Heroica RPG - Quest #105: Eternal Reaper

[Endgame]

"Punii, I'm part Elf and part tree. A tree has as many emotions as a dead person, an elf, at times, even fewer. Needless to say, I used to feel emotions of joy and sadness, triumph and defeat. Now, I feel only hatred towards the Regret, all other emotion must be pushed aside, it is because of past emotion of sorrow or lost, such as those killed by the Regret, that I failed to defeat him when I could as such, I find no more use for those emotions, only a righteous hatred and want for judgement."

"That's... that's sick. So what will be left of you when The Regret dies, Erdathcath? Nothing? That isn't *wheeze* right. Our enemy is fueled by his hatred. That's what made him *cough* the villain he is today... I hope you're wrong, Erdathcath."

"I am no longer an organic being, the process that placed me in this form seemed to have damaged a part of my soul. As far as I can tell, the less I cling to what I once was, the less those sorts of emotions ... have a hold over me." Jeaux paused in his explanation, not entirely sure of its accuracy given the Regret's words and what he was currently feeling.

"...I guess that *cough* makes sense..."

QM Note: I'll give Zepher a few more hours to post.

[Zepher]

OoC: Sorry all! I'm back now!

Boomingham stands still after the battle, breathing deeply. He heals himself quickly, and then massages his head a little. A deep sigh.

"What a lousy chap," says Boomingham. He turns to Karie. "Masson will be back. I'm not letting that wiggly tentacle'd fellow use him. When I fight him it won't be as some Devil Commander. It will be as equals." Boomingham snorts. "This Regret is mighty good at making people dislike him. Only a few weeks ago I hardly knew he existed and now he's near the very tipty top of my 'must die' list. So, let's go get him."

[Endgame]

The Party:

Lord Lawrence Boomingham (Zepher)

Level 31.5 Paladin *Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness* *Pierces SP From Front Row* *SP Ignored From Back Row*

Power: 50

Power Bonus: 5

Defense: 10

Health: 54/54

Ether: 30/30

Gold: 838

Equipment: Scupperer (WP: 14; Darkness-, Fire-elemental; inflicts Bleeding (-5) and Poisoned (-10); great sword) Round Metal Shield (SP: 7), Tome of Affluence (+10 Gold if equipped for the entirety of a battle; Immune to Fragile, Sleep, Weakened, and Blindness; Immune to Darkness-, Fire-elemental; accessory), Counterstrike Gloves, Mopag Helm (SP: 3; headwear), *Pseudo's Blessing (+4 Power; not an artifact)*

Inventory: Frozen Saber (WP: 9; Light-, Ice-elemental; inflicts Stunned; great sword), Lullaby Wand (WP:6, Inflicts Sleeping Effect), Sabre (WP:6, Longsword), Darksteel Greatsword (WP: 10, Blinded Effect, Greatsword), Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Phoenix Essence

• Hood of Belthazar Bluehood (Power +4; Ether -6; headwear) Cloak of Blood Magick (+5 ether, attacks made with darkness magic weaken the enemy, bodywear suitable for Mages, Necromancers, Chi Monks)

Chains of the Pongcanis Chief (Hero Pierces SP if fighting from Front, Enemies ignore SP if hero fights from the back row, cannot be removed in battle)• Garnet, Sapphire, Amethyst

• Scroll of Recklessness (Encouraged and Fragile; costs 5 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragility, Scroll of Sealing,

• Fire Brandy (Encouraged, Immune to Ice), Fireball Whiskey (Immunity to Fire One Battle OR 20 Fire Damage All Enemies), Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Hamantasch (Lucky, Blessed), 3x Mead, x2 Nostrum, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Hair of the Dog, Grating Stone

• Bedroll

*Chicken Leg (+2, Quest 28), Drumstick (+1, Quest 70)

**Pseudo's Blessing (+4, Quest 40), Big Apple (+1, Quest 70)

Karie Alderflask-Cour

23? years old human female

Level 26 Witch

Defence: 2

Health: 42/42 (7+24+8+2)

Ether: 28/32 (1+24+4+2)

Gold: 710

Equipment: Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, successful hits lowers the target's level by 1; coils around the users arm when outside of battle, whip), Catsuit (Wearer becomes nimble and has a 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE, and Free Hits, suitable to women only; body wear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: +2, Max. Ether: +4, back wear), Paper Doll (immunity to hexed, accessory)

Inventory:

*Weapons:

Spring Staff (WP: 12, healing someone else through this staff also heals the user by the same amount; water elemental staff), Grumpy's Staff (WP: 10, fire elemental staff), Sexy (WP: 9, disregards SP, longsword), Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Rusty Dagger (WP: 2, deals poisoned by 10 effect, breaks after 3 uses)

