Heroica RPG - Quest#88: Fathers and Sons

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke keeps his eyes open to his surroundings, constantly scanning everything in his sight, even the the party's newest members and the two generals..

[Peppermint_M]

Mountains, much more Tesni's kind of terrain. Resisting the urge to simply clamber cliff faces to get the best view she settled into a steady pace and a careful eye.

[Chromeknight]

Seraphiel hovered above. Unseen by all but Nerwen.

Nerwen knew an attack was immanent, but was, she thought, prepared.

[Flare]

Benji turns into his reptile form and sniffs around for orcs nearby.

[Zepher]

The party walks along the edge of the water. The going is slow, and the wind cuts into them. Benji changes into his Reptile form, and sniffs around for Orcs. He recognizes, instead, a different smell - some musty feathers, damp and old and decaying.

General Hamilton falls into step next to Hoke.

"Harpys," he grunts quietly, gesturing to their left where the cliff face reached out above them. Hoke is able to pick out little glinting eyes peering out from small nooks and caves.

"They make their home on this side of the river. The Orcs aren't organized enough to protect their lands."

"Do you have them over in Eubric? They are vicious fighters."

"And I doubt you have them in the numbers we have."

A piercing shriek rings out from the cliffs. Hamilton covers his ears and flinches, but General Mint and his men just stares upwards. Even the Battle Dogs keep walking, growling lowly at the cliffs.

"They're trying to scare us. See if we're predator or prey."

[UsernameMDM]

"I've never encountered one," Hoke says as he glances upward almost nonchalantly, not losing a step, "Are they prone to unprovoked attacks?"

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen lets fly with an equally piercing screech in reply, substituting the the falling third tone for a rising one. Her intent was to reply to the challenge in kind. She looks at her companions.

I think that is a suitable reply. It has been a long time since I met any of the Taraerea.

[Zepher]

"I've never encountered one," Hoke says as he glances upward almost nonchalantly, not losing a step, "Are they prone to unprovoked attacks?"

"Depends on if they think you're easy pickings or not."

At Nerwen's return cry the dogs turn to growl at her, but General Mint waves them down.

"What was that cry, Nerwen? We are in their land, it would not be wise to provoke them."

General Mint casts a wilting glance in Hamilton's direction.

"He's right," he spits out unwillingly. "Look around you." Even as Nerwen glances up at the misty sky above, four or five more dark shapes hurdle overhead and settle into the shadows of the cliff. "Do you know how creatures of a flock nature work?"

[Chromeknight]

I know quite well how flocks work. Each member tries to get move closer to the rest, without going to close, while heading in the same direction.

But you may be thinking of pack hunting behaviour, where a group works out if we are worth chasing for food. If these harpies have learnt that men are soft and delicious, there is not much that will prevent them attacking. If they have not learnt this, they will be no trouble. Either way, the call I made was meant to give them pause. Pack predators rarely attack other packs, too dangerous for them. So it will be if they try us.

[UsernameMDM]

"He's right," he spits out unwillingly. "Look around you." Even as Nerwen glances up at the misty sky above, four or five more dark shapes hurdle overhead and settle into the shadows of the cliff. "Do you know how creatures of a flock nature work?"

"I've dealt with a Dire Wolf pack before," turning to Nerwen, "Let's just say when they are in trouble, more come to help out."

[Flare]

Benji growls at the figures flying through the skying. He starts humming in an intimidating way as he glares at the impending creatures.

[Peppermint_M]

"I have no plans to tangle with them, but Mellt should help if needs be." Tesni kept an eye on the newly minted paladin, perhaps all the Ennoc nonsense had rotted her brain.

[Zepher]

"Trouble is that someone has to teach them if we're tasty or not." Mint unsheaths his sword, but keeps his eyes forward. Hamilton follows suit, that it clanks and clatters at it comes out of his sheath - his hand is shaking too much.

The clatter of stones draws the heroes' attention, and they turn to see a few Harpies slinking and hopping behind them, giving little bursts of flight as they follow at a safe distance. One of them shrieks upon being spotted, and they all stop short, but then continue at a slightly further distance once the heroes continue to move.

Some shapes dart by, passing over the river to their right. Three of the swift shadows land on the path in front of them, and three harpies crouch in the heroes' path. What will they do?

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen looks at Hoke, clearly indicating by her expression that she thinks she can handle this. She waits for a nod.

[UsernameMDM]

"If they impede our progess they need to move. We shall assist them if need be."

[Flare]

The reptilian Benji shapeshifts back to his human self. He speaks to the creatures in a difficult dialect: <"Hello sisters. Please do not hinder or progress, or your bones will become desecrated like those of the orcs that we have already dealt with. If your intentions are of harm, then leave now. We do not want to hurt you, but if you attack us we will slaughter you mercilessly.">

Edited January 26, 2014 by Flare

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen raises an eyebrow in surprise at Benji's shift to animal talk. Then she nods her head in acknowledgement that he handled it much better than she would have.

