Heroica RPG - Quest#102: Debts

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen shrugs and joins the others.

[Zepher]

OoC: Sorry, that was not meant to be a 24 hour break, but last night got busy.

The heroes push forward through the trees, and come face to face with their foes.

"Purpearl!" exclaims Keith happily. "What are you doing out here? Wandering around the woods?" He looks up at the sky. "It is a beautiful day!"

"Alexis!" Sam beams. "And other heroes. What does bring you out into the woods? Slaying some evil forest creatures, no doubt?"

Keith glances around.

"You think there are evil forest creatures around?"

"Oh take a joke, would you?"

[Masked Builder]

Alexis is stunned to see Sam out in the woods, but tries not to display her surprise. "Well hello again Sam. Glad to see you're alright. What brings you out here today?"

[Purpearljellyblob]

Didn't quite expect Sam and Keith to work for Aventine, Purpearl warns without hestitation, "What are you doing here? Evil truly lurk around these areas. Both of you should flee at an instant. Go now while you can."

[Zepher]

With eyes growing wide, Keith tries to scuttle off, but Sam grabs him by the shirt. Her voice is still light, but she cocks her head, and her eyes certainly narrow a little...

"I'm sure if there is any danger in these woods," and Samantha looks around at the woods, illuminated everywhere by the morning sun, "we are most safe near the heroes. Besides, we've been strolling around all morning with no issues! We even slept out here last night."

"Oh, that's right." Keith blushes. "But I was scared then too."

"Yeah but we ended up being okay." Samantha grins at the heroes and rolls her eyes in appreciation of her traveling companion. "Anyway, like we said, we were busy burying bodies."

"I know that the woods is a little bit of a weird place to bury them," admits Keith.

"See, I wasn't totally honest with you when we met the first time, Alexis. Oops." She pretends to cringe. "The dead bodies were in need of transporting, and they were already dead... but see, it wasn't the family of the deceased who wanted them moved. Some other organization."

"I had some reservations too at first, heroes, but then Sam explained it to me! The bodies were already dead, so they'd hardly know they were moved. And someone else dug them up for us. And then we just transported them, and buried them again! It's all good, and no one is hurt."

"Except, of course, the families of the dead. I'm sure they'll be missing the bodies."

[Chromeknight]

So you are working for a Nercomancer? They are usually the only ones who have interest in the location of dead bodies.

Or perhaps for someone else walking the left hand path and gathering power from unwise places?

[StickFig]

Not knowing the two striped-shirt-diggers, Matthias waits nonplussed for the conversation to play out, studiously picking dirt from the firing mechanism of the Peashooter.

Edited October 11, 2014 by StickFig

[Zepher]

"Yeah, a necromancy. Not sure why there's such a stigma against them - they use already dead people, after all. Not like they're really harming anyone. Our employer's name is Bart Aventine. He and a friend of his approached us in Eubric, offering us the job."

"We got paid half up front, when we were given the bodies. Aventine's friend, Thistlethorp, he's the fellow who dug up the bodies and paid us the first half. He's part of the Town Watch, so I imagine he's not a bad guy, overall. We're supposed to meet Aventine here for the second half of our pay, sometime in the next few days. There's a tavern in town, we can get something to drink while we wait."

"I think Keith has the right idea. I've had enough of this forest - we were here all last evening burying bodies, and then we slept out here. I'm more than ready for a drink. What do you say, heroes?" She smiles and begins to make her way towards the edge of the clearing.

Russel waves his sword around uncertainly.

"Um, what do we do, heroes?" he asks. "We can't find the duel if we don't do what Zelphie says."

"I'm not so sure Aventine is worth defending. But I'm also not so sure that Chauncey is worthy of winning."

XX, oblivious to the animals, draws his weapon. He glances at Purpearl, and the heroes know that he, at least, is more than ready to honor their agreement with Zelphie.

