Heroica RPG - Quest #131: The Kind of Law They'd Understand

[Lind Whisperer]

After having spent quite some time first traveling in one direction, then retracing their steps when they realized they were going exactly the wrong way, then re-retracing their steps when they realized that the problem was only that someone had gotten the longitude and the latitude confused, then expending some small energies on a minor disagreement of whose fault it was, then some large energies, then several hours of arguing over who forgot to bring the rez scrolls, then several more hours figuring out how exactly it was that they'd accidentally rezed a half-fly, half-human creature, and then even more hours un-rezing and re-rezing, and finally some significant actual travel time later, the party finally arrived at Lone Bamba Station, located somewhere or other - probably other - in the Low Kingdoms.

They were:

37 year old, Male, Half Giant,

Level: 14.5 Cleric *Gains Triple XP* *Immune to Fire, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, and Sealed Effects* *Party Leader*

Power: 24 (14+10)(X2 against Humanoid and Holy/Luminous)

Defense: 3

Health: 22/22 (9+13)

Ether: 23/23 (5+13 +5)

Gold: 96

Equipment: Verkenner (WP:10, Darkness elemental Broomstick,(X2 against Humanoid and Holy/Luminous)ranged)

Medal of Glory (accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened effects)(lent by Benji)

Fiery Robes of the Archmagi (SP:3 Bodywear +5 Ether, immunity to Sealed Effect and Fire)

IInventory:

Consumables: 4X Remedy, 6X Potion, 3X Smoke Bomb, 3X Mead, 5X Tonic, 7x Venom (poison -1), 3X Deadly Poison (Poison -10), Banana, Poison Bomb,

Grating Stone,

Weapons: Spark Hammer (WP:8, (X2 against Aquatic, Flying, and Mechanical) lightning-elemental hammer), Twin Sai (WP: 10, dual strike, dagger)

Artefacts: Wonky Shoes (footwear, SP: 3, suitable for all classes)(lent by Benj), 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.)

Witch's Talisman (Causes the witch's poisonous attacks to deal poison 10 instead of poison 1; suitable for witches, accessory)

Gems: , Topaz , Emerald X2, Diamond, Opal, Aquamarine X2, Garnet, Sapphire

Decamon Cards: Cherub (Luminous 3)

Tools: Bed Roll and Shovel

Warlen Melimane (The Chosen Minifigure)

Attacks deal

*Enamoured*

.

23 year old male half-elf Mage

Level 12.5

Power:

18 (12+6) (Spellpower: 29 (13+6+10)

Health:

17/17 (5+12)

SP:

2

Ether:

20/20 (5+12+3)

Gold:

15

Equipment:

Nightmare (WP:6, deals

*Enamoured*

effect, wand), Magicians Gloves (Power +10 to spells), Ethereal Cape (SP:2; Ether +3, backwear).

Inventory:

Weapons-

Eagle Shield (SP:4, protects from ether reduction).

Artefacts-

Tridentian Cape (Max Ether +3; protects from Blinded effect; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers and scholars; backwear).

Magic items-

Amethyst (Darkness), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Opal (Ice), Garnet (Earth), Topaz (Lightning), Diamond (Light), Scroll of Sleep (1/2 chance to make target fall asleep at the cost of 1 Ether), Scroll of Antimagic (1/2 chance to make the target *Immune to magic* at the cost of 1 ether).

