Heroica RPG - Quest #70: The Syndicate

[Shoker86]

OOC: I knew there was something with 100 dmg, but i read Em's row instead of mine

[Flipz]

"Arnulf, I'll take Spider C, you should take Spider A or B. Lord Boomingham, I think you should be able to tangle with that Gator, especially if I'm able to Frail it."

Arthur casts Frailty on the Alley Gator and follows up with an Ice Spell against Spider C from the Back Row.

[Shoker86]

"All right Arthur, I'll take Spider B, Karie that suit is awsome, how did you dodge that blow?" Arnulf attacks Spider B from front row

[Flipz]

OOC: Also, AFAIK the Lens turn is a "free" turn, which means that the Scroll action HAS to happen either directly before or directly after my normal action in the Battle Order, but it also doesn't count as a turn for purposes of calculating Free Hits--it works like Hollow Blade item consumption in that manner.

[Endgame]

OOC: Also, AFAIK the Lens turn is a "free" turn, which means that the Scroll action HAS to happen either directly before or directly after my normal action in the Battle Order, but it also doesn't count as a turn for purposes of calculating Free Hits--it works like Hollow Blade item consumption in that manner.

QM Note: Okay, thanks. I thought if you didn't magnetic mojo, the spiders would tear you to shreds (KO you) - but you rolled it, so clerical error crisis averted.

[Kintobor]

Karie swiftly dodged the Black peons attack. It defied the laws of physics, but the catsuit made her nimbler. She responded to Arnulf's comment.

"Well this is unexpected. Tight and sweaty catsuit equals improved dexterity. I'll attack Silver, but only if you guys want me too."

[Zepher]

Boomingham steps forward once again and swings at the the gator.

Battle Order

Boomingham

Arthur

Arthur

Arnulf

Karie

Em

[Endgame]

QM Note: Due to Random.org being uncooperative, this is my first round since 36 to use a physical die! I maintain a minimum throwing distance of two feet.

Round Three of the Alley Brawl!

>Boomingham VS Alley Gator (front): Critical Hit (10x2=20+23=43+4=47x2=94x2=188 damage)

>Arthur casts Frailty on Alley Gator (back): Failure!

>Arthur VS Arrogant Spider C (ice) (back): Damage Critical Hit (13x2=26+23=49x8=492 damage... 472 gold earned.) Hot damn.

>Arnulf VS Arrogant Spider B (front): Critical Hit (8x2=16+9=25x2=50 damage)

>Karie VS ??? Peon Silver (back): Special Damage (Stab and Twist: 18/2=9 damage, Max HP = 13)

>Em VS ??? Peon Black (back): Shield: Triple Shot (9+5=14+1=15=13 damage to Silver, 12 to Black, 15 to Alley Gator)

>Alley Gator VS Boomingham (front): 20-12=8 damage, 23x2=46 Counterstrike damage

>Arrogant Spider A VS Arthur (back): 23/2=12-3=9 damage

The afternoon sun begins its slow descent as the battle rages on. Lawrence doges the Alley gator's thrashing tail, thrusting Scupperer into its body. It pierces through the layers of scales and punctures an artery, blood dripping out... Not too pleasant. Arthur fails to cast Frailty on the wounded beast, but turns his attention to the arrogant spider. the little beast still cackled on, despite being severely wounded. Arthur lets a burst of ice magic erupt from his palm, pulverizing the poor little spider. He feels his coin purse more then double in height as the ball of ice crushes the insect. When the frosty mist clears... nothing of the spider is left. Overkill, much? Arnulf deftly doges out of a swinging spider's path and thrusts his dagger into it as it swings back. Karie grapples with the silver hooded man, but fails. He nearly knocks Sexy right out of her hand. With a dramatic twirl of his Sai he plunges it into Karie's stomache, twisting it for good measure. He pulls it out, karie feeling weaker then before. Em realses a volley of arrows on the three toughtest foes.

The untargetted spider and the ferocious gator rush the party. They both fail to knock out any heroes, the Alley Gator getting a good whack for its troubles.

"Just coming clean and telling us your relation to the boss might've prevented that little stab wound, m'lady."

"GRRRROOOAARRGLLHOOOAR!" <Heroes! I'll be the one fashioning your skins into clothes tonight, you disgusting animals!>

The battle rages on!

"Still got it in me."

??? Peon (Silver), Level 20 Humanoid

HP: 207/250

SP: 2

Immune to Sleep, Stun and Sealing!

Specials:

Stab and Twist: The ??? Peon thrusts his Sai into the hero who rolled special damage's chest, doing 18 damage. Additionally, he twists it, cutting a third off of that hero's max HP for the rest of the battle.

Chug: Downs the Mead in his inventory, Encouraging him for 3 rounds.

Passive Specials:

Lust: This ??? Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of heroes of a higher level than him.

