Heroica RPG - Quest #77: Your Elves are Better than Ours

[Zepher]

OoC: Yes, sorry, I'm filming in Jersey and we're pulling 15 hour days. So I'm either on set or tired.

"Let's finish this up, chappos. We'll talk about the Mopags soon enough, my friend, but for now let's finish the imminent threat." Boomingham leads his troops in attack against the Pongcanis Commanders.

[Sandy]

Ellaria moves south-east again, with her target in sight.

[Flipz]

OOC: Doc, I thought Footsoldiers deal double damage to Ranged units? The Crossbowmen my troops hit should be dead.

Will be rather busy tomorrow, so don't hold anything up on my account.

[Chromeknight]

OOC: Doc, I thought Footsoldiers deal double damage to Ranged units? The Crossbowmen my troops hit should be dead.

Good pick up, Ta Flipz.

Nerwen heard cheering in the building of to her left, she couldn't see in clearly. Perhaps more of the Pongcanae had fallen.

battle order

Knights of Patuqun (and Boomingham) attack Pongcanis Commanders + attack Pongcanis Commanders

Elven warriors A (Nerwen) move south

Elven Warriors B (Alexander) attack Pongcanis Crossbowmen A

Resistance Spearmen A (and Ellaria) moving SE But since South is free, could move there.

Resistance Spearmen B (and Arthur) if Flipz is right, and pogbows are dead, he'll attack Pogmanders. follow up into building!

Resistance Spearmen C (and Throlar) move SE, staying in building

Sir Isaac Shawe, Lady Calaryl, and Duke Bârbêthân move South East

Edited October 18, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Wedge09]

"Come on, the end of this battle is coming." Alexander incites his troops; Elven Warriors B attacks Pongcanis Crossbowman A.

[Brickdoctor]

QM Note:

Fixed, sorry, Flipz.

I'll autoroll in a couple hours; I don't have time right now.

"Understood, Lord Boomingham. Charge those commanders!"

Results of Round Eleven of the Hunt for the Pongcanae:

Knights of Patuqun vs. Pongcanis Commanders — Damage (5-6=0 Damage)

Knights of Patuqun vs. Pongcanis Commanders — Extra Critical Hit ((2*3*2)-3=9 Damage)

Elven Warriors A move south.

Elven Warriors B vs. Pongcanis Crossbowman A — Critical Damage (no effect, Ranged)

Resistance Spearmen A move south-east.

Resistance Spearmen B vs. Pongcanis Commanders move south.

Resistance Spearmen C move south-east.

Sir Isaac Shawe, Lady Calaryl, and Duke Bârbêthân move south-east.

The Enemies:

Pongcanis Crossbowmen A

Ranged

*In a Building*

Level:

3

Health:

2/10

Defense:

1

2

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away, they cannot take Damage.

Drops: 30 Gold

The Alliance to Restore R'kilf:

Resistance Spearmen A (commanded by Sandy)

Footsoldiers

*In a Building*

Power:

6

Health:

10/10

Defense:

1

2

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Resistance Spearmen B (commanded by Flipz)

Footsoldiers

*In a Building*

*Flanking*

Power:

6

7

Health:

6/10

Defense:

1

2

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Resistance Spearmen C (commanded by Lord Duvors)

Footsoldiers

*In a Building*

Power:

6

Health:

5/10

Defense:

1

2

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Elven Warriors A (commanded by Chromeknight)

Ranged

Power:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

3

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away, they cannot take Damage.

Elven Warriors B (commanded by Wedge09)

Ranged

*In a Building*

Power:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

3

4

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away, they cannot take Damage.

Knights of Patuqun (commanded by Zepher)

Mounted

*In a Building*

Power:

2

Health:

9/10

Defense:

5

6

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Sir Isaac Shawe, Lady Calaryl, and Duke Bârbêthân (commanded by Chromeknight)

Diplomats

Power:

1

Health:

45/45

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Diplomats must reach the objective without being Knocked Out, or their armies will disband. Below 30 HP, control of the Knights of Patuqun will be lost, below 15 HP, control of the elves will be lost, and at 0 HP, control of the resistance soldiers will be lost.

Party leader, choose the order of actions.

All combatants, choose your targets for your troops. Also mention if you want to try to move or attempt something else outside the box.