*Minstrel Weapons: Angelic Trumpet (WP: 5, user is blessed, instrument), Vagrant's Guitar (WP: 5, user is lucky)

*Artefacts:

Glittering Dress (The user's job traits are replaced with those of a Harlot: Promiscuity, Flee, and Money Maker; suitable for women only, body wear), Medal of Valour (This pendant is awarded by the Bonapartes to those who show their heroism in the battle against piracy. The wearer gains double experience in battle. Accessory), Skull Mask (SP: 1, wearer can pose as undead, headwear), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Changes user's appearance into an elf, accessory), Witch's Talisman (Makes the witch's poisonous attacks cause poisoned by 10-effect instead of poisoned by 1, suitable for witches; accessory)

*Minstrel Artefacts: Encore Plectrum (If the same battle song is sung more than one round in a row, the song's ether cost for the consecutive rounds is halved; suitable for minstrels; accessory)

*Gems: Ruby (Fire)

*Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Newtity

*Battle Songs: True Love's Serenade (restores 50 health to the rest of the party per round, cost 10 ether; Battle Song)

*Consumables:

Potion, Grand Potion x2, Tonic, Grand Tonic x5, Remedy x5, Phoenix Essence x5, Nostrum x3, Mulled Wine, 9 Venoms, Pumpkin Bomb (causes poisoned by 1, asleep, blinded, sealed, and confused to all opponents when used), Neutralizer x2, Tasty Pretzel (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened, and encouraged-effects upon consumption), 5 Herbal Infusions (Removes negative effects and causes Blessed and Transcended effects), Deadly Venom

*Tools: Telescope, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magic Compass

*Sheep: Baaffy (Pet Sheep, whenever unleashed, puts random enemy fast asleep, unlimited use)

Quest Items/Roleplay Item: Masson's Journal Entry 11, Map of Brendenton, Spider Coin (worth 1 gp), Forest Journal, Blue Syndicate Uniform, Kayla's Mask, Ulric's Letter

Jeaux Elmfyre (joeshmoe554)

Automaton male, Evoker

Level 19.5 *Blessed* *Transcended* *Immune to Sealing, Bleeding, and Confused*

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 2

Health: 27/27

Ether: 20/20

Gold: 788

Equipment: Divine Cannonade (WP:13; gives blessed- and transcended-effects to user; Poison 7 and Cursed; Phoenix Essence; handcannon), Spellbound Gloves (Spellpower +5), Automaton Armor (SP:2, immune to bleeding and confused; suitable to automata only; bodywear)

Inventory: Enchanted Bracelet (protects from sealing; accessory), Handy Suitcase (SP-2, use 2 items per round; accessory), Professor's Kit (successful attacks on Mechanical enemies have a 1/3 of turning them to the hero’s side for the next three rounds as a tamed monsters, accessory), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Topaz, Diamond, Amethyst, Soma, Tonic, Grand Tonic x2, Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence x2, Remedy x2, Venom x2, Volatile Venom x4, Jinxy Juice, Smoke Bomb, Water Bomb, Bedroll, Bone x6, Experienced Turdwing (Deals the confused and poisoned by 1 effects on an opponent when used, fly familiar), Ruby, Sapphire, Ectoplasm, Oculoid Fireworks x3

Summons: Nilrem (Paladin Armor, Lightning Armor, Demon Armor)

Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (Em)

Unknown age human male Warden

Level 18.5

Power Bonus: 5

Defense: 25 (50)

Health: 36/37

Gold: 116

Equipment: Aquabow (WP: 7, Water-elemental), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to electricity, shield), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory) (Power +3, SP +3, Max. Health +3, Max. Ether +3. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year)

Inventory:

Consumables: Smoke bomb, Nostrum, Remedy x2, Venom, Grand Potion x5, Mead x2, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Silver Ore, Deadly Venom

Weapons: Doppleganger (WP: 10, Retribution: The user inflicts any negative effects he or she has on the target enemy on successful hits; longsword), Old Whip (WP: 10/20 against Beasts)

Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe

Equipment: Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone), Eyepatch

Buffs: Permanent + 3 HP, +2 Power, and +1 Ether from Crystal Sovereign.

