Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Emjajoas]

Em returns the Scarf of Misfortune to Arnulf, then silently crosses his arms, examining the party. It had been a busy day, to say the least. He'd never argue with having more allies, though it almost felt as if he were making enemies, too.

[Zepher]

OoC: Tome of Affluence.

Boomingham hands the Seventh Heaven to Arnulf, the Double Rainbow to Arthur and the Pixie Dust to Karie. He then gives 10 gold to each of them, and splits the remaining gold between himself and Em.

"Let's go back to the Town Watch and see what they have to say," he says flatly.

Loot Distribution

Arnulf - Seventh Heaven, 10 Gold

Arthur - Double Rainbow, 10 Gold

Karie - Pixie Dust, 10 Gold

Boomingham - 35 Gold

Em - 35 Gold

[Endgame]

QM Note: Correct me if I'm wrong, but the scarf was originally Arthur's, right?

OoC: Tome of Affluence.

QM Note: Drat drat drat. I fixed it, Zepher.

Also, that is the coldest loot distribution I've seen yet. I applaud you.

[Shoker86]

Arnulf returns sticky gloves and scarf of misfortune to Arthur "Thanks Arthur, here's your equipment back" He then turned to Boomingham "I agree, we should return to town watch immediatly"

[Kintobor]

Karie catches the pouch in her hands and peers in, taking in the familiar green powder inside. She seals it and shoves it away, the contents of the pouch hitting her harder than anything else.

Karie walks out of the alley, waiting for the rest of the party.

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 1/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 40 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 12/48 (+3*)

Ether: 13/25

Gold: 153

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) 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, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 1/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged* *Lucky!*

Power: 39 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 17/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1554 (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, contains an Elixir), 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, Lens of Speed Reading, Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round), 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 x11, Remedy x9, Elixir x4, Nostrum, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead, 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 x2, Tonic, Emergency Essence, Double Rainbow

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Immune to Fragile!*

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 13

Power: 23 (13+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 16/19

Gold: 196

Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile)

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), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz, Seventh Heaven

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 13

Power: 21

Health: 17/18

Gold: 155

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 x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x4, 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)

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15.5

Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6)

Health: 20/21

Gold: 331

Defence: 0

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

Inventory: Mead, Remedy (1), 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), Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1), Masson's Photo, Entry 11, Pixie Dust

Nevron bends down and shackles the hands of the three Wolfgang goons, he and the two Syndicate Elites picking up the unconscious men to transport them to the Town Watch prison.

"To the HQ, then."

The party begins their final trek through Eubric, en route to the Town Watch HQ once more. These past two days had proven to be some of the most stressful in their Heroica careers as of late, but fortunately the heroes managed to conquer all of the trials set in front of them - and in the process, earned a few good allies and friends. They had defused a conspiracy and managed to capture one of the highest-ranking officers in the Wolfgang. Despite their flaws and shortcomings, the party truly felt like heroes.

The heroes receive their fair share of odd glances as they escort the three unconscious men, but it doesn't take long before they arrive at the HQ once more. Walking in and depositing the three Wolfgang goons to prison warden, the group of ten makes their way to Lilith's office for the final time.

The Town watch lieutenant looks skeptically at the party, her hand instincitvely creeping towards her rapier. She raises an eyebrow, and speaks.

"So you brought in 7 convicts. Excellent work."

"Thank you, Lilith."

"Now, care to explain why four of them are currently standing in my office?"

[Zepher]

"I believe the girl can explain it best," Boomingham says, glancing lazily over to Karie.

[Kintobor]

Karie looks over the rest of the party, then back to Lilith.

"The Syndicate has been dealt with, and they are looking to continue their operations in joint with the watch. The group's assistance in the apprehension of these three Wolfgang thugs, they're dedication to the eradication of crime in the city, and the fact that they have donated food and money to the poor in a deterrent to stop the Wolfgang influence should be enough evidence to prove they are no longer a threat, and never were a threat to the city. Lieutenant, you can ask Nevron or Arthur, the Syndicate is looking to work with the law in assisting to deal with the city's biggest issue, the Wolfgang."

She hoped her statements would be enough to persuade Lilith to not throw herself and the Syndicate in the slammer, and to get the Syndicate a new position in Eubric.

