*** GMRune has set the topic on channel #lunarRPG5 to
Shelladon - 6 S (woo hoo!) - 16 MEXP
     Kadan: Is everyone expected here, Rune?
     Arzel: how many more players do we need?
    GMRune: Geint's missing...
     Kadan: Valina?
     Arzel: that it?
    GMRune: Valina's missing this week.
    GMRune: Her player is out of town.
    GMRune: In Las Vegas to be precise.
  Earendil: ahh Shelladon home sweet home or what's left of
it anyway
    GMRune: Tarrant, do you know Mia's nick for the Arcadia
RPG?
   Tarrant: I checking if she is on now..
    GMRune: Okay.
            GMRune tries tidying everything up.
            GMRune fails miserably. :\
   Tarrant: Well Mia isnt on IRC :(
    GMRune: Well, if we start without her, I only have to
work with three new people. :)
    GMRune: If Geint didn't show for the Aracdia RPG, she
probably isn't going to show for this one.  Everyone pretty
much ready to start?
            Kadan is already sprinting through the bush-
infested wilderness to reach Shelladon. =)
     Arzel: yup
  Earendil: as ready as I'll ever be
     Ayeye: I'm ready.
      Rein: sure
            GMRune grins.
    GMRune: I just hope I'm ready!
    GMRune: -----GAME ON!------
    GMRune: You all have reached the city of Shelladon for
one reason or another.
    GMRune: For some it is a homecoming, and for others the
object of a quest.
    GMRune: But for any reason, you are here to learn, and
perhaps get some answers to your problems.
    GMRune: As each of you enter the city, you notice a
large procession going through the town.
    GMRune: The warlocks are having a sort of celebration.
            Kadan wanders through the paths of Shelladon,
admiring the structures.
            Arzel looks at the procession
    GMRune: Emperor Kargeth himself is riding in his litter
in the parade.
  Earendil: This town is but a ghost town compared to what
it used to be
    GMRune: Gossip flies about that the Emperor has located
a magic staff that will give him the key to utterly ruling
Lunar.
            Kadan is alone.
    GMRune: Virtually everyone in the city is being forced
to watch the procession.
            Kadan ducks into a dilapidated alley and
observes the procession.
    GMRune: Whether they like it or not...
   Tarrant: Wow looks like they're having a party.
            Arzel listens to the rumors about a staff
            Earendil has only one purpose, to visit the
grave of his father, fallen three years ago today.
            Ayeye watches the procession closely.
            Rein tries to keep from getting crushed- he's
glad he has sharp elbows!
    GMRune: People are being herded along the streetsides by
levitating warlocks.
            Kadan frowns in disgust at the sight of people
being dominated.
  Earendil: Damned Emperor, if only I could get my hands
around his neck
            Tarrant turns to Arzel "I wonder how tough those
warlocks really are?"
    GMRune: The process ends near the partially restored
remains of a great castle.
            Ayeye moves out of the warlocks direct view.
     Arzel: "I really don't want to find out right now"
    GMRune: As the procession reachs the castle, the Emperor
is taken up the steps to a dais where he can address the
unwilling crowd.
            Earendil stands back trying to keep a hold on
his anger
            Kadan clambers over some discarded jugs and
piles of clothing to get a better view.
    GMRune: But suddenly, you all see a dark cloaked shape
drop down from above and land not far from the Emperor!
            Tarrant looks up at the ruler
            Arzel looks at the dark shape
    GMRune: The cloaked person shouted the words to a spell
and an enchanted arrow made of acid shoots from its
fingertips!
            Ayeye moves forward for a better view of the
newcomer.
  Earendil: What in Althena's name is that?!?
            Rein stares, transfixed.
            Tarrant catches the figure from the corner of
his eye.
            Arzel watches.
    GMRune: The figure shouts "For the rebellion!"
            Kadan ducks deeper to conceal himself.
            Earendil goes into the shadows.
    GMRune: The arrow strikes Kargeth's armor, but appears
to have done little damage.
            Arzel ducks into the croud
    GMRune: The figure seems shocked, but quickly dashes
into the crowd as Kargeth bellows for his guards to capture
the trespasser!
            Rein's eyes grow even wider.
            Ayeye is amazed.
            Kadan watches the cloaked figure intensely.
    GMRune: Suddenly all chaos breaks loose as warlocks and
their tracking beasts being to assault nearly everyone in
the crowd!
   Tarrant: We better retreat, Arzel.
            Arzel goes with Tarrant.
            Earendil draws his sword and prepares for
trouble, but keeps back.
    GMRune: The cloaked figure runs passed a brown-robed
mage (Arzel) jousling him in its hurry.
   Tarrant: Before we get squashed by the rioting crowd.
            Kadan stands up, taking a step back from the
chaos.
            Ayeye attempt to move out of the way.
            Rein looks around frantically while fumbling
with the staff strapped to his back.
     Kadan: Kadan slinks away through the alley swiftly to
get away from the procession.
    GMRune: Suddenly squat tracking beasts, called smegs by
the warlocks appear in the area.
            Arzel grabs his staff and prepares for trouble
but doesn't engage anyone.
            Kadan mutters to himself. "Blasted staff...
something always comes up."
  Earendil: Smegs, oh grand.
    GMRune: A warlock shouts an order, and all of your are
attacked by various smegs!
            Tarrant takes a defensive stance
    GMRune: ------round 1-----
            Arzel does like Tarrant.
  Earendil: Sword Time!!
            Kadan spins around in alarm.
    GMRune: 8 smegs
            Ayeye readies weapons.
            Rein finally frees his staff and grasps it
tightly
    GMRune: You're all in the same general area, so you can
attack any smeg.
