Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Flipz]

Suddenly, the horrible realization struck Arthur--he didn't need the Compass to find Karie. "Oh gods. Oh crap. Oh f***."

Arthur's Actions:

>Arthur uses Remedy on Syndicate Peon (Rapier) (back):

>Arthur drinks Elixir from Hollow Blade Dagger

>Arthur (Lightning, Hollow Blade Dagger) VS Magnus (back):

Edited June 26, 2013 by Flipz

[Endgame]

The Peon giggles rather girlishly, hands on hips, rapier in hilt.

"How's your Town Watch patrol tunes coming along Arthur, do you remember this one?"

The peon then motions the others back... and flamboyantly gestures at the party, giving fake kisses into the air. The peon then does the unexpected, the last thing the party ever would have expect from a Syndicate grunt... he begins to sing and dance.

"Three cheers for the men in red and blue,

For the red is the blood of our brothers!

The blue is the hue of the sky!

Where on high, we protect this fair city,"

The party can almost hear the triumphant, proud orchestra and beating drums as the peon continues to prance about. What shocks them most is the final lines of the song. The Syndicate Peon begins performing a kick line alone, lifting the hood at the same time.

A ginger ponytail unfurls from inside the hood, a broad smile across her face.He was really a she.

"And if we should fall,

or falter to the call,

then expect us to come and aid all!"

As she finishes the routine, the look on her face changes quickly from joy to concern, her smile vanishing.

She rubs her arm, avoiding eye contact.

"Sorry guys, but it is the way it is."

[Shoker86]

"This is the end

Beautiful friend

This is the end

My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end

Of everything that stands, the end

No safety or surprise, the end

I'll never look into your eyes...again" Arnulf started to sing one of his favorite tunes. His face cold as ice.

[Zepher]

"Save your remedy, Arthur. That is an order. We're on the offense."

[Kintobor]

"This is the end

Beautiful friend

This is the end

My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end

Of everything that stands, the end

No safety or surprise, the end

I'll never look into your eyes...again" Arnulf started to sing one of his favorite tunes. His face cold as ice.

Karie looks down. She knew Arnulf was hurt.

"That's a rather beautiful song Arnulf, but this isn't the end. I'm sorry you have to see me like this... but Ulric needs to get what he deserves. For what he did to Masson and his family, for what he's done to this city, for what he's done to me and my sister. The Watch is too corrupt to handle the Wolfgang, Arnulf. As much as I don't like it, the Syndicate is this city's best shot at ridding Ulric and the Wolfgang from it's streets, for good. That and I would never allow myself to work for a woman who flat out murders people in the street, no matter their allegiance. I'm sorry Arnulf, but if worse comes to worse... I will always consider you a friend... and I'm sorry we have to do this."

"Save your remedy, Arthur. That is an order. We're on the offense."

Karie looked at Arthur, somewhat saddened. She hoped they would have ran, but obviously not.

"Save the remedy Arthur. You're going to need it."

Edited June 27, 2013 by Kintobor

[Zepher]

Boomingham does not say a word to Karie, but there is murder in his eyes.

[Kintobor]

Boomingham does not say a word to Karie, but there is murder in his eyes.

Karie simply looked down. Her voice was somewhat worried.

"You did say you'd let the one live who led you to me, did you not? Does that not count for something?"

[Emjajoas]

"Interesting turn of events," Em mutters, shaking his head at his old companion. He wondered if he would've been in the same position as Karie if he had offered his services to the Stealer when he visited.

"As long as you've found your place, you'll be treated with honour on the field." Em's voice lowered as he frowned. "Sadly I supposed justice is something many believe in finding for themselves."

[Flipz]

"Don't do this, Karie. You're making a huge mistake. Trust me. I've stood in your shoes. I've made the mistake of siding with evil to try and achieve good. Don't make that same mistake."

"Kayla thought Ulric was a force for good, you know. Don't let the Stealer become your Ulric. Don't follow in your sister's footsteps. Please...please...don't make me have to fight you."

Actions:

>Blindness on Magnus (BR)

>Drink Elixir from hollow Blade (BR)

>Blindness on Magnus OR if already Blind, Blindness on Karie (BR)

Edited June 27, 2013 by Flipz

[Shoker86]

"There are nine circles in hell Karie, and the last one is reserved for traitors" Arnulf said, his face was unnaturaly calm. "For all we've been through I will personally send you there "

[Kintobor]

"Interesting turn of events," Em mutters, shaking his head at his old companion. He wondered if he would've been in the same position as Karie if he had offered his services to the Stealer when he visited.

