Lunar: Magic Empire Session 60 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Boy/Faun, and Atrillas" 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 lavender light that enveloped you falls away into sparks of purple dust as you are once more aware of your surroundings. The nine of you are on the northern shoreline of a place unfamiliar to most of you. Valina: ... GMRune: The sky is sunny, with only a few clouds scattered high in the sky. The salty breeze is warm, as is the sand that crunches beneath your feet. As you turn around you see a rocky division between the shore and the rest of the land. A gravelly path leads through the rocks and boulders to the greener land beyond. In the distance you can see a few buildings of what appears to be a farm. Valina sits down on the ground. Earendil: Um, what just happened? Par rubs the side of his head. "I remember Valina saying something and waving around that gem of hers." Geint: Just when I got a chance to rest! Valina looks around. Valina: Ahhh... Earendil: She was saying that she wanted to go home. You don't think we're . . . Valina: Home! Ayeye slowly gets up and scans the area. "Home?" Rein: That was a serious sparkly we went through, that's for sure. Arzel looks around, studying the landscape. Valina: Well, almost... we got to go that way... Brittel is not that far from here. Kadan: Actually, I'll bet that was a glittery! Tarrant returns to his feet, dazed and confused. Earendil: Valina, is this Caldor? Valina jumps up and hugs Earendil! Rein: Oh, that's possible. I hadn't considered... Rein looks lost in contemplation. Valina: Thanks for taking me home! Earendil: Oof, . . . um, you're welcome. Par: So... where on Caldor are we, Valina? Valina: Come on! lets go! My family will be so delighted to see me! We'll have a big feast tonight! I'll help cook! Ayeye: Sounds good, lead the way. Rein looks around at the other, trying not to let Val see. Earendil frowns. Rein whispers to Earendil, "I hope we find everything the way she's expecting it." Tarrant raises an eyebrow. "You just leave the cooking to me." Valina happily hops down the gravel path... Valina: Come on! Earendil whispers back, "You know that's impossible Rein. I just don't want to see what's going to happen to Valina when she realizes the truth." GMRune: As you near the farm you see that the fields are laced with blackened scars where fires have seared into the ground itself. What few plants that remain are wild and untended. Arzel walks along slowy, glanceing around wearily. GMRune: The farm buildings themselves are scored with holes. There are no signs of any activity, not even any wildlife. A dirt road continues to the south. Valina stands still... Valina: Ummm... Earendil puts his hand on Valina's shoulder and casts his head down. Valina: Mom? Dad? Agnemark? Valina runs to the burnt farm house! Earendil follows. Valina cries. Kadan folds his arms and looks away, kicking a rock down the trail. Valina: MOM! DAD!! where are you?? Valina: AGNEMARK? Ayeye stares at the ex-farm house. "This is not going to be good, is it..." Earendil stays close to Valina, but keeps silent. GMRune: Valina runs up to the burnt remains of the farmhouse. The door hangs lazily off of its upper hinge, revealing the inside. Valina searches through the house! GMRune: The inside of the house is a mere shell. Remains of scored furniture lies in corners or across the floor. There are no signs of any people, living or otherwise, inside. Valina is crying uncontrollably! Valina: What... happened?? Valina: ~sniff~ Earendil: Valina . . . Valina: They... Valina: They gotta be in town. Rein scratches helplessly at the ground with his staff. Valina runs away from the party, towards Brittel! Valina: They gotta be here... GMRune: As you continue along the path you come to the ravaged remains of the village of Brittel. The walls of houses have been scattered in all directions, doors hanging limply from broken hinges, and the old bones of farm animals lay crumpled in small piles where the beasts had fallen. A low wind moans through the small village, as though reminding you that only months ago this had been a place full of life. Valina is in shock! Valina: Mommy... daddy... Agnemark Geint makes a disturbed face. Valina grabs Earendil. "Agnemark... what was that sound??" Rein follows Val, peering into houses to see if anyone's around at all. Earendil: Valina . . . I'm not Agnemark. Valina seems to have lost touch with reality again. Valina: Agnemark? Did you hear that? It was a lound boom as if.. it's coming from town! Valina grabs Earendil and runs to the center of the dead town. Earendil follows. Geint flaps and follows. Valina: What's going on? Tarrant decides to root through the remains of Valina's house. Rein wanders in some open areas on the outskirts of