Lunar: Magic Empire Session 78 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, the bush, Anti-Ayeye, anti-bush, Anti-Par, Anti-Tarrant/Shadowcat, Voice/Lira, T'lain, and ~Rein" 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 figure draws back its hood and reveals Kadan's own face. Its companions reveal themselves as well. The leader of the nine figures glares at the party as he issues his challenge. "Can you defeat yourselves?" Kadan glares forward darkly. Ayeye: Oh...this is not good, is it? Valina: Hummm.... Earendil: I would say it isn't. Valina: eh he he he eh... Valina steps back. GMRune: The nine dopplegangers attack the party! GMRune: --------round 1-------- GMRune: Kadan uses Surround! He, Par, Earendil, and Geint appear behind the dopplegangers! GMRune: Anti-Kadan uses initiative! The dopplegangers get a free round in which to attack! Kadan eeks loudly. GMRune: Anti-Ayeye attacks Ayeye! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss Ayeye sticks out her tounge at her double. "Hah! Missed me!" GMRune: Anti-Kadan attacks Kadan! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss Kadan braces himself. GMRune: Anti-Rein lifts his staff and launches into a magically enhanced attack that brings him into range of bashing Valina! GMRune: 50 damage! Valina: Argh! GMRune: Anti-Geint blows out a hot stream of fire at Earendil! GMRune: 40 damage! GMRune: Anti-Earendil lifts his arms and the image of the white dragon appears behind him as he uses White Dragon Protect! Earendil: I knew that would be a problem. GMRune: Anti-Valina slashes her rapier in a circular arc, sending a blazing funnel of wind into Par! GMRune: 380 damage! GMRune: Anti-Arzel casts Fire Wall on the front row! GMRune: Ayeye is hit for 118 damage! Kadan is hit for 422 damage! Geint is strong against fire and is hit for 1 damage! Earendil is hit for 273 damage! GMRune: Anti-Par casts Mystic Vigor! He now can cast two spells per round! GMRune: Anti-Tarrant casts Vine Scourge! A tendril whips out of the ground to strike Tarrant! GMRune: 51 damage! GMRune: -------round 2------- GMRune: Ayeye attacks Anti-Ayeye! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss GMRune: Kadan casts Negate Magic! A dark aura surrounds him, dispelling all magical properties that should try to effect him. Ayeye frowns. "She cheated!" GMRune: Anti-Ayeye attacks Ayeye! Anti-Ayeye: Did not! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss Ayeye: Did to! GMRune: Anti-Kadan lifts a hand and casts Iron Wolf on Anti-Earendil! Anti-Earendil's attack goes up by 40. Anti-Ayeye: Did not! GMRune: Rein casts Calm Litany! Everyone in the party gains 252 hp or goes to max. Ayeye sticks her tongue out at Anti-Ayeye. "You did because I never miss!" Anti-Ayeye: I don't either! =b GMRune: Anti-Rein aims a High Thrust at Arzel with his staff-fighting technique! Kadan tries hard to concentrate. GMRune: 1 damage! GMRune: Geint attacks with Shatter Blow! She aims a deadly strike at Anti-Arzel! GMRune: 705 damage! GMRune: Anti-Arzel is history! GMRune: Anti-Geint growls and attacks Geint with Shatter Blow! GMRune: 525 damage! Valina: Geint!! GMRune: Anti-Earendil uses Power Strike! He leaps high and slams his sword down on Geint! GMRune: 629 damage! GMRune: Geint falls. GMRune: Earendil casts Heavenly Armor on the front row! Star coalesce to protect Ayeye and Earendil from magical harm. The spell refuses to work around Kadan. GMRune: Anti-Valina uses Power Strike! She dashes forward and spears the tip of her rapier through Par! GMRune: 349 damage! GMRune: Valina casts Silent Gust on the back row! GMRune: Anti-Rein, Anti-Par, and Anti-Tarrant resist. Anti-Valina is muted. Valina: Well at least I know I can mute myself. GMRune: Arzel casts Calm Litany! GMRune: Everyone heals 296 hp or goes to max. (Kadan, Earendil, and Arzel go to max and Par is healed partially. Everyone else is at full health.) GMRune: Anti-Par casts Hailstorm! GMRune: Ayeye is protected. Kadan is protected. Rein takes 329 damage! Earendil is protected. Valina takes 424 damage! Arzel takes 195 damage! Par takes 28 damage! Tarrant takes 1 damage! GMRune: Anti-Par casts Fire Soul! He takes on the consistency of flame. GMRune: Par casts