Heroica RPG - Quest #11: A Matter of Principle

[Waterbrick Down]

"Ju...Julian. I'm fff...fine. Is what they said true? Are a lot of people going to die because of me?"

A slight tremor shakes the tomb from the resounding early explosives.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Waterbrick Down

[Rumble Strike]

Despite the tremors Tarn forced a big smile on his face and tried to reassure the boy. "No, Julian, no-one is going to die because of you. We have come here to take you home. Would you like to come with us now? We can get you out of here. That man there has a magic compass that'll lead us back..."

Tarn pointed to Atramor. McCaffrey, startled by the tremor, had escaped from his hat and was pecking irritably at the sparse offerings on the cavern floor. "And he has a magic chicken!" finished Tarn.

[Waterbrick Down]

The boy's eyes widened at the mention of the magic chicken.

"I've never seen a magic chicken before. Does it lay golden eggs? My master Dr. Mynnat would pay alot for a chicken that laid golden eggs. Here please take my bag, that masked man wanted it for someone. Do you know where my turban is, I saved up for 5 whole weeks for it. If I come with you can I carry the magic chicken?"

Another tremor shakes the crypt.

What will the Party do? There is only time for one.

-Destroy the contents of their search and exit the catacombs before a cave in occurs

-Explore the rest of the catacombs and return all the items to the Guild of Invision

[Fred Daniel Yam]

Lets explore, we can ask Doc questions later plus we have a contract to fufil.

[Rumble Strike]

"I don't think she lays golden eggs, Julian, or Atramor here would be off living on his own private island somewhere and not here rescuing you. But I'm sure he will let you hold McCaffrey," he said, nodding to Atramor. McCaffrey was doing exactly what Tarn hoped, distracting Julian from his tears so that they could move him out of danger.

Obviously we will have to wait for a concensus but Tarn thinks that we should destroy the contents of the search and leave. We have what we came for - the boy.

[soccerkid6]

Well that went well, everyone should get 16 gold and I think the rangers could use the potions. I wouldn't mind having the cutlass, it would boost my attack a fair bit.

As to the decision at hand, I for one do not want the plague in any ones hands, even if they don't use it for evil someone could steal it. So I am for destroying the plague and getting out of here. We were hired to find the boy, getting the ingredients was an extra.

I remark as I fill my sword with a potion

Edited November 9, 2011 by soccerkid6

[Jedi master Brick]

Elgar wanting advenure stated he would like to continue. He was glad to have not been damged the battle and looked round seeing the pile of loot.

[Rumble Strike]

Mindful not to upset Julian, Tarn whispers to the others.

"Looks like our Party Leader gets the deciding vote.

Can I just remind you guys who want to go on, that the option isn't just "go exploring for cool loot", it's also to hand over to the Guild all the ingredients we have which make the Grey Plague, something I thought we were all against not a few minutes ago? Especially when we didn't trust the Order either?"

[Jedi master Brick]

Tarn's talk convicened Elgar to change his mind. Elgar new it was action time. He looked at Jullian, the poor lad he thought

[CMP]

Atramor hands 16 gold to each, the Steel Cutlass to Sir Glorfindel, a Phoenix Essence to Tarn, and a Potion and a Remedy each for Elgar and William. He then turns to Julin, whimpering in the corner. Immedietely, he has a flashback of a small boy doing much the same as a troop of Bonapartes marches by on the docks of Dreida, his only companion being the small chick in his hands.

He blinks a few times in remembrance, and quickly hands Julian his turban, McCafferey nestled comfortably in the folds.

"No, Tarn's right. We don't have time to go play dungeon explorer."

Knowing he has the majority, Atramor piles the ingredients on the ground of the cavern. All he can see in the mess of goods is gold - still, he knows this must be done. Before he hands it to Tarn, he spills a single drop of Phoenix Essence onto the book and the other ingredients, sending it up into a quick plume of flames, leaving behind a gooey pile of ash. He hands the Essence to Tarn, and nods to Julian.

"Let's get the hell out of here."

Edited November 9, 2011 by CallMePieOrDie

[soccerkid6]

Thanks Atramor, I quickly swing Ringil on my back and grab the cutlass

Now let's get out of here!

It looks like our quest is a success. I remark as we head out of the cave.

Edited November 9, 2011 by soccerkid6

[Rumble Strike]

"We made the right decision." Tarn says to Atramor, knowing that it was hard for the Rogue to destroy items of value. "Now let's get out of here before the whole place collapses. I'll keep Julian safe!"

