Lunar: Middleground IRC RPG Session 10
Session Start: Saturday, August 10th, 1996, 19:50:57
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Characters:
Cast of Characters:
Hahn as "Gamemaster, Estyo, Galford, Caravan Man, Hahn, Nash,
Receptionist, Lemia, Mia, Rimzol, Semila"
Vecna as "Eomar"
Kenshiro as "Thesian"
Ronfar as "Davis" (Hahn as ~Davis)
Miko as "Miko"
Dragonmaster Blake as "Ebony
Nall as "Bulix"
Dragonmaster Lou as "Lou"
Iceberg as "Iceberg"
Luna as "Isis"
Mia Ausa as "Trista"
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---Upon emerging in the warrior encampment known as Nanza, a very small
and crowded village comes into view. Everyone seems to be in a state
of perpetual worry about the dark omen in the sky. Half of the
people here seem to be wizards from Vane.---
* Iceberg looks for any friends...
* Bulix rolls his eyes upon noticing the herd of wizards, and mutters,
"Wonderful..."
* Thesian eyes the wizards coolly.
* Isis is in awe..
* Miko is sleeping beside Ebony in the back of the caravan car.
* Iceberg says with tears in his eyes, "Where's Rimzol?"
Estyo: "Is... is that you, Ice...?"
Iceberg: "Estyo!!! How are you, friend?!!"
Estyo: "Iceberg! Where on Lunar have you been?! I didn't see you
during the evacuation... I got so worried. It's been 3 days!"
Iceberg: "Let me introduce you to Estyo... Here are Bulix, Lou,
Isis, Eomar, Miko, Ebony"
Lou: "Nice to meet you, Estyo!"
* Bulix nods to the wizard-type.
Estyo: "I thought everyone was here, except the Ausas and Rimzol.
Where have you been, Iceberg?! I've been lost without you!"
* Iceberg hugs Estyo. "We were teletransported by some wizard and we
appeared in the Frontier! Estyo, I have lived the most wonderful
adventure in the Frontier... I have really been in the legends'
places!"
Isis: "Estyo, can you explain what's been going on here?"
* Estyo looks at Isis. "Just one big catastrophe after another, I'm
afraid. Everyone here has gotten crabby and annoyed lately, and
they seemed more worried about where the Ausas ran off to then about
what they're going to do about all these problems. Sicknesses,
poisoned rivers, sea storms, corrupted magic; I'm afraid no one
is in good shape nowadays."
Lou: "Estyo, have you heard anything about the Dragonmaster?"
Estyo: "Only that Mel dispatched a ship to fetch Alex, and he hasn't
heard from it. I'm really worried about him..."
Lou: "I am, too. Has there been any word on anything on Caldor Isle?"
Estyo: "No one's been to Caldor Isle since the takeover. I don't know
anything."
Lou: "Thanks anyway, Estyo..."
* Miko stirs as the others converse and sits up. She nudges Ebony, but
he remains asleep.
* Bulix glances back to Miko. "You awake?"
* Miko yawns and focuses her eyes on Bulix. " Bulix... yes. Where
are we? Am I home yet?"
Iceberg: "What's the deal with Vane? Any ideas?"
Estyo: "Iceberg, there is a vile force occupying Vane right now,
holding it upside down. The effects of Vane's purity on Lunar
have been reversed because of this. Very bad news."
* Miko repeats, "Upside down..?" She moves to the back of the caravan
and looks up into the sky.
Iceberg: "Where are the Ausas and Rimzol?"
Estyo: "That's the million silver question. No one knows what happened
to the Ausas or Rimzol since the occupation."
Iceberg: "I feel very sorry... Is there any attack plan?"
Estyo: "We could find them... Heck, we could take back Vane by
ourselves right now, but all the wizards here have grown nippy and
irratable. It's impossible to get them to focus on anything!"
Lou: "Estyo, what about the Goddess's tower?"
Estyo: "The Goddess Tower has been occupied too, I'm afraid. I don't
know what we're going to do about that. Only the Ausas are allowed to
enter it now."
Lou: "This is not good... Estyo, not even the Dragonmaster, if he can
be found, can enter it?"
Estyo: "Well, certainly Dragonmaster Alex could enter it, but he's just
as missing as Mia and Nash!"
Miko: "Isis, what's going on? Where are we? Are we going to have to
fight again?"
Lou: "Looks like it, Miko."
Isis: "Miko, I'm not exactly sure where we are.. I've never been this
far west before!"
Lou: I think we're in Nanza, Miko. At least that's what the escorts
in the cave said. I've only heard about this city. Never been here."
* Miko sighs heavily. "Thanks, Lou... Isis..."
Lou: "Anytime, Miko."
Iceberg: "How is that you remain good, Estyo?"
Estyo: "Well, you know me: I don't try to get on anyone's nerves. I've
just been waiting here, hoping that you'll return to save us. If any
wizard can reclaim Vane, it's you, mighty Iceberg!"
---Estyo is pelted with a small pebble on his forehead.---
Estyo: "OUCH!"
Lou: "What was that???"
---The group hears some childish snickering from behind them.---
* Bulix whirls around toward the snickering, fists clenched.
---The group sees a small gang of three teenage wizards, led by an
ugly young man, with a mean grin on his face. He holds a long iron
sling.---
* Lou pulls out his sword, just in case. "Those guys don't look very
friendly..."
Isis: "Great.. Now we got the prepubescent hordes trying to fight us!"
* Bulix sighs. "Zit-faced wizards..."
* Thesian eyes the group casually, but his hand drifts toward his sword.
* Eomar fidgets slightly in the caravan.. "Man.. "
* Lou cleans his blade, trying to look casual, but having it ready in
case....
Iceberg: "Is he who I think he is?"
Galford: "Hey, geeks! Sorry, did I disturb your merry reunion?"
Iceberg: "GalForD?!?!?"
Galford: "I was getting to like it around here without that stupid
adopted wizard. Why did you have to come back, stupid Iceberg?"
Iceberg: "You have always a wide vocabulary... ZeroBrained..."
* Lou eyes Galford. He doesn't like it when people insult his
friends...
* Isis glares at Galford, thinking about how much she'd like to beat
the crap out of this ungrateful person..
Estyo: "Just leave us alone, you... bully! Iceberg is much smarter
and more powerful than you'll ever be!"
Galford: "Stupid, stupid Iceberg. Where have you been? Trying to save
the world or something?"
---Galford's friends laugh at Galford's insults.---
Iceberg: "I have been saving my life, finding friends, and traveling
around, Low IQ... as you were here rambling and doing nonsense...!"
Estyo: "What's your problem, anyway, Galford?! There's much more at
stake here than all these petty disputes everyone seems to be
arguing about!"
Iceberg: "Are you nuts again, Galford? Was that ice cool enough for
your hood?"
Galford: "Just so you know, Iceberg. I am NOT going to forget about
that frost trick you did. You're dead meat!"
Lou: "I don't think so, Galford..."
* Thesian looks amused at Galford's big talk.
* Bulix snarls. "Listen, Garfield, or whatever your name is. Leave
Iceberg alone. Or else..."
* Galford looks at Bulix with worry. "Is this your friend,
Iceberg...?"
* Bulix cracks his knuckles.
* Galford looks at Bulix again... "Iceberg, you... uh... know this
guy? He looks dangerous... He he..."
Iceberg: "Galford, just stay kind with us, and he will be your friend
and not your fiend..."
* Isis starts drumming her nails on her mace..
Iceberg: "Don't worry, friends... he's harmless... just a little
idiot... but fine... He was a little annoyance in Vane... Bulix,
you are pretty more intelligent than that wimp..."
* Bulix glances at Iceberg and grins. "Was that an insult or a
compliment?"
* Lou stops cleaning his blade. "Okay, Ice... If you say so..."
Galford: "Just here to warn you, stupid. I know the guy at the weapon
store over there. He got me this sling. Be very afraid, wimp!"
Lou: "Big deal, Galford. I know the Black Dragon. He gave me this
ring... What's your point?"
* Bulix laughs. "A sling? He's threatening you with a _sling_?"
Iceberg: "But see this cane..."
* Iceberg shoots a little ice spike over Galford.
Galford: "Ouch!"
* Bulix laughs.
* Galford is about to rush Iceberg, but stops when he sees Bulix
near...
Lou: "Hey, Ice, wanna see Galford dance?"
* Lou shoots a small fireball at Galford's feet.
* Galford leaps up into the air. "Yeouch! You... maniacs! I'm gonna
tell Rimzol about your creeps! Come on, boys. We're outta here."
* Galford motions his friends to follow him away.
Lou: "Hehehehehe... I needed a good laugh..."
* Galford has left.
Iceberg: "Thanks, friends... He is always joking about the fact I had
no real parents... sob, sob..."
* Trista looks around, adusts her glasses, and tries to figure out
what is happening. She is a short, young, mage with short, brown hair
and a total Mia wannabee. She has on a headband and a shirt with a
hood which has a circle on it with a M and a S stiched on it.
Estyo: "Iceberg, watch it around him. I think he's been more affected
by these dark waves of magic more than anyone. He just might be crazy
enough to back up his claims lately."
Iceberg: "Estyo, no problem with him... I have grown cleverer these
days more than any time in my life... but, Estyo, I'll be aware of
him..."
Estyo: "Wow, Iceberg. It sounds like you really had some adventure!
I'd love to hear about it. Maybe I could make it into a comic book!"
* Trista sort of smiles, waves, and paces around trying to get attention
but failing miserably.
Estyo: "Anyway, they are bringing in a lot of new equipment into the
stores around here lately, because of the dangerous atmosphere. It
might be worth checking out."
Eomar: "That sounds like a good idea since I have pretty low key
weapons.."
Lou: "Did you say new equipment? I could use some."
* Trista gets so hyped up she falls flat on her face and begins to
wail loudly. "Waaaaaaahhhh!!!
* Thesian notices the strange young woman.
* Lou looks at Trista. "Hi, Trista. How's Vane been treating you?"
Trista: "Hi!"
* Lou helps Trista up. "Been a while since you visited Saith, huh?"
* Trista smiles at Lou and giggles nerviously. "Mm...mm..mm..ee?
Lou: "You okay, there?"
* Trista smiles psychotically.
* Bulix glances at the hyper person and mutters something about red
dye...
Lou: "Trista and I go way back... Her family used to visit Saith a
lot."
* Trista has on a puffy blue skirt and brown boots. Her earrings
jingle and she tries to steady her glasses as she trips all over
Lunar.
