Heroica RPG - Quest #90: A Trip to the Circus

[Waterbrick Down]

"We will be going in together. Borris and his troupe can do their act while we handle the cart and the lifting and carrying. When we reach the outpost, we will say we needed a stopover for a night's rest and we offer free entertainment and performance in return. Let Borris and his troupe do the talking about the circus and their travel plans. We won't be seen as a threat if we keep our cool and no mentioning of Heroica or the captured Orc or fighting, just a night's rest. Our party can serve them mead and let them drink till they are silly. When more than half of the Nords are drunk/unconscious, we can take on the guards and save the Orc. We have to make sure no one is alive to tell the tale."

Purpearl turns to Borris and his troupe,

"How many spare uniforms do you have and can all of you fight?"

"We should have enough with us and Boris's tricks should helps us out."

"Yes, yes. As far as weapons, I think we can fend for ourselves, Glup's been swallowing swords for years, Mirona could bash your skull in if she wanted to with her bare hands, Nelvin generally doesn't have any issues due to his "condition", and me, well they can't hit what they can't recognize."

[Vash the Stampede]

"Since I am not the invinseeable 'vampire' that you are. Stay out of my way."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"We should have enough with us and Boris's tricks should helps us out."

"Yes, yes. As far as weapons, I think we can fend for ourselves, Glup's been swallowing swords for years, Mirona could bash your skull in if she wanted to with her bare hands, Nelvin generally doesn't have any issues due to his "condition", and me, well they can't hit what they can't recognize."

"Well with that all sorted we could probably get going unless there is something else to discuss."

[Waterbrick Down]

Glup, threw a few tattered uniforms that had obviously seen better days, to the party. When everyone had dressed Boris gave a nod, and everyone noticed that their attire looked brand new, although it still felt and smelt awful.

"You're just going to have to put up with some unpleasantness for the time being. Well let's get going then."

The Party:

Cinna the Dark (darkdragon) *Party Leader*

Level 25 2/3

*Immune to Stunned,

Lightning

and

Earth

*

Power Bonus:

2

Defense:

11

Health:

31/44

Ether:

37/38

Gold:

109

Equipment:

Mauryl (WP:19 +

Darkness

, broomstick), Turtleshell Shield (SP:9), Black Dragon Robe (Max. Health +6; immunity to

earth

; suitable to mages, rogues and chi monks; bodywear), Anniversary Medal:Y2 (+2 to all stats per year; accessory)

Inventory:

Healing Staff (WP:9, heals target; staff), Naginata (WP:10; halberd), Lumber Axe (WP: 8,

wood

-elemental axe), Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Pointy Hat (Max. Ether +2, suitable for mages and clerics; headwear), High Heels (Power +1, suitable for women; footwear), Blue Dragon Cape (Immunity to slowed and water; suitable to knights, rangers and dragoons; backwear), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Opal (

Ice

), Ruby (

Fire

), Emerald (

Wood

), Diamond(

Light

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Garnet (

Earth

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Disenchantment (Removes all positive effects from all opponents at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Sealing, 2 Ether Cores, 5 Grand Potions, 5 Remedies, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 5 Meads, Smelling Salt, Soma, Tiger Balm (Grants immunity to all effects for one battle), 3 Deadly Venoms, Fire Bomb, Floral Bomb, Air Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (100 wind-elemental damage to all enemies), Bedroll, 2 Pumpkin Bombs, Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether)

Dreyrugr

(Vash the Stampede)

Level 20 Black Knight

*Immune to

Stunned

,

Water

,

Wind

, and

Fire

*

Power Bonus:

0

Defense

: 13

Health:

39/39

Gold:

172

Equipment:

Sharkjaw Scythe (WP:15, WP x2 against Aquatic type enemies,

Darkness,

Ice

), Gloves of the Undead Assassin (For every enemy the wearer kills, it gains 5 HP, Immunity to

Water

, Usable by anyone, Handgear), Dragonbrand Shield (SP: 8, immune to

wind

and

fire

, shield), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from

stunned

-effect), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP: 1, backwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Venom x3, Bedroll, Remedy, 2x Smelling Salts, Mead x3, Net (if used in combat, 1/3 chance to slow enemy, 1/3 chance to be useless, 1/3 chance slow self, lasts 3 rounds, retrievable), Nostrum x2, Throwing Dagger (WP:3), Fauxthril Scythe (WP:5), 5 Bones, Bow (WP: 4), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence x2, Soma, Mulled Wine, Crow-Claw Dagger (WP: 6, 50/50 chance to stun enemy on successful attack), Shuriken (WP:5,

