Heroica RPG - Quest #72: A Party

[Pandora]

"I'm a blue assassin," he wheezes with a slightly defeated sigh. "I was sent here to kill someone, obviously. My target," he glances back at the house and sighs again, "is that cook, Clippard. There is more to him than meets the eye, I'll tell you that. Now, can I get back to work?"

"That's it? You just tell me, with no consequences whatsoever? No blue snot seeping out of your ears or anything?? And no you may not get back to work, because you still haven't told me who hired you!" Nyx sighs, only marginally less irritable.

"I think Clippard is very nearly dead, or will be very soon, so that part of your work is moot. One of my associates is with him now. In any case I know that the assassin hired to assassinate you was also hired to assassinate Clippard as well. That assassin is a red assassin. What's the relationship between red and blue assassins? Why is a red assassin trying to kill you when you both have a target in common? Did you know there was another blue assassin here as well? Are there green assassins and yellow assassins? Oh, and do you have a cloak? Because a friend of mine is somewhat of a collector of assassins' cloaks."

Nyx knows there are a lot of questions there, but having Watters' undivided attention in the courtyard she sees no reason for them not all to be answered.

[JimBee]

Hybros snatches up the gold. "Lord Marsh will not be needing this anymore, eheh... This book of accounts apparently is useless to us." He tossed the book to Everstein. "Now, it is fairly clear that Lord Marsh has Lady Marsh under his control, Blue Assassin or not. It is also clear that he has hired someone to kill. What is not so clear is who the assassin is or their target. It can not be Avery since she was hired to kill Lord Marsh, but perhaps there is a third assassin. "Dealt with your type before"... then Lord Marsh is familiar with the Lady and the Blue Assassins. And there is only one target for this assassin, it seems. Either way, it looks like Lord Marsh has some answering to do, hehehe..."

Hybros quickly checked under the bed and on top of/in the desk in the room while he waited for Everstein's response.

[Brickdoctor]

I consume the Tinyshroom, then I drag the body out of sight of the doorway and check my clothes for blood.

[Zepher]

Guts approaches Daneeka, and whispers to him: "Marsh wants me to grab a certain book you, he or I don't understand. You know the one, yes? Grab me another one he won't be able to read, quickly, and bring it to Lady Felix or me." After that, Guts waits patiently for Ladybug and Shawe to finish their talk, while checking the room, trying to see if he can locate Lady Marsh, Lord Marsh and Avery.

Daneeka seems to smile behind his breathing apparatus.

"I'm sure there are quite a few that he can't read, but very few that I cannot. I will go fetch a decoy." Daneeka exits the room. Guts looks around and sees that all three of his queries are in the room, milling around at different places. Avery is serving Lord Chauncey, Lady Marsh is having a distracted conversation with Elba, and Lord Marsh and Lord Hinckwell are deep in talk.

"That's it? You just tell me, with no consequences whatsoever? No blue snot seeping out of your ears or anything?? And no you may not get back to work, because you still haven't told me who hired you!" Nyx sighs, only marginally less irritable.

"I think Clippard is very nearly dead, or will be very soon, so that part of your work is moot. One of my associates is with him now. In any case I know that the assassin hired to assassinate you was also hired to assassinate Clippard as well. That assassin is a red assassin. What's the relationship between red and blue assassins? Why is a red assassin trying to kill you when you both have a target in common? Did you know there was another blue assassin here as well? Are there green assassins and yellow assassins? Oh, and do you have a cloak? Because a friend of mine is somewhat of a collector of assassins' cloaks."

Nyx knows there are a lot of questions there, but having Watters' undivided attention in the courtyard she sees no reason for them not all to be answered.

Watters gives a nasally laugh.

"Red Assassin. Pah! A bunch of fools. Taking their oaths, having their rules. They're an older order than mine. Blue Assassins take two oaths - we don't take the money until the job is done, and we don't die. I don't know anything about this bloody red assassin. If you give me their name, I'll kill them. And there aren't any other blue assassins here. We aren't so foolish as to send more than one of us to an event. Now, I'll be getting back to work unless you have that name for me."

Hybros is just barely to lift the gold with Everstien's help. It must be a massive amount. Once they get it into the magical satchels that all Heroicans wear, it is much easier to carry. Everstien flips through the account books as he answers.

