Project Apocalypse RPG Session 6 Log Session Start: Sat Jul 03 20:13:38 1999 ============================================================================ Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as Gamemaster, Figure 1, Figure 2, Dominic, Mage, Denom, Isis, Kefron, Gabe, Espermech Pilot, Espermech Communications Officer Aerian as Xorn (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Xorn) Bryann as Dragoona Lucia as Rista Mark Kroush as Cain (Dragonmaster Lou as ~Cain) Scott Kroush as LeBeau Seath as Ashmodeel Special guest star Rune Lai as Theran ============================================================================ ===GAME ON!=== ===BEGIN CUTSCENE=== --The scene is the same darkened room from earlier, with the same two shadowy figures...-- Figure 1: "What is it now?" Figure 2: "Sir, we have recently detected unidentified Tenshi DNA on Mirzha..." Figure 1: "What!? Could it be a result of 'him' being awakened?" Figure 2: "Hard to tell... It may be... It may not be... The signal is very weak, so it could either be highly-dilute DNA or he could just be starting to awaken..." Figure 1: "If he has awakened, especially with Model 01 not yet ready, all our plans could be ruined.." Figure 2: "Don't worry... I've dispatched our Tenshi agent to investigate... His class was specially created to be our line of defense against 'his' awakening... If anyone can halt this before it gets out of hand, he can..." Figure 1: "Very well then... Carry on..." Figure 2: "Yes sir..." ===END CUTSCENE=== --The scene fades out and fades back in to the deck of the Arcadia, on its way to the Savanti/Ustvestia border...-- Dominic: "We should be arriving at the border in a few minutes. How's everyone holding up?" Dragoona: "Fine." Dragoona: "Not that I like that crest..." Dominic: "Well, that crest could yet prove to be useful..." LeBeau: "If yer talkin' 'bout 'dat Ebonic Crest, Ah 'ope not." Dragoona: "I say we need to get earplugs in the next town if we want to use that thing." Ashmodeel: "Indeed, it should be locked away in the deepest, darkest vault that can be found." Dominic: "Was it really that bad?" LeBeau: "Ya got no clue, Dom." Dominic: "Well, let's just hope your enemies are even more offended by it than you are..." Ashmodeel: "It makes the company of Technomages enjoyable." * Dominic coughs... Dominic: "Ahem..." Dominic: "Preparing to land on the Ustvestia side of the Savanti border... No sign of enemy air activity on long range scanners." --The Arcadia comes to a smooth stop and gently lands just inside the Ustvestia/Savanti border... A small village can be seen not too far across the border on the Savanti side...-- Dominic: "Here we are..." LeBeau: "Le's check out the village, j'est fer laughs." Ashmodeel: "Laughs?" Ashmodeel: "I assure you, no village in Savanti cannot be as laughable as the last one." Dominic: "I'll stay here... The last thing you need accompanying you on a potentially hostile mission in Savanti is a Technomage..." LeBeau: "DAT town wasn' laughable, Ash." Dragoona: "THAT town was scary." * Ashmodeel nods at Dominic, "Agreed." Dominic: "Xorn, just in case, I want you to carry something..." LeBeau: "THAT town was enough ta give a man a coronary." * Dominic tosses Xorn a small electronic device... Ashmodeel: "And just what is that?" Xorn: "Hmm?" * Xorn looks at the device. Dominic: "It's a signaling device... Just in case things get really bad and you need to be airlifted, you can call us up and we'll be right over with the Arcadia... While I'm here I'm going to be working on a defense against the Savanti Flying Carpet Air Force..." * Xorn nods. Xorn: "Okay." Dominic: "Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do on the ship..." * Dominic runs off to play with electronics or something... ~Cain: "Shouldn't we be doing something other than standing here?" Ashmodeel: "You're right . . . unfortunately." Dragoona: *sarcastically* "No." :P * Ashmodeel leaves the ship. * Dragoona leaves the ship. * Xorn follows Ash. --As the party approaches the village, it begins to take the appearance of some sort of refugee camp...-- Ashmodeel: "What in the name of . . .?" Dragoona: "What the?" --Various mages, in clothes ranging from tattered to just slightly worn, seem to be trying to eek out a living in this village...-- --A mage looking particularly worse for the wear approaches the party...