Heroica RPG - Quest#87: The Marketplace Mystery

[Cutcobra]

Avalanche glares at the monk, "Shut up. Don't you realise you're just making enemies rather than being a good party leader? If you have a problem with Sorrow, keep it to yourself."

He then says to Heckz, "Why don't we try Anwyl's smithy first? We have to start somewhere..."

"I wolud prefer talking to Fabian, I could relate to him."

[Dragonfire]

"Umm...I don't think that would be a very good idea...you and Fabian would just chat about luxurious hairstyles all day," joked Avalanche. "Anwyl's more of a no-nonsense man. Or maybe a no-nonsense dwarf..." replies Avalanche, glad of someone to chat too.

[Sandy]

Party:

Avalanche (Dragonfire)

29 years old male yeti Barbarian

Level 3

*Natural Respite*

Power:

8

(3+5)

Health:

10/10

Gold:

0

Equipment:

Trollsbane (club, WP:5,

earth

-elemental)

Inventory:

Potion, Bottle of Mead, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Phoenix Essence, Pumpkin Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Bone

John 'Heckz' Brutenhal

,The Ghostbuster

(Eric-Su)

32 year old male Sorcerer.

Level 15

*Immune

to

Sealed

*

Power:

24

(15+9)

(

Spellpower:

29

(15+9+5)

)

Defense:

3

Health:

23/23

(5+14+4)

Ether:

26/26

(5+14+1+5+1)

Gold:

147

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), Lovelorn Wand (WP 6, deals

Enamored

effect),

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.

Monk Pretzel

(Palathadric) *Party Leader*

463-year-old male "hermit" Paladin

Level:

19

Power:

34

19 + 15

(+5, In the Front Row)

Defense:

9 (+5, in the Back Row)

Health:

43/43

41 + 2*

Ether:

31/31

27 + 4

Gold:

536

Equipment:

Conspirator (WP; 15; deals "Blinded" effect; Longsword), Fashionable Shield (SP:7), Strategist's Shako (Suitable for anyone, +5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back, headwear), Ethereal Cloak (Backwear; SP:2; Max Ether +4), Soothing Slippers (Footwear, Meditate restores 5 ether)

Inventory:

The Muckraker (WP: 13;

Earth

,

Water

,

Wood

; deals "Weakened" effect; Greatsword), Heavy Flail (WP: 5; deals "Fragile" effect; Mace), Dual staff (WP:8;

Ice

,

Lightning

; Dual Strike), Flying Cross (WP:6;

Darkness

,

Fire

,

Wind

; Broomstick), Steak (WP:1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits, suitable for all), Impervious Shield (SP: 5) (Grants immunity to Fire), Shackles of War,

Diamond

, Scroll of Sealing, Potion (2), Grand Potion (4), Ether Core (2), Remedy (5), Soma, Smelling Salts (2), Phoenix Essence (2), Phoenix Incense, Neutralizer, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), Venom (4), Deadly Venom (5), Paralyzing Venom (2), Smoke Bomb (2), Bone (3), Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle), Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magic Shovel

(will always find

something

when used, limited to three uses per quest)

, Magnificent Magniscope (Magnifying Glass/Telescope)

Sorrow

(Endgame)

428 years old undead Assassin

Level 24 1/3

*Immune to

Light

and Blinded*

Power:

52

(24+27+1)

Defense:

6

Health:

35/35

(7+21+5)

Gold:

274

Equipment:

Mockthril Longbow (WP: 27

Ice

and

Darkness

Elemental), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors; handwear), Night’s Helmet (SP:6, immunity to light and blinded; headwear)

Inventory:

Longsword (WP: 5), Armor of the Croise (SP: 1, +2 power; bodywear), Dark Cloak (Backwear, SP:1, Max Health +1, Power +1, suitable for rogues and barbarians), Archer's Hat (Artifact, headwear, Power +1, suitable for Rangers and their Advanced Classes), Grand Potion x5, Health Core x2, Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy x5, Phoenix Essence x3, Venom x2, Deadly Venom, Mead x15, Smelling Salts x15, Nostrum x15, Dragon Scale x1, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Neutralizer, Disguise Kit (Accessory. Usable by anyone. Allows the user to disguise them self as the opposite gender.),

Root beer

(Restores 10 health, or can be used as a bomb against undead enemies for 20 damage. The Root Beer does not affect non-undead enemies.), Tonic x1, Exterium (Can be used on an enemy to make them Confused and Plagued (15 damage, -1 SP) for 3 rounds), Ambrosia, Shark Jaw Scythe (WP 15/30 vs. Aquatic Monsters)

