Project Apocalypse RPG Session 2 Log Session Start: Sat Apr 17 20:13:27 1999 ============================================================================ Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as Gamemaster, Dominic, Male Chef #1, Elder, Computer Screen, Computer Voice Aerian as Xorn Bryann as Dragoona Lucia as Rista Mark Kroush as Cain (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Cain) Scott Kroush as LeBeau (Dragonmaster Lou as ~LeBeau) Seath as Ashmodeel ============================================================================ ===GAME ON!=== --It is now morning in Kamelat palace. The entire party has gathered and is making last-minute populations before heading to Torvalds...-- Dominic: "So, how is everyone doing this morning? Sleep well, I take it?" * Dragoona leans on the wall waiting for the others to hurry up, and then looks at Dominic, "Yeah... fine." * Dominic nods to Dragoona * Xorn remains quiet, adjusting the rifle under his cloak, waiting for the others * LeBeau wanders in holding his head. "Not s'loud, please?" Dominic: "Are you all right, Mr. LeBeau?" * Dragoona looks at LeBeau and smirks. Dragoona: "Hangover, LB?" * Ashmodeel walks in but remains silent LeBeau: "Y'know it." Dragoona: "Heh... I warned you last night... but noooo ;)" * Dominic extends a hand to LeBeau. There is a small red pill in the hand. "Take this, it'll make you feel better." LeBeau: "I ain't gonna git in 'nothah drinkin' contest wit' dat monk again." * LeBeau takes the pill. "T'anks, sir." Dominic: "Not a problem." Dominic: "Anyway, shall we head off? It'll take a couple days to reach Torvalds." Ashmodeel: "The sooner we go, the sooner we can leave." * Dragoona stands up, slings her pack over her shoulder, and nods affirmative. * Dominic smirks slightly at Ashmodeel. "Very well then... Let's go." He then walks out the front gates of the palace. * Xorn follows beside Dominic * LeBeau follows still kinda groggy. --It is a beautiful, warm day in the kingdom of Dragonia. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the wind is calm, and the temperature is comfortable.-- * Dragoona smiles and stuff * LeBeau puts on his shades. "Too bright." Ashmodeel: "Is it always this warm?" Dragoona: "Not always... but it does kinda fit the season..." LeBeau: "Yeah. An' warmer in Iria durin' da summer." Dominic: "It's currently summer here. However, we're fairly close to the border with Betulia, so this is one of the warmer parts of Dragonia." Dominic: "Ahh, Iria... I plan to spend my next vacation there." LeBeau: "'An it's beautiful 'dis time o'year. 'Specially down on 'da beaches by 'da harbor. Dominic: "My point exactly. I was hoping to visit the beaches down by Monteco myself. Heard a lot about them from my colleagues." LeBeau: "Ain' been ta Monteco in a long time. I jest 'bout stay in Port Town 'dese days." Dominic: "Interesting... I figured a card shark such as yourself would want to try his luck at Monteco's famous casinos." * Xorn scans his eyes around the area, watching the land --The land is quiet, except for the stray cute woodland creature running around.-- LeBeau: "Ah would, if Ah weren't also da cap'n of Iria's guard." Dominic: "Ahh, that's right. That would explain it." LeBeau: "Usta spen' 'lotta time in Monteco 'till Bray went on his killin' spree." Dominic: "You mean Gordon Bray?" LeBeau: "Yeah." Dominic: "I remember him... He killed quite a few of my people that were doing excavations in Iria as well." LeBeau: "Ya know 'lot 'bout Iria, sir." Dominic: "Technomages are travelers by nature. We know a lot about most of the nations of Mirzha, except for Savanti." --The forest around the party thickens... Soon they are very well shaded...-- Ashmodeel: "Savanti is well protected, and not just by magic." Dragoona: "Uh... are you sure this is a good path guys?" Dominic: "Well, we have other reasons for avoid Savanti..." * LeBeau starts shuffling his lucky deck of cards. Dominic: "This is the quickest path to Betulia. The forest should thicken and then turn to jungle as we approach the border." Dragoona: "Oh... I was kinda.. hoping to avoid the jungle. :P" Dominic: "Well, that's what we hoped when we built Torvalds long ago, hehe." * Xorn watches the shade and shadows Xorn: "Dominic, what can you tell me about... myself?... There's much I do not remember Dominic: "Well, we don't know too much about you, Xorn... Let's see... Well, we found you buried somewhere in the jungles of Betulia. You were heavily damaged, but not from battle, apparently. You seem to date back from the Great War, and you have large amounts of organic components in your body." Dominic: "We don't really know where you came from, or why you were in Betulia, though." Xorn: "... Great War?" Dominic: "Ten thousand years ago, the Great War ended. No one knows for sure how long it