            Earendil, sword already drawn, readies for the
attack
            Kadan sprints out into the clearing, planting
his feet firmly in the ground.
    GMRune: msg me you actions.
            Kadan reaches behind him, unclips a small shiny
axe and holds his arms out to one of the smegs in a tackling
gesture.
    GMRune: Ayeye charges forward, and people clear out of
her way as she rakes the first smeg with her claws.
    GMRune: Attack 1: 2 damage
    GMRune: Attack 2: 1 damage
            Kadan notes the girl's ferocity with mild
interest, not breaking his gaze with the smeg.
   Tarrant: << ooc: what exactly are Smegs? >>
      Rein: << smeg, to me, has something of an unpleasant
connotation>>
    GMRune: <<Imagine a hippo with an anteater snout and
sharp teeth.>>
     Kadan: <<these things better earn us a lot of money.
After all, it spells "gems" backward.>>
    GMRune: A brawny man in red armor rushes forward with
his axe and smashes it into the same smeg as Ayeye.
    GMRune: Attack 1: 20
    GMRune: The smeg falls!
            Kadan pulls his axe from the bloodied corpse and
turns his attention to the next beast.
    GMRune: Attack 2: 18 on Smeg #2.
            Earendil notes "One down, 7 to go."
      Rein: oh...man...
            Kadan skids back into position, carefully
analyzing his opponents' maneuvers.
            Tarrant looks at amazment as a man with an axe
starts to wail his axe at the smegs.
            Earendil says to Tarrant "Thank Althena he's on
our side."
    GMRune: Eardenril chops his sword at Smeg #2.
    GMRune: 13 damage!
    GMRune: The smeg grunts but remains standing.
            Kadan notices the swordsman for the first time,
impressed with his fighting prowess and intrigued by his
outfit.
    GMRune: Azrel hangs back near the rear.
    GMRune: Two of the smegs stump up to Kadan and they each
bite him!
    GMRune: Smeg #2 does 1 damage.
            Kadan braces his forearms in front of his face.
            Kadan curses not noticing the beasts preparing a
converge attack.
    GMRune: Smeg #3 bites Kadan's leg, but doesn't do much
through the armor.  1 damage. :)
            Tarrant whispers to Arzel "That's what he gets
for ditching us."
            Arzel looks to Tarrant "yup"
    GMRune: Smeg #4 attacks Earendil.
    GMRune: 1 damage!
            Kadan shrugs off the trivial scratches and grips
his axe vertically in front of him, waiting for the next
assault.
    GMRune: Smeg #5 attacks Tarrant.
    GMRune: 2 damage
    GMRune: Smeg #6 whacks Ayeye for 7 damage!
            Kadan does not acknowledge most of the
combatants, keeping a keen eye on the enemies.
  Earendil: pity stays Earendil's sword, "It's a pity I've
run out of attacks!"
    GMRune: Smeg #7 tramples over Rein's foot for 1 point of
damage!
            Rein cries out in pain and spins around to face
his "attacker"
            Ayeye turns toward the scream.
    GMRune: Smeg #8 attacks Kadan for 1 damage.
            Kadan suddenly regrets being the largest target
on the battlefield.
    GMRune: Finally Tarrant causes a weed to grow and the
vine whips Smeg #3 for 23 damage!
    GMRune: It collapses.
    GMRune: ---round 2----
    GMRune: smegs 2 and 4-8 are left.
            Earendil looks at the other attackers, "Quite an
impressive group" he notes.
            Kadan's eyes widen as he spins around to notice
Tarrant. "You..."
    GMRune: Warlocks begin shouting in your direction as
they notice the group of troublemakers.
            Kadan appears shaken and uncertain, then comes
to a decision that the Smegs pose the greatest immediate
threat.
    GMRune: Ayeye rushs forward and claws at Smeg #7
    GMRune: attack 1: 2
    GMRune: attack 2: 3
            Arzel looks to Tarrant "Looks like you get your
wish to se how powerful these warlocks are."
    GMRune: Kadan smashes his axe into the skull of Smeg #8
    GMRune: attack 1: 24 damage
    GMRune: Smeg #8 dies.
            Kadan growls as he pins the beast's corpse with
his foot and yanks out his axe.
    GMRune: Kadan attacks Smeg #4.
    GMRune: attack 2: 22 damage.
    GMRune: It squeals and moves no more. <<Geez, kadan!>>
    *Kadan* Aren't I cute? =)
    GMRune: Rein aims a low sweep with his staff again Smeg
#7
    GMRune: 6 damage!
    *Kadan* Actually, I'm so sick to death of playing the
philosophical, wise, calm characters I usually play, so this
is my release! >:)
            Rein's bright red hair waves as he stumbles back
from the impact of his blow.
            Kadan suddenly notices the child in the white
robe and is amused by his audacity.
    GMRune: Earendil calls down a bolt of lightning,
striking Smeg #2!
    GMRune: 10 damage!
    GMRune: It's wails and dies.
            Earendil grins as he looks at the charred corpse
    GMRune: Arzel casts a Fire arrow at smeg #5.
    GMRune: 16 damage!
    GMRune: The three remaining smegs don't look very
happy...
            Earendil looks to Arzel. "Very impressive!"
     Arzel: Thank you, Earendil
    GMRune: Smeg #5 charges at Arzel and chomps on to his
leg!
    GMRune: 4 damage!
     Arzel: gaaaagaghh
    GMRune: Smeg #6 bowls itself into Earendil.
    GMRune: 5 damage!
  Earendil: aaagh
            Kadan winces at the sight, hoping Earendil
survives long enough to make some more sword strikes.
