Heroica RPG - Quest#135: Kill Baba

[Sandy]

Thormanil snarled, frustrated with the minion's insolence. Meanwhile, Arx flew up above the smoke, recognizing the need for some direction here.

Arx rose above the thick smoke and scanned the area. He saw the spires of a ruined city on the horizon, but as he circulated above the forest he also saw movement about a mile's distance from where the heroes were. Arx descended and saw an elven knight stuck under a fallen tree trunk, trying to lift it up.

"Great! What I needed was more dragons..."

"Rastaban, do you know the way out by any chance? And Syrma, I very much would like to help you, so unless anyone has some very good reasons for why we shouldn't, I say we will help you."

While waiting for answers Namyrra summons Mediq to heal Nerwen.

Mediq popped out of his lamp to heal Nerwen at the cost of 5 ether for Namyrra.

"Oh, I know the way out... just fly up and away... but what can I... do about it... anymore? I am a ghost... bound to you...."

"Thank you, Fenarian. I have to admit that I am still perplexed about why you are here, and why you rushed to my aid without hesitation. But for now, I will let gratitude overcome my suspicions."

"I'm sorry, but I understand the need to rescue her from a dragon and fire, but helping her find a dead body seems pointless and more like a distraction than anything else."

"Please, if there is even the slightest hope Zaniah is alive, I cannot possibly abandon her! We promised to love each other until our stars burnt out..."

Party:

Johon, The Champion of Darkness (Bricksandparts)

26 years old male human Raider

Level 33 1/4 *Natural Respite* *Permanently Lucky* *1.5 stealing multiplier* *Hide of The Bleeding*

Power: 43 (33+10)

Defense: 1

Health: 47/47 (32+7+7)

Gold: 6565

Equipment: Old Whip (WP:+10, suit: Rogues/Artisans/Beast Warriors/Decamon Drafters/Harlots/Marauders/Necromancers, 2X damage vs. Beasts), Satchel of Awesomeness (suit: Anyone, *Permanently Lucky*), Hide of The Bleeding (suit: Anyone, +10HP +5ETH for every enemy user defeats), Sticky Gloves (suit: Rogues/Beast Warriors, 1.5 multiplier for stealing), Dog Statuette (Rover) (suit: Anyone, SP:+1)

Inventory:

Weapons: Muckraker (WP:+13, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators, *Water, Wood, Earth*, Causes *Weakened*), Sword of Decay (WP:+8, suit: Barbaians/Knights/Mages, Causes *Decayed by X-3 rounds* X=dmg dealt/4, Effect does not stack), Greatsword (WP:+3, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Beast Warriors/Necromancers/Regulators), Focal Staff (WP:+5, suit: Clerics/Mages, Ability: Roll 3 at cost of 5 ether), Gladius (WP:+15, suit: Anyone, Darkness, 1/3 chance of causing *Fragile* on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP:+8, suit: Barbarians/Knights/Harlots, 1/2 chance of causing *sealed*), Lullaby Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *asleep*), Lovelorn Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enamored*), Scaridy Wand (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *afraid*), Wand of Wrath (WP:+6, suit: Mages/Necromancers, Causes *enraged*), Shield (SP:+5, Suit: Knights/Dragoons/Regulators/Skirmishers), Qlice (WP:+8, club, Causes *Poisoned-by-4*), Luminous Bow (WP:+9, suit: Rangers/Beast Warriors/Weather Mages/Winged Warriors, 3X damage vs. Fiery/Dark, 0X damage vs. Plants/Aquatic)

