Lunar: Magic Empire Session 10 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Voice/Shea, and Man/Wererat" Seath as "Earendil" GORN as "Rein" Hahn as "Kadan" Aes as "Valina" Mia Ausa as "Geint" SOLaike as "Tarrant" Dyne as "Arzel" Ayeye as "Ayeye" ============================================================ GMRune: ------game on---------- GMRune: You all are standing outside of an abandoned three story keep. GMRune: The bodies of the dead ratlings lie strewn around you, and the wide double doors leading inside are wide open. Arzel: Umm, I guess we should go in... Par: Yes. The gem to Valina's pendant is somewhere inside... Kadan tries to turn his sensitive nose away from the corpses. Valina: Then we must go... Rein: Does anyone need healing? Kadan runs his finger gently over the edge of his new blade. "Yes... this will do nicely." Ayeye: I'm hurt, but I think I'll be okay. Valina is ok. GMRune: The group of you enter the keep. A wide hallway with tapestries hanging from either side lays out before you. Further on you see that the path splits in two, with somewhat smaller hallways going off to your left and right. Rein tightens the bandanna around his neck. Rein nods. Kadan checks the walls carefully. "In these situations, it is invariably advantageous to go left before right." Par: Again? Arzel: Okay, let's not trust Kadan like we did last time. Par: Remember what happened last time! Ayeye: I thought it was always go right? Valina: Hmmm... then I say go RIGHT! Remember last time... Rein waits patiently, looking around at the party. Kadan: No, Ayeye. That is only true of Neo-Urdian architecture. I've examined the layout of keeps and strongholds for a while. The strategy involved intrigues me. Ayeye looks confused, "Oh, I guess..." Tarrant: Maybe we should split up Arzel: Shure, Kadan, whatever you say... Par: That might not be a good idea. Those ratlings were tough enough to fight without spliting up! Arzel: I don't think thats a good idea, Tarrant... Valina: No... I don't think splitting up is a good idea! You never know what is here! Arzel: I think we should all go right. Kadan: The most prevalent danger we should acknowledge is structural damage. Watch for rickety flooring or collapsed archways. Rein: Janken! Ayeye looks to Tarrant, "One good part about splitting up, it lessens my chance of being poisoned." Arzel: Lessens? Rein: Best outta 3! Valina: Or increases it greatly when you see more rats! Rein sighs and starts playing janken with himself. Ayeye: Well, I guess it depends on who I'm with. Par wonders how long it will take the party to make up their minds. :) Arzel: Let's go right...before we wake up more ratmen. Kadan: We can cover more ground by dividing our forces. If one way is to certain death, then at least we will not all perish. Valina desides to play janken with Rein, until the party DOES make up it's mind... Arzel: Whatever Kadan...Who says Right? Rein: 1 Valina: Right! Rein: 2 Ayeye shrugs. "Whatever blows your hair back." Rein: 3 Rein: Scissors Valina: Rock Kadan: Paper? Rein: Hey, cheater! GMRune: The bush makes a dry wheezing sound at Rein. Valina: Hey... let's try that again... Rein: No one likes a cheater, Val, especially Goddess Althena! Tarrant: This is getting us nowhere. Rein: okay... Rein: 1 Rein: 2 Rein: 3 Rein: Paper. Valina: Paper. Rein: That's more like it. Par: Er... maybe we should just go right... Rein nods at Par. Arzel: That's what I think Par. Ayeye starts to go right. Valina: Yea... let's do... one last time? Tarrant: I hope that's the right way. GMRune: The party goes right. You enter all enter a somewhat narrower hallway. There are two doors to your left, and two to your right. Rein: Alright Rein: 1 Kadan: I'm telling you... right leads to certain doom! Rein: 2 Rein: 3 Valina: Rock. Arzel: Fish! Rein: Rock. Rein: Hmmph! Kadan: Just so you all know, I'm completely against this. Arzel: Fish loose to everything. Rein: No way... fish kick ass! Ayeye: Come on Kadan, don't be a tunahead. Tarrant: Always have to go agianst the group don't you, Kadan? Rein: Later, Val... Arzel: Fish loose to Rock and Scissors but beats Paper Rein: How does it beat paper? Arzel: It gets it all wet! Kadan giggles at Ayeye, then realizes he's just been insulted. Ayeye: Let's take the first door on the left. Valina: Ohh no... it is going to take us forever to deside... I say second on the right! Rein: Oh.. I see. Teachings of the ancient janken masters! Ayeye opens it. Tarrant: Lets go to the second on the left Valina: ok First Rein: Thank you for enlightening me Arzel: your welcome Arzel: but it GMRune: Ayeye opens the first door on the left. Arzel: 's hard to do the fish sign GMRune: This is the mess hall of the keep. Plates and mugs of dried ale are scattered all over the various tables. These rat creatures obviously have no sense of tidiness. The putrid stink of old meat assails all of you. Ayeye backs up, "Wrong door." Arzel: Ack! What's that smell? Kadan! Did you have to?? Kadan: I believe we can do without that cuisine... GMRune: There's another door to the right inside that room. Valina: Yuck... I don't wanna go in there! Kadan gives Arzel a fierce glare. Rein raises the bandanna over his nose. Arzel smiles! Ayeye: Well, there are three other doors. Valina opens the second door on the