Consumables-

4 Potions, Grand Potion, Health Core, 5 Tonics, 2 Remedies, Dragon Scale, 3x Mead, x2 Smoke bomb, Fire Bomb, Ice bomb, 3x Banana

Other Junk-

Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, 3x Bones

Annienal Anavir (Kintobor)

"19" year old elven female Knight

*Bonaparte Reputation*

Level 11

Power:

17 (10+7)

Defense:

7 (2+5)

Health:

21/21 (10+10+1)

Equipment:

Ammit (WP: 6; greatsword, user gains 5 ether for every kill); Plain Shield (SP: 5), Pauldrons (SP: 2, suitable for knights, dragoons, and skirmishers; accessory), Helmet (Max Health +1, headwear)

Gold:

323

Inventory:

Bonaparte Cutlass (WP:9, doubled if the user has reputation among the Bonapartes; longsword), Wicked Javelin (WP: 7, throwing weapon, retrievable, 1/6 chance to slow), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP: 4, Hits doubled against flying enemies, longsword), Training Sword (WP:4), Shark’s Tooth (Power increased by 5 against Aquatics, Accessory), Tridentian Cape (Max Ether +3; protects from Blinded effect; suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers and scholars; backwear)

Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind) 5x Potions, Field Rations (Restore 15 health), Banana (restores full health to the user), 2x Phoenix Essences, 2x Remedies, 2x Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Fire Bomb, Bedroll, Shovel, Telescope

Scrolls:

Scroll of Fire Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to fire for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Ice Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to ice for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Water Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to water for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether), Scroll of Wood Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to wood for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether)

Bobby "Young" Bucks Jr. (Zepher)

19 year old human Rogue

Level 7

*Immune to cursed*

*Attacks cause

enamored

*

Power:

17

(7+10)

Defense:

3

Health:

13/13

(7+6)

Gold:

59

Equipment:

Hue and Saturation whip (WP:10; causes Enamored), Nondescript Cape (SP: 3; protects from Cursed effect; suitable for rogues; backwear)

Inventory:

Fine-tuned Flute (WP:15, user is nimble; instrument), 3x Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Health Core, Remedy, Phoenix Essence, Mead, Shovel, Pickaxe

Miderun (CallMePie) *Attacks cause

enamored

*

18 year old female orc Barbarian

Level 11

Power:

25

(11 + 13 + 1)

Health:

18/18

(8 + 10)

Defense:

3

Gold:

160

Equipment:

Oculoid Claw (WP: 13, 1/6 chance of dealing the

infected

-effect, causing an enemy to lose health equal to 1/3 of their level rounded down at the end of each round, club), Seductive Perfume (Holder deals the

enamored

-effect, accessory, suitable for women),

Tricorne (SP: 3, headwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Bonaparte Cutlass (WP: 9, doubled if the user has reputation among the Bonapartes),

Serstyral (WP: 3, axe),

War Axe (WP: 9, suitable for suitable for barbarians, alchemists, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators and winged warriors.),

Mead

, Opal, Phoenix Essence, 3 Potions,

Remedy

,

Smoke Bomb,

High Heels (Power +1; suitable for women.),

7 Venoms

As they approached the tilt-roofed building, the party could see a bright red stagecoach waiting in front of it.

What would the party do?

General QM Note: Hi everyone! And welcome to Quest #131: The Kind of Law They'd Understood! Glad to have everyone! As most of you know, this

is

my first time as a QM, so if I make any mistakes or errors - or even if you

think

I've made an error, but you're not sure -

please

, speak up, and I'll see to it right away! Feel free to interact with scenery and any NPCs -

especially

the scenery. I'm on the side of the loot fence that considers

leaving anything nailed down

to be a waste of good lootable nails.

Let's go questing! :)

Exposition QM Note:

No

need to consider the majority of the incidents in opening paragraph as having actually happened*. It's just meant to be a funny bit of opening narration.

Moderator QM Note: I

will

get the opening picture shrunk down soon - my bad!

*Other than the arrival at Lone Bamba Station, of course!

Edited March 26, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[Kintobor]

Annienal looks around, the heat beating down on her and feeling all around more tired then usual. She'd never been exposed to a place as arid as this.

"Can't say I've ever been here, or heard of this place before..."

Looking at the tree, she examines the mushroom and fruit. She takes her cloak off and wraps it up, putting it into her bag.

OOC: Thanks for having me along! My stats look good.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Kintobor

[Lind Whisperer]

Looking at the tree, she examines the mushroom and fruit.

