Heroica RPG - Quest #147: Judgment Day

[Endgame]

"Shocker."

"Puns? You're dead to m-" before Gabriel could finish, the Progg squadron brought down the wall blocking forward progress. They give a scaly thumbs up, their fingers looking more like the sheath of dagger rather than digits.

"That's your cue. You'll find a circle of stone on the roof of the cavern when you hit a dead end - climb up the stairs and lift it, it's artificial, it's light. And bring back The Falconer."

That was an order, and the party quickly obeyed. The tunnel slanted back up, and soon they cold swear they heard the pitter patter of rain above them. They reach the end of the tunnel, and shove over the lid. A breeze flows in - or so they wished. Instead it was a torrent of wind, sharp and cold. Moonlight creeped in as the party exited the tunnel, finally on Billow. A figure on white greeted them.

He cocked his head, looking confused. He was heavily clad in armor, but notably, where the human frame should've been showing in the gaps of the armor, there was only a shimmering ice blue mist. Rain pounded down around them, droplets hissing into nonexistence as they collided with his sword.

"...Well. Greetings, under-dwellers. This is a... surprise. Welcome to Billow." the armored figure bows graciously.

[Lind Whisperer]

"...Well. Greetings, under-dwellers. This is a... surprise. Welcome to Billow." the armored figure bows graciously.

"Identify yourself, sir," the Black Knight said intimidatingly. "Angel, or local resident?"

The Munchkin scanned the area, looking for anyone or anything else in the immediate vicinity.

[Endgame]

The knight in shining armor did not seem intimidated, but obliged.

"Angel? Oh, no, sir. I like to remain pious, but divinity I am not. I am Severa White, second eldest of the Severa siblings."

There seemed to be the silhouette of some sort of shelter not far from here, but with the rain, it was hard to tell...

Edited May 7, 2016 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Karie tries walking towards the silhouette in the distance, waiting to see how the individual responds.

[Endgame]

Despite bearing its weapon, the apparition seems completely non-hostile.

"Ah, you wish to see Madam Severa? Her hut is small on the outside, but it can certainly offer you some refuge from the rain."

Severa White gestures towards the churning sea, the wind and rain whipping up huge, black waves. They cascade onto the nearby shore.

"I have seen the storm cripple a dozen boats already... Dangerous. I did not know storms held grudges against boats, or could aim..."

Edited May 7, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

The knight in shining armor did not seem intimidated, but obliged.

"Angel? Oh, no, sir. I like to remain pious, but divinity I am not. I am Severa White, second eldest of the Severa siblings."

There seemed to be the silhouette of some sort of shelter not far from here, but with the rain, it was hard to tell...

"Severa...I met some gentlemen by that name over in the Eubric Mountains. Relations of yours?"

Despite bearing its weapon, the apparition seems completely non-hostile.

"Ah, you wish to see Madam Severa? Her hut is small on the outside, but it can certainly offer you some refuge from the rain."

Severa White gestures towards the churning sea, the wind and rain whipping up huge, black waves. They cascade onto the nearby shore.

"I have seen the storm cripple a dozen boats already... Dangerous. I did not know storms held grudges against boats, or could aim..."

"Is it small on the inside, too?" the Black Knight chuckled.

"That's not a storm aiming..."

[Endgame]

"Ah. Did you meet my younger brothers? Red, Blue, Purple, Green, Orange? I must assume it is, since my sister is no gentleman. How are they?

Madam Severa is quite the mage, the hut has a couple tricks up its sleeve."

[Flipz]

Jinnipher rolled her eyes. "Alright, out with it. What's the big secret? Dragons with big egos got into an argument?"

"No you don't."

Arthur glances concernedly at Miirym. "Something like that. Let's just say that Immortalis managed to hit an...emotional weak point."

Miirym studiously pretends not to hear, muting her reaction enough that even Arthur himself is unable to read it.

"Ah. Did you meet my younger brothers? Red, Blue, Purple, Green, Orange? I must assume it is, since my sister is no gentleman. How are they?

Madam Severa is quite the mage, the hut has a couple tricks up its sleeve."

"I apologize for the rudeness, sir, but I would really appreciate getting out of this rain as soon as possible. Could you just take us to her hut? We can chat indoors."

At Arthur's mention, Miirym starts and extends a golden wing over him. The shelter helps, but the wet environs are clearly uncomfortable for the ex-Mage, who shivers in spite of his grateful nod to the Dragon.

[Siercon and Coral]

"As much as I disagree with his reasoning, I can't argue with his power. Taking him on solo would be a rather... quick and electric suicide, I imagine."

"I didn't 'take him on solo' although I think he misconstrued it as that. Just trying to wake up, do a little magic detox slightly earlier than he wanted." Siercon defensively sarcastic.

Despite bearing its weapon, the apparition seems completely non-hostile.

"Ah, you wish to see Madam Severa? Her hut is small on the outside, but it can certainly offer you some refuge from the rain."

Severa White gestures towards the churning sea, the wind and rain whipping up huge, black waves. They cascade onto the nearby shore.

