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

[Khorne]

"Let's go collect our payment," Eric replied with a crooked smile. Thumbs tucked behind his belt, the Nord had watched the downing of the Tower with a slight feeling of pride. He was amongst those who had taken down a piece of legend.

[Sandy]

"There is nothing left in this god-forsaken land to care about. Let's go now,"

"Aaas yooou wiiish", said Mr. Gaunt and began waving his hand in midair to conjure something.

"Wait! Won't Orokai and Detraehd be joining us?"

"Iii colleeected theeeir remaaains frooom theee Bloood Briiick Roooad haaalfwaaay betweeen Veeega aaand Feeellcreeest. Theee dwaaarf seeems tooo haaave defeeeated theeem aaafter aaall, buuut faaailed to stooop yooou neeevertheleeess."

"What if he got to the Tower before us and talked to the Keeper?"

"No one came before you", Alfred interrupted.

"Oh..." There was a hint of disappointment in Walbartan's voice.

"We'll MOURN our fallen comrades when we get BACK to the Wolf's Den. The sewers will be FLOODIN' with wine and ale!"

"Eeenough!"

Mr. Gaunt's spell was finished, and a swirling portal made of ether appeared on the side of the road.

One by one the heroes followed the Wolfgang members through the portal, and when they appeared on the other side, a familiar smell filled their noses. They were in the sewers below Eubric - all of them had been down there enough times to know it for certain.

"NOT A STEP CLOSER!!!" growled the huge direwolf that stepped from the shadows ahead. On it's back rode a tall werewolf and an amber-eyed woman followed suite.

"Peace, Garmr. We owe our gratitude to these people. Let's not scare them away." The werewolf patted his steed's neck. "I am sorry for not welcoming you at the Wolf's Den. You are not members of the Wolfgang quite yet, and nobody else may set foot there. Not that anybody else would even find it. You could have a map to it and you would still make a wrong turn somewhere. I am Ulric Wolfkin, the head of the Wolfgang. It is a pleasure finally meeting the people who have done so much for our little revolution inside the one organization that alone could prevent it."

"I, too, thank you, heroes, although I have a feeling my gratitude means little to you. You can call me Barbariccia Dellamore and I wish to somehow convince you that I only want the best for this city. It has been close to my heart for a thousand years now, after all." A hint of a smile appeared on the woman's lips. "The mighty Tower of Babel has fallen, then. I did not think it possible, but modern science made it so. How ironic."

"You will be rewarded richly as promised, but first I need to hear what you think about me and my endeavours. Please, spare no words."

"INSULTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!"

"Garmr, let these men speak. Sticks and stones, remember?"

"DIREWOLVES HAVE NO NEED FOR PROVERBS!!! WE HAVE OUR FANGS AND CLAWS!!!"

What would the heroes respond to Ulric's question? Would they have questions of their own?

[Pyrovisionary]

"I, too, thank you, heroes, although I have a feeling my gratitude means little to you. You can call me Barbariccia Dellamore and I wish to somehow convince you that I only want the best for this city. It has been close to my heart for a thousand years now, after all." A hint of a smile appeared on the woman's lips. "The mighty Tower of Babel has fallen, then. I did not think it possible, but modern science made it so. How ironic."

"You will be rewarded richly as promised, but first I need to hear what you think about me and my endeavours. Please, spare no words."

"Quite frankly Wolfy I think what your doing is right; The houses are basically ruling this city for their own benefit and gain aint they. But if you want to overthrow them, you need Us, Heroica. We heroes are very easily bought out, we're a fickle lot. This being a great example. So if you want to beat us, cut down on the ideology and cut up on the cash. Just my two doubloon."

Sarge turns to Barbarrica, rolling up the sleeve to his skeletal arm.

"Right, I got this arm, see. And I gotta go all the way to sisters of Danab, salamanda to fix it aparently. So, if you'd know how to fix me up, or anything, I'm a capable fighter you need more people."