* Thesian offers Trista his hand. "Nice to meet you. Name's Thesian."
Trista: "Hi!"
Iceberg: "Hi, Trista, are you going to stay with us long?"
Lou: "Hey, who wants to hit the equipment stores? I think I could use
some decent armor..."
* Iceberg looks for Vane's shop. "Is here any magic shop?"
* Trista waves at Davis, beliving she knows him. "Uhhh....Ronny?"
* Miko is still in the carriage, picking the dried seeds off of her
circus flower so that she might plant them later on as she had
promised the flower woman she would. She seems to be keeping to
herself and not paying attention to what the others are doing...
Lou: "You okay there, Miko? What's wrong?"
Miko: "Lou, I'm okay."
Lou: "You sure? You seem kinda down."
Miko: "Kinda down, Lou? Well, I guess... but I'm okay."
Lou: "You sure, Miko?"
* Miko nods to Lou, hops out of the carriage and begins to wander
around the village, stretching and getting some fresh air while
the others go and shop.
* Iceberg is talking with Estyo, telling him the wonder of this *fairy
tale* we have lived.
---The equipment stores seem rather popular.---
The weapon store offers:
Saber 100s
Iron Axe 125s
Flame Wand 50s
Priest Wand 50s
Iron Sling 50s
The armor store offers:
Carapace Vest 50s
Carapace Armor 60s
Chain Shirt 75s
Chain Mail 100s
Tin Headgear 25s
Leather Helmet 20s
Chain Cowl 30s
Carapace Shield 75s
Trista: "Damn! I wish I wasn't always so broke!"
* Thesian notices Trista again, as if for the first time. "Trista, if
you don't like being short of cash, treasure hunting's always a good
prospect. That's how I got interested in the business."
Trista: "I like tresure hunting... but I'm not a very powerful mage,
and all I can fight with is this bow of mine!! *sniff* sniff* I
want a pony, but I don't have enough for a pony..."
Davis: "A pony?"
* Iceberg makes appear an ice pony for Trista... "Cool, or not?"
* Trista tries to pet her pony. "Very cool...in fact, I think it's
freezing!"
Iceberg: "The pony is alive, but he is melting because the hot
atmosphere..."
Lou: "Nice trick, Ice. Too bad I can't do cool stuff like that with
fire..."
Trista: "Thank god! I couldn't pet a fire pony!"
Lou: "...But it was good at making Galford dance!"
* Bulix doesn't see much of anything at the shops to interest him, so
decides to keep an eye out for the little moron.
* Miko decides to hang out with Bulix and Ebony near the carriage car.
She says to Bulix as she tries unsucessfully to awaken Ebony again,
"Bulix, I hope Ebony is okay. He's been sleeping like that ever since
he told us that stuff about being a dragon..."
* Davis makes a joke about sleeping like a dragon.
* Bulix nods. "Well, Miko.. he's breathing and his heart is beating,
right?"
* Miko gets close to Ebony's face and remains very still. "Yes... He's
still breathing. I guess he's okay."
Lou: "Well, nothing felt wrong with my ring, and it's linked to
Ebony somehow, so that helps comfirm it, Miko."
* Miko continues to watch Ebony as he sleeps.
Lou: "By the way, Miko, is your village a fishing village?"
Miko: "Lou, we have a big river full of fish there."
Davis: "Miko, and no Ebony, weird..."
Lou: "Miko, but are you close enough to the sea to sail across it if
needed?"
Miko: "Lou... I'm not sure..."
Lou: "Well Miko, can I take a boat across the sea from your village
if I needed too? I heard that I may not be able to leave from
Meribia..."
Miko: "Lou, you've been a good friend to me. You're welcome in my
village anytime."
Lou: "Thanks, Miko."
* Miko looks around for some water. Maybe she can catch a fish and wave
it back and forth in front of Ebony's nose to wake him up...
* Davis giggles.
* Bulix glances over at Ebony. "I guess I really don't need to make
sure those circus people get at him anymore, do I? He can take care
of himself now, I'd guess..."
Lou: "Well, Bulix, I'd still watch out for him, just in case they
get lucky."
Trista: "People used to say I belonged in a circus..."
Lou: "Why was that, Trista?"
* Trista wails again.
* Davis looks as one of Ebony's eyes opens up. "Welcome back, Ebony.
You've had quite a nap."
Isis: "What a sleepy head!"
Ebony: "Am not!"
Lou: "Have a nice nap, Ebony?"
Ebony: "Huh? What? Why is everyone looking at me?"
Davis: "You've been asleep for the past gosh knows how long!"
* Ebony look embarrased and rubs his eyes. "Why didn't anyone wake me
up?"
Miko: "Don't worry, Ebony. You didn't sleep through anything
interesting. The others are still buying things."
* Ebony yawns. "I think I woke up too early..."
Lou: "Well, I guess I'd like the carapace armor. Chain mail is best,
but too pricy..."
Thesian: "You need to beef up defenses, Lou. Take a couple
different things..."
Lou: Can I get the carapace armor and shield then? Wait, that's more
than the chain mail... How much will you allow me to spend?"
Iceberg: "Well, Lou, they're yours..."
* Ebony shifts his weight back and forth from paw to paw, bored.
Lou: "Okay, if no one objects, I'll get the carapace armor and shield."
Thesian: "Lou, that's cool with me."
Lou: "Thanks."
---Lou has acquired Carapace Armor and Carapace Shield.---
* Eomar needs a carapace vest. He only has a leather vest..
Iceberg: "Well, Eomar, get it!"
---Eomar acquires Carapace Vest. Eomar's Hardleather Vest is sold for
10 silver.---
Davis: "I would prefer to purchase that Tin Headgear."
Thesian: "I'd like one too. They're pretty cheap."
---Davis and Thesian acquire Tin Headgear.---
* Davis rids himself of his Headband onto the armor dealer.
---Headband sold for 2 silver.---
* Ebony walks a foot, turns, walks a foot, turns, walks a foot...
Isis: "Miko.. would you like to make your skills better?"
* Miko looks over at Isis from the carriage. "Isis, no thank you. I
don't feel like it."
Lou: "You sure there, Miko?
Miko: "Yes, I'm sure, Lou."
Lou: "Okay, Miko, just double checking..."
Iceberg: "Miko, your brother needs your help... So I will not continue
until you practice skills now...!"
Miko: "Iceberg, I'm not in the mood to practice..."
Lou: "Come on Miko, we need all the skills we can get!"
* Iceberg takes Miko by the horns to the Skill Shop...
* Miko kicks and screams as Iceberg drags her by the horns.
* Iceberg is not affected by the kicks. He knows he is doing the right
thing...
* Trista cries: "Waaaaaa!! I don't have any skills! I'm a mage from
Vane that sucks with MMAAAGGGIICCC!! *SNIFF* *SNIFF* WHAT USE IS
THAT!?!!"
* Bulix glances in confusion. "Magic sucks?"
Trista: "Oh fine! Laugh at me! Everyone does! *waaaa* I'm just a
mess!!"
Lou: "Don't worry, Trista..."
* Ebony wonders who Trista is...
* Trista cries a lot then trips and falls on the ground, losing her
glasses.
* Lou isn't laughing. "Come on, Trista. I've known you too long to
laugh at you."
Trista: "You....you wouldn't??"
Lou: "We've been old friends, remember? Since your family visited
Saith."
* Trista fidgets. "Um...well... I'm not a cry-baby.... Really!"
* Thesian puts a hand on Trista's shoulder reassuringly. "It's okay.
You'll get better at it, I'm sure."
* Trista sniffs in realization of the people around her and rushes into
the Bar in Nanza. She angrily rushes out when she realizes she's not
old enough to drink..
* Lou puts his hand on Trista's shoulder. "It's okay, Trista..."
Trista: "Well...I didn't even want a drink.... There's just nothin' to
do 'round here."
Davis: "Trista, tell me about it. Been there, done that... "
Trista: "Poor Nash and Mia....I wonder where they are..."
Lou: "I'm sure they are okay, Trista."
Trista: "You think so?"
Iceberg: "Nash and Mia are the greatest magicians in Vane... Even
Rimzol is with them... there should be no problem there... I
hope..."
Lou: "Yeah, they're accomplished magcians. They can take care of
themselves."
Trista: "Yeah... unlike me!!! Wahahahahahahahaaaaaa!"
Lou: "Hey, don't worry about it, Trista. You always got me and my
friends, too. Right, guys?"
* Trista whines so much she drops her glasses, now blind as a bat.
* Lou picks up Trista's glasses. "Here you go."
* Trista smiles. "Thanks...."
Thesian: "Your glasses are on upside down, Trista."
Trista: "I'm starved! Too bad Vane's in this mess... I loved the food
there.... Is Black Rose Street still up?"
Lou: "Trista, I might be heading to Meribia to get a boat back to
Saith..."
* Ebony sighs. "Humans... Everything is complicated..."
* Bulix nods. "I agree, Ebony. Those humans are real.... Hey.. Wait a
minute!"
Lou: "Well, are we ready to get this show on the road, or do we still
have business here?"
Trista: "Waaaaaaaa!! I wish I could go, too! Well... if you have to go,
buh bye..."
* Trista hops over to say her goodbyes, then falls on her face.
* Lou helps Trista back up.
* Trista grabs her glasses.
Lou: "Hey, Trista, once this is all over, I'll stop by to visit ya at
Black Rose Street, okay?"
Trista: "Okay!!"
Lou: "Don't forget to visit Saith when you can, either, Trista!"
Trista: "Oh.... uh... yea... uhh.. heh.."
Estyo: "Until Vane is restored, nothing will get better."
Lou: "Estyo, well, we are working to restore Vane."
Iceberg: "So, we have nothing to do against those imps... Are you going
to join us, Estyo? I'd like you to come with us..."
Estyo: "Iceberg, I'm not nearly as brave and strong as you. I wouldn't
be any help."
* Iceberg looks at Estyo with a gaze of friendship... "Please Estyo...
I like you being by my side..."
Estyo: "Iceberg, are you being driven mad, too? The mighty Iceberg does
not need anyone's help. He is omnipotent!"
* Ebony doesn't know what's going on, sits near Miko looking confused.
Eomar: "You know.. wasn't there someplace we were supposed to be
going?"
* Isis thinks we should all be heading along...
Lou: "So, we ready to go?"
* Davis is ready.
* Bulix is ready.
Lou: "Miko?"
Miko: "Hi, Lou. You wanted me?"
