Lunar: Magic Empire Session 86 Log (cont.) ============================================================ Cast of Characters: Rune as "GM/Narrator, Gausuton, Voice, Nightmare, and ~Valina" 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: Gausuton leans over the serpent-headed staff in his lap, coughing wildly as his eyes constrict and dilate. You get the feeling that something is *very* wrong. Earendil: What the hell is going on here? GMRune: The eyes of the staff continue to glow with the same lavender light as Valina's pendant did when she dispelled the magic barrier around him. Rein continues to edge towards the opposite side of the chamber. Earendil tries to take a closer look at Gausuton. Gausuton's breath rasps hoarsely in his throat and he strains to lift his head. He appears to catch sight of the party for a brief moment, and then heaves himself to his feet. He seems barely able to stand, but he props himself up with the unusual staff, which seems to lend him strength. Gausuton does not appear to be quite aware of the world around him. Tarrant looks towards the tipsy man. Tarrant: Could that be the Serpent Staff that he carries? Earendil: Most likely. Earendil rushes at Gausuton and attempts to take the staff. Gausuton suddenly seems to snap to life, not the mockery of it he has been these past few moments. He whirls at Earendil and smashes him away with the side of the staff! GMRune: Earendil is flung away several feet and suffers 40 damage. Tarrant pulls out his own staff, which now seems to be insignificant compared to that of Gausuton. Gausuton begins to take on a semblence of consciousness. His eyes become aware, and he pants for breath. He takes a combative stance, holding the staff in front of him. Earendil shakes his head and gets to his feet. Gausuton: What... what are you doing here? Kaytel... the others... They were supposed to be watching me! Earendil: They have been defeated. Geint nods! Gausuton shakes, a powerful spasm wracking his body. "No... No. We are so close...! The Angels... Now only the Goddess..." GMRune: A reddish, insane, glint reflects from the back of Gausuton's eyes. The Serpent Staff begins to surround itself in its lavender aura. Earendil unsheaths his sword. "We do not intend on letting you finish what you have started." Tarrant takes his place by Earendil and stares towards Gausuton. Gausuton: You... are crazy. Have you no sense of survival! Geint: ! Tarrant: Have you no sense of morals, of what is evil? Earendil: Neither have you. Rein having reached the goddess on the far side of the chamber, stares up in awe. Gausuton trembles as the Serpent Staff burns with fevered light! The warlocks screams as the light spreads from the staff to his body. Gausuton is surrounded by the magic and a dangerous insanity fills his eyes. Gausuton: You must... die. For Lord Kargeth! GMRune: --------round 1------- Kadan stands back. GMRune: target: Gausuton GMRune: Ayeye rushes forward and attacks Gausuton! GMRune: attack 1: *critical* 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 1 damage GMRune: Earendil casts Heavenly Armor! The front row is covered with star magic to protect them from hostile magic! GMRune: Gausuton casts Drain Litany on Arzel! GMRune: Arzel looses 57 hp! Gausuton gains 57 hp! GMRune: Gausuton casts Star Shield! Gausuton is protected from hostile magic! GMRune: Gausuton casts Cancellation! Earendil's Heavenly Armor is negated! Earendil: Val, dispel that! ~Valina nods pertly. GMRune: Kadan uses Negate Magic. He is protected against the effects of all magic! GMRune: Valina uses Dispel Magic on Gausuton! Gausuton's Star Shield is obliterated! GMRune: Rein casts Calm Litany! Everyone is restored to full hp! GMRune: Geint uses Strong Grip! Her Attack Power goes up by 92! Geint: Yaa! GMRune: Arzel sucks in a deep gulp of air and blows a stream of Flame Breath at Gausuton! GMRune: 319 damage! GMRune: Tarrant casts Star Shield on Kadan! The magic is negated by Kadan's shadowcat power. GMRune: -------round 2------- Earendil: Ayeye, use your stat increasing spell! GMRune: Ayeye sets her spear down and uses Shining Light! Her pendant flares with red light and all the party's stats go up by 129! GMRune: Earendil leaps forward and uses Power Strike on Gausuton! Ayeye's spell enhances his power to inflict 885 damage on Gausuton! GMRune: Gausuton casts Drain Litany on Earendil! GMRune: Earendil looses 185 hp. Gausuton gains 185 hp. GMRune: Gausuton casts Black Beam on Tarrant! Tarrant is struck by a large blast of darkness for 174 damage! GMRune: Gausuton casts Acid Rain over the entire party! A deadly, corrosive rain begins to fall... Geint tries to shield herself futily. GMRune: Ayeye takes 235 damage! Earendil takes 406 damage! Kadan negates the magic! Rein takes 363 damage! Valina takes 454 damage! Geint takes 493 damage! Arzel takes 138 damage! Tarran takes 1 damage! GMRune: Kadan uses Shapeshift! He changes to his panther form! GMRune: Valina uses Power Strike on Gausuton! GMRune: 566 damage! GMRune: Rein casts Health Litany on the front row! The front row is covered with a shining healing light. GMRune: Geint uses Shatter Blow on Gausuton! Geint shouts, "Yaa haa!" GMRune: 1245 damage! GMRune: Arzel lifts his arms and casts Phoenix Fire! And avian cry surrounds him as his body is wreathed in fire. The flames take shape, revealing the new Arzel in the form of a great Phoenix! Wisdom up 193! MgE up by 154! Can attacks from any row and alignment with fire. GMRune: Tarrant casts Vine Scourge on Gausuton! GMRune: 915 damage! GMRune: Ayeye, Earendil, Valina, and Geint gain 140 hp from Health Litany. Kadan negates the magic. GMRune: ------round 3----- GMRune: Ayeye casts Fire Breath on Gausuton! GMRune: 338 damage! GMRune: Earendil casts Blue Dragon Heal! The etheral image of Canth appears above the party, raining his healing light above the heads of all present. Kadan is not affected, but everyone else is restored to full hp. GMRune: Gausuton attacks Kadan with the Serpent Staff! GMRune: attack 1: 82 damage GMRune: attack 2: 50 damage GMRune: Gausuton casts Star Shield on himself. He is protected from hostile magic. GMRune: Gausuton casts Acid Rain on the party! GMRune: Ayeye takes 288 damage and is knocked out! Earendil takes 459 damage! Kadan negates the magic! Valina takes 507 damage! Rein takes 416 damage! Geint takes 546 damage! Arzel takes 37 damage! Tarrant takes 1 damage! Geint winces. Earendil: Val, do your thing to Gausuton's shield again. Rein groans and notes Ayeye falling. GMRune: Kadan attacks Gausuton! GMRune: attack 1: 423 damage GMRune: attack 2: 325 damage GMRune: attack 3: miss Kadan: *GRAWR*! GMRune: Valina uses Dispel Magic! Her pendant flares and Gausuton's Star Shield is broken! GMRune: Rein casts Calm Litany! Everyone except Kadan gains 249 hp! GMRune: Geint uses Shatter Blow again! GMRune: 1216 damage! GMRune: Arzel flies over the heads of the party with a screech and attacks Gausuton with iron talons and a beak hotter than magma! Geint watches, waiting for her chance to move next. GMRune: attack 1: 119 damage GMRune: attack 2: *critical* 318 damage GMRune: attack 3: *critical* 243 damage GMRune: Tarrant casts Vine Scourge on Gausuton! GMRune: 915 damage! GMRune: Earendil, Valina, and Geint gain 140 hp. GMRune: ------round 4------- Geint tries something else. GMRune: Earendil uses Power Strike! He leaps into the air and spears Gausuton through with his sword! GMRune: 943 damage! GMRune: Gausuton attacks Earendil with his staff! GMRune: attack 1: 1 damage GMRune: attack 2: 1 damage GMRune: Gausuton casts Black Beam on Arzel! A shaft of darkness strikes the phoenix! GMRune: 250 damage! GMRune: Gausuton casts Drain Litany on Valina! GMRune: Valina looses 268 hp! Gausuton gains 268 hp! GMRune: Kadan attacks Gausuton! GMRune: attack 1: miss GMRune: attack 2: 461 damage GMRune: attack 2: miss GMRune: Valina uses Power Strike on Gausuton! GMRune: 689 damage! GMRune: Rein casts Calm Litany over the party! Everyone except Kadan gains 333 hp! GMRune: Geint casts Weak Litany on Gausuton! There is no effect. Geint: I should have known that wouldn't have worked. - _-; GMRune: Arzel breaths a large gout of Flame Breath at Gausuton! GMRune: 592 damage! GMRune: Tarrant summons up his star magic and casts Asteroid Strike! GMRune: Gausuton is pummeled for 867 damage! GMRune: Earendil, Valina, and Geint gain 140 hp. GMRune: ------round 5------ GMRune: Earendil uses Power Strike on Gausuton! GMRune: 850 damage! GMRune: Gausuton casts Cancellation! The party's stat bonuses all vanish! GMRune: Gausuton casts Drain Litany on Geint! Geint: Eeep! GMRune: Geint looses 272 hp! Gausuton gains 272 hp! GMRune: Gausuton casts Black Beam on Arzel! The phoenix is struck by a stream of darkness! Geint: O_o