Lunar: Middleground IRC RPG Session 9
Session Start: Saturday, August 3, 1996, 20:18:05
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Cast of Characters:
Hahn as "Gamemaster, Man, Other Man, Caravan Master, Armorer,
Pharmacist, Jeweler/Dross, Hahn, Man, Nall, Woman,
Black Dragon, Guardian, Jean"
Dragonmaster Blake as "Ebony"
Dragonmaster Lou as "Lou" (Hahn as ~Lou)
Kenshiro as "Thesian"
Luna as "Isis"
Vecna as "Eomar" (Hahn as ~Eomar)
Nall as "Bulix" (Hahn as ~Bulix)
Iceberg as "Iceberg"
Miko as "Miko"
Ronfar as "Davis" (Hahn as ~Davis)
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---It's mid-afternoon. This town looks like a pathetic stick town.
The buildings look neglected and the townsfolk appear a litte
uncultured. The caravan speeds up along the long bridge leading
through the town. It appears the caravan drivers don't want to
stay here any longer than they have to.---
Davis: "Good idea. I don't either."
* Ebony sits on Miko's shoulder, subdued since Azura left.
Davis: "You all right Ebony?"
Ebony: "Huh? What? Oh yeah, I'm fine, great, spiffy, never better."
* Isis stays mostly by herself still trying to sort out her thoughts
about what had happened...
Ebony: "Why did she have to leave, Miko? I was just getting used to
having her around."
* Miko still seems very distracted. She shifts back and forth and
stares nervously out the window. "Ebony... I... I don't know why
she left...."
Isis: "Ebony, she had something more important to do.."
Ebony: "Yeah, I guess... but... we'll go back and see her again."
Isis: "Ebony, we will most definitely go back to see her again.."
* Ebony cheers up a little. "Yeah. First we just need to fix Vane.
How hard could that be?"
Miko: "Ebony, what do you mean 'first'? I'm not going to Vane...
I'm going home!"
Ebony: "Right, Miko. First, we're gonna save your brother."
* Miko looks more content, and sits down next to Isis. "Isis, are you
okay..?"
Isis: "Miko.. I don't know... I still feel it all flowing through me..
It's strange yet familiar at the same time.. It's so bizarre.. "
Iceberg: "There is something in the air this night..."
* Ebony isn't in the mood to make fun of Ice's method of speech at
the moment.
Davis: "Oh yeah, why make fun of Iceberg's speech, when you got a load
of people to do that with here?"
---Several townsfolk in soiled overalls and straw hats stop and gawk at
the caravan.---
* Ebony makes faces at the yokels.
* Thesian looks glum. He glances around a little at the townsfolk, then
sighs and returns to his dark thoughts.
* ~Bulix looks out the window blankly.
* Ebony continues insulting the townspeoples' intelligence. "Hey! You
guys are braindead!"
---The bridge is long and the caravan still has a while to go. The
townspeople begin hooting and hollering and acting unruly toward the
caravan.---
Isis: "I wonder what the townspeople are so riled up about?"
* Ebony ducks down from the window. "I didn't do anything!"
Man: "Hey! You gerls is purdy!"
Davis: "This coming from a person who probably thinks he sister is
pretty."
Other Man: "Yoo hoo! Over here, you guud kisserz!?"
Ebony: "In your dreams, Loverboy!"
---The caravan picks up more speed, leaving the annoying people
behind.---
* Ebony peeks out the window. "If you all ever figure out the wheel...
DON'T look me up!"
Miko: "Davis, why aren't we stopping in this town? We stopped in all
the other ones."
Davis: "Miko, well, this one wasn't really one that they wanted to
stop in. I think it's because of the fact that there really isn't
anything interesting there, and besides, we need to get to your
brother as soon as possible, right?"
Miko: "Davis, yes, of course we do! It's just that... Well, I didn't
think everyone else was coming with you and I and Ebony..."
Davis: "Miko, I think the people that aren't coming with us were
headed to Vane, or Meribia."
Iceberg: "Anyone knows where are we going to? Vane, Meribia or Miko's
town?"
Ebony: "We have to save Miko's brother, Points."
Iceberg: "Miko, what happens to your brother? Is he sick, cursed or..?"
Miko: "Iceberg, that man, Franco, said he is sick. I know I can make
him better, now that I can... um.. make people better. I just have
to get to him as quickly as possible. That's the only thing I care
about right now."
Iceberg: "So, Miko's brother's health is our goal now. No problem. I
agree with the situation here... But after that, I'll go to Vane...
or whatever Vane is now, grounded and pillaged..."
Ebony: "Upside down."
---Eventually, the west bank of the river comes within sight. The
caravan reaches the city limits and quickly exits.---
Iceberg: "Phew, no wet people this time..."
---A vast plain lies before you. It seems the world goes on forever
out here. The caravan turns to the south, forcing everyone to lean
to one side noticably.---
* Ebony bonks his head on the windowsill. "Ouch! Hey!"
* Thesian stares blankly out across the plains.
Isis: "It's beautiful here..."
* Ebony rubs his head and mutters to himself.
~Lou: "Doesn't this caravan get off at Lann?"
Ebony: "Do I look like the wagonmaster, Wagon... err... Lou?"
~Lou: "Alex told me about his adventure in Lann."
* Miko looks at Lou and wonders if he is going to tell them another
story...
Ebony: "Lann... Lann... Why does that sound familiar...?"
~Lou: "He said there's lots of delicious fresh fish there. Nall really
enjoyed it."
* Ebony perks up. "Fish?"
~Lou: "Yep. Nall had a big pigout when Alex visited on his adventure
ten years ago."
* Thesian looks at Lou with a bit of recognition.
~Lou: "Say, Ebony. Would you like to meet Nall? I'm sure he'd love to
meet you! Nall doesn't live too far from me. I could take you to
meet him, no problem."
Ebony: "Yeah, sure, why not? But we needa save Miko's brother first."
Davis: "They'll both probably just talk about fish, and eat tons of
fish, too."
* Thesian chuckles at Davis, his spirits lifting a bit.
~Lou: "I'm most worried about Alex. Why hasn't he responded to all the
recent trouble?"
* Thesian nods absently at Lou.
* Miko, deciding no story is forthcoming, slumps down into the
sunkenmost corner of the carriage and tries to get some rest.
* Ebony watches Miko.
* Isis, still sitting by the door, rests her head on her arm and
closes her eyes..
* Iceberg is just watching the view and remembering his old days in
Vane... "They seem so far away, now..."
* Miko drifts off into a light sleep, wondering what the difference is
between a 'Dragonmaster' and a 'Wagonmaster'...
* Ebony curls up protectively next to Miko.
* Isis is now dreaming heavily of thunderstorms and long ago days that
she can barely remember..
* Iceberg has found a little time to write down his new Ice spell on
his spellbook...
* Davis just sits around.
---The caravan ride becomes smooth along the plain, but the ride has
been slightly lopsided since the hijack.---
~Bulix: "I'm glad the circus is back to normal. How 'bout you, Eb?"
Ebony: "I'd rather not think about that, Bulix."
* ~Bulix shrugs and looks back to the window.
* Thesian frowns darkly at memories of Azura's capture.
* Ebony misses the little twerp... err... Azura. "At least no one else
will be kidnapped."
* Miko stirs as Ebony speaks and sits mostly upright once again.
"Ebony, do you think Azura is happy? I thought what she wanted
was to travel with us, not stay in her 'sanctuary'. I just can't
stop thinking of how she left... without even saying goodbye... She
seemed so sad."
* Thesian glances at Miko, his face sad.
Ebony: "Like Isis said... She had something more important to do,
Miko... Once all this is over... maybe we can all be together
again."
* Miko looks at Thesian and Ebony, and then out the window... She
doesn't appear to have been soothed by Ebony's words.
* Ebony leans on Miko.
~Lou: "I wonder if my parents are worried about me by now..."
* Isis jerks awake from Lou's speech and rubs her eyes.. "Where are we
stopping next?"
---What appears to be a city appears on the horizon. The city gets
closer and closer and appears to be the caravan's next goal.---
Iceberg: "I guess if we would stop here now..."
Ebony: "Where's that? Lou, Points, you've been around here before.
What's that?
~Lou: "I'm not sure. I haven't been adventuring that much. I think
we're in some... Mar... Marius place that Alex told me about."
Iceberg: "I can't distinguish the city from this distance... And I only
could have seen it from above... Vane is the skies... remember?"
Ebony: "I've never been there, Points."
Iceberg: "Then I'll take you there to see the skies and Lunar from the
air!"
---The caravan nears the city limits and slows down, stopping at a
cobblestone road leading up to the town limits.---
Isis: "I wonder where we are? Shall we go find out?"
Davis: "Isis, I'm trying to remember."
* Miko looks at Isis. "I don't have any idea where we are... Do you
think we have to stop here?"
Isis: "Miko, I don't think we have to stay long, if at all.. We may
need some supplies or somthing, tho.."
* Ebony looks out the window. "We need to talk to that one guy that
always stands at the gate and says the town name."
---The caravan is stopped and you hear soft voices from the head of
the train. Eventually a man approaches your car.---
* Thesian looks at the man, then turns to Davis. "Where do you suppose
this place is?"
Davis: "I'm starting to remember something."
Caravan Master: "Hi, how are you folks? Listen, that damage we took
from those bandits was worse than we thought. That wheel we put up
isn't a permanent fix. We need to stay here overnight for repairs."
* Isis gives Miko a look of despair. "Sorry.."
* Miko looks at the Man. "Overnight? Are you sure? I'll help fix it."
Caravan Master: "Well, they splintered 3 axles and broke the bridge on
the third and fourth cars. We really need to do some work on this
thing."
* Thesian shrugs. "We might as well all get some rest. You look tired,
too, Miko."
* Miko hops out of the carriage. "Well, I'm not tired, Thesian. I don't
want to sleep. I want to help them fix the car."
Ebony: "Miko, I'm sure they can do their job without us."
* Isis would like to get some rest..
* Iceberg eventually asks the man for the name of the town...
Caravan Master: "This isn't the kind of town I'd pick to stop in, but
it's a lot better than Meryod."
Iceberg: "Why not? What's wrong with it?"
Ebony: "Hey, where exactly IS this?"
Caravan Master: "Feel free to roam the town and seek lodgings. We
should be ready to go at sunrise tomorrow."
---The man departs to inform the other cars.---
* Davis looks around.
* Ebony stretches his wings. "Iluk..? Reza..?"
Davis: "Oh, yeah. Reza. Ugh."
~Lou: "Ebony? You know this place?"
* Ebony shrugs. "Nope."
~Lou: "Ebony, what are you talking about?"
Ebony: "Don't ask me, I never know what I am talking about."
* ~Lou chuckles at Ebony. "Ebony, you really crack me up sometimes.
You're so crazy."
Davis: "Lou, you don't know this place, do you?"
~Lou: "Only from Alex's stories. I haven't explored the world like
you must have, Davis."
Davis: "Just watch the silver."
Thesian: "Hey, Davis isn't kidding. I've been around here a long time
ago, now that I remember it. Watch your pockets!"
Ebony: "I don't have pockets."
Davis: "Ebony, then, uhhh, watch your wings? I don't know."
* Iceberg has lots of pockets... I'll need all your help...
* Isis doesn't have room in her sexy green outfit for pockets..
Thesian: "They just don't make those body suits like they used to..."
Isis: "Thesian, they're called cat suits.."