"Hm." He says. "Hm," he says again. "It boils down to this, I think. Lord Marsh knew that he was making an assassination. He rarely brings his wife to events. He has brought her to this one. We must assume that he did this for a reason." Everstien shrugs and tosses the book down. "He furthermore has, according to this book, paid off two undisclosed sources very recently. I believe that means he has two agents here. Which two, and their targets... that should shed some light." The search of the desk turns up dust.

Docken feels a little bit healthier as he hides the body, and then discovers that, thankfully as a long range fighter, he got no blood splatters.

[Brickdoctor]

I check for evidence of my participation in the battle, collecting my fired arrows and cleaning them off before putting them back into my quiver.

OoC: Is this the first time anyone's done that in Heroica, what with the infinite ammo?

[Scubacarrot]

"Felix. Do me a favor, and occupy the server girl there, until I say otherwise." Guts crosses his arms, and checks to see if the conversation between Ladybug and Shaw is still going on, aduibly clearing his throat if it is.

[Pandora]

"Red Assassin. Pah! A bunch of fools. Taking their oaths, having their rules. They're an older order than mine. Blue Assassins take two oaths - we don't take the money until the job is done, and we don't die. I don't know anything about this bloody red assassin. If you give me their name, I'll kill them. And there aren't any other blue assassins here. We aren't so foolish as to send more than one of us to an event. Now, I'll be getting back to work unless you have that name for me."

"You still haven't told me who hired you. Apparently, telling me isn't against any of your oaths. Who will you go to to get your money, and are they the same person that hired you in the first place?"

[JimBee]

"Two killers, hmm... but one of them can not be Avery, unless Marsh wanted to kill himself. Let us return downstairs, unless there something else here. Perhaps Nyx has found something; I think Docken is... taking care of the chef, eheh, and Guts is protecting Guffington."

In the dining hall, Hybros looks for Nyx in the dining hall. She is nowhere to be seen, so he and Everstein head out to the courtyard. They spot her from afar, looking annoyed at Watters and tapping her foot impatiently. He hobbled over quickly. "Excuse me, I will have to borrow your company for a moment, hehe" he said to the hovering waiter. He tugged Nyx's robe to lead her to the side. "Have you found anything? It appears that Lord Marsh is keeping his Lady under some sort of spell, as we have determined. Also, he has hired two assassins... err, people. One of them can not be Avery, unless he wants himself killed."

[Pandora]

Nyx looks relieved to see Hybros and whispers to the imp in hushed tones so Watters is unable to hear.

"This guy says he's a Blue Assassin, and that he's here to kill Clippard. He's surprised that there's a Red Assassin, says he'll kill them if he finds out who they are." Nyx taps the side of her nose and winks.

"Anyway, he says there can't be more than one Blue Assassin here, because they never send more than one agent to a job. I'm sure Mrs Marsh said something about being a Blue Assassin, but then she looked a bit weird when she said it. In fact it was more like Mr Marsh putting words into her mouth." she trails off and looks thoughtful for a moment

"I still don't understand why a Red and a Blue Assassin would both be hired to kill the same target - Watters doesn't seem to know either. Despite me asking several times, he has yet to tell me who hired him - apparently it isn't against his code or something. Oh, and I asked about having a Blue cloak, but he didn't answer. Really, he's so infuriating I'm tempted to just kill him, but he might be useful. What have you found out?"

[JimBee]

"Interesting..." he said lowly. "That is about all I found, other than a large sack of gold and the note I showed you earlier. The note did say that this gold was the 'second half', perhaps we could ask Watters over there for the first half, eheh. Just to be sure."

[Zepher]

Docken messes around in the kitchen...

Lady Felix nods merrily and heads over to talk with Avery, who seems more than happy to stop serving and start talking. Guts waits impatiently while Shawe and Ladybug finish up their discussion. Shawe leaves more happily than he has in previous encounters, and Madame Ladybug turns to Guts.

"Hello, Master Guts! It has been a long time since the two of us have seen each other. I trust you remain in good health? Hmmmmm. How is it that you've gotten yourself invited to a Guffington party?"

Watter's eyes narrow as Hybros and Everstien appear. Everstien engages him in patronizing and pleasant conversation as Hybros and Nyx whisper.

