Heroica RPG - Quest#13: The Darkstar

[Darth Nihilus]

"Wait." Dak grasps Guts by the wrist and throws him away."Nerwyn's the Party Leader, so we're doing this her way. That means no hurting him." Dak walks over to the man, past the rest of the heroes, and bends over, getting at eye level."If you tell us what you know, we'll let you go and make sure that you get back to your wife with the medecine. Do you understand me? All we need to know is what you know about the Darkstar, and then all of this pain will go away."

[Rumble Strike]

Sorrow let out a small laugh as Guts and Knifk started playing "Good cop/Bad cop".

A stream of blood matted the side of the prisoners face as he shook his head, then tried to answer the Knight's diplomatic questions.

"My name is... Vres Halpo and my wife is called... Jui. We don't have... any children. We live in a small village called Ve'er about two... days travel from Eubric."

He paused as blood ran down his neck.

"My wife started getting sick... several seasons ago... She had been working... in the magic shop... in Ve'er... but she came down with... a mystery illness. No-one knows... what's causing it. Since then... others have... gotten sick. There is an... unlicensed medicine man... here in Eubric... that sells me special tonics... that help my wife, and the others..."

He looks inconsolable.

"Without that medicine... I don't know what... state she will be in. I have... failed them all."

[Darth Nihilus]

"Wait a second. 'Unidentified illness?' I think I just figured this puzzle out."Dak grabs Nerwyn's and Guts's shoulders, and beckons for the others to come as well into a huddle. "What if the Darkstar is causing the illness of this man's wife? That would explain why Sorrow thinks he know something about the Darkstar, and it also would explain why he says he knows nothing. What do you all think?"

[Bioniclover]

Sorrow let out a small laugh as Guts and Knifk started playing "Good cop/Bad cop".

A stream of blood matted the side of the prisoners face as he shook his head, then tried to answer the Knight's diplomatic questions.

"My name is... Vres Halpo and my wife is called... Jui. We don't have... any children. We live in a small village called Ve'er about two... days travel from Eubric."

He paused as blood ran down his neck.

"My wife started getting sick... several seasons ago... She had been working... in the magic shop... in Ve'er... but she came down with... a mystery illness. No-one knows... what's causing it. Since then... others have... gotten sick. There is an... unlicensed medicine man... here in Eubric... that sells me special tonics... that help my wife, and the others..."

He looks inconsolable.

"Without that medicine... I don't know what... state she will be in. I have... failed them all."

"Don't worry, friend Vres! Party will help you!" He shoots a glare in the direction of the party, specifically Guts, as if he was daring them to say otherwise."Knifk proposes we visit medicine man to get medicine, then got to friend Vres's village and investigate magic shop To see if friend Dak is correct."

Edited November 13, 2011 by Bioniclover

[Xarrzan]

"I agree, we should visit thisss medicine man and then visit this man's wife. We need to check out that magic shop as well."

Sarick slithers closer to Vres Halpo. He pulls out a rag and wipes the blood off the man's neck. Sarick stares directly into the man's eyes. "How long hasss your wife worked at the magic shop and who is the owner of said shop? Hasss the owner gotten sick as well?"

[Chromeknight]

"I agree, we should visit thisss medicine man and then visit this man's wife. We need to check out that magic shop as well."

Sarick slithers closer to Vres Halpo. He pulls out a rag and wipes the blood off the man's neck. Sarick stares directly into the man's eyes. "How long hasss your wife worked at the magic shop and who is the owner of said shop? Hasss the owner gotten sick as well?"

Nerwen's mind runs through various scenarios.

She has help and they brought her this man.

The help knows this man knows something about the darkstar, but does not know what he knows.

All the help knows about this man is that he came to Eubric to buy medicine for an illness from an unlicensed medicine man.

Either She does not know what the man knows, but will recognize something when she hears it.

Or she does know, but is testing us, seeing how violent or ruthless we are.

It seems that following the sickness is the best lead. First to the medicine man, then to the village.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Chromeknight

[Rumble Strike]

With her Elvishly acute reading of people, Nerwen notices that Sorrow looks up with interest when Vres starts talking about the mysterious sickness infecting Ve'er. The black-haired woman remained silent though, letting the party make their own decisions.

Vres looks at Sarick with gratitude as he wipes the blood away.

