The Legonater

Give it a break, Whisperer. We ain't voting, at least not yet. You remember what happened the last time the Heroes tried to take part in an election. Besides, what rule says that the Veterans all need to align with classes? If that's the case, what class is Altraite supposed to be, anyways? Rone glances over at Karie, knowing she shared his aspirations. Next, his eyes fell on Atramor, who was easily as worthy of being a leader as any of them. We've got plenty of Rogues who've proven their worth over the years. I have no problem with putting more than one of them on our list.

Thirty...? Its name is Heroica Ha- Dyric cuts himself off, throwing up his hands. There were more important things to be said. Stepping away from Germ, Rone makes his way over to Bellanote. She, too, had come a long way from when he'd first met her. He could have sworn she stood a little straighter now, a little more confidence hiding behind that pale complexion. You did good today, kid. I mean that, you should be proud of yourself. Hel, I'm proud of you. But like Atramor said, this is it. You've proven yourself, you've fought for freedom and you've got your family back. You've served this city more than most of the houses ever will - today, you're as much of a Hero as anyone else here. So, take some rest. Be with your family. Let us handle this one. You've earned it.

That's... what I just said. Dyric gave the half-demon a quizzical look. Was he even listening? There's an entrance through the Hall's floor, near one of the back corners if I remember correctly.

Rone gives a small smile as his arrow lights the fort into a fiery inferno. Boom, he whispered, still grinning. The Temple of Zoot, below Heroica. Watch out for the floorboards, they're trickier than you'd think.

Dyric lowers his hand, giving a firm nod to Karie. She'd come a long way from the girl he'd met on the Hinckwell job. Rone continues to silently observe as the showdown concludes. A new Captain... they were really cleaning the slate. New Veterans, new captain, no houses. They should probably start collecting names. He could already think of a certain Skirmisher that would probably fit the Captain job well...

It, uh, may have been partially my idea. But, it seems to have worked out, all things considered. Dyric gave a small smirk at the gnome's flirtations, when Karie exploded in anger behind him. Surprised at the outburst, and uncertain as to the outcome, Dyric reached back for a bolt in his quiver, ready to back up Karie if things went south.

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

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Dyric smiles as he sees the former prisoners crossing the harbour. He leans over to Bellanotte. Go say hi to your family. You've earned this. It should be, though I'm not sure if we would be able to broker a second conversation. Of course, the Miracleworker might be able to do something about that. Because time changes things. That's not some grave mistake, that's just life. I'm sure if the 'me' from ten years ago had spotted the 'me' of now, he would be insulted. And I'm fine with that, because those changes were all for the better, no matter how dramatic. Like Hoke said, you didn't even try to understand the present. You made a judgment call off of base appearances and took down half the city because of it. Can you not see how mistaken that it? Nevertheless, we do have bigger fish to fry than the likes of you. Tell me, what do you four know about the archdemon Rosier?

I could have sworn he said something... ...great work, there, Dyric. Of course, Eric still has something to pass to Dyric, as well.

Dyric gives the Whisperer a swift, but light, kick. These people shut down the Hall because it split into factions, I somehow doubt waving that badge is going to earn you a lot of points in their eyes. We're here for people, not whatever package you feel entitled to. And don't give out all our cards before we get a chance to find out some of theirs.

Rone descends from the dragon, drinking a Mead, Smelling Salt and two Grand Potions. The scene was a mess of blood. He had barely collected himself before the sight of the five Founders nearly blew him off his feet again. In his mind, he knew most of them weren't real, and yet the scene looked as if straight out of the history books. Catching his breath, he made the final few steps, locking eyes with the Miracleworker. Dyric has met all sort of figures in his travels as a Hero, yet none had caught him off-guard quite like the old Veteran. He cleared his head, deciding to make introductions again. It was important that everyone get this right. Dyric Rone, he said, extending a hand. The most recent Duplovian Hero of Heroica. The Miracleworker is right, no one else needs to die today. That starts with the innocents you have readied for execution. If you truly believe you are trying to save Eubric, you'll do it by letting them off the block. That's first priority. Once that's done, we can enter into civil discussion.

