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

[Jebediahs]

Nur's eyes were closed and his head bobbin' as he was taken back to a performance by a group of

he'd attended. Aggressive lutes. More pipes. Loud loud drums. Maybe even some of those little finger zills. "We should be in the pit slamming our bodies against each other to express ou-"

His eyes now opened, Nur tried to focus. "Yes, 'rocky composure'. I should have figured the illusion would not fool everyone." Nur began to animate his words with over-the-top hand gestures "So! -both hands pointed forward as if holding a long box with his palms- Once those golems leave you want us to scurry down there -two fingers walking across the palm of the other hand-, have me cover us in magic mud -waving motion as if forming an invisible rainbow- then get in line behind those returning golems -pumps arms as if running- before the gate closes again? -clasps hands together- And pretend we are animated constructs? Let's do it."

[Sandy]

His eyes now opened, Nur tried to focus. "Yes, 'rocky composure'. I should have figured the illusion would not fool everyone." Nur began to animate his words with over-the-top hand gestures "So! -both hands pointed forward as if holding a long box with his palms- Once those golems leave you want us to scurry down there -two fingers walking across the palm of the other hand-, have me cover us in magic mud -waving motion as if forming an invisible rainbow- then get in line behind those returning golems -pumps arms as if running- before the gate closes again? -clasps hands together- And pretend we are animated constructs? Let's do it."

"Sounds like a PLAN!"

"Except wont that geomancer notice us frolicking in the mud right in front of her house?"

"Maybe we should, you know, ask nicely for her help?" The alchemist shrugs. "Who knows, it might work for once."

[K-Nut]

"Except wont that geomancer notice us frolicking in the mud right in front of her house?"

"Not if we do it in the backyard!"

"Maybe we should, you know, ask nicely for her help?" The alchemist shrugs. "Who knows, it might work for once."

"Sounds like our best bet, unfortunately." Damn diplomacy...

He stands up. "Excuse me, ma'am! Pardon our interruption, but we seem to be in need of your assistance. You see, we come from the Free Islands in the Crystalline Sea. Our home is being threatened by the Ancient Sorceress Ambergaze of Babeleth, and we need help from the tower to stop her. However, we are not being let in, and time is of the essence. Would you help us, please?"

[Sandy]

He stands up. "Excuse me, ma'am! Pardon our interruption, but we seem to be in need of your assistance. You see, we come from the Free Islands in the Crystalline Sea. Our home is being threatened by the Ancient Sorceress Ambergaze of Babeleth, and we need help from the tower to stop her. However, we are not being let in, and time is of the essence. Would you help us, please?"

The rockling mage peered into the darkness, and spotted Althior's figure.

"Do come closer, my eyes aren't what they used to be. I don't know how much I can be of help, since you can't enter the Tower unless you're a golem. Even I'm not welcome there anymore, and I work for the ungrateful hag that rules the damned spire."

"That's our MASTERFUL plan, ya see? You MAKE us look like 'em golems, and IN we go!"

The crater began to echo with the geomancer's laughter.

"Ahahaha! All my years molding golems in this gods-forsaken pit, I've never met any living soul who wanted to become one themselves! Now I've truly heard it all! Hehehee..."

"So, will you do it, Madame?"

"Please, just call me Cinnabar. I just might do it, for my own amusement, but first you have to do me a favor. You see, some time ago, I was made the Rock Champion of Decamon by the Emerald Emperor, but nobody has come to challenge me yet. If one of you took a match against me, I would be most pleased."

"Oh spare me! Must we really participate in that dreadfully boring card game just to get ourselves covered in mud?! Will this dreadful day never end?!"

"Nur, you seem to be the only one of us carrying any Decamon cards, so it is up to you now."

Does Nur take Cinnabar's challenge, or would the party rather take a more hostile approach in convicing the geomancer?

[Khorne]

Eric rolled his eyes. Just their kind of luck. The sorceror is half-blind and probably wouldn't have seen it were humans slinging mud on themselves. Now, the party was stuck to play a card game first. Nur was the only one with cards, so Eric waited for his answer, while mumbling against Althior, "Can't we just kill this rockling and get it over with?"

[K-Nut]

Eric rolled his eyes. Just their kind of luck. The sorceror is half-blind and probably wouldn't have seen it were humans slinging mud on themselves. Now, the party was stuck to play a card game first. Nur was the only one with cards, so Eric waited for his answer, while mumbling against Althior, "Can't we just kill this rockling and get it over with?"

Althior lowers his voice, "She's our best bet at getting us into the tower. Another battle will simply take longer, too, and we don't want to give the tower any more time to defend itself. You want her dead, kill her on your own time,"

[Pyrovisionary]

"Goin in all sneaky like seems good."

[Jebediahs]

"Ok. Let's play."

[Sandy]

"Ok. Let's play."

"Oh, great! Wait here while I fetch my cards. Choose your own deck of five cards in the meantime." The rockling geomancer dashed inside, and quickly returned with some cards in her stubby hands.

"Are you ready to face me, Geomancer Cinnabar the Rock Champion? Remember that if you snatch my Level 9 card, the title moves to you! Now..." Cinnabar took out a gold coin. "Heads or tails?"