lasted before then." Dominic: "During the Great War, the people of Mirzha fought against both a forgotten enemy as well as a Destroyer who seemed to be acting independently." Dominic: "It was only through the help of the Founders and the Espers that we were able to win and secure peace. However, the losses were great, and the ancient technology of Gineyres was lost." Dominic: "It was also after the war that the people of Mirzha fragmented into the nations that now exist." * Xorn nods slowly Ashmodeel: "I had always heard that it was the ancient magic of Gineyres that was lost. Dragoona: "I always heard it was just Gineyres that was lost... :P" Dominic: "Well, our legends state that Gineyres was built using the knowledge of the Espers, who were masters of both magic and technology. Perhaps there is some truth to both our stories..." --The forest canopy overhead thickens and the path becomes shadier...-- * Dominic pulls out a small, palm-sized machine from under his cloak. He takes a pen-shaped object from its side and begins writing notes to himself on its screen...-- Dominic: "Hmm... Looks like we're making good time so far..." Dragoona: "Uh..." Dragoona: "Dominic... don't say that..." Dominic: "Why not?" Dragoona: "It's always a jinx when someone says something like that. ^^;" Dragoona: "Something bad always happens after that. ^^;" Dominic: "Superstitions... Okay, okay... I won't..." Ashmodeel: "I have a feeling that something is going to happen anyway." * Dominic looks around... "You know, it's hard to believe that all of this was nearly destroyed... By one individual..." Ashmodeel: "Evil knows no bounds." Dominic: "I only hope my fears are unwarranted..." * Dominic nods to Ashmodeel. * Rista remains silent. * Dragoona does too. :P * Dominic takes out the fragment of Dark Mana and looks it over again, a look of concern over his face. * Xorn looks at Dominic, then goes back to watching the area * Ashmodeel goes over to Dominic, "If you would allow me to look at that for a second, I promise I won't try anything." Dominic: "Very well..." * Dominic hands the Dark Mana over. Dominic: "I think you will notice that this mana is nothing like any normal mana on this world, dark or otherwise." * Ashmodeel holds the stone in his hands and closes his eyes for a moment. * Ashmodeel opens his eyes, "Yes it feels . . . funny, for lack of a better word." * Ashmodeel hands the stone back. Dominic: "I agree... Even I sensed that. I don't think it was even meant to be used like normal mana." * Dominic accepts the stone. Dominic: "Ashmodeel, did you notice any sort of... explosive... energy within that stone?" * Xorn looks between Dominic and Ashmodeel. "How did such conflict between those who use magic, and those who use technology arise?" Dominic: "I don't remember our legends off hand, however, I think it took place after the fall of Gineyres." Ashmodeel: "Now that you mention it, I did feel something like that." Xorn: "Generations later and the conflict is still there... How odd..." Dominic: "That is what I'm concerned about... I'm not sure how powerful it is, but I fear it may be capable of shattering magic seals and barriers... Including... By the Founders... I hope not..." Dominic: "Ashmodeel, you know how legend states that the Destroyer was sealed away, though not defeated, by the Founders, right?" Ashmodeel: "Such power should not be in the hands of anyone. Dominic: "Especially if what I suspect is true... Though I won't know for sure until I analyze this at my lab." Ashmodeel: "Yes . . . are you implying this mana contains the power to break the seal? Dominic: "If enough of it is gathered... Perhaps..." * Rista shivers and keeps quiet, not quite knowing what all is going on still... her eyes roam from person to person..." * Dragoona listens to this conversation, totally clueless of wtf the three are talking about :P Ashmodeel: "This does not bode well for Mirzha. I must find out what is going on in Savanti. Dragoona: "Uh..." Dragoona: "Guys..." * Xorn looks at Dragoona. Dominic: "As must I... As much as we may not like the idea, Ashmodeel, we may need to put aside our differences for the good of the entire world." * Dominic turns to Dragoona. Dragoona: "Enough with the psychobabble... please... I want to understand what you guys are talking about for once! :P" Dominic: "Dragoona, are you familiar with the legend of the Destroyer?" Ashmodeel: "I have to agree with you." * Dominic nods to Ashmodeel. Ashmodeel: "But that does not mean I have to like you and I assume you feel the same way about me." Dominic: "True... On both respects." * Ashmodeel looks at Dragoona, "Don't they teach any kind of history to knights in training?" Rista: "I'm familiar with the legend... but.... I am still confused." Dragoona: "Uh... usually..." Dragoona: "Remember I was only training