Project Apocalypse RPG Session 19 Log Session Start: Sun Jun 11 19:22:23 2000 ============================================================================ Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as Gamemaster, Dominic, Kira, Helmsman, Soldier, Gabe, Emperor Kazehito, Kasumi, Katana Man, Hiko, Servant, Armor Clerk, Magic Clerk, Antique Clerk, Weapons Clerk, Shop Bunny Aerian as Xorn Bryann as Dragoona (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Dragoona) Lucia as Rista (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Rista) Scott Kroush as LeBeau Seath as Ashmodeel Danny Capote as Richard (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Richard) ============================================================================ ===GAME ON!=== --The ground below you still quakes as a mound bulges between you and the altar holding the crest.-- Dragoona: "C'mon... pop up so we can kill you already..." --Finally, the creature emerges from underground. It appears to be a huge crustacean made entirely of stone!-- ===BOSS COMBAT! ROCK LOBSTER!=== ===ROUND 1=== * Dragoona has her sword out, still looking around as if the world is about to end. Richard summons Tuxedo Kamen! A rose flies in out of nowhere and impacts in front of the Rock Lobster. Standing upon a nearby stone shelf is the legendary masked hero! Tuxedo Kamen casts Voodoo! * Dragoona sighs. "Oh, screw it... I'll fight, THEN all hell'll break loose." Tuxedo Kamen pulls a orange/pink/yellow blended rose from inside his jacket and lobs it at the Rock Lobster! Rock Lobster suffers 2474 damage Dragoona casts Leviathan's Rage! Dragoona: "Leviathan, sea dragon, may you let your power become mine..." * Dragoona slashes out at the Rock Lobster, her sword letting out a small tidal wave as it hits! Rock Lobster suffers 649 damage! LeBeau summons the Thunderbird! The air above crackles with electricity as the Thunderbird materializes into view! Thunderbird casts Diving Bolt! The Thunderbird flies as high as possible (in this cave :P) and dives downwards, firing a bolt of electricity from its beak. Rock Lobster suffers 979 damage! Ashmodeel casts Grey Sphere Ashmodeel's Def and MgD up 17. Rock Lobster casts Stalagmite Rise on the front row! Rock Lobster beats the ground with his claws, causing a wave of stalagmites to emerge from underground into all those in front. Dragoona suffers 13 damage. Xorn suffers 14. Rock Lobster casts Medusa Stare on Ashmodeel! Rock Lobster peers at Ashmodeel with its eyes... Ashmodeel is STONED. Dragoona: "Oh, hell." -_-; Rock Lobster attacks Xorn... Xorn is hit for 21 damage. Xorn attacks! First attack... 39 damage! Second attack... 30 damage! ~Rista casts Mindbend! ~Rista concentrates and puts up a mental barrier around herself... Dragoona: "LB, you got any Gargoyle Powders, or do I have to use mine?" -_-; ~Rista's Def and MgD up 11. ===ROUND 2=== Dragoona: "Great." * Dragoona starts digging through her pack. LeBeau: "All ah got is a coupla Lunar Mists." ~Richard casts Confidence! Everyone's Hit% up 16! Dragoona uses Gargoyle Powder on Ashmodeel! Ashmodeel is no longer stoned! (although he does have a bad case of the munchies) LeBeau summons the Thunderbird again! * Dragoona pulls out a pouch and beans Ashie upside the head with it, making him soft and squeezy all over again. :P * LeBeau does the summoning schtick again. Ashmodeel: "Stop that!" Thunderbird's Diving Bolt hits Rock Lobster for 1079 damage! Rock Lobster casts Stalactite Drop on Xorn! Xorn is hit for 46 damage! Rock Lobster attacks Dragoona! Dragoona: "Hey! Watch where you're grabbin'!" Dragoona easily parries. * Dragoona beats it off. Rock Lobster again attacks Dragoona! Dragoona easily parries... Xorn casts Auto-Repair. * LeBeau reaches in his pocket and pulls out a Lunar Mist... "Gonna need 'dis if ah'm gonna be of any use." Xorn recovers 57 HP! ~Rista casts Risk! The waves of chaotic magic home in on... Rock Lobster! Rock Lobster is hit for 168 damage! Ashmodeel casts Grey Lightning! Rock Lobster is hit for 466 damage! ===ROUND 3=== Rock Lobster begins inhaling deeply... Dragoona: "..." LeBeau: "Aw hell." ~Richard attacks! First attack... Critical hit! 76 damage! Second attack... Critical hit! 67 damage! Dragoona casts Bahamut's Fang! * Dragoona channels flames into her sword and screams out in rage, sounding much like a dragon roaring... * Dragoona rushes towards the damn lobster, leaping at it and running them through with her flameblade! Rock Lobster suffers 398 damage! LeBeau users a Lunar Mist on himself! 30 SP recovered! * LeBeau opens up the mist and inhales it. Ashmodeel casts Crushing Weight on the Rock Lobster! Rock Lobster suffers 127 damage! Rock Lobster casts Sandstorm on the entire party! The Rock Lobster finally exhales, breathing forth an intense wind loaded with razor-sharp grains of sand! Dragoona: "Bleah. The lobster has halitosis." ;_; Ashmodeel suffers 1 damage. Dragoona 7. Richard 29. LeBeau 12. Rista 12. Xorn 26. Rock Lobster casts Mana Ground on Ashmodeel! LeBeau: "Worse 'dan 'dat." A strange energy surrounds Ashmodeel as he feels his powers being slowly drained away... Ashmodeel suffers from DRAINED status (slowly loses SP). Rock Lobster attacks Xorn! Xorn is hit for 13 damage. LeBeau: "Le's see if'n ah can't put 'dis sonofabitch ta sleep." ~Rista casts Heal Aura on the back row! Everyone in the back row recovers 25 HP! Xorn attacks! First attack... 