Heroica RPG- Quest #83: Four's Company

[Dragonfire]

"That could well be it, Purpearl. You may have just hit the nail on the head there," exclaims Avalanche.

[Kintobor]

"That could well be it, Purpearl. You may have just hit the nail on the head there," exclaims Avalanche.

Paolo shakes his head in disapproval.

"I don't think so. One thing contradicts this idea: the pearls. There was an obvious struggle between the two, which ended in Sassina's death. Abigail couldn't have worn the pearls, she was busy running for her life, and I doubt she could afford such luxuries. She also mistook many events of the murder, but I believe something she said is very important. Consider what the girl said about what she saw Sassina and the blond girl doing and how we found Sassina's body."

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl pauses for a second to ponder what Lt. Paulo had said and turns to her party, "The witch is most likely the owner of those murky pearls. The struggle between Sassina and the witch can be seen with Sassina's drawn sword and the scattering of the pearls all over the floor. The witch probably betrayed Sassina after he killed all the guards by stabbing him in the back with her poison dagger. Sassina probably tried to counterattack by drawing his sword and aiming for the witch's neck, taking out the witch's pearl necklace instead.

What Abigail saw was most likely the part where the witch betrayed Sassina by stabbing him at the back while they made out. His eyes lit up when he saw Abigail because he wanted to get help but wasn't able to do so.

As to how the sleeping agent got into Sassina's system... lots of possibilities. The witch's lips might be laced with sleeping agent and passed on to Sassina when they made out or that Sassina accidentally/deliberately drank the wine from the bottle."

[Kintobor]

Purpearl pauses for a second to ponder what Lt. Paulo had said and turns to her party, "The witch is most likely the owner of those murky pearls. The struggle between Sassina and the witch can be seen with Sassina's drawn sword and the scattering of the pearls all over the floor. The witch probably betrayed Sassina after he killed all the guards by stabbing him in the back with her poison dagger. Sassina probably tried to counterattack by drawing his sword and aiming for the witch's neck, taking out the witch's pearl necklace instead.

What Abigail saw was most likely the part where the witch betrayed Sassina by stabbing him at the back while they made out. His eyes lit up when he saw Abigail because he wanted to get help but wasn't able to do so.

As to how the sleeping agent got into Sassina's system... lots of possibilities. The witch's lips might be laced with sleeping agent and passed on to Sassina when they made out or that Sassina accidentally/deliberately drank the wine from the bottle."

"We have no evidence to prove Barbarricia was behind this, so pursuing that train of thought won't lead us anywhere.

I think you're on the right track. Sassina's eyes most likely lit up when he was stabbed in the back. By what though...

I was thinking through mouth contact as well. Our perpetrator made out with Sassina, as Abigail described, and the drug most likely entered his system in that manner. What a devious way to do the deed.

The only thing missing is what he was stabbed with. If it were laced with poison we'd be able to just about put this case to rest."

[Dragonfire]

Avalanche listens to what Purpearl has to say, "Good idea, but I think he couldn't have slashed at her after he was stabbed. She probably said that she didn't want any witnesses and then he got angry and attacked her. And Lieutenant, we found a poison-laced dagger in Sassina's back. I think Arasmyth or Heckz has it..."

Edited October 28, 2013 by Dragonfire

[Kadabra]

By this. Arasmyth gives Paolo the Murderer's Dagger.

[Kintobor]

By this. Arasmyth gives Paolo the Murderer's Dagger.

Arasmyth hands the blade to the lieutenant, who looks puzzled.

"Why do you have... never mind. The poison on this blade appears to be the same deadly venom used to poison Sassina, so we definitely know what the killer used to end his life. She stabbed him in the back, causing Abigail to witness his bulging eyes."

Avalanche listens to what Purpearl has to say, "Good idea, but I think he couldn't have slashed at her after he was stabbed. She probably said that she didn't want any witnesses and then he got angry and attacked her. And Lieutenant, we found a poison-laced dagger in Sassina's back. I think Arasmyth or Heckz has it..."

