Heroica RPG - Quest#100: To The Tower of Babel

[Khorne]

Eric sheathed his sword and then gestured towards Sarge's enchanted pegleg. "That's a useful piece of handywork you've got there, Sarge".

Eyeing the loot, the Nord remarked, "I don't care about neither the armor nor the spear. Spears are weapons for the peasantry anyway. I'll take my share in gold."

He winked at Periwinkle and then followed her lead. "Lead the way, Periwinkle. Take us away from this mess"

[K-Nut]

Sorry, was just about to post when you rolled the round.

Althior: Spear, 20 Gold

Eric: 60 Gold

Nur: 50 Gold, Hippogriff

Sarge: Armor, 30 Gold

Althior glares at the corpse with a look of cold disdain in his eye. All of those spirits, just gone in a blink of the eye. He spits on the corpse before turning to the rest of the party. "Let's go. I've had enough of Vega for a lifetime,"

[Pyrovisionary]

Eric sheathed his sword and then gestured towards Sarge's enchanted pegleg. "That's a useful piece of handywork you've got there, Sarge".

" I' Suppose it's like havin a proper leg. Only I Lost that in a mutiny, only mutiny I didn't start. You'd like that tale, Reno was in it."

Edited July 18, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[Sandy]

"I sense you are a rather clean lass, Miss. Disease free and I bet you don't even receive yer monthly visitor. Are the other girls here just as hygienic as you?" Nur adjusted his Cobra Nemes. He didn't want to catch anything during his stay...just in case.

"Madame LaRouge is very specific that her girls and boys remain pure", Periwinkle explained as they walked through several rooms containing surprised prostitutes with their clients. "Her friend Elphaba provides us with these trinkets that keep us immune to disease. They're very useful, as you might imagine."

Periwinkle led the heroes into the cellar of the brothel and pulled aside a wine rack, revealing a hidden passage that took them out of Vega. Looking back, the heroes saw more winged monkeys patrolling the walls, but the darkness hid them well.

"What now, Loki? We are somewhere west of Vega right now, with the Ozmath Marchlands ahead of us. The witches live there, and they're generally not welcoming folk."

Suddenly the party heard a crack of a twig behind them.

"That was intentional, mind you", said the assassin Detraehd Loc as she emerged from the shadows. "You managed to escape the city as well, then. I believe we had unfinished business to discuss."

"You!"

"You who?!"

Party:

Althior Emorith

(K-Nut)

*Party Leader*

32 years old male human Necromancer

Level 41

*Gain Triple Experience*

Power:

57

(41+16)

(

Spellpower:

62

(41+16+5)

)

Defense:

6

(4+2)

Health:

52/52

(5+40+5+1)

Ether:

16/56

(5+40+5+4+2)

Gold:

85

Equipment:

Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:16, Has ⅙ chance to deal Cursed effect on attacks and ⅙ chance to deal Blessed effect on successful healing, Staff), Spellbound Gloves (+5 spellpower, Handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, Backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, Accessory), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP: 4, Body Wear)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Oculoid Claw (WP: 13, Club, 1/6 chance of infecting the targeted enemy on successful hits.),

Metasimian Dory (WP:9, pierces defense; spear),

Artifacts:

The Rat Queen's Cape (Backwear, all Vermin type are Enamored with the wearer for the first three rounds of combat, Suitable for Alchemists, Beast Warriors, Chi Monks, and Witches),

Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); handwear)

Spell Items:

Diamond

(Light)

, Topaz

(Lightning)

, Amethyst

(Darkness)

x2

, Ruby

(Fire)

, Sapphire

(Wind)

, Garnet

(Earth)

, Opal

(Ice)

, Aquamarine

(Water)

, Emerald

(Wood)

Consumables:

4 Potions,

Grand Potion,

11 Tonics, 5 Grand Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 7 Remedies,

2 Elixirs, Phoenix Incense,

Mead, Nostrum, Smelling Salts,

Dragon Scale ,

Garnet Lamp of Summoning, 2 Grating Stones,

Skeleton Decoy

Tools & Treasure:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, 3 Bones

Eric (Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

Level 24 1/3 Raider

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Fragile and Weakened* *Evasion*

