Heroica RPG - Quest #139: Around the World (West)

[StickFig]

Matthias doesn't even get up off the deck, preferring to forge life back into his destroyed body through the ether and reaching out in the magic to find Dyric, Guts, and Lane, and nurture them as well Once he can find no further wounds, the gnome continues to lie on the deck for several minutes. "What now, Captain Lane?" his tiny voice finally booms out from the floor.

[The Legonater]

It could have been worse as well. Pirates and sea monsters - the Crystaline's gotten a lot more dangerous recently.

[Zepher]

Matthias doesn't even get up off the deck, preferring to forge life back into his destroyed body through the ether and reaching out in the magic to find Dyric, Guts, and Lane, and nurture them as well Once he can find no further wounds, the gnome continues to lie on the deck for several minutes. "What now, Captain Lane?" his tiny voice finally booms out from the floor.

"We get help." Lane points to Daneeka, who is gasping on the ground, blood still pumping out of his body. "You can stop the bleeding, but looks like they got him with something nasty. We need to get him somewhere safe where he can rest up a few days." Lane glances at the shore, showing now in the earliest shadows of dawn. "Don't know these parts of the High Kingdoms. We're already too far north of Newharbour to turn around and dock there... the waters in these parts seem to look alright for a landing party... but even so. Where would we take him? Unless anyone has any connections in these parts."

<Tell the captain I may know a place,> says Pylon as he hops up to Daneeka. <And aid me in healing this man, Matthias.>

[The Legonater]

I have connections, but somehow I doubt they'd be too fond of seeing me again.

[StickFig]

<Tell the captain I may know a place,> says Pylon as he hops up to Daneeka. <And aid me in healing this man, Matthias.>

Pylon's voice snaps Matthias back to reality, and the gnome wonders why he didn't feel Daneeka's wounds as he reached out from the deck. Jumping upright, he is instantly at the Doctor's side, joining his meager magic to that of the tiny high priest.

"Captain, the High Priest knows where to take him," the gnome calls out without looking away.

[Zepher]

"Roger that."

As Pylon and Matthias heal Daneeka Matthias also translates for Pylon, who has Lane guide the ship into a little grove where it should be well hidden. Lane bites his lip as to abandoning the ship...

"Daneeka is a friend," he decides finally. "A ship is a ship. Let's move."

He, Barkley, Daneeka, Pylon and the heroes travel into the forest, following Pylon as he hops along swiftly.

"One of our best warriors made connections in this town years ago," says Pylon to Matthias. "I hope it's still good."

Late at night they pass through a familiar rocky pass, though Dyric can't quite put his finger on how he knows it, and the next morning after catching a few fitful hours of sleep they come to a small kingdom with some small walls and ragged defenses, and looking down on the rooftops Dyric is finally able to place the mountains around him and the town itself. He's back in Haddon.

The heroes make their way to the entrance of the town and are greeted by a stern looking man, who smiles tightly at Dyric.

"Dyric. Heroes." He bows the slightest bow possible. "Welcome to Haddon. How may I assist you?"

[The Legonater]

McColt! I smile warmly, breathing in the smells of Haddon once more. It had been years. Memories flooded back as I recall the both the fight against Wren, as well as my own impulsiveness and naivety. Oh, how things had changed. I greet the captain heartily, returning to the present.

How have you been? Last time we met... must have been our final fight against the Dark Lady. Wow, how time flies.

[Zepher]

"It's been a few years, hasn't it? Didn't expect to see you back in these parts - the frogs in town dragged me to the gate, and I learned a while ago to listen to them when they get into a hissy."

Lane shoves to the front, supporting Daneeka.

"Is there a place this man can rest for a few days? He's been injured."

"Surely. Any friend of the heroes is a friend of mine. We can put him up in a local tavern, free of charge. I can put you all up in the local tavern." He glances at the silver frog. "That one can ask his friends where it is." Pylon leads Lane, Daneeka, and Barkley into the city as McColt returns his gaze to the heroes. "Haddon has been quieter since you're last visit, so I don't think you'll be finding any fights, but we do have a casino you could kill some time at, and a decent magical shop. And of course the tavern."

