Heroica RPG - Quest #105: Eternal Reaper

[Zepher]

Boomingham sheaths his sword, and discreetly heals himself and Erdy. He scoffs at the Regret. "I'll say the same thing to you as I said to Iris. You keep saying you're not playing some game, but we're not fighting right now, so let's either do that, or we can go kill your hordes of inky beasties and then kill you." He then turns on Masson. "You can't die yet, Stealer. You owe me, remember? So stay out of the way." He winks.

[Endgame]

"I can hardly think of how good it will feel to end your little dream," Mortimer replies, leveling his bow at the Regret. "I'm honestly sick of your worthless presence. Breaking people was bad enough, but breaking your own thralls-- Iris was once strong. You let her wither. Wasted strength is the greatest weakness."

"No. Iris was just as strong as she was when you encountered her for the first time. She was mentally frayed, yes, but I purposely made sure Seerus did not deliver the critical blow - the last thing that would make her psyche snap. She was no weaker than you first met her. meeker, perhaps, and more disciplined, as with my standards, but no weaker.

You have merely grown stronger, Mortimer. Part of my design as well. You outgrew your former adversary, and now she is no more."

Boomingham sheaths his sword, and discreetly heals himself and Erdy. He scoffs at the Regret. "I'll say the same thing to you as I said to Iris. You keep saying you're not playing some game, but we're not fighting right now, so let's either do that, or we can go kill your hordes of inky beasties and then kill you." He then turns on Masson. "You can't die yet, Stealer. You owe me, remember? So stay out of the way." He winks.

"There was actually a more sizable group that had decided to burst into my home, you know. A few hunting groups chose to combine their explosive power, and make a foolhardy rush towards one of the newly erected walls of the Western border of the Citadel. They blasted a hole in the wall and rushed into one of my courtyards, full of hope and greed.

I dispatched three Monolith Mk IIs: forty foot tall battle automatons.

All fifty of them were slaughtered within twenty seconds.

Now then, they barely even made it into my Citadel. Now, as for your progress..."

Using the scraps of the Citadel map left by Seerus and some of Masson's blood still on his claw, The regret marks the party's map.

"About a third of the way up to my inner sanctum. Now, tell me, Boomingham, why would I not dispose of you so quickly?"

"...I owe nothing but servitude now."

[Zepher]

"I haven't the foggiest. I'm more than prepared for a fight, whenever you are. Dispatch of us now, if it is that easy." Boomingham rolls his eyes gamely at Masson. "Oh don't we know it, but don't you worry, you'll beat that curse yet."

[joeshmoe554]

"About a third of the way up to my inner sanctum. Now, tell me, Boomingham, why would I not dispose of you so quickly?"

"That is not your plan. You want us to be as powerful as possible before we fight you. I can not say for certain why, though from the information I have gathered so far, I believe it is because you secretly wish to fail. You are tired of surviving on this world and you wish for us to destroy you." Jeaux had his handcannon already aimed at the regret, just waiting for Mortimer to give the signal to attack.

[Emjajoas]

Mortimer sighs, muttering: "Hell if I'm going to be bothered thinking about it."

Glancing at the party quickly, he prepares to fire an arrow at the Regret, ready to start a battle-- though he hesitates. Perhaps they could seperate the Regret and Masson, giving them a chance to rescue the latter? What if Masson got caught in the crossfire? Such thoughts raced through his mind, fear of what lies ahead keeping his arrow in check.

[The_Customizer]

"We can't fight the Regret, he brought Masson with him because he knows we won't kill Masson. Fine, let him have his way, for now, he is just 'checking in' on us. I say we continue on our way up this castle, we have many more people to deal with no doubt." Turning to the Regret with boredom, "Are you done boasting about how we still can't kill you or something? We have more of your minions to kill, if you'll just move out of the way."

[Kintobor]

"Do you take me for a brute, Karie? because I'm far, far more dangerous than that. And yes, I do suppose some dialogue would be pleasant, but that is besides the point.

Point is, I needed to do two things. One, dispose of iris's remains. And two..."

The Regret slashes at Masson's wrist quickly, red blood pouring out.