Wind

), Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), Pseudos Hood (can damage undead with normal attacks), Deadly Venom, Scroll of Ice Armour

Nagure

(Costy)

Level 21 2/3 Berserker

*Natural Respite* *Trap Evasion*

*Immune to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Earth

,

Petrified

,

Fragile

,

Blinded

,

Confused

and

Asleep

*

*Counterstrike*

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

25

Health:

43/43

Gold:

25

GP:

4

Equipment:

Xiaolin's Bident

(WP:16; instantly kills Aoi;

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental spear),

Yeti Fur Coat

(SP:12, immunity to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Fragile

Blinded,

Confused

and

Asleep

; suitable for yetis only, bodywear),

Counterstrike Gloves

; handwear), White Dragon's Greaves (SP:3, avoid traps on the ground, immunity to

earth

and

petrified

; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; footwear), Shield (SP:10)

Inventory:

Stone Hammer (WP: 15,

Earth

&

Darkness

-elemental, hammer), Tiger Slayer (WP:10/20 against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear), Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe),Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy x4, Elixir, Phoenix Essences x2, Mead x3, Deadly Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x5, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe, Lightning Bomb x2, Smelling Salts, Venom, Phoenix Incense x2, Teleportapple

Purpearl Berthadhiell

(Purpearljellyblob)

Level 4 Mage

Power Bonus:

0

Health:

5/8

Ether:

4/8

Gold:

20

Equipment:

Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3)

Inventory:

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

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

), Scroll of Weakening, Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), 2x Tasty Pretzels, Grand Tonic

Baradok Segul Cannari

(Cryos)

Level 5 Barbarian

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

2

Health:

11/11

Gold:

270

Equipment:

Calcified Club (WP: 5,

Earth

-Elemental) Light Armor (SP:2)

Inventory:

Potion x2, Remedy, Phenoix Essence, Smelling Salts, Starter Halberd (WP:3), Doppel Vial, 2x Pumpkin Bombs, Raw Sushi (Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether)

Matthias

(nstickney)

Level 2 Ranger

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

4

Health:

7/7

Gold:

20

Equipment:

Tinker's Crossbow (WP: 3), Hunter's Plate (SP: 4, wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed, suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors)

Inventory:

Potion x2, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Grimmau's Clothespin (Prevnts the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle, headware)

Boris the Magnificent

*Lucky on Odd Rounds*

Level 25 Sorcerer

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

4

Health:

35/35

Gold:

50

Equipment:

Wooden Staff (WP: 10), Boris's Cloak (SP 4, Provides Lucky effect on Odd Rounds, Backwear)

Inventory:

Diamond, Amethyst, Phoenix Essence, Smoke Bomb

Mirona

Level 10 Barbarian

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

0

Health:

17/17

Gold:

0

Equipment:

Lifting Wights (WP 5, Duel Wielding)

Inventory:

2 Grand Potions

Glup *Immune to Fire, Afraid, and Stunned*

Level 5 Rogue

Power Bonus:

0

Defense: 2

Health: 11/11

Gold: 10

Equipment: Rapier (WP 6), Daredevil Belt (SP 2, Grants immunity to Fire, Afraid, and Stunned, Torsowear)

Inventory: Mead, 3x Fire Bombs

Nelvin *Dodgy (1/3 chance to avoid rolls of Damage)*

Level 15 Assassin

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 0

Health: 30/30

Gold: 20

Equipment:Unobtrusive Dagger (WP 5) Tunic of the Elvin Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Dodgy effect, Torsowear)

Inventory: Smelling Salt, Smoke Bomb

The party help reload the wagon and follow Boris as they make their way to the Fire Nord outpost. The troupe finally arrives as the sun begins its descent.

"Halt right there, what's your business?"

"Merely traveling entertainers looking for a place to shelter from the wilderness."

"Entertainers eh? How does a free performance in exchange for a place to bivouac for the night sound?"

"Splendid indeed, we'd be happy to oblige."

"Right then come on in, I'll need to be holding onto those weapons I can see some of yer group is carrying though."

"Ah yes, um... let me confer with my companions."

Boris turned to the heroes and asked with a whisper.

"Now what?"

Edited December 29, 2013 by Waterbrick Down

[Cryos]

"Now what?"

