Heroica RPG - Quest#34: The Dark Secret

[Darth Nihilus]

Dak aims carefully, and sprays the Count.

[Sandy]

Dak aims carefully, and sprays the Count.

The spray hits the count and makes him cough and gasp for air.

"Qu'est-ce que c'est zis foul smell?! Anozeur attempt at poizoning me? Mon dieu, it burns!"

"Monsigneur, it came from above!"

The markswoman raises her crossbow and shoots a bolt up ahead. Dak isn't fast enough to dock, so the bolt hits him for 8 damage and drops him down at the feet of the Shadeaux guards.

"Deal wiz 'im. I need to get out of zis 'orrible stench!"

The guards surround the wounded Dak.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

Enemies:

Shadeaux Elite Guard Castor

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 119/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Guard Deuces

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 119/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Markswoman Elena

Type: Humanoid

Level: 8

Health: 89/89

Special:

Bolt of Darkness

– Causes 16 damage and blinded-effect to the target

Drops: Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers)

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 12½ Rogue

*Immune to ?*

Power:

22 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

10/18

Gold:

56

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

), Throwing Knife (WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect that was last inflicted in battle to someone), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Dak, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

Note: the other two rogues are free to either join the battle or sit it out, leaving Dak to fend the enemies off himself.

[Scubacarrot]

"Damn it, Rone, go after the count, don't let him get away, me and Dak will deal with this. Kid, back row, now!"

Guts takes a Smelling Salts, then attacks Deuces from the back row with his throwing knife.

Battle order:

Guts

Dak

[Darth Nihilus]

"Well...that didn't...go as well as I'd hoped," Dak said, gasping for breath and picking himself up off the ground, drawing his knives in one fluent motion. He sticks his regular knife into the ground within reach, and grabs a blue concoction out of his bag, quickly gulping down the smelling salts and then attacks Elena, from the back row, with his Throwing Knife.

[The Legonater]

I pursue the Count.

[Sandy]

Results of Round One of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle:

>Guts uses Smelling Salts

>Guts (Throwing Knife) vs. Deuces - Special Damage (Hide In Shadows)

>Dak uses Smelling Salts

>Dak (Throwing Knife) vs. Elena - Hit

Castor - Free Hit against Guts

Guts joins Dak in the battle against the Shadeaux guards. Both rogues consume Smelling Salts to hasten their moves. The Shadeaux Guard named Deuces conceals himself into the shadows of the park, decreasing the chances of hitting him in the next turn. Dak avenges his wound to the markswoman, hitting her with his throwing knife for 17 damage. The remaining guard is free to attack Guts from behind, dealing 5 damage.

Three enemies are still standing.

Enemies:

Shadeaux Elite Guard Castor

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 119/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Guard Deuces

*Hiding In Shadows*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 119/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Markswoman Elena

Type: Humanoid

Level: 8

Health: 72/89

Special:

Bolt of Darkness

– Causes 16 damage and blinded-effect to the target

Drops: Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers)

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 12½ Rogue

*Immune to ?*

*Hastened*

Power:

22 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

10/18

Gold:

56

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

),

Throwing Knife

(WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect that was last inflicted in battle to someone), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader*

Level 15½ Rogue

*Hastened*

Power:

27 (23 for ranged attacks)

Health:

16/21

Gold:

274

Inventory:

Lifestealer (WP:12,

ice-elemental

, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged,

light-elemental

, retrievable), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 5 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Diluted Potion (quest item)

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

I pursue the Count.

Dyric dashes after the fleeing count. It doesn't take much to reach the coughing man. Dyric grabs the count's cape and makes him tumble to the ground. The count showers the rogue with curses as he draws his rapier from its sheat and points it to the rogue.

"Sacré chauve-souris! You assassins are getting more brusque by ze day! Du you really zink you can kill me juste like zat? Me, Count Noctus Shadeaux Le Immortel?!"

Count Shadeaux looks at Dyric defiantly.

[Scubacarrot]

Shouldn't Dak have dealt 17 damage?

Guts takes a Nostrum, and then attacks Castor from the back row with Lifestealer.

Battle Order:

Guts

Dak

(Dak)

[Darth Nihilus]

Shouldn't Dak have dealt 17 damage?

