Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World

[UsernameMDM]

"You on an island of mages. Everyone has a gem. You just have to figure out how to get your hands on them."

"You are a mage of sorts, are you not? Do you possess either standard gems or ethereal gems that I may procure from you? If so, what would you ask for in return?"

[Scubacarrot]

After calling Melquidas to be taken to the council room, Hybros wandered over to Guts and Felix. "Hello... ehem, we may have a problem. Piglina would seek to undo our efforts... although I am not sure what she has planned. Do you know where the Mother is?"

"Piglina's the one that's going to be a problem? I need to talk to her anyway, anything to help me before I go and talk to her?"

[JimBee]

"Piglina's the one that's going to be a problem? I need to talk to her anyway, anything to help me before I go and talk to her?"

"I doubt she will be in the talking mood, but just do not mention our quest."

[Flipz]

"I could never-" Bombast catches himself. "It's never been done before, training a dragon like that. Hm..." he thinks. "I couldn't do it swiftly. She'd have to stay here on the island with me for a few months at least. But I could give it a shot at least. If anyone could do it, I could. I'm the best Weather Mage on the most magical island in the world, after all."

OoC: You'd have to give her up for a quest. You don't have to decide now, you can make the choice at the end of the quest.

Bombast listens carefully as the two heroes discuss. He strokes his chin. "What's all this now?"

Miirym steps aside to talk with Bombast while Arthur focuses on Matthias. "<It...I must admit, I am intrigued by the prospect. I would have to escort Arthur home, to Eubric, but perhaps...afterwards.>" She hesitates. "<You must understand, Master Bombast, my life's greatest goal thus far has been to protect him. To protect everyone, really, but especially him. He has given up much to care for me, it only seems right to return the favor. But the opportunity you have offered...it is too great to pass up. Arthur has family in Eubric. He trusts them, and I will trust them to take care of him while I am away. Once he is settled, I will return to Etheria to begin my training. Would that be acceptible?>"

OOC: I could give her up for a Quest, but I'm not sure I could do it for the next one in particular. Afterwards, though, I could do it for sure.

Matthias figures the weather worker will catch on quick enough, so he cuts right to the chase with Ziegfried. "I hear you saying that Passion was a good man, and I have no need to argue that. I'm trying to figure out though, why go to all this effort to bring him back, in particular? Why not my grandfather? He was as pure a barbering gnome as there ever was, Orrick be praised. But no one thinks it's a good idea to bring him back. And if the Old Gods were really just some people who became immortal and took up the positions, what's to stop Hoke from doing it now? Or you? Or me? I'm immortal, that seems like it was the only qualification."

"The other question I have is this: everyone keeps talking about some looming threat to us all, but I don't see it. I don't feel drawn to a climax, I don't feel pressure from anything that is wrong - except that a bunch of people here seem to think Lord Chauncey is a swell guy. Maybe it's because I'm a young hero," the gnome catches himself - he's not that new to the business any more - "but I don't think there's all that much to be afraid of. The Wren person was done with long before my time and our walk through Baltarok showed just how much progress has been made there; I don't know what you saw in Dastan, but everything seems pretty alright to me. Why is everyone so afraid? What is there to fear that makes us want to resurrect someone long dead?"

"Passion has lived a very long life, and has knowledge of many things that are no longer known to any others in this world. The Darkness, these Witches everyone keeps going on about...at the moment, we're grasping at shadows, with no idea of how to deal with them. If we resurrect Passion, we have much greater odds of being able to understand what's going on. It's not so much a mystical power as the power of accumulated experience, knowledge, and wisdom. You are now immortal, it's true, but your experience is still limited to the time you were born. Passion has walked Olegaia since before recorded history. He remembers these things, and unlike Hope he is unlikely to forget them."

"I'm not sure how to explain my feelings of doom and gloom. It's based more on gut instinct, a subconscious reaction to events going on in the world, sort of like that feeling you get in the midst of battle, where all of a sudden you can guess what your opponent's about to do and you have a split second to counteract it." Arthur shrugs apologetically. "I wish I could explain it better. It's just sort of a sixth sense you start to develop over time. Enough Quests fall completely to pieces around you and you can start to just tell when a situation's starting to come apart at the seams." Arthur goes quiet. "And that's not even counting the visions. I don't know if you've ever had them before, but I have--not often, but enough. One thing I know for sure: they don't happen without reason. Sometimes you don't get to find out that reason, but it's always there. When I had my vision of the First Breath, that's when I knew for certain that something big was in the works, that my gut instincts were right. I don't fully understand it--but that's exactly why we need Passion to help us."

[StickFig]

"Passion has lived a very long life, and has knowledge of many things that are no longer known to any others in this world. The Darkness, these Witches everyone keeps going on about...at the moment, we're grasping at shadows, with no idea of how to deal with them. If we resurrect Passion, we have much greater odds of being able to understand what's going on... I don't fully understand it--but that's exactly why we need Passion to help us."

