Heroica RPG - Quest #159: An Unexpected Return

[The Legonater]

7 hours ago, Lind Whisperer said:

"Kick a wounded man one more time, Assassin, and we will have words.

Entitled? The Jei Pei heir is gone, fled the city, Guts is no where to be found - I'm the third in line. Recovering any property stolen from members of the Union, former or no, falls on my shoulders - the harder, since you seem to have forgotten your past allegiances. Crescenteer."

He said the last word harder, even if futilely, to remind the Heroican that they once belonged to the same organization, and once held the same duties. It was certainly futile - the Assassin clearly looked down on the Black Knight, who had come relatively late to the city - but he wanted to make it very clear that although he regretted past mistakes, he did not intend to apologize for trying to honor the trusts of those he had sworn himself to serve.

3

Rone heaved a belaboured sigh, fighting to avoid glowering at the man. Why now? Did the Whisperer really not realize how damaging it would look to be fighting at a time like this? With another heavy breath, the assassin composed himself enough to speak.

My allegience was to Guts, and to the city - never to your politics. 

With that, he took yet another breath before turning to the Black Knight entirely. Surprisingly, his expression was softer now, his tone gentler. 

The Crescent is dead, Lind. Let it die in peace. 

[Palathadric]

"I think we all pretty much agreed before this rot started that the old had to be done away with and that all this politicking had to stop at some point. Why try to revive what has already been destroyed when we well know that it was worthless?"

Edited September 19, 2018 by Palathadric

[CMP]

 

16 hours ago, Kintobor said:

"Look, Lawrence, I'm happy this whole negotiation thing's going smoothly, but we've got a problem. The Bonaparte fleet's on their way here, and they're not going to receive the negotiations in a positive manner. We need to get the Bonapartes to stand down. Do we still need the Magpie? I can take a small group to go and tell the Bonaparte's to hold position."

"I think I saw 'em shootin' at the wyverns earlier. I think they might be friendly."

I can't go back and find the specific post but I'm pretty sure it was in one of the battle descriptions.

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Can there ever truly be lasting peace when we are separated from those we love?" Yuliana walks over to Euflear laying a hand upon the fairy's shoulder, the group voice softening. "Do not bear this burden... I still do not grasp what my or our companions' nature is or if I may even claim my own identity, but I know that it has been forged and shaped by you. That is enough for me dear friend."

Atramor crossed his arms and looked into the churning solitude of the sea for a while, while the Founders processed this odd turn of events, scratching his chin...and at last, after some thought, he turned.

 

16 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Mycroft turns to the heroes,

"Heroes, what happened to Untergang, The Doomsayer?"

He handed the Miracleworker the folded Robes of the Prophet with all of the Doomsayer's things with it. It took him a moment for him to try and say anything. He could hardly wrap his head around the Founders' situation. He shifted the fabric of the garb to show the shimmer of fairie dust still clinging to it.

"He was utterly convinced he was helpin' Eubric. If that means anythin'."

The rogue went silent for a moment. The battle had not turned out the way he'd expected. Every sign pointed toward this being a conflict over the soul of Heroica.

Then again...absolute last-minute peace talks were something of a Heroican specialty.

"A lotta people died 'cuz of what you did. I'll be the first one to admit Eubric ain't perfect. But this ain't the way to change it. Hell, I was willin' to put up with an actual government to see if things would get any better. But your way...it was too far."

"I dunno what ya' are. I don't think ya' deserve to get off so easily for what's been done, and I got no reason to forgive ya' for it." Atramor paused. "But maybe ya' can give us one. We can get to Rosier. Doorway to her world's right under Eubric. Ya' don't like what ya' are? Come with us, and ya' can tell her so to her face."

[Duvors]

18 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

The Fey One begins to cry, her emotions wavering between rage and sorrow.
 

Throlar, for one unable to think of anything to say, simply hugged the Fey One in silence.

[Flipz]

21 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Perhaps... but being free from the houses ensured they would not be influenced by their corruption."

Arthur laughs loudly.  "Ha!  That's cute.  Clearly your observations failed to pick up the massive bribes half the Watch take--not to mention the fact that the Watch is funded by the Houses just as much as Heroica.  More so, even; Heroica, at least, has a few independently wealthy patrons helping prop it up.  I can understand y'all thinking the Paladins are good--they're not, they're a bunch of holier-than-thou racist pricks, but you're products of a different time with far different morals to most of us from the present day, so I wouldn't expect you to pick up on that.  The Watch, though,is notorious for its corruption, the fact that they managed to convince you otherwise just means they played you like a fiddle."

21 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Do you think I relished at seeing how far my own family had fallen? To what lows of war-profiteering they had stooped? Did that stay my hand? No, because the people of this city deserved better than that and for that tough choices had to be made."

"Untergang was the most distressed about our return, to him it was puzzle he couldn't unravel. I cannot speak to his intentions other than he went to retrieve the eggs and his understanding of arcane phenomenon has been sorely missed. As for Cain..." The Golden Dragon pauses taking in a deep breath, "As Helene said tough choices had to be made... for all of us."

"Remind me again what exactly my family did, then?  Aside from Zed and Sycamore's crimes that we've worked tirelessly to correct ever since, the only other incident I can recall is a minor conflict where we freed ourselves from the Guild's corrupt stranglehold over all Ether-users.  Shockingly, short of that, we've mostly kept to ourselves, clearly a reason to drag us through the mud and try to ruin us."

19 hours ago, Lind Whisperer said:

"Kick a wounded man one more time, Assassin, and we will have words.

Entitled? The Jei Pei heir is gone, fled the city, Guts is no where to be found - I'm the third in line. Recovering any property stolen from members of the Union, former or no, falls on my shoulders - the harder, since you seem to have forgotten your past allegiances. Crescenteer."

He said the last word harder, even if futilely, to remind the Heroican that they once belonged to the same organization, and once held the same duties. It was certainly futile - the Assassin clearly looked down on the Black Knight, who had come relatively late to the city - but he wanted to make it very clear that although he regretted past mistakes, he did not intend to apologize for trying to honor the trusts of those he had sworn himself to serve.

13 hours ago, samurai-turtle said:

That is not how it works, that is not how any of this works, you...The rest was in a language no one was able to understand. 

11 hours ago, The Legonater said:

Rone heaved a belaboured sigh, fighting to avoid glowering at the man. Why now? Did the Whisperer really not realize how damaging it would look to be fighting at a time like this? With another heavy breath, the assassin composed himself enough to speak.

My allegience was to Guts, and to the city - never to your politics. 

With that, he took yet another breath before turning to the Black Knight entirely. Surprisingly, his expression was softer now, his tone gentler. 

The Crescent is dead, Lind. Let it die in peace. 

8 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"I think we all pretty much agreed before this rot started that the old had to be done away with and that all this politicking had to stop at some point. Why try to revive what has already been destroyed when we well know that it was worthless?"

"Whisperer.  You've got a choice: you can be a Hero, or a politician.  If you're a politician, then keep doing what you're doing, keep your allegiance to a failed alliance that's better off destroyed.  If you're a Hero, though?  Your allegiance is to the people, to their well-being, the well-being of this city.  I love my family, I'd lay down my life for them without a second thought, and at the height of all this mess I thought I well might have to, but that doesn't mean I'd lay down and blindly obey every last thing they tell me to do if I knew those orders would just cause more problems for this city and her people.  Think about that, and maybe learn to read the room."