38 damage! Second attack... 28 damage! Ashmodeel loses 2 SP due to being drained... ===ROUND 4=== ~Richard attacks! First attack... 40 damage! Second attack... 38 damage! Dragoona casts Bahamut's Fang! * Dragoona channels flames into her sword and screams out in rage, sounding much like a dragon roaring... * Dragoona rushes towards the lobster, leaping at it and running them through with her flameblade! Rock Lobster suffers 448 damage! LeBeau casts Smoke Puff on the Rock Lobster! Rock Lobster has fallen asleep! Ashmodeel summons Annette! Winds begin to blow in the chamber, and eventually, being lifted up by a cyclone of her own creation, the Founder of Wind, Annette, appears overhead! Annette casts Violent Updraft! A cyclone forms over the Rock Lobster, sucking him up into the air, ripping him apart with severe winds, before dropping him down... Rock Lobster has critical weakness to Wind attacks. Double damage due to being asleep. 10196 damage! Rock Lobster is literally blown away! VICTORY! 85 XP, 500 MXP, 6 SXP, 2000 Cira acquired! Dragoona: "Victory, biyotch." ^_^v * Ashmodeel brushes some dust off of his sleeve. Annette has reached level 4! Can now cast Violent Updraft twice! Grim Rapper has reached level 4! Can now cast Sonic Bass twice! Dragoona has reached level 7! Tuxedo Kamen has reached level 4! Can now cast Voodoo twice! LeBeau has now reached level 7! Thunderbird has reached level 3! Diving Bolt is now Thunder Screech (1/1, 20 SP). Rista has reached level 7! Xorn has reached level 7! * Dragoona blinks, steps forward, and claims the crest. Ashmodeel: "I wonder what element that crest represents." -Dragoona acquires Terra Crest (Summons ???, Wis + 25 w/ Earth) Dragoona: "Duh, Ashie." --There is a small, amber colored gem where the Rock Lobster was as well.-- * Dragoona looks at the gem and decides not to be greedy. ^_^ * LeBeau grabs the gem. -LeBeau acquires Earth Mana 1.1 (*enables Rock Javelin, 3SP) LeBeau: "'Nyone else want 'dis?" Richard: "I wouldn't mind taking it, if no one objects." * LeBeau gives the Earth Mana to Richard then. Xorn regenerates 34 HP. * Richard equips the mana. ~Dragoona: "Let's get out of here... I don't like this place at all!" --The trap door opens behind you.-- * Ashmodeel heads out of the cave. * LeBeau follows Ash. * Richard follows after Ashmodeel. --Exiting the cave and the shrine, you see the Arcadia hovering overhead, dropping a ladder down for you to climb up.-- * LeBeau climbs up the ladder. * Ashmodeel follows. * Richard quickly climbs the ladder after everyone else. Dominic: "Welcome back! How did the mission go?" * Kira immediately tacklehugs Richard when he gets back onboard the ship! * Richard smiles at Kira and returns the hug. * LeBeau stands elsewhere, shuffling his cards, and minding his own business. Dominic: "So, anywhere else you would like to travel to?" LeBeau: "Take us ta Yamato, Dom." Dominic: "Helsman, set a course to the Yamato Empire!" Helmsman: "Aye-aye, sir!" --The Arcadia soon speeds along towards the Yamato Empire.-- Dominic: "We should be able to land right outside the capital. Yamato's pretty flat where the capital's located." LeBeau: "A'ight." Ashmodeel: "Now everybody, try to act with a bit more respect while in Yamato. The people here value it much more highly than in other countries" * ~Dragoona nods, still somewhat paranoid. LeBeau: "Ah've gotten in some pretty good card games wit' 'de folks in Yamato." Richard: "I treat all people with utmost respect, Ashmodeel." Dominic: "Well, Iria and Yamato have been allies for many years. Have you visited it before, LeBeau?" LeBeau: "Yeah, ah've been 'dere b'fore." Dominic: "Excellent." * Dominic walks over to the side of the ship and watches the scenery pass by. LeBeau: "'Ustled 'de guards outta 'lotta cira... J'est kiddin'." * Dominic laughs. "Seeing as how Yamato's considered to have the most powerful army in all the land, I hope you are kidding, for your sake." LeBeau: "Ah am... but some o' dem kin even drink 'dis cajun undah de table. 'Dat sake is some powerful stuff." Dominic: "Indeed it is... I think I was hung over for a week last time I tried to keep up with one of them..." * Ashmodeel shakes his head. Dominic: "Hey, it was a few years back, in my 'wild' days..." LeBeau: "Ah 'membah 'dat 'de folks in Yamato were some nice people." Dominic: "Indeed... Hey, everyone, you may want to see this..." * Dominic points over the side of the ship. * LeBeau walks up behind Dominic. * Ashmodeel looks down. Dominic: "We're over the border between Yamato and Savanti. See that large plateau down there?" LeBeau: "Yeah, w'at 'bout it?" * Richard goes to where Dominic is. * Dominic points to a very large plateau that appears literally as if it was made when a mountain had its top blown off. Dominic: "That's one of the most famous landmarks in the land, the Yamato Plateau of Blood." LeBeau: "Ah 'membah readin' 'bout it as a kid." Dominic: "Legend has it that it was here where the Destroyer was defeated and imprisoned by the legendary founder known as Dragon Knight Kane, although he's called 'Dragon Samurai' in these parts." Richard: "Never heard of it... We're quite secluded up in the plains.... Don't hear much