Power:

48

(24+22+2)

Defense:

5

Health:

42/42

(8+23+7+4)

Gold:

215

Equipment:

Godricsleif (WP: 22;

Ice

-,

Lightning

-,

Darkness

-elemental; longsword), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from weakened-effect), Boots of Evasion (Wearer takes half damage in front row), Heavy Armor (SP:5, protects from fragile-effect)

Inventory:

Conspirator (WP: 15, causes blinded; longsword),

Drengazuli Grom'az (WP:6; Dual Strike; axe), 6 Silverfish Wings (WP:8, retrievable, throwing dagger), 2 Diseased Silverfish Wings (WP:8, causes cursed-effect, retrievable, throwing weapon),

Leather Whip (WP:7, makes target enraged; whip), Small Spiked Club (WP:5,

earth

-elemental club), Pitchfork of Abomination (WP:1, pierces all defenses but breaks after one use; suitable to all classes),

Counterstrike Gloves (after the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, they counter with strength equal to their level), Crocodile Belt (Max. health +2, immunity to

water

; accessory), Garnet (

Earth

), Scroll of Sleep, 8 Grand Potions, Health Core, 2 Remedies, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, 7 Meads, 6 Smelling Salts, 4 Nostrum, 3 Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale, Venom, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Bone

Sgt. Jon McEncy

(Pyrovisionary)

54 year old male human Black Knight

Level 21

*Gain Triple Experience*

*Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *

Poisonous

Defense*

*Permanently Hastened*

Power:

43

(21+18+2+2)

Defense:

14

(10+4)

Health:

45/45

(7+20+9+3+3+3)

Gold:

144

Equipment:

Zoidberg Gauntlets

(WP:21, dual strike,

Light

and

Darkness

elemental, Hollow [-], dagger), Serpenthead Shield (SP:10, causes poisoned by 2-effect to anyone physically attacking the user, shield), Pegleg of Hastening (Permanent

Hastened

effect to the user; Immune to Blinded, suitable to Sarge only; footwear), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from stunned-effect; suitable for black knights; bodywear),

Medal of Glory (Allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, accessory)

Inventory:

Clockwork Lance (WP:12, has 1/3 chance to cause slowed-effect on the target; lance), Spark Hammer (WP:8,

lightning

-elemental hammer), Wooden Spear (WP:4,

wood

-elemental spear), Monkey Armor (SP:4, immune to earth and bound; suitable to knights, beast warriors, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; bodywear), Ranger’s Quiver (WP +1 to bows and crossbows, suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators and winged warriors; backwear),

5 Potions, Grand Potion, Health Core, 5 Remedies, 3 Venoms, Deadly Venom,

2

Phoenix Essences,

Mead, 3 Smoke Bombs,

Military Grade Fire Bomb,

Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Business Card, 2 Bones, Gold Ring (worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver)

En Sabah Nur (Jebediahs)

31 year old male human Evoker

Level 30 3/4

*Immune to

Darkness

*

*Converts Ether to Health*

*Reflects Ether-Based Attacks* *Absorb Poison*

Power:

48

(30+18)

(66 against Humanoids

(30+36)

)

Defense:

1

Health:

47/47

(5+29+3+5+5)

Ether:

22/37

(5+29+1+2)

Gold:

80

Equipment:

Quarterstaff (WP:18/36 against humanoids, staff), Traveler's Cloak (SP:1, backwear), Lichen Armour (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted,

Darkness

Immunity, suitable to classes with ether, bodywear),

Cobra Nemes (Absorbs poison, recovering health instead of taking damage from poisoning, suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks and necromancers, headwear),

Magic Mirror (The user reflects all ether-based attacks back to the caster without getting damaged by them, accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons:

Unlucky Horseshoe

(WP:13, retrievable, causes jinxed-effect; throwing weapon), Sangriste Dagger (WP:5), En & Sabah & Nur (WP:5, Shurikens 3/3),

