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Shining Force Central Forums > RPG Gallery > Shining Force: The Chaos War Part IV

Posted by: Rusty Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:31 am
((Vox requested. Rusty approved.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:31 am
Very early the next morning, before the first streaks of sunrise have stained the sky, Brother Hal is awake. He sits on an outcropping, facing the east. To his right is a small bowl filled with silvery water. He goes over the words of the ritual in his head while he waits for Gail to appear.
Soon after the friar prepares for his morning prayers, a rustling is heard nearby, announcing the guest he waits on. Gail moves to the stone Hal had seen fit to hold the ceremony on, pausing only to look at the bowl besides him before kneeling next to him, facing the anticipated dawn. She wears the same green dress she had worn to the feast, and her holy symbol remains around her neck. The maiden then waits for the elder to speak, head bowed to the sleeping sun.
Hal is surprisingly somber and to the point. "Gail Haubrekt, Chosen of the Light, you have come to me with a stain on your soul. You seek the Light's forgiveness for what you have done, that you may better be an instrument of its will in the world. Your heart is broken, Gail Haubrekt, and only in the Light can it be mended.
Is the truth as I have spoken to you here?"
Gail's concentration does not break, nodding when Hal comes to the end of his speech, her own voice a solemn whisper. "Yes."
Hal takes a pinch of the holy water and sprinkles it on himself. "Confess your sins, Gail."
"Six months, three weeks and one day ago, I abandoned my mentor to his death. He wasn't one of the Chosen, wasn't a clergyman or a soldier of the Light. He...had been an adventurer, one who felt that that he owed a great debt to the church. He volunteered for missions, went out of his way to travel and aid those in need...when there were lulls, he went off on his own, doing good by his own hand. All he earned on his own, he donated...he was as much a fixture of the church as the building itself. He taught me my beliefs...my faith." A smile tugs at her face. "He expected much from me...and I did not fail him."
"Until...the night he died. We had been called to investigate a number of disappearances in Ribble...they wanted me to hear it, thought I would feel responsibility towards the protection of my home. We left that day, and it took us a matter of weeks to reach Ribble; despite everything I had heard, I was so calm...mostly because I couldn't be afraid. When we arrived, we were directed to a forest in which some of the victims had been found, little more than drained corpses. Though we tried to enter during the day, we were stopped, told that we should enter at night to retain an element of...surprise."
"We entered sometime around midnight. I...remember the shadows, most of all; they seemed too long, far too dark, as if the night had bled onto the earth, ignoring any light we brought. Soon, the shadows clawed at us. I didn't know what we were facing...but he did, began to turn back, said to come again at dawn. Moments later, we were being chased, hideous inhuman laughter rending the air around us. He stopped, suddenly, looking into the woods, and he told me to escape." Silence begins to take hold, the penitent servant breathing deeply before continuing. "I knew that I should have stayed...that we could beat it, if I only had the conviction to stand by him when he truly needed me. I chose to obey. I let him die...needlessly."
Hal keeps his head bowed silently as Gail relates her sad tale. When she is finished, he speaks again. "The first step on the path to forgiveness is admitting your sin to the Light, which you have done here. Second, you must ask the forgiveness of the person you have wronged. The spirit of your mentor is listening, Gail Haubrekt, from the far lands of the beyond. Ask his forgiveness."
The paladin is silent, as if waiting for something to come to her. "Ollam," she starts suddenly, her voice a low, steady hush. "When you began your teaching, you made sure to spare me any false expectation. You told me that to become what I strived to be, I would need to do what others would not...or could not do; to speak when words would fail, to act when action would not be done. You taught that I would be held to a standard higher than most...and by that standard, teach others to be better themselves." She pauses, a sharp breath stifling a coming sob. "When it came time to repay your generosity - to show you gratitude for all you gave me - I did nothing. Kaizl...forgive my weakness."
A moment's silence follows, as demanded by the ritual. "You have asked the wronged for their forgiveness, and their forgiveness is given. To allow the Light's forgiveness to enter your heart, you must first soften it against your own anger and despair. Next, Gail Haubrekt, you must ask forgiveness of yourself."
Gail's eyes snap open, wavering as they stare at the priest's still form. When he remains silent, they drift back to the north, blue eyes narrowing, then softening, remaining open as she watches the still horizon. "Gail Dawn Haubrekt," she repeats to herself, "You believe that achieving what you promise requires you to be...more than human. That you must be as the angels that guard creation...ever right...perfect. To expect to reach such heights...is to wish the impossible. Humanity errs, especially when so proud as to claim such holiness, and you...are human. Do not let the past chain you to inaction...do not let obsession absorb your life. Forgive what you have done...Forgive..."
Another pause, this one longer than the last. "And as you have asked forgiveness of the wronged and the committer of wrong, I will now ask your forgiveness on behalf of the Light, the source of all that is right in the world." Hal lifts his head, chanting silently to himself. "Gail Haubrekt abandoned her mentor, and she has carried the shame and guilt of that action ever since, allowing it to weigh her down and cause her terrible pain. But she has made a promise to be the arm of the Light, to be its emissary on the earth. Let her fight to fulfill that promise. Let her fight to free the world. Forgive her, Light, for she has repented."
Hal is still for almost a full minute, before he reaches down for the bowl of holy water, passing it to Gail. "You are forgiven, Gail Haubrekt. By your mentor, by yourself, and by the Light. Take this holy water, and rinse with it your hands and face, so that the sin may be washed away with it, and your spirit cleansed."
Gail stares at the water, taking the bowl slowly into her hands and placing it on the stone in front of her. Dipping her hands in the sanctified water, she washes them, almost mechanical as she spreads the ablution over her palms, then returns for more. Finally, she bows her head to the container, cupping her hands and washing the exhaustion from her face. Finished, she sits upright, looking to the horizon expectantly.
For the first time since the ritual began, Hal looks at Gail. "I'm proud of you," is all he says, before turning to again face the east. The first signs of the sunrise appear: a gradual lightening of the eastern sky followed by streaks of pink shot with gold. "It's a new day, Gail."
Gail does not answer, having already begun her internal morning prayers. A warm, genuine smile is spread across her lips, the first to come through in a long time.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:46 am
[Oops, I posted this in the wrong topic. SORRY!]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:27 am
The "war room" that Cedric appropriated is much the same as he'd left it, with maps and charts strewn about. A table with four chairs stands at its center. Cedric starts crying, "This is where Lisa and I..." He sniffs, "Discussed war plans..."
"This is where I told Cedric that Gilliam killed everyone," Zook says wistfully.
Archie Bunker slides in in a piano. "THOSE WERE THE DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYS"
TIME PARADOX. Reloading from last save...
Cedric sits at one of the tables, staring silently into space.
Sorel takes the seat across from Cedric, looking about for the others.
Jim arrives, entering the room and looking around. "Sorry for the time, had a bit of trouble managing some of the party's aftermath."
*Faralon enters silently, a serious look on his face.*
*Alexander, who has already been sitting, waves his hand.* "It's fine. It's to be expected."
Jim takes a seat at the map table. "I suppose we can begin, then?"
Zook perches on a stool near the map table, putting himself on eye level with everyone else.
Sorel nods. "Let us begin."
*Alexander nods as well.*
Cedric tents his fingers, looking at the assembled leaders, "Very well... What do you intend to do next?"
"Well, I managed to gather a little more information on the foe, but would still be very much interested to hear more of them," Jim says, nodding.
*Faralon smiles.* "Shailtor? Talking about Xadoss would be pointless at this point in time, and I know little of Erebeus."
The paladins unrolls a world map, nodding to Faralon to contiune.
"Erebeus is the most powerful of the three," Sorel says quietly.
"That's what I heard," Jim says. "Shailtor is tricky and deceptive, while Erebeus is more of a balanced foe, though more deadly."
*Faralon nods.* "That's what I've heard. Shailtor, while not as physically sound as the others, prefers to play mind games with his victims. He turned one of our allies against us."
"How did he do that?" Jim asks Faralon.
*The elf continues.* "He attempted to trick all of us singularly, in whatever manner he thought would be most effective. He offered bribes to me, but I refused them."
"By driving him into the depths of insanity." Cedric remarks bitterly.
"Amelios..." Sorel says, looking at Cedric.
"Yes, but how was this... Nevermind, it was magic, wasn't it?" Jim asks.
*Faralon continues still.* "I might add he did so simultaneously. He can handle many minds at once, not unlike Fasher. I'm sure his mental capabilities go beyond that of the general."
Zook gives Jim a commiserating look. "'Nevermind, it was magic, wasn't it?' is the answer roughly nine times out of ten."
"Isn't it though?" Jim replies to Zook with a wry grin. "All right. So what do they look like? How do I identify them?"
*Alexander contemplates for a moment.* "What are the Strife Lords exactly? Men? Dark gods?"
"You'll know when you see them..." Cedric sighs wearily, "Trust me." He tilts his head to Alex, "Archfiends...of immense power..."
"They're beings of purely negative energy, like a kind of concentrated miserableness," Zook says. "I got some briefing discs from the Shadowblade before it detonated."
*Alexander's face twitches briefly.* "Fiends..."
"Negative energy lifeforms... Oh, always fun to deal with... Wait... You were on the Shadowblade?" Jim asks. "I was told it was destroyed."
"It was," Zook says. "About ten minutes after we left."
*Faralon nods.* "We fought Xadoss there."
*The elf continues.* "That is also where we met Erebeus, who rescued his 'brother' in his time of need."
Jim frowns. "That cursed ship... Can you tell me what you know of it? What happened while you where there?"
Zook gives Cedric a questioning look.
Faralon: "We came across strange...abominations running through the ship. The place was torn up bad...dead bodies and cyborgs everywhere. We managed to get a map, and Zook got a few items, as he said."
"The main thing Erebeus said that really ticked off ATHENA, the ship AI, was something like...'I have the Link. And I wield it.' No idea what that means though," Zook says after Cedric gives him a nod.
"It is written, only Link can defeat Ganon," Faralon says with a grim look.
"Great!" Felix says. "I'll get my stuff!"
"THERE IS NO TIME, YOUR SWORD IS ENOUGH!"
Errr...
"Hmmm... Link..." Jim says, putting a hand to his chin. "I wonder..."
"Please do not wonder," Sorel says softly. "If you have some idea what it means, even only speculation, it would be best to share it."
Alexander: "Yes, do you have any idea what they could be referring to? It all sounds very foreign to me."
"I'm afraid I don't know what this Link would be..." Jim says, gravely. "But this is not the first time the Rangers and I have encountered the Shadowblade."
"Don't suppose they were any less secretive with other space people," Zook says.
"Secrets are their tradecraft..." Jim says quietly. "The last time we encountered they were extracting a dangerous artifact from a dangerous ruin. Later, we found information that would seem to indicate that they were extracting more such artifacts from all over existence. It was hinted that these artifacts were all part of a greater whole."
"Do you know why they were doing this?" Sorel asks.
"To seal them away," Jim says, turning to Sorel. "The artifacts were extremely potent from what I hear. Potent and evil."
"And they could not be destroyed?" Sorel asked.
"There is nothing that cannot be destroyed," Cedric says with certainty.
Alexander: "Well what were they doing in those places to begin with? I can only wonder what created the artifacts and how they ended up where they did..."
Jim shrugs. "I can't answer that, Alexander. And Cedric, perhaps so, but finding out HOW is sometimes a challenge."
"I would assume they were being sealed until they figured out how to destroy them. Or maybe they needed all of them to be destroyed in some ritual. Magic works by rules that exist outside common sense at times," Jim says. "But this is all speculation. What I can tell you, is that I really, really do not like seeing the Shadowblade's presence here."
"Well, you mean when it was here." *Faralon adds.*
"Yes," Jim says with a sigh.
"They have a citadel or something, the Strife Lords, I mean," Zook says. "Derrik's been there. The merchant."
"Where's it located?" Jim asks. "In fact, anything you could say about the current distribution of enemy power would be helpful."
"Then..." Cedric nods to the map, "Let us concentrate on facts." He points a finger to parmecia, "Destonia has taken advantage of the current situation...their conquest must be checked."
His finger slides across parmecia to the east, "A peril threatens the gods, impinging their benign influence, if we are to hope to counter the evil before us…we must hunt down and slay those who study the lore of Ur."
Finally, his finger moves to the eastern continent, "Rune has fallen to the cult, it must be liberated…" He looks up, "There may be other concerns but I suggest we focus on those three, thoughts?"
Alexander: "Yes, Destonia is in an uproar. We had to get out of there fast. Anyone not supporting the King was, well, an enemy."
"Rune is the seat of their power," Sorel says darkly. "They had enslaved the queen and laid the capital to ruin."
>>CAMPAIGN MAP: FIRST MONTH<<
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5691/sfcwivworldmapfirstmonttq5.jpg
((Squad icons will appear when the teams deploy.))
"Had." Cedric clarifies, nodding again to Sorel, "You freed the queen?"
"Yes," Sorel says simply. "With the aid of Max."
"Good to hear Max survived... They managed to corrupt Queen Anri? An impressive feat..." Jim murmurs. "I thought Destonia had an Emperor, though?"
"It does..." Cedric replies...
"We might want to touch base with Mechanis," Zook adds. "Ever since it went underground it's been hard to get news of it, and more tinkers can never be a bad thing."
"Mechanis?" Jim asks.
"Mechanis is a city settled, built, and populated entirely by tinkers and engineers," Zook replies.
"All right. Where is it?" Jim asks.
He roots around in his pocket for a moment, pulling out a sturdy little watch with the Mechanis seal emblazoned on it. "No idea!" Zook says. "Like I said, it went underground."
"Another matter is logistics..." Cedric states suggestively.
Alexander: "Anri's the Queen of a different area. There's no singular ruler, if that's what you were confused about, Jim."
Zook pours himself a glass of water. "What do you mean, Cedric?" he asks, taking a sip.
"Yes, that's actually a good point..." Jim says. "I have a significant amount of troops groundside. I have teleporters and vehicles so that getting from one place to another is no problem... But I need an area to designate as a haven. Some place I can direct my soldiers to rally to and teleport from and back to."
Zook sets his glass down, and opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by a single violent hiccup. "OH!" he cries, slapping the back of his head. "That's what I forgot!"
"Especially with the approach of winter, it is ill advised to contiune marching from battle to battle as we have been." Cedric states simply, "Now that we have the ability to travel swiftly...instanteously, we should establish a stronghold."
"Cedric, Faralon," Zook says, smiling a bit. "We need a headquarters. A base. We need buildings and storage. We need land." His smile broadens. "Remember what Nick promised us when he knighted us?"
Cedric sighs, "Kyoji suggested that it is a tradition of the past Shining Forces."
Faralon: "Well, I could ask for a few spells from Derrik that would give us a great deal of shelter for the nights, but that would be rather expensive."
"Land!" Zook cries. "Nick promised us each a title of land! Between us we've got enough for a small town, I'd wager."
"He did..." Cedric ponders distantly, then frowns, "But why not simply make use of this fortress here? It has facilities for research and war."
"You mean Megiddo?" Zook asks.
Alexander: "He makes a good point. Why build when we already have what we need right here?"
Cedric nods.
"The Black Ops will be taking residence in Megiddo," Jim says. "They're refortifying it and occupying it. They can hold the fort, but their strength is broken otherwise."
Alexander: "And are they unwilling to let us use it as well?"
"Additionally defense..." Cedric nods, then frowns, "Surely the fortress is large enough for all."
Jim shakes his head. "I don't know what they're thinking of, that place is no place to make camp in, much less a permanent base. It's too much affected by the evil that spewed from it."
"Well, because he's wrong, simply put. It doesn't have what we need. It has what the Ancients needed. I doubt any of use except the space people could make use if it, anyway." He looks pointedly at Alexander. "Do you know what a flush toilet is?"
*Alexander shakes his head.* "No, but can we afford to spend extra time and money to build a new fortress?"
"As opposed to the time and money it'd take to teach everyone to use this one? Yes, I think we can," Zook says. "Give me two hours to make calculations, and I'll tell you exactly how much."
"I doubt we could create one as well equiped for tinkers and space people..." He arches an eyebrow, "Much less so easily defended and warded."
"I'll simply state that using Megiddo as a base is a bad idea if for no other reason than morale grounds," Jim states. "Have you ever slept in a truly haunted place?"
"Hey Cedric, when we move back into Megiddo do you want us to scrape the bits of your brain off the floor or leave them there as a souvenir?" Zook doesn't say.
Faralon: "Why not just build a fortress near it or get some means of communicating regularly? Bases on multiple fronts can only prove to be a great asset."
"I have means of keeping in touch with Megiddo. That you needn't worry about," Jim says with a nod.
"Yet...you leave your allies entrenched there?" Cedric questions with a frown, "If it is so horrid, let us destroy it and rid the world of its evil." He glances at Zook, "Those weapons...could you use the remnants of them to destroy the mountain?"
Alexander: "Well...wait..."
"I'm assuming... and I pray I am not mistaken," Jim says. "That the Black Ops have some means of countering said horrors. Or at least minimizing them. Personally, I think it's a stupid decision for them too. But they're not under my command."
Alexander: "Before you unload a great deal of money into a fortress or mansion or anything, know that my friend and ally Enrick has one available to us near Destonia."
"Whose command are they under then?" Cedric questions, "You said that their hierarchy had been slain?"
"Everyone that was 'in the know'," Jim says. "They've a handful of field officers that have assumed command."
"We've got upwards of 200 people between us," Zook says. "That's a little bit beyond the purview of a really nice house."
"Yes..." Zook says to Cedric. "But I really don't think it's that essential. The nukes are dismantled. We've got more important things to spend time on. Like, say, freeing the gods?"
*Alexander laughs.* "Obviously it can't house two hundred people, but the mansion is quite fine and is ideal to anyone going to battle against Destonia."
"It could be used as a forward base then?" Jim asks. "That's good to know, but it doesn't solve the issue at hand."
"It could be used as a base for intelligence operations." Cedric suggests, "I doubt a mansion would hold long aganist a military assualt."
"All we need is to get ahold of Nick. He'll get us land, and probably an allowance of money and labor to help build it." Zook says.
"Where will the base be built?" Sorel asks.
*Alexander shrugs.* "Of course it's not going to be used as a military base. I thought we would be forcing the battle from multiple fronts to confuse the enemies...Keep them guessing so they don't know where to advance.
Jim frowns. "It pains me to have to say this, but I can't offer much help for you yet in terms of building a base. If you allow my forces to share it, I can promise you we'll put in our fair share of work and material when it becomes available."
Jim pauses for a moment. "If you have claim to land, discuss what can be done with King Nicholas, then..." Jim says, frowning. "There is... One thing you should probably know."
Jim takes a few moments to stare at each of the assembled people.
"This is the part where you tell us that thing we should know," Zook says.
*Alexander frowns.* "You can't trust us?"
"I know that I can now," Jim says, turning to Alexander. "And this is a piece of information I do not share lightly."
"It can't be used as a base, but I have a working ship in high orbit," Jim says quietly. "It was damaged, so it's not at 100% right now, but I can call supplies from it to a degree."
"Why is that such a secret?" Cedric asks with a frown, "We knew you were of another world."
Sorel looks at Cedric. "It is best not to dwell on such things," he says softly.
"You didn't know such a ship was still around, did you?" Jim asks. "We could've been dropped off for all you knew."
"Cedric's not very well versed in dropship protocols," Zook says. "I think that's why he hasn't kicked me out yet."
"Anyway, I hope to repair the Vagabond fully, but that will take time. As more repairs are completed, she will become more useful."
"That would be a rather foolhardy approach..." Cedric replies, "I was told that fleets of vessels may aid us, I hardly think the existence of one ship is so striking..."
Jim raises an eyebrow. "Who said anything about fleets?"
"An ally and fellow hunter, Lisa." Cedric states simply, not elaborating as he nods, "Then it is settled, we will build in Cypress."
Jim frowns. "Was she part of the Shadowblade's crew?"
"She was an attache," Zook says. "Her last name was...Landale? Ladnale?"
Jim frowns. "Can you describe her?"
"I said she was a hunter." Cedric states lowly, looking down at the map.
"Uh..." Zook says. "Cloak, shiny armor, magic sword, big columns of energy. She was a nice lady. Secretive, though. The Strife Lords destroyed her world, I think. She didn't want to mention which it was."
"What did she look like?" Jim asks. "Physical description, not armor."
"I never saw her when she didn't have the armor on," Zook says. He casts a sidelong glance at Cedric.
Cedric ignores the sidelong glance, busy glaring at the table.
"Landale..." Jim says, distantly. "Lisa..." Jim shakes his head. "But it can't be. Anyway, I'm more than a tad disturbed by anyone of the Shadowblade discussing fleets arriving." Jim leans back in his chair. "The Shadowblade has the reputation of being somewhat of a harbinger of doom with the Rangers. The last time the Shadowblade was involved with anything and a fleet arrived... It did not go well," Jim says, grimly, eyes firmly on the table. "This suggests to me that the stakes are higher than I first thought."
Jim shakes his head. "Getting back to the matter at hand... Investigating this Link also sounds like a worthwhile course of action at some point."
"Yeah," Zook says. "Not sure where we'd start with that, though." He looks at Sorel. "Colonel Thornton, maybe?"
"All right, I think that's enough for now," Jim says, standing up. "I'll confer with my troops on all the information you've given me.
Cedric nods, "Very well..."
"Cedric, why don't you and your men visit the King and get started on this stronghold? Sorel, I need to speak with you for a moment, please," Jim says, pushing back in his chair. "We all meet here again tommorrow? Same time and place?"
"Alright," Zook says. He looks at Cedric. "You want me to find a way to get ahold of Nick? Although teleporting would probably be easier..."
Sorel nods, standing.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:42 am
The meeting breaks and the other leaders go off to their respective tasks. Sorel remains, looking at Jim. "You wished to speak with me?" "Yeah. I thought it might be wise for the leaders to talk and get to know each other a bit better. If we're all aware of each other's personality and character, planning will flow smoother," Jim says with a nod. "So I thought a chat might be in order."
Sorel looks slightly amused. He nods. "That would be a good idea, I think."
"All right..." Jim says, putting his hands behind his back. "What do you want to know?"
"Where are you from?" Sorel asks. "You and your command, I mean."
"You mean where are we stationed or where are we all from?" Jim asks.
"Your homes," Sorel says.
Jim sighs. "It's different for all of us... Starting from the top, I'm from a planet called Earth, Sheila doesn't know where she's from, we found Varro on a ruined planet and repaired him...' Jim begins. "Adam's from a planet called Mars, Pantherath's from... Blast, I forget the name. It's a world much like this one, though. Jessica's from Palma, Maria is from Earth, and Melissa is from an alternate Earth. Coventry we just picked up on this world yesterday, as with Viki and Michael. Viletta's also from an Earth. You'll have to forgive me, that's all I know off the top of my head," Jim says, shrugging.
Sorel is silent for a moment. "It is understandable. That is certainly a lot to keep track of," Sorel says. "So you are outsiders... you answered a distress signal, you said?"
Jim frowns. "In a way... We were sent here to investigate an unidentifiable signal picked up by a scout. Once we got here, we got a second signal, this one from a different origin, and most certainly a distress signal."
"What caused the distress signal?"
"The Black Ops forces at Megiddo," Jim says.
"You managed to save them, then? How were their losses?" Sorel asks.
Jim winces. "They came in with a full division. 1000 men. They've got about two, three hundred now."
"Men and women from distant worlds came here in shadows, only to die inconcievably far from their homes and families," Sorel says quietly.
"That's war," Jim says with a sober expression.
"That is something more than war," Sorel says. "Something infinitely sadder and more grave." A moment's pause. "I have not yet spoken to many of those under your command. How would you characterize their personalities?"
"There's all kinds of war. A war in shadow is just one of the worse kinds," Jim says quietly, a sadness fleetingly visible on his face. he looks up. "Hmmm. Well... Sheila's impulsive, overconfident, and quick to anger at times, but she's also very cheerful, quick to help, and a tireless defender of those she calls friend," Jim says. Varro is single minded in his desire to destroy evil, but given that he's a machine, that's to be expected," Jim says with a shrug. "Coventry, Viki, and Michael I can't say much about yet."
Sorel makes a face at the mention of Coventry, but says nothing.
"Pantherath is laconic and gruff, but loyal, strong, and brave. As you might tell, he's not one for jokes or joking around," Jim says, rubbing his chin. "Melissa is as brave and serious, but not quite as gruff. Something wrong?" Jim asks, looking up as Sorel's face changes.
Sorel shakes his head. "Go on."
"All right... Villetta is a little introverted, she likes to tinker around with her tools, and she's usually eager to show off her skills if she gets a chance. She tends to keep to herself otherwise," Jim says. "Maria... What to say about Maria... She's quiet at times, like now, but seems to also go into moods of lightheartedness at unexpected times. Still, she's as dependable a soldier as any."
Sorel considers this all for a moment. "What questions do you have for me?"
Jim frowns for a moment, thinking. "Well, tell me a bit about yourself then. Anything you'd want to say about your team as well, I suppose."
"I was born in Tristan, and lived there until I came of age. I then lived for some time here, in the Fairy Woods, before spending the last few decades wandering. You know what a druid is, I presume?"
"Yes, nature-aligned spellcasters of a religious bent," Jim states.
"A religious bent?" Sorel asks. "I am not sure what that means."
"Well... Some worship nature itself, others revere a nature god," Jim replies. "At least, that's how it's always been to my experience. Are you a different sort of druid, then?"
"It differs, in a sense, from a religious obligation. Although, what is faith, if not a promise grounded in love?" Sorel asks.
Jim chuckles. "Faith can be many things... That being one of them."
Sorel offers Jim a small smile. "I suppose. I differ from most in that I do not make use of magical items. Instead I attempt to find other uses for their value."
"All right," Jim nods. "Distaste for arcane magic?"
Sorel shakes his head. "No, not particularly. It is a part of nature, just as any other magic."
Jim frowns. "Then why no magic?"
"It is a promise I made," Sorel says.
"Aaaah. I see," Jim says, quietly. "I suppose you're a man of your word then."
"I try to be," Sorel says softly. "As for the group itself, we are an eclectic bunch, assembled by the merchant lord Derrik Swiftjoke, who you may recall seeing after we left Megiddo. Paladins, circus performers, rogues with fiend's blood, and a being of pure magic made flesh."
"Sounds like the standard for a Shining Force," Jim says wryly.
"I thought so as well," Sorel says. "Others did not seem so appreciative of the reference." His expression darkens a bit. "There have been some casualties... Dam Dicem, the group's original leader... and Doctor Coventry."
"He died?" Jim asks. "That's... I assume ressurection magic then?"
"I cannot say," Sorel says. "Resurrection magic does not work properly here. Only powerful artifacts can revive the dead."
"Wait... So no one knows how he revived?" Jim asks.
"I would assume he does," Sorel says. "And anyone else he might have told. We have not had the opportunity to talk since I found out he was still alive."
Jim nods. "All right..." He chuckles. "This may not have been as good an idea as I thought... I really can't think of much else to ask."
"Did you hear about what happened at the feast last night?" Sorel asks.
Jim sighs. "Just that Sheila got into a fight with someone. If you noticed, she's been cleaning up the aftermath of the feast as a discplinary action."
Sorel nods. "It was not entirely her fault. The instigator was my daughter."
"She says that someone said Coventry was a thief, so she stood up for him, the talking turned to yelling, then she felt it behooved her to hit the accuser," Jim says. "Oh? Your daughter?" Jim asks, an eyebrow raising.
A strange expression crosses Sorel's face. "Yes."
"Regardless. It may have not been entirely her fault, but Sheila's got to learn to control herself better," Jim says, turning his gaze to the now empty feasting grounds. "If not for the sake of group cohesion, for her own sake."
"We can always learn to better master ourselves," Sorel says. "What you say is true."
"I suppose we were lucky though," Jim says. "For only one such scuffle to break out. A lot can happen when you mix alcohol with fighting men and women fresh from a battle."
"I think that if the battle had not been so draining, we may well have. That day seemed to last months."
"Agreed," Jim says with a nod. "An odd thing to be thankful for, isn't it?"
"In such dark times we learn to find blessings in odd places," Sorel says.
"Agreed," Jim says. "So do you have anything else to ask me?"
Sorel shakes his head, moving to stand. "Thank you for your time."
"And you for yours," Jim says, standing and offering Sorel his hand.
Sorel takes the offered hand, shaking it weakly.
Jim frowns. "Are you all right?"
"I am old," is all Sorel says in response.
"All right," Jim says, turning to leave. "Have a good day, then."
"You as well."

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:43 am
"Lady Haubrekt!" A pleasant voice calls to the paladin a short time after her early morning confession, "Good morning." The priestess Sophie waves as she walks towards the clearing where the feast had been the night before, "Had breakfast yet?"
Gail turns from her pack that she had been rifling through, a bright smile lighting her face. "Good morning," she says returning the smile. "I haven't had the time. It was only a few moments ago that I finished my morning prayers. Is that where you were off to?"
"Yep…" The priestess smiles, looking at the holy knight inquisitively, "You seem in good spirits this morning…" Then she takes in a breath of the fresh air and looks out over the forest, beams of clear light shining through the trees, "Then again…here, who couldn't be?"
CEDRIC STOMPS BY GLOOMILY.
Sophie frowns, "Oh..." She turns back to the knight, "Care to join me?"
The knight nods at Sophie's assessment. "When you've been fighting and marching almost ceaselessly for as long as all of us have, a break can come to be...cleansing. Even if it turns out to be only a short one." She pauses, waving to Cedric pleasantly, before she answers the cleric's question. "One moment...I still have to check something..." She goes back to her pack, checking through its contents that might as well threaten to burst its seams. Coming to a conclusion, she sighs. "Guess I'll have to carry it all, then..." Shouldering the worn pack, she stands, letting the stretched straps settle before she looks to Sophie. "Ready when you are."
((Seams? Seems?))
The priestess chuckles lightly, her eyes looking at the paladin inquiringly, "We're just going to breakfast, you don't need to pack for a march." She looks at the pack with a frown, "Eh… I didn't bring my bag of holding with me; else I'd offer to carry it for you… Looks heavy…" She shrugs with a smile and starts down the path towards the clearing, "Ahhh… It's amazing how different everything looks in the daylight."
Gail shrugs, the obvious weight of the pack not bothering her. "I've grown used to it. There are even times when I'll be doing something, then look back and realise it isn't there," she comments with an airy chuckle. The paladin looks to the sky above, patches of cerulean showing between the sheltering boughs of the trees. "Yes...it's hard to imagine that we were here the day before, and yet, I didn't notice how...peaceful everything is. I suppose we didn't have much time to look, though."
"There was so much to do…" Sophie sighs wearily at the memory, frowning as she continues, "I hope we can…just rest here, if only for a few days, before continuing on." She contemplates this for a moment, glancing at the paladin with a smile, "Then again, you are one of the leaders, maybe you could…" She trails off suggestively.
Gail stares impassively at the cleric's hopeful smile, sighing heavily. "It probably wouldn't work...we still have so much left ahead of us, that I'm sure more than a few of the others would see it as a refusal of responsibility. I can't say that I can argue with that logic..." She mutters sadly, before remembering who she was speaking to, summoning a smile and a quick laugh. "I wouldn't worry, though. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to rest before they decide to pick up our efforts."
Sophie shakes her head with a faint smile, "Don't go glum on me, I was only joking…mostly…" She lets out a weary breath, "I'm sure we'll get a day or two… It'll take that long to clean up the mess from last night." She smiles lightly but then frowns as the near empty clearing comes into view, "Huh… That's…strange…" She comes to a halt, glancing around, "Hal must be really busy, I thought he'd have a breakfast set up out here…for sure..." She chuckles, rolling up her sleeves, "Well, I guess I'll have to help out!"
Gail looks around, uncertain about how very sparse everything looked. "Maybe we're simply in the wrong place...It could be that most everyone else is still asleep, and we're just early..."
"Make the food and they will come..." Sophie nods sagely, smiling at Gail.
Gail's hesitation spikes sharply at Sophie's sage saying, looking around nervously as if for some means of escape. Eventually, she turns back to Sophie, defeat written on her face. "I...suppose I could help out," she admits, seeing no way she could avoid the coming tragedy.
The priestess determinedly steps over to one of the charcoal pits that had been a cooking pit the night before, picking up pieces of wood and sliding them beneath the pot. "Hal is a great cook." She says quietly as she works, glancing around for some means of lighting the timber, "Huh, I wonder… I've watched him make sticky buns often enough, I bet I can remember how to."
Gail sets her pack down near the cooking fire, pulling out some flint and steel...then looks to the priestess questioningly, as if she had expected something much different. "Remember? You mean you've...never tried before?"
"Well… No…" Sophie admits in a mildly annoyed voice, then stands resting her hands on her hips, "…Hal always made us breakfast before but, I'm sure I can manage." She turns to the paladin, smiling at the spark of flame, "Oh good. You get the fire started while I go get the…ingredients." She strides confidently towards the village.
Gail looks after Sophie as she goes, almost voicing a protest that would have died before it reached the ears of the daring young disciple. Turning back to the unlit cooking fire, Gail stares at the pile of twigs with suspicion, remembering all the times as a little girl that her mother had tried to teach her cooking, and she ended up burning her dress. The parallel to the current situation was...eerie. Deciding it was best to fulfill Sophie's whims, she strikes the steel to the flint, pulling back slightly as the dry sticks catch easily. She then waits, wondering what ingredients the cleric had managed to scrounge up in her pursuit of breakfast.
After several minutes, the priestess comes awkwardly stumbling down the path carrying several bags, one rather bulky, over a shoulder and a basket of eggs and a few small bottles. Her face is strained with effort, her eyes darting before her as she attempts to avoid the various roots and uneven patches of dirt. Finally, she reaches the lit fire and haphazardly drops the bags, a cloud of white dust erupting from the largest, to the ground with a relieved sigh. She glances at the fire and tiredly nods her approval, breathing in a winded voice, "Well done..."
Gail can only watch as Sophie literally drops the flour, eggs, and various other ingredients to the ground, wincing in anticipation...and staring in disbelief at the fact that nothing shattered, broke, or tore open. She turns at the sound of her companion's voice, shaking her head. "It's a camp fire...they aren't so hard to make. Are you alright, after carrying all that," she asks, visibly concerned for all those involved.
"Yeah…" Sophie breaths, collapsing onto a chair and wiping the sweat from her brow, "…Hal…must be a lot stronger than I thought…" She rests there for a moment, then gets back to her feet, "Let's do this."
[Cook Check: 2… ]
[Aid Other Cook Check: 2… : D]
Sophie drags the large sack, its seams straining, towards an empty cauldron, then hefts it over the edge with a groan, gasping out to Gail, "..quick…open it…"
((Too bad it's not seamless…))
Gail rushes to help, tearing the bag open with a swift, strong tug. White flour pours unheeded into the most likely uncleaned cauldron.
The flour pours into the cauldron sending forth white clouds and liberally dusting the two cooks. Sophie waves the powder away with a cough, then smiles at Gail, “See? No problem…” She frowns thoughtfully, mumbling to herself, “Now…what came next…” She steps to her pile of ingrediants, scowling as she notes that a few of the eggs did indeed break, her hand hovering indecisively over the sugar, salt, eggs, and a small bottle of yeast. Then she suddenly slaps her forehead, “Of course!” She turns to the holy knight, “How could I forget, we need some water too! Let’s toss the dry stuff in and mix in up, then I’ll conjure up some water.” She opens the bottle of yeast and pours about half of it into the cauldron.
Gail, momentarily stunned by the updraft of flour, takes the time to dust the cooking grain from her dress, brushing some errant flour from her eyes before speaking. "I...always thought the water came before that...but I haven't cooked anything in years," she admits, watching as the priestess hovers over the ingredients like a hawk and begin chucking yeast into the pot. Deferring herself to fate, she helps out, taking around a handful of salt from its apprpriate bag. "Is this enough?"
“Oh, Gail…” The priestess says chidingly, shaking her head, “You don’t need that much salt.” She chuckles lightly, sticking her tongue out at the holy knight, “What are you trying to do, make people sick?” Picking up the bag of sugar, the priestess tears it open and pours its contents into the cauldron, “Maybe…half that…would be just fine.”
Gail looks to the modicum of salt gathered in her hands, then observes the head chef as she dumps the entire bag of sugar into the concoction. Choosing to disregard the apparant paradox, she returns the salt carefully to its container, taking an amount that could be half, if one chose to look casually enough. She then tosses it in, then turns to her superior as a thought strikes her. "Don't we need something to stir all this?"
Sophie frowns at this, glancing around thoughtfully, "…I don't see anything we can use…nothing from last night…" She looks at the paladin with a sigh, "Any ideas?"
Gail stares at the thrown together ingredients, pondering...and sighing, unable to come up with anything useful. "I don't suppose you have a staff on you?"
The priestess shakes her head, beginning to become frustrated, “Why is it so hard to do something so nice…” She starts crossly at the cauldron then she smiles, “If you don’t have want you need, use magic instead. I bet that’s what Hal would say if he were here.” Sophie closes her eyes, whispering a prayer of toil and folding her hands together.
Opening her eyes, she gestures at the cauldron with authority, “Stir!” Then she adds cautiously, “…but not too quickly.” The flour, sugar, salt, and yeast begin to gently blend together as an unseen force moves them.
Gail merely stands by idly as the ingredients stir, unable to shake the twin feelings of contentment at having very little to do with this escapade, and yet, the building wave of rising despair and disappointment at just what these misguided actions would result in.
“Gai…” Sophie begins only to stop, her cheeks turning red as she remembers just who she’s ordering around, “Um… Lady Haubrekt, could you grind the cinnamon?” She gestures to a small jar of cinnamon sticks nearby, pondering aloud, “I wonder…if I should wait longer to add the water…”
"You don't have to call me that, if you don't want to," Gail mentions, shaking her head as she proceeds to the cinnamon jar. The maiden extracts a single stick, and begins to toil with her work. "It shouldn't matter when you put the water in, now. The ingredients will mix, regardless of how long or short you wait...right?"
“There was some trick to it…” Sophie mutters, glaring at the cauldron crossly, “I can’t remember what it was though.” The priestess sighs and holds out a hand, whispering another prayer. As she does so, crystal clear water springs from the very air, pouring into the cauldron. The invisible stirring contiunes, the water beginning to blend with the other ingrediants, "There." Sophie glances back with a grin, "We've have breakfast ready for everyone before you know it!"
"Yes...everyone will be so...surprised," Gail mutters, finishing her chore to bring half a stick's worth of ground cinnamon to the pot. "This alright?"
“Nicely done…” Sophie nods with a smile before adding in quieter voice, “But we’ll need more than that.”
Gail nods, tossing the current load in before going back to make more. Wondering at just how well they'll be able to stomach their results, she looks to the bottle, mumbling, "Maybe I should use another stick..."
Sophie doesn’t reply at first, staring at the clumps of thick dough forming in the soupy liquid.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:52 am
After the meeting, Zook meets with Derrik, and has a conversation that has been lost to time. He sells the Assault Hardsuit, and gets the following in return: 200,000 Gold The Ring of Heaven A Liaison for the new HQ The extension of the 10% discount on buying and selling to every member of every SFCW force.
The throne room of King Nicholas of Cypress is much as it was the last time you visited. The King stands with a smile as you enter, Yeesha at your side.
"Friends! How fared the battle at the mountain? Did the aid I provided help any?" the King asks, warmly.
Zook looks around, still daunted, as ever by the massive throne room. He looks up at Cedric, waiting for him to answer.
"Greatly, your majesty." Cedric replies with a gracious bow, though his face is gaunt, "We were victorious...thanks to your aid and the aid of other allies." He takes a deep breath, before proclaiming in a loud voice, "Xadoss is no more!"
Zook winces, his proximity to Cedric making the proclamation uncomfortably loud. But he nods all the same.
King Nick laughs. "Excellent! That is joyous news to hear! Truly, the bards will sing of your exploits," Nick tilts his head a little. "Now then, what business brings you yet again before me, my friend?"
"With our newfound allies, we intend to press our advantage and end this war." Cedric states firmly, "However, we require a stronghold to organize our efforts from, remembering your offer of land and support, we thought it prudent to first seek your aid."
"Ah... So you wish to claim your land right now..." Nick says with a frown, sitting back down.
"If possible..." Cedric nods with a frown.
"Well there are a few places I can offer you. There are three built structures that are currently abandoned you can occupy, and there are three lots of land that have yet to be built on. The first is an old infantry base on the old Iom/Cypress border: Fort Ordalia," Nick says with a nod. "It guarded a toll road, but during the last civil war it was abandoned by Iom troops. It's in the mountains, the toll road is a mountain pass. I think there's an old mine near there too, but it's a hundred miles to the nearest city of note."
"The second structure is the Maritan Docks, a small inn and ship repair complex near the coastal city of Tavernsmouth. The docks are only three miles from said city."
"The last structure is Bezil Manor, a large mansion in the town of Cromwelsh. Not much else to say about it. The Bezil family line was killed off in the Iom war and no one has
stepped forth to reclaim it. The three land lots are a plain in the middle of a swath of farmland, a small plateau near the former Iom border area, or the ruins of Algam Fort."
Zook leans over to Cedric. "I'd just as soon we go for the mountain one, but we can't go wrong with any of them."
Cedric nods to the gnome, "It may not be the most desirable location following the war but it seems the best situated."
"Is the mine near the mountain fort or seperate?" Zook asks.
"The mine is an hour's walk from the fort, deeper in the mountain," Nick nods.
"Do you know what they mined there?"
"Gold! Gold, glorious gold!" Nick yells, breaking out into a prospector's dance.
or...
"I believe it was a silver mine," Nick says.
"Very well, thank you for your aid, your majesty..." The paladin nods, "May we take up residence at once and begin outfitting the structure to suit our needs?"
"Indeed," the King says. "It may require some extensive refurbishing to make it a worthy domicle, though. I shall send workers and materials there right away."
The paladin bows, "Thank you, your majesty." He pauses, "At a later time, I will introduce you to our allies from throughout the world...and beyond."
"A splendid idea, I would know who stands in the Light with us," Nick says with a nod.
"I shall speak with you later, milord," Yeesha says with a bow to the King. She turns to Cedric. "Is that all?"
The paladin frowns, "Is Simone well?"
"She is well," Yeesha says with a nod. "Shall we rejoin you then?"
Cedric nods, "Yes."
Yeesha nods.
Then the group returns to the Elven Village.
---
"Good morning!" Hal says to Alex, not long after the meeting between the leaders had broken. The friar appears as cheerful and energetic as ever, despite the trials and revelry of the previous day. "How did it go?"
Alexander: "It went fine. I learned a few things. Cedric and Sorel's forces banded together and managed to defeat one of the three Strife Lords! A crippling blow to the enemy, to say the least. There are a number of locations we're looking at, so we're likely to split up again, though I'm not sure how yet."
"That's remarkable! The Light's blessed us with more friends than we could've ever hoped for." Hal smiles. "'Burdens are not ours to bear alone, if the load be blessings to the wider world,' they say."
*Nodding, Alexander continues.* "Cedric's force also has this gnome named Zook, who apparently has land and sufficient funds to build a fortress - a headquarters. We talked of building other bases, and while it's not good for a stronghold, I suggest Enrick's mansion, as we could do some planning there where needed. The three major problem areas discussed are far apart, so we'll have to make use of our teleportation. Apparently the land of Rune has fallen to the devils and it must be purged. Cedric expressed interest in 'freeing the gods' or something, and of course you know the situation in Destonia. We'll have to do some thinking and have another meeting, I'm sure."
"That sounds like a very good idea, even if it's a bit...forward," Hal says. "We only just met yesterday and now there's talk of all of us sharing a headquarters! That reminds me, have you had the chance to speak to anyone from the other groups yet?"
*Alexander nods again.* "A few of them. There's so many, and a number of them keep to themselves. I want to try and talk to everyone, but I'm not sure time will permit that. Still, I'll do what I can. Something I found interesting is that Sorel is apparently traveling with his daughter. I would have thought a father wouldn't want his daughter involved in all this mess, but maybe she insisted."
Hal looks confused. "Really? That seems odd, to say the least, especially from what little I've seen of Sorel. How'd you find out?"
Alexander: "It's the craziest thing. Apparently Sophie's brother, Coventry, who is traveling with Jim's group, oddly enough, was in Sorel's group initially. I guess Coventry flirted with Sorel's daughter, and he stole or 'borrowed' a dwarf's shield for the while. Sheila got into the mix and a fight escalated until eventually Sheila hit Sorel's daughter. At that point, Sorel appeared, told Sheila not to touch his daughter, and the fight more or less ended after that. I don't know all the details, mind you, but that's what I saw."
Hal stares at Alex for a moment. "You're right. That really is the craziest thing." He frowns. "I knew I shouldn't have gone to bed. I think I could have kept it from coming to blows, at least. But it's not important. I'm sure tempers have cooled down since then. I'll just need to have a chat with some people..." Hal furrows his brow, but then his expression brightens again. "But enough of that. How did you like the feast?"
Alexander: "It was great! Not to say your cooking was poor in the past, but this food really exceeded the others. It reminded me of the feast at my wedding." *After he says this, Alexander falls silent momentarily.* "...I mean, other than that, it was unmatched. You've still got it."
A look of concern briefly flits across Hal's face. "Did you remember to pray this morning?"
*Alexander nods.* "I'm fine...Now that the feast is over, I'll have to keep thinking about our missions. Of course, right now, I have to figure out where we're going. I'm considering Rune, because if it's really overtaken with fiends, I want to purge it. I don't want anyone else to go through what I had to go through. If I can save even one family, it will be worth it."
Hal nods. "I'll go wherever you lead, Alexander." He smiles again. "Now, now, I didn't mean to keep you. I'm sure you have lots of important things to do." He starts to turn away, then stops. "And mind you don't forget to eat lunch. There ought to be some pie left over, at least."
Alexander: "I won't. Take it easy, Hal. I may try and get some group input here. It shouldn't be my choice alone for where we go."
"But it must be your decision," Hal says, before turning to leave. "Light go with you, brother."
*Alexander doesn't respond verbally but waves to his brother as he leaves.*

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:44 am
The Southern Sandwich Islands

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:44 am
"Good morning!" Hal says brightly as he approaches Sheila, who along with a few hung-over Zooklings is cleaning the remnants of the feast. "Want some help?" "Naw, s'fine!" Sheila says, cheerfully. "Thanks for offerin' though! I gotta clean up as part of my punishment, so I prolly shouldn't accept help."
"Punishment?" Hal asks.
"Yeah, yeah," Sheila says with a wince. "I lost my temper an' slapped the bark girl. Jim says it reflects poorly on the unit an' I should learn to control myself. So I've got cleaning duty."
"Bark girl?" Hal asks. "I really did miss a lot, if you're already giving each other nicknames."
"Oh, I do that with everyone," Sheila says with a laugh. "Some just sooner than later."
"How charming. I don't mean to pry, but do you mind telling me what the fight was about?"
"Oh, the barky one started accusin' Coventry of stealin' and generally started carrying on. I tried to calm her down an' figure out what happened, but she just got madder. Then I got madder. Then she insulted me, then I lost it and slapped her across the face."
Hal frowns. "And then what happened?"
"Then we yelled at each other a bit more, Sorel came and talked, and I calmed down and left."
"Sorel's the older man? Tall and tired-looking, with that carved staff?" Hal asks.
"Yeah! Yeah that's him!" Sheila says, stuffing a bag full of discarded, half eaten food.
"Alright," Hal says. "You sure you don't want any help?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Tho' if you wanna talk, I'm not adverse ta company!" Sheila says cheerfully as she fills up the bag and ties it off.
"How does your unit work? It seems rather militaristic. Do you all have ranks?"
"Yep!" Sheila says. "Well, we ARE a military unit... Well, 'cept for the Doc, Viki an' Mike. They're attaches."
"Do you have a second in command? Or is Jim the only officer?"
Sheila stops for a moment. "We haven't had a second in command for a while... I think Jim's waiting.."
Hal tilts his head, looking at Sheila curiously. "Waiting for someone to rise to the moment?"
Sheila shrugs. "I guess. The unit's only been reformed for a little while now."
"What happened to it?"
Sheila frowns. "We... I'd... Rather not talk about it now. Maybe... Maybe later."
"That's alright." Hal says soothingly. "Tell me, what did you think of the feast?"
Sheila lights up. "Aw, it was great! Great food, great drink, an' with the exception of bark girl, I got to meet a lot of cool people!"
Hal smiles broadly. "I'm glad to hear that, Sheila! Although... I bet Telanna isn't as bad as you think. Maybe when you're done you should go talk to her. I bet now that you're both calm you'll find you have a lot in common."
Sheila winces. "Maybe... At some point. I dunno. She might've been mad or somethin', I guess. But I don't wanna try that again so fast. I'll need to extra time to psych up and get the ol' temper under control. Just in case."
"Well, we've certainly got time." Hal smiles. "Well, Sheila, I won't keep you anymore. Don't throw out the Manarinan Crumb Tart, it's enchanted to never spoil." He begins to walk away. "It was nice talking to you!"
"Nice talkin' ta you too... Uh... Hal! It was Hal, right?" Sheila asks. "Agh... So many new names..."
"Hal it is!" Hal calls before departing.
"Kay! Have a good day, Hal!" Sheila yells, cheerfully waving before getting back to work

Posted by: Alpha Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:13 pm
woop (spacer)

Posted by: Knight_019 Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:13 pm
*Dagron flies over the treetops of the Elven village, finding the night sky and the lights reflecting on the treetops relaxing. Things like this gave him a way to work off his hot head after these stressful battles. Something catches his eye, however. A rather large piece of metal seems to be in the center of a clearing with a number of people scurrying about it. Tinking and banging can be heard, so Dagron flies down and perches on the metal machine. Tilting forward and sticking his head in front of a crevice, he finds a Gnome tucked away and working inside.*
: "Hi! Watcha doin'?"
ADAM shakes slightly when Dagron lands on it, but Zook doesn't notice. Instead, he starts at the sudden appearance of the dragon, bumping his head on a beam in the cockpit.
: "Gah!" He rubs the top of his head. "Er...sorry. I'm working. How can I help you?"
: "Oh, hi. I'm Dagron. This looks like battle armor. Did you build it?" *Dagron tilts his head slightly more, looking uncomfortable to those without longer necks.*
: "It used to be battle armor," Zook says, putting his wrench down and hopping outside. "I remodeled it to look more like a gyrocopter. I lose a lot of landspeed, but it moves twice as fast in the air." He nods. "But yeah, I built it, with a fair amount of help."
*Dagron pulls his head up, then looks back at the flight mechanism and notices what Zook's talking about. He then sticks his head back down.*
: "That's neat. It looks like some of the Ancient technology, but it's definitely different. What can it do? What's its name? ... and what's your name?"
: "It is Ancient technology, for the most part. It's powered by a Prometheus-Class fusion reactor, and most of the weapons are Ancient salvage. My name is Zook. Its name is ADAM. What about you?"
: "Oh, I see." *Dagron huffs some steam in amusement.* "Dagron is my name. I can say I recognize some of the parts, but I couldn't build this. Where are you from?"
: "I'm from Cypress. I came in with Cedric." He shakes his head. "It's really not that complicated. If you've got time and tools, knowing what the parts are will get you a long way. It's a lot like fitting a puzzle together, except you've got to clip the edges of the pieces to make them fit properly. Also, puzzles don't explode quite so much."
: "Cedric the paladin? I heard about him. Some puzzles, explode though. There were these ruins and... well... puzzles can explode." *Dagron takes a claw and taps on something.* "What's this do?"
: Zook leans over to see what Dagron is tapping. "That's called a hardpoint. It's a spot on the chassis of the vehicle where you can install a heavy weapon. These brackets and hinges will hold it in place, and this undercarriage will siphon off the recoil. We're just about ready to install the new weapon."
: "New weapon? You said you ride in this and fight in it. What kind of weapons do you use?"
: Zook points to projections on either side of ADAM. "This one over here is a salvaged Hellfire Chaingun, from a Guardian Eye Elite. Fires up to 240 rounds a minute. The one on the other side is a UV Laser Rifle. It's designed for sniping, but it's also great for things too tough in the hide for conventional bullets." He grins. "And in the middle goes..." He points at something cylindrical draped in canvas a few yards away. "That."
: *Dagron looks up and over at the canvas.* "Looks big. What is it?"
: "It's called a Gauss Buster," Zook says. "It fires a concentrated beam of polarized energy that rips through pretty much anything. Armor, hide, walls, mountains..."
: *Dagron blinks.* "Gauss busters still exist? Wow. That should be useful. I'm surprised you don't have anything like, um, flamethrowers. Or something to throw bombs. Then again, with that firepower, you probably don't need it."
: "I actually just sold a flamethrower," Zook says. "And I'm fresh out of bombs. Really ought to make more..."
: "Ever try something like holy bombs?"
: Zook shakes his head. "Magic is expensive, you don't find a lot of it just laying around. I just ran out of holy bullets, too, now I think of it. Where's a dragon go to study the Ancients, anyway?"
: "Books. Lots of books. Dragons tend to keep a lot of knowledge. I didn't get to live around dragons, though. I had to find places that had some kinds of Ancient books, or at least books with writings on the Ancients. You'd be surprised at how hard it is to find information on the Ancients," *Dagron states matter-of-factly.*
: Zook looks at Dagron for a moment. "I'll be right back," he says. He retreats into his tent, and comes out with an armful of dusty tomes. "Here, I've pretty much got these memorized."
: *Dagron takes the tomes from Zook, resting them on his reinforced wings. He looks them over briefly.* "What are all of these?"
: "Books I've found," Zook says. "There's a couple in there on Ancient aeronautics, with a great chapter on the space program. One on Ancient Chemistry, and a few on Ancient art and culture."
*Dagron gets wide-eyed looking at the Ancient knowledge resting right in front of him. He begins flipping through the top book at an inhumanly fast speed.*
: "This is interesting. Thank you. I should probably leave you alone to finish your work."
: Zook waves. "Nice meeting you, Dagron."
: Nice meeting you as well, Zook. Hope to see ADAM in action. Thanks again.
*Dagron speaks quickly, flying off just as fast to get back to where Alex's force was staying and begin reading through the tomes before falling asleep, most likely on top of them.*

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:14 pm
Not long after his talk with Sheila, Hal finds Sorel standing in the forest, his back against a tree, looking out on the falling leaves. He looks much healthier than he did the previous night. "Looks like the feast did you some good, elder," Hal says. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you like this."
Sorel turns his head to look at Hal. "Running water should get the mud off of your boots."
Hal looks down at the mud caked around his boots. He'd stepped a patch of muck several minutes ago, about four hundred yards from where he now stood. For a moment he seems to be caught off-balance, but he quickly recovers.
"Thanks for the advice. You don't miss much, do you?"
Sorel does not respond.
"Something wrong?"
"I was..." Sorel begins distantly, but he shakes his head. "No matter. How can I help you?"
"Well, it's nothing really. I just wanted to make some rounds, meet some people. If this is a bad time I can--"
"I think," Sorel says, cutting Hal off, "That there is a great deal more to it than that. Please do not tread lightly around me. It is not necessary." He's silent for a moment. "This is about what happened at the feast."
((Hal rolled a one on the generic Bluff/Diplomacy CHA check, Sorel got a Sense Motive of 46))
If Hal is surprised at Sorel's deduction, he doesn't show it. His voice stays cheerful, but he seems more direct. "Yes," he says. "It came to blows, I heard. I've spoken to a few of the people involved. Sounds like you defused it by yourself."
"It was the least I could do. It would not have happened if not for me."
A moment's silence. "I think you're being a bit hard on yourself. She's your daughter, but she's still her own person, responsible for her own choices."
Sorel stiffens slightly, as if expecting to be struck. "It is not that simple."
"What complicates it?"
Sorel casts his eyes onto the ground. "I would rather not say."
"What sort of relationship do you have with Telanna?"
Again, Sorel doesn't respond.
Hal nods, understanding. "Right." He sighs. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, elder. I'll leave you in peace." He begins to walk away.
"Tell him--" Sorel begins, but he stops.
"Tell him what?" Hal asks, not asking who.
"Tell him it was not his fault," Sorel replies.
Hal moves to take a step towards the druid, but he shakes his head. "Light go with you, Sorel."

Posted by: Aldur Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:12 am
Michael, after looking for awhile, grins when he spots Sorel. "You! You're one of those leader people! Are you or anyone going to Destonia?" "In all likelihood," Sorel responds. "Who is your leader?" "Myself." Michael replied simply. "I tagged along with the rangers, but that was merely circumstances, I'll stay with them if they go that way though."
"Is that your home?" Sorel asks.
"It's somewhere I want to go to, and fix it..." Michael replies, a smile on his face.
"You do not want to fix the rest of the world?"
"Ahah! Good one, but it's better to get rid of the bigger sores before attending the smaller ones I hear."
"I do not think it is as simple as that," Sorel replies.
"Yeah?" Michael sighs. "Probably isn't, but I'm guessing D land is a problem."
"It is," Sorel says. "But I think it is much the same problem as the others that threaten the world. They are connected, and to ignore one side of it to attack another is to allow the real danger to slip past your vision."
"So like, split up." Michael shrugged. "We have enough to do so I think..."
"Perhaps," Sorel says. "Where do you call home?"
"The land." Michael grinned. "I don't really have much connection to where I come from. Orphan and all, and when my only real friend went to be a priestess, and I decided to adventure...well, home is where I make it I guess."
"This is my home," Sorel says, looking about the forest. "I knew it the moment I set foot here, and the moment I left."
"Ah, I see. Trees huh? I grew up in a city, this is all different to me..."
"I as well," Sorel says. "A city and a forest have much in common. Towering structures that block out the sky, the crush and swell of living things moving...the secret things you can see at night."
At the mention of secret things you see at night, Michael's fist clenched and his face became cold. "Yes, I would imagine the contexts very different though old one."
"Yes, I think you would," Sorel says. "But even there, you will find more similarity than you might expect."
"Well you've seen more than me." Michael shrugged. "Do all old men sound as mystic as you?"
"Surely I am not the first old man you have ever met," Sorel says.
Michael's lips twitched at this, and he frowned, tilting his head to one side. "They didn't tend to talk much, mostly grunt."
"I think that would answer your question, then."
"Either you are an awfully perverted old man or we're not thinking the same thing here."
"If you say so," Sorel says. "Have you spoken to many others?"
"Old men?"
"Members of the different forces."
"Oh. Um, I talked to Ignatius, Alex, Hal, Coventry, Sophie, All the rangers on and off..."
"How have you found them?"
"The rangers are all cool enough...Coventry is a bit pervy, Sophie is like something out a storybook, Same with Alex and Hal."
"What do you mean, out of a storybook?"
"The priestess, the happy friar and the conquering hero. Back in Destonia, the priesthood certainly isn't all like that..."
"If you really want to, you can reduce anyone to a character in a storybook," Sorel says quietly. "The challenge is to find what sets them apart."
"Mystic man, do you know what sets them apart?" Michael asked curiously.
"They are real," Sorel says simply. "While you can reduce any man or woman to a fiction, a cliche, you cannot take a fiction and give it life. You cannot know what the storybook character loves and fears. You cannot know what happens in the mind and heart of a storybook character. A fiction cannot help but be what it is."
Michael nods, and then grins. "A fiction...I like that." Michael flourishes, his brilliant, radiant wings appearing, his aura becoming apparent. "A fiction like this? I'm far from an angel."
"We all are," Sorel says. "But you do not give the appearance of one. You carry yourself as a young man, much like any other, and yet totally yourself -- even when you walk the world on silver wings."
"You know, you should start charging for comments like that. You'd make a fortune." Michael grinned, his celestial stuff disappearing. "How a streetrat from Destonia ended up like an angel I'll never know."
"It is how you have fashioned yourself," Sorel says. "It is no accident."
"More like how I was molded perhaps..." Michael grinned.
"A man is not simply molded. The scene is set, but there is no script. That is how I know you are real, and not a fiction."
"Heh, Michael frowned for a moment, a nostalgic smile playing on his face as he spoke. "Is fate unchangeable? Even at his most powerless...man's existence is never without meaning." Michael snorted. "I was told that once...still don't get it."
((olol))
"Probably because you never got past where Odessa dies"
geddis the hero: LAWL
((anyway.))
"It will come to you, in time."
"Generic older person saying 300?" Michael winked at sorel and then sighed happily. "So, what's the plans for now?"
"There are plans to construct a headquarters. I believe Cedric will have all of the details."
"Cedric eh? Good...he's the last one I need to talk to as well." Michael nodded to Sorel. "Nice to meetcha."
"You as well," Sorel says.

