Heroica RPG- Quest #101: Into the Woods

[Kintobor]

Darksten listens as the man shares his knowledge

"Indeed, like my partner here I am used to providing for myself without the need for gold, but I have come to realize that there are things that can only be accomplished with treasure. I left my home in search of adventure, but also to make gold in an effort to gain that which could not be achieved in the wild." Darksten says, picturing his goals and dreams. But then something dawns on him

"Can you tell me though sir, you said you were from the Church of Mercutio, are you a priest? You will have to forgive me for asking as I am not familiar with your holy organization."

Armin smiles. It's hardly noticeable, but the elderly man shows a small sign of mirth as clasps his hands together, resting them on the table.

"Of course. It's only natural for one to want more than they already own. It's how the economy works, and grows. Indeed, there was a time I went out on "adventures". Not in your sense of the word, but still, I did my fair share of travel as a lad.

I am surprised to hear this, but I understand. Indeed I am a priest. I am also a banker, as many priests of Mercutio are. He is the patron deity of richness and poverty, of coin and trade. He is often depicted with either the moon or a spider, and he's considered quite the trickster. Being the most revered deity in Eubric, he has quite the influence. I see countless merchants and other clients who need their books kept or their taxes looked over. Being a ranger, I don't know how important a deity like Mercutio would be to you. However, if you'd like to see me again, I'll be returning to the Cathedral of Commerce in a few days time. I'd be more than willing to speak to you more there."

Kianu seems less interested, trying to avoid falling asleep as she shakes herself occasionally.

[Comrade Commander]

"To be honest with you sir, at this time I believe in no particular religion. There is surely a divine being out there to have made such a beautiful and complex world, but I think I am on a path forged by my own hands and not one laid out to me by fate. Maybe one day I will find the right answers, but until then I just go about the way I think is right. I can still appreciate your beliefs however, and may stop by the cathedral sometime." Darksten says in earnest

[Kintobor]

"To be honest with you sir, at this time I believe in no particular religion. There is surely a divine being out there to have made such a beautiful and complex world, but I think I am on a path forged by my own hands and not one laid out to me by fate. Maybe one day I will find the right answers, but until then I just go about the way I think is right. I can still appreciate your beliefs however, and may stop by the cathedral sometime." Darksten says in earnest

Sir Armin nods in approval.

"Of course. There are many religions and beliefs in this big wide world, and I don't intend to push my beliefs on anyone. If you ever wish to learn more of our church, feel free to visit the Cathedral. Now then, if we're finished here, I suppose I'll head up to bed. Is there anything else you wish to speak to me about?"

[Lego Spy]

Grinko crosses his arms, looking a little angered.

"Sounds like your off to an excellent start if you've already run into bandits! I've heard the infamous Alfendi Lupine's managed to escape Eubric and is now prowling somewhere in Uland. He left with a small group of Wolfgang defectors. The scum..."

"Come to think of it, someone did mention the name Alfendi..." Deus muttered in a somewhat worried voice.

"You've done many a traveller a great service. Who knows what they might have done had you not dealt with them. How'd you run across them? Mugging some poor merchant or traveller?"

"Well, its kind of embarrassing to be honest. My group and I were walking through the forest when we came across some men with a broken wagon," Deus retold the scene, "It wasn't until too late that we found out it was a trap."

[Comrade Commander]

"Of course. There are many religions and beliefs in this big wide world, and I don't intend to push my beliefs on anyone. If you ever wish to learn more of our church, feel free to visit the Cathedral. Now then, if we're finished here, I suppose I'll head up to bed. Is there anything else you wish to speak to me about?"

"Thank you again sir" Darksten says to the priest "I will have will have to take you up on your invitation and come discuss things more, but unless you want to let me in on some hot investment tips now, I will let you go to bed and rest." Darksten says with a chuckle.

The ranger turns to Kianu.

"How are you doing? Are you about ready for bed?"

