Lunar: Magic Empire Session 26 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Leon, Warlock/Jael and ~Geint" 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 wakes up after a long and aching sleep out on the southern badlands. GMRune: The air is cold and the village you had fled lies barely in view on the horizen, simply a few columns of smoke are visible. Kadan stretches and yawns. Kadan scratches his side and blinks a few times. Earendil hauls himself up with the help of his sword. Leon hops up and trots over to Earendil. Leon: Are you gonna still teach me swords today? Earendil: Of course. Leon beams. Rein lies limply, drained physically and mentally. Par gets up and wonders if anyone has any magic left for healing. Earendil: Alright Leon, come over here where nobody else is standing, we wouldn't want to accidentaly clip Geint's wings. Leon laughs and follows Earendil. Valina pulls out her three herbs. Valina: Anyone need one? ~Geint stirs slightly at Earendil's remark but settles instead for a BIG yawn. Par: I could use one, if you don't mind. Valina hands an herb to Par. Tarrant slowly begins to wake up, realizing he is aching all over he shuts his eyes again. Valina searches the ground for more roots. Kadan pats himself over his chest and back. "Umm... I feel fine." GMRune: Arzel casts Heal Litany on himself! He gains 46 hp! GMRune: Valina finds some not-so-yummy roots. Rein weakly applies an herb to himself. Valina takes an herb for herself. GMRune: Rein gains 20 hp. GMRune: Valina gains 20 hp. GMRune: Par uses an herb and gains 20 hp. Rein looks for someone to herb. Earendil: (to Leon) The first thing you have to learn is how to hold the sword. Now look at my hands and see how I am holding it. Tarrant heals himself with his magic. Leon nods and tries to imitate Earendil's stance. GMRune: Tarrent casts Heal Litany and gains 69 hp. Valina heads over to Earendil to help him teach Leon. Valina: Earendil, teach him the basic swings. Earendil: That's good Leon, you seem to be a natural with it. Just swing it a few times to get the feel of it. GMRune: While Valina and Earendil teach Leon, Par tries putting together some kind of breakfast. Kadan 's tummy grumbles. Par's breakfast smells like a kind of dried fruit stew, very syrupy and thick. Tarrant: Hey Par do you need some help? Par: Sure, I could use your help, Tarrant. I'm sure you'll make even this stuff taste pretty good. GMRune: After Tarrant and Par finish preparing breakfast, the fruit stew is handed out to the party members. Though sticky, it is definity filling, and excellent like all of Tarrant's foods. Tarrant takes the bowl of slop. Drops a few choice herbs and spices, and even a little magic. Arzel: So Tarrant, that's why your food was always so good... you use your magic. :P Rein: Hey, it's legal! Earendil: Okay Leon, the second thing to learn is how to defend yourself. All the offensive techniques in the world can't help you if you're no good at defending yourself. Leon nods with a look of determination and tries a few tentative parries with the small sword Earendil gave him. Par: Well, even those we've been chased of G'kal Village, we should still be able to reach the Red Dragon's Cave and the spire in a few days. Par: We'll just have to skirt around the village and hope we don't fall through any more holes like the last time. Earendil: Valina, would you try a few, slow swings at Leon just to see how he parries them. Leon grins and looks at Valina expectantly. GMRune: In the distance, you see a small group of figures are kicking up dirt as they head in your direction. There appear to four of them. Kadan squints his eyes. Ayeye slowly stands up. Rein: Oh terrific.... Rein hauls himself to his feet. GMRune: The figures near, they appear to be four armored men astride some sort of four-legged beast. Although you can't quite make out what manner of creature it is, the beast's hide shines brightly in the morning light. Ayeye: How can we win if we can't even beat one of the warlocks? Earendil takes his