Thesian: "Isis, like Ebony's? Ooh, now I'm really turned on!"
Ebony: "Thesian... you... you stay away from me!"
* Thesian tries to give Ebony a big kiss.
Isis: "Thesian, mine is slick and green. His is black and furry.."
* Davis hides what valuables..? "Oh, kinda hard to hide this thing!"
* Davis looks at his saber.
---There is a lot of activity in this fair sized city. Lots of shops
and other buildings are open to the public. Among the most visible
shops are weapon, armor, pharmacy, and jewelry shops. Everyone
appears to eye the group suspiciously and there isn't much of a
trusting feeling in the air.---
Ebony: "Let's just stay away from people who think they could sell me
for a good price."
Iceberg: "We should go to the thieves market... Maybe we find some
good arms and armors..."
Ebony: "Hey, is there a bazaar here? Maybe they stole some kitty
weaponry from somewhere."
* Iceberg walks to the 'thieves_tavern' to see their guild... "Maybe
we should join their guild... That would make us more *trustable*."
Ebony: "Let's go check out the store."
Isis: "Is anyone else besides me, hungry?"
* Miko hops out of the carriage.
* Ebony flutters after Miko.
* Miko walks around the carriage and begins looking at the wheel.
* Ebony thinks Miko would probably just get in the way... wonders
how to say that politely... "Miko you um... don't know how to do
this kind of work."
* Miko lashes out at Ebony, apparently out of frustration. "Ebony, I
don't want to just sit around all night doing nothing... or rest,
either! I'm tired of everyone treating me like a.. child.. and
telling me what to do! Half of you can't even think for yourselves
most of the time, so don't presume to think for me!" Miko marches
off alone into the town.
* Ebony watches Miko walk off. "But... this place is dangerous..."
Thesian: "Hey, what's gotten into her?"
Davis: "Thesian, I think she's a little upset."
Ebony: "I think she's worried about her brother, and these delays keep
happening..."
* Isis hopes that Miko's brother doesn't die..
* Ebony flutters after Miko. "I can't let her go off alone... even if
she gets mad at me. Miko... wait...! I'm... I'm sorry...!"
Iceberg: "Davis, follow her without she notices it... She could be in
danger..."
Davis: "Hmm, I'm gonna."
Thesian: "Iceberg, don't worry, she'll be all right. There's lots of
thieves here, but no one would try to hurt her."
Iceberg: "Thesian, I can't forget that terrible image of Miko under
those imps in our Forbalus' incident..."
Thesian: "Hey Iceberg, I understand. This place is all right though...
I used to hang out around here."
Isis: "We'd better just hurry up and hope the day ends soon enough.."
* Davis is off following Miko quietly. Davis mutters, "I'm not cut out
for this."
* Miko finds a seemingly quiet building on the edge of town and sits
down on an empty crate behind it.
* Ebony lands semi-near Miko. "You're right... You aren't a child and
you can make your own descisions... and if you want to be alone, I'll
go away right now..."
* Miko looks up at Ebony. "Ebony, I'm sorry I yelled at you... even
though I meant what I said... Forgive me?"
Ebony: "Of course, Miko... It would take more than that to make me
mad at you."
* Davis just walks up to Ebony and Miko. "Hello."
* Ebony lands on Miko shoulder, says quietly to her, "We will get to
your brother in time, Miko... We will."
* Miko looks at Ebony. "I know we will..."
* Ebony nods to Miko.
* Miko still seems very... disturbed... but smiles at Davis and Ebony.
"Thank you, Ebony. I'm sorry, Davis. I'll try not to do that again."
She seems prepared to follow them back to the others.
Thesian: "Anyway, I wonder if they've got anything worth buying around
here. Maybe we should take a look around..."
* Isis agrees with Thesian. "Let's go find some neat stuff!"
Iceberg: "I'll go to the armor shop... best offense is the defense."
------------Armor Store----------------
* Thesian seems to relax a little bit, feeling right at home.
Iceberg: "Hi, armorseller... How is your shop for a tired wizard from
Vane?"
Carapace Vest - 50s
Carapace Armor - 60s
Carapace Armbrace 40s
Carapace Buckler 60s
Carapace Shield 75s
Tiara 25s
Armorer: "Yup. We got lots of turtle hunters around here, so we get
lots of high-quality Carapace stuff."
Iceberg: "I guess those carapace aren't for me... and the tiara..
er... women only, right?"
Ebony: "What, no carapace collars?"
* Isis asks the armor store owner if they would have any 'specialty'
stuff for cats.
Armorer: "There's a big bounty to slay a giant lake tortoise to the
south of here. Think of the stuff I could get from that! Hooo boy!"
* Isis could never resist a good bounty.. "Shopkeeper, exactly HOW much
could you get from that?"
---The armorer looks at Isis.---
Armorer: "Pfff... you, woman?! Hee hee hee hee."
* Isis grabs the armorer by the collar, "Yeah.. Me.. Woman.. "
Armorer: "Ahhh! Put me down!"
* Miko laughs at Isis and the shopkeeper.
* Thesian checks out the buckler, turning it over and looking at the
workmanship.
---The items sold here are slick and scaly. They have a very tough
leathery feel.---
* Isis would loooooove the carapace buckler..
* Thesian looks at Isis, holding the buckler, then turns to the
shopkeeper. "Hey, you got two of these?"
Armorer: "Sure. That'll be 120 silver."
* Thesian counts out the 120s and hands it to the Armorer.
Ebony: "Hey, don't go spending too much before we see the weapon
store!"
* Thesian whips the money back. "On second thought... maybe we should
keep looking first..."
Ebony: "Smooth move, Thesian."
Iceberg: "If all are thieves why don't we stole something...?
Tee hee..."
* Isis likes that idea, Iceberg!
Davis: "Ice, because it's not allowed..."
Ebony: "Let's look at the weapon store first."
* Miko follows the others around absentmindedly, only occasionally
paying attention to what they are doing...
------------Weapons Store --------------
Saber 100s
Iron Fist 100s
Iron Cane 100s
Iron Sling 50s
Hunting Bow 50s
Ebony: "Hmph, nothing for me! I'm insulted!"
* Davis wonders if he can use anything better than he has.
Thesian: "This place has some good stuff sometimes. Of course, it
all depends upon what they can...pick up. This looks like one of
their better days."
* Miko peeks in the door and considers going off to look for a more
interesting store, but she remembers her promise to Davis and Ebony
not to wander off again and abstains.
* Ebony wonders where the famed Thieves Bazaar is... "We should
in all the stores before we use money."
* Isis agrees with Ebony.. "I'd like to look at the jewlery.. "
---The jeweler's store is dimly lit. As soon as the group enters the
jewelry store, they see a man huddling over the counter, counting out
silver pieces.---
* Thesian glances around. "Hey, I don't remember this place. There was
a pawn shop, but no one here ever *sold* jewels..."
* Isis suddenly wonders if the bandits took that Franco guys's herbs
here to be sold..
* Davis is in another shop.
* Iceberg goes to find Davis and take him there...
Jeweler: "Ah... who... what is that fascinating pet you have?"
Ebony: "Hey, I an NOT a pet!"
Jeweler: "What pet do you hold so dearly as to adorn him with a
collar made of such rare sparking onyx...?!"
Ebony: "Hey, you get your eyes off my collar!"
Jeweler: "Onyx is not easy to come by around here. You have to find
a caravan from the frontier to get that stuff. May I see that
collar?"
Ebony: "I think not!"
Jeweler: "Hmm... that's a pity. The collar appears to made of crude
onyx. I could refine it into dazzling opal for you, but I understand
your attachment to it."
---The jeweler snickers.---
Ebony: "Wow, really? I mean uh... Oh, that's nice..."
Jeweler: "Yes, I have developed a technique of removing the mineral
impurities from onyx to make it into pure opal. I charge 50 silver
for each item refined."
Iceberg: "Will it improve his defense power? Or just for decorating?"
Ebony: "Is Opal stronger than Onyx?? Maybe you could look at it..."
* The jeweler takes out an eyepiece. "Grand! I'll just go inspect this
in the back room for a minute."
* Miko is reminded of the five silver pieces she is still carrying for
Azura that were meant to be spent on the 'big herb for fish'...
"Ebony, I am carrying five silver pieces that you can use to pay for
your collar..."
Ebony: "That's nice of you, Miko."
* Miko puts Azura's silver on the counter for Ebony's use and wanders
over to look out the door.
* Ebony slips off his collar. "I'll be keeping an eye on you..."
* The jeweler walks through a cloth drapery into the back room. "Oh,
by the way, Dross is the name! Hee hee hee." The jeweler
disappears.
Isis: "I think he's going to steal it!"
Ebony: "Isis, if he rips me off, will you hurt him for me?"
Isis: "Ebony, I will gladly beat anyone up for you!"
* Thesian taps his foot. "Hmm..."
* Dross appears moments later holding the collar. "Yep, this
certainly is Onyx! Where did you get such a trinket? It must have
cost a fortune."
Ebony: "Oh... It was a gift."
Dross: "Wow, must have been some stupidly generous fella!"
Ebony: "Yeah..."
Dross: "Well, anyway, the opal refinement costs 50 silver per piece."
Ebony: "Um... is Opal stronger than Onyx?"
Dross: "Because I extract the soft sandstone that fills the pores in
onyx, the opal derived from it is much harder."
* Thesian listens to Dross with interest.
Ebony: "Wow, neat."
* Miko asks Dross. "Will this take very long, sir? Will you be done
by morning?"
Dross: "I can finish it in just a few mintues. As soon as the refiner
gets heated up."
Iceberg: "Well, Miko your worries are in *Vane*..."
* Miko continues to stand quietly near Iceberg.
Dross: "Is this all you need me to refine today?"
Iceberg: "What other things we have you could refine, Dross?"
Ebony: "I've got these claws... Anyone got anything against me FINALLY
getting better armor?"
Isis: "Nope!"
* Iceberg would object if Ebony doesn't do that... "Go on! But we'll
keep an eye on him, Ebony... Right?"
* Ebony whispers to Isis. "I don't like that look. Threaten him for
me."
* Isis stands next to the jeweler. "We WILL be keeping a very keen
eye on you, Mister.."
* Dross clutches onto the collar. "Hee hee hee! Well, it takes a while
to heat up the refiner, so if you have any other onyx stuff, I need
it now."
Isis: "Dross, may I see a piece you have changed from onyx to opal?"
* Dross ignores Isis's request.
---There are several other jewelry pieces adorning the shelves.---
* Ebony drops his claws and his fangs on the counter. "Hey, um...
Dross... What can you do with these claws?"
* Dross picks up the items and scampers off into the back room.
"Tee hee hee! Tra la la! Hee hee hee!"
* Iceberg doesn't like a bit this laugh....
Ebony: "That guy makes me nervous..."
* Isis would very much like to go into that back room..
* Thesian looks amused. "Something tells me we just got tapped."
Miko: "Thesian... 'tapped'?"
Thesian: "Tapped...you know, he lifted Ebony's stuff. He ripped us
off."
Miko: "Oh... You mean you think he's a crook?"
Thesian: "Well, you can never be too sure around here..."
---Big gusts of steam come up from beneath the curtain and you hear
loud buzzing and humming sounds. You hear loud clunkings of metal
and steam as molten liquids are poured between various devices
behind the curtain.---
* Thesian shakes his head with a smile on his face. "Gotta hand it to
the guy..."