news about nothing." Ashmodeel: "It reminds me of something similar in Savanti." Dominic: "Yes, I think I remember that as well..." LeBeau: "Nevah t'ought ah'd see 'de plateau first 'and t'ough." Dominic: "However, I think the landmark is natural in Savanti. According to legend, this plateau was formed as a result of their week-long battle." LeBeau: "'Dey fought fer a whole week non-stop? Now 'DAT'S stamina." Dominic: "These weren't ordinary men, remember... One was a Founder, the other was the Destroyer." Ashmodeel: "Legends tend to be exaggerated." Dominic: "That's possible as well, Ashmodeel." * Dominic points to a small building in the middle of the plateau. It appears to have some sort of black flowers growing around it. * Richard blinks dumbfounded. "That's amazing that only two people could've lopped off the top of a whole mountain..." Dominic: "Richard, amazing indeed. However, knowing the power of the ancients, it certainly may be possible." Dominic: "Oh, and do you see that building over there?" Ashmodeel: "A shrine?" LeBeau: "Looks like it." * Richard looks at the building that Dominic indicated. Dominic: "The 'Black Rose Shrine.' Dedicated to Kane. It memorializes not only the battle here, but legend says it's also the point from which he left our world to return to his own. Supposedly the black roses started growing there as soon as he left." Ashmodeel: "That seems to be the logical place for the crest." LeBeau: "Hmm... don' Kasumi 'ave a t'ing fer black roses?" Richard: "That's probably where Deimu and Kasumi got their black roses..." Dominic: "Perhaps indeed." * Dominic nods to LeBeau and Richard. --Yamato's Plateau of Blood soon fades out of view of the ship...-- Helsman: "Sir, we should be arriving at Daikyo in a few minutes, commencing landing procedures." * LeBeau thinks aloud... "W'at if'n Kasumi's descended from Kane... She talked as if'n she knew more 'dan any normal person 'bout 'dat armor 'o Dragoona's." Dominic: "Did you say something, LeBeau?" LeBeau: "J'est t'inkin... 'Dat's all." Dominic: "Okay... It's good to think when you aren't battling for your life." *chuckles* --By the way, the Blue Dragon Statue on deck looks very enticing to touch. :)-- * Richard idly touches the statue and says a quick prayer to it. HP/SP/Summons/Status/Skills restored! Helmsman: "Commencing landing procedures..." * LeBeau pulls a single card from his lucky deck, and looks right at it... queen of spades. --Within a few minutes, the Arcadia lands outside the walls of the city of Daikyo. Oddly enough, there aren't any guards by the city gates.-- * Ashmodeel disembarks the Arcadia. * LeBeau follows Ash. --Even from this close a distance, the city seems amazingly quiet...-- * Richard follows Ashmodeel as he looks around. "Doesn't it seem odd to you that the nation with the most powerful army couldn't spare a couple of soldiers to watch the gate?" LeBeau: "'Dis ain' normal. 'Dis city's usually more active 'dan 'dis." LeBeau: "'Tis eerie quiet 'ere... Ah don' like it." Ashmodeel: "Come, let's keep going." --When you enter the city, all the doors seem to be locked and all the windows are shuttered or boarded up. The city is completely silent...-- LeBeau: "Ah don' like 'dis at all." * Richard draws his bow. "I don't like this either..." --The palace can be seen at the end of the main road of the city.-- * LeBeau walks toward the palace. * Richard continues walking around... --The palace gates are partially open. Oddly enough, there are no guards here either...-- * Ashmodeel cautiously approaches the gates. --There appears to be nothing unusual about the gates, only that the whole city seems deathly silent.-- * LeBeau heads through the gates, but pulls out his staff, just to be safe. * Richard finally goes to the palace gates and passes through them quietly. * Ashmodeel follows. --As you walk through the gates, you see the bodies of hundreds of dead or wounded shoulders lying all over the court yard!-- LeBeau: O_o; "Mon Dieu!" * Ashmodeel looks at the bodies unemotionally. --The burns on the bodies appear very similar to burns suffered by victims of Theran's coup in Savanti...-- * LeBeau starts to the throne room. "Somethin's not right. Ah'm gonna check out 'de throne room." * Richard blinks at all the bodies. He notices one person still alive and approaches him. "Excuse me... What happened?" Soldier: "Black... knight... Appeared... Fire... Wants... sword... Please... protect... Emperor..." Ashmodeel: "Tenshi." LeBeau: "Ah'm on mah way... Le's go." * Ashmodeel quickly follows LB. LeBeau: "Prolly Gabe... 'dat damn Demonmaster." ~Dragoona: "Demonmaster..." --The gates to the main palace building itself are wide open. The throne room can be seen at the end of the hall.-- * Richard follows LeBeau, shuddering at the sight of all the death. * LeBeau makes tracks for the throne room. --The doors to the throne room are shut... Two dead guards lie beside them, however.-- * LeBeau takes the card in hand and infuses it with light. "Mebbe ah kin blow t'rough 'dis door." * ~Rista pushes gently on the door. It is unlocked... Richard: "Save your skills, Henri." * Ashmodeel slowly walks into the throne room. * LeBeau follows Ash, card and staff still in hand. --Inside the throne room you can see an old man in very expensive garb, undoubtedly the Emperor... Holding a sword to his throat is a familiar face in black armor...