As he does so, sees the bandaged women again, and watches her look through her cards

[Kintobor]

"Come to think of it, someone did mention the name Alfendi..." Deus muttered in a somewhat worried voice.

"Well, its kind of embarrassing to be honest. My group and I were walking through the forest when we came across some men with a broken wagon," Deus retold the scene, "It wasn't until too late that we found out it was a trap."

"Bwahaha! Well, at least you got out in one piece, lad. Bandit's can be pretty cutthroat."

"Alfendi Lupine's still at large, but I wouldn't worry too much. He's more high profile than common thief. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if some of his men did dirty work for him." Sven yawns.

"Thank you again sir" Darksten says to the priest "I will have will have to take you up on your invitation and come discuss things more, but unless you want to let me in on some hot investment tips now, I will let you go to bed and rest." Darksten says with a chuckle.

The ranger turns to Kianu.

"How are you doing? Are you about ready for bed?"

As he does so, sees the bandaged women again, and watches her look through her cards

"Of course. I await our next meeting, Darksten. May fortune smile upon you." Sir Armin stands up and hobbles upstairs. Kianu looks about drowsily.

"I can wait for you to finish up. That woman with the bandages seems to have a set of tarot cards. I wonder if she reads fortunes..."

The bandaged woman casually looked through her cards, staring at each one with disinterest.

[Comrade Commander]

"I can wait for you to finish up. That woman with the bandages seems to have a set of tarot cards. I wonder if she reads fortunes..."

The bandaged woman casually looked through her cards, staring at each one with disinterest.

Darksten continues his gaze at the bandaged women. He had just finished saying he did not believe in fate, and he had not lied. His own hands would decide his future in this beautiful world.

He was too tired for parlor tricks, and the woman with her dirty bandages did not appeal to him, so he decided to continue past her.

Replying to Kianu

"Nah, I think I am done for the night. We have another long day ahead of us, and we will all need our rest"

[Kintobor]

OOC: I'll wait to see what Lego Spy has to say to move this along. It seems Hoanganhbeo has disappeared. I'll give him three more days to post. Otherwise, I'll look into a replacement.

"Well, lad. It's getting late. Perhaps we'll meet again someday!"

"Yes, best of luck in your travels."

The two men get up from their seats and head upstairs, their backpacks on their backs They yawn as they head up to their rooms. It seems the only two people left were the barkeep and the bandaged woman.

"I'll be closing the bar shortly. *sniffle* If you could quickly finish any last minute deals or conversations, it'd be *sniffle* appreciated."

The barkeep turns the music emitting device off and begins to wipe the bar down. The bandaged woman begins to pack her things, putting her various belongings into a pouch on her person.

[Comrade Commander]

Darksten sat quietly, waiting for his travel companions to finish. He could feel his legs start to unwind for the long walk. He watched the bandaged women with interest to see if anything of note was put into her pack. Unknowingly, he was swirling his drink in his hands. The last few ice cubes scraping against the side. When he realized, he figured he had better finish it off. Turning to Kianu he says

"Well, here is to hoping we get lucky tomorrow."

With a quick salute of the glass, he downs the drink.

[Kintobor]

Darksten swallows his drink and sets the glass back on the table... only for the drinks effects to kick in. He suddenly feels slightly dizzy... yet a lot luckier. It seems his sense of humour's been boosted too.

Hilariously and Luckily Drunk- The user is Lucky so long as they make a (passable) pun every time they attack.