"Thank you, uh... kind sir. My wife has been... at the magic shop... for several years. The owner is.. Laxadaisi Velomptromp... I guess... with a name like that... she was going to... go into magic... or maybe the circus..."

Vres coughs after making his little joke, but it was a good sign that he trusted the party after their efforts to question him humanely.

After several members of the party state their intention to visit the medicine man in the Hovels, Vres says that he can show them where he is.

At this, Sorrow steps in.

"If you are sure this wretch is telling the truth, perhaps it would be wise to allow him to show us where this so-called medicine man is. There is a warren of shopfronts in the Hovels, none of them legal or pleasant."

The group leave the makeshift prison area and step out into the murky gloom of Eubric's Hovels once again. Vres Halpo, assisted by the Rogue Dak, takes the lead with Sorrow gliding silently at the rear.

[Scubacarrot]

"So, where is this 'healer' of yours." Guts said sceptically, walking just in front of Sorrow.

He was not sure if the punch he gave the man had helped, but it did not matter, at least they had gotten something out of the man.

As they walked, he noticed that Sorrow did not make any sound as she walked, he shivered, even the best assassins have footsteps.

[Darth Nihilus]

Dak felt Vres lean against him heavily, and supported the man as they walked. He decides to put it upon himself to find out what role the Darkstar plays in all of this."So, Vres," he says, smiling."Was there some sort of gem in that magic shop?" He waits for Vres to respond.

[Rumble Strike]

Sorrow watched Guts walking in front of her. She was pleased with his initiative and his willingness to do what was necessary. Of the party, he was definitely one to nuture.

Vres breathed heavily as Dak aided him.

"Laxadaisi has gems, and potions, and... other magical items", he replied. "I do not... know if this gem you seek ...is among them, but it would be a good place to look."

[Xarrzan]

Sarick was glad to hear the man making jokes. While Dak assisted Vres with walking, Sarick once again moved to the rear of the party. As he kept a look out, Sarick neatly folded the rag with Vres' blood on it and placed it back into a pocket on the inside of his tail coverings. During his exploration of the city, Sarick recalled many people laughing at him and claiming he was wearing a skirt. He didn't really see the difference except he never wore tail coverings that were pink.

[Darth Nihilus]

"Hm. This magic shop may have what we are looking for. Do you remember any new gems coming in, just before your wife became sick?"

[Bioniclover]

"What did Vres's wife do at magic shop? " Knifk asks as they walk along.

[Rumble Strike]

"I am not... familiar with the stock of... the magic shop... You will have to ask... Laxadaisi. My wife... was just an assistant... she's no mage."

[Rumble Strike]

QM Note - Apologies for the double post, but I want to keep things moving.

As the group run out of questions for the breathless Vres, they continue on towards the medicine man located nearby in the Hovel. They delve deeper into the mazelike streets, pushing past people giving them strange looks. Just as they begin to relax, a loud sneer is heard.

A trio of armed thugs accost the party. Dak and Sarick were right to be cautious earlier. The woman in the middle appears to be the leader, speaking for the group.

"Oh look, fresh meat! Whoa, Gronz, look at this weird lot! Barely a human among them. Hey, Staj, that one there looks fishy just like you! Maybe you can wear his head as a hat after we are done!"

Prepare for battle!

Enemies:

Female Thug (Cutlass)

Type: Humanoid

Level: 3

Health: 10/10

Special:

Retreat

– The thug moves to the back row for the next round, halving any incoming damage.

Drops: 10 gold, 1 Potion

Pegleg Thug (Trident)

Type: Humanoid

Level: 3

Health: 12/12

Special:

Leg Hit

– The thug hits the attacker with his wooden leg,

stunning

them for the next round.

Drops: 10 gold

Sharkling Thug (Khopesh)

Type: Humanoid

Level: 3

Health: 14/14

Special:

Sharkbite

– The thug bites the attacker, causing 4 damage.

