Heroica RPG - Quest #107: Deeper

[Zepher]

OoC: I was prepared to forward the quest, but Hybros still has to divide up the loot! Also, I have my camera card with me now - so Skrall/Nyx, the pictures are being retroactively added to your side quest.

The Party

Hybros (played by JimButcher)

53-year-old male imp Chi Monk

*Hastened*

*Immune to

Cursed

,

Asleep

,

Blinded

,

Confused

,

Fragile

,

Weakened,

Poisoned,

Bleeding

*

*Immune to all elements except wood*

*Intimidation* (Party Leader)

Level:

31.5

Power Bonus:

1 (6 in front row)

*

Defense:

0

Health:

53/53

(7+30+12+3*)

Ether:

25/34

(30+3)

Gold:

1184

Equipment:

Golden Armor

(user is permanently hastened and cursed,

fire

-,

water

-,

earth

-,

wind

-,

ice

-,

lightning

-,

darkness

-,

light

-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear),

The Black Hat

(Suitable for anyone, grants

Intimidation

, immune to

darkness

and

cursed

, headwear),

Fighting Boots

(Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators and winged warriors),

Inventory:

• Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 45.25 gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Zoot's Reaper (WP:15; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield)

• Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Cloak of the Red megablocks

assin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear),

• Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Opal

•

13 Potions, 12 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 5 Nostrums, Mead, 2 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 3 Grand Tonics, Soma

• Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently)

Skrall (Waterbrick Down)

81 year old Male Ogre Hunter

Level 37.50

*

Favors Demons and Humanoid enemies

* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains 3x experience*

Power Bonus:

+2 WP

Defense:

8

Health:

51/51

Gold:

83

Equipment:

Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts,

fire

,

ice

,

wind

, and

darkness

-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory)

Inventory:

Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP,

light

,

lightning

,

water

,

wood

, and

earth

-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword) Wooden Shield (SP:5), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"), Darksteel Armour, SP:6, Max. Health +3; bodywear, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 3 Meads, 1 Nostrums, 1 Remedy, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo, Feather of Lithe

Nyx

(played by Pandora)

19 years old Female Human Battle Mage

*Natural Respite*

*Immune to Fire, Darkness, Earth, Wind, Poisoned, Confused, Hexed, Sealed, Asleep, Fast Asleep*

Level:

31.75

Power:

47

Defense:

8

Health:

42/42

Ether:

32/43

Gold:

282

Equipment:

Zee Standard (Staff, WP: 15 Ice, Light and Darkness Elemental, Necromancers Raise Enemies with 2 extra levels), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:4, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), Mirage Cloak (Immunity to Fire-, Darkness-, Earth- and Wind-elements and confused- asleep- and hexed-effects), High Heels (+1 Power), Helmet of Azzurat (SP:4, immune to poisoned, headwear).

Inventory:

Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:15, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Lullaby Wand (WP:6 Sleep effect), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Darksteel Dagger WP: 13, blinded effect) Bone Scepter (WP: 10, On Hit, gives enemies the Undead type if they do not have a second type, Wand.)

* Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Chef’s Apron (Bodywear, Immunity to Fire and Poisons), Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to Fire and Lightning, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear), Desert Cloak (Immunity to Fire-, Earth- and Wind-elemental damage; backwear), Water Canteen (Carries 3 portions of water; essential in deserts to avoid dehydration; accessory), Bolero Of Fire (Cause Fire damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Minstrel Song), Scarlet Fascinator (Max. Ether +1, suitable to females only; headwear)

*Ruby (Fire), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Opal (Ice).Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Arc Sealing, Scroll of Blindness. 3 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, 5 Deadly Venoms, Paralyzing Venom, Venom x6, 3 Phoenix Essences, 3 Cosmic Essences (Revives a knocked out ally with full health and ether and gives them the blessed-effect), 2 Potions, 4 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core.

Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Skadi Bomb (100 Ice Elemental damage to all opponents), 2 Chaotic Bombs (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned, poisoned, asleep, blinded, sealed and confused to all enemies). 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Feather of Lithe

Ellaria Arbour

(Sandy)

23 years old female human Druid

Level 28.66

*Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently

poisoned by 15

*

Power:

40

(27+12)

Defense:

7

(3+4)

Health:

44/44

(9+26+7+1)

Ether:

5/40

(5+26+5+1+2)

Gold:

93

Equipment:

Ignis Fatuus (WP:12, permanently poisoned by 15,

fire

- and

lighting

-elemental staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, protects from sealing; bodywear), Sterile Gloves (immunity to poisoned and bleeding, handwear), Spider Helmet (SP:4, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; headwear)

Inventory:

Weapons

Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:10,

wood

-elemental crossbow), Pan Flute (WP: 7, instrument), Wizard's Staff (WP:1,

fire

-,

wind

-,

water

- and

earth

-elemental staff),

Artefacts:

Ranger's Quiver (WP: +1 to bows and crossbows. Suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators, and winged warriors), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear), Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo; headwear),

Spell Items:

Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Serenade of Water (Causes Water damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Battle Song), Ruby (

Fire

)

Consumables:

3 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 4 Health Cores, 4 Tonics, 5 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Elixir, 2 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrum, 2 Soma, Ambrosia, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 3 Fire Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.)

Tools:

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Deborah, The Golden Warden

Level 26 Warden *Immune to Afraid, Cursed, Hexed, Instant Kill*

Power Bonus: 0

Health: 48/48

SP: 20

Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 10), Deborah's Helm (SP: 4, Immune to Afraid), Deborah's Armor (SP: 6, Immunity to Cursed, Hexed and Instant Kill), Shield of the She-Wolf (SP: 10, on rolls of damage/free hits user deals SP to opponent if they survive the attack)

Inventory: Mead, Grand Potion, Soma x2, Ambrosia

Minoid 2.0

Level 21.66 Drilling Automaton

HP: 33/33

SP: 2

Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 10), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight)

Inventory: None

As soon as Ellaria regained her vision, she sat on the ground and buried her face into her hands. Two distinctively different memories hovered in her mind, making everything seem unreal.

"Was it all a dream?" she asked the others. "I found the answer I have been looking for, but if it was all a figment of my imagination, then it means nothing. Please tell me you saw what I saw. Skrall? Hybros?"

"Dreams may be no less real than this waking world," says Daneeka wheezily. "What I saw, I saw. Do not fear, Ellaria. If you found truths, I believe them to be true."

"Not everything fears death. I think some people either fear pain, or what may happen to the world without them around, but not necessarily death and dying. No lesser motivation, but to bluntly fear death is inelegant. People should understand what they fear and why. Like having your consciousness split in two" Nyx taps the side of her head "Doesn't affect you so much if your head's already a bit squiffy and broken, but you kinda have to realise it" she gives a slightly lopsided grin.

"Do you not fear death, Nyx? I think we all do." He shrugs. "Maybe you do have a squishy brain. With a brain as sharp as a tac, I may have trouble knowing what not to fear."

"STATEMENT: I do not know fear, but I will now. STATEMENT: I will fear death and pain and being in two places at once, as we should."

"Just don't teach him the fear of deep places or tight spaces or he'll be useless to me," chuckles Heweyrt.

Skrall stared ahead into the darkness as his mind melded back from it's two visions, he remained quiet, before answering Ellaria's question. "What was and what may still be."

"But which was what?"

She stood up. "I don't know who or what the odd woman who made us split apart was, but maybe she can tell us more about what lurks below here. Weren't we supposed to find these demons of sorts?"

Ellaria's memory flares up. Even if she has trouble recalling it - which is possible, with what she's just been through - there is a passing inkling of a thought that perhaps she has met the woman before.

OOC: The pictures are dark, but if your monitor is bright you'll see them.

"Once you're done ruminating about life, are you all ready to go see what's on the other side of this wall?" asks Deborah, jerking her thumb towards the wall that stands behind her.