Poisonous Rod (WP:5, causes poisoned by 5-effect; staff),

Wooden Shield (SP:5, immunity to

wood

)

Artefacts:

Sedge Hat (+4 Max. Ether, headwear),

Fire Amulet (Makes physical attacks do double damage to all enemies that are weak to fire, accessory), Sealed Heavy Armour of Brilliance (SP:5,Immune: fragile, blinded, sealed effects, suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators, bodywear),

Little Jane's Muff (Protects from sealed-effect, accessory),

Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles, accessory),

Lock & Chain (prevents items in the inventory from getting stolen; accessory)

Spell Items:

Garnet (

Earth

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Ruby (

Fire

), Scroll of Confusion

Consumables:

6 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, Tonic, Grand Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, Milk (restores 15 health and 15 ether upon consumption), 5 Remedies, Phoenix Essence, Phoenix Incense, 2 Meads, Smelling Salts, Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 4 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 8 Water Bombs, 3 Dirt Bombs, 2 Floral Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs,

Tools:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass

Summons:

Earthen Shield (Garnet), Emerald the Rockling (Ruby), Chidoris Obelisk (Topaz), B.A.S.H. (Aquamarine)

Decamon Deck:

Shy Shell (Aquatic 2), Demon Ray (Aquatic 3), Sahuagin (Aquatic 5), Will-o'-the-Wisp (Fiery 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5), Vampire Bat (Flying 3),

Hippogriff (Flying 6),

Specter (Icy 2), White Widow (Icy 3), Golden Scorpion (Luminous 2),

Toxic Toad (Plant 1), Mandragora (Plant 2), Tangleweed (Plant 3),

Scarab (Rock 1), Mud Frog (Rock 2)

Walbartan

(NPC, controlled by K-Nut)

45 years old female pongcanis Druid

Level 43 3/5

Power:

50

(43+7)

Defense:

3

Health:

60/60

(9+42+7+2)

Ether:

41/49

(5+42+1+1)

Gold:

204

Equipment:

Oaken Mace (WP:7,

wood

-elemental mace), Crinkah Tribal Armor (SP:3, Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +1; suitable to pongcanae only; bodywear)

Inventory:

Herbal Infusion (Remove negative effects and cause blessed- and transcended-effects)

Periwinkle

(NPC, controlled by Khorne)

19 years old female human Harlot

Level 30 1/4

*Money Maker*

*Divert Attacks* *Immune to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed*

Power:

30

Health:

51/51

(7+29+15)

Gold:

32

Equipment:

Narcissus Mirror (User has 1/2 chance to divert all attacks to the next ally in turn; accessory), Periwinkle Ribbon (Grants immunity to stunned, poisoned, bleeding, cursed, asleep, fast asleep, confused and hexed; suitable for Periwinkle only; headwear)

Inventory:

Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm

[Pyrovisionary]

"Well you got that dwarf of ours arrested so I suppose we should be thanking yer."

[K-Nut]

"Well you got that dwarf of ours arrested so I suppose we should be thanking yer."

"Yes, but our strongest sword as well," Althior said, bitterly, "I actually liked him, which means I don't really like you. But I agree, we do have some unfinished business to discuss, though I suggest we get further away from the city before that. This could get loud, seeing as there are probably a few more of your friends lingering around here, and I don't think any of us want to go back in there. Agreed, Ms Loc?"

[Khorne]

"What now, Loki? We are somewhere west of Vega right now, with the Ozmath Marchlands ahead of us. The witches live there, and they're generally not welcoming folk."

Eric chuckled, his eyes sparkling again. He slightly cracked his knuckles and subtly rolled his shoulders. "Oh, I believe you've already seen how persuasive we can be. They'll let us through, be they welcoming to us or not."

Suddenly the party heard a crack of a twig behind them.

"That was intentional, mind you", said the assassin Detraehd Loc as she emerged from the shadows. "You managed to escape the city as well, then. I believe we had unfinished business to discuss."