"I have seen the storm cripple a dozen boats already... Dangerous. I did not know storms held grudges against boats, or could aim..."

"Indeed, we are grateful for the offer, it has been quite the journey." Siercon said thankfully. "And yeah, this storm does hold a grudge. And aims... prophetically. Have any anti prophecy potion?

[Endgame]

"I apologize for the rudeness, sir, but I would really appreciate getting out of this rain as soon as possible. Could you just take us to her hut? We can chat indoors."

At Arthur's mention, Miirym starts and extends a golden wing over him. The shelter helps, but the wet environs are clearly uncomfortable for the ex-Mage, who shivers in spite of his grateful nod to the Dragon.

"Certainly. I imagine Madam would be willing to spare an umbrella, as well."

"I didn't 'take him on solo' although I think he misconstrued it as that. Just trying to wake up, do a little magic detox slightly earlier than he wanted." Siercon defensively sarcastic.

"Indeed, we are grateful for the offer, it has been quite the journey." Siercon said thankfully. "And yeah, this storm does hold a grudge. And aims... prophetically. Have any anti prophecy potion?

"...Fair enough."

"Ah, no, I do not believe so. We have a potion that makes one temporarily dumber, but that would remove the drinker's foresight, not the storm's, unfortunately.

Follow me."

The ethereal knight spins on his heel and gesture sfor the party to follow. From the back, it was clear he was essentially just armor connected by an icy blue mist.

"Are we truly following this bizarre knight - who happened to be waiting for us - to a magic hut? Did we really drain the tunnel and condemn all of those Proggs to get tricked like this?" whispers Anemos to the party.

Edited May 8, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"Ah. Did you meet my younger brothers? Red, Blue, Purple, Green, Orange? I must assume it is, since my sister is no gentleman. How are they?

"Oh, they threw up a smashing bash for us.

They were a little bit sulky when we left, but other than that, they seemed quite cheerful."

"Ah, no, I do not believe so. We have a potion that makes one temporarily dumber, but that would remove the drinker's foresight, not the storm's, unfortunately.

"It's a pity the storm isn't sentient, or I'd be suggesting we figure out a way to disperse the potion into the thunderheads."

"Are we truly following this bizarre knight - who happened to be waiting for us - to a magic hut? Did we really drain the tunnel and condemn all of those Proggs to get tricked like this?" whispers Anemos to the party.

The Black Knight spread out his hands. "There are two possibilities that spring instantly to mind. One. I, and Jinnipher, have previously met this gentleman's brothers. He serves the same role as they, and we are in very little danger. Two. Immortalis read my mind - or Jinnipher's, but the way she talks back, I don't know if he'd ever have a chance - and put him as a trap, to lead us astray."

[Endgame]

"Some context on this fellow's "brother's." I went on a quest with Jinnipher and Lind to get a gift for my brother's birthday - ended up being that fancy blade that's strapped to his arm. The Severa Knights - five of 'em, multicolored - guarded the premises for their owners. And I'm not sure what Lind means by no danger, because all five of them tried to beat the crap out of us. This one seems more levelheaded, at any rate, but that holy blade has me nervous. He's tougher than his little brothers, I think. Much tougher."

"Hm. So he can turn on us either way? I don't like that." The party was starting to get the feeling Anemos had been a subordinate under Fydelle for a bit too long.

"Basically, yeah, but it's one of him versus a dozen of us. He's not that tough looking."

Masson clears his throat.

"I didn't know you went through all that trouble to get me this blade - you said you commissioned it at the smith's."

Gabriel shrugs.

"It was true. I never said which smith. But don't go getting sentimental on me, not now. Clutching onto your wife's hand is bad enough." Gabriel rolls his eyes and turns away, marching near the front of the party. Masson's face looked stoic enough, but the slight shakiness of his hand told a different story.

Edited May 8, 2016 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"Alright, if you guys are going into the hut, me and Anemos will stay outside. Knowing Immortalis, he has some kind of inkling we're going there. Should things go south, I'll rush in and help out inside."

[JimBee]

"Some context on this fellow's "brother's." I went on a quest with Jinnipher and Lind to get a gift for my brother's birthday - ended up being that fancy blade that's strapped to his arm. The Severa Knights - five of 'em, multicolored - guarded the premises for their owners. And I'm not sure what Lind means by no danger, because all five of them tried to beat the crap out of us. This one seems more levelheaded, at any rate, but that holy blade has me nervous. He's tougher than his little brothers, I think. Much tougher."

"When you see enough armored muscle they all start to look the same. Or it might've been the gauntlet I took to the head. I do seem to remember a senile old man giving the battle orders. I wonder whose idea that was..."

"Anyway, if this is a trap we might as well spring it. It would be better than standing out her in the rain. Let's go inside."

[Flipz]

Arthur uses his Magic Compass to try and locate The Falconer.

[Endgame]

The compass wavers slightly to the Northwest, while Severa Whit was leading the party Northeast. They stop through the doorway of the hut, sans Anemos and Karie, and found it was indeed much bigger than the tiny little structure outside suggested. It was also far, far more cluttered.

