Lunar: A Story Forgotten
Session 26 Log
Session Start: Sun Aug 17 20:10:44 1997
===============================================================================
Cast of Characters:
Dragonmaster Lou as "Gamemaster, Teal, Destiny, Woman, Alyssa, Zissel,
                     Dark God, Nephar
Mia Ausa as "Callie"
Ghaleon Dragonstar as "Zigfried" 
Ryouga Hibiki as "Kyoko"
Scott Kroush as "Scott"
Captain Blake as "Ebony, Nina"
Michael Gibson as "Rand"
================================================================================

===GAME ON===

--The party continues walking to the next tower on this 
  icy, isolated world...--

* Scott looks around this desolate world. "Kyoko, do you 
  feel a sense of dread around here like I do?"

--The second tower gets bigger and bigger in appearance 
  as the group nears it...--

Scott: "It's almost eerie.  I haven't felt this kind of 
  sensation since first meeting Shadowfall."
Kyoko: "That's NOT what I wanted to hear, Scott..."
Rand: "The place just feels empty to me."
Scott: "Just making an observation, Ky."
Zigfried: "I'm inclined to agree with Rand.  It just 
  seems empty."
Scott: "This place just reeks of his presence... even if 
  he's not here."
* Nina picks up a stone and hurls it at the tower
Zigfried: "But still, there is a bit of majesty in what 
  remains."
Ebony: "You ever thing of getting into pitching Nina?"

--The group passes various ruins as they approached the 
  second tower, showing that there was once civilization 
  on this world.--

* Nina shrugs at Ebony
Scott: "I think I'm beginning to figure out Zissel and 
  his master.  They destroy one world then move on to 
  the next."
Ebony: "We're boldly going where no Dragon of Althena has 
  gone before."
* Scott looks over at Callie.  She seems to be lost in 
  pretty deep thought.  "What's on your mind, Cals?"

--Finally, they reach the second tower.  It is also a 
  ruin, but appears to be safe to enter and climb to the 
  top.  It is made of a light-colored stone and lacks the 
  feel of death of the first tower.--

Callie: "... Nothing.  I'm fine..."
* Scott enters the tower.
* Kyoko enters too.
* Scott draws his blade... just to be on the safe side.
* Zigfried follows after them, running a hand along the 
  stone surface.
* Kyoko clasps Danny's badge in her pocket.
* Callie follows.

--The stone here is carved with intricate hieroglyphics 
  similar to those in the first tower.--

* Scott keeps all his senses keenly focused.
* Scott tries to read them...  "Why am I doing this?"
* Rand examines the hieroglyphs, "I wish I could read 
  these."
* Nina follows, not really having anything to say
* Zigfried shrugs.

--Across from a staircase, an intricate mural is 
  painted.  It depicts the image of a goddess of some 
  sort, surrounded by stars, battling a demon of darkness 
  near a four-planet system.--

Scott: "This must be what drove Shadowfall from this 
  system..."
* Callie sees what the goddess looks like out of 
  curiosity.
Zigfried: "I find it hard to imagine what would 'drive'
  Shadowfall to do anything he didn't wish to."
Nina: "More goddesses."
Ebony: "We did a good job of driving him."
Rand: "Maybe he left because there was nothing remaining."
Kyoko: "Althena...  Has to be..."
Nina: "Sure, where's the fun in destroying when you've 
  destroyed everything?"
Zigfried: "Perhaps...  This place does seem rather empty, 
  albeit livable."
Kyoko: "Many say she has many forms and faces..."

--The goddess does not look like any known images of 
  Althena.--

Nina: "You're a bit hyped on Althena aren't you?"
Ebony: "Hey, Althena's cool."
Kyoko: "I'm one of her priestesses Nina..."
* Nina smirks at Ebony
Zigfried: "Althena can't be everywhere though."
Kyoko: "Yes she can..."
Ebony: *mutters* "Too bad she's dead."
Kyoko: "Althena is all knowing and seeing..."
* Zigfried shrugs.
* Scott continues to climb to the top of the tower.

--The staircase appears to be in good condition.--

Zigfried: "Perhaps.  But I think people's lives would be 
  better if she was that omnipotent."
Kyoko: "And as long as I breathe, she will never be 
  forgotten..."
* Kyoko climbs the stairs.
* Scott has to agree with Zigfried...
Nina: "I prefer to believe in what I can see."
* Zigfried walks along one of the walls until he reaches 
  the staircase which he then carefully climbs up.

--The way walls alongside the stairs are carved with 
  more hieroglyphs.--

Ebony: "I saw Althena, don't you believe me?"
* Callie looks up and smiles. "I believe you, Ebony. =)"
* Zigfried smiles and ruffles Ebony's fur.
Kyoko: "I know you did, Ebony..."
Scott: "Hmmm... do you think the tachycrysts we need 
  might be in one of these towers?"
* Nina smiles and decides not to tell him that she's not 
  even sure he's a dragon.
Rand: "They could be anywhere, it's a big planet."
Rand: "It's worth looking though."
Zigfried: "It's a safer bet than elsewhere within walking 
  range of the Destiny.  If people once lived here, 
  something may have been left behind."
Ebony: "At least most of you believe me."
Scott: "I believe you, Ebony... if it matters."
Ebony: "Heck...  You original type guys got to ride me."

--The party reaches the top of the tower.  At the top 
  there is a small altar with a small-shield like object 
  on it.  The color of this object appears to be very 
  faded, almost as if it has lost something over the many 
  years of abandonment.--

* Scott inspects the object.
Kyoko: "I know you're right Ebony...  I feel Althena in 
  my healing and song...  That's how I know she's real..."

--The object appears to be a crest of some sort.--

Scott: "Hmmm... let's take a better look at it at the 
  Destiny."
* Rand examines the object, "Another crest?"
Kyoko: "WAIT!!!"
Zigfried: "Another...?"
Scott: "What?"
* Zigfried turns towards Kyoko.

-Scott acquires Star Caller Crest (Wis + 25)

Kyoko: "What happened to the original crests, anyone 
  remember their history?"
Ebony: "They were destroyed."
* Scott removes Mizuno Ring and equips Star Caller crest.
Kyoko: "Well, there goes that idea."
Zigfried: "I thought they were destroyed to make the new 
  ones."
Ebony: "That's what I meant."
* Zigfried nods.
* Nina looks over the edge of the tower
Zigfried: "So is there anything you guys want to do here 
  or should we try another tower?"
Rand: "What does that have to do with this crest?"
* Kyoko searches everywhere.

--Kyoko cannot find anything.--

Kyoko: "This place is barren except the crest...  Next..."
Nina: "See you guys at the bottom."
* Nina leaps over the edge of the tower, extending her 
  wings
* Scott follows Nina.
* Rand nods, and heads down the tower.
* Nina hopes Scott isn't following her
* Scott decides against jumping and just walks down the 
  staircase.

--The party quickly exits the tower, leaving only two 
  left to be explored.--

* Nina lands in a crouched position at the bottom of the 
  tower
* Zigfried mutters the words to a spell, forms his white 
  owl wings and glides down after Nina.
Scott: "Shall we split up and check out the next two?"
Kyoko: "Which one next?"
Kyoko: "No, we should stick together."
Scott: "Hmmm... okay... how about that eastern tower?"
Zigfried: "Suits me."
Rand: "Eastern works for me."
* Nina looks at Zig, smiles.  "Couldn't resist the 
  challenge hmmm?"
* Zigfried smirks.  "Why not?  I could use the practice."
Nina: "Your wings are more attractive than mine."
* Zigfried chuckles.  "Really?  It's not like yours are 
  anything to laugh at either."
* Kyoko heads through Nina and Zigfried to the eastern 
  tower, "Althena's dwarf both of yours..."
* Scott looks at Nina.  "You're too hard on yourself. 
  Lighten up a bit." *smiles*

--The party trudges off in the ice and snow towards the 
  eastern tower, passing more ruins on the way.--

Ebony: "Althena has wings?"
* Zigfried frowns in Kyoko's general direction.
Nina: "Sorry."
Rand: "She's a goddess, she can have them if she wants."
* Scott continues to walk.... with a lot on his mind...
* Nina smiles evilly, "It's not the size of your wings, it's 
  what you do with them."

--The party gets nearer and nearer to the third tower, 
  seeing that it's similar in condition to the first two, 
  as well as being made from light-colored stone like the 
  second.--

* Zigfried has to agree with Nina.
Ebony: "My wings are bigger than all of yours!  When I'm 
  a big dragon..."