-- Gabe: "Now tell me, you useless geezer, where is the sword!?" Emperor Kazehito: "I know not of this sword!" Ashmodeel: "Gabe . . ." LeBeau: "Ah t'ought so." Gabe: "I doubt that... Tell me or else you will..." * Gabe turns to the party. "Well, funny seeing you here..." * Gabe throws the Emperor down. "Don't even think about trying to escape!" LeBeau: "Now is 'dat any way ta treat yer elders?" Gabe: "I treat anyone anyway I want... Heh." * Richard looks at Gabe. "I've heard so much about you." Gabe: "Really? Funny, as I have no idea who you are. Nor do I care." * Richard says sarcastically, "Always a pleasure to meet such gentle, respectful people." Gabe: "Flattery won't get you anywhere." Ashmodeel: "Why are you here?" Gabe: "Why should I tell you? Heh, you're a bigger waste of air than your uncle." Richard: "I wasn't trying to flatter you. But if that's what you think, then great for you." LeBeau: "Prolly j'est ta cause more damage... 'E don' care who 'e kills. Nona 'de Tenshi do." Ashmodeel: "Petty insults have little meaning to me." Richard: "His brother Raphael seemed like he cared about other people..." Gabe: "Actually, we do care who we kill... Just that killing you in specific means nothing to us." LeBeau: "Like ah'm gonna b'lieve 'dat." Gabe: "Anyway, I think it's time I finish you off once and for all... Oh, and I doubt you'll be lucky enough to have your Esper friend show up to save you this time..." * Gabe draws his sword... Richard: "Esper?" Ashmodeel: "Later, Richard." --Suddenly, you can hear applause coming from the rafters overhead, followed by a woman's voice.-- Kasumi: "Very amusing, Gabe, is it? You're really impressing me with your ability to terrorize those weaker than you." * Kasumi leaps down from the rafters, landing, cat-like, on her two feet. Richard: "You're one to speak, Lady Kasumi." LeBeau: "W'o's scared? Ah'm sure not." * Kasumi turns to Richard, "Shush! You had no business on my airship!" * Kasumi turns back to Gabe. "Funny, I had heard rumors that you Tenshi still existed, but I had thought they were simply that..." Richard: "If my memory serves me correct, neither did you." Gabe: "Just who do you think you are?!" Ashmodeel: "Hmm. This is quite interesting." * Kasumi ignores Richard this time... Kasumi: "I am the lady Keinno Kasumi." Gabe: "Great, another no-name with delusions of grandeur..." * Richard decides to step away from Kasumi and Gabe's squabbling. Kasumi: "Funny, I was about to say the same about you..." Gabe: "Just *who* are you!?" * Ashmodeel whispers, "This could work to our advantage." Kasumi: "Well, you may not know my name, but perhaps you know the name of my ancestor... He was an ancient swordsman who went by the name of Kane..." LeBeau: "Ah've got my t'eories 'bout 'er." * Gabe pales and gulps... "Kane?" LeBeau: "Ah t'ought so." Kasumi: "Yes, the same Kane that single-handedly wiped out a battalion of two hundred of you Tenshi trash..." Gabe: "Hmph, that was ages ago... I'm far stronger than any of the Tenshi of that era." Kasumi: "Funny, you still look pretty weak to me..." Gabe: "Fine, then let's settle this!" * Gabe casts White Protect! A protective barrier against magic forms around the Demonmaster. * Kasumi yawns. "Oh wow, a magic barrier... How... quaint. I don't need magic to defeat you, however!" * Kasumi draws her twin swords lunges towards Gabe, delivering a blow that he's barely able to block! * Richard blinks. He looks at the emperor and then back at the two fighting. --Gabe and Kasumi duel for several minutes, the battle appearing to be a stalemate...-- Gabe: "You know, you're quite skilled, for a woman..." * Kasumi looks very pissed... "Oh, for a woman, huh?" * Ashmodeel whispers, "One of us needs to get to the emperor." * LeBeau sneaks over to the emperor. "Ya a'ight, Lord Kazehito?" * Richard slowly goes towards the emperor, doing his best to avoid the fighting. Kazehito: "I'm fine, thank you..." LeBeau: "'Den le's get outta 'ere..." * Richard sees that LeBeau has it covered and then returns to Ashmodeel. Kasumi: "However, I think you should know... I'm not really this slow..." * Gabe shouts towards the party. "Don't you even think of leaving with the emperor!" LeBeau: "Emp'ror? Ah t'ink 'dat ya needta come wit us... 'Dis looks like too dang'rous a sit'ation fer ya ta be in." Kasumi: "Gabe, I think you have more important things on your mind than that!" Kazehito: "Wait... I sent for Kasumi..." Richard: "What?" LeBeau: "W'AT?" Kazehito: "Let me catch my breath, and I'll explain..." Gabe: "Like what?" Kasumi: "Like this!" LeBeau: "ah t'ink we may 'ave an ally in 'dat woman." * Kasumi delivers a punch to Gabe's face and leaps back so fast she can barely be seen..." Gabe: "What in the name of..." Kasumi: "Now it's time I show you what a woman can really do!" Ashmodeel: "Kazehito-sama, she may be the descendant of Kane but do you know what she's done, or who she's allied to?" * Richard looks at the emperor and says under his breath, "Or an enemy in the emperor." Kazehito: "Please... All will be explained..." LeBeau: "Ah 'ope so." Kasumi casts Twin Poe Sword on Gabe! Gabe is viciously slashed! * Kasumi crouches slightly, as if she's about to run... --Electric charge seems to build up around Kasumi's body as she prepares her next attack...