Heroica RPG - Quest #104: Ace Assassin: Dual Dragoons

[Flipz]

Did you see the Purple Armored one shoot the Lighting? Sorry, I just want to confirm his ability. And, just to have conformation on the Red Armored one did he use Dark Attacks?

Emperor Phyllius gives Germ an odd look.

"From what I could tell, the riders are ordinary humans. The Dragons they ride, however, have the elemental breath you describe."

"Let us not forget that these Dragons are both intelligent and powerful beings. Even the young among Dragons deserve fear and respect."

"Couldn't have put it better myself."

[Actaeon]

"Thank you for the help. We must make haste, so that we can make it to Charis before it is too late."

[samurai-turtle]

Emperor Phyllius gives Germ an odd look.

"From what I could tell, the riders are ordinary humans. The Dragons they ride, however, have the elemental breath you describe."

I just wanted to make sure who did what. I thought it might of been the other way around, with the elemental powers. And, you know knowledge is power and half the battle.

We should get to Charis, now.

OoC: Just a heads up, I might not be back until Monday.

Edited August 8, 2014 by samuraiturtle

[Siercon and Coral]

"Well I guess it's through the magical forest of doom..." Siercon thought. "I hope it's hindered them more than it will us..."

"I'm ready to head out."

[Flipz]

"I'll have my men prepare a wagon for you. Good luck, Heroes."

The party clambers aboard the horse-drawn cart; it is a tight fit for seven people, but not uncomfortably so. With Denerii scouting ahead and Mallelio guiding the driver, the party is ferried southwest across the plains. Diana, sitting at the back of the cart, stares intently at the ruined city as it recedes into the distance. After a few hours, she finally turns to the rest of the party.

"Still think these monsters should be brought in alive?" she asks accusingly.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Flipz

[KotZ]

"You referring to the Dragons or the riders, Diana?" Kiray questioned. "Both can be seen as monsters, depending on your worldview. If they can be brought in alive, we should. We should let them stand trial for the crimes they committed and face just punishment. If that's not possible, then luckily we have weapons." Kiray made a nervous chuckle and pushed a lock of hair back behind her ear.

[Siercon and Coral]

"Still think these monsters should be brought in alive?" she asks accusingly.

"Sadly... Yeah" Siercon replied, the weight of death on his heart. "Dragons, can be a haughty and prideful race. Killing a rebellious one or two would likely create large rifts. They deserve the respect to punish their own kind. Or at least I know many of them would see it that way. To some, a burnt village or two is not worth someone else stepping in and disciplining their kin. Not to mention killing them."

"As for the riders. Let them stand trial. Even if we remove their ability to stand at all. Examples and laws need to be shown publicly, to keep others from walking the same path. Killing them... or 'them being defeated' in battle with heroes, rather than judged and sentenced by their own kind, wouldn't deter other riders. It would probably just set the bar higher for the next rebel."

[Flipz]

"You referring to the Dragons or the riders, Diana?" Kiray questioned. "Both can be seen as monsters, depending on your worldview. If they can be brought in alive, we should. We should let them stand trial for the crimes they committed and face just punishment. If that's not possible, then luckily we have weapons." Kiray made a nervous chuckle and pushed a lock of hair back behind her ear.

"Sadly... Yeah" Siercon replied, the weight of death on his heart. "Dragons, can be a haughty and prideful race. Killing a rebellious one or two would likely create large rifts. They deserve the respect to punish their own kind. Or at least I know many of them would see it that way. To some, a burnt village or two is not worth someone else stepping in and disciplining their kin. Not to mention killing them."

"As for the riders. Let them stand trial. Even if we remove their ability to stand at all. Examples and laws need to be shown publicly, to keep others from walking the same path. Killing them... or 'them being defeated' in battle with heroes, rather than judged and sentenced by their own kind, wouldn't deter other riders. It would probably just set the bar higher for the next rebel."