for 3 years... I only know little snippets of the legend..." Dominic: "Well, according to the legend, the Destroyer was a being believed to be of the same race as the Founders. As such, his powers were equal, if not greater than, their own, and they could not defeat him directly. With the aid of the Espers, they tricked him and were able to imprison him with a magic seal. Do you follow?" Dragoona: "Yeah..." Dominic: "Good. Anyway, this Dark Mana, which fell from the sky, seems to have explosive capabilities that seem to be tuned towards shattering magic seals and barriers, okay?" Dragoona: "Uh..." Dragoona: "What? ^^;" Ashmodeel: "It can destroy magic shields." Dragoona: "Ok... so how did it fall from the sky?" Dominic: "We don't know. We don't even know where it came from, and we may never know." Dominic: "However, if my fears are true... and enough of this mana is gathered... It may be used to free the Destroyer from his prison." Dragoona: "So how do you know it fell from the sky?" Dragoona: "Uh... that's bad." * Rista shivers.. Ashmodeel: "Remember the meteor shower that occurred not too long ago?" Dragoona: "Yeah..." Dominic: "The stones only appeared after that shower occurred." Ashmodeel: "They were probably the meteors." Dragoona: "So you blame it on the shower. Seems convenient." Dominic: "Are you insinuating something, Dragoona?" Dragoona: "Uh.... nope! ^^;" Ashmodeel: "It is a logical explanation, if you have another, please present it." Dragoona: "Maybe it appeared when the Destroyer was sealed, and the meteor shower just uncovered it?" Dragoona: "Or maybe it's some sort of...uhm.. you know... magical fallout?" Dominic: "Some interesting hypotheses... However, we probably will never know completely. All we do know is that it is a very dangerous substance that could threaten our entire planet." Dragoona: "Uh..." Dragoona: "That's all you need to know. ^^;" Ashmodeel: "I've never know magic to have such a side-effect." Xorn: "Theorizing about the origins of those stones is pointless, if it's capable of unsealing this 'Destroyer' a way to stop it is more important..." Dominic: "I'll have to agree with you there, if only because that is more your area of expertise." * Dominic nods to Xorn. "Good point." Dragoona: "I agree with Xorn. :D" Ashmodeel: "Yes, but there is greater chance of us stopping if it we know how and where it came about." Xorn: "Only if whatever made it... made a way to stop it." Ashmodeel: "In any case, I have never known anything or anyone to be completely invincible." * Xorn comes to a halt. "Wait." Dragoona: "Huh?" Dragoona: "What, Xorn?" * Dominic pauses, drawing a foot or so long metal cylinder from under his cloak in a precautionary manner. * Xorn 's eyes narrow as he looks into the bushes "I saw something move..." * Xorn pulls out his rifle and approaches it cautiously * Rista blinks at Xorn... "Where?" * Dominic presses a button on the cylinder. It expands to be about five feet in length... * Xorn points into the bushes where he saw it with his rifle. Dominic: "En guard, everyone..." * Rista draws her dagger... * Dragoona pulls out her sword --Suddenly, but perhaps not surprisingly as this is an RPG, a pack of rampaging monsters jumps out and attacks the party!-- ===COMBAT!=== --Some of the monsters appear to be large worms, and the others appear to be goofy looking flying rodents wielding baseball bats-- Three Nightcrawlers in front, three Baka Bats in back. ===ROUND 1=== * Dragoona starts chanting... * Rista blinks... and shivers... * Xorn takes aim at one of the bats. * Ashmodeel prepares a spell. * Dominic begins chanting as well... ~Cain attacks Nightcrawler A! Hit! 14 damage! Dragoona casts Blur Litany! * Dragoona casts Blur Litany. Woo. :P Dod% up 3! ~LeBeau attacks Nightcrawler A! Hit! 8 damage! Xorn attacks Baka Bat A! First attack... 16 damage! Second attack... 14 damage! Nightcrawler A casts Acid Blast on Ashmodeel! Ashmodeel is hit for 10 damage Nightcrawler B attacks Dragoona! Dragoona: "Ah!" Dragoona: "Get away from me you damned blue thing!" Dragoona is bitten for 9 damage. Nightcrawlers C attacks LeBeau! LeBeau takes 16 damage. * Rista gasps.. "Henri!" Baka Bat A attacks Cain! Cain is smacked with the baseball bat for 13 damage Baka Bat B flies behind the back row... Baka Bat C flies behind the back row... Ashmodeel casts Pulse Ray on Nightcrawler A! Nightcrawler has critical weakness to light magic. 38 damage. Rista casts Chance on Baka Bat A! A swirl of chaotic magic circles overhead between the bat and the party... Dragoona: "Uh..." Dragoona: "Rista..." The magic homes in on... Baka Bat A! Dragoona: "What in the name of Bahamut is that?!" Chance effect: CHICKEN! * Rista looks at Dragoona "I'll explain later..." Baka Bat A has been turned into a chicken, rendering it nearly harmless... Dragoona: "..." Dragoona: "WHAT THE F***?!" Dominic casts Photon Incantation on Nightcrawler A! Ashmodeel: "Um, that is an interesting magic." Dominic holds out his hand as a blast of light penetrates through the Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler has critical weakness to light-based attacks... 