Heroica RPG - Quest#102: Debts

[StickFig]

"I did speak up, right before you struck that last crushing blow," Matthias replies, rolling his eyes. Elvish hearing not working so good now, he thinks. "The compass is pointing us to Master Aventine."

Edited October 20, 2014 by StickFig

[Zepher]

"You can always do something, Matthias. We could have defended them." Pigley looks at the dead body slumped against a tree. "But I guess I am just a pig, Russel just a crab, and you just a halfling. What could we have done against three other mortals?"

[Chromeknight]

So you did. I apologise.

So Mistress Berthadhiell, what is it to be? Follow the compass or the fairy?

[Purpearljellyblob]

"The magic compass points us to Aventine, doesn't mean we can actually find him ourselves. We knew where the Reaper's hideout is, but we cannot actually find a way into it, see that connection? We need the Fairy to open that way for us as I am sure that Aventine is safely hidden away. We can use the compass' direction as a guide, ensuring that we aren't being misled.

I'm sorry, Keith, somethings have to be done, even though it might not be the most pleasant."

Battle Order

Nerwen

>XX - XX Handcannon vs. Keith

>Purpearl - Magical Staff, Darkness vs. Keith

Edited October 21, 2014 by Purpearljellyblob

[Zepher]

So you did. I apologise.

So Mistress Berthadhiell, what is it to be? Follow the compass or the fairy?

"If it counts for anything, I'm still going with the Fairy."

Round Five Digging Their Own Graves

Nerwen chitchats

>XX v. Keith - Hit (35+12=47)

>Purpearl v. Keith - Damage (22*2/2=22 Damage)

Purpearl regains 3 health

XX regains 3 health

"You're talking like you're giving me a shot to fix a cold, not like you're killing me," cowers Keith. "If its 'unpleasant' for you..." he grimaces, and some tears start to roll - he's unable to finish the thought.

The Enemies

Keith

Level 22 Humanoid *Encouraged* *Sealed*

Health: 43/140

Special: Scared, But Brave - Encourages himself and Samantha. Heals himself and Samantha by 40 health.

Drops: 140 Gold, Shovel

The Party

XX

Level 35 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed*

Health:

35/51

Defense:

0

Gold:

392

Equipment:

XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an

Alchemist

, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation)

Inventory:

Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed*

Level 31.75

Power bonus:

0

Defense:

16

Health:

53/53

Ether:

36/36

Gold:

109

Equipment:

Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14,

Light

Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile, bodywear), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), White Cloak (Max. HP +3, back wear)

Inventory:

•

Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Inflicts Fragile, Fire-Elemental), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is

Slowed

and

Immune to Hastened

; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to

Blind

)

•

Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired, Accessory, Suitable for Paladins), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to

Light

and

Jinxed

, Suitable for Knights), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; body wear)

•

Topaz

•

No Scrolls

•

Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (4), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core (2), Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow)

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

*Party Leader*

180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *

Evasive

* *Blessed*

Level 16.5

Power:

30

Health:

4/24

Ether:

19/22

Gold:

198

(Owes Karie 25 gold)

Equipment:

Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed)

Inventory:

Thorny Rose (WP: 17,

wood

-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic (x2), Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom (x2), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Remedy (x2), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental)

Gemstones:

Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

),

Opal

,

Diamond

,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

,

Aquamarine

Scrolls:

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15;

Water

-,

Darkness

-elemental; staff)

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl looks away, "XX, finish it."

Battle Order

Nerwen

>XX - XX Handcannon vs. Keith

>Purpearl - Nothing

[Chromeknight]

You could at least use that scroll of sleep so he does not feel it.

To Keith she says

You will be with Sam soon. And trust that He Who Judges does not do so like mortals but does so fairly and without prejudice.

Nerwen v. Keith - sword

[Zepher]

XX strides forward and raises his knife.

"I will make this quick, at least."

Round Six Digging Their Own Graves

Nerwen v. Keith - Special Damage

XX v. Keith - Hit (20+33=53, KO)

>Purpearl looks away

Purpearl regains 3 health

XX regains 3 health

XX walks calmly up to Keith and slits his throat. Keith's eyes go wide, but be slumps to the ground quickly.