-- Mage: "Hello? What brings you to a place like this?" Ashmodeel: "I should ask you the same thing? What is this place?" Mage: "This is Shevat Village... It is the most distant village from Kathmandu in Savanti... Very rarely do we get visitors from the capital, however, since Theran's coup, we've had to make room for the refugees..." Dragoona: "And that room is here?" Ashmodeel: "Coup? Please, could you enlighten us as to what has been going on in Savanti?" Mage: "They feel it is the safest place as it is so far from Theran's power base..." Mage: "I don't know much myself... I just know that just before the invasion of Dragonia, Theran and several of his elite forces, along with some mercenaries, abolished the high council and took total power of the armed forces." * Ashmodeel looks shocked. Dragoona: "What?" Ashmodeel: "How could he do such a thing? Why could he do such a thing?" Mage: "I don't know either. However, in that tent by the fire, there is a couple from Kathmandu that escaped without too many injuries... They may know more..." Dragoona: "I thought they hadn't invaded yet..." * Ashmodeel heads for tent. * Dragoona heads for the fire by the tent... or whatever. :P --Inside the tent is a middle-aged mage couple...-- Ashmodeel: "Excuse me." * Ashmodeel's jaw drops. Ashmodeel: "Mother . . . Father?" * Male Mage turns around. "Ashmodeel!" Dragoona: "What, Ash?" Isis: "Ashmodeel! What are you doing here?!" Dragoona: "These are your parents?" Ashmodeel: "I should ask you the same." Denom: "It was horrible... After your uncle took power, he ordered the capital cleared of all those that opposed him, including us... We were fortunate... He allowed us to leave without any hassle from the guard. Others were not so fortunate..." Ashmodeel: "Yes, Dragoona. These are my parents, Isis and Denom." Isis: "Pleased to meet all of you..." Dragoona: "Pleased to meet you too." * Dragoona extends her hand. * Denom nods. * Isis and Denom shake Dragoona's hand in turn. Ashmodeel: "Why has he done this?" * Xorn nods. Denom: "I'm not sure... However, I think it may have to do in part with a book Kefron found." Denom: "He discovered a hidden doorway in the library under the palace one day... After reading through it, he immediately brought it to Theran, who also seemed to have taken great interest in it." Ashmodeel: "Do you have any idea what Master Kefron found in it?" Isis: "Theran hadn't been himself for a long time before that, as you know... He had been concerned with our country's declining population..." Denom: "I have no idea... It was kept a secret for the time being as Kefron felt that our ancestors wanted it to stay that way, hence keeping it in the hidden chamber..." Dragoona: "..." Denom: "Kefron said he was going to leave it up to Theran to decide what to do with it..." Ashmodeel: "Yes, but I never thought he'd do this. Its unheard of to have a coup in Savanti." * Dragoona just stands in the corner of the tent, absorbing all this, piecing together wtf is going on in Savanti. Denom: "Well, he did not do it alone either..." Isis: "Even Theran, as powerful as he was, could not take control of the capital single-handedly... He had outside help..." Dragoona: "Outside?" Dragoona: "Like from another country?" Ashmodeel: "Do they have anything to do with the Destroyer?" Denom: "The Destroyer? I'm not sure... However... There was one... Theran never even asked for him, he just showed up in the capital one day..." Dragoona: *to Ash* "100 Cira says they do..." Isis: "He didn't seem all that unusual at first, except for his black armor..." Dragoona: "Black... armor?!" Dragoona: O_o Ashmodeel: "Does that mean something, Dragoona?" Dragoona: "N... no, I don't... think so." ^^; Denom: "He immediately insisted on visiting Theran, and Theran agreed. You know how he was generally willing to visit dignitaries from other lands when they visited the capital." Ashmodeel: "Funny, I could swear you know something by the way you're reacting." Dragoona: "N... nothing." ^^; Isis: "However, Theran changed after his meeting... He became far more secretive than even before... He even ordered Kefron to be arrested and imprisoned in the palace dungeon!" Ashmodeel: "Well, he's always done that because he generally has the upper hand in negotiations." Denom: "This person, who called himself 'Gabe,' almost undoubtedly said or did