    GMRune: Smeg #7 attacks Ayeye.
    GMRune: But she leaps nimbly out of the way.
    GMRune: Tarrant calls down a thunderbolt on to Smeg #6
    GMRune: 23 damage!
    GMRune: It shrieks and dies...
            Kadan slinks back, intimdated by the magical
force.
     Arzel: hehehe! good one Tarrant
    GMRune: ----round 3----
    GMRune: Smegs #5 and 7 are left.
   Tarrant: That will teach you mutt.
            Rein yells out "A little help here, sirs?"
    GMRune: Ayeye attacks Smeg #7
            Kadan nods to Ayeye, hoping that together, they
can dispatch the beasts before they strike again.
    GMRune: Critical!  11 damage!
    GMRune: It dies!
            Ayeye grins evily:  "These things are slow."
    GMRune: attack 2 on Smeg #5: 2 damage.
            Kadan raises an eyebrow, impressed with the
devastating lacerations.
    GMRune: Kadan whomps on the remaining Smeg.
    GMRune: He does 23 points of damage, far more than
necessary to kill it.
    GMRune: :)
    GMRune: ----victory----
            Kadan looks with dismay at the unnecessary
splatter on his weapon.
            Earendil thinks to himself, "These people are
quite good, I must bring them to the leaders of the
rebellion."
    GMRune: As the battle haze begins to leave your mind,
you see warlocks heading you way.
   Tarrant: Let that be a lesson to the rest of you evil
men.
            Ayeye turns to Rein. "Are you alright?"
      Rein: ye-yes
      Rein: thank you, ma'am
    GMRune: Voice: Here!  Come with me!
            Arzel looks to the voice.
    GMRune: Voice: I'll get you out of the warlocks' way!
            Kadan never accepts victory too early. He looks
around in alarm, expecting reinforcements.
            Earendil "That voice, so familiar . . ." and he
follows it
            Arzel follows after the voice
    GMRune: You see a young elf in an alley way.
     Ayeye: No problem.
            Kadan takes one last look around the clearing,
then slinks toward the voice.
            Tarrant follows the voice and waves to the rest
to follow.
            Ayeye follows the others.
            Rein gets with the program too.
    GMRune: The young male elf leads you into the alley and
opens a panel hidden beneath some debris.
    GMRune: Elf: Go down inside.
     Ayeye: Who are you?
    GMRune: Elf: I'll take you to a lair of the resistance.
            Arzel goes down
    GMRune: Elf: My name's Par.
            Arzel doesn't want to be around when the
warlocks come.
    GMRune: Par glances around to make sure all of you are
coming.
            Kadan looks around warily at his companions, but
then decides the warlocks are no doubt much more trouble.
            Tarrant ducks his head as he goes inside the
small door
            Ayeye heads down also, wary of the elf.
            Kadan slips into the passage.
            Earendil wonders, and he heads into the secret
entrance.
            Rein scrambles in.
    GMRune: Par follows up in, carefully sealing the
entrance behind him.
    GMRune: He proceeds to lead you through what appears to
be the city's sewer system.
      Rein: Would any of you be in need of healing?
            Kadan does not even mention the barely visible
scrapes on his arm and shoulder.
            Arzel looks to Rein "I am also able to heal"
            Earendil sees that he is hurt, but points to the
others who are in greater need.
            Kadan pauses a moment and looks around.
            Arzel took a hint but is still tip top shape.
            Tarrant is fine thanks for asking.
     Ayeye: No, shouldn't you heal yourself?
    GMRune: Par: You guys sure got into a lot of trouble up
there.
      Rein: to Arzel: "yes, sir.. I didn't know"..
            Kadan glances between Rein, Earendil, and Ayaye.
"Good work back there." Then glances to Tarrant and Arzel.
"But I recommend we travel nowhere with these two."
            Rein steps back respectfully
    GMRune: Par looks around at this sort of dividedness of
this group he sees.
            Earendil says, "And why would that be?"
     Ayeye: Why shouldn't we travel with them?  They seem no
worse than you.
            Arzel nods thanks to Ayeye.
            Kadan backs away from the two robed men. "In the
town of Mertyl, they caused a lot of trouble."
            Arzel looks to Kadan "We were only trying to
help you."
            Rein puts a hand behind his head and looks
uncomfortable
            Tarrant those are some mighty big words coming
from someone so scared of magic.
     Kadan: "I was searching for the staff that Kargeth was
after. All of a sudden, magical beasts attacked me, and all
I know now is that the staff is now in Kargeth's hands."
*** GMRune has set the topic on channel #lunarRPG5 to Sewer
of Shelladon - 30 S - 48 MEXP
     Kadan: Kadan: "That could only have been done with...
<disgusted gulp>... magic."
            Ayeye looks around nervously.
     Ayeye: Magic?
    GMRune: Par: What's wrong with magic?
    GMRune: Par: Besides the warlocks having it, of course.
     Arzel: "Ya the magic of the Warlocks," (points to
Tarrant), "we don't have enough power to do that"
     Kadan: Magic is the force that the Empire uses to hold
its grip on this world. It is cheating reality; nothing good
can come of it.
    GMRune: Par: Well, my quarrel is with Kargeth, not how
he holds his Empire together.
     Kadan: Whenever one tries to stretch his sight and his
power beyond the natural realm, it eventually comes to chaos
and destruction.
            Kadan has a very sincere, self-righteous look on
his face at the moment.
  Earendil: Kadan, one must fight fire with fire.
    GMRune: Par shrugs.  "Anyway, we're almost to our lair."
