Heroica RPG - Quest#88: Fathers and Sons

[UsernameMDM]

Please remove 1 Amethyst and the Counterstrike Gloves from Hoke's inventory.

"Everyone alright?"

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl's eyes open and she finds herself lying on the icy ground beside one smelling salt and one grand potion. She gets up on her feet, brushes off any remaining ice on her face and dress and returns the Opal to Cinna. "Thanks for the Opal and the healing." Purpearl also accepts the smelling salt and the grand potion.

Benji hands one grand potion to Purpearl, Baradock, and Matthias and the smelling salts that he received as loot to Matthias.

"Thanks much! Like our friend Matthias has said, it may be some time we might put it to good use. However, we appreciate your kind gesture. It is a great honour to fight alongside with you and your fellow party members." Purpearl extends her hand out, "Purpearl Berthadhiell, Elven Mage."

Edited February 12, 2014 by Purpearljellyblob

[StickFig]

Matthias' chest swells a tiny bit; he's met someone that one of the other heroes hasn't! Well, Purpearl will know Benji now, he thinks to himself, but I met him back at the Hall half a world away. Despite his recent injuries, diminuitive stature, and complete inexperience, he feels a tiny sense of belonging.

Edited June 20, 2014 by nstickney

[Zepher]

OoC: Should reflect overkill gold and Benji's generosity! Also the spoils and Hoke's apparent lesser inventory.

The Party

Hoke Ablesword The Krakenwhacker and Titan Smiter (UsernameMDM)

*Party Leader*

Level 30 Mystic Knight

*Immune to Darkness, Fragile, Weakened, Sealed, and Confused* *+3 Defense* *+2 Defense*

Power Bonus:

4 (+4 WP)

Defense

:

25

30

Health

: 49/49

Ether

: 19/30

Gold

: 348

Equipment

:

Flagpole (WP:6, +3 SP to the whole party whenever equipped, lance)

, Steel Buckler (SP: 20, immune to

darkness

),

Samurai Helmet (WP: 4, immune to sealed and confused, suitable to knights, dragoons, regulators, winged warriors)

, Pugilist Gloves (+2 to power, immune Weakened), Heavy Armor (SP:5, immune Fragile)

Inventory

:

Vintul (WP: 16; greatsword)

,

Warrior's Treads (SP:2, Health +1)

, Gladiator Trident (WP: 11, causes the Bleeding effect; spear),

Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory),

Cultist Hat (damage vs undead),

Opal (

Ice

), Ruby (

Fire

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Emerald (

Wood

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Diamond (

Light

), Topaz (

Lightning

),

Garnet (

Earth

)

,

Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Sleep,

4x Potions, 4x Grand Potions, Remedy, 3x Phoenix Essences, Phoenix Incense, 4x Mead, 4x Ether Core, x4 Dragon Scale

(

Grants lucky- and blessed-effects when consumed)

, Grating Stone, Zoot's Plaything (Special 3/4 Edition), Water Bomb, Dirt Bomb, 2x Smoke Bomb, 3x Venom, 3x Deadly Venom, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Kraken Fang (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed),

2x

Titan Heart

(

Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Level Up Mushroom, Pumpkin Bomb, Mulled Wine, Tonic, 2x Flame-Distilled Brandy, Smelling Salts

Benji Carvenhall

, the Dragonslayer

Level 36.5 Beastwarrior

*Natural Respite*

*Gains Triple XP*

*Immune to

Asleep

,

Blinded

,

Confused

,

Fragile

, and

Weakened

Effects

* *+3 Defense*

Power:

52

(36+16)

Defense:

9

12

(3+6)

Health:

51/62

(6+34+15+6)

Gold:

716

(owes 500 to Alexis Fenral)

Equipment:

Meduiak (Precision Bow; WP:16; AIM's become HIT's;

darkness-

,

ice-

,

fire-

,

wind

-

elemental

)

,

Medal of Glory

(accessory, mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles, immunity to

asleep, blinded, confused, fragile, and weakened effects)

, Tricorne (headwear, SP:3), Overkill Gloves

[borrowed from Galen]