Examining the sole pieces of local fauna, Annienal makes a lucky find!

2x Rare Rockapple Fruit

(Raises health permanently by +1. Its shell is hard enough that it can also be used as a SP:4 Throwing Weapon - but not after it's been eaten, of course!)

1x Naturally Dehydrated Level-Up Shroom

(Although this normally delicious Mushroom has been dried up by the constant dry weather, it will still raise the hero's level by 1/2 of a full level!)

The Dehydrated Shroom would be easy to pick by hand, but the Rockapples were a bit too high up for her to reach. Perhaps one of the other heroes could help her out?

OOC: Thanks for having me along! My stats look good.

Glad to have you!

Edited March 26, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[The Chosen Minifigure]

Warlen looks around interestedly, bringing out his telescope and looking in the general direction of Heroica.

Then he digs in the ground, before nodding to the other heroes.

Ooc-Stats look good, except that nightfall already exists as a weapon, making a rename necessary. I'll call it... ummmm... Nightmare.

Warlen assists Annie, using a gust of wind to get the 2 apples down. Tossing one over, he inspects one with his magnifying glass to make sure it's safe. Unaware of it's powers, he bites in and feels slightly healthier.

[Kintobor]

Annienal pockets the mushroom for the time being, but looks at the Rockfruit curiously, thinking about how she could reach them.

"Vindsval, can you lend me hand? Um... quite literally. Could you pick those fruit for me?"

[Zepher]

Bobby shrugs off his coat and sweats profusely, waiting for his pals to finish up.

[Asphalt]

Vindsval watches the mage send burst after burst of wind at the fruit to little effect other than dusting them off, then when he isn't looking he swats them with his rock broom Verkenner. The apples fall to the mages feet. who then tosses one to Annienal and eats the other. Vindsval darts his eyes around hoping no one in the party saw what he did. Best to keep everyone's confidence high. He looks at the waiting coach and replaces Verkenner in its scabbard at his waist. He rubs his face and groans slightly.

"I do not believe we are all going to fit in the coach. Though there does not seem to be any other alternative."

As the party mills around the station he notices that despite the heat and lack of water the roof of the station is covered in lush green vegetation. He peers up and Examines the plants on the roof.

OOC: everything looks good I think, thanks for having me and making me party leader no less. Two quests in a row. quite an honor for the big guy. As far as that goes I dont normally pick actions for anyone player. I and your party might might make suggestions but I won't write anything down unless the QM says to pick an action for an absent player. If you have input on a decision I make please speak up in character or send me a PM. I'm looking forward to the quest. Lets go take out some bandits.

[Lind Whisperer]

Warlen looks around interestedly, bringing out his telescope and looking in the general direction of Heroica.

As they are many miles away from Heroica, all he sees is a generic panorama of the Low Kingdoms - although not an unattractive one, by any measure.

Then he digs in the ground, before nodding to the other heroes.

Unfortunately, lonely sand-covered climes are not known for growing such things as gold coins or silver ore, but his efforts do turn up three bones.

3x Bone - Can be thrown at monsters to distract them for a turn, worth 5 gold in magic shops.

Ooc-Stats look good, except that nightfall already exists as a weapon, making a rename necessary. I'll call it... ummmm... Nightmare.

QM Note: Noted, and fixed.

Tossing one over, he inspects one with his magnifying glass to make sure it's safe.

His magnifying glass reveals that it's a extremely rare Rockapple Fruit.

As the party mills around the station he notices that despite the heat and lack of water the roof of the station is covered in lush green vegetation. He peers up and Examines the plants on the roof.

The half-giant cleric examines the vines on the trellis awning, which from a distance look to be bright and green, but up close prove to be rather shriveled up by the constant action of the sun.

On the opposite side of the building, he can see a large water tank, apparently fed by some sort of pump system. He also notices a man working on the coach.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[Asphalt]

"It would seem that this land is far from prosperous, it takes great efforts to make the meagerest of life flourish."