left! GMRune: This looks like it used to be a kitchen. But there is a black tar-like substance covering the floor. Apparently not even the ratlings will enter this place. GMRune: Suddenly the tar shifts a bit as if recoiling from the party. Kadan steps apprehensively away from the tar. Valina shuts the door FAST! GMRune: It gathers itself into a blob-like form. GMRune: And... Valina slams the door shut on it. Rein drags a bench towards the door Rein: Gack! Valina: Nope... not in there! GMRune: You see something thick and black is seeping out from under the door. Ayeye frowns. "Two doors left." Arzel: Keep it closed! Arzel: Argh! Valina: Ummmm...... I don't like this... Arzel: Is tar flammable? Valina runs to the other side of the hallway! GMRune: The thick puddle begins to reform on *your* side of the hallway! Tarrant: Great Lunar... I hate evil black Jello. Ayeye backs away. Valina still runs... Kadan: Running will solve nothing. Let us neutralize this menace. Rein moves in the OPPOSITE direction! Valina trips and falls! Arzel: Fire! Valina: Ouch! Ayeye: It's a big sticky pile of goo, what can we do to it? GMRune: The puddle finishing gathering itself into a mound of goo and attacks the party! Arzel: Maybe its weak agains Light magic... Arzel: Or Fire... GMRune: ------round 1------ Valina gets up... and wipes the dust off. GMRune: target: 1 black pudding Valina: Fine then... We will fight! Ayeye: I hope it's weak against steel! GMRune: Ayeye's form blurs as she dashes forward and splatters pudding everywhere! Kadan nods to Ayeye. "Agreed!" GMRune: 7 damage! Rein: Oh yuck.. Kadan eyes the assault carefully. "Nice, but could use a little work. Put your shoulder muscles into it." Ayeye looks at the goo all over her clothes. "Ewww." GMRune: Kadan cleaves chucks of slime away from the black pudding's main body! Arzel: Nice one, Ayeye GMRune: attack 1: 40 damage GMRune: attack 2: 44 damage Kadan: Well, we aren't going to find that gem without getting a little dirty. Ayeye: But this stuff is disgusting. Kadan pulls his axe away, gratified by the deep gashes he inflicted. Ayeye tries to wipe it off. Rein ducks a giant globule of black pudding flying from Kadan's general direction. GMRune: Valina slashes at the black pudding with her rapier! GMRune: 18 damage! GMRune: Geint blows a gout of fire at the pudding! GMRune: 25 damage! Valina steps back to avoid the fire. GMRune: Earendil slashes at the pudding with his sabre! GMRune: 18 damage! GMRune: Rein grabs a chair from the kitchen and chucks it at the slime! GMRune: The slime swallos up the chair and makes a burping sound. The chair is utterly dissolved. Valina: Ummm.... Arzel: Umm, good going Rein :) Rein recovers from the toss... "Oops." GMRune: Arzel is surrounded by light for a moment before directing it in a bright beam at the black pudding! GMRune: 24 damage! GMRune: Par casts a shard of ice at the pudding! Arzel: Weird...I don't usually do that much damage... Ayeye: Have you been working out without me? Arzel: No... GMRune: Pudding is strong against ice and water attacks! 3 damage! Kadan: Par! Study the course of the battle. Use your weapon arm. Rein: It's strong against chairs too... Keep that in mind, everybody. Tarrant: Well now we know not to use those spells. GMRune: The pudding burps and swipes a pseudopod at Valina! Kadan is angry he can't use all of his chair- elemental spells now. GMRune: Valina is burned by digestive acids for 20 damage! Arzel: Kadan? Spell? Never Kadan: Like "Recliner Rocket"! Valina screams! GMRune: Tarrant casts Thunder Bolt against the pudding! GMRune: Pudding is weak against thunder. Pudding takes 230 damage!!!! It dies! GMRune: -----victory------ Valina: ... Arzel: ??? GMRune: The black pudding remains are splattered about the hallway... Arzel: That's alot of damage... Kadan shudders from the shock blast of the lightning bolt. Valina: I think I am going to have to go to a tailor after that attack! Ayeye cleans off burnt pudding. Kadan glares around at Tarrant. "Don't DO that!" Arzel hides from the splatering behind Kadan. Kadan: Igh! Some got on my fancy-schmancy new axe! Kadan dutifully polishes the blade. Arzel: I think I'm the only clean one... GMRune: The party earns 16 XP, 2 MEXP and 0 S. Tarrant flexes and points to the remains of the blob... Then around to the other doors.. Whose next? Valina's clothing didn't like that acid! But her armor took it a bit better! Rein breathes deeply. Rein: I love the smell of burned tar in the morning. Rein looks at his white shirt... well.. it was white anyway... Kadan frantically searches the remains. "What? No silver?! What kind of pudding is this?" Arzel watches as Tarrant's muscle flop. Valina: Ummm Rein, could you heal me please... Ayeye: Well, maybe if you search its pockets. Rein: Of course. Ayeye looks at the mess, "Err, maybe not." GMRune: Rein casts Heal Litany and Valina recovers 15 hp. Rein: Is everyone down a few hit points? Like 5-10? Arzel is down 18 but will survive. Ayeye: I'm hurt a little, but I can manage. Kadan is bursting with youthful vigor and strength. Par sighs. "So where next?" Tarrant: The first right door. Rein: Okay, I'll drain the next thing we see. Ayeye opens the first right door. Kadan sighs. "Hmm... I don't feel very good just doing these ratmen's