36 damage. Nightcrawler A has been defeated! ===ROUND 2=== Dominic: "Thank you, Ashmodeel... I didn't think you'd be that impressed..." * Ashmodeel ignores the Technomage * Dominic smirks slightly Dragoona casts Quickslash on Baka Bat B! * Dragoona starts channeling wind magic into her blade, and then closes her eyes, targets a random Baka Bat, and lets loose with a QuickSlash! Baka Bat B is cut for 22 damage! ~Cain attacks Nightcrawler B! Hit! 17 damage! ~LeBeau attacks Nightcrawler B! Hit! 8 damage! Nightcrawler B casts Acid Blast on LeBeau! Dragoona: "LB! Watch out!" LeBeau is hit for 10 damage. * Rista shivers.. "Oh no..." Nightcrawler C attacks Cain! Cain is bitten for 12 damage Baka Bat A jumps around and clucks like a chicken! :P Xorn attacks Baka Bat B! First attack... 15 damage... Second attack... 15 damage. Baka Bat B attacks Xorn! Critical hit! Xorn is hit with a baseball bat for 6 damage. Baka Bat C attacks Rista! Rista: "...." Rista is hit for 23 damage. * Rista shrieks... and drops to her knees... Dragoona: "Hey!" Dragoona: "Are you all right there?" Rista: "... Y... yeah... I'm OK..." Rista casts Heal Blessing on LeBeau! * Rista raises her hands and chants in a hushed voice.... A green-gold glow surrounds her. She sends the glow to surround LeBeau. {Health Blessing} LeBeau regains 26 HP. Dragoona: "Rista.. Don't worry about yourself... I'll make sure you stay alive../ with magic like yours, it's a nice little help..." * Rista smiles.. "Thanks..." Ashmodeel casts Pulse Ray on Nightcrawler B! Nightcrawler has critical weakness to light attacks. 40 damage. Dominic casts Photon Incantation on Nightcrawler C! Nightcrawler has critical weakness to light attacks... 40 damage. ===ROUND 3=== * Dragoona sifts through her pack.. ~Cain attacks Nightcrawler B! Hit! 16 damage! Nightcrawler B has been defeated! Dragoona: "Yeah! Go Cain! ;D" * Dragoona finds what she wanted... Dragoona tosses a Mountain Dew to Rista! 50 HP recovered! * Dragoona pulls a small green bottle out of her pack and tosses it to Rista . Dragoona: "Here." * Rista looks over at Dragoona gratefully. "Thanks.,. I needed this..." She downs the Dew. ~LeBeau attacks Nightcrawler C! Hit! 11 damage! Nightcrawler C attacks LeBeau! LeBeau is hit for 16 damage. Baka Bat A flaps around and clucks like a chicken some more... Baka Bat B casts Bat Blinder on Cain! Baka Bat B delivers a devastating blow to Cain's eyes with its bat... Cain is blinded! Baka Bat C attacks Xorn! Xorn is hit for 5 damage. Xorn attacks Baka Bat B! First attack... 15 damage. Second attack... 16 damage. Ashmodeel casts Pulse Ray on Nightcrawler C! Nightcrawler has critical weakness to light attacks... 40 damage. Rista casts Chance on Baka Bat B! The waves of chaotic magic circle overhead again... * Dragoona ducks and covers. The waves home in on... LeBeau! Rista: "..." Dragoona: "Ack!" Dragoona: "LB, look out! You're gonna be poultry!" Chance effect: POISON! * Rista's voice drops to a low whisper... "Please... no..." LeBeau has been poisoned... Dominic casts Photon Incantation on Baka Bat C! Baka Bat has critical weakness to light attacks. 40 damage. LeBeau suffers 1 damage from the poison ===ROUND 4=== ~Cain blindly attacks Nightcrawler C! Hit! 15 damage! Nightcrawler C has been defeated! Dragoona attacks the chicken formerly known as Baka Bat A! First attack... 20 damage! Second attack... 19 damage! ~LeBeau attacks Baka Bat A! * Dragoona wonders why the chicken was pecking at the Nightcrawler body anyways. :P Hit! 11 damage! Dragoona: "Oh well... chicken anyone? ^^;" Xorn attacks Baka Bat B! First attack... 14 damage. Baka Bat B has been defeated! Second attack on Baka Bat C... Hit! 12 damage. Baka Bat C attacks Xorn! Rista: "I'm a vegetarian..." 4 damage. Rista casts Heal Blessing on LeBeau! * Rista raises her hands and chants in a hushed voice.... A green-gold glow surrounds her. She sends the glow to surround LeBeau. {Health Blessing} LeBeau regains 23 HP! Ashmodeel defends... Dominic casts Photon Incantation on Baka Bat C! Dragoona: "Damn." Baka Bat has critical weakness to light-based attacks... 54 damage... Baka Bat C has been defeated! LeBeau suffers 2 damage from the poison... ===ROUND 5=== Dragoona attacks the poultry formerly known as Baka Bat A! First attack... 18 damage... Second attack... 16 damage... Baka Bat A has been defeated! VICTORY! 