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

[Jebediahs]

OoC: Khorne and Pyro are off for a bit. I don't mind waiting until they get back for their character input to continue unless you're anxious to finish the quest.

En Sabah Nur holds up a section of the garment with each hand. With nose scrunched, he gingerly takes a quick sniff and recoils so hard he feels a little pain in his neck. Must have been the megablocks end because it smells like the crease of a yeti's sweaty backside. "I fear I have not the strength to wear such a robe. It is too encumbering for my fragile frame." Nur puts on the Cobra Nemes. Witches. They're all about mind control and poisoning. He also puts on the Fire Amulet. The Magic Mirror collides briefly with the golem's heart as it enters the mage's bag. Hmph, I can not use spells on you in this place. What to do with you in the mean time...?

[Sandy]

OoC: Khorne and Pyro are off for a bit. I don't mind waiting until they get back for their character input to continue unless you're anxious to finish the quest.

QM Note: It's okay, I'm in no hurry. I just need some sort of plan of approach from you guys, or at least a notion that you will all storm the Tower together.

[Khorne]

"You can't 'volunteer' me,Peri. That's not how it works, because then it's no longer 'volunteering', but being 'forced' and I hate being forced," Eric remarked annoyedly to Periwinkle, clasping his forehead with one hand. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Slightly frustrated, he returned his attention to the matters at hand.

"Let's hope there's more to this Tower than empty halls collecting dust", Eric stated, "I'd hate to see my deep pockets only half-filled with shiny things. After all, I need some starting capital to support my soon-to-be new Eubrican title of nobility." He smiled a toothy grin, before then adding (half-)jokingly, "of course, all donations are already welcome on the name of Eric Norrl-"

The Nord stopped mid-sentence before revealing the part of his name that followed 'Eric'. Desperately trying to cover up for his slip-up, he steered the subject of his monologue in a new, more Eric-y direction and quickly blurted out: "Ah megabluck it. I don't need donations. I'm not some pauper. The strong take what the weak can't defend. And I'm strong. Let's see what this tower holds. I'm not a magic-user anyway, so it holds no sway over my mind."

Eric strode forward to enter the tower. Before entering, however, he looked over his shoulder at Periwinkle. "Come on, Peri, let's go. Together", he said in a soothing voice. More viciously and with a smirk he added, "else you'll be paying me a coward's tax for staying outside."

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge puts a hand on Eric's chest, then walks infront of the doorway, blocking it, hands out, he pleads with the party.

"Think bout it logically. I'm the fastest aint I? And I got smokebombs. So I go in there, scout it out see if the keeper's gonna give us trouble then come back, and we blow their arses to shit don't we?"

Sarge looks desperate, not just to prove his mettel after his embarrassing acts of senility in the previous battle, but also... Something else. His eyes were wide and his face pale.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[K-Nut]

"Enough of this!" Althior grabbed Eric and Sarge by the backs of their shirts and made his way in front of them. "Whatever is in there is going to end up putting up a fight. No one is going to put their wishes in front of everyone else on my watch. The more of us in there, the more likely we'll be seen." He turns to the alchemist as he thrusts out a finger. "He comes with me, as do these two oafs," he looks to Eric and Sarge. "The rest of you stay out here until I tell you otherwise. Nur's in charge out here until we get back. Any questions?" He rubbed his eyes slowly. The days of defending fortresses and investigating caves were over. Perhaps the simplicity he was promised in Eubric was as much of a myth as he had suspected.

[Jebediahs]

En Sabah Nur raises a finger to object but pauses, closes his opened mouth and lowers his finger.

[Sandy]

"Enough of this!" Althior grabbed Eric and Sarge by the backs of their shirts and made his way in front of them. "Whatever is in there is going to end up putting up a fight. No one is going to put their wishes in front of everyone else on my watch. The more of us in there, the more likely we'll be seen." He turns to the alchemist as he thrusts out a finger. "He comes with me, as do these two oafs," he looks to Eric and Sarge. "The rest of you stay out here until I tell you otherwise. Nur's in charge out here until we get back. Any questions?"

Fed up with the mission, Althior lead Eric, Sarge and Dain into the Tower of Babel. The entrance hall was pitch black and the absence of magic was so perplexing to him that the necromancer was caught by surprise when the floor suddenly gave in under his feet. For a few long seconds, Althior hovered over the dark pit that had opened below him, about to fall in.