• Unless otherwise specified, all units can move one hex or attack an enemy in an adjacent hex.
  
• Footsoldiers deal double Damage to Ranged units.
  
• Ranged units deal double Damage to Mounted units.
  
• Mounted units deal double Damage to Footsoldiers.
  
• Scouts always take and deal normal Damage.
  
• Any city walls cannot be crossed.
  
• If you move into a building, you end your turn no matter how many moves you have left, but you receive +1 Defense while in the building.

Any diplomats who don't reach the headquarters conscious will no longer support you.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Action which may or may not be in the form of a Free Hit after everyone has acted.

[Chromeknight]

Once again the chaos of battle washed over the heroes.

What is going on? Report!

We're not playing that once the Pogmanders are dead their troops disband?

Edited October 20, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Flipz]

OOC: If only Chrome's Elven troops attack, they can't take damage, so by precedent of the hunt for Lady Leofwena, the battle should have ended automatically. I imagine that's why Doc has to delay.

Also, don't hold up for me for any reason--I'm busy tomorrow and pretty much all of next week, so we can just move that RP bit to the Mopags or just get rid of it entirely. Would fit better vs. the Mopags anyway.

Edited October 20, 2013 by Flipz

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: If only Chrome's Elven troops attack, they can't take damage, so by precedent of the hunt for Lady Leofwena, the battle should have ended automatically.

QM Note:

Ah, right; I'd forgotten about that.

I imagine that's why Doc has to delay.

QM Note:

No. If there was a quest-related reason for a delay, I would tell you. This was a real-life reason for a slight delay, in this case, the fact that I have a midterm coming up involving the writing of two essays.

Standing back, you allow the elven archers to finish the Pogs off.

"We are victorious!"

"This must be their headquarters. Men, spread out and find any possible exits; watch for Pog scouts! Break down that door so that the heroes can enter as soon as they've sorted out the loot!"

Everyone gains XP for commanding the troops, and Alexander and Throlar Level-up. The enemies drop 220 Gold.

The Party:

Nerwen Calmcacil (Chromeknight)

262 year-old female elven Shaman

Level 21.66

*Restoration*

*May read a scroll in addition to performing an action* *Immune to

Sealed

* *Party Leader*

Power:

36

(Level 21 + WP: 15 +

Power Bonus:

0)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Health:

38/38

(Base HP: 9 + Level bonus: 20 + Class bonus: 9)

Ether:

18/31

(Base Ether: 5 + Level bonus: 20 + Class bonus: 1 + Artifact bonus: 5)

Gold:

216

Equipment:

Magical Staff (WP: 15;

Water

-,

Darkness

-elemental; staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; bodywear), Lens of Speed Reading (Allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; suitable for scroll users; accessory), Barbarian’s Boots (Restoration; footwear)

Inventory:

Mourning Star (WP: 10;

Fire

-elemental; inflicts

Fragile

-effect; mace), Spider Leg (WP: 8; doubled vs. Flying enemies; spear), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer),

•

White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; Immune to

Water

; accessory), Shackles of War (prevents anyone fleeing; accessory)

•

Diamond

•

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Armor Sundering (SP: -5; 50/50 chance of success), Scroll of Poisoning (Grants target’s weapon the

Badly Poisoned

-effect; costs 5 Ether), Scroll of Luck (

Lucky

; costs 10 Ether)

•

Grand Tonics (3), Tonic, Potions (3), Elixirs (3), Remedies (4), Phoenix Essences (3), Phoenix Incense, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom, Fire Bombs (2), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bombs (2), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Carrot (restores 5 HP, 10 to rabbits), Bright Polish, Raw Meat (Max HP +5), Double Rainbow, Dragon Scales (2), Mead

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass

Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09)

99 year-old male elven Hunter

*Favors Humanoids*

Level 17

Power:

24

(Level 17 + WP: 7 +

Power Bonus:

0)

Defense:

5

(SP: 2 + SP: 3)

Health:

30/30

(Base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 16 + Class bonus: 6 + Artifact bonus: 2)

Gold:

170

Equipment:

Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 7;

Darkness

-elemental; Hollow Blade [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis Armor (Max HP +2; SP: 2; bodywear), Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear)

Inventory:

Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 5), Giant Club (WP: 8), Standard-Issue Saber (WP: 5; longsword)