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:34 am
Michael encounters Cedric walking, and the warlock walks over to him and waves. "Cedric right?" "Yes." The Paladin replies quietly, turning to face the young warlock, "Can I help you?" "Indeed. What's the plan? Is anyone going to Destonia?" The paladin arches an eyebrow, then replies with a faint smile, "Nothing has been decided certainly..." His smile fades to a troubled frown, "...but I'm afraid that at the least a military expedition will be launched aganist the Empire." He looks into the distance, "Though, perhaps, we will also attempt dialogue to dissuade them from their current mindset."
Michael snorted. "Delusional. Emperor Domaric is called 'The Dominator' for a reason." He shook his head. "You'd have to rebuild it from the ground up, even the priesthoods are corrupt."
geddis the hero: "Only saving grace that country has is Prince Medion."
The paladin arches his eyebrow, "Be that as it may, I'd prefer not..." He pauses, a thought crossing his mind, tilting his head, "I suppose we could just kill the Emperor." He rubs his chin, "Cut off the head... Spare the peasant soldiers..."
Michael laughed. "You know, that'd work...if the only problem was him."
"It would work for now... We merely need to stop their conquests until the fiends are dealt with." Cedric replies, "Then...we can give the country the attention that is necessary."
"Prince Mageron and not to mention the other countless bastards that form that court would simply pick up where they left off." Michael sighed, looking despondent. "How a place can get so bad I don't get..."
"Correct me if I'm wrong..." Cedric begins, "...but I was under the impression that without a strong leader, the Empire would fall into in-fighting. Civil war until another strong leader emerged...which would allow us, for now, to focus on the fiends."
"Prince Mageron." Michael pointed out gently.
"Prince Medion." Cedric replies gently, "Sounds like a civil war to me."
geddis the hero: "You...oh well. Last I heard he wasn't in the country. I believe Daddy wasn't happy with him."
"If his father was dead, I would see no reason for him not to return." Cedric replies, "...but we could just kill Mageron as well."
"Cold." Michael smirked. "And I suppose you can justify it to some creed or other...I wonder what we tell ourselves when we become killing machines..."
"Look into Shailtor's eyes when next you face him, then you'll know the answer." Cedric replies coldly, starting to move on.
"Oh dear..." Michael followed after Cedric, young hothead that he is. "But The royalty of the empire are not archfiends."
"They are in league with them...or at the least taking advantage of their war." He glares back at the young man, "As you said yourself, we'd have to rebuild it from the ground up... We have to start by razing away the corruption."
Michael tilted his head to one side. "Why do you fight? And why do you lead?"
"I might ask you the same..." Cedric replies in a surly voice, then shakes his head, "...but, regardless, I am charged by the Goddess to protect the creation she restored... A creation destroyed by the arrogance of the Ancients and by the insidious influence of Fiends." His eyes narrow, "I will not tolerate a second fall and if a petty ruler cannot put aside his personal ambition for the good of the world...he's sealed his own fate."
"Why I fight?" Michael smiled and then laughed. "It's much simpler for me. I fight...because I can. Because I am able to. But you know, it's interesting to see the most down to earth leader is a Paladin of Mitula."
Cedric pauses for a moment, taken aback, then shakes his head grimly, "After what I've seen, I find that the greatest sin one can commit is allowing those fiends freedom in this world for even a moment longer than is necessary."
"Interesting. Are fiend in general, the strife lords withstanding capable of redemption?" Michael raised an eyebrow, interested in the paladin's reply
"When I see it, I'll believe it..." He frowns at some dark memory, "...but there are those with fiendish blood among us." He reflects grimly, "Is that due to their mortal parents? I would wonder...if I had the time or energy..." He nods curtly, "As entertaining as this has been..." He pauses, a thought striking him, "What is your name?"
"Ah, a busy man. I guess in your position if you stop to think too much you'll fail in your job, hah. I'm Michael, Destonian Streetrat and redeemed warlock. A Pleasure Sir Cedric." Michael smiled, his brilliant celestial wings appearing, his holy aura glittering about him and he gave the paladin a sweeping bow.
((geddis: LOL I R MORE HOLY))
Cedric arches an eyebrow dryly, "Farewell then..." He stares at the young boy for a moment longer, then turns with a sigh and marches on to his next meeting.
geddis the hero: "We have to talk more! When you have more time!" Michael waved at the Paladin and then giggled. He'd get to go to Destonia at this rate...

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:55 am
"So...you're an engineer?" A young human asks the distracted gnome curiously. "Huh?" Zook looks up from his work. "Oh... yeah." He looks around confusedly. "Is there a fire or something?" "Only in a catfolk's heart!" The man replies with a faint smile, leaning forward to look at the tinkerings of the tinker, "What are you working on?"
Zook sweeps his hands over the little bench he had set up by laying a board over two water buckets. A number of electrical components are arranged there. "It's called a radio," Zook says. "The Ancients used them for communication over long distances."
"Huh... Seems a bit more advanced than the stuff we have back home..." He ponders thoughtfully, "What are you going to use it for?"
"Well, I was thinking that with the headquarters being built, it'd be a good idea to have a means of communication between the headquarters and all the different leaders out in the field. That, and...well, that's really the important one."
"Seems like a waste... Most of the groups have teleporters and diviners..." He shrugs, looking around the encampment, "If you can really make them small enough to be portable, you could send them to people's hometowns so they can talk to their loved ones. Or at least...for some kind of warning system to call for help."
"I hear a lot about diviners, but I don't think I've ever actually seen any divining." Zook looks at the components, and sighs. "Still...you're probably right. I'm Zook, by the way."
"Dam Dic...eh..." The young man bites his lip, then replies with a rueful expression, "Doctor Coventry." He pauses for a moment, adding thoughtfully, "I'm from Saraband...so, I have a bit of interest in this kind of thing." He chuckles, "Though no talent."
"Better interest and no talent than talent and no interest," Zook says. "With interest, at least you can create something, even if it's not what you were expecting."
The Doctor arches an eyebrow, "Interesting prespective. He looks at the radio thoughtfully, "I've never seen anything like this before...well, save for in those ruins, " He nods to the mountains with a frown, "Are you from fabled Mechanis then?"
Zook giggles. "Oh, heavens no. I couldn't even point to it on a map. I'm from Cypress, up in the mountains. I learned tinkering from my uncle, and as I've gone along with Cedric. I've found a lot of wonderful books by the Ancients which have helped, not to mention all the salvage..."
"Cypress..." The Doctor frowns thoughtfully, "Seems like a strange place for a engineer to hail from." He shakes his head softly, "I would have guessed Rune or Parmecia." He turns his eyes back to the gnome, "Ah, so you can read Ancient?" He smiles slightly, "Mind helping me? I'm just picking it up myself..." Then he frowns, "...but...you do seem rather busy."
Zook waves a hand dismissively, walking over to a tent slightly smaller than all the others. "It's no trouble. I've got a hundred helpers following me around, you'd think I'd learn to dele--here we go!" Zook comes out with a thin book and several sheets of paper. "This is a primer on the Ancient Alphabet, and these are some notes I made on the morphological similarities between Ancient and Common letters. Now, what are you trying to read?"
"Some medical texts...and a book on genetics." The Doctor replies, looking at the paper with surprise, whistling lowly, "This... This is amazing, did you make this yourself?"
"We were stuck on a boat for a while and it was too shaky to do any actual work, so I taught myself Ancient out of some books I found." Zook blinks. "Genetics? You mean like heredity science? Where'd you find that?"
"You need ask?" The Doctor chuckles, glancing meaningfully at the nearby mountains, "I took a long look around those ruins once the fighting ended..." He frowns grumpily, "Until...those spacemen kicked me out."
Zook winces. "They don't seem like bad people. I suppose being centuries more advanced than we are might make them seem a little patronizing, but what can you do? Colonel Thornton's the same way sometimes. I don't think they mean to do it."
"Well, it is an alluring attitude to take on..." The Doctor replies with a hint of a smile, "But then, yo..." He cuts himself off again, "Um... So, you've made friends with some of Jolly Jim's troop then? Which treatment are they giving you? The open one or the secretive one? Seem to switch back and forth a lot."
"It depends on the time of day, or something, I guess. 'Alright, it's nine-thirty so I can tell them about the spaceship. Oh! Ten o'clock! Time to be mysterious and enigmatic again!'" He shrugs. "Military minds. Keeping secrets is the habit, isn't it?"
"I think its a chapter in their manual..." The Doctor chuckles, then nods with a slight frown, "Thanks for the notes, I need to be off to Ribble...but I'll chat with you again."
"Ribble? That's pretty far, isn't it?" Zook asks.
"I picked up a new pair of boots, yesterday." The Doctor smiles, "I think they'll hold up."
"Well, alright," Zook says. "Have fun in Ribble, Doctor."
"I'll try..." The Doctor smiles.

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:32 am
((I'll be floating down one of the three great rivers of Asia tomorrow and I don't know when I'll have prolonged time to sit around online again. So, the simplest answer to me seems to be...take advantage of this being a forum and not a IRC channel. Please post [Leader's Meeting] in your posts to clarify and separate it from the lowly mutterings of the ramble.))
[Leader's Meeting]
The gathering takes place downstairs in a larger chamber. There are chairs for all participants around a long oval table.
Cedric sits at the table, brooding silently as the others file in, his fingers tented. Finally, as the last of those invited takes their seat, he clears his throat, "I have a number of matters that we need to discuss as a leadership council." He slides a sheet of paper with a list of agenda items forward, "The first is that, with the aid of the King of Cypress, we have obtained a citadel from which to base our efforts. We should discuss how to best use it and how it will affect our future campaigns. Next, we need to discuss our general strategy in this war. I, personally, see three areas of primary focus...responding to Destonia's expansionism, liberating Rune from the Strife Lords, and crushing the cult of Ur." He looks around at the assembled leaders, "Of course, there may be other objectives as well...such as locating allies, gathering information, weakening the enemy, and seeking out resources for example. One such matter which should be addressed is lifting the seal over the realms of the dead." He glances to where the elven wizardess sits, "The Archwizardess Isyndel can speak more to the specifics as she has made tremendous progress towards that aim." He then sighs, frowning at the thought of the matter to come, "Next, I have heard that there was a quarrel during the festivities last night...and, additionally, there has been talk of a thief in our midst." He looks at the other leaders meaningfully, as if to say...haha, for once, it wasn't any of mine...then holds up a hand, "I think these incidents illuminate an problem that we will need to address to prevent future...unpleasantness." Lowering his hand, the paladin looks over the leaders for another moment, then nods, "If there is another matter that I have overlooked, please contribute it to the agenda. Otherwise..." He turns to the gnome, "I suggest we begin this meeting... Zook, will you please speak of the fortress?"
<Present: Cedric, Faralon, Isyndel, Kyoji, Zook, Alexander, Hal, Jim, Sorel, Gail, Gilliam, Max, Yeesha>
The paladin then blinks, slapping himself on the forehead, "Ah, I nearly forgot. Isyndel, Gail, or Yeesha...please record and distribute minutes of this meeting." Sexism FTW.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:39 am
[Leader's Meeting] Zook nods. "Now, bear with me here, because I only had about ten minutes to do this." He unfurls a massive piece of parchment with detailed sketches and statistics, and then looks briefly at several smudges in the palm of his hand before speaking. "This is the projected layout of Fort Ordalia when we're done with it.
((FORT ZOOK'S THE BEST: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/VoxPVoxD/FortZooksTheBest.png
Now with key, because Rusty is a big dumb baby who is dumb: http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Vox/FortMapKey.txt ))
"So, I tried to set it up more like an Ancient military base than a proper castle, because I think that'll work better logistically speaking. Separate buildings, each with a common function."

Posted by: Cyrus Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:01 am
"Hey Castor!" Zook calls when he sees the minotaur sketching something later that day. "You got a minute?" The mercenary snaps out of his reverie, laying the pad next to him as he turns to the inventor. "All the time in the world, friend. What do you need of me?"
"Well..." Zook says, looking at the pad for a moment. "I was wondering if you'd teach me to draw."
Castor stares blankly at Zook for a moment. "Teach you to draw," he repeats, as if he was still feeling out the request.
Zook nods fervently, as if the absence of an outright rejection had made him more confident. "Yeah! I need something to do in my spare time, and I've always wanted to learn..."
Castor nods quickly, startled by his friend's sudden explanation before continuing. "Alright, I can understand that...never thought you would be very interested in it, though." He goes to scoop up his work, but stops, turning back to his potential student appraisingly. "Have you tried any works like this before?"
"Uh..." Zook traiks off, thinking. "When I was really little, I'd draw pictures of my uncle working. They were mostly stick figures and blobs, though. I can draw schematics, but somehow I don't think that's the same..."
"Schematics...," Castor sounds out slowly with a frown,struggling to recall something. "You mean...ideas - plans - for your machines?"
Zook nods.
The minotaur strokes his chin, pondering. "Such things would require a good amount of detail, judging by what you create from them...perhaps you are more suited to this than you would think."
VoxPVoxD: minotaurs have chins?
cyrus v 2877: Shut up.
Zook shifts his weight from foot to foot. "Well...?"
Castor looks quizzically to Zook, as if he had already answered. "I'll teach you. You have an interest, that's more than enough for me."
Zook grins. "You see, that's what I said!"
Castor scoffs at the enthusiasm, plopping the pad in his lap before he realizes something, looking to Zook pointedly...more appropriately, his pencil. "You cannot draw with just a pencil."
"I..." Zook regards the pencil clenched in his left hand with a frown. "You're right. I don't know what came over me."
The new teacher stares at his pupil for a moment longer, before pushing himself up with a groan. "Come on," he says, moving to the town below, "No sense in either of us being without paper."
Zook follows, looking up at the minotaur with a smile on his face.

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:26 am
"Doctor, may I have a word?" Jim asks Coventry. The Doctor arches an eyebrow, "Yes? How can I help you?" "Word has reached my ear that you stole something from one of the other groups. I'd like your side of the story," Jim says, quietly. "I stole something from someone in one of the other groups." The Doctor replies with a faint smile, turning to face the GDO commander, "A shield, to be precise, from an unconcious dwarf while we were battling the lich."
Jim sighs heavily. "Do you mind telling me why?"
"I needed a shield, he didn't, and he owed me a favor." The Doctor replies.
"Have you since returned the sheild?" Jim asks. "Or spoken with the dwarf?"
"Nope." The Doctor replies.
"Then I'd ask you to do both," Jim quietly says. He sighs again, "If you need a shield that badly, I'll have one issued to you as soon as I can," Jim says, looking over to the rest of the group. "If he owed you a favor, then borrowing a shield isn't a big deal. Especially in the middle of battle when the owner was already out. That is of course, assuming you give it back to him."
"Well, I stole the shield rather vindictively…" The Doctor replies with a faint smile, "…and I admit, if certain things hadn't come to light, I would refuse to return it." He pats the GDO commander on the shoulder, smiling reassuringly, "But no worries, I was planning on giving old Gorrik back his shield." He tilts his head, "You don't need to worry about issuing me a shield...what was mine has been returned."
"All right. If you do have any equipment issues, see me or Adam, though. Just for future reference," Jim smiles and claps Coventry on the back. "Glad we got this straightened out."
The Doctor laughs, "Yeah, me too..."

Posted by: Alpha Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:40 am
After parting ways with Alexander, Laeralas moves off into the forest surrounding the elven village. Spotting a particularly tall tree, he smiles in reminiscence, and quickly scales it. Reaching a branch that’s nicely broad, he settles down upon it and takes out his spellbook. Chanting a simple spell, he calls up a small sphere of light to help him read. And for a long while of picking spells for the next day, the elf puts the thin volume away, and rests back against the trunk of the tree. He smiles, admiring the view of the stars and sky, and soon falls asleep.
===============
Waking up early with the sunrise, Laeral quickly climbs back down the tree. Once at the bottom, the elf spends a few minutes selecting and chanting several different spells, storing them in his new ring and his trusty dagger.
[Store Shivering Touch in Laeral’s dagger.
Store Critical Strike, Golem Strike x2 and Wraithstrike]
Once done and smiling in satisfaction, he chants one more spell. Upon nearing completion, he claps his hands and promptly disappears.
((more to come))

Posted by: Kaihaku Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:17 am
[Leadership Meeting] "The scuffle matter has been dealt with on my end. Agent Durance has been reprimanded and discplined," Jim states. "The Doctor tells me he only borrowed the shield for use in battle. He'll be returning it shortly if he hasn't already."
Cedric looks to the GDO Commander, nodding with stern approval, "Very good...but the matter still bears further discussion."
Jim frowns. "How so? What remains unresolved? Or do you speak of such matters in general?"
"We will discuss it at the appointed time." The paladin replies patiently though he cannot repress a slight frown, "For now..." He nods pointedly at the layout, "I suggest we discuss the Fort."
"I'd recommend building a few large buildings. It'd be nice to store my war machines in some place other than a tarp, to serve as vehicle storage." Jim says, observing the plans. "Other than that, it looks fine for now."

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:32 am
[Lowly Mutterings of the Ramble] Sha'aasta lazes about outside, idly whittling a wooden figure with a dagger and whistling a local tune. Johann and Holzgeist are nowhere to be seen, something that doesn't seem to faze the diminutive gnome in the slightest.
((As an aside to the high and mighty, it might be an idea to publicly note what the expected order of the day is to us spellcasters, so we know if we should prepare spells geared towards combat, scouting, or traveling/logistics.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:56 am
GRAND TOTAL OF RP XP UP TO NOW Ivellas 200 Daran 200 Kyuu 200 Cedric 1600
Zook 2200
Gabriel 200
Aurik 400
Kethra 200
Faralon 1400
Van 400
Castor 200
Telanna 800
Ashathel 200
Kria 1000
Sorel 2800
Tanis 400
Gail 2000
Mahler 300
Ombligo 800
Graigus 400
Kayla 200
Alex 2000
Hal 2000
Laeralas 400
Sophie 1800
Johann 800
Merla 400
Dagron 400
Enrick 200 Varro 200
Maria 800
Okori 400
Jessica 200
Melissa 800
Michael 800
Coventry 2800

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:06 pm

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:43 am)
((Seams? Seems?))

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:19 am
Sometime in the morning, Max is in a clearing, going through complex sword forms and exercises. Gail watches the swordsman's form from afar, having donned her armaments for the first time today. Sighing, she starts measuredly to him, waiting until she is close to call out to the hero. "Max...I'd like to speak with you, if you would let me."
Max lowers his sword and turns to the paladin. "Sure. What can I do for you, Gail?"
"I thought that we should train again, like we did on Grans. It's been a good while since we did so, and...I wanted to see how much I've improved since then."
"Very well," Max says, sheathing the Chaos Breaker. "Let me get a practice sword... This is a good time. I was meaning to teach you a technique of mine..."
Gail quirks a silver brow at Max's rambling, before her eyes light up, recalling something. "Technique? You mean that...wave of energy you used against Xadoss?"
"Yes, actually," Max says with a nod. "It's very hard to do... Even I can only manage it when I wield the Chaos Breaker... But perhaps you can master it where I could not."
Gail stares blankly at such a casual confirmation, shaking her head when she regains her composure. "I'm glad you have faith in my ability to learn, but...are you certain I can do this? I don't think I'm capable of..."
"If you can't, nothing lost," Max says with a grin. "And we can only gain from experience, can't we?"
"I...I suppose you're right," Gail responds, sighing at what she thought would be a futile venture. "What do I need to do?"
"First, feel your inner strength within you... That radiance gifted to you by the gods and honed by your effort... Now, focus on your sword. Picture some of that energy going into the blade, being focused by it. Then..."
Max goes on for a while, explaining to Gail and demonstrating once or twice.
Gail watches intently,unsure really of what to think of the demonstration, other than the obvious might the Dragon Slayer had: to call forth such power on demand...she wondered how he thought she was ready for this. Drawing her blade - the old silvered sword she had used before - and holding the weapon straight, begins to think about what he means. Inner strength...divine radiance...Life? Was she supposed to pour life into her weapon to call this force? She shook her head clear of the thought. Max would never ask her to do that, and wouldn't take it so casually himself, if that were the case. She had other things she could use. Focusing on the blade in front of her, she invokes the holy power that had guided her blade to cut through many foes time and again, attempting the technique as directed.
Gail feel a surge of radiant energy go through her body and out her sword as a column of blue and white fire blasts from her blade.
Gail watches, stupefied, as the column of consecrated fire crawls a few feet away from her, not leaving a single burn on the earth as it dissipates. "I...can't believe it....," she mutters, the jolt of sacred light leaving a quickly passing shudder through her body.
"That's special fire," Max says with a smile. "It will burn even vampires and devils... anything with an unholy heart. But it leaves the pure of soul untouched."
Gail can't help but blink at Max's description of the effect, turning back to the untouched landscape around her. She tries again, summoning the radiance Max had noted...and again, the pillar of fiery judgment springs into existence, burning away with blinding intensity that lasts for a mere few seconds. The paladin sighs, defeated. "Purifying flames that come from the soul...I suppose I'll be able to get used to that."
Max frowns. "You sound depressed... I would've thought you'd be happy."
Gail turns to the swordsman, shaking her head as if she caused some slight towards him. "No, it's not that. It was..amazing to behold...just...," she looks to her blade, grimacing. Another weapon...she pushes the thought to the back of her mind, a small smile appearing to hopefully dismiss any questions. "It's nothing. Nothing important."
"You're lying," Max says with a sigh. "But if you don't want to tell me that's fine. I'm here if you need me though."
Blue eyes fall away from the hero's gaze. "Yes...I know that."
Max sighs. "Shall we spar now?"
The aasimar nods, pulling out the section of cloth she had brought especially for this, and wrapping it around her blade with twine.
Max draws a wooden pratice sword and falls into a fighting stance.
Gail starts off with a rush to Max, thrusting the covered blade into one of the joints of Max's armor.
Max winces, bringing up his blade too late. "A good hit... You've really improved!"
The hero unleashes a flurry of sword strikes, but only two land on the young paladin.
Gail nearly stumbles as a stab knocks back her shoulder and a slice threatens to undercut her leg, but regains her footing, using the momentum to pivot around and land two well-placed blows. However, her spin leaves her with little power, the hits being mostly mere scratches.
Max takes a step back from getting hit, then steps forward, using the momentum to power an overhand slash that slams down on Gail's shoulder. He raises his sword to repeat the motion, but Gail swiftly intercepts him. Max withdraws, then feints to the right and swiftly slashes under Gail's guard, landing another heavy blow. Finally, he attempts a swift thrust, which misses.
Gail winces with the blade's fall onto her sword arm, then gasps as it smashes into her ribs, knocking the air out of her lungs. She didn't remember him being this fast...weaving out of the way of the final thrust, she sees an opening, driving her weapon into Max's chest. Stepping forward, she brings the blade back up to land in his side, before bringing down a slash similar to her opponent's own, this one a mere inch from landing on his neck.
: Max gasps as the blows land on him. Then he chuckles and grins at Gail. "You're putting up an excellent fight... The future is in safe hands with people like you guarding it."
Max lashes out with an incredibly face thrust that impacts into Gail's gut hard. Wasting no time, the hero "slashes" with the blunt end of the training sword up to Gail's chin, which he strikes with the force of an uppercut. Finally, he arcs the wooden blade around and down to strike Gail's shoulder. At last, his final blow, a parting bash to the arm is blocking by armor.
Gail falls to a kneel with the last flurry of skilled blows, panting to catch her breath as she waited for the ground around her to stop spinning. The paladin looks to the grin on Max's face as she recovers, shaking her head. "No...the future isn't safe...not yet." Gail then pushes off her feet to catch her trainer by surprise, but finds each blow rebounding off of Max's plate mail, or batted away with ease.
"Strike swift! Strike sure of yourself! That's the way to win a fight!" Max says as he lunges forward. "Gah... I'm starting to sound like Nova..."
Perhaps it is the momentary reflection on a departed mentor, but only half of Max's next four strikes land, the rest bouncing off Gail's armor.
"But...to be too sure...is to risk so much...," the maiden manages out, the blows soft enough to allow her to recoup her senses. She strikes out again, her strength visibly waning with each miss, though she manages to connect with another glancing body blow on the hero.
"True... But if you don't act decisively, then the battle is already lost," Max says, landing another two blows to Gail's sides before the maiden can manage to parry the next two strikes.
Gail barely shifts in time to keep herself standing, her legs shakily supporting her as her breath comes out in huffs. "I...didn't say...not to act." The paladin makes one last desperate attempt to damage the legendary savior, but once again, only lands a single blow, bashing Max's shoulder with an awkward chop.
Max staggers back a little before retaliating. "I didn't say that... I meant if you act, try to do so decisively. An unsure and wavering action can be worse than none at all sometimes."
Max lightly taps Gail twice on each side of the head with his sword.
Gail steps back at the rapping on her skull, giving Max an odd look before her body realizes that she is unconcious, causing her to fall unceremoniusly backwards on to the soft, giving soil of the clearing.
Max chuckles and takes Gail's hand, channeling healing energy into her. As she wakes, Max uses said hand to help her up.
((Gail learns Dark Slayer. Once per day, Gail may use a standard action to use her sword as a conduit for holy energies. These energies burst from the ground and travel as a column of white blue fire until they engulf the target. This attack has a range of 60', and deals 1d8 damage/level to a single foe. Gail's Charisma bonus is added to this damage. This attack does not require an attack roll, in most cases it will always hit.))
Gail clears her head of the fog that usually occupied unwilling unconciousness, taking Max's hand in hers as she is eased off the ground. After she brushes off the dust and dirt clinging to her cloak, she gives the same confused glance to her mentor, albeit lacking the shock and no longer on the verge of unconciousness. "How many times have you done that?"
Max blinks. "Done what?"
"Knocked people out by tapping them on the head with a sword." A smirk pulls at her lips. "It looked like something you had practiced."
Max grins. "Well, you learn a thing or two when you grow up in the rough and tumble walls of a church orphanage. In such a dangerous life, you must learn to defend yourself!"
Gail chuckles lightly, a warm smile taking the smirk's place. "I'm not sure who to feel more sorry for; the priest who had to take care of you, or the other children."
"The kids had Lowe to patch 'em up," Max says with a chuckle. "Poor Father Fenith required spells of calm emotion for himself at least twice a day."
"He must feel all that time was well worth it, now. He helped to raise a...genuinely good man," Gail replies, stoppoing herself from what she almost said, out of habit. She then places a finger to her lips, apparently in serious contemplation. "If a little strange..."
Max raises an eyebrow. "A little strange?"
"Oh, nothing to pay any mind to," the maiden said, smiling innocently. She then walks back to the village, waving good bye to the legend and leaving him to consider the meaning of his strangeness.

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:27 pm
Shining Felix: The Chaos Warrior Also known as low self-esteem meets crushing despair. Felix sat silently in a forgotten corner of the advanced city, staring at the crystal resting in his outstretched palm with a troubled frown. He lowers his head, his eyes filled with sorrow.

QUOTE
The halfling tore a strip from his cloak, swiftly using it to bond the wounds of the dying elf, his eyes filled with remorse and torment at the injury he had caused. It was too late for the others but this one could still be saved. He didn't need to die.
He didn't notice it at first, the growing malevolence in the air...not until the vile power manifested crushing the wounded elf with power beyond anything the halfling had known.
His hands had trembled, staring down at the body of the elf, he had failed. He had let a person die. He had killed a person.

Things had been different then. That was the first time.
Felix glanced up at the sun peeking from behind a cloud, his eyes softening.
He figured she was the closest thing he had ever seen to a goddess. Her hair was the color of sun shining through the leaves of the forest on a hot summer day. Her eyes like the color of a field of wheat ripe for harvesting on an early autumn morning. Out of all the others, the priestess, Lady Myala, was the one person Felix had thought the highest of. He didn't understand how her magic worked but he just knew somehow that it was a holy thing.
She had stopped his bleeding, closed his wounds...more times than he could rightly remember. A healer. An angel.
...and he had failed her.

QUOTE
A wave of shadows rushes over the priestess, seeming to consume her in darkness. She trembles as dark voices assault her mind, evil pressing down on her. Keeping a wary eye on the shadows that fled the light, Felix quickly dashes towards the priestess, crying out, "Granit! Help me get those things off her!!!" As he neared her, the beautiful magical sword he carried glimmering the light of his crystal, he calls out, "Priestess, hold on! We'll free you!"
The halfling skids to a stop at the side of Myala, striking at once, his blade singing through the air in an upward slash. The blade glows as it passes through the shadow and the fiend shudders in pain. Pulling back the blade, Felix thrusts it forward into the shadow fiercely, determined to help the priestess. As the halfling jerks the blade back the demon dissolves into ash with an unearthly moan. Felix leaps to the side, moving to block the shadows from reaching the barracks.
Warding the doorway with the light shining from his crystal long enough for reinforcements to gather there, the halfling darts forward and drives his blade powerfully into the final shadow hovering over Myala. Sliding it back, he twirls the blade around again and slices through the shadow which fades into ashes.
Felix lets out a relieved sigh and takes a step closer to the priestess, laying a hand on her shoulder and looking up at her with concerned eyes, "Priestess, are you alright?"
Myala slowly straitens her posture, but her head is still tilted down, her hair covering her face. A dark chuckle escapes the priestesses lips as her head slowly tilts upward, her hair falling away from her face to reveal paler skin and now burning red eyes. Rather than her gentle smile, a twisted smirk crosses her lips, and her hands remain tight around the shaft of her weapon. "I'm fine, halfling." She sneers, "However, I cannot say the same for you. Naur!" Her mace suddenly flares to life with dancing flames; it's power now invoked by her words. With a sudden burst of rage and anger, the once gentle priestess takes a brutal swing at Felix with her flaming mace.
Felix's eyes widen as the Priestess lifts her mace, "Wha..." The powerful blow catches the nimble halfling completely off guard, flames erupting from the mace as it strikes him. The force of the blow knocks the halfling back a few steps while the flames spread across his padded armor.
Felix recovers from the blow quickly enough, his eyes narrowing as he stares at the Priestess, his sword slashing down the center of his burning armor and allowing it to fall to the ground. "Demon." A light flares in the halfling's eyes, he suddenly steps towards the priestess once more, his eyes locked on her mace.
Myala lashes out at the halfling as he closes on her and lands another powerful blow on him. Taking the hit with a grunt, the magical sword of the halfling flashes through the air an instant later striking a skillful blow to the mace near where myala's hand grasps it. Striking at the perfect moment, the blow of the magical blade knocks the mace free from the possessed elf's hands. The mace flies through the air, skipping across the ground before coming to a stop some distance from the elf.
Felix slides away from the priestess, moving between her and the mace, "Watch out! Something's wrong with the Priestess!" Felix frowns, glancing at Granit quickly as if begging for assistance.
Granit turns and swings at Myala, but his clumsy blows are easily evaded by the nimble elf.
Felix gasps as Granit attacks, "Granit! She..." A conflicted look appears on halfling's face, "She can't... you don't need to..." His face is torn and Felix shakes his head, muttering to himself in frustration, "What can I do?"
A determined light appears in Felix's eyes and he looks up, pointing his blade out towards the shadows, "Attack!" His free hand reaches into the bag at his side and withdraws another short sword while his magical blade darts forward through the air under its own power.
Nimbly, the short sword dances through the air, slashing through one shadow and then twirling around and thrusting forward into another, both fading to ash.
Felix dashes to the side, tossing his extra short sword into his other hand. Reaching a shadow, he drives the blade into it but the blade passes through it to no affect.
Thaske turns from the dragonman and points at the nearest shadow, firing off a white-hot ray of magical energy to sear into the thing's very essence, "We need to take out these shadows before they possess more of us! Granit, try to restrain Myala if you can.. just don't hurt her!" He looks around frantically, knowing the situation could turn increadibly ugly any minute. He knew Granit could probably pin Myala with ease, but the thing between Jath and Ivellas would be a much closer battle.
Felix breaths a sigh of relief, glancing thoughtfully at his crystal for a moment, his magical blade returning to his side lightly after it slays the shadows before darting after the final shadow.With two skillful strokes, the blade shatters the ice encased shadow sending frozen chucks scattering around Daran. A moment later, the shadows within the ice fade into ash and the blade returns to float at the ready by Felix.
Granit grapples with Myala and puts her into a hold, easily restraining her with his great strength.
Felix slides the short sword back into his bag, taking the floating blade with his free hand. He looks at Myala conflicted, then walks over to the struggling elf and holds his crystal towards her.
Myala's struggles increase as the demon within her begins to panic. The crystal glows brightly and feels warm in Felix's hand.
Felix's frown deepens, then the halfling slips the crystal off his neck and holds it close to Myala, almost touching her.
Myala begins hissing like an animal and the illumination of the crystal increases.
Granit begins to struggle, even his great strength having trouble restraining the demonic elf.
Felix pauses, a pained look on his face and begins to withdraw the crystal, then his eyes harden and the halfling pushes the crystal forward until it touches Myala.
As soon as the crystal touches Myala, she lets out a deafening shriek and a
cloud of darkness begins to billow from her mouth, dissolving into ash as it hits the air. Myala slumps in Granit's grip, free of the demon, but terribly weakened.
Felix stumbles back as Myala screams, his eyes filled with guilt and agony.
Then, as her cry fades, he collapses to his knees staring at the ground, the
crystal still held in one hand pulsating dully. Tears run down the halfling's face,
"I... I'm sorry... I... didn't want... to hurt anyone..."
Myala remains limp in Granit's arms, terribly weak from being exorcized of the demon. She slowly tilts her head up, her hair falling away from her face to show her now amber eyes. Seeing Felix's tears, a look of sadness crosses her features. It is a blur at first, but she eventually begins to remember what she had done while possessed. Tears well up in her eyes as well as she speaks to him, her voice broken and weak, "You...did...the right...thing...Felix... I thank...you...for banishing...the demon...before...I hurt...anyone else..."
Felix doesn't look at Myala and slowly stands, his head downcast, "I... I'm
sorry..." Turning away, the halfling walks towards the barracks silently.

That was when it had started. That had to be where it started. If those shadows had never touched the priestess... Nothing would have turned out the same.
Felix runs a hand through his hair, torment in his eyes for a moment, then sighs heavily. His shield and armor were ruined. It wasn't long after that he got the armor he had now...and just in time, because then all of them became royal guards. He had been so happy...so proud... He trembles, shaking his head sadly. Solomon had been there with him that day. In the library...

QUOTE
Felix stands quietly in castle library, his small form barely noticable among the furniture and stacks of books. His bright eyes follow Anri quietly and while his actions show the proper reservation, his eyes show concern for the weary queen.
Solomon stands perfectly still and silent within Anri's personal chambers, where his unlimited attention span will never wander and give assasins a chance to lay a trap for the weary queen.
Felix watches the queen finally dose off and stands in place for a few minutes before silently slipping from the room. Stepping down the hall, he slips into a closet and reappears with a large soft blanket. Moving back into the room, he quietly and carefully, lays it atop Anri, pausing for a moment as she mutters something in her sleep.
Once the Queen is covered with the blanket, Felix returns to the side of the room and stands silently, his bright eyes scanning the room with both worry and compassion.
The android stood silent guard over the queen's chambers, cold and grim as the years themselves.
Felix's ears perk up and he rests a hand on the hilt of his sword before moving softly towards Anri. The halfling rests a hand on Anri's shoulder and a voice speaks, "Your majesty...."
Anri stirs slightly.
Felix shakes her shoulder slightly and speaks, his voice carrying more urgency, "Your majesty..."
Anri groggily awakens. "Wha... What? Did I fall asleep?"
Felix removes his hand, glancing at the door, "Your majesty, fighting is taking
place outside..."
"Fighting? What?" Anri says, standing up shakily. "Where?"
Felix looks at the queen quietly for a long moment, then his eyes harden, "Your majesty, please hide yourself in the room while I guard the entrance."
"Nonsense, where's the fighting? I won't let my soldiers go into battle while I
cower in a library..." Anri says, looking around.
Felix pauses for a brief second, then he moves to block Queen's way to door, "I can't let you do that."
"What? Why not?" Anri asks, moving forward.
The halfling swallows, continuing to stand in her way, "Yo... you would get in
the way. You can barely stand! How can you fight? Trust your soldiers. Don't put their lives in danger because of your pride!" Felix's voice although firm begins timid and grows blunt as he speaks, "I won't let you hurt them or yourself, your highness."
Anger flashes across Anri's face for a moment, then it fades and she heaves a tired sigh. "The truth... is not always pleasant to hear... Very well..."
Felix says nothing and instead slips away from the queen while drawing his
blade.
"Go with the Light then, aid my soldiers where I cannot," Anri says quietly.
Felix blinks and shakes his head, locking the door and slipping behind a stack of books on a chair. He bends into the shadow, his small form obscured in the shadows of the books, watching the door quietly, his eyes glimmering.
Solomon listens to the exchange between the queen and the halfling, then trudges to a position behind the door.
After long moments of silence, sounds of battle coming from outside, the vague form of a shadow demon slips through the unopened door.
Solomon does not hesitate to open fire with his laser, flooding the doorway and the hallway beyond with deadly light. At the same time, Solomon's voice, tremendously magnified, booms throughout the castle: "QUEEN ANRI IS UNDER ATTACK IN THE LIBRARY"
Felix blinks at the sudden appearance of the shadow demon but makes no sound or no other movement, until he starts at the explosion of light tearing through the door and into the hallway. Then, as Solomon blares out his
warning, the halfling stumbles back covering his ears with a cry of pain, "Ahhhh!!!" Recovering swiftly, the halfling slashes dully at the shadow as it darts past and misses widely.
The door is blown off its hingers by the blast of light, three of the shadows caught in its power.
Solomon immediately opens fire with his laser a second time, trying to damage as many shadows as possible. After unleashing the blast, he steps between the shadows and the Queen, ready to defend her by any means necessary.
The next blast wipes away the remaining shadows in the room. For a
moment all is eerily quiet as no more assailants make themselves known.
Solomon remains where he is, a sentinel between the doorway and the queen.
Unseen by the halfling, seven more of the shadows slip into the floor from all sides, circling towards the queen like wolves.
Solomon edges closer to the queen. "Queen Anri, Felix," he says calmly, "I detect no fewer than 7 shadow creatures moving throughout this room, and my energy weapon has failed. I am unable to injure them. I can, however, mark them for you to attack, or I can take the queen and flee this area. Which would you prefer?"
The halfling's eyes narrow and his grip on his sword tightens, "Please...take her majesty to safety..."
The android nods, and quickly shoots out his arms to grab Queen Anri from where she sits. Pulling her back to himself, he turns and sprints as fast as he safely can out the door and down the hall.
Felix's amulet begins to glow warmly as he spots all 7 remaining shadows outlined in clear bluish white.
"I... can't let... No..." Anri says as she squirms in Solomon's grasp to fling one last ice spell that shatters one of the shadow demons before she falls unconscious.
Felix slashes at a demon, each time his crystal flaring brightly, the
blows managing to fell the beast and it crumbles to dust.
The Shadow Demons surge forth as one, ignoring Felix and giving him a wide berth as they rush to the now unconscious queen like sharks maddened by frenzy.
Felix moves after the queen and android, slashing at another shadow skillfully, "Get her out of here!!!"
Solomon tears away at maximum speed, abandoning safety for speed, and relying on maps he had built and analysis of footing he had made during his extended tour of the castle earlier to allow him to take risks no ordinary man would dare take as he strove to reach the courtyard before the shadows reached him.
As he begins to be left behind, the android picking up speed and his short legs failing him, Felix releases his blade, "Dance..." As the blade floats in the air beside him, he quickly pulls forth his shortbow and fits an arrow onto it, coming to a stop, his eyes narrowing. A second before the shadows, the queen, and Solomon vanish around a corner he releases an arrow which sings through the air before sparkling and bursting into brilliant flame.
By the time Felix had caught up, the shadows had been vanquished.

"Solomon..." Felix whispers sadly, looking up at the strange city with a sigh. Even though he was an Ancient creation, for some reason the halfling had always felt comfortable with Solomon. He was great and powerful...there was no arguing that, more than even a lord, but something about Solomon never made the halfling feel awkward being around him. But, now he was gone too.
...and we failed.

QUOTE
The heroes enter the luxurious bedroom to see a shocking sight. Anri, clad in her mage robes, is on her knees, face scrunched up as a glowing white barrier surrounds her. The barrier is surrounded by black lightning that crackles around it and flares erratically as the barrier shrinks inexorably smaller.
Surrounding Anri in a triangle formation are three imposing figures that practically ooze evil. The malice in the air is almost oppressive, stirring hate, terror, and desperation all at once. Two of the figures are covered in robes save for their heads, one of which wears a helmet with six bright red eyeslits on it like a spider's, the other's "head" is a dark mass suspended amidst a green gout of flame. The third figure is clad in terrible, black armor with a helmet obscuring his visage... He is Erebeus. And the ones that stand with him can only be the other two Strife Lords, Shailtor and Xadoss.
"Make... Make it stop... Please..." Anri whimpers, tears streaming
from her eyes as she writhes from an unseen assault.
"Ah, but my dear I cannot stop it. Only you can..." the spidery eyed
one says in a sibilant whisper.
"Accept it... Accept the truth!" the fiery one says in a thundering
voice that seems to conjure images of fire and destruction.
"No... It's not... True..." Anri says, her voice barely a whisper as
the lightning crackles suddenly and the barrier around her shrinks until it nearly touches her. Daran attempts to rush in, but is repelled by a wall of invisible force that springs up between the group and the room.
"You cannot deny how harsh the world is... How it has torn everything away from you that you hold dear... Your father, your love and now your kingdom threatens to slip from your grasp for the second time..." Erebeus says, his voice a dark thunder.
"I can feel the desires in you... You never acted upon them when you had the chance, now you torture yourself with what could've been. Even now your
thoughts occasionally wander to him..."
"He lies there in the Castle, beneath the waves... Waiting..."
"We can bring him back to you... With your help..." the spidery eyed one suggests, slyly. "Ah, but I feel... Even now you won't abandon your kingdom..."
"You feel the power of the Link... of the Fragment... We can teach you how to use it... Your kingdom need never fear anything again. Even the Dragon would not be able to stand against you..." the fiery one intones as the barrier fails, shattering under the black energy directed against it. Anri screams, holding both sides of her head as both barrier and lightning vanish.
"You scream... But no one will help you... No one cares about you... You're alone. The only one that can help you is you."
"What could be evil about wanting to help your kingdom? Help your people? Help... Max?" the spidery eyed one asks, in mock innocence.
"I... I mustn't..." Anri mutters shakily as she tries to stand, but falls
again.
"The Link! Give it to us. Your service! Give it to us! Do this and Guardiana will never fear invasion again. Do this, reject the cold lonely crown that fate
handed you in favor of one you will forge yourself. It will be a new era! You can see it, can't you... Yes... Believe us..."
"I... I..." Anri gasps, eyes tightly shut as she holds her head.
"You delude yourself to even think that justice exists now... You've tried to do so much for so many... But when has anyone cared about YOU? When have YOU mattered?" the spidery eyed one whispers. Seemingly almost against her will, Anri reaches into a pocket and withdraws the black link of chain you recovered from the Manarinian Ruins.
"That's right... Surrender. You cannot win as you are now. But if you ally with us, only triumph will result..."
"I... I... Y... Yes..." Anri mutters as black energy swirls around her
and she vanishes in a whirlwind of darkness.
"That was harder than I expected... Ah! What have we here?" the
spidery eyed one asks as the wall of force vanishes and the three turn to face you.
"FIENDS!" the dragonman bellowed, his eyes wide with rage. "Return the Queen now! How dare you assault her with your dark magic and villainous
offers? How dare you corrupt Lady Sera, advisor to Lady Anri? She is not like you; she is no wretched coward, no weak evildoer! She is far superior to the likes of you! Had I any mercy left in my heart for you I would surely clear a path between Guardiana and the sea, that you might dipose of yourselves; but no... such an end is not enough! Even as I tear you limb from limb, it shall be too good for you! To corrupt the living, and steal eternal slumber from the dead... pray to whatever fell gods you serve that Ivellas and the others slay you before I do!"
Prestle remains frozen, feeling the effects of the spell leaving him. Clenching his fist, Prestle manages to mutter a few words, regaining his composure, "You monsters! You're filling a load of lies into her ears! Your manipulation won't affect EVERYBODY! " Prestle stamps his right front hoof onto the ground, angrily, "The Light shall overcome darkness! Return the Queen now, or prepare for vengeance!"
Felix staggers as the queen vanishes, his eyes wavering as tears form in them, "This... this can't be... I... I..." The halfling pauses for another moment, then blinks and his eyes grow hard and cold, "No more." Darting forward, around his comrades, the halfling leaps at the spidery eyed demon, his bright blade singing through the air.
The sound of talking within the other room gives Myala the will to move again and the young priestess stands up. She makes her way towards the room with her other friends, her morningstar nearly slipping from her shaking hands. At the sight of the three figures her eyes widen in fear. She knows now that the evil she had sensed was coming from them, and that it would be impossible to defeat them, "There is no chance we could defeat them, if they could control Sera so easily and even manipulate Anri. It would be foolish in the extreme to blindly rush into battle when all that would result is our deaths."
With a loud, bellowing roar, Ivellas raised his arms to the air and beat his lance to the side, hitting the edge of the door with a thunderous clang, "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGHHHHHH!!! YOU FOUL CRETINS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? You would dare summon devils to this world and turn around and claim you work to better the world!? How dare you!?" Every bit of Ivellas' mind, body, and soul was telling him to rush forward and drive his lance squarely into Erebeus' chest and puncture one of the blackest heart of hearts this world has ever known. His right hoof continually stamped and tore back on the ground quite a few times, the blades on them tearing through the carpet, creating further tension in the air with each stroke.
"Such a passionate reply, young centaur... I wonder if your father would have said the same in your shoes. I'll have to remember to ask him the next time I see him..." Erebeus says.
"Such bright spirits... I wonder how dark I can make them..." the spiderey eyed one whispers.
"Leave them to me, Shailtor. You've had your fun this night," the fiery one speaks.
"So crude, Xadoss. Always with the destruction. Why destroy when you can mold and twist?" Shailtor says, in a playful manner. "After all, if you can..." Shailtor is cut off as Felix stabs at him, tearing a hole in his robes from which a black mist seeps. As he does so, his amulet flares brightly, causing all three Strife Lords to take notice of the halfling.
"Gah! You... You dare... What's that? That crystal... Oh, but this is delightful! Shall we therefore kill two birds in one swoop this night? Delicious!" Shailtor
says with delight.
"Xadoss, you told me you had this item destroyed long ago..." Erebeus says in a threatening rumble.
"I killed the ones that carried it, isn't that enough?" Xadoss asks, seemingly annoyed.
"We shall speak of this later. For now, let us dispose of the interlopers," Erebeus thunders.
"Heh heh heh... Do try and remember the crystal this time, eh brother?"
"Silence," Xadoss says.
Erebeus gestures at Ivellas, who feels a cold, spectral hand clamp on him before negative energy ravages his body.
Xadoss lunges at Felix, his robe flying open to reveal a body akin to a golem's, made of flaming rock and metal, with two huge fists that come ablaze with sickly green fire.
Shailtor laughs madly and seems to leer at Myala, who suddenly finds herself in front of her dead parents, their broken bodies horribly maimed and burnt. Wordlessly, they reach for her.
Nortiln rushes in without a second thought towards Xadoss, letting his blade do the talking for him!
Garudaos had no words left; in their place remained only a burning hatred which both scared and disgusted the dragonman. Their presence and actions appaled him to the core; more than that, the feeling itself felt unnatural and unbelonging. Desiring nothing more than to rid himself of the cause of his distress, the fighter eagerly sprang upon the already damaged Shailtor, greatsword extended like an electric beast hunting for prey.
Solomon calmly watches the scene as he reaches behind his back, and grabs his arm. The fighting begins as the android clicks the limb into place, the hand shooting in and out quickly as he gauges its combat worthiness.
Solomon suddenly runs forward, both hands shooting out at Shailtor with lethal force. Do you enjoy mind games, Shailtor?" the android asks tonelessly as it attacks. "Try matching my mind, then."
Myala's eyes go wide as she finds herself before her horribly maimed parents. Tears begin to stream down the young elf's face as she staggers back away from the others and sinks down to her knees. She seems trapped within the illusion, helpless against this mental assault. As she begins to cry, her gaze turns upward to see them reaching out for her, "Mother...father...what is it? *Sniffle* "What is it you want?"
Feeling the strength drain out of him, Ivellas knows he would have to regroup before he could do anything. However, this would only be a minor setback. Erebeus would feel the point of his lance soon enough. Seeing Myala struggle as she was, Ivellas wished there was something he could do, but she could make it through the demons...she was strong of heart and will. Continuing back to Rue, Ivellas asked for his aid and put down another of his potions.
"MYALA!" Not knowing what to do about the situation with this girl who had become so close to him, Kyuu lashes out at the most visible target he can with his magic - the flaming monstrosity, Xadoss. A chill wind sweeps around his general vicinity, ice chunks forming around him. After he cast Freeze on Xadoss, he wasn't sure how good of an idea it was, but he had to try.
Nortlin's attack rebounds off Xadoss seemingly without doing any harm, but
Garoudaos' attack slices into Shailtor, who hisses in pain as black mist seeps from the cut. Kyuu's magical ice melts to water, then evaporates as it touches the searing hot flames emanating from Xadoss.
"We... Want you to... Join us..." Myala's parents say as they lunge for her, clawing at her face. Myala feels a deep jolt of fear and hysterical sorrow pass through her, but her experiences and training allow her to hang onto both consciousness and her sense of self.
Solomon's right hand succeeds in striking Shailtor, but fails to have any noticeable effect whatsoever on the living fiend. Solomon's left, on the other hand, suffers a severe malfunction, overextending and breaking its shoulder actuators, leaving it flopping uselessly at one side.
Shailtor chuckles lightly as Solomon's attacks fail, "As you wish." Shailtor leaps at Solomon, grabbing his arm with one hand and holding him fast with the other, "Of course it takes a bit more effort to corrupt an artificial mind, but it can be done. Simply a matter of finding your proccessor core and... tinkering with it... Heh heh heh heh..." Shailtor notes clinically as he searches for something on Solomon's torso, then deftly opens a panel, exposing an input jack. "Let's see how long your countermeasures hold up, hmmm?" Shailtor says as the tip of his finger melts to become a strand of dark shadow that swiftly attaches itself to the robot's input jack.
Xadoss suddenly backhands Felix across the face. The impact send the halfling flying, and everything goes black.

Then...what was it that woke him up? Felix couldn't remember.

QUOTE
Bruised flesh and broken bones ached as the halfling's eyes flickered open, his eyes flickered with pain as he looked towards the fiery figure which had knocked him across the room as if he were nothing. His glimmering blade lay on the ground a short distance away, dropped after the hands that wielded it lost their will. Slowly sitting up, his face flushing red with pain, Felix's bright eyes examine the scene before him. Hopeless... It's hopeless... I... I failed.... They want the crystal, to destroy it. The halfling struggles to his feet. If I ran... If someone took the crystal from here...but no... They have too much power. No one could get away. His eyes narrow as he draws his bow. I can't just give up... Not yet...
Felix swiftly draws a white arrow from his quiver, fitting it to his bow. I could... A thought races across the halfling's face then he shakes his head. What if it
failed...but I can't just give up... As Felix lines the arrow's point up with Shailtor he pauses. He was just a simple woodsman, he knew little of religion and even the priestess seemed helpless. Why would the light help him? A determined looks crosses his pained face. If things went on like this... Everyone would die. But...it could... He would try again, one more time and if it failed he would take the risk. He would risk everything. What other choice was there? Light surrounds the arrow and Felix whispers quietly, "Guide my bow." Then he releases the arrow and it sings through the air towards Shailtor.
Myala rises back to her feet again and gasps in utter disbelief at their words. She seems unable to budge even as they lunge towards her and claw at her pretty face. The young elf cries softly and staggers back away from them, her amber eyes wide with horror. She holds her head in her hands and closes her eyes tightly. Somewhere deep down she knows this isn't real, but the effects this illusion has had on her already fragile mind keep her from breaking out of it. As Ivellas sprinkles the fine powder onto her head, her eyes slowly flutter open and the illusion fades. She rests her hand on her forehead and turns to Ivellas, her gaze locking with his. Though the illusion has been broken, Ivellas can see it in her eyes; that the experience has taken its toll on her mind. Despite this, she retains consciousness and still seems to know who she is and who he is. She stares at him for a long while before moving to speak. Her voice is soft and strained, but he can understand her. "Ivellas, thank you." Myala can see not physical wounds, but she can feel that is life force has been drained. She lays her small hand upon his shoulder and recites a short incantation, the power of the Gods flowing through his body. His lost life force begins to come back to him, and though he is not fully healed, he can feel his strength coming back to him.
Garoudaos' attack once more misses by a hair, then Felix's arrow strikes the fiend in his chest. The arrow flares pure white as it flies through the air, disintegrating as it dissolves into white electricity that dances over Shailtor's form. The villain shrieks in pain at this unexpected assault.
"Enough games. You've made a critical error in engaging us. I would say that you would not live to regret it, save that you will. You will live as our slaves. But you won't even know it..." Erebeus thunders as he makes a gesture and no less than twenty Shadow Demons emerge from the shadows. "Take a look at your new homes, shadows. Now take..."
"HALT!" shouts a familar male voice. Three shurikens fly through the air to shred a Shadow Demon nearby Felix. A dark figure falls from the ceiling to land in between the group and the Strife Lords, angular sword in hand and familar black and blue outfit masking his face, "I may have failed to save the others, but this at least I will do! Fly you fools! There's nothing you can do here! You've got to get word to Otrant! Warn Manarina!" Hanzou shouts as he flings a short piece of paper into the air that bursts into flames. As soon as he does so, the air around him grows hazy.
"You again... Your stealth will not save you this time, ninja..." Erebeus threatens, direly.
"What are you waiting for? Run! Get clear of the castle, they've infested this place without Anri or Sera's wards up to guard it!" Hanzou yells.
"Yes, run away! After all, that's exactly what a brave knight would
do, hmmm?" Shailtor mocks, with glee.

They had run. It seemed like the right thing at the time. But...they left that man there. Felix frowned at the memory of the shadow figure, standing alone, against the three Strife Lords and so many demons. He had thought it was the right thing to do... Keep the crystal safe. That was his reason.

QUOTE
Felix pauses for a moment with the others, his face in a deep frown. These people need help but... but... His frown deepens. The crystal is what they want. I can't let them destroy it and they'll follow it where ever it goes. Just staying here will make everything worse... The Halfling begins moving swiftly from the city, towards the countryside beyond and Alterone. It would be better for others to be away from him and the Crystal.
With his answers in tow, Ivellas was made to realize that those who were going to escape had already done so, so they should begin moving. He can't stress enough the urgency that they need to evacuate from the city, since they only have a limited amount of time before someone comes after them again. Strangely, though, Felix had already begun heading away from the rest of them, and he didn't want the halfling to get away to such a point where those who seek what he has would find him easy prey.
Telling everyone to get ready to begin, and making sure Marcus felt at home with them, Ivellas chased after Felix, "Where are you going, Felix? We're just beginning to leave, and we'll be moving immediately. I don't think you should get too far ahead of everyone else, since it'd be a major loss to lose track of you... is something bothering you?" It is obvious to Ivellas that a look of dejectedness has settled upon Felix's normally neutral and introverted demeanor.
Felix pauses as the knight approaches, glancing back at Ivellas. The bright eyes
of the halfling ache with a dull pain but a bright determined light shines in them.
"I... I have to get the crystal out of here..." Felix winces slightly and turns away,
back towards the exit to the city, "Do you really think that the shadowy man can
stop the three of them? There's no time." He begins walking again, pulling the
hood of his cloak over his head stiffly.
"While you make a good point, Felix, I can't let you go off alone. You, and your crystal, will be safer with the rest of us. As I said, we're moving now. By going off on your own you'll be putting yourself and it at great risk."
Felix pauses and glances back at the group, "Looks like everyone is standing around staring at the city, not moving..."
Ivellas quirks an eyebrow at the halfling's last statement, "Group! Let's move! NOW!!!" Ivellas says with a grin, "Are you so sure about that?"

The halfling shudders, remembering what came next and trying to drive it from his mind, "Jerrik... Gort..."
[TO BE CONTINUED...because the forum is a jerk who doesn't like 29 page long posts]

Posted by: GOD*JESUS Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:35 pm
*sniff sniff* A pleasent and familliar scent tickled Gorrik's nose. There was a touch of lemon that he could smell... scones. The Dwarf's eyes opened slowly as he found himself laying in a bed, Taklinn's armour was set off to the side with Gorrik's axe. All of that was good, but his attentin was focused on the small plate of scones sitting nearby. The Dwarf chowed down on the warm baked goods. He must find Zook and thank him for the marvelous gift.
When his bed-side snack was finished Gorrik started gathering his equipment, but couldn't help but noticing his shield was missing. This was rather troublesome, as he knew he had it from his last memory before waking up. Gorrik would have to inquire about it once he found his allies again.
He forcfully cracked his neck, and brushed the scone crumbs from his thick beard before exiting the room on his way o thank zook, and investigate the disapearance of his shield.

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:19 am
[PART 2!!!] Things just got worse and worse...until they had to fight the queen. The royal guard. Felix shakes his head sadly.

QUOTE
Felix's feet touch the ground softly as the Cornugon's now limp body falls to the ground. Grimly, he glances at the Death Knights protecting the now evil queen. A frown spreads across his face and he takes a deep breath, speaking softly, "I have to save her..." He takes a step towards her, then pauses and instead glances back, speaking in a louder voice, "I'm going to save the queen. I'll need my full strength, please heal my wounds." This said, the halfling begins moving towards the fallen queen and her foul guards.
Myala winces as the spores burn her soft and pale skin, but attempts tomask the pain as she speaks, "These wounds...are nothing... Felix, I will do the best that I can." The young priestess moves towards her hallfling comrade and lays her hands upon his wounds, chanting in celestial. A white light spreads from her fingertips and over his body, sealing his horrid wounds and healing the burns.
His eyes sparkle with a determined light as he runs forward, dashing towards the woman he had once sworn to protect. The bright blade in Felix's hand sings through the air, striking at the staff Anri bears. A hint of sorrow lays deep in the halfling's eyes but the pure determination in them overcomes it. There are no words that can reach you, my queen. But I won't be giving up hope... I won't let you die like the others.
Seeing the halfing valiantly rush at the queen, Marcus knocks another arrow, a frown creasing his forehead. 'Fool. Three against one, not odds I'd charge into. Someone has to help him....." He lets an arrow fly at a death knight as he hears Ivellas makes the call for aide for the halfling. He responds by sending yet another arrow the knight's way. 'That's as much aide as I can send, little one....'
Solomon's eyes shift once more to a blazing white, as he charges directly north. Suddenly, just when the two foes facing the halfling are lined up, his arm whips out and he fires his laser directly at the pair.
Felix succeeds in knocking Anri's staff out of her hands, sending it plummeting to the churning waves below. A massive thunderstorm has now built up over the ocean, lightning striking the sea in several places. Anri turns and whirls to face Felix, fury in her once gentle eyes. "How... How DARE you! Traitor! You... You're just like the others! Abandoning him, casting him aside like a used potion vial after his usefulness was done with!" Anri shouts with rage. "I'm not going to let anything stop me! I'm going to save him! I'll raise him... Make him alive again... You can't stop me!" With that, Anri shouts a word of power and gestures at Felix, who finds chunks of ice rooting his feet to the ground as Anri moves a few feet away.
Felix attempts to leap to the side but finds his feet frozen in place. For a
moment, he almost falls, twisting himself painfully but manages to catch
himself. His eyes follow Anri, filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. After a moment, Felix speaks, his voice almost breaking, "They've taken you..." Then his eyes harden. Spinning around his blade, Felix begins chipping away at the ice encasing his feet.
Solomon ignores the warnings his internal systems scream at him, and with the steely resolve of a construct, levels his cannon for a second shot. The blast burns away one of the death knights as it hits, while the other is finished off by his leader's lancework.
Anri's chanting reaches a crescendo as a look of apprehensive hope fills her face.
Felix is chipping away at the ice, but does not have enough chipped off to break free yet.
A slightly shrill, mocking laughter echoes around you as a chill runs down your spine.
The young cleric grits her teeth and clenches her fists, "Not him..."
Felix glances around at the sound of the strangely familar laughing, his eyes
puzzled. Then he shakes his head and looks at Anri for a moment, before
releasing his sword which floats in the air beside him and swiftly drawing his
bow and fitting a red arrow to it. For a moment, the arrow point is directed at the Queen, but then Felix lowers it and points it downward at the ice encasing his feet.

