Heroica RPG - Quest#75: Falling Stars

[Sandy]

QM Note: Please check that I got the loot division and all the item swapping correctly put down.

Party:

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

30 year old male human Witch

Level 29

*Poisoned Hits*

*Negative Effects Last 1 Round* *Immune to

Water

,

Lightning

and

Wood

*

*Aura*

Power:

49

(29+20)

Defense:

10

(4+6)

Health:

79/110

55/55

(7+28+8+6+6)

Ether:

15/27

(1+29-3

)

Gold:

1072

Equipment:

Pheles Rod

(WP: 20, user generates an Aura, doubling health but drawing all attacks to them,

fire

,

ice

,

earth

,

wind

,

light

,

darkness

elemental staff),

Galactic Armor

(SP:6, Max. Health +6, immunity to

light

,

darkness

and doomed; bodywear),

Rat's Hide

(SP:4, backwear),

Amulet of the Court

(Negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to

water

,

lightning

, and

wood

, accessory),

Inventory:

Tiger Claws (WP:12/24 against humanoids; dual strike dagger)

,

Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the

Blinded

effect,

darkness

elemental, longsword)

,

General's Dagger (WP: 7, pierces SP, cannot be upgraded, dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 8, shield),

Counterstrike Gloves

(When hit by a Free Hit, immediately deals damage equal to level, handwear)

,

Sylvania's Cowl (Suitable for anyone, grants

Animal Talk

, headwear), Ruby (

Fire

),

Potion,

3 Health Cores,

2 Grand Tonics,

Ether Core, 2

Elixirs, Remedy, 2

Phoenix Essences, 2 Mulled Wines

, Soma,

Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb,

Bomb XX (Deals 30 damage to all enemies and 10 damage to all heroes, all damage ignoring SP/row),

Shovel, Pickaxe

Benji Carvenhall

, the Dragonslayer

(Flare)

28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior

Level 35

*Natural Respite*

*Gains Triple XP*

*Immune to

Asleep

,

Blinded

,

Confused

,

Fragile

, and

Weakened

Effects

and

Wood

Element*

Power:

48

(35+10+3)

Defense:

10

(4+6)

Health:

56/56

(6+34+15+1)

Gold:

1722

(owes 500 to Alexis Fenral)

Equipment:

Kusarigama (WP:10, whip),

Medal of Glory (gain triple experience from battles, immunity to

asleep, blinded, confused, frail, and weakened effects; accessory),

Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile; headwear),

Brown Dragon Girdle (Power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors; bodywear)

, Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, suitable for rangers, barbarians and Beast Warriors; backwear)

Inventory:

Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15;

darkness-

,

ice-

,

fire-

,

wind

-,

earth-

elemental

),

Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle),

Flagpole (WP:3, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance),

Unicorn Helmet (SP:1; the wearer can only receive one negative effect at a time, with a new effect replacing the old one; usable by barbarians, knights, dragoons, infiltrators, regulators, skirmishers, and winged warriors; headwear),

Ratmancer's Cowl (headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin),

Tricorne (headwear, SP:3),

Topaz (

Lightning

), Diamond (

Light

),

Potion (2),

Grand Potion (12),

Health Core (8),

Remedy (6), Elixir, Phoenix Essence (5),

Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3),

Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (3), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3),

Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb,

Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel,

Skeleton Decoy, Bone

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Nagure (Costy)

34 year old Male Yeti Berserker.

Level 20

*Natural Respite* *Avoid ground traps*

*Immune to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Earth

,

Petrified

,

Fragile

and

Blinded

*

*Counterstrike*

Power:

35

(20+15)

Defense:

25

(12+10+3)

Health:

37/37

(8+19+10)

Gold:

205

Equipment:

Stone Hammer (WP: 15,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer),

Shield

(SP:10),

Yeti Fur Coat

(

SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness

; suitable for yetis only, bodywear),

C

ounterstrike Gloves

(

After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his level; handwear),

White Dragon’s Greaves (SP:3, avoid traps on the ground, immunity to

earth

and

petrified

; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; footwear)

Inventory:

Xiaolin's Bident

(WP:16; instantly kills Aoi;