(handwear, +1 gold for every point of damage done extra when defeating an enemy)

, Scaly Skin of the Allanoid (SP:6, backwear, suitable for Ranger and Barbarian Oriented Classes and Beast Warriors)

Inventory:

Crossbow of the Pongcanis (WP:15;

earth-,

wood-,

water-

,

lightning-,

light-

elemental),

Brown Dragon Girdle (bodywear, power +3; immunity to wood; suitable to rangers, rogues, alchemists and beast warriors),

Ratmancer's Cowl

(headgear, the wearer's physical attacks deal double damage against vermin),

Trickster's Mask of the Gender Swap (artefact, accessory),

Health Core (5),

Grand Potion (6),

Potion (2),

Remedy (6), Phoenix Essence (5),

Phoenix Incense (2), Dragon Scales (3),

Nostrum (4), Smelling Salts (4), Mead (5), Mulled Wine (4), Venom, Smoke Bomb (3),

Skeleton Decoy, Lightning Bomb, Fire Bomb 2x, Water Bomb, Bone,

Magic Compass, Pickaxe, Bedroll, Shovel, Puglist's Gloves (Handwear, +2 Power, Immune to Weakened Effect), Chaotic Bomb, Cosmic Essence, Flame-Distilled Brandy (4), Ambrosia

Tesni Hightribe

, Level 33.25 Beserker *Restoration* *Immune to Afraid* *+3 Defense*

Power

: 60

Power Bonus

: 0 (+3 WP)

Defense

:

14

20

Health

: 52/52

Gold

: 1456

Equipment

: Mellt (WP:10, ice- and lightning-elemental; hammer),Sir Roderick’s Shield (SP:11, Immunity to afraid), Bone Claws (WP:3, SP:2; handwear), Dragon Bone Armor (SP:4, Max. Health +2; bodywear), Barbarian's Boots (Changes “Natural Respite” job trait into “Restoration”, restoring full health after every battle; suitable for barbarians, chi monks and beast warriors).

Inventory

: Fàelàn (WP:20, 8x damage to enemies weak to fire, fire-elemental longsword)), Qilin Blade (WP:15, damages undead, ignores row and SP; longsword), Cysgodion (WP:14, darkness-elemental; greatsword), Dryw ar Zoot (WP:14, light-elemental; longsword), Cryfder (WP:6),Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Rebel's Dagger (WP: 5), 2 Shackles of War (prevents all fleeing, accessory), Red Dragon Plume (artifact, accessory, immunity to Weakened and Fire, suitable to Barbarians, Knights, Skirmishers, Winged Warriors), King's Crown (Headwear, protects against Doom and Petrified, Suitable for all classes), Scroll of Sleep, Tiger Balm, Elixir, 2 Phoenix Essences, 5 Venoms, 2 Deadly Venoms, 4 Meads, 3 Smelling Salts, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bright Polish, Aquamarine Lamp of Summoning, Mod Rod (WP:10, causes the afraid-effect; lightning-elemental staff suitable for staff members only). Mulled Wine, 3 Potions, 3 Remedies

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

Level 24.33 Paladin

*Immune to Sealed*

*+3 Defense*

Power bonus:

0

Defense:

17

Health:

45/45

Ether:

35/35

Gold:

218

Equipment:

Magical Staff (WP: 15;

Water

-,

Darkness

-elemental; staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; bodywear), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (Accessory, Suitable for Paladins, At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired), White Cloak (Max HP +3; backwear), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11)

Inventory:

Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind),

•

Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; Immune to

Water

; accessory)

•

Opal

,

Topaz

,

Diamond

,

Garnet

,

Sapphire

,

Emerald

•

Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion

•

Grand Tonics (4), Potions (3), Elixirs (3), Remedies (7), Potion, Phoenix Essences (2), Phoenix Incense, Tiger Balm, Neutralizers (2), Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom, Fire Bombs (2), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Dirt Bombs (2), Air Bombs (2), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Carrot (restores 5 HP, 10 to rabbits), Bright Polish, Double Rainbow, Ether Core, Copy of Eubric herald (inspired and transcended, one battle), Grand potion, Phoenix Essence, Venom, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts

•

Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass

Jess Islanti (Sisco)

Level 21 Assassin

*Immune to Weakened Effect* *+3 SP*

Power Bonus

: 2

Health

: 33/33

Defense

: 3

Gold

: 201

Equipment

: Blohdhurm (WP: 14)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Pugilist's Gloves (+2 to Power, immune to the Weakened Effect), Medal of Honor (Accessory, User Gains Triple Experience)

Inventory

: 2 Venoms, 3 Meads, 3 Grand Potions,

Dragonfire Stew (Gives the consumer the

encouraged

and

inspired

effects for the duration of one battle), Mulled Wine, 11 Potions, 11 Remedies, 4 Phoenix Essences, 5 Flame-Distilled Brandy, Smelling Salts

General Mint

Level 55.4 Beserker *Immune to Fragile* *+3 Defense*

Power

: 67

Health

: 72/72

Defense

:

5

8

Gold

: 70

Equipment

: Mourning Star (WP: 10;

Fire

-elemental; inflicts

Fragile

-effect; mace), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, Immune to Fragile)

Inventory

: x6 Mead, The Steel Stone (WP: 12, Earth Elemental, Greatsword)

General Hamilton

Level 42.5 Guardian Knight *Immune to Fire, Ice and Blinded* *Reinforced* *+3 Defense*

Power

: 55

Health

: 64/69

Defense

:

7

20

Gold

: 20

Equipment

: Lizard's Tongue (WP: 13, Fire-Elemental, Longsword), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Armor of the Red Lizard (SP: 3, Immune to Fire and Ice)

Inventory

: x1 Nostrum,

Cinna the Dark (darkdragon) *Party Leader*

Level 26.33 Mystic Knight

*Immune to Stunned,

Lightning

and

Earth

* *+3 Defense*

Power Bonus:

2

Defense:

16

Health:

39/45

Ether:

26/39

Gold:

135

Equipment:

Mauryl (WP:19 +

Darkness

, broomstick), Turtleshell Shield (SP:13), Black Dragon Robe (Max. Health +6; immunity to

earth

; suitable to mages, rogues and chi monks; bodywear), Anniversary Medal:Y2 (+2 to all stats per year; accessory)

Inventory:

Healing Staff (WP:9, heals target; staff), Naginata (WP:10; halberd), Lumber Axe (WP: 8,

wood

-elemental axe), Party Maracas (WP:4, user is hastened, instrument), Pointy Hat (Max. Ether +2, suitable for mages and clerics; headwear), Blue Dragon Cape (Immunity to slowed and water; suitable to knights, rangers and dragoons; backwear), Amethyst (

Darkness

), Topaz (

Lightning

), Ruby (

Fire

), Emerald (

Wood

), Diamond(

Light

), Sapphire (

Wind

), Garnet (

Earth

), Aquamarine (

Water

), Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Disenchantment (Removes all positive effects from all opponents at the cost of 5 ether), Scroll of Sealing, Ether Core, 5 Grand Potions, 5 Remedies, Elixir, Phoenix Essence, 5 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, Soma, Tiger Balm (Grants immunity to all effects for one battle), 3 Deadly Venoms, Fire Bomb, Floral Bomb, Air Bomb, Aeolus Bomb (100 wind-elemental damage to all enemies), Bedroll, 2 Pumpkin Bombs, Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Ambrosia

Dreyrugr

(Vash the Stampede)

Level 20.66 Black Knight

*Immune to

Stunned

,

Water

,

Wind

, and

Fire

* *+3 Defense*

Power Bonus:

0

Defense

: 16

Health:

24/39

Gold:

195

Equipment:

Sharkjaw Scythe (WP:15, WP x2 against Aquatic type enemies,

Darkness,

Ice

), Gloves of the Undead Assassin (For every enemy the wearer kills, it gains 5 HP, Immunity to

Water

, Usable by anyone, Handgear), Dragonbrand Shield (SP: 8, immune to

wind

and

fire

, shield), Black Knight's Armour (SP:4, protects from

stunned

-effect), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP: 1, backwear, suitable for anyone)

