Heroica RPG - Quest #105: Eternal Reaper

[Kintobor]

Karie couldn't help but feel sorry for the little Progg, shivering in the snow.

"Would my cape help you? I can probably resist the cold with my sweater alone."

[Endgame]

"No, I'm fine, I'm f-fine... I'm just... Not used to *wheeze* snow... Like this. I'll be fine, Karie. I'm just wondering how you are all doing..."

Punii finds himself buried in snow, slithering out of the fluffy heap. He stands against the wind.

"And, uh, random question, how is your *cough* make up still on through this weather...?"

[Emjajoas]

Em does his best to keep his teeth from chattering loudly. "I'm fine," he mutters, hands stuck deep into his cloak. "Ready to move on when the rest of you are," he says, slightly louder.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Emjajoas

[Kintobor]

"Myself... well I'm cold, but I've been in worse predicaments."

It was at least more dignifying than being turned into a newt. She leans towards Punii before responding.

"I never buy the cheap stuff."

She winks before leaning up again.

"So, where are we going?"

[Endgame]

"I'm wearing three layers, I'm... Okay."

"I never buy the cheap stuff."

"And that is why I won't be able to meet the Town Watch taxes, Punii." Masson chuckles.

"I believe we decided on East, but that utlimately falls to Erdathcath..."

Edited August 11, 2014 by Endgame

[joeshmoe554]

"Jeaux, Do you have any ideas about what this could be?" He asks, tossing the contraption to the automaton.

Jeaux caught the object and looked it over. At first glance he did not see any means of interacting with the device. No levers or buttons to speak off. "Haven't seen anything like it before. It may be nothing more than a toy or paperweight." Jeaux tossed the item back to Johon in the event he wanted a second look at it.

"Perhaps we should head north, if anything has survived in this village it would most likely be in the most sturdy structure. That the cathedral is still standing is a good sign that we may find something useful there or at the very least some solid walls to break the wind chill. It sounds like the little one may be in need of a warmer shelter."

[The_Customizer]

OOC: Sincere apologies for my absence, was gone all day,

Erdathcath surveys the land, looking at the worn down village, which had lived over a few hundred years in the snow and cold, a swirl of emotion both sadness and peace settled over her as the snow continues to fall down, collecting in her hair and clothes, melting upon contact. The imagery before her was one that best represented the Regret and those who fought against him. The damage done, yet still the people around him carrying on, bearing the worst, yet still continuing on. In one sense it inspired her, showing what they could eventually do if they tried hard enough, at the same time, it would not be easy, no doubt, there would be sacrifices along the way, ones she no doubt would be able to handle, never the less, it still worried her about the outcome of the quest. Would she be able to lead these men through the winter cold, and snowy drifts that would be built up against them? The only way she could know was simply to continue on, realizing that everyone was staring at her and her look of concern, she broke out of the spell, and answered their questions,

"I'm sorry, just caught up in the moment. Yes, lets continue on, it doesn't seem this village is much use to us, at least not for right now. Let's move onto the East."

[Zepher]

"Boomingham is right, Johon." He shoots a nervous glance towards the Paladin, wondering what biting remark would come next.

"Now, are we heading North or East?"

Boomingham pointedly ignores Masson.

"After all, I do have Baaffy... Baaffy?"

"Oh, come on! Damn sheep..."

Uncontrollable laughter wells up inside Boomingham and he lets a little out, a loud warm friendly laugh, but he nips it in the bud quickly. He does gaze affectionately back at the sheep.

"Karie, I'll make you one promise, on top of whatever other ones you may think I have in my head. Whatever happens to you and the Stealer, I swear on the graves of my men that I will get that sheep off this island and to safety." Boomingham shudders a little upon bringing up the graves of his men - look around this place, after all - but he winks at Karie just the same.

"This p-place is so *wheeze* cold... Is everyone staying *cough* warm?"

Only the faintest chattering of teeth gives Boomingham away. "Haven't been cold a day in my life," he boasts. "Lots of meat on these bones, see? Though if you want to huddle for warmth, I wouldn't say no."

"Perhaps we should head north, if anything has survived in this village it would most likely be in the most sturdy structure. That the cathedral is still standing is a good sign that we may find something useful there or at the very least some solid walls to break the wind chill. It sounds like the little one may be in need of a warmer shelter."

"How long did Punii say it was? Five hundred years? Not many things survive that long." Boomingham looks around the dead village again and shivers, this time entirely independent of the cold. His face falls a little. "Whats gone is gone, what's dead is dead, etcetera."

[joeshmoe554]

"I was referring to more than simply organic beings. Also, while I would normally agree with your point, a member of our own party provides evidence to the contrary. If one person was able to survive all of these years than it is more than possible for another to have managed the same."

[Kintobor]

Uncontrollable laughter wells up inside Boomingham and he lets a little out, a loud warm friendly laugh, but he nips it in the bud quickly. He does gaze affectionately back at the sheep.

"Karie, I'll make you one promise, on top of whatever other ones you may think I have in my head. Whatever happens to you and the Stealer, I swear on the graves of my men that I will get that sheep off this island and to safety." Boomingham shudders a little upon bringing up the graves of his men - look around this place, after all - but he winks at Karie just the same.

Karie turns to face Lawrence, looking bored with him.

"Hollow words falling on deaf ears, Boomie. If all your here for is to waddle about and passive aggressively threaten me and my husband, the ship's back that way."

Karie goes back to her snooping, rolling her eyes.