4 hours ago, CMP said:

 

"I think I saw 'em shootin' at the wyverns earlier. I think they might be friendly."

I can't go back and find the specific post but I'm pretty sure it was in one of the battle descriptions.

Atramor crossed his arms and looked into the churning solitude of the sea for a while, while the Founders processed this odd turn of events, scratching his chin...and at last, after some thought, he turned.

 

He handed the Miracleworker the folded Robes of the Prophet with all of the Doomsayer's things with it. It took him a moment for him to try and say anything. He could hardly wrap his head around the Founders' situation. He shifted the fabric of the garb to show the shimmer of fairie dust still clinging to it.

"He was utterly convinced he was helpin' Eubric. If that means anythin'."

The rogue went silent for a moment. The battle had not turned out the way he'd expected. Every sign pointed toward this being a conflict over the soul of Heroica.

Then again...absolute last-minute peace talks were something of a Heroican specialty.

"A lotta people died 'cuz of what you did. I'll be the first one to admit Eubric ain't perfect. But this ain't the way to change it. Hell, I was willin' to put up with an actual government to see if things would get any better. But your way...it was too far."

"I dunno what ya' are. I don't think ya' deserve to get off so easily for what's been done, and I got no reason to forgive ya' for it." Atramor paused. "But maybe ya' can give us one. We can get to Rosier. Doorway to her world's right under Eubric. Ya' don't like what ya' are? Come with us, and ya' can tell her so to her face."

"Throlar and Atramor are right.  If you want to speak to the original Golden Dragon's spirit, I'll happily escort you and Chesterine back down to her grave to have a chat, but otherwise we need to call off all the fighting and rally against Rosier."

Edited September 20, 2018 by Flipz

[Waterbrick Down]

23 hours ago, Kintobor said:

Karie lowered her brow and stubbornly squinted her eyes at the sailor. "Fine." Karie cursed under her breath as she left the sailors on the outer wall and descended to the Harbour via the stairs. She'd seen enough people leaping from the ramparts to come to the conclusion that a potential sprained ankle wasn't worth it. She considered talking to Dyric or Arthur, but the two seemed busy. Reluctantly, she approached Lawrence, coughing to get his attention. She spoke to him in a quieter tone, trying to not grab the attention of anyone else.

"Look, Lawrence, I'm happy this whole negotiation thing's going smoothly, but we've got a problem. The Bonaparte fleet's on their way here, and they're not going to receive the negotiations in a positive manner. We need to get the Bonapartes to stand down. Do we still need the Magpie? I can take a small group to go and tell the Bonaparte's to hold position."

Karie turned around to examine the condition of the Magpie and ensure it was still seaworthy.

A little worse for wear by running aground into the beach of the harbor, Karie ascertains that the Magpie could still probably sail across the bay.

22 hours ago, The Legonater said:

I'm sorry, I'm not buying it. Grogan, Old Mack Donald, Benedict Greely, Clair, Ecatsue, Illdria, Guffington, Doc Daneeka - and those are just the ones I remember, the ones I personally helped with. Heroica's hurt people, absolutely, but it's helped, too. There are nations intact right now because of us, and that isn't an understatement. 

If you had problems with Heroica, fine - so did I. But you could've talked to us instead of seizing the city by force in a misguided sense of justice. Do you see the way we've banded together? Heroica still lives, and it lives to bring back this city.

The golden dragon looks up at Dyric from Euflear's side before sighing.

"History will be judge of whether a group of people's successes or failures are remembered..."

Mycroft steps in.

"Perhaps, but history is not written yet, there is still time to make a difference. Through your leadership we may have erred in our attempt to rescue the city, but diplomacy and level-headedness wer never your strong suit, Yuliana."

1 hour ago, Flipz said:

Arthur laughs loudly.  "Ha!  That's cute.  Clearly your observations failed to pick up the massive bribes half the Watch take--not to mention the fact that the Watch is funded by the Houses just as much as Heroica.  More so, even; Heroica, at least, has a few independently wealthy patrons helping prop it up.  I can understand y'all thinking the Paladins are good--they're not, they're a bunch of holier-than-thou racist pricks, but you're products of a different time with far different morals to most of us from the present day, so I wouldn't expect you to pick up on that.  The Watch, though,is notorious for its corruption, the fact that they managed to convince you otherwise just means they played you like a fiddle."

"Our review of the Watch revealed their commitment to rooting out its crookedness, we did and still do have faith that Captain Cousland believes in a Eubric and even a watch better than under the influence of the Houses."

1 hour ago, Flipz said:

"Remind me again what exactly my family did, then?  Aside from Zed and Sycamore's crimes that we've worked tirelessly to correct ever since, the only other incident I can recall is a minor conflict where we freed ourselves from the Guild's corrupt stranglehold over all Ether-users.  Shockingly, short of that, we've mostly kept to ourselves, clearly a reason to drag us through the mud and try to ruin us."

"In a city where influence is everything, the people deserve to know the character of those in whom they place their trust. That applied to all of the houses."

21 hours ago, Lind Whisperer said:

OoC: Got it, thanks.

I assume the Dragon House package isn't important, then? Just trying to RP, but if it's not, I don't want to cause a scene.

"So it was in the hall all along...

Is the seal simple enough that some of our own will be able to handle it?"

Lind accepted the healing, gratefully.

QM Note: It's not vital to the main plot.


"Untergang cast it and considering how paranoid he was, there's no telling how crafty he was."

15 hours ago, samurai-turtle said:

That is funny I don't remember hurting anyone in that fight. I might not of stop it or anything, but I didn't hurt anyone during the whole thing. I am sure the others could back me up, assuming their memory is good enough.....The worse you could say is, I was being a (what are they called, Samaritan) a "Crayola" of a Samaritan. 

16 hours ago, MysticModulus said:

"Yes, and what alternative did we have at that point? What would you have found out about the demonic infection if it wasn't for us? And why does trouble and general mayhem seem to follow in your wake?"

"I don't know, I don't know anything any more..."


"Trouble is the bearer of change, the great equalizer among men, through it we discover who we truly are."

15 hours ago, samurai-turtle said:

Thinking he heard more ships are coming Germ took out his Telescope to take a look...

Germ spots three Bonaparte ships on the horizon under full sail, cannons rolled out and heading straight for the fort.

22 hours ago, The Legonater said:

Dyric looks at his old hero, voice hesitant. He didn't want to upset the man, but he would not shy from the truth.

I was there. We went into the depths of the Dragon House with a necromancer to talk to the original Golden Dragon. We had to know where the truth laid. The Doomsayer prevented us from doing that. We tried to reason with him, but he made our options clear. It was kill or be killed, and we weren't about to let the city fall quietly. We were forced to strike him down. His body turned to faerie dust, further confirming what we already knew. 

6 hours ago, CMP said:

He handed the Miracleworker the folded Robes of the Prophet with all of the Doomsayer's things with it. It took him a moment for him to try and say anything. He could hardly wrap his head around the Founders' situation. He shifted the fabric of the garb to show the shimmer of fairie dust still clinging to it.