•

Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing)(2), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Grand Potion, Potions (4), Remedies (2), Venoms (4), Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Bones (4), Meads (4), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Big Apple

•

Bedroll, Shovel

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy)

22 year-old female human Druid

Level 23.67

*Invisible*

*Immune to

Sealed

*

Power:

36

(Level 23 + WP: 10 +

Power Bonus:

3)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Health:

39/39

(Base HP: 9 + Level bonus: 22 + Class bonus: 7 + Permanent Bonus: 1)

Ether:

30/35

(Base Ether: 5 + Level bonus: 22 + Class bonus: 1 + Artifact bonus: 5 + Permanent bonus: 2)

Gold:

128

Equipment:

Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10;

Fire-

,

Lighting

-elemental; staff), Black Bandana (Power +3; pirate lingo; headwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; bodywear), Spirit Robe (Wearer is invisible for the first 3 Rounds of battle so they do not take Free Hits; backwear)

Inventory:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts

Jinxed

; throwing weapon), Sylvania's Crossbow (WP: 7;

Wood

-elemental; crossbow), Wizard's Staff (WP: 1;

Fire

-,

Wind

-,

Water

-,

Earth

-elemental; staff), Pongcanis Spear (WP: 7), Standard-Issue Saber (WP: 5; longsword)

•

Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Scroll of Inspiration (

Inspired

; costs 10 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sealing,

•

Potions (3), Grand Potions (2), Health Cores (4), Tonic, Grand Tonics (6), Ether Core, Elixir, Remedies (2), Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essences (2), Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bombs (2), Flash Bomb, Fire Bombs (3), Ice Bomb, Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Holy Bombs (2), Bones(2), Meads (2)

•

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

46 year-old male human Paladin

Level 27.67

*Immune to

Fragile

,

Sleep

,

Weakened

, and

Blindness

*

Power:

43

(Level 27 + WP: 11 +

Power Bonus:

5)

Defense:

12

(SP: 7 + SP: 5)

Health:

50/50

(Base HP: 10 + Level bonus: 26 + Class bonus: 11 + Permanent bonus: 3)

Ether:

26/26

(Base Ether: 0 + Level/Class bonus: 26)

Gold:

133

(Owes 128 Gold to Arthur Justus Regulus VII [Flipz], 1 Gold to Bartholomew Docken [brickdoctor], and 75 Gold to Sorrow [Endgame])

Equipment:

Scupperer (WP: 11;

Darkness

-,

Fire

-elemental; inflicts

Bleeding

and

Badly Poisoned

; great sword) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Heavy Armor (SP: 5; Immune to

Fragile

), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; Immune to

Sleep

,

Weakened

, and

Blindness

; accessory), Overkill Gloves (+1 gold for every point of Damage extra when defeating an enemy; handwear), *Pseudo's Blessing's Blessing (+4 Power; not an artifact)*

Inventory:

Frozen Saber (WP: 9;

Light

-,

Ice

-elemental; inflicts

Stunned

; great sword), Pongcanis Whip (WP: 8; whip)

•

Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear),

•

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

•

Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing,

•

Meads (7), Mulled Wine, Fire Brandy (

Encouraged

, Immune to

Ice

), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Hamantasch (

Lucky

,

Blessed

), Admantite Shard (1/4 of a piece of Adamantite), Tonic, Milk,

•

Bedroll

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, a Hero Who is Actually Worth Something

(Flipz)

21 year-old male human Mystic Knight

Level 27.33

*Immune to

Poisoned

,

Badly Poisoned

, and

Fragile

*

*Counterstriking*

Power:

39

(Level 27 + WP: 12 +

Power Bonus:

0)

Health:

42/42

(Base HP: 5 + Level bonus: 26 + Class bonus: 7 + Permanent bonus: 4)

Ether:

18/32

(Base Ether: 5 + Level bonus: 26 + Class bonus: 1)

Defense:

14

(SP: 9 + SP: 5)

Gold:

473

(Owed 128 Gold by Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher) and 70 Gold by En Sabah Nur (Jebediahs)

Equipment:

Sir Roderick's Sword (WP: 12; longsword), Arm Shield (SP: 9), Duke's Coat-of-Arms ( SP: 5; Immune to

