Heroica RPG - Quest #82: Stop the Presses

[Etzel]

"Excuse me, miss, but are you trying to lead us into some sort of secret passage used by the criminal Wolfgang? That would, by my judgement, be a most unwise decision if we are to keep you and your gnomish friend safe. Besides, it looks like the hatch doesn't open from the outside, and those letters make no sense. Why don't we stick to the streets?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Sodding codes... Let's see... When the... shepherds maybe? would starve lambs... to save just a... dime? Is the wolf eating... prized... sheep such a... heinous? crime. Wolfgang propoganda crap. No idea what it actually means. "

[CMP]

"Excuse me, miss, but are you trying to lead us into some sort of secret passage used by the criminal Wolfgang? That would, by my judgement, be a most unwise decision if we are to keep you and your gnomish friend safe. Besides, it looks like the hatch doesn't open from the outside, and those letters make no sense. Why don't we stick to the streets?"

"You saw all the people out there, it can only be worse down at the harbor, sailors start their day hours before us. It could take an hour to cross the bridge for all we know. And don't worry about the Wolfgang, alright? They don't mug random passerby in the alleys, if that's what you're thinking."

She scratches her head.

"And they make not make sense, but they're still letters. It's probably an anagram of some kind. Can't believe he chose NOW to change the stupid password."

"Sodding codes... Let's see... When the... shepherds maybe? would starve lambs... to save just a... dime? Is the wolf eating... prized... sheep such a... heinous? crime. Wolfgang propoganda crap. No idea what it actually means. "

The hatch swings open.

"Huh, that was easy enough. Figures it'd be something like that...well, there's no need to go back now, we can slip on through here. Shall we keep moving?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Why not... Might even mark up a number of wolfgang thugs while we're at it." Guts goes through first. Hidden tunnels through the city... He'd need to remember that.

[Etzel]

"All right, but keep behind Mr. Holla. I've heard enough about the Wolfgang to know that walking uninvited into their territory is a bad idea. I'll bring up the rear and make sure that our elvish party leader is keeping up with the group."

[Scubacarrot]

"Relax Ratibor. The only Wolfgang I've met were a bunch of idiots that wouldn't know one end of their weapons from the other, and I heard they have had a few troubles with their leadership lately. The Wolfgang is no threat to us. And if we do run into some... We track em, find em, kill em."

Edited September 25, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[CMP]

"Relax Ratibor. The only Wolfgang I've met were a bunch of idiots that wouldn't know one end of their weapons from the other, and I heard they have had a few troubles with their leadership lately. The Wolfgang is no threat to us."

"All right, but keep behind Mr. Holla. I've heard enough about the Wolfgang to know that walking uninvited into their territory is a bad idea. I'll bring up the rear and make sure that our elvish party leader is keeping up with the group."

"Right, I've heard how you Heroicans view the Wolves," mutters Red, rearranging the rubble to hide the logo as the word vanish.

[Etzel]

"Relax Ratibor. The only Wolfgang I've met were a bunch of idiots that wouldn't know one end of their weapons from the other, and I heard they have had a few troubles with their leadership lately. The Wolfgang is no threat to us. And if we do run into some... We track em, find em, kill em."

"I wouldn't mind dispatch a couple of thugs and bandits if we get the chance, but our foremost mission is to keep Lady Red and the Gnome kid safe. Running around in tunnels inhabited by criminals and Ennoc knows what isn't my idea of a safe trip. I've been underground in Eubric before and have encountered several things that could've made short work of our protégés."

[-obelix-]

"Huh, that was easy enough. Figures it'd be something like that...well, there's no need to go back now, we can slip on through here. Shall we keep moving?"

"Aye... Dont.... wait up... on me..." Grunted Thalion, slugging behind the party.

[Scubacarrot]

Cheerfully, Guts said to Maurice, who was further back. "Yeah, me too. Like a giant dragon with a temper and an archdemon, but you don't hear me complaining. If this is all just you being afraid of the dark, Ratibor, I will be very disappointed."

[Etzel]

"It's me being serious about our mission, but maybe concepts like responsibility and wise judgement are alien to you, young rascal."

[-obelix-]

"I wouldn't mind dispatch a couple of thugs and bandits if we get the chance, but our foremost mission is to keep Lady Red and the Gnome kid safe. Running around in tunnels inhabited by criminals and Ennoc knows what isn't my idea of a safe trip. I've been underground in Eubric before and have encountered several things that could've made short work of our protégés."