the village. Ayeye sticks close to Kadan. Valina: Oh... dear... Agnemark! I don't like this... what? You want me go home! No! You're comeing with me then! We got to warn mom and dad... Earendil: . . . Yes, I'll go with you. Valina runs from town and goes back to her house. Rein wanders around, kneeling now and then in prayer. Kadan seems entirely disinterested in Valina's grief. Valina: Mom!! Dad!!! Did you hear that? Valina: Mom! Dad! Valina jumps and falls forward as if she was just hit by a big shock wave! Arzel follows along quietly. Valina is laying on the ground. Valina: That... blast! came from town! Valina grabs Earendil... Valina: No Agnemark! Don't go back! Don't leave me! Rein returns to the group shaking his head, and mutters outside of Val's hearing. "There seem to be several mass graves towards the edges of the village." Earendil: I won't leave you, Valina. Par nods slightly in understanding to Rein. Valina: No! Agnemark!!! Don't run away! Let's go to McDocmar's manor together... I don't want you to go! Earendil kneels down and puts his hand on Valina's shoulder. "I'm here. I won't leave." Valina: Please!! It is too dangerous! Valina: NO.....!! Valina screams... Geint gulps. o O (She's reliving what happened before to her I'll bet......) Valina frightenedly gets up and runs... Earendil runs after her. Rein taps Geint, looking concerned. "Do you think it might be best to herbal breeze her for a while?" Valina turns around and watches her home get blasted by evil warlock magic... Geint: No... she has to go through this, I think... Valina: Mom... dad... Geint lowers her head. Ayeye stays near Kadan, but watches in Valina's general direction nervously. Valina: I... I'm sorry! Valina: Agnemark... come out fighting... for me! please!.. Valina: I... I won't let you down... Valina runs away! Valina runs away, crying uncontrolably! Geint sighs and flies after Valina. Arzel slowly follows Val and Ear. Ayeye looks up to Kadan. Tarrant takes a seat on a tuffet of grass outside of what remains of Val's house. Valina falls on the ground. Rein follows Val around, hoping maybe he can be of some help, but doubting it. Kadan looks away. "Don't worry about it, Ayeye. Not our problem." GMRune: Valina runs up to a small manor a little further down the road from the village of Brittel. The manor is likewise vacant and battle scored. It bears the snake and dagger symbol of the warlocks on its walls in brown, but the symbol has been slashed numerous times. Ayeye nods slowly. Valina is laying in the burnt manor. Earendil slowly walks into the shell of a manor and sees Valina on the floor. Rein also rushes to the collapsed Val Earendil kneels down and a shadow is cast over his face. Earendil takes Val's hand in his. Valina humms. Earendil: Valina? Valina: Ear... Valina wakes slowly. Earendil: You know who I am? Valina: Earendil? Rein sighs in relief. Valina: It... it is... all my fault. Earendil's cheeks is graced with a tear. Valina: My fault... that my family and friends are dead... Valina: They came for me... killed people for me... I... I didn't even warn mom or dad... I just ran! Rein wonders about the slashes on the warlock symbol. Earendil: Valina, it is not your fault! Valina looks at the ruined manor. Valina: And... this is where I got that cursed pendent... Geint lands on the ground and sits there. Valina: "Run, Valina. Run," McDocmar said... "don't let Gausuton catch you! Go to the cave south of here." Valina: I ran... Lord McDocmar died. Valina: Now I bring his sword to his dead manor... Valina: ... Why? Why am I here? Earendil: Because you are doing something you feel you need to do. Valina: Facing it again... Valina sits up. Valina: Why did everybody have to die? Geint looks up at Valina. Earendil: Valina, there are days when I keep going over the last battle of Shelladon in my mind and I keep wondering what I did wrong. Par: Not everyone had to Valina, but I'm sure many that did, died to protect what was dear of them. I sure they wouldn't want you to mourn. Valina: Why die for my protection? Earendil: Because you are special. Earendil: Because they loved you. Valina: I just wanted to be normal! not special! Earendil: Fate and destiny are cruel sometimes. Valina: ... Kadan: . Earendil: Becoming a dragonmaster is more of a responsibility than I ever wanted and there have been times when I wanted to give up and deny my destiny, but you were there to help me see the truth. Valina: Earendil... whatever you do... don't ever leave me like Agnemark did. Arzel stands quietly with his hands folded in his robes, and his face shrouded by his hood. Valina: I... I don't ever want this to happen again. Earendil: I will not leave you until my last breath escapes me. Valina: Well... now I know my fears about this placee are true. Earendil: You had to