Ice Sword at Anti-Par! GMRune: Anti-Par is protected by White Dragon Protect! The magic fades. Kadan shields himself from the flying sparks and flashes of light ahead of him from recent magic attacks. GMRune: Tarrant casts Asteroid Strike! Gigantic meteors slam down on the party of dopplegangers! GMRune: All of them save Anti-Par are protected by White Dragon Protect. Anti-Par suffers 166 damage! White Dragon Protect disappears. GMRune: Anti-Tarrant casts Spore Burst on the back row! Valina: I hate spores! GMRune: Valina takes 584 damage and is knocked out! Rein takes 489 damage and is knocked out! Arzel takes 289 damage! Par takes 188 damage! Tarrant takes 127 damage! GMRune: --------round 3------- Ayeye puts away Zara's Spear and gets ready to use a different type of spear. GMRune: Ayeye casts Ice Spear on Anti-Ayeye! GMRune: 42 damage! GMRune: Anti-Ayeye glowers and casts Fire Breath at Ayeye! GMRune: 4 damage! GMRune: Anti-Kadan attacks Earendil! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: miss GMRune: Kadan uses Shapeshift! His equipment melds into him as he takes on the form of a great black panther. Ayeye smiles. "Hah! Didn't even warm the air!" Earendil: You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. GMRune: Anti-Rein casts Healing Litany on Anti-Par! GMRune: Anti-Par gains 249 hp! GMRune: Anti-Geint uses Shatter Blow on Tarrant! GMRune: 344 damage! GMRune: Earendil raises his sword to the sky, then he dashes forward and brings his blade down in a powerful arc through Anti-Rein! GMRune: 506 damage! GMRune: Anti-Rein crumples into a heap. GMRune: Anti-Earendil uses Power Strike! He leaps into the air and slams his sword into Earendil! GMRune: 403 damage! GMRune: Anti-Valina uses Power Strike! She attacks Par! GMRune: 368 damage! GMRune: Par falls. GMRune: Arzel sucks in a deep gulp of air and breathes Flame Breath with gusto on Anti-Earendil! GMRune: 290 damage! Tarrant tries to put Par back on his feet, but he soon falls with a thud onto the hard ground. Oops. :) GMRune: Anti-Par casts Ice Sword on Ayeye! Ayeye is protected. The anti-bush rustles madly in Anti-Ayeye's backpack. Ayeye glares at Anti-Par. "You stay out of this!" Anti-Par snorts and ignores her. GMRune: Anti-Par casts Ice Sword on Tarrant! GMRune: 1 damage Ayeye smirks at Anti-Ayeye. "You can't even fight me by yourself, pathetic." Anti-Ayeye: Hey, I didn't ask for HIS help! Kadan turns his head up to look at Ayeye. "Keep your concentration. It's all just a trick." Ayeye: Of course not, he just wanted to help because you obviously cannot take me. GMRune: Tarrant raises his hands as an ethereal wind billows around him. A vivid green aura springs around him, bringing with it the scent of the forest after the morning dew. Tarrant casts Pegasus Wind! GMRune: White forms the color of seafoam with feathered wings burst from the green around him, sailing like graceful ghosts through the dopplegangers and draining life in their wake. GMRune: Anti-Ayeye suffers 864 damage and is defeated! Anti-Kadan suffers 1168 damage and is defeated! Anti-Geint suffers 988 damage and is defeated! Anti-Earendil suffers 1019 damage and is defeated! Anti-Valina suffers 1001 damage and is defeated! Anti-Par suffers 605 damage and is defeated! Anti-Tarrant suffers 450 damage! GMRune: Anti-Tarrant looks extremely dazed after the sudden death of his companions. Tarrant lets out a sigh. Anti-Tarrant eeps and shakes his head. "Um... I think you guys passed..." GMRune: Anti-Tarrant surrenders. GMRune: ----------victory!--------- Kadan snarls and wants to bite Anti-Tarrant. Ayeye stalls the magic she was going to cast. "Tarrant! You take all the fun out of it!" Tarrant: I hope I am not that wimpy. Anti-Tarrant sighs and scratches his head. "Sorry about that, but one of us has to remain here to give you your prize for your victory." Valina sleeps like a coot kitty. GMRune: The party earns 527 XP, 1778 MEXP, and 0 S. GMRune: Valina, Rein, Geint, and Par all wake up with 1 hp. Anti-Tarrant picks up a dull black stone from the gilded alter behind him. His features melt away to reveal a lithe shadowcat in his catman form. He paws the stone lovingly, as though it contains fond memories. "I believe