[LP] DestinyQuest 2: The Heart of Fire

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:03 pm

You hurry through the portal. For a second you experience a lurching, dizzying sensation, like falling, then you find yourself stumbling forwards into a narrow stone passageway. The air is cold and musty, a stark contrast to the blazing heat of the courtyard. Sadly, there is no sign of your companions—you can only assume that the doors they chose must have taken them to different parts of the tower. And as for Anse...you hope that the paladin was able to escape from the fiery demon before it was too late.
Behind you is a smooth wall of black stone. With no other choice but forward, you warily advance along the passageway. As you progress, you become aware of a constant rumbling sound reverberating through the rock. Every so often there is a thunderous clunk, like something suddenly locking into place. Then the rumbling starts again. You wonder if it might be the tower itself, moving and rearranging itself in some strange fashion. It is a thought that brings little comfort.
After several hundred meters you come to a junction. Ahead, the passage ends in an archway, beyond which you can see a room bathed in firelight. To your right, a smaller side passage leads to a plain wooden door.

Will you:
Investigate the room?
Try the wooden door?

angelfromanotherpin · Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:09 pm

Side passages first.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:19 pm

Agreed - wooden door.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Aug 25, 2018 12:28 pm

You push open the door, your breath escaping in a surprised gasp as you look upon your new surroundings. The room, if room you could call it, is domed and circular—and carved entirely from wood. Its single, curving wall depicts an intricate, almost lifelike scene, showing a cart laden with toys traveling through rolling hills. A line of children run after it, giggling and laughing. The painstaking sculpture continues across the floor, where leaves and grasses have been carved out of the wood—and there, seemingly growing from its center, is a column of oak, sculpted to look like a tree. Branches spread out towards the lofty ceiling, where you see a children's tree house perched on its highest limbs.
Moving closer to the tree you notice holes cut into its side, forming gnarled nooks and crannies. They are large enough to put your hand inside. Across the other side of the room, a white portal shimmers against the carved backdrop, inviting you to continue your journey.

Will you:
Climb up to the tree house?
Put your hand in one of the holes?
Leave via the portal?

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 1:06 am

Penetrate hole.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Sun Aug 26, 2018 7:16 am

Can't argue with that logic.

angelfromanotherpin · Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:59 pm

I question whether there could be any reasonable expectation of value in doing this, but these books aren't big on consequences, so sure.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 1:59 am

You wonder if something interesting might be hidden inside one of these dark cavities. There are a number of holes to choose from. Roll a die. (2)

Your hand settles around something soft and velvety, clinking with coin. Excitedly, you withdraw your hand to find that you have discovered a purse of gold! (You have gained 10 gold crowns.) Suddenly you hear a grumbling, creaking sound coming from the tree. Stepping away, you see that the other holes have now closed up, locking away their treasures.

You may now try and climb the tree or leave via the magic portal.

Name: Mr. Patio
Path: Rogue
Speed: +5, Brawn: +3, Magic: +2, Armor: +3
Health: 35


Slot	Item	Speed	Brawn	Magic	Armor	Ability
Head	White Mane		+1	+1		Charm
Necklace	Blood Iron Knot				+1	Charm
Cloak	Saddle Blanket				+1
Main Hand	Rusted Knife	+1				Bleed
Left Hand	Falk's Firestarter	+1	+1			Headshot
Gloves	Dark Vein Bracers	+1
Chest	Green Blaze	+1			+1	Haste
Feet	Sailor's Sandals	+1				Surefooted
Talisman	Wishing Well Coin					Charm
Ring 1	Pins 'N' Needles					Thorns
Ring 2	Warded Wood		+1	+1


Backpack	Item
1	Pot of Healing
2	Pumpkin Squash (2 uses)
3	Holy Water (2 uses)
4	Angelica Wreath (ability: holy protector)
5	Pot of Speed


Safe House	Item
1	Cutthroat's Carver
2	All Hallow's Ring
3
4

Prophecy
bones
sure blade
calling
prevail
mixer
gatherer
meadowsweet, lemongrass, and white willow
raven
duty
Map of Carvel
Handy Herbalist's Spotter's Guide
Red quest at 277
Money Pouch: 191 Crowns

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 2:40 am

Ascend.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Mon Aug 27, 2018 11:16 am

Climb

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Aug 28, 2018 2:37 am

You study the trunk of the tree, noting its many stubs and protrusions, which will help you in your climb. With a route planned, you place one foot against the gnarled wood and begin your ascent.
Once you reach the halfway mark, you find yourself struggling to find adequate supports. Several times a hand or a foot slips, making your stomach reel as you glimpse the ground far below. If this is a replica of a real tree, then the craftsman was obviously a skilled climber. To reach the top you will need to pass a speed challenge:

Tree hugger (Speed 10)

(7+5=12, success!)