Drops: 10 gold

Party:

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot)

Level 1 Rogue

Power

: 4

Health

: 7/7

Gold

: 5

Inventory

: Rusty Shortsword (WP:3), Potion, Venom, Bedroll

Sarick Lanse

(played by Xarrzan)

Level 1 Mage

Power

: 4

Health

: 5/5

Ether

: 5/5

Gold

: 10

Inventory

: Shark Fang Dagger (WP: 3),Opal Gem (Ice), Potion

Dak Nikolus

(played by darthnihilus)

Level 1 Rogue

Power

: 4

Health

: 7/7

15

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Twin Longswords (WP:3), Venom, 2 Potions, Bedroll

Nerwen Calmcacil

(played by Chromeknight) ** Party Leader **

Level 1 Cleric

Power

: 4

Health

: 9/9

Ether

: 5/5

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Wooden Staff (WP:3), Potion, Remedy, Fire Bomb

Fenimor Vish

(played by Jorgevorg)

Level 1 Barbarian

Power

: 4

Health

: 8/8

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Golden Trident (WP:3), Bottle of "Archebus Brine's Special Reserve" Clam Mead, Potion of Healing (x2)

Knifk

(played by Bioniclover)

Level 1 Knight

Power

: 4

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 10

Inventory

: Morning Star (WP:8), Wyrm Shield (SP:2), Potion

Vres Halpo

(NPC)

QM Note

- Vres will not be targetted by the enemy. He will also not be able to help in any way during the fight.

Sorrow

(NPC)

QM Note

- Sorrow will not be targetted by the enemy. She will also not help during the fight. In fact, she's looking forward to seeing how you all do

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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 has acted.

[Darth Nihilus]

Dak curses under his breath. He should have been more watchful instead of talking to Vres. But there's nothing to be done now."Alright, there's six of us and only three of them. I suggest Guts and Nerwyn attack the Female Thug, Sarick and Fenimor attack the Sharkling Thug, and me and Knifk attack the Pegleg Thug."

With that, Dak attacks the Pegleg Thug from the front row.

[Xarrzan]

Sarick nods in agreement of Dak's plan. Sarick will cast an ice spell from the back row against the Sharkling Thug (Khopesh). "You thugsss should not have interrupted our business."

[Chromeknight]

QM Note - Apologies for the double post, but I want to keep things moving.

As the group run out of questions for the breathless Vres, they continue on towards the medicine man located nearby in the Hovel. They delve deeper into the mazelike streets, pushing past people giving them strange looks. Just as they begin to relax, a loud sneer is heard.

A trio of armed thugs accost the party. Dak and Sarick were right to be cautious earlier. The woman in the middle appears to be the leader, speaking for the group.

"Oh look, fresh meat! Whoa, Gronz, look at this weird lot! Barely a human among them. Hey, Staj, that one there looks fishy just like you! Maybe you can wear his head as a hat after we are done!"

Prepare for battle!

Party:

Guts Holla (played by Scubacarrot)

Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan)

Dak Nikolus (played by darthnihilus)

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) ** Party Leader **

Fenimor Vish (played by Jorgevorg)

Knifk (played by Bioniclover)

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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 has acted.

OOC: just some clean up of stats.

Fenimor has 3 potions, not 2. He starts with one and bought 2. His inventory is wrong.

Sarick also has a staff of healing (HP:5). Nur gave it to him as he left the hall.

Dak has 6/7 health from trying to read sorrow's mind.

Order of battle

Knifk

Nerwen

Fenimor

Guts

Dak

Sarick

Nerwen attacks the Pegleg Thug (Trident) from the front row.

Choose your targets! But it would be good to deal with the pegleg thug quickly. we don't want more people stunned that we have to.

Sarick, since none of the targets are vulnerable to ice, save your ether and just use your dagger from the front row.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Chromeknight

[Rumble Strike]

QM Note - Thanks for spotting the mistakes. I did use your signatures to compile the initial list and the staff and 3rd potion were not on there. As QM I should have checked everything, so I apologise. Dak's health was a c&p error Bear with me as I learn, this is my first Quest too

Updated party list:

Party:

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot)

Level 1 Rogue

Power

: 4

Health

: 7/7

Gold

: 5

Inventory

: Rusty Shortsword (WP:3), Potion, Venom, Bedroll

Sarick Lanse

(played by Xarrzan)

Level 1 Mage

Power

: 4

Health

: 5/5

Ether

: 5/5

Gold

: 10

Inventory

: Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Shark Fang Dagger (WP: 3),Opal Gem (Ice), Potion, Staff of Healing (HP:5)

