Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Shoker86]

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."

Ether born, most fascinating beings. I'll have to ask Arthur about Ether more, and theese Proggs.

"Well boys sorry if I have offended you, do you know the something about the Armory, or ways to get there undetected" Arnulf tells them he knows about Armory

[Kintobor]

"You kids shouldn't hang around here, there's supposedly dangerous thugs lurking about here. My recommendation is to go play somewhere else. Actually, have you kids seen anything suspicious around here, like humans, or heck, a gator?"

[Endgame]

"There was a guy who just strolled right past here about 30 minutes ago."

"He was nice, he gave us some bread!"

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"Bread? Can you give us a description of this man?"

She wished she had something to give the kids, but she didn't. They'd been rather helpful thus far.

[Endgame]

"He was about as purple as I am."

[Emjajoas]

Em crouches down and inspects the Proggs more closely. "Fascinating," he mumbles to himself, shaking his head. "I've never met one of your kin."

Standing, he looks down the alleyway. "Sounds almost as though-- Hmmm. Would you kids happen to have any tunnels around these parts large enough for human travel?"

Edited June 2, 2013 by emjajoas

[Kintobor]

No... it couldn't be him...

"You kids better run on home shortly. Something's going to happen down this alley, and I don't think you want to be here when it happens."

[Endgame]

The red larva shakes his head.

"Sorry, mister. The tunnels aren't safe for humans yet. Proggs can tunnel, humans can't - if there is a cave in, you'd be pretty much finished."

QM Note: I'll give Boomingham time to react to the larvae before I push you folks along.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

"Karie should we first strangle the Gator?" Arnulf asked.

OOC: No problem Endgame, we'll wait for Boomingham. I just noticed a pattern in my quests (quest 56, 60, 66, 70)

[Flipz]

I have about twenty minutes free, so I'll just check in now. Busy busy busy! Endgame, I bought a few consumables from the Marketplace last night, check my statistics page. I also appreciate your working with me on mine and Galen's deal, thanks.

Em crouches down and inspects the Proggs more closely. "Fascinating," he mumbles to himself, shaking his head. "I've never met one of your kin."

"I have, a while back, in the Hall. A tiny little guy. Puny, actually. Actually, that was his name. Punii. How is the little guy?" He thinks it best not to mention his two mental encounters with The Regret--even with his limited knowledge of the situation, he could tell that that monstrosity was something best left unmentioned unless necessary.

The red larva shakes his head.

"Sorry, mister. The tunnels aren't safe for humans yet. Proggs can tunnel, humans can't - if there is a cave in, you'd be pretty much finished."

QM Note: I'll give Boomingham time to react to the larvae before I push you folks along.

"Anything we could help you guys with while we're down here? Food, supplies, side-Quests that sort of thing? We ARE raiding a Wolfgang armory, after all, might as well put some of those criminals' supplies to a good cause if we can. Any angry critters getting in you guys' way we could take out? Any need for technical engineering and/or arcane Etherial expertise?"

Arthur quietly shoots a sidelong glance at Karie as he talked. So. This is 'Karie'...if I didn't know better, I'd have guessed it WAS Violetta...strange that none of the other Guards noticed it. Maybe he was the only one who had suspicions in the matter. Maybe he was reading too much into it. All he knew was that he had to know, he had to find the truth. It was all that was keeping him going.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Flipz

[Endgame]

The purple larva seems to know Punii.

"Punii? Oh, yeah, he got an internship with the Guild of Invision! He's working as an alchemist now."

"Anything we could help you guys with while we're down here? Food, supplies, side-Quests that sort of thing? We ARE raiding a Wolfgang armory, after all, might as well put some of those criminals' supplies to a good cause if we can. Any angry critters getting in you guys' way we could take out? Any need for technical engineering and/or arcane Etherial expertise?"

The larvae's brows seem to furrow - as close as you can get without a brow - as they consider the offer.

"We'll have to say no to the armory. We just aren't the warmongering type anymore..."

"But... some supplies would be rather nice."

"We have unearthed some gold deposits recently..."

"60 gold for every 5 items donated? And stuff."

"We don't have it on us now, but if we cross paths again, we'll be sure to give it to you."

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Zepher]

"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."