"Test if my new thrall had any emotional responses to seeing his friends and enemies. He's not ready for combat quite yet - still needs some time to metabolize the steroids we're pumping into his bloodstream - but it'll be soon, very soon.

So yes, Karie..."

"...It's me."

"You... you lie! That red puss means nothing! We've seen Doppels with red gunk, and we've seen them explode in red gunk! B-besides, you've given me no reason to believe anything you say!" Karie wouldn't admit it, but she was beginning to panic.

[Endgame]

"I haven't the foggiest. I'm more than prepared for a fight, whenever you are. Dispatch of us now, if it is that easy." Boomingham rolls his eyes gamely at Masson. "Oh don't we know it, but don't you worry, you'll beat that curse yet."

". . ."

Masson stares at Boomingham for a moment, silently, before speaking.

"It's more than a curse."

What the meaning behind those words were, well, who could say...?

"That is not your plan. You want us to be as powerful as possible before we fight you. I can not say for certain why, though from the information I have gathered so far, I believe it is because you secretly wish to fail. You are tired of surviving on this world and you wish for us to destroy you." Jeaux had his handcannon already aimed at the regret, just waiting for Mortimer to give the signal to attack.

"Hm. Yes, I do suppose death would be welcome. However, I..."

The Regret pauses.

"...Do not build my plans around... Impossibilities."

There was a note of insincerity in his last statement.

Mortimer sighs, muttering: "Hell if I'm going to be bothered thinking about it."

Glancing at the party quickly, he prepares to fire an arrow at the Regret, ready to start a battle-- though he hesitates. Perhaps they could seperate the Regret and Masson, giving them a chance to rescue the latter? What if Masson got caught in the crossfire? Such thoughts raced through his mind, fear of what lies ahead keeping his arrow in check.

"A druid a couple years back shot me with a bow and arrow - similar circumstances, too - I had someone under my mind control then, as well. So, go ahead. Shoot me. Blocking it won't be hard."

"We can't fight the Regret, he brought Masson with him because he knows we won't kill Masson. Fine, let him have his way, for now, he is just 'checking in' on us. I say we continue on our way up this castle, we have many more people to deal with no doubt." Turning to the Regret with boredom, "Are you done boasting about how we still can't kill you or something? We have more of your minions to kill, if you'll just move out of the way."

"Oh, I will, shortly. I just have to make sure my ivory accomplice doesn't get too worked up seeing some familiar faces before I call the little half-hour hack job Seerus did a success."

"You... you lie! That red puss means nothing! We've seen Doppels with red gunk, and we've seen them explode in red gunk! B-besides, you've given me no reason to believe anything you say!" Karie wouldn't admit it, but she was beginning to panic.

"That red gunk was also highly flammable, something your husband's blood currently is not. it'll be bleached black before long, don't you worry.

No reason to believe me? Oh, no. That's your own fault. You don't want to."

Masson looks down at Karie's hand.

"We're wearing the same ring. Why?"

[The_Customizer]

Erdathcath reaches out her hand to shake Masson's, "Hi, I'm a elven druid and you are currently a mindless being that the Regret has twisted around. If killing you enables me to kill him, fine. I will, otherwise, I don't care if you live or not, additionally, if you purposely stand in my way of killing the Regret, well, lets just say that you will regret. Either way, I'm glad we have met so that the Regret can stop worrying about you meeting us. Have a pleasant day." Turning to the group, "Let's go. Now."

Edited September 17, 2014 by The_Customizer

[Kintobor]

"That red gunk was also highly flammable, something your husband's blood currently is not. it'll be bleached black before long, don't you worry.

No reason to believe me? Oh, no. That's your own fault. You don't want to."

Masson looks down at Karie's hand.

"We're wearing the same ring. Why?"

Karie looks away, biting her lip, darting her eyes frantically, feeling dizzy. She... had to... stay strong...

"I will do... everything in power... to stop you. And I will do everything in my power... to save him, because I believe he can still be saved."

Karie looked down at her own hand at the wedding band wrapped around her finger.