Another person had stayed behind for them. This time the seer from Manarina. They had left the queen and fled. They had failed her...not for the last time.

QUOTE
Felix stops. The halfling stands where he appeared, one hand holding his crystal tightly the other loosely gripping his bow. As the others exclaim and speak, he stares into the distance blankly. Eventually the blade floating at the halfling's side shudders and falls to the ground.
Finally after several moments, as the others begin to wander towards the city, the Halfling slowly lowers his hands dropping his bow to the ground. Staring at the sand at his feet, he then collapses to his knees, pressing his hands into the sand. Tears fall from his face to the thirsty soil.
Solomon stands nearby, watching the group impassively, but not moving to follow them.
As they are started to move towards the city, Marcus could help but notice the small lack of one... Turning back, he seeing Felix, kneeling on the ground. Filled with sympathy, he slowly approached the halfling and knelt by him. Gently, he spoke. "While I'm sure the desert appreciates the watering, tears do little good out here. Come, let us go to the city, we can drown out miseries there as well as out here. I'll even buy you a drink." He rises, offering a hand to the halfling....
Felix stares at the sand for a long moment before looking up at the woodsman slowly. His pained eyes stare into Marcus' for a long moment, then he softly smiles, "Thank you...but...there is no escape..." The smile fades as the halfling slowly stands and begins gathering his equipment, "I failed her...I broke a promise...we all did..." He looks up at the moon dully, "The...queen has been lost..."
"I watched the fall of civilization from its peak." the android speaks up for the first time. "I saw heaven on earth, a land where man was freed from daily constraints by his tools, tools who served willingly and with purpose. I remember my original purpose... And man, though his history was filled with strife and warfare, had moved to a point where they understood how to find the wisdom of the past, and lived in peace. Where there was discontent, there were ways to discuss it peacefully, and places set aside for those who wished to leave civilization and strike out on their own. And I saw it fall."
"I saw the darkness rise. I saw seven cities burn- Cities such as you could never imagine, millions dying by flame and sword. Other servents and I were reprogrammed, willingly abandoning our peaceful purpose and being reforged into tools of war, to save those we could. We fought alongside our makers, and died even as they did. And when all seemed lost, we triumphed. And though I soon fell, lost with my city as the demons tried desperately to turn the tide of their fate, I knew as they did that the war was won. Though I died, the children of my makers would live free of the fear of the darkness."
"In our darkest hour, my captain spoke to the living people there. I have lost the text of his speech to my faulty memory, which pains me more than you can know. But I remember the essence of what he said."
The android turns his unblinking stare to the two standing before him, and continues. "The darkness is just that... shadow. It lives on illusion and fear, looming over us, seeming darker, larger, more deadly that any could believe. But in reality, they are always fewer, their power, though fearsome, is spread too far. Their only hope lies in shattering our spirits. If we allow their gloom over our souls, if we believe the lies they whisper to us, if we flee the illusion of power, never seeing through the veil to the weakness beyond, they will triumph. In dark days such as these, faith and courage are your strongest weapons. Hold on to them against the defeats you will surely face, and know that the dawn is coming."
The android watches for a moment more, then turns and strides into the town.
Felix stares after the android quietly, then looks up into the sky taking a deep breath. Finally, he turns and walks slowly towards the town, his steps slow and weary.

Solomon and Marcus had been there then. They had been there for him. Where were they now? Had they needed him and had he failed them like he had failed the priestess?
The priestess... He had failed her. She had been taken by the shadows and it had changed her...forever. The halfling wipes away a tear, his eyes alight with a bitter memory.

QUOTE
"We'll not you invade our fair city!" the leader counters. "You think we'll just let you pass? This is your last chance, surrender! Now!" Felix stares at the leader, his eyes drifting to the newly formed crystal tower and back again, then he speaks in an angry tone, "You're the traitors!!! You've betrayed the light!" Then he swallows, "But...its not your fault...your minds are no longer your own..." He glances at the others, "Please spare as many as you can!!! I don't want to kill our countrymen just because some demon is controlling them."
Myala sighs heavily as she looks upon the leader, sorrow evident in her eyes.
She slings her bow back over her shoulder and slowly draws her mace from its hiding place, "You are the traitors, not us. Queen Anri has lost her senses, as have all of you. It is truly a pity that things have turned out this way. Felix, I understand how you feel, but if killing them is the only way to liberate them from the darkness-" The priestess' eyes narrow, and her expression now shows her grim resolve. She lifts her arm and holds the mace close to her heart, gripping it tightly in her hand, "-so be it."
The halfling looks at Myala with shock, "What... How...could you say that of anyone?! You know what its like to have your will taken!!!" Felix then has no choice but to note the approaching guard and raising his shield prepares himself for their onset.
"Don't lecture me, Felix! Why don't you try to remember what is at stake here? The only way they will be free is by killing those responsible, but we can't do that if we die here! Believe me Felix, killing them is the last thing I want to do...but... We might not have a choice! Don't you understand that?!" Myala bites her lip hard, drawing a few faint drops of blood. The priestess is clearly having an inner conflict about this, but her logic begins to take over. Rather than attacking, however, she assumes a defensive stance, bringing up her shield and weapon in front of her body.
Everyone is set upon as the soldiers close to melee and begin fighting. However, most of the group is able to evade the attacks, albeit with some difficultly. The swords and axe merely clang off of Daran's Steam Armor.
"Naur." Myala holds her ground against her foe and strikes with two blows in quick succession.
Felix avoids the thrust, a deep frown on his face as he does so. Slipping to the side, he looks at the face of the soldier who just attacked him, desperately exclaiming, "I will not kill the people I'm trying to protect so they won't die!!!" With that simple bit of halfling logic, Felix drops his sword and leaps at the soldier. As he gets a secure hold on the soldier, he presses his crystal against the man's flesh.
The soldier struggles greatly but cannot break the grapple as Felix touches his crystal to his flesh... and nothing happens.
Garoudaos gravely wounds another of the soldiers as Daran backhands one that nears him with a blow from his mechanized arms. The soldier reels back with a broken jaw. Myala damages another soldier as they press the counterattack.
The soldier breaks free of Felix breaks his grapple as Garoudaos and Myala suffer wounds from a multitude of hits.
"Keep them at bay! The Queen's ceremony must not be interrupted! Remember, men! A golden age if we can but fight long enough to allow the Queen to work her new magic!"
Myala winces slightly from the pain caused by the blows, but compared to wounds she has suffered before, these are nothing. Her amber eyes widen at the sight of Felix grappling one of the enemy soldiers, and they widen further when the crystal has no effect! "They...are not possessed..." With that knowledge comes a sad light in her eyes, but despite this she does not relent. Again, she strikes back at the soldier in front of her.

First with the shadows and then again here, Felix had failed the priestess. So much...too much... Losing the queen, running while others stood and fought, so much killing, fighting his own people... Then the priestess was falling...and instead of helping her when she needed it, Felix had been rude and unkind. He had seen only his own pain. He knew that the priestess would never forgive him. He would never forgive himself. It was then that Felix had saw how much he had failed, the priestess wasn't the person she had been...she would never be that person again.

QUOTE
A sigh of relief passes Myala's lips as she puts her weapon back where it had been a few minutes ago. She brushes stray locks of her green hair away from her eyes, and kneels down beside the soldier she had nearly killed. Her gaze remains on him for a moment, before it turns to the royal guard and Ivellas, "He'll be all right, with some rest." Sigh. "About the queen... Some
of us believe something is wrong with her, though we cannot be sure what."
Felix stares at Myala in shock, gasping out in a broken voice near hysterics, "Wha... what?! Not sure? She's been brainwashed by demons!!! WE WERE STANDING THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED!!!"
Myala turns to Felix, her tear filled amber eyes narrowing at the halfling, disdainfully, "There is truth to your words, but I would appreciate it if you remained civil while speaking to me. Your outburst just now was totally uncalled for."
She sighs heavily and stands up, dusting off her robes, "Queen Anri was manipulated, but her desire to see Max again made it easier. I just pray we're not too late to help her."
In a stroke of amazing luck, almost as if some otherwordly force was impatient for the group to move on, the commander believes in the group's good intentions, "What you say is troubling, but from the looks in your eyes, you believe it to be true at least... If you have no intention of harming the queen, then move on ahead. We won't stop you, but neither will we lend you aid. Leave now, before I change my mind."
Felix pauses for a moment and for the first time since any of you have known him he glares at a comrade, "I'm a simple woodsman but I know what a priestess should be concerned with and what one shouldn't be. You've always been more concerned with killing than saving lives. I'm going to save the queen without killing my countrymen, you can do what you want." He starts forward, grumbling, "So eager for blood... Glad the shadows didn't take me, who knows what she would have done in my place..."
Dashing as quickly as his short feet can take him, Felix makes his way towards the massive tower where Anri is said to be.

Felix lets the crystal drop from his hand, dangling freely from its chain as he chokes out a pained sob. Tears running down his face, the halfllng strikes at his head with his fists, crying angrily, "Stupid..." He continues to strike at his head, falling to the side as his sobs come more freely, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
Finally, he stops, staring weakly down before sitting back up with a sniff. He had been ready to die. He had deserved to die...for failing so many. Then, Sir Prestle...

QUOTE
Prestle makes it to his hooves, stumbling a bit from exhaustion and he appears a bit flustered as well after such a sad attempt at an attack. Knowing nothing need be said, Prestle nods to his commander and charges forward, reaching out towards Felix on his way, knowing the halfling isn't quite as quick as he is.
A simple halfling, nothing but a woodsman, listened to the call to retreat and
instead notched an arrow to his bow and leveled it at the foul beings high
above, "Long live the queen..." His eyes narrow with hate for the first time as he prepared to release the arrow at the vile creatures that had caused so much misery.
However, it was not to be, as the brave knight Prestle swipes by and with one hand scoups the halfling onto his back. Felix blinks, then takes a deep breath, "Well...guess I'm not meant to die today after all..." As Prestle races through the city, reality warping around him, Felix slides his bow away and remains silent.

They had left Guardiana in ruins but they had the Queen. Felix frowns, yes, they had the Queen but they had not saved her. They had braved the Strife Lords for their queen...but then she was taken from them again.

QUOTE
Ivellas again whispers to Anri, "Have any ideas? He's too powerful for us." "If I had my spells prepared... but not like this..." Anri whispers to Ivellas, shaking her head. "But... what if he speaks truly?" "You think that could bring future prosperity?"
"I see no other way out of this. At least we'll be alive if we comply."
Garudaos' hand slips to his blade as he moves towards the front of the group, silent warning clear in his eyes.
"I don't know, but since you decided not to let me prepare, I cannot protect you or even myself from this thing..." Anri whispers. "I have a handful of spells, none of them powerful enough."
The Swarm is now a mere five feet from Anri. Anri tilts her head, suddenly and an odd look comes over her face, "Yes... Take me back home," Anri says quietly, stepping forward.
Ivellas backs away.
The Swarm mutters words of the arcane and moves to grasp Anri's arm, "We... Shouldn't we do something?" Daran says, torn in his steamsuit.
Rue also backs off, his head facing away from the living monstrosity, "We can't do anything...Unless you wish to die."
Ivellas turns toward Daran. No words come forth at first, but then he is finally able to speak
"... What can we do? There will be another time."
A blue column of light envelops Anri and the Swarm and both vanish.
In an instant, as the Swarm nears Anri, Garudaos' blade slips free, crackling with electricity as he points it at the newcomer. "We will meet again," he growled, seconds before the light enveloped both.
An odd, buzzing laughter fills the air as the two vanish. Then it's replaced by a far deeper laugh. The cloth covered figure is now upon you.

Lies and more lies. The creature had no goodwill for them. It just wanted to get the Queen away so it could return to other foul works. As soon as he had escaped, his servants had attacked. He remembered the battle. Sir Ivellas attacked. Then a flash of pain...nothing.

QUOTE
Felix stares up at the sky distantly, a strange expression across the halfling's face. Finally, after a long moment, he sits up and blinks, "....what happened?" At Felix's question, Solomon raises his arm. One hand slides back, and an odd gun-like projection locks into place. It lights up, and the holographic projector comes to life. Miniaturized screams and roars play from the android's throat, as the entire battle, and the ensuing meetings, play themselves out in miniature on a flat stone in front of the halfling...
The ghoulish figure leapt from the shadows, driving its blade into halfling and nearly tearing him asunder.
"NO! FELIX" Filled with anger, Prestle has but one goal in his mind: swift retribution. Prestle charges at his foe, The Shade. Prestle's lance drives hard into the undead foe.
With a voice like thunder, Ivellas' boomed out over the cacophony of battle,"Felix, NO! You'll pay, Assassin, foul wretch. Find your way back to the abyss whence you came!" Ivellas stamps his right hoof three tims onto the ground and takes off into an increasingly ferocious charge at the Shade.
"Rest in piece, tortured soul," Garudaos whispered in draconic, seconds before his blade swung through the phantom twice.The Shade screams, his
form emitting an unbearable light as he flashes three times, then slowly disintegrates into dust.
"I will return... I cannot rest..." The Shade whispers even as his form turns to
dust.
Prestle clenches his fist. They all got away...Undead most foul.... Prestle heads back to the rest of the group. He now sees three fallen comrades: Rue, Felix and Myala.
Prestle first goes to Myala, and sees that she is still very much alive. Thank the Light not all of them were killed! Prestle immediately begins to apply a healing herb, "Ah...You're all right, Myala. The enemy has fled, and I don't know the condition of Felix and Rue, though I fear for the worst...I will go check on Rue. Could you look to Felix?"
Myala moans softly and her eyes slowly flutter open. The golden orbs focus on Prestle for a moment, and smiles weakly. "Thank you... H-how...are the others?"
When she hears of Felix, her gaze turns to the fallen halfling. "Felix... I'll check on him." The priestess, though still very badly wounded pulls herself up and staggers towards the small form laying on the ground. She falls to her knees then and checks him for any signs of life. H-how? How were our ranks so...so easily devastated? She thinks sadly.
The halfling is nearly torn in two by the massive wounds in his torso and his
spirit has clearly left residence.
"Felix..." Garudaos' head bowed as he looked away, noting the ring the Shade dropped. Picking it up as he moved to Ivellas, the dragonman handed it to him and walked away.
"When... are we leaving, Ivellas? I... we... it isn't safe here. The sniper may return with allies, and we need time to regroup."
Myala hangs her head and sighs heavily, murmuring something before she rises to her feet. Her gaze turns to Prestle, then Ivellas, and she shakes her head. "Ivellas, we need to leave right away. Who knows when that...creature will be back... I think I can help Felix, but I will need rest first, and materials... If there is anything at all we can sell, I suggest we do so upon reaching the next town."
"...rrraaaaAAAAARRGH! So soon after victory, we're faced with this... this...devestation?" Ivellas gets back to his feet and pulls his lance from the ground, "I will carry Felix to our destination. Myala, Rue - Secure his body as quickly as you can so we can proceed. We must move quickly, but that means he deserves no less treatement than any other fallen comrade. We will take care of him upon reaching Alterone. The ring the Shade dropped may need to be sold, unless we can come up with funds in other ways."
Kyuu was beginning to weave the forces of magic into a blazing inferno, and then heighten its power with his magical rod, but then the Silence disappeared. He growled, then realized what he had just done, and covered his mouth before looking around sheepishly. Kyuu hears Ivellas' orders and frowns as his attention is brought to the halfling's direction. Kyuu walks over to Myala's side and looks at her, one half of his mouth still drawn into a tight frown, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Myala looks upon Kyuu for a moment with sad eyes when he addresses her, but then looks away. "N-no... It was my fault... I shouldn't have let this happen..." She murmurs. Despite her talk of it being her fault, the priestess looks as if she can barely stand due to her injuries.
Kyuu then catches a glimpse of Felix's crystal. The Strife Lords and others had taken interest in it, and Kyuu wondered if leaving it on Felix's body, which would be vulnerable now, would be such a good idea, "...If I may... I'd like to carry Felix's crystal until he is taken care of..."
As you place Felix onto Ivellas' back, you hear a soft clapping.
"Who is there?" Garudaos said, searching for the origin of the ill- timed applause.

He had been killed and brought back to life before he even knew what had happened. Felix thought that was odd. Death had been...painless. He hoped it was like that for others...his eyes waver.

QUOTE
"I want Thaske, Septimus, Granit, Felix, Garudaos, Jath, and Rue to take to the Defense Platform on the North side of town. I'm placing Garudaos in charge, with Felix as second. Their leader is on the very edge there, so be careful and good luck with that. Jath's artillery should help to bring down some of their force before they get there."

Felix winces at the memory, running his hands over his face, "...me as second..." What could Sir Ivellas have been thinking. So many great knights, why choose him... He shakes his head sadly, feeling the weight of his failure, "Granit...Rue..." He hoped that their deaths had been painless as his had been. Somehow, he doubted it.

QUOTE
Rue rushes over to the fallen halfling, hands shaking as healing light seals the warrior's wounds. The Chaos Dragon inhales deeply and blows a pulsating wave of chaos energy over Rue, causing the kyantol healer to dissolve into goo after gurgling horribly.

Tears run down the halflng's face as he stares out blankly. Rue had been there facing the dragon so he could heal Felix. He was supposed to have been second in charge, he should have done something...anything to keep Rue from getting killed. Where was Derrik then... Why was he brought back and a kind healer like Rue left dead? He didn't understand.

QUOTE
The halfling hesitates for a moment as his sword goes over the edge, considering chasing after it. Then, with determination, he draws his shortbow, turning to face the magic users riding upon the dragon, "Someone please fetch my sword!" His keen eyes observing his target, Felix lets fly a barrage of arrows at the magic user riding on the left side of the dragon.
Granit stumbles over to Felix's sword and throws it back to him, the sword landing a scant five feet from where the halfling stands.
The Chaos Dragon breathes forth a jet of pure chaos once more, this time enveloping Granit in the stuff. Granit's stones soften, writhe, and finally explode, as the enchantments and physical material that make him up are warped, twisted, and finally rended...

It had seemed so small...so simple...for someone to toss him a dropped sword. How could he have known that it would cause the Golem his life. Felix was second...he should have known.
The halfling lowers his head, a great weight hanging over his shoulders, then sighs.

QUOTE
Standing beside Garudaos, the eyes of the halfling narrow fiercely, "We have to stop it here..." He glances up at the noble warrior, "You're the only one strong enough to stop it in time but I'll do what I can!" He dashes forward towards the mighty dragon while drawing his secondary blade. The dragon swipes at him as he nears, landing a grevious blow, but he continues on. Steadying himself, he stabs powerfully at the dragon.
"I am Garudaos, nephew of Elliot and decendent of the line of the greatest dragon of them all - the Great Gold Wyrm. I have slain dragon after dragon who has stood against me, and you shall be no different, slave of Erebeus!"
His strikes desperate, he gripped the blade firmly in his two hands, he drove the flaming edge into the belly of the Chaos Dragon, ripping it up and out. It reared back, the second blow going wide.
The creature swayed and swaggered, roaring loudly. Then, as the half-gold dragon stared it down, the last of it's life leaked out and it fell onto the ground, dying not with a roar but with a whimper.

Thank goodness that Sir Garudaos had been there. If not for him, more would have died. The halfling lets out a small sigh, hopping to his feet and wiping clear his eyes. There was so much still needing to be done. He had failed. He would failed again. He was just a simple woodsman not a great knight...but even if it wasn't enough all he could do was his best. Sir Ivellas, Sir Prestle, and Sir Garudaos would find the way. Felix just had to do what he could to help them...he had let them down before, but he would sure try his best not to do it again.
He picked up his crystal, looking at it thoughtfully...what did it mean? Solomon had known something about it...but now the Ancient was gone. The halfling missed his comforting security. With a sigh the halflng slides the crystal away beneath his worn chain-mail, starting towards the docks where the airship rested.
((Felix's character sheet was more than a little convoluted, especially with those last two level ups, so I've decided to clean it up and present something a bit more...presentable. Now, nothing has been drastically altered save those last two levels. Just needs some cleaning up, I didn't know much about DnD when I originally made him...and it shows...painfully.))
Name: Felix Dale
Race: Halfling
Class: Fighter Lv. 13
Age: 21
Height: 2'7"
Weight: 47 lb.
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Dark Green
12 STR + 1
22 DEX +6
15 CON + 2
10 INT +0
14 WIS + 2
10 CHA + 0
HP: 116/116
AC: 10 + Armor + Shield + Dex + Size + Misc : 10 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 1 + 0 = 25
Initiative: +5
Speed: 20 ft
Base Attack: +13/+8/+3
Melee: +14/ +9/+4
Ranged: +19/+14/+9
Fort: 8 + 2 + 1= +11
Reflex: 4 + 6 + 1 = +11
Will: 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = + 8
Weapons:
Dancing Short Sword of Construct Bane + 1: (+24/+19/+14, 1d6 + 7, 17-20 : x2)
1d6 + 3, x2 critical, slashing
Wounding Short Sword +1: (+24/+19/+14, 1d6 + 7, 17-20 : x2)
1d6 + 3, x2 critical, slashing
Magical Short Bow +2 (+23/+18/+13, 1d6+2, 20 : x3)
1d6+2, x3 critical, piercing
Armor:
Mithral Skirt +1: + 5 AC, Max Dex + 6, Armor Check 0, ASF 10%, Speed 20, 30 lb
Heavy Mithral Shield +1: +3 AC, - - - - - -, Armor Check 0, ASF 5%, - - - - - - -, 2.5 lb
Gear:
Woodman's Clothes
Gloves of DEX +2
Amulet(Crystal)
Quiver - Arrows (6) - Shock (0) - Holy (0) - Demon Slaying (0)
Bag of Holding (Type 3)
Money:
GP: 521
SP: 32
CP: 14
Skills: (2 + Int per level : Max 16)
Climb STR: 14 + 1 + 2 = 17
Handle Animal: 2 + 0 = 2
Jump STR: 14 + 1 + 2 = 17
[CC] Tumble DEX: 1 + 6 + 2 = 9
Special Abilities:
Fighter:
Extra Feats( Seven )
Halfling:
+ 2 Saves Vs. Fear
+1 to all Saves
+2 Jump, Move Silently, Climb, Listen
+1 AC, +1 to hit
+4 Hide
Feats:
Blind-Fight
Quick Draw
Point Blank Shot
Dodge
Mobility
Spring Attack
Weapon Finesse
Weapon Focus(Short Sword)
Weapon Specialization(Short Sword)
Greater Weapon Focus(Short Sword)
Greater Weapon Specialization(Short Sword)
Improved Critical (Short Sword)
Spells: None

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:51 am
Jim makes it known that he'd like to speak with Doctor Coventry and Michael at their earliest possible convience.

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:19 am
[Leadership Meeting] Cedric looks around the room, arching an eye at the lack of response, "Very well…" The paladin nods to Zook, "Excellent work as always, Master Tinker." He then tents his fingers, "With the coming of winter and the availability of teleportation, I think we should concentrate our forces at this fortress. It leaves us vulnerable in some ways…but much less so than if we were marching separately through the wilderness." He tilts his head, "We need to begin to develop measures to ensure our mobility, preparing for situations such as a teleportation blockade." He looks at the druid for a moment, frowning as if attempting to recall something, then continues, "I'll leave devising such countermeasures to more skilled individuals than myself." He arches an eyebrow, "Is this acceptable? That we combine our forces in a single stronghold…rather than marching on our individual paths?"
"Sounds like a sound idea... Though we might want to consider warding the base against teleportation," Jim says. "We could clear a staging area a little ways from the base for our own teleports."
"...sounds like asking to be ambushed to me." Cedric replies with a frown, thinking about the last time he played an FPS, "I'm certain the archwizardesses can devise a means to ward all but one segment of the fortress." He frowns, "We can set guards and defenses around it...but I don't like the idea of weary battle parties returning to the wilderness defenseless."
"That's an excellent idea..." Jim says, rubbing his chin. "A sort of security airlock..."
Alexander: "Perhaps we should put up wards to prevent them from spying on us as well?"
"Also a good idea... Do any of our casters have such spells?" Jim asks.
"Airlock?" Cedric mutters, glancing at Zook with a frown, then sighs,
"You realize that by blocking divination you would effectively blind us as well. I suggest placing such wards over certain buildings rather than the whole fortress."
Alexander nods, "Yes, but over the other buildings, we COULD set up an 'alarm' of sorts. Merla, my wizard, has used spells like this before. It wouldn't prevent our own divination spells nor the enemy's, but it would let us know if any intruders were about."
Cedric nods approvingly, "Excellent."
"Any other matters about the fortress?" Jim asks.
Cedric pauses as the GDO commander takes on the role of leading the meeting, his eyes narrowing slightly, then he shakes his head with a sigh, "If not... Then let us discuss general strategy." He turns to Alex, "What do you see as your next move?"
"To be perfectly honest, I want to rid Rune of the fiends that plague it. All three goals are of great concern to me. I am familiar with the Destonia region, and of course I would love to help with the gods, but it is imperative to strike down the devils in Rune, since that seems to be where they are most concentrated." Alex says.
The paladin nods grimly, turning to the nearby bard, "Faralon... What of Rune...if anything...still stands?"
"Didn't you say that Rune holds the headquarters of these 'Strife Lords'?" Jim asks.
Faralon nods, "I definitely recall hearing that, yes."
Jim frowns. "Do we know anything about their dispersal of strength?"
"Having been in the castle..." Max says quietly. "I know that it's fully staffed and guarded by at the very least a large amount of brainwashed cultists and loyalists."
"I meant about the world in general," Jim says, pointing to the regions on the map. "We know these territories are enemy held... But which are well defended and which vulnerable? Does anyone know?"
"We do not know." Cedric states simply, looking at the map, "Communication between the various regions is poor at best..." He adds pointedly, "A difficulty I'm certain you can appreciate."
Alex offers, "Perhaps we can ask Derrik if he knows anything?"
Jim ignores the barb. "We could send scouting parties out as well."
Alexander frowns, "I don't know. How much time can we afford?"
"We can put divination to use to save time." Cedric replies simply, "Supplemented by scouting expeditions."
Alexander continues, "It's possible Derrik already has the information, though. Do you two not want him involved at all? He does have the resources."
"He can't know everything," Jim says, turning to Alexander. "And it's always wise to have a backup plan regardless. If he has information and we have money, I have no problem with buying it from him."
"We certainly can question him..." Cedric replies, "...but he has been strained lately, his information network may not be what it once was."
"What do we do while we wait for the base to be built?" Jim asks. "Should we camp at the site?"
"I suggest that we divide forces..." Cedric replies simply, "For myself, I am sending contingencies to Enrich and possibly Destonia." He adds, "The remainder of my forces will safeguard the fortress."
Alexander nods, "Michael spoke with me recently. He expressed great interest in heading to Destonia."
"All right, what do we know about the situation there?" Jim asks.
"The Empire has taken advantage of..." Cedric frowns slightly, explaining to the GDO commander, "The Destonia Empire is an oppressive government which dominates Eastern Parmecia." He frowns, "It has taken advantage of the conflict…or secretly allied with the Strife Lords to launch a campaign of conquest." He glances at Alexander, "You would be better prepared to speak to the make-up of their military." He tilts his head, "Regardless…"
Alex says, "I can tell you what Destonia occupies, but I can't tell you much beyond that. I don't really know if they're working with devils, but this is NOT the first time the Emperor has taken advantage of conflicts with evil."
Jim frowns. "Well... Since we seem to know little about the current situation in detail, we might consider sending scouts to the Destonia area and finding out what we can."
Cedric crosses his arms, leaning back with a dark frown, "I was intending to...but..." He looks at Alex, "You travel with a Destonian noble, could he be sent to the capital with a small force?" He tilts his head, "To gather information at first...but then perhaps weaken support for the Emperor's war."
Alexander frowns, "Unfortunately, since he's joined my quest his reputation has taken a hit, mostly among the other nobles. Still, it's possible, and he would have better chances than a complete stranger, I think."
"I want to attempt diplomacy...but I doubt that it will be successful." Cedric adds quietly, an edge to his voice, "Perhaps...with nobility we might have some success in weakening support for the war..." He looks up, his voice cold, "However, depending on how our efforts fair, I think we should be prepared to consider regicide as a possibility. I would rather not allow the fiends to use the mortals of Destonia to divert us from countering them." He glances around the room, clarifying, "If the Emperor were slain and the nobility persuaded against the war, we could focus on our true enemies."
Alexander frowns, "If we intend to use both options, though, we need to be careful about the timing. Of course, I'm not sure how many followers a dead Emperor would have..."
Jim frowns. "Killing the Emperor could result in an insurgency and long lasting effects... Why not just arrest him?"
"Long lasting effects such as toppling a corrupt regime?" Cedric questions, "Destonia falling into civil war is preferable to facing both the Strife Lords and the Empire." He crosses his arms, "We might 'arrest' him…but that would further complicate matters. His crimes warrant death, I suggest he be given a chance to surrender and when he refuses…and I’m certain he will…slain."
"Point taken," Jim says with a nod. "I agree with you then."
Alexander ponders, "I wonder if capturing him will really slow down the actions of the Empire. He allowed himself to be captured in the past, and while the Empire was a bit less aggressive during his capture, their goals did not change."
"So then..." Jim says, rubbing his chin once more. "Perhaps we should target their officers on the front lines? Disrupt their attack? That could make us some allies in the lands they're invading."
"I was suggesting bypassing the front lines altogether, striking off the head and leaving the body to thrash against itself." Cedric replies coldly, "...but if we have the forces to spare from opposing the fiends, it seems wise." He nods to the GDO commander, "Good thought."
Alexander sighs, "No, I understand what you meant. It's just that other officers and Prince Mageron may share the same ideals. I'm not too familiar with the others, so I'm not sure how removing the Emperor would affect things, if at all, but it's certainly worth some serious thought."
Jim frowns. "Well then... Is there someone that might have a claim to rule that might ally with us?"
Cedric frowns, "There is Prince Medion...but..." He sighs, "The point of the regicide would be to keep the Empire in check and allow us to focus on the fiends. Becoming involved in resolving a civil war can wait until after the archfiends have been vanquished."
"I'm not saying we resolve it entirely, but assuming we take care of the Emperor, it would be wise to have an arrangement with Medion," Jim says, "He can take care of the region while we move on, assuming we can ally with him."
Faralon speaks up, "I'm not one of the leaders, but I'm with Cedric on this one. It would certainly distract them long enough once word spread. Though, if we're considering working with Medion, let's find him."
"I'd prefer to keep our involvement to a minimal..." Cedric replies darkly, "I fear for Rune...who shares a firm friendship with my people…and would prefer to devote all resources to liberating it as soon as possible." He shrugs, "But, this is not a decision for me alone to make..."
Alexander nods, "I will definitely take as many that are willing to go with me to Rune. I know Hal will join me, at the very least, and I am sure most of my other allies will certainly go as well."
"I really think we should wait to gather information before making any decisions on assaulting anywhere," Jim says, crossing his arms and looking at the map. "Moving blindly invites disaster."
"Of course, this is speculation based on the information we do know." Cedric replies softly, "We need some plan to know what questions to ask." He tilts his head, "Which is why I suggested investigating the ur priests and Destonia." He nods to Alex, "We should do the same for Rune."
Alex nods in response, "I will send some scouts. I'm sure at least a couple members of my forces are at least a little familiar with Rune, and if not, I'm betting one of you will lend me a soldier for the task?"
Cedric nods quietly.
"All right..." Jim says, leaning over the map. "Enrich to find the Ur priests... What areas in Destonia other than the capital with that Enrick fellow?"
"I imagine that will be decided based on what is learned in the capital." Cedric replies, "I know little of the nobility or the current situation."
"What areas in Rune then?" Jim asks.
Alex ponders, "I'll have to check with my brother. I'm sure he's been there before. I'm not completely sure who else has, and if so where. It's important for those that can teleport to know their way around, though, and Hal does."
"I also think it would be a good idea for all the leaders to ask that if anyone knows anything that might help us, to come forward," Jim says, “We might miss a fact or two held by someone not present at these conferences."
Alex nods, "Right, which is what I was saying to my brother before."
"We can work on establishing a better understanding of the situations after this initial meeting." Cedric begins after waiting for a moment, "First, we should decide on troop allocations… So each group knows what questions to ask." He looks to Alex, "Save for the noble...most of your force will be focusing on Rune, correct?"
Alex nods, "Almost assuredly. Most have been traveling with me for some time and say they will follow me anywhere." Cedric looks to the GDO commander, "...and yours?"
"I don't know where I'll deploy yet..." Jim says, staring at the map intently. "If all we're doing is scouting right now, I guess I'll investigate wherever is not covered by your teams."
Cedric nods, turning back to the others, "Additionally, I suggest that we form special units for certain tasks...such as the diplomatic mission to Destonia and the potential regicide." He frowns, "As well as seeking out information and allies. Each comprised of the most skilled persons in each area throughout our combined forces." He looks to Alex, "So, the Destonian Lord would command our greatest diplomats."
Alexander sighs, "I think I know just the person to send, but I'm sure she won't like the idea of being away from the bulk of my forces."
Cedric nods, "We can iron out the details later..." He turns to the map,
"Until we complete gathering resources and fortifying the stronghold, we should attempt to keep at one full military force there for defense..."
"I volunteer to stay behind," Zook blurts out, before clearing his throat loudly.
Cedric looks to the gnome startled, hurt flashing in his eyes as he quickly turns away, fighting back tears.
"I understand that at least one of the people my group picked up is from Destonia, so we might start there," Jim says, "But I'll talk with all of them before deciding."
"Who do we have on our side? Who are our allies?" Jim asks.
"Excuse me?" Cedric asks for clarification, turning to face the GDO commander, "In Destonia...or in general?"
"In general," Jim says.
"My force is strongly aligned to Cypress...obviously..." Cedric begins with a frown, trying to recall, "There are the tinkers...this village..."
Jim looks around at the long pause. "Is... Is that it?"
"Well, I was born in Saraband and I've spent years traveling both in the Empire, Republic, and surrounding areas… That was several months ago, however, so recent events elude me.” The Doctor replies before adding seriously, “But, unfortunately, if you choose to wage war against Destonia you will have to do it without me. I’m not willing to help kill people…who might count me a friend over differences in political ideology.”
"We've got Derrik," Zook pipes up.
"True." Cedric nods, arching an eyebrow, "The entire kingdom of Cypress is taken so lightly?" He then glances at Alex and Sorel with a frown, "Though...you gathered no allies on your quests?"
"The entirety of Grans Island stands with us," Sorel says. "As well as Max and Queen Anri, who will no doubt be a great boon should we find any other surviving members of the Shining Force."
Jim frowns. "No... but Cypress is small when compared to Destonia or the whole of Rune."
"That may be a worthwhile goal," Jim nods to Sorel. "Finding the Shining Force members."
"I know Kokichi's still puttering around somewhere," Zook says. "At least, he was a few weeks ago..."
Cedric looks at Jim taken aback for a moment after his comment on Cypress, then he turns to listen to Sorel.
Jim arches an eyebrow. "I doubt not your country's bravery or skill... I'm just concerned about numbers is all."
"You made your point clearly enough." Cedric replies quietly, "There is no need to continue." He turns to Faralon, "Do you know the location of other members of the various Shining Forces?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:21 am
((After the meeting.)) "Excuse me, Doctor?" Jim asks, walking up to Coventry. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" "Where have I heard that before..." The Doctor ponders with a frown, then turns to the Commander, "Certainly, what can I do for you?"
"I've heard that you're from Saraband?" Jim says.
"Who told you that vicious lie?" The Doctor asks with a dark frown.
Jim smiles a little. "It's a lie now, is it?"
"Is it?" The Doctor replies.
"Sophie might disagreed, she seems to have some crazy notion that you're her brother," Jim says, chuckling.
"...and you've talk to Sophia?" The Doctor asks, a slight smirk forming on his face, "You might note we have different last names..." He tilts his head, "But yes, she is my half-sister, why do you bring it up?"
"We've been discussing war plans. Destonia's invasion of its neighbors was brought up. If we need to deploy there, someone that knows the area would be invaluable. Also, I need to know if you know anything that might help us plan," Jim says. "Not everyone was at the meeting, but considering how widely traveled most everyone here is, anyone might have a piece of information to share. So I'm checking with everyone not from my original unit."
"Well, I was born in Saraband and I've spent years traveling both in the Empire, Republic, and surrounding areas… That was several months ago, however, so recent events elude me." The Doctor replies before adding seriously, "But, unfortunately, if you choose to wage war against Destonia you will have to do it without me. I'm not willing to help kill people…who might count me a friend over differences in political ideology."
"Then don't kill anyone," Jim says, seriously. "Just keep people alive."
"I said help kill people." The Doctor gently corrects, "I'm not so blind as to think that me healing the people doing the actual killing somehow absolves my role in it."
Jim sighs. "A friend over political differences... I admit my knowledge of Destonia is somewhat limited, but I do know a little bit. I have trouble imagining a border guard instructed to kill anyone deserting the Empire as friendly people. What do you think should be done about the Empire then, if not war?" Jim asks.
"There's that word…instructed…" Coventry replies straightforwardly, his eyes meeting those of the GDO commander, "I choose not to help kill people who bled alongside me…and you question their morality? Their friendliness?" He arches an eyebrow, "What are you trying to do? Convince me to write them off? Loyalty is more important to me than that. I'm not justifying their actions; I'm making a personal decision." He adjusts his glasses, remarking coldly, "There's plenty of evil in this world to go around, I see no reason to seek out the wrong that causes me to kill people who were my companions." He sighs, "Now, maybe if you were to remove all of the fiends, evil dragons, fell beasts, and corruption in the world save the Empire…" He nods to the commander, "Now then, this choice would merit a bit more thought."
"I have no doubt that fine men and women serve in some of the Empire's forces, but there are probably more than a few regiments that wouldn't think twice of butchering a town," Jim says, quietly. "I'm not so much trying to convince you as understand you. You said you bled alongside them?" Jim asks.
"Why…why do you people still surprise me…" The Doctor mutters quietly, "I'm a healer for hire." He answers, "I've been on expeditions for both the Empire and the Republic. As well as individuals within those powers…" He smiles wryly, "Now…I've never been on a mission to slaughter a village such as you describe, more just renegade bandits and monsters, but the fact stands that I fought alongside imperial troops." He adds darkly, "Since you're so interested, you can understand this… I have little faith in righteous crusades, but there doesn't seem to be much in way of an alterative in this world. Not that I've found." He holds out his hands, "So, I'm at an impasse… I don't trust you. I have this nagging feeling that you are terrible wrong. But, you…well, all of your crusaders, otherworldly or otherwise, are the only ones addressing the problems that need addressed."
Jim sighs wearily. "Crusade? Dear god, man, a crusade is the last thing I want. Crusades are filled with blind zeal and bloodshed, atrocity in the name of a cause, innocents left by the wayside, no..." Jim says shaking his head. "Crusades are a business I want little to do with. I wage war," Jim says, simply. "And war is a terrible, terrible thing. I am under no illusions about that. But sometimes war is neccessary..." Jim sighs. "You have no trouble with monsters or devils. Killing them is unambiguous. I am aware that killing people is far different. However... Whether by demon claw or Imperial blade, a dead person is still quite dead," Jim says, quietly. "But I will say this: The facts aren't all in on the Destonian situation. And I won't act until I know what is what." Jim turns to Coventry. "You say you don't want to kill those you bled beside. I can understand that. How then would you feel about a simple scouting mission? We might send Enrick with a few others to secretly snoop around the capital and other places. Get a feel for things. No combat would be involved, just talking to people and understanding what's going on over there," Jim says. "For me, I'm interested in how the Imperials are conducting their war. Ethically, I mean, odd as that sounds."
You worship a deer god? The Doctor bites back his first reply, listening skeptically and watching the GDO commander with a frown. He waits until Jim has finished before replying in a quiet voice, "No, I'd have no problem with that." He nod softly, "I'm glad you decided to take a closer look at things… I was intending to do so myself if no one else was going to bother." He rubs his head, looking away, "Perhaps…I'm wrong...but it was my impression that most soldiers of Destonia do what they do because they don't want to be killed. I think the penchant for cruelty comes from the nobility…" He frowns, "…but then, of course it trickles down…"
"I thought it might be as much. If it does come to blows, we'll probably target their commanders and officers," Jim says. "Try to make it as bloodless as possible."
"You said we were making a mistake... What was that?" Jim asks.
"I did?" The Doctor questions with a frown, "Whe... You mean feeling that you're wrong?" He smiles slightly, "I don't know, if I did, trust me that you'd hear about it."
Jim smiles slightly. "I'll assume you meant the thing we just talked about then, I thought perhaps it was more specific..."
"You're a strange man...Jim." The Doctor says thoughtfully, looking at the commander, then he shrugs, "I've decided to go freelance. Not that I'm not willing to act as your healer, but I'm concerned a bit about my sister...and then there's..." His voice trails off for a moment, then he chuckles, "Well, I'll be around for the missions where you need me but I think some of the others might need my help more." He frowns, "Considering that Sorel's group doesn't even have a dedicated healer." He shrugs, "So, I'll do both when I can and pick based on the situation when not. Doubt it will hurt you much, considering how far beyond me Jessica is."
"She's good, but she can't drag people back from the dead like I saw you did with Maria," Jim remarks. "Strange? I've been called worse things."
"You can make a...super bio-technological body for a soul to wear like armor..." The Doctor questions with a frown, "...but you can't resurrect the dead?"
Jim frowns. "We can... Just not with the equipment we have on hand... Or people. None of my troops are skilled enough with magic for ressurection. It's not exactly a commonplace skill, you know."
"Well..." The Doctor smiles sadly, "Here, in this world, it use to be..." He sighs, "Not anymore..." His eyes narrow, "Thanks to that damn barrier."
"Barrier?" Jim asks.
"The Strife Lords placed a seal over...where spirits go when they die." The Doctor explains with a frown, "Didn't anyone tell you?" He removes his glasses, "Most methods resurrestion just don't work anymore... Only relics crafted before the seal was placed retain their power to restore life." He adds quickly, "And there are a few techniques to get around the seal, one being resurrecting the body before the soul has fully departed."
Jim groans as he slaps his forehead and drags his palm down over his face. "I guess people REALLY don't trust me if no one thought to tell me that..."
"How is it trust if they didn't think of it?" The Doctor asks with a smile, "Sounds more like a mental lapse...granted..." He shrugs, "...kind of a stupid one..."
Jim frowns. "Anyway, do you have any suggestions on what we should do next? You've been here longer than we have."
"Well... Zook, that gnome engineer, he's been working on some kind of long distance communication device..." The Doctor smiles, "I think it might be a good idea to get one to every major settlement. Then...there'd be some kind of communication, some way of knowing whose in trouble." He frowns, "Other than that... I suppose it might be good to look into some of the rumors we've heard. Like that girl...ascending without the Holy Ark." He rubs his head, "Actually, it might not be a bad idea to take a look at the Ark...and..." He arches an eyebrow, "I...for one...would like to know more about the Ancients...and their role in all this."
"Right..." Jim nods. "Thanks for your time. If you think of anything else, please let me know."

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:33 am
"Good morning, ladies," Hal says, walking up to the pair of them. His face lights up. "You've decided to make breakfast!" Sophie looks up crossly at the sound of footsteps...then smiles brightly, "Brother Hal! Good morning!" Gail looks up at the arriving friar, her face blanching slightly before she recoups with a smile. "Good morning. Yes...it was a spur of the moment thing."
"So, what's on the menu this morning," Hal asks, looking at their work.
"Well, from what sister Sophie was telling me, breakfast will be sticky buns," she says simply, trying not to remind herself that they were working from "memory".
Sophie smiles brightly, "We thought we'd give you a hand!"
Hal grins. "Delightful!" He takes a look at their handiwork thus far. His smile fades a bit.
Sophie nods, "I thought we'd make your famous sticky buns!" Then adds sheepishly, "Well...they won't be as good as yours..."
"My...famous..." Hal trails off. "Sophie, dear, how much water did you use?"
The priestess frowns slightly, "Um... I...don't know..."
"Well, it's just that you've got enough water here to make sticky buns for thirty people, and enough flour to make sticky buns for...I'd say four," Hal says.
Sophie looks distressed, "Real...really?" She turns to the cauldron, "But...I put a whole bag in..." Her head sinks, "Only thirty...I wanted to feed everyone..."
Hal shakes his head. "No worries! We're still not far along enough yet that we can't make it right."
"Really?" Gail says before she can stop herself, honestly surprised there hadn't been some grievous error that would make their concoction inedible. "I...suppose I should get some more ingredients, then. It sounds like we'll need a good deal more, before we're finished."
"We'll need some eggs, for a start," Hal says. "And...where's the yeast?"
"I put it in already..." Sophie says quietly, "...but there was some left over." She fetches a half-bottle of yeast.
Hal puts a hand on the side of the bowl. "Yeast needs warm water," Hal says. "Think of how much more bubbly you are in a warm bath than a cold one."
"Ho...how do you know how I am in a bath!" Sophie gasps.
VoxPVoxD: "Your brother told me," Hal doesn't say
KingKai279: "Which one?"
VoxPVoxD: "The cool one."
cyrus v 2877: "She doesn't need a bath to be bubbly," Gail doesn't say snidely.
VoxPVoxD: "Light's honest truth," Hal says.
"So!" Hal says. "Let's get this bowl of water warmed up, and put the rest of the yeast in. They won't be quite as fluffy as normal, but I doubt anyone will complain!"
"Here, let me help..." Sophie says as she walks towards the priest.
"Well, we have a fire going...," Gail says, pointing to the campfire that was set up earlier.
Hal nods. "Alright, why don't you pour the yeast in to this little bowl here."
Sophie moves to help the priest but frowns as she hands the yeast to the holy knight, taking a step back, "What can I do?"
"Why don't you start on the honey glaze?" Hal asks. "Two parts honey, two parts water, one part cream."
"Oh..." Sophie says with a frown, looking around, "I...knew I forgot something..." She starts towards the town, "I'll go get some."
VoxPVoxD: Sophie comes back with a bee's nest
Gail does as directed, pouring the yeast into the container with such care, it's almost as if she expects something to go wrong.
The cooking is going along happily under the skillful eye of Hal when Sophie returns.
VoxPVoxD: covered in beestings
cyrus v 2877: "Remove Dis-Oh, wait. It's poison...nope. Don't have anything for that."
KingKai279: It should be bright honey.
"How'd it go?" Hal asks the approaching Sophie.
Sophie smiles brightly, holding up two clay containers, "I got the honey and the cream." She chuckles, "I remembered more elvish than I thought."
"Excellent!" Hal reaches for the containers, opening one of them to examine the contents.
VoxPVoxD: A swarm of dire wasps flies out.
cyrus v 2877: Does the cream contain a fiendish dire cow?
VoxPVoxD: the cream is actually beholder pus
VoxPVoxD: she went into the evil apothecary, not the grocery store[/color]
cyrus v 2877: The fact her skin didn't start itching when she went in must mean she's one of them.
Hal leans in, taking a sniff. He frowns. "Sophie, dear, you really should see someone about your drinking problem."
VoxPVoxD: or
Hal leans in, taking a sniff. He frowns. "Sophie, dear, d'you happen to remember the elvish word for wine?"
Sophie frowns slightly, rubbing her head, "No..." She looks at him questioningly, "Why?"
Hal offers her the pot. "Take a sniff."
The priestess lowers her head, asking dejectly, "It's...not honey?"
"It was a few months ago," Hal offers hopefully.
Her hands curling into fists, Sophie turns away, "I'm sorry Brother Hal..."
Hal places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's all right..."
KingKai279: PERVERT! COVENTRY SHRIEKS!
VoxPVoxD: "hay remember when you almost sat in my daughter's lap" Sorel says
KingKai279: "You can't judge me!" Coventry replies, "You have no right because I already judged you!"
Gail, in the middle of whatever chore she had been set to, looks up at the ongoing conversation. "Well...it doesn't mean that you didn't get what else was needed. Let's see what's in the other jar," she suggests hopefully.
Sophie shakes her head, smiling weakly, "No... It's alright." She nods, "Maybe I should just sit out of the way."
"I've seen what you can do with a jeweler's cast," Hal says. "Making food is just like making anything else. There's ingredients, and steps, and time." He looks around. "You know, we could make mead cake instead."
Sophie shakes her head sadly at first...but can't repress a light chuckle as Hal contiunes, she says quietly, "I guess so."
"Alright," Hal says. "So we'll need a few long flat pans, and--oh! the yeast is done..."

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:27 pm
Sophie sits at a table, sipping hot tea and watching quietly as Hal, blessed with divine skill, contiunes to prepare the meal. She brushes at some patches of flour on her robes before glancing up at the holy knight, saying ruefully, "Well...that was a mess." She sighs softly, "What's on your agenda today? Meetings, meetings, and more meetings?"
Gail, sitting across from her partner in crime, finishes her current sip of tea before she answers. "I wouldn't say that. There is one major meeting...bbut I'm not sure I'll be a large contribution. Sorel's the leader, I'm just there to...support him." She takes a second sip, conjuring a smile. "At least it wasn't a mess anyone will hear of. I'm sure Hal will be obligating enough to keep this a secret...besides, everyone has off attempts. That doesn't mean you can't become good, it just means you need a little practice."
"Good, you'll get some rest too." Sophie nods in relief, then a mischevious smile crosses her lips, "I think I might take a trip home..." She cannot repress a dark chuckle, then nods, "I just might." The priestess takes a sip of her tea, glancing up with a frown, "You will get to rest? ...Light knows you deserve it."
Gail nods at the cleric's assessment. "I suppose you could say that...though, I have quite a few people to meet, today, so it won't be all relaxation." She then pauses, looking into her black tea. "You're from Saraband, aren't you?"
"Well, as long as you get some." Sophie smiles, looking at the paladin with some concern, "You took quite a beating yesterday... Judging from how you looked when I saw you." She takes another sip of her tea, before nodding, "Yep, I'm from the legendary floating city itself."
"It...wasn't so bad...simply a very, very long day," she says, sighing lightly. "A lot of good came out of all that, though. We should be thankful for it...it could've ended...very differently." She falls silent for a long while, staring into her cup before eventually bringing herself back to her senses. "It must be amazing, to live on a city that's always moving. I've never even seen so much as a train, much less a mobile town."
Sophie looks at Gail for a moment, holding a finger to her lips thoughtfully, then she smiles, "Well... You could come along, if you aren't too busy."
Gail looks to Sophie with a gleam in her eyes, then her gaze falls to the side, pondering all she set before her. She sighs, frustrated. "I'm not sure...There were some things I desperately wanted to finish today, and I'm not certain how long some of it will take..." She glances at her pack for a moment before staring at the table.
"Oh..." Her smile fading, Sophie glances at the bag with a frown, "What...exactly...do you need to do?" She turns back to the holy knight with a smile, "Saraband is a pretty bustling city, if you need something done, I bet it can be done there." She chuckles, "Then its business and pleasure, two birds with one stone."
"Well...," she begins, looking at the overstuffed pack again before continuing. "I have...a suit of armor that belonged to someone who fell in the battle against Xadoss...It was given to me by the person who knew her best. It was...crushed by Xadoss's blows, and...I'm not sure what I need to repair it. I was going to speak to Derrik about it, find out what it's made of, perhaps even be able to restore it..."
"Then you should definately come with me." Sophie laughs, "I doubt these wood elves know very much about armorsmithing." She looks at the holy knight curiously, "Whose armor was it?" Maybe I should include this in my report.
"I barely even know...All I was told was her name was Lisa, and that she...was like the space people...except her world had been destroyed by the Strife Lords." She pauses for a moment, closing her eyes as the scene plays itself in front of her. "You make a good point, though; I'd have an easier time in Saraband than I would here, even if we have Derrik at our disposal."
"Well... Saraband is a lot more pleasant of a sight than Derrik." Sophie agrees with a wry smile, "At least... I think so..."
Gail chuckles brightly, nodding in agreement. "Do you know when you'll be leaving? I'd still like to speak with someone else before we leave, if i have the time."
"I don't know...that's the problem..." Sophie leans over her tea with a frown, "I need to procure transportation..." She chuckles darkly, "But after last night, that shouldn't be hard."
Gail grimaces at her friend's sudden turn of petty laughter, feeling a slight hesitation about this approaching trip. "I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem, anyway...there are more than enough people here who could offer teleportation, and if we can't find one who had the foresight to prepare, we could purchase a scroll or two, couldn't we?"
Sophie shakes her head, a slight gleam shining in her eyes, "No… No..." She nods firmly, "He made me ruin my dress chasing through the woods…" She shakes her head, "This is the least he can do." She exhales crossly, "The ass… If he had any money, I'd make him buy me a new one…Telanna too, just for what he did to her." She glares at her tea angrily, "No, he has to visit home." Her hands wring at her mug for a moment, then she looks up sheepishly, "Um…sorry..." She smiles reassuringly, "It'll be fun. We can visit the merchant district." Her smile widens, "Oh, we could go to the seamstress!"
Gail simply stares back as she realizes what Sophie speaks of, turning away when she feels her eyes waver. "It's...it's fine." She returns as plans begin to take shape, a playful smile taking its place on her lips as she motions to her own dress. "I suppose I could invest in a new wardrobe...I have six years to catch up on, after all."
"You've had that dress for six years?" Sophie says in surprise. "It looks as good as new."
Gail shakes her head, smiling pleasantly. "Just the opposite, I'm afraid. It's the first dress I've owned in six years. I haven't worn one since I was 13."
Sophie stares at the maiden before her, gasping out dully, "You...you haven't worn a dress...since you were thirteen?" She struggles with this for a moment, her voice thick with incredulity, "…six…six years…" She holds a hand over her brow, looking down at the table blankly, as she asks weakly, "I…can't even imagine…" Her eyes drift up, "…why wouldn't you…" She falters, "…do you like dressing like a man?"
Gail quirks a silver brow at Sophie's melodramatic shock, edging away as the cleric stammers out a breathless reply. "Well...I can't say I enjoyed it at first...but I got used to it. You can't expect me to go into battle wearing nothing but my armor, can you?" Shaking her head, she continues, a slight embarrassed blush appearing as she realizes how strange such a habit is. "When I was traveling with my mentor...I learned that clothing like that was simply easier to upkeep, not to mention repair, since armor doesn't stop everything and I have to resew my clothing to make sure I keep my decency. After a while, it became second nature to wear them.. I just stopped noticing the little things that used to bug me about it."
Sophie stares at the paladin, the shocked look on her face slowly giving way to one of suspicion. Finally, she speaks in a quiet voice, "Yes… That makes sense…" She places a hand on her chin, staring at the paladin for another long moment with narrowed eyes, "Just what inspired you to start wearing feminine attire again?"
"Well...," Gail mutters, the blush deepening as she pauses. "I promised someone that I would. I...kept holding off on it, though...thought there would always be time later to do so...and then, yesterday, I heard about the feast - it'd be difficult not to - and I decided that it was important that I fulfill that promise...whether he would see it or not."
Sophie listens with a growing smile, nodding empathically as the paladin finishes, "Oh good." She shakes her head sheepishly, "I was afraid that you had something for Alastor like Sheila was babbling on about last night." She chuckles lightly, "She's so clueless..." The priestess leans forward, whispering reassuringly, "It's not as ridiculous as you think... Everyone makes promises that seem kind of silly when they stop to think about them...doesn't mean they're not important." She glances at the nearby priest knowingly, "Just ask Hal sometime..."
Gail's blush persists at Sophie's mention of Alastor, though it lightens, glancing away as she begins to whisper, a frown readily apparent. "Of...of course not. Don't be silly." She then leans in with the cleric, listening with rapt attention. As the shot of perspective ends, Gail stares at the friar, her face passive. "Thank you," she says, turning back to Sophie with a thankful smile, "That was...just what I needed to hear. Gives me a nice topic to bring up with Hal the next time we talk, too."
The priestess smiles happily, noding, "I'm glad." She glances to where Hal contiunes his work, adding ruefully, "...at least I finally managed to do something right today." She looks back at the paladin, "So...that dress suits you nicely..." She nods approvingly, "You have good taste, what are you going to get next?"
"I have no idea," the angel-born replies with a smirk. "Honestly, this was the only thing that fit me...I was too tall for most of the other dresses." She glances down to it approvingly. "I suppose I was just lucky, to have what fit be so...charming."
Sophie frowns thoughtfully, looking at the paladin, "Well..." She strokes her chin, "We'll have to see what the seamstress thinks." She tilts her head, "...but I think a seamless blue dress would be stunning on you."
Gail's gaze wanders away from the cleric, a finger pressing against her lips as she ponders. "I could agree with blue," she decides, her eyes refusing to stray from the mental picture inside her head.
Sophie frowns thoughtfully, "Something matches your hair would work well too..." Then she hesitates, looking at the knight curiously, "What color is the armor you inherited?"
"It's silver," the paladin answers simply, furrowing her brow with mild concern. "Why does it need to match my hair?"
"Oh good." The priestess breaths in relief, "I didn't want to say anything but your old armor..." She makes a grimace and shakes her head. The priestess shrugs, "Why? Oh…it doesn't need to but your hair is so distinctive…" She smiles ruefully, "It's beautiful… Not like mine." The priestess lets out a moan, "So boring."
"Oh...I see," Gail says, making a mental note not to mention she quite liked the color of her old armor...when it wasn't so old. "I guess it's difficult to think of this as unique when you wake up to it every morning," she mentions, tossing a few silver strands aside.
Sophie cannot repress an envious glare before she turns back to her tea, "Well... I guess not..." The priestess is silent for a moment before adding, "Oh... If your new armor is magical, I could use divination to determine its properties. Should speed things up at the armorsmith, then they'll just need to figure out what metal it is."
"It most likely is...I can't see anyone so dedicated to such a dangerous cause not taking measures to safe-" Gail stops, a painful grimace covering her face as she realizes what she was about to say. Deciding it would be best to let the cleric work, she pulls her pack over and reaches in, pulling out piece after piece and laying them onto the table. Finally, she gets to the breastplate, cruelly crumpled and fractured in, and with a depressed sigh, completes the entire set.
Sophie frowns at the battered armor, glancing up at the Strife Slayer with renewed admiration, "...the...Strife Lord did this?" She shakes her head sadly, beginning to look over the armor carefully, grimacing at the crushed breastplate.
Identify cast on Lisa's shattered armor.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:33 pm
((Lisa's armor contains very strong magic which Sophie seems unable to identify with her spell. >Identify does not work on artifacts.< )) "Michael?" Jim asks, approaching the warlock. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" "Certainly O Jolly one." Michael smiled, turning around, hands on hips, a grin on his face.
"I hear you're from Destonia?" Jim asks.
"Well, around that area yes." Michael nodded.
"What do you know about what's going on over there right now?" Jim asks.
"Well, the Dominator is flexing his muscles as he sees an advantageous position. If that's true, then the usual is going on."
"Which would be what?" Jim asks.
"Expand, expand expand." Michael remarks cheerfully
"How familiar are you with the Destonia military?" Jim asks.
"Or really, do you have any useful information on the matter? We're trying to decide what action to take."
"Currently? Well, the rabble I know little about. The higher ones you tend to hear all the scandal about..." Michael shrugged. "As for action...well, it's a empire with mostly corrupt High ups, a general populace looking out for themselves and each other when able and generally trying not to anger anyone with more rank." Michael sighed.
"We're putting together a team to investigate what's happening and gather more information in Destonia. If you know the area, perhaps you'd like to join them?" Jim asks.
Michael nodded. "I know the streets of the capital well enough."
"All right. Do you have any suggestions on what our course of action might be?" Jim asks.
"Nope." Michael smiled beautifically.
"All right then. I suppose that's all then. Thanks for your time," Jim says with a nod as he turns to leave.
Michael smiles at the commander. "Anything for Mr. Jolly."
Jim chuckles as he walks away.

