Heroica RPG - Quest #129: Flying the Coop

[JimBee]

Reward:

Guts - Balanced Rapier

Em - Balanced Main-gauche

Everyone else - 480 gold each (including gold from Guts)

Mortimer squints in the distance, trying to follow the ruins of the Apocalypse; he lost sight of it long ago. He sighs, rubbing at his left cheekbone-- just below his eyepatch. "The last thing I needed was more wannabe Gods to worry about, though."

The Alchemist shrugs. "Literally everyone is the Crimson Crown's enemy. This Malphien or whatever it's called did not attack us, it is a charlatan, another enemy hiding in the shadows sending others to do it's dirty work. I'm not afraid of it if it keeps sending fools like Melville."

"Heh, perhaps you are right Guts." Hybros seemed to lighten up a little. "There is no sense in worrying about it now. I will be on my guard though."

Em turns to his questmates, bowing his head to them, too. "And thank you. It was nice to fight alongside you again, Hybros; it was good to fight alongside the rest of you, too."

He then turns and bows to the crew of the Magpie, "It has been my pleasure to aid you all. If you ever require my help again, you know where to find me. Until we meet again!"

"Em, Thalion, I would fight alongside both of you again any day. The same to you, Erik, Hoke and Dyric. And of course, Guts, I am sure our fates are bound, heheh."

"Last intact lifeboat is dropped! Ye can hop in and get back to Eubric whenever ye like. Waters are calm enough now that the storm's blown over!"

"No...but that does remind me. Jules had managed to give us that code, to the shipping record that should tell us just who the Cold Circle was looking for. Hope the Bonies haven't gone rifling through my records..." The captain pulls a small box of well-organized papers, and starts filing through them.

"Melvin, it was good to see you again. I am making a visit down to Zylstra, perhaps I will see you there. Captain, if you find who the Cold Circle was looking for and need our help, we will be there."

"I'll think I might take up your style of fighting, Captain. Alchemy is fun, but I'm a brawler at heart. You shouldn't stay away too long. I might start miss the Magpie, and the excitement it brings with her."

"I may do the same, heheh."

Hybros took a last look around the Magpie before climbing aboard the lifeboat. "Goodbye, for now." He grinned and turned to face Eubric Freeport; the city never seemed so welcoming.

[Scubacarrot]

"I may do the same, heheh."

Guts raises an eyebrow. "Really, well, I'm going to need a sparring partner. Meet me in the Training Room."

[JimBee]

OOC: You forgot to update the gold from the loot division, Pie, and the two Silver Ores weren't borrowed from Em, but were part of the loot division after Alchemist was changed.

"Heh, well I will see you there. I must make a few stops first, though."

[CMP]

Thanks for playing everyone.

Final Stats

Hybros (JimButcher)

54-year-old male imp Alchemist *Permanently Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Immune to all elements* *Intimidation*

Level 37

Power Bonus: 3

Defense: 0

Health: 58/58

Gold: 2354

Equipment: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, permanently deals Cursed and Poisoned:7; scythe, suitable to Hybros; additional poisoned:70 (1 battle)), Golden Armor (user is permanently Hastened and Cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, wood-, darkness-, light-elemental, immune to Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, and Weakened; bodywear), The Black Hat (grants Intimidation, immune to darkness and Cursed; headwear), Sterile Gloves (immune to Poisoned and Bleeding handwear)

Inventory:

• Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect; light-elemental dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike; darkness-elemental daggers), Hollow Dagger (WP:6, hollow [Phoenix Incense]; dagger), Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP:45.25, gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Clock Cog (WP:14; throwing weapon), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all; throwing weapon), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5 deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; throwing weapon), Skirmisher's Shield (SP:10; shield),

• Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Metal Claw (Unarmed attacks drain health from the enemy equal to 50% of the strength of the attack (rounded up); 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 Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), 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), Pugilist's Gloves (Power +2, protects from Weakened-effect; handwear), Alchemist's Cheatsheet (1/3 chance to make two of the same Mixture on rolls of Shield, accessory, suitable to Alchemists), Lichen Armor (The wearer’s ether is counted as additional health if health is depleted; suitable to classes with ether; bodywear.)

• Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Opal, Slightly Less Lucky Die (Randomly causes the lucky or jinxed effect when used, costs 3 ether)

• 13 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, 13 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, 4 Elixirs, Diluted Arc Tonic, Mead, 2 Mulled Wines Soma, Phoenix Essence, 3 Phoenix Incenses, Fenghuang Essence (After being consumed, automatically revives the target with full health once when knocked out; cannot revive targets that are already knocked out), 2 Wyvern's Breaths, 3 Nostrums, Minimizing Dust, 4 Smoke Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Demeter Bomb (100 wood-elemental damage), Rudra Bomb (100 lightning-elemental damage), Pumpkin Bomb (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone, Tiger Balm, x2 Last Resort, x2 Fog Bomb, Baffle Bomb, x2 Cloud of Celerity, x2 Purging Water, x4 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Mystic Bomb, x2 Bravado Brew, Bad Breath, Hyper Arc Tonic, x2 Arc Elixir, Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle), Smile of the Gods

• Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Grating Stone, Gold Bar x10, Bone, Crystal Ball (Worth 800 gold, 1600 in magic shops), Silver Ore x2

Dyric Rone (The Legonater)

Human male, Assassin *Immune to All Elements and Blinded* *Permanently Lucky*

Level 31

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 6

Health: 43/43

Gold: 856

Equipment: Mockthril Longbow (WP: 27; Ice- and Darkness-elemental; Longbow), Lucky Die (User is permanently *Lucky*; suitable for anyone; Accessory), Night's Helmet (SP: 6; immune to Water, Wood, Earth, Ice, Fire, Wind,Lightning, Light, Darkness, and Blinded; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Sticky Gloves (increases amount of Gold stolen by 50%; suitable for Rogues and Beast Warriors; Handwear)

Inventory:

• Requiem (WP: 20; Wood- and Light-elemental; Longbow), Tarok's Wrath (WP: 20, 1/2; chance to Instantly Kill orcs; Dagger), Double Chain Whip (WP: 10; Whip), Throwing Knife (WP: 4; Throwing Weapon), Pongcanis Dagger (WP: 8; Dagger), Crossbow of Incessant Warmongerers (WP: 20; on non-AoE rolls, also deals Damage to the enemies above and below the target upon a successful hit; Crossbow), Double-Barreled Handcannon (WP: 15, fire-elemental, dual-strike, handcannon)

• Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Ambrose's Heart (Artifact, suitable to Evokers, Accessory, +5 power), Sigil of the Cold Circle - (Raise an Army costs twice as much ether, but raised undead are three times as powerful, accessory, suitable for necromancers)

• Diamond, 3 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold)

• Bedroll, Shovel, Magic Compass

• Potions (3), Grand Potions (6), Tonic, Remedies (2), Banana (restores full HP to target), Elixir (2), Cosmic Essence, Meads (2), Nostrum, Mulled Wine (2), Soma, Venom (2), Smelling Salts, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Mythril Shards (4/4 Mythril), Military Grade Light Bomb, Military Grade Darkness Bomb, Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Diamond Lamp of Summoning (1/3 uses left), Bones (3), Skeleton Decoy, Level-Up Mushroom, Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops), Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle)

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Artisan *Immune to All Elements, Sealed, Blind, Weakened, Confused, Sleep, Fragile* *Permanently Reinforced*

Level 32.75

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 5 10

Health: 51/51

Gold: 2293

Equipment: Nightfall (WP:11, Darkness-elemental, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, Hollow [Grand Potion stored], dagger), Norgh Armor (SP:5, Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Ice, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Earth damage and Sealed, Blind, Fragile, Weaken, Sleep and Confused), , Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent Reinforced-effect, doubling defense; suitable to marauders; backwear), Carpenter's Gloves (Enhancement is automatically successful, traps deal double damage, handwear, suitable for artisans)