[Endgame]

Lilith listens intently to Karie's words, processing them as the rogue finishes her spiel.

"Hmm... I was alerted to the presence of a weapon of sort, The Harvester. Considering it seemed to be what made the Syndicate operation possible, what is its current status?"

Masson reaches into his robes, pulling out the still hissing fragments of the Harvester. he places the weapon on Lilith's desk and slides it across.

"Out of order. Permanently, I hope. You have a crematorium, correct?'

"Yes, that we do. And I will take care to personally throw this thing into the furnace."

Lilith wraps the smoking components in a satchel bag before announcing her verdict on the issue.

"Here is your debriefing, all of you, so listen carefully.

First of all: Syndicate members. One of your ultimate goals was to eliminate the Wolfgang, correct? Taking into account that that is also ours, and you assisted in the detaining of Lieutenant Briar, I'd be willing to accept you as some sort of branch of the Town Watch. You wouldn't be directly connected, but you will receive your assignments for us. Essentially, vigilantes with legal backing. You wouldn't wear or colors or bear our name, but you would be sponsored by us.

However. I'm not simply going to let this fiasco slide without close examination. I want you all to report in for interview and examination every day until I completely clear you for the task. The process will take much longer then for other recruits, but I hope you understand why."

"But of course! Completely reasonable, m'lady."

"Hm. Do these men have your trust, Watchmen?"

"Yes."

"They've earned mine."

"Very well. Second of all, The Harvester. Obviously I'm not going to allow it to spend another second on the streets. As soon as this debriefing concludes, I will personally march to the Town watch crematorium and chuck it in there myself. It won't cause any problems, will it?"

"No, it would be able to melt without incident."

"Good. Any objections to the device's destruction?"

The room goes deathly silent for a few moments.

"Excellent.

Final matter: The heroes."

The party perks up, listening intently on what was to come.

"You did what I originally commissioned you to do, defused a conspiracy, and earned the Town Watch what appears to be some potent allies. Regardless of what happened on this outing, you have completed what I had originally hired you for and more. Thus, i have no problem giving you the second half of your reward. You each get a grating stone. Thank you for your service to the watch, heroes."

Lilith retrieves a small marble case from her desk, clicking the latches and allowing the top to flip open. She removes five dense stones from it, depositing one into the hands of each hero.

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 Years Old, Human, Level 26 1/3 Paladin *Immune to Fragile, Sleep and Weakened* *Encouraged!*

Power: 40 (+5**)

Defense: 12

Health: 12/48 (+3*)

Ether: 13/25

Gold: 153

Equipment: Scupperer (Great Sword, WP: 11, Darkness Fire, causes Bleeding Effect for 5 Damage until remedied or healed to full health, permanently Deadly Envenomed) 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, Remedy, Seventh Heaven, Tonic, Milk, Emergency Essence, Mead, Grating Stone

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

Arthur Justus Regulus VII (played by Flipz), Level 26 1/3 Sorcerer, 21-year-old male Human *Immune to Sealed* [ Currently in: Quest #70: The Syndicate] *Encouraged* *Lucky!*

Power: 39 (25 + WP:13)

Health: 38/38 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 17/36 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 25 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 1554 (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, contains an Elixir), 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, Lens of Speed Reading, Scarf of Misfortune (Accessory, Wearer deals the Jinxed effect on every third round), 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 x11, Remedy x9, Elixir x4, Nostrum, Smelling Salts x 3, Mead, 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 x2, Tonic, Emergency Essence, Double Rainbow, Grating Stone

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86) *Immune to Fragile!*

30 yrs old male human Rogue

Level 13

Power: 23 (13+9+1)

Defense: 4

Health: 16/19

Gold: 196

Equipment: Chromoid Drill (Dagger, WP: 9, succesful hits drop enemy's SP by 1.), Emerald Hood (SP: 4, Immunity to Fragile)

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), Cheesy Dagger (WP:8, Double damage to vermin), Topaz, Seventh Heaven, Grating Stone

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

Unknown age male human ranger

Level 13

Power: 21

Health: 17/18

Gold: 155

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 x2, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion x4, 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), Grating Stone

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 15.5

Power: 21 (lvl 15 + WP: 6)

Health: 20/21

Gold: 331

Defence: 0

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

Inventory: Mead, Remedy (1), 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), Nostrum, Mulled Wine, Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1), Masson's Photo, Entry 11, Pixie Dust, Grating Stone

Clutching the stones in their palms and pocketing them, the heroes had obtained the entirety of their reward. With The Syndicate pacified and turned to the forces of good, the party knew that

~The Quest Was Successful!~

The group of then escorts themselves out of Lilith's office, lingering outside of the Town watch HQ to say their goodbyes. There is a quiet for some time, but Masson breaks the silence. He removes his hood and speaks:

"Well... Today certainly was eventful, wasn't it?

