Heroica RPG - Quest#102: Debts

[StickFig]

Matthias can't believe what he's witnessing as the elves turn on one another, but as the dread pirate advances towards Ruffers and Pigley, he can't see any other way out, so he throws his smoke bomb.

[Zepher]

OoC: Sandy has changed the rules of smoke bombs so that they don't force everyone to flee. Is that still what you'd like to do? I'm sorry about that, but I think that's the ruling now.

I will allow you to preempt the battle order with this action, however.

I will wait to run the round only until Nerwen either flees, or commits to her action. Chrome, it is absolutely NOT NECESSARY for you to do this, but if you'd like to, you may switch sides. This will not affect anything except who your AoE effects/which AoEs effect you. You may still of course remain on Aventine's side if you wish to save him, or even if you don't and it makes more sense to you.

Aventine's eyes narrow as Matthias prepares to flee and Nerwen swings her sword at Purpearl.

"They will be sorry they crossed me." He begins to chant. "Purpearl, neutralize the threat. I will raise the bomber so that we will once more have an even fight on our hands. Those traitors shall not tear me down."

[Chromeknight]

See Sandy's post in Q&A, but everyone goes. And since I suggested it as a way to save Ruffpig, it needs to happen first, before the undead kill him, interrupting my action and sadly leaving XX dead.

[Zepher]

OoC: Aventine does not plan to kill Ruffpig. He is not an ambling headless monster. It will not help him live, and he is not some bizarro god of carnage, just someone trying to survive.

Aventine catches Nerwen's gaze.

"I am not an unreasonable man, Nerwen. I see you and Matthias fleeing, but only to save the beasts. Stay with me, and I will not slay them. Chauncey is the only man I wish to see die today."

[Chromeknight]

"They will be sorry they crossed me." He begins to chant. "Purpearl, neutralize the threat. I will raise the bomber so that we will once more have an even fight on our hands. Those traitors shall not tear me down."

"I am not an unreasonable man, Nerwen. I see you and Matthias fleeing, but only to save the beasts. Stay with me, and I will not slay them. Chauncey is the only man I wish to see die today."

Ouch! Mood whiplash!

I get that you're trying to play multiple NPCs and with unpredictably shifting relations between three and a half player characters, but I gotta say, this just paints Avertine as an opportunistic liar.

OoC: Aventine does not plan to kill Ruffpig. He is not an ambling headless monster. It will not help him live, and he is not some bizarro god of carnage, just someone trying to survive.

Letting PCs play is all fine and good, but if you'd said this in response to PPJBs original battle order 36 hours ago, we'd've run the round by now. Or you could have responded to Nerwen's plea direct to Avertine on the topic 18 hours ago.

In the confusion of Purpearl's nurderous hissing in Avertine's ear and his seeming indifference to Nerwen's plea before finally responding to the drastic action she had prompted Matthais to take, she had to change her intent again.

Matthias! hold the bomb!

Nerwen heals Avertine if RuffPig is not attacked and Avertine raises XX

Now we need to wait again for Stickfig and PPJB to respond and change their actions.

As a pointer, perhaps Avertine might say what he thinks he should do too.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Chromeknight

[StickFig]

3.5 player characters? Now we're counting the oppressed gnome as a half-character?!

Matthias just manages to hold on to the grenade, his arm already moving forward as Calmcacil shouts. Stowing it away, he attacks Chauncey twice again.

I will probably not be able to respond for about 48 hours; Chromeknight has control of Matthias.

Edited November 7, 2014 by StickFig

[Chromeknight]

3.5 player characters? Now we're counting the oppressed gnome as a half-character?!

Actually, it was a bit of a dig at Masked, who has seemed distant and disconnected for a lot of this quest.

Have a look at the reply numbers, you're on 264, Zeph on 253 and masked on 167. Not that post count is the sole measure, but it is an indicator.

[Zepher]

Ouch! Mood whiplash!

I get that you're trying to play multiple NPCs and with unpredictably shifting relations between three and a half player characters, but I gotta say, this just paints Avertine as an opportunistic liar.

Letting PCs play is all fine and good, but if you'd said this in response to PPJBs original battle order 36 hours ago, we'd've run the round by now. Or you could have responded to Nerwen's plea direct to Avertine on the topic 18 hours ago.

Now we need to wait again for Stickfig and PPJB to respond and change their actions.

