Heroica RPG - Quest #158: Color Me Shocked

[Yzalirk]

Addok-Zo rolls his eyes at Vindsval's holy-warrior banter and cringes at Petaldan's suggestion.  He then directs his attention to Vindsval again.  "So what's the plan, chief?  We go in and steal some magical painting?"

[KotZ]

On 7/11/2017 at 5:32 PM, Asphalt said:

Do you by chance follow the Witchery Way master Galedo?  There is both power and danger in that action, but it is something that could be easily done.

Before we make a decision to go anywhere, there are those among us who are too lightly armed and armored for prolonged conflict.  Do you have access to an armory, a smith, an alchemist, an arcanarium? Anything that would allow us to outfit ourselves more fully against the battles to come?

Vindsval looks down at Luke.

Decisions were made in haste that led to men dying who may not have needed to.  I fear I handled the aftermath poorly.  I walk a new Path.  I am now the Wanderer's Blade in this land.  His hand of both protection and Vengeance.  I admit I was unprepared for how it would effect me, and my anger rose against those I should call friend.  I must strive to control it or it may go badly for me.  I must keep the beast that men see within, never without.

He directs towards Traci.

It was on my first journey to Tridentia that I helped recover the magical Lotus.  Den's artists used it to create the paints for that painting.  It does indeed hold great Power.

I would have Lucas with us.  I am interested to see him test his metal.  Our Paths have been long in converging.  As far as entrance?  The side path through the Garden seems as if it would cause less notice.  An armed band walking up to the front door would not go unchallenged.  From there the Trophy room, perhaps to find and advantage, then the servants quarters, and finally the hall.   What say the rest of you?

 

"You could try a market, but we don't have anything around."

"If you guys are taking Luke, I'd be willing to loan you some of my equipment. I won't need all the weight as we're preparing the ships to leave. I'm a Warden, so anything good for a ranger or knight, I can give."

"Same, but I'm a Paladin, so anyone who needs cleric based items can take some of my equipment."

11 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"If we knock on the front door they may let us in." I offer.

Luke chuckles at the comment, seeming to agree in part.

8 hours ago, Goliath said:

Addok-Zo rolls his eyes at Vindsval's holy-warrior banter and cringes at Petaldan's suggestion.  He then directs his attention to Vindsval again.  "So what's the plan, chief?  We go in and steal some magical painting?"

"Steal?" Jackson rubs his facial hair. "No, that thing should be destroyed. We kill Calder Den, who knows what would happen if anyone tied to him finds it."

"The Warden is correct." Galedo stuffs his hands in his pocket. "Destroying the painting is the best way end all of this. It also will be near impossible to kill Calder Den if he is drawing on the power of the painting and the flowers." He then drops his voice even lower. "I've heard rumors from other servants that he is trying to find a way to turn back aging, essentially keeping himself alive forever. He hasn't managed yet. But if someone more powerful than him finds it..."

"Let's not think about the what ifs at this time."

[StickFig]

53 minutes ago, KotZ said:

"I've heard rumors from other servants that he is trying to find a way to turn back aging, essentially keeping himself alive forever. He hasn't managed yet. But if someone more powerful than him finds it..."

"Let's not think about the what ifs at this time."

Matthias tackfully fails to mention that he is, in fact, already immortal.

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran smiles at Petaldan. "Actually, young master knight here have a good point. What we need is information to provide us with tactical knowledge of the situation. They would be expecting their enemies to skulk in to the side entrances."    Ezeran turns to Galedo, Jackson and the others. "What if I were to approach the enemy and offer my services as a rogue member of Heroica? By now they know that something is going on so why not try and nestle our way in? I would however need some kind of help to help me come through with this ruse."

[Asphalt]

9 hours ago, KotZ said:

"You could try a market, but we don't have anything around."

"If you guys are taking Luke, I'd be willing to loan you some of my equipment. I won't need all the weight as we're preparing the ships to leave. I'm a Warden, so anything good for a ranger or knight, I can give."

"Same, but I'm a Paladin, so anyone who needs cleric based items can take some of my equipment."

Luke chuckles at the comment, seeming to agree in part.

"Steal?" Jackson rubs his facial hair. "No, that thing should be destroyed. We kill Calder Den, who knows what would happen if anyone tied to him finds it."

"The Warden is correct." Galedo stuffs his hands in his pocket. "Destroying the painting is the best way end all of this. It also will be near impossible to kill Calder Den if he is drawing on the power of the painting and the flowers." He then drops his voice even lower. "I've heard rumors from other servants that he is trying to find a way to turn back aging, essentially keeping himself alive forever. He hasn't managed yet. But if someone more powerful than him finds it..."

"Let's not think about the what ifs at this time."

