Heroica RPG - Quest #114: The Tale of the Sea Fiend

[KotZ]

"Reg and them grabbed theirs, Mizuki. They took some fat and gold already." Kiray moved over to the pile of loot left for her party.

Loot

Kiray- Fishy Scale Mail, 1x Nostrum, 1x Ambrosia, 2x Mead, 1x Smelling salt, Fat

Mizuki- Tongue, 1x Nostrum, 2x Ambrosia, 1x Mead, 1x smelling salt, 15 gold

Actaeon- Fat, 1x Nostrum, 1x Ambrosia, 1x Mead, 2x smelling salt, Scroll

Francis- Gold Ring, 2x Nostrum, 1x Ambrosia, 1x Mead, 1x smelling salt, 10 gold, Cloak of the Sea Beast

"Everyone good?" Kiray equipped the Fishy Scale mail and her rito sword. She went up to Reg and his men. "Nice work out there, all of you." She turned to Illdria. "Well the ship is intact. Thank you for letting us use it."

[Actaeon]

Actaeon hands Mizuki the Quickdraw Quiver, "This probably saved my life more than once," he says, gratefully.

[Actaeon]

"Loot looks good," Actaeon says, smiling at Kiray.

(are we done here?)

[Tachyon]

"Well, if you guys want to go get some reputation with the Hinckwells, go show some proof of the sea beast's death like its fat or the scale mail to a guy in the organisation named Ettin. I won't do it, but you guys are welcome to go."

[Captain Settle]

"The loot looks good to me"

Francis turns to Briar.

"Thanks for your help. Hopefully your little, weird... Scared twitch thing heals."

[CMP]

The party sorts out their items and loot as the Magpie sails out of the storm, the rain lessening. The crewmates manage to push the corpse of Kjorfalneire off. Reg has Briar heft the Sewer Wolves' things, then grips Kiray's hand in an almost-rough shake.

"Yep. Good working with you. Nice to see some heroes haven't completely lost their heads."

Briar stares at Francis.

"Twitch? I have a twitch!? Why didn't anyone- o-oh, well, it doesn't really matter now. Thanks for, uh, you know, helping me, not die. It was, um, well, it was, I mean, I didn't die, so that's good, thanksmanseeyou."

Lane merely nodded stiffly at the party, with a slightly less stern glance at Mizuki.

"Yeah. The thing's dead. Better stay that way. And it better've been worth it," he adds, looking sideways at the Wolfgangers with their treasure.

"Indeed. Hell of a thing you just pulled off, heroes. I can think of a few dozen people who'll be relieved that it's gone, and an entire city who knowingly or not will benefit from it." She looks off into the distance. "Hmph. Perhaps the Bonies do give a-"

The deck suddenly tilts sideways, and it's just enough to put everyone off-balance, although it was a gentle nudge compared to Kjorfalneire's thrashing.

"Cap'm, we've 'ot amover ome off fhe porf bow!"

Everyone's gaze slid off to the side. The waters bubbled and churned and shook. A second beast, along for the ride; its dim red eye now a well-known look.

The feared return of Kjorfalneire!

...except this one was smaller.

Finding words to rhyme with Kjorfalneire is understandably difficult.

An ill-looking mage and his cat stumped over to the edge of the ship and looking down, entirely unfazed. The stunted sea fiend, an almost perfect mirror of Kjorfalneire, only blinked back at him and the entire party morosely.

"Interesting. It seems our sea fiend found something similar enough to mate."

"This thing is its child?"

"It appears so. And a recent one, at that. Weeks old at the most. If Kjorfalneire has been protecting its egg for an extended period of time, it likely finished off local sources of its usual diet some time ago. This would explain Kjorfalneire's violent hunger for ships. This one could hardly capsize a rowboat, much less feed itself."

"We'll spare it the misery. Melvin, load the cannon and kill that thing."

The dwarven crewmate headed belowdecks for some ammo. What would the party do?