Artifacts: Simple Helmet (suit: Anyone, HP:+1), Pseudo's hood (suit: Anyone, Ignores Undead immunity), Quiver of Poisoning (suit: Rangers/Beast Warriors/Infiltrators/Winged Warriors, Causes *Poisoned by 1* using bows/crossbows), Blessed Amulet (suit: Anyone, *Immune to cursed*), Barbarian's Boots (suit: Barbarians/Chi Monks/Beast Warriors, *Restoration*), Counterstrike Gloves (suit: Anyone, deals damage equal to level when hit with free-hit), Sterile Gloves (Suit: Anyone, *Immune to Poisoned/Bleeding*), Bravado Boots (suit: Anyone, 1/6 chance of receiving *Lucky* at start of battle), Scarlet Hood (suit: Anyone, pwr:+4, *immune to stunned*), Steel Core (suit: Anyone, +7 power), Heavy Armour (suit: Barbarians/Knights, SP:+5, *Immune to Fragile*), Tin Helmet (suit: Anyone, *Immune to Hexed/Confused*), Brimstone Armor (SP:6, absorbs fire damage; causes fire damage equal to wearer’s defense to those that hit the wearer with normal attacks; suitable to barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers, regulators and vindicators; bodywear)

Spell Items: Aquamarine (2), Emerald (1), Garnet (1), Opal (1), Ruby (1), Sapphire (1), Topaz (1), Diamond (2), Amethyst (2), Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1), Scroll of Frailty (1), Scroll of Weakening (1), Scroll of Antimagic (1)

Consumables: Potion (30), Grand Potion (17), Grand Tonic (1), Health Core (3), Remedy (12), Phoenix Essence (3), Mead (15), Smelling Salts (17), Nostrum 16), Ambrosia (2), Mulled Wine (1), Venom (10), Deadly Venom (7), Smoke Bomb (1) , Fire Bomb (1), Water Bomb (4), Lightning Bomb (14), Bone (14), Skeleton Decoy (2), Trial Brew (1), Ectoplasm (1), Level-Up Mushroom (1), Grating Stone (1), Blind Fury (1), Neutralizer (1), Equilibrium Tonic (1), Oculoid Miasma (1)

Tools etc.: Shovels (1), Pick-axes (2), Magic Compasses (1), Water Canteens (2), Lonely Island Magniscope (1), Blue Rose (Invasion of Luosh) (1), Fifty Shades of Bley (1), Mythril Shards (1), Silver Ore (1)

Namyrra Uq (Quarryman) *Party Leader*

1337 years old female Fenarian Necromancer

Level 50 3/5 *Immune to Sealed, Slowed, Bound, Confused, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth* *Gains Triple EXP*

Power: 95 (50+45)

Defense: 10

Health: 42/64 (5+49+5+5)

Ether: 57/69 (5+49+1+5+4+5)

Gold: 646

Equipment: Crystal Mace (WP: 45 (5*gems imbued); Fire-, Ice-, Wind-, Water-, Lightning-, Earth-, Wood-, Light-, and Darkness-elemental; Mace), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Ether:5. immune to Sealing, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth, bodywear), Medal of Glory (gain triple XP; accessory), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max. Ether +4, backwear), Fanged Helm (SP:5, headwear), Winged Sandals (Immune to bound and slowed, footwear)

Inventory:

Weapons: Mythril Empyreal Staff (WP:28), Nocturne Flute (WP: 6; inflicts the Asleep effect; Instrument), Pongcanis Shield (SP: 7; Shield)

Artifacts: Gold Dragon Crown (max Ether +6; immune to Stunned; suitable for anyone; Headwear), Desert Cloak (immune to Fire; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Water Canteen (Carries 3 portions of water; Accessory), Cobweb Cowl (immune to Sudden Death; suitable for anyone; Backwear), Winged Sandals (immune to Bound and Slowed; suitable for anyone; Footwear), Paper Doll (immune against Hexed, Accessory)

Spell Items: Amethyst, Emerald, Topaz, Garnet, Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Aquamarine, Scroll of Blinding, Scroll of Arc Blinding, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Naamah's Hourglass (Randomly causes either Hastened or Slowed to the target at the cost of 3 Ether), Jade Lamp of Summoning (summons Mediq, restoring Health equal to the Level of the summoner at the cost of 5 Ether)

Consumables: Potions (12), Grand Potions (4), Health Core, Tonics (9), Ether Cores (3), Remedies (12), Phoenix Essences (5), Phoenix Incenses (2), Mead (13), Smelling Salts (5), Nostrum (6), Ambrosia, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Deadly Venom (3), Smoke Bombs (2), Holy Bomb, Water Bomb (14), Lightning Bomb (14), Dirt Bomb (3), Aeolus Bomb, Flash Bomb, Demon Repellant (Makes the user impervious to direct attacks from demons for one battle, unless the user is the last one standing), Soul Cage (Doomed-effect to all combatants), Skeleton Decoys (2), Bones (17)