"As long as you've found your place, you'll be treated with honour on the field." Em's voice lowered as he frowned. "Sadly I supposed justice is something many believe in finding for themselves."

"Em, I need closure. I need Ulric dead. I thank you for your respect, but the decision I made was one to better this city and to see the Wolfgang destroyed, not for me alone, but for everyone who suffered because of that bastard's regime."

"Don't do this, Karie. You're making a huge mistake. Trust me. I've stood in your shoes. I've made the mistake of siding with evil to try and achieve good. Don't make that same mistake."

"Kayla thought Ulric was a force for good, you know. Don't let the Stealer become your Ulric. Don't follow in your sister's footsteps. Please...please...don't make me have to fight you."

"Arthur... I don't want to fight you as much as you don't want to fight me... but this is different. Masson has been through hell and back. His entire family destroyed because of the Wolfgang. What it would take the watch years to capture Ulric it will take the Syndicate months to find him and kill him. Arthur, that man, that monster ruined my sisters life. It's because of him she's no longer here, it's because of him I will never get to see the person I spent the first three years of my life with! You said so yourself, Arthur, Patricia doesn't need to die, Ulric does, and with him dead, what's left for Patricia? With Ulric dead, the Watch won't be needed, and Patricia will no longer be needed, and Kayla's murder can be put to rest, and I can finally have my peace."

"There are nine circles in hell Karie, and the last one is reserved for traitors" Arnulf said, his face was unnaturaly calm. "For all we've been through I will personally send you there "

Arnulf's words hit home as Karie begins to tear up.

"I... I understand."

Karie draws Sexy and sombrely shakes it back and forth in one hand.

"Perhaps this is the last waltz. Perhaps I do deserve to rot in that level of hell you spoke of, Arnulf. You could fight a masked goon, but once you know who they are, could you still fight them? Don't make me hurt you as much as I already have and go back, please!"

[Shoker86]

"You've made my choice an impossible one. If i choose not to fight you, I'll betray my party and my moral code, if I choose to fight you, I'll have to live with the fact that I've attacked a person who was my friend" Arnulf said trying to hold hell in his entire body at bay. "I hate you for making me choose a side" Arnulf paused "I will fight you, 'till one of us hit the dust"

[Endgame]

"There are nine circles in hell Karie, and the last one is reserved for traitors" Arnulf said, his face was unnaturaly calm. "For all we've been through I will personally send you there "

Nevron can only nod, a steely determination in his eyes.

" I sincerely hope you are what I am, Karie. An infiltrator into the Syndicate. Works on ne side of the law, but reports back to the other. I can only hope that you aren't a traiotr... but is is seeming more and more likely you are. You may have helped save me, yeah - but right now you're fighting alongside the very people we were sent to stop. If this carries on Arnulf may be quite right."

"Don't do this, Karie. You're making a huge mistake. Trust me. I've stood in your shoes. I've made the mistake of siding with evil to try and achieve good. Don't make that same mistake."

"Kayla thought Ulric was a force for good, you know. Don't let the Stealer become your Ulric. Don't follow in your sister's footsteps. Please...please...don't make me have to fight you."

"Fatal flaw in your arguement - The Stealer isn't evil."

"Ulric is a mass murderer who uses and disposes of even the people who trust him most. It happened to Kayla, doubtlessly it will happen again."

Round Two of the Syndicate HQ Brawl

>Arthur casts Blindness on Magnus (back): Success!

>Boomingham VS Syndicate Peon (Bomb) (front): Damage Hit (11+25=36x4=144-6=138 damage)

>Arthur drinks Elixir from hollow Blade (back)

>Arthur casts Blindness on Karie (back): Success!

>Nevron VS Syndicate Peon (Cleric) (front): Critical Hit (7x2=14+14=28x2=56 damage)

>Arnulf VS Magnus (back): Shield: Mug (8x3=24+12=36x2=72/2=36-8=28 damage, 28x1.5=42 gold earned)

>Em VS Syndicate Peon (Duelist) (back): Hit (7+12=19=2-17 damage)

>Chromoid A VS Arthur: 17-3=14 damage

>Chromoid B VS Boomingham: 17-12=5 damage, Counterstrike puts it in the Green

>Chromoids revert back to Blue

Fighting Karie wasn't going to be easy for the party. Arthur reads off his scrolls, chugging down an Elixir in a hidden compartment of his dagger. He blinds Magnus and Karie, rendering them unable to attack directly. Boomingham ends the Bomber with a swift slash of his sword, deepneing the wounds Arthur had left him. He crumples to the ground, dead. The rest of the party does well, the Chromoids once again going after Arthur and Boomingham.

The battle rages on!

"! . !"