Inventory:

- Sleeper (WP:4, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Potion], melee/throwing weapon), Alpha and Omega (WP:13, dual healing/spellcasting at the cost of 2 ether, Hollow [Grand Potion], staves), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, deals Stunned on successful hits, Hollow [Grand Potion]), Broomstick (WP:9, ranged), Ribcage Shield (SP:9; every time the wielder takes a hit, the shield loses one SP; gives immunity to Doomed and Sudden Death for as long the shield has SP left), Handy Shield (SP:4, Immune to Blinded), Despair (WP: 21, darkness-elemental, physical attacks and spells deal double damage to enemies inflicted with any negative effects, staff)

- Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP:3, provides SPECIAL GUARD against Undead Enemies, backwear), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing, headwear), , Winged Sandals (Protects from Bound and Slowed effects, footwear), Blessed Amulet (Protects from Cursed-effect; accessory), Heart Locket (Protects from Enamored-effect; accessory), Snake-Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect; accessory), Shackles of War (Prevents anyone from fleeing battles; accessory), Paper Doll (Protects from Hexed-effect; accessory) Cloak of Espionage (Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle, backwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP:1, vermin with level less than half of the wearer's are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; bodywear), Dragoon's Helmet (SP:3, makes wearer absorb attacks of the element of their pet dragon, gaining health instead of damage; suitable for dragoons; headwear), Sterile Gloves (Immunity to Poisoned and Bleeding, handwear), Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile, headwear)

- Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment), Amethyst x3, Diamond, Aquamarine, Opal, Garnet, 3 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 at magic shops)

- Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Slightly Less Lucky Die (Randomly causes the lucky or jinxed effect when used, costs 3 ether)

- Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope

- Copy of The Eubric Herald (Gives the target the transcended and inspired effects for the duration of one battle), Kraken Fang (Grants hastened and reinforced effects when consumed), Grand Potion (7), Potion (4), Remedy (5), Mead (4), Smelling Salts (6), Nostrum (6), Mulled Wine, Elixir (3), Ether Core, Grand Tonic (2), Phoenix Essence, Bone (2), Smoke Bomb, Blind Bomb (2), Seal Bomb (2), Sleep Bomb (2), Ambrosia, Deluxe Skeleton Decoy, Skeleton Decoy, Mythril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mythril), Demon Repellent (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons during one battle unless the user is the only hero left standing; consumable), Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Earthwyrm Fang (Grants the encouraged-, lucky-, reinforced-, and blinded- effects for the duration of one battle), Skeleton Decoy,

Erik Tyrvarr (Myrddyn)

19 years old male human Battle Mage *Restoration* *Lucky* *Immune to fragile, fire, and water* *Commands dogs*

Level 25

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 11

Health: 41/41

Ether: 17/26

Gold: 546

Equipment: Darkstar Wand (WP:12; has 1/2 chance of inflicting hexed-effect; darkness-elemental wand), ), Dog Fur Coat (SP:5, Grants Command over dogs, backwear), Brightly Polished Heavy Armour (SP: 6, immune toFragile, fire, water,bodywear)

Inventory:

- Titanic Axe (WP:12, Earth, fire, Light-elemental, has 1/6 chances of inflicting petrified-effect; axe), Silver Cup of Victory (WP:10; has 1/6 chance of causing doomed; club), Plunger (WP:2; 1/2 chance to cause sudden death to an aquatic enemy with each hit; club), Twin Axe (WP: 5, dual strike-axe), Voltedge (WP: 13, greatsword/longsword)

- Barbarian's Boots (Natural Respite>Restoration; footwear, Peacekeepers totem (Grants the "Diplomacy"-job trait; suitable to Erik only; accessory), Talisman of Enlightenment (Protects from hexed-effect; accessory), Sharkskin Armour (SP +1, bodywear), Shamanic Plate (Max. Health +2, Max. Ether +2; Blood Ritual does double damage to the target; suitable for shamans; bodywear), Helmet (Health +1), , Tricorne (SP: 3),Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, suitable for mages, clerics, necromancers, scholars and weather mages; backwear.),

- Amethyst, Ruby, Topaz

- Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.)

