Lunar: Magic Empire Session 79 Log ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Par, Garreth, Atrillas, Man/Mentor, Woman/Idril, Man/Tuor, and Camille" 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-------- Valina flies onward! Valina: This is so much fun! GMRune: The party sails through the air in the enchanted airship that T'lain had built. It bobs slightly up and down through the wind currents, much like any vessel would through the sea. Arzel looks worried and holds onto his chair tightly. Earendil: Um, where is the personal discomfort receptacle? Par marvels at Earendil's sudden use of sophisticated language. Rein kicks back, grateful to be flying on something non-living Kadan abstains from looking over the edge. "How far is our journey anyway...?" Earendil looks rather green GMRune: The magic map beside Valina's seat in the pilot's chair flashes the party's current location and the area of the Phoenix's Lair is clearly marking by a hovering red spot. Valina looks for the Phoenix Lair outside the window. GMRune: Judging from the airships current speed on the map, the lair is still a good distance away. For those who care to look at the land below them, it is passing by at swifter speed than you have ever seen on a wyburn. Valina steers toward the Phoenix Lair. Earendil feels rather ill. Geint looks out at the view. Valina looks at Earendil... wimp! GMRune: The ship continues to bob through the air. Valina hits a break in the current and the ship makes a lurching drop of a dozen feet before catching itself on warmer air and rising again. Earendil: AHHH! Valina: Ahh! Geint: What was that? Earendil runs to the side of the ship and uses the land far below as a barf bag. Kadan: You're... doing fine, Valina... Arzel looks rather uncomfortable. Valina: Thanks. Tarrant: Watch out for that mountain... Tarrant: Hah... Just kidding Valina: Don't say that. :P Earendil gives Tarrant the evil eye. GMRune: The ship makes a shudder. Through the windows you can see the landscape below has changed from the plains to a set of mountains. In the distance of the east you can see the desert you are heading towards. Already you can feel an unnaturally powerful wave of heat. Geint constantly watches outside and below. Valina: We must be close. Kadan folds his arms and doesn't look too comfortable or uncomfortable. Geint nods! Earendil goes back to his seat and looks a pale as a ghost. GMRune: According to the map the desert stretches on for quite a distance, and the Phoenix's Lair is almost exactly on the other side. However you seem to be making good time. Valina pilots onward. Rein: I didn't think the heat would come on so fast... Kadan: On second thought, it's probably a good thing we came here by air. GMRune: When you pass over the desert the heat is tremendous, you can easily understand why travel through here had to be done via airship rather than on foot. The hot waves of air push the ship higher into the sky. In the sands below you see occasional glimpses of wormlike creatures who are apparently able to thrive in the heat. Geint enjoys the trip even more due to the heat. ;b Earendil starts getting delusional and goes up to Kadan. "Mommy, I feel sick." Valina: I'm glad I'm not down there. Geint: O_o Kadan: Hmm... hostile indiginous life... Yeah, I guess this ship is alright. Valina: Ummm... Geint looks around the ship. Geint walks over to the uncomfortable looking Arzel and sits down next to him. ;b GMRune: Finally, something seems to be taking shape along the horizon. There is the sparkling glimmer of distant water. And there is a strange structure emerging right before it. The reddish shape appears to be the remains of a mountain and it is surrounded by a whirling moat of sand. There is a large flat rock near what appears to be a cave opening leading inside. Tarrant stands towards the bow of the airship. He thinks it is the bow, or maybe it's the aft.. Geint smiles at Arzel plesently, wondering if he's noticing her. ;b Arzel glances at Geint and goes back to looking uncomfortable. Valina: That must be it. :P GMRune: The marker on the map indicates that you are just about at the Phoenix's Lair. Kadan looks at the sky, strangely more relaxed than usual. Valina: Yup. ;D Rein: What's that rock? Valina guids the ship toward the rock... Valina: Looks like a place to land. Valina slowy brings the ship over the rock. Valina: Umm... How do I land? Geint blinks. Valina pushes the break button. Earendil gets on his knees and starts unttering childhood prayers to Althena. GMRune: The ship comes to a halt and hovers over the rock. The outside fins flap softly like wings to keep the craft afloat. Valina pushes the red button... the slow down and then the lower altitude lever. :P GMRune: When Valina pulls on the lever the ship slowly begins to lower altitude. The ground rises up