GMRune: 617 damage! GMRune: Kadan attacks Gausuton! GMRune: attack 1: miss Kadan snarls audibly. GMRune: attack 2: miss GMRune: attack 3: miss GMRune: Valina uses Power Strike on Gausuton! GMRune: 433 damage! GMRune: Rein casts Calm Litany! Everyone gains 268 hp except for Kadan. GMRune: Geint uses Shatter Blow on Gausuton! GMRune: 895 damage! GMRune: Arzel casts Healing Litany on himself! He gains 391 hp! GMRune: Tarrant casts Vine Scourge! GMRune: 786 damage! GMRune: Earendil, Valina, and Geint gain 140 hp. GMRune: ------round 6----- GMRune: Earendil uses Power Strike on Gausuton! He leaps into the air and drives his sword deep into Gausuton's chest! GMRune: 645 damage! GMRune: Gausuton falls! GMRune: ------victory!------- GMRune: Ayeye wakes up with 1 hp. GMRune: The party gains 1760 XP, 986 MEXP, and 1500 S. Earendil sheaths his sword Earendil: That was almost too easy. Gausuton collapses limply to the ground when Earendil withdraws his sword. The Serpent Staff falls from his grasp. Tarrant trys to steal the serpent staff from Gausuton. GMRune: Kadan Shapeshifts back to human form. GMRune: Tarrant is cruelly shocked when he attempts to touch the Serpent Staff. 1 damage! Tarrant: Ahh... damn that static electricity. Kadan: The object of my hunt... Here it is now... and we cannot even touch it. Rein returns to the goddess, standing before her seemingly powerless. Earendil: Forget that, what about the goddess. GMRune: A voice whispers softly from the direction of the goddess. "The angels... trapped..." It is a melody feminine voice, full of warmth and feeling, but when you look in the direction of the goddess she does not appear to be conscious. Earendil: ? Kadan: Gausuton, you're still loyal to Kargeth. He is planning on reclaiming this world in the name of Nissa with that staff, isn't he? Gausuton's face freezes into a twisted mask of death, unheedful of Kadan's words. The expression on his face is horrifying and unnatural. GMRune: Something falls from the folds of Gausuton's cloak. Kadan: Blasted warlock... Earendil: Rein, what can we do? Geint looks at what fell. Rein shakes his head, awed. Tarrant notices that Geint seems to be glaring at something. GMRune: There is a very familar thick tome lying on the ground beside Gausuton. Earendil is at a loss. Geint points. Kadan: Can this book be opened now? Kadan looks to Valina. ~Valina: I... I don't know... Earendil: I suppose we should try, it may help us. Voice: Trapped... inside... Geint blinks. Rein: Goddess... your voice... Earendil: The goddess? Rein moves to the book, and seizes it. Tarrant: Hey be gentle with that.. GMRune: As Rein grabs the book Valina and Ayeye step forward as one. Their pendants begin to shine, blazing brighter and brighter until the light is almost unbearable. The glow envelops them, changing the color of their already red hair to that of the deepest fire. The voice chants: o/~ And then the three with heads of crimson flame shall come, Pendants blazing like hearts afire; o/~ GMRune: The book emits a golden light, bathing you all in its brilliance. Before your very eyes the seal to the tome melts away and the pages whirl open in response to an intangible wind. Geint squints. o/~ One who's gem was gained in the past, One who's came in the present, And one who's power has yet to pass. o/~ GMRune: Images flash before your eyes of a terrile battle. It appears to be human versus human, but silent cries of "Demon!" ring from the fearful. Uneasy eyes shift from person to person, and no stranger is trusted. o/~ When they are joined the truth shall shine, And break the barrier between space and time! o/~ GMRune: Three items wrench themselves free from Rein, Valina, and Ayeye. They hover above the book, shining with that same golden light. GMRune: Rein's Guard Staff transforms into the Holy Sceptre! Valina's rapier from McDocmar transforms into the Wind Sabre! Ayeye's Enchanted Leather transforms into the Urdian Cloak! The voice repeats: "The truth shall shine." GMRune: Then your world is plunged into darkness. All you can see is the barest outline of a slender form of some sort of equine being. Its smoke-colored mane and tail passes slowly before your eyes, leaping gracefully above the party, and then vanishing altogether. Geint gasps. GMRune: Your vision returns, and you find yourself in another place entirely. It is a dark land with starless skies