"Let's recall what happened to Purpearl when she drank the wine. The effect wasn't instantaneous. The killer most likely kissed him, stabbed him in the back, and then he drew his blade. As well, as potent as the poison was, he still wouldn't have died instantly. Sassina grabbed her throat, ripped the pearl necklace off, and attempted to get revenge. However, the lack of a fifth body suggests she got away. This also explains our big mystery: who locked the door?"

[Dragonfire]

Avalanche replies, "She must have been a magic user. She locked the door behind her when she entered, and she vanished using a portal."

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl nods in agreement, "It is possible that our perpetrator locked the door from the inside and either escaped through a magical portal or vanished like a spirit. But we have our perpetrator's murky pearls as evidence so if we can track down where they originated from, we can find her real identity."

[Kintobor]

"I think there's a simpler solution. I believe not a shred of magic was used. If there was, we would have known in some way shape or form. Teleportation is a high class wizard spell which few have mastered. The pearls suggest a struggle between the two of them, and we know at that point Sassina was already stabbed with the dagger and the sleeping agent beginning to kick in. If you were Sassina confronting this person, what would you do?"

[Purpearljellyblob]

"After Sassina knew he was being stabbed, he struggled with the blond haired woman, and with the last of his strength, he managed to kick her out of the guardhouse. He locked the door from the inside with two separate locks to prevent her from coming in."

[Kintobor]

"After Sassina knew he was being stabbed, he struggled with the blond haired woman, and with the last of his strength, he managed to kick her out of the guardhouse. He locked the door from the inside with two separate locks to prevent her from coming in."

"That's what I was thinking. He managed to get her out of the gatehouse, only to succumb to his wounds. Thus, four dead men in a locked room."

---

Sassina, his work finished, most likely waited for his lover to appear, they flirted for a few minutes until they embraced.

However, the woman had other plans. With her lips drenched in a sleeping agent, she made contact with Sassina's lips, unknowingly drugging him. Abigail came in to see the bodies on the floor and the exact moment Sassina was stabbed.

Abigail, thinking Sassina saw her, ran for it. Sassina pulled out his sword, and grappled onto the woman, who most likely broke free at the expense of her murky pearl necklace. Sassina forced her out, but it was too late. I'd say Sassina toppled over dead fifteen to twenty seconds later.

---

The party stands in the cool autumn air with the Lieutenant and Abigail, as the lieutenant finishes his rambling explanation.

"... and that's how it was done, it seems. Hmm... it troubles me we have a killer on the loose in Eubric. Blonde hair.... I'll have the men look out for anyone of the like, but for-"

"Can I please get these cuffs off me?"

"Sorry, m'dear. I'm certain we can get you an escort home, if you'd like?"

"Thanks. I'd appreciate that."

Abigail sits solemnly on the front steps, kicking her legs about in a bored fashion. She still seemed melancholic about something.

"We have you heroes to thank once again for helping us out with this mystery. Without you we may still be at square one back at the gatehouse. As promised, one level of experience to all of you."

He pulls out a bottle from his pocket, a curious liquid in it. He sprays the contents on the heroes, dousing them in a strange substance.

"Imported from Luosh is it. A bit of a strong scent, but helpful none the less. As for dealing with the Wolfgang thugs, I managed to get each of you a small reward, 75 gold for the arrests of the foursome. Apparently that Cheech and Kong fellows were high on the drug making list. If you don't mind, could you fellows escort Abigail upstairs and to the front doors? I've got things to get back to, mainly the Baker's Guild incident. Thank you profusely for your assistance sirs and madame."

With a bow, he walks back into the barracks, leaving the party alone on the front steps with Abigail. It had been an interesting afternoon for the party, to be sure, but they couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of multiple things to come: for some a new career, for others new friendships. However, one thing was for certain,

this wouldn't be the last of the murders.