[Pyrovisionary]

The old man smiles slightly at Althior's proposal, hiding it a second later with an attempted pokerface - looking more like a frown - after the word Oaf is used. Nonetheless, This would be perfect.

Blinking in the darkness, trying to get good night vision, as the first one in, Sarge jumps at the sound of the floor giving way. Keeping his footing on the edge, Sarge extends his shield arm and pushes Althior back onto the ledge.

Exhaling loudly, he says under hushed voice "Might want to use this." Sarge proffers the magnifying glass, glad to have some use out of the thing; til now it just took up bag space. "If ya could conjure us up a fireball or something mate, We could see properl-" Sarge realises that no magic works here. Hopefully that counts both ways. He advances cautiously, using the magnifying glass to try and find traps. They might even get a free bomb out of it.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[K-Nut]

Really should've seen that coming, seeing as I own the set...

Althior attempts to catch himself, but manages to only flail his arms about like an idiot. Apparently some things had not changed. He snatched up Sarge's magnifying glass without a word. He checked around the room he currently stood in and down into the room below, mainly attempting to see how far down it went.

Edited September 14, 2014 by K-Nut

[Sandy]

Althior attempts to catch himself, but manages to only flail his arms about like an idiot. Apparently some things had not changed. He snatched up Sarge's magnifying glass without a word. He checked around the room he currently stood in and down into the room below, mainly attempting to see how far down it went.

It was too dark to see anything around them or in the traphole. The sun was climbing up, though, so they would have more light in a few moments.

"Sight is not our only sense, Mr. Emorith. We can hear perfectly well inside here, so why don't you drop something down there to see how deep the hole is."

[Pyrovisionary]

"If only our Dwarf were here, he'd be perfect to drop down there hehe."

He rubs his eyes, trying to get some night vision.

Sarge kicks a loose stone down the hole.

[Sandy]

"If only our Dwarf were here, he'd be perfect to drop down there hehe."

He rubs his eyes, trying to get some night vision.

Sarge kicks a loose stone down the hole.

Sarge looked around him, but there were no loose stones at hand. The hall had been meticulously cleaned.

"There's no workforce like golems, it seems. I must consider buying one when I make it big in Eubric."

Meanwhile, back at the courtyard, the two Wolfgang members looked restless.

"You really should go after them, Hodurr. I still cannot trust them completely. What if the Keeper makes a better counteroffer?"

"Why ME? If ye're so worried, why don't YE go?!"

"I... I don't like that place. I feel it draining my ether, and it feels like pieces of me are being torn away. It must be much worse inside..."

"Ye furry WUSS!" Hodurr groaned and started to march towards the stairs.

[Jebediahs]

"Sooo...Wally. You have things covered here." En Sabah Nur switches back to his regular attire, putting on the Sedge Hat and equipping the Magic Mirror. "I wish to revisit the geomancer. Perhaps she'll indulge me in a rematch." He attempts to head back to the Mud Pit. Nur had something Cinnabar might be interested in, and it wasn't a deck of cards.

[Sandy]

"Sooo...Wally. You have things covered here." En Sabah Nur switches back to his regular attire, putting on the Sedge Hat and equipping the Magic Mirror. "I wish to revisit the geomancer. Perhaps she'll indulge me in a rematch." He attempts to head back to the Mud Pit. Nur had something Cinnabar might be interested in, and it wasn't a deck of cards.

The two women stared in astonishment as Nur decided to split from the group and return to the Mud Pit.

"These people are barking mad..." Walbartan sighed. She had seen the party's lines crack one time too many.

"Are you calling my honeyboo names?!"

"Trust me, I included you as well."

The sun was already high when Nur finally arrived back to his destination. Hearing him tussle down the crater, the rockling geomancer Cinnabar came out of her rickety house to greet Nur.

"Ah, returned for a rematch so soon, dear?"