extermination services for free. Let's locate the gem, then make an expedient withdrawal." GMRune: The door to this room has a tarnished plaque saying "Training Room". The room inside is fairly dusty and vacant however. As you walk in, you each leave footprints in the thick gray dust. Around the bend of this L-shaped room you see a door on the eastern wall and on the southern. Kadan uses his satchel to sweep away the footprints behind the group as they walk. "Can never be too careful, you know." Rein raises the bandanna over his nose again, for the dust. Par sneezes. "Stupid dust..." Tarrant: *cough* Boy, where is Mr. Clean when you need him... Valina sings a little, and the dust stays away from her... GMRune: There is a door on the eastern wall and another on the southern Ayeye goes south. GMRune: Plus the door you came in. :) Rein sticks with Val. GMRune: This small room holds the moldy remains of the wooden practice swords the soldiers used for sparring. GMRune: At least, while there were soldiers using this keep. Kadan makes a point of examining the areas around the party that are not being watched carefully. Kadan looks to the rear and sides suspiciously. Ayeye: Nope, wrong door, again. Ayeye heads east. GMRune: This room appears to have once been an office or first aid room. There is a medicine cabinet on the wall. Ayeye frowns, "Dead end again." Tarrant opens the medicine cabinet. GMRune: Tarrant finds three vials of blue liquid in the cabinet. Kadan moves up to the cabinet, pushing Tarrant out of the way. "Let me look at those." Tarrant picks up one of the vials and nearly drops it as he is shoved aside. Ayeye looks around the training room. Ayeye: Only one door left. Arzel sneezes sturring up even more dust The bush sneezes in reaction to Arzel's sneeze. It's catching. :) Kadan stuffs one vial into his satchel. "These are anti-toxin serums. We should divide them." Arzel pats the Bush. Tarrant puts the vial in a pouch on his hip for safe keeping The bush pants. GMRune: Tarrant and Kadan each get a vial. Tarrant: Who wants the last one? Kadan: And no, the bush does not get one. Arzel: Good bush. Arzel: I'll take the other. Arzel gets a vial. Ayeye heads back to the hall, and goes to the last door. GMRune: Ayeye opens the last door. It opens into a short hallway leading to a cluster of prison cells. Rein: Could I take a look at the vials please? My master Mendren taught me a lot about various kinds of elixers. Ayeye looks at the prison cells. Kadan: I recognize them, kid. I'm sure you do if that teacher of yours is worth his salt. Rein: Oh, ok GMRune: There are three prison cells where Ayeye and whoever else is with her are. Valina is with Ayeye. Rein: I go wherever Ayeye is. Arzel is with Ayeye. Kadan stays protectively near Ayeye. GMRune: These tiny prison cells are inhumanly small. You find the skeleton of some poor soul still chained inside one of them. It seems to be clutching something. Ayeye checks to see what it is clutching. Rein: Go ahead Kadan, bend the bars Valina shudders... Tarrant: Rein why dont you squeeze through the bars. GMRune: Ayeye finds a plain-looking hair clip clutched in the skeleton's hand. Ayeye: Does anyone now what these are, er, were? Rein sucks in his stomach. Valina doesn't like this place. Ayeye examines the hair clip, "Why would this be so important?" Valina looks... GMRune: The hair clip just looks like a hair clip. :) Ayeye: It doesn't look special, was there something in those papers about a hair clip? Valina goes though her documents... Ayeye concentrates, "I remember something about hair, flame hair I think." GMRune: Valina doesn't find anything about a hair clip. Ayeye grabs the possibly all powerful, magical hair clip. :) Kadan doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, but feels this isn't worth it... never was the jewelry type. Tarrant tries to get the hair clip and accidently pulls the arm off. GMRune: Ayeye grabs the hair clip. GMRune: While Tarrant gets an arm. :) Tarrant: Oops sorry buddy. Rein: Hang on to that, Tarrant, in case we meet any rabid dogs. Valina: Need an extra hand Tarrant? Arzel: Ohh! Can I have a leg? j/k Tarrant reattaches it... Rein: Should I heal litany it? GMRune: The arm falls down the on the floor. Ayeye: Still doesn't look special, maybe it was a gift. Valina: I don't think so Rein! Kadan shudders and mumbles something about what sick wizards do for entertainment. Rein snickers at Valina. Par: Well, that takes care of this wing of the first floor... Ayeye: Back out and to the left of the main entrance now, right? Valina: Is there anywhere else to go? Ayeye puts the hair clip in her pack, hoping the bush doesn't eat it. The bush looks at the the clip, but decides to leave it alone since it's Ayeye's. Kadan: See? I told you we would eventually be drawn to go left. But did any of you listen? Nooooooooooooooo... Valina perfers ribbons over hair clips... but she never gets any ribbons... GMRune: The party heads back to the left wing of the building. GMRune: Once again, there are two doors on the left and two on the right. :) Ayeye: Uhh, sorry Kadan. Next time I'll listen to you. Ayeye: Where to Kadan? Kadan: We return to the main entry, and follow the left corridor. If my hunch is right, that will lead to the chambers not accessible