--Once again, this tower, while being ruined, appears 
  safe to enter and climb.--

* Callie snickers slightly and follows along.
* Scott enters the tower...
* Rand enters the tower.
Ebony: "I think Nina is growing a sense of humor..."
Zigfried: "I think you're right, Ebony."
* Nina winks and moves into the tower

--This tower also has more hieroglyphics, as well as 
  another mural.--

* Scott waits for Callie to catch up.
* Kyoko checks out the mural.
* Callie catches up and looks at the mural.
Callie: ". . . . ."
* Rand looks for the inevitable staircase.
* Scott checks out the mural.

--This mural depicts the same goddess forcing the same 
  demon into some sort of dark circle...--

Scott: "A dark vortex of sorts...  I don't know about this 
  place."
Kyoko: "I knew it was Althena...  That has to be Zophar..."
Kyoko: "Or Lucia..."
Kyoko: "This could be..."
* Kyoko gasps.
Scott: "No...  I don't think so, Kyoko.  This isn't like 
  any of the legends I've read."
* Zigfried ignores the mural as if it didn't exist and 
  follows the wall to wait by the staircase.
Kyoko: "This could be where Zophar came from..."
* Kyoko climbs the stairs.
Zigfried: So what, Zophar and Shadowfall are siblings or 
  something?"
* Rand stands beside Zigfried, "Speculation seems 
  useless, we could never know."

--More hieroglyphics line the walls.--

Scott: "Or maybe Shadowfall.  This planet reeks of his 
  presence."
* Scott climbs the stairs, but sticks close to Callie.
Nina: "Or maybe there's no connection whatsoever."
* Zigfried heads up the stairs.
* Callie decides to follow.
* Rand climbs up also.
* Scott decides to try to contact Teal and find out how 
  the repairs go.

--At the top of the tower there is another altar, 
  complete with another faded crest.--

* Rand examines the crest.

Teal: *via communicator* "So far so good.  I've also 
  had the Destiny do some analysis of this system.  More 
  on that when you get back."
Scott: *into datalink* "Roger... thanks, Teal."
* Zigfried perches on the railing of the tower while 
  waiting for the party to finish whatever they're doing.

-Rand acquires Star Runner Crest (Rea + 25)

* Nina could use that one
* Rand shows the crest to the party, "Anyone ever see 
  legends about these crests?"
* Callie wouldn't know.
Scott: "No... but maybe the town ruins may have some 
  answers."
* Kyoko examines the crest.
* Rand hands the crest to Kyoko.
Scott: "Ancient legends can always be found amongst ruins 
  like those towns we've seen."
* Kyoko is just examining it, handing it back to Rand 
  afterwards.
Rand: "If we can read them."
Scott: "True."
* Scott heads down the stairs...  "Let's get moving.  We have 
  to find those tachycrysts."
* Rand holds out the crest, "Anyone want this?"
* Nina shrugs.  "I'll take it."
* Zigfried nods and flips over the railing backwards.  He 
  pushes off of the tower walls and spreads his wings to 
  glide to the bottom.
* Rand gives the crest to Nina.
* Nina grabs the crest and leaps after Zig
* Rand walks down the stairs.
* Nina folds her wings and dives past Zig
* Callie continues to look thoughtful... as she had 
  for a while now.
* Nina extends them and lands lightly
* Callie takes the stairs.
* Kyoko heads back downstairs...
* Zigfried lands gently on the ground a little after 
  Nina's blitz past him.
* Nina hooks the crest to her armor, poses
* Scott thinks to himself, "Callie's been rather silent 
  for a while.  This isn't like her."
Scott: "o/~ You haven't said a single word to me this 
  morning.  Still upset about the fight we had last 
  night.  Well, life's to short for silence in the 
  hallway...  Darlin' won't you look me in the eye. o/~"

--The party exits the tower and heads for the final 
  one...--

* Callie continues down the stairs..
* Kyoko exits the tower.

--As the group nears the final tower, they notice the 
  ruins get more metallic and less "stony."--

Scott :"o/~ The time has come for mending fences.  A little 
   love to fix things up.  I know you care. let's stop 
   pretending.  We've been cold long enough.  So, hear to 
   heart, why don't we start mending fences. o/~"
* Callie continues with the group, trying not to lag 
  behind.
* Zigfried looks down as his shoe scuffs something that 
  thuds instead of making a scratchy sound.
Kyoko: "Ah, an ancient tech center..."
Ebony: *mutters* "No one offers ME any crests..."
* Kyoko offers Ebony her shoulder.
Ebony: *mutters* "The dragons NEVER get crests, nooooooo..."
Rand: "Metal, maybe we'll find that crystal here."
Zigfried: "Maybe."
* Kyoko tosses Ebony a fish.
Ebony *mutters* "Who knows if Hahn's ever gonna give me 
  sparklie dragon powers?"
Scott: "Hmmm... maybe.  Let's try it, Rand."

--The group reaches a tall metallic tower, still in 
  excellent condition, and with operating lights on the 
  outside!--

* Ebony grabs the fish
Ebony: "Hey, thanks!"
Kyoko: "I appreciate you, Ebony...  Wanna ride on my 
  shoulder?"
Scott: "Hmmmm... this is interesting.  Let's take a look, 
  shall we?"
Zigfried: "Sure."
<Kyoko> "Indeed."
* Scott enters the tech tower.
Rand: "We should be more careful, this place still works."
Ebony: "Okay."
* Ebony hops to Kyoko's shoulder
* Rand follows Scott in.
* Zigfried nods and follows after Scott.
* Kyoko enters, staff out.
* Callie does the same.

--Surprisingly, most of the technology inside the tower 
  is still operational.--

* Nina walks in calmly
* Scott has his blade ready and White Knight's Defense ready 
  on a moment's notice.

--Various lights are flashing, and computer terminals 
  are displaying the same hieroglyphics seen elsewhere on 
  this planet.--

* Callie looks around blandly, finally aware of their 
  change in scenery. "Huh.."
Ebony: "Just what we need... technology..."
Ebony: "And maybe evil robots."
* Zigfried looks from side to side but says nothing.
Kyoko: "Someone is maintaining this place... Be on the 
  ready..."
Rand: "Technology isn't bad."
Scott: "Hmmmmm... maybe we should just record what we can 
  and the Destiny might be able to decrypt it."
Scott: "These seem similar in a way to the ancient Terran 
  hieroglyphs of Egypt."
* Zigfried toys with the straps holding his claws to his 
  arms.
Ebony: "Oh sure, technology isn't bad, ever heard of a 
  little thing called the Grindery?"

--As the group travels through the tower, they find 
  various machines performing maintenance on the 
  building, but no apparent security.--

Rand: "Was it technology that blasted Vane from the sky?"
Kyoko: "No, It was the Goddess Althena under Ghaleon's 
  command..."
* Callie huffs. "Great... first we get stranded on 
  some weird planet... then it ends up that there's 
  computers and such about..."

--The party soon reaches an elevator.--

* Kyoko presses the button to call the elevator.

--There are both "up" and "down" buttons.--

* Scott tries to comfort Callie... knowing she's a tech 
  hater.
Rand: "Aff, technology and magic are only as bad, or 
  good, as their controllers."
Zigfried: "I wonder how long this place has been 
  abandoned."
Ebony: "Hope it doesn't have evil elevator music."
* Kyoko presses down.
* Callie smirks slightly, somewhat in thanks to Scott.

--The door opens.  Inside are more buttons with 
  hieroglyphs on them, arranged vertically.--

* Scott smiles at Callie.
* Callie looks around the place..
* Zigfried steps into the elevator at the whoosh of the 
  doors opening.
Scott: "Press the lowest button, Kyoko."
Rand: "Numbers?"
Kyoko: "Okay, This is easy..."
Nina: "Couldn't an old elevator be dangerous?"
* Scott enters the elevator.
* Kyoko presses the lowest button.
Callie: "Every elevator can be... =b"

--Once everyone is inside, the elevator gently 
  descends...--

Kyoko: "No, this was maintained..."

--When they reach the bottom level, the door opens.--

* Scott exits
Callie: "There's never a full guarantee..."
* Callie walks out.
Kyoko> "Bottom floor...  Death, Afterlife, and 
  Darkness..."
* Zigfried follows after them.
* Rand leaves the elevator.
* Kyoko walks out.
* Callie looks at her surroundings.
* Nina moves out the elevator
Zigfried: "I don't really fear any of them."

--As the party walks on this bottom floor, they come 
  across a table with a small metal box on it.--

* Scott looks at the small box.
Ebony: "Oooh, treasure!  It's mine!"

-Scott acquires Lead Box

Zigfried: "If you want, Ebony."
Ebony: "What's inside, huh, HUH?"
Scott: "This could hold the tachycrysts when we find them."
Kyoko: "Open it, Scott..."
* Scott opens the lead box.

--The box is empty.--

Ebony: "Well... never mind... you can have it."
Scott: "Let's use it to hold the tachycrysts...  I'm sure 
  there are some around here somewhere."
Kyoko: "Well, take it...  We may need it..."
* Callie looks at it.  "What do the tackywhatzit things 
  look like?"
* Scott sticks it in his pack.
* Rand looks around the room, "Where to next?"