[Endgame]

QM Note: Updates arriving within the next two/three hours, folks.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Endgame

[Endgame]

The party, tension rising between them, forge to the East, shivering all the way - some more than others.

There, they find a practical graveyard of homesteads. Cottages and houses succumbed to the snow, abandoned and forgotten. Only one derelict building is still recognizable as a house:

And even then, it was in abysmal condition. The walls had caved and the roof had barely survived, the shingles now a termite infested mess. two spears stand in the house, partially buried in icy snow:

Rhodus - Alex

Rhodus - Crystal

When the party was done searching, they could progress to the Northern reaches of the lost village.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

Em walks over to inspect the whip-like thing between the spears, checking the barrels right after.

[Kintobor]

Karie looks the poles over solemnly.

"Punii, who was this "Rhodus"? Or the others on the poles for that matter besides Prometheus."

[Endgame]

"Besides Prometheus, AKA The Regret, the other big three were *wheeze* Rhodus, Aquos, and Eidolon, the three progg princes. Each were about three stroies tall at the time of their death, and some of the most powerful - and *cough* deranged - proggs to ever live.

Rhodus was the youngest prince, known for his cruelty. He developed the ability to bellow out hallucination posion, and make people see hallucinations. As you can probably guess, he *wheeze* used it as a torture device...

Eidolon was the oldest, and a winged beast as well. He was the most powerful, not to mention brutal. He was full of rage until the very 8wheeze* end... Eventually Heroica clipped his wings and he fell to his death.

I have no ill will towards Aquos, though, the middle child. He was *wheeze* born blind, and stayed blind until minutes before his death. he eventually came to his senses and helped us in ur first fight against The Regret, though, as a *wheeze* ghost."

Edited August 11, 2014 by Endgame

[Bricksandparts]

OoC: I'll post soon, but you haven't responded to Emjajoas.

[Zepher]

"I swear to the Gods, I bear no ill will towards the sheep," says Boomingham with a sincere smile. "My promise stays true. It hasn't done anything wrong."

"I meant no threat either. Perhaps you're just hearing what you think ought to be there?"

[Endgame]

Em walks over to inspect the whip-like thing between the spears, checking the barrels right after.

The barrels are full of old food and supplies, ruined by the cold. The whip is covered in blue flakes - possibly chips off of Progg carapaces.

Ancient Whip: An old whip that was once used to keep the Proggs in line. WP: 10/20 against Beasts.

Edited August 12, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

Em runs a hand along the whip, frowning slightly. "A cruel weapon," he mutters, coiling the whip and placing it into his bag. He runs a hand along the wall, unsure of what to make of the ruined village.

[The_Customizer]

"Punii, if what you are saying is true, were these 3 princes as strong as, or stronger than the Regret? It would give us much more hope in defeating him if a few others were able to easily dismiss them."

Glancing over at Boomingham and Karie's small bickering, she attempts to soothe them both, "Ladies, you are both beautiful, and so does the sheep. In either case, we should stop the bickering and continue on. If everyone is content with our exploration, shall we continue North?"

[Endgame]

"The Princes were a whole *wheeze* lot weaker than The Regret. A lot of their power was actually just a tiny bit of the regret's that he *cough*, uh, "loaned" to them..."

Edited August 12, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

"I am ready to head North," Em states, trying to maintain his composure in the cold.

[Bricksandparts]

OoC: Hopefully I'll have the pictures up soon.

Johon approaches, memories coming back as he recognizes the building there as his house. It had worn away, a few rooms seemingly missing. As he walks closer, he steps on something, causing a breaking noise. He crouches, moving the snow out of the way. It was an old picture, covered in ice, but still recognizable. Alexander and Crystal, his parents, standing behind him, still a young child. He pockets the picture, sighing as he does so.

"I... I wanted to believe they were opposed. Opposed to the system..." Johon stutters. "But... But they weren't-" he continues, anger in his voice. He looks around the house, his expression rankled. "Let's leave this place." He says, disappointed in what he had just learned.

[Zepher]

Glancing over at Boomingham and Karie's small bickering, she attempts to soothe them both, "Ladies, you are both beautiful, and so does the sheep. In either case, we should stop the bickering and continue on. If everyone is content with our exploration, shall we continue North?"

Boomingham beams. "I never doubted for a moment that I was beautiful, Erdy, but it's always nice to hear it from someone else."

As they walk in the snow, Boomingham finds a place near the little Progg. "Punii, I can't tell you exactly what we're going up against. I think I may be the least informed, and you the most, but I'll tell you one thing. Fear isn't going to help you out. See, well, fear has it's place, sure. It keeps you alive. But we're past that point. We're already here in the stomach of the beast, and there are lots of little armies here too like Knox's boys. And I know you're afraid. And there isn't any shame in that, but the point I'm trying to make is you don't have to keep going on about it. You think you'll live, you live." Boomingham shrugs. "The Regret's powerful. Even I can see that by now, and I hardly see anything what with these old eyes of mine. But if you think positive, think you're going to win, you're going to be fine. You'd be surprised how much your mind controls the matter of things, the world around you."

"Besides, you've got me to help you out. Not protect you. Help you out. And Erdy can kill a thing or two, and Em - I've fought alongside him before, and he's as solid as they can come now-a-days. The automaton seems more than sufficient with that hand cannon of his. We'll help each other out."

[joeshmoe554]

Jeaux watched silently as the party picked through the remains of the homestead. This was hardly an adequate shelter from which to plan their next moves and there was little to gain from remaining here for much longer.