* Iceberg shouts... "You know, Dross! If don't exit soon, we'll steal
all you have here... Tee hee... "
~Lou: "Iceberg, we can't steal. It's not right!"
Isis: "Lou, oh?"
Iceberg: "Lou, even Alex stole some chests in other houses... I know
it.."
---The process *is* taking a bit longer than Dross predicted...---
Ebony: "Why do I have a profound sense of Deja Vu?"
Iceberg: "Don't worry! This is not a Dragon Diamond... It's only some
claws and collar..."
Ebony: "Only? Hey, those are the only means I have to defend
myself!"
Iceberg: "Ebony, but try comparing the silver a diamond is worth.
Even your claw and collar are more useful to you..."
Ebony: Tell me, Lou, Alex ever tell you a story about Reza?"
~Lou: "Well, he did tell me about his thief friend Kyle, but he said
he was only interested in showing off to girls."
Isis: "Hey Bulix, how 'bout you and me take a peek in to that back
room?"
---All of a sudden, you hear a loud explosion and a big gust of steam
fills the room!---
Thesian: "Ahh! What happened?"
Miko: "What was that? Magic?"
* Ebony coughs "Hey, what's going on?"
* Dross appears from the back room with a fogged-up eyepiece holding a
sack. "Hee hee hee! It's done! Everybody gather round!"
---Dross turns the bag over, and three delicate smooth, shiny black
pieces fall to the counter. The items almost shine with a black
light. They sparkle differently depending on the angle they are
viewed at.---
Ebony: "Wow..."
* Isis "Ooooooooh.."
Dross: "There ya go! 150 silver please..."
Ebony: "Um, sure... Thesian, pay him."
* Thesian shrugs. "Here ya go."
* Ebony recovers his items.
---Opal Talons acquired! Opal Collar acquired! Opal Fangs acquired!---
Iceberg: "It's beautiful! Good work, Dross... I now know that Alex
taught you something more than honesty."
* Miko gasps at the stones. "That's incredible. You actually made a
new rock from an old one! How? Did you use magic?"
Dross: "Well, my own special brand of magic, my dear. My lapidary
technique is legendary!"
* Miko seems impressed. "Lap... lapidary. Wow."
* Dross counts his silver maniacally and snickers away.
Iceberg: "Now I know a jewelry shop is a hidden shop for a FC!"
Hahn: "FC? Fried Cat!"
Iceberg: "Some weeks ago all were fried..."
* Thesian looks hungry... "With just a little mayonnaise...MMMmmmm..."
Hahn: "Thesian, we could make $5.99 value meals! We'd have a racket!
Now to find Azura..."
Thesian: "Hahn, great idea! We could call it 'Cat-a-comb-bo'!"
Ebony: "You all make me sick!!"
Thesian: "Hmmm, interesting. Well, shall we look around some more?"
* Isis remarks that there is still enough for her and Thesian's
carapace bucklers..
* Ebony slips his collar back on, slips the fangs in his mouth, and
takes his claws.
* Miko goes outside. "Ebony, let's look at them in the light! They're
beautiful!"
* Thesian follows them out, with a final glance back at Dross.
* Ebony flutters over to Miko. "How do I look?"
* Miko cannot stop staring at the stones. "Ebony, beautiful... I
couldn't understand why anyone would pay silver just for rocks, but
now I do... I've never seen rocks like that..."
* Ebony looks embarrsed at Miko's attention... even if it is for his
acessories.
Iceberg: "Black fits perfectly with ya, Ebano... As blue goes with me."
* Miko stands in the sunlight, tilting the Hope Stone around in the
light and looking to see if it changes colors like Ebony's... "Well,
I still say my rock is magic, too, even if it doesn't change colors
like yours."
Ebony: "The Dragon gave these to me."
* Miko soon tires of playing with her rock and decides to follow the
others once again.
* Ebony stays with Miko.
Iceberg: "So, only the pharmashop is left... Let's go inside..."
----------Pharmacy----------
Spring Water 10s
Purity Herb 20s
Eye Salve 20s
Vocal Salve 20s
Angel Tears 100s
Pharmacist: "What can I do ya for?"
* Isis wonders what all this stuff does..
Iceberg: "Well, Pharmacist, are you going to show their effects? Free
prove, perhaps?"
Pharmacist: "Read the labels on the back of all items."
* Iceberg reads the labels anxiously...
Spring Water = paralysis recovery
Purity Herb = poison recovery
Eye Salve = blind recovery
Vocal Salve = mute recovery
Angel Tears = unconsciousness recovery
Thesian: "Hmmm, this looks like magic items and stuff for healers.
Any takers?"
Ebony: "Angel tears... Hey, aren't I carrying some of those from the
Blue Star?"
~Lou: "Blue Star...?"
Ebony: "Okay, okay, fine! 'That place with the blue-haired girl'!"
~Lou: "When did you go there, Eb?"
Ebony: "Okay, anyone think we should buy some of this healing stuff?"
Thesian: "Ebony, I'll pass."
* Miko is still standing near the door, her thoughts elsewhere.
Ebony: "WHO THINKS WE SHOULD BUY SOME HEALING STUFF?"
Iceberg: "One purity herb for me, pharmacist..."
Ebony: "Okay, give Points the herb and let's move! Honestly, you guys
would still be in the frontier if not for me!"
---Iceberg acquires "Purity Herb".---
Iceberg: "Thesian, Isis, you wanted something from the armor shop.
Nothing more to buy?"
Isis: "Well, *I'D* like the carapace buckler.. if no one objects.."
Ebony: "Then let's get going. We've seen every place. Who wants a new
weapon?"
Davis: "ME! Too bad they don't have better here for me."
~Lou: "*yawn* Let's check out the shops and find some place to sleep."
Ebony: "Hey Bulix, they sell a fist thingy at that store."
* Bulix will get the Iron Fist if there's enough money after everyone
else is done..
* Isis wants a carapace buckcler.. and she thinks Thesian does, too..
Thesian: "Yeah, I almost forgot. Let's swing back by the Armorer's
store again."
* Iceberg will hide the purity herb in one pocket while confirms
both. "If no one minds, I'll suggest going to the thieves' bazaar
or the thieves' guild after this shopping time..."
---Carapace Bucklers acquired for Thesian and Isis.---
Isis: "Thank you!"
Thesian: "Thanks guys. I'm sure this will come in handy..."
Isis: "Can I sell my old leather buckler?"
---Leather buckler sold for 8 silver.---
* Bulix will get the Iron Fist, if no one cares...
Ebony: "What kinda fist you got now Bulix?"
* Bulix glances down. "This Copper thingy here."
Ebony: "Well, iron sounds stronger than copper to me. Go for it."
---Bulix acquires Iron Fist.---
* Bulix attempts to sell his old Copper thingy.
---Copper knuckle sold for 5 silver.---
Ebony: "Miko, I think that tiara would look good on you. I mean,
you're pretty as it is..."
* Miko smiles. "Thank you, Ebony... but I don't want that dumb thing.
It looks like it'd probably fall off anyway."
Ebony: "Aww, c'mon Miko! You needa buy stuff more! How much is a
tiara?"
Isis: "25 silver."
Ebony: "Hmm...
* Miko looks at her outfit and belongings and shakes her head.
"Ebony, I don't need more stuff. I have too much now."
Iceberg: "Ebony will put Miko that Tiara even she doesn't want to
wear it!"
* Ebony plunks money he ripped off from someone one the counter.
"Hey, I can buy a gift, can't I? Gimma one."
Iceberg: "Miko, we have the money, and you may need it.. Who knows
what dangers await us there?"
* Miko looks at Isis, who is not wearing a tiara and shakes her head
back and forth again.
* Ebony takes his cash back. "All right, Miko. How about you, Isis?
You want one?"
Isis: "Miko, I was thinking about it.. Do you have any head coverage?
Miko: "Isis, no... But I don't see how that thing will help me....
Besides, you don't have one."
Iceberg: "Isis, Miko, why not? Buy that tiara both... You'll be
prettier... if possible..."
* Isis doesn't really care for how pretty they will make her, she
just wants better coverage.. She already has the leather headband.
Ebony: "I'm sure it's better than nothing. You guys are hopeless!"
* Ebony drops 25 silver in Isis' hand. "Go for it!"
* Isis will splurge and go for the tiara. "Sure."
---Isis acquires Tiara.---
Isis: "Woo-hoo! I'm gonna sell my leather headband now!"
---Headband sold for 5 silver.---
* Ebony paces back and forth, bored with the human type purchasing.
Isis: "Miko, I think you should get one, too.. they feel neat.."
* Miko looks at Isis and says, "Okay, I'm still not giving in, but
I'm... changing my mind. I'll wear one of those tiaras, I guess."
Ebony: "It's your descision, Miko."
---Miko acquires Tiara.---
* Ebony yawns. "So now what?"
* Miko puts her tiara on, looks up, and smiles, "Ebony, do I look more
like Isis now?"
* Ebony wonders if she actually wants to look like Isis. "Um..."
* Isis nudges Ebony and whispers "Just say she looks good.. She does!"
Ebony: "You always look great, Miko."
Miko: "Thank you, Ebony."
~Lou: "I'm gonna go look for a place for us to sleep..."
---Lou returns with a tall man speaking with him.---
Iceberg: "Are you going to introduce this man to us, Lou?"
Man: "Ah.. this is your group! How are you fine folks tonight?"
Iceberg: "Nice to meet you. Name's Iceberg. :)"
---The man wonders what Iceberg's strange :) is for, and how you
would pronounce it in normal speech.---
* Iceberg tried to smile and it is *not* pronounced... :)
~Lou: "This guy says he can get us a place to stay."
Ebony: "Yeah? For how much?"
* Isis does not want to sleep ANYWHERE where the doors do not lock
from the inside..
* Bulix doesn't really want to sleep period.. not in this town.
Man: "As you may know, this isn't the safest town to sleep in. Many
thieves and cat burglars operate around here."
Ebony: "Cat burglars? People steal cats???"
Miko: "Ebony... Steal cats? Another circus?"
Bulix: "Not all circuses steal cats.."
* Isis busts out laughing.
* Ebony looks at Isis and wonders what's so funny.
* Thesian chuckles. "He means thieves who sneak in and steal things
while you are sleeping."
Iceberg: "I'll better say kidnap..or catnap... or dragonnap..."
* Thesian yawns. "Well, burglars or no, I hope we can crash soon."
Man: "Some people of shrewd business have taken it upon themselves to
find safer places of lodging and directing weary travelers such as
yourself there. For a fair fee of 5 silver pieces, I can take your
group to a very safe inn that is quite secure from thieves."
* Isis says loudly to the man, "And what about those dishonest
business men that take travelers to unsafe places to be robbed?"
Man: "Choosing your own inn is quite a gamble here. I wouldn't
recommend selecting an inn by yourself."
Isis: "How can we trust YOU?"
Man: "Trust me...? Why, I have no reason to deceive you. Surely you
do not consider me a thief. You may inspect the inn for your
official approval."
* Isis would rather not consider you a thief, but can not throw the
idea away completely.
Iceberg: "A man is a thief in Reza until the law says the contrary. How
about making guards? It doesn't matter the inn, if at least one of
us is awake...."
~Lou: "G.. Guys? I don't think we should try to pick a place around
here by ourselves. There's no knowing if it's safe or not."
Miko: "Well, I don't care where we go. I'm not going to sleep
anyway..."
Iceberg: "Miko, you should rest, and dream, so you can help your
brother to recover his health..."