Vindsval turns his attention from the vines to the coachman.

"Hail the coach" He deep voice booms over the sands "We are those who were sent for from the Hall of Heroica. Are you here to take us to our destination?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"Hail the coach" "We are those who were sent for from the Hall of Heroica. Are you here to take us to our destination?"

The man turns, and ambles cheerfully towards the heroes.

"Howdy, y'all. And yes, yes I am. T' name's Hill, Steve Hill. I was told there'd be a bunch of heroes a-coming through here sometime right about now.

Y'all ready to have me take you to t' settlement?"

[Asphalt]

"Well met Master Hill, I am called Vindsval, and I have been chosen as the leader and spokesman of our band. We are most eager to be on our way."

Vindsval looks rather uneasily at the small, almost dainty looking conveyance.

"I assume that your carriage is not designed for one of my stature. Would the roof hold my weight? I do not believe I would enhance the comfort of my companions if I attempted to ride within."

[Lind Whisperer]

Vindsval looks rather uneasily at the small, almost dainty looking conveyance.

"I assume that your carriage is not designed for one of my stature. Would the roof hold my weight? I do not believe I would enhance the comfort of my companions if I attempted to ride within."

The man looked at Vindsval, and then at the carriage, as if comparing the two in his mind. He nodded his head in agreement.

"Yep, you're right. It looks like y'all'l have to ride hand-cannon with me, up top like." He cocked his head. "But you don't have a hat - and this sun could sure give you a bad sun-burn..."

He snapped his fingers. "I got just the thing. Some lady left a parasol in the coach last trip or two. It should be big enough to give y'all some shade. Want I should fetch it?"

Edited March 26, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[Asphalt]

"I would be most grateful, for the use of your parasol"

At the mention of riding hand-cannon vindsval draws Verkenner from its scabbard.

"I have not a hand cannon, though this will fly far and true if needed. Do you expect us to be attacked on the way to the settlement?

He sets the rock broom flat on the palm of his hand then makes a flinging gesture outward. The weapon flies out at lighting speed and then wings back just as quickly to alight on his enormous palm.

[CMP]

Miderun looked around the area as she and her partymates trawled up the path near Sundragon Gulch. It may have been in the Low Kingdoms, and somewhere down under this dirt was probably an ocean of orc blood, but the place was hot, arid, and completely devoid of any meaningful vegetation - immediate memories of Baltarok swam to the surface of her mind.

But damn if it didn't also remind her just why she came to Eubric wearing so much crap.

So even as her party shrugged off their coats and cloaks, she just outright ripped off her heavy woolen sleeve and removed her cowl.

"Love this place already. Who are we killing again?"

[Asphalt]

Vindsval starts slightly at the site of Miderun removing her headscarf. In all of their adventures together he had never seen her even loosen the wrap.

"The change of climate has certainly loosened your outlook Miderun. I must admit I find this heat rather confining." He runs a finger under the collar of his tunic.

While he is waiting for the stagecoach master to return with the Parasol, Vindsval walks over to Annienal and whispers to her.

Mistress Annie, if I may be so forward, your armor and shield protect you well, but your helmet may prove stifling in this heat." He pulls the Wonky Shoes from his pouch. "You are our most robust frontline fighter, might I offer you these to help protect you further?" He offers her the use of the WONKY SHOES (footwear, SP3) for the duration of the quest.

[CMP]

Vindsval starts slightly at the site of Miderun removing her headscarf. In all of their adventures together he had never seen her even loosen the wrap.

"The change of climate has certainly loosened your outlook Miderun. I must admit I find this heat rather confining." He runs a finger under the collar of his tunic.

"Must be from being a giant, then. I couldn't be more at home here unless there were a few dozen more orcs."

Miderun looked sideways at the stagecoach.

"That's a really strange cart, though."

