Heroica RPG - Quest #109: Dreamscape

[Emjajoas]

Alexander opens the door with a creak. Surprisingly, the only thing behind the door is a dimly-lit spiral staircase--

The heroes hastily begin making the climb, the arduous task giving them time to think. The staircase itself seems to have no exits or entrances, save the one at the bottom-- they continue to climb, passing by torch after torch.

Finally they reach the top. They spread open the doors--

They find themselves on a parapet. The overlooking view of the Dreamscape-- the fields of white snow dotted with leafless trees as more snow fell from the sky-- was gorgeous, to say the least. However...

The face that stares back at them is one of surprise, sorrow-- and fear. The voice that emerges can be best described as small-- was the witch choking up?

"So you were victorious after all, Heroes..."

She raises her hands, a violent flash of light blinding most of the party for a split second-- except for Docken, who is immune to blind. She hastily rushes towards another door, flinging it open and trying to make her escape down the hall.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Emjajoas

[Captain Settle]

"What the-?"

Francis staggers back as the sudden fork of lightning fills his vision.

[Brickdoctor]

"I figure this will give us the best chance of landing a hit..."

I use a Remedy on Knickers from the Back Row.

Knickers consumes a Catnip from the Back Row.

With its resulting second turn, Knickers attacks the Witch with its Cat's Claws from the Front Row.

[Emjajoas]

Knickers lunges at her retreating figure as she hastily tries to open the door at the end of the hall. He leaps, landing on her back, and she falls forward, the door flinging itself open.

"Maya?" cries a voice, alarmed. "Are you okay? Why's there a cat on your back?"

The heroes rush down the hall, Knickers jumping off the witch's back. She stands, backing away from the oncoming party and the ferocious feline. They reach the open door, rushing into the room--

"Oh," he whispers upon seeing the heroes, sounding... disappointed? "You've found me out, I suppose."

[Captain Settle]

Francis looks at the two figures, with a look of surprise on his face.

"What's going on here? Don't you want to leave this dreamworld? Are you friends with this witch?"

[Brickdoctor]

Using Diplomacy.

"That depends, Lord Stonekeep, I presume. I only know the side of the story which I was told by the duke and duchess: that your lordship was under the spell of a witch, that the witch had been slain, but that the spell remained. Perhaps it would be best if you recounted your experience of those events before I jump to any conclusions."

[Kintobor]

Annienal, still rubbing her eyes from the blinding light, feels uneasy as the witch and the younger man stand against the party. Seeing how Docken had the situation covered, she sheathed her weapon and stood near the back, trying to be inconspicuous.

[Wedge09]

"Damn!" exclaims blinded Alexander, he hears Master Docken incite the cat against the witch "Await..." he shouts while returning to see, but it's too late and the cat is already on the witch.

Finally he reaches Docken and Knickers and find the duke and the witcher, they seems very intimate... he stays alongside Docken and nods at the Warden's question, awaiting a response from the two in front of the party.

[Emjajoas]

"I suppose I should start from the beginning, yeah? Marquis Uwhyt Stonekeep, at your service. You must have been hired to wake me from this dream."

He sighs, gesturing to his companion. "This is Maya, my friend-- Or, I suppose she was, until my family executed her for putting me to sleep."

"I'm... not cut out to be the Marquis. I want to have adventures- I want to learn the ways of the sword, I want to have duels, live a life of honour. I don't want to spent my entire life cooped up in Redstone's walls. So I asked Maya to help. I asked Maya to put me to sleep. I needed a break, I needed my own space. She obliged, but..."

The Marquis sighs again. "Things didn't turn out as planned, so her consciousness remains here. After she was beheaded, she helped me forge my own kingdom, my own domain. I can venture out as I please, have all the adventures I want. All within a dream, yet all so real. Dragons, princesses, money, fame... I have it all here."

Uwhyt shrugs, but continues, sounding almost desperate. "Who would want to go back to the real world after that? I'm living the life I always wanted. I'm happy here. If I go back, well, she dies, and I have to spend the rest of my days in that terrible position of authority. Politics, arranged marriages, wars... I don't want any of that. You have to understand that!"

He faces the heroes, pleading. "Let me stay. Leave. Tell them I couldn't be woken up. Leave me in the dream and go."

"It's... your choice, though, I suppose. You can force me to leave pretty easily if you've mown through all my men."

[Kintobor]

"But then you're only l-living a fantasy." Annienal replies, using diplomacy to the best of her ability. She was somewhat louder than before, but her voice was still soft, "We all have obligations to make to others, even if we don't like them. You're not really living life here; your only... only fleeing from your problems. The greatest generals in history never fled from their fights because they were afraid of their responsibility, but knew it was their responsibility to ensure the safety of others and do what had to be done.

Do you think you can stay asleep forever? You have no idea what's happening to your body, do you? Uhwyt... your dying. Your body can't take the supplements your family is giving you to keep you like this. You need to wake up from this fantasy, before it consumes you." Annienal stated to the Marquis, sounding worried.

