Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World

[Flipz]

Matthias can't take the Munchkin talk any longer. He marches over to Hoke and looks up the man from about knee level. "Gnome. Not Munchkin. Got it, bigjob?" The demanding look on the little druid's face would be enough to cause even a fearless warrior to pause, if the warrior was also very tiny.

Arthur cocks his head at Matthias. "You're a...very different person than the other gnome Hero I know."

"<Was he also such a hostile being?>"

"Miirym," Arthur chides. "But no, he wasn't."

[The Legonater]

So Arthur, is there anything you want for this horseshoe?

[Flipz]

So Arthur, is there anything you want for this horseshoe?

Arthur hesitates a moment. Dyric was a friend, a brother. But all the same, the weapon had value, both monetary and sentimental. After his moment of thought, Arthur settles on an answer. "Tell you what, give me that mushroom and we'll call it even," he says with a smile.

[StickFig]

Startled by Arthur's address, and still in an uncharacteristic foul mood, Matthias retorts in broken dragon, "Perhaps that other hero you knew wasn't being called a Munchkin."

[UsernameMDM]

Startled by Arthur's address, and still in an uncharacteristic foul mood, Matthias retorts in broken dragon, "Perhaps that other hero you knew wasn't being called a Munchkin."

"If a word hurts you so much, then I would hate to see what a blade or a bit of elemental power would do to you," Hoke says with a wink.

Edited July 25, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[StickFig]

"Probably the same it would do to you, bigjob," Matthias answers, but nonetheless the dragon rider's wink brings back a little levity to the gnome's countenance. "So if Guts and Hybros are the only ones meant to go inside, what should the rest of us do out here?" he asks mischieviously.

[Purpearljellyblob]

"If a word hurts you so much, then I would hate to see what a blade or a bit of elemental power would do to you," Hoke says with a wink.

"That word invokes much ill memories. Least to say our gnomish friend here was beaten to a pulp by that munchkin on our way up the mountains one time." says Purpearl in jest.

[StickFig]

"Aye; it was not a good day for any of us on that mountain road." The gnome looks defeated for a moment, but refuses to withdraw again. "Let's talk of happier days. It will be good to tour the High Kingdoms once more and learn how the peace we won there has held."

[Flipz]

"That word invokes much ill memories. Least to say our gnomish friend here was beaten to a pulp by that munchkin on our way up the mountains one time." says Purpearl in jest.

"That's...horrible," Arthur says, misinterpreting Purpearl's jest as condescension. "Clearly I underestimated what a terrible person Lind was. Still, perhaps his actions will come back to haunt him--perhaps someone else will pay him back in kind."

"Aye; it was not a good day for any of us on that mountain road." The gnome looks defeated for a moment, but refuses to withdraw again. "Let's talk of happier days. It will be good to tour the High Kingdoms once more and learn how the peace we won there has held."

"Happier days, eh?" Arthur thinks back on his own history, what seem to him as a long string of miserable memories mixed with a few happier recollections that had been tainted by later revelations and poor decisions. "There's only three that stand out to me at the moment: my training with the Lion Knights to become a Skirmisher, the day I met Jules and the crew of the Magpie, and the day I decided to leave Heroica to focus on my family. If I had to pick three moments to be remembered by, it would probably be them."

Edited July 25, 2015 by Flipz

[UsernameMDM]

""Let's talk of happier days. It will be good to tour the High Kingdoms once more and learn how the peace we won there has held."

Hoke shot the gnome an apprehensive look.

"Nothing happy happened on that trip. I would be most shocked if an semblence of lasting peace is in that area. Too much blood spilled too violently," Hoke says somberly,"I guess there must have been some fun in that circus you were traveling with, but the paladins, the orcs, the northmen and that bridge do not conjure any pleasing memories for me."

[StickFig]

Thinking of the bridge, Matthias grimaces, and looks towards Guts, wondering if the still thought that it was ok to sacrifice less experienced Heroes. "Aye, the circus was fair and beautiful, Glup and Boris and Nelvin and Mirona... wonderful days in the Low Kingdoms after the battles had all been fought. I have hope for the High Kingdoms as well; both the Orc King and the Human King seemed genuine in their desires for peace."