"He was utterly convinced he was helpin' Eubric. If that means anythin'."

The rogue went silent for a moment. The battle had not turned out the way he'd expected. Every sign pointed toward this being a conflict over the soul of Heroica.

Then again...absolute last-minute peace talks were something of a Heroican specialty.

"A lotta people died 'cuz of what you did. I'll be the first one to admit Eubric ain't perfect. But this ain't the way to change it. Hell, I was willin' to put up with an actual government to see if things would get any better. But your way...it was too far."

"I dunno what ya' are. I don't think ya' deserve to get off so easily for what's been done, and I got no reason to forgive ya' for it." Atramor paused. "But maybe ya' can give us one. We can get to Rosier. Doorway to her world's right under Eubric. Ya' don't like what ya' are? Come with us, and ya' can tell her so to her face."

The Miracle Worker accepted the items.

"A fool to the end, but at least one of conviction." Mycroft paused as he listened to Atramor's criticism. "Those who died, did so in the service of a freer Eubric, one free from the influence of the Houses. Some of our methods may have been harsh, but no more so than the strangle-hold some among the Houses placed upon the city. The paladins, those from the academy, yes even some among the Town Watch such as Captain Cousland and others among the city would still work for this city's benefit even without us. I have yet to come to a determination as to what our nature holds, but know this, everything we did, we did in service to a city and its people you claim to love as much as we do. Now... as for this demon."


"Mycroft we can't go after it, we don't know what'll happen to..."


"A risk that we'll have to take my dear. We are born of dreams and if we are truly to rise to the hope Euflear had in us, then we will face whatever adversity awaits us."

4 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

Throlar, for one unable to think of anything to say, simply hugged the Fey One in silence.

The Fey One's tears begin to subside as she slowly addresses both the Founders and the Heroes.

"I am sorry, I truly am... The pain I have brought, even inadvertently to all of you... when Rosier gained purchase within the Fey... the reality of all that I had lost over those many years... losing all of you... it crushed me more than the vile roots of that accursed demon..."


"Then let us not dwell upon it Euflear, let us right this one wrong. Let us find this blight that truly sickens this city and end it. Heroes, we may never see eye to eye on what has transpired up till this point, but may we at least come together on what truly threatens the freedom of every man, woman, and child of this fair city. Lead on."

[Palathadric]

7 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Our review of the Watch revealed their commitment to rooting out its crookedness, we did and still do have faith that Captain Cousland believes in a Eubric and even a watch better than under the influence of the Houses."

"I agree with you. Captain Cousland for the most part has done this city good and has fought to clean up the Watch. You should have seen it before she got there. Unfortunately, I think some of us would do well to take our own counsel to heart and be willing to work together with those who have the best interests of the city at heart, even if their methods of achieving those goals vary from our own. One must be wary of those who hold too much personal ambition.

"As for the paladins. I have mixed feelings about them, but it seems to me that some among our ranks are so desperate to avoid others judging them, that they would rather fight against those that do rather than examine to see whether those things could be true. To be honest, your coming, even if it was due to the influence of demonic forces, has done a lot of good. If for nothing else, it seems to have helped to wake up some of us, including our veterans as well...

"This may be an odd question, but if I may ask...can you feel pain in your current body? Do you feel anything at all? If you scratch yourself, do you bleed? This Pixie Dust is a mighty strange substance to be sure."

7 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Those who died, did so in the service of a freer Eubric, one free from the influence of the Houses. Some of our methods may have been harsh, but no more so than the strangle-hold some among the Houses placed upon the city. The paladins, those from the academy, yes even some among the Town Watch such as Captain Cousland and others among the city would still work for this city's benefit even without us. I have yet to come to a determination as to what our nature holds, but know this, everything we did, we did in service to a city and its people you claim to love as much as we do."

"Yes. I, for one, wish to see that that freedom lives on. I may not deem your methods as being good ones, but perhaps this revolution was just what was needed to give this city a fresh start. I think most heroes would agree with me, that while we have done great work in protecting Eubric from threats from outside, we have not done as much as we should have to change the inner workings of the city for good. That must definitely change."

[Zepher]

On 9/19/2018 at 2:29 AM, Kintobor said:

Karie lowered her brow and stubbornly squinted her eyes at the sailor. "Fine." Karie cursed under her breath as she left the sailors on the outer wall and descended to the Harbour via the stairs. She'd seen enough people leaping from the ramparts to come to the conclusion that a potential sprained ankle wasn't worth it. She considered talking to Dyric or Arthur, but the two seemed busy. Reluctantly, she approached Lawrence, coughing to get his attention. She spoke to him in a quieter tone, trying to not grab the attention of anyone else.

"Look, Lawrence, I'm happy this whole negotiation thing's going smoothly, but we've got a problem. The Bonaparte fleet's on their way here, and they're not going to receive the negotiations in a positive manner. We need to get the Bonapartes to stand down. Do we still need the Magpie? I can take a small group to go and tell the Bonaparte's to hold position."

Karie turned around to examine the condition of the Magpie and ensure it was still seaworthy.

Boomingham nods. "You're right, of course. As Atramor says I think they're friendly... to us, which doesn't mean much if we've just gone and changed our allegiance." He bites his lower lip and mutters, trying to think of a plan. "You're free to go greet them, but it seems the soldiers of this fort still have some reluctance over surrendering." Boomingham scans the returned prisoners to see who they include.

On 9/19/2018 at 8:35 AM, UsernameMDM said:

"They have much to make up for."

<We already know, from your group's admittance, that your judgement leaves much to be desired.>  

"The feeling is mutual."

Boomingham chuckles, glad that Hoke is still giving the Founders Hel. Someone should be, even if Boomingham feels too diplomatic at the moment to do it himself.

14 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Mycroft we can't go after it, we don't know what'll happen to..."


"A risk that we'll have to take my dear. We are born of dreams and if we are truly to rise to the hope Euflear had in us, then we will face whatever adversity awaits us."

"Oh no, M'lady, don't tell me that you were going to say that you weren't sure what would happen to you. I'm certain that a brave fearsome selfless warrior such as yourself wouldn't put your own safety over that of the city and all the other realms the demon can access through the Fey." Boomingham turns to Mycroft. "I'm glad to discover that at least one of the Founders has something resembling a head on their shoulders. You've got a lot to prove, to us, to the city, to Eufluer. Not saying it's impossible, either - if you're willing to take the risk of putting down the thing that brought you back to life than I think we can call things more or less square, as far as intentions go even if the means themselves were a bit dicey."

"The issue, of course, is getting back to the city. Forts are just fine for defending, but they're a bit of a pain in the ass to be besieged in, especially if you have an appointment to keep. What do you say? Load the Founders onto the Magpie and hightail it back to the harbor? Fly the flag of truce here?" He addresses the sailors. "Can't say the Bonapartes are known for being understanding, but you are traitors."

[Duvors]

17 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"History will be judge of whether a group of people's successes or failures are remembered..."

Mycroft steps in.

