Heroica RPG - Quest#155: The Grunch Who Stole Grogmas

[StickFig]

Matthias creeps into the room, checking for any other doors before opening the sack on the floor and examining it to see if it might have contained children. He then begins methodically examining the toys, looking carefully for signs of the poison gas.

[Asphalt]

What is this?  I do not see the lair of a madman here. This is a place of genuine joy. 

[-obelix-]

51 minutes ago, Asphalt said:

What is this?  I do not see the lair of a madman here. This is a place of genuine joy. 

"Perhaps, but only if the toys here are not filled with the toxic gas like that unicorn we found earlier..." Thalion takes out his magnifying glass and inspects the toys around the room for traps and trap mechanisms.

[Asphalt]

Glimpsing the mirror on the far wall he moves to inspect it.

A strange place to find something as rare and valuable as this.

[Waterbrick Down]

14 hours ago, StickFig said:

Matthias creeps into the room, checking for any other doors before opening the sack on the floor and examining it to see if it might have contained children. He then begins methodically examining the toys, looking carefully for signs of the poison gas.

Matthias finds no other doors in the cabin. Upon inspecting the sack, the druid finds it empty except for a torn piece of purple cloth. The toys themselves look similar to the ones they had encountered earlier.

6 hours ago, -obelix- said:

"Perhaps, but only if the toys here are not filled with the toxic gas like that unicorn we found earlier..." Thalion takes out his magnifying glass and inspects the toys around the room for traps and trap mechanisms.

With the close inspection via his magnifying glass, Thalion notes that many of the toys seemed full of trap mechanisms, several containing vials of a purple and green gas.

5 hours ago, Asphalt said:

Glimpsing the mirror on the far wall he moves to inspect it.

A strange place to find something as rare and valuable as this.

The half giant stares at the mirror's reflection.

[Asphalt]

Either the mirror lies or this room is not as we see it.  Come look. In the reflection the stockings and the paints are different. Let me try something. 

 

Vindsval takes another look look at the reflection and then flips the stocking to match and reverses the red and green paints to match. 

 

Edited March 12, 2017 by Asphalt

[Waterbrick Down]

6 minutes ago, Asphalt said:

Either the mirror lies or this room is not as we see it.  Come look. In the reflection the stockings and the paints are different. Let me try something. 

 

Vindsval takes another look look at the reflection and then flips the stocking to match and reverses the red and green paints to match. 

 

Two distinct clicks are heard as Vindsval rearranges the room.

QM Note: You've found a hidden puzzle, everyone can PM me all the differences between the rooms within 24hr for XP.

[Asphalt]

OOC: Ugh so hard to do on cell phone. Can we know how many differences?

[Waterbrick Down]

QM Note: There are 8 intentional differences. Apologies for the little bumps that may appear as differences.

[Asphalt]

Quite curious, I believe that is all of the differences.  I wonder what it signifies.

He adjusts the other changes he found between life and reflection.  AS he waits to see what changes his discovery may have wrought he EXAMINES the barrel of weapons looking for usable implements.

Edited March 12, 2017 by Asphalt

[Waterbrick Down]

7 hours ago, Asphalt said:

Quite curious, I believe that is all of the differences.  I wonder what it signifies.

He adjusts the other changes he found between life and reflection.  AS he waits to see what changes his discovery may have wrought he EXAMINES the barrel of weapons looking for usable implements.

Vindsval notes that most of them are fairly shoddy weaponry and may break after a battle or two.

[Waterbrick Down]

As the heroes rearrange the rooms a series of clicks can be heard seeming to emanate from the fireplace. As Matthias switches the ornaments on the tree a final latch seems undone as the fireplace shifts to one side revealing a dark tunnel with a set of stair descending below. In the distance a faint sound of hammer on rock can be heard.