Tools etc.: Pickaxe, Bedroll

Rastaban, Level 52 Dark Undead

Will-o'-the-Wisp A, Level 21 Dark Undead

Will-o'-the-Wisp B, Level 21 Dark Undead

Will-o'-the-Wisp C, Level 21 Dark Undead

Will-o'-the-Wisp D, Level 21 Dark Undead

Nerwen Calmcacil (Chromeknight)

264 year old female Elven Minstrel

Level 38 2/4 *Immune to sealed* *Gains Double EXP* *Permanently Hastened*

Power: 50 (38+4+8)

Defense: 2 (1+1)

Health: 51/52 (9+37+11-5)

Ether: 38/50 (5+37+4+1+3)

Gold: 592

Equipment: Party Maracas (WP:4; user is hastened; instrument), Lesser Ethereal Cloak (SP:1, Max. ether +3, immune to sealed; backwear), Leather armour (SP:1; Bodywear), Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles; accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons: Mutt's Flute (WP:10; inflicts Weakened-effect; instrument), Nocturne Flute (WP:6; causes asleep-effect; instrument), Battered wooden flute (WP:6; Darkness-elemental; instrument), Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14; Light-Elemental, Meditate becomes hits; longsword), Mourning Star (WP: 10; Fire-elemental; inflicts Fragile-effect; mace), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanical 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 (SP: 5)

Artifacts: Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3; Immunity to Ice and Water; Bodywear; Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors), 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), Trickster's Mask of the Angel, Order Imperial's Assassin Cowl (Immune to Light and Darkness, Wearer is Nimble; headwear; Suitable for Assassins, Chi Monks, Infiltrators, Rogue Thieves, Paragons), Razor (user is Blessed and Immune to Bleeding, Enraged, and Encouraged; May take up any artifact slot; requires a shaved head), Helm of the Lord of Light (Immune to Light and Jinxed; headwear; Suitable for Knights), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Counterstrike Gloves, Zap-Tap Badge (1/2 chance to make lighting-elemental counterstrike an opponent who has dealt damage to a hero, equal to the hero's level; Accessory),

Spell Items: Opal (2), Topaz (2), Diamond (2), Amethyst, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Hundred Hero Hymn (Inspired-effect to all allies for 10 ether; song),

Consumables: Potions (10), Grand potion (2), Health Core, Tonics (5), Grand tonic (2), Ether Core (2), Elixir (2), Remedy (6), Neutralizer (2), Tiger Balm (2), Phoenix Essence (3), Nostrum (2), Smelling Salts (2), Ambrosia (4), Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Venom (4), Fire Bomb, Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bomb, Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bomb, Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Red Death Blood (Once applied to a weapon the first successful hit deals doomed, consumable) (2), Sushi (restores 5 health and ether), Feather of Lithe, Grating Stone

Tools etc.: Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass, Telescope

Thormanil Nihai, Dragonslayer, Orc-kin (swils)

23 years old male vertically challenged giant Dragoon

Level 47 3/5 *Immune to Darkness, Light, Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Asleep, Blinded, Bound, Confused, Fragile,Slowed, and Weakened* *Gains Triple EXP*

Power: 64 (47+16+1)

Defense: 13 (10+3)

Health: 61/69 (8+46+15)

Gold: 2099

Equipment: Shishkebab (WP:16, dual-strike, darkness-elemental, lance),Skirmisher's Shield (SP:10, shield), Bright Armor (SP:3, Wearer is immune to Darkness, bodywear), Winged Sandals (Wearer is immune to Light, Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, and Lightning, and the Asleep, Blinded, Bound, Confused, Fragile, Slowed, and Weakened-effects; footwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains triple experience, accessory)

Inventory:

Weapons: Dragonsbane Lance (WP: 20, triple damage to enemies with 'Dragon' in their name, lance), Gladiator Trident (WP:11, Spear, causes bleeding-by-5 effect), Guardian Halberd (WP: 5, target's defense is used as additional WP, halberd), Duplovian Swift Halberd (WP:3, deals Stunned, halberd), Tongue on a Stick (WP:1, Miss -> "Aim"), Frozen Saber (WP:9, longsword, Stuns enemies), Repeater Crossbow (WP:7, crossbow. Hastened for first round of combat while equipped.), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, +5 gold from stealing; dagger), Composite Bow (WP:11, ignores defense, bow)

Artifacts:Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Weredog (Accessory), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory), Sticky Gloves (Handwear, Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up)), Aqua Gear (Wearer deals and is immune to water-elemental damage)

Spell Items: 2x Amethyst (Darkness), Emerald (Wood), Opal (Ice)

Consumables: 4x Potion, Diluted Arc Tonic, Grand Tonic, 4x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, Neutralizer, Milk, 2x Elixir, 2x Nostrum, 3x Smelling Salts, 3x Mulled Wine, Soma, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), Jinxy Juice, 2x Feather of Lithe, 3x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, 2x Fire Bomb, Lightning Bomb, 3x Smoke Bomb, Ice Bomb, 4x Water Bomb, Doomsday Bomb (99 damage to all enemies), 2x Grating Stone, Teleportapple

Tools etc.: Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

Arx the Youngling (Pet Dragon controlled by swils)

Level: 47 3/5

Health: 61/77 (30+47)

Element: Ice

Monk Pretzel and His 99 Pieces, the Super Sleuth (Palathadric)

463-year-old male "hermit" Artisan

Level 34 *Immune to Magic and Healing* *Permanently Reinforced*

Power: 47 (34+11+2)

Defense: 36 ((10+6+2)x2)

Health: 62/62 (9+33+15+3+2)

Gold: 953

Equipment: Flying Cross (WP: 11; Darkness; Broomstick), Darksteel Armour (SP: 6; Max. Health +3; Bodywear), Armour of Dark Arts (SP: 10; Takes up: Bodywear, Handwear, Footwear slots; counts as one artifact; Suitable to Knights, Dragoons, and Skirmishers), Marauder’s Mantle (Grants permanent reinforced effect; Suitable to Marauders; Backwear), Duplovian Helmet (SP:2; Immune to Magic and Healing; Headwear)

Inventory:

Weapons: Dual Staff (WP:8; Ice, Lightning, Fire, Wind, Light; Dual Strike; Staff), Splinter Broom (WP: 9; Broomstick; defies SP), Whip of Savage Overlords (WP: 9; ⅙ chance of inflicting the Slowed effect; Whip), Staff of the Necromancer (WP: 12; damages Undead; +1 Level to raised Undead; Staff), Healing Staff (WP: 5, staff, heals instead of damaging), Shadeaux Mace (WP: 9; deals Fragile effect, Mace), Steak (WP: 1, instantly kills vampires on successful hits; suitable for all), Mythril Shield (SP: 20)

Artifacts: Soul Link Chain (Allows the user to pair up with another party member, both of them gaining all the effects that the other has. The partner has to equip the chain as well (ie. one chain can be shared by two people); Accessory), Strategist's Shako (+5 power while in the front row, +5 SP while in the back; Headwear), Burning Knuckle Helmet (SP: 10; Wearer suffers Burning -3 effect; Suitable for Anyone; Headwear), Bumble Fanshirt (SP: 1, Vermin with level less than half of the wearers are scared and won't directly attack the wearer; Bodywear), Order Imperial Prophet's Armor (SP: 8; Grants Command; Suitable for Prophets; Bodywear), Duke's Coat-of-Arms (SP: 5, Protects against Fragile and all Poisons; Suitable for Knights, Dragoons, Skirmishers and Regulators, Bodywear), Cloak of the Barbaric Runecaster (SP: 3; wearer creates and deploys a Skeleton Decoy at the start of every battle; Suitable for Battle Mages, Necromancers, and Scholars; Backwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP: 2, Max Ether +4; Backwear), Cloak of Necrotic Shielding (SP: 3; Provides Special Guard against Undead enemies; Backwear), Rock Gauntlets (Grants the wearer Iron Fist at no ether cost; Suitable for anyone; Handwear), Counterstrike Gloves (Handwear), Soothing Slippers (Meditation restores 5 ether; Footwear), Shackles of War (Accessory), Lens of Speed Reading (allows a scroll to be read in addition to a normal action; accessory, suitable for scroll users),