It looks as though Sandy got Dak's hit and the Free Hit confused, as the Free Hit on you should have done 5 damage and my hit should have done 17. Also, both the Markswoman and you have take Damage as I stated, as in the updated stats.

Dak attacks Elena twice.

[Scubacarrot]

It looks as though Sandy got Dak's hit and the Free Hit confused, as the Free Hit on you should have done 5 damage and my hit should have done 17. Also, both the Markswoman and you have take Damage as I stated, as in the updated stats.

Dak attacks Elena twice.

Sandy fixed it after I posted.

"Maybe wanna make sure I don't get a free hit on me, kid?"

[Darth Nihilus]

Sandy fixed it after I posted.

"Maybe wanna make sure I don't get a free hit on me, kid?"

"He's Hiding in the Shadows, but whatever.," Dak says, quickly switching his second target to Dueces.

[Sandy]

Results of Round Two of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle:

>Guts uses Nostrum

>Guts (Lifestealer) vs. Castor - Critical Hit/Shield (Mug)

Dak vs. Elena - Hit

Dak vs. Deuces - Miss

Guts gulps down a Nostrum to make himself luckier. And sure enough, he manages to mug Castor for halved power, causing 26 damage and stealing 26 gold. The Lifestealer restores 3 health to the rogue, as well. Dak hits Elena again for 22 damage, and then chances his target to Deuces, but misses. The Shadeaux Elite Guard moves out of the shadows.

Three enemies still remain.

Enemies:

Shadeaux Elite Guard Castor

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 68/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Guard Deuces

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 119/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Markswoman Elena

Type: Humanoid

Level: 8

Health: 50/89

Special:

Bolt of Darkness

– Causes 16 damage and blinded-effect to the target

Drops: Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers)

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 12½ Rogue

*Immune to ?*

*Hastened*

Power:

22 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

10/18

Gold:

56

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

),

Throwing Knife

(WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect that was last inflicted in battle to someone), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader*

Level 15½ Rogue

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

Power:

27 (23 for ranged attacks)

Health:

19/21

Gold:

300

Inventory:

Lifestealer (WP:12,

ice-elemental

, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged,

light-elemental

, retrievable), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 5 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Diluted Potion (quest item)

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

[Scubacarrot]

"Haha, I'm just warming up. Come at me, you alphabetically named tinheads!"

Guts attacks Castor, and then Deuces, both from the front row with Lifestealer.

Battle Order:

Guts

Guts

Dak

[Darth Nihilus]

Dak again attacks Elena twice.

[Sandy]

QM Note: I apologize, but I honestly rolled four 6's in a row. Blame my die, not me. I also need to adjust the description of the handbag slightly, since it wasn't supposed to make the holder immune to any effect inflicted on themselves.

Results of Round Three of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle:

Guts vs. Castor - Miss/Damage

Guts vs. Deuces - Special Damage/Special Damage

Dak vs. Elena - Special Damage

Dak vs. Elena - Special Damage

Guts misses his attack against Castor, and Deuces eludes him by hiding in the shadows. Then the markswoman shoots a Bolt of Darkness into Dak's abdomen, blinding him and instantly knocking him out.

Guts is now faced with three enemies by himself.

Enemies:

Shadeaux Elite Guard Castor

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 68/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Guard Deuces

*Hiding In Shadows*

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 119/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Markswoman Elena

Type: Humanoid

Level: 8

Health: 50/89

Special:

Bolt of Darkness

– Causes 16 damage and blinded-effect to the target

Drops: Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers)

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 12½ Rogue

*Immune to ?*

*Hastened*

*Blinded*

*Knocked Out*

Power:

22 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

0/18

Gold:

56

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

),

Throwing Knife

(WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect was last inflicted in battle to someone else), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader*

Level 15½ Rogue

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

Power:

27 (23 for ranged attacks)

Health:

19/21

Gold:

300

Inventory:

Lifestealer (WP:12,

ice-elemental

, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged,

light-elemental

, retrievable), Beholder's Eye (allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 5 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Diluted Potion (quest item)

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

[Scubacarrot]

Guts uses his trinket, The Beholder's eye!

Edited May 25, 2012 by Scubacarrot

[The Legonater]

Dyric dashes after the fleeing count. It doesn't take much to reach the coughing man. Dyric grabs the count's cape and makes him tumble to the ground. The count showers the rogue with curses as he draws his rapier from its sheat and points it to the rogue.