-- Kasumi casts Twin Bolt Sword! Kasumi flies towards Gabe at the speed of a lightning bolt, so fast she can't be seen! Gabe is seriously wounded, bleeding profusely from his sides... Gabe: "You... may have... won this battle... but it's not over yet!" * Gabe teleports off... * Kasumi turns towards the Emperor. Richard: "Can someone now explain what the hell is going on around here?" LeBeau: "'Dat's w'at ah wanna know." Kasumi: "Emperor Kazehito-sama, I have done as you have asked. However, I only did it because I dislike the Tenshi more than anything else... When we meet again, we shall be enemies..." * Kasumi teleports off. Kazehito: "Please, one of you, help me back onto my throne..." * LeBeau helps Kazehito up to his throne. * Richard helps the emperor. Kazehito: "Now, where should I begin?" Ashmodeel: "First, allow me to apologize for..." LeBeau: "'Ow 'bout w'en ya got on 'de Tenshi's bad side?" Ashmodeel: "Savanti's actions recently." * Ashmodeel bows deeply before the emperor. Kazehito: "It's all right, Ashmodeel, is it?" Ashmodeel: "Yes." Kazehito: "I am honored to be in the presence of the current High Mage of Savanti, and you cannot be blamed for the actions of your predecessor." Richard: "I don't think, LeBeau, anyone really decides to be on the Tenshi's 'bad side,' as you call it. It seems to me that if you are not one, then you shouldn't be one at all..." * Ashmodeel bows again. Ashmodeel: "Is Demonmaster Gabe the cause for the desertion of this city?" Kazehito: "Now, Iria-jin-san, we had not had any problems with the Tenshi. This one, 'Gabe,' attacked." Kazehito: "Yes, he is, Ashmodeel-san. When we heard he was coming, we evacuated the entire city." Richard: "What is this sword that Gabe was after?" LeBeau: "Ya kin j'est call me Henri." Ashmodeel: "From Kasumi and Gabe's battle, we can safely assume that there are two parties vying for power, not just one. Kazehito: "As you wish, Henri-san." Kazehito: "Ashmodeel-san, I wish I could be so certain. We honestly don't know what the Tenshi agenda is." * Kazehito turns towards Richard. "The sword? Let me have one of my servants show you." * Kazehito points to one of the servants that was trapped in the room with him and Gabe, and sends him off. LeBeau: "T'ank ya, Sire." Kazehito: "You're welcome, Henri-san." Richard: "While he is gone, can you explain why you would call Kasumi to help you?" LeBeau: "Coul' be 'cause she's descended from Kane." Kazehito: "Exactly... The lady Keinno Kasumi's name means, 'Kasumi of Kane.' It was her family's fate to protect our world from the Destroyer and the Tenshi." Kazehito: "I was worried she would not answer my call, however, I had help..." Ashmodeel: "It seems that she sees her fate in a slightly different light now." * Kazehito nods. LeBeau: "Ah t'ought so. She knew too much 'bout 'dat armor 'a Dragoona's... 'Dat an' de info 'bout Kane gave me a t'eory." Ashmodeel: "She has allied herself with a man called Deimu and his quest for supposed godhood." Kazehito: "Your theory is apparently correct, Henri-san." Kazehito: "Yes, I have heard about her alliance with Deimu, Ashmodeel-san. It's a tragic story..." LeBeau: "Can ya tell us w'at ya know 'bout it?" Richard: "But the fact remains that she is still against us, whether or not she is descended from one of the Founders." --Suddenly a man walks into the throne room. He appears to be an middle-aged man with a large katana at his side.-- Katana Man: "I believe I can explain the story..." Kazehito: "Hiko-sensei!" Hiko: "Forgive me, Kazehito-sama. I tried to come here as soon as I could, but it took me too long to track Kasumi down, and I cannot teleport like she can." Kazehito: "Let me introduce you all to Hiko-sensei, the greatest swordsman in all of the Yamato Empire!" Hiko: "You honor me greatly by calling me such, your majesty." * Ashmodeel bows, "It is an honor." * Hiko bows back. Kazehito: "Anyway, I believe Hiko-sensei can shed more light on Kasumi and Deimu's past than I can..." * LeBeau stands there, and makes his card lose its charge. Then slightly bows to Hiko. * Hiko bows back. "I must apologize if Kasumi and Deimu are making your lives difficult. In a way it is my fault..." LeBeau: "Yer faul'?" Hiko: "It started about twenty years ago. I was traveling the countryside, practicing my technique, when I smelled smoke in the air..." Hiko: "I ran towards the smoke and saw it was a village that had been set ablaze..." LeBeau: "Prolly by a Tenshi." Hiko: "Actually, it was a gang of bandits..." Hiko: "The sight of what the bandits had done, murdering the entire village, plundering it, and then setting it on fire, angered me so much that I instantly wanted to extract revenge in the name of the villagers." Hiko: "Never before had I lost control. By the time I was done, not one of the bandits even had all their limbs attached to their bodies..." LeBeau: "Not a pr'tty sight, eh?" Richard: "I didn't need to hear that." Hiko: "It was then that I saw them... Two young children, a boy and a girl... The last survivors of the village..." Dragoona: "..." LeBeau: "'Dey musta been Deimu an' Kasumi." Hiko: "Exactly... I couldn't leave them alone there and I did not want them growing up thinking that violence was the only way of life... Especially