Lunar: Magic Empire Session 23 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Leon, Dumbbell Voice/Mummy, ~Rein, ~Tarrant, ~Arzel, and Shea" 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 party had just opened up a pair of gigantic gilded doors to reveal the entrance to what appears to be the ancient Gym of Increased Muscle Strength, the name of which hangs on a big tapestry before you. Valina: Ohhh... interesting Rein: Is this for real? GMRune: You can see two paths diverge from either side of the main hallway. To the left if a sign that says, "Weights", and to the right is a sign that says "Sauna". Kadan eyes the tapestry. "Hmm..." Valina: Does this mean we can finaly hit the gym? We have been planning for weeks! Earendil: Why is it so hidden? Tarrant could use some muscle strength... Kadan picks up Ayeye's ropey arm. "Yeah, this could use some remedial training." Valina: I don't know... Valina looks for the locker room! Leon looks back and forth. "Shouldn't there be an 'exit' sign somewhere?" Ayeye glares at Kadan. "I don't think we have the time." Geint shruggles. Earendil: Well, let's explore the place, no use standing around. Par: I don't know if we have much choice, Ayeye. We have to go find an exit. We can't go back the way we came. Valina goes around the corner, and exits wearing gym gear! Leon trots up to the "Weights" sign, looking up at it. Geint pouts. She can't wear gym clothes. =( Valina lifts! Earendil: You're a baby dragon, you don't need clothes. Geint: So? Geint: Doesn't mean I can't want! Geint thinks again, knowing that Earendil can read her mind. Par: Which way are we going? Geint puts on a gym headband!! =D Geint: Hah! I guess I can wear SOMETHING. Valina goes to the sauna. Valina: OUCH! Its hot in there! Earendil heads for the weight room. Rein follows Earendil. Geint decides on going, too. Kadan goes for the weights, doubting that any of them will present a challenge. GMRune: As the party splits up, each members goes down a rectangular shaped path similar to the ones that lead you to the gym in the first place. Ayeye follows Valina. Valina goes to the weight room too! Valina: o_O Ayeye still follows Valina. GMRune: Valina and Ayeye backtrack away from the sauna, resulting in the entire party heading toward the weight room. GMRune: The passage turns sharply to the right after a few dozen meters. There is a door right at the turn with a sign on it saying "Weight Room". Kadan is amused by the sign. Earendil goes to open the door. Geint sits on Leon's shoulder. GMRune: The door opens to reveal a large room with padded flooring. Valina: Ohh boy! GMRune: Various benches lie around the edges of the room, loaded with various sized barbells and weights. A treadmill lies near one wall, as well as a strange sort of rowing machine. GMRune: There is also a sparkling set of dumbbells that appear to have been cast out of silver in one corner of the room. Kadan: Ooo... Valina hits the weights! Kadan: Wish I could have trained with those... Earendil takes off his armor and gets on the rowing machine. Leon sits down and watches Earendil. Ayeye: Earendil, I don't think that will help us get out of here. GMRune: Valina tries lifting up of of the silver dumbbells, but accidently drops it. Valina: YOW! Dumbbell: OUCH! Earendil: We might as well use these things while were here. Valina: Ohh... Im sorry! Geint looks up. Geint: The dumbbells talk? Dumbbell: Stupid people don't know when to quit! Earendil does a double take at Valina and the dumbbells. Valina just realized she just talked to a dumbbell! Valina: Are you okay, dumbbell? Tarrant: A bush... And now a dumbbell... What's next? :) The dumbbell rocks itself back and forth on the floor and then managed to throw itself up on one end. Eyes appear on the top disk. Kadan is startled. Dumbbell: Argh... I think I'm okay. Silver dents easily you know... Valina: Ohh, I'm sorry! Dumbbell: What're you human types doing here anyway? Haven't seen your type in eons. Geint flies over. Earendil jumps off the rowing machine thinking it might suddenly start talking too. Geint: Do all of you talk? Geint