QM Note: Heads is 1-3 on a die roll, while Tails is 4-6. Also, Jebediahs, you need to choose the five cards you're going to use in the match out of those in your possession. You don't have to reveal them to me, I trust you won't be cheating.

And yes, Cinnabar will be using a predetermined five card combo, too.

[Jebediahs]

"Tails."

[Sandy]

"Tails."

Cinnabar tossed the coin in the air.

"Tails it is! You go first."

QM Note: Show the first card you've chosen.

[Jebediahs]

"Uh, ok. This one. Hippogriff (Flying 6)."

[Sandy]

Decamon Battle: En Sabah Nur vs. Geomancer Cinnabar the Rock Champion

Round 1 out of 5

vs.

Score: 0 - 1

"Ah, you made me use my Automaton! I trumped your Hippogriff and it is mine now, but I can't of course use it in this battle anymore. Now I go first. Hmm..."

Cinnabar lays out a card.

"How do you like my mighty Stone Golem, hehe?"

[Jebediahs]

"That is really impressive, Cinnabar. All I have is this, Toxic Toad (Plant 1)."

[Sandy]

"That is really impressive, Cinnabar. All I have is this, Toxic Toad (Plant 1)."

Decamon Battle: En Sabah Nur vs. Geomancer Cinnabar the Rock Champion

Round 2 out of 5

vs.

Score: 1 - 1

"No! My precious Stone Golem is now yours... Grrr, I'll get you next round! Your turn!"

[Jebediahs]

"I choose...Mandragora (Plant 2)."

[Sandy]

"I choose...Mandragora (Plant 2)."

Decamon Battle: En Sabah Nur vs. Geomancer Cinnabar the Rock Champion

Round 3 out of 5

vs.

Score: 1 - 2

"Haha, my Flesh Golem would have defeated your puny plant even if it had not been a trump card! Mandragora belongs to me now! What shall I put up next...?"

"Go, luminous Gold Golem! I have to save the best for last."

[Jebediahs]

"Well, the next card in me line up is Shy Shell (Aquatic 2)."

[Sandy]

"Well, the next card in me line up is Shy Shell (Aquatic 2)."

Decamon Battle: En Sabah Nur vs. Geomancer Cinnabar the Rock Champion

Round 4 out of 5

vs.

Score: 2 - 2

"That can't be! How did you know I was going to put a luminous card up?! I was trying to be crafty... Oh well, the Gold Golem is yours, and we still have one final round to settle. Show me what you've got!"

[Jebediahs]

"Well maa'am, I just chose cards that beat the rock type. I am no genius at this game by any means. Sahuagin (Aquatic 5) as my final option."

[Sandy]

"Well maa'am, I just chose cards that beat the rock type. I am no genius at this game by any means. Sahuagin (Aquatic 5) as my final option."

Decamon Battle: En Sabah Nur vs. Geomancer Cinnabar the Rock Champion

Round 5 out of 5

vs.

Score: 2 - 3

"But aquatic doesn't trump rock, you dummy! That means my fearsome Basilisk beats your lame Sahuagin, which in turn means that I won! Mwahaha!!! I will remain the Rock Champion of Decamon, but at least we had fun together, didn't we? Now, you want to look like golems, then? Well, step into the mud bath, please!"

After she and Nur had exchanged the cards they won from each other, Cinnabar pointed the pool of mud to the party. Periwinkle looked grossed out.

"Ungh! At least it's supposed to be good for the skin..."

Party:

Althior Emorith

(K-Nut) *Party Leader*

32 years old male human Necromancer

Level 41 3/5

*Gain Triple Experience*

Power:

57

(41+16)

(

Spellpower:

62

(41+16+5)

)

Defense:

6

(4+2)

Health:

51/52

(5+40+5+1)

Ether:

15/56

(5+40+5+4+2)

Gold:

40

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:

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, 4x Agni Bomb, 4x Gaia Bomb,

Garnet Lamp of Summoning, 2 Grating Stones,

Skeleton Decoy,

Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.)

Tools & Treasure:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, 3 Bones

Eric

(Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

Level 24 2/3 Raider

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Fragile and Weakened* *Evasion*

Power:

48

(24+22+2)

Defense:

5

Health:

42/42

(8+23+7+4)

Gold:

120

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),

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, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, 7 Meads, 6 Smelling Salts, 4 Nostrum, 3 Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale, Venom, Deadly Venom, Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Bone,

Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.)

Sgt. Jon McEncy

(Pyrovisionary)

54 year old male human Black Knight

Level 22

*Gain Triple Experience*

*Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *

Poisonous

Defense*

*Permanently Hastened*

Power:

44

(22+18+2+2)

Defense:

14

(10+4)

Health:

46/46

(7+21+9+3+3+3)

Gold:

69

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, 4 Remedies,

2

Phoenix Essences,

Mead,

4 Venoms, Deadly Venom,

3 Smoke Bombs,

Military Grade Fire Bomb,

Demeter Bomb (Causes 100 wood-elemental damage to all opponents when used.),

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),

Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.)