As a pointer, perhaps Avertine might say what he thinks he should do too.

Sorry, the "they will be sorry they crossed me" was at you and Matthias, not at the animals! That was unclear, my mistake. And he was okay with the plan until the threat of the smoke bomb - while nothing has actually been "run" I'd say a round or two worth of changes has indeed happened. It's tough for me to say exactly what Aventine will do because it too has changed, but the last few times I've tried bolding it. It's a good suggestion, I will work on it for however many rounds remain.

Also, apparently smoke bombs do force everyone to flee. Sorry, I was wrong. You may still stick to that if that's the strategy you prefer! But hopefully not - I want to run this round as soon as Purpearl posts. This is also (you may have guessed) the final battle of the quest - I don't want to hold off the inevitable battle and make it any longer than it should be, but it's up to you, not me.

[Chromeknight]

Sorry, the "they will be sorry they crossed me" was at you and Matthias, not at the animals! That was unclear, my mistake. And he was okay with the plan until the threat of the smoke bomb - while nothing has actually been "run" I'd say a round or two worth of changes has indeed happened. It's tough for me to say exactly what Aventine will do because it too has changed, but the last few times I've tried bolding it. It's a good suggestion, I will work on it for however many rounds remain.

No, it wasn't unclear. I understood it was to Matthias and Nerwen. That was my point, he went from threatening to begging for assistance, all after not seeming to care one way or another.

As for fleeing, aside from saving NPCs from perma-death, there is nothing for us in the battle, all we've done is waste consumables for no XP/quest completion gain. We can't beat a buffed chauncey, not even with a run of miracle rolls.

And now I've just posted another OoC only post, something I try to avoid...

[Purpearljellyblob]

As she promised, Nerwen turns on Purpearl.

Nerwen v. Purpearl - Sword of light

"Retract that blunt sword of yours or live to regret your actions."

"They will be sorry they crossed me." He begins to chant. "Purpearl, neutralize the threat. I will raise the bomber so that we will once more have an even fight on our hands. Those traitors shall not tear me down."

"I am not an unreasonable man, Nerwen. I see you and Matthias fleeing, but only to save the beasts. Stay with me, and I will not slay them. Chauncey is the only man I wish to see die today."

"As you wish, Lord Aventine." Purpearl bows slightly.

Battle Order

Undead Horde - Nothing

>Purpearl - Throws a neutralizer

>Aventine - Raise XX

>XX - Nostrum on Nerwen if Nerwen heals Aventine, if not Nostrum on Aventine

Nerwen

>Matthias - Peashooter vs. Chauncey

>Matthias - Peashooter vs. Chauncey

Edited November 8, 2014 by Purpearljellyblob

[Zepher]

Round Nine Wizard's Duel

Undead Horde does nothing

>Purpearl throws a Neutralizer

>Aventine raises XX - Raise Less (XX raised with 1 health, -1 ether)

Nerwen heals Aventine - Heal Less (+32 health, -1 ether)

>Matthias v. Chauncey - Special Damage (Light Minion Summoned)

>Matthias v. Chauncey - Aim (1 Damage, -2 burning)

Alexis v. Purpearl - [57/2]/7=5 Damage (No Dodge)

Dark Minion does nothing

Light Minion v. Aventine - 11 Damage, -1 ether

>Alexis takes a Smelling Salt

>Alexis uses a Kraken Fang on Chauncey

>Chauncey v. Aventine - Special Damage (No Dead to Raise)

>Chauncey v. Aventine - Hit (10 Damage, -1 ether)

Purpearl + Matthias v. Chauncey - ([15+22(-1 ether)]-8)/7= 5 Damage, -2 burning

Nerwen + Matthias v. Alexis - ([15+42]/7= 9 Damage, -2 burning, Alexis Fragile ([(57-16)/2]/7=3 Damage Nerwen) ([57/2]/7=5 Damage)

Chauncey takes 4 from burning, Alexis takes 4 from burning

All standing heroes gain 3 health

Aventine's party, after intensive internal debate, rally, and the side that seemed only moments ago to barely be clinging on stands firm once more.

"You are a fool, Chauncey. These heroes cannot be swayed by talk. Only by power. I had the power to rip their friends from them, but I did not. That is all it takes. What is intention without ability to act? What have you gained in the last seven years?"