"What trial? What laws? That's just it--we are the law out here. The Town Watch only deals with crimes within Eubric and against the Houses, and they're damned incompetent to boot--they waste all their chasing the Wolfgang instead of the real criminals. And even then, with them it's 'hanged' or 'locked up for a bit and then hanged'--might as well kill them ourselves if we're going to do that, the Watch doesn't deserve the satisfaction. Apart from the Watch--nothing. They don't call the Free Islands 'free' for nothing. If we turn 'em over to Noctus Shadeaux like he wanted, I doubt he'll do anything--maybe give 'em a stern talking-to before he sets them back on the streets. These people killed people, destroyed a town, corrupted a pair of Dragons, and are threatening one of the biggest population centers on the planet--over a stupid feud. I'll be damned if I'm going to let them get away with it."

Edited August 9, 2014 by Flipz

[Actaeon]

Actaeon listens for a moment before adding his bit, "Honestly, I'm beginning to doubt. In my mind, the dragoon that seems to be pushing the other toward violence is already dead. It's the other one I'm still unsure of. He may still be innocent enough to be allowed to rot in jail for the rest of his life."

Edited August 9, 2014 by Actaeon

[Actaeon]

Then he adds, "Siercon, a better way of showing an example is by killing them without a trial. If men like these think that there is even a small chance that they won't die for what they do, they will do it. If they know that they will be executed for their actions immediately and without a trial, they will think twice."

[Flipz]

"Hard to believe I'm saying this, but Actaeon's right. Exactly. What about you, Warlen, Quarion, Germ? You still want to let Shadeaux let them get away with murder?"

[Actaeon]

"Hard to believe I'm saying this, but Actaeon's right. Exactly. What about you, Warlen, Quarion, Germ? You still want to let Shadeaux let them get away with murder?"

Actaeon nods, also curious about what the others had to say. Yet, part of him burns with anger, we were friends just two days ago. We talked on the airship, I thought that I was getting to know you at least a little bit. I guess that's all gone. "Hard to believe that the party leader and the guy who made one mistake is right". Yeah, so hard to believe you'd agree with that guy.

Actaeon keeps his face expressionless, even though in his mind he is brooding.

[Siercon and Coral]

"Hard to believe I'm saying this, but Actaeon's right. Exactly. What about you, Warlen, Quarion, Germ? You still want to let Shadeaux let them get away with murder?"

"Honestly that's a huge leap, and pretty slanderous to assume you know exactly what Shadeaux is going to do. Not only are you judging the entire house, but you're forcing actions on his character he hasn't taken or even implied!" Siercon was obviously a little pissed. "Is revenge killing the only solution you know? If you have so little faith in all of Shadeaux, who by the way is paying you to help bring them to justice, then when I become a Dragoon are you going to lump me in with village murderers and people without a sense of justice. Let them live, and put it on me if they aren't adequately punished. Or, you could choose to trust someone, anyone in all of Shadeaux, I'd like to think one of those people could've been me." His anger had faded slightly to a slight plea for understanding.

"Soon, under a Shadeaux banner, if you still can't see justice and honor now, you will. If you can find NO reason to bring them back alive, do it for my sake. If any fraction of the character you frame them with is true, then I have a house to reform, and laws to enforce. But killing them off wont change the house, or draw out the lawful people in Shadaeux.

Siercon wondered if there were any other members of the party who doubted every single shred of Shadeaux's justice, or the pain that Siercon himself would bring upon these dragon riders. They DID read the quest board?! They understood what the whole point of the mission was before signing up for it. Finish the job, if the payment, and response and judgement isn't to their liking, then take action later. Heck she's an assassin, killing is her thing. Perhaps she can at least kill them after we get paid. He decided the last bit was worth saying...

"If you want to kill them SO bad, why can't an assassin just as easily like the option where you injure them so badly they will never ride a dragon again. Bring them back tortured, get paid exceedingly more for accomplishing the mission, finding out if they do judge them harshly, and then possibly assassinating them later if you don't like the verdict?"

[The Chosen Minifigure]

"I'm gonna have to agree with Sirecon on this one. If either way is gonna set an example, let's make everyone know how good we are." said Warlen.

He raised an eyebrow.

"We are the good guys, right..?"

Quarion stayed silent, obviously thinking hard, his logical side wrestling with his past.