attention away from the lesson and looks off toward the figures. Leon lowers his sword, eyes wide with a tinge of fear. Arzel look at the figures. GMRune: These figures are coming from the south, in the direction of the village. Earendil: Looks like they sent scouts out to find us. Par sighs. "Great. We didn't need that." Tarrant: Ya maybe a welcome party.. Ya right.. Ayeye: Does it matter, we can't hide from them forever. Ayeye: Eventually the warlocks will get us. Rein: We're in no shape for a fight. Earendil: And I don't think we can fool them into believing we weren't the ones from yesterday. Arzel: You can say that again Rein... Tarrant: Who needs a quick heal? Rein: We're in no shape for a fight. GMRune: The shapes draw nearer, the steeds now appearing to be some sort horse-like animal with a wedge-shaped head and a metallic sheen to its coat. They movements are much more fluid than a normal horse's, even eerie. Earendil looks around to see if there is anywhere to hide GMRune: The party is still in the middle of the scrubland. Nothing bigger than a bush out here. Ayeye: We could just give up. GMRune: The strange horses and their riders are almost to you now. Kadan: Ayeye, have more confidence! Let us assess their intentions. Leon hides under a bush. Ayeye: How can I have confidence, we can't even hurt the warlocks! GMRune: The riders pull their mounts to a halt in front of the prty and beginto look you over. They wear a combination of plate and leather armor with the snake and dagger symbol in gold on their right shoulder. GMRune: The lead warlock eyes the party, seeming to be counting your numbers. GMRune: His steed snorts at Kadan, and neighs in an odd pitch. Kadan stands in a cautious, yet adversarial stance. Valina: Great... Warlock: Identify yourselves. Valina: Just what we need. More warlocks. Valina uses her last herb on herself, just incase. GMRune: Valina gains 20 hp! The warlock impatiently waits for an answer. Kadan: I am Kadan. Identify yourselves. Warlock: I am Lord Jael, and my companions are, like myself, members of the warlock guard of House Flysse. Earendil: Greetings Lord Jael, what brings you out this far into the wilderness? Valina stays back... Jael: Searching for a group of people who assaulted Lord Bane in G'Kal and likely are the very same as the ones that freed one of our slaves and infiltrated one of House Flysse's manors. Jael: Now, what are you doing on House Flysse lands? You aren't native to this region. Valina: I don't know anything about that! we are a group of travling actors! Jael raises an eyebrow. Kadan: We have... business in the fire mountain near here. It's harmless exploration. GMRune: One of the other warlocks whispers something to Jael. Jael: Hmph. We still can't afford to allow you to continue onward, as attack against one of the higher lords is punishable by death. However, I am not as cruel as some... Earendil whispers to Kadan, "Do you think mentioning Jera's name would help us?" Jael: If you agree to leave one of your number behind, we will let you continue to the fire mountain. You can pick him or her back up in G'Kal when you return, assuming everything checks out. Valina: Hmmm. Earendil cocks an eyebrow, "Even if we were to consider it, how would we know we could trust you?" Leon continues hiding under the bush. Rein: Urk... Jael shrugs. "I do not kill needlessly, and your companion would be under my charge. As long as we find reason to believe you are not the people who attacked Lord Bane, then you will have nothing to fear." Jael: But if you refuse, we'll simply have to take you all in. Earendil: Will you give us a minute to talk amonst ourselves about it? Jael nods, and even backs up his steed a bit to give your room. Tarrant speaks under his breath... "Go head and try pig." Kadan huddles near the group. ~Geint flits over and lands on Earendil's shoulder to take part. Leon remains under the bush and out of sight. Kadan: I think we should accept his offer. It's the best chance we have of continuing. Earendil: Well, we