* Bulix bets Miko will be out like a light in no time.
* Miko holds her eyes open very, very wide... and supresses a yawn.
You see her throat muscles tighten as she does so. "I'm telling you.
I'm not sleepy."
* Isis recommends another 'watch' to be set up..
* Ebony alights on Miko's shoulder. "I'll trust Isis, descision."
* Davis had Isis' plan in his head, too, and would go with it.
* Bulix agrees, Isis.
Man: "Then it's settled. I'll take you to a little known place in the
north side. It's very secure."
* Isis will best judge it with her own eyes.
---The man leaves the shop and motions the group to follow him.---
* Bulix follows the man, carefully, from a slight distance.
* Isis follows the man very carefully.. watching for any strange
movements.
* Iceberg follows the man while tries to read his mind for any evil
thought...
* Thesian follows in turn.
* Davis decides to be quiet.
Ebony: "Hey, mister, have you heard about a big box of herbs popping up
around here?
Man: "Herbs...? Well, we get many shipments of herbs in from the
caravans that go to the pharmacies. if you're looking to shop for
herbs, there is a pharmacy you can shop in."
---The group arrives at the inn.---
Man: "Here you are. For 5 silver, I can arrange lodgings for you here
tonight."
Thesian: "Hmmm. 5 silver's not bad."
Iceberg: "I guess so..."
Isis: "Sure."
~Lou: "Well, I feel better we'll be sleeping somewhere safe. We do have
lots of valuable stuff."
* Isis smacks Lou for saying that.
* Ebony smacks Lou "Shhhh!"
* Bulix bonks Lou.
* Iceberg checks his pockets only to know that he has all his
belongings...
---The man quietly drops the silver in his belt pouch and extends a
hand to Lou.---
Man: "Thank you, son. I wish you well in your travels."
* ~Lou shakes the man's hand. "Thank you, sir!"
Man: "Good night, folks. Pleasant dreams!"
---The man waves and turns around to walk away. He disappears in the
twilight shadows of the streets.---
* Isis walks in and starts to check the place out..
---There is a plump old woman inside who smiles and offers to lead
you to your rooms.---
* Bulix glances around. "I really think this is a stupid idea."
Lou: "I sorta gotta agree with Bulix a bit. These thieves are as
honest as they get, but they are still thieves."
Bulix: "Thieves? Honest? Right. Yeah. Ahuh."
Ebony: "So are we gonna do this "posting watch" thing?"
Miko: "Ebony, you can all sleep. I can keep watch all night. I know
I won't be able to sleep until I get home."
Lou: "You sure about that, Miko? I can keep watch a bit, too. I am a
bit of a night owl."
Miko: "Lou, I'm sure. You can if you want, but I know I won't sleep,
so you don't have to worry. Thanks, though."
Lou: "Welcome..."
Ebony: "I'll stand watch with you... You know... um... because... Two
is better than one! Yeah, that's it!"
* Thesian yawns. "I'm exhausted. Let me know if you want me to take
second watch..."
---The twilight disappears and the stars shine out.---
Lou: "Such a pretty night..."
* Thesian stretches out on a bed and crashes.
* Bulix glances around the place warily, then sits down on one of the
beds.
* Isis quickly falls asleep and begins her mysterious dreaming.
* Iceberg dreams with Vane while a strange wizard is near him...
* Ebony paces back and forth "Hut, 2, 3, 4! Hut, 2, 3, 4!"
---The group falls asleep in calm rest while Miko and Lou stand
watch.---
* Iceberg shouts in dreams, "Ghaleon, what the...? You!!"
* Bulix is, strangly enough, sleeping while sitting up.
* Nall appears, says, "Hey! This guy's really talented!" and
disappears.
* Thesian tosses in his sleep, and reaches to his chest, clutching at
something that isn't there.
* Isis quietly cries out in her sleep to what sounded like 'Eomar'..
* Iceberg is lost in a dream where his ears grow and become little in
no time...
* Ebony yawns.
* Miko yawns as well and starts singing quietly to herself.
* Lou sits down near Miko and watches a bit.
* Ebony coninutes 'Hut, 2, 3, 4'-ing.
* Miko sings a song in time to Ebony's march.
* Ebony thinks 'Hut, 2, 3, 4'-ing is boring. He smiles at Miko and
stops to listen to her sing. Ebony can't help but fall alseep to
Miko's lovely tune and plops down. "Zzzzzzzz..."
Lou: "Hey Miko, I've been wondering about this ring and amulet..."
* Miko yawns as she looks at sleeping Ebony. "Lou, really. What are
you thinking?"
Lou: "Well, why was I the one who got them? Why did they glow when
brought together, and what's their connection with the dragon caves?"
* Ebony turns over, not really awake. "The dragon gave it to you..."
He smiles to himself and curls up into a little ball.
* Miko watches as Ebony curls up in his sleep, and feels somewhat
guilty for the tone she had taken earlier with him... "Lou, does it
have anything to do with being a Wagonmaster? You are one, right?"
Lou: "I think that's just Ebony's joke as I have Dragonmaster dreams,
even though I know I can't be one with Alex alive..."
~Eomar: "Alex... alive... Lou, you better not be getting any demented
ideas!"
* Lou would never hurt Alex. "No, I'm not. I should have made myself
clearer. I can't be one with Alex alive, and I'm not gonna do
anything to hurt him... Like I could if I tried, with him a
Dragonmaster."
Bulix: "Mainly because you'd get your rear knocked from here to the
Blue Star, eh, Lou?"
Lou: "Hehehe. Exactly, Bulix. Also, 'cause he's my hero, here."
* Ebony becomes informative when he's not awake. "You just can't be a
Dragonmaster while there is another with that rank. He can still be
alive."
Lou: "I know Ebony, and that's what spooks me."
* Miko nods at Lou's response. "Why can't there be two Dragonmasters? I
don't understand."
Davis: "Miko, because there is only need for one, and Althena's power
can probably only support one."
Lou: "I don't know that either, but that's what they say."
Davis: "I have to admit that those were informed guesses though."
* Miko begins singing to the supposedly sleeping Ebony, "Ebony, tell me
what's wrong... You're enchained by your own sorrow. In your eyes,
there is no Hope for tomorrow..."
Isis: "Chiquitita!!"
* Ebony smiles and continues snoozing. "Miko..."
* Iceberg is singing in dreams... "Little Ebony, dime porqué, en mi
hombro aquí llorando..."
~Eomar: "Heh... the blue haired freak is talking crazy talk, eh, Isis?"
Isis: "Weird Spanish jabber!"
Iceberg: "Hey! Don't you recognize the Magic language...? What is that
about Spa... what?"
* Bulix stands up, walks over, tapes Iceberg's mouth shut, and returns
to his sitting position without waking up.
Thesian: "Pretty talented, Bulix!"
Bulix: "Heck.. Awake, I'm a moron. Asleep I can construct atomic
weapons out of paper clips!"
Lou: "Hehehe! We need to use Herbal Breeze on you in battle some time
then!"
* Iceberg "Mmmhmhmhmhm...."
* Ebony finally stops talking in his sleep.
* Iceberg continues dreaming with his shining stars, Waterloos,
dancing queens and other strange things he tries hard to recognize
but he can't....
---Ebony can't seem to fall asleep. He is very restless... For some
reason, when Lou talks about his worries of Alex, it runs a chill
down Ebony's spine and makes his heart stop. Something is wrong.
Something is definitely wrong. He feels cold and alone. He feels
weak and light, like there is nothing supporting him. The voice...
The voice in the diamond mine... It's not there. It's distant...
He doesn't feel it from Lou anymore. He can muster the strength to
get up, but he still feels light and empty.---
* Ebony yawns and wakes up. "It's still night..."
Lou: "Miko, I'm worried. What if these things come from the Dragons,
sort of like Alex's armor? Does that mean something is wrong with
Alex? And why me? Why should I be the one to get them?"
* Miko's eyes slowly close a little... and open a little... and close
completely... and stay that way. She slumps down into her chair,
asleep.
Lou: "You okay, Miko?"
Ebony: "Shh, don't wake her up, Lou."
* Lou whispers, "Okay, Ebony"
* Miko shakes her head. "Huh? Oh... Sorry, Lou."
Lou: "Sorry for waking you up..."
Miko: "No, I'm sorry, Lou, for falling asleep. I was going to say that
I think you would make a wonderful Dragonmaster, and if you want to
be one, you should just believe you will, and do everything you can
to make it happen."
Ebony: "It's not that easy, Miko."
Lou: "Thanks, Miko. I wish I could be one, but with that only one
rule, it's impossible..."
---The rays coming in from the window appear to brighten slightly.---
* Thesian suddenly stirs. He sits up, startled, then relaxes. "I
thought I heard something. Oh well, guess it was nothing."
Lou: "You awake, Thesian?"
* Thesian yawns and stretches. "Yeah, I am now. What a great nap!"
* Thesian suddenly looks grim. "Stange dreams though."
* Ebony blushes as he remembers his dream.
Lou: "Dreams about what, Thesian?"
* Thesian is silent for a long moment, then replies, "About my father."
Lou: "Sorry, Thesian."
* Thesian shakes his head. "It's okay, Lou. I...well, I really don't
know what to make of my life now. Especially now that Azura is gone."
Lou: "You and Azura did seem to be pretty close..."
* Thesian stares out the window at the fading stars.
* ~Eomar snores loudly and rolls over.
* Bulix leans, and falls right off the bed, thumping on the floor, and
continues to sleep like a log.
* Isis snuggles up against Eomar.
* ~Eomar's loud snoring makes sleep difficult.
* Isis rolls Eomar on his side to stop his snoring.
* ~Eomar gives Isis a suggestive glance, then hands her an ear of corn.
"Eh? Eh?"
* Isis snickers at Eomar. "Just what is that supposed to represent?"
* ~Eomar suddenly falls asleep again.
Lou: "Thesian, can I ask you something personal?"
Thesian: "What is it, Lou?"
Lou: "How much do you know about this amulet I got that used to be
yours?"
Thesian: "Well, my father gave me that amulet when I was very young.
He never got a chance to tell me who it belonged to. I thought it
must belong to a powerful wizard."
Lou: "That all you know?"
Thesian: "Lou, that amulet...I thought it was the source of my magic,
but Azura told me it's not. She..."
Lou: "Yes, Thesian?"
* Thesian looks troubled. "I don't know what to beleive! Here I've been
carrying around this magic power, safeguarding it for my father, and
now that I'm ready to give it up to who it belongs to, I... find I
can't! Oh, I'm so confused..."
Lou: "Looks like we both have answers to find, Thesian. Perhaps when
our quest is over, all our questions will be answered."
* Thesian nods, but doesn't say anything.
---A breaking beam of sunlight shines in through the window. The
window becomes a pale orange color as the first rays of day come
up.---
* Bulix yawns, and wakes up. "What'm I doing.. on the floor?"
* Ebony suddenly shivers uncontrollably.
Miko: "Ebony..?"
Ebony: "L-Lou..."
Lou: "Yes, Ebony?"
Ebony: "Quit talking about Alex... It's giving me a bad feeling."
Lou: "Sorry, Ebony..."
Miko: "Ebony, what's wrong..?"
* Ebony shivers again and walks over to curls up next to Miko for
comfort. "I... I don't know Miko... I just... feel bad... I have a
bad feeling when Lou talks about this Alex guy..."