Posted by: Alpha Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:23 am
Laeralas reappears in a large clearing, surrounded by immensely huge trees, a couple with rope ladders hanging from them. In the centre of the clearing are two tables, with chairs set around them. However, instead of looking upon with happily, as he normally would have done upon returning home, the elf is struck by the unusualness of his surroundings.
There is nobody around.
Almost unheard of during daylight hours, the central clearing of the village was deserted. Had he arrived after sunset, Laeral would have expected such a thing, which is why he teleported early morning, so he’d be able to see his friends.
Frowning at the mystery, the daggerspell heads over to one of the rope ladders, and begins to lithely climb up it, quickly arriving at one of the wooden platforms leading into the tree dwellings. However, as he nears the top, a feminine voice calls out sharply, the hostile tones not able to hide the elven accent.
“Halt, or be shot!”
After pausing for only a moment, Laeralas calls back, no concern apparent in his voice at all.
“I think I’ll decline from both, if you don’t mind, Vala,” he replies in elven, almost laughing. “I hope that’s ok with you.”
“L… Laeral? Is that… of course, come up!” comes the response, also in elven.
The smile widening to a grin, Laeralas climbs up the last couple of metres and steps onto the platform. Standing before him is a trio of armed and armoured elves, each with bows strung and arrows knocked. All three have hair the same colour and shade as Laeral’s. The sight of them, arrayed as they are, gives the daggerspell slight pause, and the grin fades to a frown.
“So, would you mind telling me what’s going on?” he asks, after a moment of silence. “Because this whole situation reeks of wrongness.”
“Sorry, but we thought you were an Imperial!” Vala exclaims. “You arrived so suddenly, we thought their attack had begun.”
“Imperials? But…why would they be here? Or even near here? I’ve heard that Destonia has invaded Aspinia again, but…”
“They’re camped nearby,” the female says. “Their exact intentions aren’t known, though they have a couple of elves held captive. That’s why we’ve deserted the clearing level, even during the day.”
The news seems to shock Laeral, putting him off balance somewhat.
“But…but why would they do that! We have nothing to do with the–”
“We know, Laeral!” Vala interrupts, before sighing. “Look, you should go see your father. He can inform you better than me, and plus, you haven’t been here for a while. He’ll be glad to see you. Also, he’s been helping David with running the village.”
“What, David’s not here?” he asks.
“Not right now, no. Heboda and he have gone out, to scout the area and see what the Imperials are up to.”
Laeralas nods at this information. David was a renowned and skilled ranger, and led Stamp as best he could. Also, he and he girlfriend had journeyed and fought beside Prince Medion for a while.
“Right then, I’ll go see father,” he says after a moment of contemplation. He moves forward to embrace Vala in a hug. “It’s good to see you again. I just wish I could stay longer. I’m afraid this is only a day visit.” Vala nods in reply, expecting as much. “Oh, by the way, is Tal here?”
“Your brother? No, he left a couple of weeks ago. But Raelan can tell you more about that too,”[/b] Vala says.
“Right, right, I’m going,” he says, moving off towards a nearby rope bridge. He stops, and turns around to regard the three elves. “Until we next meet, Vala, Aramil, Etilar.” And he walks away, moving between the massive trees, already lost in the memories of his home.
The trees of Stamp truly are a wonder. Hugely vast and wide, the elves of the village had learned long ago how to coexist with them, building dwellings in and around them, often with the aid of magic. Most of the trees were interconnected via rope bridges, eventually leading up to the canopy, just below which David and Hedoba resided. A path leads from the canopy out to the rest of the forest corridor, which would eventually bring a traveller to the lands outside of Barrand. Moving through these areas, Laeralas can’t help but smile and stops once or twice just to admire what’s around him, taking it all in.
Before long, he reaches one of the higher dwellings, and waiting outside it is an aged elf, that despite his years looks strikingly similar to Laeralas. He smiles and extends his arms as the daggerspell draws near.
“Laeralas, my son, it has been too long since you were last here,” Raelan says, giving Laeral a hug and leading him inside the house.
“Not so long, father,” comes the reply, slightly muffled as he’s crushed by Raelan’s strong grip. Stepping back from the embrace, he continues. “But longer since I saw Talacre. Vala told me you knew where he was.”
“Ah, your younger brother. Well, maybe you interpreted her wrong, for indeed I do not know his exact whereabouts. The fact of the matter is he left here two weeks ago, to search for you! It’s ironic that you return here now, missing him by such a short time.”
The news depresses Laeralas slightly. He hadn’t seen his brother in just over two years, and he sorely missed him after such a long time. He had been hoping he’d been in Stamp too. Before replying to his father, Laeral lets out a long, drawn out sigh.
“Oh well then. I suppose it’ll just be longer before our paths cross again,” he says, not even trying to hide his disappointment.
“Don’t worry, Laer! You’ll meet sooner than you expect, if I know your brother. After all, he set out to find you! That group you travel with shouldn’t be too difficult to find,” Raelan reassures his son, smiling warmly. “How are they all, anyway? How is Thavon? And Alexander? He was your group’s leader, if my aging memory is still useful.”
Laeralas nods, and manages a small smile at his father’s jest. Raelan was a powerful wizard, and so of course his memory was as good as it had been seventy years ago.
“Yes, Alexander is our leader. He seems to be fine. In fact, it was him who granted me permission to come here. We won’t be moving along for a while, so there was time for a day visit. And Thavon…” and the elf curses loudly.
“What is it?!” the older elf asks sharply, a look of worry crossing his angular features.
“It’s just that Thavon was badly injured in the last area we were exploring, and it temporarily out of action,” Laeralas replies, sighing. “I should have brought him back here, to rest in his own room. I’m sure it would have sped up his recovery.”
“Oh Laeral, you worry too much. He’ll be fine. Just give it some time.” and he puts his arm on his son’s shoulder to reassure him. “Now however, I think we should get onto the more serious business of the Imperial presence nearby.”
Laeralas nods gravely in reply.
“They arrived a while ago, without warning. They haven’t moved on or into the village yet, though when they first started patrolling they took two elves captive. We sent an envoy, but they made their intentions clear that they didn’t want to talk.”
“But it doesn’t make sense!” Laeralas exclaims, anger lacing his tone. “They didn’t try anything of the like before or during the Bulzome uprising! We’ve always been here to protect the Holy Land, not to involve ourselves in struggles between nations. Even when David and Hedoba joined Prince Medion, it wasn’t to help the Empire fight the Republic, it was to help the Prince in the conflict against Bulzome! And – argh!” the elf breaks off, realising the uselessness of his rant. Still, it felt good to have vented some steam. All the while, Realan merely smiled at his son’s outburst, waiting for him to finish before even trying to speak.
“Yes, my son, valid points all. However, if it is indeed Emperor Domaric’s to conquer all of Eastern Parmecia, then I suspect that the reason they haven’t moved on us yet is because of the aid David and Hedoba gave to Medion, and in some parts, the Emperor himself,” he says, before sighing. “Of course, that’s only speculation. I’m sure that before long we’ll know the truth.” And he pauses for a moment. “But for now, we have deserted the clearing. Even the dwarves rarely venture down, although the priest remains ever in the Church of Elbesem.”
The younger elf nods helplessly, knowing that for now, there is not much he can do about the Imperial situation.
“I think we should now move onto a lighter subject. I do not wish your visit to be marred by nothing but disappointing and distressing talk. Tell me of your travels and the group you are with.”
Laeral nods again, glad to move onto a different topic.
“The group is fine, bar Thavon’s injury. Oh, a half elf joined recently who is highly amusing. For some reason he has a blinding dislike of all elves. He doesn’t seem to realise that the reason I often tease him is because of his dislike.” Laeralas shrugs, a grin appearing. “In our last encounter with enemies, I cast a blink spell, and ran straight through him with it. He didn’t really react, but it was fun nonetheless. I think Talacre would have great fun with him. Apart from that, everybody seems to be fine, though we’ve recently joined up with three other groups. We met up whilst clearing out a horde of undead from an ancient stronghold. There were some odd things there, most beyond my comprehension. I’m sure you would have enjoyed looking around though,” he adds with a smile.
“You certainly seem to be busy, especially recently,” comes the reply. “So it begs the questions as to why you’re here now.”
“Ah well, we only just defeated the evil dwelling within the ancient fortress (called Megiddo by the way) yesterday. And with the meeting of several groups, at least a couple of days will go by without much going on whilst actions are planned. I jumped at the opportunity to visit, as I don’t know when I’d be able to again. Also, we’re staying in an elven village,” and Laeralas stops talking, pausing for a moment in contemplation. “It’s quite odd really. None of them have green hair, and they all live on the ground! It was surprising when I first saw it. But I suppose that there are bound to be difference when you’re the better part of a continent away,” he says, smiling.
“Well, as far as I know, we of this village are unique in both our hair colour and how we live with the trees. Of course, differences are a good thing –” Realan begins before being cut off by his son.
“Because if everything was the same, life would be boring,”[i] Laeral says, finishing one of his father’s favourite quotes, and he leans back against the wall, unconsciously displaying his weapons belt.
[i]“Hm, I see you have a new dagger, my son. Tell me, how fares the one I crafted for you?” asks Raelan. In response, Laeralas draws both daggers and flips them over to his father, who inspects them both.
“Extremely useful and life saving as ever! Often they never see the blade coming,” replies Laeral exuberantly. “And the enchantment you bestowed on it that allows it to store spells is especially handy. I generally keep a shivering touch spell in there these days. I managed to freeze an elder earth elemental in its tracks with it! Also, the strands of mother’s hair are still there…,” and he falters. A look of pain passes between father and son. Carrying on quickly to dispel the sudden drop of mood, Laeral indicates his other dagger. “I happened to get that on Grans Island, at a Dwarven village. A very odd place, but the craftsmanship is excellent. The ore contains powers of both fire and lightning, and the village cleric enchanted it with holy energy. It cost me quite a lot, but has been worth it,” he says, the smile returning.
“It’s good to hear you’ve travelled widely,” Raelan says, also smiling now, but sadly. “You’re honouring your promise, of which I’m proud.”
Laeralas nods, smiling still, but a solemn expression on his face. An easy silence of reminiscence settles over the elven pair, both lost in memories in an almost reverie like state for many minutes. Coming back from his trance, Laeral sighs, and speaks to his father.
“I should probably return to the Fairy Village now, father.” he says. “Stuff can happen very quickly, and events seem to proceed extremely quickly at times.” he says, before pausing. “It’s wonderful to have seen you again, father. I shall return when I’m next able, which I hope isn’t too far into the future.”
Raelan nods, smiling.
“Farewell for now my son. May your travels always be safe. And looks out for you brother! You’ll cross paths with him soon enough,” he says, embracing his son again. Laeralas then begins to chant a spell of teleportation. Just before the spell is completed, he nods a farewell to his father, and then disappears.
===============
Reappearing in the same spot he had left earlier, Laeralas looks around, unable to smile, his heart heavy. Sighing, he heads back towards the elven village.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:35 am
"I will be accompanying whoever moves to free the gods," Sorel says. "At the same time I would suggest that a small contingent -- Max and a few others -- seeks out the living members of the Shining Forces." He looks at Cedric. "King Nick will surely know the location of a few. I know several were at the final battle on Grans Island, including Ian."
He looks about at the assembled leaders. "It seems that no matter how we divide our numbers, we will mix our forces together. So I suggest that we make every effort to meet with members of those under each other's command."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:53 am
"So as it stands, we have a scout mission going to Destonia, a scout mission to Enrich, a scout mission to Bedoe and Tristan, a scout mission to Rune, and a scout mission to find the other members of the Shining Force..." Jim says with a frown. "How many teleporters do we have? I have Viki and Maria, so that's two teams that I can form."
Leadership Meeting

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:41 am
The diminutive diviner Johann quietly enters the room where Sophie and Gail are drinking their tea. After watching the two for a moment, the gnome clears his throat. "I'm sorry to have to ask this, Sophie," he asks, "but can I borrow Gail for a moment? I need to ask her a question in private." Motioning for the paladin to follow him, he walks down to the treeline.
Gail quirks a silver brow at the gnome's question, looking askance at Sophie as to what exactly he could want. Not receiving an answer, she walks after him, furrowing her brow quizzically. "You're...with Alexander's group, aren't you? What do you need of me?"
Johann nods, then sighs and sits crosslegged on the ground. With a gesture, the branches around them thicken and twist, until they effectively block the sight of anyone who might glance their way. The gnome, however, continues to watch the paladin with an inscruitable expression. Finally, he asks, "Can you keep a secret? I'm about to deliver the lives of many people I care for into your hands. Can I trust you?"
The paladin watches the theruge cover their conversation, eyes widening is surprise, before narrowing into an analytical glare at the sitting gnome. Her expression softens at his inquiry, concern and confusion melding. After a moment, she sits, deciding it would be easier to speak if they were on equal terms. "Why bring this to me? I don't even know your name...and yet, you're willing to tell me something so important?"
Johann sighs. "Because you're the reason we came out here to begin with. Let me start from the beginning, if you are willing."
Gail, recovering quickly from the shocking response, glances to either side of the enclosure in suspicion, almost expecting to see others with the man. "Go on."
The gnome thinks for a moment, organizing his thoughts. "As Alex has said freely, I am a seer and the leader of my village. I told him that my two companions and I left the village to fight and defeat the Strifelords before the war reached our homeland. I was not entirely truthful. I am not a powerful seer, as diviners go in this world, but the enemy has seen fit to seek out and kill all of the most powerful of my profession they could find in the opening stages of the war. One of them managed to reach beyond death, however, to give a vision to me. I have reason to believe it was Ortrant, whom you may have heard of."
"The vision," the gnome continues, "was of your team, locked in combat with one of the Strife Lords. A woman died in that fight, though you were eventually victorious. After the battle, her armor was handed down to you. My village is close to nature and wise in the ways of magic, and in the forging of many things. Ortrant charged me to seek you out, and to see that this armor was restored. He said you would have need of it."
"I lied to Alexander." the gnome says quitely. "I said the three of us had left our village to defend it. The truth is, I brought our village with us. The wisest of our clerics, most powerful of our druids, most skillful of our smiths, the most woodwise of our rangers and pathfinders... I have, in fact, left my village nearly defenseless should the Strifelords choose to attack."
"Nor are my followers strong enough to survive the sort of fight we have just endured in that mountain. Which is why I have kept them separate and hidden from the force this entire time. But I have brought them with me, to seek you out, and to offer our services to you, if you will accept them."
"The armor is yours, to do with as you see fit. If you wish it, I and my followers will do what we can to restore it to its former abilities. I only ask that you keep their presence, and my village's vulnerability, a secret to everyone."
Gail simply stares at the seer, unable to tear away from the tale, or the numb shock that overwhelmed her during the story. A entire village, uprooted and defenseless...just to serve some vision? To aid her? Her hand flies to her lips, an absent-minded habit when she needed to think...What else could she do? "You've come so far, to...who am I to refuse you the very purpose you came to fulfill," she asks rhetorically, nodding to Johann. "I would...gladly accept your aid."
The seer watches the paladin closely as she thinks, then closes his eyes at her answer. "It is unfair of me to ask you to make a decision so quickly. No, when it comes to an artifact of that power, you deserve time to think things over. Especially for something that may symbolize your memory of a respected sister-in-arms." Johann stands up and smiles, continuing to say, "I don't think the team will be leaving before the day is through. If you would like us to look and see what aid we can offer, seek any of the three of us out. We'll lead you to our fellows."
The diviner gestures, and the vines and branches fall away. "I'm sorry for interrupting your breakfast, though." he says earnestly. "Please apologize to Sophie for me. It's not that I don't trust her- but minds can be read, as I well know, and the fewer who know, the more I can pray for a happy ending."
"It's...it's alright," the maiden manages, slowly rising to her feet. "I'll...keep your secret. That much, I...I can promise." She then bows to the seer, before walking back to the table, enwrapped in her own thoughts.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:16 pm

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:53 pm)
"So as it stands, we have a scout mission going to Destonia, a scout mission to Enrich, a scout mission to Bedoe and Tristan, a scout mission to Rune, and a scout mission to find the other members of the Shining Force..." Jim says with a frown. "How many teleporters do we have? I have Viki and Maria, so that's two teams that I can form."
Leadership Meeting

"I can teleport as well," Hal says. "I'll be going with Alexander."
"Uh...Isyndel can teleport, and I'm pretty sure Damas can too," Zook replies. "So that makes...five? That should be enough to do these all at once. Although I think it'd probably be a better idea to leave some people behind to oversee the construction of the headquarters." The engineer again clears his throat loudly.
"This raises the question of who will go with whom, and who will stay behind," Sorel says.

Posted by: Rusty Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:07 pm
*Alexander replies with a grin.* "Merla, Sophie, and Laeralas can teleport as well. I can teleport myself and a small group back here, but I can't take us to Rune like my brother can. So, that makes it eight. Indeed, though, it looks like we'll be dividing our forces."

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:32 am
[Leadership Meeting] The paladin listens thoughtfully to the other leaders before finally speaking, "Yes..." He nods, "My force will contribute to the special missions as needed. I will lead the mission to Enrich." He frowns, glancing at the archwizardess and gnome, "Additionally... I think that Zook and his tinkers should take another look through the ruins and, as I mentioned earlier, Isyndel will lead efforts to break the seal of the realms of the dead." He pauses before adding, "I think it is warranted to visit every major settlement in the world outside of the Empire and Rune. This will provide us with a much more complete understanding of the situation...and allow us to seek out resources and allies."
[Earlier]
“Sulia…” Cedric breaths, staring down at the note in his hands in stunned disbelief. A gauntleted hand slowly twist, crumbling the elegantly scripted note, as the knight of Mitula looks up to the abandoned armor and artifact. Softly, he steps over to the bed and runs a hand over the armor, his eyes growing distant as he whispers a few words quietly. Fighting back tears, the paladin takes the mace and the armor, walking morosely from the room.
[Coventry, Merla]
“Good morning there, little halfling.” A handsome elven man with shoulder length blue hair smiles with a nod to the wizardess.
Merla dips the tip of her quill pen into a bottle of ink and brings it back to the parchment she is writing on. Upon the table are many open tomes and books, and a gray tabby cat curled up up into a furry little ball. Without even turning to look at the elf, Merla speaks. "I am very busy good sir, so unless there is something you need from me, I kindly ask you to leave me to my work."
The elf chuckles ruefully, “Oh… I see…” He glances over her at the book curiously, “Studying magic?” He shakes his head, “This early? …have you even had breakfast yet?” He rubs his head, “Oh right, halfling, second breakfast then?” He smiles at her kindly.
"I made sure to have breakfast before comming here." Merla flips to another page. "I could end up being here all day, and even I need to eat."
"Even you?" The elf chuckles bemused, "I should hope so." He frowns slightly, "Well..." He shrugs, "Sorry to bother you then." He takes a step back, glancing back, "Enjoy your...studies..."
Merla puts down her quill pen and finally looks up at the elf. "One more thing... You must have a name...what is it?"
“Doctor Coventry.” The elf bows with a flourish, smiling at her, “…and might I be honored with your name, milady?”
"Merla," the halfling replies.
The Elven Doctor nods, “Nice name.” He tilts his head curiously, “What are exactly are you studying?” He chuckles, “I’m afraid that I’m one of those spiritualists rather than an arcanist…so, you’ll have to forgive me for being rather ignorant…”
"A protection spell. More specifically, a spell that protects against those blasted lasers. I hope I can find a way..."
The Elven Doctor nods intently, pondering the matter, “You know…there’s that gnome engineer…Zook…maybe he knows something about lasers that would help you…” He rubs his chin, “I’ve been working on putting together some new spells myself, lately…nothing related to lasers…but I know just how frustrating of a process it can be.” He grimaces at some thought, “There’s one project of mine…a transmutation spell…eh...” He shakes his head, “What a bother…” Then he smiles, “Well, it sounds like you have a good handle on things though, Merla. You remembered breakfast and I’m sure you know to take breaks.” He nods, “Smart lady.”
Merla chuckles. "Thank you for the compliment, Doctor."
“No flattery…” The Elven Doctor smiles with a wink, “It’s the truth.” He rubs his stomach with a sad pout, “Well, I’ve not breakfasted yet…” He smiles up to her, “So, I’ll see you later? Dinner, perhaps?”
Merla nods. "Of course."
"Good luck then." The Elven Doctor smiles and makes his exit.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:36 am
((I wonder what a deeper darkness spell would do against lasers? Since it blocks all mundane light from passing through the spell, and that's all that a laser is...))

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:00 am
[Leadership Meeting] "All right..." Jim says, looking at the map. "So we've a team in Enrich, Tristan, Bedoe, Destonia, and Rune. That's five teams, for eight teleporters... We can field 3 other expeditions. Any ideas?" "We should connect with Mechanis," Zook says. "You said you had a ship in orbit?"
"That's correct," Jim says. "If I understand where you're going, I can use its comm/scan arrays to search for this place... Assuming I have some idea of what to look for."
Alexander cautions, "Let's not spread our resources too thin, though. We're scouting right now. I think we should have at least one of the teleporters in reserve should anything come up."
"It'll look far more advanced than any other city on the
planet," Zook says.
"I'll give the order," Jim nods to Zook before turning to Alex. "The manpower needed for simple scouting missions is very light. We really shouldn't be taxing our resources too thin, but I suppose I could have Viki on standby just in case."
Alex nods, "Not that we have a good strong way of communicating while we're apart, but I just think it wouldn't hurt to play it safe a little. That device you gave me, I'm guessing, does not work at very far ranges, right?"
Zook looks up. "Device? You have commlinks?"
"Yes," Jim says, turning to Zook. "Why?"
"D'you think you could spare one? I'm working on a radio system."
"I can spare one," Jim says with a frown. "I handed out most of my spares to the others."
Cedric clears his throat, before speaking in a tired voice, "Very well... In regards to preserving order and discipline, managing a group of thirty is far different from a group of two hundred." He glances around heavily, "But it is essential to maintain order in this struggle...and will only become more so as." He leans back in his chair, "My solution... We establish a police force, comprised of one individual for ten persons on each contingency. Each contingency would be responsible for equipping their representatives on the police force with non-lethal weaponry... It is my opinion that this would create an unbiased body responsible for maintaining order among us." He tilts his head, "This leadership council would manage the police force, establishing a duty roster and responsibilities for each member. The existing chain of command would be altered only in that members of the police force have authority over non-leadership personnel in domestic disputes."
Jim laughs.
Zook blinks. "Don't you think that's...uh...a little much?"
He turns to the gnome, "This reaction may seem drastic... But I fear this is a problem that will only grow more serious with time and that we should take measures to address it now. Given our numbers, our combat prowess, and the tremendous stress we are all under; I think establishing a more organized means of maintaining order would be...prudent."
Jim stops laughing and his eyebrows raise. "Wait... You're serious?"
((Nightmare: he's LG, what can you expect?))
"Commander Radford, I would appreciate it if you would stop disrupting the meeting." Cedric states sternly.
Zook looks around. "Have there been any fights yet?"
Jim shakes his head. "It won't work. Not in a band like this. Adventurers don't react well to coercion."
"We are not adventurers." Cedric states sternly, "We are a military force and we will act like it."
Zook clears his throat. "Uh, Cedric, sir..."
The paladin glances to the gnome, "Yes, Zook?"
"Has there been a fight yet? I haven't seen anything to suggest
we can't all get along."
Cedric glances to Alex.
"There's been only one 'fight', if you could call it that," Jim says. "But it's already been resolved."
Jim shakes his head at Cedric. "Why do you think this is appropriate?"
Sorel looks down at the ground.
"Were you not listening to me?" Cedric asks quietly, "I thought I stated my reasoning very clearly."
"Policing of the nature you are suggesting will generate ill will and endanger unit cohesion," Jim states. His eyebrows arch more. "Furthermore, I was under the impression that most in the groups got along rather well..."
Alexander frowns, "One 'fight', yes, but we can't risk any others. What if it were to happen in the middle of battle? Our groups barely know each other, so we can't assume there's going to be no quarrels."
Hal shifts his weight back and forth, waving slightly in his chair. "Well, at the very least I think this is the sort of thing we'll not need to worry about until the headquarters is set up, no?"
Faralon: "I would give Cedric a bit more credit, Jim. Our group had to deal with fighting within the ranks before. Under his guidance, we've had little, if any, since."
The paladin arches an eyebrow,replying plainly, "This is a decision that need not be made now…but it should be given serious consideration.”
"Who would we use?" Sorel asks quietly. "Who would maintain
order among us if a dispute did break out?"
Jim sighs. "I see your reasoning, but I do not see the need or how any good will come of it... I'll consider it more, perhaps I have misunderstood the situation."
"I understand that your army may operate differently…and I understand that you might chafe at this…” The paladin sighs, "But I believe it is necessary in a group our size."
"I will say that we consider this again only if fighting becomes a problem. A fight here and there is normal for warriors," Jim says.
“Perhaps that is acceptable in your ranks…” Cedric sighs, “But I feel that there must be disicipline…”
"There is discipline. There is a difference between a police force and discipline," Jim says, quietly. "For example..."
"Of what kind?" Sorel asks. "Surely you have something in
mind."
"If someone transgresses against another, the leader of that person's group could devise a suitable penalty. Such as I made Sheila clean the banquet grounds since she slapped Sorel's daughter. For such minor incidences there's no need to be heavy handed."
Alexander frowns, "If nothing else, I say we should give out warnings to avoid any fighting and explain what consequences to expect should any fights break out."
"That makes sense," Jim says, nodding at Alex's suggestion.
Sorel winces as the incident is mentioned.
“Different leaders have different approaches…” Cedric states simply, “Perhaps…a stern talk is sufficient for one leader where another might charge a fine or demand a public apology.” He nods to Sorel, "We need to establish common ground and I think a neutral policing force would accomplish this."
"Then simply have a leader who is not connected to either party mediate the dispute," Jim says, "A police force is far too drastic a measure to be installed yet."
"I disagree." Cedric states simply, "Shall we put the matter to vote?"
"Who gets to vote?" Zook asks.
"That's a good point. Who gets to vote?" Jim asks. "Leaders only?"
"I should think so." Cedric states simply.
Alexander: "I would rather everyone get a vote, but if it makes things simpler..."
"I'm against it for the reasons stated," Jim says, simply. "Disciplinary plans are fine... A police force is far too drastic and would cause more problems than it would solve."
"Does everyone include all of our followers? The army of tinkers that supports us for instance?" Cedric asks quietly, "We are the selected leaders of our forces, they trust in combat...why should they not trust us in this?"
Zook opens mouth to speak, but he closes it without saying anything.
Alexander frowns, "I don't know how you act as a unit in combat, but my force is generally vocal about what they're going to do, and when possible, ask my permission before taking actions should they come up with any ideas."
Hal looks at Alexander expectantly. "So are you voting, then?"
"Arming people with weapons, even non-lethal ones, and telling them to watch out for their comrade's actions will not end well," Max says, quietly.
"If you truly wish to be a Shining Force..." Max says, quietly. "Then the bonds you should pay attention to are those of camraderie, not steel."
"If you can't fight without forcing your troops to get along, then you have already lost," Max says, shaking his head. "Battles of the sort we fight are fought just as much with the heart and soul as the sword and mind. Any group of soldiers can be a battalion... It takes those willing to brave insurmountable odds for the person next to them to be a Shining Force."
((At the next feasible opportunity, I am withdrawing Cedric from this campaign. I have devoted a great deal of energy to being a leader and given recent events I find that I am no longer willing to contiune.))

Posted by: Cyrus Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:55 pm
Gail, having since finished breakfast and set out through the village once more, scours the elven village for a recently reunited friend, occasionally shifting the weight of the backpack behind her to prevent it from digging into her shoulders. Spotting a blue haired man nearby, she calls out to him, hustling over. "Excuse me...Have you seen a man with short brown hair and blue eyes, with thin framed glasses? He's around my height....I've been looking for him all morning."
"All morning?" The elf asks with a sympathetic look at the heavy backpack, "You must be tired." He tilts his head, "Want to join me for breakfast?" He smiles kindly, "A break might be just the thing you need…and who knows, maybe this man with short brown hair and blue eyes, with thin framed glasses might just come to you."
"I've already eaten, thank you...though, I suppose that means I haven't been searching for him the morning started," she muses, looking from the man to the clearing around them. "I don't believe I'd see him there...I seem to remember him cooking his own meals. Thank you for your time. " With that, she begins to wander away from him, once again in search.
"Wait…" The elf says suddenly, swiftly stepping after her and looking at her intently, "Ar…aren't you the Strife Slayer?" His eyes slowly widen, "Mighty…beautiful...otherworldly…" He jumps up and down excitiedly, "You are!" He glances around as if preparing to proclaim her identity to others.
The holy knight turns as the man calls her attention...then her face pales with his swiftly forming announcement, unable to raise her hands to stop him before he begins shouting at the top of his lungs. "No, I...," she begins, wondering how Sophie had managed to spread the word this quickly. "Please...could you not use that title? I'd rather not be known as a slayer of anything...even if its death has helped many feel safer."
The elf hesitates at her words, looking at her questioningly, "Eh… What?" He looks down with a frown, scratching a pointed ear thoughtfully, then glances up, "Ah… What title should I use then?" He half-smiles hopefully as he asks, "Chaos Killer? Bane Burier?" A mischievous twinkle shines in his eyes, "Firefly?"
Gail blinks at the response she gets, not exactly sure how she should react to the most recent suggestion. "I'm...sorry, but I fail to see where exactly that last one came from."
"Um... Well..." The elf blinks, mumbling quietly, "I should think it was obvious..." He bends down and picks up a pebble. Standing, he whispers something softly and it begins to shine with light, "See?" He holds it out to her, "Imagine this is a firefly. See how it shines?" He pouts, "...but...only we can see that..."
He points up, shaking his head, "...because the sun is so bright." He bounces the pebble in his hand, looking at her quizzically, "I wonder...do you think everyone is a firefly?" He chuckles, holding the pebble to her, "A light bringer… Only, no one sees it except the people close to them...until darkness falls?"
The elf pauses for a moment, then pockets the pebble with a chuckle and and shakes his head, "Sorry, sorry… I'm kind of bored." He pulls a pair of glasses from an inner pocket and slides them on with a smile, "What did you want?"
Gail watches, enraptured by the elf's stunning words of wisdom; as he continues, she can't shake the feeling that she must know him, he sounded so familiar...her suspicions were confirmed by the Doctor donning his trademark glasses, his reward a flat glare from the maiden. She shakes her head at his antics. "You become other people and recite insightful speeches? Seems a good deal more than most others would pass their time with," she remarks, lifting her head to display a smile. "I wanted to give you what you...no...what was taken from you by the traitor when you left. I...felt it only right, that you should receive what's yours." The smile drops when she speaks, a spark of worry shifting in her eyes before it clears.
kingkai279: "Ok." The Doctor nods, taking Gail by the arm, "Let's go."
"What do you mean?" The Elven Doctor asks with a smile, "What did th..." The smile fades, "What did Astrid take from me that hasn't been restored already?" He hesitates, glancing down at the ground with a slight frown, "...how did she die?"
Gail watches Alastor with a grimace, an old wound tearing itself open as he asks her to recall that painful point in time. She takes a moment, a deep breath forcing down sorrow that tried to force its way to the surface, constructing the scene before her, organizing exactly what happened, and when. "She...Astrid," Gail says, this time without the malice that had accompanied her name since the had left Grans, "...was killed inside the Devil Fortress, after...she shown what she truly was. I saw her at the gate, simply smiling with contempt. She told me everything, then." She stops again, her head hanging, staring at the grass beneath her. "Everything..."
"She told me how you looked when you died, the inexplicable shock that she enjoyed...how she tried, and failed to alter my memory, to make me believe that I...," She turns away further, clenching a fist, a hot current of rage running through her as that wicked grin flashed into her mind, burned there from so long ago. A while passes before the paladin looks back to the Doctor, blue eyes glistening. "She laughed when she spoke of you...about how good it made her feel, to see you so helpless. Then she ran at me, and I...couldn't do it," she whispers, looking off to the side once more.
"I wanted to...to keep her alive, to show her that...," she silences herself, unable or unwilling to complete her thought. "Tanis...he was possessed, by the time we arrived...he saw what happened, and decided to finish what I had started. Astrid...might have ordered him, before hand, to take her life, if she fell...or maybe...I don't know. There...was nothing left." She glances back to Alastor, unable to meet his gaze for long. "I...only wanted to give you the possessions that were left behind. That was all."
The Elven Doctor listens quietly as the maiden describes the last moments of his murderess and her own torment. His eyes are mixed with a pained sorrow, a deep compassion, and an old bitterness. He nods softly as she finishes her tale. Then, she looks to him and the Elven Doctor falters at her words, "…my…possessions…" He says weakly, looking at the maiden with wavering eyes as if unable to turn away.
Gail nods slowly, setting the pack on the ground before beginning to search through, pulling out the blanket she had used last night and placing it on the ground. Then, she began placing his possessions; sets of clothing he had worn, folded with care and wrinkled with disuse; a wand, still holding a faint trace of magic; a shield, battered, as if regardless to its stable state; a red leather hood, the soft velvet shining in the morning sun; a music box, the fine instrument just as he had left it; two bags of marbles, wrapped inside of a cloth hammock; and lastly, a silver statue of two angels embracing, which she lies around the neck of the top most shirt. Finished, she looks up to Alastor, waiting.
The Elven Doctor takes a step closer, staring down with wavering eyes as the maiden begins unpacking his belongings. He drops to a knee, running a trembling hand over the soft velvet and sleek mithril. His eyes trail up to the paladin, his mouthing opening to speak but no words coming as she continues her rummaging without noting his gaze.
He lowers his hand to touch the polished wood of the music box. His skin tone darkens while his blue hair slowly shrinks and changes to brown. His hand drifts to touch a wrinkled shirt as he looks up with her, his eyes shifting to blue. He says weakly, "Yo…you kept them…"
Gail turns at the Doctor's words, biting on her lip as the healer touches his belongings like they were relics, ready to crumble to dust and blow away. "Of course," she finally says, showing a gentle smile. "There was...only one person I could give them to."
The Doctor trembles at her words, turning away from her smile and looking down to the ground. He struggles to repress a snivel, wiping at his eye with a sheelve and replying in a feeble voice, "Th…thank you."
Gail shakes her head, silver locks shining in the sun as she goes to stand, heaving the now lightened pack on her shoulders. "It was something I needed to do." With that, she begins to walk off, before she stops, a thought hitting her. "Oh...if you want to thank me for something, you might want to make yourself scarce. Sophie seems...determined to pay you back for what you did last night."
"I...see…" The Doctor nods weakly to the paladin's simple explanation, taking a deep breath before looking up at her as she speaks again, "Sophia?" He frowns slightly, glancing down at his belongings laid out before him blankly, "…of course. She would be." He gets back to his feet slowly, "This whole time, I've done nothing but use and hurt her." His frown deepens as he shakes his head broodingly.
The maiden grimaces at the doctor's plight, a finger placed upon a lip, locked in pensive pondering. "Then...I suppose it's something you'll have to face." She turns back to Alastor, looking into his pained blue eyes, unable to look away. "How are you and her related?" she finds herself asking, internally cursing herself for asking such a thing.
Though he winces as the Paladin gives voice to her simple answer, the Doctor nods resignedly, staring at the ground with a heavy frown. He glances up distantly at her query, "Sophia?" He replies in a distracted voice, crossing his arms as he looks down contemplatively at his belongings, "She's my kid sister…"
"Oh...I see," Gail says, looking away. She can'y help but feel guilty at the relief the answer brought her. She glances back to him, stares at him...and realizes she has nothing more to say. Nothing she could say, to help him here. It would be better to leave him with his thoughts...he didn't need her right now. Turning away, she hangs her head, saying a soft "Goodbye, Alastor," before heading off to fulfill the rest of her obligations.
His eyes clearing for a moment, the Doctor looks up with a faint smile, "Goodbye, Firefly."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:01 pm
It was some time between breakfast and lunch that Melissa found herself with nothing to do. She had already stood guard during the early morning and performed maintence on her weapons today and had not been assigned any more duties for the time being. Feeling restless Melissa realized that she hadn't had any kind of practice fighting against melee weapons since her early training and knew that would have to be remedied.
Spotting Graigus, and remembering seeing his skill with a staff after she had reviewed the footage her helmet had recorded of the last battle in Meggido, she figured the dwarf would be a good start for this. Striding over to the drunken master, she paused for a moment as she realized that she didn't know how to address him. He wasn't a normal civvilian or an enemy, nor was he a member of a military as far as she knew of.
Eventually the Spartan decided that a more informal approach would be best, which she was reluctant to use as the only time she ever spoke informally had been with her fellow Spartans.
"Graigus, it has come to my attention that you have excellent skill with a staff. I need practice fighting against close quarters weapons again, would you be willing to help me with this?"
"I don't know if my skills are excellet," the monk said, sheepishly. "But yeah... I have no problem sparring with you a little bit."
"Is right here and now fine with you?"
"Yeah... now's fine with me," the monk said. Are you ready?
"Always." After checking that they had sufficent space, the Spartan sets her weapons off to the side before assuming a standard karate stance.
"If you want to do straight hand-to-hand, I can do it without my staff," Graigus said, flexing and stretching slightly.
"It does me no good if you cripple yourself. Attack me with all of your ability."
"Alright... we can start whenever you're ready," the monk said.
The Spartan lashes out with a flurry of blows the very moment the dwarf finishes his statement.
"You should try to focus on accuracy over multiple attacks at first," Graigus said, hitting with three out of five blows, but only dealing damage with one - still a hit more than the super soldier had landed.
Melissa had to admit that she was impressed by the fact that the monk was able to put enough power behind his blow for her to feel it through her armor. Giving a slight nod of apprection, she attacks one more, but with more caution this time.
"Actually... in this case, maybe I ought to lose the staff," the drunken master said, letting the staff fall to the side. Using his fists this time, all of the strikes hit the Spartan's armor, though none could deal any damage.
Suspecting that Graigus would not have dropped his weapon without a good reason, the Spartan was tempted be even more defensive but instead moved on the offensive.
"Not bad," the monk said, nodding. "Now it's my turn!"
However, even with his added enthusiasm, the monk's blows still left the Spartan uninjured. Why did he drop his weapon if his fists leave him less able to fight? Despite the fact that the dwarf had apparently crippled himself, Melissa had no intention of backing off to let him retrieve his weapon.
Staggering back at the force of the blow, Graigus shook his head. I need to focus, he thought, or i'll end up embarrased. Leaping a short distance into the air, the monk delivered a pair of kicks, missing with the follow-up punch as he touched down.
" The best defense," he said, smiling, "is a good offense."
Once more Melissa was surprised at the force behind the dwarf's blows that allowed him to injure her despite the armor, as well as the fact he could pull off such a feat more than once.
"Are you okay?" he asked, slightly worried.
The Spartan grinned slightly under her helmet at the monk's comment, as it identical to what she had been taught in her training. However, she knew there were times when a straight up offense would not work. In response to the dwarf's question the Spartan launches another trio of attacks, one of which hits, before swiftly leaping and rolling some distance away from the monk. She remains silent as she is not one to talk during any form of combat, real or training.
Cartwheeling after the Spartan, the drunken master used his momentum to deliver a blow to Melissa's midsection.
"You should be more careful when moving away from an enemy in melee combat," Graigus said, his body bobbing and weaving as he waited for her next strike.
The Spartan appears to remain rock still, but Melissa could feel a new bruise forming from the blow. Still silent, the soldier counters with another trio of attacks.
The monk bent backwards almost impossibly, his feat leaving the ground for a moment as he snapped forward with a small leap. Untouched, he lashed out with three stiff kicks, only the middle of them landing.
Eyeing Graigus with new appreciation of his abiliites, Melissa decides to try something new. The Spartan quickly executes a low kick against the dwarf's legs followed by two more kicks aimed at his torso.
Caught unaware, the monk's leg gave out, bringing the rest of his normally stable body down. He managed to roll out of the way of the follow-up attacks, then slipped to his feet.
Melissa had hoped that the monk wouldn't recover so quickly, but the failure of her tactics didn't stop her from continuing in her efforts to win the match.
Letting the blow impact against his body, the monk took the opportunity to launch his own. However, again he only landed the middle of the three attacks.
She's good, the monk thought, looking at her warily. She's really good...
Wanting to end this soon, the Spartan pushes herself to her limit to pull off a lighting quick barrage of punches and kicks.
Still shocked by her sudden increase in attack strength and accuracy, the monk missed with two strikes before delivering a crushing blow to the midsection.
Grunting softly from the force of the attack, Melissa wondered if she had any more tricks to pull to shift the odds more in her favor. However, she had no luck in coming up with another plan of action and instead focused on continuing her onslaught.
Now accustomed to the rapid-fire strikes the Spartan dealt, only a single made it past his defenses. Still struggling, however, he could only repay her in kind.
As far as Melissa could tell, the two of them seemed to be evenly matched. Naturally she assumed he still had another trick up his sleeve, but without knowing what it might be she had no choice but to keep attacking.
Beginning to feel the blows more and more, not a single strike made it through.
Melissa swiftly re-evaluated her previous observation of their skills at seeing the dwarf's suddenly lackluster attacks. It seemed to her that he was more injured that she had believed.
Allowing one of his blows to go wide, he took the opening to deliver two solid strikes.
The Spartan was forced to shift a foot backwards in order to keep her balance against the twin blows that landed before countering with her own attacks.
Pressing his advantage slightly, the monk dealt yet another injury to the super soldier.
Seeing that her standard combo of punches and kicks wasn't working, the Spartan decides to focus strictly on leg attacks this time around.
The monk continued to lash out, hitting twice more with solid, bone-shaking hits.
The Spartan wasn't used to so many attacks failing to connect like that, so she was forced to wonder if her body's weakened condition was to blame or if the dwarf was starting to pick out holes in her methods. However, she couldn't stop her attacks just to figure this out.
Melissa counted herself lucky for managing to dodge the latest of the dwarf's hard hitting attacks and she tried to respond with attacks of her own.
Allowing the Spartan a false sense of security, the monk responded with two more savage blows.
Melissa staggered backwards, her half-ton of weight causing her feet to sink slightly into the ground even as she lashed out with her fists. Spartan-127 easily dodged the monk's next attacks and countered with more attacks of her own, including a powerful kick that managed to connect.
Now even more tired than he was before, the monk's strikes repeatedly fell short of their mark.
The Spartan noted with dismay that her left leg started to throb, but she mentally pushed the pain aside and continued with her barrage of attacks.
Replying in kind, the monk drove a foot into Melissa's midsection.
The Spartan managed to land a punch against the dwarf's torso, but her follow up punch and kick both mossed.
His strength beginning to wane, Graigus only connected with one blow, the other two missing the armored soldier.
He's doing very good, almost as good as a Spartan. Melissa paused briefly as her first blow missed, but her second punch landed a solid hit before being followed by another miss almost as a bad as the first.
The dwarf felt like he was moving through water, his punches and kicks slowing down as the damage began to take it's toll. Panting, he noted with disdain that his blows were beginning to miss more and more.
Melissa noted with some satisfaction that she seemed to be outlasting the dwarf at the moment. The Spartan took a moment to eye a possible weakness in the monk's defense and was able to exploit it to land a pair of blows on the dwarf's torso and arm.
Despite the hard hitting blows delivered by the monk, Melissa stayed on her feet and launched her own counter-attack. Unfortunately only a single blow landed and it wasn't as powerful as she would have liked.
Teetering and tottering, the monk breathed heavily, shaking his head clear. It was beginning to get hard to focus, and darkness tinged the edges of his vision. I've taken too many hits, he thought, hard as it was to do so. The next hit will put me into unconsciousness...
"I am sorry," Graigus panted, "for not having fought you at my full power. I'll stop taking it easy on you now, though!"
Squatting quickly, he sprang backwards, using a series of backflips to put distance between himself and the Spartan. Stopping a good distance away, his eyes focused on her as his body became hairy, taking on more and more of the aspects of the monkey he was often said to be.
Melissa eyed this new development and considered how to proceed. In a lighting quick moment she decided that it was best to stay on the offensive. Darting forward, the Spartan dove and rolled forward, managing to land a single blow.
The monk staggered back a step, before flailing his legs in a triple kick that failed to connect.
After dodging the monk's attacks, the Spartan found that Graigus was even better at dodging her blows than he was in his prior form as all the attacks in her combo missed.
Unaccustomed to his new speed while so exhausted, the monk's blows continued to go wide each time.
The dwarf's suddenly more aggressive attacks almost caught the Spartan off guard. Melissa's blows met the same fate as those of Graigus with none of them connecting.
Returning to the attack pattern which had composed most of the sparring match, the monkey shen screeched with satisfaction as the second of three attacks hit.
Rolling with the impact of the monk's blow, the Spartan spun around and delievered a powerful kick against Graigus. However, her follow up punches missed once more.
Even thought the monk's strength had slowly returned after assuming a more animalistic form, his attacks still fell far short of the mark.
The monk's renewed vigor was not lost upon the Spartan, and in response the soldier unleashed a trio of superbly aimed attacks. However, even then she managed to land a single blow.
The monk's retort was swift and powerful, though the following two blows were hardly effective.
Melissa could feel herself starting to slow down as the repeated blows started to add up. Despite that, she managed to hit with a solid kick.
Before she could pull the leg completely away, however, the monk swatted at it three times, the second felt even through the advanced armor.
The attacks against her leg threw the Spartan suffciently off balance that her next few attacks went wide off the mark.
Ducking under the blows with ease, the monk lunged forward, slamming his elbow into Melissa's armored torso.
Grunting softly fromt eh force of the blow, the Spartan realized that she wasn't going to win this. Rather than giving up, she resolved to last as long as possible. Her attacks were more cautious than most of her other ones.
Swiping away, the monk was surprised to note that his attacks were far from effective against the armored soldier.
Pleased that this change of tactics seemed to be working, the Spartan contued her attacks while staying aware of the dwarf's attacks.
The monk again lashed out, his own attacks still not enough to strike down the spartan.
Melissa-127 grinned slightly at the monk's inability to land any attacks. The fact that she wasn't hitting either didn't bother her in the least.
Ducking and weaving in a complex dance, the monk continued the cycle of missing hits and avoiding them, until a lucky blow caught him in the side. Using it to his advantage, he slammed his palm into her calf before she could pull it away.
After dodging a brutal jab to the shoulder, the monk was forced to bide his time until he could mount a counterattack. Striking swiftly, he managed to land a chop to the neck, before being forced to dodge the Spartans's strikes once more. Letting more and more of the attacks, slip by him, the monk blocked with a long, hairy arm and leveled yet another blow to her midsection.
By this point it is clear that the Spartan is barely keeping herself upright and that just one more solid blow could possibly end this. Despite the growing weakness of her body, Melissa kept on trying to win.
Screeching in defiance, the monkey shen diverted the Spartan's attention with two missed strikes, before leaping off the ground to deliver a sharp kick to her faceplate. Touching down, he waited to see what her fate would be.
For a moment after the monk's latest strike the Spartan stands rock still before slowly falling forward onto her face and leaving yet another Spartan sized impression in the ground. When the Spartan doesn't move after falling down, it is clear that she had been knocked out.
Standing still to see if the fall was a ploy, Graigus' hair receded, revealing his usual appearance. Finally, after being conviced that she wasn't going to rise again, he grabbed a hand and began to lift. Struggling for a moment, he finally came to the conclusion that he couldn't carry her and began the walk back to a healer. After some searching and some grumbling from the templar, Pantherath accompanied Graigus back to the place where Melissa lay, too heavy to be carried.
"Are you alright?" the woren asked, allowing his divine magic to undo what damage the sparring session had caused.
As the healer finishes repairing the damage to her body via his incredible powers, the Spartan slowly rolls onto her back before sitting up.
"I've been through worse," she replies even as she reaches up and removes her helmet. Melissa turns her attention to Graigus and gives him a small grin. "If the oppurntunity presents itself I shall have to fight with you again once I finish rebuilding my lost muscle mass."
"Y-y-yeah, sure," Graigus stammered, almost as surprised that the seasoned warrior had asked for a rematch as he was that he had beaten her in the first place.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:59 am
Zook and Castor return to the hilltop, paper and pencils in hand. "So, uh..." Zook trails off. "How do we start?" Castor gazes out at the lush forests and verdent valleys beneath them, pondering. "I would ask you to imagine something...but it would do no good: there would no real way to judge talent from that. Instead...sketch the landscape below, as you would any other sketch you make."
Zook peers at the landscape, flicking his hand across the paper. He doesn't look down at his drawing, keeping his attention fixed on the contours of the land. His pencil seems to move on its own. A few minutes later, a rough sketch has taken shape.
((Craft[Drawing]: 11))
The minotaur watches passively while the gnome draws away, studying the technique with a critical eye. When the sketch is filled in minutes later, he nods, raising a hand. "Good, that will do." He examines the sketch more, mulling over what he should pick apart first. "Do you often draw with only your mind's eye?"
"What do you mean?"
"You didn't look at what you were drawing," he states simply, "as if it didn't matter if you saw it or not. Do you do that often?"
"If I stop looking at what I'm supposed to be drawing I lose my place," Zook says. "It's a pain when what I'm trying to draw is a picture in my head."
"Interesting...I thought you would be used to such things," the hulking painter muses. "Your style is...rough, but you seem know enough that I can skip the most basic fundamentals. Did you have anything in mind that you want to improve?"
"I can't draw moving things," Zook says. For the first time he looks down at his drawing. The treetops, whose leaves were dancing in the wind, were little more than swirling blurs. "Or people," he adds.
Castor heaves a deep sigh, wondering what his friend had expected of this. "Motion...will take a long time before you will be able to grasp it well. It requires a a great many techniques that you have to be comfortable with; there are times when moving objects are difficult for myself to capture. People, however...people, we can work on rather easily," the minotaur adds, reminiscing about his own difficulty with the human form a few months back.
"What do you have the most trouble drawing, where people are concerned?"
Zook looks away, deliberately avoiding Castor's gaze. He closes his eyes, and sets the pencil down on another sheet of paper. Much more slowly, a form begins to emerge. The face is first, before even the outline of the head. Wide, glassy eyes stare up from the paper. A top row of teeth jut down; there is no lower jaw. Zook's hand twitches, and the pencil moves a few inches away, beginning to scrape out an arm curled at a strange angle, covered with thick black char. Zook's hand begins to tremble violently, but the drawing comes out perfectly all the same. A burnt and shattered corpse sprawls over the center of the paper.
Zook doesn't look. He knows exactly what he'll see. "They always turn out like that," he says very quietly.
((Craft[Drawing]: 25))
Castor stares stoicly at the shape of death that takes form upon the page, keeping his eyes fixed as the corpse comes into being. He remains silent for a long time, imagining all the people in the village below, wondering if that's what the engineer saw whenever he took his place on the field of battle. "Why do you continue to fight?" he asks gruffly, not expecting an answer.
Zook turns the pad over so he can open his eyes and look forward without seeing the drawing. "What else am I supposed to do?"
"Do what Lilah did," Castor suggests, recalling the reconstruction of the Elven Village. "Help those still suffering from what the war leaves behind. You can build, you have followers who can build...You don't need to make weapons."
"I..." Zook trails off. "What about you? Why do you keep fighting?"
"An obligation," Castor grumbles lowly. "I believe it important to preserve this war in something other than memory, something far more permanent than tales and legends...something to remind those that would come after us that it happened." The mercenary's gaze wanders to the mountains and the horizon it cuts into the sky. "There are times when I am unsure of what I should be recording."
Zook looks down at the blank paper. "Yeah... Yeah." He stands. "I, uh...need to get back to work."
"I understand." The warrior holds his far off gaze, giving no indication of watching Zook go. "Come to me when you wish. When you have the time, I'll have the time."
Zook mumbles something and walks away, his eyes downcast.
"Don't be," Castor states flatly, eyes wandering the far crags and snow-topped summits.
Zook stops, turning around. He looks as if he is about to say something, but after a moment he turns back and begins to walk away again.
Castor keeps his silence, eyes peering into the distance until the gnome leaves him.

Posted by: Cyrus Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:03 am
CONTENT

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:30 pm
"Hey! Graigus!" Sheila yells as she runs up. "I heard you pounded Melissa into the ground!" "I... w-w-we just sparred!" Graigus stammered. "I didn't mean to hurt her!" "What? Oh no! That's just an expression!" Sheila says, waving a hand. "I meant, I heard ya beat her fair an' square in th' sparring."Sheila grins. "But you DO know what this means... Right?"
"No," the monk said, taking a step back as he held his staff in hand.
Sheila jabs a finger into the air.
"Since you so sounded defeated my arch-rival, it means that I shall have you spar with you to regain the honor of the Rangers!"
"You don't really have to," Graigus said.
"Of course I do!" Sheila says, with a laugh. She tilts her head. "So... How did you do it? No weapons, fists only?" Sheila brings her fists up. "So like, are you ready now or do you need to rest a bit after that last one?"
"Pantherath healed my wounds," he said, still shaking his head. "We fought hand-to-hand, but I don't really feel all that comfortable fighting so many women like this..."
"What?" Sheila frowns. "You think that just cuz I'm a girl, I'm not tough enough?!"
"I never said that. I just... don't like fighting women, is all."
"Why not? I have no problem fighting men," Sheila asks, puzzled.
"It's different, I guess," the monk said, sighing. "Why does everyone want to spar with me today..."
"Well, I have to spar you, cuz you sparred Melissa," Sheila says with a shrug. "I dunno about anyone else. So when are we doing this thing, then?"
"Now's fine, I guess," he said, sadly. Sighing, he mumbled, "whenever you're ready..."
Sheila frowns.
"Why are you sad? Sparring is fun!"
"I guess," he muttered.
Sheila sighs, putting up her fists.
"Well let's try an' have a good time, then."
Nodding, the monk tossed the staff to the side and prepared for the fight. Graigus lashed out three times, his fists not managing to deal any damage to the GICS agent.
Sheila dodges the blows nimbly, an odd gleam in her eyes. Suddenly she erupts in a storm of furious blows, aimed at the monk.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!!!"
Graigus is able to deflect most of the strikes, but two go past his defenses.
Noting the obvious difference in combat potential, the monk took a step back and bowed.
"I give up," he said. "I don't feel right about fighting you, and you're obviously much stronger than I am."
"Huh? Awwww," Sheila says with a frown. "Allright, I accept your yield. Honor is restored to the Rangers! Still, you've got to be pretty good to beat up Melissa!"
"Whatever you say," Graigus said, retrieving his staff. "Am I free to go now?"
"What?" Sheila frowns. "You were always free to go... You make it sound like I forced ya into this or something."
Graigus nodded, then turned to go. Shifting into his shen form as he moved, he quickly scrambled up a tree, before leaping from branch to branch.
"Wait! What about drinkin... Aw, nuts!" Sheila shouts as the monk vanishes and she kicks a rock. "How come I feel so crappy if I won?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:29 pm
"Hey Varro," Sheila says, walking up to the robot. "What's up?" Varro stops his patrol, and turns his head to Sheila. "Relative air humidity is up 14%." Sheila chuckles. "Anything new, is what I meant." "One of the local gunnery robots has faulty programming," Varro states. "Average human height, red chassis. Designation 'Gilliam'."
"Oh?" Sheila asks. "What's the deal with him?"
"He denies that he has been programmed at all," Varro replies.
"Huh. That's odd," Sheila says with a frown. "Anything else?
Varro is silent for a moment. "Patrols have been uneventful. There is very little to do here."
"Hey, speaking of programmin', what's your programming say about friends?" Sheila asks.
Again, Varro is silent. "Elaborate."
"Like, are you programmed for it? I know some robots are designed ta simulate human interactions, so they're programmed to be able to make friends an' such. Are you one of those?" Sheila asks.
A tiny whining sound comes from the base of Varro's neck as he tilts his head ever so slightly forward. "I have a fully functional language unit that allows me to understand all spoken languages, equipped with an Adaptive Idiomatic Matrix. I can simulate human conversation with 98% accuracy."
"Right, right," Sheila says, waving a hand. "But what about human relationships? Like friendship?"
"Not as such, no."
Sheila's face falls a little. "Aw. That's a shame, I bet you'd be a good friend if you were programmed for it. Do you have any other programs beside combat?
"I have the VALIANT protocol, a neural subnet aligned to religious thinking," Varro replies. "It is not a necessity for combat. Approximately sixteen hours ago I discussed the planet's local deities with a gold wyrmling, designation 'Dagron'."
Sheila tilts her head. "So... basically you can fight and pray."
"I cannot pray," Varro says. "I fight and learn prayers."
"Oh, OK," Sheila says nodding.
"I have not found any gods that govern robots," Varro adds.
"Well, since it's mortals that made you, wouldn't that make us your gods?" Sheila asks, playfully.
"Perhaps," Varro says after a moment. "But my protocols prevent me from operating under that premise. Divinity disrupts the proper chain of command. It seems improbable that Jolly Jim would approve of the construction of an altar to him."
Sheila laughs. "Point taken. What about Adam? I bet he'd LOVE an altar!"
"That is feasible. I will mention it the next time I require repairs or upgrades." Varro replies.
Sheila laughs and slaps Varro on the back. "Thanks, Var. You've cheered me up."
Varro's shoulders drop, as if he were about to draw his sword. A moment later they stiffen up. "You...are welcome, Sheila."
"Seeya later, Var!" Sheila shouts as she dashes away.
Varro stomps onward, continuing his patrol.
---
After the meeting adjourns, Hal wanders about the woods, taking care to avoid mud puddles. After about fifteen minutes he finds who he's looking for. A young woman with dark brown skin and orange hair kneels by some bushes, her back to the friar. "Quite a collection you've got there."
Telanna looks up, startled, from the bouquet of flowers she had been arranging. "Who are--what do you want?" she asks.
"I'm Brother Hal. I was just wandering around the woods, meeting people from the other groups. What's your name?"
"Telanna." She looks back down at the assembled bouquet. "Whose brother are you?"
Hal beams. "My dear, I'm everyone's brother!"
Telanna rolls her eyes. "What can I do for you, brother?"
"Well, I was wondering what you thought of the feast, for starters." He chuckles. "I'm, eh...fairly close with the cook."
Realization dawns on Telanna's face. "Oh! That was you! You made the food and said Grace!" She looks slightly less enthusiastic as she thinks about what else happened that night. "You did...you did a really good job."
"You don't sound very convincing," Hal offers, moving to sit near Telanna. "Wildflowers? In autumn? Isn't that supposed to mean something?"
Telanna looks down at the flowers. "They're supposed to represent seeking forgiveness."
Hal nods. "You've got quite a lot there. Too many for one apology, I'd think."
Telanna stiffens. "I don't want to talk about it," she says.
Hal nods again. "Well, if you insist, we can--"
"Please leave me alone," Telanna interrupts. "I just... I need to do this. I'm sorry, I'd just like to be left alone.
With some effort, Hal gets to his feet. He looks down at the kneeling Telanna, frowning. "Alright. But don't wait too much longer." He tilts his head. "Flowers like that don't last forever." He walks away.
Telanna stares at the flowers, afraid to look up. Her eyes begin to itch and burn, but no tears come. After a few minutes she begins her work again, splitting the flowers into three smaller bouquets.