[StickFig]

Matthias follows Pylon to the tavern straight away.

[Scubacarrot]

"I guess we're going to the tavern, lead on."

[Zepher]

The heroes follow the others to the tavern.

OoC: The tavern being one of the few sets I have yet to finish for the whole quest... it's built, but not photographed. It should be up within 12 hours. Bear with me.

Once they arrive Lane and McColt help Daneeka up the steps and into his room. Returning, McColt takes up a place at the bar and beckons to Dyric, while Lane sits at the table with a stranger with a peg leg and red eye and strikes up a conversation. Pylon and Barkley, meanwhile, congregate around a hole in the wall. Who would the heroes approach?

[Scubacarrot]

Guts approaches the bartender, and asks for a menu or any specialties.

[Zepher]

OoC: Picture edited in. Also, The Legonator/Stickfig, you both seem to not be replying within a 24 hour window. I know I just took a few days off, but please, if somethings up (either personally or if the quest isn't catching your interest!) let me know. I can help on the quest side of things, hopefully. The personal side of things... can't help so much, but would be good to know about!

"Oh dear..." the man trails off as he sees all the heroes trooping in. "Yes, here are my specialties. Our bar does have a strike drink it here policy... You can take the rum with you, however, since that's in a bottle."

The Hung Head

Mead (Causes the encouraged-effect, doubling the target's attack power for the duration of one battle.) Costs 10 gold.

Ambrosia - Causes the reinforced-effect, double the target's defense for the duration of one battle. Costs 20 gold.

Flame-distilled Brandy - Causes the encouraged- and the immune to ice-effects for the duration of one battle. Costs 20 gold.

Mulled Wine - Causes the inspired-effect, doubling the target's current and maximum health for the duration of one battle. Costs 20 gold.

Rum - The favorite drink of any common pirate, giving it to them makes them your friend. Does not work on pirate leaders, though. Costs 7 gold.

[Scubacarrot]

"In that case, I'll have a Mead, Ambrosia, Mulled Wine, and a dozen bottles of Rum to go."

[The Legonater]

I take the open seat by McColt.

So, what have you been up to?

OoC: Sorry, just really didn't have much to add at the time.

[StickFig]

Matthias takes one look at the bartender and groans. Staying near the animals, he tries not to stare while wondering how Crypants McBartender can be so far from home. Addressing the frog, he says, "What do you know about this town?"

Edited August 12, 2015 by StickFig

[Zepher]

"Oh dear." The man starts to package the rum, trying to do some quick mental math. It takes him a while... "That will be 148, please and thank you!"

"What have I been up to? Quite honestly, nothing, which is almost the way I prefer it. A good guard's job is done when he doesn't have to do anything. Peace has come to Haddon. We have worked to construct a small wall around the city, as you saw when you entered, but we have yet to put it to use. Maybe just the sight of it keeps ruffians away. Regardless, things have been good. But I'm sure you have more stories than I do. What have you been up to since Wren was defeated?" McColt glances at the bar keep. "A drink for my friend. You can put it on my tab. Order whatever you'd like, Dyric."

"It is for the most part a peaceful town. We had a Paladin here once by the name Sir Earl Poletad. He made a god connection with McColt, and heroes as well, and we have utilized it ever since. Sir Poletad has sadly gone missing in recent months, after we sent him north." Pylon shakes his head. "It happens to Frog Paladins more often than we'd like."

"This hole, however..." Pylon stares at it. "Do you see the light in it? It looks unnatural to me. Poletad said he suspected some agents of the Shivering Square might be in the city, but he never tracked them down. It is possible that this might be what he was looking for. I'd investigate, but I need some back up. I am merely a priest, no warrior. If you can track down some minimizing dust, perhaps we could work together."

[The Legonater]

I think it'd be quicker to recount what I haven't done. I've encountered several dragons, helped the orcs in Baltarok, stopped a necromancer's invasion - I've been a busy man. No smelling salts, huh? Well, I'll take a mead.