Spell Items: 2 Amethysts, 2 Emeralds, Garnet, 2 Aquamarines, Diamond, Ruby, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness x 2, Scroll of Confusion x 2, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Minimizing (Has 1/2 chance of causing the minimized-effect on the target; costs 10 ether.), Scroll of Arc Sleep

Consumables: 5 Potions, 15 Grand Potions, Cherry (Restores 1 ether), 2 Tonics, Ether Core, Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), 8 Remedies, 3 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 5 Phoenix Essences, 2 Phoenix Incenses, 4 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, 3 Nostrums, Soma, Mulled Wine, Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed), 5 Venoms, 5 Deadly Venoms, 2 Paralyzing Venoms, 3 Jinxy Juices, 5 Smoke Bombs, 2 Fire Bombs, Holy Bomb, Military Grade Fire Bomb, 2 Blind Bombs, 2 Seal Bombs, 2 Sleep Bombs, 6 Bones, Raw Meat (+5 max. health upon consumption), Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the Poisoned by 7 and Cursed effects permanently), Strong Wasabi (-2 Poisoned permanently)

Tools etc.: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Magnifying Glass, Telescope, Shovel, Magic Compass, Magic Shovel (will always find something when used, limited to three uses per quest)

Syrma (uncontrollable NPC, takes suggestions)

317 years old female elven Scholar

Level 30 1/4 *Immune to Sealed, Slowed and Jinxed* *Immune to Earth and Darkness for 2 rounds*

Power: 42 (30+12)

Defense: 1

Health: 44/44 (9+29+6)

Ether: 35/45 (5+29+9+2)

Gold: 214

Equipment: Elbereth (WP:12, ice-, wind- and light-elemental wand), Elven Robes (SP:1, Max. ether +2, immune to sealed, slowed and jinxed; suitable to elves only; bodywear)

Inventory: Scroll of Lesser Fire Warding (Enables the user to make the target immune to fire for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Lesser Earth Warding (Enables the user to make the target immune to earth for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Lesser Darkness Warding (Enables the user to make the target immune to darkness for the next three rounds. Each casting has a 50/50 chance of success and costs 1 ether.), Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, 3 Herbal Infusions (Remove negative effects and cause blessed- and transcended-effects), Dragon Scale (lucky & blessed)

[Palathadric]

"Please, if there is even the slightest hope Zaniah is alive, I cannot possibly abandon her! We promised to love each other until our stars burnt out..."

"Seriously, your promise of love is what you're thinking about now? Women! And you're trying to bargain with us by telling us that we find your lost love you will guide us, don't you think you owe us enough for saving your life?

"Some people are so block-headed."

[swils]

Is the "movement a mile away" the knight, or was that a separate observation? Assuming the former for now.

Arx circles back to the party and tugs on Thormanil's cloak, directing him towards the knight stuck under a tree.

[Chromeknight]

Though she was puzzled by talk of love being vowed forever, Nerwen shushed Pretzel anyway.

Surely you've known companions you cared for, Munk. Besides. This task of finding a body is much smaller than guiding us through this land, we don't lose any time doing it.

Edited July 16, 2015 by Chromeknight

[Quarryman]

"Miss Calmcacil is right, besides, I already said we'll help Syrma. Master Pretzel, your objections have been noted."

"Master Nihai, it does look like your dragon has found something, I say we follow him."

[Bricksandparts]

Johon stashes the chest guard into his belongings before speaking. "We need to move quickly; the fire has probably wounded anyone left in this forsaken forest..."

[Sandy]

Is the "movement a mile away" the knight, or was that a separate observation? Assuming the former for now.

Arx circles back to the party and tugs on Thormanil's cloak, directing him towards the knight stuck under a tree.