Matthias gives Ziegfried a hard look. "We have the Mother with us already; and even she says the Darkness I saw in my visions has been defeated, long ago. Surely she - and the Master of Regret, if it comes down to it - are just as old, just as knowledgeable as Passion would be, if we brought him back. The witches... yes, they're a problem, but do we really think that Lord Chauncey is the answer to that issue? He is already in close with the Master of Regret, and it appears to me that he has the Mother controlled by her desire to see her brother again. If we give him Passion as well, what's to say he's not worse than any witch? What's to say he's not one of them?"

"In the end, I just really don't think this is any of our concern, and neither are the witches. Then again, who protects the people of Eubric if not us? There is no king to stand for what is right..." the gnome trails off....

[Zepher]

I called it home, once. Eubric is home now, but it'd be a very blatant lie if I said I wasn't fond of the old city.

I think for a moment, trying to recall a conversation from when I first arrived on Etheria. It seemed both a moment and an eternity ago.

Hope, what can you tell me about the Memory Keeper?

"He keeps all the memories of the island in his skulls. He is like a historian and a librarian. He has seen all that has happened on the island. He is only memories though. Not much of a here and now."

"I would like to see what she thinks first. She would know Piglina better than anyone, but I do not know what she will do. Our priority is protecting these artifacts. I have two, and I suppose Matthias has the others. The last I saw him he went to wherever Arthur is." He nodded to motion for Felix and Guts to follow him. He stood next to Dyric and addressed the Mother.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but I think your friend Piglina will try to stop all this somehow. Hope, what do you think she will do? How should we prepare?"

"Best we know she's coming." Hope isn't ruffled by the news. "It's within her rights to try to stop us of course, if she thinks that's best. If she is coming, we might not have an awful lot of time to get things going. Where are the other artifacts?"

"You are a mage of sorts, are you not? Do you possess either standard gems or ethereal gems that I may procure from you? If so, what would you ask for in return?"

"Gave all of my spares to your allies. Best go looking somewhere else."

Miirym steps aside to talk with Bombast while Arthur focuses on Matthias. "<It...I must admit, I am intrigued by the prospect. I would have to escort Arthur home, to Eubric, but perhaps...afterwards.>" She hesitates. "<You must understand, Master Bombast, my life's greatest goal thus far has been to protect him. To protect everyone, really, but especially him. He has given up much to care for me, it only seems right to return the favor. But the opportunity you have offered...it is too great to pass up. Arthur has family in Eubric. He trusts them, and I will trust them to take care of him while I am away. Once he is settled, I will return to Etheria to begin my training. Would that be acceptible?>"

OOC: I could give her up for a Quest, but I'm not sure I could do it for the next one in particular. Afterwards, though, I could do it for sure.

OoC: It's an offer at the end of the quest.

"Hm, don't know. May have my hands full later on..." Bombast barely pays attention to the words he's saying as the two heroes continue to discuss their mission.

Matthias gives Ziegfried a hard look. "We have the Mother with us already; and even she says the Darkness I saw in my visions has been defeated, long ago. Surely she - and the Master of Regret, if it comes down to it - are just as old, just as knowledgeable as Passion would be, if we brought him back. The witches... yes, they're a problem, but do we really think that Lord Chauncey is the answer to that issue? He is already in close with the Master of Regret, and it appears to me that he has the Mother controlled by her desire to see her brother again. If we give him Passion as well, what's to say he's not worse than any witch? What's to say he's not one of them?"

"In the end, I just really don't think this is any of our concern, and neither are the witches. Then again, who protects the people of Eubric if not us? There is no king to stand for what is right..." the gnome trails off....

"What's all this now? If it's got something to do with Etheria, I insist on knowing!"

With a zap, the heroes are joined by Piglina.

"Bombast!" she says, and then glances at the two heroes. "Give us some privacy, would you?"

"Hold on now. We were just getting into something interesting."

"I don't doubt it." She faces the heroes. "You want to tell him what you've come here to do, or should I?"

[Flipz]

Matthias gives Ziegfried a hard look. "We have the Mother with us already; and even she says the Darkness I saw in my visions has been defeated, long ago. Surely she - and the Master of Regret, if it comes down to it - are just as old, just as knowledgeable as Passion would be, if we brought him back. The witches... yes, they're a problem, but do we really think that Lord Chauncey is the answer to that issue? He is already in close with the Master of Regret, and it appears to me that he has the Mother controlled by her desire to see her brother again. If we give him Passion as well, what's to say he's not worse than any witch? What's to say he's not one of them?"

"In the end, I just really don't think this is any of our concern, and neither are the witches. Then again, who protects the people of Eubric if not us? There is no king to stand for what is right..." the gnome trails off....