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl steps forward, in the way of Sam and Keith, and draws her weapon, "There's no tavern or will you see Aventine anytime soon. Since we worked with each other one way or another, I shall be forward with my words. So both of you know, we are hired by Aventine as well. One of his many enemies had him abducted and we needed to have him rescued by tomorrow or we would've failed. We chased the abductors and tried to negotiate with them, but naturally since they are more skilled in combat, we drew the short end of the stick and we've got to do their bidding in exchange for Aventine. Regretfully, one of those was to eliminate allies of Aventine, including both of you. They have eyes everywhere, so there's no alternative to this."

Purpearl's voice softens, "Both of you will need to feign death convincingly enough, so we get Aventine back and both of you will get paid when you see him again. That means we will have to engage in some sort of combat and pretend like it's the real deal. There are no guarantees and its a huge risk in that our enemies might see through this but it is the only chance we've got to keep everyone alive."

[StickFig]

Matthias' face becomes grim at the mention of Thistlethorp, and he wonders what's really going on - if the necromancer Watchman was working for Aventine, why would he attack the party? Raising his voice a little, he says to Sam and Keith, "We've killed Thistlethorp already, now we'll kill you too," with a knowing glance at Berthadhiell.

[Chromeknight]

Have you ever heard of a group calling themselves the Cold Circle?

[Zepher]

"What?" asks Sam, her face becoming pale. "What's happening? Someone wants us dead?"

"What?!" Keith's eyes water.

"The Cold Circles? I think Thistlethorp and Aventine mentioned it." She huffs. "Thistlethorp and Aventine seemed like business associates, not friends. If you are killing us because of Thistlethorp... we were not his employees, we were not working with him. Our employer hardly worked with him. They were just part of the same club."

"We're wasting time." XX levels his weapon at them. "Zelphie will check the bodies. If she finds they are still alive, she'll kill them and never lead us to the duel. I don't accept that." XX looks at Purpearl. "What was that thing you said? Do the job and hope we're on the same side next time. So let's do our job."

What will the heroes do?

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Alright, enough of talk, we're left with no choice. It's either you two or us." Purpearl steps forward, ready for battle.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen watches her party leader. Since it appeared battle was immanent, she drew her sword.

[StickFig]

Matthias watches and listens, turning redder and redder as the shoveling pair talk. "I can't believe we got sent on this stupid mission. Either there's something big we're missing, or the Veterans should never have accepted this quest. How about we just talk to Zelphie again? Given the choice, I'd rather fight her than these two."

Edited October 13, 2014 by StickFig

[Zepher]

XX fires a shot at the two, which misses only barely. He grimaces.

"I'm sorry, Matthias. I'm finishing my job."

The two grave robbers quake, but stand their ground. Keith lifts his shovel in preparation to fight for his life.

Pigley trots up next to Matthias, Russel on his back. They watch with drawn faces, glancing at Matthias from time to time. Remaining on the side lines as well, Alexis decides what to do.

The Enemies

Samantha

Level 18 Humanoid

Health: 160/160

Special: Fighting for Life - Samantha makes herself lucky. If she is already lucky, she encourages herself. If she is already encouraged and lucky, she attacks all heroes.

Drops: 140 Gold

Keith

Level 22 Humanoid

Health: 140/140

Special: Scared, But Brave - Encourages himself and Samantha. Heals himself and Samantha by 40 health.

Drops: 140 Gold, Shovel

The Party

XX

Level 35 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed*

Health:

51/51

Defense:

0

Gold:

392

Equipment:

XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an

Alchemist

, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation)

Inventory:

Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (1), Lightning Bombs (3), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed*

Level 31.75

Power bonus:

0

Defense:

16

Health:

53/53

Ether:

36/36

Gold:

109

Equipment:

Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14,

Light

Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile, bodywear), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), White Cloak (Max. HP +3, back wear)

Inventory:

•

Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Inflicts Fragile, Fire-Elemental), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is

Slowed

and

Immune to Hastened

; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to

Blind

)

•

Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired, Accessory, Suitable for Paladins), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to

Light

and

Jinxed

, Suitable for Knights), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; body wear)

•

Topaz

•

No Scrolls

•

Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (4), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core (2), Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow)

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

*Party Leader*

180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *

Evasive

* *Blessed*

Level 16.5

Power:

30

Health:

24/24

Ether:

22/22

Gold:

198

(Owes Karie 25 gold)

Equipment:

Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed)

Inventory:

Thorny Rose (WP: 17,

wood

-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic (x2), Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom (x2), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Remedy (x2), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental)

Gemstones:

Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

),

Opal

,

Diamond

,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

,

Aquamarine

Scrolls:

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15;

Water

-,

Darkness

-elemental; staff)

[StickFig]

"I'm sorry, Matthias. I'm finishing my job."