- Milk (Restores 15 health and ether), Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 4 Tonics, Nostrum, Venom, Ether Core, Remedy, 3 Potions, Health Core, Mulled Wine, Mead, Smelling Salts, Elixir, Grand Potion

Gold Statuette (Worth 100 gold), 3 Torches (WP:2, breaks after one use, suitable to all), Chair (WP:4, club), 2 Crystal Balls (worth 50 gold, except in magic shops where it is worth 100 gold.), Deluxe Skeleton Decoy

Mortimer "Em" Mahzan (emjajoas)

Unknown age human male Warden *Immune to Electricity, Fire, Water, and Ice* *Half damage from elemental attacks*

Level 24

Power Bonus: 5

Defense: 28

Health: 44/44

Gold: 304

Equipment: Tritech Handcannon (WP:16, permanent poisoned 17, cursed), Vigilant (SP 12, halved damage from elemental attacks, immune to Electricity, Fire, and Water; shield), Iron Knuckle Armour (Body, foot, and hand wear. Counts as one artefact. Usable by knights and dragoons. SP: 10. Cannot be removed by enemies), Anniversary Medal (Artefact/Accessory, Power +3, SP +3, Max. Health +3, Max. Ether +3. The values will increase by 1 with each passing year), Frost Helm (SP: 3, immune to ice, suitable for anyone, headwear)

Inventory:

- Blazing Bow (WP: 14, Fire-elemental), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Balanced Main-gauche (WP: 10, Riposte has a 1/6 chance of instantly killing the/each target, dagger, suitable only for marauders)

- Health Core, x5, Potion, Phoenix Essence, Remedy, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb (5), Floral Bomb (2), Ice Bomb (2), Lightning Bomb (2), Fire Bomb, Water Bomb (2), Holy Bomb (2), Dirt Bomb (2), Air Bomb (2), Chaotic Bomb (100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Phoenix Esssence (2), Ambrosia (4), Mulled Wine (2)Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used.), Nostrum, Smelling Salts, Elixir

- Bedroll (2), Shovel, Pickaxe, Telescope

- Reaper's Heart, Silver Ore(2), Mythril Shard (1), Amethyst, 3 Silver Ore (Worth 60 gold), Oath of Renewal (When the targeted enemy is killed, the Vindicator regains full health. Oath, suitable for vindicators), Bone

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

45 year old male human Alchemist *Dancing* *Dualstriking* *Immune to all Elements, Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused, Blinded water and first negative effect*

Level 39.5

Power Bonus: 2

Defense: 4

Health: 58/58

Gold: 8411

Equipment: Mythril Edge (WP: 64, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants Dual Strike to classes wielding axes, can't wear shield. handwear), Grimmeau's Clothespin (Grants Immunity to first negative effect inflicted on the wearer each battle. Headwear), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile,Weakened and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightning, and Ice Elemental Damage, footwear)

Inventory):

• Pronged Gauntlet (WP:6, dagger), M.U.C.A (WP: 12, bleeding 3, Axe) Giant Axe (WP:10, dual-strike, axe), Balanced Rapier (WP: 20, ignores defense, secondary weapons also ignore defense, longsword, suitable only for marauders)

• Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy, suitable for anyone), Rubber Gloves, Blessed Amulet(Immunity to Cursed, accessory), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Bomber's Belt (Craft Bomb creates Potent bombs, doubling the damage output of all bombs created, does not stack, accessory, suitable for cannoneers)

• Beholder's Eye, Shovel, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Decamodifier