You take a gamble and push off from the tree, attempting to grab one of the thicker boughs further around the trunk. For a second you are free-falling through a frightening emptiness, then your hands grab a hold on the wood. Skillfully, you swing yourself up onto the branch, twisting your body around to sit astride it. From here you are able to shuffle back to the trunk, where you can now see a previously hidden set of handholds, carved to look like clumps of leaf mold. You clamber up this last distance in no time at all, flinging open the tree house door and pulling yourself up onto its polished floor.

The tree house has a low ceiling, which you discover quite quickly when you knock your head several times on its slanting beams. Reminding yourself that this was built for children, you stoop your shoulders in order to explore the interior. In the middle of the room is a tree-stump table, surrounded by stools and benches. You spot three names carved into the surface of the table—Jacob, Joss and Adam. The last name has been crossed out. At the other side of the room is a trunk. You open it up, to find a childlike stash of odds and ends inside. Most of these are toys, like wooden soldiers or balls and hoops, but you also discover some potions and ointments, which you may take:

Mother's medicine (2 uses) (backpack) Use any time in combat to heal 4 health
Jacob's special mix (2 uses) (backpack) Use any time in combat to raise your speed by 1 for one combat round
Secret brew (1 use) (backpack) Use any time in combat to raise your brawn by 2 for one combat round

With nothing else of interest in the tree house, you climb back down the tree—stepping through the magic portal to continue your journey.

You emerge in a small square room made from riveted plates of iron. It is devoid of any furnishing or decoration, save for a giant metal wheel set into the floor. Your feet clang noisily on the metal panels as you step closer to examine it. The wheel is reminiscent of those you might find on a ship, with a series of spokes radiating out from a center point, each one ending in a wooden handle. You assume that the wheel is meant to be turned—but for what reason, you cannot fathom. There does not appear to be any exit from the room, other than the door you used to enter.

Will you:
Turn the wheel clockwise?
Turn the wheel anti-clockwise?

Also pick loots (if any).

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Tue Aug 28, 2018 5:48 am

Pumpkin squash (2 uses) (backpack) Use any time in combat to raise your brawn or magic for 2 by one combat round

Take mother's medicine and special mix, safehouse holy water and angelica wreath, turn wheel clockwise.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Tue Aug 28, 2018 12:00 pm

Clockwise.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Aug 28, 2018 12:42 pm

You put your hands to the wheel and push. For the first few seconds you find yourself grunting with exertion, your boots sliding across the metal floor as you struggle to move it. Then it gives a teeth-grating screech as it slowly begins to turn, grinding against the rust and grime that has gathered around the axle. After pushing it round a full turn, you hear a rumbling coming from your left, followed by a loud clunk. Glancing around, you see that a glowing portal has now appeared against the north wall. It looks similar to the doorway that you used to escape from the fire demon.

Will you:
Step through the magic portal?
Turn the wheel anti-clockwise? (leads to a different section than the same choice in the previous section)

Name: Mr. Patio
Path: Rogue
Speed: +5, Brawn: +3, Magic: +2, Armor: +3
Health: 35


Slot	Item	Speed	Brawn	Magic	Armor	Ability
Head	White Mane		+1	+1		Charm
Necklace	Blood Iron Knot				+1	Charm
Cloak	Saddle Blanket				+1
Main Hand	Rusted Knife	+1				Bleed
Left Hand	Falk's Firestarter	+1	+1			Headshot
Gloves	Dark Vein Bracers	+1
Chest	Green Blaze	+1			+1	Haste
Feet	Sailor's Sandals	+1				Surefooted
Talisman	Wishing Well Coin					Charm
Ring 1	Pins 'N' Needles					Thorns
Ring 2	Warded Wood		+1	+1