[K-Nut]

"Honestly? I think you have the right idea. I've sided with you before, but that was majorly to spite old Patricia over at the Town Watch. The houses have been in power for a long time, though I haven't seen how stuck up they all are," He looks towards Bluto, "But the Bonapartes and Hinckwells have had their hold on this city far too tight. The Hovels prove that. When your friends first told us about this job, I honestly did not feel like siding with you. Destroying the tower seemed like a very far fetched idea for a local revolt. But if it gets the power to the people, it can't be all bad." He shifts his glance to Babariccia. Her tone seemed genuine, but he knew better than to trust one right away, "Though I may support your cause, I'm not quite sure I support your partner here. Taking a child from his family and aging him does not seem like great publicity, if you know what I mean. Even if it is a child of the houses. Though if you have agreed to free him, perhaps you are not what I thought you were, Babariccia. And I certainly hope not."

"You also seem to have the right idea of how to make your plan work, however. If you truly have a mole among the Veterans of Heroica, then it should not be a problem getting them on your side. Some will resist, though, but if your forces are truly as powerful as I believe, then you should have no problem. Especially with some of us 'heroes' on your side. Say what you will about Heroica. They are a very, very, integral part of what Eubric is these days." He looked back to Finnegan, who was turning a sickly green from all the residue in the waters, "All I can tell you is that a war is coming, my good sir. Heroica will fall upon itself in the days before your revolt. So I'd make sure you have enough muscle on your side. And some are not as easily swayed as my Nordic friend over there,"

He looked up to the so called "Wolf-Head Messiah" and spoke once more, after his companions had all had their say, "Now, don't feel obligated to answer this, but what is your vendetta against the houses? Not all of them are money-hoarders like the Hinckwells and Shadeaux, nor are they the iron fisted Bonapartes. Yet you go after all of them?"

Edited September 26, 2014 by K-Nut

[Sandy]

"Quite frankly Wolfy I think what your doing is right; The houses are basically ruling this city for their own benefit and gain aint they. But if you want to overthrow them, you need Us, Heroica. We heroes are very easily bought out, we're a fickle lot. This being a great example. So if you want to beat us, cut down on the ideology and cut up on the cash. Just my two doubloon."

"I have come to realize your fickledness, yes. At first I saw Heroica as not much else than a mercenary group, but the past years have proven that you possess great power among your ranks. My methods may turn away some of your more righteous members, but the wealth I have collected just might be enough to sway the others on our side. That time draws nearer, but there is still work to be done before I can claim Heroica my ally. It seems to be beneficial to go at it one member at a time."

Sarge turns to Barbarrica, rolling up the sleeve to his skeletal arm.

"Right, I got this arm, see. And I gotta go all the way to sisters of Danab, salamanda to fix it aparently. So, if you'd know how to fix me up, or anything, I'm a capable fighter you need more people."

"I'm sure you are, Sergeant McEncy", the witch said, cocking up an eyebrow. "But do I really look like a Sister of Danab to you? Sure, I have relieved several of their powers over the ages, but that does not make me a lowly healer of the feeble."

"Mind your tongue, Barbie. We don't want to hurt our new friend's feelings, do we?"

"Of course not, dearie", Barbariccia said with a forced smile.

"Honestly? I think you have the right idea. I've sided with you before, but that was majorly to spite old Patricia over at the Town Watch. The houses have been in power for a long time, though I haven't seen how stuck up they all are," He looks towards Bluto, "But the Bonapartes and Hinckwells have had their hold on this city far too tight. The Hovels prove that. When your friends first told us about this job, I honestly did not feel like siding with you. Destroying the tower seemed like a very far fetched idea for a local revolt. But if it gets the power to the people, it can't be all bad."

"Ah, Patricia Cousland... I have a bone the size of a greatsword to pick with that woman. But her abrasive attitude has allowed us to convince many people to join our cause. I have no intention of demolishing the Town Watch when I become king, but there will have to be a big switch among the officers. I have to admit, I was dubious when Barbie here demanded that the Tower of Babel needs to be brought down before the Veterans got the information they wanted. But I need to keep her happy for obvious reasons, and this favor guaranteed her continued support of my cause."

"Yes, I am your humblest servant", said the witch dryly.

He shifts his glance to Babariccia. Her tone seemed genuine, but he knew better than to trust one right away, "Though I may support your cause, I'm not quite sure I support your partner here. Taking a child from his family and aging him does not seem like great publicity, if you know what I mean. Even if it is a child of the houses. Though if you have agreed to free him, perhaps you are not what I thought you were, Babariccia. And I certainly hope not."