Eric turned his head to address the newcomer. This time, his face more stoic and his voice more seriousness, with a hint of aggression. "Then speak up, assassin. What do you want with us? Why are you here?"

"Well you got that dwarf of ours arrested so I suppose we should be thanking yer."

"Yes, but our strongest sword as well," Althior said, bitterly, "I actually liked him, which means I don't really like you. But I agree, we do have some unfinished business to discuss, though I suggest we get further away from the city before that. This could get loud, seeing as there are probably a few more of your friends lingering around here, and I don't think any of us want to go back in there. Agreed, Ms Loc?"

"Indeed, I am relieved that we got rid of that treacherous, back-stabbing dwarf, but as the necromancer here says, we did lose one of our strongest swords," Eric was careful to copy Althior's wording, for it would imply he actually agreed that the greenskin was the strongest sword, while in fact, the Nord obviously saw himself as the strongest sword the party had, "if the occasion would arise, I say we ought to go back and rescue him and help him seek vengeance for his late wife. But first things first, let's head towards the witch's tower."

The Nord was surprised of his own words, bringing forth loyalty to a man he hardly knew. Then again, he did make a promise to Tarokai and saw the greenskin as his equal. He felt a connection. 'Blood for blood' was an ideal that definitely appealed to Eric.

[Sandy]

"Yes, but our strongest sword as well," Althior said, bitterly, "I actually liked him, which means I don't really like you. But I agree, we do have some unfinished business to discuss, though I suggest we get further away from the city before that. This could get loud, seeing as there are probably a few more of your friends lingering around here, and I don't think any of us want to go back in there. Agreed, Ms Loc?"

"Then speak up, assassin. What do you want with us? Why are you here?"

"I have to apologize, but the whole debacle at the tavern was a test. So was the encounter at Dim Haven. There is someone who wants to meet you at the Ozmath Marchlands. Will you allow me to take you to him?"

"I might not be the brightest star in the sky, but did I understand right that the tavern-keeper Grimelda was killed as a test?"

"That would be the case. She was not an assassin trying to poison anyone. She must have done something bad in her life since she's living in Babeleth, if that is any consolidation. Knowing this, will you follow me or not?"

[Pyrovisionary]

"Better be quick. I- ... We aint got much time on our hands."

Edited July 20, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[Sandy]

"Better be quick. I- ... We aint got much time on our hands."

"This has everything to do with the quest you are currently on, Sergeant McEncy, so you would not be sidetracked."

[Pyrovisionary]

"Not the quest I'm talking about..." Sarge mutters below hearing. Not being able to think up some valid excuse, sarge gives in. "I suppose then. Let's go."

[Sandy]

"Not the quest I'm talking about..." Sarge mutters below hearing.

Walbartan stood close enough to Sarge to hear his mutters.

"Is something the matter, Sarge? Anything my druidic skills could help with?"

[Pyrovisionary]

Blushing at this slight sign of weakness, Sarge says "I already trie- No, It's fine" Sarge feels a shiver go up his bandaged arm.

Edited July 20, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[Jebediahs]

"I am ready."

"Her friend Elphaba provides us with these trinkets that keep us immune to disease. They're very useful, as you might imagine."

"How fortunate your organization has such a benefactor. Once we get our current situation sorted, you'll have to arrange a meeting for me."

[K-Nut]

"This has everything to do with the quest you are currently on, Sergeant McEncy, so you would not be sidetracked."

Althior stared down the assassin. She knew Sarge's name and that they were from Heroica. The situation was particularly striking his curiosity, but they had believed an innocent woman was an assassin just because this woman had said so. Trouble could be lurking in the Ozmath Marchlands and without his squadron of soldiers, Althior stood no chance. However, they would have to cross them to get to Babel, unless the party wished to go through the undead town of Fellcrest. Seeing his party decide to side with the assassin, he decided to ask only one question.