Erdathcath Madilinas, 199 years old,

Level 23.33 Druid *Party Leader!* *Hastened!*

Power: 38

Health: 37/37

Ether: 26/26

Gold: 225

Equipped: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, Fire-elemental, permanent poisoned 7, cursed), Satchel of Awesomeness (Permanent Lucky-effect; bodywear, suitable for anyone), Amulet of Optimism (Adds the confused-effect to all attacks; accessory, suitable to Erdathcath only), Machine's Heart (The hollowed out heart of Monolith, after being defeated, halves all damage from Earth, Electrical, and Mechanical type enemies; bodywear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

*Qlice (WP: 8, club, permanent Poison 4), Longbow (WP:7), Quick bow (WP: 6, bow, provides hastened effect for one round each battle)

*Mage's muffler (protects from sealing; accessory, suitable for anyone), Helmet (+1 max. health; headwear, suitable for anyone), Snake Eye Charm (protects from petrified; accessory, suitable for anyone), Helmet (+1 max. health),

*Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope,

*Scroll of Weakening

*6 Potions, Grand Potion x2, 7 Mead, 4 Smelling Salts, 15 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 2 Floral Bombs, 2 Ice Bombs, 2 Lightning Bombs, 1 Fire Bomb, 3 Smoke Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, 2 Air Bombs, Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Saber teeth, Jinxy Juice x2, Grand Tonic x3, Love Potion, Blind Fury, Grating Stone, Mythril Shard x2, Silver Ore, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, Emergency Essence x2, Agni Bomb, Sushi (restores 5 HP and 5 Ether), Neutralizer, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Equilibrium Tonic, Remedy

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider

Level: 30.75

Power Bonus: +0 (0art+0perm)

Health: 14/44 (lvl30+cls7+7perm+0art)

Defense: 5 (5art+0Shield+0perm)

Ether: 0/0/30 (lvl30

Kept Effects: *Natural Respite* *Restoration**Immune to: Fragile* *1.5 stealing multiplier* *Hide of The Bleeding*

Temporary Effects:

Gold: 3741

Equipment:

Weapon: Muckraker (WP:+13, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators, *Water, Wood, Earth*, Causes *Weakened*)

Shield:

Artefact 1 (1+): Heavy Armour (suit: Bararians/Knights, SP:+5, *Immune to Fragile*)

Artefact 2 (10+): Hide of The Bleeding (suit: Anyone, +10HP +5ETH for every enemy user defeats)

Artefact 3 (20+): Sticky Gloves (suit: Rogues/Beast Warriors, 1.5 multiplier for stealing)

Artefact 4 (30+):Barbarian's Boots (suit: Barbarians/Chi Monks/Beast Warriors, *Restoration*)

Artefact 5 (40+):

Artefact 6 (50+):

Artifacts: Simple Helmet (suit: Anyone, HP:+1), Pseudo's hood (suit: Anyone, Ignores Undead immunity), Quiver of Poisoning (suit: Rangers/Beast Warriors/Infiltrators/Winged Warriors, Causes *Poisoned by 1* using bows/crossbows), Blessed Amulet (suit: Anyone, *Immune to cursed*), Dog Statuette (Rover) (suit: Anyone, SP:+1), Counterstrike Gloves (suit: Anyone, deals damage equal to level when hit with free-hit), Sterile Gloves (Suit: Anyone, *Immune to Poisoned/Bleeding*), Bravado Boots (suit: Anyone, 1/6 chance of receiving *Lucky* at start of battle), Scarlet Hood (suit: Anyone, pwr:+4, *immune to stunned*)

Weapons: Sword of Decay (WP:+8, suit: Barbaians/Knights/Mages, Causes *Decayed by X-3 rounds* X=dmg dealt/4, Effect does not stack), Greatsword (WP:+3, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators), Focal Staff (WP:+5, suit: Clerics/Mages, Ability: Roll 3 at cost of 5 ether), Gladius (WP:+15, suit: Anyone, Darkness, 1/3 chance of causing *Fragile* on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP:+8, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Harlots, 1/2 chance of causing *sealed*), Lullaby Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *asleep*), Lovelorn Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enamored*), Scaridy Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *afraid*), Wand of Wrath (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enraged*), Shield (SP:+5, Suit: Knights/Dragoons/Regulators/Skirmishers)

Consumables: Potions (25), Grand Potions (18), Tonics (0), Grand Tonics (1), Health Cores (1), Phoenix Essences (2), Remedies (9), Mead (14), Smelling Salts (17), Nostrums 15), Venoms (10), Deadly Venoms (7), Smoke Bombs (1) , Fire Bombs (1), Water Bombs (5), Lightning Bombs (14), Bones (13), Skeleton Decoys (1), Ambrosia (2), Mulled Wine (1), (1)Trial Brews (1), Ectoplasms (1), Level-Up Mushrooms (1), Grating Stones (1)

Elements: Aquamarine (2), Emerald (1), Garnet (1), Opal (1), Ruby (1), Sapphire (1), Topaz (1), Diamond (2), Amethyst (2)

Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1), Scroll of Frailty (1), Scroll of Weakening (1)

Tools: Shovels (1), Pick-axes (2), Magic Compasses (1), Water Canteens (2), Magniscopes (1)

Quest/RP/Misc. items: Blue Rose (Invasion of Luosh) (1), Fifty Shades of Bley (1), Mythril Shards (1)

"..."