towards you. Geint braces herself for the landing and closes her eyes. Valina: Slowly... Valina: Gently... Earendil mumbles faster. Valina: Softly... Valina thinks of pillows. Rein prays silently to Althena and wonders who let Valina pilot. GMRune: The ship makes an abrupt *WHUMP* and then ceases to descend any further. You appear to have landed, and in one piece. Valina also thinks of marshmellows. Geint opens her eyes. Kadan looks around, assessing the situation. Kadan: I suppose we're alive. Geint: =b Earendil looks up. "Landed?" Earendil rushes to the door and flings it open. GMRune: There is hot steaming ground beneath Earendil. But hey, it's ground. Fortunately, the entrance to the cave isn't very far, and you probably could mince your way over there in a few steps. Earendil jumps out and rushes toward the cave. GMRune: Earendil's boots are rather scorched and starting to smolder when he gets there, but otherwise he is okay. Kadan tries to make his way towards the cave entrance. Rein tries to shove the top layer of sand out of the way with his staff before he makes his way over. Geint looks out, liking the heat but not liking the idea of her white boots in that stuff. Par hops out of the ship and dashes over to the others. Valina dashes toward everyone. :D Earendil's complexion is beginning to return to normal. GMRune: The lip of the cave is much cooler than the desert outside. The sands seem to shimmer for forever, but at least here you can look away and recover. Kadan checks his equipment, looks around, and presses on. Earendil: You guys can fly back, I'll use the wings. Valina: We'll worry about that later, Earendil. GMRune: The inside of the cave has a warm wind flowing towards the outside, but it is still cooler than the desert heat. The rock is reddish inside here as well, and the stone holds a light of its own as though to guide your path. You see that in some areas the stone has been marred though, and the light no longer shines from there. GMRune: The peculiar ravages across the rock appear to have been done through magic, and with enchanted weapons. Arzel shuffles along following whoever is leading. Kadan rubs his chin. "I wonder what kind of things have happened here in history?" Geint looks around the cave and blinks. Par: Very many things I would imagine. If ordinary mortals cannot venture here, then the Phoenix could have lived undisturbed for millennia. Valina: ... GMRune: The passage heads through a turn and then you see the remains of what appear to be reddish lizard creatures. Even in death their bodies exude terrific amounts of heat. They appear to have been armed with tridents, but all of their weapons have been broken. Kadan: Hmm... maybe not as undisturbed as you thought, Par. Earendil: I hope no more of those creatures exist. Valina: Hmmm... Rein approaches one of the figures, to see if they are long dead. Geint looks around at the red glowing hot place. "What a pretty place. It reminds me of my cave a bit." ^_^ Earendil: Hmm, I wouldn't mind being back in Canth's cave right about now. GMRune: The bodies appear to have been laying there for anywhere from an hour to two hours ago. Par looks slightly disturbed. Rein: I wonder who did this... Arzel pulls his hood on to his head. Valina: ... Valina: I hope we don't find out. Arzel: I doubt a Phoenix would like to be disturbed... GMRune: From ahead of the party comes a muffled clicking sound, as of booted heels against the heated stone. Valina: Hmmm... GMRune: The noise stops before it comes into view, perhaps waiting, aware that you are here. Geint: -_-; Rein looks around at the others, alarmed. Valina: Ummm... Valina opens up her jar and uses the calm herb inside of it! Valina keeps the jar though. GMRune: Valina gains 300 hp. GMRune: A harsh, familiar voice barks out, "You silly people! If only you could see the looks on your faces!" Kadan: ... Who's there? Geint: =p GMRune: A figure steps into view with a devious smirk. The young man has orange flamish hair, green eyes, and an attitude problem that you've hated to put up with ever since they first appeared to the party at large. Rein casts off a quick Calm Litany. Garreth: What? You've forgotten me already? I'm hurt. Valina: Hmph! Earendil: You?! Kadan: ... No... it can't be... Arzel: Garreth? ...how? GMRune: Everyone gains 235 hp or goes to max. Valina: I hate you ... You know that don't you! Geint blinks in a most shocked manner! O_O Garreth waves a hand, still smirking. "Oh don't worry about it. I'm not here to fight you. There's a slight problem. One that I must say you caused." Earendil: What? Your defeat? That was not a problem in our eyes. Valina: ... Garreth: Well, being defeated wasn't so much a problem as what happened after that. You see... Garreth steps forward and swipes a hand at Earendil. His hand passes stright through him. "...I'm