Poisoned

,

Badly Poisoned

, and

Fragile

; suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers, and Regulators; bodywear), Zap-Tap Badge (1/2 chance to deal

Electric

-elemental Damage to an opponent who has dealt Damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves

Inventory:

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7; 50% chance of Fleeing upon being KO'd; staff), Hollow Blade Dagger (WP: 6; Hollow Blade [Mulled Wine]; dagger), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5;

Light

-elemental; +2 Ether on rolls of 2, 3, 4), Healing Staff (WP: 5; Healing effect), Ammit (WP: 6; +5 Ether for each kill; great sword),

•

Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory), Stingy Gloves (Prevents enemies from ever stealing gold from the wearer; handwear)

•

Opal

,

Amethyst

,

Topaz

,

Diamond

,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

•

Scroll of Recklessness (

Encouraged

and

Fragile

; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Weakening

•

Grand Potions (11), Potion, Remedies (9), Elixirs (4), Nostrums (5), Smelling Salts (3), Meads (5), Jinxy Juices (2), Ether Core, Noxious Venom (

Badly Poisoned

and

Confused

; 3 Rounds), Zoot's Plaything, Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental Damage), Tesla Bomb (20

Lightnng

-elemental Damage), Tonic, Grand Tonics (11), Double Rainbow (

Encouraged

,

Lucky

,

Confused

, and

Poisoned

), Bright Polish, Ambrosia, Exterlate, Phoenix Essences (2), Emergency Essence, Grating Stone, Smoke Bombs (5)

•

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

Throlar Wineghilm (Lord Duvors)

134 year-old male dwarven Knight

Level 6

Power:

16

(Level 6 + WP: 10 +

Power Bonus:

0)

Health:

15/15

(Base HP: 10 + Level Bonus: 5)

Defense:

5

(SP: 5)

Gold:

37

Equipment:

Mourning Star (WP: 10;

Fire

-elemental; inflicts

Fragile

-effect; mace), Pongcanis Shield (SP: 5), Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy; headwear)

Inventory:

Mace and Chain (WP: 3), Round Shield (SP: 2)

•

Potion, Remedy, Smoke Bomb

•

Bedroll, Pickaxe

Party Leader, please divide the loot:

220 Gold

[Chromeknight]

As the heroes gather in the compound, Nerwen hands them each 35 gold. She gives Ellaria a further 10 gold, saying

I am sorry for not listening to you better during the battle.

[Sandy]

I am sorry for not listening to you better during the battle.

Ellaria smiles sheepishly.

"That's quite alright, Nerwen. I'm not a great strategic genius, anyway."

She then turns to the group of resistance members she was leading.

"Thank you all for a battle well fought! Now we will vanquish the Pongcanis leader so you can continue your lives here at R'kilf in peace."

[Wedge09]

Alexander takes the gold with a smile.

"We won, I have no doubt about it." says smiling the elven archer, the he asks: "How we move now?"

[Duvors]

Throlar stares at the proffered gold.

"What! These people fight while we stay out, they follow our orders blindly, and they get nothing! We didn't even do any fighting! This rightfully belongs to these people who have fought and what have we done? Just stood by and let them follow our orders to their death! And we take all the spoils! We don't deserve any more than they do! In fact we deserve less! I won't take anything until these men and women who have actually been fighting all get an even share!"

Throlar's face contorted into a mask of rage and he began to finger his weapons.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen shrugs and holds onto Throlar's share

There is 35 gold here. If you wish to share it with your unit, that is fine. Let me know how many of them there are and we shall divide it up evenly.

Turning to Lady Calaryl and the others Nerwen said

Accomplishing tasks together is a good way to build trust. I do not expect that you are all solid friends now, but do you have a basis of agreement?

Shall we go and see if this dread pirate has survived?

Edited October 20, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Duvors]

Nerwen shrugs and holds onto Throlar's share

There is 35 gold here. If you wish to share it with your unit, that is fine. Let me know how many of them there are and we shall divide it up evenly.

"Five, six gold for each of them if you give me five, that would be fine, but I feel that everyone deserves a share."

Throlar is calmer now, but he still seems tense.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen hands Throlar 6 gold.

Your unit may collect their share from me when they ask.

Is there something else the matter? Your body indicates tension.

Edited October 20, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Duvors]

Nerwen hands Throlar 6 gold.