Miko: "Lou, this Alex person, is he really as important as you say? I
mean, if something bad happens to him... What will happen because of
it? Ebony seems really scared..."
Lou: "I don't know Miko... He's the protector of the goddess, so he's
as important as they come. Last time the goddess was unprotected,
Ghaleon nearly took over the world."
* Ebony shivers again, his rest ruined by Lou and this darn bad
feeling.
Lou: "Sorry, Ebony... I didn't meant to do that. I had my own bad
feelings I was hoping talking about would dispell... I guess I just
made everything worse..."
Ebony: "I don't even know who this Alex guy is. Why would I be
worried?"
Lou: "This is all too weird..."
---The door flies open and the innkeeper woman barges in and claps her
hands.---
Woman: "Get up! Get up! Morning! Yoo hoo! Get up! Morning! Gotta go
now!"
Ebony: "Get up, get up, get with me, with me..."
* Ebony shakes his head. "Never mind..."
* Thesian spins around and frowns. "Haven't you ever heard of extended
check-out time?"
---The woman gives Thesian a menacing stare and walks out.---
* Bulix cracks his knuckles.
* Iceberg gets up with a smile on the face...
* Isis gets up and smooths her hair..
* Davis gets up and runs out the door.
* Miko gets up and runs after Davis. "Wait! Davis, wait!"
* Davis waits for Miko.
* Lou begins to follow Miko and Davis.
* Ebony stands, wobbles on his feet and falls down. "Something's
wrong... Something's really wrong..."
* Lou stops. "What's wrong, Ebony???"
* Ebony is close to tears, and doesn't know why. "I'm alone... all
alone..."
Lou: "Sorry, Ebony... but you're not alone. I know of another flying
cat that lives near me you may want to visit."
Isis: "Ebony what are you talking about? is it Azura?"
Ebony: "No, that's not it!"
Lou: "What is it then, Ebony?"
* Ebony tries to stand again, but seems to be weak.
Lou: "Need a lift, Ebony? I'll carry you if you want."
Thesian: "Huh? I've never seen you this upset, Ebony?? What is it?"
Ebony: "It's gone... It's gone..."
Lou: "What's gone?"
* Ebony finally stands, shakes his head. "Gone..."
Thesian: "Gone?? What's gone?"
Lou: "What, Ebony???"
Iceberg: "Ebony!! Please fill us in! What is gone!!"
Ebony: "I think... the dragon... the statue... It talked to me... I
felt it in Lou's ring... It's gone."
* Lou looks at his hand. "Wait a sec..."
* Isis gasps..
Lou: "It is gone... That jerk must've swiped it while shaking my
hand!"
* ~Eomar: "Jerk...?"
* Thesian grimaces, this time not amused by Reza's politics. "This
isn't funny, now."
* Ebony cries a bit, and doesn't really know why. "I feel like a piece
of me is gone..."
* Lou gets the same strange feeling as Ebony when he realizes this.
Dammit! Where did that guy go...? There will be hell to pay..."
Iceberg: "Ebony, calm down... There's nothing we can do now... Please.
It's over..."
Ebony: "You have your insides ripped out and see how you feel, Points!"
Iceberg: "We'll recover the ring, even it's the last thing we do... in
this town..."
Lou: "You with us, Ice?"
Iceberg: "Of course, Lou. That dragon ring is important... They must
pay...."
* Isis smells a battle brewing...
* Ebony is feeling a little stronger, walks out.
* Lou follows Ebony. "Ebony, shall we search for that guy and the
ring?"
* Ebony looks around like he's listening. "Where are you?"
Lou: "Ebony, you okay?"
Ebony: "Yeah... I'm fine...
Lou: "We're gonna try to find it. I think it was that guy who shook my
hand."
* ~Eomar: "That guy shook your hand? Hee hee. I've used that one a few
times. People fall for it..."
Lou: "Now you tell me, Eomar... Sure, don't tell the small-town guy
stuff like that..."
* ~Eomar chuckles at Lou.
Lou: "Okay, where should we try first? I suggest we try the Bazaar
first."
Thesian: "That's the best place to look, Lou. We should check back at
the jewelers."
---The thieves bazaar is not far from this inn. Only two blocks.---
Ebony: "We need to get Lou's ring. It was a present from the dragon...
b-but... we need to help Miko's brother..."
Thesian: "How far is it to Miko's hometown?"
Lou: "Should we split up or something?"
Iceberg: "Ebano, we'll take little time to recover that ring... I
hope..."
Ebony: "Maybe the caravan isn't fixed yet?"
Lou: "That would be the best case. Well, sorta anyway..."
Iceberg: "If we paid the caravan, they should await for us..."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Miko is at the carriage, impatiently awaiting the others and
wondering what is keeping them...
Caravan Master: "Oh, hello, miss. I told the other passengers to be
here this morning. They should arrive shortly. You're the first one
here. Why so eager to leave? Hee hee."
Miko: "Well, I... I'm anxious to get home. I want to go as soon as
possible. Is the carriage ready? If it is, I can go back and get
them..."
Caravan Master: "Yes, the repairs went along nicely, but I don't think
the other passengers are up yet. They'll be here soon."
* Miko seems unsure as to whether she should stay or go, but decides to
go hurry the others along.
---Miko sees the others exiting the inn and heading towards a large
building bustling with activity.---
* Miko comes running back and seems confused to see the others heading
into another building instead of toward the caravan. "Ebony, is
everyone ready? They fixed the carriage. Now I can go home."
Ebony: "Miko... someone took Lou's ring..."
Lou: "We have a problem Miko. Someone took the Black Dragon's ring."
Davis: "I'd call that a problem."
Miko: "Lou, what? When? Will... will.. this mean we..."
Thesian: "Maybe you're right, Lou. Splitting up here seems like a good
thing to do."
Iceberg: "I don't like the splitting idea, but if you really want..."
* Isis will stay with whoever needs her most..
Ebony: "But if the caravan leaves without some people, the others won't
be able to catch up..."
Lou: "True, Ebony..."
---The door to the thieves' tavern is open. There appears to be quite a
bit of bustling activity inside---
Lou: "Miko... I think that guy I shook hands with took it. Some of us
are gonna go after it if not all of us. You in?"
* Ebony looks at Miko beseechingly. "Miko... help us get back Lou's
ring... Then we will go help your brother."
* Miko doesn't say anything to Ebony, but she appears as if she will
accompany the others... reluctantly... at least for the moment.
Lou: "Sorry about this, Miko..."
Davis: "Lou, do you remember what he looked like?"
Lou: "I think so, Davis... Besides, Ebony and I both seem to have some
weird sense of that ring... That could help find it as well."
Thesian: "The tavern seems like a good place to look..."
Ebony: "Then let's go! We have to hurry to help Miko's brother!"
Iceberg: "My seventh sense tells me that that ring is an important
object, even as I feel that Miko's brother is ill... Sorry Miko...
We'll be as fast as we can..."
* Lou heads inside the tavern.
* Ebony trudges bravely into the tavern.
* Thesian follows the pair.
* Isis lemmings.
* Iceberg goes inside as it was any other option to follow...
* Thesian quickly looks around the tavern, surveying the territory.
---In the dimly lit tavern, sure enough, you see the tall fellow that
directed you last night in the far corner speaking to a group of
caped and armed thugs sitting at the tables.---
Man: "So the plan is, we take this ring made of Onyx to Dross, have him
refine it into Opal, then show it to those gullible fools in Iluk. We
can get them to pay us for a shipment of 144, then we take the cash
and high tail it out of there. Sound good, boys?"
---The thieves nod in agreement.---
* Lou points at the guy with the ring. "That... that's him!"
* Isis readies herself for a rumble.
* Davis will let Lou give the speech.
Iceberg: "The honor is yours Lou..."
* Lou walks up to the men.
* Thesian shadows Lou, standing off to his right.
Lou: "Sorry to say this guys, but your plans just took a turn for the
worse. That is MY ring you got there, and I'm not gonna let you rip
off Iluk with it."
---The man glares up at Lou with cold terror in his eyes.---
Man: "You... um... yes? Was your inn stay pleasant?"
Lou: "Now, we can be civil, and you can just give it back, and nobody
gets hurt..."
---The thieves all get up and ready their weapons.---
* Isis takes out her saber and points towards one of the thugs. "Stay
right where you are..."
* Iceberg thinks this man is gonna find an 'eternal and pleasant'
rest...
* Lou pulls out his sword.
* Thesian looks at Lou and pulls out his sword as well. "Shall we?"
Lou: "Thesian, let's!"
Man: "Ah... so you aren't the naive little callow kid I thought you
were. You do have some... interesting looking friends I must say, but
I'm afraid I have more of them."
Lou: "If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get! In the name
of the Black Dragon, I will punish you!"
---The makes a hand motion and the thieves ready for a rumble! There
are five thieves armed with iron daggers, and four behind them with
light crossbows.---
Ebony: "Rogues and Archer bandits!"
Thesian: "Ahh...a fight for our treasure. Now THIS is a battle I can
sink my teeth into!"
Lou: "Hmm, looks like a good situation to try my new spell..."
* Ebony gets a chance to try out his spiffy new weapons!
Lou: "Just remember, someone cast healing magic right away!"
Iceberg: "Just ask for healing whoever needs it... I guess thieves
carry lots of gold..."
Davis: "It's a good thing Bulix wasn't here."
Ebony: "Of course Bulix is STILL asleep!"
Lou: "Here we go again..."
* Davis takes the front.
* Ebony hovers.
* Lou holds his blade up perpendicular to the ground and chants...
-----------------COMBAT------------------
Isis uses "QuickCut" level 4! Rogue A suffers 25.
Second attack... Rogue B suffers 26
Ebony swipes and gashes at the Rogue. 7 damage
Second attack! 8 damage.
Archer Bandit A fires at Davis!
Lou: "Look out, Davis!"
* Ebony thinks Lou's got fast reactions to be able to shout warnings
while arrows are in the air...
Davis is hit for 2 damage.
Archer Bandit B fires at Iceberg!
Lou: "Careful, Ice..."
Isis: "Duck, Ice!"
Iceberg is hit for 9 damage
Archer Bandit C fires at Thesian!
Thesian is hit for 16 damage.
Archer Bandit D fires at Isis!
Isis: "Oh no!"
Isis deflects the projectilve with her shield.
Isis: "Woo-hoo!"
Lou: "Nice block, Isis!"
Thesian uses "Flip" level 3! Thesian hops about nimbly.
* Thesian smiles. "Dance? Why yes, let's."
Lou: "Hehehhe..."
Davis uses Wide Slash level 4!
Rogue A suffers 21. B suffers 19. C suffers 24.
D suffers 22. E suffers 20. Rogue A is defeated!
Lou: "Yes! One down, Six to go! I think... Lost count..."
Thesian: "Ummm...I think there are eight left..."
Lou: "Okay, thanks!"
Miko casts Blur Litany level 3! Lou's Dodge% is boosted by 20.
Lou: "Thanks, Miko!
Iceberg casts Numb level 5!
A deep freeze surrounds Archer Bandit D with cold and ice.
Archer Bandit D is paralyzed!
Rogue B swipes at Lou! The attack misses.
Second attack! Lou is hit for 18 damage!
Lou: "Ouch!"
Rogue C swipes at Thesian! The attack misses.
Thesian grabs Rogue C's weapon arm and slams him to the ground.
Rogue C suffers 16 damage.
Lou: "Nice move, Thesian!"
Isis: "Yeah, Thesian!"