Party at the Mud Pit:

En Sabah Nur

(Jebediahs)

31 year old male human Evoker

Level 31.25

*Immune to

Darkness

*

*Converts Ether to Health*

*Reflects Ether-Based Attacks*

Power:

49

(31+18)

(67 against Humanoids

(31+36)

)

Defense:

1

Health:

48/48

(5+30+3+5+5)

Ether:

8/42

(5+30+1+2+4)

Gold:

75

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

Cobra Nemes (Absorbs poison, recovering health instead of taking damage from poisoning, suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks and necromancers, 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), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP:4, bodywear)

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, 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.), Flood Bomb (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.), Golem's Heart (Quest Item)

Tools:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass

Summons:

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

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)

[K-Nut]

Althior glances over his shoulder to see the dwarf trudging up the steps, "You've got to be kidding me," he mutters as he sticks his hand out against the berserker's chest. "Don't even think about coming in here. Anything that's lying dormant right now will be woken up by your incessant wailing, and trust me when I say that I'm done being screwed with here, alright?" He glances around, "Where the hell is Nur? Nevermind, I'll deal with that later," He looks to Walbartan, "If you really can't trust us anymore, than you can get in here. Though if there's a better offer, I doubt anything could stop the two love birds here," He turns back into the building and tosses a bone down the hole.

[Sandy]

Althior glances over his shoulder to see the dwarf trudging up the steps, "You've got to be kidding me," he mutters as he sticks his hand out against the berserker's chest. "Don't even think about coming in here. Anything that's lying dormant right now will be woken up by your incessant wailing, and trust me when I say that I'm done being screwed with here, alright?" He glances around, "Where the hell is Nur? Nevermind, I'll deal with that later," He looks to Walbartan, "If you really can't trust us anymore, than you can get in here. Though if there's a better offer, I doubt anything could stop the two love birds here," He turns back into the building and tosses a bone down the hole.

Hodurr pushed Althior back.

"I'm COMIN' in, lyke it or NOT! Someone's GOTTA see that ye FINISH the job. The Pongcanis is too PRISSY about getting her FUR entangled."

Walbartan scowled at the berserker, hearing his words to the courtyard.

Althior turned his attention back to the hole and tossed a bone in it. It didn't take long until it hit a pile of other dry bones and sent them clinking and clanking.

"Now we know where all the people in this Tower went..." Dain said with a gulp.

Suddenly a ray of light fell through the doorway and illuminated the room. The heroes saw a set of stairs on the other side of the room going up. There was nothing else in the hall except used torches.

"The lower we can plant the bombs, the better. That means going down there among the corpses, unfortunately..."

"Hodurr THORNback ain't afraid of a few SKULLS and BONES!" The berserker swung his axe in midair to demonstrate his bravery, and nearly decapitated Sarge.

Party inside the Tower (the undead golems are waiting outside):

Althior Emorith

(K-Nut) *Party Leader*

32 years old male human Necromancer

Level 42 1/5

*Gain Triple Experience*

*Absorbs

Earth

* *Immune to Petrified* *Unarmed Attacks Absorb Health*

*Encouraged*

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

*Blessed*

Power:

58

(42+16)

Defense:

7

(2+5)

Health:

53/53

(5+41+5+1)

Ether:

0/

57

0

(5+41+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), Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, accessory), Robe of the Seneschal (SP:5; wearer absorbs earth-elemental damage and is immune to petrified; suitable to clerics, mages, chi monks, necromancers and scholars; bodywear)

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), Spellbound Gloves (+5 spellpower, 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, 8 Tonics, 3 Grand Tonics, 2 Ether Cores, 7 Remedies, 2 Elixirs, Phoenix Incense, Nostrum, 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, 2 Bones

Eric

(Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

Level 25 Raider

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Fragile and Weakened* *Evasion*

*Encouraged*

*Hastened*

Power:

42

(25+15+2)

Defense:

5

Health:

43/43

(8+24+7+4)

Gold:

206

Equipment:

Conspirator (WP: 15, causes blinded; 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:

Godricsleif (WP: 22;

Ice

-,

Lightning

-,

Darkness

-elemental; 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, 6 Grand Potions, Health Core, 3 Remedies, Neutralizer, Phoenix Essence, 6 Meads, 5 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 23

*Gain Triple Experience*

*Immune to Blinded and Stunned* *

Poisonous

Defense*

*Permanently Hastened*

*Encouraged*

Power:

48

(23+21+2+2)

Defense:

14

(10+4)

Health:

47/47

(7+22+9+3+3+3)

Gold:

149

Equipment:

Demonic Scissors (WP:21, dual strike,

Light

and

Darkness

elemental, Hollow [Potion], 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), 2 Garnets (

Earth

), 3 Potions, Health Core, 4 Remedies, 2 Phoenix Essences, 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.),

Hodurr Thornback

(NPC, controlled by K-Nut)

167 years old male dwarven Berserker

Level 40 2/5

*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, Soma

Dain Almight

(NPC, controlled by K-Nut)

72 years old male dwarven Alchemist

Level 2

*Instant Items* *Immune to elements*

Power:

15

(2+13)

Health:

11/11

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, 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)

[K-Nut]

"If you say so then," Althior promptly shoved the loud-mouthed dwarf down the hole. "Nur has all of the small bombs we need, so we'll get those on our way out. We should get ourselves a full understanding of the tower before we plant anything anywhere," He glanced down to his feet and half halfheartedly waves to the berserker. "Get on that part, wouldn't you?" He then looks to Sarge. "You are 'the fastest', are you not? Lead the way, then," He points up the dark and dismal stairs.