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental spear),

Tiger Slayer (WP:10/20 against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear),

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe),

Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy x2, Elixir,

Phoenix Essences x2,

Phoenix Incense, Mead x2, Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x3,

Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Tarn Valco

(Rumble Strike)

*Party Leader*

22 year old human male Raider

Level 24 2/3

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Weakened

*

*Counterstrike*

Power:

49

(24+25)

Defense

: 6

Health

: 40/40

(7+23+7+3)

Gold

: 1984

Equipment

:

Great Blade (WP:25, cannot be equipped with a shield, greatsword),

Darksteel Armor (SP:6, Max. Health +3, Immunity to

Weakened

; bodywear), Noble Mask (Wearer gains gold equal to the number of enemies after each victorious battle; headwear), Counterstrike Gloves

(handwear, after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit they counter with strength equal to their level)

Inventory

:

Helbaerend

(WP:10;

water

-,

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental;

hollow (Great Potion); axe)

,

Lion’s Heart

(WP:13,

darkness

-elemental,

stun

-effect; greatsword),

Bagpipes (WP:8,

wind

-elemental instrument), Fauxthril Spear (WP:6, spear),

Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to

darkness

; suitable to Black Knights only),

Amulet of U'Kin Nobility (Grants Diplomacy to wearer when addressing a U'Kin),

Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3; suitable to assassins; headwear),

Horned Hat (SP +1, Power +1, suitable for barbarians and beast warriors; headwear), Opal (

Ice

),

Potion

, Grand Potion x2,

Health Core,

Grand Tonic, Remedy, Elixir,

Phoenix Essence x2,

Mead x5, Nostrum x5,

Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x2,

Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone x2

, Cannon Parts (quest item),

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M)

Level 31 2/4

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Afraid

*

Power

: 58

(31+20+3+4)

Defense

: 14

(8+2+4)

Health

: 36/50

(8+29+10+2)

Gold

: 1291

Equipment

:

Fàelàn (

WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire,

fire

-elemental longsword))

,

Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:8, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear)

Inventory

:

Ġ

eofon

(WP:20, 4x damage to enemies weak to water, axe),

Mellt (WP:10,

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental; hammer)

,

Cysgodion (WP:11,

darkness

-elemental; greatsword),

Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14,

light

-elemental; longsword),

Cryfder (WP:6),

Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument),

Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2

Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them; accessory),

Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), Samurai Helmet (WP:4, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors),

King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes),

Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to

fire

and

lightning

, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear),

Ruby (

Fire

), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom,

Smoke Bomb,

2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, Cannon Parts (quest item), Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once), Master Kai Tsi's Head (quest item)

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer

Level 19 1/2

*

Immune to

Sealed

, Magic and Healing*

Power:

32

(19+13)

Defense

: 3

(3)

Health:

27/27

(5+18+4)

Ether:

22/29

(5+18+1+5)

Gold

: 517

Equipment:

Batarang (WP:13,

darkness

-elemental throwing weapon),

Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to

Magic and Healing

),

Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from

Se

aled

-effect)

Inventory:

Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike; daggers

)

,

Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, dagger),

Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals

Asleep

, Hollow [

-

]),

Cloak of Espionage (

allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear)

,

Snake Eye Charm

(Protects from

Petrified

-effect),

Zirconia

(Contains all elements; cannot be merged into equipment)

,

Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Garnet (

Earth

), Ruby (

Fire

), Opal (

Ice

),

Emerald (

Wood

), Aquamarine (

Water

),

Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty

, Scroll of Weakening

,

Potion, Grand Potion (3)

,

Health Core, Grand Tonic

, Remedy, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, Nostrum,

Deadly Venom,

Smoke Bomb,

Bedroll

, Magic Compass, Bone

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Lee Long (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

42 years old male human Chi Monk

Level 50 3/5

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Blinded

,

Sealed

,

Confused

,

Asleep

&

Weakened

*

*Dragons cause halved damage*

Power

: 52

(50+2)

Defense

: 20

10

Health

: 62/62

(12+50)

Ether

: 51/53

(3+50)

Gold

: 0

Equipment

: Chi Facepaint (protects from blinded-, sealed-, confused- & asleep-effect; suitable for Lee only; accessory), Long Changbao (SP:10, halves damage done by enemies named "dragon"; suitable for Lee only; bodywear), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect; handwear)

Inventory

:

Nunchaku (Dual strike, suitable to Chi Monks; handwear),

Diamond (

Light

), Amethyst (

Darkness

)

The heroes bury the corpses of their fallen foes. Tesni takes the head of Master Kai Tsi with her, placing it in a rice sack she finds lying around. Jun kneels in front of Xiaolin's grave for the final time.