The battle is Victorious.

The Party

XX

Level 35.2 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed*

Health:

38/51

Defense:

0

Gold:

392

Equipment:

XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an

Alchemist

, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation)

Inventory:

Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x4, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (4), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed*

Level 32

Power bonus:

0

Defense:

16

Health:

54/54

Ether:

37/37

Gold:

109

Equipment:

Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14,

Light

Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile, bodywear), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), White Cloak (Max. HP +3, back wear)

Inventory:

•

Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Inflicts Fragile, Fire-Elemental), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is

Slowed

and

Immune to Hastened

; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to

Blind

)

•

Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired, Accessory, Suitable for Paladins), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to

Light

and

Jinxed

, Suitable for Knights), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; body wear)

•

Topaz

•

No Scrolls

•

Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (4), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core (2), Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts, 2x Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow)

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

*Party Leader*

180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *

Evasive

* *Blessed*

Level 17

Power:

30

Health:

8/25

Ether:

20/21

Gold:

198

(Owes Karie 25 gold)

Equipment:

Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed)

Inventory:

Thorny Rose (WP: 17,

wood

-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic (x2), Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom (x2), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Remedy (x2), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Chaotic Whip (WP: 5, Light/Darkness Elemental)

Gemstones:

Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

),

Opal

,

Diamond

,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

,

Aquamarine

Scrolls:

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15;

Water

-,

Darkness

-elemental; staff)

Loot

280 Gold

Shovel

Before the heroes can even react to the quiet death, Zelphie is behind them, as if she had been there the whole time.

"Thank you, honorable heroes. These two were a great evil on the earth. They were weak. Those who are strong leave the dead alone. That is the respect the strong give, because that is the respect the strong expect. I could not let them walk free."

"Alright, lady. We did your work, let's see the spot of the duel."

"That will come tomorrow. We must first return to the tavern to rest. Besides, there are people there who wish to speak with you. Charming Chauncey does not want you to go in blind tomorrow. He wishes to speak with you, and allow you to answer any questions you may have. You will also, of course, be allowed to speak to abhorrent Aventine. Charismatic Chauncey wants all the cards on the table when the next day dawns."

"Alexis, Matthais." XX calls over the heroes. "These two were your friends, right? We can't carry them all the way back to Eubric. They'll start to smell. But there's a shovel here. You can bury them, if you want. Or-" he pulls out a Fire Bomb- "I know that not all people think it's the best way to go out, but a flame is a flame. What's that thing that dragons say? Fire to the soul, and the soul takes flight. I don't know. Heard it once or twice in Dastan." He shrugs. "When I die, I'd like to be burned. So I'm offering it to them.

[Chromeknight]

Wha?! I posted an action! Not that I especially want it to be Nerwen's hand that ends it, it could make for interesting character moments if that's how it happened.

Fire is a clean end. If not, I can consecrate earth so that they will not be prey to a necromancer's call, which is more than can be said for those they brought here.

[Zepher]

OoC: Oh, wow, I'm very sorry! I can roll for that now.

Special Damage, but you're right, that could have been cool. My bad.

"It's really up to you all. I didn't really know them, and if this week has taught me anything it's that I'm tired of conspiracy, liars, and cheats and that's apparently what these two have been up to... but Hels, I don't see any reason to let them be ripped apart by the dire wolves. Probably most everyone deserves a better send off than that."

[StickFig]

Matthias sputters quietly as Zelphie goes on about 'weak' and 'wrong', looking back and forth from the fairy to the bodies to Purpearl and 'XX'. When the subject of body disposal arises, the gnome is glad to hear that the bodies will be properly burned. "Burn them, alchemist," he growls, "it is the least you can do after that callous murder."

Edited October 22, 2014 by StickFig

[Masked Builder]

Alexis sighs, sad to see her friend go. "Burning is a warrior's death, they were both fighters, they deserve it." She motions for XX to go ahead with the bomb.

[Zepher]

XX stares at Matthias and his sudden anger.