            Kadan squints at Par. "Don't you see? Kargeth is
merely the current form that magic has taken to enslave our
world."
    GMRune: Par: Well, magic isn't all bad.  Althena's heals
people.
            Kadan stands up and turns his head to Earendil.
"You... you're from Shelladon, right?"
  Earendil: "Yes, I am the son of Tuor who was the leader of
the Shelladon knights."
      Rein: excuse me sir.. my master Mendren has taught me
that some maigc comes from Althena... and that it is used to
help people.
      Rein: healing, for instance.
            Arzel turns to Kadan "I not only have magic of
destruction but I also have magic to heal."
    GMRune: Par gazes up at the brick walls and stops the
party for a moment.
   Tarrant: Why are we stopping?
    GMRune: He searches the bricks, pushes one, and then a
passage opens.
    GMRune: Par: That answer your question?
            Kadan kneels near Rein. "That is merely an
illusion. Magic can seem positive for some time, but it is
an inherently evil force. Any healing done by magic cannot
match the powers of destruction it has."
      Rein: NO.. I know that's not true...
  Earendil: another secret entrance?
    GMRune: Par: Yes, we have to be very careful around
here.
            Rein shakes his head
   Tarrant: Who are you refering to as we?
    GMRune: He ushers the lot of you inside, and the panel
slides shut behind you.
    GMRune: Par: We, the new resistance that has risen since
the all of the last one three years ago.
            Earendil looks at Par, "I swear that I have seen
you somewhere before and that I should know you."
            Kadan looks at Earendil. "Please understand I
have nothing but the deepest respect for the resistance of
this city. They are the tiny flickering flame of hope within
this cloud of darkness. But you have to realize that by
using the very force you wish to defeat, you are only
furthering its cause."
    GMRune: Par (to Earendil): I'm sorry.  But you must be
mistaken.
            Arzel turns to Par "Who was the person who
attacked the emperor?"
    GMRune: Par: I have no idea.  But that person was *not*
a member of our resistance.
  Earendil: Mayhaps, I had a few elvish friends when I was a
child, I must be mistaking one of them for you
    GMRune: Par seems a bit nervous.  "Perhaps."
            Kadan looks up around the surfaces of the area,
trying to keep the group between him and the wizards.
    GMRune: Par: Anyway, because of that attack Kargeth will
be even more likely to hunt us out.
            Earendil looks to Kadan, "The same thing can be
said about the destructiveness of weapons."
    GMRune: Par: I don't know who's side the person was on,
but he or she is causing us a lot of trouble!
            Kadan glares at Arzel and Tarrant. "Please
understand that the only reason I did not try to kill you
before is because your numbers gave me a tactical
disadvantage, and the only reason I am here now is because
the warlocks provide a more grisly alternative."
    GMRune: You all reach the end of the tunnel and find a
small group of mismatched warriors.  A couple wear insignias
marking them among the former Knights of Shelladon.
     Ayeye: Looks ashamed, "I have to agree, magic is a
force of evil..."
    GMRune: They seem very startled to see you all here.
            Kadan eyes Ayeye with interest. "... And what is
your name?"
            Tarrant looks at Kadan it is not us that you are
scared of....your past is you worst enemy you will face.
     Ayeye: My name is Ayeye.
  Earendil: No thing is good or evil, only people are good
or evil.
            Kadan turns his attention to the encampment of
warriors.
    GMRune: Par clears his throat to get everyone's
attention.
     Ayeye: I can only hope that is true...
    GMRune: Par: Well, here we are.  All that's left of
Shelladon's resistance.
            Earendil looks at the warrior with the Shelladon
insignia and recognizes them from his father's group.
    GMRune: The warrior nods to Earendil, but his expression
is grim.
            Tarrant whispers to Arzel who does the guy think
he is.. God..
     Arzel: maybe
            Rein bows respectfully.
            Arzel nods greetings to the warriors.
    GMRune: Warrior: Ah, I see Par has brought you all here.
    GMRune: Warrior: He's always out looking for more people
to help us.
            Kadan walks ahead of the group, armor jangling,
and speaks to the warrior. "Sir, I highly recommend you
proceed no further until we make sure we are dealing with
here."
    GMRune: Warrior: Agreed.  What would you recommend?
            Kadan turns around to face Tarrant and Arzel.
"These two have proven themselves to be proficient in magic,
and they were present when the staff was stolen in Mertyl."
     Arzel: So were you!
    GMRune: Warrior: Ah yes.  The Serpent Staff.  We've
heard.
     Kadan: I had attempted to acquire the staff before
them, but they animated some nearby statues to detain me,
and followed me here.
    GMRune: Warrior eyes Arzel and Tarrant thoughtfully.
   Tarrant: Anyone hungry?
    GMRune: Warrior: Have either of you anything to say in
your defense?
     Arzel: That was not us! We helped Kadan fight the
beasts!
            Kadan eyes Arzel with an accusatory glint in his
eye. "Yes, the perfect way to alleviate suspicion, isn't
it?"
  Earendil: Hold on a minute!  Defense? This is not a trial.
    GMRune: Warrior: True.  But this man claims they helped
Kargeth get the staff.  That's a very serious danger.
   Tarrant: Ya we helped that big dumb ox out of a jam, and
how does he repay us..
    GMRune: Par turns to the warrior.  "If you'll pardon me.
I think this man is biased against magic-users.  I think
those two can be just as noble as any."
            Tarrant looks at Kadan. "You stupidity blinds
the truth."
      Rein: But sir, everyone here helped fight those moster
thingies back there.
     Arzel: I hate the Empire just as much as everyone else
here. (pointing to the knights)
     Kadan: Everyone helped fight, because everyone was in
danger. Smegs do not discriminate their victims.