Bulix: "Lou wants Miko? Ummm........"
Lou: "I don't think Ebony would approve of that..."
Thesian: "Bulix!!! No 'Star Chamber' stuff right now! We've got work
to do!!"
* Bulix whistles _VERY_ innocently.
Lou: "Just making sure you're okay there, Miko."
Miko: "Oh, okay, Lou. I guess I'm just distracted... I didn't realize
everyone was so worried about me."
Lou: "Hey, I'm the kind of guy that worries!"
* Ebony doesn't mention that he's always worried about her...
Lou: "Time to hit the adventure road!"
* Thesian starts humming. "No, not the Lightning, dammit! Wrong tune.
I was humming "Adventure Road!"
---The caravan starts to move...---
* Bulix rolls his eyes in annoyance as the caravan starts without him.
Trista: "Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!"
Lou: "Bye, Trista! See you back at Black Rose Street! Take care of
yourself!"
Trista: "I'll......I'll try..."
Lou: "You'll do just fine, Trista. I know it!"
* Trista sniffs, wishing she could be part of you adventures. "Oh well.
I'll be watching you....wherever..."
Lou: "Okay, Trista. Bye for now!"
Trista: "Bye! Tootle-loo!"
* Thesian waves to Trista and smiles.
* Iceberg waves to Estyo. "Hope to see you soon! Take care of
GaldForD!"
Lou: "Later, Estyo."
* Estyo waves to Iceberg as the caravan leaves Nanza.
* Bulix finally catches up to the caravan and jumps on.
Lou: "So, where's our next stop?"
Ebony: "Lann, the town of fresh fish!"
* Bulix laughs. "To Lann, and fish. Eh, Ebony?"
---The caravan emerges in the plains and forests of Katarina as an
ominous shadow of Vane covers the landscape. The caravan follows
the road north...---
* Ebony looks out the window.
* Bulix glances up into the sky. "Yikes."
Lou: "Yeesh, this is certainly not a pretty sight..."
* Iceberg can't keep his look at a profaned Vane and cries a little
ice tear...
Lou: "Hey, it's okay, Ice. I'm worried about Saith myself right now.
I mean, if that happened to Vane, what would happen to a small
fishing town like Saith?"
Iceberg: "Lou, thanks..."
Lou: "Anytime, Iceman."
Ebony: "So you people were there when that happened, huh? Too bad I
wasn't with you then. With proper leadership, you could have
prevented all this."
* Bulix glances at Ebony. "Mascot duty?"
* Ebony hmphs. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten past
the Frontier! You all would be lost without me!"
* Bulix rolls his eyes. "If it weren't for us, you'd be called
'Puffy-puff' and be living in Marke!"
Ebony: "Well, uh... so you guys help me, too..."
Iceberg: "Ebony... Don't make tell you where we will be without you,
dear..."
Ebony: "That's what friends are for, right?"
Lou: "Right."
---The caravan picks up speed and rushes through the beautful
landscape. It goes peacefully along and a large lake is seen
barely over the horizon. The lake is seen with a small village
on the edge and what appears to be a tall rocky island in the
center.---
Lou: "Whoa, check out the lake!"
* Miko moves to the window. "Lou, really? A lake?"
Lou: "Really, Miko."
Ebony: "What's that? Is that Lann?"
Lou: "I think so. I heard it was near a lake."
* Isis would like to swim.
* Eomar would like to watch Isis swim!
Ebony: "Is that Dragonmaster Zoc's island?"
Lou: "I think so."
* Ebony looks out the window, not realizing he yet again said
something that he has no idea about...
Lou: "Ebony, you think you may be getting old dragon memories or
something?"
Ebony: "Huh?"
* Bulix laughs. "Ebony? Senile?"
Ebony: "Maybe that's why I'm always saying weird stuff... I just wish
I knew stuff, instead of stuff just popping out."
---The village gets larger as the caravan approaches... It slows down
as it approaches the town's entrance. The caravan stops next to a
large log building near the entrance.---
* Iceberg is guessing if there will be any singer here...
* Miko hops out of the car and prepares to head over to the lake.
* Ebony flutters out after Miko.
* Lou hops out as well. "Careful, Miko. The seas are rough, and this
lake might be as well."
* Miko laughs. "Oh, Lou. It's not rough! Look at it!" She heads toward
the lake.
Lou: "You're right, Miko. I guess not."
* Isis would like to go test the water.. so she runs out towards the
lake..
* Miko shouts, "Ebony, let's go look for fish!" as she runs to the lake.
* Ebony lands near the lake. "Fish!"
* Lou heads over toward the lake, too. "Reminds me of home..."
* Ebony peers into the water. "Fish?"
---The familiar caravan man approaches the car.---
Caravan Man: "Well, here we are on our final stop. This is the fishing
village of Lann. We'll be leaving tomorrow for Tamur, beautiful
village in sightseeing distance from the elegant Blue Waterfalls of
Stadius. You can catch up with us tomorrow if you're headed that
way."
Thesian: "My home..."
Lou: "Thesian, you're from Lann?"
Thesian: "No, Lou. I'm from Tamur."
Lou: "Oh, okay, my mistake, Thesian."
Thesian: "That's okay, Lou."
* Isis sometimes wonders about her home..
Iceberg: "Let me know... We're in Lann, and after here, where to?"
Lou: "Ice, Meribia or Miko's home perhaps?"
Caravan Man: "This large log building here in Lann Inn, well-known for
its wilderness comforts. I suggest you at least rest inside for a
bit from that long trip. They serve many kinds of local fish inside."
Eomar: "Anybody as hungry as I am?"
Lou: "Ebony, you hear that? The inn has fish!"
Ebony: All right! Food... Fish... Fish food..."
---The inn seems to be a nice place to rest your feet and heads after
such a long journey.---
Lou: "So, want to hit the inn?"
Thesian: "The inn sounds great! I could stand to stretch my legs and
have a mug or two."
* Isis runs into the water flinging her saber off of her and kicking
her shoes off..
* Lou runs into the water as well, and cools off.
* Ebony dips a wing in the water and splashes Miko.
Miko: "Ahhhh! Ebony!"
* Ebony giggles.
* Miko jumps into the lake and starts splashing water all over Ebony.
Ebony: "Ack!"
* Ebony shakes himself off and flies up.
* Miko jumps up, grabs Ebony out of the air, and pushes him completely
under the water.
Ebony: "She- "
* Ebony flutters back to the surface with his wings.
* Bulix shakes his head at the people in the lake, then laughs.
* Lou dives underwater, and comes back up for air.
* Iceberg goes into the inn, picks up some shorts, and goes immediately
inside the lake! "Yahoo!!!"
* Isis yells, "DEPTH CHARGE!" and curls up into a ball and splashes
everyone near her..
* Lou is soaked by Isis' splash. "Hey!!!!"
* Miko giggles. "Isis!"
* Iceberg says, "Isis! No!" as she gets totally wet by Isis' second
splash, and third... and fourth...
* Isis resurfaces and giggles.. "Sorry, I couldn't help it!"
Lou: "It's okay, Isis."
* Ebony stops flapping and falls into the water once again, splashing
Miko.
* Miko shrieks as she is being assaulted from all sides, "Ebony! Not
again!"
* Ebony swims to the surface, grinning.
* Thesian shrugs... "What the hell..." strips down to polka-dot trunks,
and runs for the water.
* Bulix walks over to the lake, a safe distance from the splashing
maniacs, and sits down, staring out into it.
* Eomar slooowly gets into the water... grinning ear to ear...
* Ebony swims in circles around Miko on his back using his wings.
Lou: "Hehehe, nice trick, Ebony."
Ebony: "Thanks, Lou. I have many talents."
Lou: "No prob, Ebony."
Ebony: "Who's got the soap from Reza?"
* Iceberg looks for a little soap...
Thesian: "Here we go with the fountain scene...or at least pond
scene..."
Hahn: "Yeah, those springs were just an excuse to sneak in some
soft-core pornography."
Thesian: "I'm almost afraid to see what they do in the
director's cut!"
---The sleazy saxophone music sets in...---
* Nash appears, "He he. Mia won't go to magic school now that she's
seen MY magic rod! He he..." and disappears
* Thesian laughs. "Oh, my Goddess! Here come the impaling jokes
again..."
Bulix: "Hahn.. That's it! Organ donor time!"
* Eomar sinks down into the water until he is totally underwater..
Suddenly, Lou feels something tugging on his leg..
* Lou shakes his leg. "What the...? What the heck is that...?"
* Bulix begins to drift off, staring out over a peaceful section of
the lake.
* Ebony splashes everyone. "Ebony, the undefeated!"
Lou: "Hey!!!!"
* Lou splashes Ebony back.
* Eomar pulls Isis under the water.
* Isis comes back up gasping for air.. "Ack! gag.. you...
stupid!" She smacks Eomar and dunks him.. then strides out of the
lake..
* Eomar gets up and gets out, too.
* Bulix falls asleep sitting up, and tips over into the lake. He gasps
as he sucks in a lungfull of water, and starts coughing. "*cough*
AUgh! *cough*"
* Miko glances over upon hearing the splash. "What was that..?"
* Bulix climbs out of the lake, soaking wet, grumbling to himself, and
coughing.
Lou: "You okay there, Bulix?"
* Bulix glances over at Lou. "Huh? oh, yeah. dozed off and fell in."
Lou: "Don't you hate it when that happens?"
* Bulix nods and slicks back his hair, then notices his headband
floating in the water. "Dang." He sighs, and fishes the dumb thing
out.
* Lou gets out of the water, wanting to check out the inn.
* Miko starts to shiver. "Iceberg, are you making the water cold?"
Ebony: "Hey, Points, turn off the ice machine!"
Iceberg: "Miko, Ebony, no, just I'm *hot* and now the water is making
me recover my coolness!"
* Ebony splashes Ice. "Take that!"
* Iceberg freezes Ebano's tail... Just a little...
Ebony: "Eek!"
* Ebony swims in circles, trying to get away from the coldness behind
him. "Coldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcoldcold..."
* Thesian shivers a bit, and figures it's time to go have a drink.
* Miko whispers to Ebony as she steps out of the lake, shivering, "I
still think Iceberg did something to the water to get the lake all to
himself."
* Iceberg swims under the water... "Love this feeling of freedom
inside the water..."
Lou: "This place reminds me of home. What about you, Miko?"
Miko: "Lou, me, too. I can't remember feeling this happy since I left
home."
Lou: "I think we needed that."