"Perhaps, but history is not written yet, there is still time to make a difference. Through your leadership we may have erred in our attempt to rescue the city, but diplomacy and level-headedness wer never your strong suit, Yuliana."

Throlar sighed.

"You know," he said, "history will probably have some choice things to say about how Heroica has acted up till now. I've been looking through the archives recently and there are certainly some very black spots on our record. But I have to say that these incidents are mostly in the minority, while the vast majority of the things Heroica has done are mostly positive. We've defeated bandits and pirates terrorizing defenseless towns, we've prevented the fall of the empire of Dastan and stopped war from breaking out between Baltarok and the High Kingdoms, we've even defeated nigh-invincible beings planning the destruction of all humanoid life, rescued people from Limbo itself, and slain dragons older than recorded history who threatened the lives of those less powerful than themselves. However, in spite of all this I think that the most impressive thing on those records was a quest from about six years ago, a little girl's friend had gone missing and she was only able to offer one gold apiece to whatever Heroes chose to help. In the end no less than seventeen heroes came, the largest party on record, and they committed themselves to their task with such willingness that even when they unexpectedly found they'd have to fight an Archdemon to complete their task they continued anyway. That was, and still is, what Heroica is, and what it still can be. A place where, if anyone needs an act of heroism, they'll have us at their service. I only wish you'd been able to realize that before..." he waved his hand in the direction of everything, "...all this happened."

17 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

The Fey One's tears begin to subside as she slowly addresses both the Founders and the Heroes.

"I am sorry, I truly am... The pain I have brought, even inadvertently to all of you... when Rosier gained purchase within the Fey... the reality of all that I had lost over those many years... losing all of you... it crushed me more than the vile roots of that accursed demon..."

Throlar stopped talking to the Founders and turned his attention back to Euflear. "It's not your fault." he said, "What happened here was entirely out of your control, there's no way you could've prevented this. If fact I'd say that what's happened here was inevitable from the moment Rosier trapped you in those roots of theirs."

Edited September 20, 2018 by Lord Duvors

[Lind Whisperer]

On 9/19/2018 at 12:21 PM, Palathadric said:

"I think we all pretty much agreed before this rot started that the old had to be done away with and that all this politicking had to stop at some point. Why try to revive what has already been destroyed when we well know that it was worthless?"

"Because I am afraid what will follow may be worse - it may be rigidly harmful, not merely "worthless"."

On 9/19/2018 at 8:55 AM, The Legonater said:

Rone heaved a belaboured sigh, fighting to avoid glowering at the man. Why now? Did the Whisperer really not realize how damaging it would look to be fighting at a time like this? With another heavy breath, the assassin composed himself enough to speak.

My allegience was to Guts, and to the city - never to your politics. 

With that, he took yet another breath before turning to the Black Knight entirely. Surprisingly, his expression was softer now, his tone gentler. 

The Crescent is dead, Lind. Let it die in peace. 

20 hours ago, Flipz said:

"Whisperer.  You've got a choice: you can be a Hero, or a politician.  If you're a politician, then keep doing what you're doing, keep your allegiance to a failed alliance that's better off destroyed.  If you're a Hero, though?  Your allegiance is to the people, to their well-being, the well-being of this city.  I love my family, I'd lay down my life for them without a second thought, and at the height of all this mess I thought I well might have to, but that doesn't mean I'd lay down and blindly obey every last thing they tell me to do if I knew those orders would just cause more problems for this city and her people.  Think about that, and maybe learn to read the room."

"That was...well argued, Arthur. Thank you. And thank you, Rone, for responding peacefully...it is not a response I am used to getting.

I recognize my allegiance to the people, and it is above my allegiance to a "failed alliance" - but I also fear what may be to come. I wonder if it would not be easier to fix what was wrong with the Union, then to fix what may go wrong if the city falls into the hands of Ulric - or others like him.

I'm afraid that if I don't do something, that if I just step back as "another one of the heroes" - that we'll remain divided. And that outside forces will take advantage of that division to further tear apart Eubric.

That's why I've been trying to marshal together support for a return to the Union - trying to use what little claim I have to political legitimacy, to put together something, to avoid that chaos."

He shrugged, and shook his head. 

Edited September 20, 2018 by Lind Whisperer

[UsernameMDM]

4 hours ago, Zepher said:

"I'm glad to discover that at least one of the Founders has something resembling a head on their shoulders..."

"Even though it's only filled with faerie dust." Hoke mutters under his breath.

[Waterbrick Down]

6 hours ago, Zepher said:

Boomingham nods. "You're right, of course. As Atramor says I think they're friendly... to us, which doesn't mean much if we've just gone and changed our allegiance." He bites his lower lip and mutters, trying to think of a plan. "You're free to go greet them, but it seems the soldiers of this fort still have some reluctance over surrendering." Boomingham scans the returned prisoners to see who they include.

Boomingham chuckles, glad that Hoke is still giving the Founders Hel. Someone should be, even if Boomingham feels too diplomatic at the moment to do it himself.

"Oh no, M'lady, don't tell me that you were going to say that you weren't sure what would happen to you. I'm certain that a brave fearsome selfless warrior such as yourself wouldn't put your own safety over that of the city and all the other realms the demon can access through the Fey." Boomingham turns to Mycroft. "I'm glad to discover that at least one of the Founders has something resembling a head on their shoulders. You've got a lot to prove, to us, to the city, to Eufluer. Not saying it's impossible, either - if you're willing to take the risk of putting down the thing that brought you back to life than I think we can call things more or less square, as far as intentions go even if the means themselves were a bit dicey."

"The issue, of course, is getting back to the city. Forts are just fine for defending, but they're a bit of a pain in the ass to be besieged in, especially if you have an appointment to keep. What do you say? Load the Founders onto the Magpie and hightail it back to the harbor? Fly the flag of truce here?" He addresses the sailors. "Can't say the Bonapartes are known for being understanding, but you are traitors."

Boomingham spots, Lord Shadeaux along with his two remaining children, Detective Hoples, Paladin Commander Fervent, ex-members of the Town Watch Corporal Boral, Private Coral, Constable Grash, and Constable Timothee, two were-hound brothers Billian and Trillian, and Asa Nifelheimr, the Valkyrie.

"Give her time, Lord Boomingham, what would you do if the nature of your very existence was a lie?"

Wanderburg speaks up at Boomingham's mention of the Bonaparte ships.

"What if there was nothing left to recapture? Some Wolfgang goons made off with a good deal of the powder stores, but there's still enough left to make a crater of this fort. Should serve as a big enough distraction while folks are transported off via what's left of that ship you came in on and the three dragons. It would surely be a loss, but they certainly wouldn't chance moving upon the entire city itself, without a beach-head they'd be forced to return to the open sea."

4 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

Throlar sighed.