"You don't have to finish this quest if you don't have the stomach for it, Matthias. I have grown to respect you man to man these last few days, but sometimes things have to be done. Just remember, you still owe me something, whenever we part ways. Either that gun, or the gold."

XX breaks open the bomb carefully, and surrounds the bodies in powder. He then lights a match and tosses it - the bodies go up in flames instantly. Zelphie smiles quietly to herself and leads the heroes back to the tavern.

​There they find Matthias, lounging in one of the chairs. In his hand is a crystal ball.

"A little old school if you ask me," says Matthias as he shifts into Purpearl.

"But I'm hardly one to judge how mages play their games. Gather round, heroes. Once this conversation is over, I get paid, and I'm out of here. So make it snappy."

She places the orb on the table and shifts back down to being Midge.

The heroes gather round the orb. In it, they see two figures swimming to the surface. Aventine and Chauncey, staring ahead at them.

"Hello heroes. I'm sorry that the road was so long for you. But that's all in the past now. My name is Lord Chauncey, as I'm sure you know. I am a friend or former employer of a great number of your peers - Nyx, Hybros, Guts, Docken, Atramor, Ellaria, Tesni, Althior, even Russel and Pigley. Hello, my little friends. I am certain you have a great many questions. There have been many moving parts over the week. Such is the way of the world, and we are but small players in it. All the world's a stage, as Stirlance said - do you know his works? I myself am obsessed with them. But this is neither the time or place for that. I may be able to peel back the curtains a little, show you backstage. What has been happening for the last week?"

"I would leave it open to you. You may demand any question of me, or of Aventine. I will answer honestly. I can not speak for my former peer." He looks over at Aventine. "I will spare you one question, however, and answer it now. Because it is the reason I invite you to the duel tomorrow. I am certain Zelphie has told you that I think you will aid me, and not your employer. That is a gamble I take. And I will tell you why, now, I believe this."

"Aventine is an evil man. He is your employer. Helping him would be good for you. I know about those amulets that you wear around your necks." Aventine chuckles coldly then. "Aventine is certain that those amulets, and the fear they govern you with, will prevent you from helping me. I will not lie. Harm will befall you if you come to my side heroes. But the world, the entirety of Olegia, will be a better place. I believe that we as mortals are greater than just the self. I believe that we are one spirit, one living organism, all of us together. And while harm may befall you, you would be helping the greater spirit. That is what heroes do, after all. They do not think of themselves. They are not a "self" they are a symbol. They are the people, all the people. They are more than selfless, because selfless requires still an opinion of the self. Heroes are not that. When Orcs swarmed down the mainland years ago, one hundred heroes defended the spirit of mortals. Of those, ninth-four died and are forgotten. Great harm fell on them, on their self, but they are heroes because they saved the mortal spirit. And the six that we know are heroes too, but they could not have done it on their own."

"Both Aventine and I were given power seven years ago. He has used it to terrorize, to murder, to raise the dead and form unholy alliances. I have used it for what I believe to be the good of the mortal spirit. If I have succeeded, I do not know, but I believe the trying alone makes my life more valuable than his."

"This blabbering does not matter. They are heroes because they wish to be strong, and they can be heroes because they are strong. They can only "aid the mortal spirit" - hogwash - if they grow stronger, not if they grow weaker."

"He does not know what real strength is," murmurs Zelphie. "See his fear."

"The floor is your's, heroes."

"But make it quick. I'm bored as shit of all this high mind spirit and morality blathering."

[Purpearljellyblob]

Loot Distribution

Nerwen - 140 Gold

Purpearl - 140 Gold. Shovel

Purpearl turns to Chauncey, "If you would've hired me, you would be assured that I will be on your side and would go lengths to make sure that the assigned task is done. You speak of Olegia being a better place with your powers, and that sacrificing our powers is a necessary choice. I might agree with you, but somethings are just as it is. Fortunately or not, I am hired by Aventine and even though I might be on the wrong side as you've said, there is no question where my loyalty would be. As a mercenary, it is important that I keep to the end of my bargain and hopefully Aventine would do as well."

[Chromeknight]

Chauncy. Where is Avertine's weapon?