you came here in search of answers, correct?" He eyes Kadan especially. GMRune: Kadan shapeshifts again, bringing himself up into his catman form. Kadan slowly steps towards the altar and nods solemnly. Shadowcat: Have you discovered the path to finding them? Kadan: I... I believe so. Kadan: That path led me here. The shadowcat grins slightly, baring his teeth. "That is good. All our lives we continued to learn about others, about ourselves. It is not discovering the truth that is important so much as learning how to find it." Kadan: Finding that truth has brought me on a long and dangerous journey... But I met a lot of people, and overcame a lot of hardships. The shadowcat nods approvingly. He flicks his tail to one side. Shadowcat: I think you are ready to inherit the legacy of our people. Kadan: But... I found out about my 'people' so shortly ago. Why do I have to be the only one to carry this responsibility? Why did you all leave this world? The shadowcat sadly shakes his head. "You must carry on because you are the only one; the only one left. We... departed because we were no longer fit for this realm. Times are changing, and Lunar is no longer hospitable towards magic. The day is fast approaching when mana will not be as plentiful as it is now. We, being creatures of magic, cannot survive long without a sufficient supply. So we chose to leave. A few of us could remain, but not nearly as many as we were." Kadan looks down and shakes his head, snickering. "How ironic... creatures of magic. It makes me wonder what made me born to the life I have lived. Is that... fate?" Ayeye shakes her head, "I refuse to believe in fate..." The shadowcat's eyes glint. "Fate is what the world makes of it. One person alone cannot change the tide of millions. But together, a powerful force can redirect the flow and form fate." Kadan nods. "I think I'm beginning to understand... The past is not as important as the future. History will remember us by how we act and what we change while we still can. That's what fate is. But... what am I... rather, what are the shadowcats capable of when there are only one?" Shadowcat: One snowflake too many is all that is needed to start an avalanche. You have friends, and they could not have gotten here without you. And with our power behind you, you will be able to become a part of the redirecting force I mentioned. Kadan: Your power...? The shadowcat tosses the smooth dull stone to Kadan. "Yes. Take this. It is what is left of our people. All our memories, all our magic, are tucked into this stone. Touch it to the Mask when you return to the castle above and you will have the power to call upon our strength to aid you." Kadan: Strength of the Shadowcats... Kadan softly grasps the stone. "Yes. I will do that. Thank you. But... what if the time comes for me to use the power of this stone and I do know what to do?" The shadowcat shakes his head. "You will know. The magic will come to you so swiftly that it will begin before you remove the stone from your head." Kadan holds his forehead, trying to collect his thoughts. "A... Alright. I'll just do my best. I suppose that's all that can be asked of me..." Kadan slowly turns around, pauses, then looks up to see if there's a path that leads back to the upper level. Shadowcat: No, we do not ask. It is up to you to forge your life as you wish. The shadowcat dismissively waves a clawed hand and the party is surrounded in a darkness that begins to lift them back above the ground. GMRune: When the darkness vanishes, you find yourself back in the central chamber on the third floor of the castle. Kadan's Shadowcat Mask is sitting on a marble pedastal in the center of the room. Kadan takes a deep breath. Kadan: My decision to tear down the Magic Empire from their unjust rule was made long ago. Now it's just a matter of seeking the means to that end... Kadan takes slow, steady steps, each one making an audible echo on the stone floor as he approaches the pedestal. Kadan closes his eyes, takes a nervous gulp, then softly touches the stone down onto the mask. GMRune: The stone vanishes, melding itself into the Mask. --> Kadan Your mind is flooded with a serene sense of warmth. You see visions