"Goodbye, Xiaolin. May the spirits of these falls guide you to a better place."

The heroes then cram into the elevator that takes them down to the cave below. The rest of the automata are waiting there with their werepanther guide and the nian beast.

"POS-IT-IVE TO SEE YOU OP-ER-AB-LE."

"WE SENS-ED AN EXC-ESS FLOW OF E-THER IN THE PRE-MIS-ES SOME TIME A-GO. WE CAL-CU-LAT-ED LOW ODDS TO YOUR SUR-VI-VAL."

"I GET NO REA-DING FROM EI-THER TO-PA-ZOR OR E-ME-RAY."

"THEIR VA-LI-ANCE WILL NOT BE FOR-GOTT-EN!"

"You found your pal? Great, now let's get out of here! We want to be down from these mountains before dark."

Gau and the nian lead the party safely back down to Baokun. But when they get there, they are met with a sight they did not expect.

An enormous blue blimp hovers over the village. Soldiers with an emblem of a blue hand have rounded all the villagers at the central square, where they are kneeling in front of a helmetted aoi. Vincent Legonardo and Dr. Gioconda are there as well, but Sham Poo the merchant is nowhere to be seen.

Seeing the party arrive, the aoi speaks to them.

"So you are the rag-tag bunch of mercenaries who have gotten their noses in inner matters of Xu without an explicit permission from the Council? Lady Shanxian has certainly exceeded her authority."

How will the party respond?

[CMP]

I should have no Grand Potions, I used both. Everything else looks good.

Atramor crosses his arms and narrows his eyes at the aoi leader.

"Aye, we're the rag-tag bunch of mercenaries who just ended a rebellion here. You're welcome, by the way. What the hell is this?"

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn looked haughty. "We are here under the instruction of Ambassador Lady Shanxian of the Ji Pei. Whom might you be?"

[Sandy]

"Aye, we're the rag-tag bunch of mercenaries who just ended a rebellion here. You're welcome, by the way. What the hell is this?"

"Are you implying that Xu cannot handle it's own matters? Have you any idea of the scope of our army and warmachines? I personally arrived here to pluck out this minor thorn on our side, but it seems you foreigners beat me to it."

"We are here under the instruction of Ambassador Lady Shanxian of the Ji Pei. Whom might you be?"

"Yes, Mr. Legonardo informed me that you were hired by Lady Shanxian. It was needless of her. As for me, I am known as the Thumb of the Blue Hand, one of the five rulers of Xu. Report what happened to the scum calling themselves "108 Stars of Destiny", immediately."

Vincent Legonardo coughs.

"You better do as he says, and be courteous about it. See that blimb up there? It's called the Azure Ark, and it has enough firepower to wipe this entire village out of existence. I should know, as I was the one who designed it."

The inventor looks down sheepishly.

[Peppermint_M]

Tesni held up the head of the protector. "Here is your rebel leader."

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn looked up at the airship and swallowed hard. He knew that the Ji Pei technology was superior to anything he had seen. The haughtiness left his voice as he replied to the Thumb.

"On the request of the Ambassador Lady Shanxian, the bandits known as the 108 Stars of Destiny are all dead. They had planned a rebellion and murdered all the Tao Warriors in the Pagoda of Nine Elements to start their rebellion, which is why we were involved in the first place, to find out what had happened, alongside Jun Ji Pei, the Ambassador's son. When we were defeated, they took Jun Ji Pei hostage, whom we have now recovered, along with finding and killing the inner circle of the 108 Stars, the Constellation behind the falls here.