The Party

Deus Spiranius (Lego Spy)

23 year old male human Ranger

Level: 2

Power: 5

Defense: 0

Health: 3/7

Ether: 0

Gold: 25

Equipment: Bow (WP: 3)

Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, Tricorne Hat (Artefact: headwear, SP:+1), Bedroll

Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Party Leader* *Hilariously and Luckily Drunk*

35 year old Male Human Ranger

Level 5

Power: 10

Health: 11/11

SP: 2

Gold: 14

Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 6); Sand-Worn Hide (SP: 2)

Inventory: Potion x3, Remedy x2, Smoke bomb, Bedroll, Utility Knife (roleplay item), Grand Potion x2, Phoenix Essence, Ambrosia, Mead, Fang of Kos (roleplay item), Soma, Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Hurricane (consumable, ??? Must be drunk before the end of the night)

Hoang Anh (hoanganhbeo)

20 years old Male Human Knight

Level: 4

Power: 8

Defense: 3

Health: 13/13

Gold: 105

Equipment: Steel Sword(WP:4); Shield (SP: 2); Safety Blanket( SP:1, immune to Afraid, backwear)

Inventory: Remedy x3, Bedroll, Grand Potion, Poison, Sword(WP:3), Smoke Bomb, Soma, Room Key 2, Room Key 4, Room Key 5

"You... okay, Darksten?"

Kianu

Level 4 Female Satyr Cleric *Immune to Poison up to 1* *Listens to Darksten*

HP: 7/9 (6+3)

Ether: 12/12 (6+3+3)

Gold: 30

Equipment: Elderwood Branch (WP: 4, Wood Staff, suitable for Kianu), Woodland Gown (Ether: +3, grants immunity to Poison up to 1 damage, Body wear, suitable for Kianu), Satyr's Pipe (Grants the user animal talk, accessory, suitable for taurians)

Inventory: Tonic x2, Potion

I promise this will be the first and last pony reference. No I don't!

Edited June 3, 2014 by Kintobor

[Lego Spy]

"Well, lad. It's getting late. Perhaps we'll meet again someday!"

"Yes, best of luck in your travels."

The two men get up from their seats and head upstairs, their backpacks on their backs They yawn as they head up to their rooms. It seems the only two people left were the barkeep and the bandaged woman.

"Thanks, same to you!" Deus replied as he got up from his seat.

[Comrade Commander]

Darksten swallows his drink and sets the glass back on the table... only for the drinks effects to kick in. He suddenly feels slightly dizzy... yet a lot luckier. It seems his sense of humour's been boosted too.

Hilariously and Luckily Drunk- The user is Lucky so long as they make a (passable) pun every time they attack.

<snip>

"You... okay, Darksten?"

don't!

Darksten knew it was the wrong choice as soon as the drink settled in his stomach. Already his mind had gone cloudy, and the spinning had begun to intensify.

The whisper of the girl beside him drew his attention.

"Well Katrina, the alcohol certainly hit soon on me..."

OOC; I assume this unfortuantely lasts until the end of the next battle right? and I don't have to post a pun everytime I talk, just when I want to attack right?

Edited June 4, 2014 by Comrade Commander

[Kintobor]

QM Note: Yes it does! You only need to post a pun every time you attack. If you don't, you lose the effect.

"Um... of course, Darksten..."

Kianu looks worriedly at Darksten. She helps him upstairs as the party heads to their soft cozy beds: all except Hoang who quietly enters the Common Room. The party all separately go to sleep, separated by the inns walls. Each of them wasn't sure what the next day would bring, but entering the Murkwood was a certainity. Hopefully whatever was ahead of them tomorrow wouldn't be as embarrassing as what happened today...

---

The party wake up late into the morning, each of them coming into the inn's tavern around the same time, however, one of them looked a little paler than usual. The inn keeper was sweeping the floor, sniffling as usual. It seemed most of the patrons from last night had already left, the sole exception being the Hinckwell merchant who was enjoying his breakfast. Kianu already seemed to be up, sitting at one of the tables. Nibbling on some of her trail rations, her hair was down and her horns were slightly more visible. She yawned as the party approached.

"*yawn* Morning, guys. So, you ready to head out today? We should hit the Murkwood by mid-afternoon. That is, if we don't run into anymore "honest" individuals. Then again, it's nothing you guys can't handle."