Inventory:

Venom x3, Bedroll, Remedy, 6x Smelling Salts, Mead x3, Net (if used in combat, 1/3 chance to slow enemy, 1/3 chance to be useless, 1/3 chance slow self, lasts 3 rounds, retrievable), Nostrum x2, Throwing Dagger (WP:3), Fauxthril Scythe (WP:5), 5 Bones, Bow (WP: 4), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence x2, Soma, Mulled Wine, Crow-Claw Dagger (WP: 6, 50/50 chance to stun enemy on successful attack), Shuriken (WP:5,

Wind

), Grand Elixir (Restores full health and ether to target and remedies all negative effects), Pseudos Hood (can damage undead with normal attacks), Deadly Venom, Scroll of Ice Armour, Neutralizer

Nagure

(Costy)

Level 22.33 Berserker

*Natural Respite* *Trap Evasion*

*Immune to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Earth

,

Petrified

,

Fragile

,

Blinded

,

Confused

and

Asleep

*

*Counterstrike*

*+3 Defense* *Encouraged*

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

28

Health:

44/44

Gold:

48

GP:

4

Equipment:

Xiaolin's Bident

(WP:16; instantly kills Aoi;

ice

- and

lightning

-elemental spear),

Yeti Fur Coat

(SP:12, immunity to

Ice

,

Fire

,

Fragile

Blinded,

Confused

and

Asleep

; suitable for yetis only, bodywear),

Counterstrike Gloves

; handwear), White Dragon's Greaves (SP:3, avoid traps on the ground, immunity to

earth

and

petrified

; suitable to knights, dragoons, skirmishers and winged warriors; footwear), Shield (SP:10)

Inventory:

Stone Hammer (WP: 15,

Earth

&

Darkness

-elemental, hammer), Tiger Slayer (WP:10/20 against enemies with “tiger” in their name; spear), Axe of the Croise (WP: 10,

Light

-elemental axe),Helmet (SP:1), Potion x2, Grand Potion x8, Remedy x4, Elixir, Phoenix Essences x2, Mead x3, Deadly Venom x2, Smoke Bomb x5, Chaotic Bomb (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pickaxe, Lightning Bomb x2, Smelling Salts x2, Venom, Phoenix Incense x2, Teleportapple, Ambrosia

Purpearl Berthadhiell

(Purpearljellyblob)

Level 5 Mage *+3 SP*

Power Bonus:

1

Health:

1/9

Defense:

3

Ether:

8/9

Gold:

43

Equipment:

Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), High Heels (Power +1, suitable for women; footwear)

Inventory:

Bedroll, Potion, Party Bomb (x2) (20 damage to all enemies, 1/3 chance to stun every enemy), Ruby (

Fire

), Topaz (

Lightning

)

, Amethyst (

Darkness

), Opal (

Ice

), Scroll of Weakening, Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), 2x Tasty Pretzels, Grand Tonic, Mead, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, Grand Potion

Baradok Segul Cannari

(Cryos)

Level 6 Barbarian *+3 SP*

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

5

Health:

1/12

Gold:

293

Equipment:

Calcified Club (WP: 5,

Earth

-Elemental) Light Armor (SP:2)

Inventory:

Potion x2, Remedy, Phenoix Essence, Smelling Salts x2, Starter Halberd (WP:3), Doppel Vial, 2x Pumpkin Bombs, Raw Sushi (Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Mead, Grand Potion

Matthias

(nstickney)

Level 3 Ranger *+3 SP*

Power Bonus:

0

Defense:

7

Health:

1/8

Gold:

43

Equipment:

Tinker's Crossbow (WP: 3), Hunter's Plate (SP: 4, wearer gains 10 gold for each Humanoid killed, suitable for rogues, rangers, barbarians, beast warriors, infiltrators, regulators, and winged warriors)

Inventory:

Potion, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Grimmau's Clothespin (Prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle, headware), Mead, Smelling Salts x2, Grand Potion

The heroes introductions to each other are cut short as General Mint howls out.

