Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Captain Elba. I'm ready." Anticipating the trip to the sky, while listening in to the exchange of tales between the dragoon and the marauder.

[UsernameMDM]

Torc takes flight as the dragoon and his fellow quest mates board the air ship.

Stats edit on stats page. Please see update.

Edited July 27, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[Zepher]

The heroes board the ship, and Elba cuts the mooring. Stepping behind the wheel he gives it a yank and the propellers all over the ship begin to whirl and they're up up and away, soaring over Eubric. Guffington stands at the edge of the ship looking over the edge, his eyes a little watery from the wind. U'Or stands behind him.

Lady Felix takes a glance around and then shrugs.

"I'll be drinking in the cabin. Come on in if you want to play some games," she says. "Gerald, that means you too."

Guffington nods as the city fades further into view and steps inside with Zora. Elba stands at the wheel, and U'Or remains on deck. Who would the heroes like to address?

[JimBee]

Hybros looks out over the landscape as the airship flies away from Eubric Freeport, seeing if he can pick out landmarks he knows. After awhile all he can see are clouds and sea. He decides to join Lady Felix and Guffington in the cabin. He sits next to them, and his drink of choice is Mead mixed with Nostrum swirled into a creamy orange cocktail.

"What are we playing?"

[UsernameMDM]

Hoke watches as the city disappears into nothingness as the clouds and sky engulfed the airship. Torc flew alongside, every once in awhile pulling some type of maneuver that would seem playful to most, but, Hoke knew whatever she did in the sky, she would do in battle. After awhile, Hoke approaches the one that posted the notice for the adventure, U'Or.

"So, what are these artefacts we are going after?"

[Zepher]

Lady Felix herself sips on a mead.

"I figured we might start with a game of chance and then transition into one of skill once our minds are a little more liberated. Have you ever played high card?" she asks, shuffling a deck.

High Card

For two players:

The Hero may wager any amount of gold, and Lady Felix will match it. That gold becomes the pot. The hero and Lady Felix each flip a card, and the highest card wins the current pot.

The winner of the pot may either keep the pot, or offer double or nothing. If the loser accepts double or nothing, they must match the current pot and the winner will return the won gold to the pot. The game is then played again. The game can be played up to six rounds per game.

OoC: I will roll a die before each game to see how many rounds Lady Felix will be willing to play. Ask if you have any question. I would draw cards for both contestants each round.

"What do you say, Hybros? Want to make a wager?"

[JimBee]

"Sounds simple enough, heheh. I will wager 20 gold."

[Zepher]

"Oh! Oh, apologies, you startled me. Master Hoke, yes? That is a fine dragon that you have, sir." He blushes. "I'm afraid I'm a little day dreamy today - you see, I have not seen my home land since I was nearly too young to remember it when I last saw my home land."

"Ah, but that is no concern for you. Business!" U'Or opens up his briefcase and shuffles a few papers. "Our artifacts. Yes. Ahem." He clears his throat. "In Dastan we will be picking up the Dragon's Heart Flame. It is a very old fire that the Dragons have kept alive for years, or perhaps the other way around... it is said that it can breath life and will into being and things! Some speculate that the dragons themselves crawled out of it." He looks through some other notes. "And in Xu we will be picking up the First Breath. It is considered the first exhale from the first great being, and is often associated with freedom and the mind. It is waiting for us in a room of a Chi Monk Temple."

Lady Felix tosses 20 gold on the table as well, and draws a King of Spades.

"That'll prove tough to beat, Hybros."

Hybros draws a Four of Hearts. Lady Felix smiles cockily and drags the gold to her side of the table.

"Want to give it another shot? It'll only cost you 40 gold."

If Hybros doubles down, it will cost him 40 gold, but the winning pot becomes 80.

[UsernameMDM]

"It is waiting for us in a room of a Chi Monk Temple."