Does anyone object to Luke joining us or would you prefer someone else?

Thank you all for offering us the use of your equipment, can you be more specific on what you have to offer?

Is there a market nearby we could visit?

There are legends of sorcerers who gained immortality at the cost of their humanity.  The Bards name them Lich.  Would that be his goal?  To combine the power of his magical artifacts with that of the painting to pass into the next Path, while holding onto this realm?  If rumor of that possibility leaves the area there would be many who would be drawn to it.  It would seem that regardless of what else we do, our goal should be to see that power destroyed.  

4 hours ago, MysticModulus said:

Ezeran smiles at Petaldan. "Actually, young master knight here have a good point. What we need is information to provide us with tactical knowledge of the situation. They would be expecting their enemies to skulk in to the side entrances."    Ezeran turns to Galedo, Jackson and the others. "What if I were to approach the enemy and offer my services as a rogue member of Heroica? By now they know that something is going on so why not try and nestle our way in? I would however need some kind of help to help me come through with this ruse."

If the decision is to try the front door, I am known to the Den's.  That may gain us entry before another deception.  We could be granted an audience, but it would guarantee us an armed escort to the occasion.

 

Edited July 13, 2017 by Asphalt

[Yzalirk]

13 hours ago, KotZ said:

"Steal?" Jackson rubs his facial hair. "No, that thing should be destroyed. We kill Calder Den, who knows what would happen if anyone tied to him finds it."

"The Warden is correct." Galedo stuffs his hands in his pocket. "Destroying the painting is the best way end all of this. It also will be near impossible to kill Calder Den if he is drawing on the power of the painting and the flowers." He then drops his voice even lower. "I've heard rumors from other servants that he is trying to find a way to turn back aging, essentially keeping himself alive forever. He hasn't managed yet. But if someone more powerful than him finds it..."

"Let's not think about the what ifs at this time."

Addok-Zo sighs.  "Why not use the painting as a bargaining chip or something?  Surely he'd pay a fortune to get it back... or we give him a fake version of the painting."

9 hours ago, MysticModulus said:

Ezeran smiles at Petaldan. "Actually, young master knight here have a good point. What we need is information to provide us with tactical knowledge of the situation. They would be expecting their enemies to skulk in to the side entrances."    Ezeran turns to Galedo, Jackson and the others. "What if I were to approach the enemy and offer my services as a rogue member of Heroica? By now they know that something is going on so why not try and nestle our way in? I would however need some kind of help to help me come through with this ruse."

"My only problem with that is the reason behind it.  Wouldn't it raise suspicion if you just waltz on over to their place and offer your services out of the blue?  After killing off several of his guards, he's sure to hire a few mercenaries to look into it or increase security."

[Palathadric]

17 hours ago, KotZ said:

"Steal?" Jackson rubs his facial hair. "No, that thing should be destroyed. We kill Calder Den, who knows what would happen if anyone tied to him finds it."

"Couldn't we just destroy it without killing anyone?"

[StickFig]

On 7/13/2017 at 6:50 AM, Asphalt said:

If the decision is to try the front door, I am known to the Den's.  That may gain us entry before another deception.  We could be granted an audience, but it would guarantee us an armed escort to the occasion.

17 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"Couldn't we just destroy it without killing anyone?"

"I doubt they will just let us destroy it, young Master Petaldan, but if Master Vindsval can get us past the outer guards then we will have much less killing to do, regardless of whether we are escorted or not." Matthias, impatient to get on with it, taps his foot absentmindedly while the others debate.

[MysticModulus]

On 7/13/2017 at 1:50 PM, Asphalt said:

 

If the decision is to try the front door, I am known to the Den's.  That may gain us entry before another deception.  We could be granted an audience, but it would guarantee us an armed escort to the occasion.

 

"Maybe we should try the official neutral approach, have an audience and talk with them. It might come to blows but if we sneak in on their premises there will definitely be violence. We haven't agreed to killing anyone so why not try it out? We'll be able to assess their defensive capabilities in situ."

[Asphalt]

If I was more certain we would be permitted to leave the audiance I would feel more sure of the straight path.  Are we certain we wish to start at the Dragon's Head, so to speak?

[KotZ]

"Talking will be difficult, with what I've seen of the Dens. It's still worth trying."

"I still say you need to stop them permanently. You have two options, fight or try to talk. Either way, we are running short on time."

[StickFig]

"Let's get to knocking on their door, then," Matthias urges.

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran looks at Vindsval. "It's up to you, I haven't dealt with these people before so I can't make an accurate assessment of this situation."