The Party

Deus Spiranius (Lego Spy)

23 year old male human Ranger

Level: 2

Power: 5

Defense: 0

Health: 7/7

Ether: 0

Gold: 25

Equipment: Bow (WP: 3)

Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, Tricorne Hat (Artefact: headwear, SP:+1), Bedroll

Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Party Leader* *Hilariously and Luckily Drunk*

35 year old Male Human Ranger

Level 5

Power: 10

Health: 11/11

SP: 2

Gold: 14

Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 6); Sand-Worn Hide (SP: 2)

Inventory: Potion x3, Remedy x2, Smoke bomb, Bedroll, Utility Knife (roleplay item), Grand Potion x2, Phoenix Essence, Ambrosia, Mead, Fang of Kos (roleplay item), Soma, Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Hurricane (consumable, ??? Must be drunk before the end of the night)

Hoang Anh (hoanganhbeo) *Poisoned! -1*

20 years old Male Human Knight

Level: 4

Power: 8

Defense: 3

Health: 13/13

Gold: 105

Equipment: Steel Sword(WP:4); Shield (SP: 2); Safety Blanket( SP:1, immune to Afraid, backwear)

Inventory: Remedy x3, Bedroll, Grand Potion, Poison, Sword(WP:3), Smoke Bomb, Soma, Room Key 2, Room Key 4, Room Key 5

"Morning, heroes!"

Kianu

Level 4 Female Satyr Cleric *Immune to Poison up to 1* *Listens to Darksten*

HP: 7/9 (6+3)

Ether: 12/12 (6+3+3)

Gold: 30

Equipment: Elderwood Branch (WP: 4, Wood Staff, suitable for Kianu), Woodland Gown (Ether: +3, grants immunity to Poison up to 1 damage, Body wear, suitable for Kianu), Satyr's Pipe (Grants the user animal talk, accessory, suitable for taurians)

Inventory: Tonic x2, Potion

[Comrade Commander]

Darksten awoke the next morning to find his mind still a cyclone of thoughts. Clearly the alcohol was still effecting him.

"Rita!" Darksten says to Kianu "I am happy to report I have moved past my depression from last night and am much stronger today! I hope you are ready for a good day on the trail."

It is then that Darksten catches sight of Hoan Anh as the knight sits looking pale

"Hey knight, are you trying to mimic a metal bucket with all that armor? Cause you seem to be little pale!

Darksten cannot help but chuckle as he says the words

"But I jest, let's see if we can fix that cold you seem to have caught."

Turning back to Kianu

"Wilma darling, take your gown off and let this man borrow it. I recognize that material, and know it to be a good sandbag defense against the powers of the wild. It should remedy the situation."

[Kintobor]

OOC: I'll wait for Lego Spy to say something before I move this along. Hoanganhbeo has got two days to post before I go searching for another player.

[Comrade Commander]

Since the Satyr seemed to be ignoring his request, Darksten decided to give up on the situation and move to the Hinckwell gentleman eating breakfast.

"You sir, didn't you say you were planning on making landfall somewhere near Bric'Bay Fort today right?! We four are tracking that way if you care to join us."

ooc: I seem to scare away all my fellow players.... Not as much fun playing by myself.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Comrade Commander

[Lego Spy]

Deus struggled to suppress a grin as Darksten spoke with obvious intoxication. "I wonder what he drank last night," He said under his breath, still holding back a laugh.

As they sat outside, the sun came out from behind a cloud. Deus pulled his Tricorne from his bag and placed it on his head to avoid the harsh light.

OOC: I'm on a mobile device, so I can't update my Heroica stats, or make this post look proper, but it will be my first thing to do tomorrow! :-)

(Also, I am equipping the Tricorne) Edited!

Edited June 5, 2014 by Lego Spy

[Kintobor]

"Rita!" Darksten says to Kianu "I am happy to report I have moved past my depression from last night and am much stronger today! I hope you are ready for a good day on the trail."

Turning back to Kianu

"Wilma darling, take your gown off and let this man borrow it. I recognize that material, and know it to be a good sandbag defense against the powers of the wild. It should remedy the situation."