I do hope we're parting on good terms, heroes, or at least not on bad ones. Despite the events that occured these past two days, it really was a pleasure to meet you all - or, in some case, meet you again. But since theSyndicate will have the backing of the law soon enough, I won't be forced into covert fortresses anymore. Perhaps we'll encounter eachother on the streets of Eubric again some day?"

Octavyn laughs.

"Hey, boss, no need to bore 'em to death! All's well that ends well! Lets celebebrate or something! We three will probably head down to the Albatross for a few drinks. We practically got an unlimited number. After all..."

Octavyn pulls back his hood, and the party nearly suffers a collective jaw drop.

"I am the barkeep there!"

Octavyn pulls the golden hood back over his face again, chuckling at the party's surprise.

"What? Is a guy not allowed to have a day job? Anyway... that's besides the point. You tagging along, Masson?"

"No thanks, maybe another night."

Masson smiles warmly and turns to Karie, offering her his hand.

"I think I have someone else I'd like to spend the night with."

Edited July 9, 2013 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

OOC: Too many names start with A. :P

Em walks outside, examining his new grating stone. He strokes at his chin, lost in thought. "Drinks on me when we get back to the hall," he says finally.

[Kintobor]

Karie takes Masson's hand and smiles back.

"Sounds like a plan."

She looks over Boomingham as she leaves with Masson, thinking of what to say.

"You know Lawrence, you are a funny man."

Karie's statement is cold, without any sarcasm injected. She moves onto Em.

"Look, I know this may not seem like much, but you pulled me out of the abyss. Thanks. Again. Like really."

Karie gave Em a hug then went back on her way with Masson.

"I can't believe my place is all the way across town, up by this small vendor's market in the Three Gates area. It's nice though. You can see the sea on a good day from the window."

[Endgame]

"Eubric is a small enough city, I'm sure we'll be there in no time. It's amazing how much life is crammed into this place, huh? Some good, some bad... but now that the Harvester is gone, maybe the Syndicate can finally work towards changing this city for the better.

I'll probably end up getting a room in the Albatross. After all, all of my possessions literally fit into that one treasure chest. I'll most likely donate whatever supplies we have in surplus, too.I'll give the building back to the city when i get my affairs organized... Only problem is all of my lab equipment."

He smiles again.

"Fortunately, half of it I don't need anymore."

QM Note: The rest of the quest is basically just talking to any NPCs present, if you wish. head back to the hall any time you desire.

Edited July 9, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"Well, I'm certain we can find a place for the equipment somewhere, Masson. If you need any help moving it, I'm available most of the time. Same goes for Syndicate work too."

Karie and Masson began to move out to the street.

[Endgame]

"Thanks, ma chérie. It means a lot to me."

Edited July 9, 2013 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

Em nods to Karie, acknowledging her thanks, and then nods to the other heroes in the party and the Syndicate members. Wanting a drink, Em heads back to the hall.

[Zepher]

Boomingham, having nothing to say, salutes the party as a whole and sets out into the alleys of Eubric.

[Flipz]

Arthur watches the others go. It had been a long two days, but they had finally achieved all they had set out to achieve, and made a major step in securing the future of the city.

...so why did he feel so hollow?

Leaving the others to return to the Hall, Arthur makes his way to the Barracks, and from there to his quarters. The room was quiet, unoccupied, leaving him plenty of time to think...and to wonder over all that had happened. His roommates were out--perhaps in a bit he'd go out to join them. Or perhaps a walk out into the woods, maybe even to the Lion Knights' newest outpost. Something...anything...simple. Yes. That's what he needed. Simple.

He hoped.