of lives come and gone, or people you had never seen, but now feel that you had known with the intimacy of a family. You see legions of shadowcats, fighting an evil of long ago when Lunar was young and magic beasts like dragons and phoenixes freely roamed the land. Valina: Ohhh --> Kadan You see the shadowcats as they fade into the recesses of time, their castle growing more and more vacant as time goes on, but their power, kept in this stone, grows ever stronger. Finally, you see Kate, as she was in life. She looks to you, and gives a curt nod of approval that could almost be a smile. Then the vision fades. Kadan's mouth opens as he reaches out in front of him and grasps the air while smiling. GMRune: The Mask glows softly with a red light. Kadan: Why... but... ... Now... I understand... I can... go on... Kadan stumbles over and instinctively clutches the mask on both sides. Kadan: I see it now, Kate. I do. The future IS more important than the past. When I step beyond the regret of what has happened, I can try to make a better future for myself and others. Thank... you... GMRune: The Mask glows intensely for an instant, then fades altogether. Ayeye looks at Kadan with concern. "Kadan?" Kadan pushes himself up to a standing posture. "I'm... I'm all here now. I think." Kadan looks curiously at the mask, then slowly picks it up and presses it against his face. Ayeye: Are you sure? Are you all right? Kadan: Yes... I'm fine. Please don't worry about me. We have more important things to worry about now. I... I just needed to think over a few things. But now I think my head is clear. Clearer than it's been in a long time. Ayeye nods slowly. "I you say so..." Kadan goes through his mental disciplines and tries to feel the stone's power. Par: Maybe we should start heading back to T'lain's. Valina: yea... Kadan nods. "Right. We have work to do. And I feel more than ready. I just need to break this new mask in..." Par: Whenever you're ready, Ear... Earendil pulls out the wings. Earendil wills the party to T'lain's spire GMRune: The party vanishes in a spiral of white light and then reappears on the second floor of T'lain's spire in the chamber with the tapesties of Althena's four guardian creatures. There are stairs leading both up and down on the northern side of the room. Ayeye looks around the room. "So, what is next?" Valina: :D Well the airship isn't done yet... I can sense that. Voice: Actually, it's almost ready. Seera and I showed up to help T'lain not long after you left. With the three of us using our magic the progress has gone much faster. Valina: Oh good :D GMRune: Lira, the dryad you have rescued first from House Flysse and then from Yegaar, comes down the stairs into the room. Lira: It's good to see you've made it back safely. Valina: :D Lira: If you guys are ready, why don't you come upstairs? We've got the airship waiting up on the roof. T'lain's putting on the finishing touches to make certain it doesn't crash on your way to the Phoenix's lair. Ayeye: Those are very important finishing touches... Kadan holds up his gloved hand and starts counting off fingers. Lira nods. "Indeed." Ayeye: I guess we are ready, right everyone? Kadan: Pegasus, Shadowcat, Dragon, Phoenix... This is the final tribal artifact, right? Earendil: No, I still need to get the armor of the Black Dragon. Valina: Hummm... Kadan holds his chin. "I wonder if we can count on Shea's cooperation." Earendil: I'll most likely have to pass a test as with the other dragons. Valina: Sure! ~Rein: I think Pria will show up on her own time when she feels it right to give Earendil her armor. Lira begins to step back up the stairs. "Well, come on up when you're ready. I don't know how much time the Empire will give you, and they may be after the Phoenix Robe as well." Ayeye dashes after Lira. "We get to fly again!" Valina: Oh boy! Arzel shuffles after Ayeye. Valina looks at Rein. :D Earendil: Indeed, though I'm a bit leery on flying something mechanical. Valina: Can i drive?? ~Rein tries to look enthusiastic, but remembers some of his less heroic attempts at riding a wyburn. Lira: I think so if T'lain doesn't mind. Ayeye: Can I drive sometime also? It would be fun! GMRune: The party treks