The Party

Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk) *Immune to Fire* *Party Leader*

Level 11.5 Knight

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 1

Health: 15/20

Gold: 22

Equipment: Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire; bodywear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), x3 Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Bedroll, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), Everlasting Venom (Adds the poisoned by 10-effect to one weapon permanently), Remedy, Dragon Scale, 3x Nostrum, x3 Fire Bomb, x4 Venom, Scutum Shield (SP:3; shield), 3x Inert Blade (WP: 5, greatsword), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Fishy Scale Mail (SP: 6, wearer absorbs water-elemental damage as health, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers, and regulators, bodywear), Ambrosia, 2x Mead, Smelling Salts, Kjorfalneire Fat (Worth 250 coins)

Mizuki Kimura (zakura) *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects*

Level 25.33 Assassin

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 0

Health: 35/35

Gold: 97

Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear)

Inventory: 20 Venoms, 5 Nostrums, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 1 Think Jeeax Scales, Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Tonic, Potion, Weak Potion, 2 Chicken Drumsticks, 2 Deadly Venoms, Weak Regeneration Potion, Grand Potion, Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone, Fleuret (WP:9, longsword), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers), Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory), 2 Ambrosias, Smelling Salts

Francis Barkley (Captain Settle)

Level 7 Ranger

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 3

Health: 12/12

Gold: 62

Equipped: Tricorne (SP:3)

Inventory: Potion, smokebomb, bedroll, Mead, longbow (WP 3), venom, Lustrous Cloak (1/6 chance of dodging damage rolls and free hits. Suitable for rogues, artifact, backwear), grand potion, grating stone, Filleting Knife (WP: 5, deals the bleeding-effect, throwing weapon), Ambrosia, Training Bow (WP 4), Cloak of the Sea Beast (Wearer deals the fragile-effect with water-elemental spells, suitable for classes that can cast elemental spells, backwear), 2 Nostrums, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver)

Actaeon Artus (Actaeon)

Level 10 Ranger

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 0

Health: 15/15

Gold: 79

Equipment: Sanctified Rito Bow (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; bow)

Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion, Remedy x2, Bedroll, Scroll of Frailty, Stun Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the Stunned-effect to all opponents when used.), Trial Brew, Dragon Scale, 2 Meads, Smelling Salts, Venom x2, Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon (SP:2, protects from the Bound- and Slowed-effects. Footwear, suitable for anyone.), Inert Blade (WP: 5, greatsword), Soma, Writ of Blacksmith Service (Voucher for one free weapon or shield upgrade at Anwyl's Smithy), Scroll of the Abyss (When cast, has a 50/50 chance to tame an Aquatic monster for the next six rounds at the cost of 10 ether), Kjorfalneire Fat (Worth 250 gold), Nostrum, Ambrosia

This is your last choice. The quest will finish as soon as the party does/doesn't do something.

Edited November 26, 2014 by CallMePie

[KotZ]

"Do it," Kiray said dismissively, her hand waved. "I don't want to possibly harm other ships in the future."

[Captain Settle]

"Oh no, not another beast! KILL IT! KILL IT!"

Edited November 26, 2014 by Captain Settle

[Actaeon]

Actaeon glances at the beast, "Better a quick death than a slow one."

[CMP]

With no resistance, Melvin returned with a fresh cannonball and loaded it. The young sea fiend merely eyed the gun warily, as if waiting for movement. When it did, it was too late for the creature - the cannonball tore through its head, killing it instantly. Ribbons of blood flowed through the water as Kjorfalneire's progeny sunk to the seafloor.

"Good riddance. We didn't need that thing coming back to bite us in the megablocks." The captain looked sideways at the heroes as she tugged the wheel in one direction. "Have to say, when you've got a goal you don't screw around. That's a bottom line anyone can respect." Illdria scratched her chin in though. "And always something to look for..."

The creaking, leaking Magpie remained strong despite its damage, sailing on a fresh wind north as the cold night set in. The reign of the sea fiend was ended, never to rise again. Lane would ensure Melville and the Bonapartes were aware of the heroes' success, and would no doubt increase their standing with the house. But after a day's worth of preparation and the ultimate annihilation of an ancient sea serpent, the heroes were quite content with the uneventful ride back to Eubric.

--- Six Weeks Later ---

Val Hellsinger was, at long last, winding down, just as the candle had begun to spill over its small tray. The bard looked round at the more or less attentive faces of the rest of the Midnight Society with some satisfaction.

"And so back to Eubric the heroes sailed. Through will and might they had truly prevailed.

The battle was won and the fiend was dead. Only four last words needed to be said:

THE QUEST WAS SUCCESSFUL!!!"

The bard exclaimed this last line with conviction and obvious conclusion, looking around at the rest of the Society expectantly.