QM Note: Yes, the movement was the knight wriggling under the tree.

"Master Nihai, it does look like your dragon has found something, I say we follow him."

Arx swiftly took the party to the knight stuck under the tree trunk. Syrma ran to her overjoyed.

"Zaniah! My beloved! I can barely believe I found you alive!"

"Bah, what kind of a guardian knight would I be if my armor could not resist a blazing inferno? This tree has proved to be more problematic, though. I'm afraid it has smashed my innards... It doesn't matter now, though, for I got to see you one last time..."

"Don't talk like that, my love! I brought these people to help you. The other guards must be..."

"Yes. Their armor wasn't as finely enchanted as mine, I'm afraid. But who needs an entourage of Spesialia's finest knights when you can have a circus troupe - led by a Fenarian, on top of it all."

"They vanquished the brimstone dragon, Zaniah. We owe them our gratitude, not our scorn. Now, do not try to move, or you will damage your vitals even worse." Syrma turned to the heroes. "Someone needs to heal her constantly while the others lift up the tree trunk. Otherwise she will bleed inside as soon as the pressure is removed."

How would the heroes go about saving the elven knight?

[Palathadric]

"Maybe I should take a crack at that body with my new staff...

"...the healing staff, that is..."

[Chromeknight]

If we were fighting I could help, but otherwise my music is just music.

[Sandy]

If we were fighting I could help, but otherwise my music is just music.

"I believe healing potions will suffice, if only they are potent enough."

[Quarryman]

"OK, master Pretzel, you have a large number of grand potions, I want you to keep healing the knight with them while the rest of us lift this trunk away from her. Got it?"

[swils]

Arx jumps on top of the far end of the tree and grips it while Thormanil kneels down, both ready to lift.

[Palathadric]

"Stupid knight," I mumble, "don't worry. I've got a healing staff."

I prepare to heal the knight with said staff.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen shrugs and helps lift

[Bricksandparts]

Johon grabs the base of the charred tree and helps the others lift it.

[Quarryman]

Namyrra also starts lifting the tree.

[Palathadric]

I whack the knight with my Healing Staff.

[Sandy]

I whack the knight with my Healing Staff.

Syrma was horrified when Pretzel raised his staff and started smacking her beloved.

"What are you doing, you deranged monk?!"

"Ooh, feels oddly good..."

The healing staff seemed to work wonders, and it kept Zaniah alive as the others lifted the tree trunk off her, but suddenly the staff snapped in half. Pretzel had used it too arduously, causing it to break beyond repair.

"Can you help carry her?" Syrma asked the heroes. "It isn't long to Valtira. The night is fast approaching, so we must not linger. The ruins should provide us at least some cover from nocturnal beasts."

The elven scholar guided the party out of the forest and into a great ruined city perched in between the forest and the mountains.

"Here it is; Valtira, the City of the Colossus. You will see why it is called that when we get to the temple square."

True enough, standing amidst the ruins the party found a hulking Crystal Titan. It did not react to their presence, however.

"Uh, give me a moment..." Zaniah grunted, out of breath, and slumped to the ground near the Titan.

"Take your time, my love. Now, before anyone moves further, let me tell you the story of this Crystal Titan. During the war aeons ago, the Valtirans used it to protect the city from Fenarians, but the enemy found a way to manipulate the Titan so it turned on the citizens. It caused great devastation in the city it was meant to keep safe before the Valtirans were able to put it back to sleep. See that bell at the tower? The legends say it was used to wake up the colossus. So whatever you do, do not touch it. We do not want to take a risk that the legends are true, do we? Otherwise, this is the safest place to make camp due to the walls surrounding the square. Zaniah needs to rest now, but tomorrow we will return to the Sealed Capital to report our failed mission. Now, are you ready to tell me what your business here in Spesialia is? I cannot guide you any further than this unless you tell me something."

Syrma looked at the heroes expectantly.

[Palathadric]

"What are you saying? You promised that you would lead wherever we wanted to go if we helped you find your long lost love. We not only found her but pulled her out of her predicament and now you're saying that you'll only lead us where you want to go if we tell you about our mission. Are all elves from this area so loose in the head? I suggest you fulfill your part of the bargain before trying to get us to do more things for you."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen looked up at the bell.