Dak Nikolus

(played by darthnihilus)

Level 1 Rogue

Power

: 4

Health

: 6/7

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Twin Longswords (WP:3), Venom, 2 Potions, Bedroll

Nerwen Calmcacil

(played by Chromeknight) ** Party Leader **

Level 1 Cleric

Power

: 4

Health

: 9/9

Ether

: 5/5

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Wooden Staff (WP:3), Potion, Remedy, Fire Bomb

Fenimor Vish

(played by Jorgevorg)

Level 1 Barbarian

Power

: 4

Health

: 8/8

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Golden Trident (WP:3), Bottle of "Archebus Brine's Special Reserve" Clam Mead, Potion of Healing (x3)

Knifk

(played by Bioniclover)

Level 1 Knight

Power

: 4

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 10

Inventory

: Morning Star (WP:8), Wyrm Shield (SP:2), Potion

Vres Halpo

(NPC)

QM Note

- Vres will not be targetted by the enemy. He will also not be able to help in any way during the fight.

Sorrow

(NPC)

QM Note

- Sorrow will not be targetted by the enemy. She will also not help during the fight. In fact, she's looking forward to seeing how you all do

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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 has acted.

[Bioniclover]

"Bad men (and sharky-man) should not have attacked heroes! Knifk will punish bad men(and sharky-man) by smashing pegleg thug from front row!"

[Scubacarrot]

"Barely human? Seems like your eyepatch is on the wrong eye, wench!"

Guts casually unsheathed his blade as he moved in to attack Female Thug (Cutlass) from the front row.

[Xarrzan]

Sarick, since none of the targets are vulnerable to ice, save your ether and just use your dagger from the front row.

Sarick weaves back and forth, keeping his eyes locked on the enemy as he speaks quickly. "Nerwen, we may never run into foesss that are weak to my magic, or we might run into foes that are completely invulnerable. After I cast a spell against thisss thug I feel that I will be able to cast at least four more spells." Sarick saw the Sharkling Thug twitch so he moved closer to the right to be in front of the thug.

"Also, my scalesss are impressive in defense but I may take much damage if I fight this foe up front. Once we defeat these thugs and I get used to casting, I feel I will grow stronger and will be able to cast more often. But if your heals are ready and waiting, I will attack the Sharkling Thug from the front row with my Shark Fang Dagger."

Edited November 15, 2011 by Xarrzan

[Chromeknight]

Sarick weaves back and forth, keeping his eyes locked on the enemy as he speaks quickly. "Nerwen, we may never run into foesss that are weak to my magic, or we might run into foes that are completely invulnerable. After I cast a spell against thisss thug I feel that I will be able to cast at least four more spells." Sarick saw the Sharkling Thug twitch so he moved closer to the right to be in front of the thug.

"Also, my scalesss are impressive in defense but I may take much damage if I fight this foe up front. Once we defeat these thugs and I get used to casting, I feel I will grow stronger and will be able to cast more often. But if your heals are ready and waiting, I will attack the Sharkling Thug from the front row with my Shark Fang Dagger."

OOC It's been 24 hours since battle started, no input from Jorgevorg. Party leader's choice.

Nerwen gestures to Fenimor

Attack the shark man. Front row!

Fenimor attacks the Sharkling Thug from the front row.

[Rumble Strike]

Results of Round One of the Hovel Battle:

Knifk vs Pegleg Thug - Miss

Nerwen vs Pegleg Thug - Hit

Fenimor vs Sharkling Thug - Hit

Guts vs Female Thug - Hit

Dak vs Pegleg - Special Damage

Sarick vs Sharkling Thug - Damage

Sorrow watches with interest as the heroes face their first battle. Knifk takes the usual Knight position and leads from the front, sadly in his excitement he swings wildly at the Pegleg Thug, missing him. The Pegleg Thug grins a wicked grin, but Nerwen seizes an opportunity whilst he is distracted and ironically hits the Pegleg Thug with her wooden staff for 4 damage. Fenimor wades in next, it's fish versus fish in a battle for the ages. Fenimor nips his trident into the Sharkling for 4 damage. Guts, clearly stung by the woman's taunt, runs in and stabs her for 4 damage. Dak, emboldened by the previous hit on the Pegleg Thug, goes in close to attack, but the Thug grabs his own wooden leg and clocks him with it. Dak crumples to the floor and is stunned for the next round. Sarick slithers up to the Sharkling, shark fang dagger in hand. However, this enfuriates the Sharkling, who lashes out, causing 3 damage.

