Heroica RPG - Quest #105: Eternal Reaper

[Emjajoas]

"Yes, let's move on."

[Kintobor]

If The regret loosened his grip, then perhaps I could join you in battle, but... No. My father himself was a general in the army. Although he taught me swordplay, I am, in fact, a scientist. It would seem that my son took after me in more ways than one, despite my... minimal involvement. He doesn't have my... issue, though, thank the gods He also chose a very different wife than I expected..."

Karie awkwardly blushes in the back, feeling somewhat put on the spot.

"Um, Mr. Cour... what issue do... er, did you have?"

[Zepher]

Boomingham drags a foot across the ground, impatient to get moving. The Cour family history bores him.

[Endgame]

Karie awkwardly blushes in the back, feeling somewhat put on the spot.

"Um, Mr. Cour... what issue do... er, did you have?"

"You couldn't notice? It's... Uh, just a speaking problem, I suppose... My manner of speaking is irregulary, highly, highly, irregular, and... I don't what causes it or why. It's impossible to string a coherent sentence, maybe a semi-coherent one, but expressing emotion is.... Very hard, very, very, hard. If not, well, impossible, and sometimes it seems impossible. The thoughts in my head are coherent, at least.... They have to be, or you'll die in a laboratory, and I died because I was accused of... Witch craft, not because of any particular incident, but... Anyway, the thoughts in my head are coherent... They just... Don't come out right. At all."

It was becoming exceedingly clear where Masson got his more awkward tendencies from... The ghost of his brilliant, but impaired, father shed some light on this.

"Also, uh, don't think I mind you or anything... I guess I could say that, well, I expected my son to pursue someone on the more intellecutal side of things, someone from his university, considering he finished six years of coursework in one, but, uh, I guess... He... Chose, differently, very differently from what I was expecting him to choose, I'm sure you're, uh, good for him, is that how you say it...? But very differently nonetheless."

Boomingham drags a foot across the ground, impatient to get moving. The Cour family history bores him.

"...I know you want to kill him. My son. If you cannot free him from The Regret's grip, please do, please kill him. He shouldn't hae to live like... that.

If you can free him, though, please, i ask of you, do not kill my son.

Well... let's... Get this over with, then. Onwards."

The party follows the purple specter until they reach the entry to a large and baffling labryinth.

"Now, I've walked these halls and corridors ahead of us for... Well... Quite some time, quite some time. And I think I've developed a decent map of it.

However, there are, certain... conditions that must be fulfilled to truly make it through here. A very powerful illusion lurks here, very formidable indeed."

Royce presents a map.

Central Citadel

-Each square on the map represents one room.

-The party starts the the purple square, and has to make it to the white square at the other end, BUT:

-The party must enter each grey room once and only once.

-The party must enter each red room twice: No more, no less.

-The party can only travel through the red paths shown on the map - this means no cutting through the walls, and no going diagonally.

-If the party reaches the white-marked room while fulfilling all previous conditions, they will get to progress forward. Otherwise, The Regret's magic will fling them back.

-You can express your answer as a drawing, or a series of directions. I'll asume for each Up, Down, Left, or Right, you are moving one square in that direction.

"Now, I've only walked these halls long enough to find a method to their madness, not... Not the answer. No, I know their layout and how it works, but... I don't know the path, really..."

[The_Customizer]

"I believe I have managed to figure out the pathway. It doesn't seem to be as hard as I expected."

OOC: I'll post once everyone else has managed to figure it out as well. And apologies for my recent absence

[joeshmoe554]

Jeaux thinks about the map for a while before making his way into the maze

OOC: Spoiler-ified in case anyone else wants to try and solve it.

Path using battleship lingo (X-axis A-G, Y-axis 1-9)

G9 G8 G7 G6 G5 G4 F4 E4 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 E8 F8 F7 F6 E6 E7 D7 C7 B7 B8 A8 A7 A6 B6 B5 A5 A4 B4 C4 D4 D3 D2 C2 B2 A2 A3 B3 A3 A2 A1

[The_Customizer]

OOC: In up/down/left/right terms here is my answer, also spoilered.

up up up up up left left left down down right right down down left up right down up left left down left up up right up left up up right down right right up up left left left down up up

Edited September 24, 2014 by The_Customizer

[Endgame]

"It would seem the automaton has it figured out, just tracing the map with my finger... Well done, very well done, yes... Fascinating machine with a fascinating mind.