something to him to get him to act so differently..." Dragoona: *m* "Gabe... where have I heard that before?" Ashmodeel: "Perhaps Theran is under some foreign control . . . although that's hard to believe." Isis: "Soon after Kefron's imprisonment, Theran hired a notorious rogue samurai, by the name of Deimu, and his gang to provide 'extra security' around the palace... This started to really arouse the suspicions of the high council..." Denom: "If anyone could do that, I fear that this 'Gabe' person may..." Isis: "Gabe was the key to the success of Theran's coup..." Ashmodeel: "Are you aware that Theran is collecting all of the fragments of the meteors that fell not to long ago?" Denom: "Yes, I am... He never explained why... Only that they were necessary for his plan..." Dragoona: "The... Dark Mana..." Ashmodeel: "In any event, I have learned about those fragments, among other things." Denom: "Do you know why he would want them then?" Ashmodeel: "Yes, the Dark Mana. Those fragments are some sort of mana that have the power to destroy magical barriers." Denom: "By the Founders..." Dragoona: "Power. Perhaps even to release the Destroyer. We don't really know exactly..." Ashmodeel: "It has been proposed that enough of them could destroy the barrier keeping the Destroyer at bay." Dragoona: "All we know is it can't be good." Isis: "If that is true... Then something must be done to stop your uncle!" Denom: "I agree, Isis... This does not bode well for any of us..." Ashmodeel: "Indeed, but there is more." Isis: "More?" Dragoona: "More." Denom: "Please, tell us what else you know." Ashmodeel: "While I don't particularly like associating with the Technomages, circumstances beyond my control forced me to go to their capital city just recently." Isis: "Are you all right? They didn't hurt you, did they!?" Dragoona: "No." * Isis sighs with relief. Ashmodeel: "No, they were cordial enough, though my identity was only known by one of them." Dragoona: *m* "Actually, they treated us a hell of a lot better than the FCAF did..." Denom: "A wise decision on your part..." Denom: "The 'FCAF,' as you put it, hasn't been treating anyone well lately..." Ashmodeel: "I found some surprising information in their library about the origins of Savanti." Isis: "What kind of information?" Ashmodeel: "Xorn?" * Xorn nods. * Dragoona stays silent through this part, she was drunk when she was in the library. * Xorn pulls out the memory chip. "Hmm... I wonder if there is anything that can read this here..." Ashmodeel: "Mother, Father. Don't be alarmed, this is Xorn, an android." Denom: "An android? I've never heard of such a thing..." Xorn: "I am a robot sir, but with an artificial intelligence." Ashmodeel: "To put it simply, a mechanical man. He wasn't made by the Technomages, though." Denom: "Fascinating... Perhaps by Gineyres?" Ashmodeel: "There is no way you can read it yourself, Xorn?" Dragoona: "More likely than not." Xorn: "I believe I date back to the Great War." * LeBeau is at a loss. Denom: "Very fascinating..." Xorn: "None the less... Ashmodeel and I found out some... information from the databanks in Torvalds..." Isis: "Please, I'd like to hear it..." Ashmodeel: "In any event, I learned that we are not the innocent in the rift between us and the Technomages, I'm ashamed to say." Denom: "How so?" Xorn: "In Gineyres, both technology and magic were equally respected. After the civilization fell, the ancestors of the Savanti took control and launched a genocidal campaign against the ancestors of the Technomages..." Ashmodeel: "That is it, unfortunately." * Denom gulps... "Yes, I can see... I wonder... How did you come across this information?" Xorn: "Also, it is believed that there may have been a technological basis to the origin of the ancestors of the Savanti." Ashmodeel: "The Technomages have a library that rivals our one." Isis: "Technological?! I don't believe it..." Denom: "I see... So was this available to anyone in the city then?" Xorn: "This information was behind some tight security in the main library of the Technomages..." Ashmodeel: "I don't either, I don't believe all the information is there." LeBeau: "Neither did Ah, w'en Ah saw it." Denom: "Tight security... Hmm... I wonder..." Xorn: "No... it seems the information was only available to one person... but, I was able to break through..." Denom: "I see... I wonder... What