Heroica RPG - Quest#75: Falling Stars

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn was grateful for Tesni's handling of Benji. The half-Elf was definitely more excitable than he had been on the last Quest, and he realised now how patient Haldor had been as that party's leader. He noticed that Benji had calmed down, and decided not to have words, for now.

Instead, he addressed the merchant. "Sham, these are excellent prices. I shall purchase a Smoke Bomb with the last of my gold."

[Costy]

"I don't have any gold to buy anything, so perhaps we should go get these bandits."

[CMP]

Atramor practically laughed at Benji's rash but effective method of haggling. Better prices were always good, but the morality of threatening an unarmed merchant...had....never occurred to him before, actually. They were heroes, they damn well deserved a discount to go save this village for free, but was forcing it really-?

'<Necessary? No. You can't go yelling and shouting whenever you do not get your way. Perhaps a less outright violent path next time. However ill-gotten, it's a reasonable repayment. Fair job at leaving the policing to the barbarian, but don't leave your thoughts unguarded.>'

He glanced between the silent McCafferey and the Pheles Rod, which was in his hand. He blinked, and slung it across his back once more. At least it wasn't talking again.

"Aye, let's go get this done."

[Sandy]

"Sham, do you know the way to these caves? Maybe if we direct

here at the bandits he'll calm down."

"No, don't force me to go there! I don't want to get caught again!!! These werekittens can surely take you, can't they?"

The trembling merchant makes glances at the elders desperately.

"So, what is your culture like? This is the first time I have been to Xu."

"Our tribe has lived segregated in this valley for centuries. We do not concern ourselves with the matters of Xu proper, even though traders and tax collectors do come our way every once in a while. But from what I know, the land of Xu expands far and wide, containing many wonders. The floating ships like the one you arrived on is but one of those wonders. Have you seen the windmills churning ethereal energy? Or the fortresses-on-wheels rolling on the plains, leaving wide tracks behind them? Or the mountaintop capital of Ai Xurong, perched high above the clouds? I have heard but stories, but those stories alone strike awe in me. So once your mission is over, please go and explore Xu. And return to me with all the stories of your travels. As the Loremaster of this village, it is my bound duty to spread them forward."

Instead, he addressed the merchant. "Sham, these are excellent prices. I shall purchase a Smoke Bomb with the last of my gold."

"That'll be six gold, please! Pleasure doing business with you again, Mr. Valco! Ten more purchases and you get a VIP Customer Card!"

SHAM POO’S LEGIT GOODS (Heavily discounted!):

Grand Potion – Restores 25 health to the target. Costs 11 gold. (3 in stock)

Remedy – Removes all negative effects from the target during a battle. Costs 9 gold. (4 in stock)

Neutralizer – Removes all temporary effects from all allies and all opponents during a battle. Costs 51 gold. (3 in stock)

Phoenix Essence – Revives a fallen ally with full health during a battle. Costs 53 gold. (2 in stock)

Smoke Bomb – Allows the party to escape the battle. Costs 6 gold. (2 in stock)

Deadly Venom – Use on a weapon to make it cause the badly poisoned-effect on any enemy it hits for the duration of one battle. A poisoned enemy loses 1 health each turn. Costs 52 gold. (3 in stock)

Mythril – A very rare metal. Costs 1635 gold. (1 in stock)

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn put the smoke bomb in his magic pocket Suub'spaase where he keeps his inventory, then spoke to Sham again. "Thank you for your insight and merchandise my friend, but it is time for us to depart."

He turned to the elder Werepanther. "Loremaster, your knowledge and wisdom has been of great use. We ask one last favour - a guide to the Falls. In exchange I promise you we shall return victorious and with many stories for you to tell."

[Sandy]

Tarn put the smoke bomb in his magic pocket Suub'spaase where he keeps his inventory, then spoke to Sham again. "Thank you for your insight and merchandise my friend, but it is time for us to depart."

He turned to the elder Werepanther. "Loremaster, your knowledge and wisdom has been of great use. We ask one last favour - a guide to the Falls. In exchange I promise you we shall return victorious and with many stories for you to tell."

"One of our own will guide you to the caves. However, the night is falling upon us, and the cliffs to the waterfalls are perilous to travel even during daylight, let alone in complete darkness. Would you not rest here for tonight? Or are you really ready to go right away?"

[Peppermint_M]

"I think a rest would be good eh Tarn? Or at least a chance for us to think out what we may face come the dawn."