--Around a bend, a beam of bluish light can be seen...--

Scott: "Let's continue forward a bit.  This might lead to 
  a mine shaft."
* Kyoko heads toward the light...
* Scott heads toward the light.
* Ebony heads back to Kyoko's shoulder, wondering if 
  she'll use her fish skill group for him again
* Rand continues toward the light.
* Kyoko gives Ebony a fish.
Ebony: "Woo hoo!"
* Callie continues... looking unhappy with her 
  surroundings.
* Nina mutters to Zig, "He's easy to please, isn't he?"

--The path ends in a metal doorway with a tiny peephole 
  in it.  The light coming from the peephole is so bright 
  that being in a room filled by it could do permanent 
  eye damage.--

* Zigfried smiles slightly.  "Well, true.  At least in 
  small ways."
Nina: "Now we know why Zig's been carrying around shades 
  the whole RPG."
Scott: "Think a pair of shades could help?"
Kyoko: "What the..."
* Nina looks through a peephole
Callie: "Hmmm... is that the tackywhatzits?"

--Nina's eye hurts as she looks through.--

Zigfried: "Somehow I don't think shades are going to help 
  anyone..."
* Nina rubs her eye.  "Can't see anything."
Rand: "I don't know, how bright is one of those crystals?"
* Scott looks for his old pilot's helmet... its visor 
  was tinted for this kind of light.

--Scott left it in his other backpack :)--

Zigfried: "Do you really think one of those crystals 
  could be in there?"
Ebony: "Beats me, I'm anti-technology... except cable 
  TV... and video game systems... anyone played the 
  Nintendo 2001?"
Kyoko: "It could be...  Then again, that could be the 
  reactor..."
* Zigfried ponders for a moment...
Ebony: "Unless someone can use the Force... we're stuck."
Scott: "I guess I left my helmet with the Dragon Squadron 
  on the USS Intrepid."
Zigfried: "I'll check it out."
Nina: "How are you supposed to see?"
Zigfried: "Everyone turn away from the door when I open 
  it."
* Scott turns away from the door.
* Kyoko goes around the corner.
* Callie turns.
* Zigfried smiles slightly.  "Don't worry about me.  I'm 
  already blind."
* Rand covers his eyes and turns away from the door, 
  "You sure you'll be able to see?"
* Scott just looks at Callie.
* Zigfried opens the door and heads on in.
Nina: "You're blind?"
* Nina blinks
Zigfried: "I'll be fine!"
* Zigfried enters the room and shuts the door behind him.

--As Zig feels around, he feels a sealed cylinder 
  (transparent, the source of the light), as well as a 
  crystal besides the cylinder, as if it was a backup...--

--The backup crystal apparently has no ill effects on 
  him.--

-Zigfried acquires Tachycryst

* Zigfried opens the door and heads back out, shutting 
  the door behind him.
* Scott sings lightly to himself "o/~ As far as I can tell. 
  We're near the end.  I know the felling well, so don't 
  pretend.  Another night alone, you're in my dreams.  Say 
  it isn't so, and never leave.  Oh why, did I have to let 
  you go.  I'll try to tell myself, in time I'll fall in 
  love with someone else. o/~"
Zigfried: "Okay, you guys can look now."
Zigfried: "I've got the crystal we need."
* Callie tuns around.
* Kyoko put it in the lead box...

--Zigfried holds a small bluish crystal in his hand.--

* Scott turns around.
<Kyoko> "Put it in the box!"
* Scott hands Zig the lead box.
* Rand turns to Zigfried, "Nice job."
* Zigfried blinks slightly, eyes slightly unfocused as 
  usual.
* Zigfried puts it in the box.
Scott: "Now, let's head back to the Destiny."
Nina: "If you're blind... how can you... um... see so well?"
* Zigfried nods.
* Scott heads back to the elevator.
* Rand follows Scott to the elevator, "What about the 
  other buttons?"
Zigfried: "Truthfully, I'm not entirely blind.  I can see 
  a little bit.  But it's all black and white, and I'm 
  so near-sighted it's not even funny."
Scott: "*into datalink* "Teal, come in.  We have the 
  tachycryst and are headed back.  Over."

--The elevator, as well as all the other systems, are 
  still functional.--

Teal: *via communicator* "Great! Where did you find it?"
Ebony: "Let's see if there's another crest thingy on the 
  roof!"
Nina: "Do you even know what I look like?"
Zigfried: "I'm sorry about hiding it, but I've hid it 
  ever since I lost my eyesight three years ago."
* Nina feels a little self conscious
Scott: *into datalink* "In a cave under one of the towers. 
   We were lucky that Zig was able to go in and get it.
* Zigfried shakes his head sadly.  "That's why I couldn't 
  answer you back when I gave you the necklace."
Teal: *via communicator* "Great.  Hopefully the other 
  planets will have similar towers then."
* Kyoko heads back to the elevator.
Scott: "Hopefully."
Kyoko: "How many more do we need?"
Scott: *into datalink* "See ya when we get there...  Scott 
  out."
* Nina moves next to him.  "Would you like to find out?"
* Scott closes the connection to the Destiny.
Zigfried: "If we ever visit Drachenburg back on Earth 
  though, there are a group of Neos who have to pay for 
  doing this to me."
* Zigfried turns towards Nina's voice.  "I would... very 
  much like that."
* Nina takes his head and moves them to her face
* Kyoko presses the button.
Scott: "By the way... there's a certain doctor that I 
  know who's a verifiable genius in tech and medicine, 
  Zig.  Maybe you oughta talk to him when this is 
  through."

--The doors open.--

* Callie walks into the elevator.
* Scott enters the elevator.
* Zigfried runs his hands over Nina's features, 
  memorizing then and smiling to her.
* Kyoko presses the next to bottom button.
* Rand enters the elevator, "So, what is it, back to the 
  Destiny or more exploration?"

--The doors close, the elevator rises gently, and the 
  doors open at the "lobby" floor.--

Zigfried: "I might Scott, but a combination of magic and 
  technology did this to me, and I don't know how well 
  it can be cured."
* Kyoko presses the next one up.
Scott: "Well, that depends, I can run this back to the 
  Destiny if need be... or we can keep going."

--The doors close, the elevator rises, and the doors 
  open on a generic technology floor.--

* Callie leans against the wall.
* Rand smiles as Kyoko chooses exploration.
* Callie walks out.
Kyoko: "Althena can heal your wounds..."
* Scott walks out.
* Kyoko walks out.
Zigfried: "I developed my owl magic to help me with this. 
  I can see in darkness and with infravision.  And one 
  day, I will be able to see again."

--There appears to be nothing unusual here. :)--

Nina: "Hope I haven't scared you off now..."
* Rand counts the buttons.
* Kyoko calls the elevator and presses the next one up...
* Scott enters the elevator again.

--There appears to be nothing unusual on the next floor 
  either.--

* Zigfried nods to Nina.  "Hardly.  I look forward to the 
  day I may be able to view you with my own eyes."

* Kyoko calls the elevator and presses the next one up...
* Callie puts a strand of her hair behind her ear and 
  thinks more.

--Still another floor with nothing unusual...--

Scott: "Then I'll send a trans to Dr. Kaji when we get 
  back to earth, Zig."
* Kyoko calls the elevator and presses the next one up...

--Another boring floor...--

* Kyoko calls the elevator and presses the next one up...
* Nina looks embarrassed

--Yet more dullness. :)--

Ebony: "o/~ Can you feel the love tonight... o/~"
* Kyoko calls the elevator and presses the next one up...
* Nina whirls.  "Ebony!"

--This floor is boring too.--

* Nina turns red and turns away
Scott: "Press the top button."
* Kyoko keeps doing it till we find something or hit the 
  top!

--There is nothing to be found, except for an 
  observation deck at the top.--

* Callie hmms.
Scott: *sarcastically* "I can see my house from here."
* Kyoko checks the deck.
Zigfried: "Wish I could."

--The planet appears to be completely desolate as far 
  as one can see from the deck.--

* Callie looks off of it.
Callie: "... Feh..."
* Scott was being sarcastic...
* Zigfried knows.
Rand: "How... depressing."
Scott: "How DULL."
* Kyoko heads back and presses the "lobby" level..

--They arrive back near the entrance.--

* Callie lethargically walks out.
Kyoko: "Let's blow this joint"
* Kyoko heads out and back to the Destiny.
* Scott heads back to the ship.

--The walk back to the Destiny is surprisingly short. 
  :)--

Scott: "Destiny, open hatch."