if... The book Kefron found... What if it had similar information in it, and that was why it was sealed?" Ashmodeel: "Apparently, this information is only viewable by the upper echelons of the Technomages and it is death to view it without clearance." LeBeau: "Dunno..." Dragoona: "That.. would make sense..." Isis: "I can almost understand that... That information could potentially destabilize their civilization..." Denom: "As would similar information destabilize ours..." Ashmodeel: "And to ours . . ." Denom: "Perhaps that was why our ancestors sealed the book? To prevent any damage to our culture from its contents?" Ashmodeel: "That could very well be." Ashmodeel: "However, the information almost confirms the belief that my . . . problem, can be solved in Gineyres." Denom: "It's unfortunate that Kefron is schedule to be executed tomorrow morning... He would certainly know what was in it..." Isis: "Gineyres... You're still searching, aren't you?" Ashmodeel: "Executed?!" Ashmodeel: "I cannot let that happen." Ashmodeel: "I must, mother." LeBeau: "Ah'll 'elp ya, Ash." Isis: "Please... it is too dangerous... If Gabe is still in Kathmandu..." Dragoona: "..." LeBeau: "Who's Gabe?" Denom: "I have to agree with your mother... You may be a skilled magician, but even you cannot fight Gabe..." Rista: "Gabe?" * Dragoona starts to turn pale. Dragoona: "All of us together though..." Ashmodeel: "We cannot let Master Kefron die. He may be the only hope in figuring out the mess Gabe has gotten Savanti into." LeBeau: "W'o in 'de 'ELL IS GABE?." Dragoona: "We might be able to do it." Isis: "Gabe showed up some time before Theran's coup... We believe that he may have convinced him to take power..." Denom: "I doubt that... Gabe single handedly killed the entire high council with one magical attack..." * Dragoona gasps. Ashmodeel: "No . . ." Dragoona: "No... it can't be..." Xorn: "Then, we'd have to rescue him, very quietly." Isis: "His magic power far exceeds that of a Savanti mage, and his skill with a sword is far greater than that of the best Dragonian knights..." Ashmodeel: "Well, we certainly cannot fly to Kathmandu in the Arcadia." Dragoona: "He... fits the descriptions perfectly... gods..." Denom: "Please... Don't go to Kathmandu..." Isis: "Description?" Ashmodeel: "Who Dragoona, who are you talking about?" LeBeau: "Ah t'ink she's talking 'bout 'de Destroyer." Dragoona: "Gabe. The black armor, the near-omnipotence..." Dragoona: "It all fits together." Denom: "The Destroyer? Perhaps... However, he did not refer to himself as such... He referred to himself as something called a 'Demonmaster,' whatever that is..." Dragoona: "... What's in a name?" Isis: "I don't know... However, his behavior does not match what the legends say about the Destroyer... The Destroyer only wished wanton destruction... Gabe seems to be much more reserved..." Dragoona: "..." Ashmodeel: "In any event, I must go to Kathmandu, Father. If anything, I owe it to Master Kefron. His teachings prevented me from destroying myself." Denom: "If you do go to Kathmandu, please, do whatever is possible to avoid Demonmaster Gabe... If you run into him, it may be your last conflict..." Denom: "I understand... Please, be careful..." Dragoona: "We understand." LeBeau: "Ah doubt 'dat, ma'am." Isis: "Please, Ashmodeel... Take care of yourself... You're all your father and I have now... If anything happened to you..." Dragoona: "LB..." LeBeau: "W'at?" Ashmodeel: "Yes, mother." * Isis embraces Ashmodeel. Dragoona: "If this 'Gabe' has a fraction of the power that the Destroyer had, he could wipe us AND Kathmandu out in the blink of an eye..." LeBeau: "'Den e'll j'est be a challenge." Dragoona: "..." * Dragoona stares at the ground. Denom: "Here, Ashmodeel, take this..." * Denom hands Ashmodeel a small crystal. Denom: "It should allow you inside the city walls once you're close enough... That way you can avoid the guards..." * Ashmodeel looks at the item, "Ah, a crystal of teleportation. Thank you, Father." Isis: "Just remember, it can only be used once..." Ashmodeel: "Yes." Dragoona: "Which means we couldn't get back out without having to get past the guards..." * Isis hugs Ashmodeel again. "Good luck, Ashmodeel... Please, come back safe..." Ashmodeel: "I promise I will, and with Kefron." Xorn: "Perhaps the Arcadia could get us out..." Dragoona: "If it could