"I believe... everyone here... went under... Eubric... at some point... or another... in the past... but we are all... alive and well... so we'll make sure... our new friends... are too... so that we all... get to our... destination... safely... And... master Maurice... I think... we are all... very serious... about our mission... No harm... shall come... to our... protages..." Thalion says with a troubled breathing, trying to keep up with everyone's pace.

[Scubacarrot]

"It's me being serious about our mission, but maybe concepts like responsibility and wise judgement are alien to you, young rascal."

"Huh. 'Young' That's... something I haven't been called in a while. And no, you're mistaken. On this mission however, I prefer to think positive. There's a difference between caution and getting nothing done."

[JimBee]

Hybros followed the party along through the tunnels, following Guts and Red in the lead, with Thalion struggling with the strange device and Maurice taking up the rear. It seemed the secret underground passages, sewers, lairs, and civilizations were endless. He walked alongside the gnome, who was just barely taller than Hybros.

"So, uh, where are you from, and why are you writing this... newspaper, they call it?"

[CMP]

Hybros followed the party along through the tunnels, following Guts and Red in the lead, with Thalion struggling with the strange device and Maurice taking up the rear. It seemed the secret underground passages, sewers, lairs, and civilizations were endless. He walked alongside the gnome, who was just barely taller than Hybros.

"So, uh, where are you from, and why are you writing this... newspaper, they call it?"

"Because of you guys! Sorta. A couple heroes came down to Zylstra a few months back - it's, well, our city, underground, beneath the city, in the sewers. My family..and some others....have lived there almost since Eubric began. At least, that's what the Baron told us. But these heroes were, like, awesome, and it made me realize just how lame my life was, picking through the totally cool garbage you people threw down there. So I followed them out. It's amazing up here. All the smells and sounds 'n' stuff. Dangerous, though, I almost got beaten up by a bunch of giant monkeys in an alley! Then Rook found me, and he did...something to them. I don't really remember...anyway, he hooked me up with U'Reeka, as his apprentice - which is kinda boring, but I still get to learn all sort of techy logical stuff like my mom did sometimes - and now I've got this job and stuff and I get to hang out with knights and elves and crazy little demon people too! Mom was wrong - Eubric is sweet."

By the time Wally's done, the heroes have arrived. An elevated platform has been set up in the middle of a wide stone staging area, a chest full of potions sitting open to one side. Judging by it, the bubbling cauldron, and the mess of people waiting around, this is clearly their destination.

"Finally. Mister Thalion, you can put down the ayupper thing now, Wally has to set it up before it can shoot stuff - and by stuff, I mean pictures," she elaborated, with half a glance at Maurice. "Anyway...I think we've got a little time before things really start. If you want, you could talk around, see if anyone knows anything more about this or just make conversation. I think we've got time for each of you to talk to maybe three people before the Masked Man gets here. Supposedly."

What will the heroes do?

Party

Guts Holla (Scubacarrot)

44 year old male human Raider *Immune to Weakened, Fragile, Asleep, Confused and Blinded* *Encouraged* *Hastened* *Lucky* *Immune to all elements*

Level: 27.33

Power Bonus: 4

Health: 41/41

Defense: 4

Gold: 425

Equipment: Lifestealer (WP: 32, Ice, Darkness, Light, attacks restore 3 health, dagger), Dancing Shoes (Wearer dances well, in the turn after a miss is rolled, the wearer can act twice. +Immunity to Asleep, Confused, Fragile and Blinded, + Immunity to Darkness, Light, Fire, Air, Earth, Wood, Lightningand Ice Elemental Damage, footwear), Pugilist's Gloves (2+ Power, Immune to Weakened, handwear), Crocodile Armour (+4 Defense +Immunity to Water Magic, bodywear)

Inventory: Stag Antlers (WP:10, Intimidation, halberd), 1x Ambrosia 9x Mead, 9x Smelling Salts, 8x Nostrum, 20x Grand Potion, 4x Health Core, 1x Elixir, 1x Grand Tonic, 1x Ether Core, 12x Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essence, 5x Smoke Bomb, 3x Deadly Venom, 3x Neutralizer, Shovel, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, 4x Mythril Shard, Metasimian Ale, Opal, Scroll of Weakening, Grating Stone, Voucher to the Guild of Invision (Good for one lesson in Alchemy), Chauncey's Diamond Lamp of Summoning (Summons ???), Clippard's Poison (When applied to a weapon, all damage dealt will instantly KO enemies unless they are immune to poison, deadly poison, or sudden death. Can be applied 3 more times)