after they saw what I had done..." Dragoona: "Uh... hate to break this to ya... ^^; Well, about Deimu at least..." :P LeBeau: "So ya took 'em inta raise, huh." Hiko: "So I decided to take them in myself, and trained them in my technique, hoping that the discipline they learn will curb their desires for vengeance." Ashmodeel: "Please, let him finish." * Hiko nods. Hiko: "The two of them grew up under my teaching and their childhood friendship blossomed into a true romance." Dragoona: (q) "Well, at least they're not vengeful... Just very very... oi." * LeBeau ponders what he heard from Deimu and Kasumi's room... after the light went out. .oO(Ah t'ink 'dey got 'de romance par' down.) Hiko: "However, I could not calm their deep-seated anger through any amount of training, and as soon as they were old enough, they left together in the middle of the night..." * Hiko sighs. Hiko: "Please, forgive me, all of you, for not being able to raise them properly." Richard: "It's not your fault." Dragoona: "Who blames you?" LeBeau: "not yer fault, Mr. Hiko. Hiko: "I dishonored my clan and my school because of them... I can only hope that bringing Kasumi here to defeat that Tenshi in part makes up for it..." LeBeau: "Ah j'est wanna know if'n dey got any weaknesses 'dat kin be put ta use." Hiko: "Unfortunately, by the time they left, their skills were as sharp as mine, and Kasumi had the strength she inherited from her ancestor to go along with her skills." Hiko: "If they have any weaknesses, I don't know of them." Ashmodeel: "Their ambition will eventually reveal their weaknesses." Hiko: "I was fortunate that they still respected me, otherwise Kasumi would never have agreed to come here." Kazehito: "Do not worry, Hiko-sensei. I'm sure all this will work out in the end. Kasumi's willingness to fight off a Tenshi shows that she isn't entirely evil..." Hiko: "You are indeed correct again, Kazehito-sama." Hiko: "If you'll excuse me, Kazehito-sensei, I am going to help tend to the wounded." Kazehito: "Please go, Hiko-sensei. It was an honor seeing you once again." Hiko: "The honor was all mine, your majesty..." * Hiko walks out. Richard: "So about the sword..." Kazehito: "Ahh yes... Ahh, there's my servant now." --The servant walks in with a large chest. He places it before the throne and opens it. Inside it is a large sword. Its handle resembles a dragon, carved out of pure ivory, in shape and appearance.-- * Dragoona gets all sparklie-eyed "Ooooo..." Richard: "What's so special about it other than its appearance that Gabe wanted it?" Kazehito: "An old monk who works at a shrine just to the northeast of town found this while excavating near his shrine several weeks ago. He brought it immediately to the palace." Kazehito: "None of us knows for sure, not even the monk, who's considered to be quite the sage, if somewhat eccentric and forgetful, at times." Dragoona: "Hmm. Perhaps this was that one Demonmaster's sword? What was his name...?" ^^; Kazehito: "The only thing suspicious about it was the fact that such a magnificent weapon was buried and hidden underground like that." Kazehito: "Demonmaster?" LeBeau: "Mebbe ya might wanna try ta open 'dat ches', Dragoona." Ashmodeel: "I think she means Kane." Dragoona: "Kane or some such?" --The chest was already open.-- Richard: "Not Demonmaster, Dragoona. Kane, he was the founder of Yamato." Dragoona: "Oops." Kazehito: "Kane-sama was no Demonmaster! He was the legendary Dragon Samurai that saved our kingdom and our world from the Destroyer!" Dragoona: "I'm getting my stories mixed up, gomen, gomen nasai!" ^^' Kazehito: "It's all right..." LeBeau: "Hehehe..." Dragoona: "Kane was the name of someone in a story I read, I thought..." Dragoona: "Maybe it was a different Kane." ^^; Kazehito: "Why don't you take the sword, young samurai? It seems to go well with your armor, and it may make more sense for Gabe's target to be constantly on the move." Dragoona: "True..." Dragoona: "By the way... other than Gabe... have there been any other 'Demonmasters' in history?" ^^; Richard: "That'll just make our run-ins with Gabe more frequent, though... and we are in no comparison of strength to him." Kazehito: "It was said that the Destroyer was a Demonmaster, otherwise, none that I know of." Dragoona: "... Hmm." Richard: "That doesn't matter, Dragoona." * Dragoona looks slightly concerned. "Thank you, sir." Kazehito: "I doubt it would make your run-ins with Gabe more frequent. I believe with Kasumi around, he has more important things to concern himself with." Ashmodeel: "The Destroyer is still safely sealed in Savanti. We have witnessed his prison personally." Kazehito: "That is good news indeed." * Kazehito looks towards Dragoona, "So, will you be taking the sword with you? If you'd rather not, I'd understand." LeBeau: "Take it, Dragoona." Dragoona: "I... I'd be honored to, sir." Kazehito: "It is yours then. Consider it a gift for coming to my aid just now." Richard: "Now, off to find the crest of Kane. Emperor, would you happen to know where the Founder's crest would be?" Dragoona: "Thank you, and sorry about the mixup before." ^^; Kazehito: "No, I do not, however the monk who brought this sword to us may. He knows quite a few things..." Kazehito: "Do not worry, young samurai." Richard: "And you said the monk's shrine was to the northeast?" * Dragoona takes the sword, doi. * Kazehito nods. -Dragoona acquires Diana's Sword - (Atk + 125 + Level, Hit% + Level) * Dragoona replaces its sheath with the one for her claymore. --Another servant walks into the throne room.