    GMRune: The warrior shakes his head.
     Arzel: I had heard about the staff when I was in Vane.
All I wanted was to see it.
    GMRune: Warrior: I'm not certain which of you to
believe.
            Kadan stands proudly. "Sir, I can assure you
that I can be as much of a help to anything that opposes to
cruel and sinister force known as magic as anyone else
here."
  Earendil: Kadan, do you know specifically that they were
trying to get the staff for Kargeth.  Perhaps they were
trying to do the same thing as you
    GMRune: Warrior: But I think we all would agree the
warlocks are a greater threat than anything these two could
present.
   Tarrant: Just cause we were gifted with magic and you
were gifted with those muscle. Does that make you more of a
man?
     Ayeye: But since they are magic-users, couldn't they
have magicked there way out?
    GMRune: Warrior: I've heard that Kargeth wanted the
Serpent Staff to establish a connectiong with another
dimension.
     Arzel: I agree The Warlocks are the greater threat.
     Kadan: True, these two may not be mighty, but we should
not freely dispense information here. It isn't tactically
wise. We may all be doomed merely by showing them how to get
here."
    GMRune: Warrior: The Emperor is not satisfied with just
Lunar.
     Ayeye: What else is there?
    GMRune: Warrior: Rumor has is he is now searching for
the dominion of other worlds.
     Ayeye: Wow, other worlds, more Lunars!
     Kadan: Other worlds...? Kargeth cannot be allowed to do
to any others what he has done to us.
   Tarrant: Hey I am as mighty as the next.
  Earendil: Multiple dimensions, that is what the staff
does, allows travel to those dimensions.
    GMRune: Warrior: I believe it's something of that sort.
But we're not very certain.  Some of our contacts are
working on that matter as we speak.
            Kadan silently curses. "I should have gotten
that staff when I had the chance. Damned magic snuck it
right out from under me."
            Tarrant lifts his staff any more of those rude
comments Kadan and you will be toast.
     Ayeye: But if there is only one staff, how can he move
armies between worlds?
    GMRune: Warrior: I believe I know where you all an find
more information about this staff.
            Rein eyes his staff...
    GMRune: Warrior: I'll tell you if you agree to join the
resistance and bring the knowledge back with you.
     Kadan: There is nothing we need to know about it. We
must steal it as quickly as possible. I will not rest until
I have cracked that thing over my knee!
     Arzel: I will join the resistance IF you trust me
  Earendil: Warrior, you can count me in as well as the few
remaining Mage Knights scattered about Lunar
    GMRune: Warrior: Trust is something to be earned.  But
if you are interested, I will send Par with you to learn how
worthy your trust is.
            Rein wonders how he got himself into this....
  Earendil: Kadan, think about it, perhaps we could use the
staff against Kargeth.
     Ayeye: I will join the resistence.  As long as you are
not planning to rule by might.
    GMRune: Warrior: We are not.
    GMRune: Warrior: We wish to restore control of the world
to Althena and her ways.
     Ayeye: You can count me in!
            Kadan shakes his head. "No, Earendil. We've been
through this before. You must fight fire with water, not
fire. Any and all things magical must be eliminated. If we
were to use it, we would be no better than Kargeth."
   Tarrant: Why is it that only Arzel and me trust in
uncertain look at the rest.. We have no idea if anyone of
these people could be spies.
    GMRune: Warrior: Please consider our request.  The
warlocks are familiar with your battle.  They may make life
difficult for you without our mutual help.
  Earendil: Kargeth cannot be destroyed by weapons alone,
nor by magic alone
      Rein: "I fight for Althena, always.  If you do the
same, I would be honored to join your resistance, if you'd
have me.
   Tarrant: Since when did you have to pass a test to join a
resistance.. Your outnumbered and out gunned as it is.
     Kadan: Yes we are, Tarrant. And letting... magic users
into the lair doesn't help.
            Arzel nods to Tarrant "Yes, why is it that
Tarrant and I are the only ones under suspition?"
     Kadan: Perhaps it is because you two live and breathe
magic! You exemplify everything we are trying to crush here!
  Earendil: we or you, Kadan?
    GMRune: Par looks at Kadan with a raised eyebrow.
    GMRune: Warrior: We have to be certain of who we trust.
But we don't mistrust you two wizards any more than any of
the others present.  We must be wary.
   Tarrant: Magic is not evil.  Some who wield it are.
     Kadan: Well, I'm beginning to think it is just me,
Earendil. You all seem to have become near-sighted and only
see the man, Kargeth. Not the deeper evil behind him.
   Tarrant: We cannot sit here and discus frivolous chit-
chat while they are hunting us down.
    GMRune: Par: Wouldn't it help to use magic to destroy
magic though?
    GMRune: Par: After all, they say evil will turn upon
itself.
     Kadan: Help or not, that's entirely not the point! It
doesn't matter how much it would help, we simply cannot
resort to those measures. There is no need to fight for
one's soul when one has already sold it.
            Rein stands quietly, watching the debate.
  Earendil: Kadan:  After the Empire is destroyed, what are
you going to do about Althena, and the four dragons?
            Arzel points to Rein "She uses magic to. Why is
it you do not qustion her?"
      Rein: umm...
            Rein blushes.
            Arzel is confused.
      Rein: I'm a boy!  My name is Rein.  I am a student of
the illustrious Mendren, high priest of Althena.  Not a
girl.  Definately not a girl.
    GMRune: The resistance members watch the unexpected
bickering between their visitors.
            Ayeye is somewhat nervous about this discussion.