"Waiting? Simply waiting? If so, why hire Heroica?" Hoke asks with a doubtful look, "Do these artefacts do anything? What is the purpose for us going to collect them?"

Edited July 27, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[JimBee]

"What do they say? Punch me! But, ehem, not actually please."

Hybros tosses another 40 gold into the pot.

[Zepher]

"Waiting? Simply waiting? If so, why hire Heroica?" Hoke asks with a doubtful look, "Do these artefacts do anything? What is the purpose for us going to collect them?"

"Simply waiting, yes." U'O smiles. "Master Guffington has some good friends in the land of Xu. And I think you will find he likes to mix business with pleasure. He will need your assistance surely in Dastan - think of the cost to sail you there, then back, then have himself fly there and past there to Xu, and then to Etheria. I ran the numbers and it is much more efficient to do it all in one trip. Besides, why rob you of the chance to see Xu?"

"What do they say? Punch me! But, ehem, not actually please."

Hybros tosses another 40 gold into the pot.

This time Lady Felix draws a Jack of Clubs, and Hybros a Nine of Spades.

She pockets the gold. "Perhaps we should play again with a smaller opening bet."

Would Hybros like to play again?

[Flipz]

The heroes board the ship, and Elba cuts the mooring. Stepping behind the wheel he gives it a yank and the propellers all over the ship begin to whirl and they're up up and away, soaring over Eubric. Guffington stands at the edge of the ship looking over the edge, his eyes a little watery from the wind. U'Or stands behind him.

Lady Felix takes a glance around and then shrugs.

"I'll be drinking in the cabin. Come on in if you want to play some games," she says. "Gerald, that means you too."

Guffington nods as the city fades further into view and steps inside with Zora. Elba stands at the wheel, and U'Or remains on deck. Who would the heroes like to address?

Arthur raises an eyebrow and follows Lady Felix and Guffington inside, sipping a Mead as he does so. He seems content merely to watch Zora and Hybros' game, focusing mostly on the former.

Miirym, meanwhile, settles near Hoke and U'Or. Upon hearing of the Dragon's Heart Flame, she furrows her brow. "If this flame is so intimately connected to my people," she mentally projects to both Hoke and U'Or, "why would we be willing to part with such a precious gift?"

[JimBee]

This time Lady Felix draws a Jack of Clubs, and Hybros a Nine of Spades.

She pockets the gold. "Perhaps we should play again with a smaller opening bet."

Would Hybros like to play again?

"Hm, my luck has to turn around sometime soon."

Hybros wagers 30 more gold.

[Zepher]

Miirym, meanwhile, settles near Hoke and U'Or. Upon hearing of the Dragon's Heart Flame, she furrows her brow. "If this flame is so intimately connected to my people," she mentally projects to both Hoke and U'Or, "why would we be willing to part with such a precious gift?"

"That is where the trouble may arise. We need only a small flame from the Heart Flame, and it will be able to regenerate it easily. It burns forever. But dragons can be jealous and guard their treasures, even if there are enough to go around."

Lady Felix plops 30 gold onto the table to match Hybros'. This time she draws a Ten of Clubs, and Hybros pulls a Queen of Clubs, proving his luck did truly turn around. She nods to him.

"Your move."

[JimBee]

"Heh! I will keep the gold. At least I was able to make some of it back. What was this game of skill that you spoke of?"

[UsernameMDM]

"That is where the trouble may arise. We need only a small flame from the Heart Flame, and it will be able to regenerate it easily. It burns forever. But dragons can be jealous and guard their treasures, even if there are enough to go around."

"Says those that want what others have but don't want to share what they have."

"What does Guffington want to do with these artefacts?" Hoke asked even thought he already knew the answer.

Edited July 27, 2015 by UsernameMDM

[Flipz]

"Heh! I will keep the gold. At least I was able to make some of it back. What was this game of skill that you spoke of?"

"I, too am interested in this game of skill you mentioned, Lady Felix."