"Because there was a time I loved someone... a lot like you. He was smart, loyal, caring about his friends... and his love. And I'd really like it if he came back so we could fix this mess. So..." Karie looked back. She wasn't ready for the onslaught that might come afterwards. "So that he can come home to me."

Erdathcath reaches out her hand to shake Masson's, "Hi, I'm a elven druid and you are currently a mindless being that the Regret has twisted around. If killing you enables me to kill him, fine. I will, otherwise, I don't care if you live or not, additionally, if you purposely stand in my way of killing the Regret, well, lets just say that you will regret. Either way, I'm glad we have met so that the Regret can stop worrying about you meeting us. Have a pleasant day." Turning to the group, "Let's go. Now."

"You'd make a good Oculoid, Erdathcath." Karie angrily states.

[Emjajoas]

"Quiet. Let's move on."

Backing away from the Regret, Mortimer's frown deepens. "We can hate eachother later. Piss off, Regret. You've stirred the flames enough."

[joeshmoe554]

Jeaux doesn't understand why the party would choose to simply walk away from their target. They have the opportunity to attack him here and now, and they choose to walk away? Not only are they abandoning their mission, but they are giving up a chance to take down the regret's new ally before the regret has finished with whatever he plans he has for Masson. "The regret has clearly admitted he is not yet ready to fight us, and you are choosing to walk away instead seizing this moment to strike? Why would you give up this opportunity for us to complete our mission?"

Edited September 18, 2014 by joeshmoe554

[Zepher]

Boomingham smiles at Em. "Piss off Regret," he repeats. Then to his friend: "I'm ready to keep moving. We're wasting time chit chatting with this chap."

[Emjajoas]

"We''re not ready for him either, Jeaux. We're outgunned." Em mutters, keeping his bow leveled at the Regret.

[Bricksandparts]

"But he's not ready either! Even if we only weaken him, it's our best shot!"

[Emjajoas]

"And what if it ends poorly?" Mortimer spits, glancing at what was once Masson. "I'm not looking to get anyone killed. He'll get what's coming to him, whether he's ready for it or not."

Taking another step back, the warden tries to reassure the others. "He'll get what's coming to him."

[Zepher]

Boomingham flexes his hand, his eyes on the Regret, then Masson, then Em. "It's your call."

[Bricksandparts]

"But if we don't try to weaken him now, he could have the power of the lifespark later! If we wait, it'll only be more difficult!"

[Emjajoas]

"And if we attack now, what's to say he won't weaken us? What's to say he won't kill us? We still have no idea how to fight him!" Mortimer rebukes, voice tense. "We're already down a man. I'd like to get him back before kicking this giant crab to the goddamn gates."

Frowning, teeth clenched, Mortimer exhales. "Besides, he's using Masson as a shield right now. I could shoot if I had to, but I don't. I don't want his blood on my hands like that."

[Endgame]

QM Note: Sorry, questees, but pictures for this update will have to come tomorrow afternoon.

Erdathcath reaches out her hand to shake Masson's, "Hi, I'm a elven druid and you are currently a mindless being that the Regret has twisted around. If killing you enables me to kill him, fine. I will, otherwise, I don't care if you live or not, additionally, if you purposely stand in my way of killing the Regret, well, lets just say that you will regret. Either way, I'm glad we have met so that the Regret can stop worrying about you meeting us. Have a pleasant day." Turning to the group, "Let's go. Now."

"Erdathcath, you're *wheeze* going too far...!"

"I'm... Inclined to agree with the wrom, kinda. But if this Masson is now an enemy, well, what choice do we have?"

"Because there was a time I loved someone... a lot like you. He was smart, loyal, caring about his friends... and his love. And I'd really like it if he came back so we could fix this mess. So..." Karie looked back. She wasn't ready for the onslaught that might come afterwards. "So that he can come home to me."

Even in his Devilised state, Masson puts the pieces together.

"...There was a time when I loved you?"

"And if we attack now, what's to say he won't weaken us? What's to say he won't kill us? We still have no idea how to fight him!" Mortimer rebukes, voice tense. "We're already down a man. I'd like to get him back before kicking this giant crab to the goddamn gates."