Kianu cringes, looking uncomfortable. She responds, sounding antsy.

"Darksten, can you... can you back off please. I really doubt this gown will do you any good."

She ties her hair back and covers her horns again. She sits up and edges away from Darksten.

Since the Satyr seemed to be ignoring his request, Darksten decided to give up on the situation and move to the Hinckwell gentleman eating breakfast.

"You sir, didn't you say you were planning on making landfall somewhere near Bric'Bay Fort today right?! We four are tracking that way if you care to join us."

Nolan responds to him with a mouth full of food.

"Sorry lad, but unfortunately I just started my breakfast. However, I hope to see you again down the road!"

He goes back to eating his eggs and bacon.

With everything in order, the party bids farewell to the Weeping Inn, continuing to head North. Passing through Bric'lin, the party wastes no time trekking down the highway, occasionally stopping to pull Darksten back onto the road. As the sun hits midday the party can see a massive forest surrounding the rest of the road. Kianu pulls the party off the road and along the edge of the Murkwood. A thick layer of trees and flora surrounded the area like a wall, seemingly no way for the party to enter without losing a bit of weight beforehand. Finally, Kianu stops, looking at an opening big enough for the party to fit through.

"Huh. That's weird. I don't remember the spider's web here. He looks relatively big too..."

Kianu points to the large black spider sitting in the middle of a web, blocking the entryway. The creature eyes the party intently, shifting it's eight legs occasionally to get a better look at them. Sticking to the centre of the web, it didn't look like the spider had any intent to move. What will the party do?

The Party

Deus Spiranius (Lego Spy)

23 year old male human Ranger

Level: 2

Power: 5

Defense: 1

Health: 7/7

Ether: 0

Gold: 25

Equipment: Bow (WP: 3), Tricorne Hat (Artefact: headwear, SP:+1)

Inventory: Potion, Smoke Bomb, , Bedroll

Darksten (Comrade Commander) *Party Leader* *Hilariously and Luckily Drunk*

35 year old Male Human Ranger

Level 5

Power: 10

Health: 11/11

SP: 2

Gold: 14

Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 6); Sand-Worn Hide (SP: 2)

Inventory: Potion x3, Remedy x2, Smoke bomb, Bedroll, Utility Knife (roleplay item), Grand Potion x2, Phoenix Essence, Ambrosia, Mead, Fang of Kos (roleplay item), Soma, Safety Blanket (SP: 1, protects from Afraid, backwear), Hurricane (consumable, ??? Must be drunk before the end of the night)

Hoang Anh (hoanganhbeo) *Poisoned! -1*

20 years old Male Human Knight

Level: 4

Power: 8

Defense: 3

Health: 13/13

Gold: 105

Equipment: Steel Sword(WP:4); Shield (SP: 2); Safety Blanket( SP:1, immune to Afraid, backwear)

Inventory: Remedy x3, Bedroll, Grand Potion, Poison, Sword(WP:3), Smoke Bomb, Soma, Room Key 2, Room Key 4, Room Key 5

"Not too fond of spiders, to be honest..."

Kianu

Level 4 Female Satyr Cleric *Immune to Poison up to 1* *Listens to Darksten*

HP: 9/9 (6+3)

Ether: 12/12 (6+3+3)

Gold: 30

Equipment: Elderwood Branch (WP: 4, Wood Staff, suitable for Kianu), Woodland Gown (Ether: +3, grants immunity to Poison up to 1 damage, Body wear, suitable for Kianu), Satyr's Pipe (Grants the user animal talk, accessory, suitable for taurians)

Inventory: Tonic x2, Potion

Edited June 6, 2014 by Kintobor

[Comrade Commander]

Darksten strikes a western gunslinger's pose. Looking at the spider, intensely staring him down...anticipating the next move.

After an intense minute, an idea suddenly fills the ranger's drunken mind.