Edited August 9, 2014 by The Chosen Minifigure

[Flipz]

"Honestly that's a huge leap, and pretty slanderous to assume you know exactly what Shadeaux is going to do. Not only are you judging the entire house, but you're forcing actions on his character he hasn't taken or even implied!" Siercon was obviously a little pissed. "Is revenge killing the only solution you know? If you have so little faith in all of Shadeaux, who by the way is paying you to help bring them to justice, then when I become a Dragoon are you going to lump me in with village murderers and people without a sense of justice. Let them live, and put it on me if they aren't adequately punished. Or, you could choose to trust someone, anyone in all of Shadeaux, I'd like to think one of those people could've been me." His anger had faded slightly to a slight plea for understanding.

"Soon, under a Shadeaux banner, if you still can't see justice and honor now, you will. If you can find NO reason to bring them back alive, do it for my sake. If any fraction of the character you frame them with is true, then I have a house to reform, and laws to enforce. But killing them off wont change the house, or draw out the lawful people in Shadaeux.

Siercon wondered if there were any other members of the party who doubted every single shred of Shadeaux's justice, or the pain that Siercon himself would bring upon these dragon riders. They DID read the quest board?! They understood what the whole point of the mission was before signing up for it. Finish the job, if the payment, and response and judgement isn't to their liking, then take action later. Heck she's an assassin, killing is her thing. Perhaps she can at least kill them after we get paid. He decided the last bit was worth saying...

"If you want to kill them SO bad, why can't an assassin just as easily like the option where you injure them so badly they will never ride a dragon again. Bring them back tortured, get paid exceedingly more for accomplishing the mission, finding out if they do judge them harshly, and then possibly assassinating them later if you don't like the verdict?"

"No, not all the Shadeaux are bad. I hear one of their drivers is an honest, if misguided, man. But Noctus Shadeaux and the Shawes who work for him? Hell yes. He's not paying to bring them to justice, he's paying to keep his name clean and that's it. Let's count off a few of their sins, shall we? Tricked a group of Heroes they hired into starting a war so they could sell weapons to both sides, trafficked in souls, paid the Blood Paws to rob a warehouse and discredit the Hinckwells, and now they're deciding to train Dragoons to be their muscle. And that's not counting the incidents where they didn't get Heroes involved. I'm not saying their rivals the Hinckwells are any better, either--you wouldn't believe what they've pulled, not to mention roped Heroes into. The Houses are corrupt, and if Heroica doesn't stop bowing and curtseying for their favor, the situation in Eubric is only going to get worse." Diana shoots a look to Actaeon, measuring her words carefully. "The people in power have a responsibility to protect and support the powerless, not to trample all over them. I hate the Houses for what they've done, and anyone else who follows their selfish example."

"I'm gonna have to agree with Sirecon on this one. If either way is gonna set an example, let's make everyone know how good we are." said Warlen.

He raised an eyebrow.

"We are the good guys, right..?"

Quarion stayed silent, obviously thinking hard, his logical side wrestling with his past.

"I thought we were. Guess we're not. Dad always said that Heroes have real good in them, we just had to coax them out from under the Houses' heel. I'm not sure I can believe that anymore."

Almost on cue, the skies over the mountain pass darken, and the wagon comes to a stop. Mallelio thanks the driver, and starts heading down the pass, only for Diana to push past him and march ahead. Denerii alights and follows the rest of the party, stopping with the rest as they spot Diana waiting at the entrance to an abnormally dreary wood.

"We're here."

Diana drinks a Mead, Smelling Salts, and Nostrum.

"There's no telling what's in there besides the Dragoons. I'm not going in unprepared this time."

Edited August 9, 2014 by Flipz

[Siercon and Coral]

"There's no telling what's in there besides the Dragoons. I'm not going in unprepared this time."

Siercon stepped up besides her, "indeed" he said. "And your not going in alone" Siercon drew his wand in support. This interaction might have stuck anyone as odd, considering their conversation just seconds ago... But outside the disagreement, Siercon seemed supportive.

Siercon headed into the woods with Diana.

[KotZ]

"Maybe I didn't word it exactly that well, but I do think that deciding if we let them live and take them back or kill them outright before we even get to see them in person is a horrible idea. Let's assess the situation when we find them."