20 XP, 20 MXP, 100 Cira acquired * Dragoona wipes the chicken blood off her sword. :P Dragoona: "Ehm... anyways..." Dominic: "Well, that was a nuisance..." Dragoona: "Any of the non-vegetarians here... we have food for tonight! ;)" Rista: "... Well... I can eat poultry, as long as it's cooked." Dominic: "I suggest we continue..." * Xorn nods to Dominic and continues on the path. * Dragoona stuffs the bird in her pack. * Dragoona follows Xorn. --As the group continues, the forest gradually turns into jungle, signifying the cross into the neighboring country of Betulia!-- --Betulia, while a jungle nation, has a beauty among it due to the fragrance of the native jungle flowers along with their exotic coloration...-- Dragoona: :D Dragoona: "This isn't as bad as I thought. ^_^" Dominic: "Nope... Most of Betulia is like this..." Ashmodeel: "It is nice, but too warm." Dominic: "True... That is why Torvalds has 'air conditioning.'" Dragoona: "Uh..." Dominic: "Yes, Dragoona?" Dragoona: "Air condishunning?" Dragoona: "What's that? ^^;" Ashmodeel: "Air conditioning?" Dominic: "Oh... Well, we have large machines in Torvalds that are capable of adjusting the temperature and humidity of the city's air to make it the most comfortable for our citizens. That process is called 'air conditioning.'" Rista: "Weird..." Dominic: "Not really. Our ancestors from Gineyres had machines capable of far more than even that." Ashmodeel: "Sound rather inefficient. Savantians have found it easy to adjust the temperature with magic." Dominic: "To each their own..." --The gates to a small village can be seen up ahead...-- * Dragoona looks to Dominic. "Torvalds?" * Rista eyes LeBeau... Dominic: "No. It's not Torvalds... Let me check my map..." * Dominic takes out his little palm computer and presses the screen with its pen a few times... "I think it's the village of Lymon." Dragoona: "Lemon?" Dominic: "No, Lymon." Dragoona: "That's what I said." Dragoona: "Lemon. :D" Dominic: "As in 'lie-mon.'" Dragoona: "Lye moan." * Dominic shrugs. Ashmodeel: "Never mind, Dominic, never mind." * Dominic nods back at Ash. --The party finally reaches the village of Lymon. The villagers seem to be friendly over all, but busy with their own lives. There is a large campfire in the center of town with a large chicken-like creature roasting on it. It is being tended to by several men and women. Near them is an old man, presumably the village elder.-- --Also near the center of town is a modest, but noticeable, Blue Dragon statue...-- Dragoona: :D Xorn regenerates 28 HP * Ashmodeel goes over to the statue and touches it. * Dragoona touches the statue and hops over to the people. "Hi!" :D Everyone regains max. HP/SP/Skills. All status effects cured. Male Chef #1: "Hello. Welcome to Lymon." * Rista goes over and touches the statue, gratefully. * Ashmodeel sighs, "Protocol is a lost art." Dominic: "I don't think the people here mind, really. They are a very friendly and informal populace." --Standing near a house across from the entrance is a traveling salesman, trying to peddle his wares...-- Male Chef #1: "How may we help you, traveler?" Dragoona: "Uh... you can help us? :D" Male Chef #1: "Why not?" * Ashmodeel drops his head. --Suddenly, strange rumblings are heard from outside the village. Many of the villagers take cover out of concern that something bad is going to happen...-- * Xorn looks around, wondering why everyone's stopped. Dragoona: "I dunno... I've just been really hyper since I came in the tow... wait... what was that?" * Xorn looks towards the rumblings. --An old man approaches the party.-- Ashmodeel: "Something is coming." Rista: "..." Dragoona: "Well, DUH Ash! :P" Elder: "Welcome to Lymon. As the village elder, it is my pleasure to welcome all travelers to our humble home. Please, excuse my people, however. Those noises have been scaring us for months." * Ashmodeel ignores the rather ignorant knight. Ashmodeel: "Have you any idea from where they are coming?" Elder: "There is a cave just northwest of the village that seems to be the source. None of us have dared to visit it as it's a local taboo to enter it. However, we're afraid something terrible may be in there, trying to escape..." Dragoona: "Hmm..." Dragoona: "The Destroyer? :o" Dominic: "By the Founders, I hope not!" Elder: "The Destroyer?! By our guardian Founder, the great Kamen... I hope it isn't!" Dominic: "I wonder... We may want to investigate this cave... If it is the Destroyer, God forbid, at least we may be able to patch the seal if it hasn't been completely broken yet." Ashmodeel: "I would have to agree." Elder: "You would do that for us? Thank you... Thank you greatly!" Dragoona: :D Dragoona: "No problem, sir... we just need a place to spend the night until tomorrow. :D" Elder: "You're more than welcome to stay in my guest hut. Oh, and to partake of our feast when you return!" * Rista stays quiet. Elder: "As you can tell by the size of that bird, there should be more than enough to go around." Ashmodeel: "Well then since time is not on our side, we should be off." Dominic: "Let's be off then!" * Dominic heads towards the exit... * Dragoona sighs. * Ashmodeel follows. * Rista follows Dominic. * Dragoona chases after them, looking back one last time at the bird. :D * Xorn follows Dominic --The cave is quite close to the village. As the party approaches the entrance, the rumblings subside...