• 1092x Potion, 16x Grand Potion, 3x Health Core, 3x Diluted Arc Potion, 2x Arc Potion, 3x Elixir, 12x Phoenix Essence, 28x Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Crimson Serum (Grants Mutated Effect for one battle.), x2 Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 19x Mead, 14x Smelling Salts, 11xNostrum, x4 Bad Breath, 2x Wyvern's Breath, 2x Tonic, Grand Tonic, 2x Purging Water, 3x Smile of the Gods, 3x Fortune Flush, 5x Venom, 3x Bone, Soma, Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), x2 Feather of White (Allows the user to hide for up to three rounds, avoiding Free Hits. The effect ends if the user targets an enemy.), Ether Core, Last Resort, 2x Bravado Brew, Cloud of Celerity

• 6x Smoke Bomb, Neptune Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Water Bomb, Blind Bomb, 2x Confuse Bomb, 2x Poison Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb, 5x Mystic Bomb, Electro Bomb (Deals 30 lightning-elemental damage and the stunned-effect to all enemies), Sand Bomb (Deals 30 earth-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to all enemies), Baffle Bomb

• 6x Deadly Venom, Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned-by-7- and cursed-effects for the duration of one battle),

• Topaz, Amethyst, Sapphire, Crystal Ball (Worth 200 gold, 400 in magic shops), 4x Gold Bar, Gold Ring (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver)

Hoke Ablesword (UsernameMDM)

Male human Dragoon *Immune fragile, weakened, confused, sealed, darkness, absorbs poison, Earns TRIPLE XP*

Level 53

Power Bonus: 4

Defense: 40

Health: 91/91

Gold: 1663

Equipment: Zoot's Order (WP:39; permanently Poisoned-by-3, hits reduce enemy SP by 1; spear, suitable for Hoke only), Steel Buckler (SP:31, darnkess-elemental), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile), Medal of Glory (Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles),Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Hydra Skin (SP: 2, wearer gains HP when poisoned instead of losing it, backwear), Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1), Cultist Hat (damage vs undead)

Inventory:

- Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword), Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding-by-5 effect; spear), Wasabi Blade (WP: 4, Fire-elemental long-sword), Blade of Tranquility (WP: 2, deals the Sealed effect, Long-sword), Glistening Halberd WP:10 (½ chance to caused stunned effect, lance), Blue Steel Shield (SP:5, Immune to Blind), Fang Dagger (WP:5, double damage to beasts, dagger), Hollow Flagpole (WP:11, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, Hollow (Phoenix Essence), lance)

- Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), , Sharkskin Gloves (Accessory, provides immunity from water elemental attacks), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2, accessory), Crocodile Belt (Max Health +2, accessory), Helm of Prestige (SP: 5, +10 Max HP, Wearer is Permanently Blessed, Headwear, suitable for Paragons), Sterile Gloves (Immune to poisoned and bleeding, handwear, suitable for anyone), Samurai Helmet (WP:+4, immune Confused, Sealed suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors), Sigil of the Cold Circle - (Raise an Army costs twice as much ether, but raised undead are three times as powerful, accessory, suitable for necromancers)

- Opal (Ice), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Aquamarine (Water), Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Garnet ( Earth), Crystal Ball (Worth 50 gold, 100 in magic shops), Used Summoning Amulet (Worth 25 gold), Bone

- Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep

-Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel 3x Smoke Bomb, Lightning Bomb, Water Bomb, Air Bomb, 2x Dirt Bomb, Confuse Bomb, Blind Bomb, Seal Bomb, x2 Stun Bombs, Skadi Bomb

- 4x Phoenix Essence, Potion, 11x Grand Potion, Health Core, 4x Remedy, Tonic, 2x Grand Tonic, 5x Ether Core, Elixir, Neutralizer, 2x Ambrosia, Soma, 3x Mead, 2x Smelling Salts, 2x Nostrum, 2x Dragon Scale (Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy (Encouraged & Immune to Ice), 6x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, 2x Feather of Flight (Allows the user to flee from the battle when used), Mythril, Mulled Wine

- Nixie (Water 7), Reaper (Dark 8), Stone Golem (Rock 8), Carcinos (Aquatic 8), Storm Elemental (Electric 8)

Torc (UsernameMDM)

Female dragon Adult

Level 53

Health: 83/83

Element: Fire

"Yeah, Jules knew his stuff. Look, if you need a mage, I can help out, at least until you find someone with more experience on ships. Otherwise, you know where to find us if you need help bashing heads." Erik glances out towards the spot where the Apocalypse had long since vanished, and chuckles, thinking it unlikely that the crew of the Magpie would find another enemy fearsome enough for them to need help any time soon.