The Aventine Party

Lord Aventine

Level 56 Necromancer *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Water, Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Kill*

Health: 32/160

Power Bonus: 10

Defense: 3

Ether: 12/40

Gold: 1000

Equipment: Magical Tricorne (SP:3, Immunity to Fire), Regret's Necklace (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, and Instant Death, For an additional 2 ether undead can attack with any element [as opposed to darkness], Suitable for Aventine), Aventine's Cape (Immunity to Darkness and Water)

Inventory: Ruby, Amethyst

Undead Lord

Level 10 Undead

Element: Darkness

Undead Peasant

Level 20 Undead

Element: Darkness

Undead Paladin

Level 45 Undead

Element: Darkness

Undead Pirate

Level 50 Undead

Element: Darkness

Undead Zelphie

Level 45 Undead

Element: Darkness

XX

Level 35.2 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* *Incapacitated*

Health:

1/51

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), 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 (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum,

NOTE:

KOing XX will lead to his death. If Aventine is killed, XX will flee the battle. If XX's health drops below 10 he will be 'incapacitated'.

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

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

Level 32

Power bonus:

0

Defense:

16

Health:

36/54

Ether:

36/37

Gold:

249

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 (3), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, 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), 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 17

Power:

30

Health:

11/25

Ether:

20/21

Gold:

338

(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, 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, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental), Shovel

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)

Matthias

the Carnival Crusader (nstickney)

Level 16 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened*

Power Bonus

: 2

Defense

: 0

Health

: 3/21

Gold

: 176

Equipment

: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals burning by 2 effect), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers),

Inventory

: Steel Cutlass (Sword, WP:5, suitable for Knights or Rogues), Grimmau's Clothespin (Headwear, prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle), Winged Sandals (Footwear, protects from

Bound

and

Slowed

effects), Grating Stone, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Staff (WP: 4), Elixir, Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect, axe), 2x Red Death Blood (When applied to weapon Doomed is dealt on the first blow), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being

Encouraged

at the start of any battle), Remedy, Zoot's Cookie

The Chauncey Party

Lord Chauncey

Level 70 Evoker *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Asleep, Stunned, Confused, and Instant Kill* *Immune to darkness and light elemental damage* *Burning -4* *Hastened* *Reinforced*

Health 201/205

SP:

4

8

Ether: 34/45

Equipment: Hood of the Black Mage (SP: 4, Immunity to Darkness and Light Elemental Damage), Summoning Ring (Summons get +4 levels, suitable for Evokers), Regret's Gloves (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Death, Permits 2 Summons, Suitable to Chauncey)

Inventory: 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning, Amethyst, Diamond, Tonic

Darkness Minion

Level 74 Darkness Summon

Light Minion

Level 74 Light Summon

Alexis Fenral

, Orc-kin

(Party Leader)

*Counterstriking*

*Blessed*

*Hastened*

*Burning -4* *Fragile*

22 year old female elven Harlot

Level 46.8

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

0

Health:

62/74

Gold:

1639

GP:

9

Equipment:

Steel fan (WP:20,

ice

-,

lightning

-, and

darkness

-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed)

Inventory:

•

Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

light

-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Town Watch Halberd (WP: 6),

•

Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from

fragile

), Ring of Sight (protects from

blinded

), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear, suitable for classes capable of using axes), Regret's Cape (Backwear, grants immunity to first negative effect afflicted each battle)

•

Aquamarine (

Water

), Diamond (

Light

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Topaz (

lightning

), Fifty Shades of Bley,

•

Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass,

•

2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Mulled Wine, 2x Grating Stones, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow), Zoot's Cookie

Zelphie

Level 45 Artisan *Immune to Lightning* *KO'd*

Health: 0/45

SP: 1

Gold: 20

Equipment: Staff (WP: 20), Counterstrike Gloves (Counter Free-Hits), Conductor Helmet (Artefact. SP:1, Immune to Lightning)

Inventory: Hammer (WP:6), Scroll of Confusion, Bedroll, Venom, 2 Remedies, Fire Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass, Telescope, Magnifying Glass

Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley

Level 21.66 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* *Incapacitated*

Power Bonus: 4

Health: 8/34

Defense: 4

Gold: 303

Equipment: Crabspirator (WP: 16, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Pigley (+4 Power, +4 Max Health, Hastened, Not an Artifact), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Crab Shell Armor (Body Wear, +4 Max Health, 4 SP)

Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11), Venom, Smelling Salts

NOTE:

KOing Russel and Pigley will lead to their death. If Russel and Pigley's health drops below 10 they will be 'incapacitated'.