Magnus, Level 42 Mechanical *Blind! 3 rounds remaining*

HP: 972/1000

SP: 8

Immune to Confusion, Jinxing, and Frailty

Specials:

Quad-Dazer: Sweeps the entire enemy party with a blue beam of energy. All heroes lose 3 power, 3 max and current ether, 3 max and current HP, and two SP, regardless of SP or Row for the rest of the battle. All permanent stats will be restored when the battle is complete.

Trident Turmoil: Cuts the HP of the hero who rolled Special damage, as well as the heroes above and below him in the battle order in half, disregarding row and SP.

Rotor Manuever: Magnus rotates its trident around like a rotor, effectively creating a bladed shield around him. For the next 2 rounds he will Counterstrike.

Specials decided by die roll.

Passive Specials:

Surge Protector: After magnus is under half HP, Magnus' surge protectors kick in, removing its weakness to Electricity.

Drops:

Topaz

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid A, Level 17 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

Chromoid Drill

"Blue is safe."

Chromoid B, Level 17 Mechanical

HP: 1/1

Color: Blue

Immune to Jinxing!

Specials:

Drill Drive: The Chromoid drives its drill appendage into the hero who rolled Special Damage. That hero takes 22 damage (disregarding SP) and has their SP disabled for the next 3 rounds.

Swift Servos: The Chromoid picks up the pace, hastening itself at the end of the round for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Color-Coded: The Chromoid cannot take damage until it is in the red. Each succesful hit on the Chromoid brings it down one color in the cycle: Blue -> Green -> Yellow -> Red. (Hit the Chromoid while it is Blue and it'll turn Green.)

Maitenace Protocol: At the end of every round, the Chromoid's color will move back one in the rotation. (If left Red at the end of the round, it'll move back to yellow.)

Machine Logic: The Chromoid defies row when attakcing a hero of higher level then it.

Drops:

40 gold.

"I won't go down that easily!"

Syndicate Peon (Duelist), Level 22 Humanoid *Bleeding!*

HP: 91/270

SP: 2

Immune to Blindness and Sealing!

Specials:

Have At You!: Makes a witty remark to the hero who rolled Special Damage, hastening the Syndicate Peon for 3 rounds and Enraging the hero for 3 rounds.

Skewer: The Syndicate peon attempts to skewer an artery, reducing that hero's HP to 1 and Weakening them.

Specials alternate.

Passive Specials:

Lust: This Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then him.

Drops:

Mead, Nostrum

"Good, but not good enough."

Syndicate Peon (Cleric), Level 11 Humanoid

HP: 417/500

Immune to Jinxing, Sealing, and Stun!

Specials:

Miracle: The Syndicate Cleric removes 1 round from every negative effect that is inflicted to the enemy party, restoring 50 HP to all of his allies.

Passive Specials:

Utter Defiance: The Cleric defies both SP and Row while attacking.

Adept Healer: Rolls of Damage have a 50/50 chance of becoming Special Damage.

Drops: Grand Potion, Grand Tonic

"..."

Syndicate Peon Karie, Level 23 Humanoid *Dodgy! 2 rounds remaining* *Bllind! 3 rounds remaining*

HP: 300/300

SP: 3

Immune to Jinxing and Frailty!

Specials:

Mass Mugging: Karie mugs every hero. All heroes lose 10 gold (cannot be retrieved) and take 11 damage, disregarding SP.

Quick Reflexes: Karie becomes Dodgy for the next 3 rounds, having a 1/2 chance of evading physical attacks.

Specials decided by die roll.

Passive Specials:

Lust: Karie seeks Masson's favor, defying the SP of those who have a higher level then her.

Strong Will: Darkness does not deal double damage to Karie.

Drops:

80 gold.

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 25 2/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 39 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 37/47 (+3*)

Ether: 21/24

Gold: 38

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, 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, Mead, Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immunity to Ice), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), 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, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 25 2/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged!* *Hastened!* *Lucky!*

Power: 38 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 22/37 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 29/35 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 23 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1000 (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), Overkill Gloves, Marksman's Monocle

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), 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

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 x10, Remedy x10, Elixir x5, Nostrum x 2, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead x 2, 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, Bright Polish, Exterlate, Tonic, Emergency Essence x2

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Encouraged!* *Immune to Fragile!*

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 12

Power: 22 (12+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 11/18 (7+11)

Gold: 186

Equipment: Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile), Sticky Gloves

Inventory: Leather Armor(SP:1), 4 Potions, 2 Venoms, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, 1 Mead, Smelling Salts, Mulled Wine, Remedy x2, Tricorne (SP:3),

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 12

Power: 20

Health: 6/17

Gold: 90

Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Ranger's Quiver (+1 WP to all Bows/Crossbows), Syndicate Cowl (SP: 2, Immune to Doomed effect),

Inventory: Smoke bomb, Grating Stone, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x6, Remedy x4, 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, Bow(WP:5), Mead x2, White Marksman's Hat - (⅙ chance of Assassination vs. Flying monsters; Headwear) Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round)

"We have a conspiracy to snuff out."