"I think a few months away from magic won't kill us, to be honest. The Bonies didn't seem to find our best stashes - the hidden ones. We've got piles of gold to get by on for a while."

"Will miss you quite much, Erik. Visit when we come back to Eubric or I will hunt you down." Zasies gave a bone-splintering hug and an enormously wet smooch to the shaman before setting him back down on the deck,.

"I'll think I might take up your style of fighting, Captain. Alchemy is fun, but I'm a brawler at heart. You shouldn't stay away too long. I might start miss the Magpie, and the excitement it brings with her."

"Oh, don't worry. We'll be back eventually, undoubtedly with a whole heap of trouble following us."

It was nice to be on the seas again. Being a marauder seems like an adventurous life, but I feel my work as an assassin isn't yet finished.

Until next time, Captain.

"Then keep your arrows sharp 'til you pick up the swords. Something tells me you guys don't lack targets to practice on."

"Aye, I think it's about time we head back. Best of luck, all of you. May the wind be in your wings, Giuliana, Volmuniix; and may the wind be ever in the Magpie's sails." With one last raise of his shield and his hand, Mortimer boards the lifeboat, ready to leave.

"May the dragons set fire to your heart and...so on, and what have you. What is it they say in Dastan?"

" 'WHERE ARE ALL OUR AWESOME DRAGONS?' "

"Close enough. Best of luck."

Torc rouses herself from her rest as Eubric comes into view. The adventurers divide the loot as say their farewells.

"Thanks for the adventure Captain. Hope you and the Magpie fare well in your travels."

"You too. Make sure you keep feeding that dragon, she'll be the size of my ship in no time..."

As the battle rage subsided, Thalion commented on the events that passed moment ago only with a short phrase, "That was something else!"

He then turns and bows to the crew of the Magpie, "It has been my pleasure to aid you all. If you ever require my help again, you know where to find me. Until we meet again!"

He turns and nods to the other heroes, "See you at the Hall!"

"Fhamk you, Fhawiom. We wiww of couwfe caww upom you agaim if fhe mee' awifef."

"Aye, you've been a hell of a help over the years."

"Melvin, it was good to see you again. I am making a visit down to Zylstra, perhaps I will see you there. Captain, if you find who the Cold Circle was looking for and need our help, we will be there."

"Hah, think I'll stay on the sea for a good long while, Hybros. Tell Vinum I won't be back for a while, and ask yer, um, Signet friend to play nice, heh."

"Yeah...I can't seem to find the damn thing. They wrecked my cabin and barely a fraction of my records remains...typical. If I find anything, I'll try and get a message to you guys. I think we'll head south for a while, let the Bonies calm down and let this whole mess blow over for a while. If you ever need us again though, we'll be there."

The lifeboat splashed down into the calming waters of the Crystalline Sea. Eubric Freeport was only an hour or so out. The heroes had little issue taking up the oars, the early spring air crisp and clear as they rowed through the dawn, until the Magpie was but a small white speck in the distance. In the other direction was the faintest plume of smoke - the death throes of the night's dark trappings.

It quickly faded into the sky, however, and when the heroes returned to the Hall, it was with the knowledge that Melville's ambitions would never come to fruition - an effort brought to bear by the crew of the Magpie, the final redemption of Jules, and, of course, the seven marauding heroes of Heroica.

Only a single lingering shadow remained over everyone's thoughts, and would remain for some time to come...

[CMP]

“...and if ye do, then just give us a call ladies, we’ll make sure yer good and taken care of, hehah!”

“We fif mot come hewe fow you ‘o pick up womem, Mewvim...”

“Heh, true enough Knifey, but we may as well enjoy ourselves while we’re hidin’ out here.”