"Well, aren't I lucky that I do not need your support. I do what I do to keep myself young and pretty. Trust me, you don't want to see me on a bad day, hehe. Bluto over there has been great company to me over these last few years, but now I feel it's time to let him return to his family. I may be a leech, but cruel I am not. Bluto has learned many valuable lessons from me, haven't you boy?"

Bluto shivered from the witch's words.

"..."

"Without you, I would have not returned to this city, Bluto. You can thank yourself for all of this." Barbariccia winked at the bearded man.

"You also seem to have the right idea of how to make your plan work, however. If you truly have a mole among the Veterans of Heroica, then it should not be a problem getting them on your side. Some will resist, though, but if your forces are truly as powerful as I believe, then you should have no problem. Especially with some of us 'heroes' on your side. Say what you will about Heroica. They are a very, very, integral part of what Eubric is these days." He looked back to Finnegan, who was turning a sickly green from all the residue in the waters, "All I can tell you is that a war is coming, my good sir. Heroica will fall upon itself in the days before your revolt. So I'd make sure you have enough muscle on your side. And some are not as easily swayed as my Nordic friend over there,"

He looked up to the so called "Wolf-Head Messiah" and spoke once more, after his companions had all had their say, "Now, don't feel obligated to answer this, but what is your vendetta against the houses? Not all of them are money-hoarders like the Hinckwells and Shadeaux, nor are they the iron fisted Bonapartes. Yet you go after all of them?"

"My power does indeed grow by the day. The Hovels are mine already, and most of the sailors at the Harbour district are seeing eye to eye with me about abolishing the Bonaparte tyranny. The merchant families of lesser stature would love nothing more than to see the Hinckwells and the Shadeaux eat each other alive. The Ji Pei and their technology poses a great threat, but they are also mistrusted by many. Not to mention the quirky Ziegfrieds and the secretive alchemists. The Houses in Power are simply not worthy of ruling Eubric. I came to this city with a vision, a dream to liberate its people from the chaos of unrestrained freedom and unite them under the wolf-head banner. If we want a better world, there needs to be law and order. And not six different laws and orders each pulling in different directions, but one that treats everyone fairly and justly. Eubric has the potential to be the hub of the known world, and through me it can someday become just that. And you, my loyal heroes, will be standing by my side when the time comes."

"He is such a good orator, isn't he?" Barbariccia let out a little laugh. "Are we done chatting here?"

[Khorne]

Eric listened intently to what was being said. He didn't really like the way Althior continuedly painted him as a weak-spined turncoat, Eric did have a bit more scrupules than that. It is true he did like the money that was offered, but more than that, the Nord had found a powerful ally with whom he could take out the Bonapartes. Ulric vision for Eubric didn't quite follow Eric's to the letter, but there were more than enough parallels to make him an objective ally.

The witch was something else, though. Even as she tried her best to come off as friendly, Eric simply didn't trust her. She was a sneaky one, ready to do anything to further her cause.

"Garmr, Ulric, ... these are names that have a familiar sound to my ears. Tell me, do you happen to be a man of the North, per chance?", Eric asked. He then continued with more on topic questions. "When will we receive our pay and how will we know you require our services again in the future? Also, about those titles of nobility. Can we choose whichever rank we please? What are its benefits, both financial and political? Do we inherit branches and business of the current Houses?"

[Jebediahs]

"I do what I do to keep myself young and pretty."

"You possess the power to drain the life essence of another and transfer it to yourself to accomplish this? Mag-nificent! Can you create life as well? What other marvelous spells do you know? Are ye in need of an apprentice?"

[Sandy]

"Garmr, Ulric, ... these are names that have a familiar sound to my ears. Tell me, do you happen to be a man of the North, per chance?", Eric asked. He then continued with more on topic questions. "When will we receive our pay and how will we know you require our services again in the future? Also, about those titles of nobility. Can we choose whichever rank we please? What are its benefits, both financial and political? Do we inherit branches and business of the current Houses?"

"I've left my past behind, but you are not wrong in that I hail from the north. My faithful Garmr was born and raised here in Uland, though. I happened unto his territory on my way to Eubric and he challenged me. My bite turned him into a werewolf - or should I say, werehuman."

"I WAS NOT WELCOME BACK TO MY PACK AFTER GETTING TAINTED, SO I FOLLOWED ULRIC TO THIS STINKING NEST OF STONE. I MISS THE WILDERNESS, BUT I AM SUBJECT TO ULRIC NOW."