confront your past eventually. Valina: I didn't know the damage was so bad... Valina: I... want to go home, one last time. Earendil: What the warlocks have no use for, they destroy. Valina stands and slowly walks away from the manor toward the ruins of her home. Arzel sighs quietly, but walks slowly after Val... Earendil walks up to Valina and holds her hand. Valina makes it to her house... Geint walks along. Kadan speaks in a sort of detached tone. "Well, you're not the only person who's ever lost anything. Life goes on." Earendil give Kadan a dark look. Valina enters the ruins, and goes to what is left of her room. Valina: Earendil... Arzel waits quietly outside of the house. Valina: It was... my fault.. Earendil: Stop blaming yourself. Valina: I was being trained by McDocmar. Kadan looks away from Earendil and folds his arms again. Valina: It... is against warlock rules to train a commoner as I... He saw the talent in me and I insisted he help me develop it. Geint looks saddly at Kadan, but she's on the ground walking so is likely to be unnoticed. Valina looks throughout her room and finds a small, green cloth ribbon still intact and unburnt. Rein nods at Val's comment, finally understanding. Valina picks up the green cloth, and ties it in her hair. GMRune: Valina acquires Green Ribbon. Earendil: Valina, did you get that from McDocmar? Valina: Mom. Dad. Agnemark... if by any chance you are listening... I'm sorry... I'd give anything to see you again... but now I must stop the wrongs... so you may rest in peace. Valina: Earendil, my mom made this for me when I was a child. Earendil: Oh. Valina: Let's go... I have one more thing to do. Earendil: ? Valina walks outside and sits on a big stone near her house. Valina: Come Earendil, sit. Geint hmms. =\ Earendil obliges. Valina: Agnemark and I used to sit on this stone all the time... Geint flies over to Arzel and starts jibbering to him again! Valina: Sit here and look at the stars. Kadan turns his head slightly. "We can't let this interfere with our journey to the White Dragon lair. We shouldn't dawdle around here much longer." Valina ignores Kadan. Earendil: I used to do the same thing from the roof of my house in Shelladon. Valina: I always felt some special energy coming from this stone. Ayeye: I think they are all rather self absorbed right now, they have forgotten... GMRune: As Valina and Earendil talk, the party suddenly hears a piercing scream coming from inside the ruined village of Brittel! It sounds like the voice of a young boy. Valina looks up! Valina: What was that? Earendil: Who could that be? Valina: Let's go! Ayeye turns quickly toward the village and raises Zara's Spear. "I thought this place was empty!" Valina runs toward town. Geint blink-blinks. Earendil draws his sword and runs. Rein taps his staff on the floor twice and follows. Ayeye watches Valina and Earendil run, and looks over to Kadan. GMRune: The party dashes into the remains of the village and find a gangly boy of about ten or eleven years of age in the village square. He is clutching a ragged blanket to his chest (probably from the village) and running madly from a group of six monsters! Rein makes for the kid. Valina looks at the child. The boy sees Rein and dashes screaming towards him. "Helllllp!!!" Earendil: Rein, take care of the boy, the rest of us will tackle the monsters. Valina: Lets get these mosnters out of my town! Ayeye grabs Kadan's arm and tries to drag him toward the village and the rest of the group. Rein grabs the boy, and looks at the monsters defiantly, his red hair flashing. GMRune: The party gets ready to attack the monsters. GMRune: ------round 1------- GMRune: targets: 4 Rocket Snails in front and 2 Glimmerwings in back GMRune: Ayeye attacks Rocket Snail #1! Kadan seems quite startled by the monsters, but quickly concentrates. GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 1 damage Kadan holds his palms toward Ayeye, drawing a barrier in the air with his fingers. GMRune: Kadan gestures towards Ayeye. He casts Mystic Defender! She is surrounded in a blue light! GMRune: Ayeye gains 32 DP! Geint looks at Arzel a bit like she wants to say more, but then gets off of him to attack. GMRune: Glimmerwing #1 flutters its great shiny butterfly wings and casts Laser Grid! Pulses of light burst out from its body at the front row! Geint: O_o GMRune: Ayeye is hit for 68 damage! Kadan is weak against light and takes 457 damage! Geint takes 179 damage! Earendil takes 203 damage! GMRune: Geint is knocked unconscious! Geint: Waa... O_o *FLOP* -_- GMRune: Glimmerwing #2 flashes its wings at the back row! It casts Laser Grid! Valina prepares for a bad blow. GMRune: Valina is aligned with light and takes 1 damage! Rein is aligned with light and takes 1 damage! Arzel takes 50 damage! Par takes 1 damage! Tarrant