Lunar: Magic Empire Session 12 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Young Man/Garreth, Elanor, and Lady Mileria" 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: The group of you are at the cluster of wyburns that flew you over here. GMRune: You're all still quite injured from your battle with the warlocks... Kadan attempts to catch his breath. "Are we far from Vane...?" Arzel looks at Kadan "You actually want to go to Vane?" Rein limps up to "his" wyburn and eyes it warily. Kadan squints. "I need... to rest..." Par: It'll be a few hours' ride from here, but it shouldn't be too bad. GMRune: Rein's wyburn looks suspiciously at Rein. Par: I don't suppose anyone's up to do some healing around here... Valina looks at her wyburn... Geint: umm... I would if I could...... =b Kadan looks up from his keeled over position to glare at Par strangely. Earendil: Par, is that some sort of joke? Tarrant winces as he rubs his hands around his nose to notice the small flow of blood. Par looks back at Kadan, wondering what he's staring at. Valina: ~yawn~ some sleep would also be nice... Rein: hey, buddy... we're happy huh? I get on you, we fly around, no problems, right? I think we have an understanding Par: It wasn't meant to be, Earendil. Earendil: Let's just rest at Vane. Rein: I have enough for one healing spell Par nods, but uses an herb on himself anyway. Valina uses her last herb on herself. GMRune: Par and Valina each heal 20 hp. Rein goes ahead and heals whoever needs it most. Tarrant can heal 7 times if anyone needs it. Kadan moves warily away from Tarrant. Valina: This will do until I get to Vane Kadan: I'll be fine if I can just find a place to rest... Earendil weakly raises his arm, "Ahem, I could . . . use some . . . healing." Rein: Ehh... maybe someone else.. GMRune: Tarrant casts Heal Litany on himself. Tarrant heals 33 hp. GMRune: Rein heals Earendil. :) Tarrant feels some energy return to his sore body. GMRune: Earendil gains 21 hp. GMRune: Kadan uses an herb. Kadan gains 20 hp! Arzel: I think I'm fine health-wise. Par: Well, if everyone's done healing, then I guess we'd better mount up and get going! Valina approaches her kind wybern and sings to it to calm it down... Rein: Okay, friend, we're gonna take this nice and easy... Valina gets on nicely. Valina: Would you like me to help you there Rein? Rein plants a foot gingerly on the wyburn... The bush pants a bit, but then quiets as Ayeye gets closer to the wyburns. Rein looks back... "No, I think I can handle it..." Earendil climbs up onto his wyburn, "No problem here." Rein pats his wyburn. "We're old friends, right?" Arzel hops on. Valina watches Rein get on his Wyburn... for the entertainment value. Geint giggles. "That is the stupidest, ugliest thing I've ever seen....but it sure is funny... ;)" Ayeye holds comforts the bush when she gets on the Wyburn. Kadan tries to feed his mystery meat to his wyburn. Rein finally perches precariously on his steed. GMRune: Kadan's wyburn snaps angerily at him. Kadan backs away, then tries to feed the meat to the bush. Earendil: Having trouble Kadan? The bush snaps it up! GMRune: Then it burps and begins making a whining sound. Kadan: Good. That was starting to smell odd. GMRune: The party mounts, and Par signals his wyburn to fly. The wing dashes down the mountain path to gain speed and then lifts off into the air! GMRune: The wybrun wing soars high in the sky. You see a town of hicks pointing up at the lot of you as you fly past. Rein sails into the wild blue yonder with newfound confidence. Valina looks down at the town... Rein: These things aren't that bad... you just have to know how to treat them! Earendil: Hey everybody, look at the rednecks! Valina decides to NOT pay ayyention to the town! Rein: Hey buddy... you know how to do any tricks? Barrel Rolls? Corkscrews? GMRune: Geint grips Earendil's shoulder tighter and pulls closer to him. Geint: Say....um.......Earendil.....? Earendil: Yes Geint? GMRune: Rein's wyburn does a loop, nearly unseating Rein if it wasn't for the fact that it was done so quickly. Rein: Look everybody! No hands! Geint makes sure nobody is listening. Kadan looks up to the sky and let the breeze blow over his face. Rein squawks loudly. Geint: Would you ever considering....I dunno.......could you picture ever going out with Valina? Earendil: What? Valina: WHAT??! The bush pukes over the side of the wyburn. Must have been the mystery meat... Geint: Hummmm....??????? Valina: Geint... shame on you! Tarrant: Ewww.. Rein clings onto the wyburn's neck with both arms, his bandanna having slid up over his eyes. Kadan: Well, I guess I'm glad that I don't have any more of that stuff... The bush rustles and settles back into Ayeye's backpack. Valina: Why Kadan? Geint: Ok, fine. *sulk* Don't get mad at me..............Is it my fault if you two are perfect for each other???? Arzel flys near Rein trying to pull the bandanna up. GMRune: The wyburns wing towards the Nanza Barrier, still a good distance to the west. Valina: Hummm... Earendil, what should we do with this love bunny? Earendil: And what makes you so sure oh great matchermaker, Geint? Geint: Hey! I have a good eye! Rein: Ahh... it's attacking me!! It's going for my eyes!! I told you these things were monsters! Geint: I saw you as the next dragonmaster, didn't I? Arzel: Rein, it's me. Par looks back at Rein strangely. Rein kicks at Arzel, unaware of who it is. Rein: Oh.... Kadan closes his eyes and tries to ignore the others. Rein holds still. Arzel pulls the bandanna up. Earendil notices a sudden pain in his shoulder, "GEINT! Watch your claws!" Rein: Hehe.. thanks, Arzel. Valina: Geint... you are going to have to work harder than that to get ME to 'go out' with anyone! Rein flushes a bit. Arzel smirks. "No problem Rein." Rein still has a deathgrip on the poor wyburn. Par turns back to where he is leading the wing. The Nanza Barrier gets closer. Valina looks over at Rein... Geint grins again. "Ah.....so you want me to try harder....." Geint: *snicker* I can do more then try harder...... Arzel: Rein, let