Punii, Level 20.66 Alchemist

HP: 36/36

SP: 3

Equipment: Yellow Carapace (SP: 3, Backwear, cannot be dequipped, suitable to Punii only... Unless you want to skin him alive?), Tiny Tail (WP: 7, cannot be dequipped, suitable to Punii only... Unless you want to amputate it?)

Inventory: Health Core, Ether Core, Grand Tonic x2, Nostrum, Bad Breath

The party presses onwards through the winding caverns at the base of the Citadel. Ascending up the dim passage, the party throws open a door, and fins themselves ushered into the Citadel...

The room seemed just as imposing as the exterior of the Citadel. The corridor was tranquil enough, but a thick sense of dread and uneasiness hung over the heroes, the room cold and chilly. The room's architecture was dark and gnarled. The room's ceiling tapered off into a gothic point, causing sound to echo around the foyer.

There were two doors: One at the bottom level of the room with a peculiar lock, and another at the upper level. Leading to the upper door was a trail of inky blood - Seerus'. It would seem he went that way...

What will the party do?

[Emjajoas]

Mortimer begins making his way up the stairs before thinking better of it. Instead, he goes to inspect the lock on the lower door.

[Endgame]

The lower door has an odd, reflective tablet in place of a traditional lock. Next to is a sign that says: Low Ranking Personnel Forbidden Entry to Crematorium!

It seemed like only relatively experienced troops were allowed in the crematorium...

"I wonder if we *wheeze* even have to go in there?"

Edited August 23, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

"Tch. Who knows," Mortimer mutters. He turns on his heels and starts up the stairs.

[Kintobor]

Too nervous to even notice or care Lawrence's comment, Karie examines the crematorium door with her magnifying glass.

[Endgame]

"Tch. Who knows," Mortimer mutters. He turns on his heels and starts up the stairs.

Mortimer reaches the top of the stairs without incident, careful not to step in or smudge Seerus's inky trail. The large door before him was unlocked.

Too nervous to even notice or care Lawrence's comment, Karie examines the crematorium door with her magnifying glass.

As Karie leans in towards the door, she can smell the odor of smoke slipping out through the crevices. Her magnifying glass revealed the door was not trapped, but it did need some sort of proof that whoever was pushing down on the plate was not a low-ranking minion... The plate is smudged with blood and ink from various troops.

[Emjajoas]

"This door's unlocked," Em calls. He glances back at the party. "What do you want to do?"

[Kintobor]

Karie grimaces silently, looking towards the inky splotches on the ground. She smothers her tattooed hand and arm in Seerus's blood before opening the door.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Kintobor

[Bricksandparts]

As the party does this, Johon inspects the water, and looks if there is anything in the fountain.

[Zepher]

"Let's take a look." Boomingham waltzes past Karie and enters the room.

[Endgame]

As the party does this, Johon inspects the water, and looks if there is anything in the fountain.

The fountains were nothing of particular note, or so it seemed. There was a hole in the bottom to allow the pools of water to drain, but that was the only feature of note.

Karie grimaces silently, looking towards the inky splotches on the ground. She smothers her tattooed hand and arm in Seerus's blood before opening the door.

Her hand covered in the remains of two different Oculoids - one of them, the highest ranking Oculoid in existence - Karie presses down on the door. It at first rejects the tattoo around Karie's forearm, only to absrob Seerus's blood. The door clicks as it unlocks.

"Let's take a look." Boomingham waltzes past Karie and enters the room.

With something of a disregard for the one who opened it, Boomingham walks straight into the crematorium...

And into the audience of several of The Regret's minions.

The first to speak were some rather fiery looking Oculoids.

"Hm? Intruders, here?"

Next were a pair of Proggs, brainwashed into servitude by The Regret. They had lost their color and had been bleached black, an aura of smoke surrounding them. Their bodies were now twisted and sharpened, the already strong creatures shaped into killing machines.

"Heroicans, if I would have to hazard a guess."

The final enemies were two odd, inky humanoids. A fire bruns in their translucent, armored chests, illuminating their skeletal figures. They were a type of Devil - products of the Doppel project. They stand, silent.

". . ."