“Then do smart things. Like me, learning many words...ugh. Kshrmkav, Common is so...dry.”

“Speakin’ of dry, ain’t that, uh, bad for Selkreeth?”

“Sun won’t kill me, unless I die while in it,” stated Zasies matter-of-factly, idly staring up into the sky in thought. “Plus, sea air very moist.”

“But, erm, Zasies...” Melvin scratched his head. “Ye do know ye can’t really get a tan, yer people don’t exactly have skin...”

“Psh, as though dwarves know about sun. Relax Melvin.”

“Cap’m? Wha’ awe you up ‘o?” Knife-Tongue looked up at the top deck, where the captain sat amongst a large pile of nearly-ruined scraps of inky parchment.

“Still looking. It took weeks to find all the documents the Bonies scattered around...if we can piece together the scraps of the shipping records we can still figure out just who the Melville was looking-....” Illdria trailed off.

“Cap’m?”

“...This...this is it. I found it.”

“Well damn, it took long enough!” The crew hurried up to the top of the ship. Illdria was standing now, struggling to hold at least five different torn pieces together, some nearly illegible.

“EB08. Everything lines up.”

“Well, the E’s Eubric, of course...hang on a minute...”

“Aye. Jules said we shipped something to the same person the Cold Circle is so desperate to find.”

“Bu’ ouw cwiem, Owmfyw-“

“The client didn’t pay for this shipment, though. He was with us for the entire voyage, remember? We shipped our cargo to the man who paid for the trip – and he paid through the client. Maybe trying to cover his tracks...but Jules insisted we record every detail in these...damn records.”

“I think I can tell where this is goin’. So the client and the...buyer, were two different people.” Melvin scratched his beard, looking quite troubled. “Cap’n, we know the client. Heroica knows the client! He’s a fine fellow-“

“I know. It’s not him. It’s the buyer. I’m sure of it.”

“How?”

“I know of him. I have a hunch Heroica knows of him too.”

“Oh. Then...they know who the Circle wants?”

“The heroes wouldn’t know it’s him...I doubt they’d even know where to start looking. Except...we delivered the cargo right to his doorstep. And the Circle knows exactly who he is and exactly where to find him now.”

“...Well...do heroes at least know what the cargo was?”

Illdria bit the inside of her lip, staring north with an intense look. Melvin ran his fingers through his beard, looking deeply troubled, while Knife-Tongue and Zasies looked at their crewmates with concern.

“The heroes were the cargo.”

---

Fire flickering in its place, an ethereal glow emanating from a strange torch. Shadows stuttered off the chair, taking one more sip from his drink. The last snows of Baltarok melting off the roof above, denied influence by the warmth of the flames – the flames that, just as easily as they flickered, they became withered, muted. A black hunger stood before him.

“Yoouu.”

“Yes. Me, it seems. You have my condolences. Jules and Melville were useful pawns, once.”

“You drew Hyeroldr to these wastes. You filled his mind with their deeds. You wanted them here.”

“That is true. Other forces were at work. The kings across the river had heroes. Baltarok needed its own. I gave Olmstyr all the information he needed to realize that as well.”

“Why.”

“I have a vested interest in seeing my people prosper. And do not be callous – you shared those thoughts once, did you not, Nôrn?”

The being tilted its head imperceptibly toward the chair, an almost inaudible, maddening hiss sliding from under his hood.

“They are gone. She rules through us now.”

“I thought as much.”

“We need your knowledge.”

“Oh?”

“Play no games. You knew we were coming. You know what we want. Your eyes are everywhere.”

“Very well. I see you will not humor me. There is little to be gained by acting as though you are above such trivialities. Alas, I digress. My eyes are many, but even they cannot see beyond your veil. What is it Kaldr Hringr, what is it the Cold Circle wants of me, Malphien?”

“We need Her greatest relic. We need Helvetia’s Siege.”

“I see.”

The man stirred slightly, turning his eyes onto Malphien, a faint, pleased smile tracing his lips.

“I believe we can come to an arrangement.”