the poor thing go, you are going to kill it! Earendil: Geint, at the moment, we don't have time for this. Rein: Oh yeah.. I forgot :) Valina: Exactly! Geint: Alright. Enough of this! Rein holds on with a grip that would only crush a dog, not a bear Arzel looks from Earendil to Valina back to Earendil then shrugs deciding he doesn't really care. GMRune: Time passes and the wing flies over the Nanza Barrier. GMRune: As you near Vane, you see four aerial shapes heading towards you. Kadan squints and tries to make them out. Tarrant: I think we have company. Valina: Ohh no... GMRune: They are tiny winged specks at first, but then they grow swiftly until you can make out powerful wings and tawny four-legged bodies. Their eagle heads are unmistakable. Earendil: Oh s***. Arzel: Damn. Par grumbles, tightening his grip on his reins. Kadan pulls back a bit. Valina: Oh no... Earendil: I wasn't trained to fight in the air. This should be interesting. GMRune: You can clearly see their shapes now. The four beasts are heading directly for the party! Tarrant: Great.. Griffins... Kadan: Geint, you should do fine here. Rein refuses to look up. Geint: I can handle flying creatures.... Geint: But not all four! Hope you all are good with these wyburns! =b Arzel: I can cast spells, not hard from a mount. Tarrant: Well magic works well in all conditions.. GMRune: ------combat round 1----- Kadan: Stay close together! Don't let anyone get surrounded. GMRune: targets: 4 gryphons! Earendil: Kadan, may I suggest that you get out your bow and arrow. GMRune: Kadan casts Tactic on himself before the start of the battle! He's now very efficient! Geint flies off of Earendil's shoulder. Arzel: Wow. Rein: Okay, buddy... let's get something straight.. those things are the enemy... I'm your friend! GMRune: Ayeye yanks her wyburn in the direction of the fourth gryphon. GMRune: Ayeye leaps off the back of her wyburn and lands easily on to the fourth gryphon! Earendil gapes at Ayeye's tactic. GMRune: Kadan switches weapons to his silver bow. He attacks the first gryphon! GMRune: attack 1: 23 damage Kadan raises an eyebrow. "Eh? Eh? How many of YOU can do multiple actions? Huh? Eat it!" GMRune: attack 2: 24 damage Kadan smiles with sick glee as the arrow whistles into the beast. "And I haven't even practiced in a long time!" GMRune: Valina sends her wyburn into a dive and flying dangerously close to gryphons #3 and #4 to perform a wide slashing manuever with her sword! Kadan: Valina, how can you communicate with those beasts so well? GMRune: 27 damage to #3 and #4! Valina: Just... talk to it! GMRune: Geint claws at gryphon #1! GMRune: attack 1: 33 damage! GMRune: attack 2: 32 damage! Valina sings a song to her wyburn. GMRune: Gryphon #1 shrieks and plummets towards the ground! Kadan scratches his head as Geint rips into the enemies. "What is that bunny on?" Tarrant: Wow that's the way Geint! GMRune: Gryphon #2 shrieks and uses Iron Eagle! Rein hangs on for dear life as his wyburn weaves randomly. GMRune: Each of the gryphons attacks' increase by 10. GMRune: Gryphon #3 dives an attacks Kadan! GMRune: attack 1: 12 damage! Kadan steels himself against the piercing beak. GMRune: The gryphon lunge carries it past Kadan but it backwings to launch its second attack at Tarrant! GMRune: attack 2: 5 damage! Tarrant: Ug.. GMRune: Gryphon #4 swings by Earendil, raking him for 17 damage! Tarrant regains his balance. GMRune: Gryphon #4's second attack lands on Valina! Earendil wavers on his wyburn a bit, but steadies it. GMRune: 27 damage! Kadan: They're making us unstable... we need to finish them! GMRune: Valina is knocked out, and begins to slip from her wyburn! GMRune: Rein chucks his poison dart at gryphon#2! Earendil turns his wyburn toward Valina's, "Valina watch out!" Valina: ... GMRune: It lands in the gryphon's foot! 1 damage! GMRune: Earendil casts Warning, and a sparkling blue light surrounds him. Rein peels off from his attack run and regains his hold on the wyburn. GMRune: Dodge% up by 10. GMRune: Arzel casts a bolt of flame at gryphon#2! GMRune: 20 damage! GMRune: Par hurls a shard of ice at gryphon #2! GMRune: 33 damage! GMRune: Tarrant calls down a lightning bolt to strike gryphon#2! Rein: Zot! GMRune: 45 damage! GMRune: ------round 2------ GMRune: Ayeye clamps her hands over the eyes of gryphon #4 and holds on tight! GMRune: The gryphon shrieks and begins listing as it tries to get a sense of direction. GMRune: Kadan switches back to his battle axe and chops at gryphon #2! Kadan: Chop chop chop! GMRune: attack 1: 32 damage! GMRune: Gryphon#2 plummets to its death! GMRune: Kadan swings his axe at gryphon #3! GMRune: attack 2: 30 damage! Kadan pulls his axe from the first gryphon's corpse and slams it into the side of the next one. "Eat it!" GMRune: Valina... just sits tight (sort of) in her saddle. GMRune: Geint claws at Gryphon#3! GMRune: attack 1: 34 damage! GMRune: attack 2: 30 damage! GMRune: The gryphon shrieks as it loses its ability to fly! Valina is still unconscious... GMRune: Gryphon #4 madly bucks around, trying to throw Ayeye off. Earendil laughs at #3, "Hahahaha, life ain't so fun without wings is it?" Kadan: Ayeye, you just hold that position and we'll pummel it! GMRune: Rein flies his wyburn next to Valina's and gently pushes her back into her seat so she doesn't fall off. Geint: Uh.... Kadan....while she's on it? GMRune: Earendil stabs gryphon#4! Geint: ok! NOW we ruin it!! Geint: =) Tarrant: Um, Ayeye you might want to be careful when I cast magic.. GMRune: 16 damage! Par: Careful? I'm not even sure if I want to attack it while she's on it! Ayeye: If you hit me with your magic again wizard, you will pay! Kadan: Yeah, Tarrant! We'll gang up on you! Earendil: Ayeye, you might want to get off it now. GMRune: Arzel hurls a bolt of flame at gryphon#4! It just barely avoids hitting Ayeye! GMRune: 22 damage! Arzel: See, I missed you! Ayeye snarls at Arzel. GMRune: Par concentrates and carefully hurls his ice shard at the gryphon's lower body. Earendil sees that some of Ayeye's clothes are on fire. "Uh, Ayeye