Nevron Utral, Level 14 Rogue *Encouraged!*

HP: 20/20

Power: 21

SP: 1

Equipment: Standard Issue Rapier (WP: 7), Gallant Gauntlets (SP: 1, Handwear. User has a 1/6 chance to become Encouraged at the start of every battle.)

Inventory: Trial Brew, Soma, 30 gold, Remedy

Edited June 27, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

OOC: Did you count Arnulf's sticky gloves

"Ain't evil you said, well he ain't good that's for sure" Arnulf remarked "I'll attack Magnus from front row, he is blinded. I'll change the action if required"

[Endgame]

QM Note: Good catch, fixed.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Endgame

[Zepher]

OoC: It doesn't matter in this particular case, but you didn't count my power bonus. Should be [11+25+5]*4.

"Ulric is a leader who spend his men's lives on unworthy causes. The Stealer is just the same." Boomingham steps over the Bomber and walks up to Karie. "Care to dance?" Boomingham swings his sword at Karie from the front. "Nevron, take out that Duelist, but stay back, he packs a punch. Em, chug a potion. Arnulf, Arthur, keep everyone else off our backs. Don't worry about the robotics too much yet."

Battle Order

Boomingham

Arthur

Arthur

Em

Arnulf

Nevron

[Kintobor]

"Ulric is a leader who spend his men's lives on unworthy causes. The Stealer is just the same." Boomingham steps over the Bomber and walks up to Karie. "Care to dance?" Boomingham swings his sword at Karie from the front. "Nevron, take out that Duelist, but stay back, he packs a punch. Em, chug a potion. Arnulf, Arthur, keep everyone else off our backs. Don't worry about the robotics too much yet."

Karie smiled softly and sincerely, listening to Boomingham's voice since her vision was lost. She knew that Boomingham was more willing to run her through than the rest of the party.

"I screwed up, didn't I, Boomingham? Typical. Maybe I am a screw up, just like my adoptive mother said I was."

Karie sighs.

"I would never kill you, Boomingham, you don't deserve death, none of you do. Would you kill me, if I was down and defenseless?"

[Zepher]

"You have time to make amends. But it is fleeting."

[Shoker86]

"Kiling people who surrender, no." Arnulf said "People who surrender, generally are courtmartialed, at least in my native land. Lord Boomingham are there any court-martial which people here follow?"

Edited June 27, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

"I don't understand why you are villainizing The Stealer, anyway... Karie was once his most vocal opposer, but now she stands under our banner. Surely you must see some merit in our goals? We don't want this bloodshed either, heroes."

Karie smiled softly and sincerely, listening to Boomingham's voice since her vision was lost. She knew that Boomingham was more willing to run her through than the rest of the party.

"I screwed up, didn't I, Boomingham? Typical. Maybe I am a screw up, just like my adoptive mother said I was."

Karie sighs.

"I would never kill you, Boomingham, you don't deserve death, none of you do. Would you kill me, if I was down and defenseless?"

The duelist speaks quietly.

"Hey, we've all screwed up. Some more then others. Maybe that is what all of the Syndicate members have in common. But you shouldn't feel ashamed, Karie. We're actually able to change Eubric. And without killing, it'll change for the better."

[Emjajoas]

OOC: I should also have my Syndicate Cowl equipped, I mentioned I was going to equip it "as soon as we found a way into their base."

Em chugs one of his potions from the back row, scowling at the bitter taste.

"None of this is black and white," Em spits. "Good and evil are nothing more than opinions. There's honour in standing for something you believe in, though. Honour among thieves, I suppose."

Edited June 27, 2013 by emjajoas

[Endgame]

"None of this is black and white," Em spits. "Good and evil are nothing more than opinions. There's honour in standing for something you believe in, though. Honour among thieves, I suppose."

"Treason, however, is rather clean cut." Nevron spits.

[Flipz]

OOC: Free Hits are off. It should be Magnus vs Arthur (no damage, because Blind), then Chromoid A vs Boomingham, then Chromoid B vs Arthur, then Karie vs. Nevron (no damage, because Blind). I'm guessing you didn't note them because of Blind, but thought you should know just in case.

"Ulric is a leader who spend his men's lives on unworthy causes. The Stealer is just the same."