[Rumble Strike]

"A night of rest before the battles to come then. Friends, let us gather all our strength for the trials ahead. Ere the dawn, we shall be ready."

[-obelix-]

"A night of rest before the battles to come then. Friends, let us gather all our strength for the trials ahead. Ere the dawn, we shall be ready."

"Nicely said! I agree that we can use a bit of rest first - to get ourselves ready, and a chance to meditate and prepare our spells for the upcoming battle..."

[Flare]

Benji listens to all the werepanther has to say about Xu. He wishes that he could explore this amazing land - why oh why did he have to get stuck pn Eubric? This would've been a much more interesting place to live in and to explore.

Oh well.

Benji does not make a comment about resting. It is clear to him that the rest of his party would not like what he has to say. So instead, he stays silent, and tries to ignore the adrenaline flowing through his veins.

[CMP]

"Rest works, I s'pose."

[Sandy]

QM Note: Update tomorrow. Just been too damn busy today.

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn rested, but did not sleep. His mind was awash with thoughts and his heart full of emotions. He trusted his party, those he knew better were among his closest friends. He appreciated the way the Sorcerer spoke, full of politeness, and counter to that, how stern the Yeti was. Both would prove invaluable in the battles to come.

But would they succeed? Would they be able to finish this time? Defeat on the icy slopes had hurt him, mentally as well as physically. Was he tactical enough to be Party Leader? Would he be able to spot any weaknesses in his enemies and exploit them? The bandits he had fought in the pagoda were among the hardest foes he had faced. Was he up to this?

He pulled Ella's tattered letter from his pocket and read and re-read the words. He imagined her face, imagined her whispering those words in his ear, and calmed.

He fell asleep still holding the letter.

[-obelix-]

Being an elf, Thalion didn't need much sleep so he went to his meditation. Thinking what they could be going up against, he used the time to remember the spells he already mastered and then turned to mastering the elemental energies of the two new stones Benji had loaned him. For the water energies of the Aquamarine, he practiced by first creating a miniature, hovering lake. When the lake was formed, he focused on making the waves go left and right freely and then in the direction he wanted. At first it was hard but he got it right after a few tries. For the wood element of the Emerald, he put a stone on the ground, moved away and after placing his hands on earth he conjured up vines, tendrils and brambles that engulfed the stone completely. After a few hours of practicing dawn was close at hand, so he thought that was enough for the day and got in his bedroll to get some sleep.

[Peppermint_M]

Sleep was full of muted whispers and glowing flares of light, the burning brightness of fire and holy light mixing with the mist of frost and crackle of lightning. All the while planning with the purple shadow, for it would be a battle of great glory against an enemy who had won once before.

The battle would be at hand soon.

[Sandy]

The night was restless for the anxious heroes, but the relaxing boom of the nearby waterfall eventually lulled them all to sleep. The whole village of Baokun slept, with the exception of one soul astride a tall beast. Silently the figure left Baokun, vanishing into the darkness.

When the whole village gathered to the central square at dawn, nobody even noticed that there was one werepanther missing from their ranks. Everyone were so focused on sending off the noble heroes who would save their village from the threat posed by the group of bandits. Vincent Legonardo, Monalisa Gioconda and Sham Poo were standing with the elders, bidding their farewells to the party.

"Take care now! I hope you now know how to use the automatons to their full extent."

"Don't forget to use the toolboxes before the automatons get destroyed. Better be safe than sorry!"

"Come back with lots of gold - I'll be keeping this Mythril reserved for you guys!"

Then Loremaster Baihu calls forth a young werepanther.

"This is Gau, your guide to the Falls. He has been on numerous ill-adviced adventures up there, so he knows the fastest routes."

"You betcha! Y'all just follow my footsteps!"

After some final good luck wishes and goodbyes, the party was finally ready to leave.

The climb was arduous and long, but by noon the mighty Chaochao Falls were in front of them, spouting mist on the trail, making the rocks even more slippery.

"Almost there! Don't take long in there, for I need to get back down before dusk. Climbing down these cliffs in the darkness is a suicide. You'd need a nian to guide you down - those buggers can see in the dark and climb rocks like lizards. We had one in the village, but I couldn't find it this morning. Maybe it ran away..."