* Thesian, mysteriously dry now, walks into the inn.
* Ebony climbs out the water and shakes himself off... wetting
everyone again.
* Iceberg exits from water... as wet as a river... Smiling with new
strength... Forgetting all worries and troubles...
* Ebony flaps water off his wings and takes to the air. "Well, Miko,
they have fish at the inn! Let's go see!"
* Miko follows Ebony to the inn. "Okay, Ebony."
* Isis goes into the inn.
* Bulix 'gyeeuwa' to catch up with everyone.
---The inn seems rather quiet, but comfortable. It is dry and warm
inside and smells strongly of pine. A small receptionist greets
you.---
Thesian: "Receptionist? Is this the Hilton?"
Receptionist: "Hello, folks! Room #3 is open now. You should find
plenty of towels inside."
* Iceberg enters the Inn... "I'll go up to put on my robe... I am
almost nude..."
* Miko wrings the water out of her gown while in the reception area.
After soaking the floor, she looks up guiltily and tries to spread
the water out with her foot so that it evaporates more quickly.
Ebony: "Where's the fish? I haven't had a good meal since... Isis'
house."
Receptionist: "Each room has a complimentary bowl of fish."
Ebony: "Room Three!"
Lou: "You hear that? Let's hit Room Three!"
* Ebony is a black streak towards Room Three.
* Miko runs up the stairs.
* Lou heads up to the room.
---Room #3 is open, and inviting. Upon entering Room #3, you notice the
beds are made nicely and the cabinets clean, but the bowl on the
counter is empty and all the towel racks are empty.---
Thesian: "What, no little chocolates on the pillow?"
Lou: "What the? No fish? No towels? What gives?"
* Ebony scopes the room for the fish.
---It appears the maid service hasn't been here yet.---
* Ebony lands on the bed. "Drat."
Lou: "Figures..."
Ebony: "Wow, a bed! There's a concept!"
* Ebony lies on his back on the bed. "Ahhhhhhhhh..."
Lou: "Comfy, Eb?"
Iceberg: "I'm wet and no towels here! Receptionist! Come here in a
minute!"
Receptionist: "Yes? What's the trouble?"
Lou: "Umm, there's no fish or towels here, miss..."
Iceberg: "Problem?! Where's are our towels... !"
Receptionist: "Oh, dear. Well, the maid service should be around
later today. Perhaps you could see if any of the other people here
have some extra ones you could borrow."
---Rooms 4 and 5 are nearby.---
Lou: "Okay, who wants to check with the neighbors for a towel? I'll
hit #4."
* Isis just decides to sit on the floor for now..
* Miko sits on the windowsill of and dries out in the warm air while
the others investigate the inn.
* Ebony stays on the bed.
* Thesian wanders down the hall, looking for a spot to have a drink.
* Iceberg enters room #2 trying to get a towel... "Any girl?"
---Room #2 is locked tight, and there is no answer.---
* Lou knocks on the door of #4.
* Iceberg enters room #4 trying to get a towel... "Any girl?"
---Room #4 is locked, and a knock doesn't summon anyone.---
Lou: "Okay, I'll try #5."
* Lou knocks on the door of #5.
---There are voices coming inside of from #5. "... Yes? Who is
it?! Who are you?"---
Lou: "Hi, I'm a couple rooms down. Got any towels we can borrow by
any chance?"
---The door slowly opens and the group is surprised to see the mature
face of Lemia Ausa. She has been crying recently.---
Lemia: "W... What did you want?"
Lou: "Are you okay??? Sorry to disturb you. Hmm, you look familiar
though..."
Iceberg: "Lemia!!"
Lou: "Ice, this is Lemia???? Sorry to bother you, Lemia... My
apologies..."
Lemia: "You... you're Rim... Rimzol's student, correct? He's here!
He's been worried sick about you! Who are these people with you?"
Iceberg: "What are you doing here, your highness!?"
Lemia: "Perhaps my daughter can explain better. Please come in,
friends."
Iceberg: "At your feet. What are you doing here? I was very worried!"
* Lou walks into the room.
* Isis goes in.
* Bulix heads into the room, still dripping a tad.
Rimzol: "Why... it's... it's Bulix! Bulix, it's you! And Iceberg is
with you! Ah, I'm so happy I could die!"
* Bulix laughs. "Rimzol, don't. You dropping dead now would be a tad
inconvinient."
Iceberg: "Master.... You're here... I'm so happy... Please... Thank
Goddess Althena we found you..."
Rimzol: "Bulix, I was sick to death of worry! But I knew you could
protect my brightest student! I knew you could! I'm so proud of you,
boy! Where in the bloody hell have you two been?! I thought we had
lost you in all the recent trouble..."
* Bulix sighs. "The Frontier... Long story..."
* Rimzol pops a cork. "FRONTIER?! What in tarnation are you talking
about, Bulix?!"
Iceberg: "Rizmol, yes we got teletransported there... It has been a
difficult travel, though..."
Rimzol: "Iceberg, you have some story to tell me when we get home!"
Iceberg: "Some story... but all my life about... It was amazing with
all these friends with me!"
* Miko is still with Ebony in room #3, sitting in the window and
looking out over Lann. "Ebony, this is my favorite place we have been
to so far."
* Ebony threatens to nod off again. "It is nice, Miko."
* Lou yells out. "Hey Miko and Ebony, we're here in room #5. Come see
who else is here!"
Ebony: "That means I have to move! Darn it, just when I got
comfortable!"
* Miko slides off of the windowsill and walks down the hall until she
sees Lou. "Coming, Lou!"
* Ebony grumbles and flutters down the hall.
---Mia and Nash are in the corner of the room, holding Semila.---
Ebony: "Wow, it's like a wizard convention in here!"
* Iceberg feels impressed with so many wizards here!
Mia: "Who... who is here, mother?"
* Lou looks over in the corner. "Are you...???"
* Isis just stares along, thinking about this awkward moment..
* Ebony flutters around Mia and Nash. "You guys are real powerful, you
know that? Cute kid."
* Semila looks up at Ebony: "Gufu... gufu..."
* Ebony amuses the baby. "Hey kid, goo gah?"
Lou: "So, are you two Mia and Nash???"
* Miko whispers to Lou, pointing at Mia and Nash. "Yes. I remember
them from when Davis took me to Vane. He said that she was the...
leader of Vane... or the Guild... or something like that."
* Ebony wishes he hadn't forgotten his autograph book.
Lou: "I'm honored to meet all of you, Lemia, Mia, Nash, and child."
* Ebony looks at Nash. "What's with the hair?"
Nash: "Eh...?"
Lou: "Don't mind him, Nash. I think Nall was the same, wasn't he?"
* Miko whispers to Ebony as she points to Rimzol, "I remember him, too.
He called us simpletons."
* Ebony looks over Rizmol. "Really?"
Rimzol: "Bulix, Iceberg, who are all these others with you? Friends?"
* Bulix nods. "That's Ebony, Lou, Davis, Miko, Thesian, Isis, Eomar.."
Ebony: "I'm Ebony. Nice ta meet ya!"
Lou: "My name is Lou. I grew up in Saith, and knew Alex pretty well
from the Goddess festivals."
* Isis nods. "Hi, I'm Isis.. "
* Eomar winks. "I'm Eomar.."
Mia: "You're not here to... kill us like the others, are you?"
* Bulix huhs? "What? Kill you?"
Lou: "No, of course not. We're just here to borrow towels, actually."
Iceberg: "Leader of the Guild, Mia, no! We're friends..."
Ebony: "Relax um... Mia.. We're the good guys."
* Bulix looks confused. "You people.. you're.. well.. wizard-types,
aren't you? Mia and Nash? Who the heck could kill you people?"
Mia: "By Althena, what has happened to blessed Vane...? All of its
wizards have called a blood hunt on my family. It appears my decade
anniversary speech didn't go over well with them, but I sense their
minds have been poisoned... "
Lou: "You serious, Mia? That would explain why they acted as rudely
as they did in Nanza."
Ebony: "It's like this, Mia... Vane's magic is all screwy because,
well... It's upside down. That's probably affecting Vane people."
Nash: "Fellows, what is the meaning of your visit? Are you here as
allies? To aid us in our cause?"
* Bulix nods. "I'd say so, Nash."
Lou: "Nash, you bet! Caldor Isle has a long tradition of adventures I
gotta uphold!"
* Isis would like to help wherever we can..
Nash: "Well, not that I need help with anything I fight for. After all,
I *am* Nash, but your help is appreciated nonetheless."
* Lou turns to Ebony. "Yep, he's really Nash, all right!"
* Iceberg feels confident... "With all these wizards here, we are sure
going to kick some ass!"
* Bulix bonks Iceberg.
Iceberg: "Bulix! You're supposed to take care of me! Not bonk me!"
Lou: "Mia, Nash, can I ask you something?"
Nash: "Sure, lad."
Lou: "Do you know where Alex is by any chance? Some weird things that
happened on the way here leads up to believe finding him is paramount
in stopping this evil. Nash, do you have any idea where he is?"
* Nash bows his head. "No, there is no word yet from our friend, Alex."
Lou: "What about Caldor Island then, Nash? Both he and I call it home,
and I'm worried..."
Nash: "The wild sea storms prevent any travel to Caldor. There seems
to be a never ending tempest since the occupation."
Bulix: "So there's no way over at all?"
Lou: "Bulix, well, if we're desperate enough, we can swim. Has anyone
tried magic of transfer to get there, Nash?"
Nash: "No, we don't dare attempt magic of transfer until we have a
better idea of what's over there."
Lou: "But would it at least get you there, Nash?"
Nash: "Boy, I understand your passion, but really, there's nothing I
can do to help you. You'll have to wait until the storms die
down... if they die down."
Lou: "But what if they don't, Nash? Someone has to find out what
happened to Alex! It might be the only way to stop this!"
Ebony: "Well, my father said we need to find Alex first. He said Alex
is in trouble, but if the storms are being caused by what has
happened to Vane, then they won't stop until Vane is fixed. Easy,
huh?"
Lou: "Very easy... now the hard part... How do we fix Vane?"
* Isis is off in her own world, daydreaming about all this..
* Thesian wanders into the room, staggering a little bit, with a
lopsided smile on his face. "Hi, guys! Whash thish?"
* Miko studies Thesian carefully. "Thesian... Are you okay..?"
* Thesian straightens himself up with great care. "Of coursh I'm
ok...okay. Whose thesh wiszhards?"
Iceberg: "Thesian, what is inside your mouth?"