from the right. Tarrant: Just think if we would have listen to you.. We would have never found the hair clip Kadan rolls his eyes. Ayeye looks at Kadan. "Gee, and here I was expecting great amounts of wisdom, instead, I get the obvious." Kadan: Nor would we have found that tar monster. Par looks thoughtfully at the first door in the right. Rein: And that tar thing would still have been around to terrorize the populace! Tarrant: Don't worry, Kadan, if we meet any more tar monsters I'll protect you. Kadan: Last time we met a tar monster, you nearly singed my hair off with your infernal... powers... Ayeye opens the first door on the right. GMRune: You enter the barracks of the keep. The remains of many cots lie here. And a few of the better ones appear to be still used by someone or something. You find the bodies of four dead ratlings. Valina hummmsss... Ayeye: Guys, someone seems to have beaten us here. Valina: Yea, but who? GMRune: Closer inspection reveals the ratlings have died from sword wounds. Rein is pretty much just KEEPING his bandanna over his nose at this point. Ayeye: The warlocks? Gausuton? Valina: ... Ohhh no... Ayeye: The warlocks' mercenaries? Rein: Is the blood dry yet? GMRune: The wounds are still very fresh. GMRune: The blood hasn't completely dried yet. Ayeye: Good thing we didn't go left. Kadan looks thoughful and disturbed. "Ratlings don't usually turn on each other. We need to identify the third party here. They must be interested in the gem." Rein: But now they're ahead of us! Valina: I don't like this.. Ayeye: Better ahead than behind. Kadan shakes his head. "If only we hadn't wasted time hunting down that hair clip..." Par shudders. "We'd better get moving then!" Ayeye: I don't want to be stabbed in the back. Valina sighs... Ayeye glares at Kadan, "You WANT to be stabbed in the back?" Kadan nods to Par. "Yes, let's continue. We need to get moving again." GMRune: The party goes back out into the hallway. Ayeye opens the second door on the right. GMRune: From the smart arrangement of the simple desk, chair, and bed, you could guess that these are the quarters of the captain of the soldiers stationed here. Unfortunately the keep's recent inhabitants have decided that neat wasn't the correct appearance to have as rotten food has been splattered across the floor and the walls. Ayeye: Well, at least they didn't waste fresh food. Kadan: This gem had better be worth it... Ayeye backs out and goes to the second door on the left. GMRune: This door opens up to a short hallway with a spiral staircase at the far end. Par: Finally! The way to the second floor! Ayeye: I think we found the way. Ayeye approaches the stairs. Valina: Kadan, considering we need this gem... GMRune: The party heads into the hallway and up the stairs. Tarrant: I hope there aren't too many more than 2 floors. Kadan walks up the stairs carefully, testing each step's strength before proceeding. GMRune: You emerge on the second floor into another hallway, similar to the one you were just in. It makes a bend to the right and then continues on down for the length of the keep. Ayeye keeps a look out for bad guys with swords. Rein looks around warily. Ayeye continues down the hallway, slowly. GMRune: As you step out on to the main hallway, you suddenly hear a lot of shouting and squealing! Tarrant: Be on guard for that other party... They must be around here somewhere. GMRune: The voice seems familiar. Ayeye: I think they're straight ahead. Voice: Watch out! Comin' through! Voice: Outta my face! Voice: Move it rat-breath! GMRune: You see a cloaked figure dart out from one of the hallway intersections up ahead! GMRune: Three giant rats and three ratmen are chasing it! Kadan: Is that...? Valina: Could be... Ayeye takes up a combat position. Kadan: Valina... that friend of yours. The one we saw in Shelladon. Shea: Get off my tail you dumbasses! Valina: Yup... that's Shea all right! Rein swallows and brings his staff to bear. Shea notices the party up ahead of her. Valina is excited to see her friend!! Shea: Hey! Nice to see you guys in a crappy place like this! Mind taking care of these guys for me? Valina: Hi Shea! Valina: We'll take care of it! Shea barrels through the party and down the stairs. Shea: Thanks! GMRune: The rats and ratlings attack the party. Ayeye: Wait, where are you going? Valina: Gee, I wonder where she is going.. GMRune: -----------round 1---------- GMRune: targets: front row, 3 giant rats.... back row, 3 ratlings Rein frowns, and a cloud seems to pass over his features. Kadan: Shea, we don't need motivation for eliminating these creatures. GMRune: Ayeye Tiger Cuts giant rat #3! GMRune: 1 damage! GMRune: Kadan attacks giant rat #1! Kadan: Be patient, Ayeye. It will improve with practice. Ayeye stumbles back. "I didn't even scratch it with my Tiger Cut!" GMRune: attack 1: 26 damage GMRune: attack 2: 24 damage! GMRune: Giant rat #1 dies! Kadan spins his axe around his finger, blows off the smoke, and shoves it back in his holster. GMRune: Valina casts air blade as Geint casts rage slash... GMRune: Suddenly the air wipes around the back row as Blade Barrier is cast! Valina: Cool Ayeye blinks, "That's impressive." GMRune: 64 damage to all ratlings! Rein: Cool! GMRune: Earendil attacks giant rat #2! GMRune: 3 