"You know," he said, "history will probably have some choice things to say about how Heroica has acted up till now. I've been looking through the archives recently and there are certainly some very black spots on our record. But I have to say that these incidents are mostly in the minority, while the vast majority of the things Heroica has done are mostly positive. We've defeated bandits and pirates terrorizing defenseless towns, we've prevented the fall of the empire of Dastan and stopped war from breaking out between Baltarok and the High Kingdoms, we've even defeated nigh-invincible beings planning the destruction of all humanoid life, rescued people from Limbo itself, and slain dragons older than recorded history who threatened the lives of those less powerful than themselves. However, in spite of all this I think that the most impressive thing on those records was a quest from about six years ago, a little girl's friend had gone missing and she was only able to offer one gold apiece to whatever Heroes chose to help. In the end no less than seventeen heroes came, the largest party on record, and they committed themselves to their task with such willingness that even when they unexpectedly found they'd have to fight an Archdemon to complete their task they continued anyway. That was, and still is, what Heroica is, and what it still can be. A place where, if anyone needs an act of heroism, they'll have us at their service. I only wish you'd been able to realize that before..." he waved his hand in the direction of everything, "...all this happened."

"'It is often the things most hidden to the eyes of the world which are the most important' so Untergang used to say. To be mortal is to have ugliness within our lives, to be heroic is to persevere through it."

[samurai-turtle]

All this talk about "people" just seem to annoy Germ. People are sentimental and foolish, they are loyal until you do one wrong thing they don't like and then, you become the "ultimate evil". It was then Germ realized he was more of a mercenary than any sort of "Hero". He had this thought before but now it fully sunk in. Anyone trying to convince him (or anyone else) would be wasting their time and breath. At this point he was getting tired if all these "speeches". As he put his Telescope away...

So, are we going or, are we getting in another fight with the "bone parts"? Or is everyone going to cry some more over, whatever? If necessary I will deal with Rosier myself. 

[Flipz]

16 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"I agree with you. Captain Cousland for the most part has done this city good and has fought to clean up the Watch. You should have seen it before she got there. Unfortunately, I think some of us would do well to take our own counsel to heart and be willing to work together with those who have the best interests of the city at heart, even if their methods of achieving those goals vary from our own. One must be wary of those who hold too much personal ambition.

Arthur winces at the mention of Cousland's name.  "Cousland is...inflexible.  A good leader knows how to compromise, even how to admit when they're wrong and take a different approach.  She...can't.  I don't agree with her vision for Eubric, one without change, one without redemption.  She saw the suffering of the Hovels, and her response was to throw up the damned wall rather than trying to actually help people.  I may not like Ulric's plans to conquer the city, but you can't deny his programs for feeding the hungry and housing the helpless are actually helping people.  Patricia, meanwhile barely funds the reformed Syndicate and leaves them to their own devices, rather than actually trying to help them out-generous the Wolfgang, and her Watch still treats anyone in the Hovels, regardless of circumstance, as automatic criminals for the horrific crime of being poor--and that's saying nothing of the slave trade she's done nothing to abolish.  There's a reason Kukulkan went to the Wolves for help, instead of the Watch, after all.  Patricia may be trying to clean up the Watch, but frankly I don't think her version of it is all that much better."

16 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"Yes. I, for one, wish to see that that freedom lives on. I may not deem your methods as being good ones, but perhaps this revolution was just what was needed to give this city a fresh start. I think most heroes would agree with me, that while we have done great work in protecting Eubric from threats from outside, we have not done as much as we should have to change the inner workings of the city for good. That must definitely change."

Arthur shoots Pretzel a look.  "Speak for yourself, Pretzel.  What do you think I've been doing the past two years, sitting on a couch doing nothing?  We may not have actually fixed the city's problems, but no one can accuse Mom and Noel and I of not giving it our all."  The Skirmisher shakes his head.  "You would not believe the logistics of trying to organize charity, especially having to argue our case to the main branch every step of the way.  We finally, finally sway the rest of the family, finally decide we're ready to step up and help independently regardless of what the Alliance or the Union say...and then all this happens."  Arthur removes a well-worn sheaf of parchment from an inner pocket, unfolds it, and smiles wistfully at its clearly oft-amended contents before re-folding and stowing the parchments away once more.  "I suppose they are just plans.  But still--they're not nothing."

10 hours ago, Zepher said:

Boomingham nods. "You're right, of course. As Atramor says I think they're friendly... to us, which doesn't mean much if we've just gone and changed our allegiance." He bites his lower lip and mutters, trying to think of a plan. "You're free to go greet them, but it seems the soldiers of this fort still have some reluctance over surrendering." Boomingham scans the returned prisoners to see who they include.

<...>

"The issue, of course, is getting back to the city. Forts are just fine for defending, but they're a bit of a pain in the megablocks to be besieged in, especially if you have an appointment to keep. What do you say? Load the Founders onto the Magpie and hightail it back to the harbor? Fly the flag of truce here?" He addresses the sailors. "Can't say the Bonapartes are known for being understanding, but you are traitors."

2 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Boomingham spots, Lord Shadeaux along with his two remaining children, Detective Hoples, Paladin Commander Fervent, ex-members of the Town Watch Corporal Boral, Private Coral, Constable Grash, and Constable Timothee, two were-hound brothers Billian and Trillian, and Asa Nifelheimr, the Valkyrie.

"Give her time, Lord Boomingham, what would you do if the nature of your very existence was a lie?"

Wanderburg speaks up at Boomingham's mention of the Bonaparte ships.

"What if there was nothing left to recapture? Some Wolfgang goons made off with a good deal of the powder stores, but there's still enough left to make a crater of this fort. Should serve as a big enough distraction while folks are transported off via what's left of that ship you came in on and the three dragons. It would surely be a loss, but they certainly wouldn't chance moving upon the entire city itself, without a beach-head they'd be forced to return to the open sea."

Arthur shakes his head.  "The Bonapartes shouldn't get this place back.  Have you seen the Harbormaster's office?  No, no, the Bonapartes cannot be allowed to re-establish their stranglehold over this city's commerce and military, just ask..."  The Skirmisher frowns as he scans the freed prisoners.  "Where's Captain Illdria?"

Uneasy, he nods along to Wanderburg's plan.  "I'd be more than happy with that.  Hel, Illdria would probably light the match if you asked her."  He peered around the other prisoners, hoping his friend had merely been obscured from view.

2 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

 

"'It is often the things most hidden to the eyes of the world which are the most important' so Untergang used to say. To be mortal is to have ugliness within our lives, to be heroic is to persevere through it."

"Couldn't agree more.  Now if only y'all had thought of that before trying to trample us all into the dirt."

[Kintobor]

19 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"I agree with you. Captain Cousland for the most part has done this city good and has fought to clean up the Watch. You should have seen it before she got there. Unfortunately, I think some of us would do well to take our own counsel to heart and be willing to work together with those who have the best interests of the city at heart, even if their methods of achieving those goals vary from our own. One must be wary of those who hold too much personal ambition.

Karie heaves a exasperated huff. "I'm not going to condole the actions of Kayla, Pretzel, but if Patricia had decided not to take action into her own hands and run her through with a sword while she was down... Patricia has no no moral authority to be anywhere near the Watch. She seemingly didn't believe in us when the opportunity came to either reject the Founder's offer to join them or assist us. It's clear as day in my mind that Patricia needs to go, Pretzel." She tried not to make it all about Kayla, but she still wanted to see Cousland swing from a noose for her negligence and the death of her sister. 