The lanky Barbarian carries the boy in his arms as they leave.

[Fred Daniel Yam]

Slightly envious that Glorfindel now has a finer weapon, William concedes to the majority and heads back to the guildhouse. "Lets get you home Julian."

[soccerkid6]

The length of these tunnels seems to have grown, I don't remember it taking this long on the way in.

[Waterbrick Down]

The Party rushes quickly back the way they came leaving the smoldering pile of ingredients and text to be buried by the ensuing collapse of the tomb. Returning to the storage room of Shroof's shop, they are surprised to be greeted by Dr. Mynatt accompanied by Ratabor Mossycloak and Shrooft being restrained by a familiar looking face from Heroica Hall.

"My good sirs, zank ze gods you are well. Julian my boy come here. Ze guild has been worried sick over your disappearance, well maybe just me, but still... Ah, and who is zis new friend you have acquired in your turban? Is zat ze Rogue's chicken? No matter, for now I am just overjoyed zat you are safe."

"Gentlemen you have my gratitude, I had Ratabor follow you here and as you entered ze catacombs he was attacked by zis villain Shrooft. However, zanks to his previous experience wiz you gentlemen, he bested the metasimian and sent a messenger to me at ze guild hall. I quickly ran over to Heroica and grabbed the closest hero I could find, zat orc over there, I zink his name is Cronk. Anyways, we were just about to go after you, when we heard ze explosion and zen you appeared. Tell me hwat happened in zere? Were you able to acquire all ze ingredients? Zis fool of a book keeper, will tell us nozing."

What shall the Party say?

Party:

Atramor Gibbin

*Party Leader*

(Played by CallMePieORDie)

Level 10.5 Rogue

Power

: 15

Health

: 16/16

Gold

: 78

- owes Gurnam the Loan Shark 95

Inventory

: Glass Dagger of... Hollowness (WP:5 Grand Potion Equipped), Whip Chain of Pickpocketing (WP:6), Bone x2, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Writ of Blacksmith Service, Orc Potion x5

Elgar Gligin

(Played by Jedi master Brick)

Level 5 Ranger

Power

: 8

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 34

Inventory

: Bow and Arrow (WP:3)*

Poisoned 2/2

*, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Remedy x2, Orc Venom x1, Potion

Sir Glorfindel

(Played by soccerkid6)

Level 5 Knight

Power

: 8

Health

: 14/14

Gold

: 33

- Owes Gurnam the Loan Shark 52

Inventory

: Ringel a Sword (WP:3, Potion Equipped), Lion Shield (SP:2), Potion x2, Bedroll, Steel Cutlass (WP: 5 Suitable for Knights or Rogues)

Tarn Valco

(Played by Rumble Strike)

Level 10 Barbarian

Power

: 19

Health

: 17/17

Gold

: 35

Inventory

: Kyrferath, a Battle Ax (WP:9, water elemental, Nothing Equipped), Pole-axe (WP:3), Lightning Bomb, Potion x2, Tonic, Venom, Smelling Salts, Grand Potion, Spell of Sleep, Pheonix Essence

William Harkenshire

(Played by volcanicpanik)

Level 5 Ranger

Power

: 8

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 46

Inventory

: Bow (WP:3), Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Potion x2, Remedy

Edited November 10, 2011 by Waterbrick Down

[Jedi master Brick]

Elgar saw how happy Dr.Mynatt is. Elgar eyes focused on Cronk, he thought cronk was awesome and was glad to see him. He went over to the group and started talking about what to do saying. " we should tell the truth, but protect the doctor from any one who wants to do him harm"

[soccerkid6]

I whisper to the party I think we should tell him we were attacked by Julian's kidnappers, and they tried to take the ingredients. We didn't want to risk them falling into the wrong hands so we destroyed them. We fought them and won, and brought Julian out of the cave just before it caved in.

All of it is true, so I think that would be a satisfactory answer.

Edited November 10, 2011 by soccerkid6

[Rumble Strike]

Tarn whispered to the others, "Why are we sugarcoating this? Dr Mynatt already knows how we feel from when we spoke to him after we got the ransom note. But Sir Glorfindel is right, if we say what he said, we are telling the truth.... from a certain point of view."

[CMP]

McCafferey flaps back to Atramor's hat as Julian hurries over to the doctor. Atramor nods to Cronk, and turns to Mynatt.