* Isis thinks Thesian is talking with marbles in his mouth.
* Bulix rolls his eyes. "Thes.. You drunk?"
* Thesian looks unsteadily at Bulix. "He-hey Bulix? Wanna go gedda
drink?"
* Bulix grabs Thesian by the shoulders and shakes him. "Snap out of
it!"
* Thesian claps Bulix on the shoulder. "They godda best brew here in
5 cities."
* Bulix sighs. "You're drunk, Thes..."
* Mia rocks Semila back and forth while trying to comfort her.
Lou: "How old is your daughter?"
Mia: " She's 6 months today, actually, but I'm afraid she's
caught that... sickness that's going around. I'm doing my best to
heal her, but she still has a rampant fever... Every time I
heal her, it seems that more magic comes to counterract my spells
and hurt her more. I don't know how much more of this I can take.
I can't lose her... I simply can't."
Lou: "I'm sorry to hear that, Mia..."
* Ebony lands on a table. "Maybe Miko can help... Your magic is
mostly offensive."
* Mia looks up at Ebony. "My magic is... offensive? What?"
Ebony: "Oh sure. Attack spells, not healing type. You know how it
goes."
Isis: "Miko, do you think you could help her baby?"
* Miko walks over to Mia and looks at the baby. "I... I can try. I
have healed people before.... but... I'm still not sure how."
Ebony: "You can do it, Miko!"
Lou: "Go, Miko!"
Eomar: "Miko.. give in to the peer pressure!"
* Mia looks up at Miko. " No, miss. I'm sorry. It seems that
healing magic is having an opposite effect on this illness than it
should."
Lou: "I'm so sorry Mia..."
* Bulix glances at Mia. "Healing magic hurts? Would that mean that..
damaging magic would help?"
Ebony: "Bulix... I don't think that would be smart to try."
* Bulix nods. "True..."
* Miko steps back from Mia and Semila. "You mean... healing will hurt
her..?"
Ebony: "Hey Mia, Miko has been healing people lots... even since this
Vane thing. Maybe just Vane magic is messed up."
Mia: "No... This illness. It's so strange, it seems to be coming from
the corrupted Vane. I don't think anything any magic can do will cure
her... ..."
Ebony: "For the leader of Vane you don't know it all! Our magic is
fine! Why, just today we fought a bunch of thieves!"
Lou: "But I don't think we used the magic against this disease yet,
Ebony. Maybe it's something limited to this disease?"
Ebony: "Um... well, yeah, Lou..."
Mia: "This illness... there's something different about it. It
responds reversely to magic. I'm sure it's coming from Vane. The
first cases appeared shortly after the occupation."
* Miko becomes suddenly pale. "Ebony, what if Sebastian has the same
disease... What if..."
Mia: "Poor girl... you know someone with this illness as well?"
* Miko looks at Mia. "Yes, I do... I thought I would be able to help
him, but now I don't know what to do... I... I'm... scared..."
Ebony: "Yes, what about Miko's brother? If magic doesn't help, what do
we do? If Miko's brother has it, we can't help him... What about
herbs?"
Lou: "Ebony, we might be able to help him if we find the source of the
illness and destroy it."
Mia: "All of my efforts to help Semila come to naught. These incessant
waves of anti-magic coming from Vane keep reinforcing the disease...
"
* Semila coughs.
* Miko stares worriedly at Mia's baby.
Ebony: "Poor baby..."
Lou: "It's okay, Mia. We're trying to find a cure."
* Ebony looks serious. "We will stop this. We will help your child...
and Miko's brother, too."
Mia: "If Vane were to be restored... then the sea, the poison rivers
near Tamur, the wizards' madness, the sickness... it would all become
better!"
Lou: "I think we just found a goal!"
* Thesian peers at the strange group, trying to make sense out of what
they are saying... If only they would stop spinning around the room
and settle down...
* Bulix glances at Thesian. "Anyone have a bucket of cold water?"
Lou: "Well, maybe I can melt some ice Iceberg creates..."
* Iceberg freezes some water and passes it to Bulix...
* Lou just barely thaws the water with fire magic...
* Bulix dumps the ice water on Thesian. "Snap outta it!"
Thesian: "Aaahhh! Hey!!"
* Thesian shakes his head, dripping wet again, and shivers. "Brr! I
think I drank a little more than I needed. What's going on?"
* Miko walks over to Thesian. "Thesian? Are you sick, too..?"
* Thesian shakes his head. "I'll be all right...just a little cold,
that's all."
Iceberg: "If even those great, powerful and intelligent wizards can't
do a thing... How us?!"
Lou: "We can't give up, Ice! We just can't..."
Nash: "We've been trying to find a way to reclaim Vane. We have
devised a plan, but we don't have enough manpower to carry it out.
We must remain here and watch after Semila, and the Vane wizards are
all high-strung on killing Mia."
* Isis snaps out of her dreams.. "Nash, why don't you let us help you?"
* Thesian's teeth are chattering. "W-we st-st-still need t-to
h-h-help M-m-Miko..."
* Miko looks from Thesian to the others and nods repeatedly.
Lou: "Nash, what's the plan? Maybe we can carry that out..."
* Ebony smacks Lou.
Lou: "What was that for, Ebony???"
Ebony: "We have to find Alex first, remember?"
Lou: "Oh, yeah, but we may need to do that just to get to him."
Ebony: "We worry about that later! My father said finding Alex is the
most immediate thing to do! Find Alex! Baby steps..."
Lou: "Ebony, well then, if we don't restore Vane, how do you suppose
we can get to Caldor to look for Alex? I mean, I want to find him,
too. He is my childhood hero."
Ebony: "Okay, okay fine! I don't know, but how are we supposed to fix
Vane, huh? Even if we teleport there, you wingless guys will go
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee splat!"
Rimzol: "We have a plan. It's quite clever, and only needs a handful
of skilled people to carry out, but we have no one that will join our
fight. The Vane wizards are no help, and we can't leave Semila here."
Iceberg: "Well, Master, we will do whatever you think... We are quite
skilled, don't you think?"
* Rimzol looks at Iceberg intensely. "Yes, Iceberg. You make me so
proud."
* Iceberg shows Rizmol his new spells and Chill Cane.
Bulix: "I'll help.. though I doubt I'll be able to... much."
Nash: "You... You people would help us reclaim Vane? Do you have a
personal stake in this matter?"
Ebony: "Yeah, it's our world, Nash. Personal enough for you?"
Bulix: "Well.. even though I don't really have any place in Vane, it
_is_ my hometown..."
Isis: "Nash, I do not think we need a personal stake in this.. I think
we only need the willingness to help.."
* Thesian stares at Nash hard (perhaps a little to hard, trying to
concentrate). "We can work together, Nash. We have a common interest
*and* the willingness to help."
Rimzol: "Well, our plan involves this: Vane is a magical island of
powerful relics. One such is Althena's Mirror. If this mirror is used
in a ceremony in the Star Chamber atop the Crystal Tower, it would
emit a blazing light that would force all vile tribesmen away and
return Vane to its rightful position."
Lou: "Uh oh..."
Bulix: "NO! NO STARCHAMBER!"
Ebony: "No no no, ANYTHING but that!"
Isis: "Hehe.. I know what happens in the Star Chamber!!"
Iceberg: "Star Chamber... Uh oh..."
* Thesian surreptiously smacks Iceberg with a snowball.
* Iceberg uses Thesian's snowball to cool him down a little...
* Miko whispers to Ebony, "Crystal Tower..? Ebony.. Is that a different
crystal tower? I don't want to go to the Frontier again... or to that
cold place..."
* Ebony whispers back to Miko, "This one is a place in Vane."
Miko: "Okay, Ebony. That's good. When I was in Vane, I never really
got to see anything. I didn't know there was a crystal tower there."
Ebony: "Well, here's your chance to see it all. Miko."
Rimzol: "The problem is, the mirror is in the Silver Spire, and the
Star Chamber is in the Crystal Tower, and only the Cave of Trial
links those two locations."
Ebony: "Oh right, then we have to go through the cave of trial to get
to the other spire?"
Iceberg: "Great! The trial cave! I'm still young to take the prove!
I will be one of the youngest!!!"
Bulix: "Trial cave? That place where you need magic? Uh-uh. I'd be
useless there."
Iceberg: "Bulix, maybe your karate is kinda useful..."
Bulix: "Iceberg, from what I remember, the monters in there aren't
going to respond to anything but magic."
Rimzol: "We could transport you to the top of the Silver Spire with our
powerful Transfer magic, and cast an Anti-Gravity spell on you,
allowing you to walk on the floors."
Lou: "That could work..."
Rimzol: "However, Vane is swarming with vile tribesmen. They would
wear down your group and gather an enormous force at the Trial Cave
and you would be trapped and killed."
Thesian: "We need to cut to the root of the problem. Fighting armies
won't help."
Isis: "Rizmol, that sounds so hopeless.."
Rimzol: "We will need several teams to complete this mission. One team
must be responsible for clearing out the Star Chamber. Surely the
leader of the Vile Tribe is there. Another must hold the Trial Cave
and make sure it's clear for others to use, and finally, yet another
team must retrieve the mirror and get it to the Star Chamber."
Lou: "Sounds like a plan to me!"
Rimzol: "Your group is sufficient. You will need to split up into
three task forces if we have any chance to carry out this plan. Are
you certain you people want to risk your lives for this...?"
Ebony: "No, but it's one of those darn 'has to be done' things."
Lou: "I'm not sure we have much of a choice..."
Iceberg: "Master, split into three teams? I'm not sure about this...
But if... er..."
Rimzol: "Please believe me. If you were all to go in one group, the
entire Vile force would converge on you and trap you all. By dividing
into teams, you can keep them all busy on different fronts."
Iceberg: "Master, Vane is my home! I'll fight to the final!"
Nash: "Vane seems to be occupied with all sorts of standard infantry,
magic, and monstrous forces."
Lou: "I'm with whoever will take me... I'm not picky... but, which
mission is the toughest?"
* Ebony lands on Miko's shoulder "I'm staying with Miko, and Lou, I'm
supposed to keep an eye on you."
Lou: "Okay, I guess I'm with Eb and Miko then! That okay with you,
Miko?"
Miko: "Lou, of course it is."
* ~Davis will join whomever wants him.
Ebony: "Bulix and Thesian, who will you go with?"
* Bulix sighs. "I'll go where I'm needed."
Thesian: "I'll go with Isis and Eomar."