8 hours ago, Lind Whisperer said:

I recognize my allegiance to the people, and it is above my allegiance to a "failed alliance" - but I also fear what may be to come. I wonder if it would not be easier to fix what was wrong with the Union, then to fix what may go wrong if the city falls into the hands of Ulric - or others like him.

I'm afraid that if I don't do something, that if I just step back as "another one of the heroes" - that we'll remain divided. And that outside forces will take advantage of that division to further tear apart Eubric.

That's why I've been trying to marshal together support for a return to the Union - trying to use what little claim I have to political legitimacy, to put together something, to avoid that chaos."

He shrugged, and shook his head. 

"We are putting something together Lind. It's called Heroica. We're piecing the damn thing back together, and when it's finally finished you can no longer worry about division tearing Eubric apart. I won't let it happen." Karie comments to Lind. She could tell his heart was in the right place, but as usual, Lind seemed misguided. She looked at Lind patiently and continued. "Lind, you're not going to get any supporters that are going to ultimately help you in your vision of restoring the Crescent Union. It'll only attract those who want to return to a time when a bunch of feuding oligarchs managed to control a city by buying out the watch. Let it go, Lind, from one friend to another."

11 hours ago, Zepher said:

"The issue, of course, is getting back to the city. Forts are just fine for defending, but they're a bit of a pain in the megablocks to be besieged in, especially if you have an appointment to keep. What do you say? Load the Founders onto the Magpie and hightail it back to the harbor? Fly the flag of truce here?" He addresses the sailors. "Can't say the Bonapartes are known for being understanding, but you are traitors."

"They won't." Karie replies. "I already asked them to assist us and they said they won't fly a white flag of surrender to the Bonapartes. Unless you want to try some other negotiation tactic, the sailors here said they're not going to fly anything.

Speaking of which, why are we considering blowing up a fort with people still inside it? I mean, really?! We get a shot at showing off what this new Heroica can do, and you guys want to blow up a fort with sailors still in it?" Karie concernedly questions the rest of the group. She looks at Arthur in particular like he had grown a second head.

[Flipz]

1 hour ago, Kintobor said:

Karie heaves a exasperated huff. "I'm not going to condole the actions of Kayla, Pretzel, but if Patricia had decided not to take action into her own hands and run her through with a sword while she was down... Patricia has no no moral authority to be anywhere near the Watch. She seemingly didn't believe in us when the opportunity came to either reject the Founder's offer to join them or assist us. It's clear as day in my mind that Patricia needs to go, Pretzel." She tried not to make it all about Kayla, but she still wanted to see Cousland swing from a noose for her negligence and the death of her sister. 

"We are putting something together Lind. It's called Heroica. We're piecing the damn thing back together, and when it's finally finished you can no longer worry about division tearing Eubric apart. I won't let it happen." Karie comments to Lind. She could tell his heart was in the right place, but as usual, Lind seemed misguided. She looked at Lind patiently and continued. "Lind, you're not going to get any supporters that are going to ultimately help you in your vision of restoring the Crescent Union. It'll only attract those who want to return to a time when a bunch of feuding oligarchs managed to control a city by buying out the watch. Let it go, Lind, from one friend to another."

"They won't." Karie replies. "I already asked them to assist us and they said they won't fly a white flag of surrender to the Bonapartes. Unless you want to try some other negotiation tactic, the sailors here said they're not going to fly anything.

Speaking of which, why are we considering blowing up a fort with people still inside it? I mean, really?! We get a shot at showing off what this new Heroica can do, and you guys want to blow up a fort with sailors still in it?" Karie concernedly questions the rest of the group. She looks at Arthur in particular like he had grown a second head.

Arthur scoffs.  "Come on, Karie, I'm crazy but not quite that kind of crazy.  We're taking everyone with us first, obviously, at least back to shore.  I'd suggest putting everyone up for the night in the Hall, but given its real estate and what we're going to go fight next, that...might not be the safest option."

[CMP]

15 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Wanderburg speaks up at Boomingham's mention of the Bonaparte ships.

"What if there was nothing left to recapture? Some Wolfgang goons made off with a good deal of the powder stores, but there's still enough left to make a crater of this fort. Should serve as a big enough distraction while folks are transported off via what's left of that ship you came in on and the three dragons. It would surely be a loss, but they certainly wouldn't chance moving upon the entire city itself, without a beach-head they'd be forced to return to the open sea."

"Huh. Disappointed we didn't think of that..."

11 hours ago, Kintobor said:

Karie heaves a exasperated huff. "I'm not going to condole the actions of Kayla, Pretzel, but if Patricia had decided not to take action into her own hands and run her through with a sword while she was down... Patricia has no no moral authority to be anywhere near the Watch. She seemingly didn't believe in us when the opportunity came to either reject the Founder's offer to join them or assist us. It's clear as day in my mind that Patricia needs to go, Pretzel." She tried not to make it all about Kayla, but she still wanted to see Cousland swing from a noose for her negligence and the death of her sister. 

"Dunno who Kayla is, but...Patricia did send us halfway 'round the world to rescue some of her guardsmen. I've known her for a damn long while, and she is a cold, menacin' lady, and she really screwed us over today, but damn if that hard line ain't exactly what Eubric needed, everyone come before here was in the pocket of criminals and the Wolfgang. Moral authority ain't her strong suit, but she's the best when it comes to takin' down the serious bad guys, but that's 'bout where it ends...Hel, I can't even wrap my head 'round all the changes that are gonna have to happen after this...." Atramor shook his head. "We'll see where she stands when all this done, and figure out where to go from there. Damn, I sound like a diplomat..."

On 9/20/2018 at 1:32 AM, Waterbrick Down said:

The Miracle Worker accepted the items.

"A fool to the end, but at least one of conviction." Mycroft paused as he listened to Atramor's criticism. "Those who died, did so in the service of a freer Eubric, one free from the influence of the Houses. Some of our methods may have been harsh, but no more so than the strangle-hold some among the Houses placed upon the city. The paladins, those from the academy, yes even some among the Town Watch such as Captain Cousland and others among the city would still work for this city's benefit even without us. I have yet to come to a determination as to what our nature holds, but know this, everything we did, we did in service to a city and its people you claim to love as much as we do. Now... as for this demon."


"Mycroft we can't go after it, we don't know what'll happen to..."


"A risk that we'll have to take my dear. We are born of dreams and if we are truly to rise to the hope Euflear had in us, then we will face whatever adversity awaits us."

The Fey One's tears begin to subside as she slowly addresses both the Founders and the Heroes.

"I am sorry, I truly am... The pain I have brought, even inadvertently to all of you... when Rosier gained purchase within the Fey... the reality of all that I had lost over those many years... losing all of you... it crushed me more than the vile roots of that accursed demon..."


"Then let us not dwell upon it Euflear, let us right this one wrong. Let us find this blight that truly sickens this city and end it. Heroes, we may never see eye to eye on what has transpired up till this point, but may we at least come together on what truly threatens the freedom of every man, woman, and child of this fair city. Lead on."

"Glad we can agree on this much."

Atramor looked around, and climbed halfway up the stairs to the outer wall.