looks at all of the machinery. Valina: Well... We just accidently found this place! Dumbbell: Not all o' us. Just us silvery kinds. Oh, and them coaches too. But they've been such a nasty lot lately. Earendil: What coaches? Dumbbell: What self-respecting gym doesn't have its own personal trainers? That's who they are. But they're so fussy now since no one comes here anymore. Ayeye: Where are they? Earendil: But this place is deserted. Valina thinks about it... Dumbbell: They're probably roaming around trying to think of a way to get people here to work out. The dingbats have tried everything from advertising signs to blacking out the caves above us in hope that some poor saps would drop in here. Valina: Ohhh... so that is why the cave was so dark! Ayeye: I guess it worked. Kadan: Or at least, it was supposed to... Dumbbell: Hrmph. Good for them! Kadan holds his forehead, confused. Dumbbell: Everyone gets stronger just from being in this place, so they can't say they aren't doing their job. Ayeye: I don't suppose you could tell us how to get out? We have a mission to finish. Valina: Well, thats nice. Do you think we can get stronger too? Dumbbell: How to get out? Ha! I can't tell you that! I'm a dumbbell! Ayeye: I thought so, nothing is ever that easy... Earendil says in a sarcastic tone, "Oh that's hilarious." Kadan: Umm... where are the barbells? I suppose they'd be smarter than you dumbbells. Tarrant: I bet we can melt down that dumbbell and make some great weapons.. The dumbbell cocks his "head" to one side as if thinking. Valina: HEY! dont even think of hurting thaat nice dumbbell! Dumbbell: Hey! I may be a dumbbell, but I ain't stupid! Dumbbell: Matter of fact, there MAY be a way out for you after all. Earendil: Well, what do we have to fight and/or what puzzle do we have to solve? Valina: I'll bet we'll have to workout... ;P Dumbbell: Well, some new entity arrived here some time ago. And it's been gathering a lot of support among the trainers. It's supposed to be the thing that made the cavern all black. Dumbbell: I bet it can get you out. Kadan pounds his fists together. Kadan: If it's a trial of strength to exit this place, we need not worry! Valina: Yes Kadan, I'm sure you can do it! Dumbbell: Since everyone is stronger while in these halls, you should be able to inflict more damage while fighting. Dumbbell: But before you guys leave, could you please put me back on the rack? I don't want to get all this dust on me by sitting on the floor. Valina: Yea... It wouldn't be good if you were to tarnish! Tarrant: Well maybe now I can take more than 1 hp away from enemies when attacking... Valina: Kadan, could you please lift the dumbbell up? Par: Well, it looks like we may have the way out we needed. Par heads towards the exit. Kadan respectfully returns the dumbbell to its place. Earendil puts his armor back on and heads after Par. Leon gets up and peers at the dumbbell, which glares at him in return. Leon then follows after Par. Kadan: Hmm... I wonder what kind of being could generate a shadow powerful enough to cast a gloom over the whole cave? GMRune: The party exits the weight room. The path extends to your left, or forward and back the way you came. Earendil: Let's not think about it until we have to face it. Ayeye: I would rather not know. Valina: ... let's go left. GMRune: The party follows Valina to the left. You pass a sign pointing ahead saying "To the Trainers'". Tarrant: This seems to be the right place to start GMRune: The passage becomes slightly darker as you progress. The spacing between the glowing spheres that light your way seems to be increasing. GMRune: After a while, you see a cluster of doors; three on your left, and three on your right. Each of them has something written on it in a script you cannot read. Valina looks at the doors... GMRune: The passage continue onward as well, and even seems to be widening. Ayeye looks at the script and tries to open the first door on the left. "I think this is the correct door." Valina looks at the writing, but can't make a thing of it... GMRune: The door opens to reveal a small office. There are