Heroica RPG - Quest #108: Message in a Bag-of-Holding

[Waterbrick Down]

"In a former life I was known as Retak Ysp, a hero like yourself until my corpse was resurrected by these unfeeling "masters". But I regained my former glory and have made it my goal to rid the planes of their kind." The Fenarian raised a withered hand at both Greenhood and the were-vulture.

[CMP]

"In a former life I was known as Retak Ysp, a hero like yourself until my corpse was resurrected by these unfeeling "masters". But I regained my former glory and have made it my goal to rid the planes of their kind." The Fenarian raised a withered hand at both Greenhood and the were-vulture.

"Huh. Well, I can appreciate not likin' undead. Hell, if I was in your situation I wouldn't just be sittin' by and lettin' myself be controlled. Tell ya' what. We'll put all of you outta your undead misery, then we'll see if we can't get someone else to guard this place," offered Atramor diplomatically. He then looked sideways at the paladins. They at least had the right idea about the dead. "Think your Order could manage this place without the undead?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"Undead? I am no longer undead and I do not intend to be "put out of my misery". When there are so many other planes of holding that operate on the same principles of oppression. Do you think corpses are simply machines to be used, fragments of the soul remain trapped unable to do anything as their bodies are ordered about this way and that like some sort of beast. No we will not stop until every last one of them lies dead."

"Careful, hero, you're not making policy for us. We use the undead for a reason, fragment of a soul or not. They had their chance at living."

"Besides, we're warriors, not janitors."

[CMP]

Atramor blinked, then frowned.

"Oh, hell. That's the damn crown then, isn't it? I don't like undead. The dead should just, well stay dead. What the hell are the corpses here even bein' used for? What needs maintaining?"

Edited August 26, 2014 by CallMePie

[Waterbrick Down]

"Yes that is the crown. Without the undead, all of the pocket dimensions would fall into disorder and chaos. Equipment constantly in need of repairs, artifacts going rusty, weapons never at the right place at the right time, believe me, you'd notice if things ever stopped working like they do."

[CMP]

"Yes that is the crown. Without the undead, all of the pocket dimensions would fall into disorder and chaos. Equipment constantly in need of repairs, artifacts going rusty, weapons never at the right place at the right time, believe me, you'd notice if things ever stopped working like they do."

"Who even runs this place?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"Myself and the other necromancers of course. As is customary across every plane of holding that exists in reality."

[Cutcobra]

"So you're undead, but you are not a pile of bones like the others. You are really not making sense.

If you were from Heroica you'd understand if we wanted to be done with this mess and get our reward, right? I was promised loot and treasure, so if you could please stop making this undead rebel, give up the crown and get your ugly red face out of here, that would be great."

Edited August 26, 2014 by Cutcobra

[-obelix-]

Thalion sighed, "I dislike the undead in any shape, form or purpose as much as the next person, but I understand the necessity, or better said advantage, of keeping them in a place like this. Without them you would need people trapped in the pocket planes for their lives, playing exactly as the paladin said - janitors. People get tiered, get sloppy, get lazy and age so you would have to replace them constantly and that would be hard and expensive even if you are to maintain the constant influx of the workers."

Thalion turns to Heckz, "You are wasting time arguing with that abomination. For make no mistake, whatever part of Heroica was in him, died out long ago..."

[Palathadric]

I don't like undead. The dead should just, well stay dead. What the hell are the corpses here even bein' used for?

"Yes that is the crown. Without the undead, all of the pocket dimensions would fall into disorder and chaos. Equipment constantly in need of repairs, artifacts going rusty, weapons never at the right place at the right time, believe me, you'd notice if things ever stopped working like they do."

I can simply gaze in shocked surprise as the uncouth weapon's dealer-turned knight in shining armour rapidly shoots out words that I could have used myself. I check to make sure that the Soul-Linking Chain is not connected in anyway.

I am then greatly distressed as our hirer advocates the use of the undead.

I turn to the necromancer. "There are many people who could be hired for a pittance to do this kind of work. You needn't call out of rest the spirits of the dead. Let them rest. Replenishing ether used to empower the dead is far more expensive than providing food for workers, or at least close to the same price. It's too dangerous to keep so many undead around. As you've plainly seen, one group of paladins is, unfortunately, not enough to keep them all at bay. Anyway, for now we have a battle to fight. We can discuss the matter in greater detail later."