"We wouldn't be giving Chauncey Passion. If Chauncey is really as heartless and power-hungry as you say he is, Passion will not stand for it. Passion is not a weak-willed man. He will take a stand for what's right." Arthur sighs. "One of the things I've learned as a Hero is that problems don't just stop when you've dealt with them; they continue on, lingering in little ways, before welling up again in new forms. The inequality and hatred in Dastan...we fought a great war to restore peace and try to heal the divides among its people, but in the end hatred grew anew, and yet another revolutionary leader arose to spark war. The ancient archdemons of Azazot were sealed away in the temple beneath Eubric, only to be unleashed once more by my more foolish family members. The Eatress, Baba Yaga, was thought to be long-vanished with the sinking of Mercution, and yet she returned, kidnapping my cousin and doing unspeakable harm to him in the process. Dark forces cannot be destroyed, only delayed. One day, it always returns...it's up to us to make sure it's dealt with when it does."

"You're in the wrong business if you think this isn't your concern. Heroes are made to meddle. But I'm glad it's you and not some self-entitled king like Eubric's looking for. You don't want to go down that path. Handing power to one person, no matter how well-intentioned, is a recipe for disaster. Imagine what would happen if Hoke or Guts, or Hel, even Chauncey took Eubric's home. Every single one of them would think they'd be choosing the best things for Eubric. And every single one of them would be wrong. Hel, as passionately as I believe in Passion, I wouldn't want to let him rule Eubric. Kings and Queens are a bad idea, and it's high time we moved past them. Better a disunified group of selfish Heroes, whose interests can come into conflict, than a single person with authority absolute."

"What's all this now? If it's got something to do with Etheria, I insist on knowing!"

With a zap, the heroes are joined by Piglina.

"Bombast!" she says, and then glances at the two heroes. "Give us some privacy, would you?"

"Hold on now. We were just getting into something interesting."

"I don't doubt it." She faces the heroes. "You want to tell him what you've come here to do, or should I?"

"We're bringing back Hope's brother Passion. It's our only shot of putting together the pieces of the puzzle before the Darkness overtakes us all. We don't like the way the wind's blowing, and we're doing something about it. We were hoping to convince everyone on the Council of this plan's necessity. I take it from your reaction, Lady Piglina, that that is not going to happen. I'm curious to know, who set you against us? Who, in the end, chose to betray their allies and stab us all in the back?"

[StickFig]

"We wouldn't be giving Chauncey Passion. If Chauncey is really as heartless and power-hungry as you say he is, Passion will not stand for it. Passion is not a weak-willed man. He will take a stand for what's right."

"I hope you're right..."

"You're in the wrong business if you think this isn't your concern. Heroes are made to meddle. But I'm glad it's you and not some self-entitled king like Eubric's looking for... Kings and Queens are a bad idea, and it's high time we moved past them. Better a disunified group of selfish Heroes, whose interests can come into conflict, than a single person with authority absolute."

"Master Arthur, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. We're better than a king? I believe in Heroica too, but just as you said, we're dis-unified, selfish mercenaries on a good day; often we're worse. I grew up under good kings in Drandora; kings who ruled because that is what they were made to do, because the people expected them to do it. You're right, you can't just pick anyone off the street, but someone just and wise and fair, whose power is absolute but limited, that sounds like the best thing that could happen to Eubric if you ask me."

"You want to tell him what you've come here to do, or should I?"

"We're bringing back Hope's brother Passion. It's our only shot of putting together the pieces of the puzzle before the Darkness overtakes us all. We don't like the way the wind's blowing, and we're doing something about it. We were hoping to convince everyone on the Council of this plan's necessity. I take it from your reaction, Lady Piglina, that that is not going to happen. I'm curious to know, who set you against us? Who, in the end, chose to betray their allies and stab us all in the back?"

Matthias winces at Piglina's voice, and he keeps his tiny mouth shut.

Edited February 11, 2016 by StickFig

[JimBee]

OOC: Will there be time to complete the sidequests and do other stuff around the island? You said we could go at our own pace, but I just want to make sure whatever Piglina is doing isn't triggering the finale. I would at least like to forge a gem!

"Best we know she's coming." Hope isn't ruffled by the news. "It's within her rights to try to stop us of course, if she thinks that's best. If she is coming, we might not have an awful lot of time to get things going. Where are the other artifacts?"

"Matthias has two, and I have two. Are you saying we should, erm, resurrect Passion here and now?" Hybros looked over to Guffington uneasily.

[Purpearljellyblob]

repeat

[UsernameMDM]

"Gave all of my spares to your allies. Best go looking somewhere else."

"I see and I shall. Many thanks."

"Melquiades, City Center."

[Zepher]

Round Five Etherial Amethyst

>Purpearl v. Sprite A - Damage (No Effect)

Sprite B+Sprite C v. Purpearl (48/2-25=0 Damage)

Purpearl -5 health -5 ether

Purpearl continues her battle easily, almost vanquishing a sprite, but running low on ether.