Party:

Atramor Gibbin (CallMePie)

30 year old male human Witch

Level 28 1/3

*Poisoned Hits*

*Counterstriking*

*Immune to

Water

,

Lightning

, and

Wood

*

*Negative Effects Last One Round*

*Aura*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power:

48

(28+20)

Defense:

8

4

Health:

192/192

48/48

(7+27+8+6)

Ether:

26/26

(1+28-3

)

Gold:

82

Equipment:

Pheles Rod

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

fire

,

ice

,

earth

,

wind

,

light

,

darkness

elemental staff),

Amulet of the Court

(Suitable for anyone, negative effects last only one round on the wearer, immune to

water

,

lightning

, and

wood

, accessory),

Counterstrike Gloves

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

Rat's Hide

(Suitable for anyone, SP:4, backwear)

Inventory:

Conspirator (WP: 15, deals the

Blinded

effect,

darkness

elemental, longsword), General's Dagger (WP: 7, pierces SP, cannot be upgraded, dagger), Ratsbane (WP: 10, absorbs 2 health on successful strike, dagger), Robust Shield (SP: 8, shield), Sylvania's Cowl (Suitable for anyone, grants

Animal Talk

, headwear),

Amethyst

,

Diamond

,

Potion,

2 Grand Potions,

3 Health Cores,

2 Grand Tonics,

Ether Core,

Elixir, 2

Phoenix Essences, 3 Smelling Salts, 3 Mulled Wines

,

Deadly Venom,

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

Shovel, Pickaxe,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Benji Carvenhall

, the Dragonslayer

(Flare)

28 years old male half-elven Beast Warrior

Level 33 2/4

*Natural Respite*

*Gains Triple XP*

*Immune to

Asleep

,

Blinded

,

Confused

,

Fragile

, and

Weakened

Effects

and

Wood

Element*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power:

51

(33+15+3)

Defense:

20

10

(4+6)

Health:

108/108

54/54

(6+31+15+1)

Gold:

1335

(owes 500 to Alexis Fenral)

Equipment:

Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15;

darkness-

,

ice-

,

fire-

,

wind

-,

earth-

elemental

),

Medal of Glory

(accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to

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

,

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

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

, Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors)

Inventory:

Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle), 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 (7), Phoenix Essence (4),

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

Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (6), Mead (6), Mulled Wine (3), Venom, Smoke Bomb (2),

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 19

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Fragile and Blindness*

*Counterstriking*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power:

29

(19+10)

Defense:

44

22

( 12+10)

Health:

72/72

36/36

(8+14+10)

Gold:

4

Equipment:

Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe)

,

Shield

(SP:10),

Yeti Fur Coat

(Artefact,

bodywear,

SP:12, immunity to

Ice,

Fire,

Fragile and Blindness

; suitable for yetis only),

C

ounterstrike Gloves

(Artefact,

handwear;

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

Inventory:

Stone Hammer (WP: 15,

Earth

&

Darknes

s-elemental, hammer)

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

Tiger Balm,

2

Phoenix Essences x2,

Mead x2, Smelling Salts, Deadly Venom x2,

Smoke Bomb x2,

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

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to

Weakened

*

*Counterstriking*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power:

34

(24+10)

Defense

: 12

6

Health

: 80/80

40/40

(7+23+7+3)

Gold

: 0

Equipment

:

Helbaerend

(WP: 10;

water

-,

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental, Hollow Blade; axe, Grand Potion equipped),

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

:

Lion’s Heart

(WP: 13,

darkness

-elemental,

stun

-effect; greatsword),

Bagpipes (WP:8,

wind

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

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

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

Potion,

Grand Potion 3x,

Health Core,

Grand Tonic,

Phoenix Essence 3x,

Mead 5x, Nostrum 5x, Smelling Salts 5x,

Venom 2x, Smoke Bomb,

Shovel, Pickaxe, Bucket, Bone 2x

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Tesni Hightribe (Peppermint_M)

Level 31

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Afraid*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power

: 48

(31+10+3+4)

Defense

: 28

14

(8+2+4)

Health

: 100/100

50/50

(8+29+10+2)

Gold

: 1090

Equipment

:

Mellt (WP:10,

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental; hammer)

, 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

:

Fàelàn (Fiery Sawblade (

Fire

)(WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, longsword))

, Cryfder (WP:6), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cysgodion (WP:11, darkness-elemental; greatsword), 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),

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

Ruby (

Fire

), Scroll of Sleep, Remedy, Neutralizer, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, 2x Grating Stone, Bright Polish, 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), Cannon Parts, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Minimizing Dust

,

Toolbox (Repairs one automaton back to perfect condition once)