"That is where the trouble may arise. We need only a small flame from the Heart Flame, and it will be able to regenerate it easily. It burns forever. But dragons can be jealous and guard their treasures, even if there are enough to go around."

"Jealous? I am not jealous, I seek only to protect my proper due from those seeking unfair gain. Were I the guardian of this flame, only one who has earned my respect and proven to be a being of worth would be allowed to walk away with even an ember." Miirym flaps her wings and poses proudly on the ship's railing, though she is forced to fold them quickly to avoid being blown away. "Of course, my companion will prove his worth to my people, and my own is of course beyond question, so there is no doubt of our mission's success; that said, however, it is disappointing to hear the disrespect in which my fellow Dragons are held." The little dragon seems to have taken U'or's words personally.

Edited July 27, 2015 by Flipz

[Purpearljellyblob]

"Ah, but that is no concern for you. Business!" U'Or opens up his briefcase and shuffles a few papers. "Our artifacts. Yes. Ahem." He clears his throat. "In Dastan we will be picking up the Dragon's Heart Flame. It is a very old fire that the Dragons have kept alive for years, or perhaps the other way around... it is said that it can breath life and will into being and things! Some speculate that the dragons themselves crawled out of it." He looks through some other notes. "And in Xu we will be picking up the First Breath. It is considered the first exhale from the first great being, and is often associated with freedom and the mind. It is waiting for us in a room of a Chi Monk Temple."

"Simply waiting, yes." U'O smiles. "Master Guffington has some good friends in the land of Xu. And I think you will find he likes to mix business with pleasure. He will need your assistance surely in Dastan - think of the cost to sail you there, then back, then have himself fly there and past there to Xu, and then to Etheria. I ran the numbers and it is much more efficient to do it all in one trip. Besides, why rob you of the chance to see Xu?"

"Interesting choice of words, U'Or, picking, waiting. Sugar coating words and dampening down the situation, sounding innocent, doesn't make reality any easier or do yourself any favours. Might as well lay it all out for us. I assume these artefacts might not be as readily accessible as one would think, or else our services wouldn't be required, agree? Who do we have to walk past to pick these artefacts that will be waiting for us?" Purpearl shrugs, "I have a strong suspicion that it might be more political than one would think, Hoke, Regulus, else why send word?"

Edited July 28, 2015 by Purpearljellyblob

[UsernameMDM]

"Indeed," Hoke said as he folded his arms across his chest, "U'or, what are the 2 artefacts are companions are going after in the north, and what do they do?"

[Zepher]

-In The Cabin (Guffington, Felix, Arthur, Hybros)-

"The game of skill is a little different. Gerald, are you ready?" He nods. "This is an old drinking game. I don't know if I've ever played with Gerald before, but that is all the better. This game is called Two Truths and a Lie. It is simple. We will go around the circle and say three things about ourselves - two truths, one lie. Then the rest of the circle guesses which is the lie. Every person who guesses the lie correctly will be paid ten gold out of the pocket of the person who made the statements. Everyone who guesses incorrectly will pay ten gold to the person who made the statements. Easy enough? Would you both like to play?"

[Flipz]

"I'm in," Arthur replies.

[Zepher]

-On Deck (U'Or, Miirym, Hoke, Purpearl)-

"Jealous? I am not jealous, I seek only to protect my proper due from those seeking unfair gain. Were I the guardian of this flame, only one who has earned my respect and proven to be a being of worth would be allowed to walk away with even an ember." Miirym flaps her wings and poses proudly on the ship's railing, though she is forced to fold them quickly to avoid being blown away. "Of course, my companion will prove his worth to my people, and my own is of course beyond question, so there is no doubt of our mission's success; that said, however, it is disappointing to hear the disrespect in which my fellow Dragons are held." The little dragon seems to have taken U'or's words personally.