Enemies:

Female Thug (Cutlass)

Type: Humanoid

Level: 3

Health: 6/10

Special:

Retreat

– The thug moves to the back row for the next round, halving any incoming damage.

Drops: 10 gold, 1 Potion

Pegleg Thug (Trident)

Type: Humanoid

Level: 3

Health: 8/12

Special:

Leg Hit

– The thug hits the attacker with his wooden leg,

stunning

them for the next round.

Drops: 10 gold

Sharkling Thug (Khopesh)

Type: Humanoid

Level: 3

Health: 10/14

Special:

Sharkbite

– The thug bites the attacker, causing 4 damage.

Drops: 10 gold

Party:

Guts Holla

(played by Scubacarrot)

Level 1 Rogue

Power

: 4

Health

: 7/7

Gold

: 5

Inventory

: Rusty Shortsword (WP:3), Potion, Venom, Bedroll

Sarick Lanse

(played by Xarrzan)

Level 1 Mage

Power

: 4

Health

: 2/5

Ether

: 5/5

Gold

: 10

Inventory

: Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Shark Fang Dagger (WP: 3),Opal Gem (Ice), Potion, Staff of Healing (HP:5)

Dak Nikolus

(played by darthnihilus)

**STUNNED**

Level 1 Rogue

Power

: 4

Health

: 6/7

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Twin Longswords (WP:3), Venom, 2 Potions, Bedroll

Nerwen Calmcacil

(played by Chromeknight) ** Party Leader **

Level 1 Cleric

Power

: 4

Health

: 9/9

Ether

: 5/5

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Wooden Staff (WP:3), Potion, Remedy, Fire Bomb

Fenimor Vish

(played by Jorgevorg)

Level 1 Barbarian

Power

: 4

Health

: 8/8

Gold

: 0

Inventory

: Golden Trident (WP:3), Bottle of "Archebus Brine's Special Reserve" Clam Mead, Potion of Healing (x3)

Knifk

(played by Bioniclover)

Level 1 Knight

Power

: 4

Health

: 10/10

Gold

: 10

Inventory

: Morning Star (WP:8), Wyrm Shield (SP:2), Potion

Vres Halpo

(NPC)

QM Note

- Vres will not be targetted by the enemy. He will also not be able to help in any way during the fight.

Sorrow

(NPC)

QM Note

- Sorrow will not be targetted by the enemy. She will also not help during the fight. In fact, she's looking forward to seeing how you all do

The battle continues!

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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 has acted.

[Chromeknight]

Results of Round One of the Hovel Battle:

Sorrow watches with interest as the heroes face their first battle. Knifk takes the usual Knight position and leads from the front, sadly in his excitement he swings wildly at the Pegleg Thug, missing him. The Pegleg Thug grins a wicked grin, but Nerwen seizes an opportunity whilst he is distracted and ironically hits the Pegleg Thug with her wooden staff for 4 damage. Fenimor wades in next, it's fish versus fish in a battle for the ages. Fenimor nips his trident into the Sharkling for 4 damage. Guts, clearly stung by the woman's taunt, runs in and stabs her for 4 damage. Dak, emboldened by the previous hit on the Pegleg Thug, goes in close to attack, but the Thug grabs his own wooden leg and clocks him with it. Dak crumples to the floor and is stunned for the next round. Sarick slithers up to the Sharkling, shark fang dagger in hand. However, this enfuriates the Sharkling, who lashes out, causing 3 damage.

The battle continues!

Party Leader, choose the order of action.

All of you, choose your targets and the row you want to fight in. Also mention if you want to try to flee, heal or cast a magic spell, 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 has acted.

Knifk! slow down, you can do it!

Well done Fenimor! Well done Guts!

Dak!... Nerwen checks Dak, He'll be ok, just needs a short rest.

Sarick! I'm sorry, you were right. If you'd been behind us you wouldn't have taken such a hit. Your first plan is better.

As for you thugs, you mugged the wrong people!

Nerwen lays into the pegleg'd thug again.

Order of battle when more people have posted actions.