damage! GMRune: Rein casts Drain Litany on giant rat #2! Rein: Althena likes us better than you! GMRune: Rein drains 8 hp from the rat. GMRune: Everyone gains 1 hp. GMRune: Arzel's glows with a white light which he directs into a beam at ratling #1! GMRune: 17 damage! GMRune: Par casts Ice Dagger at ratling #1! GMRune: 27 damage! Kadan wonders when Par will learn some apocalyptic blizzard spells. ;) GMRune: ratling #1 dies! GMRune: Ratling #2 chucks his spear at Rein! GMRune: 9 damage! Rein: D'oh! GMRune: Ratling #3 casts Sewer Bite at Arzel! GMRune: Arzel is poisoned. GMRune: Giant Rat #2 attacks Kadan. GMRune: attack 1: 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage Kadan: Hah! That's the best you can do? GMRune: Giant Rat #3 attacks Earendil! GMRune: attack 1: 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage Tarrant laughs at the wimpy giant rats... GMRune: Tarrant casts a spell and a vine grows out of the floor to smack ratling #2! GMRune: 40 damage! GMRune: ratling #2 dies! GMRune: Arzel is hit for 4 damage from poison. GMRune: ------round 2------- GMRune: ratling #3 and gaint rats 1-3 are left. GMRune: Ayeye claws at giant rat #3 GMRune: attack 1: 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage Rein: I got ya, Arzel. GMRune: Kadan attacks giant rat #2! GMRune: attack 1: 23 damage! GMRune: attack 2: 22 damage! Arzel: Thanx, Rein. GMRune: Giant rat #2 bites the big one! GMRune: Valina sings and blows out the eardrums of giant rat #3. Valina: Laaaaa.... la la la laaaa.. GMRune: 20 damage! Rein: Poor rat... Valina: La la la la^la^La^la la! GMRune: Geint claws at the last giant rat. GMRune: attack 1: 12 damage GMRune: attack 2: 10 damage GMRune: Ginat rat #3 dies. GMRune: Ratling #3 is now the front row. GMRune: Earendil casts fastcut on ratling #3. GMRune: 7 damage! GMRune: Ratling #3 attacks Kadan! GMRune: 1 damage! Kadan doesn't even bother "oof"ing. GMRune: Rein casts Heal Litany on Arzel. GMRune: Arzel heals 14 hp. GMRune: Arzel casts a bolt of flame at ratling #3! Arzel: Thanx Rein. GMRune: 19 damage! Rein: Hey, what am I here for? GMRune: Par casts a shard of ice at the final ratling. GMRune: 27 damage! GMRune: The ratling dies! GMRune: Arzel takes 4 damage from poison before it leaves his body. GMRune: -----victory--------- Tarrant: Yeah Kadan shakes his head. "When will you people learn that most things in life can be accomplished without magic? It's a cheap short-cut through reality that will eventually consume you in its own corruption." Rein: Any one need healing? Need more Arzel? GMRune: The party gains 64 XP, 40 MEXP, and 69 S. Arzel: No, I'm good Rein: Any one else? I've got a spell to burn before I dose up on starlight. Rein heals himself. GMRune: Rein cast Heal Litany and regains 15 hp. Ayeye: I could use some healing. Rein lays his hands on Ayeye's wounds GMRune: Rein casts Heal Litany. Ayeye regains 11 hp and is at max. Arzel: Ohhh, Rein, don't touch her there... Kadan watches the blue glitter surround Ayeye. "Ayeye... ack! How can you stand that stuff coursing through your veins? It gives you kidney ulcers, you know." Ayeye looks worried. "Kadan, but not all magic is evil, I mean, Rein casts magic that heals, not harms." Ayeye brightens up. "Get over it." Rein: Yeah, I merely channel Althena's love Kadan: But if a scar is healed so quickly, what can you learn from it? Only by embarking on the painful, natural healing process can you truly learn from the experience and perhaps avoid a scar next time you fight. GMRune: You all see there are four doors to the left of the long hallway, and three hallways to the right. Rein: Would you rather we face those mercenaries all banged up? Tarrant: Blah blah blah.. Anything else magic hater? Rein: Just because you don't take much damage doesn't mean you can ignore the pain of those who do! Ayeye: Well, I lasted 2 hours, wasn't that long enough? Rein looks up defiantly at the big man. Par: Where to now? Ayeye: Well Kadan, lead us. GMRune: Four doors on the left, three hallways on the right. :) Valina: I wonder where Shea went... oh well. Kadan rubs his chin and examines the doors with a glance. Ayeye is impatient and opens the first door. Kadan shrugs and follows Ayeye. GMRune: A pit trap opens up beneath the party! Ahhhhh!!!! You all fall back down on the first floor. :) Ayeye: Nope, wrong door. GMRune: You're back in the hallway of the left wing. GMRune: An alarm is sounding through the keep now. Rein: There must be a laconian shield around here somewhere! Tarrant: Great... Just great. Kadan: Grr... you should have waited for my expert decision! Ayeye: Err, really wrong door. Valina: Hummm... He is good at finding trap doors! GMRune: The pit closes up above you. Rein: We'd better get moving. Ayeye looks annoyed. "It was me this time." GMRune: The party goes back upstairs. Rein pops a starlight on the way. GMRune: Rein gains 20 MP. Rein: Oh yeah.. that's the stuff. Ayeye: Well Kadan, would you like to choose this time? Kadan points to the far door on the right. GMRune: The party goes down the far *hallway* to the right. :) Ayeye goes off in the direction Kadan pointed. GMRune: You seem to have entered the old servants' quarters. Many of the doors to the small rooms here are open. GMRune: Apparently the ratlings sleep here. GMRune: You