Backpack	Item
1	Pot of Healing
2	Pumpkin Squash (2 uses)
3	Mother's Medicine (2 uses)
4	Jacob's Special Mix (2 uses)
5	Pot of Speed


Safe House	Item
1	Cutthroat's Carver
2	All Hallow's Ring
3	Holy Water (2 uses)
4	Angelica Wreath (ability: holy protector)

Prophecy
bones
sure blade
calling
prevail
mixer
gatherer
meadowsweet, lemongrass, and white willow
raven
duty
Map of Carvel
Handy Herbalist's Spotter's Guide
Red quest at 277
Money Pouch: 191 Crowns

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 11:42 am

Turn the other che- I mean, direction.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 11:56 am

I'll rubber stamp that to break ties.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 3:29 pm

You shift position, putting your weight behind the wheel to turn it in the opposite direction. As it revolves, screeching and squealing and setting your teeth on edge, you see that the previous portal has faded away. There is a repeated series of rumbles followed by a booming thump. Then a different portal appears, this time against the wall.

Will you:
Step through the magic portal?
Turn the wheel clockwise (leads back to previous section?)

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 5:34 pm

bored now, enter portal

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 1:49 am

Penetrate the new magic hole.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 2:19 am

You find yourself in a small dank room, its walls and ceiling dripping with rust-colored water. It has the appearance of a cell, with a barred window in the far wall and a pallet bed set underneath it. The mattress has been slashed to pieces, sawdust and cloth covering the floor. You also spot tufts of fur amongst the sodden debris.
A creature is shuffling back and forth across the room, head hung low. As your boot scrapes against the wet stone, the creature looks up suddenly. It is a bear—or some peculiar imitation of one—with a pointed black muzzle, round fluffy ears and buttons for eyes. It walks perfectly upright, its proportion almost human.
'My heart. Did you bring me my heart?' rasps the creature, its words burdened with pain and sorrow. It shifts around, revealing a gaping cavity in its chest. The fur has been torn or shredded apart, sawdust stuffing hanging loosely from the wound. 'He promised me a heart,' the bear moans sadly, shuffling towards you. 'All I ever wanted was a heart.'

(Mr. Patio does not have the heart-shaped box or Dagona's locket.)

The bear lifts one of its big padded paws and points it at your chest. 'The toymaker promised me a heart. If you won't give it to me, then I'm going to take yours!' With a fearsome roar the creature lunges forward, claws looking to rip out your heart. It is time to fight:


	Speed	Brawn	Armor	Health
Cuddles	5	3	3	40

Special Abilities
Piercing claws: The bear's attacks ignore your armor.
Bleed: After Cuddles makes a successful attack that causes health damage you must take a further point of damage at the end of each combat round.

Round 1: Patio 9+5 (haste'd), Cuddles 7+5. Damage 3+3-3=3, Cuddles is at 37. *DoTs* It's at 35.
Round 2: Patio 2+5 (surefooted'd, 10+5), Cuddles 5+5. Damage 5+3-3=5, Cuddles is at 30. *DoTs* It's at 28.
Round 3: Patio 7+5 (charm'd, 7+5), Cuddles 8+5. (Prophecy'd, no damage.) *DoTs* Cuddles is at 26.
Round 4: Patio 6+5, Cuddles 5+5. Damage 2+3-3=2, Cuddles is at 24. *DoTs* It's at 22.
Round 5: Patio 8+5, Cuddles 7+5. Damage 6+3-3=6, Cuddles is at 16. *DoTs* It's at 14.
Round 6: Patio 3+5 (charm'd, 8+5), Cuddles 4+5. Damage 3+3-3=3, Cuddles is at 11. *DoTs* It's at 9.
Round 7: Patio 9+5, Cuddles 7+5. Damage 4+3-3=4, Cuddles is at 5. *Headshot* Cuddles is dead!

I guess you could say we...
(•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■)
...beat the stuffing out of it.

Your weapons and magic soon reduce this sorrowful creature to a pile of sawdust and tattered fur. Searching through the shredded remains, you find one of the following items:
Grizzly mantle (cloak) +1 brawn ability: savagery (1/combat, +2 brawn for one combat round)
Sawdust n' stitches (chest) +1 speed +1 armor ability: heartless (1/combat +2 brawn or magic for one combat round)
Maker's button (talisman) +1 speed

There is a dull rumbling sound as the east wall slowly swings outwards, revealing a narrow stone passageway. You hurry through, eager to find your companions.
The passageway is short, ending in a rusty metal door. It has already been pushed open, leaving a yellow-brown stain where it has scraped across the stone. A can of oil rests on the floor next to it, which someone evidently used to help grease its hinges. There is still some oil inside. (If you wish you can take the can of oil, simply make a note of it on your hero sheet, it doesn't take up backpack space.) You pass through the open door, grateful that one of your problems has been solved, at least.