look!" Arzel: Sorry Ayeye! GMRune: 33 damage! Arzel: I was aiming at 3 but it died! GMRune: The gryphon seems to be on its last legs... GMRune: Tarrant calls down a bolt of lightning on gryphon#4! Tarrant: Time to roast that bird. Ayeye: And here I thought friends were only enemies WITHOUT the guts to kill you. GMRune: 40 damage to the gryphon! GMRune: The gryphon drops like a rock... um... with Ayeye on it too. GMRune: ----victory---- Geint: AAHHH!! Earendil barrels his wyburn down toward the falling Ayeye. Geint: AYEYE!!!!!!! Valina still lays on the back of her wyburn... GMRune: Earendil races down after Ayeye and tries to grab her hand. Rein stays with Val trying to support her in the saddle while not falling into the blue abyss. Geint dives down but then realizes she can't carry Ayeye on her own. Ayeye screams, "That's twice, Tarrant!" Geint: Oh hi Earendil!!!! Geint: *Dash* GMRune: Earendil reaches out with his hand for Ayeye's. He just needs to get a little bit closer.! Tarrant: Ahh sooorrrry, Ayeye.. Ayeye looks down, "Uhh, better hurry!" Earendil whispers to his wyburn, "Just a little farther fella." GMRune: Earendil grabs Ayeye's hand and begins to pull up. GMRune: His wyburn just barely makes it. Kadan tries to get his wyburn to flutter over to Ayeye. "That was pretty rough. You alright?" Valina: ... Ayeye hangs on tight, "Thanks Earendil." Earendil: Would someone like to take her on their wyburn, I cannot hold on forever. Par leads Ayeye's wyburn over so she can get back on. Rein: (to Valina) do you think you can ride? GMRune: Oh yeah, Valina gains consciousness. ;) Geint tries to help keep Ayeye up by flying under her like she could ever catch her. ;) Ayeye gets back on the wyburn. "The gryphon was more fun." Ayeye: Thank you also, you cute little air bunny. :) Valina looks up... Valina: Humm? What happend? Rein: Where's the bush? Ayeye checks her pack. Valina falls back down... tired and in pain. GMRune: The party gains 84 XP, 52 MEXP, and 40 S. Valina speeks to her wyburn. "Friend... take me to safety" Rein: Does anyone have any healing power left? I'm so fatigued... Ayeye: Hair Clip, err, oh, it's right here, behind the Hair Clip. The bush pants hyper-fast from its location in Ayeye's backpack. It didn't like the long fall.... Valina is almost uncounsious again... Par gently guides the wing back on its flight towards Vane. Rein: C'mon.. someone's gotta be able to help Val out. Valina: ... no! Don't.. you ..kil m bro.. er... Earendil uses his herb on Valina. Valina has fallen into a dream state... Rein looks at Val, concerned but powerless. GMRune: Valina heals 20 hp. Ayeye flies the wyburn alongside Tarrant. "If you ever do that again, I will fight back. Understand?" Valina sits up... Valina: Umm, thanks.. Tarrant smirks. "You wouldn't stand a chance." Earendil: No problem. Ayeye sneers. "Do you want to try, mage-boy?" Valina: Thanks for your concern, Rein... Kadan positions himself near Ayeye and smiles intimidatingly. GMRune: The wyburn wing lowers altitude as the town of Vane appears in the distance. Arzel flys over to Tarrant seeing the commotion. "What's up Tarrent?" Rein looks puzzled that someone would consider concern to be something that wouldn't be automatically given. Tarrant: Uh nothing much.. Earendil: Ah Vane, as small as it may be, I can do well a warm bed for a night. Arzel: Ayeye giving you some trouble Tarrant? GMRune: The wyburns fly in for a landing at the outskirts of the town. Rein looks around at the party, exhausted and frustrated. Par sighs and dismounts from his wyburn. Kadan slumps off, holding his shoulder while wincing. Rein leaps off his wyburn and puts a quick 10 meters between them, without looking back. Arzel looks at all the hurt people. "Man, I'm not that hurt." Rein helps Val off of her wyburn. Ayeye jumps down, ignoring the pain. Tarrant: Good to be back. Valina: Thanks, Rein. Par: I suppose since this Trevor fellow you guys know said our next clue would be in Vane, I think we should try contacting Liana again. Rein nods and looks around for a bed. Rein: Must rest! Earendil jumps off his wyburn, turns to it and thanks it for the ride. Valina looks at Geint, flying in the back, as she streches up to give Rein a little KISS on his forehead... after words she looks back at Geint... Par gestures to the wyburns and they skitter off. Rein: Erk Rein's face matches his hair. GMRune: The group of you begin to enter the town. But somehow you all have this bad feeling that something's going to happen... Geint: You know... I have this bad feeling something's going to happen... GMRune: Somehow, the atmosphere around Vane seems a lot darker than usual. Rein: Really? Me too... Rein: Weird. Par glances around warily. GMRune: Suddenly a green cloud of smoke erupts in from of the party. When it clears you see seven warlocks appear. They are lead by a black-robed young man in his early twenties. He has a shock of bright red hair and wild green eyes. His fevered gaze passes eagerly over the party. Kadan is too concerned with his own pain to notice the atmosphere. Arzel looks at the men. Kadan clenches his teeth and looks up. Earendil: Who the h*** are you? Arzel: Garreth! What are you doing in Vane! GMRune: His eyes dart around and then widen ever so slightly as they rest on Valina and finally Geint. Young Man: This is it! This is it! These are those troublemakers Lord Gausuton told us about. The ones with the flying rat! The young man looks at Arzel and snickers. Valina: Ohh no... Geint: Huh??? I'm um.... Geint: Um... Geint: AN AIR BUNNY!! Arzel: It's been a long time, FRIEND! Geint: That's all!! Ayeye: What do you want now? Valina is scared half to death... Rein forces himself to look sharp. Garreth laughs darkly. Garreth: Long time no see, Arzel. I almost didn't recognize you with your ugly mug hidden like that. Hm hm hm hm hm... ha HA! How does that scar I left you with feel? I'll bet that's why you keep that friggin' hood down over your head all the time! Tarrant: Uh ohh.. this is very bad. Valina is shaking uncontrollably. Valina: No... not again. Ayeye rolls her eyes. Arzel: The scar? Ha...a reminder of my weakness...at least I scored a good one on you! Earendil walks over to Valina, "Don't let your emotions get control." Ayeye: Garreth, why do you always have to mess everything up for me? Garreth spits distastefully on the ground. Valina: You're right, Earendil... I can't get disturbed... Garreth: What do you mean, Arzel? That was hardly a scratch! Geint: I'll show him spit.......