[Sandy]

Ellaria's memory flares up. Even if she has trouble recalling it - which is possible, with what she's just been through - there is a passing inkling of a thought that perhaps she has met the woman before.

OoC: Oops! Too damn many NPCs to keep track off...

"Wait!" Ellaria shouted all of a sudden. "That woman we met before the split... I think I've met her before, with two companions! It was on the road to Brick'lin, over a year ago. They called themselves the Three Witches. What on earth is she doing down here?" She nodded to Deborah. "Maybe we will find the witches behind that wall. Or the demons."

Concerning the loot, Ellaria would be satisfied with whatever, as usual.

[Pandora]

"Do you not fear death, Nyx? I think we all do." He shrugs. "Maybe you do have a squishy brain. With a brain as sharp as a tac, I may have trouble knowing what not to fear."

"I said squiffy, as in wonky, not squishy. And all brains are squishy when it comes down to it, even those that claim otherwise." Nyx looks sharply at Heweyert, now that her eyes seem better able to focus

"Anyway, I was with Hybros in the dark forest - the one that he finds familiar, so I don't really have much to say about that on top of what he has to say, but the atmosphere was weird. The other place I was in, at the same time, with Skrall, was like an old version of Eubric, or another version of it. There was a dragon, who owned a bar down by the docks; now, I've spent a lot of time in those bars and I know most of the landlords there, but I don't remember any dragons. And I'm pretty sure that's the sort of thing I'd remember. That and a dude made out of plants. Not sure we met death, either. I believe we were there, but beyond that I'm not sure. That Ellaria has encountered the woman before as a witch, well that's interesting. I'd like to see what happens next!"

[JimBee]

OOC: Oops, of course!

Loot:

Ellaria: Ectoplasm (raises max ether by 2 permanently), Paper Doll

Nyx: Bright Polish, Amethyst

Hybros: Grating Stone

Skrall: Amethyst

Hybros listened to the stories of the other visions. He nods. "Perhaps the meaning of these visions will become clear as we move on. I have never seen such a being before, but Ellaria if you know this witch, then perhaps the others will be waiting for us. Let us continue digging."

[Zepher]

"Alright, heroes, pick the part of the wall you like least. We're going through."

The Minoid's drill whines to life and begins to tunnel through the wall. Dust fills the air. The process takes a good while, and most of the heroes inhale quite a few bits of stone before their done. With dry throats, they step through the tunnel and to the other side.

They are in an ancient city. The cave is gloomy, but they can still make out hulking crumbling buildings. The buildings are not in the style of Eubric, but Hybros, having been to the ruins of Nu Mercution, and Nyx and Skrall, having explored Dastan, recognize some of the architecture. It is old.

The nearest building looks like it could be in the oldest sections of Dastan. Heweyrt begins to climb the steps.

"This alone warrants the trip," says Daneeka. "Where are we?"

[JimBee]

"Hm... I have been here before, or somewhere like it. The ruins of Nu Mercution are buried deep beneath Eubric. This is where the Moon Elves were. There was also a Temple of Zoot and an archdemon down here. If that witch was responsible for our visions, then perhaps she and her kind know of the other secrets held here, eheh..." Hybros begins to follow Hewyrt up the stairs. "The only thing I worry about is... how do we really know this is real? This could be another vision, and we may not have found anything at all, and those witches could be deceiving us..."

Somehow, even upon saying it, Hybros doubted it. How could they know about the vision he had all that time ago while in Wren's dungeon? Perhaps the magic was powerful enough to somehow read his mind. After all, there was magic that could allow people to enter others' dreams... The imp shook his head. "The only way forward is through. Let us keep going."

[Sandy]

"This alone warrants the trip," says Daneeka. "Where are we?"

Ellaria didn't agree with Daneeka's enthusiasm. "I apologize for my brashness, but we did not come looking for old ruins. We should investigate further."

Ellaria consumes the Ectoplasm while she has the change.

[Pandora]

Nyx nods a thanks at Hybros as she pockets her items.