[Jebediahs]

The sun was already high when Nur finally arrived back to his destination. Hearing him tussle down the crater, the rockling geomancer Cinnabar came out of her rickety house to greet Nur.

"Ah, returned for a rematch so soon, dear?"

"Not quite. I have something perhaps you'd be interested in?" Nur presents the Golem's Heart. "I am sure you can discern its origins."

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge flinches at Hodurr's axe "Careful mate. Take me bloody head off1 And if you try that I'll take yours first." Sarge grins evilly.

Walking quickly but cautiously up the stairs, ready to turn and flee at the slightest note of danger. Sarge walks up the stairs.

[Khorne]

Eric follows both Althior and Sarge up the stairs. He was curious to see what this Tower entailed and being away from the loud-mouthed Dwarf was certainly a big bonus, too.

[Sandy]

"Not quite. I have something perhaps you'd be interested in?" Nur presents the Golem's Heart. "I am sure you can discern its origins."

Cinnabar took the item and a big smile spread on her jagged mouth.

"This is a very rare item you have here. Not many of these around anymore, no... The sorcerers of yore created these to give an artifical soul to a golem - a true conscience, a free will. You see, golems are fiercely loyal to the task they were created for. They will work tirelessly until they practically break down. But a golem with one of these - let's call them hearts for the heck of it - have a mind of their own. They can learn and experience and make sense the world around them. And unlike other golems, they can do whatever they want. But there lies the catch - golems do not have any wants or needs, save for the need to please their owner. So a golem with a heart is in fact a loyal and intelligent servant who does not get tired or hungry or sick. A perfect minion, so to speak."

Cinnabar's eyes twinkled as she gave Nur a crafty look.

"Just like a certain haughty golem in grey robes that works in the Tower. So you robbed poor Seneschal his heart, then? What are you going to do with it, if Auntie Cinnabar may ask?"

"If you say so then," Althior promptly shoved the loud-mouthed dwarf down the hole. "Nur has all of the small bombs we need, so we'll get those on our way out. We should get ourselves a full understanding of the tower before we plant anything anywhere," He glanced down to his feet and half halfheartedly waves to the berserker. "Get on that part, wouldn't you?"

The berserker cursed loudly as he fell down the hatch and landed among the skeletons.

"I was S'PPOSED to look after YE lot, not swim in a sea of BONES! What NOW, then?"

The alchemist looked uneasy, not wishing to get thrown into the cellar as well.

"I think I should stay here to direct Mr. Thornback - if you don't mind! I will find the optimal spots to plant the bombs, I promise."

The heroes wordlessly decided to leave the two dwarves to their work and ascended the winding staircase.

On top of the stairs they came to another metallic door. Like the front door, it was unlocked. The room beyond was basking in an eery magenta illumination. In the middle of it stood a stone well covered by a large crystal orb. Behind the well was a pedestal in which stood a statue depicting a figure wearing robes and an elaborate horned helmet with its hands extended towards the crystal orb.

Just as the three heroes expected, the statue spoke to them. It did not move its mouth, but rather communicated with them in their minds in whispers.

"You. You come to destroy the Tower, but you are late. You are late. This place has been devoid of life for a long time. A long, long time. Only memories of the power it once possessed remain. Only memories. You are desecrating a tomb. Do not disturb the tomb."

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge cringes at the keeper's wierd appearance. Strange bloody thing. Ignoring it, he turns to his fellow heroes.

"Let's not be too hasty with the... With what's going on downstairs. Seeing as it's just us, Althior, Eric. I say we get us some insurance. You know. Make sure we have a weapon if the wolfgang turn on us."

[Jebediahs]

Cinnabar took the item and a big smile spread on her jagged mouth.