The Enemies

Darkness Sprite A

Level ?? Dark

Health: 16/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

Darkness Sprite B

Level ?? Dark

Health: 65/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

Darkness Sprite C

Level ?? Dark

Health: 65/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

The Hero

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

180 Years Old Female Elven

Mystic Knight

Level 24.66

*Immune to

Earth

,

Fragile

* *Nimble* *Blinded*

Power Bonus:

4

Defense:

25

(16 + 4 + 5)

Health:

24/38

(Base 5 + 24 Levels + 7 Health Bonus - 2 Penalty #102, + 4 Tunic)

Ether:

1/33

(Base 5 + 22 Levels + 4 Bonus #102)

Gold:

368

GP:

44

Equipment:

Zelphie's Staff (WP: 21, cannot be imbued with elements, damages undead), Arm Shield (SP:16, shield), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to

Fragile

,

suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators)

,

Dastan Helmet (SP: 4, Immune to Earth),

Coathanger (Allows for a second body wear, accessory), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides

Nimble

Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear),

Inventory:

Equipment:

Lullaby Wand (WP:8,

Sleep

effect), Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Chaotic Whip (WP: 5,

Darkness

Elemental), Thorny Rose (WP: 17,

wood

-elemental, deals the

Poisoned

by 3 effect, mace), Crescent Shield (SP: 7, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Aventine's Tricorne (SP: 3, Immunity to

Fire

),

Dastan Greatsword (WP: 10, +2 WP for all other Dastan Equipment), Dastan Armor (SP: 3 Bodywear, Immune to Earth and Fire, +2 SP for all other Dastan Equipment, Suitable for Knights, Regulators, Winged Warriors, Dragoons, and Vindicators),

Enchanted Braclet (Protects from Sealed Effect,

hand wear),

Stingy Gloves (Prevents the wearer from having gold stolen,

hand wear), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP: 1, multiplied by the number of party members,

back wear),

Prismatic Focus (Wearer can cast two spells in one round; suitable to mages, necromancers and weather mages; accessory.)

Spell Items:

Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Electrical Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to electric for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether)

Consumables:

Potion, 8 Grand Tonics, Remedy, Tiger Balm, 4 Mead, Ambrosia, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Raw Sushi (Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether when consumed), 2 Tasty Pretzels (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Tinyshroom, 2 Level Up Mushroom, 3 Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Ice Bomb,

Nostrum

Decamon Deck:

Lucky Rabbit (Icy 1), Scarab (Rock 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5)

Tools:

Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

"We're bringing back Hope's brother Passion. It's our only shot of putting together the pieces of the puzzle before the Darkness overtakes us all. We don't like the way the wind's blowing, and we're doing something about it. We were hoping to convince everyone on the Council of this plan's necessity. I take it from your reaction, Lady Piglina, that that is not going to happen. I'm curious to know, who set you against us? Who, in the end, chose to betray their allies and stab us all in the back?"

"Who set me against you? My good sense." She points to Matthias. "Matthias and the imp came to tell me of Amarcolm's intention."

"No offense, Zeigfried, but what do you mean by Darkness?" He turns to Piglina. "What are they doing?"

"They plan to use the untested artifacts to bring back someone who is dead."

Bombast turns to the heroes and tsks them.

"Surely that can't be true."

OOC: Will there be time to complete the sidequests and do other stuff around the island? You said we could go at our own pace, but I just want to make sure whatever Piglina is doing isn't triggering the finale. I would at least like to forge a gem!

"Matthias has two, and I have two. Are you saying we should, erm, resurrect Passion here and now?" Hybros looked over to Guffington uneasily.

OoC: Yes! I'm going to be busy though, in life in general, rather shortly and would like the quest to end sooner rather than later, but I can continue to host until everyone is done with what they want to accomplish. The longer it runs, the less likely I'll be able to update. But this upcoming two weeks will still be sparse enough that I'm not too concerned, just trying to move things along!

"The sooner the better," says Hope.

"I see and I shall. Many thanks."

"Melquiades, City Center."

Hoke arrives back in the City Center. Zeus, Zapp, Luis and the Norn are all still about where Hoke left them.

[StickFig]

"I'm curious to know, who set you against us? Who, in the end, chose to betray their allies and stab us all in the back?"

"Who set me against you? My good sense." She points to Matthias. "Matthias and the imp came to tell me of Amarcolm's intention."

"Master Hybros and I actually tried to calm her down a little, but once we mentioned what might happen, she about exploded," the gnome says quietly to Ziegfried. Figuring there's no way he'll get a word in edgewise between the dragoon, Piglina, and the weather mage, Matthias waits quietly to see what fight will break out first.

[The Legonater]

"He keeps all the memories of the island in his skulls. He is like a historian and a librarian. He has seen all that has happened on the island. He is only memories though. Not much of a here and now."

There's a were-bat here, a... Head of Historical Society? He claims that the Memory Keeper is refusing him access to some necessary memory skulls.