Isis: "Can I be a team captain?"
* Bulix glances at Rimzol for a second, then back to the group. "I'll
stick with Iceberg, I guess."
Mia: "You... brave ones. You'll fight for us when no one else will?
Thank... thank you."
Lou: "Hey, consider it repaying a debt we owe you from 10 years back,
Mia."
Ebony: "Aww, don't mention it, we're just the heroic types."
Lemia: "You people shine with the brilliance that Dyne, Mel, and
Ghaleon once did. I wish you luck."
Lou: "Thank you, Lemia..."
Iceberg: "Lemia, you did the same for all Lunar. Just give us your
spirit..."
Rimzol: "I suggest that team 2 clear out the Trial Cave and await the
arrival of Team 1, then you can all ascend the Crystal Tower and use
the mirror in the ceremony, in the Star Chamber which team 3 has
cleared out."
* Thesian nods. "Then I guess we'll clear out the trial cave and hold it
clear."
Lou: "Okay, Eb, you're the dragon. Where do you think we should go?"
Ebony: "How should *I* know? I made the group. Am I supposed to think
of everything?"
Lou: "Ebony, you want the Star Chamber?"
Ebony: "Um... Which is the place with the leader of the tribe?"
Iceberg: "I want to go to the Trial Cave! My magic should be useful!"
Bulix: "Holy..! No! No way!"
Lou: "Good point. Ice has the best magic here. I think the Trial Cave
is his speed."
* Bulix shakes his head. "Trial cave would be a baaaaaad idea for me.
Not that I'm chickening out 'cause it's a cave. Just I'd be screwed
there."
Ebony: "Maybe Thesian and Ice would be a better team for the Trial
Cave? I don't know..."
Lou: "Yeah, you need as much magic as possible down there. I'm more
of a swordsman myself, I probably won't do much good there either."
Thesian: "But Ice needs to use the mirror. If he's the only one who can
do it, that is."
Ebony: "Well, I guess that decides where Points goes."
* Thesian turns to Isis and Eomar. "Is that okay with you two?"
Lou: "It doesn't matter who gets it... After the trial cave is
flushed, both Ice's team and the guy that gets the mirror can
join whoever in the Star Chamber."
Rimzol: "If all goes according to plan, you will all be present in the
Star Chamber at the end."
Lou: "See? Rimzol agrees."
Ebony: "Why don't we get the mirror?"
Lou: "Sounds good to me Ebony. What about you, Miko?"
* Miko continues to stand near Mia. She cringes every time little
Semila coughs. "Lou, I don't care. I'll do whatever I have to do."
* Semila's skin appears to be a pale yellow.
* Iceberg is going to the Star Chamber... "Who joins?"
Rimzol: "Iceberg, in the Star Chamber, you must use the mirror and
perform the ceremony of Niviria. You do it every morning in the
prayer to Althena. it will activate the reaction."
Iceberg: "Right, Master. I'll do my best... Priestess Niviria would
be proud... "
* Thesian looks at Eomar. "This is gonna be the biggest treasure hunt
yet, buddy. Can you feel it?"
Eomar: "Oh yeah.. I can feel it!"
* Ebony lands on Miko's shoulder. "I wish you didn't keep getting
dragged into this stuff..."
* Miko looks very sad. "Ebony, I guess everyone here has been dragged
into it... not just me..."
* Ebony says quietly, "I'm sorry anyway..."
Iceberg: "So, Master, my will is to be at the Cave of Trial..."
Thesian: "Ice and I will go together with Davis, then."
* Bulix will do his best to avoid the Trial cave.
* Thesian turns to Eomar. "I'm sorry, old buddy. Guess we weren't meant
to hit the jackpot together on this hunt, after all."
Lou: "So, let's get to it. We got Vile Peons to kill!"
Ebony: "Miko, Lou and I will get the mirror. You realize whoever goes
to the Star Chamber will probably have to face the leader of the
Vile Tribe."
Lou: "Okay... Damn, I wanted that Vile leader, though... Oh well..."
Ebony: "Not me! I don't want to face another Fourballs! In case you
didn't notice, we're not exactly filled with muscle! Miko and I
aren't cut out for climactic battles."
Lou: "Oh yeah... True..."
Ebony: "Now Lou, you slice up the bad guys."
Lou: "Sounds like a deal to me, Ebony, and you dissolve them."
* Miko seems unusually quiet... You assume she is obsessing about her
brother again...
* Ebony worries about Miko.
Lou: "Don't worry, Ebony. Miko can heal, and with us two with her,
she'll be fine."
Miko: "Ebony, do we have to... fight things to get the mirror?"
Ebony: "Probably Miko... Probably..."
Lou: "Miko, it looks like it... We may get lucky, though!"
* Miko looks at Lou. "Oh. Well... I'm... not too good at that, you
know."
* Ebony looks at his new claws. "I'm... okay at it..."
Lou: "Don't worry, Miko... Ebony and I are pretty good, and as long
as you keep us healed up, I think we'll do fine!"
Ebony: "You flatter me, Lou. I just hope you're right..."
Lou: "Remember, Eb, I need your approval. Hehehe..."
* Ebony says quietly, "Father, help me protect myself and those I care
for..."
Lou: "Don't worry... You are the black dragon after all, well, sorta
anyway..."
Thesian: "So Iceberg, Davis and I will take the Trial cave, then?"
Ebony: "And Isis, Eomar, and Bulix will take the Star Chamber. Simple,
no?"
Lou: "Sounds simple to me... So, are we ready to go?"
Thesian: "OKAY!! Let's go!"
Bulix: "Okay, sounds good."
Mia: "Brave souls. I wish you the best of luck."
Lou: "Thanks, Mia... I wish Semila gets better soon, too."
Lemia: "You fight the same fight that we fought 25 years ago. Good
luck."
Eomar: "Yeah.. Well.. Good luck.. I think we'll all need it.."
Nash: "Well, even though I won't be there, there's still a chance you
might succeed. Make us proud!"
Lou: "We will, Nash. We will."
Isis: "Well, let's stop wasting time now and get to it.. We need to
hurry up before time runs out!"
Rimzol: "All of you brave souls... good luck. Bulix, Iceberg, take
care of yourselves."
Iceberg: "Thanks, Master, remember you will be like a father for me
forever..."
---Mia, Nash, and Rimzol stand up and point their palms at the
group.---
Lou: "This is it!!!"
* Thesian looks nervous. "I just hope I can summon this strange power
when I need it."
* Ebony is worried about this. He likes having lots of people with him.
* Bulix cracks his knuckles..
* Thesian hums a little bit.
* Iceberg makes a short prayer to Goddess Althena... "Please help
us... Difficult times for us..."
* Isis hopes that prayer includes her Ebony..
* Iceberg is preparing his spells, clear in his mind, his will strong
as ice...
* Bulix does a few stretching exercises to limber up his joints.
* Lou sharpens his blade.
* Thesian runs over the words in his mind.
Isis: "Let's get this show on the road!"
---You all feel the breathtaking sensation of transfer...---
Iceberg: "Now the question... Will the bed be in the Star Chamber..?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
---As soon as Isis, Eomar, and Bulix land in the beautiful Star
Chamber, they see a wicked sight. The room is beautiful, with
sparkling stars on the ceiling. Before them stands a tall commander,
who looks perfectly human. He has blond hair and wears armor and a
sword. He looks up at the three of them.---
Commander: "... Get them."
---Creatures appear to attack you out of nowhere! 3 Flame Salamanders
in front, 2 Dust Devils in back.---
Isis: "Shit.. we're in battle!"
* Eomar stretches out his bow and begins to aim.
* Isis draws her saber and prepares for a long, drawn out attack..
* Bulix cracks his knuckles and shifts into a fighting stance.
------------Combat--------------
Bulix attacks Flame Salamander A with a fury of wild punches!
Critical Hit! 40 damage.
Second attack... Hit! 8 damage.
Third attack... Critical Hit! 36 damage.
Isis: "Yeah, Bulix!"
Flame Salamander A attacks Eomar!
Isis: "Oh no, Eomar!"
Eomar dodges the attack.
Isis: "Yeah!"
Flame Salamander B lashes out at Isis!
Isis: "Ah!"
Isis parries the blow with her buckler.
Isis: "Woo-hoo!"
Flame Salamander C strikes at Bulix!
Isis: "Ah!"
Bulix is slashed for 18 damage.
Isis: "Oh no! Bulix is being mushed!"
* Bulix glances down at his hurt side. "Dang!
Dust Devil A casts Shrieking Wind level 10!
A harsh wind blasts the group!
Bulix suffers 19 damage. Eomar suffers 4 damage.
Isis suffers 3 damage.
* Bulix gasps. "Holy cow!"
Isis uses QuickCut level 5! Flame Salamander is slashed for 22.
Second attack... 25 damage.
Isis: "Yeah! Die, salamander!!"
Eomar uses Deadly Aim. Eomar has the enemy in his sights...
Bulix strikes out at the salamanders! Hit! 10 damage.
Second attack... Critical Hit! 41 damage.
Flame Salamander A is defeated!
Third attack... Hit! 9 damage.
Flame Salamander B slashes at Isis! Isis is hit for 12 damage.
Flame Salamnder C attacks Eomar! Eomar his hit for 16 damage.
Bulix attacks with Anger Punch level 4! Critical Hit! 38 damage.
Isis: "Yeah, Bulix!"
Second attack... Hit! 10 damage.
Third attack.. Hit! 9 damage.
Fourth attack... Critical Hit! 35 damage.
Flame Salamander B is destroyed.
Isis: "Another one bites the dust! Good job, Bulix.. Hopefully you'll
dodge some stuff if it comes your way.."
* Bulix nods, breathing heavily. "Thanks."
Isis uses QuickCut level 5! 24 damage.
Second attack... 22 damage.
Isis: "Yeah!"
Flame Salamander attacks Bulix!
Bulix dodges the attack.
Eomar casts Heal Litany level 2!
Bulix recovers 15 HP.
Bulix attacks Flame Salamander C! Critical Hit! 38 damage.
Flame Salamander C is defeated!
Second attack... Critical Hit! Dust Devil A suffers 34 damage.
Third attack... Hit! 11 damage.
Isis: "Yeah!"
Bulix: "Whoohoo!"
Dust Devil A casts Shrieking Wind level 10!
A forceful wind blasts the group!
Bulix suffers 14 damage. Eomar suffers 5. Isis suffers 3.