"This is a very rare item you have here. Not many of these around anymore, no... The sorcerers of yore created these to give an artifical soul to a golem - a true conscience, a free will. You see, golems are fiercely loyal to the task they were created for. They will work tirelessly until they practically break down. But a golem with one of these - let's call them hearts for the heck of it - have a mind of their own. They can learn and experience and make sense the world around them. And unlike other golems, they can do whatever they want. But there lies the catch - golems do not have any wants or needs, save for the need to please their owner. So a golem with a heart is in fact a loyal and intelligent servant who does not get tired or hungry or sick. A perfect minion, so to speak."

Cinnabar's eyes twinkled as she gave Nur a crafty look.

"Just like a certain haughty golem in grey robes that works in the Tower. So you robbed poor Seneschal his heart, then? What are you going to do with it, if Auntie Cinnabar may ask?"

"A...perfect...minion..." Nur's mind raced with the possibilities. It reminded him of his disappointment at the temporary nature of the Lamps of Summoning. It continued by showing him the unpredictability and brevity of evoked spirits before giving him a possible preview of the future. A golem of his own would provide him perfect cover to cast spells from or practice his throwing safely. It would carry out any task including collecting monies owed from debtors, fetching items just out of reach, wreaking havoc on those who'd wronged him, pinning targets down for the mage to...it was all so beautiful. But Nur knew such a creation would elicit cries from the smaller minded public of him becoming even more powerful and he was all for looking out for the greater good even if it meant sacrificing his happiness. Or maybe his mind was still confounded from being commanded to wait outside the Tower when he had all the bombs.

"Auntie Cinnabar, I'd like you to have the Senechal's 'heart' to do with what you please in exchange for a weeee favor." En Sabah Nur raised his arm turned to stone, any illusionary enchantment removed so that the rocky appearance was clearly visible. "If you could do something about me arm? Perhaps another bath in your magic mud would restore my normal arm for good."

[K-Nut]

"Can't do anything without the Evoker here," Althior mutters back to Sarge without shifting his gaze from the statue. It was an interesting peace of magic, but nothing he hadn't seen before. He paced back and forth from wall to wall, staring at the statue, "Devoid of life you say? I doubt I myself am changing that much," He looked towards the statue, coldly. Surely this is not the great keeper of the tower that the Veterans had promised us. It'd make sense why you haven't returned those letters then,"

He made his way to the balcony, looking well past the walls of the fortress and out into Babeleth. It was a sight to behold. "What a nice view here. I'm sure you or your boss could surely have enough power to make it yours; to take out that cowering Emerald Emperor and his diseased followers. But no, you can't, not even with this legendary stash of information here could you do anything about it. You're too much of an old recluse to make any sense of the situation out there at all. But perhaps it is because the plains of Babeleth are not worth saving,"

Althior lowers his voice, "Now you yourself may not be the keeper of this tower, but I'm sure whoever she is that she is listening in on this. And she should know that Eubric is not Babeleth. Sure, it has it's hefty share of corruption, but it has potential. I've been around this world my fair share, and I've seen places with no hope of a better tomorrow. Eubric has but a glimmer of hope, and there are people who fight for it. The Wolfgang may have the right idea of how to make that future as clear as day, I admit that, but Ulric has no idea what he dabbles in whilst he deals with this Ambergaze of Babeleth. A genocidal maniac who abducted small children from their families isn't really the beacon of hope he should be looking for in his conquest against the houses,"

"You and I both realize that if we have a sudden change of heart and leave you here, it will be only a matter of time before they come back to this now unprotected tower and take it out themselves. Your days are numbered and dwindling fast, O Keeper. Ambergaze will not stop after Eubric. You know this, for she did not stop after Nu Mercution either. You alone hold the information that can save many, many lives." He pauses. "You're fate is sealed either way. Will you get us what we need to know, or is your time up?"

He gestures to Eric. "Find a way further up. I feel this tower has more secrets yet to be unveiled." He mutters. He had not lied, though his sudden change of heart towards Ulric and his followers somewhat surprised him. If they had the right idea, they knew not what this Ambergaze would do. She could throw Ulric under her like it was nothing and form a new society with her in charge. His companions would not sway from this greed fueled path of there's, but perhaps, even if only as a fail-safe, the information on Babariccia Dellamore could prove very useful, even if the veterans never required hearing about it.

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge hesitates at Althior's reply, but smiles when his dialogue with the keeper reaches the desired cause. " Play both sides like a pack of cards. That's what I bloody said we do." Grumbling under his breath, Sarge rubs his arm and remembers his dire situation. "And I need to ask something private like before we leave right."