rotting cloth scraps on the floor next to the chair and desk. Kadan notices the rotting cloth. "... Charming." Earendil: Shall we go raiding again? GMRune: The desk has a few papers on top of it, but they are so yellowed and faded that they look as if they would crumble if you touched them. Ayeye touches the papers. GMRune: The papers break on the slight pressure of Ayeye's hand. GMRune: You hear slight voices echoing from further down the tunnel. They are low, and it feels like you are sensing them welling up from the ground rather than through the air. Valina decides to open the next door. Kadan cocks his head to get a better listen. Ayeye: Could that be the trainers? GMRune: Valina opens a door to an office similar to the first one. This one has little bits of gravel on the floor. Earendil: If it is, they don't sound too happy. Valina: ... GMRune: The voices rumble slowly in your direction as if in great effort. Earendil opens a door on the other side of the corridor. Ayeye looks down the hall toward the voice. GMRune: Earendil finds yet another office. This one has cloth wrappings stuck to various cracks on the floor. GMRune: Ayeye can just make out six vague shapes coming down the hall. Earendil: Nothing here either. Valina: Ohh... Ayeye: Hello? Who are you? Voice: Huh...? Someone is here...! Ayeye quickly closes the door, "Well, we were just leaving..." GMRune: The voices mutter lowly to themselves. Earendil: Oh great, more mysterious voices. Valina: That's just what we need... GMRune: Six shapes come trudging down the path towards you. The three on front are bandaged creatures with a schuffling gait. The three in back seem to be made of stone. Earendil walks back to hall with Ayeye and Kadan. "We can't stay back forever, we have to go forward sooner or later." Ayeye smiles. "I don't suppose you would tell use how to get out?" Kadan: Stop for a moment... Kadan: Ayeye, silence! We must hide in the shadows... we will strike when they least suspect it! GMRune: The lead creature stops, head cocked to one side as he looks at Ayeye. Mummy: Out...? You are not our usual customers... ::then as if to itself:: Where have they gone...? Ayeye: Where has who gone? Valina whispers, "I don't think we want to know!" Mummy: Urdians. They who erected this place to practice their skills and hone their warriors in combat... But they have been gone for so long... We wither without the energy expended from those who train. Ayeye: I think they're dead, or captured, or something like that. Earendil thinks back to Liana's papers, "Oh no, the Urdians..." Valina wonders... what didn't they do. The mummy shakes his head. "Not true! Not true! Their power lingers still or we would not exist!" His voice lowers to a more conversational tone. "Perhaps you wish to train?" Valina: ... Mummy: We are in dire need of customers. Ayeye: Actually, I think we need to find the way out. Could you help us? Earendil: I don't know if we could use your type of training. Valina: I think they could.. The mummy hisses. "Out! If you cannot already leave, then you may not do so!" GMRune: The mummies' eyes glow fiercely as they regard you. Ayeye: Err...I think we can leave, we just don't know where the door is... Valina: Oh no.. Earendil: Let us pass, we will find our own way out. The mummy begans to laugh darkly. "Door? There is no door out. Only up. And you little things have no wings. But if we train you, you will be strong enough to fly!" GMRune: -------combat round 1------ Valina: Here goes nothing... Earendil: So much for the diplomatic approach. GMRune: targets: front row - 3 Mummy Dummies back row - 3 Training Golems GMRune: Ayeye attacks Mummy #3! GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 56 damage GMRune: attack 2: 39 damage Valina: Way to go Ayeye! GMRune: Kadan attacks Mummy #1! Earendil: Wow, this gym really works. GMRune: attack 1: 115 damage GMRune: attack 2: 116 damage GMRune: Mummy #1 falls! Kadan looks strangely at his axe. "Huh...?" GMRune: Geint claws at Mummy #2 GMRune: attack 1: 113 damage GMRune: attack 2: 101 damage GMRune: Mummy #2 falls. GMRune: Earendil's form blurs as