-- Dragoona: "Uh..." Dragoona: "Maybe it fears us? ^_^" Ashmodeel: "Hardly." Dominic: "Whatever the reason, I'm going in..." * Dominic enters the cave. Ashmodeel: "I can't let him show up a mage." * Ashmodeel goes in as well. * Xorn follows along with Dominic --Once the party is about 20 feet or so inside the cave, they find themselves surrounded, but not entrapped, by metal walls and large amounts of high-technology machinery. There is a sign on the wall that says "MEC: Mirzha Engineering Commission."-- * Xorn looks oddly at the sign. Dominic: "Fascinating." Dragoona: "Mec?" Ashmodeel: "I assume that this is nothing of Technomage design, is it?" Dominic: "I think it's an acronym for 'Mirzha Engineering Commission,' whatever that was." Dominic: "No, I don't think so... However, I think it may be of Gineyrean design..." Ashmodeel: "Intriguing." Dominic: "The joints between the metal plates on the walls are too perfect. Our technology isn't capable of such fine joints. It has to be Gineyres or something else, equally ancient." Dragoona: "Mec... kinda sounds like Mechanical..." Dominic: "Perhaps... This does appear to be some sort of mechanical facility. What it does, however, I'm not sure." --The group comes to some sort of elevator that seems to have only one direction: down.-- * Xorn inspects some of the machinery along the way. * Rista eyes the elevator... Dominic: "Xorn... we may be at a facility built by your creators, or at least contemporaries of them." Dominic: "Ahh, an elevator..." * Dominic presses the button. --The elevator doors open...-- Ashmodeel: "Elevator . . . I have heard of these before. Mechanical ways of transportation I believe." Dominic: "Exactly..." * Dominic steps inside * Xorn follows Dominic * Ashmodeel looks at the elevator, "Interesting, but nothing beats a good teleportation spell." * Ashmodeel reluctantly steps in. * Dragoona hopples in. :D * Dominic briefly flashes Ashmodeel the "evil eye" before hitting the button. The doors close and the elevator descends. --The doors close and the elevator descends to the bottom. When the doors reopen, they are in a large chamber with other doors scattered about. There is a large machine with an enormous glass screen in the middle.-- Dominic: "Amazing! I've never seen one of these before... And it's still operational!" Ashmodeel: "What is it?" * Xorn steps out of the elevator and looks around. Dominic: "I'm fairly certain it's an ancient 'computer,' built around the time of the Great War." Ashmodeel: "Computer?" * Dominic approaches the computer and eyes its keyboard Xorn: "A device capable of performing complex calculations, among other things... Ashmodeel." Dominic: "Thank you, Xorn." Dominic: "We have many computers in Torvalds, but none this advanced..." Dominic: "Let's see if I can figure out how to activate the screen... Ahh, here we go." * Xorn smiles slightly "I should know what they are... most of my body is controlled by them." * Dominic smiles and nods at Xorn. * Dominic presses a few buttons on the keyboard. The computer screen lights up... * Xorn stands beside Dominic, looking the computer over. Computer Screen: "Warning... Barrier system failure occurred. Attempting restart #32767." --As the restart attempt occurs, more rumbles can be heard from the surrounding machinery...-- Ashmodeel: "I hope you know what you are doing.. Computer Screen: "Restart failed. Entering cool down mode before beginning next restart sequence." Dominic: "I do... It's more advanced, but not very different in operation from our machines back in Torvalds. All I did was activate the display. Hmm, apparently some sort of barrier system run by this computer has failed." Computer Screen: "Cool down cycle completed." Computer Screen: "Warning... Barrier system failure occurred. Attempting restart #32768." --More rumblings related to the restart attempt are heard.-- Xorn: "Apparently there is something stopping the computer from restarting itself... the rumbles seem to be triggered during the restart..." Xorn: "The elder said they'd been happening for months... hmm." Dominic: "I would have to agree Xorn... Months... Perhaps... Could it be linked to the Night of Falling Stars?" Xorn: "Most likely..." Xorn: "This computer is running some sort of Barrier... maybe the one used to imprison the Destroyer." Xorn: "if it's failed..." Ashmodeel: "Then we're too late." Dominic: "Good heavens... I hope it's not the barrier for the Destroyer..." Dragoona: "What?!" Dominic: "Xorn, see if you can help me here. Let's try to see if we can access information on what exactly this barrier is used for." * Xorn looks around "I wonder what is stopping it from restarting..." * Xorn looks at the screen and nods to Dominic. * Dominic plugs away at the keyboard, trying to get as much information as possible... --The keyboard is fairly large -- large enough for multiple persons to use simultaneously.