Heroica RPG - Quest#87: The Marketplace Mystery

[Palathadric]

"At least that smelly monster managed to took picture of my wares before the raid, so you guys can tell what was taken."

"Monster? What makes you think it wasn't a human?"

"Umm...she's referring to the little scrawny fellow with the hat who created the painting," I say, cringing.

"Miss Portia, dio you know of anyone who could have wanted to steal your items? Do you even know which Items were stolen?"

"Mage, don't you think everyone in Uland would want to get their hands on some of these potions, if for no other reason than to resell?"

I frown.

"Why don't we take a look at that picture."

[Endgame]

Gah, sorry!

I cringe as well. I cannot give this monk more ammo to use against me.

"My apologies, i must've misheard..."

[Sandy]

"Before we get to the warehouse and the missing items, miss Portia, in the last few days, did you have any costumers acting unusually, having requests for items you don't normally sell, or is there anything out of ordinary happening, other then ransacking of course, that you can think of...?"

Portia leans closer to Thalion.

"Just between you and me... that witch over there is mighty suspicious, don't you think? She's got that gross green skin and everything, I mean she should be arrested for that alone! She's been visiting this Marketplace for many years now, tainting the peace and quiet with her hideous presence. Each time she visits, odd things start happening. I heard all midwives within three blocks stopped producing milk one time she came!"

"Portia, were the stolen items of a higher value than the rest? And did the thieves completely ransack your shop like they did with Anwyl's?"

"Huh, beats me! I don't know what was taken, if anything. I didn't really check."

"Miss Portia, dio you know of anyone who could have wanted to steal your items? Do you even know which Items were stolen?"

"Everyone wants my wares! I'm popular like that. Like I said, I haven't been bothered to look through the storageroom after it got burglarized. I thought I'd leave it to you people."

"Monster? What makes you think it wasn't a human?"

"I was talking about that creepy sack of meat with the corny hat. I wouldn't have let him anywhere near my store if he hadn't said he worked for the Town Watch."

"Please, Miss Portia, stop smothering me with your praises... Now, let's see what that ungrateful wench lost, if anything."

PORTIA'S CASE

The Potion Shack was the last store to get broken into. Watsap took pictures of the storage room before and after the crime. Investigate what has changed and whether any items have gone missing.

BEFORE

AFTER

"But... They both look the same to me."

Watsap facepalms.

[PsyKater]

"Portia, my dear. Stop this nasty talking, wont't you? Let me have a look at the paintings.

Hmm that red bottle turned blue. What was supposed to be inside? And the shield with the snake on the left is missing. Does it have a special meaning, does it stand for something special?"

Edited November 14, 2013 by PsyKater

[Palathadric]

"There are pink grapes on the floor there. The pot and pan are black, not pink. Are they a different pot and pan or is it just grime on them? It appears as if one of the lights hanging from the ceiling is now yellow and not blue," I muse.

"One of the shields is missing. Interesting. The blue and the yellow mugs on the left shelf have been swapped.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Palathadric

[PsyKater]

"What is pouring over the pot in the left of the painting? Is it honey?"

[Endgame]

"The pink bomb in the top shelf, middle, got turned into a water bomb. The green and purple vials of poison switched locations. The curtain has changed colors, green to red. Phoenix essence appears to be tampered with. The pink bomb on the crate on the floor has turned grey.

It seems your storeroom has been rearranged for the most part, with not many things stolen..."

I double take as my eyes fixtae on the cauldrons stacked on top of eachother.

"Miss portia, do you know what that... speckled, green thing is? It has been left in your storehouse..."

Edited November 14, 2013 by Endgame

[Palathadric]

The ladder has been turned around.

In the Basket:

The Yellow Bomb and White Bomb have been swapped

The Grey and Pink Bomb have been swapped

The Blue and the Red Bomb have been swapped

The Blue Venom (Top Left) has been switched with the Green one (Same Shelf)

The Phoenix Essence on the Right is now blowing in the opposite direction

On the Top Center Shelf, the Pink Bomb has been exchanged for a Blue one

The Drape in front of the window? is now Red instead of Green

The Red (Center Middle) and Blue (Center Bottom), bottles, or whatever they are, have been swapped.

The Brown Pot on the Left has a weird face in it now.

The Cauldron has something green inside.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Palathadric

[Cutcobra]

"And the the bucket on the bottom right appears to have changed positions."

Edited November 14, 2013 by Eric Su

[Palathadric]

"That chicken is there again.

It seems as if perhaps the chicken is hiding and its owner was trying to catch him, but that gives no excuse for the missing items."

It appears as if the Golden Cone (Bottom-Right, Center Shelf) is missing, but it is not clear, because the ladder is blocking most of the area where it stood.

[-obelix-]

Thalion points to the middle-left shelf, " The contents of pink and white mugs have been switched (pink and orange)..."

[Cutcobra]

"Also, the green and red potions on the middle shelf have been switched."

[Dragonfire]

"The shield on the right is missing too, and the blue mug on the far left bottom shelf has turned yellow. Besides, the stacked cauldrons appear to have rotated around," comments Avalanche.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Dragonfire

[Sandy]

It seems your storeroom has been rearranged for the most part, with not many things stolen..."

"Oh? So what was stolen? Only a shield..?" Portia glances at the pictures and gasps. "Oh, no! The Serpenthead Shield is gone! It belonged to my ex, who gave it to me for safekeeping... I heard he's dead now anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter."

"Miss portia, do you know what that... speckled, green thing is? It has been left in your storehouse..."

"Huh? How did that get there?"

Portia walks into her storage room and reappears carrying a turtle at an arm's length away from her.