Kiray, we need to make a decision. The fight in the harbour is going to be bloody, but we act fast we might be able to spring those prisoners. Actually... screw it, we need Torc. He's our best option for getting in and out of there quickly without being massacred by the guards down there. Quick, we ought to group up with- Dyric Rone freezes at the sound of the Miracle Worker's voice. It was a sound he had never heard before, and yet he could immediately identify the quiet gravitas. Mycroft Rolander, the Miracleworker. The younger Duplovian projects his voice as loud and far as he can. To finally see you in the flesh... I wish it were under better circumstances. My name is Dyric Rone, once a prefect of Duplovia, now a hero of Heroica. Years ago I came here, following the tales of your legend. I believed the Miracleworker helped found the Hall for a reason, and I have fought to preserve that vision to the best of my ability in these changing times. If you truly desire an end to this needless bloodshed, then I would have word with you, if you would allow it. No one else needs to die today, but that depends entirely on you.

Wait, I've been interpreting the red inner area as a roofed building inside the fort, that we can't yet see inside of. Is that mistaken? Is it more of a stage or something? If Dyric can see the prisoners from this angle, can he go down and reach them?

Yeah, no. Dyric's using his first action to heal himself, or else he's not walking much further against these guys. I'm also still not sure of the effectiveness at attacking the Founder's at his range, especially when he could be sneaking back and freeing the prisoners. @WaterbrickDown: is the only entrance inside through the lower inner wall gate? Or is there any chance in blowing a hole through the roof or anything?

Dyric watches from the tower as the argument progresses. These Veterans were convinced they were real, and none of his words would sway them. Besides, he had no interest in the three locked in the back-and-forth. His vision swayed to the fourth Veteran, trailing behind. Despite himself, he opened his mouth. Miracle Worker, he called out, standing up in the tower. Would you have words with us? More clarification on the ranged mechanics here: Dyric has a 1/3 chance of hitting anyone in the harbour, right? Does his range protect him from counter attacks? Do damage rolls also have a 1/3 chance of connecting?

Thanks, Kiray, Rone says, popping open a Grand Tonic and taking a swig. Good work back there, by and by. The assassin takes a long look as the Veterans step forward into the fray. Yeah, I reckon we should. He loads another three bolts into his sizable weapon. I'll take point up here. You and the djinn should either drop into the hangar or continue clearing the wall. 'Think I can hit that Mountain from here?

Alright, Kiray. Let's finish this. Dyric drops to one knee in the back row and levels the crossbow at Cannoneer B (Cannoneer A, Elite B) while the Djinn takes on Elite B from the front row. As the tower clears, Dyric looks down into the lower inner wall for more targets. At least, I'm assuming he can do this? Also, I'm open to suggestions for Bellanotte's action.

Everyone repeats.

OoC: Just to clarify, was Kiray revived and then KO'd again? And did the Vermillion dragon miss or not attack for some reason?

Djinn, hit cannon B! With that, Dyric drops to one knee and fires his crossbow, aiming Elite B (Cannon A, Cannon B), and hoping to take out the entire tower. If not, that dragon should finish the job, attacking Elite B. The tower cleared, Dyric pours a Pheonix Essence down Kiray's throat. Bellanotte repeats. A couple things, first, your full map link doesn't seem to be working. Also, what are the rules for ranged attacks here? With ranged characters set up in the tower, can they fire on the rest of the fortress?

Dyric fires at Swashbuckler Elite A (Cannon B, Elite B), and Elite D (Elite C, Cannon A) from the back row. Djinn attacks Cannon A from the front row. Bellanotte attacks Red Mob A from the front row.

As Dyric mounts the wyvern, he shouts a few orders down at those surrounding him. Bellanotte, sing the Serenade of Water, and keep to the back. You too, Djinn. Go after the green mob. It will be done. Settling on the dragon, Dyric helped up the younger woman behind him. I'm afraid we haven't really had the chance to meet proper, Kiray. You ready for this?