*little spark* Garreth looks at Ayeye. "Do I KNOW you, wench?" Arzel: So, still leading around the skum of society? Ha, Garreth, I thought you were different Ayeye steps forward, "You ruined it, Garreth." Rein notes briefly that Kadan is extraordinarily under control. Kadan stands his ground near Ayeye, not wanting to make any bold moves. Valina puts her strong emotions aside, knowing that they can only lead to disaster Valina breaths deeply... Garreth ignores Ayeye, muttering something about a "madwoman". Kadan: Ayeye, don't pretend like you know this man... he appears dangerous. Earendil: Valina, we will get our revenge, but me must wait for the right time. Arzel grins. Ayeye: They were about to bring me to the remaining resistence, but YOU had to ruin it. Arzel: What are you doing in Vane, Garreth? Valina: Revenge is second to freedom, Earendil. It took me being locked up to figure that out! Garrath: Apprehending you, Arzel! Kadan mutters to himself... o O (Be my guest...) Garrath: Lord Gausuton has promised a rich reward for the capture of the rebels who have caused him so much agony. Arzel: I'd sooner die... Warlocks are what's wrong with this society! Garreth: THAT can be arranged! Arzel: Power grows when spread among the many. But perishes when horded by a few! Valina: Tell that FREAK Gausuton he DOESN'T know the agony he caused ME!!! Garreth draws his sword, the sharpened blade glinting in the midday sun. Garreth: Well now. It looks like I'm gonna have a bit of fun here. Not only shall I get to please Gausuton, but I'll cut off your head as well! Garreth's laughter reaches a hysterical shriek. Valina: HE KNOWS NOTHING OF PAIN, BUT HOW TO CAUSE IT!!! Ayeye: Still a glory hog I see, this was to be my prize. Valina: NEVER Arzel: Still using baldes? Haven't took your place as a true wizard yet. Garreth: Why stick to simply sorcery when you can have the best of both worlds? Only a fool would limit himself in such ways! Arzel looks at Garreth and straps his claws on. Garrath motions for his men to fan out. Arzel: Best of both worlds! Ha! You must be insane along with the rest of your warlock friends! Garreth: Take the whole lot of them! Leave them alive, except that mage! He's mine! Garreth snickers. Valina draws... she is weak, but is willing to fight. Arzel shakes his head "Taking a group of injured pople Garreth, I knew you had no honor!" GMRune: The warlocks rush at the party... but then something happens... Ayeye searches through her pack and pulls out a symbol. "Ahh, here it is." Kadan grumbles to himself as he grips his axe tightly. "This just isn't my day... Aw hell, maybe we can dispatch one of the serpents before they finish us..." Rein leans heavily on his staff. Garreth looks quizzically at Ayeye. Valina: Wha? Garreth: House Terna? Ayeye: Why must you people always get in my way? Garreth: What the hell is House Terna doing over here?! Earendil tries to make out what Ayeye is holding. Ayeye: I wanted to bring them in to Gausuton. Arzel looks at Ayeye. Tarrant: I think I sense a traitor in our mist. Garreth: That's a lie! He asked me to do it! Earendil: Hmmm . . . Rein steps on Tarrant's foot. Ayeye: He thought I would fail? Valina looks at Ayeye.. and takes a step back, almost tripping over Earendil. Kadan gets a thoroughly confused look on his face. Garreth: I don't recall any member of House Terna being called in! Garreth: You have no right to take this prize from me! Ayeye: I was supposed to find the resistence for him, and I almost had the last of them, until you ruined it. Earendil catches Valina, and whispers, "Just play along with Ayeye." Garreth sputters angrily. Valina whispers to Earendil... "Ok, I'll try..." Garreth: Under who's authorization do you have custody of these people! Ayeye: None yet, I was undercover dimwit. Ayeye: So, what do we do with them now? Split the prize? Garreth's eyes narrow. "Tell me, who is the head of the Third Faimly from the head of House Terna." Earendil yells at Ayeye, "You traitor! How could you do this to us?" Valina HATES being refered as a "prize". Garreth ignores the others, and waits for Ayeye to prove she's a member of the house. Ayeye: Fool, you didn't think I am really that weak, did you? Kadan takes a step back, his face twisting in horror. Garreth: All warlocks need authorization to pursue their missions. House Terna especially, being so found of bookkeeping and all. Valina: No... It can't be... Kadan: Ayeye... just hours ago, you said... you said that together we would... Arzel looks at Ayeye. "You! That's how they found the resistance!" Ayeye: Err...I've been undercover so long. Par shakes his head slowly. Ayeye starts looking through some papers in her backpack, "Maybe I filed it here." Garreth taps his foot impatiently, wondering why in Zophar's name did somethng like this have to come up. Par: Ayeye, you'll have your authorization... Par closes his eyes as if fighting with his emotions. But he raises his head and tears back the sleeve of his right arm as he holds it up for all to see. GMRune: His bracer reflects the light of the sun, illuminating the silver snake and dagger symbol for all to see. Par: I am Par of House Magus! You are trespassing on our lands. Vane is clearly marked as a part of Magus's territories. And thus I invoke the Right of Possession! These people are in my custody and may not be harmed without the direct consent of House Nissa! Ayeye: Yeah, that will do. Earendil: Ma...ma...Magus? Geint: Oi Vay!!!! Kadan clenches his teeth as a wild stare comes to his face. Arzel: Magus! Par! I trusted you! Geint: This is too much!! Valina blinks ... "Magus...umm..." Rein looks