You find yourself in a corridor fashioned from black stone, smooth and without decoration. To your left it continues for several meters before ending in a set of worn stairs leading up to a decorative wooden door. To your right, there is an open metal grille, beyond which you can see a set of rusted stairs spiraling down the sound of buzzing, hammering machinery.

Will you:
Take the stairs up?
Take the stairs down?

Also pick a loot, and whether or not to take the can of oil.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:50 am

Take Sawdust n' stitches, Maker's button & oil.

Then up.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 5:09 am

Sure, that.

Do bad things happen if we come here with a heart?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 5:11 am

You can only take one loot from Cuddles' remains.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 6:29 am

Maker's button then; +1 speed > +1 charm

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Sep 03, 2018 2:13 pm

Omegonthesane wrote:Do bad things happen if we come here with a heart?

I missed this last night. We get to avoid the fight (Cuddles only attacked us to get a heart, so the bear doesn't attack if we give one) and we get the bear hug ability as a token of its gratitude:

Bear hug (1 use): Instead of rolling for a damage score after winning a round, Cuddles will come to your aid. The bear inflicts 3 damage dice to a single opponent, ignoring armor. This ability can only be used once, and only during this quest.

The heart-shaped box was one of the things we could have gotten from the hole (1/3 chance for the gold we found, 1/3 chance for a +1 brawn/magic ring with charm, 1/3 chance for the box). The locket is more complex, I'll get to that later. On with the LP:

The center of the door is carved to resemble a needle and thread, surrounded by a circle of nine stars. From somewhere in the distance you hear the faint echo of a child's laughter, followed by a woman's lingering scream. Worried that your companions are in danger you push open the door, keen to continue your search.
The room beyond is a high-vaulted chamber. White light pours in shafts through narrow arched windows, falling on a sumptuous array of fabrics, hanging from wooden frames. To one side of the room there is a large table, covered with scraps of cloth and what you assume are patterns, drawn out on parchment. Opposite is a row of shelves, with various pots and urns jumbled on them. A plain wooden door in the east wall stands slightly ajar, leading through into another passageway.
The child's laughter rings out once again. You turn on the spot, trying to discern its direction. 'Play my games!' titters the voice. 'Paper, scissors, stone! Paper, scissors, stone!'

Will you:
Examine the scraps of cloth?
Investigate the row of shelves?
Leave via the open door?

Name: Mr. Patio
Path: Rogue
Speed: +6, Brawn: +3, Magic: +2, Armor: +3
Health: 35


Slot	Item	Speed	Brawn	Magic	Armor	Ability
Head	White Mane		+1	+1		Charm
Necklace	Blood Iron Knot				+1	Charm
Cloak	Saddle Blanket				+1
Main Hand	Rusted Knife	+1				Bleed
Left Hand	Falk's Firestarter	+1	+1			Headshot
Gloves	Dark Vein Bracers	+1
Chest	Green Blaze	+1			+1	Haste
Feet	Sailor's Sandals	+1				Surefooted
Talisman	Maker's Button	+1
Ring 1	Pins 'N' Needles					Thorns
Ring 2	Warded Wood		+1	+1


Backpack	Item
1	Pot of Healing
2	Pumpkin Squash (2 uses)
3	Mother's Medicine (2 uses)
4	Jacob's Special Mix (2 uses)
5	Pot of Speed


Safe House	Item
1	Wishing Well Coin
2	All Hallow's Ring
3	Holy Water (2 uses)
4	Angelica Wreath (ability: holy protector)

Prophecy
bones
sure blade
calling
prevail
mixer
gatherer
meadowsweet, lemongrass, and white willow
raven
duty
Map of Carvel
Handy Herbalist's Spotter's Guide
can of oil
Money Pouch: 191 Crowns

The Gaming Den

[LP] DestinyQuest 2: The Heart of Fire

What should we name our character?