[Chromeknight]

Round Nine Wizard's Duel

>Matthias v. Chauncey - Special Damage (Light Minion Summoned)

No Free Hits

Nerwen + Matthias v. Alexis - ([15+42]/7= 9 Damage, -2 burning, Alexis Fragile

Dark minion summoned, not light. No big deal, just confusing.

Alexis gets one free hit on Purpearl as she was untargetted.

Matthias in back row for free hit on Alexis

Nerwen and Matthias take counterstrike damage from Alexis.

Nerwen makes no reply to the younger elf, merely turning to heal their fellow questmate.

Nerwen v. Matthias -Heal

Edited November 8, 2014 by Chromeknight

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Lord Aventine, it is in your best interest to sacrifice one of your undead, to strengthen your vitality."

Battle Order

Undead Pirate, Fire vs. Chauncey

Rest of Undead - Nothing

Nerwen - Heal Matthias

>Aventine - Sacrifice Zelphie for Health

>Matthias

>Matthias

>Purpearl - Drinks Potion

>XX

Alexis gets one free hit on Purpearl as she was untargetted.

OOC: Throw in another 1/3 chance to avoid free hits

[Masked Builder]

Alexis uses a titan heart on Chauncey then swings Death's whip at Aventine from the front row.

Battle Order:

Dark Minion does nothing

Light Minion vs. Aventine

>Alexis uses a titan heart on Chauncey

Alexis vs. Aventine

>Chauncey vs. Aventine

>Chauncey vs. Aventine

[Chromeknight]

Bother, it's me isn't it.

Sorry everyone!

Matthias. One shot each at Alexis and Chauncey please.

> Matthias v. Chauncey - Peashooter

> Matthias v. Alexis - Peashooter

[Zepher]

Round Ten Wizard's Duel

Dark Minion does nothing

Light Minion v. Aventine - 11 Damage, -1 ether

>Alexis uses a titan heart on Chauncey

Alexis v. Aventien - Satisfy (Aventine Level 42)

>Chauncey v. Aventine - Critical Hit/Critical Hit (20 Damage, -1 ether)

>Chauncey v. Aventine - Critical Hit/Special Damage (20 Damage, -1 ether, Aventine KO)

Chauncey and Alexis make a final push, closing in on Aventine. The mage fights valiantly, but suddenly he finds Chauncey before him.

"I'm sorry," he says, and then with a flash of light, he throws Aventine back. The battle is victorious for the Chauncey party. The light and darkness summons, their work being done, wink out of existence. XX hobbles to his feet, blood dribbling out of his mouth. He glances over at Aventine.

"Screw it," he says as the medal around his neck starts to glow. He looks over the heroes quickly. "At least I'm alive. It was nice working with some of you." He hobbles over to the edge of the clearing, and then trips, falling face down in the grass.

The Master of Regret shrugs.

And this is how the field stands: Aventine, gasping for air, staring off into the morning sky. The dead, all falling apart, Zelphie among them. Ruffers and Pigley still in a pile far off, heaving heavy, breathing slightly. Only the Master of Regret, the heroes and Chauncey stand proud and tall. And the heroes can feel the medals burning their necks.

"Purpearl. To me," hisses Aventine from his prone position.

The Chauncey Party

Lord Chauncey

Level 70.2 Evoker *Immune to Blinded, Sealed, Asleep, Stunned, Confused, and Instant Kill* *Immune to darkness and light elemental damage*

Health 201/205

SP: 4

Ether: 34/45

Equipment: Hood of the Black Mage (SP: 4, Immunity to Darkness and Light Elemental Damage), Summoning Ring (Summons get +4 levels, suitable for Evokers), Regret's Gloves (Immune to Sealed, Blinded, Asleep, Stunned, Confused and Instant Death, Permits 2 Summons, Suitable to Chauncey)

Inventory: 3 Amethyst Lamps of Summoning, Amethyst, Diamond, Tonic

Alexis Fenral

, Orc-kin

(Party Leader)

*Counterstriking*

*Blessed*

*Hastened*

22 year old female elven Harlot

Level 47

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

0

Health:

63/75

Gold:

1639

GP:

9

Equipment:

Steel fan (WP:20,

ice

-,

lightning

-, and

darkness

-elemental), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed)