So to you we may be simply be mercenaries, but I am sure you will see we have done Xu a great service today."

[Flare]

Benji lets the others do the talking. He slips away in his reptilian form and searches for Sham Poo.

Edited September 1, 2013 by Flare

[-obelix-]

Thalion bowed as he received the loot. He put another Grand Potion in Sleeper's hollow interior. He followed the rest of the party out, and, as they were approached by The Blue Hand, he stood in the back, silently and let the more experienced heroes speak.

OOC: Again, I am really sorry to not be able to participate more, but my internet will be down for some time. I will try to work something out tomorrow. If there is any need for it in the meantime, Thalion will follow any of the party's plan and/or actions suggested for him.

[CMP]

Atramor cast a glare to the side at Benji as he attempted to sneak off, then turned back to the Thumb.

"What Tarn said."

Edited September 1, 2013 by CallMePie

[Sandy]

Tesni held up the head of the protector. "Here is your rebel leader."

Tarn looked up at the airship and swallowed hard. He knew that the Ji Pei technology was superior to anything he had seen. The haughtiness left his voice as he replied to the Thumb.

"On the request of the Ambassador Lady Shanxian, the bandits known as the 108 Stars of Destiny are all dead. They had planned a rebellion and murdered all the Tao Warriors in the Pagoda of Nine Elements to start their rebellion, which is why we were involved in the first place, to find out what had happened, alongside Jun Ji Pei, the Ambassador's son. When we were defeated, they took Jun Ji Pei hostage, whom we have now recovered, along with finding and killing the inner circle of the 108 Stars, the Constellation behind the falls here.

So to you we may be simply be mercenaries, but I am sure you will see we have done Xu a great service today."

"A service that we did not ask. Let me see that head..."

The Thumb peers into the rice sack that Tesni holds open.

"That's... an aoi! Master Kai Tsi of the Tao Warriors, if I am not mistaken. Don't you know that harming an aoi is punishable by death?"

It was then that Jun stepped forward, his face darkened with anger.

"Yeah, that's my former master, and he wasn't the only aoi that got killed in the battle at the falls. His daughter Xiaolin fell there too. But that was their choice! They wanted to depose you and the other councellors and instigate a new democratic rule to this land. However, these mercenaries disagreed with their plans and defeated them and their 106 companions in direct combat. Tarn is right, they did you a huge service, and now you still want to punish them because of your petty laws?!"

"Jun, I don't think that's wise..."

"Silence, monk! When the aoi are talking, the lesser races must hold their tongue!" The Thumb turned back to Jun. "You are the son of Lady Shanxian, I presume. I knew your father Yeong well, having served with him in the army. You speak passionately, just like him. It would have been better for you to deliver Kai Tsi and his daughter to the capital for a trial by the Council, but I understand the numbers were against you. For your father's sake, I am willing to look the crimes done here through my fingers and let you go. But let it be known that the Council won't be as merciful if we find your hirelings interfering with our matters again. Now leave before I change my mind."

The aoi councellor waved his hand to give the party permission to depart. The heroes, Lee and Jun and the automata joined Vincent and Monalisa.

"But monsignore, what about the werepanthers?"

"It is best we leave that up to the aoi. Let us leave while we still have the chance."

Vincent gives the party a desperate look. He knows that the aoi leaders are not to be trifled with.

Benji lets the others do the talking. He slips away in his reptilian form and searches for Sham Poo.

The reptilian Benji sniffs around the entire village, but cannot find Sham Poo anywhere.

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn raged at the others once the Thumb and his goons were out of earshot. "What a bunch of stuck-up, good for nothing, smug, superior Vorth-holes! No wonder the Protector felt it was time for a rebellion!"

"We have defeated the 108 Stars, rescued Jun and have the Protector's head. Come, let us go back to the Ambassador to tell her the good news.

Master Legonardo, is there anything you can do for Emeray and Topazor? They were stout and true companions, and if they no longer function, know that they served us with dedication and honour."

[CMP]

Atramor blinked.

"What, we're gonna leave the village in the hands of those blue bastards? They'll probably end up torchin' it over their involvement with us."