"What comes to your reward, you will get it now. I just wanted to satiate my curiosity first. Your words have convinced me that Heroica does not need to be eradicated in order to achieve my vision. Thank you for that."

"You possess the power to drain the life essence of another and transfer it to yourself to accomplish this? Mag-nificent! Can you create life as well? What other marvelous spells do you know? Are ye in need of an apprentice?"

Barbariccia gazed deep into Nur's eyes, as if studying his true intentions.

"My powers are multifarious, a true collection of talents, I should say. But you don't want to study under my tutelage, En Sabah Nur, for the price I charge is too heavy for you to bear."

"Barbie, you didn't need the Tower of Babel to spill all your secrets, you're doing that just fine yourself. Now, onto the rewards... I promised you aristocratic titles when I establish my rule, but we can work out the details later. You can trust that your wishes will be heard when we get to it, but there is still much work to be done. Just know that your reputation among the Wolfgang has increased greatly. Also, each of you members of Heroica will get the promised 1000 pieces of gold. I apologize to your companions standing back there, but I did not hire them."

"It's alright, Mr. Wolfskin, I will share Eric's reward", Periwinkle said, stroking Eric's cheek.

"I was promised a new job here in Eubric, that's all. So don't mind me."

"Golems have no use for gold. Unless one is a Gold Golem, of course."

"Err, everything is settled then. Walbartan, Hodurr, please give these sacks of gold to your travelling companions." Ulric tossed four heavy bags of gold to the floor in front of him, and the Fearsome Two dealt them to Althior, Eric, Nur and Sarge before moving to their leader's side. Mr. Gaunt also crossed the little bridge to stand next to Barbariccia. Bluto Ziegfried followed the scarecrow, but stopped at the bridge.

"Ah yes, there was one more reward. Barbie, please deal with it."

"Certainly, dear." The witch stepped onto the bridge, standing opposite of the shaking Bluto. He couldn't even look her into the eyes. "Bluto Ziegfried, I hereby release you from all the shackles of enchantment I've cast on you. I cannot restore your youth even if I wanted to, but you are now free to return to your family to spend what time you have left with them. You are no longer bound to my will."

Barbariccia's hand glowed ethereal green when she touched Bluto's head with it.

"... I..." Bluto jolted when he realized he could talk again.

"I... I will kill you!"

Bluto tried to grasp Barbariccia by the throat, but Althior was close enough to stop him. The Keeper's advice to protect the boy resounded in his mind.

"No hard feelings, eh? You will do well to remember your place, Bluto Ziegfried."

"I hate you, witch! I hate you!!!" The man was crying incontrollably as he flailed and thrashed in the heroes' hold. The witch paid him no more attention.

"It is time for us to depart. You will find the nearest exit to the surface behind you. Until the next time, my friends."

"Looong liiive Kiiing Uuulric!"

"Goodbye, and sorry for everything."

"I can't WAIT to get a foamin' pint of ALE on me grip! I've DESERVED it after all this RUCKUS."

The Wolfgang members disappeared in the shadows of the sewers. Bluto slumped to the ground, crying his heart out.

"What now, Eric?"

"Will you take me to the Guild of Invision now, Sarge?"

"Nur, what are my orders?"

"I *sob* want to go *sob* home."

What would be each of the heroes' direction?

~THE QUEST HAS FAILED!~

QM Note: Congratulations, you've reached the ending of the quest, with just a few loose ends to tie. Hope your experience was as great as mine, for I am super pleased about the way this hundreth quest turned out to be - much thanks to you guys!

Party:

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*

Power:

58

(42+16)

Defense:

7

(2+5)

Health:

53/53

(5+41+5+1)

Ether:

57/57

(5+41+5+4+2)

Gold:

1040

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:

Oculoid Claw (WP:13, 1/6 chance of infecting the targeted enemy on successful hits; club), Metasimian Dory (WP:9, pierces defense; spear),

Artifacts:

Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP:4, bodywear), 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, 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

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:

42/42

(5+30+1+2+4)

Gold:

1075

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)

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, 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.), Alfred (Nur can call his golem minion once per battle to protect him from all damage and effects for the remainder of the round.)