--The hatch opens.--

* Scott enters
* Kyoko enters the ship.
* Callie enters.
Kyoko: "Teal, We got a present for you."
* Zigfried follows.
Teal: "Lemme guess, the tachycryst?"
* Scott hands Teal the tachycryst
* Callie smirks as she looks around the more familiar 
  machine.
* Teal installs it
Teal: "One down, two to go!"
Ebony: "Maybe I'll stay with Teal next time... unless you 
  guys can't survive without my wit."
Kyoko: "I like your wit, Ebony!"
Teal: "Oh, by the way, want to know the results of the 
  Destiny's analysis."
* Kyoko pets Ebony.
Scott: "Sure... go ahead."
* Callie snickers, non sarcastically.  "It will be hard, 
  Ebony. =)"
* Callie scratches Ebony behind the ears.
Ebony: "Ahhhhhhh..."
Kyoko: "Sure, what did you find out, Teal?"
Teal: "Well, the inner planet is some sort of desert 
  world, and the middle one has a temperate climate with 
  lots of water. All are sterile, however."
Teal: "However, the real interesting thing is that 
  outer asteroid belt..."
Rand: "Any idea why they are sterile?"
Teal: "No idea why the planets are sterile.  Some 
  disaster, I guess."
* Callie sighs.
Teal: "Perhaps a war or something, like what happened 
  on the Blue Star?"
Scott: "Probably the same reason as this one...  I'm 
  guessing Shadowfall."
Ebony: "You know what assuming does..."
Teal: "Anyway, want to know what I found out about that 
  asteroid belt?"
Rand: "What is in the asteroid belt then?"
Scott: "Sure..."
Teal: "Well...  Not much, except that it was a planet as 
  recently as two thousand years ago.  An instant in 
  astronomical time."
* Callie sits down on something.
Zigfried: "So something destroyed it?"
* Zigfried drops into a seat.
Rand: "I sort of guessed that, there was a mural of four 
  planets in one of the towers."
* Scott sits down beside Callie...  "So... shall we take a 
  look at that asteroid belt?"
Teal: "Apparently...  Also, it had a really weird orbit 
  according to the ship's computer."
* Callie looks at Scott.
Nina: "Don't we have two more... tachy-things to find 
  first?"
Rand: "Weird, how was it weird?"
Scott: "True..."
Zigfried: "I didn't really get a good look at the murals. 
   You kind of understand why."
Teal: "Well, apparently its orbit put it in a state of 
  constant eclipse.  At least one of the other planets 
  always blocked the sun's light from it, meaning it 
  always had a shadow falling on it..."
Zigfried: "How poetic."
Scott: "That's an understatement."
Ebony: "Shadowfall huh?"
Kyoko: "Okay, let's head to the desert one..."
Teal: "I know...  I thought that too...  Maybe he got his 
  name from this world?"
Rand: "Yeah, how appropriate."
Ebony: "Does anyone else hear foreboding music?"
* Nina stops playing with the Destiny's CD player
Nina: *muttering* "Sorry."
Teal: "Hey, where did you get those crests?"
Scott: "The towers."
Nina: "Found them in the towers."
Teal: "Hmm...  Do you think maybe these worlds had their 
  own heroes to defend against Shadowfall?"
Rand: "Maybe, but it looks like they failed..."
Kyoko: "Let's head to the desert world."
Ebony: "They must not have done a good job..."
Zigfried: "If anyone so vile should rise in one place, 
  it's only natural that opposition should rise with it."
Teal: *sigh* "Yes..."
Ebony: "Wonder if this place had dragons."
Teal: "Okay, let's get going then!"
Callie: "... I didn't see any pictures of them..."
Scott: "Okay..."
Ebony: "If it didn't have dragons, no wonder they lost to 
  the bad guys."
* Scott takes his position at pilot.
Teal: "I just thought of something..."
* Kyoko sits down at her position.
Scott: "What is it?"
* Callie smiles at Ebony....
Teal: "What if they lost after Shadowfall hooked up 
  with Nephar?"
* Zigfried chuckles and settles into position.
Ebony: "Well... two evil gods is a bit much."
Kyoko: "I wondered about that too, Teal..."
* Callie goes to her seat... not knowing who's seat she 
  was in. =b
Destiny: "Main power partially online...  Not enough for 
  warp speed though."
Kyoko: "Tell me what you think of this..."
* Nina falls into a chair, closes her eyes
Zigfried: "That would make this demise very recent, and 
  that certainly doesn't bode well for the rest of us."
Scott: "Destiny, begin take off sequence.  Destination: 
  that desert planet."
Destiny: "Command confirmed..."

--The Destiny lifts off into space and heads for the 
  innermost planet.--

Kyoko: "What do you think about the prospect that maybe 
   this is where even Zophar came from initially?"
Teal: "I don't know...  I don't think anyone knows..."
* Kyoko nods.
Scott: "Destiny, scan for other ships in the vicinity."
Ebony: "Zophar had the WORST taste in forms."
Destiny: "No ships in the area."

--The Destiny enters the innermost planet's atmosphere, 
  and makes a landing on a smooth dry lake bed.--

Destiny: "Three structures detected within walking 
  distance."
Rand: "Any of them metallic?"
Destiny: "One is metallic, the other are stone."
Scott: "This place is as sterile as the others.
Scott: "Zig, you and Nina are a team.  Rand, you and Ky 
  team up."
Ebony>: "I'll stay with Teal and... supervise repairs."
Zigfried: "Fine with me, Scott."
Rand: "Sure."
Kyoko: "Okay, Sounds good..."
Rand: "Who heads where?"
Scott: "Callie, you're with me."
Nina: "We should go to the metallic tower then... if Zig 
  has to get another crystal."
* Zigfried nods.
Kyoko: "Zig, You head for the metallic one...  We'll head 
  to the north one..."
Scott: "Callie and I will head to tower two."
* Rand turns to Kyoko, "That leaves us with the third 
  one."
Kyoko: "Rand and I shall take three..."
* Ebony hops to Teal's shoulder
* Kyoko takes Rand's hand and heads off with him to tower 
  number three...
* Scott takes Callie's hand and heads off to tower number two.
* Rand smiles slightly as he is dragged off.
* Nina heads off to the metallic rower with Zig

================= The Control Tower ================= 

* Nina walks with Zig "may I ask you a question...?"
Zigfried: "Yes?"

--The metallic tower can be seen in the distance.--

Nina: "How can you hit so well... when I can't hit the 
  broad side of a barn?"
* Zigfried shrugs.  "I've always been very dexterous.  
  Even after I lost my eyesight... my reaction time was 
  very good."
Zigfried: "I just... learned to act off a lot of cues 
  that didn't require vision."
Nina: "I'm kinda slow..."
Zigfried: "It's all right."
Nina: "I'm stronger than average though... probably from 
  my Vile heritage."
Zigfried: "The accident... the one that took away my 
  vision... shattered much of my health as well.  If not 
  for that, I could be as strong as you.  Then maybe I
  wouldn't be in danger so often.
* Nina looks at him seriously.  "You protect yourself... 
  and others well."
Nina: "I doubt my own ability to defeat you... not that 
  I'd have to."

--The duo begins to cross metallic ruins...--

Zigfried: "Perhaps.  If I can hear, smell, or otherwise 
  sense my opponent coming, I have a chance of getting 
  out of the way, but when I'm hit, I don't take it very 
  well."
* Zigfried becomes increasingly more careful about his 
  footing.

--Eventually, the duo reaches the metallic control 
  tower.--

* Nina looks around
* Nina moves inside
* Zigfried follows after Nina.
* Nina doesn't seem too worried

--This tower is also operational, and its layout is 
  similar to the first.--

Nina: "Looks like the last one we ran into"
* Zigfried smiles a bit.  "All right, thanks."
* Zigfried follows a path close to what he remembers from 
  the previous tower so that he doesn't need guidance.
Nina: "Should be an elevator around here somewhere."

--They find the elevator.--

* Zigfried nods.  "Then Kyoko took us to the bottom-most 
  floor, right?"
Nina: "Yes."
* Nina presses the down button

--The door opens.--

* Zigfried walks in.
Nina: "If this is like the last tower..."
* Nina presses the bottom button

--The elevator descends gently to the bottom floor and 
  opens its doors.--
--Nina just happens to have the lead box.--

Nina: "Wow... good thing I grabbed this."
Zigfried: "Grabbed what?  Oh... the box?"
Nina: "Don't you just love plot assists?"
* Nina moves forward
* Zigfried heads down the corridor as he remembers it and 
  keeps alert for walls.

--They soon come across the same bluish light around a 
  bend.--

Nina: "Looks like the same as the last tower."
* Zigfried sees the light, dourly noting it's one of the 
  few things he _can_ see, and follows it to the door.
* Nina moves around the corner
Zigfried: "Well, be sure not to look, Nina."
Nina: "I know, I'm still seeing spots from looking in the 
  peephole."
* Zigfried opens the door and quickly ducks inside for 
  the crystal.
* Nina looks away

--Zigfried feels around and locates the backup 
  crystal.--

* Zigfried gets the crystal, exits, and shuts the door 
  again.  "Okay, I've got it."