"It might be a vision, it might not. It's still something we're experiencing - and the last two visions we just had were real enough. I say we go with the flow, but this does look very familiar. Mind you, I also remember the temple of Zoot, like you do, although there are more hints of Dastan. It all makes me think of Wren again, but I doubt she has anything at all to do with any of this.

Ellaria, can you tell us more about the witches you mentioned? Were they good or bad? What did they want when you met them? Like you say, maybe they have some influence in all of this."

[Waterbrick Down]

Skrall brought up the rear of the group. His mind was still on the visions, but he spoke little, his thoughts turned to Wren and the last time he had been deep underground.

[Sandy]

"Ellaria, can you tell us more about the witches you mentioned? Were they good or bad? What did they want when you met them? Like you say, maybe they have some influence in all of this."

Ellaria shrugged.

"I'm sorry, Nyx, but they were such mysterious figures that it was impossible to tell what their intention was. Me and Atramor and a few others were on a quest to solve the mystery behind a cursed play that had engulfed an entire theater in Bric'lin under it's spell, and these three witches seemed to know an awful lot about the case. It made me wonder why they couldn't just go and solve the mess themselves, but something tells me the witches aren't your garden-variety cacklers."

[JimBee]

Nyx nods a thanks at Hybros as she pockets her items.

"It might be a vision, it might not. It's still something we're experiencing - and the last two visions we just had were real enough. I say we go with the flow, but this does look very familiar. Mind you, I also remember the temple of Zoot, like you do, although there are more hints of Dastan. It all makes me think of Wren again, but I doubt she has anything at all to do with any of this.

Hybros recalls the stories of Wren exchanged between heroes in the Hall. Atramor, Nyx, Skrall, and the wizard named Arthur all seemed to have gone on the same quest. "Ehehm, yes, so you have visited this temple as well? Then you know the knowledge to be found down there. There was a book that shared the secrets of archdemons and old kingdoms down there - perhaps we will find something that will share more of such wisdom with us... Tell me, Nyx, what was it that you found there when you visited?"

Skrall brought up the rear of the group. His mind was still on the visions, but he spoke little, his thoughts turned to Wren and the last time he had been deep underground.

Hybros turns to look at the party members following, and calls back to Skrall. "Are you going to be okay? I know small space are not the best for you but... if worse comes to worse down here we will need a way out. We will have to stay together." He dug in his Bag-of-Holding for a Mead, and offered it to the ogre. "Scheherazade calls this liquid courage..."

[Waterbrick Down]

Hybros turns to look at the party members following, and calls back to Skrall. "Are you going to be okay? I know small space are not the best for you but... if worse comes to worse down here we will need a way out. We will have to stay together." He dug in his Bag-of-Holding for a Mead, and offered it to the ogre. "Scheherazade calls this liquid courage..."

Skrall accepted the Mead and drained the contents. "Yer right, Hybros, I ain't a fan of these tight spaces and even less so of these ones. Too much reminder of my last dealin's down here, too much of a reminder of her..."

[JimBee]

Skrall accepted the Mead and drained the contents. "Yer right, Hybros, I ain't a fan of these tight spaces and even less so of these ones. Too much reminder of my last dealin's down here, too much of a reminder of her..."

Hybros nods. "I am no fan of this Wren, either. But perhaps without her I would not be here now. Perhaps the same could be said of you and Nyx, eheh..." He follows suit with Skrall and begins sipping a Soma.

[Zepher]

"Hm... I have been here before, or somewhere like it. The ruins of Nu Mercution are buried deep beneath Eubric. This is where the Moon Elves were. There was also a Temple of Zoot and an archdemon down here. If that witch was responsible for our visions, then perhaps she and her kind know of the other secrets held here, eheh..." Hybros begins to follow Hewyrt up the stairs. "The only thing I worry about is... how do we really know this is real? This could be another vision, and we may not have found anything at all, and those witches could be deceiving us..."

"Surely you could make that argument for anything, Hybros. You must choose to believe."

Ellaria didn't agree with Daneeka's enthusiasm. "I apologize for my brashness, but we did not come looking for old ruins. We should investigate further."