[Purpearljellyblob]

repeat

[Scubacarrot]

"Piglina seems to be occupied, might as well do something else in the meantime... Melquiades, to the Forge Master."

Guts requests to forge an Opal.

[Zepher]

Round Six Etherial Amethyst

>Purpearl v. Sprite A - Critical Hit (KO, -1 ether)

Sprite B+Sprite C v. Purpearl (48/2-25=0 Damage)

Purpearl -6 health -6 ether

Purpearl kills the first of the Sprites, but runs out of ether doing so.

The Enemies

Darkness Sprite B

Level ?? Dark

Health: 65/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

Darkness Sprite C

Level ?? Dark

Health: 65/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

The Hero

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

180 Years Old Female Elven

Mystic Knight

Level 24.66

*Immune to

Earth

,

Fragile

* *Nimble* *Blinded*

Power Bonus:

4

Defense:

25

(16 + 4 + 5)

Health:

18/38

(Base 5 + 24 Levels + 7 Health Bonus - 2 Penalty #102, + 4 Tunic)

Ether:

0/33

(Base 5 + 22 Levels + 4 Bonus #102)

Gold:

368

GP:

44

Equipment:

Zelphie's Staff (WP: 21, cannot be imbued with elements, damages undead), Arm Shield (SP:16, shield), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to

Fragile

,

suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators)

,

Dastan Helmet (SP: 4, Immune to Earth),

Coathanger (Allows for a second body wear, accessory), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides

Nimble

Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear),

Inventory:

Equipment:

Lullaby Wand (WP:8,

Sleep

effect), Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Chaotic Whip (WP: 5,

Darkness

Elemental), Thorny Rose (WP: 17,

wood

-elemental, deals the

Poisoned

by 3 effect, mace), Crescent Shield (SP: 7, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Aventine's Tricorne (SP: 3, Immunity to

Fire

),

Dastan Greatsword (WP: 10, +2 WP for all other Dastan Equipment), Dastan Armor (SP: 3 Bodywear, Immune to Earth and Fire, +2 SP for all other Dastan Equipment, Suitable for Knights, Regulators, Winged Warriors, Dragoons, and Vindicators),

Enchanted Braclet (Protects from Sealed Effect,

hand wear),

Stingy Gloves (Prevents the wearer from having gold stolen,

hand wear), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP: 1, multiplied by the number of party members,

back wear),

Prismatic Focus (Wearer can cast two spells in one round; suitable to mages, necromancers and weather mages; accessory.)

Spell Items:

Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Electrical Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to electric for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether)

Consumables:

Potion, 8 Grand Tonics, Remedy, Tiger Balm, 4 Mead, Ambrosia, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Raw Sushi (Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether when consumed), 2 Tasty Pretzels (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Tinyshroom, 2 Level Up Mushroom, 3 Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Ice Bomb,

Nostrum

Decamon Deck:

Lucky Rabbit (Icy 1), Scarab (Rock 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5)

Tools:

Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

There's a were-bat here, a... Head of Historical Society? He claims that the Memory Keeper is refusing him access to some necessary memory skulls.

"Strange. But regardless, he has the memories. There's not much we can do if he doesn't want to share them."

"Piglina seems to be occupied, might as well do something else in the meantime... Melquiades, to the Forge Master."

Guts requests to forge an Opal.

The Enemies

Icy Sprite A

Level ?? Icy

Health: 200/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

Icy Sprite B

Level ?? Icy

Health: 200/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

Icy Sprite C

Level ?? Icy

Health: 200/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

The Hero

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

*

Dancing

**

Dualstriking

*

*Immune to all

E

l

e

m

e

n

t

s

,

Weakened

,

Fragile

,

Asleep

,

Confused

,

Slowed

,

Afraid

,

Blinded

* *Fragile*

45 year old male human Marauder

Level:

40.6

Power Bonus:

4

Health:

64/64

Defense:

4

Gold:

5490

Equipment:

Balanced Rapier

(WP: 20, ignores defense, second weapon ignores defense, Longsword, suitable for Marauders) &

Mythril Edge

(WP: 64,

Ice

,

Darkness

,

Light

, attacks restore 3 health, dagger),

Dancing Shoes

(Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to

Asleep

,

Confused

,

Fragile,

Slowed,

Afraid,

Weakened

and

Blinded

, + Immunity to

Darkness

,

Light

,

Fire

,

Air

,

Earth

,

Wood

,

Lightning

, and

Ice

Elemental Damage, footwear),

Crocodile Armour

(+4 Defense +Immunity to

Water

Magic, bodywear),

Pugilist's Gloves

(2+ Power, Immune to

Weakened

, handwear)

,

Orange Mask of Z

(Headwear, if an attack would KO a foe the remaining damage is applied to only the next enemy),

Marauder’s Mantle

(Grants permanent reinforced-effect, doubling defense; suitable to marauders; back wear),

Inventory:

• Pronged Gauntlet (WP:6, dagger), M.U.C.A (WP: 12, bleeding 3, Axe)