            Rein raises himself up and tries to look
confident.. and manly
     Ayeye: They have to help us.  Leave it at that.  I
didn't see you do any more.
            Tarrant is tired of this descussion and decides
to go sit in the sewer for a while
            Kadan closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
            Earendil takes a seat, noting that the debate
won't end for another millenia.
    GMRune: Par sighs.
            Arzel decides to do like Earendil.
            Arzel sits down near Tarrant.
     Kadan: Sir, it is up to you what decisions you make
regarding this resistance. I strongly advise against
allowing... wizards in here, but even if you decide that
this is so, believe that I will fight against the Empire, no
matter the conditions, until my last breath.
    GMRune: Par: Kadan, isn't it worth learning more about
the staff?  If we learn more about it we might be able to
destroy it!
    GMRune: The warrior nods.
    GMRune: Warrior: All right.  The group of you seem to be
a capable bunch.  I hope you will be able to resolve your
differences because we could use anyone we can get.
            Kadan sighs. "I suppose... If it's anything like
that pendant, I suppose a simple twist won't crack it."
            Arzel looks to the pouch at his hip "speaking of
the pendant"
    GMRune: Warrior: Here's map of the old abandoned Urdian
Temple west of here.  There is said to be an old tome
detailing the Serpent Staff's powers in there.
  Earendil: Pendant, what pendant?
    GMRune: Par perks up at the mention of a pendant.
            Arzel turns to Par "A person in Mertyl used some
sort of magic to move it into this pouch then gave it to me
tell I was able to find a way to destroy it."
            Arzel looks to the pouch. "if it is touched it
give a quite painful electric shock"
            Kadan turns to Earendil. "There was a magical
pendant in Mertyl. I suspect Arzel and Tarrant used it to
manipulate the stone carvings and retrieve the Serpent
Staff."
  Earendil: If we leave, we must leave soon, I know a little
known way out of Shelladon.
     Arzel: sigh
    GMRune: Par nods.  "Yes, a lot of the old passageways
are still around."
  Earendil: However, with the warlocks hunting us, they
might discover it
    GMRune: Par: Which exit might you be thinking of, Sir
Knight?
  Earendil: The one that comes out behind the old
headquarters of the Shelladon knights, but I do not know if
it still exists.
    GMRune: Par nods again.
            Tarrant tries to forget the trouble of this
world and stares into the murky sewer water
    GMRune: Par: I think it does.  The old headquarters are
virtually abandoned now.
    GMRune: Par: The warlocks pay little attention to it.
It's been so long.
  Earendil: too long . . . .
    GMRune: Par: Agreed.
            Kadan rubs his scratchy chin. "Urdian temple...
Hmm..."
    GMRune: The lead warrior hands the map to the temple to
Kadan.  "This'll make sure you don't get lost."
            Kadan looks at the warrior semi-offendedly. "...
Lost, sir?"
    GMRune: Warrior: If not you, then others in your group.
    GMRune: Warrior: Not everyone is the best at direcions.
            Kadan nods, relieved.
  Earendil: I don't think there will be any gas stations in
the temple so I believe that we should take the map
            Kadan glances over the map.
    GMRune: Par: I'll take us back outside into the sewers.
Perhaps your knight friend can lead us to his exit from
there.
  Earendil: there's a small path along the walls that will
lead us to the old headquarters, can you get us out of the
sewers close to the path, Par?
    GMRune: Par: Indeed, I believe I can.  Just follow me.
    GMRune: He heads down the tunnel a bit, waiting for
everyone to follow.
            Earendil gets up.
            Arzel follows.
            Kadan rolls up the map, puts it away safely, and
follows Par.
            Ayeye follows Par.
            Rein , thanksful for a chance to get going,
hurries after the elf.
     Ayeye: Will it be dangerous?
    GMRune: Par: Hopefully not!
            Tarrant whispers to Rein "I beat that Kadan will
try to leave us, he does have the map."
    GMRune: Par whistles a bit, swinging a thin wooden staff
as he walks.
            Rein whispers.  "I hope not... he does serve
Althena, even if he is a bit stubborn."
    GMRune: He reaches the end of the tunnel and listens.
Finding nothing amiss, he reopens the wall to the sewers.
    GMRune: Par seals the wall shut again once everyone is
through.
            Kadan sneaks along, careful not to bump into
anyone.
    GMRune: Par leads everyone through the sewers.  He takes
so many twists and turns it seems impossible to ever
relocate where the resistance was.
            Tarrant listens to the soft sound of footsteps
as he follows the group
    GMRune: But suddenly he stops, ears perked.  And you all
can here the sound of voices behind you.
            Earendil says to Arzel, "This is the reason why
I never played in the sewers as a child."
    GMRune: It sounds like two people are somewhere behind
the party.
     Ayeye: (whispers) Is it more of the resistence?
    GMRune: They're talking between themselves, but you
can't here what they're saying.
  Earendil: I don't believe so, but here is no way to be
sure
    GMRune: Par: (whispering) I doubt it.
            Kadan sticks close to Ayeye. "Shh..."
            Arzel grabs a tight hold of his staff.
    GMRune: Par: We'd better hurry up.
    GMRune: He creeps forward quickly and silently.
            Arzel follows Par as silently as posible
            Rein slings his staff off his back, getting it
smoothly this time. He spins it a bit in celebration.
            Ayeye quietly continues.
    GMRune: You all catch a particular malicious sounding
phrase from behind you in which someone appears to be
cursing the rebellion scum in the sewers.
            Ayeye tenses.
    GMRune: The familiar whuffling sound of smegs is ahead
of you.
    GMRune: Par quietly curses.