"Who the Hel is that?" growls the General, pointing his blade towards an Orc hovering around the circus troupe. "What the hell is he doing here with the heroes."

Hamilton looks at the Orc, and then at the circus troupe, and finally at Mint.

"Now, let's not be hasty, Mint. We don't know what he's doing here." Hamilton glances at the other party again, and then at the High Kingdom's heroes. His brow is furrowed. "What is going on here?"

"You know damn well what's going on here, Hamilton. Don't be pussy footed about it. We know the Orcs hired some heroes as well. These are those heroes. Come to sabotage our bridge?" General Mint puffs himself up, and the troops behind him place their hands on their swords. "Not going to happen."

"We don't know what they're here for," insists Hamilton.

"Can't be too many explanations. Just because your King is a lilly-livered greenskin lover doesn't mean you have to be, Hamilton. You're a General for Hel's sake."

"Do not insult King Valentino. He has the best of the nation at heart. If only he were back. Tell us what's happening here, heroes."

What will the heroes say?

Edited February 12, 2014 by Zepher

[StickFig]

Cinna pulls out the healing wand and directs a hit to each of the fallen (Purpearl, Matthias, and then Baradock)

Purpearl Berthadhiell (Purpearljellyblob) ... Health: 1/9

Baradok Segul Cannari (Cryos)[/indent] ... Health: 1/12

Matthias (nstickney) ... Health: 1/8

OoC: Does the healing spell give us one health each? Or should we have more?

What will the heroes say?

Matthias, still feeling a little big, opens his mouth to reply, but glances at Cinna and thinks better of it.

[Zepher]

OoC: There is no such item as a "healing wand", so I don't know exactly what DarkDragon is referring to. There is a Healing Staff, but they may not be used outside of battle. Hopefully DarkDragon will clarify for us!

[Darkdragon]

ooc: oh...hmm i thought it could be used outside battle sorry.

[Vash the Stampede]

What will the heroes say?

Strange, I thought the rest of my party was talkative.

"We were the ones hired by the circus troupe 'Mercutio's Smile', we broke into a Fire Nord camp and although not in the job description we currently have Grinshod Ironnose as a political prisoner for a prisoner exchange for King Valentino I believe. So it would be kind of you not to jump yourself onto incorrect conclusions with pointing fingers."

[Chromeknight]

Who is Grinshod Ironnose and why would those holding King Valentino care about him?

[Purpearljellyblob]

Who is Grinshod Ironnose and why would those holding King Valentino care about him?

"Grishnod is an Orc warlord from the Orc clans that was unfortunately captured by the Fire Nords during their routine raids. Those orcs are the same orcs that currently hold King Valentino from the Red Lizard Kingdom. Cut the long story short, if anyone here wants their King Valentino back, we have to use Grishnod as the bargaining chip."

[Flare]

Benji nods at Purpearl and Mathias cordially but then turns to the increasingly hostile conversation. "We have no reason to hold these heroes back from their mission."

[Cryos]

Dang i'm back late!

Baradock crossed his arms in an attempt to conceal his current state of injury. Dawning a stone expression, he grimaced only when the wound were the harpy's talons cleaved into his bicep flared up. A recurring thought had made itself present in his mind ever since the assault ended; Why had he been so weak?

Detaching from the conversation completely the barbarian's eyes fixed on something distant in the background. Lost in the limbo of self enmity.

[Zepher]

"We'd be highly appreciative to have Valentino back, truth be told," says Hamilton, but Mint snorts.

"You know I'd like him back as much as you, Hamilton. Better than his Ennoc worshipping son, locked up in that Temple all day. But not like this."

"Why the Hel not?"

"You say you took Grisnod here from the Fire Nords?" Mint asks the vampire and mage. "That means I have to return him."

"What are you talking about, Mint?"

"Think about it, Hamilton. The Fire Nords lose Grisnod, and he's used in an exchange for Valentino? Who do you think they'll think took him? Your Kingdom. My Kingdom. We're trying to make peace with the Nords, not war. They're in your capitol, for Oleg's sake. They'll ransack the place and pillage our shores." Mint's troops draw their blades. "I'm not letting these megablocks past."

