Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Endgame]

Lilith groans.

"Miss Misfortune. I wouldn't win the lottery if I was handed the numbers by Ennoc himself. Ever been sitting down someplace when suddenly the ceiling begins to leak above you? Twice? In one day? In two different buildings?"

Edited June 1, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Lilith groans.

"Miss Misfortune. I wouldn't win the lottery if I was handed the numbers by Ennoc himself. Ever been sitting down someplace when suddenly the ceiling begins to leak above you? Twice? In one day? In two different buildings?"

Karie tries hard not to laugh.

"No no, I can relate, but for entirely different reasons."

Miss Misfortune? Karie was surprised she hadn't been nicknamed that yet.

[Shoker86]

Women, who can understand them. What they are talking about, gods I wish I know. Miss Misfortune. Women

"Did any of you ladies saw master Arthur?"

[Zepher]

Boomingham appears behind the other heroes, huffing heavily. "Am I late? No matter. Lord Lawrence Boomingham, slayer of the Bluehood and Steerpike the Poisoner. I'll be your commander this evening. Arnulf, I already know you, glad to see you here. Madam, chappo, can't say I've seen either of you around. Care to introduce yourselves? Are we waiting on anyone?"

[Kintobor]

Oh great, a ladies man.

"Quite the accomplishments there, m'lord. Karie Alderflask, World's greatest pi-"

She remembered she was standing in front of Lilith. In front of the Town Watch HQ.

"Performer. Yeah, we'll go with that... We're waiting for the Private to speak up. Where is he anyways? He was leading us here."

[Emjajoas]

"Miss Misfortune," Em repeats silently, grinning to himself. "As far as life, Arnulf, it's treating me the same as ever-- Too much to shoot, too little gold."

[Endgame]

"Private Regulus seems awfully quiet today..."

QM Note: Flipz will be away from Heroica for a day or two. I've been given instructions on how to run his actions - for his trade in the hall, I will edit it in as long as it occurs before the first battle. For now, he confirms and lends Boomingham his extra healing staff. (Boomingham already has one, though, so I'll leave that be.)

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) *Party Leader!*

45 Years old male human Paladin

Level 23 2/3 *Immune to Fragile* *Counterstriking*

Power: 37 (23+10+4*)

Defense: 12 (7+5)

Health: 45/45 (10+22+11+2*)

Ether: 23/23 (1+22)

Gold: 103 (Owe 50 to Docken, 79 to Arthur, 110 to Sorrow)

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 wearer's level), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immunity to Fragile), Tome of Affluence (Generates 10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle, accessory) *Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (Not an Artifact, +4 Power)

Inventory: Frozen Saber (Great Sword, WP: 9, Light Ice, stunned effect), Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (+4 to Power, -6 to Ether), Hamantasch (consumable, lucky + blessed effects upon consumption for the length of one battle), Marksman's Monocle (rolls of 4 are rerolled, headwear), Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile for rest of battle, 5 ether, 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Frailty, Garnet, Sapphire, 4 Meads, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Everlasting Venom, Emerald Lamp of Summoning,Bedroll, Adamantite Shard, Healing Staff

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (Flipz)

21-year-old male human Sorcerer

Level 23 2/3 *Immune to Sealed*

Power: 28 (23+5)

Defense: 3

Health: 35/35 (5+22+4+4)

Ether: 33/33 (5+22+1+5)

Gold: 1668 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur)

Equipment: Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,Light-Elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

Inventory:

Weapons: Sir Roderick's Sword (WP:12, Longsword), Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon),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]), Healing Staff (WP:5; heals instead of damaging),

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

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

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

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, 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 theLucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x5, Ether Core, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Nostrum, Jinxy Juice x2, 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.), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Zoot's Plaything

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 11

Power: 17 (lvl 11 + WP: 6)

Health: 17/17

Gold: 89

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 (5), Mead (3), 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), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear. )

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86)

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 9

Power: 18 (9+8+1)

Defense: 3

Health: 15/15 (7+8)

Gold: 43

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Tricorne (SP:3)

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

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 9

Power: 15

Health: 14/14

Gold: 28

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

Lilith raps her palm with her rapier one last time, and heads for the door.

"Lets head inside."

Lilith opens the door wide before she walks in, checking for some sort of misfortune behind its oak frame.

"Never know..." she mumbles.

With that, she escorts the party of five inside. They walk down a stone hallway, taking a left at the end of it and stopping a few doors down. Lilith performs the same procedure on her own office door, checking for some sort of possible shenanigan before she headed inside. She admitsa the heroes into her office, the lieutenant taking a seat behind her desk.

Sun shines in through the windows as Lilith rifles through her paperwork ab out Sceleris Alleys.