* Thesian smiles, and steps back into fighting stance again. "Thanks,
Lou."
Rogue D swipes at Miko!
Lou: "Look out, Miko!"
Isis: "Watch out!"
The attack misses.
Second attack... The attack misses.
Rogue E slashes at Isis! Isis is hit for 5 damage.
Second attack! Isis is hit for 6 damage.
Davis: "Anyone here feel like showing these guys a little something
else?"
Thesian: "How about...Lou?"
Lou: "I'm game, Thesian!"
Lou springs in with a last minute Blade Anger level 7!
Lou becomes a blurry shining image of metal and he frantically
races around slicing and dicing the enemies!
Rogue B is hit for 25. C suffers 24. D suffers 20.
E suffers 26. Archer Bandit A suffers 23. B suffers 24.
C suffers 20. D suffers 23.
Lou: "Yes!!"
Isis: "Good shootin', Tex!"
Ebony: "Wow Lou! Nice move!"
Lou: "Thanks, Ebony!"
* Thesian whistles. "Nice work, Lou!"
Lou: "...And thanks, Thesian!"
Lou: "So Thesian, got Spark Stun?"
* Thesian looks suddenly serious. "I've never done this without the
pendant, Lou, but...I will give it a try."
Lou: "Okay, Thesian... You do Spark Stun. I'll do Wide Slash."
* Thesian takes a deep breath. "All right, Lou. Let's give 'em a gift
they'll remember."
Lou: "Let's do it, Thesian!"
* Thesian grips his blade tightly, closes his eyes, and begins to hum
an ancient melody, a little unsure of himself.
* Lou stands next to Thesian and chants.
* Iceberg takes Isis' hand and prepares his concentration...
Ebony uses Spin Gash level 5! Ebony scratches in a wide circle!
Rogue B suffers 13. C suffers 15. D suffers 12. E suffers 11.
Lou: "Nice move there, Ebony!"
* Ebony sticks out his tounge, waves his booty in the air.
Lou: "Hehehe..."
* Thesian focuses hard, still humming.
Archer Bandit fires at Ebony! Ebony is hit for 1 damage.
Archer Bandit B firest at Davis! Davis is hit for 3 damage.
Archer Bandit C fires at Miko!
Lou: "Miko!"
Miko is hit for 7 damage.
Archer Banidit C fails to recover from Paralyze condition.
Davis uses Wide Slash level 4!
Rogue B suffers 21 damage. C suffers 26. D suffers 25.
E suffers 22. Rogue C is defeated!
Lou: "Yes! One more down!"
Miko casts Blue Litany level 3!
Iceberg's Dodge% is boosted by 19.
Iceberg: "Thanks Miko!"
Miko: "De nada, Iceberg."
* Iceberg is confused... "Miko talks the magic language, too!"
Ebony: "Yeah, Points, she uses the all mighty 'thank you' spell..."
* Thesian opens his eyes slightly, and sheathes his sword. He holds his
palms out, which begin to glow a faint bluish-white.
* Lou presses the side of his sword to his forehead, blade pointing up.
Thesian glares at Lou's upright blade and fires a stream of
shocking electricity at the sword.
Lou feels the electricity course through his body and can't help
but swing the blade. Shock Wave level 12!
Rogue B suffers 27 damage and is paralyzed.
Rogue D suffers 25 damage and is paralyzed.
Rogue E suffers 26 damage and is paralyzed.
Rogue B is defeated! Rogue D is defeated!
Rogue E is defeated!
* Thesian smiles weakly. "We did it, didn't we Lou?"
* Lou high fives Thesian. "Looks like it, Thesian. Looks like we more
than did it!"
* Thesian slaps Lou's hand, and sinks back tiredly.
Isis: "Wow.. I am impressed!"
* Ebony can't help but think those guys would have died without all the
Spark Stun hubub...
Lou: "So what, Ebony? It still looked cool! Thesian, want to do it
again?"
Thesian: "I don't think I have it in me to do it again, Lou. I'll try
it again later."
Lou: "No problem."
Isis closes her eyes and raises her arms to the air.
Sparkles of crackling electricity gather above Iceberg's head.
Iceberg sticks his cane into the electricity and shouts a word.
Iceberg's cane turns dark black as it blends with the lightning.
Black Lightning level 6!
Iceberg: ""
Isis: "Woo-hoo!!"
A crackling bolt of black energy is shot out!
* Ebony thinks an archer is about to get fried...
Archer Bandit suffers 103 damage.
Archer Bandit A is defeated!
Lou: "That was nasty...."
Ebony: "Fried archer..?"
Thesian: "Mmm...fried archer, with a side of cat... It's the archer-
cat-a-combo deluxe!"
Ebony: "Don't tempt me, Thesian..."
Isis: "Iceberg, shall we do it again?"
Iceberg: "I guess it's too powerful for those enemies, but it has been
fun..."
Ebony: "Oh quit showing off, you guys! We don't need super spells!"
Lou: "Okay, okay, Ebony!"
Ebony: "There's only three left! We can take 'em!"
Ebony uses Deep Scratch level 5!
Archer Bandit B suffers 43 damage. Archer Bandit B is defeated!
Archer Bandit C fires at Lou!
* Lou tries to dodge the shot.
The bolt narrowly misses Lou.
Isis uses QuickCut level 4! Archer Bandit C suffers 23 damage.
Second attack... Archer Bandit C suffers 22 damage.
Archer Bandit C is defeated!
* Isis yells with excitement that everyone's woopin' ass!
Lou: "Go, Isis!"
* Ebony feels good about kicking some bandit butt.
Lou: Ebony, we'll feel better when we get that ring back though."
Archer Bandit D fails to recover from Paralyze.
Thesian: "Time to wrap this up..."
Lou: "Finish 'em!"
Ebony: "Ha, who needs Bulix anyways?"
Davis slashes at Archer Bandit D. Hit! 18 damage.
Thesian swipes with his small sword at Archer Bandit D.
Hit! 9 damage.
Miko slashes at Archer Bandit D. Hit! 11 damage.
Archer Bandit D is defeated! Victory!
Each player present earns 11 XP!
The group earns 72 silver and 250 MEXP.
Isis: "Yeah!"
Lou: "Yes"
* Thesian smiles and wipes the sweat from his forehead.
* Ebony wipes off his new claws and looks over Miko. "Miko, you were
great! So were the rest of you guys!"
Lou: "Thanks, Ebony."
* Isis glares at the foes laying on the ground..
Lou: "Now, gimme back my ring..."
---The man slinks back into the corner with terror in his face, and
rubs the Black Ring on his hand.---
* Lou follows the man. "Now, are you going to give that back nicely..."
* Lou pulls out his sword. ..."or do we have to do this the hard way?"
* Isis comes up beside Lou and pulls her bloody sword out..
Lou: "Thanks, Isis. Two swords are better than one."
Man: "You... you don't deserve this ring! You don't know the first
thing about marketing!"
Isis: "Shut up!"
Lou: "You, on the other hand, don't know the first thing about
swordsmanship... and marketing shmarketing! You don't even know where
that ring came from... You're the one who doesn't deserve it...
Selling the Black Dragon ring like just a piece of onyx..."
Man: "But it *is* a piece of onyx! You don't understand how valuable
this is. How 'bout you forget about this whole messy deal and we can
go 50/50. How's that?"
Lou: "No deal... That thing has a value far greater than money..."
* Ebony feels like he's talking to a Ferengi... "I can sell this for 5
bars of gold pressed latinum!"
* ~Eomar: "Lat... Latiwhat?"
* Ebony pads over to the man. "Better listen to him... Lou here swings
a mean sword, and dead men make no profits..."
Lou: "Thanks, Ebony."
* Lou turns to Isis. "What's next? This guy gonna steal Althena's Sword
and sell it for scrap?"
* Isis laughs.. "You never know how stupid people can get!"
Lou: "True, Isis... Hehe... So, like I said. we can do this the easy
way or the hard way... what will it be?"
Isis: "I'd choose the easy way.. It's less bloody.. for you.."
---The man slinks down in a corner, pulls of the ring, and throws it at
Lou.---
Man: "Leave me alone. Leave me alone, I say!"
* Lou picks up the ring, and puts it back on, amulet and ring glowing
again. "Don't worry.. We got the ring. That's all we wanted."
Isis: "What a schmuck!"
Ebony: "You need something to teach you a lesson."
* Ebony pads over and swipes, leaving 3 claw marks across the guy's
cheek. "Those scars should remind you."
Lou: "Ouch... That's gotta hurt..."
---The man tries to inch his way over to a staircase.---
Man: "Ahhh! Get away, you maniac!"
* Ebony turns and pads away.
* Isis thinks pads are cute.
* Ebony plunks down near Miko.
---The man madly wipes his cheek, then gets up and stumbles up the
stairs.---
Isis: "So we slay all of his 'thugs'.."
Lou: "Ebony, feeling better now that we got the ring back?"
* Ebony smiles. "Yes. I'm not alone anymore."
Lou: "Me, too..."
Isis: "Now let's get to Miko's brother!!!"
Lou: "I'm with you Isis!"
Isis: "Is there a statue near by?"
* Thesian looks at Miko. "Now we can finally help your brother."
* Miko turns and looks at Thesian. "Yeah..." She walks outside and
heads toward the caravan, once again immersed in her own thoughts...
* Iceberg is happy we can continue our way to Miko's town, whatever its
name is...
Lou: "Hopefully, the caravan is still there."
---The caravan is loaded up with passengers and rarin' to go.---
Lou: "All aboard!"
* Davis gets on the caravan.
* Lou gets aboard.
* Isis gets on the caravan, and lays down and tries to rest up from the
previous battle..
* Ebony flutters after Miko.
* Lou shouts at Miko, "You okay, there?"
* Miko pauses to wipe her Guardian Edge off in the grass before getting
on the Caravan car. She looks at Lou. "Sure... I'm okay, Lou."
Lou: "Cool, Miko."
* Ebony lands on the seat next to Miko, not bugging her for once.
* Thesian glances back at the tavern wistfully as he climbs aboard.
"Sure could use a drink..."
Caravan Master: "Departure in 5 minutes!"
* Thesian gets up gleefully, "Time still for that drink!" and runs out.
Ebony: "Get me a chocolate milk!"
Lou: "Hehehehe..."
Ebony: "Ha, what kinda archer was that? I mean, this is barely a
scratch!"
* Lou looks off at a volcano in the distance.
* Ebony licks his barely-a-scratch.
---The caravan slowly begins to move...---
Lou: "Doh!!! Get back here, Thesian!!!"
---The caravan quickly leaves Reza and heads to the northwest
plains.---
* Thesian races back and jumps onto the caravan, mug in hand.
* Isis yells, "SUPER Thesian!"
Thesian: "That bartender sure didn't look too happy about me taking his
glass."
Lou: "Yeah, but after what we did in there, I don't think he'd
complain."
* Ebony is surprised that Dross finally seems to have gone straight.
* Thesian takes a long pull from his drink.
* ~Eomar: "Good brew?"
* Thesian nods, "Not bad," and takes another drink.
* Lou continues to stare at that volcano. "You know, something abut
that volcano... I don't know what it is..."
Ebony: "Miko, are we near your village?"
Davis: "Ebony, not close enough to walk yet."
* Ebony coughs up a hairball for everyone's amusement.
* Miko eyes Ebony's hairball. "Ebony, are you okay... Do you want
something to drink? Thesian has something."