-Zigfried acquires Tachycryst

* Nina looks towards him "give it to me and I'll put it 
  in the bow"
* Zigfried holds out the crystal.
* Nina takes the crystal and puts it in the box
* Zigfried shakes himself a bit.  "Even without much 
  sight, that room is still incredibly hurtful."
Nina: "Maybe the shades will help you."
* Nina heads back, not noticing she's holding his hand
Zigfried: "Heh.  I remember when I wore those shades I 
  really couldn't see anything at all!"

--The elevator remains waiting for the duo.--

* Zigfried says nothing, and gets in the elevator.
Nina: "Is there any point in exploring the upper levels?"
* Nina presses the "lobby" button

--The elevator gently ascends to the "lobby" floor.--

* Zigfried shrugs.  "I don't know.  Maybe.  Do you want 
  to just look?"
Nina: "Sure, why not."
* Nina goes to each floor to see if there's anything 
  interesting so Lou can say "nope" and we can move on

--There is nothing unusual on any of the floors. :)--

* Nina returns to the "lobby" and heads back towards the 
  Destiny with Zig

--The duo crosses the desert, returning to their ship.--

================= The Star Maker Tower ================= 

--The second stone tower can be seen as the winds 
  gently blow sandy dust around.--
--The group trudges on across the burning desert...--

Scott: "Nice touch... wouldn't you agree, Callie?"
Callie: "... Humm?  What do you mean?"
Scott: "This desert planet."
Scott: "As if this thing could actually support life of 
  any kind... I can actually see that happening."

--The group begins to near the second tower.--

Callie: "Hmmm... we're almost there..."
Callie: "..."
* Scott looks around. I hope there aren't any sandworms 
  around here like on Telamon Four.

--Scott and Callie arrive at the second tower...-

* Scott opens the door and holds it for Callie.  "Ladies 
  first."
* Callie eehs and goes in with a slight blush and a weird 
  smile.
* Scott enters after Callie.
* Callie gets an anime sweat drop.

--There are more hieroglyphics and another mural.  This 
  mural depicts the death of the goddess that imprisoned 
  the demon...--

Scott: "This does not look good..."
* Callie looks at the mural. =/
Scott: "Let's head for the top."
* Callie nods.
* Callie goes up with (Who do you think?)
* Scott goes up the stairs beside Callie. :)
Callie: "..."

--More hieroglyphics cover the walls around the stairs.--

Scott: "Hmmm... if only we could read these..."
Callie: "Hmm.... but what would they say?"
* Scott makes a record of the hieroglyphics in his 
  datalink... just out of curiosity.
* Scott continues up.
Scott: "Let's keep going, Cals. :)"

--At the top of the stairs there is another altar with a 
  faded crest.--

* Callie realizes Scott is moving on and goes. =b
* Scott inspects, but doesn't take the crest/.

--The crest seems similar to the others.--

Scott: "You want this one, Cals?"
Callie: "All right..."
* Callie takes the crest.
* Scott hands the crest to Callie

-Callie acquires Star Maker Crest (MgE + 25)

* Callie does the same weird smile as before. "Ehe...
  thanks."
Scott: "Now... let's get going back to the Destiny."
* Callie nods.
* Scott takes Callie's hand as they head back to the ship.

--The duo crosses the desert to return back to the 
  Dragonstarship...--

================= The Star Healer Tower =================

--The duo walks through the sand, heading towards the 
  stone tower, passing other ruins...--

* Kyoko trudges on.
* Rand watches the tower as they approach it.

--This tower appears to be in similar condition as the 
  other two, also made of light-colored stone.---

Rand: "Do you think there are more crests?"
Kyoko: "Could be..."
Kyoko: "Let's go on."
* Rand keeps moving on, "Right."
* Kyoko walks in..

--The duo reaches the entrance to the tower.--

* Rand enters after Kyoko.
* Kyoko opens the door and enters.

--There are more hieroglyphics and another mural.  This 
  mural shows the goddess creating the various crests as 
  well as a sword...--

* Rand looks for the ever-present mural and hieroglyphs.

--There are five crests in the mural.--

Rand: "Five crests and a sword, I wonder if they had a 
  Dragonmaster..."
Kyoko: "So then...  She IS Althena!  I was right!"
Rand: "Possibly, probably, but she doesn't seem to be 
  here anymore."
* Rand looks for the stairs.
Kyoko: "She only stops existing when no one believes in 
  her..."
* Kyoko helps look for the stairs.
Rand: "Kyoko, look around, there is no one left to 
  believe."
Kyoko: "I know..."
Kyoko: "She may have been here...  Then found our 
  system..."
Rand: "Maybe..."

--At the top of the stairs, they find another altar 
  with a faded crest.--

* Kyoko takes it.

-Kyoko acquires Star Healer Crest (Regain 30 HP per 
  round)

Rand: "That's the third crest, only two more and a 
  sword..."
* Kyoko equips it.
* Rand looks around the room, "We should probably head 
  back now..."
Kyoko: "Yes..."
* Kyoko takes Rand's hand.
* Kyoko smiles at him.
* Rand smiles back and leads Kyoko out of the tower.
* Kyoko and Rand head back to the Destiny.

================= Dragonstarship Destiny ================= 

* Callie blushes a bit... but looks around so Scott won't 
  notice.
Callie: "Look at all this sand. =b"
Scott: "I've seen some big deserts, but this is ridiculous."

--Callie and Scott approach the Destiny, where Rand and 
  Kyoko wait...--

Scott: "No tachycryst, I'll bet, eh, Rand?"
Ebony: "Hey you guys find anything cool?"
* Rand and Kyoko are holding hands, "No, no crystal."
Scott: "Only another alien crest."
Ebony: "What's it do?"
* Callie shrugs.
* Scott and Callie are holding hands too...  "I have no 
  idea, Ebony.  No idea at all."
* Rand turns to Scott, "And the mural, it depicted the 
  goddess creating five crests and a sword."
* Callie is kinda... uhh... not thinking straight.
* Kyoko holds Rand's hand, happily smiling.
Scott: "The mural in the one we went to depicted the 
  goddess dying."
* Rand frowns deeply, "A dying goddess, an unfortunately 
  popular theme..."
* Callie is still blushing a bit... and still turned a 
  bit away..
Scott: "So... any word from Zig and Nina?"
Ebony: "Hey, look, it's Zig and Nina."
Scott: "HEY!"
Teal: "Took them long enough..."
* Scott waves to Zig and Nina. :)
* Kyoko puts Danny's crest in the sand on the planet, "I 
  can't harbor you forever...  Life goes on..."
* Nina waves as she walks up.  "We found another crystal"
* Callie is glad to find an excuse to look at something. ;) 
  "Hi! "
Zigfried: "Hi, Callie."
Nina: "How did the rest of you do?"
Scott: "Only found another crest."
Nina: "Just one?"
* Callie nods...
Rand: "We found one also."
Scott: "We found one and Rand and Ky found one."
Callie: "Zig... take this one..."
* Callie hands it to Zig.
Rand: "There may be a fifth crest and a sword somewhere 
  else."

-Zig acquires Star Maker Crest (MgE + 25)

* Zigfried accepts it, and runs his hand over it to "see" 
  what it looks like.
Zigfried: "Thanks Callie."
Nina: "What's the other one do?"
Nina: "Teal?  Got another crystal for you."
Teal: "You did?  Great!"
Scott: "Two down, one to go."
* Teal installs the second crystal
Rand: "Only one planet left."
* Kyoko looks up to Rand and smiles.
* Scott takes his position at pilot and begins take off 
  procedures.
* Callie goes to hers as well..
* Scott looks over at Callie and smiles at her...
* Zigfried sighs and falls into his seat as gunner.
* Kyoko heads to her position.
* Nina plops down, folding her wings
* Rand smiles back before moving into position.
* Ebony wonders how Zig is able to aim...
* Callie does a slight smirk at Scott and looks at him 
  with her thoughtful stare...
Destiny: "More main power restored."
Scott: "Destiny, begin takeoff procedure.  Destination, the 
  second planet."
* Zigfried uses brain-direct imaging while aiming the 
  Destiny's guns.