Stigveladi

"Amma"

Kötturin

, the Ghost Buster, the Krakenwhacker and the Titan Smiter (played by PsyKater)

247 years old dwarven Battle Mage

Level 21 1/3

*Immune to

Sealed

*

Power:

41

(21+20)

Defense:

5

(2+3)

Health:

31/31

(5+5+20+1)

Ether:

31/31

(5+1+20+5)

Gold:

38

Equipment:

Ġeofon (WP:20, 4x damage to enemies weak to

Water

,

axe

), Winged Helmet (+2 SP;

headwear

), Robe of the Archmagi (+3 SP; +5 Ether;

bodywear

), Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles;

accessory

)

Inventory:

Wishing Wand (WP:12; each successful hit has ½ chance of inflicting either

asleep

-,

blinded

-,

sealed

- or

confused

-effect, according to what the user wishes;

wand

), Stealth Dagger (WP: 12;

dagger

), Wand of Poking (WP: 10; double WP for physical attacks;

wand

), Dwarven Broomstick (WP: 3;

broomstick

), Enchanted Bracelet (Protects from Sealed effect), Crown of the Sea Kings (gives the wearer +20 SP, +20 max. health and +20 max. ether when fighting at a sea, lake or river;

headwear

), Cat Statuette (

"Grettir"

, +1 HP,

a

ccessory

), Pointy Hat (Suitable for mages and clerics, +2 max ether,

headwear

), Lover's Ring (+2 HP;

a

ccessory

), Spiked Collar (+1 P;

accessory

),

Opal (

Ice

),

Topaz (

Lightning

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Sapphire (

Wind

),

Ruby (

Fire

),

Emerald (

Wood

),

Scroll of Inspiration,

Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening

, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep,

2x Titan Heart (Grants

encouraged

- and

inspired

-effects when consumed), 2x Kraken Fang (grants

hastened

- and

reinforced

-effects when consumed),

5x Potion,

4x Tonic,

3x Grand Potion,

2x Grand Tonic,

3x Remedy,

4x Phoenix Incense,

4x Mead, 4x Nostrum, 6x Venom, 3x Dirt Bomb, 8x Water Bomb, Fire Bomb,

Skeleton Decoy, 2x Bone,

Bedroll, Shovel,

1x Silver Ore (worth 60 gold),Gold Bar (worth 50 gold)

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer

Level:

20 2/3

*Immune to

Fragile

,

Sealed,

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

*

Power:

33

(20 + 13)

Defense

: 7

(3 + 4)

Health:

28/28

(5 + 19 + 4)

Ether:

30/30

(5 + 19 + 1 + 5)

Gold

: 2

Equipment:

Alpha and Omega (WP:13, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, staves), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5,

Immunity to

Se

aled,

bodywear

),

Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to

Fragile,

headwear

)

, Sterile Gloves (

Immunity to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned,

handwear

)

Inventory

:

Gems:

Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment),

Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (

Earth

),

Opal (

Ice

)

, Aquamarine (

Water

), Topaz (

Lightning

)

Scrolls:

Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening

, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep

Weapons:

Sleeper (WP:5, deals

Asleep

to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Potion stored], melee/throwing weapon), Ratsbane (WP:10, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, dagger), Batarang (WP:13,

darkness

-elemental, throwing weapon),

Artifacts:

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

Magic

and

Healing

,

headwear

), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle,

backwear

), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from

Petrified

-effect,

accessory

)

Tools

: Magic Compass,

Shovel,

Bedroll

Consumables:

Copy of

The Eubric Herald

(Gives the target the

transcended

- and

inspired

- effects for the duration of one battle), Nostrum (3), Smelling Salts (3), Phoenix Essence, Elixir, Health Core, Potion, Grand Potion (3), Grand Tonic, Tonic, Ether Core, Remedy (2), Smoke Bomb, Bone

"Have the merchants reported anything missing from their warehouses, the ones that have been ransacked?", Thalion addressed Warlock.

Warlock leaves through his notebook again.

"Umm, yes, it seems some of the merchants reported missing items, but it seems the storages were left in such a disarray that they haven't been able to deduce everything that has been stolen yet. I think they need our help with that..."

"Hmm, yes, at least you have a head on your shoulders. This was my question exactly. Also, we may as well see all those pictures since you have them available, although I wouldn't trust any of these modern machines. I say stay a safe distance away from them."

"Just laying all the pics in front of you would do little good, eh? Not a very organized approached, is it now? I think we oughtta do a case-by-case analysis. Which merchant's case you want to dig into first?"