"There was a cult waiting in there for us. They told us they wanted the ingredients destroyed, but refused when we offered to do it, so I assume they were manufacturing the plague. We burned the book and the rest of the stuff. Sorry, but obviously it's more trouble than it's worth...and that means a lot, coming from me. Julian, how'd you end up in that place? Did Scrooft take you?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Julian looks up at Atramor and answers, "I had come to pick up the black book, but while I was in the back room here, the monkey man tied me up until those faceless men came and took me into the back of the catacombs."

Doctor Mynatt replies. "A Cult trying to manufacture ze plague? How could zey have known about my research? Well, I can understand about ze loss of the ze items, my patron will not be happy, but I zink the Guild can work somezing out with zem. Monsieur Cronk, please escort zis miserable excuse for a book peddler wiz Ratabor to ze town watch, zey shall deal wiz him and ze Guild intends to press full charges."

"Now my good sirs, I believe I owe you this." The guild formulist hands over 750 Gold to Atramor.

750 Gold

Putting his arm on Julian's shoulder the pair bid goodbye to the Party. "Fare zee well, if we should ever have need of the services of Heroica again we shall be sure to inquire for you."

The Party leaves Shrooft's, outside they are greeted by Gurnam teeth all a'smiling, playing with his filleting knife.

"So, you found the little whelp. I heard the jangle of good business being done in there and I thought to myself that you all might be wantin' to settle some transactions of our own."

Shall the Party repay the sharkling?

[soccerkid6]

I will be happy to repay you Gurnam, I just need to receive my portion of the reward. here is 30 gold, I will give you the rest as soon as our leader splits the money up

[CMP]

Atramor hands each person 150 gold, though he hands 95 to Gurnam, leaving him with a good 55 to add to his current gold, and the watches Julian leave with the professor, wondering about the treasure in the catacombs that never was. He quickly pushes the thought out of his mind.

"Guess we head back to the Hall now, huh? Unless anyone else wants to head to one of the shops?"

[soccerkid6]

I'm for going back to the hall, I say as I hand the remaining 22 gold I owe to Gurnam

Congratulations everyone on a successful quest!

Edited November 10, 2011 by soccerkid6

[Waterbrick Down]

With their debts repaid and the onset of day, the Party heads back to Heroica Hall, they are watched as always by the cowled individual who once again slowly melts back into the shadows of the hustle and bustle of the busy port city. However, the Party has made truly heroic decisions, sacrificing riches and glory for a land that may never know the danger they had averted.

Party:

Atramor Gibbin

*Party Leader*

(Played by CallMePieORDie)

Level 10.5 Rogue

Power

: 15

Health

: 16/16

Gold

: 133

Inventory

: Glass Dagger of... Hollowness (WP:5 Grand Potion Equipped), Whip Chain of Pickpocketing (WP:6), Bone x2, Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Shovel, Writ of Blacksmith Service, Orc Potion x5

Elgar Gligin

(Played by Jedi master Brick)

Level 5 Ranger

Power

: 8

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 184

Inventory

: Bow and Arrow (WP:3)*

Poisoned 2/2

*, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Remedy x2, Orc Venom x1, Potion

Sir Glorfindel

(Played by soccerkid6)

Level 5 Knight

Power

: 8

Health

: 14/14

Gold

: 131

Inventory

: Ringel a Sword (WP:3, Potion Equipped), Lion Shield (SP:2), Potion x2, Bedroll, Steel Cutlass (WP: 5 Suitable for Knights or Rogues)

Tarn Valco

(Played by Rumble Strike)

Level 10 Barbarian

Power

: 19

Health

: 17/17

Gold

: 185

Inventory

: Kyrferath, a Battle Ax (WP:9, water elemental, Nothing Equipped), Pole-axe (WP:3), Lightning Bomb, Potion x2, Tonic, Venom, Smelling Salts, Grand Potion, Spell of Sleep, Pheonix Essence

William Harkenshire

(Played by volcanicpanik)

Level 5 Ranger

Power

: 8

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 196

Inventory

: Bow (WP:3), Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mead, Smelling Salts, Potion x2, Remedy

QM Note: That is it folks. Thanks for all your patience with me through out this quest. I'd love to hear your thoughts over in the Quest Master Lounge Thread and I'll be putting up a few of my own notes and thoughts in there as well. Once again thank you, it was a pleasure serving as your QM.