The Legonater

Rone watches the debate break down. While he agreed that this was, in the end, an unnecessary fight, he could no longer let Heroes fight the innocent than he could let his brethren fight alone. Besides, he had fled the battlefield once, a long time ago. He would not let a fellow Hero down again. Dyric swings at the watchman guard from the front row, twice.

Makes sense to me. Edited.

For a passing moment, Dyric considered a response. He quickly decided that fighting the battle deserved far more attention than clearing some middling confusion. We have enough tanks to take their best shots. The more time we spend on diplomacy, the more reinforcements they bring in. The only way to minimize bloodshed right now is to press forward. Our back ranks can pause to heal up, but our uninjured forces should keep up the pressure. Seeing the Heroicans stumble, Rone personally charges forward. He again swings twice at Paladin Infantry B, from the front row. Battle Order: Hoke Vindsval Pretzel Throlar Kiray Boomingham Germ Althior Atramor Karie Ezeran Petaldan Eric Dyric Torald Matthias WBD, are you calculating Gold Reaper properly? I might be missing something, but I should be acquiring way more gold than what I am.

Dyric passes a strange glance in Karie's direction, hearing her echo his previous comment. With a shrug, he pressed forward. Seeing the reinforcements, Rone pushes forward, keeping in the front row, and attacks Paladin Infantry B with his chain whip twice.

Thanks for the boost. Dyric gives a wink, and repeats his attack.

I should have caught this earlier, but my Cabin Boy's Rags ups everyone's power by 3. We've got 'em on the ropes! Press the attack! Rone pulls the chain whip back from the commander's side. Despite the years, he still had it. With a smile, Rone twisted around and sent the chain whip flying back to Commander Fervent from the front row .

I like that better thematically anyways. Dyric unfurled the old chain whip from his body. It had been a long time since it had seen action, but it felt familiar in his hands. He unfurled the whip and sent it flying to the Watchman Guard from the front row .

Does this not apply, then? I assume the silence meant that I had succeeded and the Guard didn't notice.

Rone watched the group of men and women equip themselves in defense of the Veterans. I'm not sure they deserve our help, he muttered, but I suppose they don't deserve to be arrested either. He downed his mead, and hefted up the unlucky horseshoe. Bring it.

I like it. It makes them useful while still keeping our distance. As for your question, Boomingham, I think we ought to spread out relatively equally. We have to reason to hedge our bets in any particular way. That said, the Wolfgang group may wish to keep a smaller profile. In any case, it seems clear that you are going to take the Temple party, Karie will head up the Wolfgang investigation and - Atramor, you or me? - one of us will lead the tomb's party. The breakdown so far seems something like this: Temple: Boomingham Althior Torald Ezeran Petaldan? Hoke? Wolfgang: Karie Vindsval Kiray Dragon's Head: Dyric Atramor Matthias Pretzel? Unstated: Eric The Demon Germ Throlar

I... wondered what would happen if we were broken of Heroica's seal. We need to stay sharp. I will not deign to darken the Wolfgang's door, but if you all feel it such a necessity, perhaps Karie can lead a group in that direction. Cover all of our assets, as it were. Lead? I- Rone paused to consider, pulling all of his thoughts together. It wouldn't be my choice. In all honesty, I wish Guts were here. There's a lot of people who should be here, Skrall, Cronk, Docken. All of them better leaders than I am. As for our self-proclaimed King, all I know of him is what I have heard with the recent civil war. We must stand united, to be sure. We need to act together if we are to redeem Heroica to what it once was. We don't need a leader, we need cooperation. I will do what I always do; offer my opinions, direct and guide as I can. Advocate, where necessary. If you call that leadership, then fine - but authority is not something I seek. Only a Heroic rebuilt, and a Eubric restored.

You think we want the Wolfgang's help? Faction wars are what got us all in this mess. Running to the Wolfgang will only get us deeper. We'll do this as Heroes. Look, son, this is a trying time. But I don't trust our Veterans. They sold us out, turned to rival factions, and betrayed everything we stand for. This isn't 'founder worship,' this is me saying that we don't need them anymore. These people, Founders or not, have found Heroica wanting, and we need to prove ourselves. We do, not our former Veterans. Rone hears the Town Watch make their announcement. Great, now there's that. Atramor, Pretzel - Namyrra isn't around, is she? That would be a good team to have about now. Uh, Matthias, you get over here, too. We should check out that tomb, make sure everything clears. If we want anyone else to come with, the more hands the merrier. Karie, you interested?

Rone watches the scene, aghast as the disgraced Veterans step into the Locale. Men he once looked up to, men he once respected; they were reduced to playing as victims, sobbing, acclimating messes. Men who abandoned Heroica for the Wolfgang now pleaded for forgiveness. Men who had let Heroica fall into disgrace now disgraced themselves. Dyric had no pity. Look, Serpent, I think I speak for all of us here when I say: to Hel with your apologies. The Founders took a good look at your Heroica and found it wanting - and honestly? I can't blame them. You brought us here. I don't see how you're going to get us out. You have beyond a full party's worth of Heroes who still have their weapons and their pride intact. If anyone is going to restore Heroica to what it was, it'll be us , not you.