[Kintobor]

While he is waiting for the stagecoach master to return with the Parasol, Vindsval walks over to Annienal and whispers to her.

Mistress Annie, if I may be so forward, your armor and shield protect you well, but your helmet may prove stifling in this heat." He pulls the Wonky Shoes from his pouch. "You are our most robust frontline fighter, might I offer you these to help protect you further?" He offers her the use of the WONKY SHOES (footwear, SP3) for the duration of the quest.

Annie takes the shoes, but looks Vindsval in the eye, looking worried.

"I'd prefer if you just called me Annie, or Annienal if you wish to be former, Vindsval. Mistress has a... um, well, rather sexual meaning as I'm sure you know, and I'd prefer to not be referred to as such. I, um, don't mean to be rude, though, it's just, well... yeah, I'd rather not be called a mistress. Besides, I think we're friends to a point where we don't need to call each other sir or madame." Annienal nudges Vind with her elbow while winking, but retracts after hitting his armour too hard, rubbing her elbow.

"Ow! Well... um thank you for the shoes. They're certainly... different." She takes her boots off and places the Wonky Shoes on her feet, finding their protection worthwhile, but her balance slightly askew. They were definitely made for someone with bigger feet. She then removes her Helmet.

"Must be from being a giant, then. I couldn't be more at home here unless there were a few dozen more orcs."

Miderun looked sideways at the stagecoach.

"That's a really strange cart, though."

Annienal holds out the mushroom and the apple to Miderun, thinking she'd perhaps want either of them. If not, she could pass them along to someone else.

"Miderun, would you... um..." She looks Miderun's face over, now able to see her fully.

"Um... I was wondering if you wanted either of these?"

[CMP]

Annienal holds out the mushroom and the apple to Miderun, thinking she'd perhaps want either of them. If not, she could pass them along to someone else.

"Miderun, would you... um..." She looks Miderun's face over, now able to see her fully.

"Um... I was wondering if you wanted either of these?"

"I'm good. Maybe Bobby should get the apple. He's too soft to take much of a beating when the fighting starts." Miderun smirked a bit, then looked around the desert horizon to see if she could spot anything.

Edited March 26, 2015 by CallMePie

[Zepher]

"Must be from being a giant, then. I couldn't be more at home here unless there were a few dozen more orcs."

Miderun looked sideways at the stagecoach.

"That's a really strange cart, though."

"Yo, it ain't being a giant, it's this friggin' heat, I'm sweating balls over here. It's never been this hot in Eubric, yo." Bobby sneezes in the sun. "Last quest I was dealing with snow, god damn! Ah well, I'm sure I'll dig it soon enough. What's up, my man Steve Hill! Bobby Young Bucks Jr yo, it's rad to meet you!"

[CMP]

"Yo, it ain't being a giant, it's this friggin' heat, I'm sweating balls over here. It's never been this hot in Eubric, yo." Bobby sneezes in the sun. "Last quest I was dealing with snow, god damn! Ah well, I'm sure I'll dig it soon enough. What's up, my man Steve Hill! Bobby Young Bucks Jr yo, it's rad to meet you!"

"I meant because us orocund are used to this kind of heat." Miderun shook her head. "You wouldn't last a day in the girahk dal Baltarok. But you'll get used to it."

[Asphalt]

"Must be from being a giant, then. I couldn't be more at home here unless there were a few dozen more orcs."

Miderun looked sideways at the stagecoach.

"That's a really strange cart, though."

"Indeed, though do not mistake my heritage. My father was not one of the Brownskin Clans who fled to the south upon gaining their freedom. He was a greenskin, his people had been among the northmen for some time before he became involved with my mother. But that is perhaps a subject kept to myself."

Annie takes the shoes, but looks Vindsval in the eye, looking worried.