Hybros

52-year-old male imp Assassin *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened* *Immune to all elements*

Level: 26 2/3

Power Bonus: 1

Defense: 0

Health: 40/40

Gold: 340

Equipment: Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 15, gains 1 WP every kill made with it, light- and darkness-elemental; longsword), Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, wood-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), Cloak of the Red Assassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Blessed Amulet (protects from cursed-effect; accessory)

Inventory: Zoot's Reaper (WP:15, earth-elemental; scythe), Clock Cog (WP: 14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Eye-poking Sai (WP:8, blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, dagger), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable) Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), 14 Potions, 14 Grand Potions, 22 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 2 Elixirs, 5 Phoenix Essences, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, 3 Lightning Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 13 Nostrums, 3 Meads, 5 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, Bedroll, Shovel, Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 4 Mythril Shards

Thalion Dwinlas (-obelix-)

213 years old male elf Sorcerer *Immune to Fragile* *Party Leader*

Level: 19 1/2

Power Bonus: 0

Defense: 4

Health: 27/27

Ether: 24/24

Gold: 7

Equipment: Batarang (WP:13, darkness-elemental throwing weapon),, Emerald Hood (SP:4, Immunity to Fragile)

Inventory: Zirconia (Gem containing all elements; cannot be merged into equipment) Amethyst (Darkness), Diamond (Light), Garnet (Earth), Ruby (Fire), Opal (Ice), Emerald (Wood), Sapphire (Wind), Aquamarine (Water), Sleeper (WP:5, melee/throwing weapon, deals Asleep to enemies it hits, Hollow Upgrade [Grand Potion stored]), Ratsbane (WP:10, absorbs 2 health on successful hits, dagger), Veritas/Equitas (WP:10, Dual Strike, twin sais), Duplovian Helmet of the Guard (SP:2, Immune to Magic and Healing), Cloak of Espionage (Artifact, backwear, Allows the wearer to examine enemy stats before a battle), Snake Eye Charm (Protects from Petrified-effect), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Magic Compass, Shovel, Bedroll, Smelling Salts (4), Nostrum (4), Phoenix Essence (2), Elixir, Health Core, Potion, Grand Potion, Grand Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Bone, Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max. Ether +5, protects from Sealed-effect)

Maurice Ratibor (Etzel)

52 years old male human Paladin *Immune to Stun, Asleep and Light*

Level: 22

Power Bonus: 1

Defense: 13

Health: 46/46

Ether: 29/29

Gold: 125

Equipment: Manta Tail Staff (WP:12+50% Stun chance), Paladin Shield (SP:9), Helm of Haroka (+2 health, +1 Power, Immunity to Stun effect, headwear) , White Cloak (Max. Health +3, Immunity to Asleep effect, backwear), Paladin's Armour (SP:4, Max. Ether +2, Immunity to Light, bodywear)

Inventory: Glass Greatsword (WP:12, hollow blade; greatsword), Emerald Staff (WP:10 wood-elemental), Diamond, 3 Potions, Tonic, 3 Ether Cores, Phoenix Essence, 3 Nostrums, 2 Venom, Elixir, Floral Bomb, Water Bomb, 4 Fire Bombs, Torch, Bone, Plume, Rito Feather (consumable, grants the hastened- and blessed-effects upon use for one battle)

[-obelix-]

"Phew, finally..." Thalion puts the AIUP down, wipes the sweat of his forehead, and puts the Robe back on. He turns and looks at the werebat person, immediately thinking about Riley the werebat alchemist he had met earlier. He approaches the man, "Greetings! I see you are close to the stage there, do you know when the event is about to start?"

Edited September 26, 2013 by -obelix-

[CMP]

"Phew, finally..." Thalion puts the AIUP down, wipes the sweat of his forehead, and puts the Robe back on. He turns and looks at the werebat person, immediately thinking about Riley the werebat alchemist he had met earlier. He approaches the man, "Greetings! I see you are close to the stage there, do you know when the event is about to start?"

The man with the hairy ears is trying to flirt with the hobgoblin across from him when Thalion arrives, but he turns and appraises the elf as he approaches.

" 'Fraid not. Saw the crowd, saw some ladies, came running, heh. But I hear the stuff they're sellin' is supposed to make you young forever, which is definitely something I could get in to."

[-obelix-]

"Young forever? But, that's impossible... Who'd say a thing like that? I just heard it was supposed to be some cure-all potion..."

[CMP]

"Heard it from onna them dwarves. It cures everything, too? Gotta get me some of them...lotta the ladies in Eubric tend to get around, if you get me drift."