[Scubacarrot]

Guts leaves 150 on the counter, and sits down to drink his beverages, and tries to eavesdrop on Lane's conversation while he does so.

[Zepher]

"All sound like heroic things." McColt also orders a mead. "What about the others? Probably more of the same. Where are you and your crew headed now? Your captain mentioned that this was an unplanned detour."

"...you don't say. We just came from Eubric ourselves."

"I was there too long." The woman grunts. "Guts, if you're looking to chat you can just come out and say it."

[Scubacarrot]

"Why do you know my name?"

Guts smirks. "Also, are all bartenders in this place prone to ripping you off? The total should have come to 134, not 148."

[StickFig]

StickFig, you both seem to not be replying within a 24 hour window.

Sorry, just went from "not much to say in the quest" to two straight 16-hour days at work. That may happen to me from time to time over the next two weeks, but I should be good after that.

"Sir Earl Poletad... has sadly gone missing in recent months, after we sent him north."

"Poletad said he suspected some agents of the Shivering Square might be in the city.... If you can track down some minimizing dust, perhaps we could work together."

Matthias listens intently to the information about Sir Poletad, and is barely disturbed when a letter winks into existence in front of him... taking care of the letter, he questions the frog. "Minimizing dust? Make myself smaller? As if I'm not short enough?" A wry smile on his face, the gnome realizes his sense of adventure is on fire once again. Wondering what beacome of Sir Poletad, he looks around the room towards the others and remembers something about a magic shop. "High Priest Pylon, what is the Shivering Square, and how long would it take? Could we go and rout them out while Doctor Daneeka rests here?"

[Zepher]

"Why do you know my name?"

Guts smirks. "Also, are all bartenders in this place prone to ripping you off? The total should have come to 134, not 148."

OoC: Sorry, that was just me being an idiot and calculating as if you bought the flame-distilled instead of the mead. You can go challenge it if you want.

"Why not?" says the woman gruffly. "It's one of my gifts. I know your name and Lane's and McColt and Dyric's and even Daneeka's upstairs. Same way you know how to hold a blade. Just something you can do. Just something I can do. My name is Nona."

"The bartender overcharged you? I think he undercharged me." Lane swirls his wine. "Seems to be the nervous scatter-brained sort."

Sorry, just went from "not much to say in the quest" to two straight 16-hour days at work. That may happen to me from time to time over the next two weeks, but I should be good after that.

Matthias listens intently to the information about Sir Poletad, and is barely disturbed when a letter winks into existence in front of him... taking care of the letter, he questions the frog. "Minimizing dust? Make myself smaller? As if I'm not short enough?" A wry smile on his face, the gnome realizes his sense of adventure is on fire once again. Wondering what beacome of Sir Poletad, he looks around the room towards the others and remembers something about a magic shop. "High Priest Pylon, what is the Shivering Square, and how long would it take? Could we go and rout them out while Doctor Daneeka rests here?"

OoC: No worries, just best for me to know! Good luck with those hours.

"Most assuredly it could be something that we deal with swiftly. The Shivering Square is a group of snakes who worship Hissvetia. They are, I gather from the Paladins of our order, bad news for the most part. If they are indeed in this city is would be best to ferret them out, I believe."

[Scubacarrot]

OoC: Sorry, that was just me being an idiot and calculating as if you bought the flame-distilled instead of the mead. You can go challenge it if you want.

"Why not?" says the woman gruffly. "It's one of my gifts. I know your name and Lane's and McColt and Dyric's and even Daneeka's upstairs. Same way you know how to hold a blade. Just something you can do. Just something I can do. My name is Nona."

Guts shrugs at Lane, and answers the woman. "Seems like a fairly useless one, as far as gifts go. Knowing someone's name. Now. What I wonder if you just have a keen sense of observation and heard us call each other by the names or you have an actual gift."

""What happened to the eye?" Guts, adds, suspiciously. He remembered the last time he met a person with a similair eye with great detail.

[The Legonater]

They've kept themselves busy. Arthur was actually with us, but our group split two ways. This ship was heading for Duplovia, and then Baltarok.