Isis flips her saber up in the air, catches it in her scabbard,
then whips out her mace and twirls it around a few times in front
of the enemies.
Eomar casts Aqua Pulse level 3!
Dust Devil A suffers 31 damage.
Isis: "Wow.. good job, Eomar!"
Dust Devil B casts Air Blade level 10!
A pressurized blade of air slices into Isis...
Isis suffers 12 damage...
Isis: "Ouch!"
Bulix dashes after the spinning dust devils in a mad karate rage!
Critical Hit! Dust Devil A suffers 34 damage.
Dust Devil A is defeated!
Isis: "Yeah!!!!!!!"
Second attack... Critical Hit! Dust Devil A suffers 34 damage.
Third attack... Hit! 11 damage.
Eomar casts Heal Litany level 2. Eomar recovers 10 HP.
Isis uses Hammer Swing level 4!
Isis: "Swing batta batta batta swing!"
Isis bashes the Dust Devil. 25 damage.
Isis: "Yeah!"
Dust Devil B casts Air Blade level 10!
Eomar is blasted with a pressurized slice of air. 15 damage!
Isis: "Oh no! My dear Eomar! I bet it's our turn now, Bulix!"
Bulix attacks! Critical hit! Dust Devil B suffers 38 damage.
Second attack... Hit! 8 damage.
Third attack... Hit! 10 damage.
* Bulix pounds the thing in frustration. "Die! Die!"
Isis: "Hehehe.. No kidding.."
Eomar casts Aqua Blast level 3!
An intense jet of water pulverizes the Dust Devil. 32 damage.
Dust Devil B is defeated! Victory!
Each player earns 10 XP. The group earns 40 S and 200 MEXP.
Isis: "Yeah! Woo-hoo!"
Bulix: "Yes!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
---Meanwhile, as Thesian, Iceberg, and Davis appear in the Cave of
Trial, they are attacked by magical beasts! 3 Flame Salamanders in
front, 2 Dust Devils in back.---
Thesian: "Puuuu-da! magical beasts, schmagical beasts. We'll kick
their magical butts."
Iceberg: "Magical kick ass!!!"
Thesian: "Which ones are you taking, Ice?"
Iceberg: "Oh! I forgot about that... Better back!"
Thesian: "So you'll take the 2 dust devils then?"
Iceberg: "Yes, Thes, Back row is always more dangerous..."
Thesian: "All right, I'll attack the three in front."
* Thesian mutters "I just hope this works..."
-----------COMBAT------------
Flame Salamander A attacks Davis!
Davis blocks the blow with his armbrace.
Flame Salamander B slashes at Iceberg!
Iceberg is strong against fire attack. 11 damage.
Flame Salamander C attacks Thesian!
Thesian parries the blow with his buckler.
Dust Devil A casts Shrieking Wind level 10!
A forceful gale of wind blasts the group back!
* Iceberg feels the powerful wind in his face!!
Thesian suffers 18 damage.
Iceberg suffers 2 damage.
Davis suffers 19 damage.
* Thesian shuts his eyes and begins to hum an ancient melody.
Thesian casts Thunder Wave level 6!
An arc of electricity conducts through the ceiling,
then descends to fry the flame salmanders!
Flame Salamander A suffers 35. B suffers 36. C suffers 39.
Iceberg casts Ice Knife level 5!
Iceberg: ""
A sharp shaft of ice falls on Dust Devil A. 82 damage!
Thesian: "Nice work, Iceberg!"
Iceberg: "Thanks, Thesian. You're good, too! Attack back, and I'll kill
one of the front... Then we sure kill two..."
Thesian: "You'll attack the front?"
Iceberg: "Yes, Ice knife will kill one in the front... and your Thunder
Wave the one I hurt! Agree?"
Thesian: "Yep"
* Iceberg receives the sight of the other groups fighting.... "Let me
say I fear for the fate of the other groups..."
Thesian: "The others must be getting the crap beat outta them
right now."
Iceberg: "Well... hope we arrive *all* safe and sound to our
objective... We only could pray and wait for the monsters... I have
some heal magic and a starlight, so just ask when need help..."
Thesian: "Thanks, Ice."
Iceberg: "It's only for safety... I don't want you to die only because
I didn't say what I had..."
Flame Salamander A attacks Thesian!
Thesian parries the blow.
Flame Salamander B attacks Davis!
Davis is hit for 17 damage.
Thesian: "You okay, Davis?"
Flame Salamander C attacks Iceberg!
Iceberg is strong against fire attack. 9 damage.
Thesian casts Thunder Bolt level 6!
A crackling bolt of electricity strikes Dust Devil A.
33 damage.
Dust Devil A is defeated!
* Thesian whistles. "Damn, these things are tough!"
Iceberg: "Tougher than we thought... We have problems here.. serious
problems..."
Davis casts Fire Blast level 5!
A long spurt of flame engulfs Dust Devil B.
Dust Devil has critical weakness to fire attack. 82 damage.
Thesian: "Wow! Look at that!!"
Iceberg casts Ice Knife level 5!
* Thesian waits eagerly for Iceberg's spell to *waste* the Fire
Salamander.
Flame Salamander has critical weakness to ice attack.
138 damage. Flame Salamander A is defeated!
Iceberg: "That now... Impaling these Flame Salamander with my... er..
ice knife!!"
Thesian: "I'll take the back row again. Finish off those salamanders,
Ice!"
Iceberg: "We're on the rage of the battle! Take heed!"
Flame salamander B strikes at Iceberg!
Iceberg is strong against fire attack. 8 damage.
Thesian slashes at Flame Salamander C. Hit! 9 damage.
Davis slashes at Flame Salamander C. Hit! 14 damage.
Iceberg casts Ice Knife level 5!
Flame Salamander has critical weakness to Ice attack.
132 damage. Flame Salamander is defeated!
Victory! Each player earns 11XP.
The group gains 40 S and 200 MEXP.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
---Meanwhile, as Ebony, Lou, and Miko appear in the beautifully
decorated top level of the Silver Spire, they are surrounded by
Vile guards! 3 Vile Troopers in front, 2 Shadow Mages in back.---
Ebony: "Ahhhhhh, 3 Vile Troopers, 2 Shadow Mages! We're in trouble!"
Lou: "Oh, crap! Figures! You ready to rock, guys?"
* Miko looks at Lou with uncertainty.
Lou: "Miko, don't worry. Just get ready to heal when we need you,
okay?"
* Ebony glances at Miko and looks at those who threaten her. "I have
a bad feeling about this..."
Lou: "We can do it... We just gotta believe... This battle will
be ours..."
* Ebony glares at the Vile types. "Five against three. You cowards!"
* Lou holds his sword vertically and chants a spell...
----------COMBAT------------
Ebony uses Deep Scratch level 5!
Vile Trooper A suffers 32 damage!
* Ebony falls back to a position with the group. "That's my best, Lou.
I wanna see some fancy swordwork!"
Lou: "You got it, Ebony!"
Miko casts Blur Litany level 3! Lou's Dodge% is boosted by 23.
Lou: "Thanks, Miko."
Vile Trooper A hacks away at Lou with an iron axe!
The attack misses.
Vile Trooper B slashes at Ebony!
Lou: "Look out, Ebony!"
Ebony is sliced for 19 damage.
* Ebony is knocked to the ground. "Ouch..."
Lou: "Ouch."
Ebony: "Ow ow ow ow ow...."
Vile Trooper C attacks Miko!
Lou: "Miko!!!!"
Miko is cut for 21 damage.
* Miko collapses to her knees... bleeding profusely.
* Lou's eyes are ablaze with anger. "That does it! You guys will PAY
for hurting my friends!"
Lou uses Blade Anger level 7!
Lou disappears in a shining storm of slashing blades.
Trooper A suffers 17. B suffers 18. C suffer 17.
Shadow Mage A suffers 23. Shadow Mage B suffers 20.
Lou: "How was that for fancy swordwork, Ebony?"
Ebony: "Oh, sorry. I was too busy writhing in agony to notice."
Lou: "You okay there, Miko???"
* Miko loooks up at Lou. Her mouth opens to speak, but no words come
out. Her eyes are filled with fear.
Shadow Mage A casts Dark Impulse level 10!
Black spirits surround Miko's head...
...But she remains focused and loyal to her friends.
Lou: "Whew...."
Shadow Mage B casts AntiMatter level 10!
Lou: "Oh, s---!"
Lou is knocked back by a black energy beam!
Lou suffers 28 damage.
Lou: "Ouch!!!! We need healing, pronto..."
* Ebony rises shakily to his feet. "We're deadeadeadeadeadeadeadead!"
Lou: "Ebony, think you can get any power out of this ring of yours or
something???"
* Ebony manages to get himself in the air. "What power?"
Lou: "I don't know. I'm thinking it might do something useful... I
mean, this amulet sorta worked for Thesian."
* Ebony looks half dead on his wings. "Don't ask me."
Lou: "Hey, you're about the only person I could ask... No hard
feelings, though."
* Ebony thinks they are gonna find out what happens when the party is
wiped out...
Lou: "We can't give up guys! We just can't..."
* Ebony looks up from writing his will. "Who's giving up?" He doesn't
have anything, so it's a short will...
Lou: "That's the spirit!"
* Ebony hopes the Vile types don't kill prisoners...
Lou: "Ebony, I don't think they take prisoners."
Ebony: "L-look, guys... Can't we talk about this like civilized
beings?"
Lou: "Umm, Ebony, the Vile Tribe has the collective IQ of Beavis and
Butthead. I doubt they can talk very well..."
Ebony: "Me give you diamond. You let us go... ... Hablas espanol?"
Lou: "Uhh, it'd be, like, cool or something if you just let us have
the mirror, dudes."
Ebony: "Uhhhhhhhh... I hear there's, like... chics or something
outside. Uh huh huh..."
Lou: "They're NAKED chics, guys! NAKED!"
Ebony uses Deep Scratch level 5!
Ebony: "Die, darn it!"
Vile Trooper A is slashed for 33 damage.
* Ebony looks scared. "H-h-he didn't die!"
Miko casts Recovery Litany level 5! Lou recovers 30 HP.
Lou: "Thanks, Miko."
Vile Trooper attacks Ebony!
Ebony: "Nononononononononono!"
Ebony quickly floats above the swinging axe.
* Ebony sticks out his tounge, hoping he isn't pressing his luck...
Lou: "Nice dodge, Eb."
Ebony: "Yeah, I'll bleed on them. That'll show them who's boss!"
Lou: "Well, if you had acid blood it might..."