Thesian: "Sure, why not?"
Ebony: "No way I want that crud!"
Thesian: "Here Ebony, sniff this and you might fall in."
Lou: "Hey Ebony, come here if you don't mind and look out this window."
* Ebony goes over to look out the window. "At what?"
Lou: "At that volcano in the distance. I'm getting weird vibes from
it. Are you by any chance?"
* Miko moves to the window. "Volcano..?"
* Lou points out the volcano. "Yeah, Miko. Take a look at it."
Ebony: "I've never seen a volcano before... Lemme guess... Alex told
you about it."
Lou: "He told me about one near here, but I'm not sure which one it is.
There are a couple."
* Miko looks as if she has never seen a volcano. "It looks like a
mountain, Lou... but what's that stuff on it?"
Lou: "It's lava, rocks so hot that it melted down."
* Miko repeats, "Melting rocks..."
Lou: "Yeah, Miko..."
---Ebony feels a familiar force returning. He notices a faint black
glow from Lou's ring as a warm reassurance fills his body.---
* Ebony goes blank.
Lou: "You okay, Ebony?"
* Ebony doesn't hear Lou.
Lou: "Ebony???"
* Miko is still staring at the melting rocks...
---The voice fills Ebony's mind once again.---
Black Dragon: "Ah... Ebony. You have proven yourself once again.
I am proud of you."
* Ebony is talking to no one. "What? You are?"
Lou: "Huh? Ebony?"
Black Dragon: "I think it is now time for you to know the
identity of the spirit fragment in that ring. Ebony, the spirit
in that ring is a tiny vestige of your father, me. You are my
son, Ebony."
Ebony: "I am? Then I'm... I'm not a cat... but I thought you were
the dragon..."
Black Dragon: "Ebony, you are the son of me. You are the son of a
dragon, but you are still very young."
* Lou is looking at Ebony and is worried. "You okay there, Ebony?"
* Isis is getting kind of antsy.
Lou: "Ebony??"
Black Dragon: "Ebony, if you have not yet discovered, you are
very important. You... and that boy. What is his name?"
Ebony: "He is Lou..."
---Lou's Black Ring begins to shine with a black light.---
* Isis glances at Lou's ring and wonders about why it's glowing..
* Lou looks at his ring. "What the? First, Ebony goes schizo, then my
ring glows... What gives??? This is too weird... Miko, you there?"
* Miko turns away from the volcano. "Lou..? Is something wrong..?"
Lou: "Miko, only my ring is glowing for no apparently reason, and Ebony
is going nuts here!"
Miko: "What? Ebony..? What's wrong..?"
* Ebony has tuned out the world.
Black Dragon: "Ebony, you must above all else hold your promise
to me. You must stay with the boy. I sense that you have found
something in your world that you cherish. Am I right?"
* Ebony looks at Miko. "Yes..."
Black Dragon: "I sense... yes, you have found something dear to
you. Something you love. Your life is no longer fear and
hate."
Ebony: "No, I have other feelings now."
Lou: "What do you feel now, Eb?"
Iceberg: "What do you feel Ebony? Is something inside you that need to
exit?"
Black Dragon: You... I know you care for this... person
greatly. You would do anything to help her, no?
Ebony: "I would do anything..."
Black Dragon: "But you are still young, inexperienced, and you
make rash decisions. I think I am discovering your plan, Ebony. I
sense that this... girl is worried about someone. Someone she
cares about as much as you care about her."
Ebony: "Her brother is sick..."
Miko: "Ebony, what are you saying?"
Lou: "And I thought I was confused before..."
Black Dragon: "Ebony, you must know that you cannot help her in
this matter. Nothing that you do can assist her care for
this person. If you truly care about her, you would put
your efforts to another use that could help her much
more in the grand scheme of things... Ebony, listen to me.
My master, Dragonmaster Alex, is in trouble."
Ebony: "Alex?"
Lou: "Alex? Where??? What's going on here?"
Black Dragon: "He is the force which keeps this world at peace.
Alex is my master, as that boy Lou is slowly becoming yours.
Do not be frightened, it will only bring you greater glory and
understanding. I sense a strong familiarity in Lou. He... he
wants to help Alex."
* Lou's amulet and ring glow much brighter now...
Ebony: "Alex is in trouble?"
Lou: "Ebony? He is???? How? We gotta help him!"
Miko: "Ebony, what's happening?"
* Lou is concerned at Ebony's words. "Miko, he's in his own little
world right now. I don't think he can hear us. He's saying something
about Alex being in trouble though..."
* Isis thinks she is going to go get the hose.
Ebony: "What should I do?"
Black Dragon: "You must help him seek out Alex and find out what
is wrong."
Ebony: "We have to find Alex..."
Lou: "He's not in Burg??? Where is he, Ebony?"
Black Dragon: "Evil power is brewing once again, and if Alex is
in trouble, then the very world that... ... Miko lives in is in
jeopardy. If you ignore this duty of yours, Miko may die at the
hands of those that want to take over your world."
Ebony: "NO!"
Black Dragon: "This duty is something for Lou and you to do. Do
not worry about your sister. The ones with the thunder essence
will care for her for the time being. Ebony, you will see
everyone you love. But you must take this duty of yours
seriously. And remember, hold on to your senses, and your mind.
Do not lose sight of them like I did, or else you will become a
danger to Miko and destroy her and everything you love."
Ebony: "If I must find Alex to protect her, than I will."
Lou: "Protect whom??? Where is Alex? You got my word I'll help you,
Ebony!"
Ebony: "Does that mean I must leave her...?"
Miko: "Ebony, what? Alex? Leave? I thought you were--"
Lou: "Leave whom?"
* Thesian looks concerned.
Black Dragon: "Go now. Fulfill your duty, then you will be able
to live in a world of peace and love that you have earned.
Ebony... my last words for now... Understand that if you
truly love her, .... you ... would be willing to part from her
for a short while in order to ensure her future."
---The voice dies down. The ring and amulet dim down. The caravan ride
is peaceful. A cool breeze blows in your car.---
* Ebony sighs.
Lou: "You okay, Ebony?"
Ebony: "Dragonmaster Alex is in trouble.. We have to find him as soon
as possible... for the sake of everyone."
Lou: "Ebony, you have my word I'll help you any way I can! How did you
hear this?"
Isis: "But... what about Miko's brother??"
Miko: "No! When are we going to stop letting these things get in our
way? If we find this Alex person, something else is just going to
happen after that to slow us down again. Who cares about Alex?"
* Thesian shakes his head. "Poor Miko..."
Lou: "I care about Alex, Miko! Alex was my hero! He also protects
Althena! If anything happened to him, Althena will be unprotected!"
Ebony: "Miko... We will have to separate for a short while... I must
help Lou find the dragonmaster... You go help your brother..."
Lou: "Sorry, Miko... I guess I have to go as well... I promise you
I'll return to help you as soon as I can!"
Iceberg: "I think Miko doesn't has to go alone to save her brother!!
Someone has to go with her!"
~Davis: "Miko will not be alone. I feel partially responsible for her
crisis. I need to help her..."
---The caravan is heading for a colossal chain of mountains in the
distance. This chain of mountains is breathtaking in its
massiveness. The mountains are so large that you could not imagine
anything passing through them. There appears to be a large black
opening that the caravan is heading for...---
Ebony: "I don't know where Alex is, Lou... but you would know where to
start more than I would..."
Lou: "Hmm, I know of several places he could be. He could be in either
the White or Red Dragon Caves, the Goddess Tower, or Burg. If we
could get to Burg, we could ask his family where they saw him last,
though."
* Miko turns away. "Well, fine. Leave. I'm not going with any of you,
then. I... understand, Lou, but I... I... It doesn't matter. I'll go
home by myself... And Ebony... Goodbye... At least I got a chance to
say it to -you-..."
Ebony: "Miko..."
Lou: "Thanks for being understanding, Miko... Maybe once Ebony and I
find Alex, we can go help you."
Ebony: "Miko... I promised I would not leave you and I won't... but
this is important... After Lou and I finish our quest, I can see you
again. Only Lou has to go with me... I cannot decide for the rest of
you who you will accompany."
Lou: "Why do I have to go, Ebony? I mean, I volunteered, but why am I
required to go with you?"
Ebony: "I don't know. The black dragon told me."
Lou: "Again, Ebony?"
Ebony: "The black dragon... was my father..."
Lou: "So you are......"
Miko: "Ebony... What do you mean the dragon is your father... You're
a... cat, aren't you?"
Ebony: "I am the offspring of a dragon... which means I am a young
black dragon."
Lou: "So this ring here.... that would mean Azura is a dragon, too..."
Thesian: "Wait a minute! Ebony...and Azura...are DRAGONS???"
Lou: "Thesian, yes... But if you and Azura are Dragons, and with you
sorta approving me and Azura approving me, does that mean...??? This
is even more confusing..."
Ebony: "Are you a complete ditz?!? You might have to become a
dragonmaster, but first we have to find Alex."
Lou: "Okay, so I am a ditz... Just that... never mind..."
Ebony: "Lou, we must leave as soon as possible... Miko... I must do
this... I'll be back... I promise..."
* Miko stares at Ebony and her lower lip starts to quiver. "You... you
said you wouldn't leave... ever. When Azura left, you said you
wouldn't leave."
Ebony: "Miko, I can't help it. This is for you and the whole world... I
will come back to you as fast as I can."
* Miko sits in the corner of the carriage and looks as if she wants to
be left alone.
* Lou tears off a piece of his tunic and gives it to Miko. "Here, Miko.
Take this. It's proof of my word that I'll be back to help you."
* Miko stares at the piece of tunic questioningly...
Lou: "It's not much, I know, but it's a reminder that I'll be back."
Ebony: "WE'LL be back!"
* Miko tucks away Lou's cloth in a safe place. "Thank you, Lou."
Lou: "You're welcome, Miko... Ebony, where should we go first? Want to
try the Red Dragon Cave or should we somehow find a way back to
Burg?"
Ebony: "I think we should go to Burg... before daring deep dark caves."
* Isis is torn between going with Miko and finding out her own
questions..
Thesian: "Although perhaps, Isis, going with Miko means answering your
own questions..."
Isis: "Thesian, but we must go back to Azura.. so we have to meet again
sometime, too.."
~Eomar: "Yeah, didn't Az say something about you and Isis needing to
help her and discover your heritage or something dumb like that?"
* Thesian stares at Isis hard. "That's true enough," he finally says.
Isis: "Miko.. I'll go with you, if you want me to.. I want to help
you.. I know how much it means to you to get to your brother.. so if
you want me to be with you, I will gladly go with you.."
* Miko looks at Isis. "Isis, I don't want to take you away from
whatever you have to do... I'll be all right."
Isis: "But Miko, if you need help... I don't want you to be alone when
you shouldn't have to be..."
Miko: "Isis, thank you... Would you really do that for me?"
Isis: "Miko, yes.. I want to help you.. That way, we can get everything
done faster so we can meet up with everyone again.."
~Eomar: "All I know is that I'm not going nowhere without Thesian, and
that cheeky little babe Isis seals the deal!"
* Thesian smiles. "Partners in crime, Eomar. I'm not going anywhere
without you to watch my back."
Isis: "Eomar can 'come' with me."
~Eomar: "Right on, toots!"
* Iceberg is puzzled and he waits for any decision.
Ebony: "Points, you're always up for meeting celebrities. Wanna come
with us?"
Lou: "Ice, you with me and Eb?"