[Brickdoctor]

Using Diplomacy.

"Lord Stonekeep, I understand your position, but I cannot agree with your decision.

"I have met many people in my career as a hero of Heroica, and you have been given an extremely fortunate place in this world. Like yourself, many people do not get to choose their future position, but instead of being born into a probable future of poverty or slavery, you have the privilege of being a member of the nobility.

"You might not like this lack of freedom in today's feudal society that arises when an agricultural surplus enables manorialism but the merchant class isn't yet powerful enough in most places to challenge the local lords and support a mercantilist central government leading to commercial capitalism, but you can change that! You have the good fortune of having been born into a position in which you have the resources to support a change in society.

"Lord Stonekeep, you know that this is a dream. No matter how perfect you make things turn out here, nothing you do here will matter in the real world. You are flouting your responsibility to become the Duke of Redstone. I urge you think of the future rather than just of your own short-term desires. If you want to live a life of honor, then honor the position that you've been given, and become the just leader that the Kingdom of Redstone will need.

"May I also point out that, no, you are not free to have whatever adventures you want here. You may not want your position of power, but other people will. And when someone discovers that, in the real world, the heir to the duchy lies asleep and unable to defend himself...then your adventure here will suddenly and surely end. If you want to truly have control of your fate, then you must return.

"I will not speak for my fellow heroes, but as for me, I cannot let you stay here."

[Captain Settle]

Francis, not being as gifted with words as his comrades, simply mutters his opinion.

"Yeah, I think we should bring him back. Unless he can offer us something better than our current reward..."

[Emjajoas]

The Marquis glances at Maya, still standing silently by his side, before looking back towards the party. His shoulders slump as his previously-tense stance relaxes. His face is pulled into a frown, he nods solemnly.

"Very well. I... I understand. I suppose I should head home now. It has been a while."

He smiles sadly, turning to his compatriot.

"Goodbye, Maya. I'm... sorry I caused you so much trouble."

"No," she snaps. "Trouble? Your foolishness got me killed."

Pouting angrily at Uwhyt, she crosses her arms. "I can't stop you though, can I? Just know this, Uwhyt-- My blood is on your hands. My life will be the first you take on your path. Draw your sword."

Uwhyt clenches his teeth, the colour draining from his face. "I..."

"Draw your blade, Uwhyt."

Closing his eyes, the young man draws his blade slowly, aiming for the witch's heart. "Sorry," he mutters. "I'm sorry..."

With one swift jerk, he runs his friend through, her body dissolving into the air like the dream soldiers she created.

The world shakes violently, unable to contain itself.

Turning back to the heroes, the Marquis shifts sheepily, green instead of pale. "Hey, uh... please don't tell my parents... urgh... this was my fault."

He stumbles, barely able to maintain his balance in the rapidly crumbling world. Everything seems to dissolve until the heroes are once again returned to darkness...

They awaken with a start, slumped onto the floor of a slightly familiar room.

"Good... morning, Father, Mother," Uwhyt manages, his throat hoarse.

"By the Gods... It... it worked. He's awake! Son, how are you feeling?"

The duchess smiles, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you..." she chokes, wrapping her son in a tight hug.

"G-g-good work, heroes..." the metasimian mage manages before collapsing. Two guards swiftly pick him up and escort him down the hallway.

The once-tense Duke rushes to the heroes sides, helping each to their feet in turn. A large grin ornamented his gruff visage.

"You did it. I had my doubts, but you did it. Thank you."

[Captain Settle]

"Of course we did it! No need to thank me, I just want the promised reward."

[Brickdoctor]

"I'm happy to have been able to see your family reunited, Your Grace."

[Emjajoas]

"Ah, yes, you shall be compensated for your troubles-- and for a job well done."

Digging around in his pouch, the Duke draws forth four grating stones and 200 gold, 50 gold and a grating stone for each party member.

The Party:

Annienal Anavir (Kintobor)

"19" year old Elven Female

Level 5 Knight

Power: 9

Health: 14/14

Defence: 2

Equipment: Trainnig Sword (WP:4), College Shield (SP: 2)

Gold: 108

Inventory: Potion x2, Bedroll, , College Halberd (WP: 3), Smoke Bomb, Wicked Javelin (WP: 7, throwing weapon, retreivable, 1/6 chance to slow), Venom, Field Rations (Heals for 15), Phoenix Essence (2), Mead, Grating Stone

Francis Barkley (Captain Settle)

22 year old human ranger

Level 5

Power: 12

Health: 10/10

Defense: 0

Gold: 102

Equipped: Training Bow (WP:4)

Inventory: Potion x3, Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Long Bow (WP 3), Mead, Venom, Lustrous Cloak (1/6 chance of dodging damage rolls and free hits. Suitable for rogue-based classes, artifact, backwear), Grating Stone

Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09) **Party Leader** **Humanoids Marked**

99 years old elf Hunter

Level 24.66

Power: 35 (LVL 24+WP 11)

