer, impressed he performance. "Job hunting. The usual," he replies flatly, trying to seem calm when in fact he was tense.

[Flipz]

"We are here to loot and demolish this Wolfgang armory. What are you doing here?" Arthur said, rather rudely in fact. He hisses to Barty, "Keep him talking, the more charges we can get him on, the more resources the Watch will allocate to his capture if by some misfortune we fail to finish the job. Tell the others."

Edited June 9, 2013 by Flipz

[Kintobor]

Karie's palm twirled round Sexy's hilt. Why was the Stealer greeting her? She was this close to killing his nephew before he did it for her.

"I reinstate Arthur's question. You seem like the last sort of person to be associating with the Wolfgang, even in a brawl."

Keep this guy thinking with his Johnson Rod, Karie, just keep it up...

[Endgame]

"A bit rude, I see. What mental picture did your fellow heroes paint in your mind of me, I wonder?

Pity you're trying to convict one of the few people in Eubric who want to help the city. In a roundabout way, sorceror, we are here for the same reasons. I fear I'm the one who asks the questions here, not you. So, if you would be so kind, I would prefer if you didn't try to clumsily probe my brain. It isn't going to work."

[Kintobor]

Karie's eyes turned to the Harvester. She cringed.

"I'm curious as to how the Harvester works. It certainly is a curious weapon. What does it run on, those little lights, etc., etc."

[Endgame]

Silence fills the room as Karie's words bounce off the walls. The Stealer wasn't even going to acknowledge that.

[Shoker86]

"I mean what are you trying to acomplish here?" Arnulf asked "Some higher goal, you don't seem to me like a petty thief, so who are you really Stealer of Senses?"

Edited June 9, 2013 by Shoker86

[Kintobor]

Karie didn't anticipate the silence. It was unnerving. Despite being nervous, Karie shrugged, and continued to keep her cool.

"Hmm? No response? Cat got your tongue? No matter. I can live with that. Than I suppose the last question I have is... well... what did you do with your cousin's body?"