up to the fourth floor and then into T'lain's laboratory where you had sent Ghaleon to the future. In the back of the room is a ladder leading up to the roof. Lira proceeds to climb up it ahead of you. Ayeye follows Lira up. Kadan eagerly follows. Earendil does the same. Valina hopples on up. GMRune: The air is brisk and windy on the roof above you. The airship is tether to the roof by use of several thick ropes. Seera is sitting cross-legged on the roof with a green light shining around her. That light is reflecting in a shine around the ship. Valina: Ohhhh neato! Earendil: Um, are you sure this thing is safe? GMRune: The ship itself is shaped like a giant fish, with windows where it eyes should be and fins for the rudder and wings. The outer shell appears to have been formed from wood, but it is a thick wood unlike anything else you have ever seen. Kadan: Wow...! Valina: It is SOOO cute! T'lain climbs down the rope ladder leading into the hovering ship. "Quite! The dryads' magic melding magic was just the thing for holding all of this together." Valina: I want to drive :D Earendil: I wouldn't use cute to describe it. T'lain: I assure you that is it quite safe. Earendil: I guess we don't have any other choice. Ayeye: Cheer up, Dragonmaster, it will be fun! T'lain smiles reassuringly. "Don't worry. There are devices for each of you called 'parachutes' in there. In the unlikely event that the ship should fail, you need only strap one of those to your chest, jumping out of the ship, and pull on the cord. Then you will still be able to survive." Valina: Neat. Earendil's eyes look heavenwards in response to Val's enthusiasm. Kadan examines the parachutes skeptically, unable to shake the feeling of ominous foreshadowing. T'lain gestures at the rope ladder as Seera stands and the light fades from both her and the ship. "Climb aboard. There's a map with a magical navigator there so you can keep track of your position. I've marked the location of the Phoenix's lair on there so you'll be able to find it. Steering is easy, just turn the wheel the way you want to go. Press on the green button to acelerate and the red to decelerate." Valina climbs aboard. Earendil: It might be prudent to put these parachutes on before the flight begins. T'lain: When you guys make it back, and assuming you still have the ship, do you think you could drop it off here? I'd like it back if at all possible. Valina hops into the driver's chair! Ayeye: We will still have it, what could possibly go wrong? Earendil proceeds into the airship. Ayeye looks for a co-pilot's seat. Valina: Green... go... red... stop... turn wheel.. Valina: I think I can do this. :D Kadan goes to sit in a corner to make himself unnoticed. Earendil: Think? Earendil: Would somebody mind knocking me out for this trip? T'lain shouts out as the last of you get inside. "There's a lever beside the steering too! It controls the altitude!" Ayeye grins wickedly. "I would be honored to, Dragonmaster." Par snickers as he pulls up the rope ladder. Earendil straps on a parachute. GMRune: Inside the ship there are chairs for everyone. Strapped to the back of each of the chairs are the parachutes that T'lain told you about. They look rather bulky and box-shaped. How in the world could they save a person's life? Valina: Oh Earendil... hand me one of those chute things... Ayeye wonders how she is supposed to put one on the bush. The bush pants, oblivious to the chutes, except perhaps that they look a little tasty. Earendil hands Val the parachute on the back of her chair. Valina: Oh thanks. :D Valina: Ready everyone??? Earendil: No. Earendil: But go ahead anyway. Valina: Okay then! Par secures himself tightly into his chair. "Ready!" Valina pushes the green button. Valina: HEY! Valina: This is fun!! Valina: Where to??? GMRune: The ship lurches forward with a steady hum building up from the back of the fish-shaped craft. You can see through the windows that the tethers holding the ship are still attached to T'lain's roof! The dryads quickly work to cut them though, and without further mishap your vessel shoots forward at a speed faster than anything you're ever seen. Valina looks at the map. GMRune: ---------end session-------