* Iceberg doesn't know what to decide... From one side, he wants to
know about Vane, his family and friends, but Iceberg feels that Miko
may need his help... "Miko, when you cure your brother, you'll come
back?"
* Miko continues to sit quietly in the back of the caravan car.
* Thesian looks at Miko. "I promised I'd look after Azura so Ebony
could look after you...Now, perhaps, I can go with you to help you
for Ebony."
Ebony: "I would appreciate it, Thesian."
Isis: "Thesian, good idea.. That way, we'd still be together to meet
with Azura when the time comes.."
* Thesian nods. "Our destinies are intertwined, Isis. Perhaps this is
what we are meant to do..."
Isis: "Well, I just hope we find what we need to know, Thesian.. "
* Ebony walks over and looks up at Miko. "I'm sorry... Once this is all
over... and the world is safe... I would love to stay with you..."
Lou: "Don't worry, Miko... Ebony and I will return... And who knows?
We may find a cure for the disease in your village while finding
Alex!"
* Miko nods to Lou and turns from Ebony to Thesian and Iceberg. "Thank
you, Thesian and Iceberg... Ebony, do you promise you'll come back?
Will you come back to my village even though you've found that you're
a dragon, now? You can even stay in my house unless... Well, will you
be very big when you grow up?"
* Isis smiles at Miko.
~Eomar: "Whoa! Ebster said that his father was a dragon, but he sure as
hell ain't no dragon!"
* Thesian nods in agreement with Eomar, but his eyes look thoughtful.
Ebony: "That won't be for a long time, Miko... and yes, being a dragon
doesn't affect how I feel about you... I promise, nothing will stop
me from returning to you."
* Miko forces a smile, "Well, Ebony, I guess we both got to see dragons
after all... Sebastian will... will never believe I saw a dragon if
you don't come to my village, so you'd better!"
Ebony: "I will."
* Lou smiles at Miko. "Don't worry, Miko, I'll make sure he comes
back."
---The caravan approaches the opening and slowly comes to a stop.---
* Isis hugs Ebony and Lou before they leave..
* Ebony smiles at Isis.
* Lou hugs Isis back.
Thesian: "Take care, Lou. Perhaps when we meet again, I will call
you...'Dragonmaster'."
Lou: "We'll see, Thesian."
* Thesian offers Lou his hand.
Isis: "Thesian.. I am impressed! You're offering Lou your HAND!?!
You're gonna marry him??"
Thesian: "Well, I could offer him more, but then I'd be pushing the
MA-13 rating!"
* Lou shakes Thesian's hand. "Isis, you sicko!"
Isis: "Heh, at my best!"
~Eomar: "Hey, why all the teary farewells now? We still got a ways to
go before we go skipping off and doing all this merry stuff."
Lou: "You never know what happens though, Eomar..."
---A short while passes and the Caravan Master comes up to your car.---
Man: "Hi, are you folks all right? Listen up, we're about to pass
through THE BARRIER. Don't worry, your protection fee is included in
your caravan ticket. We'll be surrounded by guardians the whole
time."
Lou: "I guess we have to get through the barrier then. We can get a
boat to Saith from Meribia, and walk to Burg from Saith unless anyone
knows a shortcut."
Man: "Is everyone okay with this? Just so you know... you'll be safe."
---The Caravan Master shakes his head that no one will acknowledge him,
and goes on to inform the other cars. The caravan slowly begins to
move again... The caravan is quickly encompassed in darkness as it
enters the dark passage. Over a dozen very muscular warriors come
out of the darkness and flank the caravan. The one nearest your car
looks up and says, "Don't worry, folks. you'll be safe with us."---
* Lou yells out to the warriors. "Hey, is Kyle still your boss?"
Guardian: "Kyle...? Nah, didn't you hear? He ran away to live near
Althena's Shrine with that floozy he met all those years ago. I have
no idea what he's up to now."
Lou: "Ahh, okay, just wondering... We don't hear much all the way on
Caldor Isle."
---The caravan moves slowly through the dark passages while the
guardians cautiously look for any activity.---
Lou: "So Ebony, we'll take a boat from Meribia back to Caldor, okay?"
Ebony: "Lou, that sounds good to me... Maybe he'll just be at his
house..."
Lou: "I hope so... If not, we've got a problem..."
* Ebony mutters, "As if anything is ever that easy..."
---The guardian near you appears bored and tries to stir up
conversation.---
Guardian: "So, you folks ever visit Katarina? Have you heard about all
the trouble in Vane? Appearently Vane is occupied by a Vile
regiment. They did something to it, it's putting out bad vibes now.
Bad magic, when it once emitted good magic."
Ebony: "Really? Vane, huh?"
Guardian: "There's trouble all over now. There's this strange new
sickness going around. It started about the time of the occupation.
It works slow, but it weakens those who catch it and it quite
miserable."
* Ebony wonders if Grizmol is involved...
Lou: "Is there any cure?"
Ebony: "Here's a long shot. You heard about Dragonmaster Alex lately?"
Guardian: "Also, the seas have grown wild lately. There are storms
nearly every day. A ship left from Meribia to go warn Alex about
Vane, but apparently Mel hasn't heard back from it yet."
Lou: "Oh no! If no more ships leave Meribia, how are we supposed to get
to Caldor?"
Ebony: "We have to, Lou. If that's where Alex is, that's where we must
go. Maybe I can meet Nall while we're at it..."
Lou: "Ebony, yep, maybe he'll have more info for both of us. Now that
we know you're a baby dragon, that means Nall is one, too, and he's a
bit older than you and might know more."
Guardian: "Also, I've been hearing reports that the rivers over by
Lyton and such are turning into black oil. Mighty bizarre, if you ask
me."
Lou: "Something is definately wrong here!"
Guaridan: "Even the people of Vane seem to be affected by it. They all
sought refuge in Nanza after the evacuation, but they're all crabby
and mean. They keep talking bad about Mia."
* Isis thinks Mia is sexy..
* Ebony would prefer Jessica... if he knew who she was.
* Lou doesn't care as they are all taken.
Thesian: "Did I...miss something here?"
* Isis is taken, too.. obviously.. by Herr Eomar.
Thesian: "I know! Lou and I both'll take Luna...heh!"
* Thesian braces himself for all kinds of outcry.
Isis: "Don't you wish!!"
Lou: "Come on now! Just cause Alex is missing doesn't mean...
hehehe..."
Thesian: "Alex died? Oh bummer, well, guess I better go check on Luna
now. She'll need a shoulder to cry on..."
Ebony: "Ruby, now she was a babe..."
Lou: "Acutally, I'll be happy with Jean, or even Lemina..."
* Jean twirls into you car. "Hi, Lou! Glad you like me!"
* Lou blushes.
* Jean smooches Lou on the cheek and twirls away.
Ebony: "Wasn't that the circus girl?"
Thesian: "Jean Jean, Jelly Bean. Let me wrap my tongue around your
gourmet sweets..."
* Jean appears, stares Thesian in the eye, smacks him, and disappears.
Lou: "I think we're gonna need a group cold shower here... but not all
at once of course!"
* Isis winks at Eomar.
Guardian: "Anyway, the guild family itself is nowhere to be found. And
the mages in Nanza don't even care. Something has definitely come
over them... I think it has to do with something about the mages in
Vane being most affected by this evil magic pouring out of it."
Lou: "It's the darkness Azura was talking about... It's gotta be!"
* Isis is amazed that she could feel all of this disturbance way back
in Pao..
Guardian: "If you see any mages, steer clear of them. They'll most
likely spit at you."
Ebony: "Some terrible is happening, and as strange as it sounds... It's
up to us... all of us... to stop it."
Guardian: "Disaster in Vane, sickness, sea storms, poison water... I
don't know what's going on, and I'm not sure if I want to have any
part of it."
---All of a sudden, you hear loud growls, screaming, slashing, clawing,
and shouting!---
Lou: "What's that!?"
Ebony: "That doesn't sound good..."
Lou: "Nope... it doesn't."
---By the time you know what's happened, you see the guardians lying
over the bodies of several monsters. The monsters were dead as soon
as they attacked the caravan. ---
Guardian: "He he. Not so tough, are ya! Eat it!"
* Lou shouts out the window: "You all okay out there?"
---The guardian gives a thumbs up to Lou.---
* Lou gives a thumbs up back.
Ebony: "Whew, it's nice to have fighting done for us for once!"
Miko: "Ebony, I know..."
Lou: "No kidding."
---The slain monsters do appear very large and strong, though. It's
hard to imagine taking them on by yourselves... The caravan goes
very slowly through the tight turns of the cavern. The group of
guardians reassure the group.---
Ebony: "Hey guys, why don't you join our quest? We're saving the
planet... Good cause!"
Guardian: "He he. No, we have our job here."
Lou: "Well, it was a nice try, Eb."
Guardian: "It looks like we're getting near the other side..."
Lou: "Finally!"
---A tiny point of light is seen in the distance, at the end of the
tunnel... The caravan heads toward the other side of the tunnel.
The guardians maintain their vigilant watch over the caravan.---
Lou: "Almost there... Meribia isn't too far from Nanza."
* Thesian squints as the light pours in.
* Miko appears to have fallen asleep for the first time since Pao...
---The caravan slowly approaches the end of the tunnel and comes to a
slow stop. The familiar Caravan Master approaches your car once
again.---
Caravan Master: "Hi, folks!"
Thesian: "Hi, Caravan Master!"
Ebony: "Hi!"
Lou: "Hi, sir."
Iceberg: "Good journey, I must say. If those guardians could give us
their EXP points I would contract all of them!"
Lou: "So, Ice, have you decided where you're going to go?"
Iceberg: "Don't know Lou, I'm stuck between you and Miko. Both of you
need help..."
Lou: "It's a hard decision. I know, Ice."
Caravan Man: "We're gonna stop here in Nanza for about twenty minutes
or so to let people use the facilities, then we're heading for Lann,
our final destination."
Lou: "Gotcha."
Iceberg: "Does the facilities include the statue?"
Caravan Man: "Feel free to look about for this short time."
---The light appears slightly dim, several of you feel curious as to
see the sky outside... The caravan slowly emerges from the passage
and into the bright light above.---
* Miko rolls over in her sleep and winces as the light hits her face.
She sits up sleepily.
Lou: "Hey everyone, I think we may want to walk from here. I think
Nanza is slightly closer to Meribia than Lann."
~Eomar: "Huh? Doesn't Lann have all that fresh fish, though?"
Lou: "Lann does..."
Ebony: "Fish... the world... fish... the world... There's a decision."
Lou: "Ebony, Saith has fish, too, and it's on our way!"
Ebony: "Ahhh well, let's finish this ride, Lou."
Lou: "If you insist, Ebony.."
Isis: "Miko, do you know how to get to your village from Lann?
Miko: "Isis... No, I don't..."
* Ebony looks out the window. "This place is a dump!"
---Upon seeing the sky above you, you are all forced to take in a
spectacle.---
Ebony: "Wow... what a... spectacle!"
Thesian: "Wow...what a spectacle!"
Ebony: "Cut it out, Thesian!"
* Thesian puts an innocent look on his face. "Cut what out?"
---Looking into the sky above Katarina, you can hardly believe your
eyes.---
* Isis is in awe.
Lou: "What is that???"
---The sky is flooded with black flying creatures... Their foul
presence is disgusting in the sky...---
Lou: "Whoa!!!!"
Ebony: "Vane is... upside down!"
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