[-obelix-]

"I sure do, Thanks!" Thalion replied with a wink. When he turned, he rolled his eyes (A "cure all" AND a "forever young" potion, I don't believe that guy...) not believing the man's gullibility. He walked back to the party and told them about what the man said.

"Should we go and ask those dwarves if they know anything?"

[Scubacarrot]

"Do what you will, I´m sure none of us have a better idea." Guts steps before the boy with glasses. With a faint smile, he said:

"Nuitan Shadeaux? Do you mind telling me what you´re doing at a Guild event without any guards or escort?"

Edited September 26, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[Etzel]

Maurice notices how the man with the black hat, next to the werebat that Thalion spoke to, carries both a knife and a sword.

"Excuse me sir. You seem very well armed for attending a public event like this. Any reason why you carry so many weapons?"

[JimBee]

"Because of you guys! Sorta. A couple heroes came down to Zylstra a few months back - it's, well, our city, underground, beneath the city, in the sewers. My family..and some others....have lived there almost since Eubric began. At least, that's what the Baron told us. But these heroes were, like, awesome, and it made me realize just how lame my life was, picking through the totally cool garbage you people threw down there. So I followed them out. It's amazing up here. All the smells and sounds 'n' stuff. Dangerous, though, I almost got beaten up by a bunch of giant monkeys in an alley! Then Rook found me, and he did...something to them. I don't really remember...anyway, he hooked me up with U'Reeka, as his apprentice - which is kinda boring, but I still get to learn all sort of techy logical stuff like my mom did sometimes - and now I've got this job and stuff and I get to hang out with knights and elves and crazy little demon people too! Mom was wrong - Eubric is sweet."

"Deep beneath the..." Hybros' eyes widened. "...Have you seen anyone there that looks like me? Short, erm... that looks like me?" He realized he didn't have a clue as to how to describe his own species. He hoped, at least, they didn't look like this gnome.

"I sure do, Thanks!" Thalion replied with a wink. When he turned, he rolled his eyes (A "cure all" AND a "forever young" potion, I don't believe that guy...) not believing the man's gullibility. He walked back to the party and told them about what the man said.

"Should we go and ask those dwarves if they know anything?"

"Does your kind not live forever, Thalion? Is it so hard to believe anything these days? Hehehe..."

"I will go ask that dwarf with the cap over there." Hybros approached, waiting a while awkwardly behind the dwarf before finally tapping his shoulder. "Ehem, erm, excuse me. So, eh, did you hear about the potions the Masked Man will be showing today?"

[CMP]

"Nuitan Shadeaux? Do you mind telling me what you´re doing at a Guild event without any guards or escort?"

The boy looked up from what was evidently some sort of homework, blinking nervously at the raider's imposing figure.

"U-Um, I heard about it at the Academy and I th-thought it w-wouldn't hurt to take a look....the potion thing's supposed to c-cure all afflictions, and I thought maybe I could get some for my sister and see if it'd...well....I don't know...." he finished lamely. "Most people generally don't r-recognize me anyway, my father's the head of the family, and he's got an, um.....very distinctive appearance, I guess."

"Excuse me sir. You seem very well armed for attending a public event like this. Any reason why you carry so many weapons?"

The man looks at Maurice with a practiced, greasy smile.

"Tell me why you are and I might tell you why I am, friend."

"Deep beneath the..." Hybros' eyes widened. "...Have you seen anyone there that looks like me? Short, erm... that looks like me?" He realized he didn't have a clue as to how to describe his own species. He hoped, at least, they didn't look like this gnome.

"I will go ask that dwarf with the cap over there." Hybros approached, waiting a while awkwardly behind the dwarf before finally tapping his shoulder. "Ehem, erm, excuse me. So, eh, did you hear about the potions the Masked Man will be showing today?"

"Nope, sorry. Just us gnomes, and my pal Rodney. They're all too scared of the surface world, especially since my dad got killed trying to visit it, they think it's easier just to ignore it."

The dwarf looks away from muttering into his hobgoblin friend's ear.

"Aye! It's a potion that's said to make one grow as tall as the trees! Hehah, what I wouldn't give for onna them...show all these big, stumpy folk who's boss, eh? Hehah."

Edited September 26, 2013 by CallMePie

[Etzel]

The man looks at Maurice with a practiced, greasy smile.

"Tell me why you are and I might tell you why I am, friend."

"I'm guarding a pair of civilians that were in need of some extra protection for the day. I'm just taking some precautions in case we were to encounter any problems."