he strikes Mummy #3! GMRune: 99 damage! GMRune: Mummy #3 attacks Earendil! GMRune: 31 damage! Earendil: Dammit! GMRune: Golem #1 throws a rock at Par! GMRune: 50 damage! Par reels over, but is still conscious. GMRune: Golem #2 throws a rock at Arzel! GMRune: 36 damage! GMRune: Golem #3 throws a rock at Earendil! GMRune: 11 damage! GMRune: Valina's form blurs as she slashes the row of golems! GMRune: 72 damage to each! GMRune: Rein stays in the back with Leon. GMRune: Arzel moves up to the front row. Valina: Yes! GMRune: Par's form blurs and he strikes Mummy#3! GMRune: 90 damage! GMRune: Mummy #3 falls! GMRune: The golems become the front row. GMRune: Tarrant whacks Golem #1! GMRune: 26 damage! GMRune: -----round 2------ GMRune: Ayeye attacks Golem #1! GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 59 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 56 damage GMRune: Kadan attacks Golem #1! Kadan peeks over and tries to see Ayeye's dexterity. GMRune: attack 1: 124 damage GMRune: Golem #1 is mincemeat! GMRune: Kadan attacks Golem #2! Kadan pulls his axe away, clenching his teeth while diving into the next adversary. GMRune: attack 2: 118 damage GMRune: Geint claws at Golem #3! GMRune: attack 1: 101 damage GMRune: attack 2: 103 damage GMRune: Golem #3 falls! GMRune: Earendil slashes at Golem #2! GMRune: 92 damage! GMRune: Golem #2 falls! GMRune: -----victory!----- Valina: Yea! Earendil: I wish we could keep this strength all the time. GMRune: The party earns 112 XP, 37 MEXP, and 75 S. Valina: That would be nice! Kadan: >:) Valina: Well... that was good training. GMRune: You find a sort of dark orb on the body of the lead mummy. Earendil: A bit on the painful side for some of us though. Valina takes the orb. Valina: What's this? Par shrugs. Par pesters Rein for a heal. ~Rein casts Heal Litany on Par. Earendil: Coming from them, I doubt that there's anything good about it. GMRune: Par gains 33 hp. Kadan examines the orb. Kadan: The dark brilliance is quite... captivating! GMRune: The orb pulses lightly in Valina's hand. Valina: Wow. Valina walks down the hallway. "Come on! Let's go... it's telling me to!" Par looks at Valina curiously. "It?" Geint is quite asleep. Ayeye: At least I'm not the only one who is talked to by objects. Earendil looks at Kadan. "Did you hear it say anything?" Kadan: Nope... Valina: The orb... it's kinda... ummm beckoning me to go down the hallway Valina: I can't explain it Ayeye follows Valina, "I know the feeling." Par sighs. "Well, I guess there's no harm in following it." Valina walks down the hallway. Kadan: The shadows... the darkness... it causes most to cringe in fear, but others let it surround them like a protective shroud... Kadan takes off his mask and inspects it thoughtfully. Earendil: At least not yet Par. GMRune: The party follows Valina down the hallway. You pass by other offshoots of the main passage. Each have signs like pointing out other parts of the recreational facility. Par nods. GMRune: You feel a light breeze as the path widens even further ahead of you. GMRune: And you also get a faint whiff of some sort of vegetable matter. Valina: Whoa... this is getting stronger! Let's hurry! Valina begins to run! GMRune: The scent seems somewhat earthy. A loud ERP! sound rumbled from down the hallway, and the scent of decomposing vegetable matter pours over you in waves. Valina: Yuck. Earendil: UGH! Leon: It smells like someone's upchucked dinner! Valina covers her noise with her gym headband! Kadan turns his head. Ayeye: Where did you take us? Valina: Maybe this wasn't a good idea... Valina: I don't know... Valina: It took me. Valina looks at the orb. Valina: Yet it's telling me to go onward... Let's run. Valina runs to avoid the smell... Ayeye sighs. "If you insist." Par wonders for a moment if Valina's gone batty. GMRune: You see the hallway ends in a large archway. You see a large pile of cabbage, berries, wheat, and celery heaped in a giant mound in the center of the round chamber within. Light filters in from a giant hole in the ceiling through which you can see the sky in the distance. GMRune: There is a