takes 1 damage! Valina: HA! GMRune: Rein does nothing. GMRune: Valina raises her blade high and then leaps into a powerful swing aimed at Rocket Snail #1! GMRune: 236 damage! Rein: Whoa... GMRune: Rocket Snail #1 points its spiked shell at Arzel! It fires a stone missile at him! GMRune: 121 damage! Valina: You say I can't do damage... GMRune: Rocket Snail #2 shoots a spurt of acid at Earendil! GMRune: 54 damage! GMRune: Rocket Snail #3 turns its shell towards Rein! It fires a stone missle at him! GMRune: 142 damage! GMRune: Rocket Snail #4 attacks Valina! GMRune: Valina leaps nimbly out of the way! Valina: I am not going to let you invade my town! GMRune: Earendil raises a hand to sky as he casts Red Dragon Anger! An ethereal image of Geint as the red dragon appears behind the party for a split second before disppearing and launching a rain of meteors on his enemies! GMRune: Rocket Snails each take 192 damage! Glimmerwings each take 172 damage! GMRune: Arzel casts White Heat! Bursts of flame erupt around the monsters! GMRune: 182 damage to all Rocket Snails! 158 damage to all Glimmerwings! GMRune: Par uses Cycling Staff! His form blurs as he uses his staff to strike all his enemies! GMRune: All Rocket Snails take 194 damage! All Glimmerwings take 160 damage! GMRune: Rocket Snail #1 bites the dust! GMRune: Tarrant casts Thorn Shower! Rows upon rows of thorns rain down from the sky upon his enemies! GMRune: 416 damage to each Rocket Snail! 390 damage to each Glimmerwing! GMRune: They all die! GMRune: -------victory!------ Geint wakes up groggilly. =b GMRune: The party earns 426 XP, 483 MEXP, and 230 S. GMRune: Geint wakes up with 1 hp. Earendil hold his hand up and casts Blue Dragon Heal on the party. Valina: HA! I told them to get out of Brittel! The boy shudders and looks up. He notices the monsters are gone. He slumps to the ground with relief. Valina looks at the boy... GMRune: The form of the blue dragon appears over the party, restoring them to full health. GMRune: All hp recovered. Valina whispers to Earendil... "I recognize him, though he isn't from Brittel." Earendil: Who is he? Valina: I don't remember his name. Rein kneels. "What's your name, bud?" The boy looks up at Rein. "Faun. My name is Faun." Boy: Thanks for helping me. I didn't expect to see any monsters here. Rein: Well, you're with us now, so I guess that makes you as safe as anything around here. Valina: Where are you from Faun? Faun points to the west. "Eso Village." He hugs the blanket tightly to his chest. "I have to be going now." Valina: Wait, Faun! Valina: I got to ask you one thing- Valina: Do you know *anybody* who used to live here? Rein: I think you'd better stay with us, Faun... you saw the monsters around here. Faun hesitates, then shakes his head vehemently. "No." Valina drops her head. Valina: Thanks... Tarrant: How far away is your village... We could take you home and protect you. Faun pauses. "Are you from here?" Valina: Yes... yes, I am. Faun: What's your name? Valina: Valina.... Faun looks down at the ground and begins making a circle in the dirt with his foot. "Do you know a warlock lady?" Valina: I did a long time ago, and I know of some nice ladies now... Some who are against the warlock ways. Faun looks a little suspicious. "Are you sure? Where did you live? What house?" Valina: The farm house... just outside of town. Faun nods. "I have someone to show you then." Valina: You do? Valina: Well then, Faun, I'll follow you then! Valina: Let's get going! Geint walks around beat to hell. ^_^ GMRune: Faun leads you through the underbrush to a cleverly concealed cave to the south which can only be entered through a narrow cleft in the otherwise solid rock. The short passage inside is dimly lit by the light from the mouth of the cave. At the end of it is a small roomlike pocket with a couple pots, loaves of bread, and a bucket of water. Arzel stands quietly and refolds his hands back into his robe. Valina looks in... "Hello?" GMRune: Huddled on a cot and swathed in coarse blankets is a woman in her mid-thirties. Though her face is wasted and sallow she must have once had a regal bearing. Her long blond hair is ragged and curls listlessly about her features. As you enter she turns her clouded grey eyes in your direction. Woman: Faun, is that you? Have you brought visitors? Valina gasps... Valina runs in and hugs the woman! Faun: Yeah, I've brought some people with me. Valina's with them. Earendil: Um . . . The woman smiles gently and weakly returns Valina's hug. Valina: Atrillas! Geint: .......? Who is she, Valina? Valina cries! Valina: I... I thought you were dead?? Atrillas pats Valina on the back. "I survived, Valina. It was hard, with McDocmar dead and all, but I did. I've been hiding here for so long, hoping you had escaped." Atrillas: It is good