"The Chief is a reasonable man. If we explain we had nothing to do with it-"

"We did have something to do with it, and Chief Byrne is not a reasonable man. He is an honorable man. And he will gladly kill your citizens and my citizens to defend his honor."

"We need King Valentino back." Hamilton also draws his sword. "My Kingdom is faltering without his guidance. With him we can make peace with the Fire Nords, with the Orcs. Without him this has all been for nothing. You underestimate the Fire Nords' kindness and King Valentino's dedication to peace. This will be a olive branch to the Orcs, and the bridge can continue under Valentino's guidance. Heroes?" Hamilton looks at both sets of heroes with expectant nervous eyes.

"Looks like it's time to see where you stand. Are you noble warriors, or cut throats?" Mint turns to the circus heroes. "Will you damn a whole nation for gold?"

"They'd be Fire Lizard if they didn't complete their mission," wails Hamilton passionately.

Will the heroes go to stand by Mint, or Hamilton?

OoC: This does not have to be unanimous. As always, please bold your final choice. You have about 24 hours!

[Peppermint_M]

"Men." Tesni rolled her eyes. "Whyn't you both go and say some nasty big heroica types came in and beat everyone up, stole all the gold and beer and took the orc king bloke hmm? I mean that is probably what these guys did." She placed a hand on the glowing purple pommel of Cysgodion. "Though Cinnia here was never one for berserker raiding I am sure every authority involved would believe it."

[Darkdragon]

"It really makes no sense to return him to the Nords. Having been in the camp for over a day, I can tell you that they won't take it as a gesture of good will. When we tried to leave, they tried to kill us and didn't even know that we had taken him. All we had done up to that point was entertain the drunks. You need your king back, if giving his captors this Orc can do it, I question the motives of anyone that would not want to proceed with the trade."

[UsernameMDM]

"Just a moment. If the Fire Nords had this orc the whole time and could have used him as ransom for the King, why didn't they?"

[Zepher]

"Men." Tesni rolled her eyes. "Whyn't you both go and say some nasty big heroica types came in and beat everyone up, stole all the gold and beer and took the orc king bloke hmm? I mean that is probably what these guys did." She placed a hand on the glowing purple pommel of Cysgodion. "Though Cinnia here was never one for berserker raiding I am sure every authority involved would believe it."

"That is no explanation. What rationale could we offer for that? The Orc King happens to have escaped, and we happen to have traded something for the Fire Lizard King at the same time. You are acting as if they Nords are thick."

"It really makes no sense to return him to the Nords. Having been in the camp for over a day, I can tell you that they won't take it as a gesture of good will. When we tried to leave, they tried to kill us and didn't even know that we had taken him. All we had done up to that point was entertain the drunks. You need your king back, if giving his captors this Orc can do it, I question the motives of anyone that would not want to proceed with the trade."

"You have been in their camp for a day? I didn't realize. You are clearly the authority on them, as opposed to a General who has fought their raiding party for thirty odd years. King Valentino is not my King. My King is King Speros, and allowing this Orc to go would undo all the work he has done trying to make peace with the Nords. I also question the motives of anyone involved with this - namely the circus troupe." Mint looks at the circus, and then at Hamilton. "Who hired them? Who has a vested interest in getting Valentino back, but has to do it shadily, behind the back of Four Boulder? Did Prince David want his father back, but he knew we'd never allow him to ruin the relationship we'd been building with the Nords, so he kept it quiet? Hired out a circus?"

"Our Prince has more honor than that."

"Then who orchestrated this plan to get your King back?" growls Mint, and Hamilton falls quiet and pale.

"Just a moment. If the Fire Nords had this orc the whole time and could have used him as ransom for the King, why didn't they?"

"Why would they? What does it matter to them if Grishnod is in charge of his Orcs, or Valentino in charge of the Red Lizard Kingdom?"

[StickFig]

"Just a moment. If the Fire Nords had this orc the whole time and could have used him as ransom for the King, why didn't they?"

"Why would they? What does it matter to them if Grishnod is in charge of his Orcs, or Valentino in charge of the Red Lizard Kingdom?"