OOC animal talk, of course!

Edited January 25, 2014 by Chromeknight

[Peppermint_M]

"If your speechafying doesn't get those birds off our backs we might have to fight or smoke away..."

[UsernameMDM]

"If your speechafying doesn't get those birds off our backs we might have to fight or smoke away..."

"We have yet to engage a foe, and you speak of retreating. Shame. What happened to the fierce woman we thought you were Tesni?" Hoke asks with a chuckle and wink.

[Zepher]

The harpies hop and flutter around so much as they advance slowly that Benji is unable to keep them exactly straight.

<Hissssssssssssssssss,> growls one.

<Are these morsels?> asks another.

<Stand aside, creature. Or join us in the feast. We know that you hunger for their flesh too, though you pretend to be one of them.>

<Our sisters are hungry.>

<Are they morsels? Do they taste good? They look warm and red.>

Another screech draws Benji and the heroes' attention. Behind them the harpies have also crept up... five from this direction.

<Our sisters are hungry.>

<What say you, beast? Do we feast on them and you, or only them?>

[Flare]

Benji screams at the harpies in anger. <Feed on your children, b****s! Feel the pain of my claws!> With this Benji transforms rapidly into his dinosaur form and howls mightily, trying to frighten the harpies and indicating that the discussions had ended.

Edited January 26, 2014 by Flare

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen cocked her head listening closely, trying the follow, if not the words then the tone of, the conversation. Benji's bellow made it clear that whatever form of persuasion he had been trying to use, it had failed. She planted the butt of her staff in the ground and sent a pulse of ether through the aquamarine and amethyst embedded in its top.

Flying creatures are vulnerable to a sapphire's wind and topaz's lightning magic. They are immune to the earth magic of a garnet also.

Sir Hoke. Perhaps you might put the electro gear to use somewhere?

[Zepher]

As Benji roars, the Harpies scatter, and it seems for a second that the heroes have fended them off...

But then... out of the sky comes racing shadows, ramming into the heroes, nudging them towards the edge. Both Nerwen and Jess are hit too hard, and both end up clinging to the edge of the cliff. Hamilton too is rammed backwards, falling into the troops of the Four Boulders Kingdom. They are quickly surrounded by an angry pack of harpies, shrieking and clawing. The heroes turn to help them, but find their path blocked in every direction. General Mint cries out.

"Best way to help them is to slay as many of these beasts as we can! Re-establsh a perimeter - if we can hack through on one side maybe our ranged combatants will have better luck."

Seal of the Warrior Priestess - Nerwen Transcended and Inspired

The Enemies

Harpy A (South)

Level 21 Flying

Health:

354/354

Special:

Feral Strike

– Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

Harpy B

(South)

Level 21 Flying

Health:

354/354

Special:

Feral Strike

– Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

Harpy C (South)

Level 21 Flying

Health:

354/354

Special:

Feral Strike

– Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

Harpy D

(North)

Level 21 Flying

Health:

354/354

Special:

Feral Strike

– Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

Harpy E (Cliff Face)

Level 21 Flying

Health:

354/354

Special:

Feral Strike

– Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

Harpy F

(Cliff Face)

Level 21 Flying

Health:

354/354

Special:

Feral Strike

– Attacks members of the opposing party 1-6 times, dividing the hits as equally as possible.

Drops:

Smelling Salts

The Party

Hoke Ablesword The Krakenwhacker and Titan Smiter (UsernameMDM)

*Party Leader*

Level 29.66 Mystic Knight

*Immune to Darkness, Fragile, Weakened, Sealed, and Confused* *+3 Defense* *Encouraged*

Power Bonus:

4 (+4 WP)

Defense

:

25

28

Health

: 48/48

Ether

: 29/29

Gold

: 348

Equipment

:

Flagpole (WP:4, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance)

, Steel Buckler (SP: 20, immune to

darkness

),

Samurai Helmet (WP: 4, immune to sealed and confused, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors)

, Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile)

Inventory

:

Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword)

,

Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1)

, Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding effect; spear),

Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory),

Cultist Hat (damage vs undead),

Counterstrike Gloves,

Opal (

Ice

), Ruby (

Fire

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Emerald (

Wood

), Aquamarine (

Water

), 2x Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Topaz (

Lightning

),

Garnet (

Earth

)

,

Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep,

4x Potions, 4x Grand Potions, Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essences, Phoenix Incense, 4x Mead, 4x Ether Core, x4 Dragon Scale

(

Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed)

, Grating Stone, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Water Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 3x Deadly Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Kraken Fang (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed),

2x

Titan Heart

(

Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Level Up Mushroom, Pumpkin Bomb, Mulled Wine, Tonic, 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy

Benji Carvenhall

, the Dragonslayer

Level 35.75 Beastwarrior

*Natural Respite*

*Gains Triple XP*

*Immune to

Asleep

,

Blinded

,

Confused

,

Fragile

, and

Weakened

Effects

* *+3 Defense* *Inspired* *Beast Form*

Power:

51

(35+16)

Defense:

9

12

(3+6)

Health:

122/122

(6+34+15+6)

Gold:

436

(owes 500 to Alexis Fenral)

Equipment:

Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:16; AIM's become HIT's;

darkness-

,

ice-

,

fire-

,

wind

-

elemental

)

,

Medal of Glory

(accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to

asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects)

, Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Overkill Gloves

[borrowed from Galen]

(handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy)

, Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors)

Inventory:

Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15;

earth-,

wood-,

water-

,

lightning-,

light-

elemental),

Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors),

Ratmancer's Cowl

(headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin),

Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (artefact, accessory),

Health Core (5),

Grand Potion (9),

Potion (2),

Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (5),

Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3),

Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (4), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3),

Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Bone,

Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect), Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Ambrosia

Tesni Hightribe

, Level 33 Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* *+3 Defense*

Power

: 60

Power Bonus

: 0

Defense

:

14

20

Health

: 52/52

Gold

: 1456

Equipment

: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)),Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:11, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle; suitable for barbarians, chi monks and beast warriors).

Inventory

: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer), Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Cysgodion (WP:14, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Scroll of Sleep, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 4 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Mod Rod (WP:10, causes the afraid-effect; lightning-elemental staff suitable for staff members only). Mulled Wine, 3 Potions, 3 Remedies

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

Level 24 Paladin

*Immune to Sealed*

*+3 Defense* *Reinforced* *Transcended* *Inspired* *Hanging On*

Power bonus:

0

Defense:

17

34

Health:

45

/

45

90/90

Ether:

35

/

35

70/70

Gold:

218

Equipment:

Magical Staff (WP: 15;

Water

-,

Darkness

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

Sealed

; bodywear), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (Accessory, Suitable for Paladins, At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired), White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11)

Inventory:

Mourning Star (WP: 10;

Fire

-elemental; inflicts

Fragile

-effect; mace), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind),

•

Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; Immune to

Water

; accessory)

•

Opal

,

Topaz

,

Diamond

,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

•

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion

•

Grand Tonics (4), Potions (3), Elixirs (3), Remedies (7), Potion, Phoenix Essences (2), Phoenix Incense, Tiger Balm, Neutralizers (2), 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, Double Rainbow, Ether Core, Copy of Eubric herald (inspired and transcended, one battle), Grand potion, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Ambrosia

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass

Jess Islanti (Sisco)

Level 20.66 Assassin

*Immune to Weakened Effect* *+3 Defense* *Hanging On*

Power Bonus

: 2

Health

: 32/32

Defense

: 3

Gold

: 201

Equipment

: Blohdhurm (WP: 14)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 to Power, immune to the Weakened Effect), Medal of Honor (Accessory, User Gains Triple Experience)

Inventory

: 2 Venoms, 3 Meads, 3 Grand Potions,

Dragonfire Stew (Gives the consumer the

encouraged

and

inspired

effects for the duration of one battle), Mulled Wine, 13 Potions, 11 Remedies, 4 Phoenix Essences, 5 Flame-Distilled Brandy

General Mint

Level 55.2 Beserker *Immune to Fragile* *+3 Defense* *Encouraged*

Power

: 67

Health

: 72/72

Defense

:

5

8

Gold

: 70

Equipment

: The Steel Stone (WP: 12, Earth Elemental, Greatsword), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immune to Fragile)

Inventory

: x6 Mead

NOTE: The Harpies are a flock. At the end of the round, one will join one of the random sides.

Those who have been knocked over the edge much be helped back up. This will cost a turn.

Harpies at the Cliff prevent a back-row. If you kill all cliff harpies, you may have a back-row. Until then, there is no back-row.

Harpies to the South prevent Hamilton from fighting alongside you. If you kill those Harpies, you get back Hamilton.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Zepher

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen swaps her shield of the red lizard for the Orc barbed shield.

Noting it's dented and scuffed condition , she sets to work with her bright polish on it, incidentally making it slightly better at blocking blows.

orc barbed shield SP now 11 not 10

Nerwen's defence is ((11+2)+3)x2=32

Also you need to roll for the seal of the warrior priestess.

Do hanging heroes that have been rescued have an action that round (like revived heroes)?

Did you intend that AoE attacks such as Hoke's spellspin and Benji's beast unleashed and AoE defences such as Nerwen's Guardian angel only affect one of the facings? If so you haven't specified such.

Sir Ablesword! A hand if you will. You will need my shield.

[Flare]

Benji strikes at Harpy E (there probably should only be one, by the way), trying to free Hamilton.