overwhelmed. Garreth stands wide-eyed. Earendil: Yes, now I am certain, all this time, Par, I wondered who you are. Kadan: Par... what was the point...? Following us all this time, helping us to investigate the tome and the pendants...? Par: Garreth, I am working under the authorization of Lady Mileria of House Magus. I'm *certain* you have heard of her. Tarrant: No one possesses VANE!! Valina slowly and secreatly looks at her documents... Earendil: You . . . were among the attackers at the resistance 3 years ago. Valina: Oh... no... but.. Arzel sighs nearly falling to his knees. Par's face flushes as the party stares at him, but he continues speaking to Garreth. "I order you to leave our lands before you violate the Empire's laws." Ayeye mumbles, "That explains a lot." Tarrant: Par your a wimp anyway... My spells take more than yours..Nah nah nah Earendil: I saw you strike down countless knights. Kadan: But Ayeye, what does this mean about you...? Are you and Par...? Garreth sputters incomprehensibly. Garreth: I don't effing care if you *are* a member of House Magus! Attack them, men! Lord Gausuton will not be denied! Ayeye: Why do you worry so much about one who isn't "human" Kadan? Par: Earendil, I'm sorry... I never meant.... Valina whispers to Earendil, "Magus... Banshee was sent to assasinatet Lady Mil.... Look at this!" Kadan: Ayeye, I trusted you. For one brief moment back there, I trusted you. That is not easy for me to do with somebody. GMRune: The warlocks look confusedly at Garreth, but decide to obey him. GMRune: As the warlocks charge you, suddenly a small blue mist explodes and disperses. You see Elanor standing between you and the other warlocks. A green warlock symbol glows on the armband of her right arm. Kadan: Please, tell me the meaning of this. Earendil: Oh no, Elanor! Valina: Ohh... no. Elanor: Garreth! Get your fleabag mind back in its rightful place. If you attack now, you'll get House Magus on our backs! That's the last thing Master Gausuton needs right now. Ayeye: Yeah, and I trusted you, but you thought I was less than human, that hurts. Kadan: Well, looks like our chances of making it out of this one alive just took a dive in the crapper. Garreth: But I can take them! Elanor's eyes narrow. "Perhaps..." Arzel takes a few steps back. Earendil: Elanor, if joining the warlocks wasn't bad enough, you want to take down your own house too. Kadan looks wildly around, trying to make sense of the situation. Garreth growls and turns back to the party. "I guess I'll have to leave you wimps for now... But this is hardly the last you'll see of me!" Elanor laughs. "I owe no allegience to Magus. Gausuton and House Banshee offer so much more than those bookworms could ever believe. No, Banshee is my home now!" Valina: Banshee is full of MURDERERS! Elanor nods and looks at Par. "Par is it? I hope you know that once word of this gets to House Nissa, your life is forfeit. I would turn these people over to Emperor Kargeth and beg for forgiveness if I were you." Earendil: Banshee is no more than a bunch of bullies and murderers serving the every whim of the Emperor. Kadan: All the warlock houses should be burned to ash. Elanor leers at Earendil and laughs again. "Whatever you say, dear brother. It will NOT presuade me!" GMRune: Elanor, Garreth, and the other warlocks disappear. Par slumps on the ground, as if drained of all his energy. Rein kneels near Par. Ayeye runs to Par's side. Kadan whips out his axe and tries to get Par and Ayeye in his line of sight, whipping the axe through the air threateningly. "You two had better tell me right now what you're up to." Arzel walks over to Par and kneels by him. Valina sits beside Par too. Par sighs and pulls his sleeve back down over his bracer. Earendil walks over to Par and stares at him silently. Valina: ... Par? Ayeye: Kadan, you're noble, but sometimes a bit simple. He just saved us. Par: Yes? I think I'm in a lot of trouble now... Par smiles weakly. Arzel looks at Par. "Will you tell us what is going on?" Par nods slowly. Earendil: Par, Explain yourself now, or I will let Kadan do as he pleases. Arzel puts his claws away believing Par will not attack. Valina: Hold on... let him talk. Kadan: Ayeye, those symbols you showed... they... they didn't mean anything, did they? Ayeye: Kadan will not do anything, Par saved us. Par: Yes. I am a warlock of House Magus... But I don't share many of the beliefs that the other houses do. Geint nervously goes to Valina's shoulder and snoozes as if she's overcome by all this. Ayeye: Err, they were symbols of house Terna. Valina: Why is Banshee after Magus? Par: After the death of the last resistance three years ago, I've seen a lot more than I had before. I knew what sort of path laid before me... Rein rubs his head. "My brain hurts!" Arzel looks at Par his face serious. Par: Valina, I will tell you, if only you will follow me to the Crystal Spire at the edge of town. Valina: Please... Earendil: Par, if you were of Magus, tell me of my mother. Par staggers up like a man barely alive and walks towards the spire. Ayeye looks at the symbol she carries, and tosses it away, "Well, that didn't work to well anyway." Valina follows... Par smiles gently. "I know that your mother was a great woman. I respect her battles a great deal. It has taken a long time, but now there are many more warlocks like her." Rein slumps exhaustedly against the side of a building. Arzel helps Par to walk letting him rest on his shoulder. Par thanks Arzel for the help. Valina helps Par to. Par: I'm just glad you guys didn't skewer me when you found out! Earendil: Ok Par, I will trust you . . . for now. Par nods his thanks as the party heads for the Crystal Spire. Kadan isn't quite all the way in not-gonna-skewer-you mode. Ayeye: Skewer you, with that many warlocks around? Arzel: No Par, I wouldn't of. I saw the pain in your face when you admited it. Arzel: You have a good heart. Kadan flares his nostrils. Par: I wasn't born a warlock... I was adopted into the house when I was young. Arzel smiles. "It's okay Par, you don't have to talk