Heroica RPG - Quest #84: Bad Blood

[The Legonater]

Hello, Thothwick. We were just... catching up on old times.

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick sat himself down beside Dyric, all the while staring at Everyman and keeping his voice deep, as to intimidate him.

"Really, Mr. Rone? I do hope it was a pleasant chat. How have you been, Everyman?"

[The Legonater]

Oh, of course. In fact, Mr. Shawe here was just telling me about the deal the Shadeux struck with the Guild of Invision. Did you hear one if their shipments went missing? It's all very dreadful.

Edited October 6, 2013 by The Legonater

[Zepher]

Karie wasn't likely to believe some religious old men, but she less indoctrinated in the idea and more curious.

"So Ennoc is, in some ways a driving force? He's actually controlling some portion to me, or feeding me suggestions right now? Or am I getting this wrong?"

"He has a will and force, but needs his agents here on Olegia to enact it. He is a God, we cannot understand all of his ways." The Warrior Priest sighs. "I am tired. I believe it is time for me to retire, we have a long way to travel tomorrow. I wish you the best of luck, Karie." He and General Hamilton walk up the staircase on the far end of the room, though Anguy remains behind to down a few more drinks. The red robed lady and U'Voros also head upstairs. The bar is clearing out for the evening, it seems.

Thothwick sat himself down beside Dyric, all the while staring at Everyman and keeping his voice deep, as to intimidate him.

"Really, Mr. Rone? I do hope it was a pleasant chat. How have you been, Everyman?"

"Oh look, another member of our merry band! Thothwick, was'int? I'm well enough, thank ya for askin'!" Everyman seems almost oblivious to Thothwick's scare-tactics. He burps loudly.

Oh, of course. In fact, Mr. Shawe here was just telling me about the deal the Shadeux struck with the Guild of Invision. Did you hear one if their shipments went missing? It's all very dreadful.

"It's not too dreadful, I'm sure I'm going to get it back." Samuel turns to Thothwick. "Hi there, my name is Samuel Shawe," he offers his hand to shake.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Zepher

[Kintobor]

Karie watches as the warrior priest and the general settle down for the night. Karie begins to ponder about Ennoc and other things.

"Mreoow. <Well he seemed nice.>"

She notices the other individual, a blondie, sitting down as well. She shuffles her chair over to the individual.

"Hey, what's going on? Care for a chat?"

[Professor Flitwick]

Turning his head from the obtuse Everyman, Thothwick shook Sameuls extended hands.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. As you've likely ascertained, I am Thothwick. Sorry to hear about your cargo, I do hope it's wasn't too valuable. You seem quite certain of it's safe return, I was under the impression thieves rarely relinquish their ill gotten goods."

[Zepher]

Karie watches as the warrior priest and the general settle down for the night. Karie begins to ponder about Ennoc and other things.

"Mreoow. <Well he seemed nice.>"

She notices the other individual, a blondie, sitting down as well. She shuffles her chair over to the individual.

"Hey, what's going on? Care for a chat?"

"Oh, hello there, another witch! Hi, Karie." The woman offers her hand. "My name is Morta. I'm a witch of death. This little lump of love is named Marcellus."

"Is this another one of the Heroica brood?" asks the grumpy gremlin.

"Yes, yes, now be friendly." Morta smiles. "How is the grand world treating you, Karie?"

Turning his head from the obtuse Everyman, Thothwick shook Sameuls extended hands.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. As you've likely ascertained, I am Thothwick. Sorry to hear about your cargo, I do hope it's wasn't too valuable. You seem quite certain of it's safe return, I was under the impression thieves rarely relinquish their ill gotten goods."

"Not willingly, no. As I was explaining to Dyric, my trusty caravan driver - Mac - has been sent to collect some sell-swords and cut throats to help me retrieve my goods."

Edited October 7, 2013 by Zepher

[The Legonater]

Is there anything else you can tell us about this attack, Shawe?

[Kintobor]

"The world's been good to me, surprisingly. Yourself?"

Karie shakes Morta's hand, more than a little curious about her title and her gremlin associate.

"What brings you guys out this way? Business of some sorts I assume?"

[Zepher]

"Yes, I can actually. There were four men who assaulted me - the leader of them was a huge brute of an orc who steadfastly refused to wear a shirt. They came out of the forest and overwhelmed my two guards while Mac and I fled."

"Business," Morta sighs. "So it is with mortals. Always on and on about business." She smiles wanly. "Marcellus and I are just here to get a drink. Well, I'm here for a drink. Marcellus doesn't drink, but he's such a sweetheart he decided to come protect me."

"There are always dangers, Miss."

[Kintobor]

"I see."

Karie takes a sip of her hurricane, merely a sip as to not induce the drunken wrath of the drink. Hershey looks over Morta with a look of disinterest. She had a look of boredom as she groomed her paw, trying to clean her head.