[The Legonater]

Arthur hesitates a moment. Dyric was a friend, a brother. But all the same, the weapon had value, both monetary and sentimental. After his moment of thought, Arthur settles on an answer. "Tell you what, give me that mushroom and we'll call it even," he says with a smile.

A fair deal. I accept.

[Zepher]

OoC: Sorry all, got stuck in the city unexpectedly last night. We'll be off to the races in just a bit.

Guts and Hybros are let into the mansion by U'Or. The rest of the heroes will simply have to wait.

[Flipz]

A fair deal. I accept.

Arthur takes the Level-Up Mushroom. "Cheers," he says, consuming it and being sure to save some for Miirym as well.

OOC: Any chance of a response from Lady Felix to this post?

[Zepher]

OoC: Oops, sorry for the wait guys, I've bee waiting for JimBee to reply to a PM but realized he said he'd be away. So we'll move on.

"We are. We don't really advertize it much, but we're the one of the most powerful Circles of Mages in Eubric, if not across the whole of Olegaia. I...only recently learned of my heritage however. My mother is Valentine Ziegfried, inventor of the Z-mail system so many folks use these days." Arthur beams in pride at his mother's accomplishments--accomplishments, he suddenly remembered, that his father had tried to steal for himself. "I...very much prefer Mom's side of the family to the one in which I was raised."

Lady Felix just shrugs.

"Lineage is boring," she says. "But I'd love it if you gave me a tour of your family's house some time."

Another bustling figure enters in through the front gate. He glances at all the heroes, nodding a hello to Arthur.

"Arthur." He looks at the other heroes. His voice is quiet and metallic. "Greetings. My name is Doc Daneeka. I am a Sayyip - one of the last, so if you have not met my kind before, that is why. I have come to collect those of you who are heading to the High Kingdoms and Baltarok. Our ship is departing shortly." He looks around a little bit more. "Where are Hybros and Guts?"

[StickFig]

Matthias regards the strange man - Sayyip - quizzically for a second, and looks around at Rone and Berthadhiell before nodding to the inner door. "I believe they went inside, Doctor."

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl nods at Doc as she waits patiently outside the gate.

[Zepher]

"Thank you, gnome. I will wait for them, then."

Doc Daneeka waits only a minute or two until Guffington, Hybros, and Guts step back out of the Manor, followed by U'Or. They all nod a greeting to the Doctor.

"Is it time then?"

"Yes. Guts will be traveling with you, along with the gnome Matthias and the assassin Dyric Rone." Guffington smiles. "I assume our transport is ready as well?"

"I just did a final once over with Elba. It should be functioning fine. If not, I expect he will be able to repair anything. I will see you in Etheria, Gerald." Doc turns to Guts. "If you would follow me down to the docks."

Doc Daneeka and his party depart for the docks.

"And the rest of you will be following me down to the warehouses."

The heroes, along with Lady Felix and U'Or, follow Guffington down to the warehouses. Guffington produces a key and unlocks one, but walks all the way around back to an open field. In the field is a mammoth boat, sitting right there on dry land. Aboard is one Captain Elba, who waves merrily.

"Hello, all! Ready to shove off?"

[UsernameMDM]

"Aye,"Hoke affirms after checking over his equipment and Torc.

Edited July 26, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[Flipz]

"Indeed we are," Arthur replies, Miirym nodding in confirmation from his shoulder.

[JimBee]

Hybros gives a wave to Daneeka, but doesn't have time for much else. He also gives a parting nod to the other heroes. "Take care."

"Captain Elba, it is good to see you. I think we are ready." He gave the ship a once-over. "An airship, hm? I rode one on my last visit to Xu, as well. Although it does not compare to riding dragons, it is a welcome change from the regular ships on the sea, heheh. So long as it does not rock around too much."

[Flipz]

Hybros gives a wave to Daneeka, but doesn't have time for much else. He also gives a parting nod to the other heroes. "Take care."