about it." GMRune: The party reaches the Crystal Spire, a large crystalline tower reaching up towards the sky. There appears to be no entrance inside however. Par: Thank you, Arzel. Tarrant: I always wanted to know what was in that tower.. Kadan: I shall not go one step further until I have a few things explained to me. Valina looks at Par... Par looks back at Kadan. Kadan: Ayeye, I want to know exactly why that warlock spoke to you as if you were a warlock as well. Arzel: What Kadan? Your Lumox brain can't handle what's happening? Kadan: Silence, Arzel! You have an acquaintance with that Garreth character. I trust you even less now. Ayeye: Well, I had a symbol, unfortunately, he didn't entirely believe me. Arzel: She had one of the symbols that we found on the dead warlocks Kadan! Little gears in the head must be stuck! Valina: Kadan.. it is all right... Kadan: Ayeye, please. I just need to hear that the symbol meant nothing, and you meant nothing about what you said... Ayeye: Anyone know who is head of the third house of Terna? Earendil: um . . . Ricki Lake? Rein ambles along at the rear of the party, bleary-eyed. Par smiles. "It's Lord Nemit." Arzel makes faces at Kadan under his hood. Kadan gets a paranoid expression on his face. Ayeye: I meant nothing, err, I hope it means nothing... Geint does little kitty snores as her resting on Valina's shoulder becomes sleeping on Valina's shoulder. Ayeye: Lord Nemit, I would've never guessed. Par: It's hard to do so if you haven't been thoroughly indoctrined into the warlock social system. I barely remember some of these people myself. Par walks up to the wall of the tower, and looks back to see if Kadan is done. Earendil: What awaits us at the top of this tower? Arzel: Kadan, you want to know how I know Garreth? Do you all want to know?!?!!? Kadan: And Par, I'm not too eager to hang around you either. You had no right to deceive us. You are a warlock, and a traitor to both sides. Par: Not at the top, Earendil. Just inside, in a chamber on the first floor. Ayeye: Well, it's a good thing you did remember, I don't want to think about what would've happened otherwise. Valina looks at Kadan. Tarrant: Why don't we go to an inn before the tower? Earendil: Kadan, be quiet and let him explain it all first. Par: I had to deceive you. I was assigned to go with you by the resistance, remember? Par: They didn't know I was of House Magus. Arzel realizes he's being ignored. Par: Very, very few of them do. And certainly not any of those in Shelladon. I was merely their liaison to their leaders. Kadan: A warlock such as yourself has no place within the resistance, or by my side. Your very presence always gave me chills, Par, and now I know why. Geint: zzzzZZzzzzzzZZZZ.......warlocks........Dragonmasters........evil to-do lists...........ZZzzzzzzzz....... Ayeye looks to Kadan, "I'm sorry, I was in a bad mood. It hurts to be called inhuman by someone you..." Par lowers his head a bit. "I know you never approved of magic, Kadan. And now you approve of me even less. But once we're inside here, perhaps you'll understand what is going on..." Earendil: Kadan, if all warlocks were evil, I wouldn't be standing here right now. Kadan: Not if I have a choice, warlock. How am I to know what is in that place? In our shattered state, you may have laid a trap for us. Par grins weakly. "As if I'm in any shape to do anything to you right now. You could kill me in a single blow and I couldn't stop you." Kadan grumbles. "I have no love of your kind, Par. The only thing that keeps me from gutting you now is my uncertainty of your true character. You have aided me in the past, but I do not know whether this was merely to aid your own ends or not." Par takes a small globe out of his sack and raises it before the wall of the crystal spire. It glows, and a doorway appears. Par: Why don't you step inside, and learn the truth for yourself? Arzel helps to prop up Par. Kadan: However, that uncertainty will persuade me to see what you have for me here. Be warned, though. One trick and I make no promises about where my blade will stray. Valina helps too. Par nods solemnly. Kadan leans over to Par, blade glinting in the light. "This had better be good..." Earendil: I will enter, perhaps part of my mother's past will be revealed as well. Par: It will be. My life is at risk not only from you, but from many others as well. Arzel looks back at Kadan and mutters something about Lumoxes and their intense curiosity Tarrant: Let's get going.. GMRune: The party enterd the Crystal Spire and the magic door shuts behind them. GMRune: You find yourselves in a squarish chamber lit by several candles. Earendil gasps, "I can just feel the magic power in the place pulse all around me." Rein limps along, supporting himself on his staff. Arzel looks around. Kadan: I know, Earendil. Isn't it nauseating? Tarrant gleams with excitement. GMRune: You see the silver cloaked figure from the battle only hours ago in the center of the room. Several robed figures stand to either side of the main one. Par drops to one knee before the central figure, bowing his head. "My lady, I have brought the ones you have told me to find." Arzel looks at the people "Par, who are these people?" Kadan glares around cautiously. Arzel looks down at Par. GMRune: The figure nods. "Thank you, Par. You may rise." Par feets to his feet. He turns back to face the party. Par: It's about time you guys meet the leader of our rebellion. We're going to need her help to find out where Gausuton's taken Valina's pendant as well as where the Pendant of Fortitude lies. Arzel bows lightly. "Greetings M'lady." GMRune: The silver-cloaked figure removes her hood to reveal a silver-haired elven woman, apparently in her early thirties. Valina: Lady... Mil.. Par: May I introduce you to Lady Mileria, of House Magus. Arzel: Warlock? Leader of the Rebellion? Lady Mileria curtsies before the party. Kadan scratches his head. "But... uh... umm... House... Rebellion...? What?" Mileria: Yes, though it may sound strange, House Magus is the one behind the rebellion's