have three choices, fight him and likely die trying, send one with him, or all go together. Par: We can't all go together, they'll get Leon then. Ayeye: Looks like die, die, or die to me. Arzel: I'll go...I don't seem much of an aid to the party anyway... Par: No, I'll go, Arzel. Valina: I'll go... Kadan: Going together is not wise. We should send a... persuasive person with him. Arzel: No Par, I think it best I go...your magic power is superior to mine, you can be more of an aid to the group. Valina: Me... Valina: Na.. come to think of it, I'll pass. Par: But still... you're one of the few of us left with any magic left to heal. I can't do that. Valina: One house was bad enough for me. Earendil: Let me go, you guys can spare me. Valina: And I don't think I can escape. ~Geint: We need you to be Dragonmaster, Ear! Tarrant: I would be willing to go... Earendil: There are others worthy of that honor. ~Geint: But we came all this way so you could see my home! Kadan: Earendil must stay with the group that goes to the fire mountain. Arzel: No Earendil, you need to go to the fire mountain. Earendil lowers his head. Arzel: I'm willing to go, but if the group doesn't want me to I will stay. Valina: Ok, simple. lets draw straws! Kadan: Par, do you think you'll be alright? Could you convince Jael that we didn't attack Bane? Par: Look, as a whole, you guys each can do things I can't. I want to see that Leon remains safe, and I know he'll be so if he stays with all of you. Valina pulls out some grass . Par: I can try, Kadan. I'd give it my best shot. Valina: Lie for us par! I trust you. Rein: Yes, I think that Par can take care of himself better than anyone else here... Par nods. "Okay, I'll go then." Earendil: Par, if you go remember that Jera is our wild card, if she wasn't caught at the spire, she might have some influence over Jael. Valina: Par, good luck. Par: I'll do that. Par: And thanks, Valina. Jael: Have you reached a decision? Valina winks at Par. Earendil: Althena be with you my friend. Par: Always. Par comes forth and speaks to the warlocks. "I'll be the one to go with you." Par then turns to look back at the party and nods. He smiles slightly in encouragement to you. Kadan gives Par a neutral expression. Par: Don't worry about me. Besides, I see a power in the eight of you that I cannot hope to possess nor can the warlocks hope to match. I bid you good luck and smooth travel. If Althena shines upon us, we will meet again. Par mounts behind Jael and the warlocks abruptly turn their steeds around and ride off. Rein: We owe ya a couple, Par! Earendil lowers his head in silence for a few seconds Ayeye: Wait...what power? Leon climbs out from under the bush and watches the dwindling forms, his face oddly blank. Earendil: Alright let's get going. You can come out now Leon. Leon turns to Earendil and slowly says, "I guess we have to go now..." Leon picks up his stuff and begins packing it together. Valina: Yea... let's go. GMRune: The party swiftly breaks camp and begins heading to the south again, giving wide berth to the village of G'Kal and marching towards the mountain range to the south. GMRune: The party sees the coastline of the southern sea slightly to the south east, and the volcano that is Geint's home lays to the southwest, just beyond a high-walled cliff face. To the south is a large ivory spire, separated from you by a small bay. Rein: Wow... pretty impressive ~Geint: Thanks, Rein! This is my home! Well, almost... but close! ~Geint: But now that I think about it, I don't think you humans and scale walls that easily... Kadan: I hate heat. ~Geint alights on Kadan shoulder, fluffing her fur to make his neck nice and toasty. Rein: Minor details, eh? Earendil: Is there any way around? ~Geint: Hey, this is the first time I've taken two- legged people to my home. ~Geint: Well... there's always the turtles... ~Geint: But I don't know if you'd like riding them. Ayeye: Turtles? What turtles? Earendil: The what? ~Geint: Turtles. They live on the coast south of the bay. They're really