--The Destiny takes off and heads for the final planet.--

* Nina fingers her necklace while thinking

--The Destiny enters the atmosphere of the middle planet 
  and touches down on a river, extending a gang plank to 
  the brownish, sterile soil.--

Scott: "How many towers here?"
Destiny: "Three towers, one significantly larger than 
  the others."
Kyoko: "Any made of metal?"
Scott: "Then let's get going to the larger tower first."
Destiny: "One made of metal."
Zigfried: "Well, we'd better get going then."
Rand: "Which one?"
Destiny: "The easternmost tower."
Kyoko: "The big one, right?"
Ebony: "I'll come this time...  Teal's nice and all... but 
  when she starts talking about technical stuff I can't 
  stay awake."
Zigfried: "Is that the largest one too?"
* Callie is still thinking things over... =b not having 
  a reason to speak.
Rand: "Do we get the crystal first, or check out the 
  others?"
Destiny: "No.  The large one is the northernmost."
Scott: "That will be our final destination."
Zigfried: "That's all right, Ebony."
Scott: "Let's check the others first."
Rand: "The large one probably houses that sword."
Zigfried: "Fine by me."
* Ebony hops to Zig's shoulder
Kyoko: "Okay, let's head to the small, non-metal one first.
* Zigfried pats Ebony on the head.
* Nina sighs and stands
* Scott heads to the small stone tower.
* Callie just realizes everyone's going...  She's out of 
  it!! O_o
* Kyoko takes Rand's hand and follows Scott.
* Scott waits for Callie to catch up.
* Rand walks beside Kyoko as they move to the tower.
Scott: "Hey, Cals!"

--This tower is similar to the others.  In reasonable 
  condition, and made of light stone.--

* Scott takes Callie's hand as they head to the tower.
* Nina follows along as usual, seemingly in thought
* Callie looks at Scott's hand and hers....
* Zigfried walks next to Nina, taking his usual care not 
  to trip or walk into anything.

================= The Star Fighter Tower ================= 

* Kyoko investigates as they climb the tower.

--Inside the tower are more hieroglyphics as well as 
  another mural.--

* Rand examines the mural.

--This mural depicts six warriors battling a man with a 
  large demon floating above him.  The leader of the 
  warriors is holding a sword emanating a star-shaped 
  pattern of light.--

Zigfried: "Is there another mural here?"
Nina: "Yes"
* Scott looks at the mural.
Rand: "Yes, it depicts the sword."
* Nina describes the mural to Zig
* Zigfried thanks Nina.
Scott: "Let's get to the top of this tower."
* Rand finds Kyoko, "Ready to head to the top?"
* Kyoko nods and blushes at Rand, taking his hand again.
* Scott turns to Callie, "Ready, Cals?"
Callie: "..."
* Zigfried finds the staircase and heads up it.
Nina: "Six warriors... that mean there will be six crests?"
* Scott heads up the stairs, right beside Callie.
Zigfried: "One can only guess."
Callie: ". . ."
Kyoko: "No, there's five crests and one sword..."

--At the top of the stairs there is another altar with 
  another faded crest.--

* Nina picks up this crest
Scott: "Okay... who'll hold this crest?"
* Callie examines it.

-Nina acquires Star Fighter Crest (Def + 25)

Nina: "Hmm... I've already got one..."
* Nina looks around
Nina: "I feel... I don't know... tougher when I hold 
  this... I'm tough enough... anyone else want this?"
* Nina offers the crest to Rand
* Rand accepts the crest, "Thank you."
* Rand equips the crest.
Ebony: "Crestless again..."
* Kyoko helps Rand equip in, "You look handsome, Rand.."
Scott: "Now, let's get to those other towers."
* Zigfried gives Ebony a reassuring pet.
* Rand blushes slightly, "You exaggerate..."
Kyoko: "No...  Not at all.."
* Scott looks in his pack and finds a black cape. He uses 
  his Star Crest to hold the cape on. (only for style, and 
  it'll really look cool when I get the crimson armor.)
* Callie watches Scott.
Kyoko: "Lets hit the metal tower now."
* Zigfried nods.
Scott: "NO...  We still have that other stone tower to go to."
Zigfried: "I thought we were saving that one for last."
* Callie realizes she's still watching Scott, smiles a 
  bit, then quickly watches front. ;)
* Scott takes Callie's hand and walks down the stairs... and 
  to the other stone tower.
Rand: "The sword...  We might as well get that first."
Scott: "Hmmm... this system is getting interesting, 
  wouldn't you agree?"
Callie: "..."
Rand: "Too bad no one is left to tell us what happened."
* Nina walks along with the rest
Scott: "Maybe we'll find something in the next tower."
* Zigfried shrugs.
* Rand stays beside Kyoko as they head for their 
  destination.
* Scott stays with Callie.

--The group soon is within sight of the large tower, 
  noticing that it glows with a pale light...--

* Zigfried assumes Nina is near him, but doesn't make an 
  outward attempt to remedy that if it isn't true.
* Scott turns to Callie and in a Garfield tone he says, 
  "Nice touch."
* Rand laughs, "Those are light stones."
* Kyoko is holding Rand's hand tight.
* Callie looks at Scott and smirks.
* Kyoko looks up at Rand and smiles and blushed.
* Kyoko drops to her knees.
Callie: "?"
* Scott takes Callie by the hand, he looks down at her and 
  smiles a bit... then looks forward.
Rand: "Kyoko?"
* Callie looks at Kyoko.
Zigfried: "Kyoko?"
Scott: "Ky?"
* Rand kneels down beside her.
Callie: "...?"
Kyoko: "You now walk on Althena's land..."
* Nina rolls her eyes
* Zigfried sighs.
* Callie isn't holding onto Scott's hand for a second.
Callie: "Uhh... you sure?"
* Rand smiles, "You scared me..."
* Kyoko says a small prayer and continues..
* Kyoko takes Rand's hand again and smiles.

--The group finally reaches the last stone tower.  It's 
  size and majesty rivals Althena's or Lucia's towers back 
  home...--

* Zigfried wonders what could inspire such faith in a 
  person.
* Scott enters the tower with Callie.
Kyoko: "I told you..."
Rand: "I never doubted you."

================= The Star Goddess Tower ================= 

* Kyoko enters with Rand.

--The inside of the tower is decorated with tiny glowing 
  stars...--

Nina: "This tower is... beautiful."
* Scott heads to the top of the tower.

--Somehow, this tower has stayed completely intact, 
  despite all the destruction elsewhere in the system.--

* Callie walks and puts the strand she put behind her ear 
  before back where it was before. =b

Scott: "Let's not waste any time.  We've got a job to do."
Ebony: "I've seen Althena's tower..."
* Zigfried heads up the stairs.

--The staircase is quite long...--

* Scott waits for Callie to catch up.
* Kyoko holds Rand's hand as they climb the staircase.
Callie: "..."
* Callie is lagging behind.
* Callie catches up.

--Half way up the stairs, the group sees a statue that 
  appears goddess-like, but does not resemble Althena or 
  Lucia.--

Scott: "Hmmm... interesting."
* Nina examines the statue
Ebony: "Hmmm..."

--The statue does resemble the goddess that died in the 
  other mural, however.--

* Ebony seems to memorize the statue, always looking for 
  something new to sculpt
Zigfried: "See something in it, Ebony?"
Rand: "Althena assumes many forms, am I correct Kyoko?"
* Callie gestures for Nina to maybe show Zig where it is 
  so he can feel it.
Kyoko: "Correct, Rand..."
* Rand smiles.
Scott: "Let's continue.  That is the goddess that died in 
  the other mural."
Kyoko: "She never comes in the same form twice..."
Ebony: "Doesn't look like Althena to me."
* Zigfried can see where it is (it's the giant blur).
* Scott is gonna call one of his contacts about Zig's 
  vision when we get back to earth.

--At the top of the stairs, there is another altar, as 
  well as more statues and paintings of the goddess...--

Nina: "All the statues of her look the same."
* Kyoko examines them all.

--There is something on the altar...--

Zigfried: "I suppose every world is entitled to their 
  goddess..."
* Callie looks at the alter.
* Rand examines the alter.

--On the altar is the shattered remains of a sword...--

* Scott looks at the altar, over Callie's shoulder.

--The blade is in multiple pieces, with only the hilt
  intact...--

Callie: "Hmm.  What a waste of a good looking sword. =b"
* Nina smirks, picks up the hilt.  "This doesn't look very 
  promising."
Ebony: "You're awfully grabby lately, Nina."

--Nina feels a sudden shock and is forced to drop the 
  hilt before an invisible force hurls her across the 
  room.--

* Nina thuds into a wall
Ebony: "See?  What did I tell you?"
Callie: "O_o"
Zigfried: "Nina!  Are you all right?"
Scott: "What the hell?"
Nina: "Ouch... yea... fine..."

--Suddenly a translucent image of a young woman with 
  long, dark hair appears before the altar.  This woman 
  does not resemble the goddess however.--

* Rand looks at Nina, and back to the hilt.
Callie: "O_O"
Scott: "O_O"
Callie: "Well that's something ya don't see everyday..."
* Nina stands, holding her head
* Kyoko walks up to the woman and kneels.