"So, simple briefing. Ask me what you want to know, and I'll answer it."

What will the party ask?

[Shoker86]

"I know Em, I know to many bruises, so few gold, but don't worry it will come" Arnulf then turned to Lord Boomingham

"Good to see you again Lord Boomingham, things ocurred so fast, we didn't have chance to drink that drink you mentioned"

"So, simple briefing. Ask me what you want to know, and I'll answer it."

What will the party ask?

"Liutenant I would like to know about Armory security measures you have discovered so far, any guards guarding the doors, any traps,etc..."

Edited June 2, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

"We aren't sure of the number of guards protecting the armory itself, but we do know about some of the alley's defenses... At one point or another, someone smuggled in some outdated Ji Pei tech. Apparently, they just warehoused it, and someone got their mitts on it. You can expect some sort of electric security.

They've also done a little work domesticating animals, or so the patrols I've sent there say. Apparently they have some sort of gator meandering abut those alleys..."

[Shoker86]

"We aren't sure of the number of guards protecting the armory itself, but we do know about some of the alley's defenses... At one point or another, someone smuggled in some outdated Ji Pei tech. Apparently, they just warehoused it, and someone got their mitts on it. You can expect some sort of electric security.

They've also done a little work domesticating animals, or so the patrols I've sent there say. Apparently they have some sort of gator meandering abut those alleys..."

"After last night's events they propably doubled their defences. I guess we can't expect help from the locals for info, I've heard rumours that they support the Wolfgang?"

Electric security, advanced weaponery, I should have bought more supplies

[Endgame]

"The chances of that are highly likely, yes... But if we can cut off a source of weapons for the Wolfgang, we'll keep the streets safer. Not easy to mug people without a knife to threaten them."

[Shoker86]

"The chances of that are highly likely, yes... But if we can cut off a source of weapons for the Wolfgang, we'll keep the streets safer. Not easy to mug people without a knife to threaten them."

"Do you have any maps from the area, it would be good to get familiar with the area. Also if we could hear more info from someone who was there."

[Endgame]

"One of the issues we faced with Sceleris that, unlike other streets and alleys, it doesn't loop back. It just leads to a dead end - most likely where the armory itself is located. It branches off slightly into other areas, but they all stop at one point or another. We don't have the specifics mapped, but navigating it should be a simple enough task. Beating the security will be the main problem.

I've been versed in the testimony of every single watchman who patrolled there. I'm the most knowledgeable on the subject matter - went in there once or twice, too."

[Kintobor]

"You've said your men have gone missing down this alley? How many are we talking about? Five, ten, twenty?"

Just so I know if now would be a good time to flee.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

"Seven. Seven men have gone missing in that one alley.

...Oh, and one dog. His name was Arrow."

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

"We'll find your men and bring them back, If they're still alive" Arnulf said "Karie I think i should have bought smeling salts and nostrum, could you lend me 7 gold?"

[Zepher]

Boomingham listens to Lilith intently while catching up with his other heroes.

"Yes, sorry about the drink, Arnulf. If we live through this battle, you can be sure that I'll be more than happy to sit in the Hall and relax."

"Glad to hear we've got the world's greatest performer with us. Perhaps you can do a little ballet for the gator and scare it off."

"Regulus, glad to see you're with us."

Boomingham turns next to Lilith. "I've no questions on the matter. Get in, kill some criminals, get out. It seems easy enough to me. Will any of the Watch be accompanying us? I've met Purple and his crew before, they seem like this would be a job for them."

OoC: Check my "hero statistics" page, there should be a few changes. I'm immune to sealed and weakened, and should have 23 gold.

[Endgame]

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

Level 23 2/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened*

Power: 36 (+4**)

Defense: 12

Health: 44/44 (+2*)

Ether: 22/22

Gold: 23

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, 4 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

46 Years Old, Human

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 23 2/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate]

Power: 36 (23 + WP:13)

Health: 35/35 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 22 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 33/33 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 21 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1028 (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), Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.)

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: Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round), 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),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: Potion, Grand Potion x5, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Nostrum x 5, Smelling Salts x 5, Mead x 5, 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)

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 11

Power: 17 (lvl 11 + WP: 6)

Health: 17/17

Gold: 89

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 (5), Mead (3), 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), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear. )

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86)

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 9

Power: 18 (9+8+1)

Defense: 3

Health: 15/15 (7+8)

Gold: 43

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Tricorne (SP:3)

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

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 9

Power: 15

Health: 14/14

Gold: 28

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

"That would be the gist of it, Boomingham. I'll allow you to choose just how, exactly, to dismantle the Armory.