"Why should we trust you? You come out of nowhere saying you can help us, but all you've told us is lies to this point. Grimelda was not an assassin and she had not sided with the Wolfgang,"

"Better be quick. I- ... We aint got much time on our hands."

Blushing at this slight sign of weakness, Sarge says "I already trie- No, It's fine" Sarge feels a shiver go up his bandaged arm.

He then looked towards Sarge. He'd known the pain that fear and poison had brought. Unfortunately, he had no time for that as of now.

Edited July 20, 2014 by K-Nut

[Sandy]

"Why should we trust you? You come out of nowhere saying you can help us, but all you've told us is lies to this point. Grimelda was not an assassin and she had not sided with the Wolfgang,"

"This is not a matter of trust. As Heroicans, you cannot be killed, but you can be negotiated with. The person I'm taking you to wants to do that - negotiate."

Periwinkle leans closer to Eric, shivering.

"Loki, we should be halfway to Port Taboo and our new life together by now. Instead we are standing here, talking to a ruthless murderer. Can't we just go already, and leave your companions to deal with her?"

[K-Nut]

"This is not a matter of trust. As Heroicans, you cannot be killed, but you can be negotiated with. The person I'm taking you to wants to do that - negotiate."

Althior chuckles. "You'd be surprised," he says with a cold, dead look in his eye. Reluctantly, he sides with the rest of the party. "Lead the way, then," He looks to the rest of his party and whispers. "Be ready to flee on sight, in case my suspicions are right

"Loki, we should be halfway to Port Taboo and our new life together by now. Instead we are standing here, talking to a ruthless murderer. Can't we just go already, and leave your companions to deal with her?"

Althior shoots Eric a cold glare before whispering in his ear. "Handle this," He nods toward Periwinkle.

[Khorne]

"Loki, we should be halfway to Port Taboo and our new life together by now. Instead we are standing here, talking to a ruthless murderer. Can't we just go already, and leave your companions to deal with her?"

"You're talking to a ruthless murderer right now, Peri," Eric said with a broad smile plastered across his face, heavily contrasting with the seriousness of his message. "It's part of my barbaric appeal, I guess."

"Join us on our quest. You've shown you're capable of standing your ground. There's good pay to earn, enough to start your life anew." He then leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Plus, have you seen these guys? They're hardly capable of handling this on their own. They need me, I can't leave them now."

Eric circumvented her plea to leave and didn't even think of mentioning his name wasn't even really Loki at all.

[Sandy]

QM Note: Sorry, I need a little more time to build the Ozmath Marchlands. You like the pretty pictures, don't you?

"Join us on our quest. You've shown you're capable of standing your ground. There's good pay to earn, enough to start your life anew." He then leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Plus, have you seen these guys? They're hardly capable of handling this on their own. They need me, I can't leave them now."

"What quest? Loki, just who exactly are you guys?! Don't you wanna be with me anymore?"

Detraehd Loc nods to Eric.

"She sounds annoying. I can kill her for you, if you wish."

[Khorne]

"What quest? Loki, just who exactly are you guys?! Don't you wanna be with me anymore?"

"Look at me, Peri. I'm a tall, muscular, broad-shouldered Nord. Im' not here to raid, pillage or plunder," Eric paused for a second and briefly, he looked pensive, "no wait, I kind of am here to plunder and pillage, but that's beside the point. What I mean is, I'm a sellsword, what other life would there be for me? So this merc company I work for send me here to get a job done. There's payment attached, so I intend to fullfill my end of the contract."

He lay his hand on her shoulder and faked a sad face. "Of course I still want to be with you, it's just that I like gold and fighting a little more. Not much, you know, but still.. It's almost a draw, though, Peri."

"Anyway, as I said, you're welcome to join us and you're still eligible for a grand tour of my main square." Eric winked. "One last thing, though, my name isn't really Loki, but Eric. I don't know who to trust in Vega, so I adopted that alias. My name might be different, but deep inside I'm still that sweet and likeable Nord you fell for. And if that doesn't please you, you can always focus on my outside, which is still gorgeous and jaw-dropping."