"Quite a party you've got here in the courtyard," Watters says, pinching each word. "The man Marsh hired me. Now, if you'd excuse me, I have work to see to." Watters begins to confidently stray towards the door, keeping his narrowed eyes on the heroes and Doctor.

[Brickdoctor]

I slip back out of the kitchen.

[Scubacarrot]

"Indeed, it is good to see you too, I hope you remain well? I have helped Guffington before, that's why I am here. Madame, I have been meaning to ask, I am thinking of delving more into the way of the Alchemist, you wouldn't happen to have some... literature, that might help get me started, would you?"

[Pandora]

"Quite a party you've got here in the courtyard," Watters says, pinching each word. "The man Marsh hired me. Now, if you'd excuse me, I have work to see to." Watters begins to confidently stray towards the door, keeping his narrowed eyes on the heroes and Doctor.

Nyx steps in front of Watters to bar his egress from the courtyard, flames still emanating from her fingertips.

"Thank you for answering my question. I don't think you need to worry about your work, your target is almost certainly already dead. Were you paid? Have you received any money already? I know you said you don't accept payment until the work is done, but my associate here assures me that Marsh has already paid somebody a "first half". I just want to clarify absolutely whether that's you or not. It may even require a search, if you don't cooperate."

[JimBee]

Hybros nodded as Nyx returned to arguing with Watters. It wouldn't be long before he would have to force his way out. Hybros quickly slipped back inside to seek out Avery in the dining hall. He locked the door behind him and walked over, where she was speaking with Lady Felix. "Excuse me, server? Your boss, the one with the wings, needs you in the courtyard, eheh..." He lead her out, unlocking the door and muttering to Felix as he did so. "Lock the door behind us."

[Zepher]

Docken joins the others in the Dining Hall.

Madame Ladybug smiles lightly.

"You did not strike me as one who would be so interested in our endeavors, Master Guts. I always figured you as one for the knife and sword, not mortar and pestle, hmmmmm. But if you are indeed interested," she looks at him with interest, and cocks her head to the side a little, "well, we do train apprentices. When you begin your training with your Copper Fox, come to see the Guild, and perhaps we can teach you a thing or two." Madame Ladybug hands Guts aVoucher to the Guild with her signature on it. Perhaps later he can turn it in for a trick or two.

"We don't take the second half of the payment until the job is done," clarifies the agitated Watters. "As for my target... well, you'll just have to forgive me if I go check to make sure he's dead. Words mean very little to me." Watters begins to step back into the Manor - force will be necessary should Nyx wish to stop him.

"My boss is the U'Kin," says Avery dismissively.

[Scubacarrot]

Docken joins the others in the Dining Hall.

Madame Ladybug smiles lightly.

"You did not strike me as one who would be so interested in our endeavors, Master Guts. I always figured you as one for the knife and sword, not mortar and pestle, hmmmmm. But if you are indeed interested," she looks at him with interest, and cocks her head to the side a little, "well, we do train apprentices. When you begin your training with your Copper Fox, come to see the Guild, and perhaps we can teach you a thing or two." Madame Ladybug hands Guts aVoucher to the Guild with her signature on it. Perhaps later he can turn it in for a trick or two.

"Hm... I appreciate it, but would you mind telling me what it is for? I prefer not having to rely on unknowns, something I am sure we share." Guts says with the widest smile he can muster. "Also, I couldn't help but overhear some deal about bombs, I'd be very interested, I must admit to always having found current bombs to be... lacking... something."

[JimBee]

"Regardless, your help is needed in the courtyard. I will get the U'Kin if I have to, but let us not waste his time. I am sure he is very busy."

[Pandora]

Nyx eyes the blue waiter carefully, watching for any threat. Still physically barring his way she says:

"What if we brought you the Red Assassin? Would that be a nice present for you? Make up for all this... inconvenience? You wanted their name, but how about we give them to you in person and .. a little bit of shielding from the rest of the world while you both... discuss things? Oh, and by the way, when you mentioned the U'Kin, could you just clarify which U'Kin you were referring to?"

[Zepher]

"It's for a lesson," she says simply, placing a calming hand on his arm. "I do not speak for my associates. If Cula is there, he may teach you one thing, if Victoria is there, she may teach you another. Perhaps you'll even get a lesson from the Masked Man, hmmmm. Patience, Guts. As for the bombs, yes, a deal has been struck. The Guild has heard the call for stronger ware, and is distributing it to the Bonapartes right now. I continue to strive to perfect the art, however. The man Shawe gave quite an empowered speech on the matter, so perhaps you will be seeing something on the market soon."