"Finishing your job?!" the gnome explodes, rounding on the whole group. "What do you mean, finishing your job?! You have no idea what you're doing, any of you. We are tasked to save Aventine, and yet here we are, trusting blindly in the very woman who kidnapped him! Can't you all see how ridiculous this is? You say you're 'finishing the job,' but you're attacking people who've admitted they were working for our employer. At the request of the people who are working against us."

As his words pour forth, Matthias regains a little composure. "That fairy fed us a whole string of information, some of it true: Keith and Sam are working for Master Aventine. Why should we believe any of the rest of it? We know Zelphie's not on our side, and we know Keith and Sam are. Why on earth are you attacking them?"

Edited October 14, 2014 by StickFig

[Zepher]

"How else are we going to finish this? You know where Aventine is? I sure as hel don't. I've got to trust that Zelphie does. What else have we got to go on? These people were hoping to meet him in a tavern, and unless Chauncey has released him, he doesn't seem likely to show up." XX's brow furrows for a second as if something displeasurable has crossed it, but with a shrug he dismisses it. It is Pigley who follows the logic to its end.

"Why would he promise to meet them here?" asks the pig quietly. "And why did he want the bodies here. Weren't we supposed to be sailing with him to Charis?"

"I would say he was planning in case we failed, but Russel Ruffers never fails and I'm certain my reputation proceeds me!"

[StickFig]

"Oh, I trust that Zelphie knows exactly where Master Aventine is," the gnome replies, "and I trust that these two striped fools are very misled. We already know there's one shapeshifter working for Chauncey, and if these two - and Thistlethorp, another face we trusted when we shouldn't have - were all working for our employer, how do we know they weren't working for 'M' in disguise, and really just working for Lord Chauncey? It seems to me that we're about to murder two gravediggers, simply because we don't know where the man we're supposed to be protecting is, and we don't really know that even doing that will help our cause. Count me out."

[Masked Builder]

"Sorry guys, I'm not attacking them. You're on your own for this." Alexis stands on the side watching the battle progress.

[Chromeknight]

We were hired to protect Avertine until the seventh day. We have been doing an excellent job of that given he was kidnapped and we have not seen him since.

If anyone has a workable plan for finding him without the fairy's help, I would be happy to hear it. But unless these two also swear to dig up every body they buried out here and so disarm the trap that is laid, then they suffer for their foolish ignorance in taking such a task,

[Masked Builder]

"We could always try my compass."

[Zepher]

"Look, I don't know why we're getting so moral all of a sudden. Sure, we can try the compass. But Zelphie knows where to find our man, and these people are grave robbers. If you all want to let them go..." a bit of sweat dribbles down XX's face and he shakes his head. "No. I finish my jobs. This is the best lead I've got."

OoC: Would be more than willing to run a round, but don't want to jump the gun!

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl steps beside XX and signals him to attack, "Keith's holding a shovel now, what a surprise. He won't even dare to lay a finger on rats the first time I met him. How do we even know if they aren't hiding anything more? Do we know anything for certain anymore? I know what's certain. Do what Zelphie wants and we get to Aventine."

Battle Order

Nerwen

>XX - XX Handcannon vs. Keith

>Purpearl - Magical Staff, Amethyst vs. Sam

[StickFig]

"Do what she wants and we'll get to Aventine?! What assurance do we have of that?" Matthias cries. "She admits she's our enemy, and yet here you all are, doing her bidding and attacking our friends. Or if not our friends, at least our fellow workers in Master Aventine's plan, whatever that may be."