The Party

Kiray Nastayo (KingoftheZempk) *Immune to Fire* *Party Leader*

Level 11.5 Knight

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 1

Health: 15/20

Gold: 22

Equipment: Flameproof Armor (SP:1, immune to Fire; bodywear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory: Sword of the Kin (WP:3), x3 Potion, Banana (Restores full health when eaten), Bedroll, Mediocre Pongcanis Brew (Encouraged + Enraged), Everlasting Venom (Adds the poisoned by 10-effect to one weapon permanently), Remedy, Dragon Scale, 3x Nostrum, x3 Fire Bomb, x4 Venom, Scutum Shield (SP:3; shield), 3x Inert Blade (WP: 5, greatsword), Sanctified Rito Longsword (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; longsword), Fishy Scale Mail (SP: 6, wearer absorbs water-elemental damage as health, suitable for knights, dragoons, skirmishers, and regulators, bodywear), Ambrosia, 2x Mead, Smelling Salts, Kjorfalneire Fat (Worth 250 coins)

Mizuki Kimura (zakura) *50% More Gold Stolen* *Death Mask* *Ignores Positive Effects*

Level 25.33 Assassin

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 0

Health: 35/35

Gold: 97

Equipment: Dual Gladii (WP:12, Darkness and Light elemental, dual-strike), Sticky Gloves (Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Death Mask (Increases assassination chances to 1/3 when the target’s health is lowered to 1/3, headwear, suitable for assassin), Fox Tail (user not affected by opponent's positive effects, backwear)

Inventory: 20 Venoms, 5 Nostrums, Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 1 Think Jeeax Scales, Gladiator Trident (WP:11, causes bleeding effect; spear), Tonic, Potion, Weak Potion, 2 Chicken Drumsticks, 2 Deadly Venoms, Weak Regeneration Potion, Grand Potion, Loaded Die (Gives holder the Lucky-effect, accessory, suitable for anyone, Fleuret (WP:9, longsword), Orcish Shield (SP: 4, double if user is a greenskin), Sylph Shuriken (WP:12, wind elemental, retrievable), Quickdraw Quiver (Gives wearer the Hastened-effect, backwear, suitable for rangers), Top Hat (WP: 14, 50/50 chance of dealing the stunned-effect, retrievable), Kjorfalneire Tongue (The wearer’s restorative consumables are twice as potent, potions and tonics restoring twice as much health or ether, suitable for anyone, accessory), 2 Ambrosias, Smelling Salts

Francis Barkley (Captain Settle)

Level 7 Ranger

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 3

Health: 12/12

Gold: 62

Equipped: Tricorne (SP:3)

Inventory: Potion, smokebomb, bedroll, Mead, longbow (WP 3), venom, Lustrous Cloak (1/6 chance of dodging damage rolls and free hits. Suitable for rogues, artifact, backwear), grand potion, grating stone, Filleting Knife (WP: 5, deals the bleeding-effect, throwing weapon), Ambrosia, Training Bow (WP 4), Cloak of the Sea Beast (Wearer deals the fragile-effect with water-elemental spells, suitable for classes that can cast elemental spells, backwear), 2 Nostrums, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver)

Actaeon Artus (Actaeon)

Level 10 Ranger

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 0

Health: 15/15

Gold: 79

Equipment: Sanctified Rito Bow (WP:6, doubled against Flying enemies; bow)

Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Potion, Remedy x2, Bedroll, Scroll of Frailty, Stun Bomb (Deals 5 damage and the Stunned-effect to all opponents when used.), Trial Brew, Dragon Scale, 2 Meads, Smelling Salts, Venom x2, Greaves of the Aubergine Dragoon (SP:2, protects from the Bound- and Slowed-effects. Footwear, suitable for anyone.), Inert Blade (WP: 5, greatsword), Soma, Writ of Blacksmith Service (Voucher for one free weapon or shield upgrade at Anwyl's Smithy), Scroll of the Abyss (When cast, has a 50/50 chance to tame an Aquatic monster for the next six rounds at the cost of 10 ether), Kjorfalneire Fat (Worth 250 gold), Nostrum, Ambrosia

Thanks for playing everyone. You can still post here if you like, I'll have an epilogue up sometime in the future. If anyone wants the Hinckwell reputation, you can just hand over one of your Kjorfalneire artifacts/fat to Ettin, but otherwise, feel free to return to the Hall.

[Actaeon]

Quick question, what is the fat used for? And where can I sell the fat if it isn't used for anything?

[CMP]

Quick question, what is the fat used for? And where can I sell the fat if it isn't used for anything?

You can just add the value of it to your gold like any treasure.