to know you are alive and with friends. Geint decides to talk to Arzel again since this doesn't really have to do with her and stuff. =b Valina: I... I am so sorry! Valina: Gausuton took the pendant you gave me! He stole it from me Valina: I... failed at the simple task you gave me! Atrillas's expression falls. "It is all right. I should have expected that the pendant would be hard to protect, but there was nothing more I could tell you under such circumstances." Valina: I know it is worthless to him without me... Atrillas: I should have given it to you sooner, but I didn't think you were ready. Valina: ... Valina: I still don't think I am ready for such power. Arzel looks up slightly and asks, "I have... another pendant... do you perhaps know anything about it?" Atrillas shakes her head. "Whether you are or not, you will have to be. I'm sorry such a burden had to be laid on you so soon." Atrillas turns towards Arzel. The focus of her clouded eyes does not change. "I might. What is it?" Valina: I know... Arzel: It's a pendant like Valina describes hers... it zaps anyone who touches it though... Atrillas moistens her lips. "I think I know it. It is one of the Three, is it not? The dragon told me of them when he visited me so long ago." Geint: *blink blink* What dragon? Arzel: Yes... it's one of the Three. But we don't know who the pendant bearer is... Atrillas smiles. "The white. Quark. He was very polite, despite what people say." Geint snickers. "Hah... yea, sure he is. ;)" Geint is more to herself than anyone else. =b Atrillas: I do not know who the three pendant bearers are beyond Valina. Quark told me of her, and told me to protect the pendant until she could carry it on her own. Valina: ... Valina: I hope he isn't upset at me for failing. Geint: Eh, he probably wouldn't be. Atrillas: It is a great responsibility, Valina. I'm certain he understands. He sees very much, even though he is still a young dragon. Arzel nods slightly and moves back. Atrillas: Valina, listen carefully, my time is gone. It is wonderful to hear you again. I only wish I could see you, but it is so dark. Valina hugs Atrillas. Valina: You can still see me! I know that! Atrillas heaves a great breath. "But there is no use in wishing for what cannot be. You have a mission to complete. It is a great burden, I know, but I have the utmost confidence in you. McDocmar and I trained you well, didn't we?" Valina: Yes... you did train me well... Valina: And now I am here with the future Dragonmaster. Atrillas pats Valina. "You have been such a joy to know, a sign that warlocks can't oppress the entirety of Lunar." Earendil blushes. Valina: The oppression must end... values you taught me well. Valina: Atrillas, there is one thing I have to know Atrillas: McDocmar would be proud, as would your parents. Atrillas: Yes, Valina? Valina: McDocmar, my parents, my brother... did they recive proper burial? if so, where are they? Rein koffs. Atrillas shakes her head. "Faun is the only one who tends to me, the only one besides you and your friends who knows I live. He tells me that everyone was put into the mass graves outside of Brittel, regardless of who they were. They rest there, but hopefully in peace." Valina looks down. Valina: Thank you... Valina: Now I know... Valina begins to cry... Earendil takes Valina's hand. Valina: ... Atrillas smiles weakly and turns towards the party. "Go west a little further when you leave here. The village of Eso is there. Brittel used to trade with them a lot. I think you will be able to get supplies there, find out news and such. Valina will need your help as much as possible." Atrillas coughes suddenly and the effort of doing so wracks her entire body. Valina: Atrillas! Valina: Rest peacefully my friend... you deserve it! Valina hugs Atrillas for the last time. Faun comes to Atrillas's side and gently tucked the blanket he had scavenged around her. Valina looks at Faun, crying. Earendil casts his head down. Atrillas: I'm afraid I will go soon, so the best of luck to you Valina. McDocmar and I never had any of our own children, so getting to see you and you family was always such a blessing. Atrillas lays her head back and closes her eyes. Valina: I won't let you, McDocmar, or my family down! Faun: Do you remember how to get to Eso, Valina? I can guide you if you need it. Valina begins to step out... "Goodbye... Atrillas. I'll never forget you." Valina: Yes, Faun. I remember. Valina: But you can guide us... Faun nods curtly. "Okay. I'll need to get my father for the lady anyway." Valina nods. GMRune: Faun leads the party away from the cave and down a road to the west. Before long, a small village rises up in the distance. It is about the same size as the remains of Brittel, but is thankfully still a living community. GMRune: -------end session-------