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer

Level 18 1/2

*Dual Strike* *

Immune to

Magic

,

Sealed,

Healing

*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power:

28

(18+10)

Defense

: 10

5

(3+2)

Health:

52/52

26/26

(5+17+4)

Ether:

28/28

(5+17+1+5)

Gold

: 0

Equipment:

Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike, twin sais

)

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

Se

aled

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

Magic

and

Healing

)

,

Inventory:

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

Asleep

to enemies it hits, Hollow [

Potion

]),

Cloak of Espionage (

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

,

Snake Eye Charm

(Protects from

Petrified

-effect),

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 (4)

,

Health Core, Grand Tonic, Remedy (2)

, Phoenix Essence, Nostrum,

Bedroll

, 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 1/5

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Confused, Asleep & Weakened*

*Dragons cause halved damage*

*e

ncouraged*

*

transcended*

*

lucky*

*

inspired*

*

hastened*

*

reinforced*

*

blessed*

Power

: 52

(50+2)

Defense

: 20

10

Health

: 124/124

62/62

(12+50)

Ether

: 53/53

(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

: Diamond (

Light

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Phoenix Essence

Rubio (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Ruby G.E.M. Automaton

Level 29 1/3

*Immune to all effects and

Fire

* *Automatic

encouraged

-effect to allies*

Power: 29

Element:

Fire

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Opalix (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Opal G.E.M. Automaton

Level 28 1/3

*Immune to all effects and

Ice

* *Automatic

transcended

-effect to allies*

Power: 28

Element:

Ice

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Topazor (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Topaz G.E.M. Automaton

Level 27

*Immune to all effects and

Lightning

* *Automatic

lucky

-effect to allies*

Power: 27

Element:

Lightning

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Emeray (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Emerald G.E.M. Automaton

Level 26 1/3

*Immune to all effects and

Wood

* *Automatic

inspired

-effect to allies*

Power: 26

Element:

Wood

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Sapphiraz (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Sapphire G.E.M. Automaton

Level 25 1/3

*Immune to all effects and

Wind

* *Automatic

hastened

-effect to allies*

Power: 25

Element:

Wind

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Garnetic (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Garnet G.E.M. Automaton

Level 24 1/3

*Immune to all effects and

Earth

* *Automatic

reinforced

-effect to allies*

Power: 24

Element:

Earth

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

Aquamarq (NPC, controlled by Rumble Strike)

Aquamarine G.E.M. Automaton

Level 23 1/3

*Immune to all effects and

Water

* *Automatic

blessed

-effect to allies*

Power: 23

Element:

Water

Condition: 100/100

Defense: 10

[-obelix-]

"Gau, what is a nian? I've never heard of it..."

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn was grateful for Thalion's question because he had no idea what one was either.

[Sandy]

"Gau, what is a nian? I've never heard of it..."

"Oh! Nians are tall, grey, horned, reptilian-like beasts people raise as steeds around here. Really agile and fast, despite their size. They're usually docile, but their bite hurts like hell!"

QM Note: FYI, the name of the beast is a reference to this mythical Chinese monster.

[Rumble Strike]

"They sound similar to the Spitosaurs on Nova Tertia," mused Tarn, thinking back to his encounters with giant lizards in his last quest.

[-obelix-]

"Aaaah like the one Nagure was petting in the village yesterday, right? I never imagined a beast that big could be fast or agile, but I'll take your word for it..."

[CMP]

Atramor relied heavily on the Pheles Rod as he walked along the rocky, slippery path along the falls. It wasn't unlike walking along the sails of ships, except, well....he wouldn't be coming back from a fall from up here. That in mind, he was careful to use the staff to check for particularly weak areas in the rock before walking along them. Maybe in an earlier time he wouldn't've bothered, but it seemed like death had been even closer than ever recently.

"I'll take your word for it," commented Atramor through the thick mist. "I wouldn't ride onna those things on solid ground, much less the side of a mountain."

[Flare]

Partway the climb Benji inconspicously took off his boots, leaving his clawed feet bare. This made it much more easy for Benji, and he started to wonder if being part reptile wasn't so bad.

"Perhaps someone stole your nian in the middle of the night. You did say that those things can see in the dark?"

"Anyways, lets get there already, I am eager to kill some bandits."

[Peppermint_M]

Climbing mountains, Tesni was in her element, She was swift to keep up with their guide. "So, we near the place the bandits are hidden? "

[Costy]

"aww, the nian left? I liked him. He reminded me of myself."