"Sacré chauve-souris! You assassins are getting more brusque by ze day! Du you really zink you can kill me juste like zat? Me, Count Noctus Shadeaux Le Immortel?!"

Count Shadeaux looks at Dyric defiantly.

I draw my longsword, and cross swords with the Count.

I've faced entire armies. My worse nightmares. Sights you can't imagine. Since I can rememeber, I've been stabbed in the back, betrayed, and left for dead. What on earth makes you think I'm scared of you?

Edited May 26, 2012 by The Legonater

[Sandy]

Seeing the younger rogue fall, Guts takes out the Beholder's Eye for the very first time, hoping that it truly worked. And sure enough, as he held it up, the air around him started to twist and turn, and in a gut-wrenching moment he was whisked back in time to one minute ago. Dak was still standing next to him with a focused expression on his face. Satisfied, Guts then prepared to attack the Elite Guards again.

Results of Round Three (Redone) of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle:

Guts vs. Castor - Critical Hit/Critical Hit

Guts vs. Deuces - Special Damage/Shield (Mug)

Dak vs. Elena - Miss

Dak vs. Elena - Critical Hit

Guts slashes the Lifestealer towards Castor, dealing a critical hit that causes 39 damage and restores the rogue back to full health. He then mugs Deuces for 51 damage and 51 gold. Dak misses his first strike on Elena, but scores a critical hit on the second, dealing 32 damage.

All three enemies still remain, although greatly weakened.

Enemies:

Shadeaux Elite Guard Castor

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 29/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Guard Deuces

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 68/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Markswoman Elena

Type: Humanoid

Level: 8

Health: 18/89

Special:

Bolt of Darkness

– Causes 16 damage and blinded-effect to the target

Drops: Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers)

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 12½ Rogue

*Immune to ?*

*Hastened*

Power:

22 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

10/18

Gold:

56

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

),

Throwing Knife

(WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect that was last inflicted in battle to someone), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader*

Level 15½ Rogue

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

Power:

27 (23 for ranged attacks)

Health:

21/21

Gold:

351

Inventory:

Lifestealer (WP:12,

ice-elemental

, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged,

light-elemental

, retrievable),

Beholder's Eye

(allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 5 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Diluted Potion (quest item)

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

I've faced entire armies. My worse nightmares. Sights you can't imagine. Since I can rememeber, I've been stabbed in the back, betrayed, and left for dead. What on earth makes you think I'm scared of you?

"Fear iz healzy, assassin. It keeps you alive. En garde!"

PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

Enemy:

Count Noctus Shadeaux

Type: Undead (?)

Level: 50

Health: 953/953

Special:

Flock of Bats

– The count summons a horde of bats to carry him away, ending the battle.

Drops: 1000 gold

Party:

Dyric Rone

(played by The Legonater)

Level 13 Rogue

*Lucky*

Power:

25 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

20/20

Gold:

436

Inventory:

Steel Fan (WP:12), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Longsword (WP: 3), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect), Potion, Venom, Smelling Salts

Dyric, choose the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

[Scubacarrot]

"Again! Same Battle Order"

Guts chuckles under his wrappings, and then goes once again for Castor, and then Deuces.

The rogue could not see Dyric, but he could not have gotten far, hoping the boy would hear him, Guts shouted:

"Stall! Keep him talking, if you can, try to bring him here!"

[Darth Nihilus]

"Again!"

[The Legonater]

But hope is stronger than fear, and I have much hope- if not faith- that you shall be defeated.

I attack from the front row with my chain whip.

[Sandy]

Results of Round Four of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle:

Guts vs. Castor - Hit/Damage

Guts vs. Deuces - Hit/Miss

Dak vs. Elena - Miss

Dak vs. Elena - Miss

Guts hits both Elite Guards for 27 damage. Dak misses his both attacks.

Three enemies remain.

Enemies:

Shadeaux Elite Guard Castor

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 2/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Guard Deuces

Type: Humanoid

Level: 10

Health: 41/119

Special:

Hide In Shadows

– Changes all 3’s and 4’s rolled against the Elite Guard into a MISS for the next turn.