And... I'm sorry, druid, but... I'm not sure if you simply spoke your directions wrong, but following them eventually casts you off into a space, well, between rooms. I cannot imagine that that would be very pleasant... Remarkably unpleasant, if I had to hazard a guess."

Edited September 24, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

"Good work, Jeaux," Mortimer nods. "Let's go."

[Endgame]

QM Note: I may not be able to update until later, so I suppose I'll take advantage of this time and move this along.

"We have many corridors to navigate through, then, so let us make haste, yes..."

The party heads into the vast array of the rooms, each corridor similar to the last. Without Jeaux's expert navigation, the party weaves through the numerous passages, turning left and right, up and down, before they find themselves heading towards the exit. They soon escape the labyrinth, heading into another corridor...A more distinct one.

It was here where the unfinished sections of the Citadel and the finished ones almost seemed to blend together. Some walls were craggy and unfinished, while others were built to perfection, each groove on the wall meticulously cut. Splotches of ink are strewn all about, some even landing onto a sign on the wall...

Minions passing through this checkpoint that have an inadequate performance may find themselves suddenly devoured by a large and vicious strategy.

Let their remains by a reminder to those still among the living, hm?

-Seerus.

"How... Unpleasant." says Royce, as mellow as ever.

The party continues before the hallway opens open into a large room with a large occupant.

As the sign had warned, a dragon was waiting for them here. Heat emanated from its fiery wings, the obsidian menace looking down at the heroes with a look of curiosity. Despite being impressed with his initial appearance, they notice that the dragon appears to be malnourished, its ribs poking out from its scaly skin.

Alice steps back, in utter amazement. A smile dances upon her lips as she looks at the beast.

"A... A dragon? Here? Wow...!"

The dragon speaks, its voice gruff and hoarse.

"Humankind, wandering these halls...?! How would a human even get here, let alone break into the Citadel? Your kind hasn't lived on this island for centuries. So what are you here for, eh? Here to rob this dragon's hoard of gold, perhaps?"

"Is... Is this the *wheeze* dragon Iris spoke of capturing?"

"Hah! So that cycloptic bitch still boasts of that to this day. Yes, I am Alatreon - once known as the Brilliant Black Flame, once a great dragon. But now... I am an unwilling executioner for those stupid Oculoids. However, their misfortune makes them my one and only meal, so I have lived off of devouring their inept for years now.

And, to be honest, if you're just Oculoids in disguise, I don't give half a damn. I've voiced my displeasure with your kind before. Doesn't make the chains any looser, now does it?"

Edited September 24, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

Mortimer's jaw drops, and he gazes upon the dragon with a look of wonder.

"You... I... A dragon?"

His knees shaking, barely able to maintain upright, he reaches out a hand towards the great beast, though maintains his distance. "A dragon? Can... we help you?"

[Endgame]

Mortimer's jaw drops, and he gazes upon the dragon with a look of wonder.

"You... I... A dragon?"

His knees shaking, barely able to maintain upright, he reaches out a hand towards the great beast, though maintains his distance. "A dragon? Can... we help you?"

"Mortimer, are you from Dastan too...?"

"Unless you're a high ranker in The Regret's legion, the most you could help me is to fork over some food. I do not deserve bowing. Perhaps in my glory days, when I was celebrating victory after victory, stacking my piles of gold high. But no. I was a materialistic sort then, but starvation changes you.

But do not think my ego is broken, merely bruised. One day, I sahll snap free from those confines, and I will snack on even the most powerful of Oculoids!

Stand up and continue your fight, human. Don't waste it bowing to me."

"Everyone in this place has, well... Seen... Better days, if you could call it that, yes... Maybe even The Regret himself."

Edited September 25, 2014 by Endgame

[Emjajoas]

"Not... quite," Mortimer replies quietly. "Though I've... never seen a dragon."

Looking up at the beast that was no doubt still magnificent, Mortimer's frown deepens. "Can we not free you? If you're willing to snack on Oculoids, I'd do anything to break your bonds."

[Bricksandparts]

"Years??? How long have the Oculoids existed, let alone this fortress?"

[Zepher]

"I've got a sword right here, those chains can't be all that powerful." Boomingham shrugs. "What do you say, dragon? Want to go free?"

[Endgame]

"Not... quite," Mortimer replies quietly. "Though I've... never seen a dragon."