get there in time, Xorn..." Xorn: "Yes, it would take some timing... because I doubt it could hang around very long..." * LeBeau listens while shuffling his cards. "Ah'm lost already." Dragoona: "Sometimes it's better not to understand, LB." Ashmodeel: "Flying the Arcadia anywhere in Savanti is to big of a risk. The air force would tear it to shreds." Dragoona: "...." ~Cain: "Unless Dominic can figure out some defense against it..." * Xorn nods. "He was working on that." Ashmodeel: "Then let us hope he has come up with something." Dragoona: "It's still a long walk to Kathmandu..." Ashmodeel: "Longer than you think, Kathmandu is nestled in the mountains." LeBeau: "D'en le's get goin'." Ashmodeel: "I do not ask any of you to accompany me. This is something I must do, not the rest of you." Dragoona: "I insist." Ashmodeel: "We should depart, then." Dragoona: "Yeah..." * LeBeau nods. * Denom and Isis say their farewells to the party before they leave... * Ashmodeel exits the tent. * Dragoona exits it instead. * LeBeau follows Dragoona and Ash. --It is a long walk to the capital of Kathmandu, however, the mountains that hold it can be seen just past the horizon...-- --As the mountains get closer, the area gets snowier, and fresh footprints of various local creatures can be seen...-- Dragoona: "..." Dragoona: "I don't trust this." * Dragoona draws her sword. Ashmodeel: "Be warned, the monsters of Savanti have mana." Dragoona: "Oh, spiffy." LeBeau: "Perfect..." --There is some stirring in some nearby evergreen trees...-- Rista: "..." Dragoona: "As much as I hate this... *shudder* Cain, get that Crest ready..." --A bunch of creatures leap out of the evergreens. Some appear to be gossamer bags of air... The others are strange, long-eared flying creatures...-- ===COMBAT!=== Three Wind Bags in front, three Air Bunnies in back... ===ROUND 1=== ~Cain attacks Wind Bag A! Wind Bag A is hit for 14 damage Dragoona attacks Wind Bag A! * Dragoona pulls out her sword and slashes wildly at a Wind Bag, hoping to let some of that air out... * LeBeau begins collecting mana energy in his hand as it bursts into flames. First attack... 31 damage... Second attack... Critical hit! 60 damage! LeBeau casts Fire Dart on Wind Bag A! * LeBeau points the fire surrounded hand at the wind bag as a shaft of fire shoots forward to impact into Wind bag A. FIRE DART! Windbag has critical weakness to fire magic... 60 damage. Wind Bag A goes up in a burst of flames! Xorn attacks Wind Bag B... Dragoona: "Go LB!" :D First attack... 23 damage... Second attack... 29 damage... Wind Bag B attacks Ashmodeel with a blast of magically-enhanced wind... Dragoona: "Watch out, Ash!" Ashmodeel is hit for 16 damage... Wind Bag C defends... Air Bunny A flies and does a diving attack on Cain! Cain is hit for 13 damage... Air Bunny B casts Air Blade on LeBeau! Dragoona: "LB!!!" LeBeau: O_o; LeBeau: "Oh s***." Rista: "......" LeBeau is sliced by a razor sharp blast of wind for 11 damage... Air Bunny C does a diving attack on Rista! Dragoona: "......" Rista is hit for 21 damage... Rista: "Ow..." Ashmodeel casts Dark Beam on Air Bunny A! Air Bunny A takes 43 damage... Rista casts MindBend on LeBeau! LeBeau: "T'ank ya, Chere." * LeBeau gives Rista a smile. * Rista nods at LB, smiling... LeBeau's MgD and Def up 10! ===ROUND 2=== Cain attacks Wind Bag B! Wind Bag B is hit for 22 damage... Dragoona casts Sword Throw on Air Bunny B! * Dragoona channels fire magic into her sword, chanting what seems to be complete gibberish, and when everyone least expects it, she throws it at ludicrous speed straight at the Air Bunny's body! The sword explodes on impact, and reappears then in Dragoona's hand. Air Bunny has critical weakness to fire-based attacks... 468 damage... Air Bunny B is blasted beyond infinity! LeBeau casts Fire Dart on Air Bunny A! * LeBeau shoots an arrow of fire at Air Bunny A. Air Bunny A has critical weakness to fire magic... 54 damage... Xorn attacks Air Bunny A! First attack... 26 damage. Air Bunny A is shot down... Second attack on Air Bunny B... 29 damage... Air Bunny C gets pissed at Dragoona and casts Air Revenge! Dragoona: O_o * Dragoona tries to block the blow with her shield... Air Bunny C generates a wind-magic based shield around itself and dive-bombs Dragoona... Dragoona is hit for 59 damage! * Rista gasps... LeBeau: "Ouch... bet 'dat hurt." * