Lunar: Magic Empire Session 49 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Ellis, Vendor, Guard, Voice/Portmaster, Warlock/Dayus, 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------ Kadan bangs his knuckles together repeatedly. GMRune: As the party stands by Valina's bedside, they notice that her eyelids flutter with life and Rein and Ellis begin to stir from where they lay on the floor. Valina: ... Valina: Huh? Ellis groans. "Are we back now?" Earendil: Valina!? Valina: Wha? What... happened? Kadan looks at the awakening people with mild interest. Valina: Where, am I? Earendil rushes up and takes Val carefully into his arms. "I . . . I thought I had lost you." The bush pants from where it's sitting on the floor. It hops up on to the bed to slurp Valina's hand. Tarrant looks over at Valina. Valina: Ouch.. Valina is sore Earendil lets her go. "Oh, um sorry." Rein looks a bit agitated as he sits up Kadan: Is she awake now? Huh? Okay. Good. Let's go. Ellis: Well, now that she's back now, I guess my job is done. Valina: Ohhh... I feel so, tired... Rein: Ummm... why is the floor all torn up? Ellis blinks and looks out at the living room floor. Par: We kinda had a battle here, Rein. Kadan: Earendil, when was the last time you dusted for mites? Earendil: Some things bored up through my house, but that really doesn't matter now. Kadan: They nest up under floorboards, you know. Valina lays on the floor ... in pain. Earendil is so engrossed with looking at Valina that he doesn't hear Kadan. Par: Now that Valina's back, how do you want to set about getting to Caldor? Valina: ...home? Earendil: We have to let her get her strength back first. Kadan: Could we stowaway onboard a ship? Kadan: She can sleep while we sail. Her health is less important than our mission. Par grimaces. "We'd have to get _on_ the ship first." Earendil: To me, her health is the MOST important thing. Par: Kadan! Try to be more consdierate! Kadan looks matter-of-factly at Par. "I intended no personal offense. I just speak my mind, that's all." Par: Still, it's not always the best to be so candid. Kadan: Well, then, let's find the largest and roomiest ship around and hide under the top deck. We'll be there in no time to find the sacred holy white wings of whatever it is. Rein: to Par: Have you heard of the Urdians? Valina shudders. Ayeye perks up. "Urdians?" Par cocks his head to one side. "A little. Remember the tome we got a month or two ago? That was from the Urdian Temple." Rein: Oh yeah... Kadan rubs his chin. "We never got that damn thing open, did we?" Rein looks at Val and Ellis. Par shakes his head. "No. We only have those clues Liana gave us. Something about the pendants Valina and Arzel have been carrying." Ellis: What is it, Rein? Rein: In the --state-- that we were in, there was another presence besides the three of us. Kadan: If that *was* Liana, you mean. Valina: ... Earendil comes back to reality. "Urdians? I've completely forgot about them and the pendants." Par nods. "True, Kadan. But the information she gave us seems to explain some of the reasons why Gausuton might have kept Valina's pendant." Kadan: One more pendant and two more pendant bearers are required to unseal the book, right? Valina: I wish I had my pendant back... Par: Correct. Ellis: Rein, you might want to tell them about it. Kadan hrmphs. "It sounds like an impossible task. They might not even exist... and if they did, they'd be quite difficult to reunite." Rein nods. Kadan: I don't see why we need to learn about the Serpent Staff to destroy it. Earendil: About what? Par: It might tell us how they intend on using though. Rein: Ellis and I entered a sort of psychic world, in which we found Valina confronted by a dark presence. Kadan puts his hands on his hips. "Don't get me wrong, people! I'm still on a personal mission to rid the world of that infernal sceptre. You people just seem to be going in the same direction, that's all." Earendil: What was it? Rein: It was a sort of dark cloud, and was quite strong... mentally. Rein: I'm not sure what it was exactly, but it *felt* quite evil. Rein: It tried to invade Val's mind, but she managed to fight it off... I think. Valina: What? Valina: Rein... What are you talking about? Rein: It said that it was some sort of remnant of the Urdian race... something to that effect... do you remember that Val? Earendil mutters, "How do I protect her from an enemy that I can't even see?" Kadan: Don't burden yourself with unnecessary worries, Earendil. If there's one thing this world has taught me, it's that each person is responsible only for themself. Rein: Son't you remember that, Val? Arzel: There's the million silver question Ear... Earendil: You wouldn't understand, Kadan. Ellis: Perhaps she's still drained from the attack. Valina: ...I, I don't know... Rein: It said Val had information it wanted... Valina thinks. Par: Do you remember what the information was? Rein: And it said that if it encountered us in the physical world... Rein shudders. Valina: Why me? Rein: It didn't say... I don't think. Earendil says angrily, "If we encounter it in the real world, I will cut it to pieces." Rein: It seemed to think its people had been forsaken by Althena Rein exchanges a dark glance with Ellis. Ayeye frowns. "Maybe Althena did wrong them..." Ellis nods in encouragement to Rein. "Something along those lines. Something about being banished." Rein: Hmmm... Valina: ~sigh~ Tarrant: Well what have we decided on? Rein: Well, in any case, I feel well enough to continue... I know we don't have much time to waste.. how long were we out, anyway? Valina looks. Kadan starts moving towards the door. "We can continue this conversation at the harbor, can't we?" Valina: Where is 'here' anyways? Earendil: We're in Shelladon, at my house. Valina: Oh... Valina continues to lie down. Par: How much longer do you need to rest, Valina? Valina: I think I can make it... Valina tries to stand up, but falls back down. Earendil: No you can't make it. Valina holds her hand out... Arzel pulls out his book on teleportation and starts to study it. Par looks to the rest of the group. "We shouldn't stay here much longer. The warlocks likely know where we are. Let's try to find a ship or _something_ as soon as we can." Earendil takes Val's hand. "You're still to weak. Seems that I'll have to carry you." Valina: I... I can do it. Kadan nods enthusiastically to Par. "Good idea!" Kadan: Come on, Ayeye. Let's get to the docks. We can swim if we have to. Rein picks up his stuff and gets ready to go. Valina stands on her shakey legs... Par oogles. O_o Tarrant: Hey, you know how well I can swim... Ellis: I suppose I'll be heading back to the church then. It's been nice meeting you. Ayeye: Swim... I hope we can find a boat... Arzel nods his head towards Ellis. Kadan gives Ellis the evil eye. "You're not... a... warlock informant or anything, are you?" Earendil: Come on Valina, just use me for support. I don't mind. Valina: Thanks, Earendil. Valina stumbles along with Earendil... Ellis looks straight at Kadan. "No, I'm not. I am merely a servant of Althena." Kadan: Good. Otherwise we'd have to kill you, you know. Earendil: Kadan! Valina looks at Ellis... Ellis chuckles lightly. "It's all right, sir knight." Ayeye: Don't mind him, sometimes he can be a little, overzealous. Arzel: Knight?! Kaddy?!? Kadan rubs the back of his head and looks at Earendil sheepishly. "Well, we would, you know! We've just babbled on and on about our plan in front of him." Arzel laughs. Valina is waking a bit easier now. Ellis bows to the party and leaves. Rein: Thank you for all your help! Earendil: Arzel, I think he meant me. Earendil yells after Ellis. "Yes, thank you for bringing her back to me." Ellis waves back to Earendil, showing that he heard. Arzel laughs. "My mistake...reading and listening to a conversation is kinda hard. :P" Par: So, any ideas on where to head first? Valina: ...home. Earendil: I just thought of something. We might be able to find a shipmaster that recognizes me and will smuggle us aboard his ship. Par: If we can even get into the wharf. The warlocks control the ports now. Earendil: Yes, that is a problem. Par patiently waits for the party to suggest other ideas for getting a ship. Kadan: Are there any ships heading to Caldor anyway? Earendil: Well, I was never really good at sneaking anyway, being a knight's son and all. Kadan: We could always... er... disguise ourselves as missionaries or disadvantaged children or something. Par: There are probably a couple, Kadan. The portmaster would know. Arzel: I don't think you could pass for a child, Kadan. Ayeye: We could ask for a ride. Par: I don't know how well asking for a ride would work. We'd have to get into the port, which might mean a fight. And then we'd need to find a captain willing to help us despite the warlocks. Ayeye: Not everyone can know what we look like, can they? Earendil: I should be able to lead us through the alleys to the port. Valina: Anyway we could sneek in... I'd really like to avoid fighting. Earendil: Ayeye, this is my hometown. People would most undoubtly notice me. Ayeye: They wouldn't notice some of the rest of us though... Par: How's that going to help us? We need Earendil with us. Ayeye: He could sneak in after we've acquired transportation. Arzel: Uhh... has anyone ever heard of a hood? It's not hard to put a hood on someone. :P Par: I suppose, but he'd still have to get past the guards, unless we pick him up outside of the port. Kadan goes to a street vendor to see if he can find the Lunar: Magic Empire official strategy guide. Earendil: Ayeye, I told you before, I'm not very good at sneaking into places by myself. They don't teach such things to knights. Ayeye: Well Earendil, if you took off that armor, it would do wonders for your ability to move quietly. Vendor: Sorry, we do not sell books that predict the future. :P Kadan: Why couldn't Ghaleon have picked up anything useful while he was away? Rein: to Vendor: So the Empire has prohibited those too, eh? Tarrant: Maybe we can rent a ship if we put all of our money in. Par: Maybe. Right now just getting into the port could be enough of a problem. Ayeye: I still think we can walk in. They can't possibly know us all. Earendil: Well, if you put a hood on me, it might work. The bush pants. Ayeye: See! The bush agrees! Par: Of course the bush agrees with you, Ayeye. You feed it. Ayeye pats the bush on the... anoo... head? Kadan: Yeah... hoods are good... Arzel: Well...I don't have any hoods left... Geint toasted my spare. ~Geint sleepily mumbles an apology from a resting place on Arzel's shoulder. Valina slips and falls. :P Earendil: Ack, Valina! Earendil catches Val in his arms. Valina: I'm sorry... Rein rolls his eyes. Earendil: There's no need to be sorry, you still aren't completely well. Par sighs. "Well, I suppose we should at least start heading towards the port. Maybe something will hit us along the way there." Valina: Yea... Kadan agrees with Par. Earendil: Agreed. GMRune: The party heads towards the wharf, Earendil leading them through the allys and side streets of Shelladon. You near the northern quarter of the city and the salty breeze soon permeates the air around you. Before long you see a guard post leading into the marina. Kadan: Hmm... guards. Par: No surprise. Ayeye continues moving toward the guard post. "They should let us through, probably..." Par: Ayeye, are you sure that's such a good idea? Earendil: Ayeye, don't get us thrown in jail again. Ayeye: Why not? They wouldn't keep everyone out, it would defeat the purpose. Par: But how do you know they'll let people like us in? Ayeye: Why wouldn't they? We haven't done anything wrong... well... much... here... Kadan: Guards are nothing to worry about. Heck, there's nin... ten of us!" Rein: Hmm... The bush growls lowly. Valina: ... Par: I don't think the bush counts as a fighter, Kadan. Kadan: I never said we were going to fight. I'm just saying there's ten of us to put our heads and/or tendrils together! Valina probably couldn't fight now anyways! Ayeye waves to the guards. Par: Oh, I've just never seen you think of thinking before, Kadan. Par suddenly thinks that was a bad thing to say. Rein: (aside) does she know what she's doing? Kadan strangely doesn't seem to be fazed by the comment. Guard: Hello, miss. Valina: ... Ayeye: Hello! Any ships departing soon? Earendil stands back and prays to Althena that Ayeye doesn't mess up again. Guard: Er... well, almost every hour the sun is up. Kadan takes a step back and is content to see Ayeye work her charm. Ayeye: Good. What about one for... umm... Caldor, I think? Guard: I don't know. I think there's one going out in a few days, but you'll have to check with the portmaster. Rein: One... she planning on traveling solo or something? Valina: ... Ayeye: Would it be possible to get tickets, or a ride or something? The guard shrugs. "You'll have to see the portmaster and talk to the warlocks. Caldor's very tough to get into these days. One of their warlords has recently set up shop there." Valina: Wha? Ayeye: Oh... that doesn't sound like fun... So... where is this portmaster? The guard points at a brick building about a block east of the port. "He's in there, and so are a couple of the warlock supervisors." Earendil: . o O (Oh, joy.) Valina looks at Earendil... Ayeye smiles and bows. "Thank you!" Guard: You're welcome, miss. Earendil: Val? Ayeye heads toward the brick building about a block east of the port. Kadan tries to stick close to Ayeye, trying to determine if she's going to approach the building. Kadan follows Ayeye. Par trails after Kadan and Ayeye. Valina: ... My home has been taken over by a warlock warlord?? Rein tags along, uptight as usual. Valina: Caldor is supposed to be peaceful... Valina: Unless the painful memories can't be left behind... Earendil whispers, "So was Shelladon, Val. So was Shelladon." Ayeye knocks on the front door. Valina nods... Voice: Come in! Ayeye opens the door and steps in. "Hello sir." Tarrant: I would rather have my house burned down than to have warlock scum in it. GMRune: Ayeye steps into a small muggy room that seems to be some sort of reception area. A middle-aged man is scribbing away at some papers on his desk. Ayeye: I'm looking for passage to Caldor. The guard told me to inquire here. GMRune: There are doors leading further into the building behind him. Portmaster: Yes, that's true. You have to come here to get your tickets. I don't know about going to Caldor though. Lord Kahill has restricted passage there." Ayeye frowns. "How depressing. Are you sure there is no way?" Portmaster: Unless you have a warlock friend who can get you through I very much doubt it." Kadan steps up behind Ayeye and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Please... we'll do anything! I promised my little dear girl that I'd show her the ice caps of Caldor this season!" Valina listens... Valina: Ear... they are not going to let me go home... The portmaster coughs. "You'll have to find someone within Protectoriate to vouch for you then. I can't do anything else." Ayeye looks thoughtful. "Are you sure? I don't think we know anyone..." Earendil: Um, yes. I too promised my sister here to take her to Caldor before she dies. She only has a few months to live. Kadan turns his eyes away. "Oh... goodie... we have a whole slew of friends in... Protectoriate... yep..." Earendil points to Val. Valina looks sick. Portmaster: I'm certain. I wish I could help you, but Lord Kahill's orders can only be swayed if another member of his house gives you passage. Valina starts to cry. Rein tries to look waif-like too. Earendil: Please, you don't know how much it hurts to see my little sister cry. Portmaster: Look, please don't cry, but I really can't do anything. The warlocks run everything here ever since Shelladon got taken over. Valina: I'm sorry... Valina: I ~sniff~ wanted to see Caldor one last time... Kadan: Come on, everyone. We'll have to find another way. Valina: I was there, so long ago. Earendil looks at Valina. "I'm sorry little sis, but this man won't let us go." Valina: ~sniff~ I hate the warlocks... why do they have to be so mean! Ayeye: But the boats are the only way! Par whispers in hushed tones, "But don't we know the name of a warlock who might help us?" Valina: ... whom? Par heads outside of the building. Ayeye: Couldn't we do something for you? Portmaster: If you could um... lighten up my bosses that would be nice. But I don't think that's very likely. Ayeye: Who are your bosses? Portmaster: Lords Dayus and Mihal. Ayeye: Right, well, what exactly do you want from them? Portmaster: What everyone else wants; a little freedom. Ayeye: Right, freedom... That's rather vague... How are they restricting your freedom? Portmaster: 50 hour weeks, never a day off. And I have to follow their rules to the letter or I'll get fired. Ayeye: Ahh, you want a vacation! And less hours! Ayeye: Where could I find these people? Portmaster: Er.. yes, at the bare minimum. If they were more flexible in general that would be nice. Kadan: Now, Ayeye, be careful. Remember what happened when you tried to union-ize the paperboys? Valina: ... Portmaster: Just head through those doors behind me. They have offices here. And one or the other should be in. Ayeye: Paper-boys? Oh, you mean those accountants! That wasn't my idea, I wanted to walk right by. Earendil continues to say several prayers to Althena in his head. Ayeye: Err... right, which one is in? Portmaster: I don't know. They transfer in and out at their leisure. But if the sun is up one of them is there. Ayeye: Oh, alright. Ayeye moves over to and opens one of the doors. GMRune: There is a short hallway behind the door ending in two more doors, one to either side of the hall. Arzel doesn't like being outside, so he puts his book away and walks in to stand becide Kadan Ayeye opens the door on the right. "Hello?" Par comes back inside with Arzel. GMRune: There is no one in the room to the right. There is a desk and a chair. The room itself is rather sparse. Ayeye shrugs and tries the door on the left. "Hello? Anyone here?" GMRune: Inside Ayeye sees a man in his late twenties with unusual lavender colored hair. He is standing by the window looking out at the wharf to the west. He turns around at Ayeye's approach. "Yes?" Ayeye bows. "Hello sir. I was hoping you could give the nice portmaster person out there less hours of work, and maybe some time off. If at all possible." Rein: Please! The warlock regards her curiously with a set of silver eyes. "And why should I do that?" Ayeye: Well... he has been working awfully hard lately... Ayeye: He has never let you down. The warlock shakes his head, turning back to face the window. "He works hard only because he is afraid of what will happen otherwise. He was a sloth before we came." Ayeye: See, you have reformed him quite well! Rein: Well, he'd really like to be back to being a sloth, so if you could just find it in your heart to, umm... Warlock: True, true. But he must not be allowed to relax. It would be a breach in his efficiency. Ayeye: But, well, I'm sure even you would like to take some time off, sometimes... Ayeye: Won't overworking him also hurt his efficiency? Earendil: . o O (I can see the jail cell so clearly right now.) The warlock shakes his head. "I do not take 'time off'. The warlocks of Protectoriate are always ready to work." Ayeye: Err... of course... but isn't nice to, well, get away for a little while? Warlock: I don't think so, young woman. If a warlock can manage so many levels of work, this man certainly can as well. The warlock shrugs. "Our lives are for the Empire's use. An army must never rest." Ayeye: Surely you can't work all of the time? Warlock: We rest, but not for days at a time. And the sloth outside gets rest enough at night. Now, why are you so anxious to help him? The warlock looks over his shoulder to eye the party. Ayeye: He seems like a nice person... Valina: ... Earendil stares intently forward, the perfect image of a knight and soldier. Ayeye: Say, as long as I'm in here, I don't suppose it would be possible to get a ticket to Caldor? Valina just stands by Earendil, looking pretty bad. The warlock chuckles. "Nice? He'd rob of your silver had you come to him before Shelladon fell to Kargeth." Earendil: . o O (Maybe if I impress him, he'll let us go.) The warlock turns back around. "Caldor? Now why Caldor?" Valina glairs at the warlock. Ayeye frowns and looks thoughtful. "Err... we really want to visit. I heard it's beautiful!" Valina: I... I lived there many many years ago... Warlock: Visit? No, I'd think not. You're after something aren't you. Earendil: . o O (I hope this works.) Valina: I would like to see my old home once again... Ayeye: Don't be silly, now what would I be after in Caldor? Valina: Before I pass away... Earendil steps forward with the same look on his face, "Please, sir, I have promised my sister that I would take her back to our hometown on Caldor one last time." Warlock: Why else would you go? There is nothing out there but Erde and its sheep! Valina: And memories... Ayeye: Sheep are cute... Warlock: I'm sorry, but I can't allow people to go for mere sentimental reasons, which may accumulate non-sentinental reasons as well. Ayeye: Honestly, I have no idea what there would be in Caldor to try to acquire! Warlock: Heh... You are either an imbecile or a liar. And I shouldn't waste time with either. Tell me something I _should_ know or leave. Valina: I'll tell you something... you are very evil... Warlock: If you only knew... Valina: I don't know how much longer I am going to be around, and then you have to come destroy my mere dreams, that would do nothing to harm you, or your warlock cult! Valina: You warlocks have no feelings at all... Earendil: Please sir, excuse my sister. She is not herself due to her sickness. Valina: I often wonder if you warlocks are even human! Warlock: I would like to know the answer to that myself. The warlock's voice fades into something thoughtful. Ayeye looks up at the warlock, her gaze full of curiousity. "What do you mean by that?" Valina: ... You work to suit your own needs, and the needs of an empire, whose power you don't even know about... The warlock shakes his head. "Never mind. It is only a thought. I hadn't meant to say it aloud." Valina: Do you even know what the empire is doing at this moment? Ayeye: Well why not? What kind of a thought? Earendil: All things start with a thought. Warlock: You should be going now. I must be getting soft, talking with you for so long. But it's not often I receive visitors as spirited as you. Earendil whispers to Valina, "Please, restrain yourself." Valina: ... Ayeye: Wait! I'm curious! What did you mean? Valina: You make me sad... too bad my dying dream can't be fulfilled... Valina starts to cry, and walk out... The warlock shrugs. "I think it's truly possible not all warlocks are human. And I don't mean as in elves like your friend over there." He gestures at Par. Earendil: Sir, what last shred of honor I have is now lost since I cannot keep my promise to my sister. Good day. Earendil walks out. Ayeye: I don't mean to be rude, but which warlocks? The warlock hesitates and looks more carefully at Par. Warlock: I'm not certain yet, but... Par leaves the doorway of the room and ducks into the hallway. Ayeye is very curious. "But?" The warlock shakes his head. "That elf was from Magus, right?" Valina waits outside... Ayeye looks back at the door. "Possibly, in another life... Why?" The warlock looks at Ayeye. "Because you may be the people Lady Mileria spoke of." Earendil walks up to Valina. "Val, I know you hurt, but you are going to have to control your pain and emotions." Valina: ... Ayeye becomes slightly nervous. "What do you mean?" Warlock: If you are I _may_ be able to give you passage to Caldor. But I need proof first. Ayeye: That's silly, they are outlaws, if we were them, would we walk right up to our enemy? Warlock: Because they might have been looking for a specific Protectoriate warlock. But since you aren't them... I suppose I'll have to call the guards. Ayeye frowns. "This is a trap, isn't it? We are already captured, aren't we?" The warlock raises a arm and the sleeve of his coat slides back revealing his navy blue symbol. Warlock: Since you're not the ones Mileria sent, you're captured now. I must keep up appearances you understand. Kadan: You're making a terrible mistake! What if we *are* the famous rebels? Huh? Valina: Earendil... I find it hard to control my emotions... Ayeye: That doesn't make sense, why would you capture those who did nothing and help those who did something? GMRune: The symbol flashes brillantly. A split second later seven warriors appear in the room. Warlock: I'm sorry, but you must understand the sacrifice of a few is sometimes necessary to save the whole. Earendil: You must try. The time will come when you can unlease them, but for now, try to contain them. GMRune: The party is attacked! Ayeye glances fertively at the warriors. "Umm, what kind of proof do you need?!" GMRune: -------round 1-------- Valina: ... It is too hard... GMRune: target: 4 patrolmen in front, 3 sorceress in back The warlock shakes his head. "Too late... too late. If you had offered before..." The warlock withdraws to the outside of the battle to watch. Ayeye laughs nervously. "Well, it sounded a bit like a trap..." GMRune: Kadan casts Initiative! The party goes first! Earendil: I know it is, Val. It took me a while to control my need for revenge against the warlocks. Valina: I just want happiness... GMRune: Ayeye attacks Patrolman #1! Earendil: Happiness? The first time I felt happiness in three years was when I met you. GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 6 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 14 damage GMRune: Kadan casts Negate Magic on himself! He is immune to magical attack! Ayeye steps back and eyes the damage critically. "That was pathetic..." GMRune: Rein just hangs in the back row. GMRune: Geint attacks Patrolman #1! Valina looks at Earendil. Valina: You are to nice to me, Earendil. GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss GMRune: Arzel casts White Heat! Bright fire explodes around his enemies! Earendil: One tends to be nice to those he has feelings for. Valina: ... GMRune: All partrolmen take 131 damage! All Sorceress take 151 damage! Valina: You remind me a lot of my brother... and my father Earendil chuckles. "I don't know if that is a good or bad thing." GMRune: Tarrant calls down a rain of thorns on the enemy! Valina: Me neither... Valina: I miss them so much... I miss everyone I knew... Earendil: It is unfortunate that we have that in common. GMRune: 288 damage to each Patrolman! 283 damage to each Sorceress! GMRune: -----round 2------ Valina hears the battle... Valina: What's going on in there? Earendil: That's a good question, let's find out. Par gets up from where he was leaning against the wall. "Yeah, we'd better go see." Valina runs into the battle! Valina: Oh no! GMRune: Ayeye attacks Patrolman #1! Ayeye twirls Zara's Spear and jabs it at the first patrolman. "Let's see if I can do better this time!" Earendil enters into the fray. "Sorry that we're late." GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 15 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage Valina: Another fight? GMRune: Kadan attacks Patrolman #1! Valina: ~sigh~ Why do we always end up fighting... Kadan: Ayeye, I think you should go back to those metal nails you keep scratching people up with. GMRune: attack 1: 142 damage GMRune: attack 2: 155 damage Ayeye: No! The spear is a gift, I cannot give it up! It's... important... GMRune: Patrolman #1 falls! Kadan leaps back to his parry position, gaping with delight at the gutted warlock. Kadan: No! I mean, hang the spear up on the wall or something, but the claws are cool for lacerating people! Ayeye: No! I made a promise... GMRune: Earendil glows with a focused a rage and barrels through all his enemies! GMRune: 99 damage to all Patrolmen! 114 damage to all Sorceress! GMRune: Patrolman #2 attacks Ayeye! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss GMRune: Patrolman #3 attacks Geint! GMRune: attack 1: 156 damage! GMRune: Geint falls! GMRune: Patrolman #3 moves on to Kadan! GMRune: attack 2: 3 damage! GMRune: Patrolman #4 attacks Earendil! Kadan looks at the imperceptible blemish on the outer wax coating of his armor plating. "That... was an attack?" GMRune: attack 1: 10 damage GMRune: attack 2: 24 damage GMRune: Sorceress #1 casts Granite Smash on Tarrant! GMRune: A massive pillar of earth rises from the ground to impale Tarrant for 7 damage! GMRune: Sorceress #2 casts Rockslide over the front row! Ayeye glances at Earendil. "Wait! As long as we're captured anyway... I don't suppose you'd like to know that location of the Dragonmaster?" GMRune: Ayeye takes 1 damage! Kadan is protected! Earendil takes 58 damage! GMRune: Sorceress #3 casts Granite Smash on Arzel! A spike arises from the ground to impale him for 199 damage! GMRune: Valina casts Silent Gust on the back row of Sorceress! GMRune: Sorceress #1 is muted! Sorceress #2 resists! Sorceress #3 is muted! Kadan: Smart move, Valina! GMRune: Rein does nothing. Valina: Thanks... Valina: I figured I could give what little help I can give. GMRune: Arzel casts Heal Litany on himself! He regains 125 hp! GMRune: Par casts Ice Slivers on the back row of Sorceresses! GMRune: 205 damage to each! GMRune: The sorceresses are all dead! GMRune: Tarrant casts Thorn Shower! The remaining Patrolmen are marauded for 310 damage! GMRune: They all die! GMRune: -------victory!------- Kadan spins around, then thrusts his fist into the air repeatedly in a victorious manner. Rein starts the Heal Auraing. Valina: And I thought we could have avoided a fight. Ayeye raises Zara's spear against the Warlock. "What now?" GMRune: The party earns 329 XP, 334 MEXP, and 145 S. Valina: ~sigh~ Sir, these people didn't deserve to die. GMRune: Geint gets up with 1 hp. The warlock raises his hands slightly as though to fend off Ayeye. "I see you've won. Now what else do you intend to do?" Valina: Give us passage to Caldor. Valina: That is all we ask. Kadan: ...Psst... Ayeye, say some creepy stuff about him wishing he was never born and stuff. Ayeye: We want to go to Caldor! Warlock: I can't do that without good reason. Lord Kahill would execute me for such an act. Ayeye: Oh yeah, and the nice man out there could use a vacation. Valina: Then rebel.. Ayeye: You earlier said you could help us. The warlock makes a crooked smile. "I wouldn't call him nice. Sniveling maybe." Warlock: I can, but only if you're who I implied. Warlock: I hadn't meant to fight you, but I am not allowed to take many chances. Ayeye: We might be... What kind of proof do you need? Kadan: I suppose the only way you can avoid being killed is to be our prisoner! Ayeye, do you still have that rope coil? Warlock: Show me Lord McDocmar's rapier. Lady Mileria said you had it with you. Valina: Come with us to Caldor... and you will then be free of the Warlock bonds that chain you! Ayeye: Whose rapier? Err... anyone here have a rapier? Valina stands back. Valina: McDocmar... He at least fought for the common people. Valina draws her rapier. Warlock: That he did, and he paid for it as well. Valina: He died with honor! The warlock looks at Valina's rapier with interest. He reaches out to take it. "May I?" Valina: Never... The warlock shakes his head. "Death is not honorable. It comes to us all." Valina: I have already had the pendant I got from them stolen. This is the only thing i have left now... Kadan: There is no defeat in death! Victory comes in defending what we know is right while we still live! Warlock: I am not going to leave with it, young lady. I want to have a better look at it. Valina: Death is very honorable, if it is for the right cause. Valina walks up closer to the warlock. Valina shows him her rapier, but keeps a firm grip on it. The warlock touches it, but does not force it from Valina's hand. He studies it carefully, tracing the carving around the blade. "Yes, this _is_ the rapier. You are Mileria's chosen. I thought you had died when Kargeth attacked us that night." Valina: Us? The warlock bows slightly to the party. "I am sorry for mistrusting you. But you must understand how hard I must feign my loyalty to the Empire." Valina: ... Valina: Who are you? Warlock: I am Lord Dayus of House Protectoriate. Mileria or Elron may have mentioned me before. Ayeye: And what did you mean by that they might not be human remark? Dayus: I meant what I said. I have begun to suspect the Kargeth and his ilk are not entirely human. But I cannot say such things publicly or Kargeth will execute me for certain. Valina: What was my father's name? Dayus shakes his head. "I'm not certain, young lady. I do not even know your name. I know only that you bear McDocmar's sword." Rein: What makes you think that? Valina: And why... did you say 'us?' Dayus: Kargeth and certain members of his house have been bothering around the village of Mertyl lately. And as you probably know, the Serpent Staff had been found there. I think they may be looking for something else. Valina: Please... answer me, Dayus! Dayus: Perhaps if I knew what you meant by "us". Valina: Kargeth attacked 'us' that night... or am I thinking of another, more brutile night... Dayus: The "us" in question was Mileria and her followers. The night at the ball. You were there, so Mileria told me you would be. Valina sits... Valina puts away her rapier. Dayus: Listen, I'll help you get to Caldor if you perform a small reconnaissance mission to Mertyl for me. The boat to Caldor isn't leaving for a few days so you have the time. Valina: ... Ayeye: I guess we can do that. Valina: ~sigh~ Valina: I guess we have no choice... Dayus: This venture might help you as well as me. I want to find out for certain what Kargeth and his men are. If you can do that, I'll set you on the first boat to Caldor. Valina thinks back to the darkest night in her past... Ayeye: Really? That's the quest? I accept it wholeheartedly then! Kadan rubs his hands, as if cold. "Mertyl... that city has a curse over it, I swear." Valina: They are not human... I'm sure of that. No human can be so evil. Ayeye lowers her eyes at Valina's remark. "I'm sure not all of them are evil..." Dayus nods. "Good. Then I suggest you that these." A set of papers appear in his outstretched hand. "Take these. They'll let you get in and out of the gates of Shelladon without the guards harassing you." Valina: ... Ayeye takes the papers from Dayus. GMRune: Ayeye acquires Gate Passes! The bush rustles and looks hungry. Valina: Thank you, Dayus... Ayeye turns to leave. "We'll be back shortly." Dayus: Good luck to you. Valina senses a good heart in Dayus... Dayus: You're welcome. Valina leaves. GMRune: The party leaves Dayus's office and passes through the hallway into the reception room. The portmaster is still furiously working at his documents. Ayeye smiles at the Portmaster. "I tried, don't know if it worked though..." Portmaster: I'll live... somehow. Thanks for trying. I'm surprised you haven't been arrested. It sounded like quite a fight in there! GMRune: The party exits the building and prepares to leave Shelladon. Ayeye: Err... no... just a minor argument... GMRune: -------end session-------