revival. Valina: Well met Lady Mileria... Now I know why Banshee was ordered to assasinate you! Mileria: True. I owe my life to the information you found, Valina. Par was able to relay it to me in time for us to take several precautions. Arzel looks at Kadan. "Don't mind the rambling Lumox." Earendil bows before Mileria. "Greetings." Kadan: I suppose it was only to be expected. You warlocks are such treacherous, conniving people. You descend upon each other for power. Tarrant: Pleasure to meet you. Valina: Umm... Your Welcome. Mileria nods to each of you in turn. Mileria: And now Par has used his globe to alert us to the fact that you have more questions you need to be answered. Valina: Indeed... Earendil: Yes. Rein bows his head reverentially. Arzel: Strange. I don't have any questions. Par: Valina and Earendil do though... Kadan gets a saddened look on his face. "To think... the rebellion being fueled by the forces of arcane magic. I had always hoped there was a brave general or keen swordsman behind it... to prove that man could conquer over magic. But alas, it is not so..." Mileria: I am sorry that you have been disappointed, great warrior. But magic is nearly all that we of House Magus know. The 90% that make up the rest of the rebellion are commoners though. And many of them are strong swordsmen in their own right. Arzel grins at Kadan "I told you you wouldn't get far without magic users." Valina: Yea.. why me is a good question to ask... Tarrant smirks. Kadan: And what is your relationship with them, Mileria? Do you enslave and control them just as the Empire you hope to crush controls its own? Earendil: Kadan, magic would save your life a thousand times over yet you would still loathe it. Valina: I was hidden as a farm girl, only to be trained during the night... for what? this... Kadan: Earendil, a life saved by magic is a life not meant to continue. Use of magic is cheating a fabric of reality, creating forces that should never have existed. Ayeye: Earendil, they say power corrupts, and magic is a formidable power. Mileria: We do not control the rebellion to further our own ends alone. We seek to overthrow Kargeth and the rest of the houses as well. You see... Emperor Kargeth is a man obssessed with his own rulership and mortality. We can't abide by his laws either! Kadan stands by Ayeye, trust slowly recovering. "She speaks the truth, Earendil. Look at the Empire that squeezes this world in its grip." Valina: So I'm going to be sent in to help stop him...? Earendil: Kadan, your blind hatred will be your undoing one day. Mileria: We desperately need help. And I asked Par to go out looking for heroes to help us... because... Par: My lady! Don't exert yourself. You can't think about him all the time! Kadan: Listen, this is starting to get really convoluted. I'm on a magic hunt for my own purposes. I need to get to the Serpent Staff as soon as I can. Valina: What? Tarrant: I am at your service. Kadan: So, Mileria... is... is all of House Magus..., you know...? Mileria breathes deeply, trying to catch her breath. "I'm sorry. But the battle out on the plains took so much out of me. We barely escaped..." Valina whispers to Kadan, "Can you please discuss magic later?" Arzel agrees with Tarrant. "Kargeth is evil, along with Garreth, he causes most of my worries now that he knows where I am!" Mileria: Yes, all of House Magus is involved in the rebellion. Kargeth has placed one too many demands on us... We won't stand for it any longer! Earendil: My lady, when and if I become a Dragonmaster, my first priorty is to the goddess but after that, I am at your service. Mileria: Thank you, sir knight. I'm glad to see you are not blind to our plight. Valina: I want freedom... Mileria: So do we all... Kadan: Mileria, you must tell me something. Is your rebellion fueled by hatred of Kargeth, or love of a free world? How are we to know that you will simply not take up his rule again with a different name once you succeed? Valina: I'll fight for you to get it! Earendil: But first I must know two things if you can answer them. Valina: Same here Mileria: We will not. I know you have nothing more than my word. But I promise you that House Magus will not assume rule after Kargeth's demise. Mileria nods to Earendil. Earendil: First, is my mother, the Lady Idril, really dead or did my sister lie to me? Mileria: Last I heard, she was killed in the torture chambers below Killith. I'm sorry. She was one of my best friends while she was with us. But I didn't have the courage to leave when she did. Earendil lowers his head and then whispers, "I see. Then, if you can tell me, is my sister really a traitor or just under control?" Kadan turns around slowly, distancing himself from the conversation while heading toward the door. GMRune: Mileria: You mean the new warlock Elanor that Gausuton has been bragging about? I can't really say. But if she is Idril's daughter, I would believe she is under their control. Idril would never change houses to one such as Banshee! Valina: ... Banshee... how I hate Banshee... Earendil nods his head slowly. Mileria: I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you more. But I can barely show my face in public anymore. The warlocks aren't quite certain I'm the rebel leader yet. But I'm sure they'll find out soon enough! Kadan: Par... I know you expect this would mean a lot to me, but it doesn't. All I see are two warring factions of fallen men who have sold their lives to magic. Of course I see this army as the lesser of two evils, but a victory won by magic is an empty victory. It is a double-edged sword that will eventually consume you just as it consumes your enemies. Earendil: Kadan, in your quest against magic, would you wipe out the dragons and the goddess as well? Valina: May I speak now? Par: I don't expect anything of you, Kadan. You've made your choice and I've made mine. Perhaps you can't see any value in magic. But for those of us who have been raised with it, there sometimes is no other choice. Valina: Earendil? Earendil moves out of the way to let Valina