-- * Xorn stands at the keyboard, searching through it's files for information on the barrier. --The screen changes... There is a large picture of Mirzha on one corner of the screen. A transparent sphere can be seen around the planet... Perhaps this is the barrier?-- Dominic: "Xorn, I think you may have found it!" Xorn: "Yes..." * Xorn continues searching, this time for the cause of the program's failure. Dominic: "If I can interpret this right... It looks like the barrier was around the entire planet!" Xorn: "Was..." Ashmodeel: "Why would there have been a barrier surrounding the entire planet?" Xorn: "To keep the Destroyer out." Dragoona: "To stop the Destroyer from coming in?" Dominic: "I'm not sure... I didn't even know the technology necessary to build such a barrier was possible." Dragoona: "Or to stop others like him..." Ashmodeel: "Perhaps it is like you said before, perhaps it was technology laced with magic. Dominic: "That is a possibility as well..." --Another window pops up on the screen. It's titled "System Failure Log."-- Xorn: "Hmm..." * Xorn scrolls through it, reading it quickly. Xorn: "You were most likely right.. Dominic..." Dominic: "Xorn, what do you mean? Did you read that entire file already?" Xorn: "The barrier emitters suffered irreparable damage from a severe power surge, the surge was caused when the barrier was overloaded by a tremendous explosion..." Xorn: "Yes... I have." Xorn: "it seems you were right, about that Dark Mana of yours." * Rista pales slightly... but remains silent. Dominic: "It makes sense... Of course, this brings up new questions... Who or what would want to destroy that barrier?" Xorn: "The Destroyer himself, perhaps..." Dominic: "Perhaps... If he has the ability to summon this mana while imprisoned... I don't know..." Xorn: "But, the barrier has failed, the way to this planet is open to him now... * Ashmodeel has an idea, "Perhaps this barrier was not to seal the Destroyer like the legends said, perhaps it was a barrier to keep the Destroyer out. Dominic: "That is very possible..." * Xorn looks at Ashmodeel "I believe I said that earlier..." Ashmodeel: "Oh, pardon me. I was distracted." Dominic: "I don't think we should concern ourselves with arguments... We do have a dangerous situation here..." * Xorn looks back at the computer "I might as well shutdown the restart process, the villages needn't be bothered by endless machine grinding..." --Suddenly, sirens begin to blare in the complex!-- * Xorn looks around "I wonder what that is." * Rista blinks.. "What on ...?" Computer Voice: "WARNING! COOLANT SUPPLY FAILURE TO MAIN MANA DRIVE UNIT! WARNING!" Ashmodeel: "Mana?" Xorn: "Hmm... that's not good." --A map flashes on the screen, two red dots indicating the current location of the party and the location of the "mana drive."-- Xorn: "I think the whole system needs to be shut down, or something's going to get very hot... Computer Screen: "Remote override circuits disabled... Mana drive must be shut down locally." Dominic: "Looks like we won't be able to do that from here." Rista: "What does that mean?" Xorn: "we have to turn it off manually." Dragoona: "Oh." Dragoona: "S***." * Xorn gets up, looks at the map, and runs off towards the mana drive. "Lets go." * Dragoona follows. Computer Screen: "Mana drive system overheating... Will go critical... Blast area being plotted on screen..." * Ashmodeel follows. * Xorn takes one last glance at the blast area. Xorn: "That... is not good." --The screen shows a blast radius for the explosion that's large enough to destroy all of Betulia, as well as some of the neighboring countries!-- * Dominic joins the group. * Xorn runs off towards the mana drive. --There is another elevator at the end of this hall that leads to the main reactor room...-- * Xorn goes into the elevator, waiting for everyone else. * Dominic follows Xorn. * Dragoona follows. * Xorn pushes the button to the main reactor room once everyone is in. --The elevator descends... It opens when it reaches the main reactor room. In it, there is a large hole in the ceiling, leading up to the surface. A boulder of dark mana can be found between two broken pipes... It appears as if the dark mana had fallen on the pipes and they only recently gave to its weight. In the center, there is a glass tube with a large, glowing mana crystal in the middle. The machines surrounding the tube begin to glow red hot...