En Sabah Nur

(Jebediahs)

31 year old male human Evoker

Level 31

*Immune to

Darkness

*

*Converts Ether to Health*

*Reflects Ether-Based Attacks* *Absorb Poison*

Power:

49

(31+18)

(67 against Humanoids

(31+36)

)

Defense:

1

Health:

48/48

(5+30+3+5+5)

Ether:

17/38

(5+30+1+2)

Gold:

25

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), 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, 3 Fire Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, Dirt Bomb, 2 Floral Bombs,

2 Trail of Dust Bombs (Causes 5 earth-elemental damage to all opponents and allows the party to flee the battle when used.), 2 Blind Faith Bombs (Causes 10 light-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to all opponents when used.), 2 Flood Bombs (Causes 20 water-elemental damage to all opponents when used.), Feather of Lithe (Makes the user nimble for three rounds, giving them a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.)

Tools:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass

Summons:

Chidoris Obelisk (Topaz),

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

Decamon Deck:

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

Specter (Icy 2), White Widow (Icy 3), Golden Scorpion (Luminous 2), Gold Golem (Luminous 6),

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

Scarab (Rock 1), Mud Frog (Rock 2), Stone Golem (Rock 8)

Walbartan

(NPC, controlled by K-Nut)

45 years old female pongcanis Druid

Level 43 4/5

Power:

50

(43+7)

Defense:

3

Health:

60/60

(9+42+7+2)

Ether:

35/49

(5+42+1+1)

Gold:

104

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)

Hodurr Thornback

(NPC, controlled by K-Nut)

167 years old male dwarven Berserker

Level 40 1/5

*Natural Respite*

*Thorny Defense*

Power:

50

(40+10)

Defense:

4

Health:

57/57

(8+39+10)

Gold:

14

Equipment:

Amethyst Axe (WP:10,

darkness

-elemental axe

), Thorny Leather Armor (SP:4; causes damage equal to the armor's SP to all that attack the user physically; suitable to barbarians and beast warriors; bodywear)

Inventory:

Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma

Periwinkle

(NPC, controlled by Khorne)

19 years old female human Harlot

Level 30 2/4

*Money Maker*

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

Power:

37

(30+7)

Health:

51/51

(7+29+15)

Gold:

32

Equipment:

Leather Whip (WP:7, makes target enraged; whip),

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

Dain Almight

(NPC, controlled by K-Nut)

72 years old male dwarven Alchemist

Level 1

*Instant Items* *Immune to elements*

Power:

14

(13+1)

Health:

10/10

Gold:

100

Equipment:

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

Safety Goggles (Grant immunity to all elements; suitable for Dain only; accessory)

Inventory:

Bombastic Mace (WP:5, can be used to launch bombs at enemies, adding the WP to the bomb's power; mace),

Potion, Tonic, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Confuse Bomb,

Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.),

Fuse & Detonator (quest item)

[Pyrovisionary]

"Just a bit o' mud. Was worse in Charis. We were up to our feckin necks fightin in that stuff."

[K-Nut]

Althior removes his cloak and jacket before stuffing them in Finnegan's pack. "This had better come out in the wash. I'm not wasting our reward on a new wardrobe." He half smiles. Better than ink. He steps down into the pit.

[Sandy]

When everyone had dived into the mud, Cinnabar began chanting again.

"Minerals of the earth! Oleg's gifts! I give you shape! I give you purpose! I give you life! Bend to my will!"

The mud sprayed all over the party, covering them completely. The heroes could feel the sediment moving on their skin and clothes, settling into their shape and forming a crust.

"That should do the trick of getting in through the gates. The other golems should not pose a threat to you if you stay clear from the Senechal. He's their leader and the Keeper's wingman, the golems do what he says. Even if it breaks them, sadly. Good luck to all of you! It's been a delightful night!"

The heroes returned to the Tower as dawn began to break in the sky, following the three fixed golems in an organized line. It turned out that Cinnabar's magic worked, and they got past the gate without a problem.

Inside the walls, the ground was surprisingly covered in neatly cut grass. The party's luck ran short, for the Senechal was standing at the foot of the Tower, with other golems in a formation in front of him. The golems that the party had followed joined the formation, so the heroes had to do the same.

"Attention. Here are the tasks for today."

It wouldn't be long before the Senechal would spot the odd ones out of the golem army. The entrance to the Tower was just behind the leading golem.

[K-Nut]

A completely barren wasteland lay behind them, and yet the courtyard of the tower looked in top notch shape. It was unnatural. As they left Finnegan outside the tower, Althior made a quick glance to his left at the rest of his party. He dare not speak, for the golem could spot them at any moment. He clenched his scepter in one hand, attempting to show that they could fight. This Senechal would need to be taken out of the way eventually if they were to succeed. He then opened his other other hand in a motion resembling an explosion, trying to show that they could run to the entrance with a distracting smoke bomb.

He then attempted to gesture for Nur to pass over a Flood Bomb to Dain, seeing as he could do a bit more damage with it and cripple the squad of Golem's.

I'll let you judge if these gestures are plausible for the current situation, Sandy.