Your unit may collect their share from me when they ask.

Is there something else the matter? Your body indicates tension.

"Everything else is the matter, I feel like I'm sitting on a timed fire bomb in a crowded space that's going to explode any second, and that I'm somehow responsible."

"And I only want five gold, the rest won't get a fair share otherwise."

Edited October 21, 2013 by Lord Duvors

[Chromeknight]

My apologies. Five gold, not six.

Nerwen counts carefully, making it 5 gold.

As for everything else. What is it you feel responsible for exactly?

[Zepher]

"I wish you'd ignored me a little more too," Boomingham says as he watches Nerwen hand Ellaria a bit of extra gold. He then opens a mead and sips on it. "Well, I'm ready to go whenever you folks are. Might as well finish what we started." Boomingham glances over at his knights. "Any of you chaps willing to accompany us inside? I'm sure you're as intrigued as I am to find out what those men are doing with Pongcanis."

[Duvors]

As for everything else. What is it you feel responsible for exactly?

Throlar doesn't say anything.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen's eyebrow w rises slightly at the intransigence of the dwarf.

If it is because you lead your troops to their deaths, I must admit you are to blame in part. But from what I saw, you fought bravely to extricate them from that situation.

Nerwen turns to Lawernce as if to reply to his muttered comment, then turns away, ignoring him.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Duvors]

Nerwen's eyebrow w rises slightly at the intransigence of the dwarf.

If it is because you lead your troops to their deaths, I must admit you are to blame in part. But from what I saw, you fought bravely to extricate them from that situation.

"Partly that, but partly something else."

Throlar was quiet for a minute.

"There is going to be a war, Nerwen, a very bloody war, and it will occur because of what we do here, it cannot be stopped, it will occur after we are gone from this town, but there will be a war."

[Chromeknight]

"There is going to be a war, Nerwen, a very bloody war, and it will occur because of what we do here, it cannot be stopped, it will occur after we are gone from this town, but there will be a war."

If it cannot be stopped, then I cannot see how you, or any of us acrue blame for not stopping it.

However,I do know what you mean. This town is unstable. Uncivilised. The strong fight for control while the weak are trampled. There is no agreement, no thought of common good. No law.

But you have spent more time with me than the others. You at least should have seen my intent, my methods. I have been seeking to build agreements, build a consideration of the common good. With the elves, by drawing them out into the town again. With the men by calming their fear if an armed encampment in their midst.

Have we done enough? I do not know. But, by Galadrya we did something. We did what we thought was right. And there is more to do. I am certain your diplomatic skills will be of use. Do not lose heart. Our mission is not yet over.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Duvors]

If it cannot be stopped, then I cannot see how you, or any of us acrue blame for not stopping it.

However,I do know what you mean. This town is unstable. Uncivilised. The strong fight for control while the weak are trampled. There is no agreement, no thought of common good. No law.

But you have spent more time with me than the others. You at least should have seen my intent, my methods. I have been seeking to build agreements, build a consideration of the common good. With the elves, by drawing them out into the town again. With the men by calming their fear if an armed encampment in their midst.

Have we done enough? I do not know. But, by Galadrya we did something. We did what we thought was right. And there is more to do. I am certain your diplomatic skills will be of use. Do not lose heart. Our mission is not yet over.

"Look, I agree that none of us are to blame for such a thing, but think, the Mopag came here to conquer, and once the pogs are gone we'll only have a bigger enemy to fight, even if we can get them to go home without fighting they will try to find causes to take control and will fight to get it in the end, and if we fight them now then the Mopag high council will consider it a hostile act by the new rulers of R'kilf and start a war, we are trying to end a stalemate and by doing so we will create an unstoppable force, if you break a stalemate then war shall follow, you have to force the two groups not to fight, and if you do that they will hate each other and eventually start fighting again, you just can't win."

Throlar looks at Nerwen for a moment, blinked, and said "Why the heck are we standing around here, don't we have to fight some Pog slave driver?"

[Chromeknight]

I hear some noise inside. I expect we will find what remans of the pongcanis leadership soon.

Nerwen paused, considering Throlar's chain of thought,

I am also wary of the threat posed by the Mopag. But if you cast it in terms of winning and losing, you commit the same error that they do. I am confident we can find an agreement that will not lead inevitably to further conflict.