and ashen earth. A land born in flame. Earendil: Where are we? Geint looks around wide eyed. Kadan: What is...? Geint: I don't know..! Arzel looks around darkly though his hood. Kadan quickly composes himself. GMRune: Kadan equips his Shadow Shield. Geint does a worried pout. Rein shakes his head, trying to clear it. Tarrant quickly becomes noticably nervious. GMRune: The party sees the equine beast standing a short distance from you on the scorched earth. It watches you carefully though flame-colored eyes. Earendil: Is that a Pegasus? Geint: This is like some kinda dream... Tarrant sways with and uncertain beat. ~Valina: No... it's the Nightmare from before... Earendil walks nearer to the Nightmare. "Where are we and why are we hear?" Geint nods. Tarrant follows the party. Kadan: This is... unreal... The Nightmare inclines his head and speaks. "You are in Maharahd, a world that is now diffirent from your own, but once was not nearly so. As for why, you wish to know the truth, don't you? If either of the two worlds are to be at peace then the truth must hide no longer." The Nightmare turns, a beaten path forming beneath his smokey hooves. "This world was once nearly as lovely as your Lunar. It is a pity you can only see it as it is now, rather than before." Earendil: What happened? The Nightmare lowers his head. "A goddess did." He begins to follow the path, leaving it up to the party to decide whether or not to follow him. Earendil follows. Kadan follows. Geint notices everyone else follow, and she does too. Arzel follows beside Geint. Rein hesitates, then follows. GMRune: The path leads you through the dark country. The sky is full of ash, and you do not see signs of a single thing that lives. Only the remaining husks of trees still dot the landscape of what once must have been a rolling meadow. In the distance, the skeleton of a small town comes into view. Geint looks a bit worried about this whole thing and hangs on his shoulder with her worried pout. Nightmare: You see, the people of Maharahd once were ignorant of other worlds besides their own, much like you were. But then, gradually, before they even noticed it, they discovered that their world was dying. And they did not understand why. Kadan remains silent. Nightmare: Millennia would pass before they understood the answer. And by then the inhabitants were a hard, embittered race. There was not enough food or good land for everyone to survive. Only the strongest could. And their god was slowly driven to extremes by the torment of his people. Nightmare: This god, Nissa, discovered the thief that was syphoning the life from his world! And he guided his followers to the path that would allow them to confront the thief. The Serpent Staff was forged, and the gateway between worlds broken. The Nightmare pauses here, rolling back eyes his eyes to gauge the party's reaction. Geint nods with a bit of a shiver. Kadan: This is starting to make sense... but it doesn't justify... Kadan trails off. The Nightmare shakes his smoke-colored mane sadly. "It doesn't? Can you guess the thief?" Earendil: It can't be . . . . Nightmare: Say it. The nightmare's eyes glow hotly. Earendil: Althena? GMRune: The Nightmare bows his head. "Correct." He continues walking. "Althena needed life to created Lunar, and she needed it swiftly. She leeched into the lifeblood of this world and slowly sucked it dry as Lunar prospered and grew. The 'demons' you know as Urdians went to Lunar to reclaim the life taken from them." Geint: ...I was hoping you wouldn't say that... Earendil: That . . . that can't be . . . . Kadan shakes his head. "I never believed Althena was an almighty goddess, but I never suspected she was capable of such a selfish act, either." Geint: But... Geint looks down. The Nightmare's eyes narrow. "She was not selfish. She had the best of intentions, as she may tell you when you return to your world. But the fact remains that this world is damaged beyond repair. No Urdians are left here anymore. Those that were driven back here have perished. Only Nissa remains. And soon he too will go." Geint: How did it get to this point... could the bountifulness of the land have been shared somehow...? Couldn't an agreement have been made? GMRune: The party reaches the ruined village. Shells of wooden houses not unlike those of the common folk of Lunar line the dusty streets. In the center of the