-- Servant: "Your majesty, Kazehito-sama, the city has returned to normal." Kazehito: "Thank you. That is indeed wonderful news!" LeBeau: "'Dat's really great news, Sir." Dragoona: "Yeah, it is." Kazehito: "Feel free to visit our city. You may enjoy the various shops, taverns, and restaurants here." LeBeau: "T'ank ya." * Kazehito nods. Richard: "How about some new equipment?" * Richard looks at the others. * LeBeau starts to wonder when would be a good time to get into a card game with some of the guards. ^_^ Dragoona: "Uh... No, I think I'm fine. But what about the rest of you guys?" ^_- LeBeau: "Ah t'ink ah coul' use some new 'quipment." * Ashmodeel bows again to the emperor, "Thank you for all your help, Kazehito-sama. I hope that after all this is over, the relationship between Savanti and Yamato will improve greatly." Kazehito: "With as honorable a leader as yourself, Ashmodeel-san, I'm sure it will." ~Rista: "Henri, can we go shopping now? It's been a while, and I think it might be relaxing." LeBeau: "Ah t'ink so too." * LeBeau walks to the armor shop in town. * Richard follows LeBeau. --The town has armor, item, weapon, magic, and antique shops. It also has several taverns.-- Armor Clerk: "How may I help you?" LeBeau: "'Ow 'bout an 'nventory." Armor Store Inventory: {Dragoona} -Iron Armor (Def + 25) [300 Cira] -Steel Shield (Dod% + 15) [200 Cira] -Iron Helmet (Def + 10) [150 Cira] {LeBeau} -Bronze Vest (Def + 20) [200 Cira] -Steel Bracer (Dod% + 12) [150 Cira] -Ninja Cap (Def + 8) [120 Cira] {Richard} -Steel Armband (Dod% + 15) [200 Cira] -Stonewall Bandana (Def + 10) [150 Cira] -Bear's Hide (Def + 25) [300 Cira] {Rista} -Battle Dress (Def + 20) [200 Cira] -Carmine Sash (Dod% + 12) [150 Cira] -Burgundy Ribbon (Def + 8) [120 Cira] * Dragoona walks into the armor shop and takes out the suit she used to wear. "Ey, how much for this?" ^_^ Armor Clerk: "Let me check the book value..." Armor Clerk: "168 Cira for the samurai's equipment." Dragoona: "Sure." ^_^ Armor Clerk: "Sold!" LeBeau: "'Ow bout 'dat vest, bracer, an Cap... Sell mah ol' stuff too. Armor Clerk: "One second..." -LeBeau acquires new stuff for 470 Cira. Richard: "I'd like an armband, bandana, and one of those bear's hides... and also sell my old equipment." Armor Clerk: "Patience, please." Richard: "Sorry." -LeBeau's old stuff sold for 100 Cira Armor Clerk: "On to the man with the bow..." * Ashmodeel waits for the others outside. Richard: "The armband, bandana, and hide, please." -Richard's new stuff bought for 650 Cira. Richard: "And sell this stuff." -Richard's old stuff sold for 118 Cira. Armor Clerk: "Anyone else?" ~Rista: "I'd like to buy the dress, sash, and ribbon. I'll keep my old stuff for now though." -Rista's new stuff bought for 470 Cira. Armor Clerk: "Anything else I can do?" Armor Clerk: "Are you all right?" * Ashmodeel walks toward the magic shop hoping that the others will follow. * Xorn idly follows Ashmodeel, trying to find his way to the antique store. --The Magic Store is modestly, but well, stocked...-- Magic Clerk: "Greetings... How may I help you?" * LeBeau follows Ashmodeel. Ashmodeel: "What do you have in stock?" Magic Store Inventory: {Ashmodeel} -Sage Cane (Atk + 10, Wis + 20) [200 Cira] -Faery Robe (Def + 15) [170 Cira] -Platinum Amulet (Dod% + 7) [130 Cira] -Faery Hood (Def + 5) [100 Cira] * Dragoona yawns. Ashmodeel: "I'll take one of each, and I'll also part with my old items." Magic Clerk: "One moment..." -Ashmodeel's stuff bought for 600 Cira -Ashmodeel's old stuff sold for 130 Cira * Ashmodeel thanks the clerk and leaves the shop. --There is still the antique, weapons, and item shops, as well as a tavern...-- * Xorn makes his way to the antique shop before he gets sidetracked more. * LeBeau heads to the weapon shop. * Richard follows Xorn to the antique shop. Antique Clerk: "Welcome, how may I help you?" * Dragoona lemmings until she gets to a shop she likes. * LeBeau waits for everyone else at the weapon shop... not heading in yet. Xorn: "What do you have for sale here?" Antique Store Inventory: {Xorn} -Missile Launcher (Atk + 45) [300 Cira] -Silidiox Armor (Def + 25) [300 Cira] -Composite Gear (Def + 10) [150 Cira] -Deflector Array (Dod% + 15) [200 Cira] -Repair Kit - 1A: Fully repairs androids [500 Cira] * Ashmodeel looks around the shop and picks up a shiny disc-like item, it read 'M I C R O S O F T,' and drops it, "I get such a fowl feeling from this thing." Antique Clerk: "Careful with that! That thing is rumored to be cursed!" Xorn: "Hmm, I'll take one of those launchers, the armor, the Deflector Array, and a set of the Composite Gear, please. I'll sell these old bits too." * Dragoona looks at it... from a safe distance. "Yeah, apparently." * Dragoona watches as the thing melts through the floor. Antique Clerk: "One moment... And about that disc... Hard to believe the ancients used to actually use that!" * Ashmodeel quickly steps outside the shop. Antique Clerk: "Even the Technomages refuse to get anywhere near it!" Dragoona: "The ancients had some... bizzare tastes." ^^; Xorn: "And, I'd suggest at least one of you carry one of those repair kits... in case I'm too damaged to fix myself?" -Xorn's new stuff bought for 950 Cira Dragoona: "I'll take a repair kit... and I'd take the disc to use as a weapon, but I'm afraid it'd melt my pack..." Antique Clerk: "Smart move... I regret the day I ever got that disc." Richard: "Umm... Can we get a move on?" Dragoona: "Yeah, lets." ^^; * LeBeau looks at one disc in the window, then pokes his head into the antique shop. "Ey, mes amis? W'at does AOL mean?" Richard: "Who cares?" Dragoona: "Already Old, and Lame, I'd expect." -Xorn's old stuff sold for 168 Cira. * LeBeau walks into the weapon shop. * Richard leaves the shop and then goes to the weapons shop. Weapons Clerk: "Welcome to the Ginsu Weapons Shop. What can I do for you?" * Dragoona takes a repair kit, leaves the money on the counter, and rushes to meet with the party. Richard: "What have you?" LeBeau: "Watta ya got?" -Dragoona acquires Repair Kit Weapons Store Inventory: -Terminator Blade (Atk + 40) [150 Cira] {Dragoona} -Metal Staff (Atk + 28) [100 Cira] {LeBeau} -Crossbow (Atk + 35) [145] {Richard} -Razor Dagger (Atk + 28) [100 Cira] {Rista} LeBeau: "'Ow bout 'dat staff.. an sell mah ol' one." -LeBeau acquires Metal Staff. -Battle Staff sold for 38 Cira. Weapons Clerk: "Anything else?" Richard: "I'd like to buy a crossbow, please. And also sell this Hunter's Bow." -Richard acquires Crossbow. -Hunter's Bow sold for 50 Cira. Weapons Clerk: "Anything else?" ~Rista: "I'd like that dagger. Does anyone mind?" Richard: "Go right ahead." -Rista acquires Razor Dagger Weapons Clerk: "Anything else?" * LeBeau shrugs. Weapons Clerk: "Thank you for shopping Ginsu!" * Dragoona twitches slightly and lemmings after the party. :P --There is still a tavern and item store... yet another franchises of the Ramus chain...-- * LeBeau heads to the item store. --You're greeted by a shop bunny at the item store.-- Shop Bunny: "Welcome to Ramus's, how may I be of service?" Dragoona: "What've you got other than your body?" -_-; Shop Bunny: "Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?" Shop Bunny: "Well, let me see here..." Ashmodeel: "Dragoona!" * Shop Bunny pulls a list out from inside her cleavage... Item Store Inventory: -Poison Balm - 1A: Cures POISON [5 Cira] -Smelling Salts - 1A: Cures DAZE [5 Cira] -Caffeine Water - 1A: Cures SLEEP [5 Cira] -Life Essence - 1A: Cures DEAD and restores max HP [500 Cira] -Lozenge - 1A: Cures MUTE [5 Cira] -Eye Drops - 1A: Cures BLIND [5 Cira] -Gargoyle Powder - 1A: Cures STONE [5 Cira] -Sacred Incense - 1A: Cures PARALYZE [5 Cira] -Tamago - 1A: Cures CHICKEN [5 Cira] -Calm Herb - 1A: Cures ENRAGED [5 Cira] -Joyous Fruit - 1A: Cures DEPRESSED [5 Cira] -Sanity Nut - 1A: Cures PSYCHO [5 Cira] -Vigor Seed - 1A: Cures DRAINED [5 Cira] -Holy Water - 1A: Cures POSSESSED [5 Cira] -Lunar Mist - 1A: Restores 30 SP [50 Cira] -Mountain Dew - 1A: Restores 50 HP [20 Cira] -Adventures of Kane Manga - 1A: Interesting reading [3 Cira] Ashmodeel: "I'll take 5 Calm Herbs, 2 Lunar Mists and 3 Mountain Dews." Shop Bunny: "See anything you like?" *jiggle* Dragoona: "Yeah. A Lunar Mist or five." ;P Dragoona: "But I'll let Ashie buy first." ;) Shop Bunny: "185 Cira, that okay?" * Shop Bunny bounces her bosoms impatiently. Shop Bunny: "Well? Women don't like to wait, you know!" * Shop Bunny impatiently bounces her bosoms some more... Richard: "I don't mind him buying that stuff." Dragoona: "I agree, I agree." :P Shop Bunny: "Sold!" Dragoona: "Now... five Lunar Mists. Anyone mind?" Richard: "Not at all." Shop Bunny: "250 Cira..." Shop Bunny: "Coming right up..." Richard: "Sure, lady. Shop Bunny: "What else?" Richard: "I'll buy 2 Poison Balms, Smelling Salts, Gargoyle Powders, Tamagos, Calm Herbs, Joyous Fruits, Sanity Nuts, Vigor Seeds, and Holy Waters. That's 2 of all those items, please." * Shop Bunny shakes her fluffy tail. Shop Bunny: "180 Cira, okay?" Shop Bunny: "Oh, sorry... Blonde genes, you know... 90 Cira..." * Richard looks at the others. Shop Bunny: "That okay?" * Shop Bunny bats her eyelashes. Richard: "I don't care. I'm the one buying it. It's the others..." * Shop Bunny flirtateously places her leg up on the counter. Shop Bunny: "Pleaaaaassse won't you agree. I need to get my commission..." LeBeau: "Ah'll 'gree..." * Richard blinks. "Would you put your leg down, ma'am. You know, you don't have to seduce us to get us to buy stuff..." Shop Bunny: "Sold!" Shop Bunny: "It's worked so far!" Shop Bunny: "Tee hee!" Dragoona: "Oi." Shop Bunny: "Anything else?" Dragoona: "Yeah. Put on some clothes, willya?" ^^; Shop Bunny: "Listen, kiddo... I've made more money at this job than any other job in my life! I ain't changing for nobody!" Ashmodeel: "Jealous, Dragoona?" * Richard leaves the shop. Shop Bunny: "Besides, I'm cuter than you! So there! :P" Dragoona: "Hey! I resent that!" * Dragoona storms out before she feels tempted to draw her sword. Shop Bunny: "Of course you do, Miss Not-even-an-A-cup!" * Ashmodeel leaves the shop. --There is just a tavern left, or you could hit the road to the old monk's place...-- * Dragoona decides to go on the road. Richard: "Let's just go now." Ashmodeel: "I agree." * Dragoona pulls a hard lemonade out of her pack from that one town, and chugs it. :P ===SESSION END===