I turn to the other heroes and gesture towards Retak Ysp. "This fellon is trying to make us believe he once served Heroica. Ha! Back in the old days Heroica was a worthy place, we didn't let the likes of these roam our halls then. It's a shame things have changed."

[Waterbrick Down]

"So you're undead, but you are not a pile of bones like the others. You are really not making sense.

If you were from Heroica you'd understand if we wanted to be done with this mess and get our reward, right? I was promised loot and treasure, so if you could please stop making this undead rebel, give up the crown and get your ugly red face out of here, that would be great."

"As I have already detailed, I am not undead and do not appreciate the description, youth. If you choose to protect these "oppressors" then you will die with them."

Thalion sighed, "I dislike the undead in any shape, form or purpose as much as the next person, but I understand the necessity, or better said advantage, of keeping them in a place like this. Without them you would need people trapped in the pocket planes for their lives, playing exactly as the paladin said - janitors. People get tiered, get sloppy, get lazy and age so you would have to replace them constantly and that would be hard and expensive even if you are to maintain the constant influx of the workers."

Thalion turns to Heckz, "You are wasting time arguing with that abomination. For make no mistake, whatever part of Heroica was in him, died out long ago..."

"And yet it is fine to treat the memory of the lost in the way these oppressors do? By turning them into beasts of burden and unwilling slaves? What if your own kin were used for such a task, what would you think of it then?"

I can simply gaze in shocked surprise as the uncouth weapon's dealer-turned knight in shining armour rapidly shoots out words that I could have used myself. I check to make sure that the Soul-Linking Chain is not connected in anyway.

I am then greatly distressed as our hirer advocates the use of the undead.

I turn to the necromancer. "There are many people who could be hired for a pittance to do this kind of work. You needn't call out of rest the spirits of the dead. Let them rest. Replenishing ether used to empower the dead is far more expensive than providing food for workers, or at least close to the same price. It's too dangerous to keep so many undead around. As you've plainly seen, one group of paladins is, unfortunately, not enough to keep them all at bay. Anyway, for now we have a battle to fight. We can discuss the matter in greater detail later."

I turn to the other heroes and gesture towards Retak Ysp. "This fellon is trying to make us believe he once served Heroica. Ha! Back in the old days Heroica was a worthy place, we didn't let the likes of these roam our halls then. It's a shame things have changed."

"You judge me simply on my appearance? By that reasoning, the Walking Mountain himself would never have been allowed in that sacred hall."

"This man speaks madness. Heroes, will you join me in ending this once and for all, so we can restore order?"

"Not if they stand for the honor of those departed they will not. Heroes, join me and help me to end this wretched system."

[CMP]

Atramor scratched his head, sighing, and turning to Retak.

"What do you and the undead do once the necromancers are dead? This plane is obviously important to a lot of people, Heroica included."

[Palathadric]

"You judge me simply on my appearance? By that reasoning, the Walking Mountain himself would never have been allowed in that sacred hall."

"Appearance often displays what is hidden inside. And you speak poorly to compare yourself to the Walking Mountain. The Walking Mountain was a legendary hero, who the hel has ever heard of you?"

"Not if they stand for the honor of those departed they will not. Heroes, join me and help me to end this wretched system."

"On the contrary, I would suggest that we help him lay all your undead to rest. Once that is accomplished, we can discuss together whether it is for the best of humanity or not that we allow them to raise the ilk again to continue their work."

[-obelix-]

Atramor scratched his head, sighing, and turning to Retak.

"What do you and the undead do once the necromancers are dead? This plane is obviously important to a lot of people, Heroica included."

"The way I figured, he is planing some sort of crusade..."

"On the contrary, I would suggest that we help him lay all your undead to rest. Once that is accomplished, we can discuss together whether it is for the best of humanity or not that we allow them to raise the ilk again to continue their work."

Thalion nods at Monk's words, "You have a point there, Monk. We can sort this out after the undead have been dealt with."

[Palathadric]

"I don't take too kindly to those who try to blaspheme the name of our founding fathers...and mothers."

[Waterbrick Down]

Atramor scratched his head, sighing, and turning to Retak.