THE PARTY
 Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-) *Party Leader*
213 years old male elf Mystic Knight
Level: 35.75 *Nimble* *Restores 1 ether whenever damage is taken* *Immune to All Elements, Sealed, Blind, Weakened, Confused, Sleep, Fragile, Cursed, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Lucky*
Power Bonus: 0
Defense: 15
Health: 46/46
Ether: 38/45
Gold: 1063
Equipment: Alpha and Omega (WP: 17, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], staves), Norgh Armor (SP:5, Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Ice, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Earth damage and Sealed, Blind, Fragile, Weaken, Sleep and Confused, bodywear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear), Elven Boots (Wearer is permanently Nimble; suitable to elves; footwear)
Inventory:
Gems: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst (Darkness) x3, Diamond (Light), Aquamarine (Water), Opal (Ice) Garnet (Earth),
Scrolls: Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep,  Scroll of Elemental Aura (Enables the user to cause the target's attacks deal only elemental damage corresponding to a gem available to the user for the duration of one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 5 ether)
Weapons:  Broomstick (WP:9, ranged), Shield of Elvenkind (SP:11, restores 1 ether to wielder every time they take damage; shield), Despair (WP: 21, darkness-elemental, physical attacks and spells deal double damage to enemies inflicted with any negative effects, staff), War Blade (WP: 17, double WP against lower level enemies; greatsword), Nightfall (WP: 11, Darkness-elemental, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, Hollow [Nothing stored], dagger), Sleeper (WP: 4, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Nothing stored], melee/throwing weapon), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP: 10, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [nothing stored]) , Handy Shield (SP:4, Immune to Blinded), Repeating Crossbow (WP: 5, Dual Strike, Bow)
Artifacts: Slightly Less Lucky Die (Randomly causes the Lucky or Jinxed effect when used, costs 3 ether), Ribcage Shield (SP:11; every time the wielder takes a hit, the shield loses one SP; gives immunity to Doomed and Sudden Death for as long the shield has SP left), Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), , Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Heart Locket (Protects from Enamored-effect; accessory), Snake-Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory), Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with level less than half of the wearer's are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Dragoon's Helmet (SP:3, makes wearer absorb attacks of the element of their pet dragon, gaining health instead of damage; suitable for dragoons; headwear), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile, headwear), Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides SPECIAL GUARD against Undead Enemies, backwear), Tin Helmet (Protects from Confused and Hexed effects; headwear), Sharkskin Hide (SP: 1, doubles water elemental spells, bodywear, suitable for mages, necromancers, chi monks, and weather mages), Vexing Vestaments (SP: 3, +8 max ether, the user can no longer heal undead to damage them, but healing humanoid, holy, and luminous enemies will now deal damage and inflict the hexed-effect, suitable for clerics and chi monks)
Tools: Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Magic Compass
Consumables: Copy of The Eubric Herald (Gives the target the transcended and inspired effects for the duration of one battle), Kraken Fang (Grants hastened and reinforced effects when consumed), Grand Potion (7), Potion (4), Remedy (24), Mead (5), Smelling Salts (8), Nostrum (5), Mulled Wine (4), Elixir (3), Ambrosia, Ether Core (2), Grand Tonic, Phoenix Essence (4), Ethereal Essence (Revives a fallen ally with full health and ether and the transcended effect), Bone (4), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb (3), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Feather of White, Feather of Flight (2), Demon Repellent, Skeleton Decoy (2), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 at magic shops), 3 Scrap Metal, Small Present, Crystal Ball