"Captain Elba, it is good to see you. I think we are ready." He gave the ship a once-over. "An airship, hm? I rode one on my last visit to Xu, as well. Although it does not compare to riding dragons, it is a welcome change from the regular ships on the sea, heheh. So long as it does not rock around too much."

Arthur too waves to Daneeka as he departs. He looks over at Hybros. "If I am correct, I have probably ridden the same airship on my own journey to Xu. I wonder if we will meet another Cloud Gigas on our journey? That would certainly be a worthy fight for us."

[JimBee]

Arthur too waves to Daneeka as he departs. He looks over at Hybros. "If I am correct, I have probably ridden the same airship on my own journey to Xu. I wonder if we will meet another Cloud Gigas on our journey? That would certainly be a worthy fight for us."

"Hm, yes, Legonardo is quite the inventor, heheh. I have of course heard of Lady Shanxian's new rule there. Perhaps on the way you could tell me the details of what happened there during your quest..."

[Flipz]

"Hm, yes, Legonardo is quite the inventor, heheh. I have of course heard of Lady Shanxian's new rule there. Perhaps on the way you could tell me the details of what happened there during your quest..."

"It is a bit of a long tale. Atramor, Skrall, Miirym, and I were assigned to be Lady Shanxian's protectors when she was called to Xu by the Council of the Blue Hand. They were suspicious of Jun's involvement with the 108 Stars of Destiny--apparently a group of bandits with revolutionary aspirations. It turned out that it was not Jun they needed to worry about, but Lady Shanxian herself--with Monsignore Legonardo's help, she had assembled a small strike force of automatons and snake-ninjas from Nagashan, who proceeded to attack the Citadel in the Clouds. We rushed to the Council chambers, only to learn that Lady Shanxian, her sister-in-law Maiwei Ji Pei, and Monsignore Legonardo had arranged an alliance with Nagashan to usurp the Council, and after defeating their guards we learned that the Littlefinger of the Council was also in on the coup. That's where I got this shield, actually," Arthur explains, hefting the Blue Hand Shield. "Anyway, before we left we met the Naga leaders Raja Serpior and his wife Rani Shiveta, and bid farewell to Monsignore Legonardo, who decided to stay in Xu. Lady Shanxian told us that the new Council will have representatives from each of the twenty-six provinces, in an attempt to more fairly represent the people of Xu. I hope that the results of our little revolution have lived up to those intentions."

[JimBee]

"It is a bit of a long tale. Atramor, Skrall, Miirym, and I were assigned to be Lady Shanxian's protectors when she was called to Xu by the Council of the Blue Hand. They were suspicious of Jun's involvement with the 108 Stars of Destiny--apparently a group of bandits with revolutionary aspirations. It turned out that it was not Jun they needed to worry about, but Lady Shanxian herself--with Monsignore Legonardo's help, she had assembled a small strike force of automatons and snake-ninjas from Nagashan, who proceeded to attack the Citadel in the Clouds. We rushed to the Council chambers, only to learn that Lady Shanxian, her sister-in-law Maiwei Ji Pei, and Monsignore Legonardo had arranged an alliance with Nagashan to usurp the Council, and after defeating their guards we learned that the Littlefinger of the Council was also in on the coup. That's where I got this shield, actually," Arthur explains, hefting the Blue Hand Shield. "Anyway, before we left we met the Naga leaders Raja Serpior and his wife Rani Shiveta, and bid farewell to Monsignore Legonardo, who decided to stay in Xu. Lady Shanxian told us that the new Council will have representatives from each of the twenty-six provinces, in an attempt to more fairly represent the people of Xu. I hope that the results of our little revolution have lived up to those intentions."

"I see... thank you, Arthur. I am not sure if allying with Nagashan was the right choice, but Lady Shanxian is wise and I trust her judgement. Her people deserve to be treated fairly, and anyone who thought that Jun would be involved with those bandits is blind. I fought alongside him against that very group in their own pagoda. We killed most of them, but in the end they overwhelmed us. We... we failed, and they captured Jun. He helps govern his family house and the Tritech in Eubric now, after he was rescued."

"I suppose we will see the state of Xu when we visit, eheh..."