dead." Earendil: Good. Valina: Oh... Garreth throws up his hands with a grin. "But, since I'm dead I'm free to piss you off as much as I like and you can't stop me." Earendil: Then why aren't you in hell where you belong? Valina: Maybe this is hell? GMRune: Garreth wags a finger at Earendil. "You see, this place belongs to the Phoenix, and with its everlasting life it also looks after the afterlife. Its lair in particular has habits of pulling up ghosts of people its visitors think about. I can't help it if you guys think about me. I'm flattered actually. I bet Arzel just misses me so." Valina: ... Geint makes a noise. Valina: Oh great. Earendil: No . . . Arzel stays silent behind his shadowed hood. GMRune: Garreth's voice takes on a decidedly sinister tone. "But I really shouldn't be keeping you waiting. You are, after all, expected." Valina feels special. GMRune: Another shape appears out of the shadows, this one without so much as a whisper to sound her arrival. She is a woman in her thirties with long blond hair, and her face no longer has the sallow, sunken turn it had when she passed away on Caldor Isle. Atrillas: That is enough Garreth. You are no help to them, despite how often thoughts of you may occur to them. Valina: ... Valina: Yea... Valina tries to hug Atrillas.. Garreth scowls, then childishly sticks his tongue out at the entire party. GMRune: Valina passes straight through Atrillas. Valina: Ahh! Arzel mutters quietly to himself. Earendil tries not to let his thoughts wander. Atrillas: Garreth is correct in that you are expected. Valina, you and your friends must be careful. Warlocks have arrived here no long ago, and they are fighting their way towards the Phoenix's inner sanctum. Garreth: Eh, so what. :P One less bird in the world. Valina: Oh dear! Earendil: Camille . . . Garreth: Yeah, it's Camille. Damn Protectoriate suck-up. They're always so tight-assed over there it's no wonder Lord Kargeth's letting her use your old Dragon stuff. Earendil: It won't be hers for long. Atrillas casts another look at Garreth, who pointedly ignores her. She turns back to Valina. "Please, you must hurry." Earendil starts heading down the cave. Kadan: You won't be able to confuse us, Garreth. Our minds are made up. Garreth sticks his hands on his hips and mimics Earendil's words while wagging his head back and forth in a most annoying fashion. Earendil ignores the rather annoying ghost. Valina: Thanks for the warning Atrillas... You're looking good :D Is McDocmar here? What about my brother?? My family?? Atrillas nods. "They are here. But it is not time for a family reunion. They are waiting, and watching." Garreth tags along after the party though Atrillas does not. Garreth sticks his face right up in front of Arzel's hood. "So, buddy, any last regrets? We might be able to have a drink in hell together if you biff this one." Valina: Ummm... Valina: Thanks... Arzel ignores Garreth. Kadan completely ignores the specter. GMRune: Though insubstantial, Garreth makes just as much noise as he did while alive, perhaps now even more so. Valina: ~sigh~ Perhaps we are in hell. ;P And we have to deal with Garreth as our reward for making it here. GMRune: The party then comes across a great blackened area of stone. It looks as though the entire area as been badly scorched. None of the rocks here bear their glow any longer, and a white-robed old man is kneeling by the stone, with a hand lightly pressed against it. Kadan: Well, it's certainly hot enough for it. Geint just watches Garreth, not really being able to help it. Geint blinks at the old man. Garreth snickers as he folds his arms behind his head. Rein stands watching the old man a bit strangely. The man stands as the party approaches, and he folds his hands into the loose sleeves of his robe. He bows. "Greetings. It is an honor to meet the companions of one of my most cherished students." Rein croaks "Master..." Rein quickly bows. Mentor: How have your studies gone, lad? Rein looks around at the party. "They've taught me a lot, sir. But I haven't really had a chance to continue my formal training..." Kadan: Rein is... your student...? I would say he's doing fine. Not that I'm a good judge of that sort of thing... Rein looks at Kadan gratefully. The man nods, then looks to Kadan. "He is learning. Rein is still very young, but he is incredibly gifted for his age." He looks back to Rein. "Perhaps when your battle is over you could serve in a temple of Althena. There you can be introduced to our more organized brethen." Rein nods. Kadan scratches the back of his head. "After seeing him in action, I think he'd be able to teach those old bathrobed coots a thing or two about sparklies." Earendil: I'm sure that he will do very well, but we must hurry. Rein winces at Kadan's remark. The man chuckles warmly. "That he may. But I should