 Vindsval Half-Born (Asphalt)
39 year old, Male, Half Giant,
Level: 36.5 Paladin *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened, Effects* *Immune to Dark & Demonic enemies*
Power Bonus: 8
Defense: 29
Health: 44/55
Ether: 40/40
Gold: 704
Equipment: Ludeus (WP: 25 Glowing Blade forged from the body of Immortalis. Be free from your endless burden, argent lord of lightning, and allow this blade to carry on your legacy. Successful hits have a 1/3 chance of Awakening the blade's true power, doubling the sword's WP for the next round. Doubling does not compound.  Greatsword/Longsword.), Shikokku's Stealth Suit (SP:6; Power +6, User is immune to Dark & Demonic enemies; Body, Head and Backwear counts as 1 Artifact), Mythril Shield (SP: 20 Shield), Mechanical Arm (Doubles WP for the equipped weapon; wearer cannot become disarmed; suitable for Vindsval only; handwear), Wonky Shoes (footwear, SP: 3, suitable for all classes)(lent by Benj), Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity toAsleep,Blinded,Confused, Fragile, and Weakened effects)(lent by Benji)
Inventory:
Consumables: 4X Mead, Smelling Salts, 4X Remedy, Potion, 6X Grand Potion, 3X Smoke Bomb, 3X Tonic, 4X Venom (poison -1), 3X Deadly Poison (Poison -10), Banana, Poison Bomb, 4X Hurricane - This exotic drink grants the Hilariously and Luckily Drunk-effect, doubling the power of every attack, provided the consumer can state a pun related to his attack with every attack for the duration of one battle, Bone, Fenghuang Essence, Agni Bomb, Elixir, Myrrh, Soma, 2X Phoenix Essence, Candy Cane (Restores 10 Health and 5 Ether), Zoot's Cookie, Health Core, Bright Polish
Misc: Mythril Shard, 4X Grating Stone,  Gold Bar (Collateral from the Demon Germ)
Weapons And Shields: Wrath Lance (WP:16, causes enraged and burning 10, poison 7 and cursed; Darkness and Fire Elemental, lance), Crystal Blade: WP: 16, Greatsword. Imbued with a diamond, as is light-elemental as a result. A transparent blade that the fallen angel Glaz wielded), Very Pink Parasol: Broomstick, WP:1, Male enemies are Enamored with the hero, Xeno Whip (WP:4, poisoning the Xeno Whip doubles the poison output, whip), Leets d’Loc (WP:9, ice-elemental longsword), Verkenner (WP:10, Broomstick,ranged), Renegade’s Crook (WP: 10, successful healing also poisons the target’s weapon by 3, staff), Simurgh Wingblade (WP:12, cannot be used with a shield; great-sword), Twin Sai (WP: 12, dual strike, dagger), Stygian Blade (WP: 12, Longsword: WP doubled when using it against an Ethereal or Ancient enemy. The aura it exudes seems to be very cold, very luminescent water, the blade of Charon, the Angel of Death.),
Artifacts: Toxic Hood: (Headwear. The green hood worn by the Rosalia Pestilence. Changes the poisoned effect, to Blessed for the duration of the battle if poisoned while wearing the hood, Usable by all.), Ten-Gallon Hat: Gives the wearer the "Tourist" effect, causing no one to take them seriously), Gloves of the Hypocritical/Hippocratic Oath, Handwear, (Adds +10 to healing for characters with the Healing job trait and + 10 Poisoning for characters with the Wicked (or future equivalent) fighting style ), Mythril Mail (SP:10; suitable to knights and barbarians only; bodywear), Anniversary Medal (Power +5, SP +5, Max Health +5, Max Ether +5. Values increase by 1 with each passing year; Accessory), Gauntlets of the Legionnaire (Power +5, immune to Petrified, Handwear), Wanderer's Seal (Vindicator's Seal, grants access to the Vindicator job class; suitable to followers of the Wanderer only)
Gems: Emerald X2, Aquamarine X2, Garnet X2, Opal, Topaz
Scrolls: Scroll of Poisoning. Can be cast on a weapon to give it Poison 10, for the duration of the battle at the cost of 5 Ether, Scroll of Frailty (Enables casting the Fragile effect to one target for three round. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.) 
Tools: Bed Roll, Shovel, Magic Compass