I fear most of the Watch is tied up in the aftershocks last night. I would help you with this, but I have a mountain of mandatory paperwork to do, as well as several meetings and debriefings. Trust me, I much prefer getting my hands dirty then the clerical aspect of my position."

Lilith slices open an envelope handing it to the party. Sceleris alley is clearly marked, near the Hovels.

"I have no other information for you. All that is left is to get in there and get the job done."

The party nods to their employer, showing themselves out the door as Lilith heaves a staggering pile of paperwork onto her desk. They walk out the Town Watch Head Quarters and follow the map given to them, eventually reaching the mouth of Sceleris alley.

The air was stale, carrying an undeniable stench. Busted pipes and gutters dripped water down into the alley, causing patches of mold to dot the tight passageway. The party was flanked by patchy brick walls on either side of them. Sceleris Alley seemed to be the embodiment of "seedy".

Despite this, the heroes are greeted by a peculiar sight: Small, worm-like creatures, scurrying about the alley. Certainly not a creature any of them had seen before, and definitely not indigenous to Eubric... when meandering about dark alleys, one expects rats, not armored, serpentine words. Despite that, the crustacean creatures almost seemed adorable in play. As soon as they catch glimpse of the heroes, they cut their play short and line up along the alley wall, as if giving the heroes right of way.

Much to the party's surprise, the little creatures... talked!

"Hello, there!"

"Welcome!"

"Greetings!"

"Salutations!"

"And stuff!"

This was... unexpected.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

Arnulf never saw such creatures. How the hell did they come here. Ji Pei technology, who knows.

"Ave, young fellows. What are you doing here If i may ask "

[Kintobor]

Karie gives a dry, sarcastic laugh as she leaves the office with Boomingham.

"Hardy har har. You're too kind Boomingham. Too kind. To be quite frank, yes, I might actually be the world's greatest performer, but I'm more like the World's Greatest Pickpocket."

She leans towards Boomingham.

"Since, you know, being the World's Greatest Performer is a lot more acceptable in the headquarters of the town watch than it is being the World's Greatest Performer."

The party makes it to the alley. Karie leans against the wall and sighs.

"Yeah, this catsuits a little un-comfy. How this Violetta was able to work in this is beyond me."

She then notices the little worm like creatures scurrying about the alley in play. And then they talked.

"Okay, I'm not the only one seeing this, right? We didn't inhale some hallucinogenic vapors, did we?"

Part of her thought they were somewhat cute, scurrying about the alley. The other part of her thought about the rows of teeth they could possess, specifically used for devouring catsuit wearing rogues. Keeping her distance, she spoke up.

"So... you.... five are what now?"

[Endgame]

Arnulf never saw such creatures. How the hell did they come here. Ji Pei technology, who knows.

"Ave, young fellows. What are you doing here If i may ask "

"What we are doing here? Why, ladies and gentlemen, the answer is obvious! We are... Exploring!"

"Journeying!"

"Spelunking!"

"Seeing everything the world has to offer!"

"And stuff!"

These five little fellows certainly had gotten their act down.

"So... you.... five are what now?"

"We are Proggs, m'lady!"

"Larvae, to be exact."

"Only children."

"Legend tells of Proggs growing to be over 7 stories tall!"

"And stuff!"

[Kintobor]

"Your Proggs? And you grow seven stories tall?"

Karie nervously looks back at the party, mouthing "seven stories tall". You learn something new everyday.

"So... you... larvae... what are you guys doing around here? Around this spooky, derelict, alley?"

Edited June 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

"Well, it takes 1,000 years for a Progg to grow 2 or 3 stories high. So growing to 7 stories must take around 3,000 years..."

"Proggs are building our colony underground! Lots of construction and whatnot."

"The grown-ups were worried an adult Progg would seem too scary to the general Eubric citizen."

"To be fair, they are about 4 times the size of a human..."

"So 'cute', not-scary larvcae like us gather supplies, scavenge for food, and play all above ground... while the adults build our home."

"And stuff!"

[Shoker86]

"Well, it takes 1,000 years for a Progg to grow 2 or 3 stories high. So growing to 7 stories must take around 3,000 years..."

"Proggs are building our colony underground! Lots of construction and whatnot."

"The grown-ups were worried an adult Progg would seem too scary to the general Eubric citizen."

"To be fair, they are about 4 times the size of a human..."

"So 'cute', not-scary larvcae like us gather supplies, scavenge for food, and play all above ground... while the adults build our home."

"And stuff!"

"Have you always been here, or you have some home planet? I've never seen Progg before. You guys are fascinating. I could only imagine how 7 stories Progg looks like"

[Endgame]

They all cock their heads in confusion.

"We aren't aliens, mister."

"The first four proggs were all ehter born or something, and the rest of the species just followed from there."