rabid munching sound coming from the other side of the mound. Kadan: What on Lunar... hmm... Valina: Yuck! Where is this thing taking us? Kadan: Let us be men and women of valor, or else death awaits us all with big pointy teeth! Ayeye: So this is where all of the garbage goes. Valina: Stupid orb! Earendil: Looks likes someone's storeroom has been sitting around for awhile. Geint gets up and stretches. GMRune: You suddenly see a savage flying carrot soar over the mound of vegetables. And after it come nothing other than a giant pink rabbit with a pair of white fluffy wings. It neats nabs the carrot with its sharp incisors and begins to chow down. Valina: o_O Geint: It can't be.... Geint: An air bunny. =b Valina: Now we are ... hallucinating! Kadan: It's... I told you! I warned you! But did any of you listen to me? Nooooooooo! Earendil's mouth drops. "HUH?" Valina *blink* *blink* Ayeye: I never doubted you. GMRune: The air bunny polishes off the carrots and looks down at you from its height of eleven feet. Arzel looks around in confusion. Earendil: Maybe the fumes have gotten to us. Ayeye: I guess this means we made it. Kadan: No, Earendil. This is very, very real. We must be cautious... they can strike without warning! Geint: I thought you said air bunnys lived in big open places, not caves! GMRune: You notice a strange orb is embedded in the bunny's forehead, similar to but larger than the one in Valina's head. Valina: Arent they cute. ;) Valina: Ohh no... Geint: Is it an evil air bunny? Ayeye: There's a hole up on the ceiling, maybe it flew in. Geint: I guess that could be true... Earendil: Well, at eleven feet, I'd hardly say its cute. Ayeye: I think it's cute, and the bush seems to agree. GMRune: The bunny sniffs the air and drops to all fours, peering intently at you. The orb glows, and you get the feeling its upset. Kadan gulps. Valina holds out the orb... Earendil: Valina, maybe you should drop the orb. Kadan: Geint... I apologize for ever calling you an air bunny... *this* is the real thing! Valina: Come on... Geint glares for a moment at the creature. GMRune: The air bunny bares its teeth at Geint, and are they sharp! Geint: O_O Geint: Does it....talk? Arzel stares unhappily at his burnt hood. "*mumbled to himself* I need to get a new robe now..." Valina drops the orb and slowly takes a step back! Valina: Heh heh ... umm... GMRune: The orb in the bunny's forehead glows again, and the giant rabbit's lips curl back into something resembling a snarl. Geint: Eep.. Geint: I don't think it likes that orb.... Valina: Oh... no GMRune: Though the air bunny doesn't speak it works, somehow you understand that it knows that you killed the trainers. And its not happy about that. Valina: Umm... let's go now. ;) GMRune: The air bunny utters a squeal and the archway behind you vanishes! The orb pulses in its forehead. Earendil: Yes, that's the best idea you've had all day. Arzel: I'm with Val. Valina: Umm... GMRune: The air bunny hisses and begins foaming at the mouth. The orb flashes a blue light, and it attacks you! Valina looks at the party with puppy dog eyes... "Sorry..." Ayeye: Does anyone know if real air bunnies breath fire? GMRune: -----round 1----- GMRune: target: air bunny GMRune: Kadan casts Initiative! Kadan directs the group into the shadows, where they can pounce unexpectedly and overwhelm the bunny! GMRune: Party gets surprise attack on Air Bunny! Valina: Yea Kadan! GMRune: Ayeye attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: attack 1: 34 damage GMRune: attack 2: 38 damage Kadan likes this cavern. Valina: And those stupid trainers attacked us! Valina: Humph! Earendil: No one ever said life was fair, Valina. GMRune: Kadan attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: attack 1: 100 damage Valina: I know... nothing is fair! I know that all to well Earendil, no need to remind me. GMRune: attack 2: 106 damage Valina: But some GOOD luck would be nice for a change ;) GMRune: Earendil casts Warning! Blue light sparkles around him. GMRune: Dodge% raised by 19. GMRune: Valina sings, driving powerful song waves at the air bunny's sensative