Inventory:

•

Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5,

light

-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Town Watch Halberd (WP: 6),

•

Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from

fragile

), Ring of Sight (protects from

blinded

), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear, suitable for classes capable of using axes), Regret's Cape (Backwear, grants immunity to first negative effect afflicted each battle)

•

Aquamarine (

Water

), Diamond (

Light

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Topaz (

lightning

), Fifty Shades of Bley,

•

Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass,

•

2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9x Meads, Smelling Salts, Nostrum, 9x Remedies, 7x Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Mulled Wine, 2x Grating Stones, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow), Zoot's Cookie

Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley

Level 22 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* *Incapacitated*

Power Bonus: 4

Health: 9/35

Defense: 4

Gold: 303

Equipment: Crabspirator (WP: 16, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Pigley (+4 Power, +4 Max Health, Hastened, Not an Artifact), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Crab Shell Armor (Body Wear, +4 Max Health, 4 SP)

Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11), Venom, Smelling Salts

NOTE:

KOing Russel and Pigley will lead to their death. If Russel and Pigley's health drops below 10 they will be 'incapacitated'.

OoC: Loot will come shortly - there's still a little bit more to do before then.

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl rushes to Aventine, and remains silent as she kneels down by his side.

[Masked Builder]

Alexis wipes her fan clean as she says, "And that is how you win a battle."

[Zepher]

"All the others..." he hisses through clenched teeth. "Confused. Lost. Weak. They rely on each other - they save their enemies. Who is that crab to them? Who is that pig?" He inhales sharply. "Chauncey and I were friends once. We may have been friends today. What good did it do? None. I will still die shortly. He will mourn. There was no winner." He coughs. "We all are on Olegia for a short while. Nothing for it. What would he tell you? We all do things. Yes. And what else would he tell you. We all assign good and evil to them. This too is true. These are ideas we had together as boys, staying up late, candle out, with our teachers asleep. He is no fool. Look at him. He chose this power too. He decided to die too, if need be. He understands that power is divine." He inhales sharply again. "I made a mistake. Thought too much like him. Should never have hired you heroes. Chauncey is the one who leans on others. That is not true strength. Look what it did to me. I was afraid to die, and that's what killed me." A quiet exhale. "That's that. Probably could have killed him on my own. Shouldn't have been so damn afraid. Damn it!" He tries to push himself upwards, but falters. His arms shake, and then he falls flat on his back again. "Damn it. When we were boys we both saw power, we both saw good and evil. But he thought that power was out there in the universe, some spirit, something we could feed and that would in turn feed us. Foolish notion. Power is within. Friends are nothing, the universe is nothing. When I draw my final breath, I die, and what does that do for the universe and the world and the spirit. Nothing. I can leave only a small portion of my power with you." Aventine taps Purpearls forehead in a sort of comical manner, something you wouldn't imagine would do much of anything, but she feels her veins course all the same.

"Damn it," he exhales, and his eyes roll up a little, and all the heroes feel a burning sensation around their neck.

OoC: Purpearl gains +4 ether, +4 power.

All heroes lose .1 of their max. health.

Still a bit more to do before loot, just waiting for responses from people.

[Chromeknight]

Seeing XX begin to fall and now free of combat, Nerwen tries to heal him, expending as much ether as necessary.

Nerwen heals XX

She also heals Matthias and Russel, helping the latter to their feet.

Nerwen heals Matthias

Nerwen heals Russel

She says gently,

<You chose the winning side, but I do not think you will gain much satisfaction from it.>

She rounds on Alexis, who is quietly gloating.

Yes, you won a battle. Well done.

But you failed the quest.

Why did you even accept the quest, knowing that we were employed by a man bound to kill Chauncey? Surely you are neither ignorant nor stupid, which leaves only that you are selfish beyond measure. That you would knowingly betray your employer and give your fellow party members no warning, no arguement or inducement to accompany you in your faithlessness, no reason to excuse your untrustworthiness.

You are more edain than quessir.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Chromeknight

[StickFig]

Alexis wipes her fan clean as she says, "And that is how you win a battle."

Matthias resists the urge to punch the bigger hero in the face... he's too emotionally drained to care, one way or the other. As Calmcacil heals her way through the group, the gnome is - for only a second - angry that 'XX' managed to survive; but he's happy that Ruffers and Pigley are alive, and all around relieved that it's over.