"Take this icky critter as far away as possible from me, please! It pooped on the cauldron it was hiding in! There's no way I'm going to clean it up, so I just have to toss the whole cauldron away..."

"?!"

PORTIA'S CASE SOLVED!

Amma, Sorrow and Thalion gain third of a level, Monk Pretzel and Heckz gain half of a level, and Avalanche gains a full level.

Party:

Avalanche (Dragonfire)

29 years old male yeti Barbarian

Level 5

*Natural Respite*

Power:

10

(5+5)

Health:

12/12

(7 + 5)

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 1/2

*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 1/2

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 2/3

*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 2/3

*Immune to

Sealed

* *Gain triple experience*

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:

21 1/3

*Immune to

Fragile

,

Sealed,

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

*

Power:

34

(21 + 13)

Defense

: 7

(3 + 4)

Health:

29/29

(5 + 20 + 4)

Ether:

31/31

(5 + 20 + 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

"That means so far we have... uhh... a warhammer and a shield stolen, am I correct? Just tell me if I'm wrong about something, I really won't mind. Who should we visit next?"

"Wait, are you leaving already? What about the mess, who's going to clean it up?!"

[-obelix-]

Thalion raises his hands to take the turtle, "Come on little friend, lets see if we can find you a new home."

He turns towards the party, "As master Heckz expressed a wish, should we visit Fabian next?"

[Sandy]

Thalion raises his hands to take the turtle, "Come on little friend, lets see if we can find you a new home."

He turns towards the party, "As master Heckz expressed a wish, should we visit Fabian next?"

Thalion takes the turtle. It snuggles against his chest, pleased to get out of Portia's claws.

"I guess Fabian's is as good a place as any to continue."

"Ah, have I died and gone to heaven, or why else is there a batallion of hunky men approaching me? Or are you perhaps here to solve this unfathomable crime that has struck my boutique? Oh, I cannot even begin to describe what kind of a carnage the petty thief left in my backroom! I have never felt this abused - not even when the log-throwing team from Barresh Settlement paid me a visit!"

"Hey Warlock, did you know you and Fabian play for the same team? Hehehe..."

"Huh? But I have never played log-throwing in my life... Anyway, we have some questions for you, Mr. Fancyfeather. For starters... err, my comrades here would like to have a word with you."

Warlock looks at the heroes with anticipation.

[Cutcobra]

"Fabian, you look extra glamorous today! Not as glamorous as me though."

"Do you know which items were stolen, who might have done this and who came to your shop recently?"

[-obelix-]

Thalion takes the turtle. It snuggles against his chest, pleased to get out of Portia's claws.

"Aren't you a cute little thing?" Thalion says, as he pets the turtle.

"Ah, have I died and gone to heaven, or why else is there a batallion of hunky men approaching me? Or are you perhaps here to solve this unfathomable crime that has struck my boutique? Oh, I cannot even begin to describe what kind of a carnage the petty thief left in my backroom! I have never felt this abused - not even when the log-throwing team from Barresh Settlement paid me a visit!"

As the party arrives, Thalion greats Fabian with a small bow, "Indeed, we are here to try and solve the crime spree that happened here on the marketplace. Can you tell us if anything out of the ordinary happening in days prior to incident with your warehouse?"

[Dragonfire]

"Were any of your recent customers interested specifically in any rare suits of armour or helmets? It looks as if someone is collecting fighting implements..." mused Avalanche.

[Palathadric]

"What is the situation with your warehouse, Fabian? Are there any missing items that you've noticed?

Mr. Warlock, seeing the picture may be worthwhile at this time."

Sandy, I should be at Level 22 1/3 now. I was at Level 22 when I quit the fields, but I failed to catch it before now.

[Dragonfire]

Avalanche agrees with the Monk, "Yes please, can we see the picture?"

[PsyKater]

Amma waits for the picture

[Sandy]

"Do you know which items were stolen, who might have done this and who came to your shop recently?"

"Oh, I am still in the process of sorting out my ensembles. The garments I was working on were thrown all helter skelter on the floor of my atelier. As to who has visited my boutique recently, there was this peculiar old lady in a rabbit costume. She wanted to buy carrots, so I had to politely direct her to the right direction - which is out of my store."

"Indeed, we are here to try and solve the crime spree that happened here on the marketplace. Can you tell us if anything out of the ordinary happening in days prior to incident with your warehouse?"

"Hmm, other than the rabbit lady... Well, the green crone has returned with her garish wagon. Her arrival always broods trouble."

"Were any of your recent customers interested specifically in any rare suits of armour or helmets? It looks as if someone is collecting fighting implements..." mused Avalanche.

"Apart from certain burly members of Heroica, not to my recall."

"Mr. Warlock, seeing the picture may be worthwhile at this time."

"Certainly, dear friar. Let us see the picture, dear Watsap."

"Eyes sharp, boys and... whichever sex the dwarf is."

Watsap's remark makes Fabian stare at Amma intently.

FABIAN'S CASE

Sort out the various items of clothing thrown on the floor, matching the hats, the shirts and the pants to create full sets. Are there any excessive garments or something missing?

[-obelix-]

"All right, there is a pirate hat in the lower left, a pirate captains coat and epoulettes near the red turban, and a pirate pants with one wooden leg near the bottom of the picture; that would make for a complete pirate set. I dont see anything matching the bumblebee-striped shirt, for example..."

Edited November 16, 2013 by -obelix-

[Cutcobra]

"The Magneto strange red and purple helmet in the bottom left, the purple cape and red suit on the top middle and the purple and red pants on the middle left."