Kiray peered into the woods where Siercon and Diana went. "Well, we might as well begin." Kiray follows Diana and Siercon.

[Actaeon]

Diana shoots a look to Actaeon, measuring her words carefully. "The people in power have a responsibility to protect and support the powerless, not to trample all over them. I hate the Houses for what they've done, and anyone else who follows their selfish example."

Actaeon nods to her. He finally understood. Well, glad that's out of the way.

"I thought we were. Guess we're not. Dad always said that Heroes have real good in them, we just had to coax them out from under the Houses' heel. I'm not sure I can believe that anymore."

Actaeon raises an eyebrow, "Don't sell yourself short. We're here to serve justice to two evil and murderous men. Our employers may have a selfish reason for this, but as far as I am concerned, we don't have to have the same reasons as them to bring justice to these dragoons. We're still the good guys doing good things, even if we're doing them for bad people."

With that, he steps up next to Diana, though slightly ahead, and begins to walk forward.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Actaeon

[samurai-turtle]

Diana drinks a Mead, Smelling Salts, and Nostrum.

"There's no telling what's in there besides the Dragoons. I'm not going in unprepared this time."

It might be smarter to save up for the big guys.

Actaeon raises an eyebrow, "Don't sell yourself short. We're here to serve justice to two evil and murderous men. Our employers may have a selfish reason for this, but as far as I am concerned, we don't have to have the same reasons as them to bring justice to these dragoons. We're still the good guys doing good things, even if we're doing them for bad people."

That seems like the wisest way to look at it. Trying not to express any of his political views of the world to the conversation. Then heads into the woods with every one else.

OoC: I thought this might be good for the Conductor Helmet, hey it is already yellow. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=11620pb01

[KotZ]

OOC: Can I use my venom now? Or is that a no go? Kiray would love to use it

[Flipz]

QM Note: You may, though you may also consider waiting a bit to see how much Gold other players will offer you for it.

I'll go ahead and wait to see if Germ uses his mushroom before starting the battle, or if he wants to wait until it would be of more use.

Several pink envelopes burst into existence in front of the party, showering two lucky winners with items. Diana just rolls her eyes at the display.

The Party:

Actaeon Artus (Actaeon)

*Party Leader*

21 year old male human

Level 3 Ranger

Power:

9

Health:

8/8

Gold:

0 (owes 5 gold to Warlen)

Equipment:

Sanctified Rito Bow (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; bow)

Inventory:

Bow (WP:3), Smoke Bomb, Potion, Dragon Scale, Remedy, Bedroll, Scroll of

Frailty

Siercon (Siercon and Coral)

Male, Age and species unknown

Level 9 Mage

Power:

17

(9 levels + 8 WP)

(20 in Front Row)

Power Bonus:

+3 in Front Row

Defense:

3 in Back Row

Health:

13/13

(5 base + 8 lvl)

Ether:

13/13

(5 base + 8 lvl)

Gold:

20

Equipment:

Lullaby Wand (WP:8, deals

sleep

-effect; wand), Robe of the Dastanian Pongcanis Champion (Wearer gains Power +3 while on the front row or SP:3 while on the back row; bodywear, suitable for barbarians and mages)

Inventory:

*Sanctified Rito Spear (WP:4, doubled against Flying enemies; spear)

*Sylvania's Cowl (Artifact, Head Wear, Animal Talk), Guardian Feathers (SP:2, SP is multiplied by the Winged Warrior's Flying multiplier; backwear, suitable for Winged Warriors only)

*Diamond (

Light

), Scroll of

Sleep

, Bedroll, Topaz (

Lightning

) (borrowed from Mallelio), Scroll of

Sealing

(borrowed from Mallelio)

*Potion, Remedy, Dragon Scale,

The Demon Germ (Samurai Turtle)

*Immune to

Darkness

*

??? years old ; Half Demon; Male

Level 3 Rogue

Power:

6

Defense:

1

Health:

9/9

Ether:

0

Gold

0 (owes 2 Gold to Diana)

Equipment:

Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1; throwing weapon), Shadow Cloak (SP:1, immune to