also notice quite a few dead bodies as well. Par: Geez, Valina. Your friend sure went on a killing spree! Rein: Does the hallway end? Valina: I'd say so, I wonder why she is here! GMRune: Yes, the hallways ends. Ayeye: Well, at least we haven't set off another trap, yet. Valina: Yet... Ayeye: Does anyone know how to shut off that alarm? Par: Well, let's try another door or hallway. The bush cringes, not liking the sound. Ayeye opens the second door. Kadan: We must not assume anything about her intentions. GMRune: As you pass through the gilded doorway, you enter what seems be to some sort of throne room. You surprise a slender wiry man toying with a thin sabre on his golden throne. "Ah," he says. "I see my thieves have returned. First you took my enchanted sword, and now you're back yet again." He smiles briefly. "I'll bet you want my gem now, don't you. And you think we rats are bad. Well, I'll just have to recover that sword myself!" Valina: What? Ayeye: Err, sword, what sword? Man: You know very well what I'm talking about! Kadan: You are a confused, strange little person, sir. Valina: I'm sorry... Ayeye: I'm sorry, I think we wanted door number 3, we will be going now. Man: You stole my sword and killed many of my followers! And for that you must die! Ayeye backs up. Valina: Unless... warlocks... or Shea! The man gestures and the door slams shut. The man leaps to his feet with a snarl. And before your very eyes you see his form blur and change. His head becomes longer, narrower. Thick black fur now covers his body, and a long bare tail whips wickedly behind his back. Ayeye turns to the door, "Or, maybe we'll stay." The wererat glares at all of you. Wererat: No silver weapons on you I'd wager... Wererat: *This* will be fun... Ayeye: No, I don't think so, no enchanted blades either. Kadan: Now, listen here! We've done nothing to harm you or your people except invade your keep, loot all of your wealth, and slaughter your troops! We demand you let us go! Valina: And took a hairpin! The wererat shakes his head. Ayeye rolls her eyes. "Shut up Kadan!" Wererat: I saw you slaughter my followers outside of the keep! Rein: And set off your alarm, annoying everyone in a 20-mile radius... Wererat: Enough talk! Die thieves! Kadan: Pah! Nonsense. A strong, sturdy blade works on anything! GMRune: He raises his sabre, and then the wererat charges at all of you! GMRune: -------round 1------ GMRune: target: 1 wererat Ayeye: Wait! What if we could get back your sword? GMRune: Ayeye lowers herself into a defense stance. Kadan senses he may have to use his patented maneuvers after he sees how this round goes. GMRune: Kadan attacks Wererat: What! *** Beri (beri_f@phx-az5-02.ix.netcom.com) has joined channel #lunarrpg5 GMRune: attack 1: 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage The wererat snarls at Kadan. Ayeye: I think we saw the person who took it, we might be able to get it back. Kadan looks at the wererat, then his axe strangely. "I don't understand... I keep in practice regularly!" GMRune: Valina's form blurs as she attacks the wererat. GMRune: 9 damage Wererat: Liar! I saw you kill my men outside! I've seen they're bodies in this keep! The wererat begins chanting the words to a spell. Valina: I think THEY attacked us... if these are the same men you are talking about. Ayeye: They attacked us, besides, we didn't kill all of them, only a couple. GMRune: The wererat casts Acid Cloud! The whole party is hit! GMRune: Ayeye is hit for 16! Ayeye: Umm, err, it was the person who stole your sword that killed your men. GMRune: Kadan is hit for 41! Kadan staggers backward, clutching his chest. "Egad!" Arzel cowers..."Oh, no" GMRune: Valina is hit for 30! Ayeye stumbles and falls to the ground. Valina falls to the ground... in pain! Wererat: Humans aren't welcome here because of their ways. My men were killed by blades! Who else uses them around here? GMRune: Geint is hit for 38! Ayeye: Argh, err, elves? Arzel: Not me! GMRune: Earendil is hit for 34! Wererat: I see at least three members of your party wielding bladed weapons. The only pathetic town near enough to us refuses to use sharp weapons! Wererat: You are the only possibilities! Ayeye stands back up and glares at the wererat. GMRune: Rein is hit for 25 damage! Valina: Wa..ss, there War lo cks? Kadan tries to contain the trickle of blood emerging from his mouth. "Vile beast..." Tarrant: There is a whole army of men coming.. I don't think you want them to come too... Valina is to weak to even talk. GMRune: Arzel is hit for 24 damage! Rein's legs go out from under him. GMRune: Par is hit for 22 damage! Arzel stumbles back and falls over..couching up blood. GMRune: Tarrant is hit for 9 damage! Tarrant: Is that all you have vile beast of Satan? Valina: need... gem.... for Pen.. dan.. t GMRune: Geint claws futily at the wererat. Arzel: Shut up, Tarrant! GMRune: attack 1: 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage GMRune: Earendil fastcuts the wererat. GMRune: 11 damage GMRune: Rein hangs back. Ayeye has a wild look in her eyes. Kadan grunts. "This isn't working. We can't survive here." GMRune: Arzel is surrounded in light as he arcs it in a large beam at the wererat. Arzel: Stratigical retreat? GMRune: 26 damage! Ayeye: No Kadan, there is no escape, and