"What sort of profession are you and Marcellus in? Witchcraft, obviously, but what do you do with your powers?"

[Zepher]

"Kind of profession?" asks Morta mildly. "There is no kind of profession for witches. You witches of Heroica are different - I've met many of your kind before. Mere imitations. Witchcraft is not something that can be breed, it is something that is born into you. Your powers are only a shadow of my own." Morta smiles her sinister smile again, but there is always kindness in her eyes. "I guess my sisters and I pretend at greater things too, when we call you mortals and call ourselves more than that. We are mortals too, just as the ones we serve are not gods, just as the gods themselves are not as all-powerful as they'd have us believe. There is an end to all." The witch seems to be in her own world now. "I apologize, Karie. I may have had one wine too many. We have no profession but life, my Marcellus and I, him for a shorter time than I unless something happens to either of us." Her shoulders slump. "As of now we are seeing Uland. We inspire others to do, though we ourselves do not do. That is our current business and profession, I suppose."

[Zepher]

Morta eventually smiles dully.

"I'm sorry, I'm very tired, I believe I will retire for the evening." Morta begins to walk up the stairs, and Marcellus follows her. Anguy also stumbles up the stairs, leaving the heroes alone with Justin, Everyman, and Samuel Shawe.

"Well, looks like everyone is clearing out for the evening," says Shawe as he begins to get up, but just then the door to the tavern flies open and a strange creature in an even stranger outfit stands in the doorway.

"SAMUEL SHAWE!" it gurgles out angrily in its drowned voice. "WHERE IS OUR SHIPMENT! We did not expect the SHADEAUX family to CROSS US like THIS! We PAID you HALF, where are our EXPLOSIVES?!"

The creature steps into the tavern, revealing an outrageously large sword. It advances on Shawe.

"Oh no," moans Justin. "My day has finally come." Everyman, true to form, hides under a table. Shawe steps forward to try to reason with the creature.

"I'm glad you came to find me, I'm in the midst of getting everything sorted-"

"No EXCUSES!" bellows the beast, and takes another menacing step forward. If the heroes are going to intercede, either with word or action, now is the time.

[Kintobor]

Karie notices the strange man walk in, his absurdly huge sword wavering in some man's face: said man sitting next to Thothwick and Dyric. Karie takes another sip of her drink, Hershey sliding down her back and go off into a corner to encourage from the sidelines. Karie was slightly intimidated by this man. She didn't know why, but something about him made her uneasy. However, if she was going to get this man out of here alive...

"I beg pardon, but could you perhaps lower your voice. People are trying to sleep upstairs."

[The Legonater]

We have no quarrel with you, sir. Mr. Shawe speaks the truth, something happened on the highway and took the shipment. It seems to me there's a lot more to this shipment than it seems, so I believe it is in everyone's best interests to calm down and sort this out together.

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick quickly draws himself to his full, intimidating height, and talks firmly the creature.

"Sir, sheathe your weapon. It is liable to get you either in a lot of trouble, or a lot of pain. Two more are not necessarily mutually exclusive."

[Zepher]

"I will NOT lower my VOICE!" bubbles out the creature at Karie. "I represent very IMPORTANT and INFLUENTIAL clients who will NOT be TRIFLED WITH!" The creature cocks its head at Dyric's statement, but sucks in an angry breathe and continues to shout. "These are just WORDS! They MEAN nothing! How do I KNOW that he had the EXPLOSIVES in the FIRST PLACE. I CANNOT allow someone who has tricked me to LIVE!" the creature yells radically. Finally, it turns to Thothwick, and the Black Knight seems to give it some pause. "I will NOT sheath my WEAPON... but I WILL listen to you. Do you know this Shawe man? Are his words TRUE?!" The creature glances around at Dyric, Thothwick and Karie and seems to realize for the first time that it is maybe outnumbered.

[The Legonater]

From what we have observed there is some truth to his words. There is a bit of a mystery here. We need to work together if we are to solve it.

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick's voice remains intimidating, as he steps forward to the newcomer.

"If you will not sheathe it, perhaps you will lower it. My friend here-" Thothwick motions to Dyric "-is speaking wisely. It is not clear where your consignment is. It would appear to be stolen. Until we can clarify it, you should not harm Mr. Shawe. Now, kindly lower your weapon."

[Zepher]

The creature, seemingly calmed in some way by Thothwick's harsh tone, does lower his sword a little and look towards Dyric.

"I don't CARE for mystery. My job is to make sure that I get MY shipment." The sword wavers a little. "I am the Golden-Eyed Enforcer." He snarls a little. "What are you? Members of House Shadeaux? Why should I TRUST your word any more than your employers? How can you ENSURE me you will get back the shipment and get it to me?"