ears! Valina: la.... la la la la...... GMRune: 31 damage! GMRune: Rein hunts for a chair with Leon, but doesn't find any. GMRune: Arzel attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: 45 damage! GMRune: Par's form blurs as he attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: 75 damage! GMRune: Tarrant calls down a bolt of lightning on the Air Bunny! GMRune: 85 damage! GMRune: -----round 2----- GMRune: Ayeye attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: attack 1: 24 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 57 damage Geint: Go Ayeye! =D GMRune: Kadan attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: attack 1: 116 damage GMRune: attack 2: 106 damage Geint: =) GMRune: Geint's form blurs as she strikes the Air Bunny! GMRune: 128 damage! GMRune: Earendil's form blurs as he strikes the Air Bunny! Geint: Heh...... in all this time of wondering what it is you thought I looked like.... I finally get to see it. GMRune: 101 damage! GMRune: The Air Bunny glares at the party and leaps into the air before landing with a gigantic *THUMP* on the ground! Everyone is struck by the resulting tremors! GMRune: Ayeye is hit for 14 damage! Ayeye falls! Kadan is hit for 47 damage! Geint is hit for 22 damage! Earendil is hit for 27 damage! Valina is hit for 27 damage! Rein is hit for 22 damage! Arzel is hit for 4 damage! Par is hit for 1 damage! Tarrant is hit for 1 damage! Geint: Eep! Ayeye! GMRune: Valina attacks the Air Bunny! Kadan glares at the Air Bunny with fresh hatred and determination. GMRune: 44 damage! GMRune: Rein is guarding Leon in the back row. GMRune: Arzel attacks! GMRune: 45 damage! GMRune: Par's form blurs and he strikes the Air Bunny! GMRune: 77 damage! GMRune: Tarrant animates the Air Bunny's veggies to strike it! GMRune: 92 damage! Kadan: Ha! Your mountain of rotting foliage has turned against you, hasn't it? Hasn't it?! GMRune: -----round 3---- Geint: ... GMRune: Kadan attacks the Air Bunny! GMRune: attack 1: 97 damage GMRune: attack 2: 93 damage GMRune: The air bunny screams and falls down the ground! GMRune: ----victory----- Valina: Well.. wouldn't you know, an air bunny killed by an air bunny! :) GMRune: The party earns 31 XP, 30 MEXP, and 50 S. GMRune: Ayeye wakes up with 1 hp. Valina takes and herb and some more yummy roots, packs them together and has an herb-yummy root sandwich! Valina: Yummy Kadan tips Ayeye's chin up. "Are you alright?" GMRune: Valina heals 20 hp. Earendil feels sick to his stomach as Valina eats those roots. Ayeye: Yes, did you stop the air bunny? Valina: Yummy... Valina: Oh, some roots will make you grow! GMRune: The dark orb rolls out of the air bunny's forehead and clinks against the one Valina dropped on the ground before. Valina looks at herself... and her height... 'Maybe not!' Geint: It's connecting! Valina: Humm... Valina: I think I was lied too! I havn't grown an inch in years! I could use an inch or two too! Valina looks at the orbs. Valina: I don't want to go near them. Earendil pokes at the orbs with his sword. Ayeye stands up and walks over to the orbs, "What harm could they do now?" GMRune: The orbs doesn't seem to react in any way to Earendil's sword. Valina: It lead me here. Ayeye picks up the orbs. GMRune: Ayeye acquires two Dark Orbs. Par: So what now? Ayeye: Does anyone see the exit? Par points up. "That's about all I can see." Ayeye puts the orbs in her backpack. "But how do we get up there?" Kadan: Strength to fly, eh? Valina: Hummm... It's worth a try but how? Arzel flaps his arms in mockery :P GMRune: Arzel remains on the ground. Arzel: Darn. Valina looks to see if we could climb up the walls... Earendil looks around to see if there is anything that they could climb on. Valina: *blink* *blink* GMRune: The walls are rocky and made of granite, much the face of the mountains you are within. Climbing may be possible, although it's a long way up and the slopes turn inward. Ayeye finds a clean place and sits down. Valina: Geint, umm how much stronger have you become? Valina grabs on to Geint! Leon blinks, wondering if that'll really work. Earendil: Ayeye, are the