he doesn't want to talk. GMRune: Par casts Ice Blade! Arzel: More magic! GMRune: 40 damage! Valina: can..t use swords.. Kadan: I have courage, Ayeye, but there is a time when fighting a pointless battle is futile. GMRune: Tarrant calls down a lightning bolt on the wererat! GMRune: 46 damage! Ayeye: Kadan, there is NO escape. He closed the doors, it's either him or us. GMRune: ------round 2---- Tarrant: All you non magic users can defend.. GMRune: Ayeye concentrates and a ball of flame appears above her head. She arcs it at the wererat... Arzel: And use your herbs Ayeye: FIRE-BOLT! GMRune: 28 damage! Kadan glares wide-eyed at Ayeye. "What the...?!" Kadan fixes Ayeye with a look of utter confusion. Rein groans in appreciation. GMRune: Kadan defends. GMRune: Valina uses an herb on herself. Ayeye is only watching the wererat. GMRune: Valina heals 20 hp. GMRune: The wererat points at Tarrant and casts Disturbance! GMRune: Tarrant's wisdom is lowered by 15. Kadan's mind races with thought, but is only concerned with immediate survival. Valina rises, but is still hurt. Tarrant: Ya.. Thats right you rodent king... You can attack me so use your wimpy magic. GMRune: Geint breaths fire on the wererat. GMRune: 26 damage! GMRune: Earendil fastcuts the wererat. Arzel: You're smart now huh Tarrant? GMRune: 10 damage! GMRune: Rein casts Heal Litany. GMRune: Valina heals 16 hp! Valina: THANK YOU! GMRune: Arzel casts Heal Litany on himself. Rein: Ungh. GMRune: Arzel heals 19 hp. Arzel: Ahh. GMRune: Par casts a shard of ice at the wererat. GMRune: 37 damage! GMRune: Tarrant calls down a bolt of lightning on the wererat! Kadan braces his arms in front of himself, merely wishing for the immediate danger to go away. GMRune: 31 damage! GMRune: ------round 3------ Arzel: Hahahaha...never thought I'd see Kadan like that! GMRune: Ayeye concentrates, forming a ball of fire above her. She again hurls it at the wererat! GMRune: 30 damage! Ayeye: FIRE-BOLT! GMRune: Kadan uses an herb on himself. GMRune: Kadan heals 20 hp. GMRune: Valina casts Hypersonic and sings! GMRune: 28 damage! GMRune: The wererat casts Quickcut on Arzel! Kadan looks curiously at the green digits that just fell out of his body. Arzel: Arzel Going down! GMRune: 68 damage! Arzel: Wait... that's me Arzel: *thud* GMRune: Arzel's thrown back unconscious. GMRune: Geint wolf cuts the wererat. GMRune: 18 damage! GMRune: Earendil casts Thunder Bolt. GMRune: 16 damage! GMRune: Rein casts Heal Litany on Ayeye! GMRune: Ayeye heals 16 hp and is at max. Arzel: *dreaming* you know god...I like it here...can I stay? GMRune: Par casts Mana Theft! GMRune: Par gains 11 MP. GMRune: Tarrant casts Thunder Bolt! GMRune: 31 damage! GMRune: -----round 4------ Rein: How much can this guy take? GMRune: Ayeye concentrates and forms a ballof fire over her head and chucks it at the wererat! Ayeye: FIRE-BOLT! GMRune: 27 damage! GMRune: Kadan cringes behind his shield, wishing it was more protective. :) GMRune: Valina uses a starlight. GMRune: Valina regains 16 MP. GMRune: She's back at max. GMRune: Geint breaths fire on the wererat. GMRune: 26 damage! GMRune: The wererat growls and casts Quickcut on Tarrant! GMRune: Tarrant takes 27 damage! GMRune: Earendil uses an herb. GMRune: He heals 20 hp. Tarrant: Come on gutter rat is that all you can muster? GMRune: Rein casts heal litany on himself! GMRune: Rein regains 18 hp. Rein: Hehe GMRune: Par casts Concentrate. Arzel: *dreaming* Oh, come on god...do I have to leave? You say my friends need me? Not including Kadan right? GMRune: Par's wisdom is raised by 11. GMRune: Tarrant casts Thunder Bolt! GMRune: 29 damage! GMRune: -----round 5----- Par pants wearily, wondering how much longer this fight will be going on... GMRune: Ayeye concentrates, forming a ball of flame above her head. She arcs it at the wererat! Ayeye: FIRE-BOLT! Rein groans and heads towards Tarrant GMRune: 26 damage! GMRune: The wererat falls! GMRune: -----victory------- Kadan looks up, and acknowledges the beast's defeat. Geint cheers. Valina sighs! I'm glad that is over. Par shudders... Valina: Now to get the gem... Ayeye kicks the beast. "I gave you your chance." GMRune: The party gains 34 MEXP and 100 S. Tarrant does a victory cheer *Whoo whoo* Valina: You see Kadan, magic isn't all THAT bad Ayeye looks very exhausted. Arzel: *still dreaming* oh...look at all the naked women Arzel wakes up. Ayeye looks to Kadan, and then looks to the ground. GMRune: Arzel has 1 HP. :) Kadan: Magic isn't that bad? Look at the acid burns on my armor and tell me it's not that bad. Arzel: Damn! I had to get up right at the good part! Ayeye: I, I'm sorry Kadan. Kadan looks up at Ayeye with a squint of betrayal and collapses to his knees, exhausted. Valina: Heh heh... Well, I'm wearing rags thanks to all the acid I have encoutered today. Arzel casts Heal Litany on himself. Rein casts heal on Tarrant. GMRune: Arzel gains 20 hp. Tarrant: Thanks, Rein, you're a nice guy. GMRune: Tarrant gains 20 hp. Kadan struggles to stand, bearing more a burden of emotional pain than physical. Kadan: Ayeye, what just happened? Rein: (to Tarrant) And it's lucky, too, cuz that's about all I've got going for me! :) GMRune: The wererat's body lies on the floor. Ayeye mumbles, "I'm sorry, he wouldn't listen, he...he forced me to