big and you probably could hitch a ride on one of them! Rein: How similar are they to wyburns? ~Geint: They'll be able to take us around the mountains via the sea. Earendil: And um, how safe are they? ~Geint: Well... they smell less. Maybe not though, cuz they DO smell salty, but none of this leathery stink. Valina is hot! ~Geint: How am I supposed to know! I've never ridden one. Ayeye: Then, are you sure they are safe to ride? ~Geint: Well, if those hicks from Meryod can do it, I figure you guys can too! Ayeye: Alright... GMRune: The party begins heading south along the coast towards where Geint says the turtles live. Before long you can see something resembling a small green island just sitting a few yards from the shore. There are apparently some of House Flysse's creations hanging around it though. GMRune: You see three archer fish splashing near its shore as well as three inchworm like beings crawling atop the island. Kadan: Hmm... Valina: ...great GMRune: Geint points at the island. "Climb board the island. Err... once we clear these monsters out that is..." Earendil: Looks like were going to have to work if we want a ride. Tarrant eyes up the fish... looks like I might need to use some seaweed here. Rein: Yeah, can we maybe use some strategy here guys? We're pretty beat up here.... Kadan grips his axe. "They're no match..." Leons look up at Kadan, bulging muscles and all. "Maybe the big man can beat them!" Kadan: Hmm... this kid isn't as cute as Rein. Rein: ? Earendil: We take on most of them without too much trouble. Valina draws... GMRune: The party approaches the monsters. GMRune: ------round 1----- GMRune: targets: front row 3 creepers, back row 3 archerfish GMRune: Ayeye attacks Creeper #2! GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 37 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 29 damage Kadan: Goodness... Ayeye, what are you on? GMRune: Kadan hacks away at Creeper #1! Ayeye: Adrenaline. GMRune: attack 1: 87 damage GMRune: attack 2: 84 damage GMRune: Earendil's form blurs and he slashes his way through the row of archerfish! GMRune: 66 damage to each! GMRune: Geint claws at Creeper #1! GMRune: attack 1: 90 damage GMRune: Creeper #1 rolls right off the island! GMRune: Geint moves to Creeper #2! GMRune: attack 2: 73 damage! GMRune: Valina attacks Creeper #2! GMRune: 25 damage! GMRune: Rein stays in the back, protecting Leon. GMRune: Creeper #2 attacks Geint! GMRune: 56 damage! Rein: Nobody better get near Leon and me, we'll show 'em what's up! GMRune: Geint is defeated! GMRune: Creeper #3 attacks Valina! GMRune: 39 damage! GMRune: Archer Fish #1 spits at Tarrant! GMRune: 1 damage! GMRune: Archer Fish #2 attacks Earendil! GMRune: 1 damage! Tarrant notices his boots are now wet... "I hate wet feet." GMRune: Archer Fish #3 attacks Valina! GMRune: 18 damage! Earendil blinks, "Oh, was I attacked?" GMRune: Arzel calls down a row of flame upon the archer fish! GMRune: 43 damage to each! GMRune: Tarrant gestures and thorns spring up from the ground and rain down upon the hapless monsters! GMRune: 97 damage to each creeper and 92 damage to each archer fish! Rein: Uh-oh... GMRune: Creeper #2 and all the archer fish are mutilated! GMRune: -----round 2------ Earendil: Tarrant, I'm glad you're on our side. GMRune: Ayeye attacks Creeper #3! GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 31 damage GMRune: attack 2: 10 damage GMRune: Kadan attacks the hapless creeper! GMRune: attack 1: 76 damage GMRune: The creeper is history! GMRune: -----victory!