Giant Axe (WP:10, dual-strike, axe),

Icy Halberd (WP:9, triple damage against plants and electric enemies, no damage against fiery and rock enemies; halberd)

• Jester's Hat (Wearer may choose to gain one immunity from targeted enemy, suitable for anyone), Rubber Gloves, Blessed Amulet

(Immunity to

Cursed

, accessory),

Bomber's Belt (Craft Bomb creates Potent bombs, doubling the damage output of all bombs created, does not stack, accessory, suitable for cannoneers), Magnar's Smaller Axe

(Grants Dual Strike to classes wielding axes, can't wear shield. handwear),

Blue Guardian Mask (Shield, SP: 2, Protects against Weakened, Fragile and Afraid), Grimmeau's Clothespin (Grants Immunity to first negative effect each battle. Headwear), Mail of the Renegade Commander (Free hits deal half damage, body wear),

Golden Sceptre (Power +5; grants the Diplomacy job trait; suitable for Guts; accessory.)

•

Beholder's Eye

, Shovel x2, Telescope, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Decamodifier, Magic Compass

•

92x Potion

,

12x Grand Potion, 3x Health Core, 3x Diluted Arc Potion, 2x Arc Potion, 6x Elixir, 5x Phoenix Essence, 28x Remedy, Crimson Serum (Grants

Mutated

Effect for one battle.), x2 Arc Elixir, Hyper Arc Tonic (Restores All ether to allies, consumable), 2x Ambrosia, 15x

Mead

, 7x

Smelling Salts

, 4x

Nostrum

, x4

Bad Breath, 2x Tonic, Grand Tonic, 3x Smile of the Gods, 3x Fortune Flush,

5x Venom, 4

x Bone,

Soma, S

ilver 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, 12x Rum, x3 Grating Stone, x2 Agni Bomb

• 5

x Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Water Bomb,

Blind Bomb, Confuse Bomb, 2x Poison Bomb, 2x Seal Bomb, Sleep Bomb, 5x Mystic Bomb

, Sand Bomb (Deals 30 earth-elemental damage and the blinded-effect to all enemies), x5 Level-Up Mushrooms

•

Topaz

,

Amethyst

,

Sapphire

,

Gold Ring

(Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver),

Scroll of Disenchantment, Scroll of Poisoning, Scroll of Minimizing, Opal

Guanette's Map (Quest Item)

[Flipz]

"Master Arthur, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. We're better than a king? I believe in Heroica too, but just as you said, we're dis-unified, selfish mercenaries on a good day; often we're worse. I grew up under good kings in Drandora; kings who ruled because that is what they were made to do, because the people expected them to do it. You're right, you can't just pick anyone off the street, but someone just and wise and fair, whose power is absolute but limited, that sounds like the best thing that could happen to Eubric if you ask me."

"Think of it this way. If I were a small city-state, I'd rather be bordered by two large kingdoms rather than one enormous empire. If either or both kingdoms turned against me, there would always be a chance to convince, coerce, or confuse one kingdom to turn on the other. In the case of the empire, there would be no recourse but defeat. Power is dangerous and corruptible. Absolute power is even more so. A corrupt Hero may be opposed and held in check, if only by other Heroes. A corrupt king cannot be stopped, short of perhaps death. And if a Hero becomes king...well, I don't even want to think of that. There are Heroes who are as brothers and sisters to me, and I would not trust even them to rule. An immortal god-king...I shudder at the thought."

"Who set me against you? My good sense." She points to Matthias. "Matthias and the imp came to tell me of Amarcolm's intention."

"No offense, Zeigfried, but what do you mean by Darkness?" He turns to Piglina. "What are they doing?"

"They plan to use the untested artifacts to bring back someone who is dead."

Bombast turns to the heroes and tsks them.

"Surely that can't be true."

"Master Hybros and I actually tried to calm her down a little, but once we mentioned what might happen, she about exploded," the gnome says quietly to Ziegfried. Figuring there's no way he'll get a word in edgewise between the dragoon, Piglina, and the weather mage, Matthias waits quietly to see what fight will break out first.

"Ah. So Lady Piglina panicked, rather than calmly thinking through the situation. Most unfortunate."

"Master Bombast, it is true. But you must understand, this course of action is very much necessary. Someone--or something--has been trying to kill Gerald Guffington and the others who were investigating the Old Gods. Then, upon retrieving the artifacts we'd need to revive Hope's brother Passion, each of us who retrieved an artifact saw a vision of the killing Darkness that necessitated their dispersal to Olegaia. Moreover, my gut instincts tell me that something bad is coming, and we will have to deal with it sooner rather than later. I cannot help but feel that these events are all interlinked, and seeing as the Mother of Hope's memory has failed us, I see no way other than reviving Passion to gain the knowledge we need of this ancient threat. And in truth, I cannot find the revival of such a wise and upstanding being as Passion to be anything but good, for Etheria and for Olegaia."