Drops:

Mead, 50 gold

"That you do, friend."

??? Peon (Black), Level 12 Humanoid

HP: 162/200

SP: 3

Immune to Sleep, Confusion, Stun and Sealing!

Specials:

Triple Shot: Hits the hero who rolled special damage, as well as the hero above and below him in the battle order, for 12 damage each.

Predator and Prey: Marks the hero who rolled special damage, dealing 10 damage to them at the end of every round.

Passive Specials:

Lust: This ??? Peon seeks his master's favor, defying the SP of heroes of higher level than him.

Back-Row Fighter: This ??? Peon fights from the back row, taking half damage from all non-ranged attacks. Does full damage to heroes in the back row.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

*Menacingly clamps its jaw down.*

Alley Gator, Level 40 Beast *Hastened!* *Weakened! 3 rounds remaining* *Bleeding!*

HP: 112/450

SP: 0

Immune to Sealing, Blindness, Stun and Sleep!

Specials:

Tail Swing: The Alley Gator swings his mighty tail, tripping up the party. The hero who rolled special damage takes 40 damage, and all other heroes have a 1/6 chance of tripping on the tail and being Stunned next round.

Inner Beast: The Alley Gator roars and loses all restraint. The Alley Gator Hastens himself for 3 rounds, at the cost of permanently reducing his SP to 0.

Drops:

35 gold

"Sneerreekrek?" <Huh? But...?!>

Arrogant Spider A, Level ?? Beast

HP: 95/120

Immune to Frailty!

Specials:

Venomous Bite: Bites the Hero who rolled special damage, injecting them with his own special blend of venom. The hero is Weakened and Blind for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Special:

Arrogance: This Spider has an ego bigger than itself. The Arrogant Spider's level matches the level of the hero attacking it.

Drops:

Grand Potion

"Huhskreep?." <...Brother?! But... but we're better then you heroes...!!>

Arrogant Spider B, Level ?? Beast

HP: 70/120

Immune to Blindness!

Specials:

Venomous Bite: Bites the Hero who rolled special damage, injecting them with his own special blend of venom. The hero is Weakened and Blind for the next 3 rounds.

Passive Special:

Arrogance: This Spider has an ego bigger than itself. The Arrogant Spider's level matches the level of the hero attacking it.

Drops:

Grand Tonic

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

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

Power: 36 (+4**)

Defense: 12

Health: 36/44 (+2*)

Ether: 21/22

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] *Encouraged!* *Lucky!*

Power: 36 (23 + WP:13)

Health: 8/35 (Basic Health: 5 + Level Bonus: 22 + Class Boost: 4 + Permanent Boost: 4*)

Ether: 29/33 (Basic Ether: 5 + Level Bonus: 21 + Class Boost: 1 + Robe of the Archmagi: 5)

Defense: 3 (Robe of the Archmagi)

Gold: 741 (Owed 128 gold by Boomingham; owed 50 gold by Grimwald Gjinko; owed 70 gold by En Sabah Nur,)

Equipment: Unlucky Horseshoe (WP:13, retrievable, causes Jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Robe of the Archmagi (Bodywear, SP:3, Max Ether +5, Immune to Sealed), Lens of Speed Reading (Accessory, Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action. Suitable for scroll users.), Overkill Gloves

Inventory:

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

Artifacts: 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), Stingy Gloves, Sticky Gloves

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

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

Scrolls: Scroll of Blindness, 2x Scroll of Sealing (1x Lent to De'kra), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, 2x Scroll of Frailty (1x Lent to Nyx), Scroll of Armor Sundering (Reduces target’s SP by 5 and has a 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the Badly Poisoned effect for one battle at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Luck (Grants target the Lucky-effect for one battle. Costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Weakening,

Consumables: Potion, Grand Potion x5, Remedy x10, Elixir x3, Nostrum x 4, Smelling Salts x 5, Mead x 4, 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

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor)

22 year old Human Rogue, lvl 11 *Encouraged!*

Power: 17 (lvl 11 + WP: 6)

Health: 8/13 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 (2), Remedy (2), Venom (1), Smoke bomb (1), Telescope (1), Bedroll (1), Heirloom Dagger (WP:3), Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp) (1),, Topaz, Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Leather Armor (Bodywear, SP: 1)

Arnulf Bishop (Shoker86)

30 yrs old male human Rogue *Encouraged!*

Level 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

Edited June 5, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

OOC: Oh, the irony! It was only yesterday when Kayla was stabbed in the gut! Also, Karie should have Leather Armour in her inventory (body wear, SP +1)

Karie reels back in pain. She's been clipped in quite the few places, but nothing hurt as bad as her stomach now.

"I really want to kick this jackholes sack do hard that his kids are gonna feel it! God this hurts like hell!!"

She wasn't sure how long she'd last with the open wound, but she felt weak.