speak. Valina: Thanks... Kadan: Earendil, there is much I don't know of this world. I am not sure if those forces are truly real, or what their intentions are. Who knows, perhaps they are the sources of the magical forces that bind our world in chaos. If that is so, then I will hunt them. Just as I hunt everything else... Valina: Lady.. umm... Do you recognize this rapier? Valina draws her rapier... Mileria peers at it carefully and then nods slowly. "Yes... It belonged to Lord McDocmar did it not?" Valina: Indeed... he was my mentor on Caldor... Mileria: I see... Ayeye: Kadan, I will always be there to help you. If you hunt the dragons and the goddess, then I will also. Valina: Luckily he hated the Warlocks enough, and I was hidden as a mere farm girl. Kadan nods assuringly to Ayeye. "That's the spirit I like to hear. Ayeye is cursed with the very power that is rotting this world from within, and yet she can see the treachery in it. Her insight should be commended. Ayeye, the things you say remind of things that used to be said by..." Kadan turns away, distracted. Earendil: Kadan if that is the case, one day I may find myself fighting you. Mileria: We all do our part. Truth be told, there are a sparse number of other warlocks we've approached who have also joined us. Valina: Then Banshee came and I watched them destroy my family. Mileria: Don't let the gloom of the past cloud your future, Valina. I remind myself of that daily. Tarrant: How do you become a warlock? Valina: ... That is when I went to McDocmar. He gave me the rapier and the Pendant... Kadan: Earendil, that may be the case. At this point, however, I must deal with the most potent and malicious of my enemies. It would seem that this enemy is yours as well, so for the moment, we would do well to cooperate. Par: Orphans are occasionally adopted into the system. That was the case with me. Par: Lady Mileria found me many years ago when I was a street urchin in the city of Lentol. She took me in. Valina: I didn't see him being destroyed by Gausuton! But the real question is ... Valina: Why me? Earendil: AT the moment Kadan, your heart is in the right place and I commend you for that. Valina: I didn't want any of this. Kadan: Lentol...? Par, you're from Lentol? Mileria: That I can't answer for you. Par nods. "Indeed I am." Valina: But I am stuck... Valina: Where is my Pendant? Mileria: I don't know why you were chosen. But I can promise you that I and the others at House Magus will try our best to find out. Par: Is there something important about Lentol, Kadan? Valina: I must know... I have the gem. Kadan looks idly. "I... um... yeah, it's just that I was there quite a long time ago." Mileria: I don't know, Valina. But I'll see what we can do to keep tabs on Gausuton. So far none of the warlocks have pinpointed House Magus in particular as any sort of trouble. So we should be able to make inquiries without too much trouble. Valina: Thank you... Valina: I guess there are still a lot of unanswered questions out there... Par sighs. "Lot of old memories? I know the type. Especially this awful battle in a tavern one day. I was outside, but I had never heard so much commontion before!" Valina sheads a little tear. Arzel looks at Kadan "DO you want to know how I know Garreth?" Mileria: You're welcome. Perhaps you'll rest here for the night? We can help you restock your supplies for tomorrow. Valina: Please... I need rest Par: You'd think someone got obliterated in there... Kadan: Not to disappoint, Mileria, but you won't hear any of my companions' "at your service" grovelling from me. I have my own interests here, and if they happen to lie along the same paths as these others, then so be it. Tarrant: That sounds good. Kadan closes his eyes and pretends that Arzel doesn't exist. Mileria nods gracefully. "That is all that I ask of you, great warrior. I expect no less." Valina lays on the floor... Mileria: Par, lead your friends upstairs where they can get some rest. Ayeye: Kadan, do not speak for all of us. I never said "At your service." Arzel shakes his head at Kadan and walks back over to Par. Par bows deeply to Lady Mileria. Valina gets up and follows Par. Par motions for Ayeye and Kadan to come with him and the others. Kadan: Ayeye, I know. I consider us to be separate entities from these others. Their minds are not strongly aligned like ours. They seem to go wherever others' whims take them. Earendil kisses the back of Mileria's hand, "Thank you most gracious lady." Rein looks gratefully at Mileria at the mention of rest. Mileria: You're welcome, sir knight. Kadan stops, looks at the ground, and shuffles his feet for a bit. Kadan looks up at Ayeye, then decides to follow Par, a look of uncertain apprehension on his face. Ayeye: Come on Kadan, we need the rest. Sleep with the axe by your side if it helps. Kadan: Ayeye, I always do. I suggest we sleep with one eye open as well. GMRune: The party heads up the stairs to the second floor. Kadan: Although, you'd think if they wanted us dead, they wouldn't go to so much trouble. Much easier just to pounce on us. Ayeye: It's hard to sleep like that, it dries out my eye. Arzel throws back his hood as he walks revealing the scar that streches from his chin, up the right side of his face and dissapears into his hair "This! is how I know Garreth!" Par: By Althena! Rein looks around frantically for a bed. Earendil finally notices Arzel's face, "My . . ., now I see why you hate him so much." Valina: ... please let there be good dreams for me tonight... Kadan collapses into a slump of exhaustion in the corner, his mind far away. Arzel: I gave him a matching one...but not on the face...across the chest GMRune: As Par leads you along, you see other warlocks milling about. You also catch a glimpse of a silver-haired elf boy in the shadows. He waves to you as you pass by before disappearing again. Valina: ... like I had long ago. GMRune: And finally you gets to your rooms. Valina lays down and sleeps.... GMRune: The party collapses in bed. Rein falls onto the bed with a thump. GMRune: -------end session------