Arthur sighs, then tries to speak Diplomatically to Bombast and Piglina. "I understand your concern. As you say, these artifacts are untested. Perhaps, then, a test in a safe location would be in order, to demonstrate that we can accomplish what we need to do?"

Edited February 13, 2016 by Flipz

[Purpearljellyblob]

Grand tonic from the back, then repeat from the back until battle over

[Scubacarrot]

Guts throws an Agni Bomb.

[JimBee]

"Well then... I suppose I had better get Matthias."

"Melquidas, take me to Matthias."

Hybros tumbled into Bombast's Office, quickly grabbed the gnome by the shoulder, and teleported back to the Council Room. "Here he is, I think we have all four artifacts ready." He looked over to Guffington. "Are... you ready?"

[Flipz]

While he waits for a response, Arthur looks beside him to try and gague Matthias' reaction. "What about you, Matthias, what do you--"

And in an instant, Hybros appears and whisks the gnome away.

Terrific. Welp, there goes the best shot I had at convincing Piglina to calm down. Here's hoping some good old-fasioned Diplomacy will actually help me out for once.

Arthur carefully observes Piglina and Bombast's reactions, using his diplomatic training to try and read their emotional state.

[StickFig]

While he waits for a response, Arthur looks beside him to try and gague Matthias' reaction. "What about you, Matthias, what do you--"

Hybros tumbled into Bombast's Office, quickly grabbed the gnome by the shoulder, and teleported back to the Council Room. "Here he is, I think we have all four artifacts ready." He looked over to Guffington. "Are... you ready?"

And in an instant, Hybros appears and whisks the gnome away.

Matthias confused as can be, tumbles into the room, falling flat. He comes up grabbing for his handcannon until he realizes it's just Hybros, Guffington, and the others. "What's going on?!"

[Zepher]

Round Seven Etherial Amethyst

>Purpearl drinks a Grand Tonic

Sprite B+Sprite C v. Purpearl (48/2-25=0 Damage)

Purpearl -7 health -7 ether

Round Eight

>Purpearl v. Sprite B - Enchant (-17 ether, Arm Shield Enchanted)

Sprite C v. Purpearl - No Effect

-8 ether, -8 health

OoC: Stopping here, as you'll be KO'd next round.

The Enemies

Darkness Sprite B

Level ?? Dark

Health: 65/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

Darkness Sprite C

Level ?? Dark

Health: 65/200

Special: Devilish Time - Adds 1 round to the round count.

Sprite's level is equal to the hero's.

The Hero

Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob)

180 Years Old Female Elven

Mystic Knight

Level 24.66

*Immune to

Earth

,

Fragile

* *Nimble* *Blinded*

Power Bonus:

4

Defense:

25

(16 + 4 + 5)

Health:

3/38

(Base 5 + 24 Levels + 7 Health Bonus - 2 Penalty #102, + 4 Tunic)

Ether:

1/33

(Base 5 + 22 Levels + 4 Bonus #102)

Gold:

368

GP:

44

Equipment:

Zelphie's Staff (WP: 21, cannot be imbued with elements, damages undead), Arm Shield (SP:17, shield), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to

Fragile

,

suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators)

,

Dastan Helmet (SP: 4, Immune to Earth),

Coathanger (Allows for a second body wear, accessory), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides

Nimble

Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear),

Inventory:

Equipment:

Lullaby Wand (WP:8,

Sleep

effect), Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Chaotic Whip (WP: 5,

Darkness

Elemental), Thorny Rose (WP: 17,

wood

-elemental, deals the

Poisoned

by 3 effect, mace), Crescent Shield (SP: 7, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Aventine's Tricorne (SP: 3, Immunity to

Fire

),

Dastan Greatsword (WP: 10, +2 WP for all other Dastan Equipment), Dastan Armor (SP: 3 Bodywear, Immune to Earth and Fire, +2 SP for all other Dastan Equipment, Suitable for Knights, Regulators, Winged Warriors, Dragoons, and Vindicators),

Enchanted Braclet (Protects from Sealed Effect,

hand wear),

Stingy Gloves (Prevents the wearer from having gold stolen,

hand wear), Cloak of the Grand Vizier (SP: 1, multiplied by the number of party members,

back wear),

Prismatic Focus (Wearer can cast two spells in one round; suitable to mages, necromancers and weather mages; accessory.)

Spell Items:

Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Diamond (

Light

), Garnet (Earth), Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Electrical Warding (1/2 chance to make the target immune to electric for the duration of one battle at the cost of 1 ether)

Consumables:

Potion, 8 Grand Tonics, Remedy, Tiger Balm, 4 Mead, Ambrosia, 5 Venoms, Deadly Venom, Raw Sushi (Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether when consumed), 2 Tasty Pretzels (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Tinyshroom, 2 Level Up Mushroom, 3 Bone, Skeleton Decoy, Ice Bomb,

Nostrum

Decamon Deck:

Lucky Rabbit (Icy 1), Scarab (Rock 1), Barghest (Electric 2), Automaton (Electric 5)

Tools:

Bedroll, Shovel, Magnifying Glass

Round One Etherial Opal Battle

>Guts throws a Agni Bomb - All Sprites KO'd

Guts throws a bomb and just barely makes out the shape of one of the Sprites giving him the finger before they're all vanquished and Guts has a fancy new gem!