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)

Eric

(Khorne)

30 year old Human Nord

Level 25 Raider

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Fragile and Weakened* *Evasion*

Power:

42

(25+15+2)

Defense:

5

Health:

43/43

(8+24+7+4)

Gold:

1206

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), 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, 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*

Power:

48

(23+21+2+2)

Defense:

14

(10+4)

Health:

47/47

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

Gold:

1149

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, 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.)

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge is disappointed by Babarrica's answer. Weak and lowly my big behind.

He stands and watches the conversation ensue. Dejectadly as the two people and Dire wolf leave, Sarge turns to Dain.

"Will you take me to the Guild of Invision now, Sarge?"

"Yeah, course mate. After what you done for us, It's the least you derserve."

Sarge leads Dain to the guild of Invision

Edited September 27, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[K-Nut]

"No, No!" Althior shouted as he grasped the man by the back of the shirt. For once in a while, he felt a bit of sympathy. He lifts the crying man off of the ground, holds him by the shoulders, and speaks, "Let's go home," He tries to dawn a comforting smile, though what he had done that day had truly prevented any sense of dignity. He began to lead the boy out of the sewer, then turned back to the aura. "Are you coming already, Finny boy?"

The aura continued to look the other direction. "I-" he paused, "I think that it is not my place,"

Althior was shocked by Finnegan's sense of humility. "Very well then," He turned with the boy and exited the sewer, attempting to make his way to Ziegfried Manor.

[Jebediahs]

"Nur, what are my orders?"

"Retrieve my Medal of Glory from that aged pirate then let us follow Althior to the bearded man's home. I wish to witness this reunion."

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge quickly returns Nur's medal of Glory

[Khorne]

"Looong liiive Kiiing Uuulric!"

"He ain't a king yet, so enough with the saluting already.", Eric dryly said. Ulric may be Eric's chief now, the Nord wasn't quite ready to bend his knee to the werewolf yet, if ever. The Nord valued his independence, although he understood the use of a strong overlord. Some people just need an iron fist to guide them. Just not him.

"What now, Eric?"

What would be each of the heroes' direction?

Eric shrugged. "I don't know, really..." He eyed the other heroes each go their way. There he was then, 'alone' with Periwinkle and a big bag gold.

"I guess leaving the sewers would be a first step."

Now that the Raider found himself in the familiarity of Eubric and its abundance of women once more, he was having serious doubts on having brought the Harlot all the way here. After all, Mariel roamed the city, too...

[Sandy]

Sarge leads Dain to the guild of Invision

Sarge and the dwarven alchemist made their way to the Invision Guildhouse. They soon found themselves in front of the secretary of the Masked Man, Miss Victoria Vries.

"The guildmaster is busy now. May I know what business you have here?"

"Uh, my apologies, but my name is Dain Almight, and I am an aspiring alchemist and bombcrafter from Babeleth Darklands. I have just arrived to your grand city, and wish to join your guild."

"Oh really?" Miss Vries looked at the rugged dwarf from head to toes and chuckled. "Do you think you have what it takes?"

"Well, I just blew up the Tower of Babel with my bombs earlier today. How's that for credentials?"

The secretary's smug smile was instantly wiped out, and she choked on her words.

"Err... Umm... It looks like there's an opening at the guildmaster's schedule after all. He will see you shortly, so just make yourself comfortable, Mr Almight. Would you like some coffee or tea?"

Dain smiled at Sarge.

"It looks like things will look up for me from now on. Let's hope karma does not bite me in the buttocks. Thank you for everything, Sarge!"

Sarge now had a new friend among the alchemists, so his reputation with the guild increased.

"No, No!" Althior shouted as he grasped the man by the back of the shirt. For once in a while, he felt a bit of sympathy. He lifts the crying man off of the ground, holds him by the shoulders, and speaks, "Let's go home," He tries to dawn a comforting smile, though what he had done that day had truly prevented any sense of dignity. He turned with the boy and exited the sewer, attempting to make his way to Ziegfried Manor.

"Retrieve my Medal of Glory from that aged pirate then let us follow Althior to the bearded man's home. I wish to witness this reunion."

Althior and Nur walked to the Ziegfried Manor with the trembling Bluto between them. The boy did not speak much, but it was evident that there was a nine years old child inside the grown man's body. At the gate in front of the black-and-white house, Bluto suddenly stopped.

"What if they don't recognize me? What if they hate me for running away? What if...?"