--The image starts to talk with the party, but instead 
  of hearing it with their ears, the group hears it in 
  their mind, allowing them to understand despite the 
  language differences...--

Woman: "So, you servants of Shadowfall have returned to 
  destroy what's left of the Star Light Sword!  I will not 
  let you do that!"
Nina: "Zap me..." *grumble*
Callie: "... Feh..."
Scott: "Servants of Shadowfall?"
Scott: "We thrashed his ass on the Blue Star."
* Zigfried finds the mindspeech slightly disturbing, like 
  a tad bit of an invasion of privacy.
Callie: "We don't like him... he creeps us out..."
Rand: "Servants of Shadowfall, lady, you're about as 
  wrong as possible."
Woman: "I know not of what you are talking about!"
Kyoko: "We are not servants of Shadowfall...  I am a 
  servant of Althena..."
Scott: "I am the White Knight of Lucia.  I do not 
  serve Shadowfall."
Woman: "'Althena'?  Who is 'Althena'?  You are not 
  Leirian, therefore you are a threat!"
* Zigfried thinks, "Wtf?"
* Callie speaks because it's more fun. =b
Rand: "Leirian, I'm afraid there are no more Leirians."
* Kyoko shows her crest to the woman, "We are not a 
  threat..."
Scott: "I don't know what the hell kind of acid you're on, 
  but we don't serve Shadowfall.  I am White Knight Scott 
  of the Blue Star.  One of the heroes of Lucia."
Woman: "There are Leirians! They just have evacuated!"
Callie: "Uhhh... yea... we came here by 
  mistake... damn machine... =b"
Woman: "You...  You have the crest..."
* Nina walks up behind Zig, rubbing her head
Woman: "You there, I know not of this 'Lucia' or her 
  heroes..."
Woman: "How dare you steal the Star Crests!"
Kyoko: "Evacuated?  Sounds like how Althena evacuated 
  those from the blue Star to the Silver Star..."
* Zigfried turns to Nina and encouragingly wraps an arm 
  around her waist.
* Callie sits on the floor and folds her legs, feeling 
  she'll be here a while.
Scott: "Then maybe you'll recognize the crest that I hold."
Rand: "I'm sorry, we meant no offense..."
* Scott shows her the Star Crest.
Woman: "Hold?  Stole, more likely!"
Ebony: "We are from another planet that is threatened by 
  evil like that of Shadowfall... and Shadowfall 
  himself..."
Callie: *sigh* "Listen, goddess... you don't know us 
  because we don't come from here..."
Ebony: "We were sent here by accident."
Woman: "Shadowfall!?  He threatens another world!?"
Woman: "I am not Astra, I am merely a servant of hers..."
Scott: "And Shadowfall is threatening our world, along 
  with Nephar."
Ebony: "We were able to defeat him once due to help from 
  the power of our goddess, Althena."
* Rand stands beside Kyoko, "We have vowed to stop him 
  forever."
Woman: "You were able to defeat Shadowfall?"
Scott: "Yes...we were."
Ebony: "Well... they did... I supervised."
Scott: "Believe me.  it wasn't easy."
Woman: "Then how come I still sense his evil in our 
  universe..."
Callie: "Yea.  A little girl who liked to wink at me did 
  that."
Kyoko: "Yes... but he sent us here by sabotaging our 
  spacecraft..."
Callie: "Because of another god probably... like Nephar."
Woman: "No...  I specifically sense Shadowfall..."
Callie: "Well then... I donno..."
Nina: "We probably just sent him packing, not killed him."
Scott: "That could be Zissel."
* Nina leans slightly on Zig
Woman: "You know of Zissel as well!?"
Callie: "But we aren't bad guys... or at least none of 
  us are currently."
Callie: "..."
Scott: "He's the Blue Devil of Nephar."
* Zigfried tightens his hold around Nina.
Woman: "Zissel... Shadowfall... I thought I would never 
  hear those names again..."
Ebony: "What happened here?"

--Suddenly, the five Star Crests begin to glow weakly.--

Scott: "Well, we didn't want to hear them in the first 
  place, but these things happen."
* Callie sighs.
Woman: "The Star Crests!  They glow...  They will not glow 
  for servants of Shadowfall!"
Callie: "Well, duh..."
Callie: "That's because we aren't..."
Rand: "Does this convince you?"
Callie: "Don't mean to be rude..."
Callie: =b
Woman: "Very well, I believe you now.  My name is Alyssa, 
  and I was the last bearer of the Star Light Sword."
* Kyoko looks at the sword, "How did this happen?"
Scott: "Callie, you never cease to amaze me."
Alyssa: "It's a long story, going back to the birth of 
  our system..."
* Callie looks up at Scott.
Callie: "..."
* Kyoko listens, holding Rand.
* Scott sits down by Callie.
Alyssa: "Eons ago, when this star system was born, it 
  originally consisted of four planets, not three and an 
  asteroid belt.  The three inner planets seems perfectly 
  normal, albeit lifeless, but the fourth was unusual in 
  that its orbit caused it to constantly be eclipsed by 
  one of the inner planets, denying it any light from our 
  sun. Because of the shadows of all the other planets 
  falling on this world, it eventually earned the name 
  Shadowfall."
Alyssa: "The lifelessness of the entire system, as well 
  as the perpetual darkness on the fourth planet, made 
  Leiria an ideal home for an inter-dimensional demon of 
  darkness and death that had just been driven from his 
  old home world. Weary from his recent defeat, this demon 
  slept on the fourth planet for countless ages so that 
  the fourth planet became synonymous with him..."
Scott: "Hmmm... interesting story... wouldn't you agree, Cals?"
* Callie fehs.
Alyssa: "Eventually, another wanderer of the heavens, 
  Astra, the Star Goddess, came to Leiria.  She too was 
  tired of her travels and wished to find a place to 
  settle.  However, she was a goddess of life and light who 
  wished to have living beings to keep her company.  Astra 
  then decided to bring life to the three inner worlds of 
  Sourria, Mirandela, and Ericeira, the only worlds that 
  could sustain life in this star system.  By doing so, 
  however, she unknowingly awoke Shadowfall from his long 
  sleep..."
Alyssa: "Shadowfall attacked immediately, and Astra confronted
  this demon, protecting all that she had created.  Sadly,
  while Shadowfall was well-rested from his long sleep, Astra
  was still recovering from her travels and her gift of life to
  the three inner worlds.  Astra did not have the strength to
  defeat Shadowfall outright, so instead she imprisoned him
  within his own planet.  This act drained her so much that
  she knew she would not exist much longer."
Alyssa: "With her last ounce of strength, she created 
  the five Star Crests and the Star Light Sword and placed 
  them within special towers on all three inner worlds. 
  These items were designed specifically to aid the 
  inhabitants of the worlds should Shadowfall ever break 
  free from his prison.  Her work completed, she eventually 
  faded out of existence..."
Scott: "So... that's the crests we hold now."
* Callie starts to look sleepy.
Alyssa: "Despite his best efforts, Shadowfall could not 
  break free from Astra's prison.  However, the four 
  planets of the Leiria star system periodically aligned 
  with each other, and this alignment would allow 
  Shadowfall to extend some influence to the residents of 
  the worlds.  He would seduce people with his evil in 
  order to get them to carry out his will."
Alyssa: "However, whenever this would happen, a group of 
  heroes would claim the Star Crests and the Star Light 
  Sword and defeat all of Shadowfall's minions.  I was the 
  leader of the last group of these heroes..."
Scott: "Hmmmm... very interesting."
Rand: "This sounds... familiar."
Alyssa: "Shadowfall's last attempt to destroy all the 
  life in Leiria occurred roughly two thousand years ago 
  when he seduced a magician named Zissel into carrying 
  out his will.  My friends and I were that generation's 
  chosen heroes, and we immediately set out to gather the 
  Star Crests and confront Zissel."
Alyssa: "In the beginning, this seemed to be no 
  different than any other battle against Shadowfall's 
  minions.  Even in the supposedly final battle with 
  Zissel, things seemed to be going our way..."

--The group sees a scene projected on the ceiling 
  depicting the battle between Alyssa and Zissel...--

Zissel: "Well, Alyssa, we finally meet! Now that we are 
  face to face, I will defeat you so that the will of my 
  god, Shadowfall, can be executed!"
Scott: "Cool... a movie."
* Callie watches.
Alyssa: "Not as long as my friends and I still live! I 
  think it's time you heard the scream of the Star Light 
  Sword...  STAR SWORD SCREAM!"