"Ah. So Lady Piglina panicked, rather than calmly thinking through the situation. Most unfortunate."

"Master Bombast, it is true. But you must understand, this course of action is very much necessary. Someone--or something--has been trying to kill Gerald Guffington and the others who were investigating the Old Gods. Then, upon retrieving the artifacts we'd need to revive Hope's brother Passion, each of us who retrieved an artifact saw a vision of the killing Darkness that necessitated their dispersal to Olegaia. Moreover, my gut instincts tell me that something bad is coming, and we will have to deal with it sooner rather than later. I cannot help but feel that these events are all interlinked, and seeing as the Mother of Hope's memory has failed us, I see no way other than reviving Passion to gain the knowledge we need of this ancient threat. And in truth, I cannot find the revival of such a wise and upstanding being as Passion to be anything but good, for Etheria and for Olegaia."

Arthur sighs, then tries to speak Diplomatically to Bombast and Piglina. "I understand your concern. As you say, these artifacts are untested. Perhaps, then, a test in a safe location would be in order, to demonstrate that we can accomplish what we need to do?"

"Sure. We'll run some tests if we have to. Just turn the artifacts on over to us!" says Bombast, a greedy glint in his eye. He takes a step towards Matthias, who still holds the anvil.

"Well then... I suppose I had better get Matthias."

"Melquidas, take me to Matthias."

Hybros tumbled into Bombast's Office, quickly grabbed the gnome by the shoulder, and teleported back to the Council Room. "Here he is, I think we have all four artifacts ready." He looked over to Guffington. "Are... you ready?"

Hybros and Matthias stumble into the room.

"Ready as I can be." Guffington smiles. "Are we going, then? Should we not collect all of our disparate crew?"

"There are some final steps and safeguards I will have to take you all through."

While he waits for a response, Arthur looks beside him to try and gague Matthias' reaction. "What about you, Matthias, what do you--"

And in an instant, Hybros appears and whisks the gnome away.

Terrific. Welp, there goes the best shot I had at convincing Piglina to calm down. Here's hoping some good old-fasioned Diplomacy will actually help me out for once.

Arthur carefully observes Piglina and Bombast's reactions, using his diplomatic training to try and read their emotional state.

"They're moving fast. Always recklessly rushing forward." She shakes her head. "This is why we have a Council in the first place! To police things like this! Why were we not made aware?"

"I'll go gather who I can," says Bombast as he calls out a name and is warped out of the room.

Matthias confused as can be, tumbles into the room, falling flat. He comes up grabbing for his handcannon until he realizes it's just Hybros, Guffington, and the others. "What's going on?!"

"It appears that we are preparing to make some progress."

[Flipz]

OOC: I just want to confirm that we'll still have the chance to complete our side-missions (specifically gem-forging) even after we all convene in the Council room with Hybros and Matthias, correct? Also on the subject of gem-forging, do the battles grant experience, or is the gem the only reward?

"Sure. We'll run some tests if we have to. Just turn the artifacts on over to us!" says Bombast, a greedy glint in his eye. He takes a step towards Matthias, who still holds the anvil.

"They're moving fast. Always recklessly rushing forward." She shakes her head. "This is why we have a Council in the first place! To police things like this! Why were we not made aware?"

"I'll go gather who I can," says Bombast as he calls out a name and is warped out of the room.

Arthur continues to speak Diplomatically, hoping to calm Piglina down even if he can't convince her to join his side. "Lady Piglina, please don't insult me. Not telling you? What do you call what Matthias and I were doing? You and I may disagree on the necessity of Passion's revival, but rest assured that we both despise recklessness. Unfortunately, patience is not most Heroes' strong suit. I'd suggest you join Heroica--just for a Quest or two--if you'd like to understand why. In the meantime, it appears that I will have to be the voice of calm and reason for my allies." Arthur looks to Miirym, who simply nods to him. "Melquiades, take me to Hybros and Matthias, please."

-------------------------

As soon as he arrives, Arthur sighs.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Hybros. You've panicked Piglina something fierce, and now she's gone and soured things with Bombast." Arthur looks to Matthias. "Just to check, you saw the way Bombast was looking at the Anvil, right Matthias? I didn't just imagine that?"

Miirym looks to Doc Daneeka. "<Arthur was discussing safety precautions in an attempt to calm the Councilors down. Bombast left before any actual agreement could be made, but out of respect I think we should exercise caution to ensure our experiment will not harm Etheria. What precautions will we be taking?>"