Baradock attempted to match Boris' volume. "Say they a part of performance."

Edited December 27, 2013 by Cryos

[Vash the Stampede]

"Say they a part of performance."

"I'll go with that but we might not be able to get away with all of our weapons like that. If that doesn't work we more experienced heroes might have to give them some of our weaker weapons whilst hiding our good ones."

[Cryos]

"I'll go with that but we might not be able to get away with all of our weapons like that. If that doesn't work we more experienced heroes might have to give them some of our weaker weapons whilst hiding our good ones."

"Hmm. Glup, you eat--swallow a few of our sword weapons?" It was worth a shot.

Since Nelvin's dagger is unobtrusive the guard can't see it, right?

Edited December 27, 2013 by Cryos

[Vash the Stampede]

"Hmm. Glup, you eat--swallow a few of our sword weapons?"

"Haha, unlike our bags my stomach doesn't seem to lead to another dimension."

[Waterbrick Down]

"Nelvin and Glup could probably conceal theirs, but I think the rest of us would be pretty hard pressed unless some of you want a sink or swim lesson in sword swallowing."

[Costy]

"I say we give them our weapons now, and Dreyrgur can steal them back when we get inside. I'm guessing they will either put them in the barracks or the storehouse."

Nagure turns to the guard, "Will our weapons be safe when we leave them with you?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"Huhuhuhuh, depends how good your performance is, may need to keep a few as... compensation."

[Darkdragon]

Cinna is pulling out Naginata and a Lumber Axe slowly and gently setting them down on the ground in front of her before looking up at the guard.

"Of course, these won't be needed again until back on the treaturous road."

As she is pulling the axe out of her bag, a small skeletal hand reaches up clammoring to get out.

"<No, Mauryl, it's not time.>" she whispers loud enough for the guard to hear.

A moment later, as the axe is free, Mauryl flys up into the air where the guard can see her nearly eye-to-eye. With her skeletal grin, she does loops in front of him.

"[Wheeee!! free!!! Time for a show! A show a show! Here we go!]" She speaks quickly, spinning and looping all the while. Suddenly stopping in front of the guard. "[Have a joke for you! Yes I do!]" After one more loop, she comes back to him. "[No no no, a joke won't do. No time to moan, it's time for a poem!]"

Cinna looks up to catch Mauryl's eye and give her a little wink. Mauryl spins before starting her poem.

"To the church did the feudal Lord ride" <loop de loops>

"with twelve swordsman silent beside" <flying around the guard quickly while glancing inside the walls to see the layout of soldiers>

"he swaggered in, grinning" <gliding up and down in little waves>

"and, though it was sinning" <she flies up high and peers down to check the layout of the land quickly before coming back>

"in the front pew he rogered the bride!" <spinning and finally ending up in front of the guard with her big skeletal grin>

Cinna laughs and claps.

"Always so eager to entertain, aren't you Mauryl. I think you got started a bit early though, he hasn't even shown us inside yet."

"Uhoh, s-s-sry sur! Apoologies." She flys back down to Cinna and into the bag.

ooc: I did not make up that poem so if you love or hate it, don't blame me.

[Waterbrick Down]

"To the church did the feudal Lord ride" <loop de loops>

"with twelve swordsman silent beside" <flying around the guard quickly while glancing inside the walls to see the layout of soldiers>

"he swaggered in, grinning" <gliding up and down in little waves>

"and, though it was sinning" <she flies up high and peers down to check the layout of the land quickly before coming back>

"in the front pew he rogered the bride!" <spinning and finally ending up in front of the guard with her big skeletal grin>

"Hah! I've no clue what devilry that thing is, but if the rest of your entertainment is as good as that, I doubt we'll be in need of any further compensation for our "hospitality". Now what about those weapons?"

Mauryl whisks up into the air and sees that there are four guards on the walls, five in the courtyard tending to their weapons and fishing nets. A boat sits anchored in a small inlet on the northern end of the fort. The northern walls face the sea and are built on steep rocky outcroppings. The rest of the fort is lain out just as Boris's map depicted.

[Purpearljellyblob]

OOC: WBD, I should have a Grand Tonic instead of Grand Potion

"Huhuhuhuh, depends how good your performance is, may need to keep a few as... compensation."

"Hah! I've no clue what devilry that thing is, but if the rest of your entertainment is as good as that, I doubt we'll be in need of any further compensation for our "hospitality". Now what about those weapons?"

