Heroica RPG - Quest#14: The Family Recipe

[Sandy]

The heroes make their way to the shipyard, where they meet Captain Squidraken and his first mate Jaws playing a game of cards. They tell them that their mission is complete and they would be ready to set sail after nightfall.

"*slurp* Duly noted! *squish* Oh, another passenger will board the ship with you. He paid a hefty price to get transportation to Eubric, so I'll send Jaws to inform him that we will depart tonight. *splat*"

After that, the party retired to a nearby inn to wait for the night to fall.

~SIXTH NIGHT IN SALMANDA~

Their first stop was at the dark alley to return the extra Last Wish Potion to Nemeshtar the Necromancer.

"So you managed to strike a deal with the crafty old witch, then? I'm surprised to see you in one piece despite having lost your young friend. I would've thought you would attempt something foolish such as defying Baba... Not even the Last Wish Potion would've helped to bring you back from that encounter, I guarantee you that. But you know what? I sometimes visit the bog to collect ingredients, so if I run into the witch's hut, I can check how the lad is faring and report to his family."

The pleased heroes give the necromancer the address of the Ziegfried Mansion and continue to the empty souk. As promised, the skeleton-suit man emerges from the darkness with a glimmering piece of mythril in his hand.

"Ready to seal the deal?", he asks Bartholomew. "I need 200 gold from you, and this coveted ore is yours."

[Brickdoctor]

That I am. Thothwick, could I have the 71 Gold?

[Darkdragon]

Seeing that Thothwick is busy talking to Hoptet, Cinna hands Bartholomew the 71 gold from her purse, with a smile.

"Here you go, I'll loan this to you. I think Thothwick is distracted enjoying having another of his kind around for what little time there is left."

[Sandy]

The exchange is made, and Bartholomew gains the mythril for an extra low price.

Mythril – A very rare metal. A talented blacksmith can use it to mythrilize a weapon or a shield, increasing its power by 10.

But has this little detour cost them too much of the precious time they have left? Will Zelda still be alive when they get back to Eubric? And what will be the reaction of the Ziegfrieds when they hear about Bluto's fate? All these questions race in the heroes' minds as they have to decide if they are ready to leave Salmanda behind.

Party:

Bartholomew Docken

(played by Brickdoctor)

Level 19½ Ranger

*scary*

Power:

28

Health:

30/30

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Briar Bow (WP:9,

wood-elemental

, ranged), Dread Hat (enemies lower than half of wearer's level won't attack directly), Scarab Shield (SP:5, unsuitable), Mead, Venom, 2 Deadly Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Crystal Chalice, Mythril

Cinna the Dark

(played by darkdragon) *Party Leader*

Level 17 Mage

Power:

27

Defence:

2

Health:

18/21

Ether:

20/21

Gold:

18

Inventory:

Mauryl (WP:10, ranged), Aurora Helmet (SP:2, null fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Sleep, 6 Grand Potions, Tonic, 6 Remedies, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 2 Smelling Salts, Soma, 2 Deadly Venoms, Bedroll, Shovel, Golden Scorpion Venom, Undead Unicorn's Horn, Demonic Dust

Thormanil Nihai

(played by swils)

Level 17½ Barbarian

Power:

30

Defence:

3

Health:

20/24

Gold:

2

Inventory:

Wyvern's Tailblade (WP:12), Thundering Shadeaux Axes (WP:6,

lightning-elemental

), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss>Aim), Dull Greataxe (WP:3), Sabre (WP:8, not suitable), Bright Armor (SP:3, null darkness), 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Venom, 2 Deadly Venoms, Floral Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe

Thothwick

(played by Professor Flitwick)

Level 13½ Rogue

Power:

21 (18 for ranged attacks)

Health:

17/24

Gold:

288

Inventory:

Sabre (WP:8), Chain Whip (WP:6), Shuriken (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, Floral Bomb, Bedroll, Telescope

Hoptet

(NPC, controlled by Professor Flitwick)

Level 19½ Druid

Power:

24

Health:

19/26

Ether:

7/20

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Mockthril Longbow (WP:5, ranged), Stick (WP:1), Nocturne Amorella

[Brickdoctor]

Yes, I'm ready to go.

[Professor Flitwick]

"Another passenger? Well, I'm ready, I assume everyone else is. When this new passenger arrives, we'll be set to go."

That I am. Thothwick, could I have the 71 Gold?

Seeing that Thothwick is busy talking to Hoptet, Cinna hands Bartholomew the 71 gold from her purse, with a smile.

"Here you go, I'll loan this to you. I think Thothwick is distracted enjoying having another of his kind around for what little time there is left."

"My apologies, Ms. Cinna, Mr. Docken, I was preoccupied with conversing with Hoptet. Though I have excellent news, he'll be travelling with us back to Eubric."

[Darkdragon]

We head back to the ship and are ready to go home!

[Sandy]

In the dead of the night, the heroes return to the shipyard, where "the Flouncy Phoenix" is already waiting for them. Captain Squidraken is talking to a vaguely familiar furry person on the pier.