--Zissel is defeated by the attack, but just before 
  Alyssa delivers the finishing blow, a dark circle 
  appears beneath him.  Zissel is then sucked up a shaft 
  of light.  Despite this, the Star Heroes still believe 
  that they defeated Zissel and their system was safe 
  again.  But they were wrong...--
--Zissel appears before a dark bat-winged god...--

Zissel: "Who are you!? Why did you bring me here..."
Dark God: "I... am Nephar."
Zissel: "Nephar?"
Nephar: "Yes...  I saved you because I was curious.  Who 
  is this 'Shadowfall' being you serve?"
Scott: "Hmmm...  Now I get the idea."
* Callie watches with slight interest now.
Zissel: "Shadowfall is my god.  He lives to destroy all 
  life, especially in the Leiria star system."
Nephar: "I can understand that...  Where is he now?"
Zissel: "He was imprisoned within the fourth planet by 
  Astra, the Star Goddess, and his prison is defended by 
  her Star Heroes."

Callie: "Hmmm..."

Nephar: "I see...  I have my own bone to pick with 
  goddesses and heroes myself, and I feel you could be 
  very useful in doing so.  How would you like to join me?"
Zissel: "Why would I wish to serve you?"
Nephar: "I can free Shadowfall..."

* Zigfried sighs, knowing the outcome.
* Scott already knows what's gonna happen.

Zissel: "You can!?  What of the Star Heroes, though. 
  Their weapons were gifts from Astra herself and 
  Shadowfall cannot stand up to them."
Nephar: "Leave them to me...  First, we'll free your god 
  to forge our alliance..."

--Another scene appears before the party.  This is a 
  scene of the fourth planet being shattered and 
  Shadowfall's escape from the prison.  The scene then 
  changes to that of mass panic on the three remaining 
  worlds of Leiria as the inhabitants evacuate, with the 
  exception of the Star Heroes.  Another scene shift shows 
  Zissel's return to Ericeira, this time leading armies of 
  Nephar's troops.--

* Callie gains a bit more interest and stands up to watch 
  better.

--Alyssa begins talking again.--

* Scott stands
* Callie folds her arms in front of her as she watches.
* Kyoko clings to Rand tight!
Alyssa: "Despite the desperation of the current 
  situation, the Star Heroes resolved to stay and fight 
  with the hope that our people will one day return to 
  their homes. Our battle was much more difficult, 
  however, as our weapons were not as effective against 
  these new alien monsters as they were against 
  Shadowfall's minions.  It was as if our weapons were so 
  tuned to Shadowfall's evil that they were ineffective 
  against other forms of evil..."
* Scott places his hand on his blade and his other arm 
  around Callie.

--There is now another scene of a confrontation between 
  Zissel and Alyssa in Zissel's Tower.--

Callie: "........"

Zissel: "So, we meet again, Alyssa. This time, however, 
  you cannot win..."

* Callie is strangely having trouble paying attention. ;)

Alyssa: "We'll see who will win, you know that neither 
  you nor Shadowfall can withstand the power of the Star 
  Crests!"
Zissel: "That is true...  However, this time, we have a 
  new ally that should be safe from the power of your 
  weapons...  I now present Nephar!"

--Nephar appears laughing, and Alyssa and co. jump into 
  battle with him, but their weapons, specifically tuned 
  to defeat Shadowfall, had little effect on this alien 
  god.  The scene fades away as Alyssa and co. are beaten 
  back by Nephar...--

--Alyssa begins to speak again.--

Scott: "So...  That's when they forged the alliance with 
  Nephar."
Alyssa: "We fought bravely, to the bitter end, but we 
  were not able to defeat Nephar.  After we passed on, what 
  was left of the Star Crests returned to the Star Towers, 
  and Nephar and Shadowfall together destroyed the 
  remaining three worlds of Leiria."
* Ebony mutters "Where the heck is the power of humanity?"
Scott: "This is starting to make sense."
Alyssa: "Unfortunately, Zissel himself being human 
  countered the hope of using that form of power..."
Ebony: "Great...  Sounds like Nephar's current plan."
Alyssa: "That is the sad story of the final days of the 
  Leiria Star System..."
Callie: "..."
Scott: "Then, Nephar revives Kane and Pharos... and creates 
  Nykhan and Temna."
Zigfried: "Must have learned something here..."
Alyssa: "Sadly, I do not think anyone can permanently 
  defeat Shadowfall now that he's free, no matter what 
  weapons you use."
Scott: "He's tried to get the power of humanity working on 
  his side... and apparently it worked..."
* Rand glances at the sword, "Can the sword be fixed?"
* Callie glances, but doesn't turn her head away from 
  Alyssa, to where Scott's hand is.
Kyoko: "Which means, Pharos and Kane have fallen into the 
  same trap that Zissel and Shadowfall did..."
Nina: "But why would they send us here?  This information 
  can only help us."
Alyssa: "The sword can only be fixed when Shadowfall is 
  permanently defeated.  Legend has it that only one who is 
  both goddess and mortal can do it..."
Scott: "Maybe one of them has an ulterior motive."
Kyoko: "Lucia!"
Zigfried: "Alys."
Alyssa: "Who?"
Scott: "Alys... that's it."
* Rand grins, "We were lucky, or someone else sabotaged 
  our ship."
Nina: "I'm not touching that sword again!"
Scott: "Alys.  She's destined to be the next Dragonmaster 
  of the Blue Star and Lunar."
Kyoko: "Yea, unfortunately, she's in Pharos's hands now..."
Zigfried: "I don't blame you, Nina."
Alyssa: "I know not of this 'Alys,' however, once 
  Shadowfall is permanently defeated, new crests will form 
  in the towers to replace the old."
Scott: "However, we hold crests of our own too, Alyssa."
Callie: "..."
* Scott shows Alyssa the Crest of Courage.
Ebony: "You okay Callie?"
Callie: "... Uhh... *looks at Ebony* Just fine!"
* Kyoko shows Alyssa the Crest of Compassion.
Alyssa: "Hmm...  Perhaps those crests, combined with the 
  power of the Star Crests, would allow you to defeat 
  Shadowfall and force him to rest long enough until the 
  one who is goddess and human can deliver the fatal blow."
* Nina shows Alyssa the Crest of Nothingness
Alyssa: "Very well, I will allow you to take the hilt of 
  the Star Light Sword.  What's left of its power should 
  help you defeat Zissel and Shadowfall on your worlds..."
* Kyoko takes the hilt.
* Nina kinda hopes to see Kyoko zapped across the room

-Kyoko acquires Star Light Sword Hilt (Hit% +25)

* Kyoko puts it in her pack.
Alyssa: "Farewell, and may you succeed where we of 
  Leiria failed..."

--Alyssa fades away...--

Scott: "Now... let's head for the other tower and get home."
Callie: "Hmm..."
Kyoko: "Yes..."
* Rand takes one last look at the fading Alyssa, "We will 
  succeed."
* Kyoko takes Rand's hand, "WE will succeed..."
* Callie goes out.
* Scott takes Callie's hand.  "I know we won't fail."
* Kyoko walks out with Rand.
* Nina mutters

--The group leaves the tower and ends up at the metal 
  tower.--
--They take the elevator to the basement and come to the 
  reactor room.--

Scott: "Zig... your turn to shine."
* Zigfried goes in to get the crest after making sure 
  everyone isn't looking.
Kyoko: "Go get it, Ziggie..."
Zigfried: "Don't call me, Ziggie!"

-Zigfried acquires Tachycryst

* Zigfried gets the crystal and exits the chamber.
* Zigfried shuts the door.
Scott: "Let's get the hell outta here and back to Earth."

--The party exits the tower and returns to the Destiny--

* Zigfried nods.
* Scott takes his position and begins takeoff procedures.
* Callie takes hers.  What a day!
* Kyoko takes her position.
* Rand makes sure the crystal is put in place.
* Zigfried collapses into his seat.

--The Destiny lifts off as soon as Teal installs the 
  final tachycryst.--

Scott: "Prepare for warp speed.  Destination: The Blue 
  Star."
* Callie puts on her seat belt...
* Nina sits in her chair
Kyoko: "Okay, Neos...  Time to meet the Star Crests!"
* Scott straps himself in.
Ebony: "Captain's log... stardate..."
* Zigfried fastens himself in.
* Callie snickers.
Destiny: "Warp speed confirmed...  Take safety 
  positions..."
* Kyoko straps in.
* Rand straps in.

--The Destiny prepares to enter its temporary artificial 
  wormhole when...--

Destiny: "Warning!  Asteroid belt providing strange 
  gravimetric disturbances!  Final warp location unknown!"
Zigfried: "Er..."
Nina: "Then um... don't do it..."
Kyoko: "Not again!!!"
Scott: "Oh... s***.  Where are we now."

--The Destiny enters its wormhole as the party fades out 
  of reality...--

Rand: "Can we get out of the system before we wa-"
Nina: "Crud..."

--The party rematerializes just outside a two-planet 
  star system.--

Teal: "Where in Althena's name are we now?"
Rand: "Lost as usual..."

===SESSION END===