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:29 am
Sophie walks from the clearing with a grumpy frown, leaving brother Hal to deal with those whose hunger had overcome their slumber. Cradled in her arms is the elegant but battered suit of silver mail. She trudges on, making her way towards the makeshift barracks.
The Doctor strides down a path swiftly, his eyes glancing around troubled, then he slows as he notes the priestess stepping down the path.
He takes a deep breath then he steps towards her with a guarded expression, "Sophia..." He hesitates, "You wanted to see me?"
The priestess looks up with a start, surprised to see her brother standing nearby, "Alastor..." She comes to a halt, her frown deepening, "Yes... I wanted to..." She pauses for a moment then lets out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes, "Why did you come find me? I was going to hunt you down, it makes it allot harder to be mad at you when you come asking for it."
The Doctor frowns silently.
"Fine..." Sophie grumbles, tightening her grip on the armor, "I want you to take me home." She nods decidedly, "It's been awhile since my last visit..." Her eyes narrow, "...and you need..."
The Doctor winces, "Sophia..." He looks to the ground, "You don't know what you're asking..."
"Alastor." Sophie says pointedly, "I'm not asking."
"...I...I ca..." He hesitates, growing silent, then after a moment nods quietly, "...alright."
Sophie nods, "Good." Her frown lightens, a smile gracing her face, "Good."
The Doctor slides his hands into the pockets of his coat, frowning pensively.
Sophie looks at him for a long moment before the frown returns to her face, "Where did you get that coat?" Her eyes narrow, "I thought you didn't have any money or other clothing..."
The Doctor shakes his head, replying in a distracted voice, "Someone gave me back...everything I had left behind when I was killed..." His frown deepens.
"Alastor... What happened?" The priestess asks intently, "Lady Haubrekt...Sorel... They were your..."
"Yes. They were." The Doctor interrupts bluntly, looking out at the woods, "Once... They were..." He shakes his head, "I don't want to talk about this... Not now."
"Alastor..." Sophie sighs softly and shakes her head.
The Doctor glances back at her, "When do you want to leave?"
"Well...maybe in an hou..." Sophie pauses as some thought strikes her, "Wait, you...have money again?"
The Doctor nods, "Plenty."
"Good." Sophie replies with a pleased smile, crossing her arms, "You ruined my dress yesterday, you're going to buy me another one."
The Doctor nods, "Fair enough."
"I want you to buy one for that poor girl, Telanna, too." Sophie states firmly, "You owe her an apology."
The Doctor grimaces, looking down at the ground, "I...I think it would be good for me to stay as far away from her as possible..." His frown deepens.
"I think it would be good for you to owe up to being an ass and apologize." Sophie replies, "You hurt her...allot... Are you just going to run away from that?"
The Doctor stands silently.
"Alastor..." Sophie sighs after a long moment, "This armor is getting heavy... I'm going inside." She sighs, "I'll see you in an hour."
The Doctor nods quietly, looking up to watch her depart.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:38 pm
Telanna approaches Sophie not much later, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. "Sophie?" Sophie is sitting in a small secluded room, looking over a battered suit of elegant armor with a frown. Strips of ivory and sticks of incense sit beside her in a neat pile. The priestess glances up with a distracted smile, though she responds cheerily, "Good morning."
"Is this a bad time?" Telanna asks, seeing that Sophie was in the middle of something. "I can come back later..."
"No..." Sophie turns with a smile, looking up at the young woman, "I could use a break and I wanted to talk to you anyway."
Telanna's grip on the flowers tightens a bit. "So, uh... which one of us should go first?"
"Well..." Sophie chuckles, pointing to a chair, "You could take a seat first."
Telanna looks at the chair. "Oh!" She sits, and then offers the flowers to Sophie. "These are for you. An apology."
Sophie takes the offered flowers with a smile, lifting them to her face and taking a deep whiff of their fragrance. "Thank you…" She looks to the young woman happily and nods, "That's so nice of you…" Her smile fades a bit, "Though…there's no reason to worry about it… I'd be pretty upset too given the circumstances."
Telanna smiles warmly. "Thank you. What did you want to talk about?"
"Well... Alastor is going to apologize for being such an ass." Sophie nods sternly, "He's buying me a new dress to make up for ruining my old one and he's going to pay for one for you too." She chuckles darkly, "You don't need to forgive him...yet...anyway." The priestess nods, "But he needs to take some responsiblity for his actions." She giggles, "...oh, and think of the fun. Have you ever had a silk dress?"
KingKai279: CHA 25... Sophie is very convincing. >.>
Telanna looks conflicted. "But, I...I mean, I slapped him, shouldn't I apologize? Oooh, but a new dress does sound good..." She makes an impatient noise. "Does he even have money?"
Sophie rubs her chin thoughtfully for a moment, "Yeah... You really should apologize..." Then she smiles mischeviously, "But there's no reason to do that right away."
"Does he know he's doing this yet?" Telanna asks, still uncertain.
"I talked to him about it this morning." Sophie says with a smile, "I was going to just have him take me on a trip home but then I found out he got his money back."
Telanna brightens. "And he said it was alright?"
"Of course he did." Sophie exclaims...then frowns, "Well... He didn't want to come home, but I wouldn't hear a no on that." She shrugs, "But he wants to make amends. Even if he's a coward about it."
Telanna looks sad for a moment. "Well, if he said so..." She smiles. "Why, it'd be rude not to, wouldn't it?"
Sophie smiles happily, "I can take you to my favorite little pastry shop and you can meet my family..." She bounces a little happily, "It'll be such fun."
Telanna grins. "It's going to be great!"
Sophie nods happily, "I asked Lady Haubrekt if she wanted to come too. It'll be a nice girl's outting..." She sighs somewhat sadly, "I would invite Merla but she's so into her studies."
Telanna sighs, her eyes glazing over with the prospect of a day in the big city. Something pulls her out of her reverie, and she looks at Sophie. "Oh! Did you ever find out about your name?"
"No..." Sophie chuckles ruefully, "I guess I can ask my mom."
"What's she like?" Telanna asks, a strange undertone in her voice.
"She's..." Sophie hesitates, struggling to find the words, "I...I don't know... She's mom." The priestess chuckles weakly.
Telanna's smile fades. "Yeah, I can see how it'd be hard to describe."
Sophie begins to frown sadly then chuckles, a happy smile returning to her face, "Do you know what color you want?"
"Blue," she says confidently.
"Ohhh... Nice choice." Sophie smiles, "What shade of blue? Do you know a style?"
"Something dark, more like an indigo maybe..." She frowns. "It's not important yet. Looking is the fun part!"
Sophie giggles cheerfully, "Yep!" She glances down at the armor impatient, "If I just finish this then we can go..." She frowns, muttering slightly grumpily, "Where did she run off to with those gnomes?"
"You want me to go look for her?" Telanna offers. "I just need to talk to your brother first."
"That sounds good." Sophie smiles with a nod, "Just tell him to come find me." She begins arranging the ivory strips into a rectangle around the armor, setting four sticks of incense in place, one at each corner.
"Alright!" Telanna says, getting up to leave.
Sophie chuckles happily, "See you soon!" She looks down at the armor.
[Sophie casts http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/legendLore.htm on the armor, casting time 20 minutes]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:10 pm
Later that afternoon, Telanna wanders around the strange tents of Jim's Rangers, looking for some sign of Sheila's. In her hands she carries a bouquet of autumn wildflowers. "Can I help you, miss? You look like you're trying to find something," a soldier in angular armor asks. Sergeant chevrons mark his shoulder plate.
Telanna jumps, startled at the imposing appearance of Sgt. Hale. "I, uh..." She looks around quickly. "I'm looking for..." She scrunches up her face. "Damnit, I don't think she ever said her name..."
"If you describe her, I can probably tell who you're talking about," Hale says, folding his hands behind his back.
"Well, she's about a head taller than me, I guess. Loud, kinda pushy." She looks around again. "Can't be too many people here that match that."
Hale considers this for a moment. "Did she wear a trenchcoat or a black suit?"
"A black suit," Telanna nods.
"You're looking for Special Agent Sheila Durance," Hale says with a nod. "Want me to find her for you? The last I saw her, she was dashing off to spar with that dwarven martial artist."
"No, if you could just--" She sets her face. "No. Yes, would you please?"
"Wait here, please. I'll be right back," Sgt. Hale says as he turns to leave.
A few minutes later, Sgt. Hale returns, jogging back towards Telanna with Sheila dashing behind.
"What's the..." Sheila asks, then her eyes fall on Telanna. "Oh, it's you. What is it now?"
"I'll leave you two to talk, then," Hale says, turning to leave.
Telanna's eyes flash defiantly, but she doesn't reply. "I wanted to apologize," she says, offering Sheila the flowers.
Sheila blinks, surprise evident on her face. "Apolo... Oh... Oh! These are for me?" Sheila asks, taking the flowers. Sheila smells the flowers and smiles. "They're really nice! Thanks! How long did it take you to pick them? Oh! And apology accepted!" Sheila winces. "Sorry about slapping you... And the insults 'n stuff. I have a tendency to fly off the handle when I get too ticked off. Uh..." Sheila looks around, wincing again. "I don't actually have anything nice like flowers to give you... But... Give me some time and I'm sure I can find something nice!"
Telanna shakes her head. "No, that's OK. I wasn't mad at you, I shouldn't have blown up at you like that."
Sheila extends her hand. "Yeah, well, I shouldn't have blown up either... Sorry about that."
Telanna takes the offered hand. "What's with you guys anyway?" she asks, looking around. "Do you always run everywhere?"
Sheila shakes Telanna's hand vigorously. "Oh, no. Just me. I like to run everywhere. When I run real fast it's almost like I'm flying sometimes..." Sheila grins. "Plus there's always something to do!"
Telanna laughs a bit. "Yeah..." She bites her bottom lip. "You didn't get in trouble or anything for that, did you?"
Sheila frowns. "I had to clean up after that big feast. Not that big a deal." Sheila snaps her fingers. "Oh! There's something I can give you! What sort of thing do you like to drink?"
"I like elderberry wine," Telanna says. "But really, you don't have to do anything like that."
"Of course I do!" Sheila says, nodding. "I'm not the sort of person to let a good turn go without another. Good turn, that is. I think that's how the saying goes. Anyway, I'll rummage around in my gear. I keep a few things around for celebration purposes."
Sheila looks around, then conspiratorily whispers to Telanna. "It's not exactly allowed, so keep this quiet please?"
"Anyway, I'm sure I can find a bottle of some form of wine!" Sheila says brightly.
Telanna nods, looking around to make sure no one important-looking was watching.
Sheila dashes off to her tent, vanishing inside for a few minutes.
Telanna continues to look around.
After about five minutes, Sheila emerges with a purple bottle. With a smile she offers the bottle Telanna.
"It's not elderberry wine, but it's darkberry wine, which I hope is close enough!" Sheila says. "Let me know how you like it!"
Telanna smiles, taking the bottle. "Thank you very much, Sheila." She lifts her eyes to the sky, noting the sun's position in it. "I need to get going. Tell you what, I'll let you know when I open the bottle and we can share a drink. How's that sound?"
Sheila nods happily. "That sounds great!"

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:25 am

QUOTE (Punch Rockgroin @ Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:35 pm)
*sniff sniff* A pleasent and familliar scent tickled Gorrik's nose. There was a touch of lemon that he could smell... scones. The Dwarf's eyes opened slowly as he found himself laying in a bed, Taklinn's armour was set off to the side with Gorrik's axe. All of that was good, but his attentin was focused on the small plate of scones sitting nearby. The Dwarf chowed down on the warm baked goods. He must find Zook and thank him for the marvelous gift.
When his bed-side snack was finished Gorrik started gathering his equipment, but couldn't help but noticing his shield was missing. This was rather troublesome, as he knew he had it from his last memory before waking up. Gorrik would have to inquire about it once he found his allies again.
He forcfully cracked his neck, and brushed the scone crumbs from his thick beard before exiting the room on his way o thank zook, and investigate the disapearance of his shield.

Later...
The Doctor walks up to the great defender and noble paladin with a troubled frown. He holds out the noble dwarf's shield out almost with a wince, "I took this from you..." He looks away, "...maliciously... I wanted to hurt you and it seemed like the easiest way..." He forces himself to turn back to the dwarf, "...I apologize... I can't say that I wouldn't...or won't...do something like this again..." He smiles sadly, "No, I won't make such an empty promise...but it was wrong..."
.....
Sophie goes into a dreamlike state, images moving through her mind like half-forgotten memories just now rising to the surface.
She sees a gleaming silver sword, spirits moving within, empowering the blade as its wielder strikes out again and again at a horrific army of monsters and fiends that surround a large walled city.
Varied soldiers bearing weaponry that Sophie has mainly seen only on the Ancients and the Outsiders fight alongside strange mages and skilled warriors.
Bravely they battle on against the overwhelming horde, protecting streams of refugees that swiftly and with great fear, board great silvery ships that bear them away from the doomed world.
The blade wielder fights on, and chief among the spirits within the sword is a heroic woman. She leads the ghosts of the blade in guiding the young swordsman and empowering the sword to strike down the enemy.
One by one, the allies around the swordsman fall until he too, must retreat.
In the ensuing flight, he stumbles across a decapitated body... The young hero's grip on the blade slackens, then is let loose completely. With a howl of half-mad anguish he approaches the body, a once beautiful and young female with elongated ears past even that of an elf.
The sword hits the ground, the spirits within urging the hero to pick them back up again to no avail. The hero cradles the body of what Sophie can sense is his beloved. Within the sword, the woman spirit screams a warning.
But the swordsman doesn't see the long claw that ends his life.
The spirits in the blade roil with horror and rage as their wielder is slain. Around the blade the battle becomes a rout, the defenders overwhelmed. The image of the blade is lost under a sea of demonic flesh, devilish robes, and fiendish chitin.
Reinforcements come, but those too are swallowed up by the merciless sea of horror.
Then after what seems like an eternity, a high pitched whine cuts through the various snarls and growls of the horde.
A brilliant prismatic wave of energy, a deafening explosion, and a small group of people in black clothes rush through the monsters. While most use incredible magic or weapons to keep the unholy army at bay, one gently picks up the sword and gives a signal. In a flash of light, the group vanishes.
From a long distance, Sophie suddenly sees the whole world, then three worlds as a giant hole in the fabric of existence is torn from the world she had viewed.
A terrible being crackling with dark power, a fell goddess emerges from the void, screaming her triumph as the silvery ships flee into the void of space. That scream of triumph turns to a shriek of rage as an impossibly bright light blossoms near the blazing sun.
The light wipes away everything, then all fades to black.
Sophie then sees the sword amidst a ritual circle. Powerful magic pulses through the air as a group of magic users pool their energies on the blade. A shimmering form rises from the sword, a sparkling outline of a woman.
The outline solidifies and becomes flesh as a young woman materializes and collapses. As attendants rush to bring her clothes, her reaches out and grasps the blade. A gold and white robe is thrown over her and she clutches it close.
Sophie's mind's eye next sees a blazing forge with tools both new and foreign to her. Molten metal is poured into molds and further hammered into place as spell after spell is weaved into it.
The woman watches, sword in hand, as slowly but surely, piece by piece of armor emerges from the forge. Each is perfectly formed and shaped, with runes so fine to be barely visible on them.
The sword and armor seem to be made of the same silvery metal. Sophie then see the armor being fitted to the woman as attendant rush around her, tightening straps and snapping shut clamps.
When they are finished, the woman stands encased in the armor, a gold and white tabard, cloak and hood over it. A fierce flame burns in her eye that speaks of immeasurable loss and deep, deep rage.
Sword still in hand, she marches forward.
A blur of scenes then assault Sophie's eyes. Battle across lands so strange to her they defy explanation. The woman travels long and far aboard a great ship, seeing wonders and horrors in equal share, but always, always seeking something out.
And through journey after journey the armor protects her.
Black magics fail against it. The touch of fiends shy away from it. And though strong, the armor seems impossibly light and easy to move in.
With the other arms provided, the silvery sword and shield, the woman tracks her prey across a hundred worlds.
Battle after battle, and always it seems only the minions are caught, with the sense of a greater menace in the distance.
Until at last, she arrives amidst a great battle in the capital city of Guardiana. Yet more fighting gives way to more tracking, until at last she finds one of the three fiends she seeks in a demonic castle.
She is not quick enough. The archfiend escapes. She joins with another group, one composed of familiar faces to Sophie.
They part for a time, but reunite before facing the third archfiend.
And then the great flaming fist rises and shatters the sword, shield, armor, and flesh with a single, terrifying blow.
Sophie leans back with a gasp as the vision abruptly ends, staring forward blankly for a long moment as she recovers from what she has seen.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:08 am
[Leadership Meeting] "Well, alrighty then," Zook says after the long, awkward silence that followed Max's speech. "Jim, I've got some briefing materials you might want to look at." From his satchel he extracts a set of discs. "I assume you have something to play these? I'd rather hold onto mine."
((Zook gives Jim the Shadowblade Briefings))
"Where'd you get these?" Jim asks, taking the disks.
"From the Shadowblade," Zook responds.
"I see... These should be most valuable in figuring out what exactly happened. Thank you very much," Jim says, nodding to Zook.
Zook nods, but doesn't reply. "Wait a moment," he says, before Jim can walk away. "Do you have a spare teleporter? I'd like to go to Mechanis when you've got a bead on its location. I think Cedric would approve."
"When we find it, I'll have a way to get you there ready. If a teleporter isn't available, what about a dropship?" Jim asks.
"Do you have seats for little people?" Zook asks. "I can't imagine jostling around in restraints designed for someone twice my size would be healthy." Zook thinks for a moment. "D'you think I could fly something into the drop bay of the ship and then fly it out? It's not too big, about the size of Varro."
"That would work," Jim says with a nod.
"Alright, then!" Zook goes off to ask Cedric's permission.
---
The Doctor stands in a small clearing a short distance from the town, staring intently at a small rock which he is bouncing in the palm of one hand.
"...Alastor?" Telanna calls to the Doctor, holding the third and final bouquet in her hands.
The Doctor turns with a slight frown, sliding the rock into a pocket and nodding with only the faintest surprise visible, "...yes?"
Telanna looks suspiciously at him. "So this is how you really look, then?"
"Disappointing, I know." The Doctor replies quietly, "I was kind of disappointed myself."
"It's not as imposing as the dragonman," she says, a hint of playfulness in her voice. "But it's not as ridiculous as that lout from the feast."
"Yeah..." The Doctor nods with a frown, "That was over the top."
"Anyway..." Telanna says, holding up the flowers. "I came here to give you these. By way of an apology."
"An apology?" The Doctor arches an eyebrow, "For what?"
"Well, I don't know if you remember in all that mess last night, but I did slap you in the face," Telanna replies quietly.
"I remember asking for it..." The Doctor replies.
Telanna pulls a face. "Still." She holds the flowers out a little more.
"You did nothing to apologize for..." The Doctor states quietly, "Given that, I can't accept them."
"Alright, then take them as a token of your apology," Telanna says impatiently, "For all the things you did to me."
"Well... It's a nice gesture..." The Doctor frowns, looking at the flowers, "...but I don't deserve them...so, feel good, you tried. Took the effort." He smiles wryly, "Thanks for that, at least." He sighs, rubbing the back of his head, "...as for..." He hesitates, "I apologize..." He chuckles weakly, "Let's not play games... I'm a terrible person and one you'd be better not knowing. So, give those flowers to someone who deserves them."
Telanna's eyes narrow slightly. "Well, I appreciate you telling me who I can and can't associate with, since obviously I'm too stupid to figure it out myself. I also appreciate you telling me the time I spent putting this together was wasted." Her mouth sets, and it looks like she is grinding her teeth for a moment. "But please take the flowers. It would mean a lot to me." She smirks. "Besides. You agreed to buy me a dress. I don't see why this is such an ordeal."
The Doctor frowns, his eyes narrowing, "Are those flowers poisoned or something? Let me put it another way. Is poisoning Doctor Coventry an adult's way of settling a disagreement?"
"Sophie and Sheila are fine, no fever or anything," Telanna replies defensively.
"I didn't tell you what you could or could not do." The Doctor replies quietly, a troubled light in his eyes, "I was offering some advise... You can do whatever you want." He frowns, "The effort isn't wasted, you proved that you're a better person than I am." He looks at her, "Isn't that enough? ...or would it make it feel better to drag me through the mud a bit more? See just how low I am?" His eyes narrow, "Fine." He snatches the flowers from her hand, smelling them deeply, "Ahhh... Thank you, apology accepted." He then strides pass her, his face twisting with bitterness.
Telanna turns around. "What...where are you going?" She begins to walk after him. "Why are you acting like this is some kind of competition?"
The Doctor stumbles to a halt, holding the flowers weakly as he stares down at the ground, "...isn't that what it is?" He laughs darkly, "Why else would you apologize to person who wronged you?"
"Why are you apologizing to me?" Telanna asks. "That's what the trip to Saraband is supposed to be, isn't it? Why are you apologizing to the person who wronged you?"
"...facing...the..." He hesitates, "...making amends...not running away...anymore.." The Doctor trembles, whirling around to point the flowers at the druidess like an accusation, his eyes , "Is that how? Is that what forgiveness is?" His voice breaking, "Lowering yourself...blaming yourself...until what was done to you doesn't seem so bad?!" He shakes the flowers, "You didn't wrong me!" Tears form in the corners of his eyes, "I hurt you! I hurt everyone around me!" He laughs darkly, "Then...you...Gail...Sorel..." He continues unsteadily, "You let it go because of guilt...blaming yourselves..." He lowers his head His eyes narrow, spite lacing his voice, "It's me." He looks up at her, sick ammusement in his eyes, "You can deny it...all of you...but I see it everyday..."
Raw pity fills Telanna's face as she watches the Doctor lash out against himself. She looks lost. "I don't know what to do..." she whispers. She takes the Doctor's free hand in hers. Her voice breaks in kind. "Why are you..." She looks down at the ground, and her eyes glisten with tears. She is silent for a long time. "I want you to come with me," she says softly.
The Doctor flinches as the druidess takes his hand, watching her silently as his expression grows guarded. "...why..." He shakes his head softly, "I...I don't..." He frowns sighs weakly, "...where?"
"Home," is all Telanna says, as she guides Coventry deeper into the forest.
The Doctor follows her with a frown, nimbly avoiding stumbling on tangled roots and twisted ground.
The two walk for about ten minutes before they enter a clearing, dominated at one end by a massive oak tree, its leaves crimson in the sunlight. Telanna pulls Coventry toward it.
The Doctor resists, his eyes widening in realization, "No...no..." He pulls away from her, "I don't belong here..." His voice lowers, "He'd never forgive me."
"I don't care," Telanna says flatly. "He's the one who doesn't belong here." Her expression softens again. "Please, just sit with me for a moment at the base of the tree. You don't have to do anything. Just be here."
They cross the clearing, slowly, before coming to stop at the base. Telanna kneels, taking a handful of dirt from between the roots of the tree and whispering something in a strange language. She pulls Coventry down to sit besides her. "So you know what this is," she whispers.
"Yes..." The Doctor says quietly, some memory tainting his voice with bitterness, "I know."
"How much do you know?" Telanna asks. "How much did he tell you?"
"...he was wise enough..." The Doctor says softly, "...to tell me nothing..." His head lowers, "It was his...companion who was foolish enough to share that knowledge with me..."
Telanna stiffens slightly. Her mouth becomes a hard, thin line. She sits like this for a moment. Then she begins to speak, in a soft, calm voice. "My mother was a dryad. The only dryad in the Fairy Woods who ever took a human lover. The day she gave birth, her child's father left the Fairy Woods. My mother, weak and delirious from childbirth, went after him. A dryad can't stray too far from her tree. Her spirit is bound to it. If they go too far, for too long, they die." Here her composure fails, and tears well up in her closed eyes, cutting dusty trails down her cheeks. "She died trying to bring him back to me."
The Doctor places a hand on her shoulder comfortingly, his eyes conflicted as he opens his mouth only to have no words come.
Telanna reaches onto her shoulder, taking the hand and squeezing it tightly. She sings softly,
"Look for me at dawning
When the sun's reborn
In the silent beauty
'Twixt the night and morn.
Wait 'till the lark ascends
And the skies are blue
There, where the rainbow ends
I will meet you..."
She clears her throat. "The fey have a word for the way the sky looks at sunrise. Oihane. That was her name. She named me Telanna. Lark." Telanna sighs, the breath shuddering in her throat. "It's an old song, one of the oldest. But I feel like it's ours. Hers and mine." She laughs bitterly, squeezing Coventry's hand again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be piling all this on you. I just..." She sighs. "I can't help it when I'm here. And I always feel better again."
The Doctor takes her hand softly in reply, watching her with evident sorrow as she speaks. After a moment, he gently lowers her hand from her shoulder and lays it to rest between them, stroking it comfortingly with his fingers as he stares at a thick root with a frown. His eyes are troubled as he asks in a quiet voice, "...why are you telling me?" He turns back to her, "...why are you...sharing your deepest pain...most sacred pain...with me?"
Telanna looks over at Coventry, while she chews on her bottom lip. She shakes her head. "Because I can't keep it all bottled up. Not here. It hurts too much. This is a sacred place. I can't keep secrets here." She sighs. "I brought you here because this is the only place where I feel like I make sense. I was hoping you wouldn't think I was trying to...to score points off of you, when I apologized."
The Doctor looks to the flowers still clutched in his hand, "I...I see..." He frowns deeply, "I...didn't mean to make you..." He swallows, looking back to her, asking hesitantly, "Why... Why did he come back?"
Telanna takes a few deep breaths. "I don't know," she says. "I can't ask him, either. I can't even look at him."
The Doctor looks down, "...I...I can barely..." He releases her hand, rubbing his face, "...no..." He takes a deep breath, "No..." He lowers his hand, looking back to her, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." He hesitates before adding with a weak smile, "Shall we head to Saraband then?"
She laughs a bit, wiping the tears away. "Good idea."
The Doctor stands nimbly, glancing at the tree reflectively as he offers the druidess a hand.
Telanna takes the offered hand, pulling herself to her feet as the two leave the clearing.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:45 am
[Leadership Meeting] Cedric sighs heavily, nodding his approval to the tinker and tapping the desk for a moment, “Very well…” He looks at the assembled leaders, “We can save such discussion for another day. For now, let us prepare to move to the fortress and assemble scouting missions.” He pauses for a moment, “If there’s nothing else, I suggest we adjourn for now.” He adds after a moment, "There is much to be done and little time to do it in."
...
"Sophie?" Hal walks towards the priestess, a rare look of concern on his face. "Do you have a moment?"
"Brother Hal?" Sophie asks uncertainly, her eyes widening at the expression on his face, "Yes... Of course... Is something wrong?"
"Sometime after you went to bed last night, a fight broke out at the feast. Did you hear anything about it?"
"The priestess winces at the memory, looking down with a frown, "Yes..." She looks up suddenly, her eyes alight, "Oh Brother Hal, it was terrible! Alex tried to reason with them and they just ignored him!"
"Did he tell you about it?" Hal asks. "He was the one who told me, earlier this morning."
"I was there..." Sophie admits quietly, looking away sadly, “I was going to bed but then Ala…” She hesitates, “My brother asked me to find Telanna…” She sighs despondently, “The poor girl…she’s had such a hard life…she was abandoned by her father…then…”
"Abandoned?" Hal interrupts sharply. "Isn't her father Sorel?"
Sophie nods piteously.
"Was he there?"
"Not at first..." Sophie says quietly, then frowns, "Well... I asked him to help me find her, I didn't know... I didn't know what he had done." Her eyes narrow, "She flew into a rage at the sight of him...but after he left...we talked..." Her eyes drift to Hal's, "She's been so alone...her whole life..."
Hal's eyes look troubled. "Tell me what happened."
"...she wanted to confront my brother...he'd hurt her... I don't know how... I'd guess something crude and petty..." The priestess replies quietly, "So, we went back to the feast...and... She just erupted." Sophie shakes her head, "I tried...to calm her... Then Sheila came up and my brother always makes everything worse... It was just a huge mess..." She turns back to her spiritual elder, "I just didn't know want to do... Everyone was shouting and no one was listening..."
Hal's face swells with sympathy. He looks at Sophie and says kindly, "You're being hard on yourself. You tried to resolve it, you comforted her when she was hurt, when she might otherwise have been alone. You were her light in darkness. I'm proud of you, Sophia." He smiles. "Besides, she looked like she was getting ready to apologize a bit earlier."
"Yeah." Sophie smiles, "She gave me flowers..." Then she sighs, "But..it didn't make any difference... Even Alex..." She shakes her head, at a loss as to how anyone could just ignore someone of the hero’s stature.
"The fight is in the past now," Hal says softly. "Our charge is to heal the wounds that caused it. To make sure it doesn't happen again." Hal looks around. "I believe I've spoken to everyone involved...except your brother..."
"Oh good..." Sophie replies with a relieved smile, "I knew you could straighten things out."
"Well, I appreciate your faith," Hal says, "But I'm going to need your help. What are you doing today?"
"Oh...um... " She frowns worriedly, “I was going to visit home.”
"Do you think you could bring Telanna along? I think a day on the town is just the thing she needs." Hal asks.
"Oh, Brother HaI, you are so amazing!" Sophie giggles, "I already invited her!"
Hal grins. "What a brilliant idea, Sophie!"
"I invited Lady Haubrekt as well...” The priestess looks up, “Would you like to come?" Sophie asks suddenly, "It was going to be a girl's outting but Alastor is coming too. I don't think it would hurt anything for you to come."
A small, curious smile crosses Hal's face. "Yes...I think that would be a good idea..." He perks up. "I need to restock my spice rack."
Sophie smiles happily, "We could make it a nice little expedition!" She glances around thoughtfully, "Who else might want to come?"
Hal thinks for a moment. "What about Sheila?"
“Sheila?”Sophie looks conflicted, "She wa..." The priestess grows silent for a long moment, then nods softly, "That...would be a good..."
"Wait," Hal says. "She can't. Jim needs her, I believe."
"Are you sure?" Sophia asks in a worried voice, "I thought I saw her fighting with a halfling earlier. She didn’t seem busy then…"
Hal nods. "Fairly sure, yes." He shrugs. "Oh well. Was a thought, at least. I think the people we have now are plenty," Hal says. "With all our teleporters, it's not like the others can't go wherever they please."
"I guess so... She didn’t seem like she would want to get a dress anyway…" Sophie nods, then smiles happily, "You can meet my family!"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:46 am
Sorel nods, getting up from his seat. : "That is the wisest course of action. Many things can be done only by the passage of time."

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:33 am
Saraband Part 1. There is the moment...that sickening moment when your body seems to fall behind you as you rush headlong into the void. Then you are there, standing on a well tended street lined with fine houses. Seagulls soar through the air above, beyond them the sun shines from on high through the billowing white clouds. The cold fingers of winters that had begun to creep over the great mountains are far distant now, the brisk cold replaced by the brisk ocean air.
You cannot see the ocean. The well tended streets before you bare no signs of the mighty sea below...yet something hints of the maritime. Perhaps it is the air...or a rocking of the city so gentle that you do not realize you perceive it.
Sophie takes in a deep breath of the crisp air, clutching her hands together happily, "Ah... I'm home!"
The Doctor stands stricken, staring at the streets as if they were some enchanted fairy land, at once beautiful and terrible.
No matter how many times he did it, there was a tiny jolt of trepidation when Hal teleported. The trick, he had learned, was to exhale before the spell was cast, and prevent it from knocking the wind out of you itself. Standing on the streets of Saraband, he looks around, supremely pleased. Then for a moment he closes his eyes, enjoying that implacable sense of buoyancy offered by the Floating City.
The sight of it made her dizzy. She felt no fear of falling, but Telanna could sense that it was not solid ground that supported her. She felt the soaring sensation she had come to associate with flight, but without the motion that accompanied it the feeling was disorienting. She shakes her head a few times, as if to bring the neatly ordered world back into focus, before looking at Sophie expectantly.
A soft moan is Gail's first response to world's most progressively modern city, learning only after the fact that a deep breath is not the way one prepares for teleportation. Before the trip, there had been a small hope deep in her mind, a bright whispering that the spell would feel like flying - at least, flying as she imagined it. In truth, she counted her blessings that she was still conscious by the end of the ride, her expectations based upon more recent, jarring experiences. Catching her escaped breath in a few short gasps, she looks to and fro at the city-state in rapt attention, unable to feel anything but pleasant excitement as the intangible motion beneath her feet made her feel above the earth.
Hal looks over at Gail, his brow briefly knitted in concern. "It's always difficult the first time," he says brightly, "If I recall correctly, I threw up on my shoes."
The maiden's gaze flies to the preacher, sighing at the comforting comment. "I suppose...If this didn't mark the fourth time, I could take solace in that." An slight grin plays upon her lips in musing. "It wasn't so bad, though. This time, at least, I don't have to wake everyone up."
Various citizens of the noble city watch the group, newly appeared from thin air, with various degrees of anxiety and unease.
A middle aged man wearing a martial uniform strides swiftly towards the group, a hand resting at the ready on the hilt of his blade, his brow furrowed.
A younger man follows after him anxiously, his fingers gripping nervously at his weapon.
The Doctor crosses his arms, his expression shifting to a guarded frown.
The old officer barks out sternly, “Halt! You there…”
[Diplomacy: 14 + 33 = 47 + native circumstance bonus = putty]
Sophie spins around to face the officer with a lovely smile, “Sir Walter!” The priestess courtesies smoothly, her pleasure at returning home not diminishing in the slightest at the stern command, “How fares the watch?” She nods in greeting to the younger of the two officers, “Oh, Robert, hello! How long have you been on the watch?” She smiles knowingly, “Got tired of bread?”
“Sophie…” The older man grins, his tension melting away in the face of the warm greeting, “…I didn’t recognize you at first.” His hand falls away from his weapon as he lets out a tried sigh, “Everyone’s been on edge with this Destonia and Cult business…”
The younger officer blushes fiercely, his anxiety plainly spiking as he attempts to stammer out a reply and fails miserably.
The older man shakes his head, “Such a mess.” He glances over the others in group curiously, “Where do you come from?”
“From the ruins of Megiddo far to the east…” Sophie begins eagerly, her voice taking on an grand note, “…where the forces of light have converged!” Her smile widens as her voice begins to crescendo, “It was there, in the shadow of the great mountains, that the greatest heroes of our age did battle with the Strife Lord Xadoss!” The priestess pauses dramatically.
The color drains from Gail's face as Sophie spins her unbelievable yarn about Megiddo, a tale of super-human heroism and miraculous feats of fortitude. She feels the urge to stop her, but in spite of trying, fails to work up an appropriate interruption. Standing aside, the maiden brings a hand to her lips, hiding the fact that her bottom lip was being bitten in worry.
The older man listens to the priestess captivated by her gallant words.
The younger man stares at her enthralled and yet somehow strangely depressed.
The priestess holds up two fingers pointedly, her face beaming with elation as she boldly declares, “There are three no longer!” She makes a sweeping motion with her hands, “Yes! There at the foot of mountains older than the Ancients themselves, a great battle was fought! The legend of Rune, Max! The unshakable hero, Alex! The star born huntress! The fell champions of Cypress! The chosen of the light, the…”
The Doctor looks at Gail wryly.
Telanna looks on numbly as Sophie recounts the events of that day, growing more and more incredulous as the priestess's language becomes more and more grandiose. She too casts a glance at Gail, though more in confusion than in amusement.
Gail, still watching the priestess recount the battle of mythic proportions to the city guards, glances over to her friends, meeting Telanna's gaze. She grimaces at her inability to stop all of this grand-standing or even explain, before turning to the doctor for help, and frowning at his Cheshire smile. He knew this would happen...of course he knew. Turning away from both of them, she stares at the uniformed, cobbled streets, hoping this wasn't going exactly where she thought it was going.
Hal grins, half in amusement and half in admiration at Sophie. He looks quite unheroic, bouncing cheerfully on the balls of his feet, perhaps in time with the imperceptible rocking of Saraband itself, or perhaps to some unheard music.
Sir Walter continues to hang on Sophie's every word. When her story begins to wind down, he looks past her to the other people in her group. "So who's this, then? More heroes and champions?" He watches them, as if expecting them to recount their tales with equal fervor and flair.
Telanna giggles nervously, biting down on her bottom lip, having been completely cowed by Sophie's theatrics.
Hal seems not to notice the attention paid him.
Raising her eyes at Sir Walter's question, she looks from the peace keepers, to Sophie, to the rest of the group. Finding no help, she sighs, stammering out a reply that could dispel the sense of awe stifling the party. "I...um, that is...well...I have no idea what to follow that with," she admits, an uneasy smile taking residence on her face.
Sophie waits for a moment for the others to introduce themselves, then, as an awkward silence threatens, she begins with a smile, “This is Telanna’brielle, druidess of the wilds, nymph-child and earth warden.” The priestess leans closer, adding in a quiet voice, glancing at the druidess, “She was among those who cast down Xadoss.”
The two officers follow her glance, staring at the young woman with renewed appreciation.
“This is Brother Hal…” Sophie begins, turning to her spiritual advisor, “A revered servant of the Light…” She smiles fondly, “…but humble and unassuming despite his station.” She looks back to the two officers, “Even…heroes turn to him when they falter.” She nods seriously, “The Hero Alex found the strength to turn hate into hope through the council and guidance of Brother Hal…and when the fell champion of Cypress fell in battle, Hal broke through the devices of our enemies to bring him back to life!” Her happy smile returns, “He has the kindest heart of any man…and he’s the best baker I’ve ever met!”
The older officer turns to look at the friar in awe.
The younger Robert listens enraptured though he looks away shamefully at the declaration of Hal’s awesome sacred baking powers.
Sir Walter turns to Gail expectantly.
Gail looks to the peace keeper, thinking it better that she introduce herself rather than let Sophie build her up. "Gail Haubrekt," she says plainly, "I was one of those who destroyed Xadoss...one of the many who did so. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Walter," she says, bowing slightly to the senior guardsman.
The guardsman bows in response, “It’s an honor to meet so brave a warrior as to trade blows with an Archfiend.”
“Lady Haubrekt…” Sophie laughs lightly, “You are so modest.”
The two guardsmen look back to the priestess.
Sophie shakes her head knowingly, “Lady Haubrekt speaks the truth.” The priestess shakes her head with a smile, “But…there are some things she didn’t mention...” She looks to the shield maiden, “As Allies and friends fell around her…the desperate struggle against the Archfiend threatening to reach a terrifying culmination… It was Lady Haubrekt, chosen of the Light and sanctified by the divine, who struck the blow that put an end, once and for all, to the Lord of the Burning Fist!”
“Following the battle, sacred armor was bestowed upon her…” Sophie continues reverent voice, “Forged far distant from this land, it crossed the empty void, braving the conflicts of a hundred worlds…protecting the star born huntress, a swordswoman in quest of the fiends who had consumed her world…” The priestess frowns, “…and well did it protect her, only once was it lacking, when she faced Xadoss beneath the ruins of Meggido and…was slain.”
Sophie turns to look at the paladin, her eyes assured, “This armor was bestowed to her avenger… One born in the humble village of Ribble and uplifted by the Light, wielding the power to oppose the darkness, the Strife Slayer.”
The two guardsmen stare at the Strife Slayer with a mixture of incredulity and awe.
Sir Walter glances at Sophie, as if attempting to gauge the truth behind her words, then he turns to the holy knight and bows respectively, “We are deeply honored.”
Robert stands there awkwardly for a moment, then with a start follows suite.
>> Insert Vox/Cyrus response here <<
Sophie frowns slightly as if remembering something, “Oh…” She glances over her shoulder as she adds as a side note, “Alastor’s here too.”
- Parting of Ways
- Home Visit

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:38 am
Saraband, Part 2 Wherein the Doctor Coventry, the lady Gail, the priestess Sophia, and the druidess Telanna have a series of Adventures, pertaining to the contents of a Pastry Shop, the visit of three maidens and a bachelor to a Seamstress, and the Trying-on of Clothes fanciful and fine, and the Tragical Misdoings of an Urchin raised Poor and Unsavory

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:40 am
Saraband Part 3. Nigel The Ocean Reunion

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:45 am
Saraband Part 4 On Goodbyes and Golden Skies On the Departure from the Floating City, and the difficulties posed by it

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:41 am
Forgive me if I'm out of line, I'll retract or alter as requested. Scouting Missions Thornwood/Odegan – Faralon and selected companions. Enrich – Cedric, Kyoji, Aurik, Merkass, Isyndel, and interested parties. Saraband – Sophie, God made man, Man becoming god, Ladybird, Birdlady.
Mechanis - Zook and GDO.
Tristan/Bedoe - Sorel and selected companions.
Aspia/Waral - Ashathel and selected companions.
Other Missions
Destonia - Enrick and selected companions – Prepare mansion for diplomatic/spying mission.
The other missions are on hold until we're more settled at the fortress and have a better feel for what's going on in the world. Fair enough?
If I left anything out, feel free to post it or ask me to edit it in. I didn't want to decide for the other leaders so I left it open ended.

Posted by: Rusty Sun Oct 21, 2007 6:35 pm
((You forgot Alex and Rune.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:05 pm
((Couple points: 1. It'll be at least noon by the time all the meetings are done. I wonder if it might not be a bad idea to give everyone the full day to decompress? We were in Megiddo less than 24 hours ago, mind. This way the Saraband crew can go on their day trip without leaving the groups without some teleporters.
2. The Mechanis trip can't take place until the Vagabond finds Mechanis, which TUM has told me won't be until the first round of scouting missions finish. So Zook will be able to accompany someone on a scouting mission, OR he could go and help the Zooklings get started on HQ construction, which is what I was intending.
With that in mind, I was envisioning something like this, to begin tomorrow in-game:
Missions
Thornwood/Odegan – Faralon, Damas, interested parties
Enrich – Cedric, Kyoji, Aurik, Merkass, Isyndel interested parties
Rune[Shade Abbey] - Alex, Hal, interested parties
Headquarters groundbreaking - Zook, the Zooklings, Viki, inactives and disinterested parties
Tristan - Sorel, Maria, interested parties.
Aspia/Waral - Ashathel, Laeralas, interested parties
Destonia - Enrick, other sufficiently fabulous people
Thoughts?))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:20 pm
At some point...the Doctor does the following business. Purchased Bag of Holding I: 2500gp Eternal Wand of Healing Lorecall: 820gp Diamonds: 2000gp
Sold
Eternal Wand of Anarchic Water: 410gp

Posted by: Cyrus Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:35 am
[I think Gail's going to end up going to Tristan, as she'd want to stay close to Sorel and I'm not sure if she's fabulous enough for Destonia. If Sorel orders her somewhere else, she'll go there, though. The fox is with Maria, so that's settled.
I'd like it if Castor could be filed away into HQ construction, so that I don't have to worry about him...but if a squad needs some muscle, he's there to be tossed into the fray.
Everything else looks sensible, and I'm genuinely excited about the upcoming gigantic scene. Can't wait for it to start...]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:55 pm
Since I take fabulous in this case, to mean high charisma and an ungodly amount of social skills, none of my other characters would be fit to accompany Enrick. Merla will go with Alex. Kayla will go with Faralon Kethra will go with Ash. Jessica will go with Sorel.
Unless they are needed elsewhere, that's where they'll be.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:01 pm
Jessica will NOT go with Sorel unless she's ordered to do so.

Posted by: Alpha Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:02 pm
((Laeral is good to act as teleporter for Ash's group. Tanis'll be going to Tristan with Sorel, as his tribe roams near there, and he trained in Moun))

Posted by: GOD*JESUS Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:24 pm

QUOTE
Later... The Doctor walks up to the great defender and noble paladin with a troubled frown. He holds out the noble dwarf's shield out almost with a wince, "I took this from you..." He looks away, "...maliciously... I wanted to hurt you and it seemed like the easiest way..." He forces himself to turn back to the dwarf, "...I apologize... I can't say that I wouldn't...or won't...do something like this again..." He smiles sadly, "No, I won't make such an empty promise...but it was wrong..."

: "Ye need no' worry so much abou' i' lad." Gorrik says reaches upwards to place his hand on the healer's shoulder. "I'm jus' happy te know tha' yer still alive. Consider yer apology accepted."
The Dwarven paladin then pulled the doc in, giving him a mighty Dwarven hug. Gorrik then let Coventry go, forgetting that he wasn't much of the type for that.
"I's good te have ye back."
------
((There's talk of possibly sending a group to Bedoe.
Depending on whether or not he can go, Aurik would be leading it, birdgish and Gorrik are set to go too.
As far as teleporting's concerned, if given the required 24 hour period, birdgish'll be able to handle it.
Yes, I know birdgish's technically still goo.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:34 pm

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:01 pm)
Jessica will NOT go with Sorel unless she's ordered to do so.

Did you not read the "Unless they're needed elsewhere?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:53 pm

QUOTE (Dark Maiden @ Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:34 pm)
Did you not read the "Unless they're needed elsewhere?"

Maybe I did and maybe I didn't...
<.< >.>

Posted by: Dark Maiden Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:38 pm
No, not the shifty eyes! x_X *Explodes*

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:42 pm
Assuming neither of the other leaders raises any objection, Jim with either deploy the Rangers to Bedoe (if Aurik isn't leading a team there), or Prompt (if Bedoe is already covered.)

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:35 pm
((I expressed interest in Aurik leading an expedition to Bedoe. Interested parties would be Laika, Gorrik, and probably Gabe thus far.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:38 pm

QUOTE (Knight_019 @ Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:35 pm)
((I expressed interest in Aurik leading an expedition to Bedoe. Interested parties would be Laika, Gorrik, and probably Gabe thus far.))

((I know you did, but Aurik has to ask if Cedric doesn't have other plans for his erstwhile cleric.))
Cedric sits at one of the rough hewn tables in the clearing where the feast had been held. On the table before him are a small loaf of dark bread and a bowl of stew, partially eaten. At the moment, the paladin is distracted from his meal by a map which he studies thoughtfully.
"May I speak with you for a moment?" Jim asks, helmet and mask carried in one hand as the other knocks on a tree beside him.
The paladin looks up and nods to the table, "Certainly..."
"Thank you," Jim says, moving to the table. "Mind if I have a seat?"
Cedric smiles slightly, "Please do."
"Thanks," Jim says as he sits down. "Well, I suppose I'll start off by apologizing. Bursting into laughter when you offered a serious suggestion..." Jim winces. "Was not the best way to start things off. I won't defend myself too much, except to say I meant no mockery or offense by it."
"These are dark times, all of us are under a great deal of strain..." The paladin replies with calm assurance, "Tthe matter is one I feel important but I forget that you do not know our foes as I do. Perhaps...I know them too well and that can darken my counsel just as severely." He looks at the GDO commander consideringly, "There is no need for you to apologize to me. As you said, no offense was meant. However, I would ask that you attempt to support what structure there is in our meetings." He frowns, "Without it I fear that it would be all too easy for the council to disolve into idle discussion and even bickering."
"Agreed," Jim says. "Which brings me to something I've discussed with Sorel. The idea that all the leaders should talk. Not just for tactics, but to get a better sense of who everyone is. Such knowledge would help avoid... gaffes like the one I made today."
"Wise council..." Cedric nods in agreement, "What should I know about you?"
Jim furrows his brow in thought. "Well, it's hardly apparent since I'm not a knight in shining armor, but I am a paladin, for one."
"Of what deity?" Cedric asks.
"I'm actually a rare sort of paladin," Jim says with a smile. "Instead of a deity, I adhere to a strict ideal of good, and that ideal gives me strength."
"Tell me of your ideal." Cedric replies intently.
"Well..." Jim says, stroking his chin, idly. "I'm not a preacher, so explaining it might be a tad hard... I'll try though."
Jim closes his eyes for a moment.
"The idea that things should move towards a better future... That people should treat each other well, that people should be accountable for their action, but at the same time be treated with mercy if they are truly sorry..." Jim says, slowly. "Equality of opportunity and fairness of treatment, that people be judged by their deeds and words instead of things like bloodlines or wealth. That doing what's right is not naive or stupid, but the only course of action that gives mortal life any meaning," Jim finishes, opening his eyes. "That is what I believe."
"A worthy ideal..." Cedric nods approvingly, "I think our pursuits fall along the same lines."
"Good to hear that..." Jim says with a smile. "So you use a maul?" Jim asks, gesturing at the giant hammer.
"Yes." The paladin nods simply, "...and you a...gun."
"Yeah..." Jim says with a chuckle. "Hardly fit the stereotype of a knight in shining armor, do I?"
Cedric arches an eyebrow at this but changes the topic, "The warriors at your command, tell me of them."
"Well..." Jim says, "With a few exceptions most of my troops use guns. We have a few magical experts, as well as a templar. I assume you know the troops that I lead into battle? That's First Squad. There are also Second and Third Squad, who mainly act as a guard unit for the support troops and weapons crews also under my command."
Jim frowns. "Well really I'm not sure what to say. What did you want to know?'
"I just wanted a better feel for your organization." Cedric nods, "The other groups are formed like Sorel's, I fear. Noble warriors but little to no command structure..."
Jim shrugs. "Perhaps it's simply an informal structure... Such as, they know who to turn to without rank? I've worked with such groups before, though not on this scale."
"Perhaps..." Cedric strokes his beard thoughtfully, "...it causes me concern though." He shrugs, "But it is not my decision to make. They are not under my command."
"True enough," Jim says. "So what do you believe in, then?"
"I am a follower of the goddess Mitula." Cedric replies simply, "It is my charge to safeguard her creation." The paladin adds matter of factly, "I came near to death as a child and in that dark hour my mother prayed to Mitula to save me from death. Her prayers were answered and I had devoted my life to carrying out the will of the goddess." He looks at the commander, "What of you? What inspired you to take up such a code?" He adds reflectively, "How long have you followed this path? Do you have a family or was that something sacrificed?"
"I used to be a regular marine. Security detail on a world that hadn't known the touch of demons for millenia. We thought they were myths..." Jim smiles grimly. "We were... very mistaken. Along with demons, a great many other things burst from the lab, some sort of portal experiment." Jim is quiet for a while. "I was one of the only survivors. Got picked up by a rescue squad from the GDO, and figured I'd join up..." Jim smiles faintly. "As for my code, I've always held it. It just seemed... the right thing to do. But only after surviving that incident did I understand I could take action instead of merely wishing things would be different."
"Interesting..." The paladin responds with a slight frown, "...but, forgive my ignorance, what is a regular marine?"
Jim laughs. "It's my world's term for a sort of soldier, trained for deployment from ships."
"How old are you?" The paladin asks.
"28. You?"
"32." The paladin states thoughtfully, "I have been on this path for nearly twenty years." He ponders this for a moment, "Your soldiers... How do you organize them?"
"Rank and roles," Jim says. "Each has their part to play in battle and each has a rank indicating chain of command. You've been a paladin since you were 12? Or is that when the training started?"
"Training." Cedric replies simply, adding thoughtfully, "We should compare our command structures... It would be benefical to compare command structures." He rubs his chin, "Faralon is my second in command...you remember him from the meeting." He frowns, "Then I have three subordinates managing the force after that. That can wait until another time though... I should return to preparing for the move."
"True enough," Jim says. "But, tell me about your team. I know how they're set up, but what are they like?"
"For the most, they are rebellious free spirits who have only survived this ordeal due to the imposition of order upon them.” Cedric states plainly, his voice free of shame or pride, “A few are of higher caliber but if left alone most would stand in an idle stupor while their allies were slain before them. Given direction, they are now at the point where I would pit them against the darkest of fiends.”
"Hmmm," Jim says. "Not... exactly what I would expect from a Shining Force."
KingKai279: "I no longer care for titles." Cedric shrugs, "We're opposing the fiends. If that makes us a Shining Force, so be it."
"Well traditionally the heroes that oppose the great evils of this world have been known as Shining Forces," Jim says, leaning back in his chair. "So I guess that makes your group one."
"I suppose so." Cedric replies, "Does that make your force one?"
"It might..." Jim says. "But I think most would tend towards granting that title only to those from here. Is there anything you think I should know?" Jim asks, his palms up in the air for a moment.
"We have faced Xadoss and Shailtor in combat." Cedric frowns, "Xadoss is no more but you should be cautious of the Lord of the Twisted Web, he is a master of corruption."
"So I hear..." Jim says with a frown, fingering the disks Zook had given him. "I'll have to look over these disks carefully."
Cedric nods, "My only advise is not to treat him lightly...he wishes you too."
Jim is silent for a moment, his countenance grim.
"I... once made the mistake of underestimating the foe and assuming victory was all but assured," Jim says quietly. "And that error cost a lot of good men and women their lives... and destroyed..." Jim cuts himself off, shaking his head. "No. I will not make that error again. If this 'Shailtor' expects for me to take him lightly, he'll be sorely disappointed," Jim says quietly. "I paid for that lesson in blood."
Cedric claps a hand on his fellow paladin's shoulder, "We are but mortal." He then nods, "Let us disappoint him then."

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:24 am
((Psh, when have we ever listened to anything Cedric says? If a certain God-Emperor of Kaibodia comes on, I shall verify with him, though I believe I had brought it up in his presence.))

Posted by: Aldur Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:06 am
(( Having loose cannons rocks. Michael = Destonia. Viletta will be going with Jim/HQ to assist Zook if she's not overly required. Kria go to Tristan with her group, if only so can see somewhere she's not been.))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:07 am
I'm thinking Sha'aasta would be pretty well suited for Destonia... she's much more focused towards finding out what she wants from people than killing them. Johann will probably tag along, both to provide a pyrotechnic-laced escape route for when Sha'aasta goofs, and because... well, a diviner strikes me as being pretty well suited to spying, ya know?