"Ah, there you are! *gurgle* This is Scaro, the extra passenger I mentioned. He is an adventurer from the tribe of Hyenamen. *slurp* He does not talk our language much at all, but I always say that a heavy purse talks more than a thousand words, har har! *gulp* *splurt*"

"<I believe we have met in passing some days ago. So you found the rare items you were searching for? I wish had your luck. Well, that is why I decided to go to Eubric in order to join Heroica. The captain here told that you are part of that organization. Perhaps we will embark on mutual quests together one day.>"

Then Captain Squidraken noticed Hoptet.

"*slurp* But who is this? I'll have you know that I do not accept freeriders aboard my ship! *gurgle* *spit*"

The heroes explain the situation how they saved Hoptet from the menagerie and how the Metasimian helped them greatly in their task. Under the pressure the captain has no choice but to grudgingly accept Hoptet into the ship, muttering something about rations under his tentacles.

Finally the voyage back to Eubric could begin. With a heavy heart the heroes left the young Bluto Ziegfried behind to Salmanda of the Golden Domes.

The party reached their destination in two weeks, and immediately rushed to the Ziegfried Mansion. It was past midnight, but Beth Ziegfried was still up, taking care of the family matriarch. She let out a loud sigh of relief upon seeing the heroes, and immediately led them to Zelda's bedroom.

"I was really worried if you'd make it back in time. The Grand Wizardine is still hanging on, but only by a thread. Please tell me you brought everything we need for the concoction? It is our only hope, even though there is no guarantee it will even work. I fear we might be running out of time very soon..."

Beth awaits the party's reply.

[Brickdoctor]

Yep, we've got everything.

I hand Beth the Crystal Chalice.

OOC: The water's not in any of our inventories even though you said we collected the water, so I assume it's in the cup.

[Professor Flitwick]

Hopet hands over the Nocturne Amorella.

[Darkdragon]

"I'm so happy to hear we made it back in time. We did manage to secure all of the ingredients from the receipt."

Cinna pulls out the Undead Unicorn Horn and hands it to Beth.

[Brickdoctor]

Cinna pulls out the Undead Unicorn Horn and hands it to Beth.

I whisper to Cinna

Are we saving the Demonic Dust and Golden Scorpion Venom for something?

[Darkdragon]

[Oh no of course not, they were hidden at the bottom of my bag. I should fix that thing, it keeps swallowing my stuff.]

Cinna hands Beth the Demonic Dust and Golden Scorpion Venom.

[Sandy]

The heroes hand over all the ingredients they gathered from Salmanda to Beth. The General Sourceress starts to brew the concoction immediately. When she is finished, the crystal chalice is filled to the brim with steaming liquid. She carefully pours it down the catatonic Zelda's throat.

"I did the best I could. Now we can only pray for Ethereth's guidance that this potion will return our matriarch's soul..."

The other members of the Ziegfried family that reside in the manor start to wake up and arrive to Zelda's bedside. They hold hands and chant mysterious verses. The party can sense their closeness. They dread the moment they have to spill the news of what happened to Bluto...

A few hours later, the Grand Wizardine's body stirs and she opens her eyes slowly. Having been unconscious for so long, she has a hard time speaking, but manages to sit up and smile to her offspring as they gather around her.

"You are back, grandmother!", High Conjurator Altair shouts. "This is a day of rejoice!"

"We thought we would never hear your scoldings and feel your burning gaze on our necks again!" jokes Vice Warlocker Goldraum.

"Granny... I'm so... happy..." Minor Occultess Chesterine sobs.

The three children rush to hug their great-grandmother as well. But one is missing from the bunch...

The heroes then move next to the bedside, and Cinna takes Zelda's hand and tells her the greetings from Salome. Zelda's eyes well up with tears as she learns how her childhood friend participated in saving her life.

"It worked, thank the forces of Ethereth! You have done a miraculous job traveling as far as Salmanda and back, and you have all our gratitude. But now you must excuse us as we recount the Grand Wizardine the events of how she ended up in this condition. She does not know about her son Zed, yet, either... Schuester will give you your well-earned reward now. And please know that you are all friends of the Ziegfrieds now."

With that, the party leaves Zelda's bedroom and follows the strange butler, who gives them 1000 gold to share. The party feel their confidence boosted upon succeeding in their mission, and they all gain a full level of experience.

THE QUEST IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED!