Looking up at the beast that was no doubt still magnificent, Mortimer's frown deepens. "Can we not free you? If you're willing to snack on Oculoids, I'd do anything to break your bonds."

"If only it was that easy. I can still move my neck, I could clamp these old fangs of mine down on the chains, but it's not that simple."

"Years??? How long have the Oculoids existed, let alone this fortress?"

"...You are only familiar with the militarized Oculoids. They've existed for centuries. They were The Regret's eyes and ears, a huge surveillance network. That's what they started as... Taht's how the Regret can lay his claim to "omniscinece", the arrogant bastard. Slowly, they gained power. The power of mental manipulation came first. You would be shocked how many suicides, deemed were "unexplainable", were just the primordial Oculoids working their "magic" on some poor victim.

Within the past few years they have become competent fighters."

"So... Oculoids were lying in wait, even the *wheeze* first time we faced The Regret..."

"I've got a sword right here, those chains can't be all that powerful." Boomingham shrugs. "What do you say, dragon? Want to go free?"

"Cut those chains and you'll doom me. The Regret was clever... If the chains are disturbed, sliced, or released by someone who is not of high rank, well... A lot of hellish things would happen. Poison would be injected into my veins, I'd be electrocuted, burnt, impaled, all by this damned harness, practically melded onto my body. My capturing was not at all pleasant, that's for damn sure.

You have the right attitude, at least. You strike me so very stereotypically human - greedy, drunk, fat - but perhaps something else lurks under that exterior, eh?

Now, unless you have business here, you must bego-"

Alatreon is suddenly hit in the jaw with an electric burst, the magnificent dragon recoiling back.

"What in hell's blazes...?"

"Alatreon?"

Alatreon reorients himself, howling at the direction the shot came from. He roars with the ferocity of a true dragon, despite his years of humiliating captivity.

'WHO DARES?!"

From the other end of the room steps an ivory clad figure.

His deathly white clothes cling to his body, a sickly parasite coiling up his spine and wrapping around his shoulders. His eyes blaze with azure malice, the Harvester he was holding crackling with electric residue.

"...We meet again."

Royce's shoulders sag at the sight of what his one and only child had become. His once proud posture becomes slumped and saddened, his ghostly cape rolling pitifully over his drooping shoulders. His voice is no longer grave, but infused with desolation and despair...

"...Son..."

Edited September 25, 2014 by Endgame

[Zepher]

"How'd you get greedy from that?" wonders Boomingham with a chuckle. "Not that I'm not, but-" he throws up his hands- "guess I'm a poor actor."

"Ah, the Stealer." Boomingham draws his blade. "Is it time for our duel, Masson? Or are you here to tell us how scary the Regret is some more, and then disappear in a puff of smoke?"

[Endgame]

"Ah, the Stealer." Boomingham draws his blade. "Is it time for our duel, Masson? Or are you here to tell us how scary the Regret is some more, and then disappear in a puff of smoke?"

"No. I have been ordered to stand my ground and fight, and I intend to do just that.

I have been granted some of my memories back you know. A select few... Enough to know who I am dealing with.

Boomingham. If you think I have wronged you before, then the Harvester is only going to be reaching a far wider, far more malevolent scale soon. If you're willing to sacrifice your life to end our petty grudge, when the man who had ignited your hatred has vanished, then you truly are among a fool among fools.

Mortimer. You confessed your true name to me, almost two years ago now, because you thought a quiet world would be admirable. I cannot say what I'm working towards now matches that dull old vision, but yes, the world will be much quieter... paradise usually doesn't cause too much of a noise.

Jeaux. You've always perplexed me, but you seem like a valuable ally. Although you are bound to your allies by contract, know that The Regret would always be willing to give you a taste of what you so desperately crave.

Erdathcath. You were my leader only a few short hours ago. Then you feel from grace, and, well, so did I - at least in your eyes, anyway. Amazing how things change.

Johon. I've known you the least. You at least seem competent in battle, so perhaps this will be an actual test of skill. You see, I've always had this fear of... Hurting someone. That if I cut loose, someone would inevitably die, that someone would be hurt beyond repair. I was right, but that does not in any way excuse any prior weakness. I am a paragon. I've been raised as a killer, a child assassin, since I was seven. For a long time I've been playing the lovestruck idiot, learning what it was like to be in "love".