Drops: 50 gold

Shadeaux Elite Markswoman Elena

Type: Humanoid

Level: 8

Health: 18/89

Special:

Bolt of Darkness

– Causes 16 damage and blinded-effect to the target

Drops: Darksteel Crossbow (WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers)

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 12½ Rogue

*Immune to ?*

*Hastened*

Power:

22 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

10/18

Gold:

56

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

),

Throwing Knife

(WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect that was last inflicted in battle to someone), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader*

Level 15½ Rogue

*Hastened*

*Lucky*

Power:

27 (23 for ranged attacks)

Health:

21/21

Gold:

351

Inventory:

Lifestealer (WP:12,

ice-elemental

, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged,

light-elemental

, retrievable),

Beholder's Eye

(allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 5 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Diluted Potion (quest item)

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your target and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

~*~*~*~

Results of Round One of the Count Battle:

Dyric (Chain Whip) vs. Count Shadeaux - Miss/Critical Hit

Dyric hits the count for 33 damage - and the count flinches! Normal weapons work on the count, so he is not undead after all. But what is he then? Count Shadeaux growl at the rogue and prepares for another round of battle.

Enemy:

Count Noctus Shadeaux

Type: ???

Level: 50

Health: 920/953

Special:

Flock of Bats

– The count summons a horde of bats to carry him away, ending the battle.

Drops: 1000 gold

Party:

Dyric Rone

(played by The Legonater)

Level 13 Rogue

*Lucky*

Power:

25 (17 for ranged attacks)

Health:

20/20

Gold:

436

Inventory:

Steel Fan (WP:12), Throwing Knife (WP:4, ranged, retrievable), Double Chain Whip (WP:10), Longsword (WP: 3), Loaded Die (permanent lucky-effect), Potion, Venom, Smelling Salts

Dyric, choose the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee or if you want to use an item instead of attacking.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Hit on the party after everyone have acted.

[Scubacarrot]

"Pray to your Gods for mercy, for I won't have it. "

Guts, completely focussed on the battle, prepares himself to once again attack Castor and Deuces.

Same battle order.

[Darth Nihilus]

"Dammit, my luck's turning," says Dak, trying once again to attack Elena, then Castor, from the front row.

[Sandy]

Results of Round Five of the Shadeaux Entourage Battle:

Guts vs. Castor - Shield (Mug)/Hit

Guts vs. Deuces - Miss/Critical Hit

Dak vs. Elena - Hit

Dak vs. CastorDeuces - Shield (Mug)

Guts first mugs Castor, defeating him and snatching 2 more gold, then deals 39 damage with a critical hit to Deuces. Dak takes out Elena in one hit, then mugs Deuces' lights out, pilfering 2 gold as well.

THE BATTLE IS VICTORIOUS!

Both party members gain half of a level. The enemies drop 100 gold and a Darksteel Crossbow.

Party:

Dak Shadeaux

(played by Darth Nihilus)

Level 13 Rogue

*Immune to ?*

Power:

23 (18 for ranged attacks)

Health:

11/19

Gold:

58

Inventory:

Mockthril Knife (WP:10,

lightning-elemental

),

Throwing Knife

(WP:5, ranged, retrievable), Twin Longswords (WP:3), Trendy Handbag (protects from whichever bad effect that was last inflicted in battle to someone), 2 Venoms, Potion, 2 Meads, Nostrum, Bedroll, Shovel, Garlic Spray (quest item)

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot) *Party Leader*

Level 16 Rogue

Power:

28 (24 for ranged attacks)

Health:

22/22

Gold:

352

Inventory:

Lifestealer (WP:12,

ice-elemental

, attacks restore 3 health), Throwing Knife (WP:8, ranged,

light-elemental

, retrievable),

Beholder's Eye

(allows one round of battle to be replayed per quest), 2 Grand Potions, 5 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Smelling Salts, Bedroll, Shovel, Diluted Potion (quest item)

Party Leader, divide the spoils of the battle:

100 gold

Darksteel Crossbow - WP:8, ranged, blinded-effect, suitable to rangers

[Scubacarrot]

Guts quickly hands 50 gold to Dak, and keeps the other items for himself, for now. He then quickly takes a Mead and a Nostrum, and runs towards the other fight.

If I can still fight in this round.

Guts chucks his throwing knife at the count, from the back row.