orbs doing anything? Valina: This won't work.. Ayeye sighs, "No, they're just being dark." Valina: Humm... Earendil: Hey Tarrant, what about all these vegetables in here, can you do anything with them? Valina: We could eat them... that would do us some good. ~Tarrant: Maybe. I probably could make a long enough vine for us, although that'll be some climb. ~Tarrant: Geint will have to fly up with one end of it though. Valina wishes the dumbbell was here to give us advice. Ayeye: Do you see some way to use the orbs? Earendil: I don't know. Maybe I should've listened to those mummies back there. ~Tarrant shrugs. "Well, we can try your vine idea if you want to." Valina: Well, sitting here won't get us anywere... Earendil: Might as well, since we don't have a better way at the moment. ~Tarrant nods and casts his spell on the mound of plant matter. Ayeye takes out an orb and starts playing with it, "I wonder how the bunny worked this thing?" GMRune: The plants gather together in a slippery sort of smelly vine. Valina begins collecting vegetables and handing them to Tarrant. Valina: Yummy. Valina looks at the vine in disgust... ~Tarrant hands one end to Geint. "Fly up there and find someplace to tie it to!" Geint nods. Geint flies up. Kadan watches the goings on with amusement. Geint looks for a good thing to tie it to. Geint ties it to a nicely shaped rocky outcropping. Geint: All set! Geint looks around at what's outside. ~Tarrant yanks tentatively on the vine. ~Tarrant: It's a bit slippery, but it seems like it'll hold. Be careful while going up! Geint: It better hold!! Par smiles. "If not, we'll blame it on you, Geint." Valina: Who's first? Geint: Exactly! That's why it better hold! Par nods. Valina gets on her climbing gear! Valina: I'll go. GMRune: Valina has trouble getting a grip and winds up sliding a couple feet for every six she makes, but is slowly nearly the top. Valina: Whoa... that was tough! Valina: Nice view from up here. Earendil rubs his hands in some dry dirt and proceeds up after Valina. GMRune: Earendil makes it up far more easily than her as he winds up sliding less often. Par helps Leon on to his back and begins climbing up after Earendil. Valina yells down to the group: "HEY! We are on the southern end of Nanza!" Valina: We made it! Kadan looks at the vine suspiciously. Valina: But who is going to take Leon up? Par: I'm already... oof... doing that! Valina: Ohh... sorry ;) Kadan: I can carry two people... sometimes three. ~Tarrant tries climbing, but can't make it up because he isn't strong enough. Earendil: We finally got to where we wanted. Geint flies down and tries to help push Tarrant up. Valina: ... prehaps we could pull him up? ~Tarrant still can't make it up. Geint: Kadan.... you said you could carry people...? Earendil: Kadan might be able to carry hime, but would the vine hold? Kadan: Sure I can, little ai... Geint. ~Arzel covers his hands with grit and barely makes it up. Geint: =) Valina: As I said, we all could PULL him :) ~Rein also makes it up. Geint: Good! =) Geint: ..If you think that'd work. Valina: I'm sure it will.. Kadan: Well... I suppose we don't really need Tarrant. Come on, Ayeye. ~Tarrant glares at Kadan! Valina: Kadan! Valina: Shame on you... who MADE this vine might I ask! Geint: There are several ways we could get him up........... Kadan shrugs. Geint examines Tarrant's size.... Kadan: Well, what do you expect me to do? He's all... wormy and stuff. GMRune: Tarrant is a skinny wizard. ~Tarrant: Just hoist me up then after you and Ayeye get up! Geint: Hmmmm..... Nevermind. Let's do Val's idea. Ayeye stands up and walks over to the vine. Kadan sighs. Kadan: Alright, fine. Just don't... bite me or anything. ~Tarrant nods and waits for Kadan and Ayeye to go on up. Ayeye: It's really high... Par: Come guys! Climb up! We should get going! Valina: Well... Tarrant and tie a knot at the bottom and sit on it! Kadan gets on the vine. Geint sits on Leon. Leon pets Geint. Geint: =} GMRune: Kadan has no trouble climbing up. Earendil sits down and shakes his head muttering, "Just do it already." Ayeye tries to climb the vine. GMRune: Ayeye slides back down. She isn't strong enough to make it. Geint: Eep! Valina: Great... Valina: Think we can pull them BOTH up? Earendil: Not at the same time. Geint: Hmm. Well, we have the time so I won't bother...... Par: Well, we can haul up one, and then bring up the other. Geint: I probobly COULD take Ayeye up, but I don't want to risk it. Kadan: Leave that up to me... Kadan attempts to get the group up to the top of the vine. GMRune: Kadan manages to get them both up with some effort. GMRune: Now that the group is once again together, you an see the expanse of the flatlands to the south of you. In the distance you can just barely make out a smoking volcano. There appears to be a cluster of buildings between you and the volcano as well. Kadan: What's that wretched tribe that enslaves this place...? Flysse? Par nods. "Yes, this is House Flysse's domain." GMRune: A light sparkles in the sky and rapidly circles down towards you. Earendil: They're the animal trainers . . . uh, mutators aren't they? Geint looks up. Par: Yeah. They're responsible for most of the warlock monster creations. GMRune: The light halts at about shoulder height about seven feet in front of you. GMRune: It flashes suddenly to reveal to all a familiar hooded and cloaked form. Shea. Valina: Hi, Shea! Valina: Long time no see! Ayeye: Oh no, not again. Shea lifts her head slightly and seems to peer intently at the group from beneath her hood. Valina: Hey, I like shea! She saved me from the HELL Banshee put me through! Earendil: Well, looks who's showed up yet again. Shea chuckles, glancing to Ayeye. Valina: Thanks again Shea! Shea: Don't worry, I'm not here to take that stupid bracer from you. After that pain it caused me I know I can not touch it. Ayeye: I thought you were blasted into tiny little pieces and scattered across Lunar. Shea: You are welcome, Valina. Kadan is still apprehensive. "What is it that you want?" Valina: So what brings you here? Shea laughs lightly. "It'll take more than a simple Urdian bracer to destroy me." Ayeye: Well then, what problems are you going to cause for us today? Shea: I have come here to request one simple thing. Shea points at Leon. "The child. He must die." Kadan blinks. "G'ah?" Valina: What? Valina: Why? Earendil: Would you care to say that again? Ayeye: I don't think so. Shea: There is a prophecy concerning him, and I will not allow it to be fulfilled! Valina: We are going to send him away from this place, before he can do become brainwashed! Valina: What prophecy? Earendil: Prophecies are not to be trusted. Valina: Tell me PLEASE! Shea spits. "I'll tell you what prophecy!" Heed this rhyme from time forgotten, It will be needed when the Empire's old and rotten. When at last the Empire's sun has faded, A tired youth will rise; weary and jaded. He will have silver hair and lavender eyes And with his might a new age will rise. For from the ashes of the old, A new Empire will be forged; brave and bold. Ayeye stands in front of Leon. "You will not harm him. We have been charged with protecting him." Valina: I have to know... Earendil: And we will not allow you to kill this this child. Shea: That child is the one of the prophecy! He must not be allowed to live! Valina: That doesn't mean anything Shea... Earendil: Well, that's your opinion and frankly, I don't care about your opinions. Valina begins to cry, not knowing who to trust anymore. Kadan tries to intercede. "Shea... take a moment to listen to us. The leader of the rebellion herself has charged us with this boy's protection. Surely you can respect her wishes. I believe... she knows of a way to send him far from this world." Shea draws her sword. "I know too much about the warlocks to allow him to survive. I'm sorry to have to fight you this way." Valina: no Valina: NO Valina: NOOOOoo PLEASE DON'T FIGHT! Shea shakes her head. "You cannot dissuade me that easily! The only way to be certain is to kill him!" Valina: THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY TO WORK THIS OUT!!!! Valina: WHY HE IS ONLY A CHILD! Shea lifts her sword and begins to attack. GMRune: ------session end------