"Who knows?" Matthias can no longer keep his deep, tiny voice silent. "They were mostly interested in killing us. The Orc is with us at this point, and we can pacify two parties to this dispute by returning him to his people in return for Valentino. The Fire Nords - as you can probably tell us, General Mint - are not likely to be pacified no matter what is done. I stand for returning two kings to their peoples."

Edited May 13, 2014 by nstickney

[Darkdragon]

"I didn't say I am the expert on Fire Nords but after the way we were treated, it's my opinion that this particular camp of them would only attack if you were to take him back. They will still assume you took him. Maybe they'll think you are trying to trick them by stealing him and then bringing him back. It doesn't seem like something worth the risk. We were simply hired to escort this circus and have no more information than you do, but perhaps Boris could shed some light on who hired him."

[Waterbrick Down]

Boris stands up.

"Um... Well... You see... Yeah, I don't think our benefactor would be too keen on us just divulging their identity seeing as how they wanted this whole thing under the table anyways. They did say it was for the good of the Kingdoms though." The conjurer shrugs, though he continues to nervously twiddle his fingers across his staff.

The Grumpkin with the circus troupe jumps up excitedly.

"We won the greenskin fair and square from the Nord's, he's rightfully our prisoner now anyways. There ain't no way we're goin' back on the job."

"Hush Glup, we'd like to avoid any more fighting if we can help it."

[Purpearljellyblob]

Purpearl turns to Mint, "I am certainly not interested in your relations with the Nords, it seems to me that the Nords are pushing all your right buttons. Handing over that green face to you will just be pacifying the Nords. If you truly care for your people, you would have already considered other more viable options. We are here for other reasons and we are not obliged to fill you in at the moment until we establish some common grounds. Until then I am certainly not handing over the Orc to you, Mint.

Purpearl turns to Hamilton, "We are going to do what we came here to do. That is exchanging Grishnod for your King Valentino. We complete our mission, you get your King back. The rest of the politics, you know how to deal with it. A politician like yourself certainly don't need a circus performer to give you advice on how to run your country."

[Cryos]

...I stand for returning two kings to their peoples."

...I am certainly not handing over the Orc to you, Mint.

"Why not?"

The question had belonged to the barbarian, the heightened tension and drawing of blades had beckoned him back to the situation. "It was not our mission to do this in first place. If what Mint says is true..." He paused, kneading his cuff; "I say we give prisoner to him."

[Zepher]

Purpearl turns to Mint, "I am certainly not interested in your relations with the Nords, it seems to me that the Nords are pushing all your right buttons. Handing over that green face to you will just be pacifying the Nords. If you truly care for your people, you would have already considered other more viable options. We are here for other reasons and we are not obliged to fill you in at the moment until we establish some common grounds. Until then I am certainly not handing over the Orc to you, Mint.

"You're a foolish foolish girl. We are considering more viable options, and you are ruining them. We are close to a treaty with the Nords, and this will be taken as an attack on them from us. The treaty will fail. You are murdering countless people in countless towns in cities along the coast of the country I serve." Mint speaks as if his throat is closing.

[Purpearljellyblob]

"You're a foolish foolish girl. We are considering more viable options, and you are ruining them. We are close to a treaty with the Nords, and this will be taken as an attack on them from us. The treaty will fail. You are murdering countless people in countless towns in cities along the coast of the country I serve." Mint speaks as if his throat is closing.

"Blood will be on your hands when politics in your country fail. Not us. Tell your people some circus troupe ruined your treaty plans. Tell the people that you serve that the deaths of their kin and loved ones isn't your fault. Tell your court advisers some lowly peasant refuses to hand over the Orc. Unless you show me we have some common ground, your country's politics and the ramifications of your failure are the least of my concern."

Edited February 13, 2014 by Purpearljellyblob

[Zepher]

"They won't be my failings, you stupid child. I will take the Orc through force if you do not give him to me. I have no qualm killing a idiotic pompous megablocks to save thousands of my people. The common ground I'd hope for is that you and I both don't want to see massacres. If that ain't common ground for you, my sword will gladly slide into your gut."