"I came looking for forgotten secrets, Ellaria. This is a forgotten secret. What did you come looking for that has left you unsatisfied?" And Daneeka glances at the building, into which Deborah and Heweyrt have already vanished. "What did you all come looking for? Are you on a quest to defeat evil once more, heroes? That is not what I requested. I wish only to learn, and we learn each day. I consider this a success regardless of what we find here."

The Minoid listens to the numerous explanations as to where they may be. Its machinery clanks and then dings.

"STATEMENT: Heweyrt and the Doctor input into my systems the general depths assumed for Dastan, the Temple of Zoot, and Nu Mercution. STATEMENT: We are-" it pauses, ticking a few times more: "below all of the estimated depths. STATEMENT: This rested below Nu Mecution. STATEMENT: The ceiling above is leaking water. STATEMENT: We are below the sea."

The heroes, armed with this strange new knowledge, venture forward. Inside the building Deborah and Heweyrt vanished into they find... towering shelves. Endless books. They are in a library.

[JimBee]

"Perhaps so, Doctor..."

Hybros looks at the ceiling cautiously before continuing. "Deeper than Nu Mercution? I did not know there were cities older than that..." He continues to the library, and begins browsing the books, amazed that such a thing could exist for so long below the surface. It gave him hope. "If we did not find what we were looking for, then perhaps this is worth the venture. Daneeka, you could probably spend the rest of your days reading this library..."

[Sandy]

"I came looking for forgotten secrets, Ellaria. This is a forgotten secret. What did you come looking for that has left you unsatisfied?" And Daneeka glances at the building, into which Deborah and Heweyrt have already vanished. "What did you all come looking for? Are you on a quest to defeat evil once more, heroes? That is not what I requested. I wish only to learn, and we learn each day. I consider this a success regardless of what we find here."

"Alright, so we found what we were supposed to - although I thought we were looking for demons. Now what?"

Ellaria was a bit miffed about Daneeka's nonchalantness. There was something really distressing in the atmosphere down there. "Are we going to just stand watch here as you go through all of these dusty tomes? Are they even written in our language?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Books. All this for a library. Skrall gazed at the rows of tomes, he had a hard enough time reading quest posts a bunch of musty manuscripts. At least the doctor and Hybros seemed satisfied. "Hybros, ya said ya thought this expedition would give ya opportunity to find out about yer history. Well ya think this'll do?"

[JimBee]

Hybros frowned at the others' disappointment. "I was not sure what to expect when I signed up for this quest. I had hoped to find answers. So far it has only been more questions, and witches with their tricks. But now... a library, probably full of ancient knowledge... I have spent enough time in Byblos' realm to know the value of such knowledge, hehe..." He tipped his hat back to scratch his head.

"A library is more than I had expected. What we have found down here is certainly better than just dirt, which is what most would find. But there is a reason we are here. I know it. The journey to find answers for me has been very long. When you have been looking for as long as I have, you learn to appreciate what you do find. And you learn to be patient. These books must hold answers to many things, perhaps records this old will know of my people." He sensed his companions' discomfort. He looked on with determination, but there was also fear in his eyes. "Please... this is more than I have ever had. Every path that I have taken so far has lead here. There must be something that I can use down here. There has to be. I know it..."

[Zepher]

Hybros looks at the ceiling cautiously before continuing. "Deeper than Nu Mercution? I did not know there were cities older than that..." He continues to the library, and begins browsing the books, amazed that such a thing could exist for so long below the surface. It gave him hope. "If we did not find what we were looking for, then perhaps this is worth the venture. Daneeka, you could probably spend the rest of your days reading this library..."

"No one knew there were cities lower than Nu Mercution. But now we do." Daneeka looks at the ceiling. "I wonder now how we are to return to the surface. I do not think we can bring this many books with us. We will have to read what we read. Everyone must find a book that they desire to bring back."

"Alright, so we found what we were supposed to - although I thought we were looking for demons. Now what?"

Ellaria was a bit miffed about Daneeka's nonchalantness. There was something really distressing in the atmosphere down there. "Are we going to just stand watch here as you go through all of these dusty tomes? Are they even written in our language?"