"What do you and the undead do once the necromancers are dead? This plane is obviously important to a lot of people, Heroica included."

"What happens to this plane is none of my concern once we are finished here, if you wish to institute a better system, that is your concern. We will move onto the next plane and the next. This current one only houses the pocket dimensions of those occupying Uland and the surrounding area, there are nearly dozens of similar planes across the known world. When they are all set free, our "crusade" will end."

[Cutcobra]

"I don't really know whi the Walking Mountain was or any of the veterans. Sorry I don't go to the library that much."

"Now, what you are telling me is that you'd rather help some bags of ugly bones and destroy all my storage, while I could have loot and treausure from the green guy. Who do you think I stand with?"

Says Heckz as he nodded to Alistair.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Cutcobra

[CMP]

Atramor stared for a moment, thinking.

"...As soon as this crusade of yours is done, ya' free these undead. They've been in this damn world long enough."

The regulator stepped towards Retak Ysp and turned, the Pheles Kris now pointed towards Alistair, glancing at his party.

"There ain't no oversight here. Nobody to screw up this plane once the necromancers are dead. We can get ridda this problem and have somebody else take over. Maybe the Ji Pei or the Guild."

"Heckz, I know you don't give a shit about who wins, but think 'bout how much loot these necromancers have. Pretzel, this guy wants justice. Nothin' else. We get rid of the necromancers, let him get his justice, and there's no more undead left, plus there's nobody left to make any more. Thalion, this ain't like Xu - that was an entire country. This is a problem we can actually fix. I dunno about you, but I don't get enough chances like this. I'm takin' it."

Edited August 28, 2014 by CallMePie

[-obelix-]

Atramor's mention of Xu and the thought back to the injustice done to the people there stirred Thalion's sleeping sense of righteousness and justice back to life, so he stepped besides Atramor, and looked at him and Ysp, "I am with you."

"I thought about the Ji Pei and those advanced automaton machines, perhaps we can talk with them and convince them to take over the looking after this plane."

[CMP]

"I thought about the Ji Pei and those advanced automaton machines, perhaps we can talk with them and convince them to take over the looking after this plane."

"My thoughts exactly mate."

[Palathadric]

"What happens to this plane is none of my concern once we are finished here, if you wish to institute a better system, that is your concern. We will move onto the next plane and the next. This current one only houses the pocket dimensions of those occupying Uland and the surrounding area, there are nearly dozens of similar planes across the known world. When they are all set free, our "crusade" will end."

"Let me get this straight. You want to go on a crusade to free the undead by using the undead? Perhaps I didn't understand well, but aren't you a necromancer yourself? Also, apparently you say that you are not an undead? If not, then how did you get down here or even find out about this place? I like what you're saying, somewhat, but many an enemy has spoke smooth words to hide malicious intent. If I am to trust one of two necromancers I would more likely throw my trust (not that I would ever do that) at the one who is putting his undead to good use than to one who seems intent on raising up an army, and to what purpose only God knows. How can we be sure that you're on a crusade to end these pocket realms...or whatever. How can we not know that you may just take this army behind you and start wreaking havoc across Eubric. I shall certainly have to know a bit more about your background and your history of 'heroing' if you even have one of those."

"Heckz, I know you don't give a shit about who wins, but think 'bout how much loot these necromancers have. Pretzel, this guy wants justice. Nothin' else. We get rid of the necromancers, let him get his justice, and there's no more undead left, plus there's nobody left to make any more. Thalion, this ain't like Xu - that was an entire country. This is a problem we can actually fix. I dunno about you, but I don't get enough chances like this. I'm takin' it."

"You cannot just trust someone who speaks flowery words. What if he has a hidden agenda and we are letting loose a beast of destruction on Eubric by letting him walk away?"

"I thought about the Ji Pei and those advanced automaton machines, perhaps we can talk with them and convince them to take over the looking after this plane."

"Automations? Do you know how dangerous those things can be? All those new fangled machines. Heck, I just came from a quest where such a machine, one built by the Ji Pei no doubt, was actually spawning demons in the caverns of Eubric. We cannot put our faith in such machines. Anyone can enter and wreck those. Heck, sometimes they even appear to have a mind of their own."