"Couldn't have put it better myself, Lord Boomingham."

"None of this is black and white," Em spits. "Good and evil are nothing more than opinions. There's honour in standing for something you believe in, though. Honour among thieves, I suppose."

"Treason, however, is rather clean cut." Nevron spits.

"You're both right. Believe me. I've been there."

"Turn back now, Karie. Stop this madness, or you will regret it for the rest of your life. How do I know this? Because I once stood in exactly your shoes."

"Few have heard of the mission of a massive band of Heroes who left the Hall--and Heroica itself--to stop the Chaos-user Wren from becoming an all-powerful god. It is an injustice for the others, who faced horrors mortal men cannot fathom, several of whom died saving this city from her plans. But in a way it is good, for if our mission were celebrated for the heroism that occurred that night, I would doubtless be included amongst the Heroes. And that would be an injustice far greater that the city's collective forgetfulness."

"I don't know if I ever told any of you this, but I'm a Chaos-user. I'm not active any more, but it's the sort of magic that clings to you, even when you leave it behind. I joined that mission, hoping to oust Wren, but also hoping to redeem Chaos, to use it for good. And when Wren stood ascended, on the cusp between mortal and divine...I declared her my goddess, and chose not to attack her. I betrayed the others, whom I had fought alongside for many battles on that awful night, and many battles before, who had protected me from beasts and demons and cannibals, who had even saved me from the fruits of my own folly when I tried to match my power directly against Zoot. I stood against Heroes, and though I realized the folly of my ways before the end, I should not have lived to be able to do so. For that act I will live in eternal penance for the rest of my days...which is eternity itself."

"Do not make my mistakes, Karie. Do not follow in my footsteps. Believe me. It's not a path anyone should ever walk."

Arthur's Actions:

Frailty vs. Duelist (back):

Darkness vs. Cleric (back):

"Arnulf, leave Magnus and take the Duelist, please. Lord Boomingham, if you could put Nevron or yourself between my actions, that would spare me an Essence--as it is, I'll take both hits from the Chromoids, and I could barely handle that even at full health."

[Zepher]

"My apologies, private. Don't mean to lose more than one hero today."

Battle Order

Arthur

Boomingham

Arthur

Arnulf

Em

Nervon

Edited June 27, 2013 by Zepher

[Kintobor]

"You're both right. Believe me. I've been there."

"Turn back now, Karie. Stop this madness, or you will regret it for the rest of your life. How do I know this? Because I once stood in exactly your shoes."

"Few have heard of the mission of a massive band of Heroes who left the Hall--and Heroica itself--to stop the Chaos-user Wren from becoming an all-powerful god. It is an injustice for the others, who faced horrors mortal men cannot fathom, several of whom died saving this city from her plans. But in a way it is good, for if our mission were celebrated for the heroism that occurred that night, I would doubtless be included amongst the Heroes. And that would be an injustice far greater that the city's collective forgetfulness."

"I don't know if I ever told any of you this, but I'm a Chaos-user. I'm not active any more, but it's the sort of magic that clings to you, even when you leave it behind. I joined that mission, hoping to oust Wren, but also hoping to redeem Chaos, to use it for good. And when Wren stood ascended, on the cusp between mortal and divine...I declared her my goddess, and chose not to attack her. I betrayed the others, whom I had fought alongside for many battles on that awful night, and many battles before, who had protected me from beasts and demons and cannibals, who had even saved me from the fruits of my own folly when I tried to match my power directly against Zoot. I stood against Heroes, and though I realized the folly of my ways before the end, I should not have lived to be able to do so. For that act I will live in eternal penance for the rest of my days...which is eternity itself."

"Do not make my mistakes, Karie. Do not follow in my footsteps. Believe me. It's not a path anyone should ever walk."

Karie's demeanor slumps like it did before back in the warehouse, her character and facade shattered like a broken mirror.

"I'm fighting for everything I stand against. I'm traveling down the same path my sister took. I'm throwing away everything Maxwell did for me. All in the name of revenge. My adoptive mother was right. I am a poverty stricken numbskull, and a pox-ridden waste of space. I am not Karie Alderflask. I'm a screw up."

Karie stands there, head down, broken mentally, her thoughts shutting down as the memories flow back, and her tears running like a river. She makes not a noise, but the noise in her head won't stop, as every mistake and decision comes flooding back.

"This isn't like you, Karie. You'll find a way. I know you will."

Karie can't hold back. She yells as loud as she can, which makes her speech more garbled through her short breaths.

"No, I won't! Not now, Cliff! I'm a loser and a knave and a good-for-nothing friend and a traitor and you know it! Go away!"