"I'll stick to a spider, thank you. Dang it, I just realized I'm getting blood on my cat suit! It better not stain!"

Karie strikes Arrogant Spider B from the back row.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

The black goon glares stoically from behind his mask.

"Why is it that the 'criminals' here are more willing to come clean then the heroes? We could very well be working under the same cause here."

"Heh. Our boss is thrice as good as our previous one."

"That entire career path was the never ending train wreck..." Groans Peon Black.

[Shoker86]

The black goon glares stoically from behind his mask.

"Why is it that the 'criminals' here are more willing to come clean then the heroes? We could very well be working under the same cause here."

"Heh. Our boss is thrice as good as our previous one."

"That entire career path was the never ending train wreck..." Groans Peon Black.

"Karie I'll attack son of a bitch." Then he turned to face Silver Peon "Pal, you wounded my friend, this could have resolved peacfully, now there's no turning back for me. Talk to Arthur if you want your lives spared" Arnulf attacks Silver hood from back row

Edited June 5, 2013 by Shoker86

[Endgame]

"Bloody hell! I asked you if you knew the boss - is that atleast not a sign of consideration? And I don't care what that rapier is called - "

He gestures to Sexy.

"I don't want that thing going through my gut."

[Kintobor]

"Than pray tell boys, why are you here? We could end this nonsense now if we both just stop fighting and talk this through!"

[Endgame]

"...I do believe we asked you the exact same question."

[Shoker86]

"Is Stealer your new boss, or was he your old boss?If Karie wants to spare you, I'll let you live"

[Kintobor]

"I insist, you first! Buddy over there stabbed with his weapon and I'm freakin' bleeding out, so give a girl a favour and spill your guts before we do so for you!"

[Endgame]

"Is Stealer your new boss, or was he your old boss?If Karie wants to spare you, I'll let you live"

"New."

The black masked man grunts, for the first time. He sighs, then begins.

"Lets take turns, shall we? We were former Wolfgang privates, until The Stealer recruited us to his cause. Moping about the streets picking pockets was becoming a bit too pointless... Not to mention weak and petty. Prowling the streets and doing nothing but harming people. Not a future in sight. Our current employer has visions that'll actually improve this trash heap."

[Kintobor]

"A deals a deal. First off, we've heard of some members of the town watch go missing around here. You seen any around here?"

[Endgame]

They simply shrug - it seems they didn't know.

"Thought we were talking about motivations and ties to the boss, hm?"

Edited June 5, 2013 by Endgame

[Flipz]

"If we're going to go into big long backstories, then, I want to know: what happened the last time this Stealer character crossed paths with Heroica? I don't care who I hear it from, but I want answers."

Arthur casts Frailty on the Alley Gator and then, wincing, prepares to down a Grand Potion. If he is healed, he instead casts an Ice spell at the Alley Gator from the Back Row.

[Shoker86]

They simply shrug - it seems they didn't know.

"Thought we were talking about motivations and ties to the boss, hm?"

Arnulf became cold as ice "Arthur I've told you I'll tell you everything I know. It's ok to investigate. But to say you don't care who tells the story is offending. All right boys tell him the story, but it's your time to shoot, so shoot. What do you want to know?"

[Emjajoas]

OOC: I'm so sorry guys, got really busy all of the sudden, should be cleared up now though. /OOC

Em fires his bow at Peon Black, silent as ever.

[Endgame]

QM Note: No problem, Emjajoas. Real life happens.

"If we're going to go into big long backstories, then, I want to know: what happened the last time this Stealer character crossed paths with Heroica? I don't care who I hear it from, but I want answers."

"I fear the only one to trust on that matter is The Stealer himself."

[Shoker86]

"I fear the only one to trust on that matter is The Stealer himself."

"Did he tell you something about his vision? He must have really good vision for you to leave Wolfgang. I've heard they have higher goals too?"

[Flipz]

Arnulf became cold as ice "Arthur I've told you I'll tell you everything I know. It's ok to investigate. But to say you don't care who tells the story is offending. All right boys tell him the story, but it's your time to shoot, so shoot. What do you want to know?"

"You mentioned this Stealer person stealing Watchmen's senses, and mention being imprisoned, but all of you--the masked fellows included--are being quite irritatingly vague on the whole matter. You say you don't know what happened to them, but I'm getting an ever-increasing sense that I do, and I'm not liking where my suspicions are leading me." First she and the Rogue seem to know who these people are...and now I find out they were once Wolfgang? Could it be...? Arnulf was there at that theatre, and he fought alongside me and Boomingham...but could he have actually been a traitor all along? "As a member of the Watch, I share in brotherhood with everyone who wears the red and blue, but even if I didn't bear a responsibility to the missing, my own personal well-being is in jeopardy, so if we're going chat about things I think I damn well have the right to know what the hell is going on here??"