Posted by: Rusty Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:08 am
((At some point, Alexander buys himself, and Hal, a Reliquary Holy Symbol [1,000 gold each], which acts like a Holy Symbol and also gives us each 2 extra turning checks a day [since those are the requirements we both meet]. This puts our party fund, with the addition of Alex's funds, at 7,505 gold. Feel free to input yours as well if you please. Please note a wishlist either in post or directly to me, for future purchases. Obviously we don't have much to work with right now, but maybe we'll see some gold in the future expeditions.))
===Informing Enrick===
Enrick pushed the door of the inn with one hand. He had spent the that part of the day visiting the whole town, after what he decided to join the more lively atmosphere of the elven hotel. The nobleman sat down at the counter and ordered a drink, and smiled broadly upon replaying the events of the previous day in his mind. He looked satisfied at the way everything had turned out.
*Alexander casually walks as he sees Enrick sitting at the counter. He approaches the nobleman, nodding to him.*
: "Hello, Enrick. How are you doing?"
The treasure hunter turns his head and brightens up at the sight of the paladin.
: “Oh if it’s not Alexander over there!” He exclaims, “Come here, let’s share a drink together! I felt like ordering one myself. I went about town earlier but got bored almost too quickly. This place is so quiet now… you wouldn’t think there was a great battle going on about it not even a day ago.” He chuckles, “Speaking of which, yesterday was certainly busier than the usual we got so far. Adventure can be so fickle at times. Hmm… And the party concluded it wonderfully. My, your brother is such a chef!”
: "Indeed, he really outdid himself. I hope you're not offended, but I'm not in the mood to drink. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and as you know, the leaders of the groups have met together to try and formulate some plans. I actually wanted to talk to you about it, so I guess I was lucky to find you here."
: “Oh that’s fine.” He replies, not looking much disappointed, “So long as we have something to discuss about, I don’t mind it at all! What is it you wanted to tell me?” He finally inquires.
: "Well, we're likely to divide groups a bit, to help cover more ground and go on numerous expeditions simultaneously. It should help confuse the enemy I think, especially if we change our courses regularly. There's another enemy in Destonia, as you know, and we're going to send a force there. You're most familiar with it, and as a nobleman I think you have the best chances at succeeding, so I have tossed your name in for leading a party there. You'd be a diplomat, really. We're not looking to fight Destonia head on or anything. Do you think you'd be up to the task?"
Enrick listens well to Alexander’s report. In the meantime, the bartender finally comes back with the drink he ordered, a glass of typical elven wine. He places it on the counter next to his customer who produces a handful of small copper pieces right out of his sleeve and hand them over to the man casually, motioning gently to grab the well-filled glass. This is when Alexander mentions the mission to Destonia. At this moment only does the swordsman freeze completely like after being told news of extreme gravity that required such a brutal interruption. Withdrawing his hand, he slowly turns his head back to the paladin, staring at him dubious.
: “…Are you… are you serious? To my hometown… really??” He finally answers, seemingly affected.
*Alexander nods.*
: "If you're up to it."
“This… This is… I…”
At first, it is difficult to make out what kind of reaction this instilled within him. But soon, his mouth widens into a grin and he hugs his paladin pal.
: “Ooh Alexander, you truly are the greatest of friends! I knew it the day we met each other! You can’t imagine how glad this makes me! After so long… Hahahaha, I’m going back to!…”
He interrupts himself, releasing him from his grasp and thinking about something, he nods plain satisfied.
: “And here comes a divine idea!”, He adds, raising a finger, “We could all drop by the mansion since it’s on the way back! It will be like!… Uh, by the way, who’s joining the fun?”
: "Well, we haven't completely decided that yet, but I'm sure Michael will be joining you, and I might send Sophie with you as well. Remember, it's a diplomatic mission. You should probably use your mansion as a base of operations - not a fortress or anything, but as a resting place and place of discussion, spying and what have you."
: “Bright as ever. But don’t you worry about the details! Leave it all up to me! Diplomacy? Spying? I’m liking the sound of this. Adventure is not always about battling your way through hordes of bloodthirsty creatures, ya know? And, well, this mission suits me best of course. *chuckle*”
He drinks some wine and carries on.
: “Not to mention I have some good acquaintances within the imperials. You won’t regret your choice.” He winks, drinks some more, and after a moment asks, “So… what are we to seek throughout our ‘negotiations’ with the Empire?”
*Alexander smiles at Enrick's reaction.*
: "We're trying to slow the Empire down so we can focus more efforts against the fiends. I know Emperor Domaric is probably beyond reason, so I don't think we can entirely stop the war as long as he or anyone who shares his horrible goals has power. However, we could potentially delay things - maybe even confuse them if necessary? Whatever it comes to, really. I'm sorry that your reputation among the nobles is at stake here, but we're low on options. I'm just glad we've got one on our side."
: “Indeed, indeed, let’s make do with what we’ve got! And no worries as Enrick van Maerglecrow knows how to deal with that kind of business and will get away with it with least injuries to his pride! If such is at all possible. *chuckle* It’s not like it’s the first time I’m put in such a delicate position, yet my status remains intact.”
The quirky nobleman nods and then finishes off his drink with one gulp, and frowning slightly he leans his elbows over the counter and rests his head into his outstretched hands.
: “Though, is there no way you can possibly accompany us? I mean, we went through a lot together. We would be unstoppable I’m sure.” He looks aside at the hero with hopeful eyes.
*Alexander frowns, shaking his head.*
: "I'm sorry...I realize it might be more difficult without me, but...You must understand, it's a personal matter for me to head to Rune, for there lies the heart of the fiends."
: “Such a pity…” He replies, straightening up on his seat to face him, his voice carrying hints of despondency. However he grins faintly as another idea forms in his mind.
: “Well, at least accept this before we part ways, as a token of our long-lasting friendship.”
Fumbling through his bottomless bag, he takes out a medium sized item seemingly made of bark held together into the shape of a horn thanks to several interleaved threads. The swordsman’s grin intensifies then.
: “I always wondered whatever help this was supposed to provide. The merchant from whom I acquired this for a ridiculous amount told me that it was imbued with divine power. Supposedly, it used to belong to a goddess of Parmecia but the rumor might hold untrue. Anyway uh… Try as I may, I could never get it to produce a single effect, beneficial or not.” He holds out the cornucopia to the paladin with a skeptical grin.
*Alexander curiously eyes the item, listening to Enrick's story. He then pats Enrick on the shoulder, now holding the large cornucopia in his other hand.*
: "Even if the merchant was lying, a gift is a gift. Thank you, Enrick. I'll let you know if it does indeed possess divine power."
: “You’re welcome!” He replies jovially, “Surely you will find out soon enough what mysteries revolve around that artifact. You’re a man of faith after all!” The adventurer looks about dreamingly, “Ahh… I don’t regret purchasing it either way. Very decorative. And now it holds a symbolic value!”
*Alex laughs, nodding.*
: "Indeed, Enrick. I'm sure by the time we're done with our quest, it'll be worth a great deal more, as well. Thanks again for your generosity. I pray things will go well in Destonia."
: “Trust me, it knows no bound. *chuckle* Very well then!” He extends his hand to the paladin, “Until next time? Or do you wish to talk some more? Naturally, the two of us will still be safe, sound and ever so friendly by the time we meet again. Hahaha!”
: "I'd like to stay and talk, but I feel business is more urgent first, and I want to speak to the group about what's happening next. I don't want anyone left in the dark about this, especially since we will be splitting forces."
: “It’s alright, it’s alright! Maybe some other time.” The noble gets up roundly and stretches out before continuing, “It’s not like I have much else to do, really, but I will be on my way as well. Exciting times lurk at the most unexpected places, and I might have missed one on the way back here. Either way, I need some fresh air and a walk. I’ll be in town if you need me.”
: "All right. I'll be calling for you soon, so don't stray too far."
The dandy walks forward and turns back at the paladin’s words.
: “Oh I don’t plan to venture very far you know, I’m just going to investigate the outskirts of town that feel ever so forsaken any time of the day. Maybe then will I stumble upon some unexpected and odd occurrence that will make my day. It’s worth a try at least! Anyhow, have a nice day my good friend!”
He grins broadly, then proceeds quickly towards the exit, his white cape fluttering behind, waving Alexander goodbye from behind his shoulder as he leaves the inn.
===Alex's Speech===
*Alexander's force gathered, he nods to them, wasting no time as he begins to speak.*
: "Hello, everyone. As I'm sure you all know, the leaders of the other forces and I have been talking out our next course of action. There are numerous areas of concern, including the evil force's hold over most of Rune, Destonia's ambition, and even some problems in Tristan and Enrich. There are some other places with problems arising, but those are secondary to what I mentioned. Indeed, it is a bad situation, but this is the turning point. We have new allies, who have managed to take down one of the Strife Lords, the masterminds behind these attacks. Two remain: Shailtor, and Erebeus, horrible beings of great power that some, those foolish and misguided enough, would even call them gods. As I understand it, their base is in Rune, where I intend to lead a party. First, however, we will do some scouting, to know what we're dealing with."
*Alexander motions to Enrick with a nod.*
: "Enrick has agreed to lead a diplomatic expedition in Destonia. His mansion will be a fine place to stay and plan, and his noble blood will serve as a great boon for this task. I would request Sophie goes with him, because I know she is a good peacemaker. We're not out to stop the war entirely - as long as Domaric lives, we can't possibly do that. We're just out to delay things for the moment. I'm sorry that I can't go with you, but it is part of my personal oath that I go to Rune, as it's infested with fiends."
*The leader then turns and nods to Laeralas.*
: "It's to my understanding that you'll be accompanying Ashathel? Best of luck to you. I'll be surprised if Thavon doesn't join you, though I would appreciate his skills for this initial scouting mission."
*He then addresses the group as a whole again.*
: "Hal and I are going to Shade Abbey on Rune, one of the few safe places there. Those of you who haven't already made up your minds, I'd appreciate it if you joined us. We could surely use your help. I'm leaving this choice up to you, personally, because now we have many more options, and I understand personal wishes. However, it apparently started in Rune, and I'm sure it's going to end there as well. The sooner, the better, I say. Don't worry about not joining me in Rune, however, because I'm sure I'll be able to get some aid from the other forces."
*Alexander holds up his hand, keeping a fist in the air. His voice takes a sudden change - before it was more casual; now it is more determined.*
: "The time is now. This is our best opportunity to gain the upperhand and crush our foes. Our blades will cut through the fiends like parchment. Our spirits will shine like a great light through the depths of despair. This is the moment we've been waiting for! We've proven time and time again we're a force to be reckoned with, and finally, after all these battles, the odds have been evened. I have little doubt in my mind that we, along with the others, are the next Shining Force. Everytime there is great strife, heroes come to aid the land and its people - and in this case, maybe even some of its gods. We will not lose! Each and every one of you might be motivated for different reasons, but our cause is the same - to eliminate this threat. It is that single cause which brings us together and keeps us striving for a better tomorrow; one which we shall have soon enough. So go where you must go, but know you are saints in the eyes of commoners, and indeed in my eyes as well - risking your lives daily for betterment of people everywhere. We are heroes; we are champions; we are the Shining Force!"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:08 am
Placeholder

Posted by: GOD*JESUS Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:10 am
((This is where Thavon ungoos himself.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:26 am
Sorel/Telanna part 2

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:44 am
Rangers Briefing: The Rangers stand before Jim as he folds his hands behind his back and begins speaking. "Rangers, the situation as it stands is pretty grim. I've talked to our allies and it seems there's an urgent need for help in nearly every corner of the globe. Considering the current situation this world is in, I'm suspending investigation of the signal until we manage to mitigate the damage here..." Jim looks over the Rangers. "However, before we can do even that, we, and I mean both the Rangers and these new Shining Forces, need more information. As it stands, scouting teams are being sent to Enrich, Bedoe, Tristan, Shade Abbey, and Thornwood, I believe. A special mission is also being sent to the capital of Destonia. Sheila!"
"Sir!" Sheila says, saluting.
"You're going with the Destonia mission. While some of them are going to talk and gather information via diplomacy, I want you to cover them and make sure nothing goes wrong. I'm leery of sending a diplomatic team into the heart of a hostile nation. If things go sour, which they very well might, I want you there to make sure they've got a combat specialist ready to clear an escape route," Jim states, turning his head after a while. "In addition, you can sneak around and see what you can find out via infiltration. Any sensitive areas they have will probably be magically warded... But they might not have safeguards for our technology. See what you can dig up in their military facilities and try to get a troop strength estimate by an... 'unofficial tour' of their holdings."
"Sir! Sounds like fun! Sir!" Sheila says, saluting again in a playful way.
"Michael, since you're from Destonia, you'll be going with that group as well. Help them blend in and avoid trouble, you'll be acting as a guide of sorts," Jim states, before looking to the rest of the Rangers. "Everyone else is with me. We're going to Prompt. The Cult has the place under siege and I want to see how well the place is holding up firsthand. A warzone is a dangerous drop for a scounting mission, so I'm taking nearly everyone with me. Any questions?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:49 am
one final placeholder

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:13 am
>>After Alex's speech. 2 days post Megiddo/night before mission deployment. Everyone should be present.<< The sun hangs low in the sky and a chill wind caresses the camp and village when it happens. The sound of many wings flapping fills the air as what can only be described as a swarm of birds emerges from the treetops and heads into the air.
An immense feeling of wrong prickles the hairs on the back of your neck and causes a shudder to pass over your body. You hear a great crashing and commotion deep within the forest before a wave of squirrels, wood mice, deer, rabbits, and other assorted forest creatures burst from the trees and frantically run forward, past those near the treeline.
Squinting, those of you with excellent eyesight can barely make out a dark shape deep, deep within the forest. It takes you a while to realize that it's not dark due to lack of light, but rather the thing is absolutely black, a pure void of color. It draws closer and you also realize that what you took for an indistinct form due to great distance is actually a complete lack of shape.
: Anyone who didn't see it already notices a column of white fire soar up into the air from the abyss, and people who pass a Listen hear Sorel chanting a spell.
From his airborne position, Thavon sees a vast amorphous void of light, like some umbral blob crawl through the forest toward the mountain of Megiddo, and by extension through the village. A long, long trail of dead vegetation and smoldering earth mark where this creature has already passed.
A red light and a persistent beeping suddenly winks to life on a device at Jim's side. Similar devices activate all across the Rangers encampment as various soldiers stop what they're doing and gawk for a moment.
"TIIIIIIIIIIIDE SIIIIIIIIIIIIGN!!!" one soldier screams as the troops rush around to grab weapons. The Rangers section of the camp is immediately in a near panic as men dash for weapons and slap on armor vests and whatever they can manage to get on. Crews pull heavy weapons from storage crates and begin to hurriedly assemble them while the sentries already equipped look uncertainly around for orders. Officers shout commands and more than a few prayers are heard.
"Tide.... No... That can't be..." Jim says, the color draining from his face for a moment. He shakes his head and scrambles to don his helmet and gas mask before issuing orders.
"First squad, rally here! Second squad, third squad, heavy weapons and support teams, set up a perimeter! Don't let it get to the civilians!" Jim shouts as he hastily arms himself. "Aura rounds and holy effects only! And stay in formation whatever you do!"
"What's going on?" Gilliam asks, looking around in confusion. "Nothing's on my sensors, what's the matter?!"
"Awwww nuts! Can't catch a break!" Sheila yells as she ejects the clips from her pistols and slams in two new ones. "What the hell are Tideforms doing here?! It... It can't be like the last time, can it?!"
Kyoji doesn't say anything, swiftly belting on his sword and dagger before slipping on the bracers that provide him protection.

Posted by: Alpha Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:21 am
((this happens before the assault that's happening now)) After waking up and continuing his wondering for a short while, Tanis suddenly starts, and realises he never went back to find Ombligo last night. Cursing himself, he quickly seeks out the magic creature, finding him in his quarters.
“Uh, hello Ombligo,” the catfolk says nervously. “Can I talk to you for a moment please?” he asks.
*Ombligo looks at Tanis, already knowing what he's going to say.* "Sure. What is it, Tanis?"
"I need to apologise for not meeting you last night, like I said I would," he begins. "I…have had a hard time with my thoughts since our encounter with General Fasher. He invoked…very painful memories in me," Tanis says, pain of the memory lacing his expression. "It left me shaken. Very much so." And the fatespinner pauses for a few moments before proceeding. "I had to think on what he showed me to try and overcome the pain." He grimaces. "I have not yet finished, but I needed to come and tell you why I didn't hold up my agreement," he finishes.
*Ombligo.* "It's fine. I played a game with Alex instead. I just thought we were going to let go of the bad memories for one night...Maybe the feast was too early?"
Tanis sighs in reply. “Maybe it was too early. For some people anyway. I’m sure it was beneficial for the majority of people though.” And he shrugs. “Anyway, I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to carry on with my musing.”
*Of course you would. Ombligo thinks, a little sad.* Ombligo: "Okay. Bye!"
Tanis nods, and turns to leave. “Thank you Ombligo,” and with that he is gone.

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:32 am
Cedric steps to the forefront of the scrambling warriors, his eyes narrowing, "Ashathel! Isyndel, lead your units to the defenses Zook designed." He nods to the nearby GDO commander, "Quickly, what do I need to know about these foes?" A bedraggled Sophie stumbles from the makeshift barracks with a panicked expression on her face, glancing around at a loss, "Wha…what's going on?"
The Doctor sits atop a large building, watching the approaching darkness with a frown. Sliding some materials into his satchel, he pulls forth a wand and puts its power to use.
[Healing Lorecall]
Maria starts at the alarm, leaping to her feet and watching the preparations with a frown. She glances to her companion with a growing smile, "Shall we take care of this?"
[Manifests Inconstant Location]
[Manifests Dimension Door as a Move Action]
The psion and the fox vanish only to appear at the forefront of the defenses, ready to strike at the foe as soon as it enters range.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:42 am
The column of fire Sorel summoned streaks into the center of the Tideform. ((Flame Strike. 48 damage, half fire, half divine. Sorel is 60' away, in the Tideform's path)) "It's some kind of mindless void creature," Zook tells Cedric. "The Shadowblade logs mentioned them appearing sometimes on worlds the Strife Lords had blighted. Ordinary physical attacks are useless. Energy attacks and holy physical attacks are partially effective. Holy energy is its real weakness."

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:23 am
Cedric pulls out a worn mace that hangs from his belt and glances around with a frown, "Telanna! Put this to use!" [Freakin Saint's Mace] [IIRC Same as normal Saint's Mace + Fast Healing 1 while wielded.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:03 am
"Positive energy, holy energy, energy mainly," Jim nods in agreement as Zook speaks, hastily changing the ammunition in his gun. "It's a Tideform... And nothing of its sort should be anywhere near this world! Something's gone terribly wrong..." Jim looks around and shouts into his mike. "All Rangers, fire at will!"
The commander follows his words with deed as he drops to a knee and fires his GSAW, streaks of light firing from his weapon and into the vast expanse of approaching void. Where the light hits, bits of the creature sizzle off and it seems to roil in pain. Sheila soon follows Jim's example, sending a flurry of gunshots at the beast.
The Tideform rushes forward like a wave, great pseudopods splitting from its form.
((The Tideform is effectively in melee with everyone due to size and reach, unless you fly.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:05 am
Telanna catches the Holy Staff, looking at it incredulously. : "What? Why me? What am I supposed to do with it?" As if in response to her confusion, the staff grew warm in her hands, and tugged her arm towards the blackness. After resisting for a moment, she allows it to jerk forward, and a line of white fire darts into the Tideform.
((Searing Light. 56 holy damage))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:34 am
((Ombligo is floating 19 feet in the air. )) : "Hey, we fought something like this before! Freeze spells slow it down...Holy, positive energy? Hmm...Let's try..." ((Swift action: Assay Spell Resistance. +10 to SR checks.)) *Ombligo utters a quick incantation before casting Lightning Lance. The Lightning Lance spell takes longer than usual as the lances glow white. Ombligo tosses them effortlessly into the giant blob of blackness.*
((If necessary, SR check: 1 + 17 [CL] + 10 [ASR] = 28
Full-round action: Purified Lightning Lance of doom. All damage counts as good. Upgraded dice damage, according to Marine.
LL #1:
Roll to hit: Natural 20. Pity this thing can't be crit'd.
Impact damage: 5 7 2 = 14.
Electric damage: 7 2 7 4 4 5 1 6 8 3 = 47.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only. Doubtful that it has to make this save, but if it does, FORT save DC 24 also to negate possible stun effect.
LL #2:
Roll to hit: 6 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] = 16. Confirmed hit by Marine.
Impact damage: 5 1 3 = 9.
Electric damage: 7 6 6 1 5 6 8 5 5 4 = 53.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only. Doubtful that it has to make this save, but if it does, FORT save DC 24 also to negate possible stun effect.
LL #2:
Roll to hit: 6 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] = 16. Confirmed hit by Marine.
Impact damage: 2 2 5 = 9.
Electric damage: 2 8 2 1 1 8 2 8 4 6 = 42.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only. Doubtful that it has to make this save, but if it does, FORT save DC 24 also to negate possible stun effect.))
===
((Alex's auras up: Over the Top, which is a bonus of +8 to charges, and Motivate Ardor: Straight up +2 to damage. All allies within 60' of him get these bonuses.))
: "So, holy energy is this Tideform's bane, huh? Everyone, you know what to do! Holy magic and weapons are critical here! If you can't use either, aid those that can!"
((Free action: enter Holy Fury. All of his attacks, though they would normally thanks to his sword being Holy, count as good. Gain 12 holy fury points.
Free action: Divine Might
Swift action: use Furious Strike.
Now full round attack. Since this thing is taking extra damage from Ombligo's spell, it must be an evil outsider. As such...
PA4, Smite attempt
Attack #1: Natural 20. Hit.
Damage: 2 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 7 [bane] + 6 [starmetal] + 8 [holy] + 12 [furious strike] + 4 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] + 7 [Smite] = 63.
Attack #2: 2 + 9 [BAB] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] - 4 [PA] + 1 [focus] = 15. Confirmed by Marine - this actually hits!
Damage: 7 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 3 [bane] + 5 [starmetal] + 9 [holy] + 4 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] = 45.
Attack #3: 7 + 4 [BAB] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] - 4 [PAP] + 1 [focus] = 15.
Damage: 3 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 3 [bane] + 1 [starmetal] + 7 [holy] + 4 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] = 35.
Heroic Surge...
Attack #4: 15 +...hit.
Damage: 5 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 5 [bane] + 1 [starmetal] + 6 [holy] + 4 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] = 38.
Don't really have to worry about DR with the bane up, I guess.))
===
*Faralon's eyes widen as he sees the threat destroy everything in its path. He casts a spell which seems to do nothing whatsoever, knowing the absurd danger he and the others are in.*
((Casting Harmony.))

Posted by: Alpha Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:31 am
Blinking slowly, Tanis remembers the last time they had faced such a creature...it seemed like so long ago... Sighing, the catfolk falls into casting, following Ombligo's advice on using cold energy. If it wasn't too effective, he'd call down holy fire next. An orb of frigid cold soon materialises and proceeds to shoot out at the Tideform, energy crackling from it.
[Cast an empowered orb of cold (burning two level 5 spells)
Defensive casting: 1d20 + 20 = 31...pass
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 10 = 24
Damage: (13d6 x 1.5) + 6 = 87 cold damage, no save]
((Laeral's action to come))

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:35 pm
((Excuse me for screwing with colors. With the groups meeting up, I'm going to try to differentiate who I have that's using what a bit better.)) : Abomination! Creature of darkness, begone from here! *Aurik raises his blazing sun holy symbol to bear, and a blast of light radiates forth from it. It impacts the void-like blob, sizzling away the creature's mass.*
((Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 17 + 4= 4 + 21 = 25. Pass.
Cast Reach Spell Heal. Utilizing Divine Spell Power
Turn Check: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 19 + 8 = 27. Cast as cleric 4 levels higher. (15 + 4 + 2 + 1 = Level 22 cleric.)
Touch attack: 1d20 + 13 = 8 + 13 = 21 Ranged Touch.
The spell channels 220 HP worth of positive energy to the blob up to 60' away. DC 21 Will save.
SR if necessary: 1d20 + 22 = 8 + 22 = 30.))
~~~
*Merkass quickly and nimbly cartwheels, handsprings, and corkscrews away from the abomination's reach, then fires a trio of shining white arrows into its body.*
((Merkass and Enrick traded items, which was supposed to have been in an RP that Morgan hasn't felt up to. Merkass received gloves of DEX and the ring of Protection from Enrick, while Merkass gave up his vest of resistance and jade ring to Enrick. I think Merkass was also giving up his armor.
Tumble: 1d20 + 28 = 9 + 28 = 37. Tumble w/o AoO at full movement speed.
Merkass distances himself by an additional 50'.
Manyshot3
1d20 + 25 - 6 = 16 + 19 = 35.
Damage
1d8 + 1d6 (EW) + 1d6 (Nem) + 3d6 (Ranc) + 2d6 (Holy) + 15 + 1 (FE) + 2 (Alex) = 5 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 18 = 46 (holy).
1d8 + 7d6 + 16 = 6 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 2 + 3 + 18 = 40 (holy).
1d8 + 7d6 + 16 = 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 6 + 4 + 18 = 53 (holy).))
~~~
*What foul abomination could leave such destruction in its wake? Flora and fauna alike devoured in some unholy maw of nothing. If holy damage was its weakness, Rhizor had little aid. However, the powers of nature would strike back at this demonic blob with all the force of a raging wildfire. Rhizor raises his winged hands into the air, and a column of fire strikes down from the heavens, crackling with golden flame amongst red.*
((Flamestrike. SR if necessary: 1d20 + 15 = 10 + 15 = 25.
15d6 = 3 + 5 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 58 (29 holy, 29 Fire).))
~~~
: This thing again? It should have learned from the last time!
*Mahler clacks his fists together, and the sound of an avalanche can be heard by all present. His fists glow a bright white, and his body seems to carry trails of himself as if blurred. Mahler stomps forward, picking up momentum slowly as a train ready for a head on collision with a mass of pure evil. Images of Mahler at various phases during his charge trail behind him, each running and trying to catch up to the moving stone. Like the crash of thunder, Mahler's fist impacts the tideform, and each of the images lands a thunderous blow on the creature as well. The light from his fists penetrates into the blob, disrupting its form of nothingness.*
((Swift Action: Cast Rhino's Rush.
Charging Smite Evil. PA 5.
http://magic19.homestead.com/files/tideformroll.png
(6d8 + 10 + 10 (Alex) + 9 (SE) + 5 (PA))*2 + 2d6 (holy) + 1d8 (PC) = 12d8 + 68 + 2d6 + 1d8 = 2 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 7 + 8 + 7 + 5 + 3 + 8 + 6 + 7 + 68 + 5 + 6 + 6 = 143 damage (good aligned + holy)
~~~
((DAGRON Kno: Planes: http://magic19.homestead.com/files/tideform2.png (or did we stop the +10 on nat 20/-10 on nat 1 for skill checks. I can't remember.
I would also like to note that I actually got a 20 earlier for Merkass' attack, and I ditched it.))
*Dagron soars up and over the tideform, unleashing a hellacious blast of fire over its massive body. The flames continue to lick and dance over the thing's blackness, while Dagron ponders over the nature of this creature. It was certainly nothing of this world by far.*
((Empowered Fire Breath, adding Clinging Breath for 4 rounds.
4d10*1.5 = 10 + 5 + 4 + 9 + 5 + 6 = 39 fire damage.
REF DC 24 for half. It takes half as much damage next round.
It can remove the clinging breath with a full round action in which it must succeed on its reflex save. I'm really not sure I want to know what that looks like.))
((Editted because I missed Alex's auras))

Posted by: Alpha Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:55 pm
Laeralas does nothing but grin at first, the situation amusing him. In Megiddo he had perfected his style of fighting with twin daggers and spellcasting. And now he would demonstrate it for all, as he ripped into the monstrosity before him with a perfect union of magic and melee.
Not needing to advance forward, for the enemy had conveniently come to him, the elf spins his daggers by their guards around his hands. Grin increasing, he launches into a flurry of attacks, chanting as he does so. The first two hit the tideform, and then the elf leans too far in one direction, missing cleanly. He makes up for it as his other arm trails behind, slicing in. As he attacks, however, the area around Laeralas grows colder and more frigid. Balls of ice form and begin rocketing into the tideform, the shards dealing a fair amount of damage.
As the spinning daggerspell mage stops, he views his handiwork. Not bad for a first time attempt.
[Use Daggerspell Flurry to full attack and quicken Freeze 4
Attack 1
1d20(13) + 9(bab) + 8(dex) + 1(weapon focus) +1(enchantment) - 2(two weapon fighting) = 30…hit
Damage: 1d6(2) + 3(str) + 1(enchantment) + 2(aura) = 8
Attack counts as good due to flametouched weapon
Attack 2
1d20(3) + 4(bab) + 8(dex) + 1(weapon focus) +1(enchantment) - 2(two weapon fighting) = 15…hit
Damage: 1d6(3) + 3(str) + 1(enchantment) + 2(aura) = 9
Attack counts as good due to flametouched weapon
Attack 3
1d20(1)…miss
Attack 4
1d20(9) + 9(bab) + 8(dex) + 1(weapon focus) +1(enchantment) - 7(two weapon fighting) = 21…hit
Damage: 1d6(5) + 1(str) + 1(enchantment) + 2(aura) + 3(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material) = 9 + 3(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material)
Freeze 4
Damage: 8d12 + 24 = 70
No save]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:00 pm
"What the hell is that?" Damas stares at the void-like blob for a moment, and then begins to weave magic about him. Having no spells or weapons with holy energy, his ice spells would have to do. Shouting the final word of power, he casts his most powerful ice spell.
[Defensive Casting: 3 + 20 = 23. Pass.
Freeze 4, 81 cold damage, no save.
Spell Resistance (If it has any): 17 + 15 = 32]
Merla's eyes widen slightly when she sees the massive blob coming towards them.
"Oh bloody hell."
Much like the elven sorcerer not too far away, Merla weaves magic about her. She shouts the final word of power, and summons the most powerful fire spell she has.
[Defensive Casting: 17 + 21 = 38. Pass.
Blaze 4 (Maximized), 104 fire damage, no save.
Spell Resistance (You know, just in case): 12 + 15 + 4 (GSP) = 31]
Actions from the rest of my characters to come later, when I figure out what to do with them.

Posted by: FreedomJu Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:25 am
OOC: Assuming that Melissa and Van gets the effects of the Auras ((Melissa: Single attack, then use move action to reload. Energy Flechette Hit: 1d20 + BAB + DEX Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 + 8 = 16 + 18 = 34 Energy Flechette Damage: 7d6 fire + Aura
Attack 1: 7d6 fire + 2(aura) = 17
Dodge to Tide Form
Van: Full attack
Hit=2+15+3(Enchantment)+4(STR) = 24
Hit=8+10+3(Enchantment)+4(STR= 25
Hit=18+5+3(Enchantment)+4(STR= 30
Damage=1+3(2d4)+8(STR1.5)+1(Enchantment)+2(Aura)=15
Damage= 2+2(2d4)+8(STR1.5)+1(Enchantment)+2(Aura)=15
Damage= 4+3(2d4)+8(STR1.5)+1(Enchantment)+2(Aura)= 18
Van's damage is good aligned, Dodge to Tide Form
Flavor to come later when dad is finished with computer, unless this has been updated.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:56 am
As the Doctor gestures into the air while growling out dark words. His form shifts into the silver dragonman of that last battle. He starts forward, leaping from the building and gliding through the air towards the frantic conflict below. [Polymorph: Defensive]
[Spellcraft: 17 + 12 = 29]
"That won't do any good!" The Doctor calls out sharply towards the cleric, "Positive energy doesn't harm it..." He frowns slightly, "Actually, I think you might just have healed it..."
Maria points at the darkness, flames enveloping her hand then surging forward in a fiery blast.
[Touch Attack: 7 + 10 + random mods = 17]
[Energy Ray: Fire : Maximized : 105 Fire Damage : No Save]
[Defensive Manifest fail. Provokes AoO]
Sophie whispers a quick prayer, calling for blessings from above for her allies.
[Defensively Cast]
[Bless]
Cedric channels his energy and summons a phantom weapon.
[Power Surge]
[Spiritual Weapon - Defensive]

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:44 am
Gail, even running full-tilt to the misshapen mass of non-existence, only reaches the fray after most of her allies do; even the time saved by leaving her armor behind had given her only enough time to catch up to the others. She had rushed in concern for whatever lone defender had stood in the way of this eater of life, thinking the worst, and her eyes dart chaotically across the expanding battlefield to search for the only person she thought it could be. A sigh of relief comes when she finds him, the old druid unscathed by the abomination, despite standing in its way. Turning to the monster with sharpened focus, she points her blade to it, calling the reserves of divine power that had been handed down to her. Heat begins to rise from the blade before the paladin swings, a tiny blue-white spark trailing across the ground to the creature. An explosion of white flames occurs as the bright speck touches the roiling mass, a blinding column consuming the thing until it wastes itself, dissipating into the air.
[Gail performs Dark Slayer!
Attack: Hits automatically.
Damage: 12d8(44)+9(CHA)=53.
All damage is Holy damage.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:05 am
"What?" Jim shouts to Coventry. "Positive energy doesn't hurt it?! Are you sure?" And I forgot the music. Theme of the Cosmic Devourer Redux: http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Vox/CosmicDevourerRedux.mp3

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:34 am
((Prep round)) Johann glanced around from where he had been standing, and spotted Sha'aasta looking up from her dagger-sharpening with a terrified expression. "The others?" she shouted to him. "No word. They'd have gotten something through." he shouted back, voice tense.
"Then we stick here?" she asked worriedly, hurrying towards Holzgeist as she quickly redistributed her assortment of weaponry into their associated pockets and pouches.
Johann nodded, saying nothing as he quickly muttered an incantation. Overhead, the clouds began to spin slowly in a foreboding circular pattern.
((Johann casts control winds, 200 ft in the sky, centered above him. A windstorm has now taken that altitude.))
((This round))
"Big, isn't it." Sha'aasta murmured in a subdued voice, as she tried to hold her crossbow steady against Holzgeist's leaps and bounds.
"Makes for a nice, easy target." Johann replied in a calm voice. "Even you couldn't miss something that big."
"You know," Sha'aasta stated in a thoughtful tone as she snapped off a shot, "I'm not sure that's the wisest observation you could make to someone holding a hair-trigger crossbow at your back."
"Bah. You'd never bring yourself to shoot me." Johann chortled as he gestured. Flames suddenly leapt along the creature's length from stem to stern. "Who else would be willing to stand between you and the crowd while you mercilessly taunt everyone around you?"
"Holzgeist." the diminutive female replied primly, snapping off a second shot. "Holzgeist loves me. Why else would he put up with someone like you?"
Sha'aasta attacks! 2 bolts (do I even roll to hit for something this big?)
Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 (holy) + whatever bonuses happen to be flying around.
Damage (second attack): same.
Johann casts wall of fire! 220 foot long curtain of fire appears, interwoven along the length of the creature.
Wall deals 2d4 to creatures within 10 ft, 1d4 to creatures within 20 ft, and 2d6 + 11 to creatures crossing the wall (in addition to damage for being within range). Heat is directed away from the team - no allies suffer damage. TUM, you decide extra damage due to size.
Holzgeist dances back! Withdraw action- Holzgeist moves back 160 ft.

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:22 am
The Doctor frowns at this, looking at the vicious darkness intently, attempting to judge the effect the potent heal spell had had on the...thing. [Heal: 9 + 23 - weirdo mods] [Knowledge(Religon): 7 + 23 = 30] [General Wis: 11 + 6 = 17] [General INT: 8 + 6 = 14]
"Well..." The Doctor replies in a troubled voice, "Last time we fought one...it didn't..." He then winces as the gnome sets the pristine forest ablaze.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:14 pm
Jessica points at the Tideform, and a chilling ray of energy shoots forth from her fingertip. [Defensive Manifest: 20 + 24 = 44. Pass...by a lot. Ranged Touch Attack: 7 + 7 (BAB) + 2 (Dex) + 1 (Bless) = 17 Energy Ray (Cold): 15 PP | 80 cold damage | No save]
Kayla growls lowly when the Tideform finally comes into her line of sight.
"Another one? Son of a-!"
The crimson haired tiefling takes a few moments to access the situation. She was not of much use the last time she encountered one of these creatures, and this time would probably be no different. In spite of this, Kayla takes her holy sword in hand and closes in on the Tideform.
[Tumble: 17 + 23 = 40. Pass.
Attack: 14 + 9 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Bless) = 32
Damage: 9 holy
Since physical attacks are useless, meaning it is either immune, or has massive damage reduction, I didn't bother to roll the weapon damage.]
Kethra also closes in on the Tideform and attacks.
[Tumble: 8 + 22 = 30. Pass.
Attack: 19 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) = 33
Damage: 16 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) = 28 electrical
I rolled damage, because I figured that if it has damage reduction, she might be able to get past it. I'm using the Lion Ring also, to boost her Wisdom by 4.]

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:46 pm
"What the hell is that thing?" Ashathel said, pulling his sword free a split second before the half-giant brought his own massive blade to bear. "I don't really know, but holy power hurts it!" Graigus said, twirling his staff as he prepared to attack. Whipping it around with surprising accuracy, he drove the magical weapon into his foe again and again.
((Atk: 1d20 +9 (bab) +3 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (w. foc.) -1 (fob) -2 (twf) = 30
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +4 (str) = 20
Atk: 1d20 +9 (bab) +3 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (w. foc.) -1 (fob) -2 (twf) = 29
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +4 (str) = 16
Atk: 1d20 +4 (bab) +3 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (w. foc.) -1 (fob) -2 (twf) = 24
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +4 (str) = 12
Atk: 1d20 +9 (bab) +3 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (w. foc.) -1 (fob) -2 (twf) = 26
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +4 (str) = 7
Atk: 1d20 +9 (bab) +3 (str) +1 (wpn) +1 (w. foc.) -1 (fob) -5 (twf) = 26
Dmg: 1d6 +1 (wpn) +4 (str) = 6))
"I knew I liked you for a reason, kid!" Ashathel said, the tip of his force blade dancing about the air. Within barely a moment, however, the tip danced across the strange creature known as the Tideform.
((Atk: 1d20 +14 (bab) +4 (dex) +10 (wpn) +3 (greaves) = 34
Dmg: 7d6 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +2 (str) +3 (greaves) = 41
Atk: 1d20 +9 (bab) +4 (dex) +10 (wpn) +3 (greaves) = 35
Dmg: 7d6 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +2 (str) +3 (greaves) = 34
Atk: 1d20 +4 (bab) +4 (dex) +10 (wpn) +3 (greaves) = 32
Dmg: 7d6 (wpn) +2d6 (holy) +2 (str) +3 (greaves) = 31))
"I need a holy weapon!" Gabriel called, now aware that his greatsword, though powerful, would do little to nothing to injure the sinister creature creeping ever closer to them all.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:30 am
Jim and Sheila fire glowing bullets at the writhing void that seem to boil off small pieces of it wherever they strike. The pulsing mass of nothing rolls toward Telanna, but the druidess fires a searing beam of holy energy into the monster. The creature emits a high pitched shriek that only grows in volume as Gail's attack boils away more of the creature's dark form.
Alexander lashes out, his blade afire with holy energy. Though the force of his slashes seem to have no effect, the holy energy of the sword sizzles away whatever dark matter it contacts. A chorus of screams, as if the thing had many mouths, assaults your eardrums as Ombligo's holy lightning blasts into it.
A large block of ice forms around part of the creature due to Tanis' ice spell.
"I thought lightning didn't..." Jim murmurs to himself as Ombligo's strike devastates the monster. Whatever he was about to say is lost as the abomination howls again. Merkass' arrows shatter the ice formed by Tanis' spell and the chunks swiftly melt to nothing. Aurik fires a soothing ray of positive energy into the monster to no effect. Beneath his mask, Jim's eyes widen.
"Rangers! Switch order! Holy only, positive energy ineffective! This one's different... somehow..." Jim shouts.
Rhizor's flamestrike burns away more of the creature as Mahler charges into it to find his strike far less devastating than he thought. Though his fist channels energy into the creature that causes it to recoil as part of it evaporates, the impact itself does nothing. When Dagron breathes his fire, part of the creature slides out of the way to avoid the flames. It's impossible to avoid it all, however, and yet more of the abomination perishes by flame.
Another chunk of the creature freezes thanks to Laeralas, his small blades flashing as he slashes into the Tideform. A slightly bigger chunk of the monster is encased in ice after Damas finishes his spell, while the whole of the beast shrieks in pain when Merla drops the immense column of fire that is an Ultimate Blaze spell on it.
Melissa levels her energy flechette and pulls the trigger, the broad muzzle of the weapon lighting up with a complicated criss-cross web of energy before being blown outward and into the enemy. Small chunks of the monster evaporate even as Van carves away at the ice chunks, the only solid portions of the Tideform to hit.
The form of the creature writhes and shakes as Maria annihilates a portion of it with her psychokinetic fire. The writhing grows more intense as Johann coats a whole section of the oozing beast with fire, and Shaasta shatters more ice with holy bolts.
The Doctor can tell the potent healing spell had no effect either way.
Kayla jams her blade into an unfrozen section of the beast and does little damage. The creature only seems to be burnt by the holy energy of the blades and not by any slashing. Kethra fares even worse, her electrically charged strikes not affecting the Tideform in any way.
Graigus shatters more of the ice-encased portion of the Tideform, the shards of frozen void evaporating when the holy staff sends them flying to the ground. Ashathel follows the monk's example and strikes at the ice, his sword shattering and dissolving nearly all the icy portion left.
Kyoji slashes with his blades, but finds his strikes ineffective against the writhing mass of the foe.
"Clear the line of fire!" Gilliam shouts as his chest opens up to reveal the blinding radiance of a fully charged laser. A brilliant beam of bluish white light erupts from Gilliam's chest and into the core of the monster. The creature shudders and roils at this new attack as even more of its mass vanishes. It lets loose another shriek as a column of holy energy erupts under it, Max grimly holding the Chaos Breaker before him.
The creature is now visibly smaller... But nowhere near small enough. With a terrifying howl that chills you to your core, it lashes out with twenty pseudopods of darkness, each radiating foul energy and dripping acid.
((3 on Sorel, 3 on Alex, 3 on Rhizor, 3 on Jim, 3 on Sheila, 3 on Gail, 2 miss. Total of 87 damage to everyone that got hit.))
A trio of tentacles batters Sheila off her feet. The agent somersaults back and rolls into a standing position, spitting out a little bit of blood.
"Gah! This... This thing's just as strong as I remembered!" she says with a wince.
Jim also takes three pseudopod smashes to the chest, his armor smoking in places where the creature had touched it.
"Hold strong! Don't let it past our defensive line! Jessica, healing techniques now!" Jim shouts.
Next turn.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:48 am
The Tideform's pseudopods slam into Sorel, breaking his bones and corroding his flesh with acid and raw chaotic energy. When the tentacles withdraw he crumples to the ground, where he is still. ((Sorel's at -11, and dead. The people in the air might be able to see him, but none of them are close enough to save him))
Hal presses his hands together, and mutters a swift prayer. A wave of white light emanates from Alex, sealing many of the wounds of those around him.
((Empowered Mass Cure Critical Wounds. Everyone within 15' feet of Alex regains 47 HP.))
Telanna points the staff at the Tideform again, shearing off a bit more of its negative mass.
((Searing Light. 37 Holy Energy Damage))

Posted by: Rusty Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:26 am
*Faralon begins to sing a song, accompanied by unknown voices which sing in perfect harmony with him.* ((Sonic Song used... Bardic music activated. This special bonus lasts this round only because AIM hates me. I'll probably activate it again next round, but for this round, everyone enjoys:
+10 to attack and weapon damage rolls
+12 to saves vs. charm and fear (lulz) ))
Have at it.))
===
((Spot check...20 + 10 + 1 = 31. Ombligo sees Sorel. ))
: "S....SOREL!!!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
*Ombligo shakes violently in anger as his form crackles with purified electricity. He sends them flying into the Tideform, an infuriated, scary growl heard from the normally happy magic creature. Every fiber of his being is focused on destroying the abomination that murdered his friend.*
((Even with a 1, Ombligo passes the SR check, if one is even required.
Full-round action: Purified Lightning Lance of doom. All damage counts as good. Upgraded dice damage, according to Marine.
LL #1:
Roll to hit: 12 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] + 10 [music] = 32. Hit.
Impact damage: 3 2 6 = 11.
Electric damage: 1 2 3 2 4 2 3 1 4 7 = 29.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only.
LL #2:
Roll to hit: 5 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] + 10 [music] = 25. Hit.
Impact damage: 1 8 2 = 11.
Electric damage: 8 8 6 2 6 7 2 8 1 1 = 49.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only.
LL #3:
Roll to hit: 13 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] + 10 [music] = 33. Hit.
Impact damage: 4 6 3 = 13.
Electric damage: 1 2 6 3 8 7 4 2 8 8 = 49.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only.))
===
: "Sorel? No...Keep fighting! Focus everything you have on it!"
((Free action: Divine Might
Swift action: use Furious Strike.
PA14
Attack #1: 4 + 0 [14 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 1 [focus] + 4 [furious strike] + 10 [music] = 26. Hit.
Damage: 8 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 3 [bane] + 4 [starmetal] + 3 [holy] + 5 [furious strike] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] = 54.
Attack #2: 11 - 5 [9 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 1 [focus] + 10 [music] = 24. Hit.
Damage: 8 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 9 [bane] + 1 [starmetal] + 6 [holy] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] = 55.
Attack #3: 15 - 10 [4 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 1 [focus] + 10 [music] = 23. Hit.
Damage: 2 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 5 [bane] + 5 [starmetal] + 9 [holy] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] = 52.
Heroic Surge...(Get a free standard action)
Activating Grant Move Action as a standard action...except I'm using the Helm of Heroes (Magic Item Compendium) to convert it to grant one melee attack to all allies within 30' of Alex. Only melee attacks, and it's just one. Not sure who's near Alex, but he's up and hitting the thing, so I would think there's at least a few guys around him that can benefit from this. This is for this round only. At the highest BAB, of course.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Oct 26, 2007 6:53 am
"Yes sir!" Jessica holds out her hands and wills healing upon her friends and allies. "Gisar!" [Defensive Manifestation: 5 + 24 = 29. Pass. Gisar: 25 PP | + 35 HP
Jessica will heal as many of them as she can. The radius is 30 ft.]
Kayla slashes at the Tideform three times, the holy energy of her sword being the only thing that does any damage.
[Attack 1: 20 + 9 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 48. Hit.
Damage: 8 holy
Attack 2: 9 + 4 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 32. Hit.
Damage: 8 holy
Attack 3: 10 + 9 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 38. Hit.
Damage: 4 holy]
Damas' eyes widen as Sorel crumples to the ground.
"Sorel...?"
The sorcerer then shouts in the Tideform's direction,
"DAMN YOU!"
Damas weaves magic about him, and once again calls upon his most powerful ice spell.
[Defensive Casting: 16 + 20 = 36. Pass.
Freeze 4: 68 cold damage | No save
Spell Resistance: 14 + 15 = 29.]
Merla weaves magic about her, and also calls upon the powerful ice spell.
[Defensive Casting: 14 + 21 = 35. Pass.
Freeze 4: 71 cold damage | No save
Spell Resistance: 6 + 15 + 4 (GSP) = 25]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:16 am
Jim fires off a quartet of bursts at the immense monster, then narrows his eyes as the mages cast more cold spells at the creature. He nods to himself, his mind going over attacks in the battle. : "If you use a physical attack, aim for the sections of the monster coated with cold! Frozen sections seem to be vulnerable... at least more so, to physical harm!" Jim shouts as loud as he can.
: "'Sat mean I should unload on the ice-cubes, then?" Sheila asks.
: "Negative! Aura rounds are primarily energy, we're fine! But soldiers like Melissa or Var... Where IS Varro?!" Jim shouts, looking around. The commander checks his HUD to see if Varro's IFF signature is close by. Sheila shrugs and fires again and again into the monster.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:55 am
[I was asked to post this.] MEANWHILE... Myala finds a quiet place to try and commune with her deity. The priestess closes her eyes and begins to pray. She moves her hands about in strange patterns and then sprinkles holy water on the ground. "Lord Volcanon, I seek guidance."
The blazing ghost of a phoenix answers Myala's call instead of the great fire god.
"I speak on Volcanon's behalf," the ghostly firebird says. "What would you know?"
Myala opens her eyes and looks up at the ghostly phoenix. She then asks her first question.
"The Tech Knights do indeed dwell in those caves," the phoenix says.
Myala nods and then asks her next question.
"Are there other groups like us that oppose the Strife Lords?"
"Yes."
'If Lord Volcanon could not answer my call himself, then...' Myala cuts off her brief thought and asks her next question. "Is it true that Mitula and Volcanon are confined to their temples?"
"Yes."
"So is that why the clerics and priests have been losing power...?"
"Yes."
[To be continued]

Posted by: Cyrus Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:46 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:48 pm)
The Tideform's pseudopods slam into Sorel, breaking his bones and corroding his flesh with acid and raw chaotic energy. When the tentacles withdraw he crumples to the ground, where he is still. ((Sorel's at -11, and dead. The people in the air might be able to see him, but none of them are close enough to save him))

Gail staggers with each blow of the world eater, the snap of ribs more felt than heard as a coiled appendage whips out at her again and again, pure chaos lashing at her skin. She had forgotten how difficult it had been to fight this monstrosity the first time, the fact that it had made even devils run...Even their newest allies seem to panic at the sight of it. It was so much larger than before, too...How many of these things were there, that simply existed to consume what lived? The paladin glances to her leader out of habit...and the world stops, a black arm threatening to crush the fragile life from him once more. A single thought fills her mind in that moment.
No. Not again.
The ebony torc tightens around her neck, glowing red, then white with searing heat. The hammer falls, and her head twists with it, a line of blood running over her lips and splattering on the ground. For a moment, she imagines the crumpled body that would have laid in her friend's place, neck snapped like a twig. She shakes the image from her head...she needed her focus elsewhere. Advancing until she lies withins a few steps of it, she intones a blessing, taking a vessel of holy water and pouring it to the ground. The sky mimics her actions, a peal of thunder sounding as warm, soft rain falls from the clouds overhead, eroding the black mass of death.
[Immediate Action - Torc of Heroic Sacrifice. Takes one attacks' worth of damage in place of Sorel, saving his life.
Move within 10' of the Tideform, cast Holy Storm on the exact center of the creature, covering half its mass (20' diameter) in rain. Tideform takes 2d6 good-aligned damage (4d6 if evil outsider) per round for 6 rounds. Also douses fires and bestows a -4 penalty on ranged attacks directed, made from, or passing through the rain storm. So, uh, sorry, gnomes.
Defensive Casting, if needed: 1d20(1)+4(ranks)+6(CON)-10(natural 1)=1.
HP: 69/165. AC: 19.]
[This space to be filled in later with foxy actions.]

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:58 am
((Back to the realm of activity. This is Enrick's action for last round. Assume it happens right before the update.)) : "What's with all the noise and that- oh." Enrick happens to arrive at this exact moment, when most of his comrades are already engaging the creature of darkness that threatens to consume any form of life around these parts. What then comes to his sight leaves him speechless (and that's saying something), mouth agape he stares at that giant blob wide-eyed without moving just yet.
: "Oh. My... Goodness...!" He finally utters, incredulous, "This thing is so... gross! Wait for me everyone! I'm coming right away!!"
Wasting no more time, the skilled fencer draws, then races forth to the group defending the town and dives his holy weapon into the formless void that is The Tideform, unable to hold back an exclamation.
: "Ewww gross!... and slimy."
((Charge at The Tideform.
Activate "Ooh Burn!"
Add 1d6 fire damage to the attack.
Melee : 1d20 +12 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 Bless +2 (Charge) = 12 +21 = 33 + whatever I forgot.
Damage: 1d6+1 (Weapon) +2d6 (Holy) +1d6 (Fire) +8 (CHA) +3 (INT) +8 (Over The Top) +1 (Motivate Ardor) = 5 + 12 + 1 + 20 = 38 damage, 12 is holy, 1 is fire.
Substract from actual damage where needed.
Dodge to The Tideform.
HP: 106/106
AC: 22 +dodge +8 as an immediate action only if needed))
------
((This round's action.))
: "You are... nothing! I don't even need to prove my point!"
Enrick directs a flurry of vigorous thrusts at the darkness, aiming mostly at the frozen portions of its distorted mass if any within sight.
: "You are devoid of consistency!"
((Full attack on The Tideform
Attack 1: 1d20 +12 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 Bless +10 (Bardic Music) = 6 + 29 = 35
Attack 2: 1d20 +7 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 Bless +10 (Bardic Music) = 6 + 24 = 30
Attack 3: 1d20 +2 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 Bless +10 (Bardic Music) = 1 (*) + 19 = 39
*lol no. Use up one luck point to consider it as a nat 20. Win-win situation! (swift action used)
Attack 4 (Grant Melee Attack): 1d20 +12 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 Bless +10 (Bardic Music) = 4 + 29 = 33
Damage for each hit: 1d6+1 (Weapon) +2d6 (Holy) +8 (CHA) +3 (INT) +10 (Bardic Music) +1 (Motivate Ardor)
Obtained 35 (7 holy), 33 (8 holy), 29 (5 holy) and 29 (4 holy) in that order. Detail of the rolls in chat.
Dodge to The Tideform.
HP: 106/106
AC: 22 + dodge))

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:05 pm
His heavy armor forsaken in haste, the champion of Mitula takes in a deep breath as the onslaught begins before starting forward in a thundering charge. Clasping his mighty hammer in both hands, his powerful legs flex as he leaps at the surging darkness.
[Jump: 5 + 12 = 17] ((Nice not to have that -7 for once.))
His weapon flares with radiance as he strikes with a clap of thunder and a blast of lighting.
[Power Attack -5]
[Attack: 6 + 29 + 8 -5 + blah blah blah = I hit the damn thing. Too many numbers]
[Damage: 36 + 6 [Sonic] + 6 [Elec]]
((6,6,6 damage…an omen…or just another AIM fault?))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:32 pm
Taking Jim's advice to mind, Kethra focuses her attacks on one of the sections of the Tideform that is covered with ice. Hopefully, she could do some damage this time. [Attack 1: 18 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 42. Hit. Damage: 11 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) + 10 (Music) = 33
Attack 2: 12 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 36. Hit.
Damage: 14 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) + 10 (Music) = 36
Attack 3: 5 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 29. Hit.
Damage: 17 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) + 10 (Music) = 39
Attack 4: 3 + 6 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 22. Hit.
Damage: 8 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) + 10 (Music) = 30
Attack 5: 8 + 1 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 22. Hit.
Damage: 10 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) + 10 (Music) = 32
Attack 6: 9 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) = 33. Hit.
Damage: 19 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Orb) + 10 (Music) = 41
This is the damage she inflicts before any DR and/or Resistance is applied.]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:41 pm
((Gail kept Sorel from dying. Therefore Gail overtakes Coventry as the Best Healer Evar)) Sorel buckles under the pressure of the Tideform's final blow. But, at the last moment, it seems to pull back: aside from the sheer momentum that knocks the feeble druid off his feet, no further harm is done, and Sorel's life is spared. He plants his staff into the ground, and uses it to keep himself from falling. He stares into the abyss with bright green eyes.
: "It is not alive!" he roars over the din of battle. "It is not alive, and it cannot be killed! It must be destroyed!" A swift muttering and a bolt of fire launches from the wind and the rain into the heart of the Tideform.
((Flame Strike, again. 48 damage, again. 24 fire and 24 holy, again.
Sorel is at 18/76 HP, AC 21))
---
Varro, meanwhile, had occupied himself by patrolling the far end of the forest. His commlink crackled with Jim's orders not that long ago, and he launched himself through the woods and village, sword held aloft with holy fire. He arrives in the clearing, launching himself onto the tideform with a massive aerial slash, aided by the Varroblade's microthrusters.
((Charge, Leap Attack, Microthrusters, PA 12. Hit.
Damage: 16 (sword) + 36 (PA x 3) + 14 (STR, enchantment, melee smash) + 10 (bardic music) + 8 (over the top) + 2 (motivate ardor) + 10 (holy) + 5 (thrusters)
Damage: 91 + 10 Holy))
---
Zook looks around at the carnage, unsure of what to do with himself. His guns are all in his tent several hundred yards away.
"Any...anyone have a spare?" he calls out meekly, but his voice is lost in the chaos.

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:04 am
: Infernal abomination! I'll send you back to the world whence you came. Now bear witness to the powers of the arctic! *Rhizor begins to chant, removing a vial of water and emptying its contents in the process. This unnatural defiler had no place in his wilds, and he would take no insult from it. Just below the golden wyrm flying above the tideform the air drops from comfortable to unbearably frigid. Snow begins to fall in heavy clumps, packing together as ice. Moisture instantly condenses out of the air as frost, settling upon the tideform and only it.*
((Rhizor casts Frostfell! It covers a 40'x40'x40' cube, which catches the blob in its entirety.
Defensive Casting: 1d20 + 15 = 5 + 15 = 20, pass.
SR: 1d20 + 15 = 13 + 15 = 28.
DC 27 FORT save or be frozen solid.
If it passes its save, it takes 15d6 = 6 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 6 + 2 = 45 cold damage.
After the spell is cast, everyone else is safe to enter, though prolonged exposure results in environmental hazard rules. (Note: This should not happen.)))
~~~
*Merkass knocks another trio of arrows, which hold no glow to him. He stands somewhat angry that he had run out of his holy ammunition and would instead have to make due with what he had left. He fires them, their fletching bent from being stored for so long. The arrows fly somewhat wide and spread, but they have no trouble finding their mark.*
((Manyshot 3
1d20 + 19 + 10 = 5 + 29 = 34.
Damage
1d8 + 5d6 + 26 = 8 + 6 + 2 + 5 + 1 + 2 + 26 = 50.
1d8 + 5d6 + 26 = 4 + 3 + 3 + 5 + 2 + 3 + 26 = 46.
1d8 + 5d6 + 26 = 6 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 3 + 26 = 49.))
~~~
*Mahler could have sworn that it looked as though the tideform had engulfed Sorel, yet as far as he could tell, his friend still stood, and he was thankful for it.*
: Alright you big, ugly, nasty, disgusting pile of... thing! This one's for Sorel!
((Full Attack + 1 from Alex with 1 smite and PA 5.
1d20 + 21 + 1 - 5 = 18 + 17 = 35.
1d20 + 16 = 19 + 16 = 35.
1d20 + 11 = 11 + 11 = 22.
1d20 + 16 = 18 + 11 = 29.
Damage
6d8 + 10 + 2 + 10 + 9 + 5 = 4 + 6 + 2 + 7 + 3 + 5 + 38 = 65.
6d8 + 29 = 5 + 8 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 29 = 58.
6d8 + 29 = 5 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 7 + 5 + 29 = 58.
6d8 + 29 = 8 + 5 + 7 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 29 = 60.))
~~~
*Dagron nearly falls out of the sky out of shock when the sudden blizzard occurs, though he is thankful he was flying high enough to avoid it. After it subsides from the initial appearance, Dagron dives down through the frigid, wintry air, mouth agape.*
: Wait a minute... I am NOT putting my mouth on that!
*Dagron quickly closes his mouth, then proceeds to take a swipe at it instead. His last minute correction, however, leads him to pull up too early, and he instead catches air. Slashing wildly at the air in anger, Dagron continues to the other side of the beastly blob, and lands.*
((Flyby attack claw. Nat 1 = miss. Just go to the other side and ground.))
~~~
: What?! No!
*Aurik is taken aback as his powerful healing spell is rendered completely useless. In a sudden flash of inspiration, Aurik thinks that returning back to basics may be best. As it has served him well before, Aurik extends his hand toward the tideform, and a beam of pure light rockets toward the umbral abyss.*
((Searing Light.
1d20 + 13 = 7 + 13 = 20.
SR: 1d20 + 17 = 5 + 17 = 22.
Damage
10d8 = 1 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 7 + 6 = 44 damage.))

Posted by: Alpha Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:46 am
Barely paying attention to what else is happening, the daggerspell mage says nothing. He merely continues to spin and slash, more magicial energy emnating from him. This time however, it's directed at the Force, quickening their actions. [Full attack, cast Haste. 15 targets - Alex's group, who I assume Laeral is fighting near, plus whoever else is nearby to claim
Attack 1
1d20(14) + 17 + 10(bm) = 41...hit
Damage: 1d6(4) + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 19
Attack is considered good
Attack 2
1d20(20)...hit
Damage: 1d6(4) + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 19
Attack is considered good
Attack 3
1d20(16) + 17 + 10(bm) = 43...hit
Damage: 1d6(4) + 1(str) + 1(ench) + 11(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 18 + 11 holy + 1 fire + 1 electric
Attack 4
1d20(10) + 12 + 10(bm) = 32...hit
Damage: 1d6(1) + 1(str) + 1(ench) + 9(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 15 + 9 holy + 1 fire + 1 electric
Attack 5
1d20(9) + 17 + 10(bm) = 26...hit
Damage: 1d6(4) + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 19]
Attack is considered good
Tanis meanwhile repeats the spell he previously cast, this time, however, throwing more energy into it.
[Cast an empowered, sudden maximised Orb of Cold
Defensive casting: 1d20(7) + 20 = pass
Ranged touch: 1d20(20)...hit
Damage: (19x6) + 6 = 120 cold damage, no save]

Posted by: BLT Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:46 am
Caius woke up with the battle already going on around him, having dozed and lazed about pretty well since the last battle stopped. "What is this thing?! What a foul waste of space!" A scream splits the air as Caius dances into the thick of things and cuts on the dark creature with his scimitars.
((Activate: Dervish Dance(17 rounds), Primal Scream(6 rounds)
At worst my attack is Roll+18, so since these were my rolls and the thing has 15 ac:
14 3 20 18 6 8 19 they all hit.
damages:
1: 14 +7good
2: 13 +6elec +1caus
3: 15 +9 good
4: 16 +1elec +3 caus
5: 14 +5 good
6: 11 +2elec +6caus
7: 14 +10 good))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:47 am

QUOTE (BLT @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:46 pm)
"What is this thing?! What a foul waste of space!"

lol irony

Posted by: BLT Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:52 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:47 pm)
lol irony

((lol I hope choke on your wit))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:53 am
Gilliam fires a hail of miniature rockets from a leg launcher, the darts vanishing inside the shadowy mass before detonating. Kethra's attacks still seem to have no effect, the electricity simply being absorbed by the massive creature. Rhizor's massive ice attack freezes a large portion of the beast, but that is swiftly shattered by Varro's charge and Enrick's strikes. However, the barrage of spell and attacks finally causes the creature to utter an alien shriek and withdraw into a central mass, much of its form being destroyed by the heroes. Finally, Cedric's hammer strikes the beast, the surface of the weapon shining brilliantly as it contacts the creature, and causing a large chunk of the non-mass to disappear.
((Tideform has shrunk from Colossal to Gargantuan.))
As the creature shrinks, it lets loose a terrible cry and the disquieting aura of wrong around it heightens, touching some primordial portion of your mind to fill it with unease, and the icy touch of fear.
((Everyone suffers a -4 penalty to all attack rolls and concentration checks. This effect bypasses all immunities, save for soulless automatons like Varro. Mahler has a soul, so is not immune.))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:14 am
"Man down!" Sha'aasta shouted as Sorel fell under the attacks. "I see it." Johann shouted back across his shoulders. "Man up!" Sha'aasta shouted a heartbeat later as Gail's miraculous intervention saved their new ally's life. "Make up your mind!" Johann shouted back irritably.
"What's got your panties in a bunch?" Sha'aasta asked mildly as she loosed another crossbow bolt at the monstrosity before them.
Johann ignored the girl, barking instead at Holzgeist, who sprinted forward at full speed towards the beast.
Sha'aasta just stared, stunned. "Uh... boss?" she ventured.
Johann ignored her, staring intently at the monster.
"Johann! Wrong way!"
The diviner continued to ignore her, muttering incantations and never moving his eyes from the tideform. The wolf jammed to a jarring halt feet away from the druid who had nearly died. Without taking his eyes off his target, the gnome shouted to Sorel, "Get aboard, old man. None of us belong on the front lines, and this carriage is leaving now! Unless you want to sit here and keep playing patty-cake with it."
"Too late!" Sha'aasta shouted as the beast moved and Johann snapped a final magical phrase...
---
Holzgeist withdraws forward..? (We are withdrawing at full speed towards the enemy...) and moves next to Sorel. Hop aboard, buddy.
Sha'aasta attacks twice. Same deal, 1d8 + 2d6 holy + whatever bonuses.
Johann prepares an action! Johann will cast Wall of Force when the tideform attacks, to shield the team! The wall is 20' high, and 50' long. That should block just about any attack he throws at us. When the team begins to attack again, Johann will dismiss the spell.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:19 am

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 6:53 pm)
((Everyone suffers a -4 penalty to all attack rolls and concentration checks. This effect bypasses all immunities, save for soulless automatons like Varro. Mahler has a soul, so is not immune.))