THE QUEST WAS SUCCESSFUL!!!

-The Party-

Avalanche (Dragonfire)

29 years old male yeti Barbarian

Level 3

Power: 8 (3+5)

Health: 10/10

Gold: 93

Equipment: Trollsbane (WP:5, earth club)

Inventory: Potion, Mead, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Earthshaker (WP:3)

Purpearl Berthadhiell (Purpearljellyblob)

180 Years Old Female Elven Mage

Level 3

Power: 6 (3+3)

Health: 7/7 (7)

Ether: 7/7 (7)

Gold: 95

Equipment: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3)

Inventory: Ruby (Fire), Potion, Bedroll, Party Bomb (20 damage to all enemies, 1/3 chance to stun every enemy) x2

Heckz Brutenhal,The Ghostbuster (Eric-Su)

32 year old male Mage.

Level 15 *Immune to Sealed* *Poisoned!*

Power: 23 (14+9) (Spellpower: 27 (13+9+5))

Defense: 3

Health: 19/19 (5+14)

Ether: 25/25 (5+13+1+5)

Gold: 127

Equipment: Rawr (WP:9), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5, handwear) Robe Of The Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether + 5, Immune to Sealed

Inventory: Rat Scepter (WP:3, 4x damage to enemies named “rat”; wand), Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses including SP but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Amethyst (Darkness), Health Core, Tonic, Grand Tonic, Grand Potion, Ether Core, Remedy, Elixir, Smelling Salts, Mead, Phoenix Essence, Bedroll, Shovel, Bone x2, Crystal Ball (worth 50 gold/100 gold at magic shops), Harlot's Outfit (Suitable for Witches, Sorcerers, and Harlots. SP: 2 Provides immunity from poison and deadly poison. Body and Leg Wear. Counts as one artefact)

Arasmyth RuGard (played by Kadabra) *Party Leader*

214 Year Old Elven Evoker

Level 17

Power: 26 (17+9)

Defense: 3

Health: 24/24

Ether: 22/22

Gold: 159

Equipment: Suume (Bow, WP:8 9, Wind and Lightning Elemental), Robe of the Elven Warlock (SP:3), Ranger's Quiver (WP+1 to bows/crossbows), Murderer's Dagger (WP:4, dagger. Stolen from the crime scene, no longer considered evidence unless returned)

Artefacts:

Gemstones: Topaz

Scrolls: Scroll of Sealing

Consumables: Potion, Grand Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Pixie Dust

Summon: Sera, Angel of Wrath (Lightning elemental)

-EPILOGUE-

A few hours ago, back in the alley...

To be continued...

Thank you for joining me in this experimental quest! I hope you had as much fun playing it as I had hosting it! I'd also appreciate your feedback in the Quest Masters Lounge, both positive and negative. I'll have a synopsis of my overall thoughts on the quest, as well as my critiques on you guys and your roleplaying in a bit, but for now, I wanted to say it was a blast hosting you guys! You were an awesome group, and I'd love to have you guys back for another quest any time! I'll see you guys around!

Feel free to talk to Abigail if you so desire. Otherwise, head on back to the hall and update your stats.

-Kintobor

Edited November 2, 2013 by Kintobor

[Dragonfire]

Avalanche mumbles a goodbye to the other heroes before leaving for the hall.

[Kadabra]

Arasmyth gives a jaunty salute to the other heroes. Pleasure working with you, chaps and lady. He then saunters off towards the hall.

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl walks beside Abigail, "You will be fine, if you need someone to talk to, come look for me in the Heroica Hall." She waves goodbye to Abigail and other heroes, grabs the flowing end of her dress as she walked down the stairs and makes her way back to the Hall.

[Cutcobra]

"Goodbye, lady and gentlemen." Heckz blows a kiss and heads to the hall.

OoC: Sorry for inactiveness! Wifi was out for a hole week.