"Interesting choice of words, U'Or, picking, waiting. Sugar coating words and dampening down the situation, sounding innocent, doesn't make reality any easier or do yourself any favours. Might as well lay it all out for us. I assume these artefacts might not be as readily accessible as one would think, or else our services wouldn't be required, agree? Who do we have to walk past to pick these artefacts that will be waiting for us?" Purpearl shrugs, "I have a strong suspicion that it might be more political than one would think, Hoke, Regulus, else why send word?"

"Indeed," Hoke said as he folded his arms across his chest, "U'or, what are the 2 artefacts are companions are going after in the north, and what do they do?"

U'Or seems cowed by all the questions.

"Oh... oh dear. I guess being a hero makes you distrustful I guess. Oh dear. Master Guffington is not a liar though. I told you, the Flame will be guarded by Dragons, and we will not have an easy time getting it - it's like Miirym says, we will have to prove ourselves to the Dragon Guardians so we will not have an easy time getting it since they are greedy and guard their treasures carefully. The Dragons of Dastan, that is. I am told..."

"The artifact in Xu will not have to be won by force. We have great friends at the Temple we are visiting. I have never met them, but Master Guffington is not a violent man, and would be even less likely to harm his friends. They are simply holding the Breath for us."

"As for your companions..." U'Or shuffles through some more documents. "The Anvil of Oleg, associated with flesh, bone, the physical things of this world. With creation. With use of tools. With combat. With sex... oh dear." U'Or blushes. "And... the Water from the Fountain of Youth. It is said to grant immortal life... or something similar. It is also associated with the ability to adapt and change. Those are what your companions are after those things." U'Or rubs his hands together nervously. "Is that all on the table enough for you? I am not opposed to questions, I just... I don't understand the hostility." He looks over the edge of the ship at the clouds rolling by. Dusk has started to fall.

[UsernameMDM]

"I don't understand the hostility." He looks over the edge of the ship at the clouds rolling by. Dusk has started to fall.

"None meant," Hoke says with a smile as he slaps the U'kin on the shoulder. He looks over the railing to see Torc had flown close by, as if she was listening to the conversation the whole time. Hoke shot her a wink and headed over to Captain Elba.

"Captain," Hoke says as the nods in greeting to the man, "Looks like good skies for flying."

[JimBee]

"Yes, I am ready. Perhaps you should go first, Lady Felix."

[Flipz]

-On Deck (U'Or, Miirym, Hoke, Purpearl)-

U'Or seems cowed by all the questions.

"Oh... oh dear. I guess being a hero makes you distrustful I guess. Oh dear. Master Guffington is not a liar though. I told you, the Flame will be guarded by Dragons, and we will not have an easy time getting it - it's like Miirym says, we will have to prove ourselves to the Dragon Guardians so we will not have an easy time getting it since they are greedy and guard their treasures carefully. The Dragons of Dastan, that is. I am told..."

"The artifact in Xu will not have to be won by force. We have great friends at the Temple we are visiting. I have never met them, but Master Guffington is not a violent man, and would be even less likely to harm his friends. They are simply holding the Breath for us."

"As for your companions..." U'Or shuffles through some more documents. "The Anvil of Oleg, associated with flesh, bone, the physical things of this world. With creation. With use of tools. With combat. With sex... oh dear." U'Or blushes. "And... the Water from the Fountain of Youth. It is said to grant immortal life... or something similar. It is also associated with the ability to adapt and change. Those are what your companions are after those things." U'Or rubs his hands together nervously. "Is that all on the table enough for you? I am not opposed to questions, I just... I don't understand the hostility." He looks over the edge of the ship at the clouds rolling by. Dusk has started to fall.

"The honorable Lady Shanxian failed to inform us of her true plan prior to our arrival in Xu, resulting in unnecessary deaths. We simply wish to ensure full transparency to prevent such in the future." With those mental "words" to those nearby, Miirym retreats to a position behind the ship's wheel, curling up and remaining silent so as to recover her energy.