"I apologize for their unprofessional behaviour," I whisper, "when a party is chosen at random, it's easy to select regular street rabble calling themselves 'heroes.' Don't worry, I will try to get the best that I can out of them. By the end of this quest we should be looking back at a successful operation here. Now about those 'pictures.' Were they...um... painted after the ransack?"

"Yeah, I took pics of all the warehouses after they were raided. Oh, with the exception of Portia's Potion Shack. It was raided just last night, so I got to take a picture of it before and after the incident. I also took pictures of people that visited the Marketplace yesterday, if they're any use for us. You see now which one of us are the brains in this duo, eh?"

"Yes, you are very observant, dear Watsap. We should start the investigation now, before any more burglaries occur. Err, shouldn't we?"

[PsyKater]

"Yeah, we probably should. Let's start with this little cheater over there?" Stigveladi points to Anwyl. "Maybe he even knows more than the others."

[-obelix-]

"Yeah, we probably should. Let's start with this little cheater over there?" Stigveladi points to Anwyl. "Maybe he even knows more than the others."

Thalion nods, "Sounds as good a place as any to start."

[Dragonfire]

Avalanche heads over to the smithy. "I agree."

[Cutcobra]

"Boo. " Heckz heads to Anwyl's with the others.

[Dragonfire]

"It's OK Heckz- we can visit Fabian next."

[Endgame]

"Let's get a move on, folks."

[Palathadric]

"Anwyl's is as good a place as any," I suppose. "It's also first on the list and we may as well do things in a proper order. Would you mind letting me know in which order the shops were ransacked, if you know?"

Avalanche glares at the monk, "I apologise for my rude outburst, but seriously, please don't discriminate against other species. Just because I'm a yeti doesn't mean I'm any less of a hero or a free citizen than you. The same goes for Sorrow. And in case you haven't noticed, my fur colour is white, not blue. How would you like it if I called you a weird yellow monkey?" Without waiting for Pretzel's answer, he turns on his heel and walks back towards the others.

"Animals are meant to be subservient to men. As for your demonic friend, can you really call it discrimination against a species? Since when have demons been a species of their own? No, he roamed the earth once in flesh and blood, but no doubt did great evil or he would not have been raised in the way he was. His master has broken the laws of nature, the laws put forth by God, Himself. And thus he is nothing but a slave to his master, an evil master who uses the arcane arts to manipulate armies and to cause mass destruction. Why else would he create a demon of his own choosing when he need not have? He has defied the essence of life. He has headed down the darkest of paths, his creations are clearly a reflection of that. Having no mind of their own, why should we treat them as if they had one?

"I call you blue, because to say 'white' sounds discriminating...racially."

"And you would be quite wrong to call me a monkey as there is nothing monkey-like about me. Perhaps you would like a shave?"

[Endgame]

Enough is enough. How dare that pestilent monk slander my father like that?!

"He's dead. The master you love talking about so much is dead, Monk."

[Palathadric]

"He could say anything through you, you know. I don't argue with mindless zombillic demons, but sometimes it's a real pity to see how much they think they can think for themselves. The only reason you think he's dead is because he planted that idea into your mind. If he was truly dead, you would be too, unless necromancers have found a way for their spirit to live on in the lives of their creations which is just downright frightening to think about."

[Endgame]

I cam down, asking ina more cordial tone... Trying to fight Syntax's urge to tear out his jugular.

"Does your God plant ideas in your head, monk? Serious question."

[Palathadric]

"Pah! It's no use attempting to talk to beings from the underworld. They can't even compose any logical arguments."

I roll my eyes exaggeratedly and munch down a pretzel.

"I'll tell you one thing, you don't scare me nearly as much as that runt with the odd hat. Never seen his kind before, and he doesn't even attempt to hide his appearance behind a somewhat human-like figure. It spells bad times for good men to see such creatures walking the land freely."

[Sandy]

"I'll tell you one thing, you don't scare me nearly as much as that runt with the odd hat. Never seen his kind before, and he doesn't even attempt to hide his appearance behind a somewhat human-like figure. It spells bad times for good men to see such creatures walking the land freely."

"Hey! I'm just a kobold, for cripes' sakes! Just because our kind rarely venture out of our caves doesn't mean we're demonspawns. Geez..."

"Anwyl's is as good a place as any," I suppose. "It's also first on the list and we may as well do things in a proper order. Would you mind letting me know in which order the shops were ransacked, if you know?"

Warlock turns the pages of his notebook frantically again.

"Umm, yes... Just a minute, I've got it somewhere here... Uh..."

Watsap rolls his eyes.