((So everyone but Van, Melissa, and Varro.))
The silver dragonman wings over the scrambling warriors, gliding towards the withered old druid while growling out words, wisps of vigor enveloping his clawed hands. His eyes narrow at the palpable waves of dread radiating from the fluid darkness.
“Found a new pet?” The dragonman rumbles at the old druid, a single touch of a claw snapping the wounded and beaten elder into good health.
[Heal: +150 hp: Sorel : Defensive]
Maria vanishes, only to appear a short distance away. She points a finger a the darkness, sending another brilliant flare at the fiendish creature…only to miss.
[Full augmented Energy Ray, miss.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:22 am
((Yeah, Coventry. Take that.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Oct 27, 2007 3:17 am
((He emulated his master...only in a crude and simplistic manner. That wasn't the breaking down of programming, it was a sign that he must have a soul!)) The stalwart paladin wavers, his hands beginning to tremble as beads of sweat appear on his brow, “Wh…wha…” His voice is laced with dread as he breathes out, “…it’s…corruption incarnate…” His eyes widen.
((Only makes sense to me that paladins would be especially susceptible to fear effects that bypass their aura of courage. They have no reason to develop, say, courage since it’s negated by a divine blessing.))
Sophie stumbles back at the waves of terror, her eyes widening as noble heroes pause in the face of this...darkness, "Al...alex?" She whispers a prayer, unleashing healing energy on her allies.
[Mass Cure Light Wounds]
[+21 HP, 14 peeps, Alex's group]

Posted by: FreedomJu Sat Oct 27, 2007 3:53 am
Seeing the near death of one of her allies, a surge of adrenaline pulsed through the Spartan's body, once more allowing Melissa to speed up her reactions enough to fire off three shots instead of just two. Noting her dwindling supply of ammo on her HUD, she opens a comm channel to Radford. [Sir, I only have two more shots before I'm out of power for the Energy Flechette weapon.]
((Heroic Surge used for an attack action.
Dodge to Tide Form
Energy Flechette Hit: 1d20 + BAB + DEX + Bard – Tide Aura
Attack 1: 1d20 + 10 + 8 = 16 + 18 + 6 = 40
Attack 2: 1d20 + 5 + 8 = 9 + 13 + 6 = 28
Surge Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 8 = 6 + 18 + 6 = 30
Energy Flechette Damage: 7d6 fire + Bard + Aura
Attack 1: 7d6 fire + 10 + 2 = 28
Attack 2: 7d6 fire + 10 + 2 = 45
Surge Attack: 7d6 fire + 10 + 2 = 38))
Van, being Van, had little more that he could other than to continue to hack at the blob before him.
((Van full attacks
Dodge to Tide Form
Remember, everyone gets an additional plus 1 to hit against the Tide Form for the rest of the battle.
Hit=1.... miss
Hit=19+10+1(Enchantment)+5(STR)+1(Focus)+10(Bard)-4(Tide)-15(PA)= 27
Hit=9+5+1(Enchantment)+5(STR)+1(Focus)+10(Bard)-4(Tide)-15(PA)= 13
Damage=4+4(2d4)+8(STR1.5)+1(Enchantment)+30(PA)+10(Bard)+2(Aura)=59))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:10 am
Kyoji slashes and stabs at the massive creature despite the unnatural fear creeping across his mind. His weapons flash with power as they slash and chop bits of the creature off. Melissa burns more of the creature away with her energy weapon as Van manages a single blow to shatter what little ice there was left on the creature.
"Melissa, if you run out of ammo, fall back and grab some more from the ammo dump," Jim orders over the commlink.
Johann's force spell goes off, deflecting two lashing pseudopods of death as they aim at Cedric and Sophie.
Another tentacle hits the ground near Sheila, the agent jumping to the side with inhuman agility.
Noting that an invisible wall seems to be protecting most of the team, the monster's tentacles turn towards those unprotected...
((7 hits. 34 damage to Johann. 34 damage to Sha'asta. 34 damage to Coventry. 17 damage to Holzgeist.))
Next turn!

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:38 am
((Vox: Next time you move away from the group in a free-form fight, POST the fact. I expected to be able to shield most of the team, except for the fliers, while keeping my own tender skin intact. After the round was finished and I was committed to the action, I was informed by TUM that Sorel was, in fact, on the other side of the ooze, despite there being no posts indicating he was away from the team. At least he let me choose which side to shield.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:47 am
((Well, first let me say I'm sorry. I thought TUM posted the actual RPing he and I did before the battle, along with all the other introductory stuff. I was wrong. Second, there were posts that indicated he was on the other side of it. I explicitly mentioned being in the Tideform's path, and separate from the rest of the group. Then TUM had it roll right past him, apparently thinking Sorel either wasn't in its path or that he'd get out of the way (these are both equally false, but that's neither here nor there). He was engaged at a distance, the Tideform moved forward and attacked the main group. I don't see how, reading the posts, there could be confusion on this.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:12 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:47 am)
((Well, first let me say I'm sorry. I thought TUM posted the actual RPing he and I did before the battle, along with all the other introductory stuff. I was wrong. Second, there were posts that indicated he was on the other side of it. I explicitly mentioned being in the Tideform's path, and separate from the rest of the group. Then TUM had it roll right past him, apparently thinking Sorel either wasn't in its path or that he'd get out of the way (these are both equally false, but that's neither here nor there). He was engaged at a distance, the Tideform moved forward and attacked the main group. I don't see how, reading the posts, there could be confusion on this.))

((I posted the event section figured you'd post your part with your first action, and that was an error on my part. As for Sorel, I thought it a very safe assumption that when you see a tidal wave of unholy abyss roaring towards you, you get out of the way. It really baffles me that this would not be the case, but it's a moot point. We dropped the issue to promote smoother gameplay. In other news, this is the last non-map battle we'll be having. They bring up too many placement issues to deal with, even the ones where there's only one foe.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:53 am
((...and I'm just going to take my actions. )) The Doctor staggers back with a pained gasp as the air is knocked from his lungs. He coughs weakly, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth and glaring at the gap in his overcoat that the acidic blow had seared away. “I like this coat…” He growls crossly as he glares at Sorel, “You reckless old goat, you’re going to have to buy me another…” He takes a step back, adding more seriously, “I heard dying was your new fetish but isn't this a bit much? I was totally lost back there without your leadership and here I find you making a lone stand against darkness come to life?” He spreads his wings with a shrug while barking out a word, a gust of wind immediately blasting him high into the sky.
[Updraft]
There, high above the others, the Doctor circles the darkness with a frown.

Posted by: Alpha Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:22 pm
((Eh, I'd forgotten the Bardic Music bonuses in my post. Just letting you know I've edited them in now)) ((Also...this was meant to be done aaaaaages ago, but Kai and I never managed it - even if we were both online at the same time, I usually had something else pressing. Anywho...here it is, set the morning after the feast))
There's the Doctor. Gail just gave him back all his items, so he looks like always. The Doctor is standing near a tall oak with a troubled frown, staring at a rock in his hand.
After having left Ombligo, Tanis begins to walk around the village once more, eventually straying to the tall trees surrounding it. Already caught up again in thought, he barely notices Coventry standing near a tree. Almost. Doing a double take, Tanis stares at the Doctor, shocked.
“A…Alastor?” he asks, hardly daring to believe that it might be him.
The Doctor looks up blankly then waves with a smile, "Oh, hey Tanis." He slides the rock into a pocket, "How goes your pursuits?" He chuckles, "You seemed to be doing well yesterday."
Tanis’ expression remains shocked. It really is him.
“B..but, Astrid told me…she said she’d had you killed!” the catfolk barely manages to stammer out, not even hearing the Doctor’s comments.
"She did!" The Doctor laughs, "She did..." He adds more seriously, a lingering bitterness flashing through his eyes, "I was fortunate... Some kind souls did me a favor and I was vaulted back into the land of the living." He frowns, "Though, if anyone asks you, tell them I was thrown out of hell."
“I…but…what?” he continues to stammer, before stopping himself. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he speaks again. “It is good to see you again, Alastor. And I’m glad you were ‘thrown out’,” he adds, managing a small smile. His face soon darkens though. “You…know the truth then? That it wasn’t the paladins of our group that killed you?”
"I...found that out...the hard way..." The Doctor admits ruefully, "In typical fashion..." He frowns as he realizes something, "Astrid told you... That's right." He looks at the catfolk, "Kria told me...you were..."
Tanis looks down, the memories still painfully clear.
“Yes. I was possessed. Both with my own stupidity and by a devil,” he says heavily. “Some…terrible things have happened since you left.”
The Doctor frowns, "Tell me."
Tanis is silent for a moment, before recounting what happened. He tells of how he, Kria, Gilliam and Morgan had journeyed to the catfolk village. He tells of his fatal mistake in placing Kria on the altar. He tells of how she went insane and how the entire village was burned. As he does so, tears form in his eyes.
“As I finally attempted to flee, the devils that had been summoned cut me down, almost killing me. I don’t remember exactly what happened next. But when I awoke, my actions weren’t my own, and everything I viewed seemed…hazy somewhat. It wasn’t long, however, before our group showed up, led in Force by Max and Sorel.
The warmage continues with the tale, detailing all he could remember of that colossal battle. Of how he had willingly and gladly attacked his comrades with powerful magic. Of how he had killed Astrid on her own command. Of how Dam Dicem had fallen. Of how Morgan had died. As he speaks, more tears form, Tanis being unable to keep them back.
“After Gail released me from my possession, events were somewhat…erratic…though definitely better. Due to an accident with a portal, we ended up back on Parmecia, at a western point. It wasn’t long after that before we ended up here.” And the warmage pauses a moment, considering.
“I apologised to Kria for what I had done. I thought she would try to kill me for it, but she didn’t. She forgave me, though she did punch me hard,” he says, smiling weakly through the tears. Then, they diminish somewhat as he nears the end of his tale. “After that, we journeyed to Megiddo with Cedric’s Force, where outside, we defeated Xadoss. Gail delivered the finishing blow. We then proceeded into the fortress, upon which we ended up in the fight against Fasher.” The events thus recounted, Tanis falls silent.
((KingKai279: Can I assume "Sorel died 15 times" was in there?
AlphaAlec: Yeah, ok))
"Morgan... Dicem..." The Doctor whispers with a frown, visibly shaken, "...the villagers..." He lets out a heated breath, looking at the catfolk sadly, "Sounds like I had the better end of the deal..."
After a moment, he adds, "Do...you know where Morgan and Dicem's bodies...are?" His voice is strained but contains a faint measure of hope, "Maybe we can revive them..."
Tanis’ initial response is an expression of helplessness.
“I…I assume they are still where they fell,” he says slowly. “At the devils’ fortress. The bodies weren’t collected…things happened very quickly there,” and he pauses, considering. “If the portal hadn’t sucked us away, I’m sure we would have done so. I don’t have much hope for them at this stage, unfortunately,” he says sadly.
The Doctor smiles slightly at the catfolk's melancholy, adding in a thoughtful voice, "Maybe...but then, I haven’t made my attempt at things quite yet." He chuckles as he reaches into his bag and searches about for a moment, before pulling out a withered old feather, “I’m not so easily dissuaded.” He slides the feather back, “Regardless… I’m glad to see you again.” The Doctor looks at the catfolk intently, “We should visit Kria’s village sometime.”
Tanis nods, though he seems unsure.
“Perhaps…when this is over. It can’t be soon…I know I’m not ready just yet. The memories are too painful still,” he says. “Fasher made sure of that,” he spits out, venom accompanying his words, before sighing heavily.
The Doctor grimaces, “ I can imagine…” He shakes his head, “Still, we’ll see what we can do about things… I’m not quite ready myself…but I will be…count on it.” He looks at the warmage with a chuckle, “I suggested it to Kria already. She thought I was crazy… Kria thought I was crazy.” Then he shrugs, “Well, don’t let things get you down, everyone makes mistakes…and sometimes pretty marvelous things can happen.”

Posted by: Rusty Sat Oct 27, 2007 3:14 pm
((Just noting that Faralon uses his special again. This time it lasts 4 rounds. I'll either post my actions later or edit them in later.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:55 am
[All of these actions are held until the wall of force is dismissed] Her hands trembling at the waves of horror flowing from the darkness, Maria vanishes, reappearing in position with a clear line of fire. She manages a weak smile, unleashing a fiery bolt on the darkness, "We...have to take this thing down." Her eyes narrow, "NOW!"
[Energy Bolt(Fire): Full Augment : Maximized]
[120 ft line blasting through blob]
[105 Fire Damage : Reflex for Half: 17 DC]
[Stealing a line from WD, Additional damage based on size is up to TUMMY.]
Cedric staggers back at few steps, grinding his teeth and struggling to regain his composure while the shield is in place. When it lowers, he starts forward but without his standard gusto, striking at the darkness.
[2 hit]
[20 hit]
[16 hit]
[7 hit]
[20 hit]
[Damage: 39 + 3 Sonic + 5 Elec]
[Damage: 31 + 4 Sonic + 4 Elec]
[Damage: 43 + 3 Sonic + 6 Elec]
[Damage: 32 + 5 Sonic + 2 Elec]
[Damage: 42 + 2 Sonic + 2 Elec]
Sophie breathes a sigh of relief as an invisible force deflects the darkness surging towards her, though she cannot shake a sense of dread, "Alex..." She whispers a prayer, calling on sacred energy to heal her allies and calling out words of courage which she is doubting, "Hold on everyone! We can win this!"
[Mass Cure Light Wounds: +21 HP: CW4]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:29 am
((Telanna and Varro's actions are held until the WoF is dismissed)) Telanna fires another bolt of light from the Holy Staff. ((Searing Light, 44 divine damage)) Varro examines the results of his attacks. : "When attacking unfrozen sections of the Tideform, extra physical force has no effect. Changing combat posture."
He flies into a series of attacks, his goal to make contact as many times as possible, rather than to strike with greater strength.
((Abandoning Power Attack, full attack + haste. 4 hits. Damages 43+7 holy, 44+10 holy, 44+7 holy, 39+4 holy))
Hal moves around the smaller Tideform, and murmurs words of healing power and a ring of white light surrounds the wounded gnomish druid and his companions.
((Mass Cure Light Wounds. 34 HP restored to Johann, Sha'asta, and everyone within 15' of them))
Sorel looks up at the Doctor.
: "Thank you, Doctor," he says in a dry voice. As the Doctor ascends, he calls to him, "It is good to see some things remain constant." He looks at the giant wolf with a forlorn expression, and shakes his head, opting to walk past it, outside the Tideform's reach.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:44 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:29 pm)
He looks at the giant wolf with a forlorn expression, and shakes his head, opting to walk past it, outside the Tideform's reach.

The wolf looks up forlornly, as if to say, "I don't understand...where are you going?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:26 am
A hail of holy bullets rains down on the creature as lines of fire criss-cross its undulating umbral body. It lets out a loud shriek as Varro slices through it and Telanna disintegrates a portion of it. As more and more of its mass is destroyed, it reconglomerates, recalling all of its pseudopods until it's a solid form again devoid of missing gaps.
However, once again, it grow smaller.
((Tideform's size is reduced from Gargantuan to Huge.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:44 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:29 pm)
"Thank you, Doctor," he says in a dry voice. As the Doctor ascends, he calls to him, "It is good to see some things remain constant." He looks at the giant wolf with a forlorn expression, and shakes his head, opting to walk past it, outside the Tideform's reach.

“If you mean you destroying my property…” The Doctor calls back, frowning as the darkness shrinks away, “Then yeah!” Then a blast of hallowed rain buffets him, firm draconic wings struggling to keep aflight as the Doctor lets out a moan, "Flying isn't fun anymore."

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:23 am
Gail shudders at the unholy wail, a jolt of fright carrying through her body and freezing her where she stood. Even as the ooze strains and threatens to break the wall between them, Gail doesn't react, simply watching wide-eyed as the Tideform recoils with blow after blow. Eventually, training take the reins from reflex, the paladin managing to stop her blade from shaking right out of her hand. Recalling the numerous shouts of the battle, she chants a prayer, keeping a wavering gaze on the thrashing void-spawn while her sword takes on a sky-blue glow.
[Gail casts Bless Weapon. Weapon considered Good-Aligned.
Defensive casting: 1d20(16)+4(ranks)+6(CON)=26.]
Erratic pangs of horror flicker in Maria's mind, Okori unable or unwilling to bring himself into the fray. I...I-I don't think I can...h-h-help. I mean, m-m-aybe, b-b-b-but...He watches again as the thing shrinks, growing smaller by the minute. Be careful, he says, the familiar outline of a shield tracing over his host.
[Shield cast. +4 Deflection bonus to Maria.]

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:31 am
Despite the fear the thing instilled, Enrick follows with another series of punful attacks, lunging forward at the darkness agilely. ((Full attack on Tideform Attack 1: 1d20 +12 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 (Bless) +1 (Haste) –4 (Tideform) +10 (Bardic Music)= 16 +25 = 41
Attack 2: 1d20 +7 (BAB)+5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 (Bless) +1 (Haste) –4 (Tideform) +10 (Bardic Music)= 11 + 21 = 32
Attack 3: 1d20 +2 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 (Bless) +1 (Haste) –4 (Tideform) +10 (Bardic Music)= 7 + 16 = 23
Attack 4 (haste): 1d20 +12 (BAB) +5 (DEX) +1 (Weapon) +1 (Bless) +1 (Haste) –4 (Tideform) +10 (Bardic Music)= 2 + 25 = 27
Damage : 1d6+1 (Weapon) +2d6 (Holy) +8 (CHA) +3 (INT) +10 (Bardic Music) +1 (Motivate Ardor)
Result : 32 (8 is holy), 35 (6 holy), 27 (2 holy), 36 (7 holy)
Dodge to teh form.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:01 pm
*Rhizor tired of the antics this disgusting, unearthly ooze had brought to them. The druid hunches over, his leather armor bubbling and riling. His body turns blue, then various long growths sprout out. The druid gains size quickly, and the growths form into 12 distinct, many sharp-toothed heads. Rhizor roars, then glowers at the tideform with 24 angry eyes.*
((Rhizor wild shapes into a 12-headed cryohydra!))
*The tideform's moan shakes Merkass to his very soul, but it only steels his resolve further. He knew this evil had to be eradicated from the planet. Sending it away or otherwise disabling it without its destruction would only lead to further harm. Unlike many of the other living evils he had dispatched, Merkass would feel no hint of remose for ending this creature. He knocks another trio of arrows and sends them flying.*
((Manyshot.
1d20 + 29 - 4 + 1 = 7 + 26 = 33, hit.
Damage
1d8 + 5d6 + 26 = 7 + 3 + 4 + 6 + 3 + 4 + 26 = 53.
1d8 + 5d6 + 26 = 1 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 26 = 43.
1d8 + 5d6 + 26 = 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 6 + 26 = 46.))
*Mahler had never felt such a feeling before. Such desolation, emptiness, and wrong. The sound of the tideform's scream echoes through his stone, reverberating through his body, and lingering with him. In a way he despaired, but he didn't understand it. He had not known despair. He knew what to do. He wasn't sure how to react. Confused, he lashed out at the tideform, keeping his head down, and simply wailing away at it, hoping to drive the feeling from him.*
((Full attack, PA 11
1d20 + 20 - 4 + 1 = 13 + 17 = 30.
1d20 + 17 = 6 + 17 = 23.
1d20 + 12 = 2 + 12 = 14.
Damage
6d8 + 35 = 7 + 4 + 6 + 3 + 7 + 2 + 35 = 64.
6d8 + 35 = 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 8 + 3 + 35 = 59.
All damage counts as good aligned.))
*"What was that?" Dagron wondered. Such a strange sound. Dagron shakes his head to clear the cobwebs, but things just aren't right. This thing wasn't right. Even everything he knew told him this wasn't anything that was well known. He lashes out with a flurry of claws, attempting to drive the creature back from whence it came.*
((3 claws.
1d20 + 24 + 10 - 4 + 1 = 11 + 31 = 42.
1d20 + 31 = 10 + 31 = 41.
1d20 + 31 = 18 + 31 = 49.
Damage
1d6 + 14 + 10 + 2d6 = 2 + 4 + 1 + 24 = 31.
1d6 + 14 + 10 + 2d6 = 6 + 4 + 6 + 24 = 40.
1d6 + 14 + 10 + 2d6 = 4 + 4 + 4 +24 = 36.
All damage counts as holy damage.))
*The infernal sound of the beast is not easily driven from Aurik's head, or at all for that matter. He attempts to gather up the strength to perform an action, but finds himself only fuzzily able to concentrate on any task he conjures. He first attempts to begin a spell, but trying to keep his eye on the tideform as well as his spellweaving is too frustrating, and he gives up, simply focusing only on the spell. He then launches a bolt of energy as from the sun at the creature as before, but he catches on Alex's armor, and the ray of light ricochets off into the air, hitting nothing.*
: By Volcanon's fire, what are you!?
((Defensive Casting
1d20 + 17 + 4 - 4 = 1 + 17 - 10 = 8. Fail.
Cast Searing Ray.
1d20 + 23 - 4 = 1 + ... miss))

Posted by: BLT Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:10 pm
Caius continues to hack away in a frenzy, not really realizing his blades were barely harming it. ((Attacks were: 16 19 6 8 6 11 12. They all hit since my worst attack is d20+24. 1: 17 +11good 2: 11 +6elec +4 caus 3: 16 +5good
4: 12 +5elec +3caus
5: 13 +8 good
6: 11 +2elec +2caus
7: 18 +7 good))

Posted by: Rusty Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:21 pm
*The magic creature continues his assault, sending in yet another series of Lightning Lances into the Tideform.* ((Ombligo automatically passes the SR check. Full-round action: Purified Lightning Lance of doom. All damage counts as good. Upgraded dice damage, according to Marine.
LL #1:
Roll to hit: Natural 20. Hit.
Impact damage: 8 4 2 = 14.
Electric damage: 5 4 5 3 7 6 5 5 7 7 = 54.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only.
LL #2:
Roll to hit: 17 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] + 10 [music] = 37. Hit.
Impact damage: 7 6 7 = 20.
Electric damage: 6 1 4 8 2 1 5 5 8 5 = 45.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only.
LL #3:
Roll to hit: 13 + 2 [DEX] + 7 [BAB] + 1 [size] + 10 [music] = 33. Hit.
Impact damage: 6 4 5 = 15.
Electric damage: 4 1 5 7 3 1 3 7 3 1 = 35.
Sonic damage: 5 due to Purify Spell.
FORT save DC 24 to halve the electric damage only.))
===
*Alexander grows frustrated as he struggles to find a good strike, the crowd of heroes growing ever larger and the space to move for attacking closes.*
((Full Power Attack.
((Free action: Divine Might
Swift action: use Furious Strike.
PA14
Attack #1: 1. Miss.
Attack #2: 11 - 5 [9 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 1 [focus] + 10 [music] + 1 [haste] = 25. Hit.
Damage: 1 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 4 [bane] + 1 [starmetal] + 10 [holy] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] + 10 [music] = 57.
Attack #3: 5 - 10 [4 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 1 [focus] + 10 [music] + 1 [haste] = 14. Probably miss.
Damage: 1 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 5 [bane] + 4 [starmetal] + 12 [holy] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] + 10 [music] = 63.
Attack #4: 12 - 0 [14 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 1 [focus] + 10 [music] + 1 [haste] = 31. Hit.
Damage: 2 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 5 [bane] + 6 [starmetal] + 7 [holy] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] + 10 [music] = 61.
Heroic Surge...(Get a free standard action)
Attack #5: 2 - 0 [14 BAB - PA14] + 4 [STR] + 3 [magic w/bane] + 1 [focus] + 10 [music] + 1 [haste] = 21. Hit.
Damage: 5 [sword] + 3 [magic w/ bane] + 8 [bane] + 6 [starmetal] + 4 [holy] + 14 [PA] + 4 [STR] + 2 [aura] + 8 [Divine Might] + 10 [music] = 64.
AIM really doesn't like Alex today. ))

Posted by: FreedomJu Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:49 am
The Spartan quickly fires the last two attacks remaining in her last powerpack, but does not leave just yet as she watches for any last second attacks against her before she leaves to retrieve ammo. ((Full attack, but can only attack twice instead of 3 times due to lack of ammo, Dodge to Tideform naturally
Energy Flechette Hit: 1d20 + BAB + DEX + Bard – Tide Aura
Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 + 8 = 12 + 19 + 6 = 37
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 + 8 = 3 + 14 + 6 = 23
Energy Flechette Damage: 7d6 fire + Bard + Aura
Attack 1: 7d6 fire + 10 + 2 = 37
Attack 2: 7d6 fire + 10 + 2 = 45))
Van pauses for a moment before continuing his attacks, seeking any more patches of ice to strike.
((Van is going to wait, if possible, to see if any more ice spells are cast against the Tideform so he has solid sections to attack. Otherwise, he's just going to Full Attack and hope for the best.
Dodge to Tideform of course
Hit=9+15+1(Enchantment)+5(STR)+1(Focus)+10(Bard)-4(Tide)-10(PA)= 27
Hit=5+10+1(Enchantment)+5(STR)+1(Focus)+10(Bard)-4(Tide)-10(PA)= 18
Hit=18+5+1(Enchantment)+5(STR)+1(Focus)+10(Bard)-4(Tide)-10(PA)= 26
Damage=2+2(2d4)+8(STR1.5)+1(Enchantment)+20(PA)+10(Bard)+2(Aura)=45
Damage=2+2(2d4)+8(STR1.5)+1(Enchantment)+20(PA)+10(Bard)+2(Aura)=45
Oh, I should note that Van has Sense Weakness, if that matters at all.))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:42 am
"Well, that explains one thing." Sha'aasta notes calmly. "What's that?" Johann asks. "The man's obviously an idiot." the girl points out, "So, since you're a servant of nature, and he's a servant of nature, you should just go ahead and kill him. It's what he would want, after all."
"We've got a ways to go with you, don't we?" her companion sighs.
"Survival of the fittest, isn't that what you leaf-boys prattle about?" Sha'aasta shrugs innocently. "Can we get out of here?" she added plaintively.
--
Holzgeist flees around to the far side of the beast, rejoining the rest of the team and trying to put as much distance between himself and the tideform as possible.
Sha'aasta attacks once- 1d8 + 2d6 holy.
Johann readies a spell for the creature's next attack- Wall of ice. Wall has 33 hp per 10' segment, and will leave a field of cold after it's breached. Every creature passing through the field (including pseudopods, I'd assume) suffers 1d6 + 11 cold, no save.

Posted by: Alpha Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:42 am
Empowered with magical speed, the daggerspell continues to lay into the timeform, chanting all the while. A small orb, indeed a lesser version of what Tanis had been casting shoots forward amidst the elf's attacks. [Full attack + lesser orb of cold]
1d20(2) + 17 + 1(haste) + 10(bm) = 30
Damage: 1d6(4) + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 20
Attack treated as good
1d20(2) + 12 + 1(haste) + 10(bm) = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 18
Attack treated as good
1d20(18) + 17 + 1(haste) + 10(bm) = 46
Damage: 1d6(2) + 1(str) + 1(ench) + 2d6(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 16 + 5 holy + 1 fire + 1 electric
1d20(7) + 12 + 1(haste) + 10(bm) = 30
Damage: 1d6(6) + 1(str) + 1(ench) + 2d6(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 20 + 10 holy + 1 fire + 1 electric
1d20(16) + 17 + 1(haste) + 10(bm) = 44
Damage: 1d6(2) + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 2(aura) + 10(bm) = 18
Attack treated as good
Ranged touch: 1d20(7) + 15 + 1(haste) + 10(bm) = 33
Damage: 5d6 = 23]
Tanis continues to launch power blasts of destructive energy.
[Cast empowered orb of cold
Range touch: 1d20(2) + 9 + 10(bm) = 21...hit
Damage: (13d6x1.5) + 6 = 60 cold damage no save.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:32 am
Damas unleashes the power of Ultimate Freeze on the now noticeably smaller Tideform. Having noticed that Kethra's attacks are doing nothing, the sorcerer shouts: "Kethra, drop the orb!" [Spot: 18 + 2 (Wis) + 2 (Racial) = 22. Easy pass, I'm sure.
Defensive Casting: 8 + 20 - 4 = 24. Pass.
Freeze 4: 70 cold damage | No Save]
Jessica holds out her hands and wills healing upon the wounded once more.
"Gisar!"
[Defensive Manifestation: 16 + 24 - 4 = 36. Pass.
Gisar: 25 PP | +41 HP]
Kayla slashes at the Tideform twice, but only connects once. The holy energy that her sword is imbued with is, as before, the only thing doing any real damage.
[Attack 1: 7 + 9 (BAB) + 7 (Dex) + 1 (Weapon) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) - 4 = 31. Hit.
Damage: 6 holy
Attack 2: Natural 1, so miss.
Dodge to the Tideform.]
Trusting the sorcerer's judgment, especially after her attacks have been useless, Kethra takes the orb into her hands and then drops it onto the ground behind her. Then she aims a single attack at a frozen portion of the Tideform.
[Listen: 2 + 21 = 23. Pass.
Attack: 6 + 11 (BAB) + 2 (Str) + 1 (Bless) + 10 (Music) - 4 = 26. Hit.
Damage: 9 + 2 (Str) + 10 (Music) = 21
Since she wasn't actually holding it, I figured it would take a move action.
Dodge to the Tideform.]
{Wearily} "Would you just die already?"
Merla unleashes the power of Ultimate Blaze on the Tideform, and while not as strong as the first, the damage is still significant.
[Defensive Casting: 10 + 21 - 4 = 27. Pass.
Blaze 4: 83 fire damage | No save]

Posted by: Kaihaku Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:03 am
"Is that…." Dorusan growls uneasily, his jog slowing as he nears the battle and brings his weapon to bear. "Sure as hell looks like it." Riley laughs, opening fire with his gauss rifle, "Ah man, this is gonna suck." His careful disregard is replaced with a flash of anger as his rifle jams, "What the f***! Again?!" The hypertrooper stomps his foot heatedly, "Damnit!"
[1, 4]
Dorusan grimaces.
With a defiant battlecry, Mark unleashes an erratic burst of fire at the living darkness.
[3, 6, 5, 5]
The guncross templar follows the HyperTroopers, bringing her holy firearm to bear and opening fire. Her blond hair dancing behind her, she glances back at the others, "Switch to holy ammunition."
[6, 6, 17]
[Damage: 8, 9, 4 : Good Aligned]
Dorusan was about to fire but now pauses, snapping out his clip and sliding another into its place.
The palman slows at the sight of the fluid darkness, her tan eyes wavering at the terrible sight…reliving memories too raw…too painful… Then she springs to action, whirling around and sending a curved blade of glowing silver singing through the air at the fell abomination, calling out a desperate warning, "Don't let it touch you!"
[6]

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:48 am
"Now she tells us." Sha'aasta muttered. "Well," she added with a fatalistic shrug, "it was nice knowing you, Johann. 'Fraid I'll probably miss out on being reincarnated with you or whatever, but I'm going to be busy haunting Sorel and his line until his grandkids' grandkids go insane from it. Just do me a favor, will you? If this creature's touch drives people insane or possesses them or mutates them into wild animals, and I start killing everyone I see, would you wait to finish me off until I've gotten rid of the really annoying folks on this team? Thanks."
Johann frowned for a second. "Wouldn't that mean I'd be the first to go?" he finally ventured.
"Point." Sha'aasta conceded.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:49 am
A blast of powerful lightning strikes the creature to no effect as Anri appears on the scene. She grimaces as her magic is wasted. Max leaps at the creature, Chaos Breaker blazing brightly as he slashes it clean through the monster. A great swath of the creature is disintegrated as he does this.
: "Keep in formation! Don't let it get into the village!" Sgt. Hale shouts as his men finally are readied and turn towards the terrible monster, unleashing a barrage of cherry-red lines of light from their thermal lasers. The barrage is joined by plasma from Melissa's energy flechette and the holy-imbued lashings of Enrick, Mahler, and Dagron. With each attack dissipating a little of the monster soon the creature shrinks even further, becoming a shadow of its former self.
((Tideform shrinks from Huge to Large))
The creature screams, its eerie, alien shriek echoing throughout the town as Ombligo and Alex lay into it anew, holy weapon and purified lightning eradicating great swathes of the monster before gunfire from Second Squad whittles it down further. A great column of flame from Merla annihilates a large portion of the creature. Finally, the sorcerors and mages bring the fury of the ice down on the monster and freeze the last of it. That ice is promptly destroyed by the blows of Kethra, Kayla, Van, and Laeralas. By the time the battle ends, nothing is left of the monster.
((Victory! Everyone who participated gains 2000 XP! Those who failed to take a single action get nothing.))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:01 am
Holzgeist wheeled to a stop, and the two gnomes hopped off and glanced around. Spotting the palman who had shouted the warning earlier, Sha'aasta wandered towards her in a nonchalant manner. "So," she asked casually, reaching up to brush some of the monster slime off her shoulder, "why weren't we supposed to let it touch us?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:21 am
((Listen: 12 + a lot)) Sorel approaches Johann, his mouth set in a frown. : "I thank you for the risk you took, but I do not think it was wise to send your companion into danger to protect me. I could never ask that of anyone." His inflection changes, and a strange language starts to come from his mouth. [In Druidic] "She is right to be angry."

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:39 am
Johann replied in the same language, much to Sha'aasta's disgust. "Oh, I agree that she has a right. As for the first part..." The gnome started ticking off points on his fingers. "One. If the price has already been paid, why did you spit on the sacrifice and make it for nothing? What good does that do for anyone?"
"Two. You sacrifice for the good of the team. How are you helping the team if you let yourself die?"
"Three. You don't ask that of any of us, but you would do it in a heartbeat. Why do you have the right, and not us?"
"Finally. If you were going to kill yourself, you'd go ahead and take your life. I can't stop you, and neither could anyone else. But instead, you're determined to 'let the fates decide' by refusing to step out of harm's way. I'm not sure if it's because you think it's a more honorable death, or it's some sort of test for the gods, or if it's because you don't have the guts to let the world know what you decided, and so you'll let the world decide for you. Either way, we're stuck helping your daughter in her grief, seeking out any other family you might have to support them, and trying to deal with a real blow ourselves."
"I'm not a cleric, I'm not a doctor, and I'm not a diplomat. And I'm sure not going to use magic to jump into your mind right now. So instead, I'm going to ask you to your face. What in the world is going on?"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:08 am
((Listen 12. Telanna hears Sorel and Johann talking, and moves to hear everything.)) Sorel's expression grows sadder and sadder as Johann speaks. When he finishes, Sorel begins to reply, in a tired voice, in Druidic. : "I did not spit on your sacrifice. I had been revived, and healed. The abyss had receded, and could no longer reach me without moving backward. I denied it because I did not want to place your wolf at greater risk for the sake of my own slight convenience. Nothing more could have been gained by complying."
: "I did not...sacrifice. I did not offer myself. The abyss moved to me, it moved past me, and then it saw fit to kill me. I have died before. I lose nothing by dying again. I did not let myself die. Someone was going to die. Why would I let it be someone who has never endured it before? How is that not 'helping the team'?"
: "Sacrifice is not a right. It is ludicrous to say that someone has a right to suffer, or a right to die. It is not a question of fate. It is not a question of honor. It is not a question for the gods. And it is certainly not a matter of fear." An edge enters Sorel's voice. "You demand an explanation when in the same breath you offer so many. Is it simply a question of deciding which storybook character I most resemble?"
: "I am not a martyr, I am not a madman, and I am not a prince. I hold no secrets, and I do not tell lies. What in the world do you want from me?"

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:20 am
"I want a teammate." Johan says simply, still in druidic. "Not all of us embrace death the way you do. And I still don't know why you embrace it, or even if you know the reason. But I guess that's not for me to ask. As for the other..." "The thing moved past you. But I was doing my level best to block the attacks on the main group. Which meant that the few of us on this side, who also happened to be much easier to hurt, were the only ones who could be attacked. Why do you think it wouldn't have turned back to kill us off? Heck, if I hadn't wheeled back here and given it 5 targets to kiss, it would've been just you and what's-his-name, uh, Coventry it had gone after. That's why I was trying to get you out of there quickly. And saying someone was going to die in that fight, so it might as well be you? What a load of malarkey! So now you're a seer of the 9th circle, and can tell from the start if a fight can't be won without a loss? A fight is 10% skill, and 90% luck. And if someone's unlucky, I'd bet you 10 gold to one silver that you couldn't be there fast enough to take the sword thrust for them. But if you really, really wanted to, you can watch that fight instead of focusing on your own, and leap in front of that sword, and you'll die all right. But chances are you'll have leaped for one they were going to block anyways."
"Right, I'll stop growling. Look, Sorel. We don't understand each other, so I'll say it straight. My great love in life and the focus of my studies have not been war, death, or destruction. I am not a powerful juggernaut of war, and so my contribution to these little fights will continue to be making sure the real juggernauts on this team have the time to do what they need to do, by finding the bad guys, slowing them down, blocking their attacks, and pulling injured fighters off the front line."
"You are a valuable fighter. So unless you explain some master plan to me, one that hinges on you dying at every possible opportunity, I will continue to pull you back from the front lines, even if I have to feeblemind you to do it. Which will probably mean that two or three fights from now, one of the three of us will die trying to pull your bacon out of the fire, unless you start showing some sense and keep from putting yourself in the enemy's bowsights. Because that's who and what I am, and I'm not going to change to suit your depression, or whatever it is."
"So... is there a reason I shouldn't be concerned with your safety as much as any other member of this team? A real reason? Or would you rather think things over?"

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:49 am
As The Tideform is subdued, brought back to the nothingness from which it was seemingly created, and this undefinable, awe-instilling feeling of wrong spread by the creature's simple presence slowly lingers away, Enrick strikes a pose. : "Oh frabjous day! Once more we triumph over the forces of evil thanks to our unbeatable teamwork!" He rejoices, then shrugs, "Whatever was that thing?" He asks casually to anyone within earshot.

Posted by: Aldur Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:21 pm
((Michael can understand and hear all languages. Listen: 15+9 so he overhears.)) Michael frowns at the storybook reference, and smirked as his thoughts reflected on the time he and Sorel had talked. "Ah Druids. Always so tetchy."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:56 pm
Sorel listens, surprise and sadness evident on his face. : "I am your teammate, and your comrade. I have been since before we knew of each other's existence, since our wills were bent to our common goal. Please, if nothing else, do not mistake whatever you imagine my problems to be to be a mark of disloyalty. I will not abandon you."
: "I do not embrace death. I do not seek it. I have no idea what would prompt you to conclude that I did, and I cannot answer questions whose causes exist outside the realm of my experience or understanding. Your words simply baffle me."
: "It would not have turned back because it is not alive. It knows only what it moves towards, and to destroy what blocks its path. The effort you took came after I was in any more danger. I had no more power to hurt it. I was not in its way. Your gesture, though appreciated, was a needless risk, and I do not think it would have been less so had I obliged. I simply do not know what you imagine would have happened."
: "I do not know what battle you witnessed, but the abyss did not miss when it struck. I do not know what battles you have culled your aphorisms from, but there is far less of luck in battle than you imagine. Many times before I interspersed myself between someone in danger and the thing endangering them. A few of those occasions have ended in my death. None of them ended with any greater harm to the endangered. I simply do not know what you imagine me to have done."
Sorel smiles a bit, a hard, thin smile.
: "I do not know where you have drawn the observation that I my task is somehow different from yours. Find the enemy. I was the first to see the abyss, and the first to call attention to it. Slow the enemy down. I forced it to move around me, and to divert some of its attacks from the 'true juggernauts', as you would call them. Pulling the injured off the line. Would you like me to recount the stories of the times I have done just that?" He shakes his head. "I simply do not know what you imagine to be my role."
: "I am not suicidal. I have never allowed my personal feelings to override what I thought the best course of action was." He resists the urge to look at the Doctor, still in flight. "I cannot stop you from risking your lives to save me from whatever frailty or insanity you imagine me to possess. I cannot justify actions that I have not taken. I cannot defend charges against my character conjured from thirty seconds of battle and whatever has shaped your mind. I cannot explain what I am not."
Sorel bows his head to Johann.
: "I have other matters to attend to. Please, in the time until we speak on this again, should you choose to seek me out, think out the implications of what you have said. Ask others who have travelled with me since this war began if I am as you imagine me to be. I will not hide from you."
Bowing again, Sorel turns and walks away.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:12 pm
Kethra picks the orb up off of the ground. "Thank goodness that's over." Kayla wipes the slime off of her sword and sheathes it. The tiefling passes a glance at Kethra and nods. "You said it Kethra. I'll be glad when we can go back to sleep." Jessica only takes a few brief moments to answer Enrick's question:
"It was a Tideform."
Then she starts healing the wounded.
[Since no one ever tells me they need healing, and with my current PP total, I think I can safely assume that she heals everyone.]
Damas walks over to Merla and looks down at the halfling. Hoping to start a conversation with a fellow magic user, the elf speaks.
"That was absolutely amazing." Seeing that his comment gets her attention, he continues. "I do not believe we have been properly introduced." Damas kneels down and holds out his hand. "My name is Damas."
Merla takes as much of his hand into her much smaller one as possible, and shakes it.
"Merla."
"Well met, Merla." Damas smiles. "So, how is it that you know magic? Were you born with it like I was?"
Merla frowns and replies cooly.
"I am a Wizard, not a Sorcerer."
Damas sighs and shakes his head.
"From the tone of your voice, I take you dislike Sorcerers then?"
"I have more often than not found Sorcerers to be childish, immature, and lacking in discipline and restraint."
"And I have found many Wizards to be snooty," Damas retorts. After a few long moments, he continues. "Look, I do not understand why Sorcerers and Wizards almost always seem to be at odds. We both use the same kind of magic. We merely differ in method and sometimes intention. Many distrust Sorcerers because we are supposedly 'dangerous', but Wizards can also use their power as they see fit."
Merla seems to calm down.
"You make a clever argument Damas." Merla sighs. "Forgive me for being so rude, but I am weary."
"It's aright, I understand. No one likes being woken up in the middle of the night." Damas stands up. "Perhaps we can talk another time when you are in a better mood."
"Perhaps."
Merla turns to walk away.
"Merla?"
Merla turns around to face Damas once more.
"I may be childish and immature at times, but I assure you that I know how and when to use my powers."
Merla nods and walks away.
[I might try to get in some conversations with other characters.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:35 pm
*Somewhat miffed about missing Fasher in Megiddo, and literally by inches, Merkass had nonetheless heard of the outcome and what had been found from a briefing by Cedric. Of interest, some of the equipment Zook had been given sounded like it would suit his needs. His mithril chain shirt, while useful, had become more confining over time. Merkass felt he was long overdue to have a talk with the tinker to whom he owed much, and so he tracked Zook down to his current workplace.*
: Zook. Do you have a moment?
Zook looks up from his workbench, an array of tiny parts strewn over it. "Merkass! I've got time for you. Bow need restringing?"
*Merkass groans, raising a hand to his forehead and rubbing it. He then looks back up at Zook, and shakes his head.*
: No, not this time. I understand you found some interesting armor.
Zook nods. "I sold most of it. Still have a pair of Flight Suits and two sets of Battle Armor. Just a moment." He retreats into his tent, and returns with a bundle of black fabric under his arm. He holds it up for Merkass's inspection, and Merkass sees a black jumpsuit made out of a shimmering, elastic material, covered with straps and pouches. "This what you were looking for?"
*Merkass looks it over, intrigued. He had never seen anything like this before. No material, not even the leafweaves or ironwood creations his people or others of the forest were known for resembled clothing such as that.*
: This was found in Megiddo? Have you looked it over enough to know exactly what it is? I have never seen anything like it.
Zook turns it over in his hands. "It's a flight suit. Pilots of Ancient vehicles wore them. They provide great protection, but their real asset is the flexibility they allow." He demonstrates by stretching one of the sleeves to his full arm length, and then letting go. The sleeve snaps back to its original state without any sign that it had been stretched. "Total elasticity. Tough enough to stop an arrow. Should be fully enchantable too, I'd wager."
*Merkass cocks his head, further enamored as Zook goes on with his explanation. Merkass begins reaching s a hand out toward the suit, then stops.*
: May I?
Zook pushes the suit into Merkass's hands. "Don't worry, I've got another where that one came from."
: Thanks.
*Merkass takes the suit, then begins examining it. It certainly felt like a tough material, and pressing and rolling his thumbs along it, it felt springy yet firm. He stretched it as Zook had, feeling an incredible tightness, though it seemed to give as easily as it held. He also looked at the pockets, which seemed to provide as much extra padding as the cargo room they provided. Merkass drapes the suit over his left arm, then reaches up over his head and pulls his chain shirt off.*
: I could not just take this from you. Do you have use for this mithril shirt or the mithril itself?
Zook looks at it, lips pursed in thought. "Well, if I had it taken in around the arms and sides I could wear it. I don't have any armor to speak of."
*Merkass nods.*
: Take it and do as you see fit. If it helps you, then all the better. Your aid has always been appreciated.
Zook takes the fine chain shirt, nodding. "Thank you. I'll probably be around to see you in a few days. I had an idea for your bow..."
*Merkass is intrigued once more. He was often impressed and never disappointed by Zook's ingenuity.*
: And what new, amazing idea have you come up with?
Zook folds the chain shirt, putting it on a corner of his workbench, before retreating into the tent once more. A moment later he returns with a rolled up piece of parchment, which he opens in front of Merkass, who sees sketches of a tube mounted near the top of his bow. "It's a scope. I noticed you tend to get rather close when you fire, and I assumed it was because you needed a good sightline. With this you'd be able to get the same sightlines from roughly twice the distance."
*Merkass scratches his chin, eyeing over the diagrams. He can see sizes on the diagram, and this scope doesn't look too intrusive.*
: This certainly looks useful, and being able to stay further away would be ideal. Will this add much weight?
Zook shakes his head. "Shouldn't weigh more than half a pound when all is said and done, being that it's mostly hollow."
: Excellent. That should not change how the bow fires.
Zook smiles, rolling up the plans and putting them under the chain shirt on the workbench. "I'd hope not! Last thing we need is a big dead weight throwing your shot off." He laughs, a bit uneasily. "No. You're good at what you do. This should make you better."
*Merkass smiles, slightly baring teeth.*
[img[http://magic19.homestead.com/files/merkassport.png[/img]: And you are a master of your trade. How goes ADAM?
"It goes well," Zook says after a moment, looking down at the small gears spread over the workbench. "Should fly faster now, I managed to cut its weight almost in half, and that's including the new mounted weapon."
: That is excellent. I look forward to see it in action once again. With that, I should leave you to your work.
Zook nods rapidly, looking up at Merkass. "I'll keep you updated on the scope."
*Merkass nods, smiling*
: Until next time, Zook. *Merkass gives a slight bow, turns, and walks off, leaving Zook to his work.*
Zook waves at the departing Merkass, before setting down in earnest.

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:26 am
Maria stands near the two druids with a frown, an electronic voice translating every word of their secret debate and broadcasting it in a quiet voice. [Universal Translators are lame]

QUOTE (Wandering Dezorian @ Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:01 pm)
Holzgeist wheeled to a stop, and the two gnomes hopped off and glanced around. Spotting the palman who had shouted the warning earlier, Sha'aasta wandered towards her in a nonchalant manner. "So," she asked casually, reaching up to brush some of the monster slime off her shoulder, "why weren't we supposed to let it touch us?"

The woman looks at Sha'aasta with an expression of horror, taking a step back at the sight of the vile darkness, "I…I don't…" Her face is pallid as she looks into the eyes of the gnome, "You…you shouldn't be able to…" Her tan eyes waver as she unconsciously fingers a multi-colored cloak she wears over a shoulder, "That thing is evil…undilutated evil…darkness given physical form… It's touch…" She hesitates, "I've seen its touch drive men insane…" Her eyes narrow, "Holy relics weakened and broke before it… The bravest of warriors swallowed and spat out as twisted corruptions…" She shakes her head, "I…don't understand…" The woman is silent for a moment, then pulls a small handheld computer from an inner pocket and begins cycling through information with a heavy frown.
...
Someone slips a coat over the angelborn's shoulders from behind, someone revealed to be if she turns to see…the Doctor. He smiles with a nod, "How are you holding up?"
The maiden wheels around at the touch of the coat, still tightly gripping her armaments. She stops when she sees the Doctor's face, though, her frantic breath calming slowly as she sheathes the blade. "Fine...I'm fine," she repeats, wrapping the coat around her with a glance to where the ooze had sputtered out of existence.
The Doctor follows her gaze thoughtfully, "Yeah..." Then shrugs with a wry chuckle, "Well, I guess I should get to work..." He steps away, speaking heartening words and twisting his hands into various shapes.
[Vigorous Circle x 3]
[27 people get + 84 HP - Claim as needed]
[Fast Healing 3 over 28 rounds]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Oct 31, 2007 1:55 am
Abyss with a glint of light: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/5800/11 : "A Tideform... Here..." Jim whispers. "The ShadowBlade first... Then a Tideform appears..." : "Now that you mention it... That... What the hell is going on?" Sheila asks, a concerned look on her face.
: "And the fragment sealed away... Is that here too? The Strife Lords... They can't be..." Jim mutters, deep in thought. For a long few moments, he is silent. Memories of a long ago battle rise in his mind.
As the battles everywhere rage on, time-space in several areas across Motavia and become blurry, most near the fighting. Formless beings of oily black begin to emerge and slither very fast towards the fighting.
: "Jim? Jim, you OK?" Sheila asks, tapping the Field Commander on the shoulder. Jim looks up and nods, wordlessly, turning to Aisha.
: “The appearance of this creature casts a different light on the events here... But don't lose heart. Look at the blade," Jim says, pointing to the holy sword held by Max. "The Chaos Breaker is still fine...” Jim says, rubbing his chin. “And our wounds were healed without problem. This thing was not a Greater Tideform, it was a lesser one. And if Greater Tideforms have yet to appear here... There's still time...”
: "Time until what?" Sheila asks.
: "Time until history repeats itself," Jim says, quietly. He fumbles around in his pouches for the briefing disks given to him by Zook and the player for it. "I... have a hunch. Give me a few minutes."

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:17 am
Sha'aasta's expression quickly flickered between surprise, wry humor, and very briefly, concern, before settling into a cheerful grin. "Gee, and mom said I'd never amount to anything. And here I am, outlasting holy relics and such. Of course, I'm not sure what Johann will think about me not really noticing the touch of absolute evil... he's been trying so hard to convert me, and here I go touching the all-corrupter, and no real change."
"Glowing red eyes would've been cool, though." she added.
"Of course," she noted further, mainly to pass the time until the GDO soldier's gizmo finished doing whatever it did, "The paladins didn't seem to notice much, either. So either they're all secretly demonic traitors sent to kill us all in our sleep (except for me, of course. I'm too pretty to die.) or I guess I don't get much in the way of bragging rights, after all."
((Since Johann has a root listen score of +20, I'm not even going to bother rolling to see if he's overheard all the eavesdroppers.))
"It's not polite to eavesdrop." the gnome noted without turning around, still in druidic. "When two people go to lengths not to be overheard, that's usually because they don't really want what they're saying to be repeated word for word to the general public. Much less becoming a public spectacle. Frankly, you should be embarrassed."
((I'm going on travel for two weeks. No AIM, and internet will be spotty. Just a friendly head's up.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:22 am
Telanna started at Johann's proclimation, looking sheepishly at the ground as she walked quickly into the forest.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:25 am
: "Didn'tcha hear Jim?" Sheila asks Sha'aasta. "That wasn't a Greater Tideform, so no worries about corruption, insanity, or relics breaking... At least not this time!"

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:27 am
"Gail," Sorel says a few moments later, "Could I speak with you privately for a moment?" He looks around. "As privately as we can manage given the circumstances..." The maiden starts at Sorel's tired voice, but she turns calmly to the druid, nodding at the proposal. "Yes...," she says, glancing off to the ooze's path. "I think...I think that would be best, right now."
Sorel takes Gail to a secluded part of the clearing, well out of earshot. "Do not think that I am ungrateful for what you did," he says quietly. "But it was foolish to place yourself at such risk. The abyss could have very easily destroyed us both, if you willingly weakened yourself to save me."
Gail tenses, her eyes darting away as she whispers. "You're right...it could have devoured us...done so with ease. If things had turned out differently, we..." She lets the thought die, a hand settling on the black torc clamped around her neck. "Do you remember what I promised you, Sorel?"
"Yes," Sorel says, "But I hardly think--" He stops, and looks directly at Gail. His eyes seem to burn into hers for several moments. "Nevermind," he says abruptly. He looks down. "I would not...I would never ask you to do anything to break your promise." He shakes his head. "Forgive me, Gail."
Gail stares at the aged leader for a moment, her eyes wavering. "I should have spoken to you," she says suddenly, the hand resting on the collar removing it with a click. "I should have told you what I thought...what I felt. Instead..." She looks at the sacrifical Torc in her grasp, sighing. "I decided to take this upon myself, try to save you the best way I could...whether you would agree or not." She stares straight into Sorel's eyes, her eyes set with concern. "Please. I...We still need you. Here."
"I meant what I said," Sorel says after a long silence. "I will not abandon you." He takes her hands in his own, frail, shaking and gray. "I promise you."
Gail simply watches Sorel, staring at him critically...before her hands gently curl over his own, a warm, somber smile appearing on her face. "Thank you," she says, barely above a whisper. "It's...all I can ask."