[CMP]

"You cannot just trust someone who speaks flowery words. What if he has a hidden agenda and we are letting loose a beast of destruction on Eubric by letting him walk away?"

"Automations? Do you know how dangerous those things can be? All those new fangled machines. Heck, I just came from a quest where such a machine, one built by the Ji Pei no doubt, was actually spawning demons in the caverns of Eubric. We cannot put our faith in such machines. Anyone can enter and wreck those. Heck, sometimes they even appear to have a mind of their own."

"Then the rest of Heroica beats the livin' shit outta him. It don't sound like he's lyin'."

"The Ji Pei's automatons saved our lives and helped us destroy two or three dozen ninja who were plannin' to overthrow an entire country a couple months ago. Three of 'em died in the effort."

[Palathadric]

"Then the rest of Heroica beats the livin' shit outta him. It don't sound like he's lyin'."

"I don't think it would be quite as easy as that," I say in a hushed tone. "By the time Heroica finds out he could have a huge army considering the way he could just be picking up a massive number of corpses as at all of these holding pockets. Even if Heroica can best him, it may take time and he may cause a great deal of destruction before then. Lives could be lost..."

"The Ji Pei's automatons saved our lives and helped us destroy two or three dozen ninja who were plannin' to overthrow an entire country a couple months ago. Three of 'em died in the effort."

I shake my head in disagreement.

"Perhaps they do a few good things to hide the evil, but overall I wouldn't trust those automatons within a ten foot radius. They are just being manipulated by their creators...well, I suppose it's not unlike undead...and at least automatons aren't alive beings. I suppose it would be better to use them than undead, wouldn't it? I still don't trust this Retak fellow though and how do you know the Ji Pei would even be willing to send their automatons? What if they require a charge? Who would pay? ...I suppose whoever is currently paying for the necromancer's consumable budget."

I roll my eyes.

"I still don't like it, but it may be better overall, I guess...Retak does look like a pocket full of trouble though."

I quiet down, somewhat confused. The mission had seemed so straightforward before, but now everything had been thrown up in the air.

I'm too used to good, honest people requesting the help of heroes. Have I learned nothing from those blasted Crimson Crown and the quest they lured my on?

I growl under my breath.

[Waterbrick Down]

"My wish is to simply right the wrongs done to me, this crown has granted me the ability to do so."

"You've got to be daft heroes, in no way is the Paladin Order going to consort with a lunatic like this.

"We're already consorting with a bunch of lunatics, commander. The Order shouldn't be mixed up in any dealings with the undead in the first place."

"So it's to be desertion and dissension then?"

"No, purity."

Edited August 29, 2014 by Waterbrick Down

[Cutcobra]

Atramor stared for a moment, thinking.

"...As soon as this crusade of yours is done, ya' free these undead. They've been in this damn world long enough."

The regulator stepped towards Retak Ysp and turned, the Pheles Kris now pointed towards Alistair, glancing at his party.

"There ain't no oversight here. Nobody to screw up this plane once the necromancers are dead. We can get ridda this problem and have somebody else take over. Maybe the Ji Pei or the Guild."

"Heckz, I know you don't give a shit about who wins, but think 'bout how much loot these necromancers have. Pretzel, this guy wants justice. Nothin' else. We get rid of the necromancers, let him get his justice, and there's no more undead left, plus there's nobody left to make any more. Thalion, this ain't like Xu - that was an entire country. This is a problem we can actually fix. I dunno about you, but I don't get enough chances like this. I'm takin' it."

"Exactly. Think about how much loot these necromancers have. They could give me all of it plus some extra reward. Now I don't know about you, but this ma says he's from Heroica while none of us have ever seen him on the hall. That does sound a bit suspicious. Secondly, this guy is controlling a bunch of disgusting, gross undead and he's obviously one of them and I'd really wouldn't want these lifeless pests roaming around the city I live, they already had their lives. Finally, I don't like you and your filthy little chicken, so I'll really enjoy this."

He looks towards Pretzel.

"Oh, come on Monk! I thought you were this Anti- Undead kind of guy and now you are going towards the wrong side just because of an empty promise of some other lifeless beings. Are you attracted to this Retak Ysp or something that you would join him in filling Eubric of undead?"

He still stands by Alistair.