town is a small temple. The Nightmare is heading towards it. Kadan shakes his head. "I don't care about the Urdians or Althena. I just want to make sure that people on Lunar have a future worth living for." Nightmare: You will have to ask Althena. That answer is not mine to give. I think she will tell you though. You are to her what I was to Nissa; a trusted guardian of her world. Geint nods a bit. Arzel looks around quietly from behind his shadowy hood. GMRune: The temple comes closer, and you can see that the double doors were once polished and bright. Now they hang open, vacant and forgotten. There is only a single chamber inside, with a few rows of rotting pews. At one end of the room is a statue of a handsome robed man. His features are young and effeminate, but his eyes hold a wisdom that belies a younger man's age. GMRune: At the statue's feet are several treasure chests that are miracluously still intact. The Nightmare bows his head respectfully to the statue. "Nissa, god of a dead world," he says softly. Geint isn't sure what to do, but decides on this world she should pay her respects and bows her head as well. Nightmare: The contents of these chests are yours to take. I give you them freely. Both your world and mine have suffered greatly, and it is time for the sadness to end. The pendants have come together again as I believed they would. The truth shall shine. GMRune: There are a total of six chests present. Geint looks around. Geint decides to open the first. Earendil: But why help us? We are the people of the goddess, who intentionally or not, destroyed this world. GMRune: Geint finds an Urdian Crown. Geint looks at the Nightmare. "Thank you for your help, whatever your reason." The Nightmare looks downcast, but raises his head solemnly. "My world is near gone, but I want to protect the people I was sworn to guard. This world cannot be saved and I must make the best of what I can. I have been forsaken by Nissa, who is now mad with grief and rage. But I believe that there are Urdians who can yet live in peace. If only the struggle on your world would end in something other than genocide, then perhaps the Urdians will live on, and even learn to live without war." Kadan looks down. "Why must mortals always live under the will of callous gods and goddesses who have their own struggles...?" Nightmare: The gods and goddesses try, but for all their power they are not perfect. Sadly, it is something they themselves do not often admit. Geint: ......I guess.... if I was in your shoes.... I would try and do the same thing. *Looks at the nightmare* The Nightmare nods. "Now go, take these and I will return you to your world. This land is not for you, and you will die here if you remain much longer than you already have." Kadan suddenly looks tense. Geint frowns and nods. Kadan investigates the second chest. GMRune: Inside the second chest is a set of Darkness Mail. Kadan oohs and aahs at the armor. Kadan: This would suit me fine. Kadan takes the armor away to try it on. GMRune: It fits perfectly. Kadan nods. Earendil opens the third chest. GMRune: Inside the third chest is a set of Urdian Claws. Earendil: These can't be mine. Arzel: ...I use claws... sometimes anyway.. Geint hands the crown to Ayeye. Geint: Does this work for you? ~Ayeye: Yes. Thanks. ^_^ Earendil opens the next chest. GMRune: There is a pair of small Flame Claws in the fourth chest. Earendil: Uh, Geint? Geint blinks. Geint: Thank you. I may be needing these. Arzel looks at the other claws. "Mabye those are for me... then.." Geint: Unless they're also for Ayeye. Try them on, though! Arzel hmms at the Urdian Claws and tries them on. GMRune: Arzel feels a severe electric shock as soon as he touches the Urdian Claws. Geint: For Ayeye then. ^^; Earendil opens the fifth chest. Arzel rubs his hands "Ouch..." GMRune: Inside the fifth chest is a Lava Hood. Earendil: Arzel? ~Ayeye picks up the Urdian Claws before someone forgets them. Arzel pulls off his old hood, and tries on the new one. GMRune: The new one fits nicely and radiates magic pleasantly. Earendil opens the final chest. GMRune: The last chest has a Thorn Bracelet inside. Earendil: I don't know who this is for. Kadan looks over to Tarrant. ~Tarrant shrugs and steps forward to take the bracelet. The Nightmare nods approvingly. "And now, it is time for you to return." GMRune: -------end session------