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:07 am
The woman swallows, biting back a retort as she looks up at the gnome from her computer, her face ashen and eyes haunted, "I pray…that matters are…as light as you make them sound…" She glances back down at her computer, "Abominations…such as these destroyed my world." She hesitates as if wanting to add more, but grows silent at the words of the GICS agent, returning her attention to the computer a moment later with faint relief visible on her features.
After a moment, she snaps the computer shut and slides it away, following after the GDO commander with a frown.
....
"Hello there, Sorel…" The Doctor says cheerily as he steps up to the elder druid, "There's something I've just been dying to tal…" He pauses, "Oh, well, no not that…" He chuckles, "But there is something I've been wanting to chat with you about. "
Sorel's first response is a sharp intake of breath, almost reflexive. He is silent for a moment before he turns to face the Doctor. "Walk with me," he says.
"Walking is for the lame or lively, I am neither." The Doctor replies sternly, touching the druid on the shoulder as a cool smile crosses his face.
There is a swell of space and movement, for an instant, then the two appear in the plains beyond the great forest. The sway of destruction and ruin cut through the grass is plain to see, not far from where they now stand but distant enough to prevent interruption or pursuit.
The wound in the earth stretches before Sorel's vision for miles. He stares along it into the distance for a moment. "What did you wish to discuss, Alastor?"
"I was wondering about that tree, you know the one, and the girl who sleeps under it every night..." The Doctor replies, "You know, the one who curses you for abandoning her on the day of her birth and killing her mother by forcing her to chase after you?"
Vox: subtle as ever
Vox: I missed him
Kai: ...
Kai: Oh, I thought you made an attack roll.
Sorel bows his head for a moment, before raising it to look directly into the Doctor's eyes. "You spoke to Telanna," he says quietly.
"I guess we spoke some…" The Doctor muses reflectively, "…between passionate embrace and tender lov…" He laughs, "Just kidding, yeah, she must have inherited that asinine guilt of yours, wasted a lot of time and effort trying to apologize to me…" He chuckles at the thought, "…for her slapping me." He rubs his chin, "You know, I think she just might have your temper too."
"She...she is not..." He pauses. "What is she like?" Sorel asks abruptly. "What does her laugh sound like? Is she happy?"
The Doctor cackles scratchily...then stops with a frown, "No, that's not it at all." He grins, "I guess you'll just have to find out for yourself." He nods, "Stalk her...old man stalker..." The mirth fades slightly from his face, "I don't know if she's happy per say, her moods seem to come and go like the wind." He arches an eyebrow, "But nevermind all that, let's get back to the point of the matter, how did a dutiful vigilant old fart like you somehow miss that he had a daughter...much less quite a striking one?" He tilts his head, "...and how is it that an eloquent charmer can't win over his own kin?"
Sorel shakes his head. "You do not want to hear the story of how she passed, and how I left the Fairy Wood."
"I don't?" The Doctor asks himself with a troubled frown before looking up at the elder druid, "Huh… Well, you are the authority." He nods submissively…though a faint smirk crosses his face as he then whispers wispily, tapping his fingers together.
Vox: is he going Ethereal again
Kai: Worse
His features shift to graceful feminine, his hair lengthening and darkening, his skin shifting to striking mahogany while his eyes become beautiful deep dark emeralds.
Vox: that is worse
"My mother was a dryad…." The double begins softly, "The only dryad in the Fairy Woods who ever took a human lover." The day she gave birth, her child's father left. My mother, weakened and in a daze from the ordeal of giving birth, followed him. A dryad cannot survive away from the tree. Their spirits are bound to it. If they leave it…for too long…they die…" The resemblance of Telanna trembles, eyes wavering as if tears would come, "She died trying to bring him back to me."
The blood drains out of Sorel's face. He clings tightly to his staff, leaning on it, his knuckles whitening. "She...she told you..." He leans his head forward, pressing the top of his staff into his forehead. "I didn't know. I didn't know," he whispers hoarsely. "Please...I could not have lived knowing that I had...abandoned..."
"Why?" The twin of Telanna looks at the elder druid piteously, "After so long, why did you part with Oihane?" The double adds after a moment, "How did you not know?"
Sorel looks up at the image of his daughter, though he doesn't lift his head. He stares at the illusion in silence for almost a minute before he begins to speak.
It was summer. It seemed to pass so quickly...but at my age every summer day has something of the fall about it..." He blinks. "I remember autumn was coming early that year. She held me, and asked about forever." His eyes begin to shine in the dark. "I would have given her anything..." he whispers. "But I could not...forever is no man's to give."
"We began to fight more and more often. Over the most trivial things...but she was always eager to forgive me." His expression softens a bit. "The fey have a saying. 'A mortal man has no roots, but he reaches for the sun forever.' She began to say that, to me, after our fights ended. At the same time she became...secretive, reserved, prone to terrible dark moods...the fey do not show signs of pregnancy, but their moods...their emotions...I should have known," he says fiercely. "I should have known."
"The last night of winter we had a terrible fight. I cannot even remember what it was about. I only remember the things I said to her, things I would never repeat to another living soul. We reconciled, as we always did. She held me, then, for the last time. 'You gave me so much of your short life,' she said to me. 'You gave more to me than I could ever give to you. Promise me. Promise me that you will never stop giving.'"
"I asked her what she meant," Sorel continues, his voice dry and strained, "But she would not answer. I felt a lead weight pulling at my mind, and before I realized it, I was asleep. I awoke the next day...the first day of spring, when everything else begins again...I awoke a day's journey from the Wood, and she lay beside me, holding her parting gift to me." His hands trace the fine carvings of his staff, and he takes several deep breaths. "I took her back that day, and buried her at the base of our home. And then I left. I could not bear to be in that place any longer." His voice becomes very weak and faint. "I didn't know...I should have known, but I didn't. I abandoned her...as I abandoned Dicem...and as I abandoned you, Alastor."
"So...is that what all of this has been, you struggling to love the whole world the way you loved her?" The Telanna double replies quietly, sorrow laced with a barely perceivable edge of anger, "You know...enough, let go of the shame, your daughter is hurting. That's why she flails at you." A sad smile forms, "That's why, she's challenging you to be who she needs... She doesn't want her longings and hopes broken...her aching pain shrugged off... Forget guilt, that's a self-centered sentiment, act out of love. Do it for her, not for yourself."
"I admit...I could be wrong about everything else, but I'm right about this. Let it go, be open with her and tell her the truth. Love her for who she is." He sighs, "Don't put her on some pedestal of suffering, don't pull back because of your pain at having left her. You're just human; accept that and get over yourself."
Sorel is silent for a long time. "I would like to speak to you," he says quietly.
"What are we doing now then?" The Doctor replies with a faint smile.
"I want to speak to you," he repeats, looking into his daughter's eyes.
"Oh..." The Telanna double chuckles, waving a hand in the air and returning to normal, "Going to rail about my theatrics...or can't bare to strike a semblance of your daughter?"
Sorel punches the Doctor in the nose mid-sentence.
…only not.
Sorel continues to stare into Alastor's eyes, even as he grows a few inches taller before him. "Have you ever been in love?" he asks quietly.
"Only with myself." The Doctor admits.
"It is..." he stops, and is silent for a long time. "You are completely helpless, utterly vulnerable. You do not know how weak a man you are, how foolish and pointless are your troubles, until you have looked into someone's eyes and seen yourself as you ought to be. But you are never stronger, more resolute, than you are when you realize that there is someone in all the worlds who sees the same in you."
The Doctor chuckles weakly, "Somehow, I doubt that applies to me." He shakes his head, turning to begin walking back to the scene of desolation, "I'm not like other people."
"We are not so different, you and I," Sorel says quietly.
"No..." The Doctor agrees softly, "No, not at all... Which makes the differences all the more striking."
"Every living soul can love," Sorel replies.
"I'd like to think so..." The Doctor turns, "It would be a bleak world if not."
"Where is your coat?" he says quietly, with the faintest hint of a smile.
"I loaned it to Gail to hinder her showing off her wares to the assemblage of males." The Doctor replies shaking his head ruefully, "She seems to have digressed in my absence...and just look at Kria..." He looks at Sorel pointedly, "Do you have no shame? Big leader you are, you can't even keep your women in line...or at least modest."
"I know of no leader living or dead who could keep us in line," Sorel says dryly, the humor coming against his will. "You would know this better than most, Doc--" he stops, mid-sentence. He looks at Coventry curiously.
The Doctor frowns, holding up his hands, "No... No, don't even think it." He looks at the druid sternly, "I gave up aspirations of leadership after that fizzle ball incident."
Sorel opens his mouth to speak, but shakes his head. "That is not what I meant. But it is not the time for that." He looks at the Doctor with a small, genuine smile. "It is very good to see you again. To talk to you."
"I know..." The Doctor shrugs with a smile, "...but it begged to be said." He frowns thoughtfully at the geniune smile, "Maybe you really are beginning to go senile then..." Then adds, "Oh, what were you and that gnome chatting about?"
"He reminds me of Gilliam in many ways," is Sorel's response.
"Let us never speak of or to him again." The Doctor replies simply.
Sorel bites his bottom lip. A few moments later the urge to laugh passes. "Have you spoken to many from the other groups?"
"Of course, I'm a social butterfly..." The Doctor hesitates, fighting the urge to turn into a butterfly, then shrugs, "Though, they don't quite measure up to you good old lot of misfits." He frowns sympathetically, "You? I don't envy you those leader meetings."
Sorel nods, his smile gone. "I would not wish them on anyone, but they must be done. Did you hear that we are to construct a headquarters for all of our forces?"
"I heard rumors." The Doctor shrugs, "Something about luxury suites and a grand bath... Figured they were false."
"We should be so lucky," Sorel says flatly. "No, we shall all live together. In only the most perfect harmony, I am sure."
"Of course, look how well we've gotten along so far." The Doctor smiles.
The two arrive back at the clearing. Sorel looks once more at the Doctor. "I meant it," he says quietly. "And thank you."
"Is there anything you do drink?" The Doctor shakes his head, "How about tea? It can even be weak tea." He looks at the druid, "Would that work? Maybe a biscuit?" He smiles, "Think about it, we can do breakfast tomorrow."
"I will eat breakfast with you tomorrow," Sorel says. "In the meantime, there is someone I need to speak to."
"Good luck." The Doctor says quietly, glancing at the druid sympathetically.
Sorel smiles, and departs.
...
Returning from a stroll in the wilderness with Sorel, the Doctor watches the determined angelborn march towards the place where the darkness fell. Falling into step beside her, he asks with a faint smile, "What remains to be smote, oh great holy knight?
The question itself manages to disrupt the one-angel marching column: Gail stops for a step before she continues on her way, albeit at a slower pace. "I...I don't know. Nothing, I guess. Just...afraid," she admits, her face contorting in concern when the word rolls off her tongue.
"Afraid?" The Doctor pauses beside her, looking at the paladin intently, "Not quite the response I was ex…” He breaks off, smiling sadly, "When was the last time you were afraid? Tell me about it."
Gail halts and looks at the Doctor uncertainly, pressing a lone finger to her lips as she tries to recall...only to let out a nervous laugh. "I can't remember when that was," she says, covering her coming smile with her hand. "It was probably something trivial: someone jumping out at me, getting separated from my mentor in the mountains, or...or...," her voice fades, then, her head hanging as her thoughts turn with a pensive pace. It is a long while before she begins to answer again.
"I remember...when I received the blessing of courage from the Light...No; Was about to," she corrects herself in mid-thought, pausing slightly with doubt before continuing. "I remember being afraid of how it would change me. I would often ask the senior knights how they felt about it, and most of them treated fear like a nuisance, something that got in the way of trying to accomplish their true task...some had even learned to simply replace the emotion, and thought it was better that way. At first, it was something I couldn't wait for, much like my knighthood...as time grew on towards it, I began to wonder about it. On the eve of the ceremony, I couldn't sleep."
She stops again, organizing her memory, making sure of it. "When it began the next morning, I had to clench my hands to fists to stop them from shaking. It...failed the first time...said there was something preventing my connection to...the divine." The paladin frowns, ashamed. "They asked me to calm myself, told me that it wouldn't work if I did not hold my faith in it...so I began to pray. They chanted and plied to the Light, but I blocked it out; I simply focused on my prayers. They had to shake me to tell me it was over." Her eyes raise to Alastor, and chuckle when she realizes how much she just told him. "I'm sorry. That was rather silly to hear, wasn't it?"
"No…" The Doctor replies sadly, looking at her with deep sympathy, "No…I don't think it was silly at all…" He stands there for a moment, brooding over some thought before he adds quietly, "Far from it."
After another moment, he asks, "What's it like?"
The maiden looks at the Doctor, stunned by the simple question's depth, before she closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. "It's not like anything. It's...the absence of something. Something you know should be there, but you know won't be. No matter what horror stand in front of you, you...you no longer fear for your own life." She leaves the silence to hang in the air, looking away from Coventry.
"What about for others?" The Doctor continues to press the question.
Gail shrinks at the question, silent for a while. "I...," she begins, before she meets Alastor's eyes, and her intent falls. "No."
The Doctor smiles reassuringly though...his eyes are troubled, "It's alright." He glances at the patch of desolation, "Do you miss the order?" His voice takes on a distant, reflective note, "It must be like family to you."
Gail's eyes don't leave Alastor's, though a morose smile does creep across her face. "I suppose it is...I accomplished a lot, there. I was only an initiate for most of my time, though; I began this soon after I became a full knight errant. They're probably wondering what's happened to me," she says, before a slight grin replaces the other on her lips. "It's not the longest I've been away, though...they could just thinking I'm taking after my teacher."
"Who was your teacher?" The Doctor says with a faint smile, "Must be quite the warrior."
"He was. He was an adventurer who volunteered to serve the church...as I remember, he had given a good amount of money to the order a year before I came. I was...lucky to have such a good man as my teacher...my ollam."
"Sounds like it." The Doctor glances back at her, "I'm certain he's proud of you..." He chuckles wryly, "...though I wonder what he'll think when Sophia gets done writing your legend." His amusement fades abruptly, his gaze drifting away, "Well, I've distracted you enough." He nods slightly, turning to go.
Gail watches as the Doctor leaves, before a thought hits her, looking down to the coat she clung to. "Wait," she says, pulling the coat off from around herself, then holding it up. "Don't you want this back?"
He waves over his shoulder without turning, walking away, "Tomorrow..."
Gail waits until the doctor is safely out of ear shot before she speaks again, her voice a soft whisper. "I wonder, too," she begins, looking up to the starred sky above, "When you past into the next life, Kaizl...who will you be?" She then wraps the coat around her shoulders once more, and heads off to the grave of the chaos spawn.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:04 am
Strife's Reveal: http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Vox/Rei_III.mp3 Jim's gas mask dangles around his neck as he looks intently at the portacomp accessing the files from the Shadowblade. Jim taps away at the small computer, until suddenly his face grows pale.
Shakily, Jim taps a few more buttons and a holographic representation of the three Strife Lords projects itself from the device.
Gasps of shock burst forth from a legion of mouths as nearly every Ranger in the area recognizes one face of the three... and memories flood those Rangers who were part of the original team so long ago...
Racing through the halls, the group passes room after room of gutted labs and dead guards. Blast marks and tears in the metal walls are commonplace as it is apparent that some mighty struggle took place here. Adam leads the team through the hallways to a single final room... The primary communications array control center.
: “No...” Sheila whispers. “That... That can't be...”
The large chamber is filled with monitors and displays, most showing only static. Dead technicians are everywhere, their blood pooling onto the floor. At the far end of the chamber, a tall figure in robes is typing with blinding speed across the keyboard of a console. Jim levels his weapon at the figure and motions for everyone to get into combat positions.
"You're too late, you know," the figure notes clinically in an amused and slightly hissing voice.
“Ha... ha...” Adam laughs weakly. “This... This is a joke, right? Right?! That's not funny, Jim, it's a joke, right?!”
"You're outnumbered, outgunned, and completely surrounded. Surrender," Jim replies. The figure straightens, tilts its head, then begins to laugh, a harsh mocking sound. The figure turns around, revealing its head is encased in a metal helmet. Six eyeslits arranged in an eerie spiderlike fashion dot the helm and they all glow a steady shade of red.
: “No... No joke,” Jim says quietly. “It's... It's exactly what it looks like it is.”
As shots begin to get through and blow holes through the armor, the fiend growls and begins to cast a spell. He is rudely interrupted by Pantherath's blade slicing through parts of his torso. He shrieks and vanishes. His voice echoes in your mind, growing fainter.
"You've forced my flight here, it is true, but that's all right. I'm a deceiver, I leave fighting up to my brothers. I've already doomed your efforts to save this place in vengeance for your agents' extraction of the Fragment before we could reach it. This will not be the last time we cross paths, 'Guardians," he says, the last word spat as if a curse.
Adam's face clenches up and a litany of curses leave his mouth, each more vile than the last.
: “Whoa, whoa whoa!” Sheila says, waving her hands. “We're... We're looking at this the wrong way!” Sheila says. A predatory grin spreads over her face. “Don't you see? This is a gift... He's right here... on this world! This is our chance to avenge everyone who died in that desert! This is our chance to finally close th' book on that damn story! I'm gonna rip him limb from limb!!!”
“Agreed! He's a dead demon... DEAD!” Hale roars. “Our comrades will be avenged!”
“Hello?! Reality check Sheila, last time we crossed paths with that freak it didn't go so well for any of us!” Adam snaps back.
: “We weren't prepared back then! It's different now!” Sheila shouts back. “In fact, I seem to recall sending that SOB running!”
“Yeah! AFTER he had a grand time raping everyone's mind, yours included,” Adam shoots back. Sheila's eyes immediately narrow as she glares at Adam, a mixture of pain and rage twisting on her face.
: “You... You shut up...” she hisses. Whispers of unease and discomfort, hushed curses and quiet prayers ripple through the various support troops and squad members of the Rangers.
: “That's about enough out of both of you,” Jim says sternly. Sheila and Adam both immediately stop talking and look towards their C/O. Jim glares intently at the still flickering, translucent forms projected by the portacomp. Menace, hate, anger all flicker through his eyes for a brief moment as he stares at the form of Shailtor. “So... The bastard was right... We are meeting again...” Jim turns to the other Rangers. His voice is firm, driven.
: “This changes everything... and nothing. Our mission is still clear, and our goal still within reach,” Jim gestures towards Shailtor. “Lord of Strife... Shailtor... We have a name now, Rangers. A name to place for that face that's haunted our past for years... We have a target. We will not back down! We will not let the past constrain us!” Jim's voice grows in intensity and volume as he continues speaking.
: “There's no escaping justice! There's no escaping consequence! We'll teach these fiends that, troops! From the heart of the world to its outermost fringes, we'll stand and fight! Here is no different! And here we'll rub out the last stain on our honor, on our past out! Here we'll do our duty and we'll crush those who dared claim the lives of our brothers and sisters in arms! Soldiers, this is not a curse, but a blessing!” Jim shouts. “Because we've been given a chance to make sure our friends lost so long ago can rest in peace at last! Rangers! I say history will not repeat itself! I say this will be our finest campaign! I say will we press the enemy until he is no more! And with him will vanish the shadow that's plagued this unit for years!!”
((Profession: Military Commander. Rally troops: 16+5+4= 25.))
A cheer rises from the Rangers, as most of them appear to have their anxieties wiped away, replaced by eagerness for battle, and for some, revenge. Jim breathes heavily for a moment, his eyes distant.
: “Now... Return to your posts... The battle is over... but the perimeter needs to be secured. Hale... take Third Squad and patrol. Report back the second you see anything remotely suspicious...” Jim says. As the majority of the soldiers begin to return to their duties, Jim suddenly appears very drained.
: “This... This changes matters a great deal...” he whispers.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:32 pm
Shailtor, the woren thought, his mind icy cold with rage. Long have I waited to pay him back for what he did... for mocking what I must do to avenge my world. Deathevn's defeat will come in time... but the Strife Lord's death will come now. "This, I swear," he growled, stalking off to see what else needed to be done at the base.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:01 am
Dorusan watches the revelation with a dark scowl, unable to suppress a growl at the sight of the fiendish spider lord. His celestial ancestry boils within him, his claws digging into the rifle he bears. His eyes narrowed with determination, the hypertrooper lets out a roar as the rallying speech reaches its climax.
Riley lets out a sharp whistle at the revelation, for once letting the moment pass without a smart comment. The shame that hung over the rangers…revealed on this world, in this place. He joins in letting out a defiant battlecry; raising his rifle over his head.
Mark stands in place, watching the others vacantly, what foe this was, what history they shared was unknown to him. Still, he was one of them now and their foes were his foes. His eyes narrowed coldly, he joins his clan in raising a defiant fist.
Bridgett stands in stony silence, her arms crossed over her waist, GunCross slung across her back. She had been part of the most glorious and noble of crusades…fought a war against forces beyond comprehension. She had survived the vicious betrayal that had ended that crusade. The words of Sol Titian rung in her mind, words which she repeats in a whisper as her comrades roar, “There is no darkness that light cannot overcome…” She looks at her commander, a small assured smile forming; where one light had been quenched another had formed. Jim Radford would lead them to overcome this evil, just as Sol Titian had done so long ago.
Hardwick chuckles coolly, looking disdainfully at his companions, “No problem…” They bungled things last time, that’s all, the idiots…we’ll crush this spider like the insect he is.
Aisha Oren wraps her cloak around her with a stricken expression on her face, her eyes haunted by the horrors she had witnessed. She lets out a ragged breath, tears forming in her eyes at the memories evoked by the recording.
No one had told her. For all of the time she had fought with them. No one had told her that behind the Darkness, behind the biomonsters, behind the tideforms…there had leered this sinister mask of hate. Shailtor. Who was he? What was he? Why hadn’t they trusted her… It was her world. They should have told her.
The palman lowers her head, the inspirational words reaching her but vanishing into the emptiness inside her. Her hand touches the silver blade she bears weakly, attempting to gather some strength from its holy touch. Her eyes drift up… Even so…her home gone, her kin lost, and even trust broken, there was still hope. She swears silently to herself, a oath to end this defilement…end it here.
Her eyes drift to the commander; filled with hurt and sorrow overlaid with determination. Even so…there was still time.
Maria listens pensively, her eyes laced with trepidation. This was it, the disgrace of the Rangers…the foe which haunted them, the enemy which had bested them, the one which they could not speak of. She lets out a breath in surprise as so many of her questions were answered. She feels a flash of pity and anger when Sheila and Adam clash. Their minds had been assaulted; it was beyond a failure…it was a personal struggle for them. She smiles sadly as the others roar in approval, raising a fist in support but without the passion of others.
Aisha lingers for a moment as the soldiers disperse to carry out their orders. Then, she bites back her pain and follows them.
Bridgett smiles at the commander, nodding to him approvingly before going about her duties.

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:11 am
*Merkass waits, seated in a tree beyond where the feast had been. He stares up into the sky, watching what stars he can see, looking for shooting stars, or any other scenes that the Elven Village had to offer. His attention is stolen by the sound of footsteps coming closer. Below him, a gaudily dressed man sauntered by, and Merkass recognized him as Lord Enrick from a description given by some of his friends about the new group they had found. He had also heard some interesting things about his fighting style and had become intrigued.*
: Somewhat late for a stroll, especially dressed like that, *Merkass calls out from his hiding place.*
Enrick walks by a tree and hearing the call from somewhere above him, turns around to find the origin of the voice.
: “*chuckle* Play hide and seek much?” He replies casually, scanning the area in the dusk.
*Merkass noticed the noble was looking somewhat away from his actual position.*
: Over here.
*Merkass drops down out of the tree, catching the limb as he falls. After swaying a moment to stop his downward velocity, Merkass lets go and drops the rest of the way to the ground.*
: Lord Enrick, I presume. I hear you fight like a Catfolk.
The dandy turns his head swiftly the second he catches that voice again and lets escape a ‘huh…’ sound. Not swiftly enough however as the form is already on the ground by the time he can even make out its features in the coming night.
: “Not bad!” He exclaims, clapping his hands admiring. The fancy nobleman slowly draws closer to the catfolk.
: “Well… It seems my reputation precedes me . *chuckle*…Wait, hold on.” The swordsman frowns a little, and taking a closer look at the catfolk he comments, “Uncanny stealth… Feline agility… Keen eye… Mithril armor of greater quality mmhmm….. You’re a true adventurer, right??” He finishes, grinning broadly.
*This "Lord Enrick" was certainly odd. Nothing like Merkass' people. Merkass pondered the term "adventurer" for a moment. Merkass had certainly been on adventures, but he often wondered what the term really meant.*
: I suppose I am an adventure. I travel with Cedric's party from Cypress. I understand you fight swiftly and cannily, and I wanted to see your character.
: “Oooh, you’re with that knight! I watched him battle and I must say I quite like his style… Zod is he keen on drama! Hahahah!” The nobles replies ever so lightly.
: “As for me, well…” He lets his right hand down onto a spot at his side slightly hidden by a portion of his cape, and a blade bright like a diamond in the sunlight leaps out instantly in his palm. He begins to fence the air with it, lunging at invisible foes at each sentence, “A touch of finesse here… A spark of wit there… a little magic in-between… A feint! A nimble dodge and!…” He interrupts, lowers his weapon and turning to the ranger sheathes it back.
: “Simply put, I’m a jack-of-all-trades. *flashy smile*”
*Merkass nods intently, watching Enrick's display. He certainly had speed and agility.*
: I've heard you fly as well. You seem to understand skirmishing.
The swordsman laughs faintly.
: “Well, that’s how I roll. Being a treasure hunter and duellist, I know the key to my survival rests in the tricks I pull up my sleeves during a fight.” He smirks at this, “You never know what you might encounter on the roads nowadays! Much less in underground ruins… But back to the point, shall we? I’m still interested to hear fresh new adventures from fellow travellers. What drew a lad such as you so far from the home of your kin?”
: I hunt. The prey has changed over time. Long ago my tribe and I hunted for food and materials to live. Then, undead came, and they became my prey. I lived out of Cypress, learned of Mitula, and she became my guide. Prince Nick put out a call, and it was then I met Cedric and the others. We have spent long fighting agents of the Strife Lords, and through this I learned to hunt evil. Everywhere I can sense it. I smell it as easily and strongly as you smell the trees around you. I travel to honor and avenge my clan, though now I may begin my own one day. I am long removed from my people now.
*Merkass shrugs his bow around from his back down into his hands.*
: This bow has served me well. I began with a more traditional weapon, but Zook, our tinker, crafted this as an improvement, and it works far better than any bow I have ever seen.
Enrick listens to Merkass’ story, no reaction visible until the end of the catfolk’s speech.
: “Such noble intents…” He comments idly, and examines the ranger’s upgraded bow intently after Zook is mentioned, eyes bright of eagerness. He then offers a reply.
: “Uh, that little man? I think I saw him at the feast yesterday. He seems like a shrewd individual. Perspicacious too. No wonder how he’s made such a masterpiece. This is genius! I’m no specialist of ranged combat but as I always say, the shinier the better!”
*Merkass nods.*
: Zook's ingenuity has not let us down.
*Merkass removes a dark, yet polished green ring from his finger, holding it up in front of him. He feels a slight stiffness overcome his body when the ring leaves his finger, remembering its effects all too well. The rings sparkles, scintillating in the moonlight.*
: This Jade Ring was found after one of our most terrible battles. The Shining Force of Cypress was killed and revived by an Ulgurstasta. It enhances agility and can make what should have been a slip of footing or fumbling of fingers be successful.
Even in the latent darkness, his sharp eyes don’t miss the perfect radiance of the ring, which of course catches the noble’s interest at once.
: “May I?” He asks, meaning to take it from the catfolk and look it up closer for a moment.
*Merkass extends his hand holding the ring outward toward the nobleman.*
Enrick catches the ring and draws it closer to his face, rolling it in his fingers to study its every aspect, the color of jade reflecting into his black eyes. He then tries and slip it on a finger but can’t quite tell the difference just yet. Noting that yet nothing happens after a moment, he removes it and frowns in disbelief.
: “Huh, this is strange…” His gaze meets with the ranger’s eyes, “Is it not supposed to produce someth– oh but of course! My bad!” He exclaims suddenly in realisation, “It must be the lack of a direct contact. Surely the magic can’t quite operate through the gloves I wear presently! Let me fix that.”
He rids his hands from the gloves and gently throws them one by one to the side before trying to put it on again. This time, the effect is immediate. And the witty noble indeed feels nimbler, if such is at all possible. Grinning, he takes off the ring.
: “Yes, this is shiny enough! And so is the story behind its acquisition.” He concludes satisfied, handing the small item back to the catfolk briskly, “Ahh… Adventure can be so rewarding. Sometimes beyond imagination. Even a few obscure items depart one day for their own foreign adventures before we even hear or grab hold of them.” He adds dreamingly, joining his hands, “I was even told once by a monk I met near Desire that ‘you are what you wear’.” He looks up at the few stars shining in the darkened sky and shrugs, “I find it so odd taken literally. It’s true eh… How can a piece of equipment determine your ways?”
*Merkass raises his bow once more, holding the grip in his left hand and the weapon parallel to the ground. With his right, he strokes from one limb to the other, gesturing over the bow.*
: It is not so strange. I am bound to my weapon as it is bound to me. I hunt. I roam the plains and the forests for game as I roam cities and strongholds in search of evil. The bow is symbolic of the hunt, catching its prey from whatever distance it is spotted. *Merkass lowers the bow to his side, then sets it on the ground, leaning it on his leg. He then reaches back into his long, braided mane and undoes a scrap of tattered, discolored cloth.*
: I took this cloth from the first undead slain as part of this group. They attacked a caravan, and we dispatched them. I keep items like this to remind me of where I have been. It is Catfolk tradition. *Merkass' mind drifts to the Silence's dogtag hanging from his neck.* If the ring can aid you better than it can me, I propose a trade. It may mark our newfound fellowship and respect.
Enrick doesn’t think twice before accepting the offer.
: “But what a divinely great initiative! Lady luck must be with me today. Tokens of friendship are abound. Here, just a second!”
He bends down and picks up the magical gloves he threw away so carelessly, then digs into his pocket to grab a singular jewelled golden ring. He presents both to the ranger of the wild.
: “A ring is worth another ring, hehe. Uh, what does the garment do other than serving as souvenir? Oh and I believe I owe you a story or two now!” He chortles, “Sharing thrilling tales of epic proportion is common ground between treasure hunters.” He seems to ponder at this for a moment, “…Well you’re not really part of this family, of course, but we still do share the hunter part, right?”
*Merkass examines the piece of fabric in his hand.*
: This piece of garment is a memory. This, however, *Merkass shrugs the vest from his shoulders,* increases resiliency. It has saved me from many attacks."
*Merkass extends the vest out to Enrick while receiving the items from the quirky nobleman. He slips the ring on his finger, feeling a surge of the same mental and physical shields far exceeding those he had lost upon taking off the vest. He looks back to the nobleman, mouth contorted into a hybrid of amazement and smiling.*
: Of course. My people often partake in storytelling. They are not the great epics of humans, but each tribe gathers to tell of hunts. Thank you.
Greatly satisfied with the trade, he lets the jade ring slide in on his finger and for a moment, he studies the magical vestment he was given. His gaze then sets back upon the catfolk’s face once this one is done speaking, and he cheers up as ever.
: “Well then, let me tell you about the day I first ventured into the depths of some ruins near Odegan rumoured to hold great treasures! Oh the first time was a charm so to speak. Shortly after leaving town, I stumbled upon a group of wandering mercenaries and we decided to travel there together since we found out we shared a common goal. Needless to say it made the hunt that much easier and rather eventless, that is until we found this maze-like area inside and the gnome suggested that we split up to cover more ground faster. So following his advice, the six of us formed 3 teams and each went in a separate direction…”
The talkative dandy goes on and on for over half an hour without sparing a single detail from this captivating story, his verbose narration combined to very theatrical gestures making it convincing, though a bit exaggerated at times.
: ”And so we headed back to the tavern triumphing and eventually parted ways each with our fair share of the loot! *chuckle* Pity for the gnome and that other guy though, but who could have guessed the door was so ingeniously trapped on the way back? Certainly not them, that much is sure.”
*Merkass crosses his arms while Enrick recounts his tale. Interestingly, it seemed to remind him of the travelling he had seen. Scouting through Megiddo, tracking devils across Parmecia, or even the hunting of undead across the plains around Cypress. Enrick continues on and on, Merkass becoming somewhat agitated, never one to stay still. Finally, Enrick finishes recounting.*
: You lead an interesting life. My stories are less brazen and interesting than yours. My travels with Cedric are also far darker.
: “Well such is not always the case.” The treasure hunter states smugly in answer, “You see, this little story here has a much lighter feel to it than most of my more recent expeditions. Times are getting rough for adventurers of the kind. Few dare travel the wilderness nowadays knowing what’s going on. And so I have to venture alone most of the time to make a living out of the gloomiest places you’ve ever heard…” He looks affected for a moment but soon shrugs it off, “On the other hand, what would be life without this little prickle of daily adrenaline? It’s not like I didn’t survive each successive day! *smirk*”
: This fight is filled with nettles like an unbroken trail. Many of my clan's young were killed in an undead attack. We were practicing tracking and pouncing when they appeared. We drove them back, but many of the inexperienced did not survive. I hunt undead most of all out of the evils of this world. *Merkass' hands visibly tighten as fists as he briskly recounts his story. It reminded him of vigilance every day. The dagger to his side bore testament to that, a cloth wrapped around it from one of his friends. As he spoke, the cloth seemed to move to brush his leg as if reacting to his story.*
Enrick listens well to the whole story. At the end, he seems unusually grim. Smiling faintly, he pats the ranger on the shoulder out of compassion.
: “I’m sorry to hear what motivated you into that hunt, comrade. I myself never took kindly to those creatures’ , most evident proof stands by my side.” He lets the bright rapier fly back into his hand, “This, was a present from the elves for helping them drive back such a macabre skirmish near Stump village years from now. Needless to say the battle was heated : blazes and flashes of light all over the deathly plain. I kept it with me ever since and the radiance of its edge served me well in the present quest.” He slides it back into the leather sheath, “That is to say, people like us help the world go ‘round under those circumstances.”
*Merkass eyes Enrick's hand warily, not one to take touching lightly. However, he understands the intent is benign, and simply sighs. Long ago, Merkass had told others to be less melancholy. They should be glad they lived through the day. Now, Merkass seemed but a grim messenger of war. His time in the grove had shown him the error of his anger. He would need to trust more and become less consumed by his hunting. Merkass then realizes Enrick still holds his vest.*
: You have held my vest tightly during these tales. Do you like it? It does not share your bright colors.
The noble’s gaze lands back upon the magical vestment he holds along with his own gloves. Closing his eyes, he laughs softly.
: “Not quite true, my friend. To my eyes, this vest turned brighter as we got to learn more from one another. Now it holds a personal value that overcomes its singular appearance. I’ll gladly accept it under one condition.”
*Merkass was surprised that Enrick wanted his hunting vest. While it offered protection, it did not seem like something in which Enrick would have been interested.*
: Your condition?
He smiles and separates the two items, extending the gloves towards the catfolk.
: “From Megiddo. Though the loot was weak in comparison, this is what I picked up from the pile belonging to that odd spellcaster, whatever it was. By this trade, let’s swear to not die during the mission that is ours until it is carried out.” He grins at this, “Pretty feasible uh?”
*Merkass nods, accepting the gift from the noble. He felt somewhat strange yet comfortable doing this. Merkass examines the gloves. They are crafted of finely treated leather, sewn to near perfection. In his hands they feel thin yet firm. Then, he places Enrick's gloves on his own hands, which seem to fit the form of his fingers and hands perfectly, as though made for him. Similarly, nimbleness far greater than the ring had ever provided removes the little stiffness he had. He wiggles his fingers, the feel of the flow of air around them is exceedingly noticeable, and the quickness with which he can move them is somewhat astonishing. He lifts his bow off the ground, and takes the string in his right hand, then runs his fingers along its length. His ability to feel the string is strange and new. He can tell almost exactly when his finger slides off the string, which would greatly help him control his firing.*
: You have greatly aided me, Enrick. I hope I have done the same for you. From now on, I shall watch for your safety. The honor of the Pouncing Lion tribe demands it.
The swordsman puts on the vest.
: “Oh this is all very natural, really! Enrick van Maerglecrow would never let down an ally, comrade, traveller and fellow hunter and-…Oh my! Look at the time!” He exclaims upon looking at the oddly shaped hands of a golden watch he just pulled out from another pocket, their position on the device’s fluorescent face making a great deal of sense to him. The roundish piece of jewellery is tied up to his garment by a fine, copper chain, and rests in the noble’s palm presently, “Time literally flew by there. Wouldn’t you agree? Well, I think I’ve got to hurry back to the inn or else I’ll miss Alexander’s speech. He must be wondering wherever I went!”
: Of course. I should be off as well.
*Merkass is slightly relieved, as he had been wanting to end the conversation for some time.*
: Until we next meet. *Merkass turns and walks off, not waiting for a response, though listening for one all the same.*
The noble waves him goodbye as the ranger walks off into the night.
: “Yes! Farewell for now! And whenever we meet again, let’s share more stories of our past experiences! I’ll be all ears!”
And with that, Enrick finds his way back to the square of the elven town.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:59 am
Putting the Pieces Together: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/252/12 Jim frowns, rubbing his forehead. "I... I don't like this. The pieces are all falling into place, but the puzzle is a terrible picture," Jim says. "Jim?" Sheila asks. "It's exactly like last time, Sheila..." Jim says, looking over to the young agent. "We know that Shailtor is here... We know the ShadowBlade was here, we know Tideforms are here..." Jim frowns. "What was the other thing you recall? The thing that linked all that together last time?"
Memory flashed to life in Sheila's mind.
"Two factors dictated the destruction of the system," Rennex said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Two factors that are linked. The interloper was after the artifact removed from the Temple. We gather he had been looking for it or others like it for some time. We believe that his plan was to tip off the Darkness on a few of our tactics as well as to sabotage our war effort in the system in order to keep up 'tied up.' It failed, as we were able to extract the artifact in time, but afterwards the sabotage was continued. Only then, the goal was to find out where we had taken it."
"What's so important about this artifact?" Sheila asked. "What is it?"
"A shard of a whole. It is only one of many, but the many are powerful. Each of the shards bears immense corruptive power. Enough to greatly influence what happens in whatever system it resides in should the wards around them fail, which is what happened in your system," Rennex said.
"Another one of those fragment thingies!" Sheila says, her eyes widening. "You think one's here?!"
"The last mission we know the Shadowblade was on was to extract them..." Jim taps the disks Zook had given him. "These will hopefully confirm or disprove my theory. But I refuse to believe that three of the four things reponsible for the incident showing up in one place is a coincedence. We know the Shadowblade was searching for these fragments. We know that the Strife Lords were also searching for it. I don't know if there's a link between the Tideforms and either the fragments or the Strife Lords, but I'm willing to bet there's some connection there..."
"OK! So all we gotta do is search for a legendary artifact that houses huge amounts of corruptive power!" Sheila says, shrugging. "The most obvious answers come to mind..."
"Arc Valley... And the Holy Ark," Jim whispers.
"The places were evil power gathers," Sheila intones.
"But stored," Jim says, rubbing his chin. "Arc Valley's Tower and the Holy Ark both gathers evil power there to imprison it... To store it. What we're looking for radiates it, pumps it into the spiritual atmosphere."
"So... it's not in Arc or the Ark?" Sheila asks, tilting her head.
"Well, those are the best leads we have so far, but I don't know..." Jim says, frowning. "I think... I think we're missing something. Some crucial piece of the puzzle or bit of information. I can't put my finger on it, though..."
"So what do we do, Jim?" Sheila asks.
"We'll stick to our original plan for now," Jim nods. "We'll recon Prompt. When everyone else has scouted around, we'll have more data to work with." Jim flinches suddenly.
"What's the matter?" Sheila asks.
"Sticking to the original plan is what we did last time too..." Jim murmurs. "We assumed everything would unfold as it normally did... And it nearly got everyone killed, and DID kill countless others."
Jim frowns.
"We must be ready to change our strategy at a moment's notice this time. Gathering information about the foe and whatever is truly going on here takes top priority now," Jim raises his head, looking at Sheila square in the eye. "I wasn't kidding before. This will not end up like that other time."
"I... I believe ya, Jim," Sheila says, nodding. A smile swiftly forms on her face. "Sir! May I be dismissed now, SIR!"
Jim chuckles. "Yes... yes, you're dismissed."
Sheila swiftly salutes before turning and dashing away, leaving Jim amongst the crowd, pondering his own thoughts.
"Wait a minute, so if this thing is so powerful, where is it now?" Jim asks, suddenly. "If there are more of them as you say, it's got to be studied... researched... We can't go up against such a thing unprepared again! We have to figure out what's behind these things!"
"We will find out... and this time, we will be prepared," Jim promises to himself, his eyes narrowing. "I swear it."
((When a group is ready to deploy, notify me. SFCW is now ready to begin any one of its missions.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:02 am
((Zook's group: the inactives and HQ-builders is ready to deploy! As is Sorel's group: Tristan))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:25 am
((OK, let's do the HQ scenes first, since everyone's got to go there to "set up camp" anyway. Zook, your move for the groundbreaking, along with anyone that wants to comment on the base.)) Nestled in the smallest of valleys between two sheer cliffs that rise into mountain ranges for as far as the eye can see to east or west is the old border keep, Fort Ordalia. Currently only a handful of stone buildings, unprotected by wall or moat stand alongside the mountain pass they protect. A simple, spartan barracks structure, a small house for servants, a large mess hall and kitchen about the size of a small taver, a stone vault that acts as the armory, and a brick building with a sign nailed over it: "Training Room." The trail to the abandoned silver mine, a small path crawling up the mountain to the right is labelled by a wooden signpost jammed into the ground.
All of the buildings are gray stone and mortar, simple and without decoration. From the outside they appear a bit worn down, but far from becoming unliveable. Whether left over from its brief period as a manned outpost or placed here by some kind Royal Surveyor, several cords of firewood are stacked neatly against the wall of both kitchens and barracks.
A cold mountain wind buffets the pass, reduced dramatically by virtue of being shielded by the cliffs, but still more than enough to send chills up your spine. What will be your future home looks to amount to little now... But between the Zooklings already assembled on site and the workers promised by the Prince enroute, hopefully it will shape up to be something grand indeed!
Just be sure to bring some furs. It's cold up here!

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:20 pm
((Ivellas' Group is ready to move out.))

Posted by: Aldur Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:43 am
((Michael levels to 15! Late but eh. Gains 10th level Enlightened Spirit Powers! Hp+10 BAB+1! Gains third attack!
+5 Skill points
Gets permanent Death Ward: Immune to all negative energy effects and insta death spells a la the spell "Death Ward"
+1 to Will Save
+1d6 to Eldritch Blast
Gains the feat Avenging Strike: As a swift action, enhance a single attack you make. Gain a bonus equal to your CHA bonus on the attack roll and damage roll for your next melee attack against an outsider with the evil subtype. You can use it a number of times per day equal to your CHA bonus.
And now Kria. Who is ECL 12. And after checking...she should be ECL 14. lol I'm behind.
Gains 13th level Warlock Powers!
Hp+18
BAB+1
+8 skill points
Gains Imbue item ability! Flamewreath damage powers up to 2d6!
+1 to Will Save!
+1 to Reflex Save!
+1 to Fortitude Save!
Gains the Invocation: Baneful Blast!
Villeta becomes a 5th level Infiltrator.
Hp+9
Skill points+11
Gains Skill Mastery!
Gains Builder Feat!))
And now Aldur is ready to CW again. let's all get moving then.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:43 am
The wind rushing between the mountains almost bowls Zook over. Then it does. He stands up, moving to stand behind Cedric and shield himself from the gusts. "Home sweet home, eh?!" he shouts over the wind. "Alright! Team 1, Team 2, go mark off boundaries. Team 3, get some fires started in the barracks! Team 4, set up the tents behind bigger structures. Let's go!"
The wind dies down a bit, and Zook can walk freely. He moved sure-footed over the rocky terrain, taking the area in in wide, appraising glances. Despite the months away, despite going over and undersea, despite conquering the skies... Zook was in his element up-mountain. He was home.
He sighs, looking up at Cedric. "Going to take a while to build it. But it'll be a beauty when it's done." He looks gravely up to the paladin. "Try not to get us all killed in the meantime, alright?"
With the unceremonious sound of pickaxe on bedrock the ground is broken, and construction begins.

Posted by: Aldur Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:46 am
Viletta wanders over to Zook, looking around the mountain and sighed. "Zook? Where should the tech go? And by tech I mean a place for me to work possibly. Not that I can do much here, but I'd like to see ADAM and other such things."

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:47 am
Cedric nods, smiling at the gnome...then he lets out a pained gasp, grasping at his chest. The paladin staggers then falls to the ground, dead. [Cedric failed his fort save versus heart attack]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:12 am
Zook looks up at Viletta. "The armory would probably be your best bet. Just get someone to light a fire in there so you don't freeze. I'll have a few people tow ADAM in later."

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:22 am
This is a spacer. It allows others who want to post something themselves to do so if they have already posted, instead of relying on their friends to post their messages/scenes/plot-relevent information. Those discourteous bastards.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:26 am
((This takes place after the Tideform battle but before the next day. http://www.shinola.radh.com/guest/Vox/ChildoftheWilderness.mid)) An hour after fighting darkness itself, a young woman stands barefoot on her mother's grave, a holy relic in her hands. Telanna lays the Holy Staff down against the base of the tree, and then sits in front of it. She draws her knees up under her chin, wrapping her arms around her legs. She looks up, and sees the dress the Doctor bought her, its deep blue standing out against the reds and browns even in the absence of light.
The forest is silent. The woodland creatures who fled in the Tideform's wake hadn't yet returned. Telanna was alone. She felt it, acutely, even if she couldn't put a word to the feeling. She thinks about the generosity extended her by near strangers, by people whose lives she'd made more difficult. She remembers Sophie sitting with her beneath the tree, sharing it with her for just a moment. She remembers Alastor's hand on her shoulder, holding her steady as she emptied her heart to him. She remembers seeing a large and happy family, and she remembers realizing that at the end of the day she would be here, alone.
Telanna sits silently, remembering this, but for the first time in a long while no tears come. Something stirs in her, another feeling she couldn't name. It comforts her, but she doesn't know why. All she sees when she closes her eyes is a figure moving behind mist, and she can't bring it into focus.
Slowly she becomes aware of a sound intruding on the silence. A light percussive sound behind her, getting closer. Step. Step-tap. Step. Step-tap.
The sound of someone walking with a staff.
"Telanna?"
Telanna sighs shakily, and the serenity is broken. Tears fight to reach the surface, but she holds them off. "Go away," she says weakly. "Just go."
Sorel closes his eyes. "No."
In a flash Telanna is on her feet, walking towards Sorel, tear-filled eyes shining in the dark. "NOW!" she screams. "You have no right to be here! Murderer!"
Sorel opens his eyes again, and for the first time in a long while, he does not tremble. "No," he repeats, moving to bridge the gap between them.
Telanna stumbles backward, thinking for half a moment that perhaps Sorel had come to kill her too, come to finish the job... Her back hits the trunk of the tree, rough and unyielding. Angry, hurt, and afraid, Telanna shuts her eyes as well, as if hoping her father was an apparition that would vanish if she willed it, that would leave her alone.
"I cannot leave you here. I cannot let you suffer in silence. I will not abandon you again."
"You don't have a choice! You can't try and play your tricks on me. I won't let you!" She starts climbing up the tree, leaving Sorel, the dress, and the staff beneath her.
The rope of Sorel's patience begins to fray at the edges. "Please come down," he says firmly. "I am not strong enough to climb this tree anymore."
Telanna's face appears between two branches. "Good!" she hisses. She doesn't raise her voice, as if she is afraid of waking someone.
Another few threads snap under the tension. "Please. I need to explain. I need to explain everything."
Telanna shakes her head, laughing, though her voice is tinged with an uncertain hysteria. "I don't want to hear the excuses you've spent the last few days making up, you stupid old man. I'm not listening. Go away."
"You are lying," Sorel says flatly, his temper tenuously restrained.
"Go away," Telanna says dully, turning over to lay between the branches, her eyes wide, her lip trembling.
"I DIDN'T KNOW!" Sorel roars, any semblance of control gone. Decades of emotions roil to the surface. "How could you--I would have died before I left you. I would have died! Of course, I would have died before I left your mother, but she was a little quicker off the mark, wasn't she?! She kept you from me, because some corner of her addled brain thought it would be better to die than watch me get old! She was so afraid of burying me, she forced me to bury her!" Sorel glares up into the canopy.
"Stay up there. I can't stop you. Stay up there in your hurt and your loneliness and never let anyone help you. It is possible to live your entire life that way. Trust me on that. And you will live a long, long time." His voice breaks, and softens. "I cannot...I cannot atone for what happened. I cannot apologize for your pain. No words will amend that. All I have to give you is whatever years I have left. All I have left is my life."
Telanna listens to Sorel break down, her own composure failing rapidly. Vulnerable, alone, she sees her father in the same state, reaching out to her. All she has to do is respond in kind, to meet his gesture, to touch his hand...
"Go away," she sobs. "Please."
Sorel looks down at the ground, blinking back tears of his own. Without another word he turns, leaving the grove again.
Telanna sits up, about to drop from the tree and run after him. Instead she watches him depart, still sobbing quietly. She perches in the tree like that, in anger, in hurt, in despair, but mostly in that hollowed, dwarfing loneliness, until the first streaks of golden dawn fill the sky.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:45 am
((So, Knight came through. As for the post below, of course, because SFCW1 was the better force. ))

Posted by: Knight_019 Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:48 pm
((CW1's emblem is still better Ivellas and Cedric, best buds for life!)) *Within no more than a few days, Ivellas and his company are gathered and ready to move out. He brings them all to the Black Hawk's site, the airship already powered up, ready to take them to their destination. Before they set forth, Ivellas has a few words of encouragement and details to relay to everyone.*
: I suppose congratulations are in order for everyone making it this far. I'm certain the city of Mechanis appreciates the efforts of everyone who aided in whatever way posible to speed its reconstruction. Thanks to Daran, Myala, and Prestle, we have located the Tech Knights. We are also certain that the outcome will be favorable, but that doesn't mean we should go in with our guards down. Unless anyone has any further questions regarding our mission, I suggest we take flight as quickly as possible.
*With that, Ivellas sees his group into the Black Hawk, then follows once they are all aboard.*

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:11 am
Felix listens seriously to his leader, Sir Ivellas knew what to do. He shakes his head to show that he has no questions then quietly slips aboard the airship.

Posted by: Alpha Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:07 am
Septimus nods at his leader's instructions and information, but the introverted wizards says nothing. For some reason unknown to him he fealt a bit down. Heading towards the black hawk, his expression can't help but change to a small smile as Zip whirls around the air above him, taking advantage of the chance to stretch his wings before their flight.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:47 am
"All aboard!" Kojiri yells as he flips some switches and the many rotors and propellers that give the Black Hawk flight whir to life. As the machine begins to build up both sound and power, the young pilot turns around and shouts a question. "Where are we bound!"
: "Northwestern Rune, Northwestern coastal region of the Bustoke province of the Runic Republic!" Daran shouts. "There should be a town, Outsmouth, you can set us down near there! I'll guide you!"
"Roger! Heading up and out!" Kojiri shouts as the airship leaves the ground. With each passing second the island-city of Mechanis grows smaller and smaller. Soon it's only a speck on the distant horizon, a matchstick city only now rebuilding.
Night falls and sleep claims you as the hours wear on and the monotonous droning of the airship rotors saps the energy from you.
"Hey! Wake up!" Kojiri calls. When you open your eyes, you are surprised to see sunlight streaming over the horizon. You must've fallen asleep for hours!
: "We're almost there!" Daran says, pointing. "Kojiri, set us down there! We can walk the rest of the way, it's that town right there!"
Daran points, a small scattering of small houses, crude huts, and ramshackle docks clustered around a small bay in the shadow of the very start of the Bustoke Mountain Range. Kojiri nods, and guides the airship to a clearing a mile out. With a muffled thump, the airship lands and the rotors slowly begin to spin down.
"I'll stay here and guard the ship," Kojiri says, leaping out of the pilot's chair with a wrench in hand. "Well, and work on it a bit. Daran's got a signal flare you can fire to... well, signal me if you need emergency pickup. Have fun!"
: "Come on guys," Daran says, motioning. "Let's get moving! Oh! Uh, what's the plan, anyway, Ivellas?"

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:14 am
Felix shivers in the brisk morning air, looking up to his leader and stamping his feet to gather some warmth.

Posted by: Alpha Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:52 am
Likewise shivering, Septimus gathers his robes about him to try and keep warm. Zip fares better, as the pseudogradon buries himself beneath the wizard's robes against his shoulder, benefiting greatly from Septimus' body heat, as the wizard winces slightly from the coldness of his familiar's scales.

Posted by: Knight_019 Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:59 am
*Ivellas examines the mountains before him, recalling what information he had been given. The Tech Knights were reclusive, yet adventure seekers. They had as much to lose as Ivellas' group and the rest of the world, and they knew it. He recalled their aid from the battle at Guardiana. While a successfully ill-fated mission, it provided a link between the two parties*
: From your information and Myala's divination, we know exactly where the Tech Knights should be, so our first task is getting there. The Tech Knights have similar goals to us, and actively seek out the evil we're fighting, so I would suggest appealing to them that way. It may also be wise to mention the siege of Mechanis and that we have met them before at the last battle at Guardiana.
: OOH! OOH! Can I talk to them? Can I Can I Can I!?!?!?
: Hmm... I suppose, however, I imagine there is much Daran might have to say as you, I, or the rest of us. Keep that in mind.
: OK! *Kyuu excitedly exclaims.*
: Daran, could you point out where we should be headed?

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:18 am
: "We're going directly to the mines, then? Sure, I'll lead you there! I saw the entrance from the air, come on!" Daran begins to walk forward, into the woods. The woods around the abandoned mine are dark and foreboding and more than a few times you feel as if something is watching you. However nothing turns up despite the keen eyes of the group as well as their supernatural senses probe the area around them as Daran leads everyone towards their goal.
At last, the trees end and you find yourselves at the foot of an imposing mountain. The yawning mouth of a cave is set into the mountain's side, twin rails of iron extending further into the caves like some sort of tongue. Ramshackle wooden structures, rotted and abandoned, litter the area along with mining picks and empty mining carts.
: "Well, we're here!" Daran says, cheerfully. "Now what?"

Posted by: Kaihaku Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:59 am
Felix looks up at Ivellas expectantly, waiting orders from the grand knight.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:22 am
Looking on with the rest of the group, the dragonman's wings stretched, flapping slowly as he got the blood flowing in them once more. He had always taken care of them - they were part of his body, after all - but since the gift of flight had been bestowed upon him, he had been more cautious to keep them from getting stiff or contorting them unnecessarily. And just as noticeable to him was the growing urge to take to the skies whenever possible; indeed, he had even considered flying alongside the Black Hawk, before sensibility banished the idea from his mind.
Focus, he thought, calming himself by grabbing the edges of his armor and adjusting it. The time for such things will soon be at hand.
Letting a large, armored elbow rest against the pommel of the bastard sword sheathed at his left side, Garudaos looked between the members of the group, then finally at Ivellas.
"I would suppose," the winged warrior said, "that we should check the surroundings for any hidden dangers, then proceed into the mines. But, perhaps, sir Ivellas, you have something else in mind before we do so?"

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:48 am
*Ivellas nods.* : This area may seem deserted, but I don't want to pull any punches. Nortiln, Daran. Please do a quick check around the perimeter to make sure we're alone before entering. Once we are prepared to enter, Nortiln, I would like you to be our eyes inside.
*Once his group takes appropriate measures to ensure they won't be ambushed or be otherwise taken by surprise, Ivellas leads everyone inside, then has Nortiln scout in front of them.*

Posted by: Alpha Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:05 am
Nervously, Septimus speaks up, albeit quietly. "Um...Ivellas. I could send Zip to scout on ahead to...if you think that'd work?" he asks uncertainly. As if in response, the tiny dragonlike creature appears and takes a perch on the wizard's head, eyes twinkling as it looks almost expectantly at the centaur.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:50 am
After a few minutes of patrolling, Daran clomps back into formation. : "All clear!" he says, cheerfully. Nortlin finds nothing of interest out in the area outside the mine, so the group proceeds inward as soon as the two scouts check back in. The interior of the mines are dark and shadowy. Sounds echo oddly off the walls and tunnels, combing with the shadows to give the place an eerie air. It's only after a minute of walking that all natural light from the entrance is swallowed up by the mine, leaving you in darkness.
Assuming that someone lights a torch or casts a spell, you find yourselves at a four way intersection, at the center of a mine-rail switching point.

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:49 pm
*Ivellas looks to Septimus, then catches the pseudodragon's gaze. Septimus' familiar is certainly a strangely beautiful creature. Its look forces a smile to Ivellas face.* : Of course. I would always rather have more eyes. *Once the reports are back in, Ivellas sends the infinitely stealthy shadow ahead, and before long they find themselves at the crossroads.*
: It looks like we'll have to split up to cover all the paths. Septimus, I understand you might have a way to keep us all in communication?

Posted by: Alpha Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:58 pm
Smiling in response, Septimus nods enthusiastically. "I...I can keep five of us communicated through a telepathic bond," the wizard replies, still quiet. "The spell will last for over two hours, so it will give us sufficient time to explore. Also," he adds, "Zip can...scout ahead of the group I'm with and keep me informed." He reaches up and strokes the tiny dragon, his smile increasing somewhat. "We share a link you see," he says by way of explanation.

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:08 pm
: Excellent. In the event anyone finds anything, all of us should be able to know, then. Move quickly, but carefully. Also, do your best not to alert them. ((Alright, we're splitting up thusly

- Straight
  - Ivellas
    - Myala
    - Daran
- Left
  - Septimus
    - Felix*
    - Kiterra
    - Jath
- Right
  - Garudaos
    - Nortiln*
    - Kyuu
    - Prestle

Bolded are group leaders. Italicized are those under the effects of the Telepathic Bond. Felix and Nortiln have an asterix because they're given special authority in the groups. Nortiln will be in charge of scouting for Garudaos, since he automatically passes all hide and move silently checks, as well as having darkvision. Felix is effectively the third in command for the force. With any problems, I would expect Septimus and Felix would deliberate.
Also, should Nortiln find the Tech Knights, I'm expecting Garudaos as an honorable looking Dragonman and Prestle as a Cleric of the Light to keep him from getting destroyed.))
*Kyuu, carrying around a bright rock, picks up a few more and waves a hand over them. They, too, light up, and he hands one to Myala and another to Septimus. Kyuu gives a pensive look then scratches his head vigorously.*
: Those should last for a couple of hours. Always good to see in the dark, right?

Posted by: Alpha Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:25 pm
Eyes widening as he's named a group leader, Septimus immediately begins to feel nervous. It's diminished somewhat however, when Zip reaches down and nuzzles his snout against the wizard's cheek. Reassured slightly, the wizard begins casting the spell, chanting slowly. After a short amount of time, five members of the Force are bonded telepathically and find they can communicate with each other at will without even opening their mouth (or beak, in Nortiln's case).
Then, taking the offered stone, Septimus nod at Kyuu. "Yes...very useful. Thank you," he says.
He then turns to stare down the dark pathway, and focuses briefly, asking Zip what he'd like to have the pseudodragon do. After a couple of moments, the familiar extends his wings and shoots off into the darkness ahead, looking and listening for anything to relay back to his master, whilst staying hidden in the gloom.
[Zip can communitcate empathically up to a mile with Sep. He can communicate telepathically up to 60'. As that kind of bond gives lots more information, he'll stay that far ahead of our group, relaying back anything.
Hide: 34, Listen: 26, Search: 17, Spot: 23]
((Also, Sep has a Ring of Force shield up for grabs, if anybody wants it))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:04 pm
Nortiln's form wavers, but he gives a spectral nod of assent. ((Off the top of my head. Nortiln's Spot/Listen mods are +12, if you need those))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:31 pm
The groups continue on for a long while, delving deeper into the labyrinthian mine with its intricate web of tunnels and passages. Nortlinn reports back that there is a ghostly apparition further down the path. Zip does the same for his group.
Ivellas, Daran, and Myala also stumble upon a small cave chamber in which a ghostly miner with terrible wounds paces around the floor.

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:35 pm
"Prestle... if you can, please discern for us whether or not this apparition is benign or malevolent. The rest of you... be prepared for combat, but do not draw weapons until it is necessary. I do not want to scare this spirit, if that is what it truly is, into believing that we are hostile."
((Hopefully Prestle can bust out some Detect Evil; once that's done (or not done, if he can't), then we go down and around to see who we're meeting.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:09 pm
((Spot Check: 1d20 + 4 = 9 + 4 = 13.)) *Ivellas glances around the room, then focuses on the apparition. The wounds on the ghost's body are quite unsettling. Ivellas wondered if this ghost was left from some battle that happened here or if it was a mine accident. The wounds, however, told him nothing, as grievous as they were. Ivellas steps forward a few steps, calling out.*
: Ho! Sir, can you tell us how much farther this tunnel goes?
((Kno: Religion: 1d20 + 17 = 14 + 17 = 31.))
: Ivellas, I don't believe that's actually a ghost.
: It's not? Then what is it, Myala?
: I'm not entirely sure, but it's some kind of an illusion, sir.
: In that case, let's continue. Be careful, though. We don't know what other kinds of tricks may be here.
~~~
((Spot: 1d20 + 6 = 20 + 10 + 6 = 36.))
*Kyuu tilts his head as he regards the ghost. It looked funny. He knew ghosts, and this looked like a ghost. It acted like a ghost. It was a weird ghost, though. It looked like it was flickering between planes instead of being manifested here. He didn't know any ghosts that ever did that.*
: Uh, Garudaos. That doesn't seem like any normal ghost.
~~~
*A telepathic message comes through to each of the leaders from Ivellas.*
: Garudaos and Septimus, we encountered a ghost that was apparently some sort of an illusion. You may want to keep an eye out.

Posted by: Alpha Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:14 pm
Studying the ghostly form from the shadows, Zip relays what he has discovered to Septimus. Sorting through what Zip's told him, the wizard immediately contacts Ivellas through the use of his spell. "Ivellas..." he imparts. "There's what appears to be a gh...ghost here too. But it's not...real...just some kind of illusion."

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:17 pm
: That's what we saw, then. Since these caves are being guarded by such tricks, be wary of any traps that may be laid about. *Ivellas proceeds to lead Daran and Myala deeper into the caves*

Posted by: Alpha Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:27 pm
Septimus nods in reply...before realising that the centaur wouldn't be able to see that. Managing a small smile at his folly, he replies. "Yes Ivellas. We're going to move closer to where Zip is and he'll move on ahead more." Septimus informs Felix, Kiterra and Jath of what was happening and what he and Ivellas had told each other. Once done, he begins to move off down the tunnel, closer to where Zip is. In response, the pseudodragon flies onward further still, continuing its search.

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:39 pm
((Ivellas: Spot/Listen: 13/34 Myala: Spot/Listen: 21/24)) *Ivellas comes across a wide cavern with many natural stone pillars connecting the floor and ceiling. Ivellas can hardly make anything out in the room, and neither can Myala, yet both pick up on the sounds of someone or something moving around the natural room.*
: Hello? My name is Ivellas, and I lead a group from Guardiana who seeks to retake it. If anyone is there, we seek the aid of those who dwell in these caverns.
A tall man in odd, black plate armor walks out from behind a column of rock. A facemask with two glowing blue eyepieces covers his head.
*Ivellas places a hand on his lance*
"So, you seek our aid by sneaking around in our caverns?" the man asks. "That's an interesting way to ask for help. After all, nothing says, 'Hey, I'm trustworthy', like trying to infiltrate a base."
*Ivellas releases his hand and lets it drop to his side, sighing in relief.*
: "My apologies. We knew of no other way to contact you."
(((4:54:49 PM) TheUnknownMarine: "PHOTON BEAM!" the man roars, twin rays of light bursting from his eyes to strike at ivellas.
(4:55:02 PM) TheUnknownMarine: Or not))
"You might have tried entering openly, rather than trying to sneak around," the man counters. "How do we know we can trust you?"
: "We've met before, though in passing. When Guardiana was overtaken, my group fought to reenter the city and take it back, coming to blows with the Strife Lord at the crystal tower. A group similar to yourself was also there and destroyed it. Very recently we fought against an attack on Mechanis and helped to secure the city."
*Ivellas reaches into the pouch at his side, producing a shard. He extends it out in his open palm.*
: "This is a shard from Guardiana."
"The shard proves little," the man states. "Just that you were there. You could've fought on either side. What do you want from us?"
*Ivellas shakes his head, returning the shard to his pouch.*
: "We merely seek aid in vanquishing the Strife Lords. The Castle of the Ancients has been risen once more. Mayor Holkstein of Mechanis had even suggested we search for your help."
"What do you think we've been doing?" the man asks. "We've been constantly raiding the Cult's various holdings since we stumbled onto their plans. We haven't been sitting on our hands, here."
: "I suggest some form of alliance. We are currently stuck in Mechanis waiting on Derrik Swiftjoke, and in the meantime we are searching for allies as well as trying to find a some means to continue on our way. We know there are other forces as ourselves fighting against this evil, and I believe that a large, coordinated attack could be more effective than a number of small skirmishes."
Another man in identical body armor leaves a hiding place behind a rock column and whispers something in the first man's ear.
All right... You're the leader, then?" the man asks.
: "I am."
"You can follow me. The rest of you must stay here," the man says.
*Ivellas looks back to the others, then nods. He speaks to the others through the telepathic bond.*
: "We've found the Tech Knights. I am going deeper int o the caves with them. I will keep you notified."
: "Oh... OK," Daran says, sounding a little disappointed.
*Ivellas notes Daran's desire to go as well.*
: "That would be fine, though Daran here is a tinker. Would it be possible for him to come as well?"
"Not at this time. I'm going to take you to see General Einderhorn. You can speak leader to leader and we'll see where things go from there," the man says.
*Understanding, Ivellas says not a word more, then follows the Tech Knights into the next chamber.*

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:43 pm
The Base: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/333/11 The Tech Knight gives a signal and four more troops emerge from hiding places to flank both leaders as the speaker leads Ivellas deeper into the tunnels. The soldier leads the centaur past winding passages and empty tunnels, until at last, they reach a huge, vaulted door and wall, made of ancient and pitted steel. Two soldiers clad in more of the strange armor stand to either side of the door. The soldier in the lead walks over nonchalantly and taps an area on the wall five times. With a great hiss and whine of machinery, the huge door slowly slides away, revealing a long hall of metal with glowing lights set into the ceiling. Ivellas is led deeper into this hall, which swiftly grows into a network of corridors and rooms, many men and women of varied species bustling around, obviously very busy. Some wear the strange armor, some wear mechanized suits, and yet still others are clad in simple clothes with many pockets, each bursting with tools and gear.
Ivellas passes many rooms, a workshop where tinkers assemble Ancient machines for use once more, a training room where instructors teach their students the proper use of Ancient weapons, a simple dining hall, and finally, what appears to be some sort of storage area.
At last, the soldier stops, in front of a simple, metal door.
"The General has already been informed of your arrival. He'll speak with you inside. Attempt no trickery or betrayal, or all your lives will be forfeit. If you speak the truth, you won't need to worry about that," the soldier says, standing aside as the door opens.
"Go on in."

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