not delay you. Rein's thoughts have summoned me here, and there is still a battle ahead of you. I would be careful, because the three who have come through here are most powerful." Rein: Sir, I never really got a chance to.. say goodbye. Earendil pops his two jasmine in his mouth while he's thinking about it. Mentor: It is all right, lad. I know what is in your heart, and Pria's as well. You will see her again soon. GMRune: Earendil gains 160 hp. Rein's face clouds a bit. The man reaches out to Rein and rests his hand on Rein's shoulder though his touch cannot be felt. "It will be all right. She needs time to think, and to realize who she really is." Rein nods again, and bows. Kadan turns his head down, not fond of these kind of moments. The man bows again, this time in farewell. "You must hurry. Other ghosts will meet you along the way." Valina: How nostalgic... Rein says to the others. "Okay, we'd best be on our way then." Par nods and begins walking. Rein bows quickly again to Mendren and then walks stiffly after Par. Garreth, who has been strangely quiet, trots after the party. There is an odd look on his face that does not become him at all. GMRune: As the party continues, two more forms fade into view ahead of you. They are of an older couple, both of them fair-haired. The woman of the bears a pendant from which the silver snake and dagger symbol. The man is appears to be a sturdy warrior, with a look of honor and knighthood about him. Earendil goes up to the sprits slowly. "Mother? Father?" The woman, Idril, nods. "Yes, Earendil. It is good to see you again, no matter how brief this may be." The man, Tuor, nods in agreement. "You have done well for yourself. You can't make a father more proud than I am now." Earendil turns his head away. "I'm so sorry. I failed you." Tuor shakes his head. "No, you have not. Look at all the people you are giving hope to, all the people you are fighting for. You will do more in your life than I ever had in mine." Earendil: But its my fault that you are dead and Elanor is . . . Earendil: I would give everything up to change what I did on that day. Valina: :( Idril: Do not blame yourself. You did everything you could in that battle, and we have never expected anything less of you than what you could achieve. It is true, we are gone, but Elanor yet lives. You can save her. Earendil: How? She has gone over to the enemy. Idril shakes her head. "She is not herself. Surely you know that in your heart. For all that she may seem to be now, she is your sister and she loves you." Tuor says softly, "The Blue Dragon's power can set her free." Earendil: The Blue Dragon? Earendil: Then I must get the dragon items back, at all costs. Tuor nods. "The one you seek, the one with the Dragon arms has gone this way. She must be near the final gate to the Phoenix's Lair by now. Between her and her companions the gate cannot possibly last much longer." Earendil looks back at his parents, "I will become the Dragonmaster and save her. I will make up for my failure that day and truly become someone you can be proud of." Idril: We look forward to that, Earendil. Never has Lunar had such a great need for heroes, and you and your friends must become the light that guides them. Earendil nods his head and starts going forward again. Garreth snickers again. "Time to hurry. Always hurry, hurry, hurry. You'd think the world was going to end or something." GMRune: The passageway begins to widen. There is signs of another battle, with strewn reptilian remains laying about in a haphazrd fashion. There appears to be a stronger light up ahead; one of magic. GMRune: A large chamber with a massive gate of burnished gold is at the far end of the cavern. In front of it are four figures. One of them is blocking the gate, while the other three stand against it. From their stances, it would appear that a battle is about to begin. Valina: ~sigh~ Garreth suddenly looks rather disturbed and pale. He backs away from the party and proceeds to head back the way you had come. Valina: Can we kill what is possably already dead? Geint blinks and watches Garreth go. Kadan: ... Good riddance... GMRune: As you come closer, you can make out the Blue Dragon Helmet and Red Dragon Shield that mark Camille. The woman raises her sword and points it at the defending figure. "Leave here now! You have no place among the living and you know you cannot last against us!" Rein: I wonder what would have made him do that though... Earendil raises his own sword and points it at the women. "Camille!" Camille whirls around towards the party and her companions do as well. At their movement your line of sight is cleared so that you may see the face of their opponent. GMRune: The dark Dragonmaster is accompanied by Liana and Elanor. And the defender before the gates is Jael. GMRune: ---------end session--------