Darkness

; backwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Sanctified Rito Gypsy Dart (WP:5, doubled against Flying enemies), Venom, Potion x2, Remedy, Dragon Scale, Level-Up Mushroom

Warlen Melimane

and

Quarion

the floating skull

(The Chosen Minifigure)

17 Year old Male Half-Elf

Level 3 Mage

Power:

6 (11 for spells)

Power Bonus:

+5 for spells

Health:

7/7

Ether:

7/7

Gold:

20

Equipment:

Gold-Coated bat staff (Wp:3), Spellbound Gloves (Power +5 to spells)

Inventory:

Potion, Amethyst (

Darkness

), Sapphire (

Wind

), bedroll, Robe of the Magi (SP:1), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:4, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword)

Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk),

A Hero Who Is Actually Worth Something

*Immune to

Fire

*

*Secondary Party Leader*

24 year old female human

Level 6 Knight

Power:

9

Defense:

4

Health:

15/15

Gold:

1

Equipment:

Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Scutum Shield (SP:3; shield), Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to

Fire

; bodywear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Sword of the Kin (WP:3), Potion x2, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 elemental damage to all opponents), Bedroll, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), Everlasting Venom (Adds the poisoned by 10-effect to one weapon permanently)

Diana N. Justus

(NPC, Uncontrollable/takes suggestions)

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

*Encouraged*

18 years old female human

Level 3 Assassin

Power:

8

Power Bonus:

+0

Defense:

0

Health:

11/14

Gold:

184

Equipment:

Precision Bow (WP:5, AIMs become HITs; bow), Belt of the Ace Assassin (Successful Assasination rolls on enemies immune to sudden death deal an extra Aim instead. Bodywear, Suitable for Assassins only.)

Inventory:

Sanctified Rito Gypsy Dart (WP:4, doubled against Flying enemies; throwing weapon), Ace Assassin's Crossbow (WP:3, crossbow), Potion x5, Mead x2, Smelling Salts x2, Nostrum x2, Remedy, Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors)

Mallelio

(NPC, Uncontrollable/takes suggestions)

Level 18 Sage

Power: 19

Health: 33/33

Ether: 25/25

Gold: 0

Equipped: Wooden Staff (WP: 1, staff), Secondhand Cloak of Deception (Backwear, Free hits against the wearer have a 1/6 chance to be redirected to a random opponent)

Inventory: Remedy, Potion x2, Bedroll (borrowed from Germ)

Denerii

(NPC, takes suggestions/controlled by QM) *currently listens to Germ*

30-year-old Rito female

Level 18 Winged Warrior

Power:

26 (23 ranged)

Power Bonus:

0

HP:

24/24

SP:

1

Equipment:

Handmade Bow (WP:5), Leather Armor (SP:1, bodywear, suitable for barbarians, knights, rogues, rangers, minstrels, cannoneers, dragoons, beast warriors, skirmishers, harlots, inflitrators, regulators and winged warriors.)

Inventory:

Stone Longsword (WP:8), Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, 2x Rito Feather

Edited August 10, 2014 by Flipz

[Siercon and Coral]

OoC: I'd advise you guys to wait... That poison is amazing. And it stacks... I don't think you currently have a blade worthy of it ;) and the mushroom... obviously it's value increases as your level increases. Later more battles are required to per lvl.... So I'd at least wait until the next leveling segment (where you need to have two battles per lvl)...

Siercon pouts. "Drat, that's the second time I've gotten nothing. and for 1 in 5 chances to win... well I suppose our party made out like bandits. Congrats you two!"

Edited August 11, 2014 by Siercon and Coral

[KotZ]

OoC: Gah I'll wait then, I just... it looks... so... venomous.

[Flipz]

QM Note: I was going to go back and insert these excellent image suggestions into the previous posts, but after losing one of the rounds of the first battle to an editor error, it's just not worth the risk. Thanks for your lovely suggestions, though!

[samurai-turtle]

QM Note: Thanks for your lovely suggestions, though!

OoC: I was just trying to be a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Cool, I got some thing out of the raffle. A Mushroom, I will just put it a way for now.