"Heweyrt and I are both experts of ancient tongues, though these may even outdate our knowledge."

"They don't," says Heweyrt, wandering around a corner. "Well, they do, but not entirely. These books are older than anything I've studied, but whatever language they're written in is a clear predecessor to some ancient tongues I do know. My translations may not be perfect, but they're certainly passable, and that's just at first glance." Heweyrt tosses a book to Daneeka. "That's a directory. Smart to keep it. I've already got a few books I'm taking with me, Deborah grabbing some more. History books, some religious beliefs."

"These people are older than any we know. Imagine how far back their history may go. Perhaps we can learn of a civilization that came before the one that came before Nu Mercution. Perhaps they too have secrets." Daneeka opens the directory. For something so old, it seems to be in relatively good shape. "They must have preserved these books with a spell some how," he says. "Heroes, please, tell me what books you would like to find and return to the surface with. I imagine you can both carry two, perhaps three for Skrall."

OoC: This is purely role-play. Sorry this is stretching out a bit! We're almost done.

[Sandy]

Ellaria frowned with concern. "No, this is not right. Darkness led us to this library, and my every sense is warning me about this place. I do not want anything to do with any of these books. They must have gotten lost from the memories of mankind for a very good reason."

[JimBee]

"Only a few? Could we not come back down here from the way we came and bring them all up?" Nonetheless, Hybros began trawling anxiously through the books, looking for one that would indicate anything about his people. "Erm, Doctor, I could use a little help with the letters, eheh..."

Ellaria frowned with concern. "No, this is not right. Darkness led us to this library, and my every sense is warning me about this place. I do not want anything to do with any of these books. They must have gotten lost from the memories of mankind for a very good reason."

Hybros paused his search momentarily to squint his eyes at Ellaria. "You knew we were coming down here for answers. Here they are. Why have you changed your mind so suddenly? You sound like those Imperial Order people..."

[Sandy]

Hybros paused his search momentarily to squint his eyes at Ellaria. "You knew we were coming down here for answers. Here they are. Why have you changed your mind so suddenly? You sound like those Imperial Order people..."

"Please don't misunderstand me, Hybros", Ellaria begged, feeling increasingly uneasy. "I'm not stopping any of you from getting whatever books you want. I just don't want them. I only came on this quest for the reward, but I ended up finding out the answer to the one question that has been troubling me for years now. That in itself is more than I could've dared to ask for."

She motioned around her. "But can't you feel it, too? This library is not natural. These tomes should be nothing but dust by now, if this place predates even the Moon Elven Kingdom. I'm no scholar, but even I know that much."

[JimBee]

Hybros shrugged. "I am glad you found answers then. But is it much to doubt? Daneeka is right; we must choose to believe. I have seen ancient civilizations like these, and the Moon Elf Kingdom and the Temple of Zoot were preserved. Here we stand in another ancient ruin that could hold the secrets to many things. You are willing to forgo that?"

[Sandy]

Hybros shrugged. "I am glad you found answers then. But is it much to doubt? Daneeka is right; we must choose to believe. I have seen ancient civilizations like these, and the Moon Elf Kingdom and the Temple of Zoot were preserved. Here we stand in another ancient ruin that could hold the secrets to many things. You are willing to forgo that?"

"You have to remember what happened to the Moon Elves and the worshippers of Zoot. If that's the price of knowledge, I really am ready to forgo that."

[JimBee]

"You have to remember what happened to the Moon Elves and the worshippers of Zoot. If that's the price of knowledge, I really am ready to forgo that."

"If we are not willing to stand for what we want, then this world belongs to those already in power. I do not know where my people are, but I deserve to at least know what happened to them. I have defeated many that have gotten in my way to get to this point, including the Imperial Order and others who wish to keep this knowledge buried. They are not the ones who will determine the fate of my people or anyone else! We must make our own choices free of fear..."

"If your mind is made, then so be it. But I will not let this chance slip past me." Hybros returned to his search.