            Kadan freezes, trying to listen to what's going
on.
  Earendil: do we fight, or do we flee?
    GMRune: Par: There's only two directions to go.
Backwards or forwards.
            Tarrant eyes become wider as they try to absorb
more light to look ahead.
     Ayeye: Flee to where?  They seem to be in both
directions.
     Kadan: Any foe that you flee from must be fought
another day, and he will always be stronger...
            Rein looks around to the members of the party
frantically, waiting for consensus.
  Earendil: Then fight it shall be, I think we should go
find them before they find us.
    GMRune: Snatches of the Voices: ...smegs are
searching.....  damn rebels...
            Arzel agrees with Earendil.
            Tarrant spins his cane around a few times.
     Ayeye: I'm with you, I would not want to fight them on
their terms.
    GMRune: The voices are still a fair distance behind you.
But the smegs are drawing closer at a faster rate.
            Kadan slowly and silently reaches his gloved
hand behind him to grab his axe.
   Tarrant: Let's make a stand.
            Ayeye readies her claws.
            Earendil draws his sword.
    GMRune: The murkyness before you parts and four smegs
come waddling into view.
    GMRune: They catch sight of you and one of them lets out
a squeal.
            Kadan cuts the air as he whips his axe in front
of him, making a sharp whistle.
            Tarrant can smell a gutwrenching stench of dead
flesh in the air
    GMRune: A voice behind you shouts, "They've found
something!"  And footsteps come towards you.
  Earendil: Ugh, what in Althena's name is that smell!
    GMRune: ----round 1----
    GMRune: 4 smegs
      Rein: <<Are these sewers the classic kind, with a
river of "water" running down the middle and two walkways on
either side?>>
    GMRune: <<River on one side and walkway on the other.>>
    GMRune: Ayeye slashes at smeg #1
      Rein: <<okay>>
    GMRune: attack 1: 2
    GMRune: attack 2: 1
    GMRune: Kadan leaps forward with a snarl and hacks at
smeg #1
    GMRune: attack 1: (must I calculate this?) 26 damage
    GMRune: It dies.
     Kadan: Yeeeeee haw! =)
    GMRune: He slams his axe in smeg #2
    GMRune: 27 damage!
    GMRune: It likewise bites the dust.
    GMRune: Rein remains on guard near the back of the
party.
    GMRune: Eardenil concentrates a moment and executes a
speedy strike against smeg #3
    GMRune: 18 damage!
    GMRune: Smeg #3 grunts, but remains standing.
    GMRune: Arzel casts a spell and a bolt of flame strikes
smeg #3
    GMRune: 16 damage to the smeg!
    GMRune: smeg #3 falls.
    GMRune: Smeg #4 chomps on Kadan
    GMRune: 1 damage!
            Kadan tries to brush off the nibbling beast.
    GMRune: Tarrant casts a spell and vine grows out from a
crack in the ground to strike smeg #4.
    GMRune: 23 damage!
    GMRune: It dies with a hideous cry.
    GMRune: ----victory----
     Arzel: Now for the people
     Ayeye: How close are they?
    GMRune: They'll be here any second now.
  Earendil: Perhaps if we can get them into the water and
they strike the water with lightning?
            Kadan grips onto his axe, still smelling danger.
      Rein: Yes.. use vine to trip them, perhaps?
*** GMRune has set the topic on channel #lunarRPG5 to Sewer
of Shelladon - 42 S - 64 MEXP
    GMRune: The voices draw nearer,  If you're going to do
something, do it now!
     Ayeye: Why would you want to destroy the water?
     Kadan: They were merely the scouts. I fear there will
be many more here in a moment.
      Rein: water conducts electricity
     Kadan: Let me practice my tactics for a moment. It
could help us retreat if necessary.
     Ayeye: Oh!  I see, it could work nicely.
            Kadan <<humbly requests 16 mxp>>
    GMRune: The mist parts and you see two robed man come
into view.
    GMRune: <<What!  Right now?!>>
  Earendil: aiee, warlocks!
     Kadan: <<Why not?! =)>>
            Rein says to Ayeye: "maybe we could trip one of
them..."
*** GMRune has set the topic on channel #lunarRPG5 to Sewer
of Shellason - 42 S - 48 MEXP
    GMRune: Kadan feels new knowledge awakening in him... =)
    GMRune: Warlock: Hey, isn't that the group we saw near
the castle?
            Kadan feels a chill run down his spine.
            Rein wants to know if we're sticking around
    GMRune: The two warlocks begin uttering the words to
their spells.
    GMRune: ------round 1------
            Kadan gulps and skitches back on his feet a bit.
            Tarrant throws flaming at Arzel
   Tarrant: opps...
    GMRune: Ayeye attacks the first warlock.
    GMRune: attack 1 2 damage
    GMRune: attack 2 1 damage
    GMRune: Kadan whomps on the first warlock, swinging his
axe.
    GMRune: attack 1 10 damage
    GMRune: attack 2 12 damage
            Kadan leaps backward, landing safely away from
the warlocks.
    GMRune: The warlock gasps, but he's still alive.
            Kadan didn't like how hard the warlock's armor
felt when his axe scraped against it.
    GMRune: Rein slams his wooden staff into warlock #1
    GMRune: 1 damage
            Rein shakes his head and pulls his staff up in
front of his face
    GMRune: Earendil slashs at warlock #1
    GMRune: 2 damage
    GMRune: The warlock sneers.
  Earendil: "These attacks aren't working guys"
   Tarrant: Maybe magic will have better results
            Kadan steps backwards, fearing the warlocks'
response.
    GMRune: Par comes to life behind you and shouts out the
words to a spell.