[StickFig]

Matthias pulls off Aventine's amulet, then faces the orb. "The mortal spirit? Is that another code for kill the weak, save the strong? Might makes right?" He pulls himself together. "At this point I don't expect truth, but Aventine, explain your connection to Thistlethorp and the Cold Circle. And to Keith, Sam, and the bodies."

[Zepher]

Purpearl turns to Chauncey, "If you would've hired me, you would be assured that I will be on your side and would go lengths to make sure that the assigned task is done. You speak of Olegia being a better place with your powers, and that sacrificing our powers is a necessary choice. I might agree with you, but somethings are just as it is. Fortunately or not, I am hired by Aventine and even though I might be on the wrong side as you've said, there is no question where my loyalty would be. As a mercenary, it is important that I keep to the end of my bargain and hopefully Aventine would do as well."

"You may do what you wish. You are as much a mortal as I - our wills, perhaps, have equal assertion over the direction that we mortals head. I believe we should strive for knowledge, for good, for kindness, for something greater than ourselves, but if you wish to remain the basest that mortals can be, I will not sway you. After all, know this: we all at the end of the day perform a series of actions. It is on us to decide what we believe is heroic, and what is not. You are responsible only for your own actions and own beliefs, but only if you acknowledge they do not live in a vacuum but sprawl out into Olegia."

Chauncy. Where is Avertine's weapon?

"Is that the story you wish to discuss? Seven years ago, we sought out a demon in the forest. He gave us weapons and power, and told us to return in seven years to duel. He asked us to return with weapon in hand, so that it may be a fair fight. After I abducted Aventine - and there is no kinder word for it, for it was an abduction, and I take full credit or blame for that - he bribed one of my last savory hires, Bors, into taking his weapon and running. I assume Aventine believed if he did not have his weapon, our demon would believe I cheated and take my life as punishment. So I sent M after Bors. Aventine's weapon, in short, is where it belongs. Around his neck." Chauncey reaches over and reveals Aventine's necklace around his neck.

"Can you blame me? I want nothing to do with this fight. I wanted to flee, you dragged me here! What business is it of your's?"

"We made a choice long ago, Aventine. If you cannot deal with the consequences, you should not have agreed to the deal. That, more than anything heroes, is why he must fight, and fight alone. It is something that was preordained long ago."

Matthias pulls off Aventine's amulet, then faces the orb. "The mortal spirit? Is that another code for kill the weak, save the strong? Might makes right?" He pulls himself together. "At this point I don't expect truth, but Aventine, explain your connection to Thistlethorp and the Cold Circle. And to Keith, Sam, and the bodies."

Matthias finds himself unable to remove the amulet.

"Hardly. All mortals collectively make up the sum that is greater than our parts. Who is strong and who is weak, then? Are we all not equals if we are all part of something larger?"

"I have no need to lie to you. Thistlethorp is an associate of mine. We are in the Cold Circles together. But that is not a group that has so many rules as you'd expect. There is no one man or woman in charge. Thistlethorp's business is his own, not mine."

"Sam and Keith were hired to move bodies here. I believe they completed the task. Is it so wrong that I should fear death? Is it so wrong that I should take provisions?"

"It is not. Know, too, heroes, that for all my talk I too have a life on the line tomorrow. And while I believe in my heart that we are part of a greater self than just our bodies, our heads are loud creatures too, and mine tells me constantly to fear the sun rising tomorrow. Aventine and I are good and evil now, against each other by forces we chose but that we cannot escape. Mortals are more complex than a simple label, but tomorrow one of us must die because they are the more evil of the two, judged by the Gods and you heroes. And I do fear for my life, and I am saddened at the possibility of losing one I call both friend and evil."

[Chromeknight]

Another question Master Chauncey, if I might. You said you both would be judged by the Gods. Whom to you acknowledge and worship?

[Zepher]

"Is that what our lives have boiled down to?" Chauncey smiles meekly. "I worship the Old Gods."

"I worship no gods. The Cold One and the Everlasting Lights are much less but much greater than any 'Gods'."

"Heroes, remember, come tomorrow-" but then the crystal ball wobbles off the table and shatters.

"Ooops." Midge shrugs. "I got bored, and I guess my hands got busy."