[Emjajoas]

"Dammit--" Mortimer curses, noticing them open the door and hearing the enemies from the other side. He half-falls down the stairs, standing behind Karie and Boomingham, bow drawn, ready ot render assistance.

[Endgame]

"Dammit--" Mortimer curses, noticing them open the door and hearing the enemies from the other side. He half-falls down the stairs, standing behind Karie and Boomingham, bow drawn, ready ot render assistance.

Em drawing his weapon seems to trigger some nw behavior in the Devils.

"Identify yourselves. Immediately."

[Emjajoas]

Em grinds his teeth. A mistake. He made another mistake. "Mortimer Mahzan," he replies, twitching slightly.

[Zepher]

"What is this? The heating for the Citadel, or something like that?" Boomingham unsheathes Scupperer. "Alright, let's do this. I'm Lawrence Boomingham, by the way, long list of titles, but I feel we're probably going to end up in combat regardless of if we identify ourselves or not." Boomingham turns to Em. "Those little inky floating chaps the children of Severus or what?"

[Emjajoas]

"No. They're the children of another Oculoid bitch who I'm really hoping to see. I made a mistake I'd like to fix. Seerus just helps control them."

[Kintobor]

The thought of locking Lawrence in the room to suffer crossed Karie's mind, but as much as she wanted to...

"What concern is my name to you?" She addressed the Devil.

[Endgame]

"What is this? The heating for the Citadel, or something like that?" Boomingham unsheathes Scupperer. "Alright, let's do this. I'm Lawrence Boomingham, by the way, long list of titles, but I feel we're probably going to end up in combat regardless of if we identify ourselves or not." Boomingham turns to Em. "Those little inky floating chaps the children of Severus or what?"

"A crematorium is where you dispose of dead bodies - unusable ones, anyway. It's a good thing you saved us the trip and delivered yourselves to us. I hope the fire looks inviting, as I will be the one personally dump you all in."

"No. They're the children of another Oculoid bitch who I'm really hoping to see. I made a mistake I'd like to fix. Seerus just helps control them."

"The Oculoid you speak of only fancies herself as our "mother". It's good to see you've had prior experience with our kind, though - though just a quick look through your memories betrays that you have no experience with Fiery Oculoids. We're a much more difficult breed to kill."

"What concern is my name to you?" She addressed the Devil.

The Devil paces around Karie, its complexion rippling and changing before the hero's eyes. Before they know it, Karie was speaking to a dead ringer of herself. The imitation, minus the eyes, was next to perfect. The voice, the mannerisms, the body language were all uncanny.

"All of those who we dispose of must in the fire must be reported y name." States Karie(?) matter-of-factly.This was a far better imitation than the last Doppel she had dealt with.

[Emjajoas]

Mortimer frowns, disgusted.

"Oh, my-- these worms are somewhat intelligent."

His frown quickly metamorphoses into a toothy grin. "But they're not smart enough to know their place."

"I'm especially insulted you would attempt something that coy," Mortimer growls, quickly readying his Aquabow, and taking aim at the Doppel Karie.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Emjajoas

[Zepher]

"These things can read our minds?" asks a shocked Boomingham. "What an utterly unpleasant place." Boomingham watches as one of the creatures becomes Karie. "Hm. I fought something that did that before. This will be fun." A quick wink at Karie: "Perhaps if you're lucky the other one will become me and we can each take a stab at each other."

[Emjajoas]

"Yeah, them are their master are an unpleasant, filthy, mind-reading bunch. Load of horseshit if you ask me," Mortimer spits.

[Kintobor]

The Devil paces around Karie, its complexion rippling and changing before the hero's eyes. Before they know it, Karie was speaking to a dead ringer of herself. The imitation, minus the eyes, was next to perfect. The voice, the mannerisms, the body language were all uncanny.

"All of those who we dispose of must in the fire must be reported y name." States Karie(?) matter-of-factly.This was a far better imitation than the last Doppel she had dealt with.

Karie felt slightly unnerved seeing herself next to herself, and to hear something so scripted come out of her mouth.

"I don't quite understand why you'd attempt to mimic me of all people."

"These things can read our minds?" asks a shocked Boomingham. "What an utterly unpleasant place." Boomingham watches as one of the creatures becomes Karie. "Hm. I fought something that did that before. This will be fun." A quick wink at Karie: "Perhaps if you're lucky the other one will become me and we can each take a stab at each other."

"Ha ha. Your humour is so drool." Karie states drily.

[The_Customizer]

Erdathcath stands unphased by the foolish words of the Oculoids, "Bah, I've seen stronger Oculoid than you, all of which ended up dead. In either case, perhaps you can tell us a bit about yourselves, and what this place is."