The front door then creaked open, and Schuester, the butler of the family stepped out.

"Hyooonggh mhaaasshterrr Bbloohhtooo. Yooohh aaarrrh eksshpeekhteeedh iinsshaaaddh."

Bluto swept the tears from his face and practically ran inside the manor. The two accompanying heroes tried to follow him, but the butler stopped them.

"Ffhaammlli beesshneessh, ssheerrroooessh."

The butler closed the door in front of Althior and Nur, and the two heroes waited outside for a long time before someone came out. It was Goldraum Ziegfried, Bluto's father. His eyes were teary

"You have our uttermost gratitude for bringing back our son, heroes of Heroica. You are true friends of the Ziegfrieds."

If the heroes expected to get something more out of bringing the boy home, they were disappointed. Goldraum shook both of their hands and returned inside. The family of wizards truly kept to themselves.

Eric shrugged. "I don't know, really..." He eyed the other heroes each go their way. There he was then, 'alone' with Periwinkle and a big bag gold.

"I guess leaving the sewers would be a first step."

"Yes, let's get out of here and go someplace to eat before I faint. The sailors that visited Vega often told that there's a tavern called the Merry Mermaid that serves the best fish food. Take me there, sugar!"

Indeed, Eric was in for a lot of headache with the harlot.

~EPILOGUE~

Somewhere in the hidden corners of Heroica Hall...

"This is preposterous!" shouted the Dragonlord, hitting the table with his metal-covered fist. "Are all our members so enthralled by Ulric and his goons they can't even finish a simple reconnaisance mission?! I should have taken Smaragdea and flown to the Tower myself, demanding answers."

"You were close, in Dastan, so why didn't you?"

The Dragonlord gave his colleague a murderous glance.

"I made a poor choice selecting some of the most ambitious members we have in our ranks. Sadly, they are also some of the most powerful and could have easily gotten the task done. At least Master Wineghilm stayed loyal to us..."

"No use crying over a melted glacier, Hestia. The truth about the witch will be revealed to us sooner or later. Have your visions shed any light upon this situation, Semiramis?"

The Sand Queen leaned over a shelf with various relics on it. She was lost in her thoughts.

"I apologize, but there are great disturbances within this city... Ancient powers are seeping from below our feet, making it difficult to focus. The clearest vision I have is of the Ziegfried boy that Baba enslaved. He is free now, and must be protected. He is the key..."

"Hmph, the Ziegfrieds can look after their own. We have bigger problems than the Wolfgang to worry about, anyway."

"I'd say the threat of a war within the city is a mighty big problem, my friend! The Wolfgang needs to be stopped!"

"Why, if I may ask? They have returned much wealth to the common people that the houses in power have hoarded to themselves over the centuries. Our city is now richer than it has ever been!"

"How dare you defend the thieves, Kukulkan?! What fortunes the families have gathered they have earned with hard work!"

"Ha! The hard work of countless slaves, yes!"

"Stop! Look what this situation is doing to us! If we begin to fight among ourselves, then Heroica is as good as done!"

"Jacq is right. We must stay neutral in this affair - and that goes towards the Wolfgang as well. I've heard some of the laws Ulric wishes to install to this city, and they don't sound bad to me."

"Eubric has always been free. We have never had a king, and we certainly do not need one now."

"Free, my green big behind..."

Tension in the room was so thick it could've been cut with a knife.

"The future is hazy, but the day of reckoning will come. The lines will be drawn, and Heroica will be divided with the rest of the city. War is inevitable, but we can keep the casualties to a minimum. That is why we need the Eatress out of the picture."

The room fell silent.

QM Note: You are free to return to the Hall now, and post your thoughts about this quest to the QM's Lounge.

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge grins happily at Dain, before heading back to the hall. It had been a good quest.

Ooc: Thank you Sandy! This has been a pleasure!

Edited September 28, 2014 by Pyrovisionary

[K-Nut]

Althior smiled a bit as Bluto rushed inside. After Goldraum had turned his back, Althior grabbed him by the shoulder. "Keep him safe," As the door shut in his face, he grazed swiftly past Nur and made his way to the hall. He glanced back at the manor. For once he had done a bit of good. True good. But at what cost? As the autumn breeze swept past his face, he turned away from the hall, and made his way out into the night.

Great quest, Sandy! I'll post my thoughts soon.