Purpearl approaches the guard, takes a slight bow and introduces Glup to him.

"Greetings, we are a circus and we perform to get by. Glup is our resident "weapon swallower", he can show you what I meant by that. He can't possibly carry all those "weapons" by himself, so we have to carry his little toys."

Edited December 28, 2013 by Purpearljellyblob

[Waterbrick Down]

Purpearl approaches the guard, takes a slight bow and introduces Glup to him.

"Greetings, we are a circus and we perform to get by. Glup is our resident "weapon swallower", he can show you what I meant by that. He can't possibly carry all those "weapons" by himself, so we have to carry his little toys."

Glup looks at Nagure's bident rather nervously, but nods her head vigorously.

"Well, then this will be quite a show. Come in."

The Fire Nord leads them into the fort and the circus troup starts to unload the necessary gear before starting up some of their tricks. Soon several Nords have gathered and are watching the display with cries of enjoyment and laughter.

What will the party do?

[Vash the Stampede]

Dreyrugr turns to whisper to his companions making sure no one else hears them "So do we split up because we'd have better luck hiding or is there safety in numbers? Personally I'd say splitting up sounds safer."

[Cryos]

Dreyrugr turns to whisper to his companions making sure no one else hears them "So do we split up because we'd have better luck hiding or is there safety in numbers? Personally I'd say splitting up sounds safer."

Vash's statement almost fell on deaf ears because Baradock was so lost in the troupes act. "If we are doing the 'split' we should do it to string the guards away from their posts." he whispered as he craned his head assessing how many guards were not joining in the festivities.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Cryos

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl whispers to her party.

Dreyrugr turns to whisper to his companions making sure no one else hears them "So do we split up because we'd have better luck hiding or is there safety in numbers? Personally I'd say splitting up sounds safer."

"Good idea, I think we should investigate the storehouse for alcoholic drinks. If any Nord asks where we're heading, say we're looking for food and drinks so they can feast while they enjoy the performance."

Vash's statement almost fell on deaf ears because Baradock was so lost in the troupes act. "If we are doing the 'split' we should do it to string the guards away from their posts."

"Yes, we need as many Nords joining the festivities as possible."

Edited December 30, 2013 by Purpearljellyblob

[StickFig]

"Yes, we need as many Nords joining the festivities as possible."

"Anyone need a haircut?" Matthias, dubious about any show talent he might possess, falls back on offering haircuts as a way to make a few coins. It might help to get the Nords off guard and everyone talks freely to their barber, right?

Edited May 13, 2014 by nstickney

[Waterbrick Down]

Vash's statement almost fell on deaf ears because Baradock was so lost in the troupes act. "If we are doing the 'split' we should do it to string the guards away from their posts." he whispered as he craned his head assessing how many guards were not joining in the festivities.

Baradock noted three guards on the wall who were still patrolling the exterior. All in all, eight Nords were watching the display.

"Anyone need a haircut?" Matthias, dubious about any show talent he might possess, falls back on offering haircuts as a way to make a few coins. It might help to get the Nords off guard and everyone talks freely to their barber, right?

"Nay little one, were we to trim a single hair of our head, 'twould be considered a dishonoring of our patron deity Thoric."

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Nay little one, were we to trim a single hair of our head, 'twould be considered a dishonoring of our patron deity Thoric."

Purpearl approaches the Nord,

"How about us grabbing a cold one for all yer mates?"

Edited December 30, 2013 by Purpearljellyblob

[Waterbrick Down]

Purpearl approaches the Nord,

"How about us grabbing a cold one for all yer mates?"

"Cold one? Isn't it cold enough outside already?"

"I think my companion meant something to drink."

"Oh, well I don't know how many of them would appreciate a mead at the moment, but most of the time we just grab some out of the storehouse when we're thirsty. What was your talent again?"

[Vash the Stampede]

"Oh, well I don't know how many of them would appreciate a mead at the moment, but most of the time we just grab some out of the storehouse when we're thirsty. What was your talent again?"

"You wouldn't happen to mind if we helped ourselves would you?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"You wouldn't happen to mind if we helped ourselves would you?"

"Perhaps a barter could be in order, all the Mead you want pale-man, for that blackened armor of yours."

[Vash the Stampede]

"Ah that could be a problem. This armour is part of the show, not mine to trade. Could we give you some gold instead?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"I'd be happy to accept 25 Gold a piece."