"I'd prefer if you just called me Annie, or Annienal if you wish to be former, Vindsval. Mistress has a... um, well, rather sexual meaning as I'm sure you know, and I'd prefer to not be referred to as such. I, um, don't mean to be rude, though, it's just, well... yeah, I'd rather not be called a mistress. Besides, I think we're friends to a point where we don't need to call each other sir or madame." Annienal nudges Vind with her elbow while winking, but retracts after hitting his armour too hard, rubbing her elbow.

"Ow! Well... um thank you for the shoes. They're certainly... different." She takes her boots off and places the Wonky Shoes on her feet, finding their protection worthwhile, but her balance slightly askew. They were definitely made for someone with bigger feet. She then removes her Helmet.

Annienal holds out the mushroom and the apple to Miderun, thinking she'd perhaps want either of them. If not, she could pass them along to someone else.

"As you say Mistr... Err Annie. We have indeed passed into friendship. But please know I made no insinuation in my greeting." His voice rumbles deep in his chest, embarrassment perhaps?

"If you do not wish to partake of the mushroom, nor Miderun or Bobby, I would eat it. There is something about it that feels as if it might level off my disposition."

[Lind Whisperer]

"I would be most grateful, for the use of your parasol"

"I'll go and get it fer ye, then."

"I have not a hand cannon, though this will fly far and true if needed. Do you expect us to be attacked on the way to the settlement?

"That's just a bit of an expression we use around here," the man called back as he headed towards the coach. "Just means you'll be sitting t' m' left.

Attacked? Don't hardly know. Bandits around here used to not be a problem - but they keep a-popping up, more an' more. Might be attacked today, might be attacked tomorrow - you just never know, no more."

"Love this place already. Who are we killing again?"

The driver stuck his head into the coach. "Well, it could use some more grass - and people - and pretty much everything - but it's not the worst place t' be livin' an' workin'."

He leaned back out. "Who're y'all going to be killing? Well, that's hardly in my job description, but that one bit of bandit scum, Sean Cole, I believe he's been a-making threats about t' settlement. Of course, t' mine foreman could likely fill you in on all the details far better than ever I could." He ducked back inside. "Now, where is that thing..."

What's up, my man Steve Hill! Bobby Young Bucks Jr yo, it's rad to meet you!"

"Howdy to you t'-Ah! Here it is!" The man emerged from the coach, triumphantly holding a rather pink umbrella up high. "Here y'all are." He offered the umbrella to Vindsval.

1xVery Pink Parasol: Broomstick, WP:1, Male enemies are Enamored with the hero.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Lind Whisperer

[Asphalt]

"Wanderer, preserve and guide.... Umm yes, many thanks sir." Vindsval takes Very Pink Parasol and extends it above his head to cast a shade about himself. It is a very large example of its kind and casts a bit of shade on Bobby as well. He looks up at the translucent pink device. Perhaps status symbols are different among humans in the desert.

"It is good to know that you do not expect open attack, but be at ease, will will be ready if it happens." He looks around, just knowing Bobby or Warlen are about to make a comment about his new accessory. He takes a deep breath and readies himself for their usual banter. If they can understand one another these two may be a formidable pair, though for the good or ill of the group it may yet to be seen. It may be a good thing he will need to ride outside of the carriage confines. It would not bode well for the party of one of the two were accidentally thrown from the conveyance.

"Perhaps it is time we depart. We make no advancement towards the goals of our employer standing here."

[Kintobor]

Annienal looks her two items over, trying to figure out who, besides Warlen, would best fit them. She finds the dilemma confusing until she sorts it out in her head.

"Here, Vind, do you want this Mushroom? Bobby, why don't you, um, have an apple. I have no idea how it tastes, but hopefully it's good!"

[The Chosen Minifigure]

Luckily for Vindsval, Warlen was too preoccupied trying to bite into the Apple to notice his umbrella. Stepping into the cart, he accidentally knocks a couple of cushions off the chairs. Before returning them, he has a quick look at them before seating himself by the left window.

Ooc-I accept your challenge.