[Rumble Strike]

"You wish to fight some more, Atramor? We said we would not get involved with the rebellion, in fact stopped it dead. Now you wish to go after the Blue Hand?"

[CMP]

"I'll go after whoever the hell I want if I think there's a risk in lettin' them do what they please," snapped Atramor.

Edited September 1, 2013 by CallMePie

[Rumble Strike]

"I understand your frustration, Atramor, and I'm not happy about leaving these villagers here either, but with the Azure Ark up above, they could take out the entire village and us along with it. Master Legonardo, does the Destiny's Bounty have any armaments to go up against such a vessel? I would think not if we were the ones taking out the Rocs."

[Peppermint_M]

"Eh. Leave the blue balls -no offence Jun- be. We can come back under another coin and teach them the strength of us so called inferior races." She said. Then a little louder " 'sides. The way I see it, this guy killed all their warriors and I killed him... logic says that I'm stronger than the lot of them." Tesni chuckled facetiously.

[Flare]

"I suppose we must go. Perhaps defeating the stars was an unwise decision."

[Costy]

"I suppose we must go. Perhaps defeating the stars was an unwise decision."

"Still better than letting the buggers live."

"Anyway, I noticed that Tarn and Tesni both have some cannon parts that look like they go together."

[Peppermint_M]

"GOOD IDEA!"Tesni grinned. A cannon might be fun. "You want to give it a try?"

[-obelix-]

"Still better than letting the buggers live."

"Nagure is right; what should we have done, let them carry on their revolution? And the werepanthers would have suffered the same fate when the Blue Hand got here, regardless of our involvement in this, because of their proximity to the Falls. It doesn't matter that the Stars came to their land, settled in their sacred caves, and disrupted their sacred rituals... Not to mention that they helped us track the Stars and reach them faster. Perhaps, to avoid any more needless fighting, the more diplomatic of us could ask for a guarantee from the Blue Hand that the werepanthers would be left in peace...?"

[Flare]

... Perhaps, to avoid any more needless fighting, the more diplomatic of us could ask for a guarantee from the Blue Hand that the werepanthers would be left in peace...?"

"Well thats not me!" Venji grinned.

[Rumble Strike]

"Anyway, I noticed that Tarn and Tesni both have some cannon parts that look like they go together."

"These may have been relevant only when we were in the pagoda, but it doesn't hurt to examine the cannon parts myself and Tesni have, to see if they can be used."

[Sandy]

The party is still undecided whether to return to the Thumb to talk about the fate of the werepanthers or just head back to the Destiny's Bounty.

Master Legonardo, is there anything you can do for Emeray and Topazor?

"We can replace their burnt circuits when we get back to the Tritech Company's headquarters outside Eubric, but I'm afraid their memories and personalities have been erased by the jolt they got."

"Master Legonardo, does the Destiny's Bounty have any armaments to go up against such a vessel? I would think not if we were the ones taking out the Rocs."

"The Bounty has a few tricks up her sleeve, but nothing to compare to the Azure Ark. The Council would have never allowed me to build myself something more powerful than what they got. And those armored soldiers were part of an elite force called the Azure Guard. Most of them have gotten the Tao Warrior's training, so you don't want to go up against them."

"These may have been relevant only when we were in the pagoda, but it doesn't hurt to examine the cannon parts myself and Tesni have, to see if they can be used."

Tarn and Tesni notice that the cannon parts seem to match, but they don't have the technical know-how to put them together.

"Maybe I can help you with those? It'll give me something to do on the way back home, besides steering the wheel and oiling up the machines."

[Flare]

"Lets confirm the fate of the innocent werepanthers and then go back home."

[Rumble Strike]

"Agreed, the werepanthers were gracious hosts and definitely helped us in our Quest. Despite Vincent's warnings I would not feel right leaving here without some assurances that the village will not face reprisals for having the bandits holed up here.

We must be very careful not to annoy the aoi, though."

Tarn leads the party to the Thumb.

OOC: I know Sandy has done everything to get us to go back, but this is in character for Tarn and the others. We'll see if Sandy is a merciful QM or not