No more of that. I think it's about time that I shed that exterior and show what lurks beneath my many masks: one of the most efficient killers Olegaia has ever seen. That is my nature, and The regret has only made me stronger.

...And, Karie. The Oculoids tried to withhold the fact that you are my wife, but they, for whatever reason, were unable. As long as you are human, our marital status is meaningless. If you are truly so infatuated with me, you may choose to become my deviless. Otherwise, draw your weapon."

Edited September 25, 2014 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"No. I have been ordered to stand my ground and fight, and I intend to do just that.

I have been granted some of my memories back you know. A select few... Enough to know who I am dealing with.

---

No more of that. I think it's about time that I shed that exterior and show what lurks beneath my many masks: one of the most efficient killers Olegaia has ever seen. That is my nature, and The regret has only made me stronger.

...And, Karie. The Oculoids tried to withhold the fact that you are my wife, but they, for whatever reason, were unable. As long as you are human, our marital status is meaningless. If you are truly so infatuated with me, you may choose to become my deviless. Otherwise, draw your weapon."

Karie grimaced. Clearly the Regret wanted to make dealing with Masson as difficult as possible. She tried not hold back tears... and started to grin manically. She had a deranged look in her eye, but it was determined all the same. She spoke to Masson with purpose, tears swelling around her eyes, her self torn between two emotions.

"I realize something now... your not my husband. Your not the man I married. My husband didn't ramble on about how efficient a killer he was, or how he hated humanity. He wouldn't call our status as a couple null and void because he saw himself superior. He wouldn't put me in a position to choose either death or eternal servitude to a maniac, and I don't mean you. You're a pawn to the Regret's little schemes, and if I ever joined you as your deviless all I would become is your Iris; a meat sack meant to be subservient to two men I cannot please. If my husband is in there, he'd better listen to me now, because what I'm about to tell him is damn important. Heroicans cannot die. You could stab me, slice me, burn me, cut off my head- somehow I will comeback.... your child however... won't survive. The little life growing inside me won't live if you hurt me and I doubt it would survive the physical pain the reconditioning to become your "deviless" would do."

She didn't even know if she was pregnant with their child, but if what she was being led on to believing was true, this was her only chance at breaking the Regrets conditioning. She crosses her arms in frustration.

"It's your play, whoever you are. If my husband is still in there, I hope he realize the gravity of all this.

I'm not fighting you, and you can't make me."

[Endgame]

"I am speaking purely factually here. The fact is, I was raised as a killer, and I imagine the only way for you to be able to live your days alongside me is to become my deviless.

And Heroicans can die. One of The Regret's minions have put a Hero down before. It's not imposs-"

Masson straightens his posture even more when Karie mentions a child.

"...What?"

"A child... You carry my offspring. The devilization process can be harmless, assuming you don't resist. The child can persevere. You can still be its mother, and I its father.

However, if you think I have become an abuser, than the chances of that happening are zero, isn't it? it is your duty to protect the baby. Don't you dare just sit still and allow me to take two lives. Draw our weapon."

"...He... Cares about his child."

Edited September 25, 2014 by Endgame

[Zepher]

Boomingham points his sword at Karie's belly. "Come with us, Masson. Search through whatever memories you've got left and tell me that I absolutely won't take away your child. I'm not saying it's likely, sure. But is that a gamble you want to take?" Boomingham winks at Masson.

[Endgame]

"You... Wouldn't dare. It'd jeopardize your mission."

[Emjajoas]

Mortimer frowns at Masson, teeth grinding. "Paradise. Quiet world. Yeah. Hell of a thing to want," he mutters. "I told you, though, that I was a... fan of chaos, was it? This world is trash. Rotten to the core. Terrible. But there's beauty in life-- beauty only realized when compared to trash-- compared to the stark contrast that is this world. The Regret's better world ideal can piss right off, and so can you-- though is that... hesitation I smell? I didn't think you were the type."

[The_Customizer]

"Masson, sorry to disappoint you, but this is Boomingham after all... Not to mention, I really don't want to have to kill you. But if you leave us no choice..."

[Zepher]

"I can heal people just as well as Karie. Besides, she'd be fit as a flute soon enough. The only person in danger is the one who's not a hero. Besides, I came here with the mission of killing Masson Cour. You are not Masson Cour, so any steps I can take to returning Masson Cour to this plane will benefit my mission."