 Matthias (StickFig)
Level 29 Druid *⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle* *Immune to Ice* *Immune to Bound, Fragile, and Slowed* *Gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed*
Power Bonus: 12
Defense: 6
Health: 33/39
Ether: 16/30
Gold: 605
Abilities: Bearer of the Anvil (Matthias may sacrifice his turn to add his WP or SP to another heroes for the round. He may also improve one weapon at the end of each quest [+1 WP].), Immortal Waters (Once per quest, Matthias can heal himself to full health and remove all negative effects during combat. This does not take up an action.)
Equipment: Ethereal Restored Fireball Extraordinaire (WP:11; also hits enemies listed above and below the target; Darkness-, Ice-, and Lightning-elemental; deals Fragile; user is Slowed; hand cannon), Dapper Hat (This amazingly dapper hat gives the wearer a ⅙ chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle, headwear), Hunter's Plate (SP:4, wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed, suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors) (Dreyrugr), Ethereal Rocket Boots (SP:2; immunity to Ice; protects from Bound, Fragile, and Slowed effects; footwear)
Inventory: Ethereal XX Handcannon Replica (WP:12, pierces defense, Fire- and Light-elemental, deals Afraid, hand cannon),  Peashooter (WP:2, deals Burning -2, hand cannon), Pongcanis Crossbow (WP:8, crossbow), Crocodile Handbag (Max. ether +2, immunity to water; accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Human (Changes the wearer into a human of the same gender when worn, accessory), Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Ethereal Garnet (Earth and Sealed), 2x Adamantite Shard (¼ of a full Adamantite ore, used for adamantizing weapons), 8x Bone (Distracts the target for the duration of 1 round, preventing Free Hits; worth 5 gold in magic shops), Deadly Venom, 2x Elixir, Grand Potion, Grating Stone, Potion, 2x Red Death Blood, 3x Remedy, 4x Shattering Arrow (Lowers enemy SP by 5, suitable for classes with bows and crossbows), 4x Tonic, Smoke Bomb, Zhar-ptitsa Incense (Revives all party members to full health and grants the Blessed, Reinforced, and Transcended effects, consumable), Bedroll, Magic Compass, Candy Cane (Restores 10 Health and 5 Ether), Hero's Cocktail, 3x Firebomb, Skadi Bomb, Emergency Essence
Quest Items: Guffington's Seal (Proves the hero is a Friend of Guffington - the hero starts every quest with one Hero's Cocktail (Makes the hero Encouraged, Hastened, Lucky, and Inspired, consumable))

 Monk Pretzel (Palathadric)
463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan *Reinforced* *Immune to Darkness, Wood, Earth, Water, Light, Fire, Lightning, Wind, Blinded, and Confused*
Level: 37.5
Power Bonus: 2
Defense: 40 80
Health: 67/67
Gold: 3850
Equipment: Heaven and Hell (WP: 27; Darkness; Dual-Strike; Whip), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced effect; Suitable to Marauders; Backwear), , Book of Artisan's Tricks (At the beginning of the quest, wearer may choose to copy another class' ability (the copied ability can be used at will until the end of the quest; Accessory; Suitable for Artisans), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP: 6 multiplied by the number of party members; Grants immunity to Darkness, Wood, Earth, Water, Light, Fire, Lightning, Wind, *Blinded*, and *Confused*; Backwear), Armour of Dark Arts (SP: 10; Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; Suitable to Knights, Dragoons, and Skirmishers)
Inventory:
Weapons: Dual Staff (WP: 13; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Deals *Bleeding 3*; Dual Strike; Staff), Tyrant's Maul (WP: 28; causes *Hexed*; Hammer), Quarterstaff (WP: 4/8 against Humanoids; Staff), Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), Splinter Broom (WP: 10; 1/2 chance to deal *Stunned*; defies SP; Broomstick), Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the *Slowed* effect; Whip), Steak (WP: 1; instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9; deals *Fragile* effect; Mace), Glacial Mace (WP: 12; has 1/2 chance to cause *Slowed*; Ice-elemental; Mace), Shredding Star (WP: 13; removes all temporary effects from the target; Mace), Honed Axe (WP:10, cuts target's SP in half, Axe
Artifacts: Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, each of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partnerhas to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), Bloody Skull Helmet (SP: 3; heals wearer by the amount of health other combatants lose by *Bleeding* at the end of each round; Headwear), Duplovian Helmet (SP: 2; Immune to Magic and Healing; Headwear), Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10; Wearer suffers Burning -3 effect; Suitable for Anyone; Headwear), White Ninja Cowl (Once per battle, the wearer can choose to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits; the effect ends if the user targets an enemy; suitable to rogues, beast warriors, chi monks and infiltrators; Headwear),  Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1; Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5; Protects against *Fragile* and all *Poisons*; Suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers and Regulators; Bodywear), Infernal Armor (SP: 10; absorbs Fire; suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, skirmishers and vindicators; Bodywear), Cloak of the Barbaric Runecaster (SP: 3; wearer creates and deploys a Skeleton Decoy at the start of every battle; Suitable for Battle Mages, Necromancers, and Scholars; Backwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: 2, Max Ether +4; Backwear), Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (Handwear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), Shackles of War (Accessory), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; Accessory; Suitable for scroll users), The Good Book (Grants the Convert job trait - the user can turn any allied or neutral NPC to their faith, gaining their respect; user gains 10 gold from each conversion; suitable to Monk Pretzel only; Accessory), Scholar’s Codex (Makes negative effect scrolls deal non-elemental damage equal to the user’s level when successfully used, but also cost 1 ether more; suitable to scholars only; Accessory), White Fur Coat (SP:4, grants immunity to ice and stunned; allows the user to hide to avoid Free Hits (the effect ends if the user targets an enemy); suitable to barbarians and beast warriors; backwear.)
Gems: Amethyst, Emerald, Garnet, Aquamarine, Ethereal Opal (Ice and Fragile)
Scrolls: Scroll of *Sealing*, Scroll of *Blindness*, Scroll of *Confusion*, Scroll of *Sleep*, Scroll of *Frailty*, Scroll of *Weakening*, Scroll of *Minimizing* (Has 1/2 chance of causing the *Minimizing*-effect on the target; costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Arc *Sleep*, Scroll of Elemental Aura (Enables the user to cause the target's attacks deal only elemental damage corresponding to a gem available to the user for the duration of one battle. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 5 ether)
Consumables: 8 Potions, 20 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 2 Tonics, 4 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, 14 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 2 Phoenix Incenses, 6 Phoenix Essences, 4 Meads,  3 Smelling Salts, Soma, 3 Nostrum, 5 Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Titan Heart (encouraged & inspired), Tiger Balm, 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Jinxy Juices, 5 Smoke Bombs, 2 Fire Bombs, Military Grade Fire Bomb, 1 *Blind* Bombs, 2 *Seal* Bombs, 2 *Sleep* Bombs, Plague Bomb (Causes 15 damage and *Poisoned* by 15 -effect to all opponents when used.), 2 *Stun* Bombs, 2 *Confuse* Bombs, 6 Bones, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the *Poisoned* by 7 and Cursed effects permanently), Strong Wasabi (-2 *Poisoned* permanently), Grating Stone, Small Present, Milk
Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest)