"Anwyl's and Gnomeo's stores were hit on the first night, Fabian's and Elphaba's on the second, and Portia's last night. Got it?"

"Yes, that was it. Phew! Err, let us proceed, then."

Warlock motions the crew to follow him to the sturdy double doors of the smithy owned by Anwyl Smokebeard, a dwarf of dubious origins.

"What, is the Town Watch finally going to do something about this mess? A honorable dwarf cannot run a business under these conditions, I tell you!"

What will the heroes ask of the smith?

[Palathadric]

"Mr. Warlock, you appear to be sweating. Care for a kerchief?"

I turn to Anwyl.

"It appears so, my good dwarf...if you are indeed a dwarf. I'll be honest with you and tell you that your weapons' rack looks pretty tidy as it is. Are you missing any items and if so, would you mind telling me what is missing?"

Edited November 12, 2013 by Palathadric

[-obelix-]

"Aside from that, can you tell us if you remember someone coming to your smithy in the last few days, acting unusual? For example, someone just asking you questions about your shop and leaving without buying anything?" Thalion addressed Anwyl.

Edited November 12, 2013 by -obelix-

[Palathadric]

I keep half an eye on the piece of equipment and Watsup, lest he try something foolish.

[Cutcobra]

Heckz hears Pretzels comments towards all things not human, elven or dwarvish. "I think you are the mindless one here, Monk 'Type of food that is not good for my body' "

"So, Mister Doesn't look like he takes care of his facial hair, do you know of anyone who might be jealous of any of you five merchant's succesfulnes?"

[PsyKater]

"What, is the Town Watch finally going to do something about this mess? A honorable dwarf cannot run a business under these conditions, I tell you!"

What will the heroes ask of the smith?

"Yes, but a liar and thief like you should do. Ah, I could tell from our first meeting that you are no proper dwarf. Tell us the truth before you say anything else: Who are you? Where do you come from? What are your origins?"

[Cutcobra]

"And why in the name of my fabulous clothes, credit to Fabian for that, does smoke come out of your beard?"

Edited November 12, 2013 by Eric Su

[Endgame]

"Are you aware of the method of entry?"

[Dragonfire]

"Do you suspect anyone? Were the weapons stolen all of a particular type?" asks Avalanche.

"Animals are meant to be subservient to men. As for your demonic friend, can you really call it discrimination against a species? Since when have demons been a species of their own? No, he roamed the earth once in flesh and blood, but no doubt did great evil or he would not have been raised in the way he was. His master has broken the laws of nature, the laws put forth by God, Himself. And thus he is nothing but a slave to his master, an evil master who uses the arcane arts to manipulate armies and to cause mass destruction. Why else would he create a demon of his own choosing when he need not have? He has defied the essence of life. He has headed down the darkest of paths, his creations are clearly a reflection of that. Having no mind of their own, why should we treat them as if they had one?

"I call you blue, because to say 'white' sounds discriminating...racially."

"And you would be quite wrong to call me a monkey as there is nothing monkey-like about me. Perhaps you would like a shave?"

Avalanche takes a step towards the monk, "I am not an animal. If I was, do you think I would be intelligent enough to come to Heroica and partake in this quest. You're a complete hypocrite and a racist! All you do is discriminate racially! And as for a shave...well, I could do with a knife right now..." He glares again at Pretzel.

[Palathadric]

"I think you are the mindless one here, Monk 'Type of food that is not good for my body' "

I raise an eyebrow at the grinning mage.

What a strange fellow.

"Yes, but a liar and thief like you should do. Ah, I could tell from our first meeting that you are no proper dwarf. Tell us the truth before you say anything else: Who are you? Where do you come from? What are your origins?"

"Dwarf!" I hiss. "It may be worthwhile that you do not antagonize those who we are hear to assist. You wouldn't want to give our Town Watch friend the wrong idea would you? Besides, I'm not so sure that his origin has anything to do with what is happening here."

Avalanche takes a step towards the monk, "I am not an animal. If I was, do you think I would be intelligent enough to come to Heroica and partake in this quest. You're a complete hypocrite and a racist! All you do is discriminate racially! And as for a shave...well, I could do with a knife right now..." He glares again at Pretzel.

I chuckle at the outburst. "A knife? I would give you one, if I had one on me, knowing full well that you wouldn't even be able to wield it. As far as the shave is concerned, I believe I have just the thing."

I flash Conspirator slightly.

"Besides, I don't recall being the one mentioning 'species' and the like."

Edited November 13, 2013 by Palathadric

[Dragonfire]

Avalanche growls, "Come near me with that thing and I'll smash your head in." He pulls Trollsbane off his back.