Turning to Kianu he says

"I got it!! Emily, if you don't mind please get out your flute and accompany me.

Spinning back to the spider, Darksten begins to chitter in the creature's tongue. The ranger starts laying out a rhythm no one could have forecasted

"Whose woods these are I might not know.

They are not any Spider's though;

He cannot stop my party here

To save his life, best let us go.

The spider might think we are queer

One ranger without quiver near

A silent knight and young prom date

We are not really striking fear.

One might think we're a piece of cake

But that would be one big mistake.

Cause over your death we won't weep

We'll surge through and your life we'll take.

Now woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

So leave and your life you will keep"

As Darksten finishes his poem, he gives an elaborate bow to the spider, but maintaining a frosty stare

Edit:

Ooc: Shouldn't Kianu be at full health due to the good night sleep?

Edited June 6, 2014 by Comrade Commander

[hoanganhbeo]

"Spiders again!! Luckily it's not as big as Kos so I'll just use my sword to cut the web."

OOC: There's something wrong with my internet connection so Im offline recently but today I've managed to fix it.

[Kintobor]

Darksten strikes a western gunslinger's pose. Looking at the spider, intensely staring him down...anticipating the next move.

After an intense minute, an idea suddenly fills the ranger's drunken mind.

Turning to Kianu he says

"I got it!! Emily, if you don't mind please get out your flute and accompany me.

"Um, Darksten... where are you going with this?"

She pulls out her pipes from her satchel and looks curiously at Darksten.

"And I wish you'd remember my name..."

*Snip*

QM Note: I honestly wish I could give you a level of experience for this. Here's a cookie instead. Also, yes, Kianu should have full health. I seem to have mistaken her ether for her health.

The little spider claps slowly. He relaxes a bit, moving down his web a little ways. The plant to the party's left opens and slaps shut like a cymbal, a metallic ringing resonating throughout the area.

"<Well done, well done indeed. I particularly enjoyed your ability to spin that song up on the spot. However, I unfortunately cannot move for you. You see, it's my duty to keep all foreigners out of Murkwood: orders of the queen.>"

"Spiders again!! Luckily it's not as big as Kos so I'll just use my sword to cut the web."

OOC: There's something wrong with my internet connection so Im offline recently but today I've managed to fix it.

Hoang steps forward to cut the webs, but as he cuts one strand, the spider leaps into action, mending it hastily. It doesn't take long, but the spider's web is intact once again. When he's donen, he moves back to the centre of the web, looking ready to pounce.

"<Oi! And who do you think you are?! Ruining my lovely web! What if I went into your house and ripped your shit apart? How'd you like that, you big palooka?!>"

QM Note: Very well then. I will let you continue playing, but if you continue to have internet problem's let me know in advance so I don't have to question where you are.

Edited June 6, 2014 by Kintobor

[Lego Spy]

Deus whispers to Kianu, somewhat nervously, "Maybe we should find another way in?"

Edited June 7, 2014 by Lego Spy

[Kintobor]

Deus whispers to Kianu, somewhat nervously, "Maybe we should find another way in?"

Kianu whispers back in a hushed voice.

"We'll be walking to Luosh then, and we'd be wasting precious time! We could always challenge him to a fight. I mean, he just a spider."

[Comrade Commander]

Darksten looks at the spider in shock as his drunken mind tries to comprehend how his act does nothing to move the bug from their path.

Quickly the ranger's emotions swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. He grabs an arrow from his quiver, notches it, and points the arrow towards the spider

"Oh eff this, your really starting to bug me now."

Without a lot of other thoughts, Darksten fires the arrow and watches it fly towards it target at just over 75 mph

Edited June 7, 2014 by Comrade Commander

[Lego Spy]

"Well," he said to Kianu, no longer whispering, "I suppose we don't have a choice now." He gave a grim smile, flexed his muscles, and prepared for battle.

OOC: Out of curiosity, how big is this spider supposed to be?

Edited June 7, 2014 by Lego Spy