The Founders shut down Heroica, and the people rejoice. Is this what we've come to? Can we truly redeem ourselves from this? As far as plans go, that's not a bad start. If we can challenge the legitimacy of these Founders, that would be a good step towards bringing back Heroica. Noting the smaller man's presence Dyric gives a friendly wave. Matthias! How have you fared since our trip to Etheria?

Rone passes into the Locale proper and is immediately greeted by the familiar face. Pretzel! Yeah, I just came from there. To be sure, the Hall needed a clean sweep, but I'm not confident that this is the best way. With everything going on, we need a strong- Atramor? I didn't think you were still around. Juding by your tone, it's clear some things never change. You're asking for an armed response. That's exactly what the Veterans are looking for, it would give them all the excuse they need to shut us down for good. A heated action is only going to make our situation worse. We need to think. Now, I don't want to hear the result of their deliberations any more than you do, I think we both know it isn't going to turn out well for us. We need to prove ourselves somehow, convince them that we are all on the same side. That's how we get out of this. That's how we restore Heroica.

Dyric saunters into the Locale, taking in the surroundings. He had stopped there once, a long time ago. He had hoped then that it would be his last visit. Oh how the times have changed. As he steps in, he watches Karie barter with the bouncer for her guitar. Quickly, Rone rifles through his own bag of equipment. Crossbows, knives... those would all be immediately flagged. He wondered briefly if his trusty old chain whip could pass off as innocuous when he spotted the Unlucky Horseshoe amongst his belongings. He couldn't remember when he had acquired it, nevermind ever using it, but today it would finally see the sun. Wrapping the chain around his body as an extra measure, Dyric snatched the horseshoe and then closed up the bag. In his free hand, he mindlessly fiddled with his Lucky Die. His luck had always been tight at best. In such trying times, perhaps luck would finally smile on him. He waited behind Karie, a nervousness rising from deep within.

Rone baulks at the thought, mulling over the ethical implications of such an action. Perhaps the Miracleworker had been feared for good reason after all. With a grisly nod, Dyric backs away from the conversation and follows Karie and Vindsval to the tavern. Maybe if they organized, they could have better luck. Dyric Rone gave one final look at the Hall that had once been an unfamiliar sight, been a home, been a sorrow, and most of all: it had forever been a catalyst of inward change. He bid a final farewell and stepped away.

Are you... using the Miracleworker to revive people, and then interrogate them?

'Loyal' is a strong word. I was loyal to Guts, and I was loyal to Eubric. The Shadeuax were only ever a means to an end. Listening to the rest of the Golden Dragon's point, Dyric nods slowly. Yes, but- Rone caught himself before he began another outburst. Challenging Veterans would not help any of their cases. Of course. I certainly hope you will keep us in mind in the deliberations. There are still those among us who wish to see Heroica reborn as an image of honour. Forces? Do you mean the other Veterans? The Miracleworker? Or... do you mean something more, militant, than that?

The Veterans? I'd always feared that the Miracleworker would have found Heroica to be wanting, but I never expected it to, well, actually happen. What do we do? Where has everyone gone? Dyric is cut off when the elder woman approaches. You're the Golden Dragon. You're- Stifling himself, Rone fought his excitement and tried to regain his composure. Still, however, he speaks in a hurry, tripping over his words. I'm sure the action of modern day Heroica have been less than enthralling in your eyes; I understand, in fact I agree. But you must give us a chance, there are good people here who believe in Heroica, in what it stands for as- as a place of heroism and honour and uplifting the disenfranchised and- Just, give us a chance. Give us a way to prove ourselves. That's all I ask.

Let's go. Rone leads the way, hurrying to the commotion. Seeing a somewhat familiar face, he rushed to the side of Vinsdcal, where he overheard the explanation of the small girl beside him. 'Kicked out?' Heroica has enough munitions to keep out an army, how does someone just 'kick' us out?

I am, admittedly, a bit saddened that Arthur and Dyric won't be having one last hurrah, but I understand. I can't wait to see what awaits everybody!

You're welcome. Sincerely. No one deserves to go through something like this by themselves. Rone looks out the window and notices a commotion arising further in-town, towards the docks. Is that- Karie, make things quick, if you are able. I think something is going down at the Hall.

What you've done for this place is more than enough, Sorrow. Believe that. Rone takes a step back from the bed, giving a soft nod to Karie.

The younger man gives a slight laugh. It's gotten me out of my fair share of sticky situations, to be sure. Rone racks his mind for words, but small talk seemed almost an insulting matter when addressing the dying. You know, he finally manages. A long time ago, we talked about the state of the world. It was after one of the longest days of my life. What I saw could only be described as... Hel. That night Wren was finally defeated, and yet, darkness still reigned. There was always more to do. We promised that we would blot out as much darkness as we could. I'm going to make that a promise, Sorrow. I'm not going to give up, not anymore. I want to see more heroes grow old. More families. I want the Hall to be a light again, so that even when we pass on others can bear it. I want to bring peace. People are going to remember you, Sorrow. Because I'm going to remember you. Everyone is going to hear about the Old Hero who gave his all for what he believed in. I guarantee it.