-- --There is a control panel opposite between the elevator and the tube.-- * Ashmodeel can feel the waves of energy coming off the crystal. * Xorn rushes over to the control panel, trying to avoid as much of the red hot machinery as possible . Dominic: "Xorn, it's up to you... The heat's too much for the rest of us to approach the panel!" * Dragoona follows. --The heat gets too severe for Dragoona to overcome as she approaches the panel.-- Dragoona: "Ack!" * Xorn drops his cloak before he rushes over... --The panel seems to be somewhat cooler than the other machines... Xorn instantly recognizes the functions of each button as soon as he sees them...-- * Xorn activates the shutdown procedure on the panel. Computer Voice: "Shutting down mana drive..." --The mana crystal is lifted out of the glass tube... As soon as the tube is empty, the machines begin to cool down...-- Computer Voice: "Mana drive shutdown complete..." * Xorn walks back to the rest of the party, blucking his cloak around his neck again. Computer Voice: "Mana drive explosion averted. Barrier system entering shutdown condition..." Dominic: "Xorn, you did it!" * Xorn nods. * Dominic breathes a sigh of relief. Xorn: "Though... I believe the barrier system will never work again." Dominic: "I just hope that the barrier system was just a precaution, not a necessity... Still, we should all be alert for any news of mysterious events... That barrier protected us somehow, most likely, and we now know we're vulnerable." * Dominic looks up at the now idle mana drive... "I can't help but be amazed though... These machines... All powered by mana..." Ashmodeel: "Mana is quite powerful." Dominic: "Indeed... I just didn't know its power could be harnessed in such a way." Ashmodeel: "It is one of basic forces of the universe." Dominic: "True... Even my people are taught that in our schools... It's just that it was considered impossible to harness its power and combine it with technology... The ancients' knowledge must have been far vaster than I ever suspected." Xorn: "It is amazing what can be created out of necessity." Dominic: "Indeed. Anyway, I suggest we leave this place and report back to Lymon. There isn't much else we can do here, and we should hurry on our way. If the planet is indeed vulnerable to the Destroyer, we need to continue on our mission as soon as possible..." * Xorn nods, stepping back into the elevator. Ashmodeel: "Some mages at Savanti are researching into storing mana into objects, but they haven't been completely successful. Ashmodeel: "But you're right, we should leave." * Dominic follows... * Ashmodeel heads for the elevator and again, hesitates to step in. Dominic: "Something wrong, Ashmodeel?"" Xorn: "With the mana drive shut down, there is no more I can learn from these computers... *slight sigh* Ashmodeel: "No, nothing." Xorn: "I'm just wondering if the elevator will work without the mana drive..." Dominic: "I'm sure we'll find other machines like this on the planet... I doubt this was the only facility the ancients built that still functions..." * Xorn pushes the ground floor button to find out. --The elevator climbs... Slowly... It is apparently on some sort of backup power.-- Computer Voice: "Backup systems engaged. Five minutes until batteries are fully drained." Xorn: "I guess that answers my question." * Rista looks up... "Is that enough time?" --The elevator reaches the ground floor... They are near the original elevator, and the entrance to the cave can be seen ahead.-- Dominic: "Apparently so." * Xorn steps out. * Dominic heads on out of the cave, heading back towards Lymon. * Xorn proceeds down the hall, looking back once before leaving the cave. --A few minutes after exiting, the party returns to Lymon...-- * Rista follows --There is a large banquet table in the middle of the town, with the large roasted bird in the center. All the villagers are very happy to see the party again!-- Dominic: "I suggest we don't mention the barrier system. We don't want to start a panic." Elder: "Welcome back! Thank you so much for stopping the noises. It wasn't the Destroyer, was it?" Xorn: "No, it wasn't." * Xorn makes sure his rifle is well concealed. Elder: "Whew... Thank the great Kamen. Please, join us at our feast. Roast chocobo is our specialty!" Ashmodeel: "Ah, chocobo. Roast mountain chocobo is a delicacy in Savanti." Elder: "Really? I may need to travel up there to try it, one day..." * Xorn looks oddly at the roast bird. Elder: "Please, enjoy yourselves. This feast is now dedicated to you, in honor of you halting the noises from the cave!" --As the party feasts well into the night, they can't help but wonder as to what purpose the mysterious barrier system served, and what peril its failure could put Mirzha in...-- ===SESSION END===