[Sandy]

"One last thing, though, my name isn't really Loki, but Eric. I don't know who to trust in Vega, so I adopted that alias. My name might be different, but deep inside I'm still that sweet and likeable Nord you fell for. And if that doesn't please you, you can always focus on my outside, which is still gorgeous and jaw-dropping."

Periwinkle looked bewildered for a while, but then closed her eyes and sighed deeply. When she opened her eyes again, she was smiling.

"Loki... Eric... I've been on my profession for long enough to have heard hundreds of sob stories. I've been proposed to a dozen times, too, with each suitor promising me the moon and the stars from the sky. You're the first one who is being honest with me - even though it took a while - and I thank you for that. I know I ain't anyone special, and my life so far has been pretty pathetic. So even if I have to share your attention with your sword, I'll be happy for that."

Periwinkle gave Eric a long and wet kiss.

"So she lives, I assume. Now let us not linger any longer. We are awaited at the Wyrd Tree."

The assassin took the party into the thick marshes of Ozmath. They each got their boots soaking wet before they finally arrived to a small pond with a great white tree with blood-red leaves growing in the middle of it. In the shadows of the tree they saw three men standing.

"What took ye so LONG, Loc? I've been eaten ALIVE by these damn MOSQUITOS!"

"Had to give you time to sober up, Thornback."

"Ha! It was all an ACT and ye KNOW it!"

"Eeenough, yooou twooo", said the dark figure standing under the Wyrd Tree in a drawling voice. "Weee haaave gueeests. Iii aaam knooown as Miiister Gaaaunt, pleeeasure tooo meeet yooou. Yooou haaave meeet myyy accooomplices, Iii belieeeve. Nooow, Iii haaave a suggeeestion fooor yooou. Myyy miiistress doooes nooot waaant yooou spiiilling heeer seeecrets tooo yooour Veeeteraaans. Iif yooou giiive uuup yooour queeest wiiillingly, the Wooolfgaaang wiiill glaaadly rewaaard yooou riiichly. Theee queeestion reeemains; aaare yooou wiiilling?"

The third man, who sported a thick beard, observed the party's reaction fervently.

"..."

[Pyrovisionary]

I'll get trench foot at this bloody rate.... Foot being the key word.

"You tell us the reward, maybe. But we is still going to the Tower, some of us got personal questions for this keeper... I been told. "

[K-Nut]

Althior glanced around at each of the three men. "Glad to see you weren't too hungover after our little encounter," He glanced back to the bearded man in back with a peculiar look in his eye. He looked oddly familiar. "What's with him, then? Unable to speak up and support his cause?" He looks up to the man above, a cold, hard stare in his eyes, "I don't support the watch or the houses, but I don't support the Wolfgang any more. I sided with your boss before because it was in my best interest. Your cause is diseased, and your allies even more so." He pauses, "So tell me, sir, how is it in my best interest to sound with genocidal maniacs such as Ulric and his witch friend?"

[Jebediahs]

"Well, I am easy. As long as a pair of fresh boots enhanced by magical means that actually fit me are included in the reward I'll give up this venture. There is way too much moisture in the air for my liking. I am ready to go home."

[Sandy]

"You tell us the reward, maybe. But we is still going to the Tower, some of us got personal questions for this keeper... I been told. "

"Yooou aaare goooing tooo theee tooower neeevertheleeess."

He pauses, "So tell me, sir, how is it in my best interest to sound with genocidal maniacs such as Ulric and his witch friend?"

"GENOcide?! What do you TAKE us for, HUH?!"

"Yooou wiiill heeear mooore, theeen? Goood. Reeead thiiis."

Mr. Gaunt held up a letter, and a black bird swooped down from a branch above and delivered it to the heroes.

"Unlike the one you found in the tavern, that one is authentic."

Periwinkle read the letter by peeking over Eric's shoulder.

"Who's Bluto Ziegfried?"

The bearded man raised his hand.

"..."

"Quite a dilemma you have there", Walbartan muttered. She had remained silent throughout the encounter.