Party:

Bartholomew Docken

(played by Brickdoctor)

Level 20½ Ranger

*scary*

Power:

29

Health:

31/31

Gold:

250

Inventory:

Briar Bow (WP:9,

wood-elemental

, ranged), Mockthril Longbow (WP:5, ranged), Dread Hat (enemies lower than half of wearer's level won't attack directly), Scarab Shield (SP:5, unsuitable), Mead, Venom, 2 Deadly Venoms, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Mythril

Cinna the Dark

(played by darkdragon) *Party Leader*

Level 18 Mage

Power:

28

Defence:

2

Health:

22/22

Ether:

22/22

Gold:

268

Inventory:

Mauryl (WP:10, ranged), Aurora Helmet (SP:2, null fire), Amethyst (Darkness), Scroll of Sleep, 6 Grand Potions, Tonic, 6 Remedies, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 2 Smelling Salts, Soma, 2 Deadly Venoms, Bedroll, Shovel

Thormanil Nihai

(played by swils)

Level 18½ Barbarian

Power:

31

Defence:

3

Health:

25/25

Gold:

252

Inventory:

Wyvern's Tailblade (WP:12), Thundering Shadeaux Axes (WP:6,

lightning-elemental

), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss>Aim), Dull Greataxe (WP:3), Sabre (WP:8, not suitable), Bright Armor (SP:3, null darkness), 2 Potions, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Venom, 2 Deadly Venoms, Floral Bomb, Shovel, Pickaxe

Thothwick

(played by Professor Flitwick)

Level 14½ Rogue

Power:

22 (19 for ranged attacks)

Health:

25/25

Gold:

538

Inventory:

Sabre (WP:8), Chain Whip (WP:6), Shuriken (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), 2 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, Floral Bomb, Bedroll, Telescope

Hoptet

(NPC, controlled by Professor Flitwick)

Level 20½ Druid

Power:

21

Health:

27/27

Ether:

21/21

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Stick (WP:1)

Even though they successfully saved Zelda, the heroes still need to find a way to tell about what happened to Bluto. The perfect opportunity to this comes when they spot Secondary Spiritist Mabel escorting the children to their room. There's an aura of worry and sadness on the usually so bubbly and flirtatious woman's face.

"Oh, you're still here... I've been meaning to ask, have you heard anything about my son, Bluto? He disappeared right around the time you set on your journey to Salmanda. I have searched everywhere and used all magic spells I could think of in trying to find him, but either he is not in Eubric anymore or then he is..."

The wizard bursts into bitter tears. What will the party respond?

[Darkdragon]

Just before leaving Zelda's chambers, Cinna stops and pulls out a rolled up peice of paper from her bag.

"Excuse me, Grand Wizardine, but while we were looking for the Golden Scorpion on the beach, we dug up a bottle. This was inside, I beleive it might belong to you."

She hands the note to Zelda.

---

Cinna nervously tries to comfort Mabel. Not wanting to say anything but knowing it has to be said.

"Don't fret, for Bluto is alive!" She waits for Mabel to grasp what has been said and then continues on, quickly as if ripping off a bandage.

"He snuck onto the ship, we actually found him during a battle with some Sirens. He had been hiding in a barrel but the Siren Song drew him out. Since the captain didn't have a way care for Bluto while we were searching for the ingredients, and since Bluto begged to come and had a desperate longing in his heart for adventure, he came with us on our search. While searching for the Golden Scorpion on the beach, Bluto was grievously injured by an Angry Crab. We tried all the healing we could, even our new friend Hoptet, an amazing healer, was unable to cure Bluto. Finally we found out that Baba the witch in the bog would be able to not only tell us how to clean the water we needed for the recipe but also that she could heal Bluto. We were very excited by this and went to see her straight away. She is a very tricky and bad woman though, she would only tell us how to heal him if we agreed to let him stay with her as her new companion. Finally we agreed as there was nothing else we could do and he was on the brink of death. He is fully healed now though, he is living with Baba. We are not yet strong enough to fight her, but as soon as I can I plan to go back to her swamp and rescue your dear son."

She stops talking, takes a breath, and waits for the punishment to come. Silent tears leak from the corners of her eyes as she sits looking at Mabel.

[Professor Flitwick]

"Not forgetting, Ms. Cinna, that the Necromancer, Mr. Nemeshtar, promised to keep an eye on him and report to you on how he is faring. With his reports, Queen Salome's support and army, and your families magic, it would be possible to rescue him."

[Sandy]

She stops talking, takes a breath, and waits for the punishment to come. Silent tears leak from the corners of her eyes as she sits looking at Mabel.

The female mages stare at each other for a while. Then Mabel turns away.

"Oh, my dear little Bluto, always getting yourself in trouble. He was so young, too, only seven... Thank you for your honesty, although I cannot fathom what made you take a mere child to battles. At least he is alive, for now. I will contact the Almagesta of Salmanda immediately and negotiate a way to rescue Bluto."

Then the woman runs off, leaving the party alone. The five heroes walk out of the mansion into the breaking dawn. A new day was ahead of you, with new adventures waiting just a couple of blocks away at the Heroica Hall.

Suddenly Hoptet spoke, in the common tongue much to everyone's surprise.

"Thank you, friends. Thothwick teach me your language on ship. I am... happiness... here in Eubric. I miss home, but Thothwick my... new family. I join Heroica, maybe go adventure with friends again."

The Metasimian druid then smiles at Thothwick and squeezes his hand. Then the two wave goodbye to the others and walk away, their new-found love shining as brightly as the rising sun above them.

~The End~