Vile Trooper B attacks Lou!
Lou blocks the attack with his tall shield.
Vile Trooper C attacks Lou! The attack misses.
Lou uses Blade Anger level 7!
Vile Trooper A suffers 17 damage. B suffers 16. C suffers 19.
Shadow Mage suffers 23. B suffers 25.
Lou: "What? They aren't dead yet?"
Shadow Mage A casts AntiMatter level 10!
Miko is blasted with a beam of black evil...
Lou: "Look out, Miko!!!!!"
Miko suffers 9 damage.
Lou: "Whew... You okay there, Miko?"
Shadow Mage B casts Silent Breath level 10!
Lou's voice is ripped away from him.
MUTE inflicted. Skills disabled.
Ebony: "No! Troubletroubletroubletroubletroubletroubletroubletrouble!"
* Lou writes on the ground, 'I think we need to take out the Shadow
Mages.'
Ebony: "Sure, Lou. If I'm still alive, I'll fix one next round.
HOPEFULLY he's almost dead."
* Ebony flips a coin... "Hmmm..." He decides his attack. Ebony decides
to try stragety as opposed to brute force. "I shoulda ripped out the
throats of those mages first! Then this wouldn't have happened! Darn
me! I don't think! Coulda stopped them from casting spells... If I
live, I'll do that next..."
* Lou doesn't have much to decide on....
Ebony: "Let's hope you can swing that thing good normally, Lou."
Ebony uses Eye Shot level 5! Vile Trooper C suffers 7 damage.
Ebony: "Get blinded, darn it! Blindblindblindblindblindblindblind!!"
Vile Trooper C is blind.
Ebony: "Whew. Let's see you hit my friends now!"
* Ebony hopes maybe he'll attack his friends or something...
Miko boosts her dodge for 23.
Lou hits Vile Trooper A for 13 damage, then 11 damage, killing it.
Miko resists a Silent Breath..
Ebony gets blasted by Anti-matter for 15 damage.
* Ebony is lying on the ground, barely conscious, fur almost red.
* Miko crawls ove to Ebony.
* Lou gets over next to Ebony, too.
* Ebony shivers.
Ebony uses Throat Gash level 5!
Shadow Mage A suffers 8 damage. Shadow Mage A is muted.
Ebony: "Well, one trooper blind, one mage silent. How's that for a
small one?"
* Ebony boogies. "I muted one mage! I muted one mage!"
Miko casts Recovery Litany level 5! Ebony recovers 28 HP.
* Ebony sighs, "Thank you, Miko."
Vile Trooper B swipes at Lou! Lou is hit for 10 damage.
Vile Trooper hacks at Miko! The attack misses.
* Ebony is happy he isn't bleeding to death anymore. "At least I'm
not at Death's door anymore, thanks to Miko!"
Shadow Mage B casts Anti-Matter level 10
Miko is blasted for 8 damage by a black energy beam.
* Miko appears to be on Death's doorstep...
Lou slashes at Vile Trooper B. 14 damage.
Second attack... 10 damage.
Ebony: "I'm gonna try and mute the other mage, and blind another
trooper... Lou, you keep slashing away."
Ebony uses Throat Gash level 5!
Shadow Mage B suffers 9 damage. Shadow Mage B is muted.
Miko casts Drain Litany level 5 on Vile Trooper B.
Vile Trooper B suffers 18 damage.
Miko recovers 18 HP.
Vile Trooper B swipes at Ebony!
Ebony is slashed for 12 damage.
Ebony: "Ow! Grrrrrrr..."
Vile Trooper C attacks Miko! The attack misses.
Lou slashes at Vile Trooper B. Hit! 11 damage.
Second attack... Critical Hit! 38 damage.
Vile Trooper B is defeateed!
Ebony: "About time! Two down..."
* Ebony sighs. "Three to go... HA, not SO tough when your either blind
OR silent ARE you!?!?"
* Ebony prepares to use the last of his energy...
Ebony uses Deep Scratch level 5!
Vile Trooper C is hit for 30 damage.
Miko casts Fire Blast level 3.
Miko points her hands at the last trooper and a long blast of
flame engulfs the target. 62 damage.
Vile Trooper is defeated!
Ebony: "Wow, Miko! Nice work! That HAS to kill 'em!"
* Miko does not seem to be able to believe what just happened...
* Ebony blows on the Vile Trooper.
Lou defaults to the Shadow Mages. Hit! 23 damage.
Shadow Mage A is defeated.
Second attack.. Hit! 25 damage.
Shadow Mage B is defeated.
Victory!
Victory!
Each player earns 12 XP. The group earns 50 S and 200 MEXP.
Lou: "Yes!!!!! Hahahahha! You're not so tough now!!!!"
* Ebony hops around. "WE WON WE WON WE WON!"
* Miko crawls over and examines the Vile Trooper's charred remains.
"Ebony... I didn't mean to do... 'that'... to him... I was just scared,
and I... I don't know what happened... Did I really do... that?"
* Ebony lands on Miko's shoulder. "He would have killed us all, Miko."
* Miko is shaken.
* Lou overhears Miko. "Miko... it's okay... It was him or you..."
* Miko wonders if Lou is really speaking to her, or if it is an
auditory hallucination... Lou seemed mute only moments ago... "Lou,
you can talk now..."
Lou: "I realized that."
Ebony: "Remember, Miko, we are fighting for the very world as well as
the baby and your brother."
Lou: "Remember, Miko... The good of the many outweigh the good of the
few."
* Miko stammers, "Yes... but... " and says no more.
Ebony: "Miko, I have been... and always will be... your friend."
Lou: "The same applies to me, Miko..."
* Ebony looks around. "Now, where's that mirror?"
Lou: "Yeah, where is that silly mirror?"
* Lou points to a treasure chest in the corner. "You want the honor,
Ebony? I think you earned it. You did mute the mages and help us
win."
* Ebony flutters over and lands on the chest. He sinks his claws into
the front of the top and starts flapping.
---"Althena's Mirror" acquired in battle.---
Lou: "Woo hoo!"
Ebony: "Now we should go find the others."
Lou: "Yeah, let's get to the Star Chamber, guys! I bet the others are
in trouble. I think we need to get to them ASAP. Are you ready to
go?"
* Miko still does not speak to Ebony and Lou, but she looks competent
enough to go on.
* Ebony stays on Miko's shoulder, puts his tail around her neck,
offering support.
Lou: "You sure you're okay, Miko???"
* Miko still does not speak, but she seems as if she will be all
right, given time.
* Ebony doesn't bug Miko but simply offers quiet support.
* Lou semi-leads the team towards the exit. "Let's get out of here."
* Ebony says quietly, "That's as close to death as I have ever come."
Lou: "I think that applies to all of us."
---The spire is beautiful. There are stairs leading down.---
* Lou heads down the stairs. "I never dreamed I'd ever see this for
real."
* Miko follows Lou down the stairs.
---The mirror you hold shines with an ethereal beauty. The reflection
inside seems particularly true.---
* Ebony admires himself in the mirror. "Pretty."
Lou: "Damn... You know, it was this mirror that started the revealing
of the Magic Emperor's plans 10 years ago."
* Ebony looks up from the mirror. "I really am cute, aren't I?"
---The group wearily descends the silver-plated steps to the fifth
level of the spire. This level is a wide open floor, decorated
with statues and tapestries. There is a small trunk in the center
of the floor.---
Lou: "I'll get the trunk"
* Lou opens the trunk to reveal...
---200 Silver.---
Ebony: "Money!"
Lou: "Cool enough."
Ebony: Money money money money....money..."
---The stairway to the fourth level lies across the room...---
Lou: "Well, we have another floor down. Let's keep trudging on, guys."
Ebony: "Right, Raggy. Let's continue on, gang."
* Miko follows Lou with Ebony on her shoulder.
Ebony: "Please, Althena... No more bad guys."
---The group descends the staircase in this beautiful place... The
fourth level seems more adorned with statues than the others. A
large red carpet covers the center of the chamber. There is a small
chest on the carpet.---
Ebony: "Oh, oh, my turn!"
Lou: "Okay, go for it!"
* Ebony lands on the chest, sinks his claws in, flaps his wings.
* Lou touches one of the statues, hoping it works as planned
* Miko starts touching all the statues when she sees Lou do it.
"Lou... I don't think it's doing anything."
Lou: "Figures..."
* Ebony flaps harder. "Darn... chest..."
Lou: "You need a hand there, Ebony?"
Miko: "Ebony, do you need any help?"
---It opens!---
* Ebony lands on the floor as the top suddenly pops open. "Eep."
Lou: "You okay there, Ebony?"
Ebony: "I'm fine. You get the next chest, though."
* Miko picks Ebony up.
---"Tranquil Tiara" acquired.---
* Ebony peeks in. "Not my size...
Lou: "I think the Tiara might be for Miko. What do you think?"
* Miko indicates her tiara. "I just got a brand new one, Lou."
* Ebony looks up at her, since she's holding him. "It's magic, Miko.
I can tell."
Lou: "Well, there's the door to the next floor down."
Ebony: "Someone grab that and let's continue on. We'll discuss it
later."
Lou: "Okay, I got the tiara. Let's go."
* Miko continues on.
* Ebony yawns "I hope we find everyone soon."
Lou: "Me too..."
---The group descends the next staircase... The stairs descend in a
methodical pattern...---
Lou: "Damn, how many floors does this thing have...?"
---The third level looks identical to the fourth, with a sealed chest
in the center of the level.---
Ebony: "Go open that."
Lou: "I got it!"
* Ebony delegates responsibility like a pro.
Lou: "Sure do, fearless leader."
* Lou opens the chest to find...
---"Gale Bracelet" acquired. The stairs to the second floor
beckon...---
Lou: "Let's go."
* Ebony waves a paw. "Lead on."
* Lou leads on to the second floor.
---The group descends yet another flight of stairs. It is eerie that
these levels have all been unguarded... The second floor has a
gurgling fountain in the center, with a tall statue of Althena in
the center. The statue is elegantly carved from fine white
marble.---
Lou: "Let's hit that fountain!"
* Ebony flutters over and lands on Althena's head. "Pardon me, Ms.
Goddess, ma'am."
* Lou toches the statue. "Damn, I needed that."
* Miko follows Lou and Ebony.
* Ebony lowers his tail across the statue's face, giving Althena a
mustache.
Lou: "Cute, Ebony."
* Ebony returns to Miko's shoulder.
Lou: "Shall we press on to the next floor..?"
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