------ Kadan twirls his axe around, blows off the smoke, then clips it to his belt. GMRune: The party earns 144 XP, 60 MEXP, and 69 S. GMRune: Geint wakes up with 1 hp. ~Geint: Ooo... what hit me? GMRune: The island is now cleared of unwanted "wildlife". Kadan: Why does Flysse create such monstrosities? Earendil: Because they think its for the good of the Empire and because the other, more powerful houses bully them into doing it. Tarrant: Where are these turtles at? ~Geint wobbles on to the island and takes a seat, playing with the bits of grass growing on it. ~Geint: I think I've seen a turtle or two swimming around here before... ~Geint: But it's been a few years. Valina: Now what do we do? !Geint: One of the hicks in Meryod said music attracts them, although I wonder about these turtles' tastes if they like country music! Rein leads Leon onto the island warily. Valina: ... GMRune: Rein and Leon join Geint on the island. Valina: Music.. hummm. Arzel follows whoever. Valina goes into song and dance Broadway style. GMRune: As Arzel steps up on the island, the entire mass jerks and bit and seens to lift up. Rein: Gwahh! Valina: Laaa.... GMRune: The "island" shuffles around to face Valina, a blunt head poking out from beneath the "ground" to look at her. Earendil: Valina, your voice can move islands! Earendil looks at the head and laughs. "Geint I think we found your turtle." ~Geint makes a pouty face. "Well, *I* didn't know grass would grow on its shell." GMRune: The massive turtle blinks at Valina. Valina continues to sing at the turtle GMRune: It yawns, releasing a large wave of hot air from its mouth. Earendil wrinkles his nose. "Agh. That stinks." ~Geint: Well, you guys climbing aboard or what? Tarrant thinks of the wonderful turtle in a half shell he could make with a turtle this size. Leon giggles. Earendil climbs on. "Anything to keep me away from that breath of his." Ayeye climbs up on to the turtles back. "I don't think this looks safe." GMRune: The turtle waddles a little bit, turning back around towads the sea. Tarrant jumps on the turtle and hangs on. Leon: Climb on, Valina! Valina jumps on. Rein: This isn't so bad... GMRune: The turtle pushes off away from shore and paddles its way towards the west. As it goes it starts to submerge a little bit. Kadan tries to stay near the center of the shell as not to unbalance the animal. Tarrant notices that the water is getting further up the shell and retreats to the top of the shell GMRune: The turtle starts speeding up a little bit as it sinks lower into the water. Earendil spies the rising water level. "Oh great." Valina starts to sing again. Ayeye: Not good. Earendil: I hope everybody can swim GMRune: As the turtle hurried along, you suddenly notice that the coastline seems to be passing at an alarming rate (for being on a turtle), and the water breaking around the front of its shell sprays up and on to the party. Rein hoists Leon up on his back Tarrant starts to fiddle with the grass on the turtle shell, rigging a crude life vest. GMRune: The party, even crowded on the center of its back, now has about two and a half feet of space around them that separates them from the water. Leon smiles as the wind catches his hair. "Weeeee!" Rein: Yeah... whee.. this is great... Rein rolls his eyes. GMRune: You see the spire coming back into view to the north. On one side of a narrow strait is the ivory spire, and to the other is a barren, reddish land leading towards Geint's volcano. GMRune: The strait seems to be coming up fairly quickly, and the turtle isn't showing any signs of slowing down. But at least it has stopped sinking, for now. GMRune: The turtle careens through the strait at an VERY unturtle-like speed, and you are now in the bay close to where you started your trek to the animal in the first place. Ayeye: Does anyone know how to stop this thing? Kadan: Can we just thunk it on the head? Leon looks around. "Err... weren't we supposed to stop back there...?" Earendil: How are we going to get to its head, it's underwater. The bush rustles uncomfortably. Ayeye: Geint, are you sure you don't know? Kadan: Water won't kill ya, Earendil. ~Geint: I told you! I've never ridden this thing before! ~Geint huddles down on the turtle's back Ayeye: It was your idea! Earendil: Then you do it, I don't like water too much after the river outside of Canth's cave. ~Geint: Well... Ayeye looks toward the front of the turtle. Ayeye: I suppose we could jump. Valina: This is just great... Earendil: Geint, try putting the turtle in a sleep. GMRune: The turtle seems to notice the shore coming up and begins turning around. ~Geint: But what if it sinks?! Ayeye: We will have to swim. Earendil: Oh well then. Valina: ... A little water won't hurt aanyone. Earendil: On second thought... ~Geint lets out a cute puff of air and then tries casting Herbal Breeze. However, she seems to have forgotten she has no MP. ~Geint: Oops... Valina: Ohhh boy. GMRune: The turtle is now heading back towards the strait again. Valina sings a slow song. Ayeye: Get ready to jump into the water. GMRune: The turtle lifts its head out of the water, slowing a little bit. Valina continues to sing. Valina: o/~Laaaa.... Valina: o/~ do ra me fa so la ti do! GMRune: The turtle brings itself to a halt, and floats serenely in the middle of the bay. GMRune: It spins around slowly in a circle as if trying to find the source of the sound. Leon: Er... we're not going anywhere... Earendil points toward the volcano. "Try singing toward that direction. Leon: You mean I'm going to get to see the dragon's cave? Cool! Rein: We need a singing ventriloquist... GMRune: The turtle seems to weary of Valina's song and begins to head back towards the straight. GMRune: The turtle nears the strait, but this time it is going significantly slower as if it's tired. Rein: What happens when turtles get tired? ~Geint shrugs. Ayeye: I hope they don't sink. Tarrant: Or maybe belly up. GMRune: The turtle passes into the strait and promptly begins to sink. Earendil: Here we go again. Tarrant tightens his vest. GMRune: Its forward movements end altogether and the turtle rests squarely between the path to the spire an the path to volcano. ~Geint: Now might be a good time to get off... Earendil: All hands abandon ship. Let's head toward the volcano. Rein: Wow, that's convenient... Leon grins and eagerly hops off after Earendil. Rein helps Leon off the turtle. Ayeye: Shouldn't we drop Leon off first? GMRune: The turtle's sinking suddenly halts when only a small mound of its shell rests above the surface. Ayeye sighs and follows them. GMRune: The turtle seems to be resting on something. Rein: How do we know it'll still be here when we come back? Earendil: We don't. Leon: Maybe if we left enough food with it. Rein: Do we any food for it? ~Geint flaps her wings and alights on a rock slightly down the path to the volcano. Leon: I don't know. ~Geint: Well, you guys coming or not? ~Geint flaps her wings expectantly. Rein: Eh... maybe if we ask it really nice.... Earendil: Valina's singing should bring it back. Earendil goes with Geint. Ayeye follows Geint. Rein does too. GMRune: The party follows Geint, who leads them along an ancient path of cracked earth. It is sunset when the party finally reaches her cave. Outside of it you see a ring of stones similar to that seen outside the Shadowcats' castle. Ayeye: Geint, you didn't tell us you knew the Shadowcats. Earendil looking at the stones, "Seems like we're in luck." ~Geint blinks. "I don't. Why?" Ayeye: These stones look like the Shadowcat's stones. ~Geint shrugs her wings. "Those have always been there for as long as I can remember." Kadan looks at the ring of stones curiously. Earendil goes up and touches one of the stones. GMRune: All MP is restored to the party. Kadan leaps for joy! Rein: Oh, that's much better... now for some healing... Rein prepares a heal aura. Rein casts heal aura. GMRune: Rein casts Heal Aura! Ayeye gains 32 hp! Kadan gains 41 hp! Earendil gains 40 hp! Geint gains 40 hp! Valina gains 38 hp! Rein gains 40 hp! Arzel gains 32 hp! Tarrant gains 40 hp! Rein: Yay. Rein makes another run of it. GMRune: Rein casts Heal Aura! Kadan gains 22 hp! Valina gains 12 hp! Geint gains 40 hp! Rein gains 10 hp! Tarrant gains 4 hp! Ayeye: Does everyone feel better now? Kadan feels grrrreat. ~Geint: I could use one more heal. Rein heals Geint. GMRune: Geint gains 42 hp! GMRune: Everyone is at full hp now. Ayeye heads to the cave entrance. GMRune: The party follows Ayeye into the mouth of the Red Dragon's Cave. GMRune: -----end session-------