Boomingham nods and grins. "I understand. Sometimes we all have to save face." Boomingham stares at the little creatures in front of them. "Proggs? Never heard of you. I met a number of races in the Orcish wars, and even more around here, but can't say that a Progg is one of them. Anyway, Karie is right. You little ones ought to scurry along. Don't want you getting hurt." Boomingham glances over at Barty.

"I don't know them either. They are not natural. I'd tell you to kill them, as they don't belong on Olegia, but I'm sure you'd ignore me."

"Come on, Barty, where's your normal verve?"

"That witch must have taken some of it off. They are beasts of ether, as they say. Thought you'd hate that."

"Hel's nipples. Mages."

[Endgame]

The Progglings all share a glance.

"...Okay, sirs and ma'ams, you're right. This isn't the safest p[lace to be running around... next time we meet, we'll have gold on us - then you can take us up on our offer. Until then, heroes... bye!"

"See ya!"

"Until then!"

"We bid you adieu!"

"And stuff!"

With that, the five young Proggs plunge back into the Earth, closing the hole in the filthy dirt behind them as they tunnel along. The party could swear they felt small tremors as they proggs scurried the oppostie direction underground... they still couldn't reach the consensus of whether the larvae were cute or horrifying. They press along through the alley, the steep brick buildings flanking them on either side blotting out some of the sunlight. They arrive at another clearing, the air's stench growing more and more distinct as they go deeper into the alley.

Patches of mold seemed to writhe on the ground as the heroes looked about. They saw two doors: one leading into some sort of dilapidated building. The other was a large portcullis, the heavy steel door blocking the way further. were these the security measure mentioned?

The Party:

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

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Karie grins back. She makes a mental note of the phrase "Hell's nipples." Who knows, maybe it'll come in handy one day. She'd never met a paladin before, and she wasn't sure how to react to Boomingham's little friend, but he seemed trustworhy enough. She still felt uneasy about the Private, who kept giving her looks.

"What's wrong Private? Cat got your tongue? Pun totally intended, by the way!" She chuckled to herself.

[Shoker86]

"I don't like theese alleys lord Boomingham, they're perfect for ambush. It's unnaturally quiet down here"

[Emjajoas]

"I, too, feel uneasy. Perhaps we should tread lightly," Em suggested, though he was itching to use his bow. "I'm not a fan of closed spaces."

[Zepher]

"I don't tred lightly. If there's anyone in the alleyway, they might as well come at us now. We'll deal with the problem head on. Chaps, madam, draw your weapons." Boomingham slurps down a mead before unsheathes Scupperer and runs it along the portcullis, banging it against every bar. The clanging echoes. "Hello, anyone home?"

[Kintobor]

"Agreed. I don't like this alley either. Here, everyone hold still, I'm going to check something out."

Karie walks up to the portcullis and looks to see what's beyond it.

[Shoker86]

"I, too, feel uneasy. Perhaps we should tread lightly," Em suggested, though he was itching to use his bow. "I'm not a fan of closed spaces."

"I know....." Arnulf didn't have time to finish sentance when he heard Lord Boomingham.

Arnulf follows Lord Boomingham's example and pours mead down his throat

"It's fight then"

Edited June 2, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

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

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, 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

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 *Encouraged!*

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, 2 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

Boomingham plays the portcullis like an xylophone, its loud chimes seemingly echo throughout the whole alley. The party cringes as they await the worst, to be suddenly flanked by dozens of wolfgang...

...but nobody responds.

Karie looks through the bars of the portcullis, and sees a bend in the path ahead. it seemed to be the only way forward.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Shoker86]

"Come out you cowards" Arnulf goes to check the door near the porticullis

Edited June 2, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

Go where? The portcullis entry is sealed tight, Boomingham's demonstration proving the gate's strength.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"This isn't spooky at all. Well, there seems to be only one place we haven't checked out, that door. Once again, brain blast. Hold still, allow me to demonstrate the "bardic knock" spell. Observe."

Karie knocks on the door by the portcullis.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Shoker86]

OOC: Oops I saw the path ahead, i just misread it, I'll edit my post. Sorry

[Endgame]

Karie knocks on the only remaining door, rapping her knuckles against the rotting wooden frame. Once again, there is no response. Getting so close to the door, though, Karie can hear the gentle hum of machinery, as well as the occasional crackle of static... what was in there?