"Alright, mates, we're almost done here! One last thing we need to take care of, and that's screwin' over the Bonies! No offense, Bonies! Sailors, get over here, we need one of ya' to each group of three heroes! Show us where the powder is and show us where to lay it down! We need to hit this thing at its foundations if we're gonna take it down quick, so while we're makin' it snappy, everyone else aboard the Magpie! Can't fit, get a damn dragon! Archdemons ain't gonna kill themselves!" And with that, he hopped down, and did just that.

9 hours ago, Flipz said:

 "I'd suggest putting everyone up for the night in the Hall, but given its real estate and what we're going to go fight next, that...might not be the safest option."

"We'll have to send off some'a those with us when we get there. This...ain't gonna be a fight kids are gonna wanna be 'round for."

"Gotta be honest though, it's the part after that gonna sting the worst. It'll be the mother of all negotiations with every damn House when this is said and done. Not lookin' forward to it..."

Edited September 21, 2018 by CMP

[The Legonater]

10 hours ago, Flipz said:

Arthur scoffs.  "Come on, Karie, I'm crazy but not quite that kind of crazy.  We're taking everyone with us first, obviously, at least back to shore.  I'd suggest putting everyone up for the night in the Hall, but given its real estate and what we're going to go fight next, that...might not be the safest option."

I don't think time is really on our side. By the sounds of it, Rosier is coming - and who's to say the Veterans are going to be able to hold her for much longer. Hel, they may already be dead. I can't say I was their biggest fan, but I'm not going to let them go down doing the dirty work while we make pitstops. 

1 hour ago, CMP said:

Atramor looked around, and climbed halfway up the stairs to the outer wall.

"Alright, mates, we're almost done here! One last thing we need to take care of, and that's screwin' over the Bonies! No offense, Bonies! Sailors, get over here, we need one of ya' to each group of three heroes! Show us where the powder is and show us where to lay it down! We need to hit this thing at its foundations if we're gonna take it down quick, so while we're makin' it snappy, everyone else aboard the Magpie! Can't fit, get a damn dragon! Archdemons ain't gonna kill themselves!" And with that, he hopped down, and did just that.

3

We got an ignition point, yet? Rone hefts his massive crossbow. I'd be happy to give this fort a Viking funeral, if you catch my drift. I've had more than my fair share of bad memories here. 

[Palathadric]

12 hours ago, Kintobor said:

"I'm not going to condole the actions of Kayla, Pretzel, but if Patricia had decided not to take action into her own hands and run her through with a sword while she was down... Patricia has no no moral authority to be anywhere near the Watch. She seemingly didn't believe in us when the opportunity came to either reject the Founder's offer to join them or assist us. It's clear as day in my mind that Patricia needs to go, Pretzel."

"Who's Kayla? I'm sorry, from the way you talk, it sounds like I should know. But I really can't say I recall meeting someone with that name...Forgive me if I've forgotten. But I'm still not sure I agree with you as far as Patricia is concerned. It's obvious that Patricia is reluctant to believe in Heroica, we are too wild and free, if you will, for her. But this city will need someone who can enforce laws and I don't think we are the ones to do it. We are too...compassionate, perhaps? Granted, she's not a person who is good to have at the top, making the decisions, but for enforcing the decisions that are made and ensuring that they are stuck to...? I'm sure that we all wish for a Eubric that is free to be itself, but discipline has to be ingrained in people's minds and hearts first before freedom can mean anything.

"If we're going with the plan of blowing up the fort. 'Tis a shame, really, it is a nice fort... Then I suggest we get a move on, but I'm with Arthur in that I'm not letting this fort blow until I'm sure that Illdria and the rest of her crew aren't here."

"Will you return to Eubric with us?" Petaldan diplomatically asks the sailors.

[CMP]

2 hours ago, The Legonater said:

We got an ignition point, yet?

"How 'bout all of it?"

[Duvors]

19 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

Wanderburg speaks up at Boomingham's mention of the Bonaparte ships.

"What if there was nothing left to recapture? Some Wolfgang goons made off with a good deal of the powder stores, but there's still enough left to make a crater of this fort. Should serve as a big enough distraction while folks are transported off via what's left of that ship you came in on and the three dragons. It would surely be a loss, but they certainly wouldn't chance moving upon the entire city itself, without a beach-head they'd be forced to return to the open sea."

 

16 hours ago, Flipz said:

Uneasy, he nods along to Wanderburg's plan.  "I'd be more than happy with that.  Hel, Illdria would probably light the match if you asked her."  He peered around the other prisoners, hoping his friend had merely been obscured from view.

 

4 hours ago, CMP said:

Atramor looked around, and climbed halfway up the stairs to the outer wall.

"Alright, mates, we're almost done here! One last thing we need to take care of, and that's screwin' over the Bonies! No offense, Bonies! Sailors, get over here, we need one of ya' to each group of three heroes! Show us where the powder is and show us where to lay it down! We need to hit this thing at its foundations if we're gonna take it down quick, so while we're makin' it snappy, everyone else aboard the Magpie! Can't fit, get a damn dragon! Archdemons ain't gonna kill themselves!" And with that, he hopped down, and did just that.

"Oh hell no. Excuse me Euflear but I have to try and stop these people from doing something incredibly foolish."

Throlar turned to face the rest of the group and, with an expression of extreme annoyance, said;

"You can't just blow up the fort! For one, doing that will leave the city almost defenseless against attack from the sea, and no self respecting pirate wouldn't take advantage of that. And more pertinently, if we just run away now then we're just making more work for ourselves later. I mean, we'll have to confront that fleet eventually, and we'll have to deal with what's left of the former rulers of Eubric as well, I'd honestly prefer to do it while they're both still in one place and the Bonapartes aren't necessarily hostile to us. We may be able to talk them down now, whereas if we level the island and leave they'll inevitably turn hostile and the situation will become that much more difficult to resolve. I admit I agree that the Bonapartes souldn't be allowed to regain their power or their control of this fort, but I'd prefer to try and negotiate now than fight them later. There's been enough fighting today in my opinion. Arthur, does the Z-Mail system still work? If not," he gestured to the sailor nearest him, "ships use flag codes to communicate over long distances right? Would this fort have the necessary flags and would anyone be able to get a message from here to those ships before they arrived?"

[Flipz]

44 minutes ago, Lord Duvors said:

 

 

"Oh hell no. Excuse me Euflear but I have to try and stop these people from doing something incredibly foolish."

Throlar turned to face the rest of the group and, with an expression of extreme annoyance, said;

"You can't just blow up the fort! For one, doing that will leave the city almost defenseless against attack from the sea, and no self respecting pirate wouldn't take advantage of that. And more pertinently, if we just run away now then we're just making more work for ourselves later. I mean, we'll have to confront that fleet eventually, and we'll have to deal with what's left of the former rulers of Eubric as well, I'd honestly prefer to do it while they're both still in one place and the Bonapartes aren't necessarily hostile to us. We may be able to talk them down now, whereas if we level the island and leave they'll inevitably turn hostile and the situation will become that much more difficult to resolve. I admit I agree that the Bonapartes souldn't be allowed to regain their power or their control of this fort, but I'd prefer to try and negotiate now than fight them later. There's been enough fighting today in my opinion. Arthur, does the Z-Mail system still work? If not," he gestured to the sailor nearest him, "ships use flag codes to communicate over long distances right? Would this fort have the necessary flags and would anyone be able to get a message from here to those ships before they arrived?"