Frowning, teeth clenched, Mortimer exhales. "Besides, he's using Masson as a shield right now. I could shoot if I had to, but I don't. I don't want his blood on my hands like that."

"You still haven't a clue? Hah. I suppose deductive reasoning is not one of your fortes, heroes. The one man who might've been able to put the pieces together is on my side now.

Let us leave this place, Devil Commander Masson."

"Yes, sir."

The pair of white devils vanish in a puff of smoke, leaving the heroes alone to collect their thoughts. The party finds a door on the other end of the observatory. They throw it open and step through, finding themselves...

...Outside.

The heroes can feel their skin being assaulted by the horrific winter once more, a miasma of dark clouds overhead pelting them with hail. They found themselves in an odd mix between mountain and Citadel, apparently in an area still undergoing construction. The heroes forge along their snowbound path, great black towers rising out from below them and casting an imposing shadow upon them. The weather was growing worse. Thunder roared and lightning clapped - the brief flashes of light revealed Oculoids dragging massive bricks through the night sky, construction still going on feverishly. It seems The Regret hadn't fully demolished wwhat was left of the mountain.

"This is... Wow... I... My homeland, Dastan, has mountains, but not ones like these. Even before The Regret built his Citadel into it, must've been like a giant, steel needle..."

"Sad, really, that he's *wheeze* almost replaced the mountain entirely."

The party follows their mountainous path until they find themselves at an intersection in the trail:

They could head left or right. Both led to steep inclines, though the path to the right seemed to house a more complete structure than the other...

Edited September 19, 2014 by Endgame

[Bricksandparts]

OoC: Gonna wait until we see the pictures to respond to the particular scene

"Karie," Johon says, looking to his companion, "I... I'm sorry..." He says with a long pause. "If... If we are forced to fight, I will do my best to prevent his death..." Johon says, unsure if he would be able to accomplish such a task.

Edited September 19, 2014 by Bricksandparts

[Zepher]

"I say we take the more developed route. Seems to me we'll be killing off everyone in the Citadel sooner or later, may as well make it sooner. Better to take them in batches then to have them all bear down on us at once."

[Kintobor]

"Karie," Johon says, looking to his companion, "I... I'm sorry..." He says with a long pause. "If... If we are forced to fight, I will do my best to prevent his death..." Johon says, unsure if he would be able to accomplish such a task.

Karie didn't respond to Johon, but merely glanced at him worryingly. It was frigid, and the cold felt more piercing than it had been before.

"Let's get someplace warm. We should go right."

She looks at Alice, not sure what to make of her. She didn't know what to make of the Dastanese girl.

"Alice, you haven't said much about yourself. What did you do before coming to this god forsaken place?"

[Endgame]

QM Note: Previous post has pictures now!

"Alice, you haven't said much about yourself. What did you do before coming to this god forsaken place?"

"My sister acted as a mercenary for hire, while I was a medic in the army who had a little bit of combat training. Never saw the front lines once, though...

My sister, though. She had "battle lust", my father called it. Couldn't get enough. Her paid exploits - I tagged along on a few adventures, the nonlethal ones - eventually had found some of The Regret's forces. After she dispatched them, The Regret himself personally showed up to congratulate her... Before infecting her with a deadly disease. It was the greatest defeat she had ever suffered in her career. Only her, my family, and some other doctors knew about that incident, but she thought her career was smudged nonetheless. So... The second she healed up and heard of rumors of a "white devil" with huge stacks of treasures, she gathered up all of her former comrades and set sail for here. I decided to come along, too... I guess I was trying to prove myself to her.

However, she never really recovered from the sickness The Regret hit her with. She was still sluggish and clumsy in battle, and Seerus had her pinned before we knew it."

Alice bows her head down for a little bit, the faintest hint of muffled sobbing escaping her lips.

"And... And now, here we are, in Hell after it has literally frozen over, going to confront The Regret. It's... It's not looking too good, but we gotta try."

Edited September 20, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

"Bloodlust," Mortimer mutters, glancing right. "Bloodlust is... strong." Reaching a hand towards his empty socket, Mortimer grimaces. "I think I understand her."

"Let's head right."