Cauldrons, stools, scepters, crates, treasure chests, potions, books, suits of armor, and even a dusty looking piano - not to mention two flames and a crystal ball. The place wasn't dirty, per se, it was just filled to the brim with junk.

"Ah, I did not expect visitors today!"

"Would you have tidied if I alerted you, madam?"

"I suppose not. Take a seat, dears - what do you need from I, Hilda Severa?"

Gabriel takes the stool next to the piano, while Masson sits near the door.

---------------------------------------

Anemos and Karie linger outside. Anemos taps his tail against the ground, perhaps anxiously, perhaps impatiently, as he watches the churning sea.

"I haven't gotten a chance to talk to any of you yet, thanks to the whole drain and collapse thing. What's your story?"

[JimBee]

Jinnipher inspected the shelves of flasks as she spoke. "We're looking for someone on this island, The Falconer. Do you know where she is?"

[Endgame]

Each vial was labelled with an emotion, but interestingly, half of them seemed to cause the labelled feeling, while the others were antidotes. Every potion had an opposite.

"Don't know anyone like that by name, so no... Blue mask with a beak, that the person?"

[JimBee]

Each vial was labelled with an emotion, but interestingly, half of them seemed to cause the labelled feeling, while the others were antidotes. Every potion had an opposite.

"Don't know anyone like that by name, so no... Blue mask with a beak, that the person?"

"If that's the only person around here who looks like a falcon, then yes. What is it that you do here, anyway?"

[Endgame]

Gabriel stands up for a moment and chooses to look at the potions himself. He reads the labels.

"Stupidity, anti-stupidity, anger, anti-anger, love, anti-love, nervousness, anti-nervousness... Quite the assortment. I don't suppose that the anti-potions work without consuming the original potion?"

"Nope, son, sorry. The anti-emotions are meant to cancel out the potion's effects, not legitimate emotions, y'see." Masson eyed the potion shelf with some distaste.

"If that's the only person around here who looks like a falcon, then yes. What is it that you do here, anyway?"

"Well, she sails up here every so often and heads off to her own little grounds, I think... Cut through the forest to the left of my front door and you should find her eventually, especially if you got yourselves a magic compass of some sort.

Me, dearie? Hah, retirement. Just me and White now - Black used to be here too, but she wanted to travel - livin' the quiet life. I tinker, White patrols, and we're all nice and happy. Til' this storm hit... God awful, yeah."

Hilda hears a drip drop coming from inside the house. She frowns. A leak.

"White! Be a dear and patch that, would you? Step ladder should be behind the hut."

"Certainly, madam." White obedient marches out, never sheathing that sword of his for a second.

Edited May 8, 2016 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

Anemos and Karie linger outside. Anemos taps his tail against the ground, perhaps anxiously, perhaps impatiently, as he watches the churning sea.

"I haven't gotten a chance to talk to any of you yet, thanks to the whole drain and collapse thing. What's your story?"

Karie leans against the house, waiting for the others. She watches the surroundings, waiting for something to happen.

"My story?" Karie takes a moment to ponder on what Anemos had asked, pulling out the bottle of wine, and uncorking it, finishing the bottle off. She tosses the bottle into the dirt

"I don't like Immortalis's type. I've met him a few times by now, and he reminds me of the self righteous megablocks I constantly have to contend with. First it was the Regret, and then it was that pompous git Lawrence, and now it's Immortalis. I gave him a chance to not destroy my livelihood, but now that I've seen what he can do, I'm not going to allow that to happen. Even if it kills me."

[Asphalt]

Vindsval gingerly enters the shack and signs a great sigh of relief upon finding it a great deal larger on the inside.

By the god's It's bigger on the Inside.

He moves near the woman and sits down cross legged in front of her.

Greetings my dear madame. This is an amazing home you have. We thank you for allowing us to enter. I am called Vindsval. Tell me, why do you brew such potions? Is it wise to bottle the emotions?

[Endgame]

"You... You fought The Regret?" says Anemos. His eyes would have gone wide if Karie could see them.

Greetings my dear madame. This is an amazing home you have. We thank you for allowing us to enter. I am called Vindsval. Tell me, why do you brew such potions? Is it wise to bottle the emotions?

"I agree with you, big fella! The potions actually washed up here from gods know where. I mean, I can see the usage for some of them - Anger, Determination, and Love especially, heh - but they're dangerous. I was the one who made the antidotes, to counteract 'em. That way they can be used "safely"."

Edited May 8, 2016 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

"You... You fought The Regret?" says Anemos. His eyes would have gone wide if Karie could see them.

"I ensured he'd never see the face of Olegaia again." Karie said coldly. "The prick deserved what he got after what he put me through."

[Endgame]

"I ensured he'd never see the face of Olegaia again." Karie said coldly. "The prick deserved what he got after what he put me through."

"Dan right. He marched us all to a damn genocide in Luosh, and when he came back? Killed or brainwashed a third of us. We're endangered because of him. He set us back, and left scars.

...What'd he do to you?"