[Kintobor]

"We are not members of House Shadeux, but your claim is similar to one the Hinckwells claimed: their explosives were stolen. So who did you purchase your explosives from? And just who are your employers?"

Karie crossed her arms in discontent. This Golden-Eyed Enforcer was a rather brutish bloke, not to mention loud and rude. It appeared as if the plot was thickening....

[Zepher]

"He made a deal with me, and I with the guild. That's what shipping groups do. I swear, though, that I was robbed. I have every intent of getting your shipment to you when I retrieve it."

"My employers are an excavation group in Dastan. They're trying to bury deep into Olegia to find remains of the Ancient Lion Knights Kingdom and some bones of the Ancient Dragons, which are said to be even larger than the dragons of today."

[The Legonater]

I glower at Karie for revealing our hand, and try to distance myself from her if possible.

If you care about this shipment, Enforcer, you will care for this mystery, they are not mutually exclusive. Thothwick and I are Heroicans, working to straighten out messes like these. It is well within our duty - if not our calling - to figure out what is going on.

[Zepher]

The Enforcer glances around at all three of the heroes and Samuel Shawe.

"I have heard of Heroica before. I will trust you to help Shawe regain this lost shipment, but make no mistake, if it is not within my sight in Loush in three days, I will return here, find Shawe, cut his HEAD off, and then probably find you too and do the SAME THING!" The Enforcer shoots a dirty look at Samuel before he quite abruptly storms back out the door that he never bothered to close. The party feels they've gained some world experience - not every conflict needs to end in violence.

"Thank you, heroes! I don't know what would have happened had you not been here. I'll very happily pay for your beds for the night, if you'd let me." Everyman crawls back out from hiding and grins confidently.

"Looks like I'll live in fear yet another day," whimpers the barkeep.

The Party

Dyric Rone *Party Leader*

Level 21 2/3 Assassin

*Immune to Wood, Water, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Light, Darkness*

*Lucky*

*Steals 50% more gold*

*Reinforced*

Power

: 33

Defense

:

3

6

Health

: 33/33

Gold

: 792

Equipment

: Requiem (WP: 20; wood, light and darkness-elemental, ranged), Lucky Die, Tricorne (SP:3, Water, Wood, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind, Lightning, Light, Darkness - elemental) Sticky Gloves

(Increases amount of gold stolen by 50%; handwear)

Inventory

: Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Longsword (WP: 3), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond, 4 Potions, 5 Grand Potions, Elixir, 2 Remedies, Mead, 2 Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 3 Mythril Shards (3

/4 of a Mythril), Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Bone, Winged Sandals, Pheonix Essence, Smelling Salt Bedroll, Shovel, Banana (Restores full health to target), Diamond Lamp of Summoning, Tonic

Thothwick

Level 24 2/3 Black Knight *Damage Undead*

*Immune to Stunned*

Power

: 38 (34 Ranged)

Defense

: 10

Health

: 39/39

Gold

: 114

Equipment

: Banana Sabre (WP:13, Heals Metasimians when used on them),

Skull Shield (SP:6; immunity to darkness-elemental damage; suitable to Black Knights only)

, Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect), Cultist's Hat (regular attacks do Damage to Undead)

Inventory

: Shuriken (WP 8), Sabre (WP 10), 1 Bedroll, 1 Telescope, 1 Potion, 9 Cosmic Essences, 1

Venom, 5 Deadly venoms, Grand Zoot Cookie, Sapphire, Dragon Scale, 4 Meads, 5 Grand Potions, Ambrosia

Karie Alderflask

Level 18 Witch

*Hilariously and Luckily Drunk*

Power:

25

Defense

: 2

Health:

32/32

Ether:

24/24

Gold:

85

Equipment:

Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, Whip, successful hits lowers the target's level

.

Coils around the user's arm and mimics a tattoo outside of battle.) by 1. Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4)

,

Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear)

Inventory:

Grand Tonic, Mead (1), Remedies (3), Venom (7)

,

Smoke bomb (1),

Pixie Dust (1),

Telescope (1), Bedroll (1)

,

Emergency Essence (1), Grand Tonic (3), Nostrum (1), Smelling Salt (1)

Quest Items:

Entry 11

,

Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp)

,

Forest Journal

Aretefacts/Weapons:

Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only)

,

Lover's Locket (Accessory, Protects from

enamoured

effect), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory, changes user's appearance into an Elf)

Sexy (WP: 8, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues),

Paper Doll (Accesory, prevents Hexing)

Gemstones:

Topaz

Edited October 8, 2013 by Zepher

[Professor Flitwick]

Thothwick waits for the stranger to leave, and breathes a sigh of relief.

"Well, that could've gotten a lot worse. We've got a fair bit to discuss, but nothing that can't be discussed tomorrow. Shall we retire to those rooms Mr. Shawe kindly offered us, and meet up in the morning? It's been quite a long day."