[Asphalt]

Rolling his eyes Vindsval Heads down the stairs.

Tunnels, always tunnels.

[-obelix-]

Thalion stops and listens to the hammering for a second before he speaks, "Whatever that sound may be, we should head down and investigate."

[Palathadric]

I stifle a laugh as the giant again descends through a narrow passageway.

[Waterbrick Down]

The party heads down below. Makeshift supports and lanterns hanged interspersed along the cramped tunnel and the air is stale and damp. Eventually the group comes to an intersection, ahead the party hears a chuckle.

"Get... loaded up... sleigh... we're heading out of here..."

From the tunnel to the right, a frightened shout is followed by crying.

"Please don't... he won't... again!"

The tunnel to the left is silent.

[-obelix-]

Thalion takes out the magic compass and tries to determine if one of the two paths will lead the party to Lindy.

[Palathadric]

My heart tears within me.

"We have to go right," I half choke out.

I glance back to make sure the whole team, including the orc, is with us.

[StickFig]

Matthias moves as quickly as he dares down the right tunnel with Pretzel.

[Asphalt]

The Child is our priority, the Villain will make himself known.

Vindsval takes the Right tunnel.

[Waterbrick Down]

Grunch and Mux follow close behind the party at the intersection the pair pause as Thalion's compass points right supposedly to Lindy.

"What are you all doing? If we let these monsters escape they will simply visit more terror upon other villages. We must move ahead."

[-obelix-]

"The compass says Lindy is through the left passageway, so Grunch, Mux and I can go and search there, and Monk, Vindsval and Matthias can go through the right one. If everyone's ok with that, lets head out quickly!"

[Waterbrick Down]

QM Note: Apologies, the compass should be pointing right. A typo on my part.

[StickFig]

Double ninjaed!

Matthias stops and looks over his shoulder to Dwinlas and the orc. He takes one more step before the latter's logic stops him. "Master Vindsval, our tracking friend is right - we can't truly rescue the children until the monsters behind this are destroyed. You and Master Pretzel go find Lindy; I will go ahead with Master Thalion in case he and Master Grunch need support."

Edited March 14, 2017 by StickFig

[Palathadric]

I hesitate for a moment, but then acquiesce.

"You have Smoke Bombs with you should the need arise, right? If you need help, throw a loud bomb or make some signal."

So saying, I head off down the right passageway unless the party tells me to do otherwise.