    GMRune: A shaft of ice strikes the first warlock.
    GMRune: 2 damage
    GMRune: Par grimaces.
   Tarrant: Maybe not
    GMRune: Arzel casts fire arrow at warlock #1
     Ayeye: I'm impressed.
    GMRune: 1 damage.
  Earendil: they seem to have some kind of magic shield as
well as armor
     Arzel: yup
    GMRune: Warlock #1 sneers and casts his spell.
    GMRune: A wavering sort of blackness envelopes all of
you.
    GMRune: Ayeye is knocked unconscious.
    GMRune: Kadan is hit for 29 damage!
            Kadan holds his chest and wheezes, falling to
one knee.
    GMRune: Rein is hit and knocked unconscious!
    GMRune: Earendil is hit and knocked unconscious!
            Kadan hopes this proves his point to his
companions.
    GMRune: Arzel is hit and knocked unconscious!
    GMRune: Par is hit for 15 damage and remains standing.
    GMRune: Tarrant is hit for 12 damage and remains
standing.
   Tarrant: Puny Warlocks can even bring down a poor cook
hahaha
            Kadan has a pained look on his face, as if
feeling something he's already familiar with.
    GMRune: Warlock #2 casts a spell.
    GMRune: Mirror images of the two warlocks appear around
them, and you are unable whch are the real ones.
            Kadan crosses his arms in front of his face and
grits his teeth.
    GMRune: Tarrant casts his spell!
    GMRune: A vine snakes out of the ground and hits warlock
#2 for 5 damage!
            Kadan notes the minimal injury.
     Kadan: Damn! This isn't working!
    GMRune: ----round 2----
     Kadan: We have no choice... Withdraw!
    GMRune: Kadan barks out an enchanted order!
    GMRune: Kadan says: Run Away!
    GMRune: The party flees...  Yes, even the unconscious
people...
            Tarrant has no choice but to jump into the murky
water
      Rein: ughh
            Kadan chains the unconscious people to a tether
and drags them through the sewer muck.
    GMRune: <<chuckles>>
      Rein: more ughh
            Tarrant swims for cover
    GMRune: Par chases after kadan, clutching his wounds.
            Kadan frantically tries to co-ordinate the
group's efforts to get out of sight.
            Arzel runs.
    GMRune: Kadan's skill leads the group to safety.
            Arzel does what Kadan says even though he
doesn't like him much.
            Kadan feels like a stud, bravely running away.
    GMRune: And with Par's aid, you all slump down near the
sewer exit to the old Shelladon Knights' headquarters...
    GMRune: Everyone unconscious now has 1 HP. =)
            Tarrant fells like a uh.. poop floating
downstream.
            Kadan slumps down near the wall and breathes
heavily to himself.
      Rein: What happened?!?!
            Earendil wakes up groggily. "Damn warlocks, if
only we had an open sky, I could have used some of my star
magic."
     Ayeye: What was that?
     Ayeye: Did we get them?
     Kadan: See? I told you we should have practiced.
Goodness knows where we would be now if we hadn't!
            Arzel casts heal litany on himself.
    GMRune: Par: I feel like Althena mowed me over with a
rolling pin...
      Rein: Does anyone need healing?
    GMRune: Arzel heals 21 hp.
     Arzel: That feels better.
            Earendil raises his hand.
            Arzel does like Rein.
     Arzel: Anyone need healing?
            Kadan wheezes. "I... I don't feel so good, but
others are in more need. I can make do... <cough>"
    GMRune: Between Arzel and Rein, the group is pretty much
healed.
  Earendil: We need some kind of item to bring down the
magic shields of the warlocks.
            Rein prays and casts heal litany on Earendil.
     Ayeye: Are they gone?
    GMRune: Earendil heals 18 hp.
      Rein: Thanks to you kind sir.
   Tarrant: For now they are gone but they will follow.
      Rein: Anyone else?
  Earendil: Those were among the weaker warlocks, I dread to
think of the stronger ones.
    GMRune: Par would like some healing.
     Ayeye: Those were weak!
            Ayeye looks at the ground.
     Kadan: You were all near death because of their magic.
The darkness... it withers everything good to dust. Don't
you see now? The mind-numbing pain should convince you if
nothing else.
     Ayeye: We may not stand a chance...
            Arzel heals Par.
    GMRune: Par: We've got to try though.  If we learn more
about the staff, I'm sure we can puta dent in their plans!
  Earendil: We need some light spells
    GMRune: Par thanks Arzel.
    GMRune: Par heals 15 hp.
            Arzel is trying to learn light magic but is
unable to cast any spells of light at the moment.
            Rein asks Ayeye. "Althena would like to help
you. Will you allow her to heal you? Through me, her humble
servant, of course."
     Ayeye: Your help is greatly appreciated.
            Rein does his thing.
    GMRune: Rein casts heal litany on Ayeye.
    GMRune: Ayeye heals 9 hp.
            Arzel aproaches Kadan. "I know you don't like me
but you are in need of healing."
            Rein shakes his head and wonders why his spell
was relatively weak
            Kadan opens his eyes. "Healing...? You offer me
medicinal roots or tonics?"
  Earendil: when we get to the headquarters, we might find
some old supplies that we could use
    GMRune: Par: All right.  Just through this exit then.
    GMRune: He opens a hatch.
            Tarrant gets out of the sewer water and tries to
keep warm.
    GMRune: Par closes the hatch after everyone climbs
through and he lets Earendil take them to the headquarters.
            Rein got out of the water long ago, thank you
very much.
            Earendil leads everybody to the back entrance of
the headquarters.
    GMRune: -----End Session----