[Zepher]

Seeing XX begin to fall and now free of combat, Nerwen tries to heal him, expending as much ether as necessary.

Nerwen spends 5 ether to bring XX around. She sees him stagger to his feet and come to rest with his back against the tree, but she can tell, through whatever force in the universe controls ether and grants her the ability to heal, that she can do no more from him. There are dark bags under his eyes, and he heaves and huffs still. By all accounts, it is clear that he was not supposed to live and through only sheer force of will is he still around.

She says gently,

<You chose the winning side, but I do not think you will gain much satisfaction from it.>

"Are we all still alive? That is almost better than I could have hoped for!"

"We chose our side, Lady Nerwen. Russel and I are your friends, and always will be, but we chose our side. Do not forget it. We are glad that Chauncey lives."

"You have no more right to scold Alexis than she does to scold you," says Chauncey. "Aventine made his choice. I made my choice, she made her choice and you made yours. What will happen now, none of us may know we can only hope for the best, isn't it true?" Chauncey looks at Nerwen and Matthais. "You two are problematic for me. Alexis has saved my life, I must be grateful for that. As for your fellow hero the elf, she hardly deserves the name hero if you were to ask me. She cannot mask her greed. If she did not have the Veteran's curse on her right now I would strike her down right now where she stands." He sighs. "I do not know why you two did what you did. Can I punish you for fighting against me? No, that is not right. Who am I to you, after all? It matters not why you fought me, but why you stood by Aventine. Tell me of your choice, so that I may learn by you and of you."

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl coughs and turns breathless for a second as Aventine did his magic. As she gasps for air and returns to herself, Purpearl turns to Chauncey, "Now that part of Aventine's will and power flows within me, are you planning to strike me down next? And if being a Hero means living by your double standards, I don't know if Heroes should be called Heroes if they cannot speak their minds and make their own decisions. There's nothing more to say or to do since the person we are hired to protect is dead. Speak your mind, say your piece and be done with it."

[Chromeknight]

Addressing Chauncey Nerwen replies,

I held Alexis a friend and a fellow quessir, if friends cannot express disappointment in their fellows then what good is friendship?

Yes, the choice was hers, but it was not without consequence. Consequences that could have been avoided, not if she chose differently, but if she communicated her choice well and in a timely manner.

Why did we do what we did? I did what I thought best, having no information from Alexis that you were trustworthy or faithful to your word.

As it was I gave my word that I would protect Avertine until the end of the seventh day. My word was sealed by oath and bound by this medallion, Nerwen tosses the now inert object at Chauncey's feet, a reminder of the cost of choices. Avertine's contract was accepted by our organisation. Had we not attempted to fulfil it, here, Nerwen looks sharply at Alexis, attempted to complete the quest we were set, then what would become of Heroica, if a prospective employer could never be sure if those he had engaged would actually complete their assigned task. Was Avertine 'better' than you? or more 'evil'? Such was not my place to judge. I have performed quests where I have been asked to make such a determination, and I have made them, clearly and without regret. I have ended the life of a Dark General, I have exiled an Emperor and brokered peace between Orcs and Men. All these decisions have had costs and consequences.

But I was not engaged on this quest with a free hand, it was not my choice to make. Had I been free, I would happily have stood by and let you both dual with no interference.

You will point to Alexis as evidence that I was, in fact, free. That I could have stood out or even joined you. But that was not a step that would have been right. I had no reason to trust you, no reason to support you and to forsake my task, no assurance that the penalty that I would incur for dishonouring my word would be worthwhile.

Why did I stand by Avertine? I was not presented with a compelling reason not to.

[Zepher]

"But have you yourself not presented a compelling reason? If you are not one to judge us two, then why should you interfere? What gives you the right? Are you but a wandering elf without cause? You say you have done great things, surely, but if I asked your organization to kill Aventine, would you have done that as well? Surely protecting him and killing him both cannot be right. Your organization does accept missions of murder. Should you follow them blindly? How many men and women do you think Heroica has struck down? Surely more than Aventine and myself? And every one of them has earned their death, what, because a piece of parchment has asked you to do such? You say that on other quests you have been asked to make the distinction between what you held good and what you held evil. Don't you make that in every action you take, everything you do? I asked not for your hand on my side, only that you step aside. How then can you stand by a man you do not know and attempt to kill another man you do not know? What gives you the right?"