Arthur shrugs.  "Ask the Founders, they're the ones who hijacked the system.  From the sounds of it, though, the Doomsayer was the one in charge of all their mystical junk, so with him out of commission it should be back to normal?"  Arthur shrugged and pulled some pink parchment and a corresponding envelope out of his pack.  "If you want to test it, feel free to dictate a letter to me, and I'll see if I can send it off."

[Waterbrick Down]

23 hours ago, Flipz said:

Arthur winces at the mention of Cousland's name.  "Cousland is...inflexible.  A good leader knows how to compromise, even how to admit when they're wrong and take a different approach.  She...can't.  I don't agree with her vision for Eubric, one without change, one without redemption.  She saw the suffering of the Hovels, and her response was to throw up the damned wall rather than trying to actually help people.  I may not like Ulric's plans to conquer the city, but you can't deny his programs for feeding the hungry and housing the helpless are actually helping people.  Patricia, meanwhile barely funds the reformed Syndicate and leaves them to their own devices, rather than actually trying to help them out-generous the Wolfgang, and her Watch still treats anyone in the Hovels, regardless of circumstance, as automatic criminals for the horrific crime of being poor--and that's saying nothing of the slave trade she's done nothing to abolish.  There's a reason Kukulkan went to the Wolves for help, instead of the Watch, after all.  Patricia may be trying to clean up the Watch, but frankly I don't think her version of it is all that much better."

Arthur shakes his head.  "The Bonapartes shouldn't get this place back.  Have you seen the Harbormaster's office?  No, no, the Bonapartes cannot be allowed to re-establish their stranglehold over this city's commerce and military, just ask..."  The Skirmisher frowns as he scans the freed prisoners.  "Where's Captain Illdria?"

Uneasy, he nods along to Wanderburg's plan.  "I'd be more than happy with that.  Hel, Illdria would probably light the match if you asked her."  He peered around the other prisoners, hoping his friend had merely been obscured from view.

21 hours ago, Kintobor said:

Karie heaves a exasperated huff. "I'm not going to condole the actions of Kayla, Pretzel, but if Patricia had decided not to take action into her own hands and run her through with a sword while she was down... Patricia has no no moral authority to be anywhere near the Watch. She seemingly didn't believe in us when the opportunity came to either reject the Founder's offer to join them or assist us. It's clear as day in my mind that Patricia needs to go, Pretzel." She tried not to make it all about Kayla, but she still wanted to see Cousland swing from a noose for her negligence and the death of her sister. 

"Perhaps your perspectives on her are tainted from other involvements. I think you'll find given actual resources her ideas for a better and safer Eubric are more sound then you'd actually give her credit for."

As Arthur searches the crowd he eventually spots Illdria and the rest of the Magpie crew slightly berating Knife-tongue.


"What the Hel did you do to my ship?!?"

10 hours ago, CMP said:

Atramor looked around, and climbed halfway up the stairs to the outer wall.

"Alright, mates, we're almost done here! One last thing we need to take care of, and that's screwin' over the Bonies! No offense, Bonies! Sailors, get over here, we need one of ya' to each group of three heroes! Show us where the powder is and show us where to lay it down! We need to hit this thing at its foundations if we're gonna take it down quick, so while we're makin' it snappy, everyone else aboard the Magpie! Can't fit, get a damn dragon! Archdemons ain't gonna kill themselves!" And with that, he hopped down, and did just that.

"We'll have to send off some'a those with us when we get there. This...ain't gonna be a fight kids are gonna wanna be 'round for."

"Gotta be honest though, it's the part after that gonna sting the worst. It'll be the mother of all negotiations with every damn House when this is said and done. Not lookin' forward to it..."

"Most of the powder's in the supply bunkers by the outer wall." The sailors round up nearly two hundred barrels of gunpowder for Atramor and the heroes to distribute. As the fort begins to empty leaders from both the Paladin forces and Town Watch arrive and after a short chat with Yuliana and Mycroft turn towards the rest of the heroes. The minotaur stands a good half-head taller than most and seems familiar to a couple of the heroes. Captain Cousland, trademark scowl and all, surveys the group.


"Well then bit of a mess aye? Got nearly twenty men to move out, that ship of yours trustworthy?"


"You lot caused a whole lot of headaches the past couple of weeks, some of you I can't say I was surprised, others it's a soddin' shame. I ain't here offerin' apologies and I doubt you lot are of a mind to either. Suffice it to say, I've got some good men that I wished hadn't gotten tangled up in all this mess. Good men who trusted you lot and I had little choice but to send to the gallows if we wanted to have some sort of standard. Whatever we're going into next, you just make sure those men, like Hoples... like Grash... make sure you don't give them a hope you can't deliver on."

8 hours ago, Palathadric said:

"Who's Kayla? I'm sorry, from the way you talk, it sounds like I should know. But I really can't say I recall meeting someone with that name...Forgive me if I've forgotten. But I'm still not sure I agree with you as far as Patricia is concerned. It's obvious that Patricia is reluctant to believe in Heroica, we are too wild and free, if you will, for her. But this city will need someone who can enforce laws and I don't think we are the ones to do it. We are too...compassionate, perhaps? Granted, she's not a person who is good to have at the top, making the decisions, but for enforcing the decisions that are made and ensuring that they are stuck to...? I'm sure that we all wish for a Eubric that is free to be itself, but discipline has to be ingrained in people's minds and hearts first before freedom can mean anything.

"If we're going with the plan of blowing up the fort. 'Tis a shame, really, it is a nice fort... Then I suggest we get a move on, but I'm with Arthur in that I'm not letting this fort blow until I'm sure that Illdria and the rest of her crew aren't here."

"Will you return to Eubric with us?" Petaldan diplomatically asks the sailors.

"Better off there then lettin' the Bonapartes retake this fort. Most of the cannon are destroyed, we wouldn't have much of a chance at survival. We don't really have that much of a choice."

QM Note: Right now, Throlar is the only one vocally opposing the destruction of the fort. If there are others who feel the same please state so, otherwise we're going to move ahead with the majority of expressed opinions.

[The Legonater]

6 hours ago, Lord Duvors said:

"You can't just blow up the fort! For one, doing that will leave the city almost defenseless against attack from the sea, and no self respecting pirate wouldn't take advantage of that."

1

So you'd rather leave Eubric in the hands of other powers? If we do this right, we won't need someone else protecting our city. I fail to see how a city with a properly restored Heroica could possibly be called 'defenseless.' We don't need the Houses, and we certainly don't need the Bonaparte. 

57 minutes ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"What the Hel did you do to my ship?!?"

 

Hello to you too, Illdria. I'm afraid we've made a bit of a mess, sure, but luckily you know a lot of Heroes who have full pockets to reimburse you with. 

7 hours ago, CMP said:

"How 'bout all of it?"

I like the way you think. Is there someone who could light my arrows on fire? 

[MysticModulus]

Ezeran shrugs. "Blow it up, means nothing to me. It's just bricks and mortar. Make sure nobody is left inside though." With a irritated frown Ezeran boards the Magpie again awaiting the others.