"So be it," says Avery. "Excuse me, Lady Felix. Apparently they are in dire need of my help elsewhere." Avery follows Hybros into the hallway.

Watters gives a gnarled trumpet-esque laugh.

"I've answered your questions, and you ain't letting me go. Now you're bringing someone here who is meant to kill me. Red Assassins swear to not hurt bystanders if they can help it, Blues, we aren't so picky." Watters lunges at Nyx.

Finale Battle of the Courtyard

The Enemies

Watters the Blue Assassin

Level 48 Humanoid *Immune to Sleep, Blinded, Sealed, and Instant Kill* *Hastened*

Health: 960/960

SP: 1

Special I

:

Sampling

– Takes a sip of the mulled wine, becomes inspired.

Special II:

Bolas to the Feet

– Watters tosses throwing bolas, entangling the hero, dealing the

Bound

and

Slowed

effects for the duration of the battle until remedied. The hero cannot move until both effects are removed. Cannot be used unless previous attempt already remedied.

Special III:

Bladestorm

– Watters rains the party with throwing knives, doing 20 damage, ignoring row to each of them. Can only be used once.

Special IV:

Shroud

– Blue Assassin Prodigy becomes invisible, making them unable to be targeted for the duration of the round. At the beginning of the next round, they will pull the hero that rolled Special Damage into the darkness, causing them to be

Blinded

for the next 3 rounds and

Stunned

.

Passive Special I:

Deflect

– Successful hits and spells on the Blue Assassin Prodigy have a 1/6 chance of being deflected to a random ally.

Passive Special II:

Free Reign

- Free hits pierce SP and ignore row.

Drops: Mulled Wine (If Special I not rolled) Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP: 1), Dagger of the Blue Assassin (WP: 4, Aims become Hits), 500 Gold, Spinning Bolas – WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved, throwing weapon

The Party

Nyx

Level 28 Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Sealed effects* *Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects* *Encouraged*

Power:

42

Power Bonus

: 1

Defense:

3

Health:

39/39

Ether:

40/40

Gold:

61

Equipment:

Zee Standard (Staff, WP: 14 Ice and Darkness Elemental, Necromancers Raise Enemies with 2 extra levels)

, Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), High Heels (+1 Power), Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects)

Inventory:

Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:14, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero)

,

Explosive Staff – WP: 12 (Does 1/2 damage to all enemies on a successful hit (normal damage to targeted enemy) and 1/2 WP damage to self on a roll of 4 (disregarding SP/row)), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Shiny Helmet (+1 max health), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Ruby (Fire), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water) Opal (Ice), Scroll of Sleep, 2 Meads, 4 Deadly Venoms, 3 Cosmic Essences (Revives a knocked out ally with full health and ether and gives them the blessed-effect), Potion, 3 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, 2 Chaotic Bombs (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bomb '

X2' (May be combined with a bomb to get it to ignore SP),

2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Scroll of Weakening, Smelling Salts, Nostrum

Edited August 26, 2013 by Zepher

[JimBee]

OOC: I was leading Avery out into the courtyard, not the hallway. And could we see the stats of everyone, please? I'm not sure what effects and items I have or don't have.

Hybros continues to lead Avery out to the courtyard, eyeing Docken as he did so, as if to ask for help.

[Scubacarrot]

"A lesson. Thank you, Madame. I'll be hopping by the Guild, one of these days. One more thing... You wouldn't happen to know who is out to kill Guffington, would you?" Guts' tone completely changed, into an intimidating fashion, there was nothing more he needed from Madame Ladybug.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[Brickdoctor]

I follow Hybros towards the courtyard, though I do not enter it.

[Zepher]

Stats can be found here. And I know you wanted to go to the Courtyard, the hallway is between the two, and I wanted to give you the option to chat with Avery should you desire. I will move you into the courtyard just as soon as Nyx posts an action.

Madame Ladybug goes pale with fear. "Gods no, Guffington is a good friend of the Guild and myself. Should I keep my eyes open, Master Guts?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Yes." Guts looks for U'or.