I would suggest that we try sealing the bell if at all possible. I can through song. Namyrra and Monk have scrolls. And Syrma you have ether too. You heard what the dragon said. It was after us. I have no doubt our enemy could contrive to strike that bell and direct the colossus against us unless we take precautions.

And if you reflect some more on the dragon's speech and our answers, you would gave an answer of your own. Who do you know who is powerful enough to bind one of the elder dragons, Nerwen's eyes flick to the shade of the dragon hovering over Namyrra, Even if you do not know their name, you have felt their power and we've been sent to stop them.

[Sandy]

QM Note: I will be away until Tuesday or Wednesday, so please don't expect updates until then.

"What are you saying? You promised that you would lead wherever we wanted to go if we helped you find your long lost love. We not only found her but pulled her out of her predicament and now you're saying that you'll only lead us where you want to go if we tell you about our mission. Are all elves from this area so loose in the head? I suggest you fulfill your part of the bargain before trying to get us to do more things for you."

"But there-in lies the problem; you have not said where you wanted to go, not once. You did not object me bringing you to these ruins, but even though my gratitude towards you for saving Zaniah's life is beyond measure, I need to get her to the healers at the capital." Syrma waved towards the mountains in the south. "There is nothing but desolation anywhere outside the Sealed Capital. Where could I possibly guide you?"

Nerwen looked up at the bell.

I would suggest that we try sealing the bell if at all possible. I can through song. Namyrra and Monk have scrolls. And Syrma you have ether too. You heard what the dragon said. It was after us. I have no doubt our enemy could contrive to strike that bell and direct the colossus against us unless we take precautions.

And if you reflect some more on the dragon's speech and our answers, you would gave an answer of your own. Who do you know who is powerful enough to bind one of the elder dragons, Nerwen's eyes flick to the shade of the dragon hovering over Namyrra, Even if you do not know their name, you have felt their power and we've been sent to stop them.

"How does one seal a bell, might I inquire? We could always try to destroy it, but it has weathered throughout centuries, so the magic binding it must still be potent. And who knows, even touching it might wake up the colossus. What comes to your cryptic adversary, I have to say I have no inkling who you might be talking about. I have lived my whole life under a magic dome, cut out from the rest of the world like most of the other Star Elves. I do not have knowledge about the current politics of the world - those things do not touch the Star Elves."

"Syrma, my dear, gullible sweetheart... Are you really certain this lot isn't spying for Fenario? I mean, they haven't even told you their names, have they?"

[Chromeknight]

Seeing no one else speaking, Nerwen continued.

Out of touch with current politics? No matter. The foe is ancient. A Mindflayer.

[Palathadric]

Seeing no one else speaking, Nerwen continued.

Out of touch with current politics? No matter. The foe is ancient. A Mindflayer.

"I don't trust those two. I have this suspicious feeling that, especially the unhelmeted one was just used by the witch to draw us to the dragon. We need to be careful what information we give to them. Maybe we should send them packing?" I whisper to Nerwen. "In any case, we should be on the alert at night, taking turns for night duty to ensure no one touches that bell."

"But there-in lies the problem; you have not said where you wanted to go, not once. You did not object me bringing you to these ruins, but even though my gratitude towards you for saving Zaniah's life is beyond measure, I need to get her to the healers at the capital." Syrma waved towards the mountains in the south. "There is nothing but desolation anywhere outside the Sealed Capital. Where could I possibly guide you?"

"We will tell you where we want to go when we want to go there and no sooner."

"Syrma, my dear, gullible sweetheart... Are you really certain this lot isn't spying for Fenario? I mean, they haven't even told you their names, have they?"

"Simpleton! Are the Fenarians the biggest threat on your mind? There are far bigger things at play here. You have no idea what a mindflayer can do...or, perhaps you do?"

[Palathadric]

"Ummm...okay, I guess I'll take the first watch."

Edited July 21, 2015 by Palathadric

[Quarryman]

"That's very kind of you old man, I guess that means the rest of us can get some rest."