[Asphalt]

I honestly do not see a conversation with Den accomplishing anything, but I am willing to give it a try.  Everyone please be certain you are geared and prepared for the worst.  Our friends have offered to lend us gear, please all of you look at what they have to offer and take what you feel would benefit you most.  Addok-Zo, you especially need to armor yourself.  You came too close to death in our last battle I fear you will fall quickly in our next confrontation if you go in as you are.

Galedo, first we will go to the citadel's watersource and apply our poisons.  If it comes to a battle I would have us take every advantage.  Once that is accomplished I will attempt to gain us an audience via the Front Gate.

Are we agreed?

[StickFig]

Matthias nods his readiness and assent to the plan.

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran nods. "Let's go!"

[Yzalirk]

1 hour ago, Asphalt said:

I honestly do not see a conversation with Den accomplishing anything, but I am willing to give it a try.  Everyone please be certain you are geared and prepared for the worst.  Our friends have offered to lend us gear, please all of you look at what they have to offer and take what you feel would benefit you most.  Addok-Zo, you especially need to armor yourself.  You came too close to death in our last battle I fear you will fall quickly in our next confrontation if you go in as you are.

Galedo, first we will go to the citadel's watersource and apply our poisons.  If it comes to a battle I would have us take every advantage.  Once that is accomplished I will attempt to gain us an audience via the Front Gate.

Are we agreed?

"Aye.  If we can't fight with words, we do it the old fashioned way."  Addok-Zo nods.

He then turns to the Warden, "I don't suppose you have any armor to spare, something better than the typical leather tunic?"

[Palathadric]

"Poisoning the water supply is not very noble."

[StickFig]

On 7/18/2017 at 9:19 AM, Palathadric said:

"Poisoning the water supply is not very noble."

"I agree, and what will we do if they accept our proposal? Tell them we poisoned their water? Let them die?"

[Asphalt]

1 hour ago, StickFig said:

"I agree, and what will we do if they accept our proposal? Tell them we poisoned their water? Let them die?"

Nothing we have will be potent enough to kill anyone, I expect only an advantage in the fight to come.  Never let Honor keep you from living to see another day.  If what we are told is true, I will sacrifice much to protect the children of this island.  Den will not surrender his treasure willingly under any circumstance.  Do not worry my friends, we will be fighting for our lives once we destroy that painting.

[Palathadric]

"It just seems very cowardly. I mean, I wouldn't want someone to poison my water and then ask me to do them a favour."

[KotZ]

"Here's my equipment you can look at or take."
Holy Handaxe (WP: 8; Has a 1/3 chance of causing the blinded effect, deals Light elemental damage; suitable for all classes who can use axes); Eyepatch (1/2 chance to prevent blinded-effect; headwear.), Paladin's Armor (SP:4, Max. Ether +2; suitable for knights, clerics, paladins; bodywear.)

"As well as mine."
Short-Sword Bow (WP: 10; Sword mode has 1/6 chance of ignoring row; suitable for knights; Bow mode has 1/6 chance of causing a second hit; suitable for rangers); Enchanted mail (SP: 3; Suitable for anyone; bodywear)

"Before you go," the mayor adds, "check in with Rex. Luke can lead you to him. Take him these 2x smoke bombs, 1x agni bomb, and 2x confuse bombs."

[MysticModulus]

4 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"It just seems very cowardly. I mean, I wouldn't want someone to poison my water and then ask me to do them a favour."

Ezeran shrugs. "We could add a laxative..."

[Yzalirk]

3 hours ago, KotZ said:

"As well as mine."
Short-Sword Bow (WP: 10; Sword mode has 1/6 chance of ignoring row; suitable for knights; Bow mode has 1/6 chance of causing a second hit; suitable for rangers); Enchanted mail (SP: 3; Suitable for anyone; bodywear)

"Nevermind."  Addok-Zo scowls at him in disgust.

He equips his newly acquired Protective Helmet.

"Say... Ezeran, buddy!  You can sprout plants with your magic, right?  Are you able to conjure up one of those plants that makes you have bad diarrhea if you consume it or makes you sleepy?"

He then turns to Vindsval.  "Didn't you play around with poisons and other tonics a while back?  Are you able to make something using the local flora or... unsavory ingredients?"

[MysticModulus]

14 hours ago, Goliath said:

"Nevermind."  Addok-Zo scowls at him in disgust.

He equips his newly acquired Protective Helmet.

"Say... Ezeran, buddy!  You can sprout plants with your magic, right?  Are you able to conjure up one of those plants that makes you have bad diarrhea if you consume it or makes you sleepy?"

He then turns to Vindsval.  "Didn't you play around with poisons and other tonics a while back?  Are you able to make something using the local flora or... unsavory ingredients?"

"Actually there are a number of herbs that would do the trick, a sprouting of Wicked Maidensbell would do the trick nicely making their stomachs turn inside out and cause hallucinations. Shall I give it a go?"