Defense: 6 (Chevalier of Charis armor + Dream Helm)

Health: 40/40 (6 + 20 + 6 + 2 + 2 Chicken Drumstick)

Gold: 237

Equipment: Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 11, darkness-, ice-elemental, Hollow Blade upgraded [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis armor- (Artifact, bodywear) (Maximum health +2, SP: 2), , Sterile Gloves (Immune to Poisoned and Bleeding; handwear), Dream Helm (SP:4, wearer immune to Sleep and Fast Asleep, artifact, headwear)

Inventory: Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 7)

• Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Hunter's Qiver (WP: +2 to bows and crossbows, allows the hunter to favour two typers at the same time), Trickster's Mask of the Gender-Swap, Tricorne (SP: 3)

• Grand Potion x2, Potions (10), Remedies (2), Tonic (2), Venoms (6), Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb (2), Military Grade Fire Bomb, Lightning Bob, Elven Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Meads (3), Weak potion (2), Weak Regeneration Potion (1), Weak Regeneration Tonic (1), Smelling Salt (2), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Big Apple, Bones (6), Skeleton Decoy, Charcoal, Phoenix Essence (2), Grating Stone

• Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Bartholomew Docken, Dragonslayer (Brickdoctor)

34-year-old human male, Warden

Level 46 2/5 *Gains Triple XP* *Takes Halved Damage from Free Hits* *Scary* *Immune to Defense Reduction, Removal of Positive Effects, Confusion, Blindness, Poison, Fragile, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Sudden Death* *Counterstriking*

Power: 56 (Level 45 + WP: 10) (Power Bonus: 0)

Defense: 23 (SP: 20 + SP: 3)

Health: 71/78 (base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 43 + Class bonus: 8 + permanent boost: 19*)

Gold: 1261(1 Gold loaned to Lord Lawrence Boomingham [Zepher])

GP: 27

Equipment: Darksteel Crossbow (WP: 10; Blinded-effect), Mythril Shield (SP: 20), Dread Hat (permanent Scary-effect; immune to Defense Reduction, Removal of Positive Effects, Confusion, Blindness, Poison, Fragile, Fire, Earth, and Wind; Headwear), Mail of the Renegade Commander (SP: 3; Damage of all Free Hits is halved; Bodywear), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; Backwear), Medal of Glory (Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles; Accessory), Counterstrike Gloves (After the wearer is struck by a Free Hit, he counters with strength equal to his Level; Handwear)

Inventory: Iris Shield (SP: 15; reflects physical Damage back to the attacker regardless of Row or Defense, if the user survives the attack.), Pan (WP: 1; +1 Max HP; suitable for all classes), Fishstick (WP: 7; deals double Damage on ships; club)

• Large Water Canteen (Carries 6 portions of water; Accessory), Aqua Gear (Adds Water-element to physical attacks, immune to Water, Accessory)

• Potions (4), Grand Potions (11), Health Cores (3), Remedies (10), Phoenix Essences (3), Phoenix Incense, Meads (2), Smelling Salts (1), Mulled Wine, Smoke Bombs (5), Water Bombs (5), Lightning Bombs (13), Bones (12), Venom (5), Deadly Venom, Skeleton Decoy, Teleportapple, Adamantite Shards (2/4 Adamantite), Grating Stone

• Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

• Silver Ore (60 Gold)

"You may leave whenever you please; if you'd like to visit for a while longer, though, feel free. We owe you heroes a great deal."

THE QUEST WAS SUCCESSFUL!

Edited August 31, 2014 by Emjajoas

[Brickdoctor]

"Well then, thank you and good day, Lord Stonekeep, Lady Stonekeep."

Bowing my head, I exit the keep.

"Master Vandagant, Lady Annienal, Master Barkley, it was a pleasure questing with you, and I wish you all good luck in future quests. Hopefully, we can team up together again sometime. Lady Annienal, could I have my shield back, please?"

[Captain Settle]

Francis hands his borrowed items back to Alexander.

"Thank you for those, they helped me greatly. It was good questing with you too Docken, I hope to do it again sometime."

[Kintobor]

"Oh, of course Mr. Docken. Let me just... take this off."

Annienal struggles for a moment but manages to eventually get Docken's shield of and gives it back to him. She hoped one day to actually own a shield that nice.

"Thank you, milord, my lady, it w-was an honour serving you." She looked worryingly towards the Marquis before checking herself over one last time before leaving, still wondering what Docken meant by The Voice in the Sky.

OOC: Thanks for the quest, Emjajoas! I had a good time, and I want to share my thoughts but I'm busy at the moment, so you'll get one in a bit. Thanks again for an awesome quest!

[Wedge09]

"It was a pleasure for me too, Master Docken. And it was a pleasure to quest with you too, Master Barkley and Lady Annienal, maybe we can see in the Hall for a drink my Lady?"

To Francis he smiled "No problem, I wouldn't have used them anyway."

Then Alexander followed the rest of the heroes in their way back to Eubric.