do it..." GMRune: You see a lavender gem set into the hilt of his sabre. Geint examines the corpse. Geint: Ewww...Yuck!! Ayeye avoids Kadan's gaze. GMRune: It doesn't look like it was originally part of the sword, but addded later. Geint: Huh? What's this? Kadan: I... I trusted you... Geint: Lookie everyone!! GMRune: Now that the wererat is dead, he reverts back to his human form. Geint grabs his sabre. ;) Ayeye: I...It's...But...I'm really sorry. GMRune: Geint grabs it, but she has to sit on the ground since she certainly can't fly with it! Kadan: Ayeye, you have to understand that sinking to those depths of wickedness can never give you true victory. Only by rising and conquering through your own strengths can you fully defeat that which opposes you. Geint drags it across the room. ;) Geint: K...Kadan...............*grunt* help? =b Ayeye: Unfortunatly, that would seem to be my strength. Don't you understand, I lost my temper. I don't use magic because I could be one of them. Kadan looks down, his forehead tensed in pain. "Ayeye... you were like a... never mind." Ayeye: I don't want to be a warlock... Rein: An artillery battery? Par watches Ayeye quietly. Geint drags it a little more then flops on the ground like she gave up. Geint looks up at Ayeye. Rein picks up Geint. Rein casts heal on the A-bunny. Ayeye: If you want, I'll leave. I can find my answers elsewhere. If I have to. Kadan tries to muster the strength to look in Ayeye's eyes. "I know. You, like Earendil, are cursed with a capability that can lead you on the path of destruction. I see you have the wisdom to avoid its wicked pull, and I hope that strength of will can be sustained. It's just that... it's hard for a person like me... a Magic Hunter... to discover a... a... friend is capable of such a thing." GMRune: Geint heals 17 hp. Geint: Ayeye!!! We trust you!! Right everyone!? Geint: RIGHT. Geint eyes the crowd. Rein pulls out his Ayeye fan-club t-shirt. Valina: We do... or at least I do. Geint: Good! That's two! Par: Don't worry, Ayeye. You used your magic when we needed it, and for no other reason than to save us. Ayeye smiles at the show of support, "Thank you, but I'll only stay if Kadan wants me to." Arzel: I do... Kadan turns away from the group, lost in thought. Kadan: Ayeye... you and I are similar in many ways. More ways that any of you people realize. Geint: Well Kadan....one thing that's different about you and me... I need----CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS? Kadan: I... I have a hard time accepting what I just saw. It makes me wonder if you meant all those things you said to me about uniting to fight the forces of the warlocks and magic wherever they go." Ayeye: I meant every bit of it, I don't want to be one of them, and I hope I never was one of them. Geint grunts and drops the sword by Kadan's feet. Kadan: However, these are trying times. A simple magic hunt has gotten me wrapped up in a series of events I could never have predicted. I am forced to travel alongside these... magic users in order to seek the object of my quest. You are my sole ally in this. As different as you may be, and the more I know about you now, I still cannot turn my back on you. I have no choice. Geint drops on the floor unconcious. Geint: ZzzzZZzzZZzzzzzzz..... Rein eyes the jewel in the sword. Ayeye smiles at Kadan, "Thank you Kadan, thank you for your support in this matter. I will stay by your side and help you on your quest." Valina looks at the jewel. Rein claps Ayeye on the shoulder. Valina: I'm glad you could work out your differances. Geint looks like she's having a dream where she's running........ Geint: *shuffle* *shuffle* Kadan nods, still not sure if he's making the right decision. "I have my feelings about all of you. I should just leave now and find the Serpent Staff on my own. However, I see now that is not possible by myself. I must seek the help of a lesser evil in order to defeat a greater one." Ayeye cringes at being called "evil". Tarrant: Lets get out of this hell hole.. And head back to the village. Geint: ZzzZzzZzz....? Valina: Hold on... that jewel... in the sword... Par: Um... Maybe we should pay attention to Geint and the sword... Valina: I think we found what we came for. Geint wakes up and the sound of her name called. Geint: Wha..? Huh? Geint: Yeah...the sword......Can you pick this up for me, Kadan? =b Rein kneels next the the sword. Valina looks closely at the tiny jewel. GMRune: The sword is an ordinary bronze saber accept for the lavender gem set into it's hilt. Kadan takes a deep breath, and looks to the future. Rein touches it hesitantly. GMRune: The gem looks identical to the one on Arzel's pendant, except for the color. (Arzel's is blue.) Geint looks very tired. ;) How long was she dragging that? ;D GMRune: Rein is shocked by it. Rein squawks. Valina: This is it! I know it! Now we have to get my pendant back! Rein sucks on his hand. Par: Valina, you try getting the gem. Geint: Let's hope this isn't some Chos/death/bad-luck gem like Arzel's. =b Valina reaches out for the gem. Tarrant wishes he had a cool gem that he could display around his neck. GMRune: The gem falls free from the sword at Valina's touch, shedding soft lavender light among all who are present... GMRune: -------end session-------