"Regardless..." Zelphie's glasses flash. "The morrow must come eventually. Shall we to bed, horrible heroes? We have an early morning. Demons like hours such as sunrise and sunset."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen speaks to her fellow heroes.

One of the things Avertine said when we first met was that he had become a follower of Ennoc, and that one of his reasons for avoiding the duel was worry over his fate after death. To say now he worships no gods is an admission his earlier statement was a lie.

He also said that he used to practice necromancy but did no more, clearly he intends to wield that power again in the duel.

This is not to say we should chance sides, just that the point is made, our employer is not to be trusted, nor redeemed.

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl shrugs as she heads off to rest, "Unless Aventine removes that medallion that firmly wraps around our neck, we have little choice."

[Zepher]

The heroes go to sleep, each having fitful nights, or perfectly restful nights, depending on how their conscience feels.

The next morning, they are greeted to a familiar sight. Zelphie sits at a table, sipping tea, and once more M is gone, most likely for good this time. Outside the sun shines bright. It is the beginning of the Seventh and Final Day.

"Sleep well?" asks Zelphie. "Let's get going."

She leads the heroes out of the outskirts of Ve'er, and into the forest. Eventually, they come out the other side - now before them is a great plain, bathed in the morning glow. Zelphie flutters up to a tree and sits on a branch, well out of reach, almost out of sight. Her glasses blaze in the sun.

And then out of the forest, on opposite sides, trudge Aventine and Chauncey. They both nod to the heroes, both with a quiet certainty. They come to face each other.

"Well then," starts Chauncey.

"There's not much to say at this point, is there?"

"Hardly." He smiles faintly. "It is strange that even when we were young and dear friends, we accepted this deal. Can we be so shocked, then, that it has indeed arrived?"

"It seemed so far off then. Seven years - how old were we then? Twenty three, twenty four? Seven years seemed a whole life time away."

"Yes, but we still made the choice, didn't we?"

"We did."

"And that's all life really is, isn't it? For all we say or do, it's just a series of choices. A series of actions."

"None better than the others."

"Objectively, no, no choice is better than any other. Even fighting for your life is not objectively good, for what is life, after all?"

"Putty, in the hands of some of us."

"I wish you the best of luck today, Aventine."

"The same to you, Chauncey."

The two look at the heroes.

"It's time to fulfill your contract, heroes."

"Or to do what's good."

XX walks over and stands firmly next to Aventine.

"I finish my contracts."

Wading through the grass so small, that the heroes can hardly see them...

Pigley and Russel Ruffers come to stand by Chauncey.

"Russel and I talked a long time last night," Pigley says to Nerwen and Matthias. "It was not an easy choice. We cannot remember a time we have not done our employer's wishes, but I said earlier, days ago now... when this is all over, and one of them lives and one of them dies, we will be left to live with ourselves. And we cannot live with ourselves, Russel and I, if we fight for a man who has lied to us, who has forced the death of Sam and Keith, who associates with men like Thistlethorp. We cannot tell others what is right or wrong, but we cannot live with ourselves if we do what we think is wrong. Do what you have to do."

"My blade is sharp, but should you end up on the other side, I will not kill you! Russel Ruffers fights for what is good and right, but he does not kill friends!"

What will the heroes do?

[StickFig]

Matthias looks from one man to the other, wondering what awful things will happen. When 'XX' and the two animals head to opposite sides of the field, the gnome decides to ask a last desperate question. "I don't suppose there's any chance we could all band together and fight the demon instead?"

[Chromeknight]

There are several ways PvP has been handled. Can we have an indication of which method you'll be using. Not that it will affect RP/character decisions, but just so there are no surprises or thoughts that things are rigged (not that you would but to avoid even that impression).

Also, will Avertine's death count as quest failure? Again, not that failing a quest is always to be avoided, but it should be clear and a deliberate choice.

Nerwen's mouth is a hard line. To Alexis and Purpearl she relays Ruffers' words.

Russel says he will not hurt us. Perhaps we might extend him the same courtesy.

She steps next to XX.

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl moves beside Aventine, "There's a reason why we are called mercenaries."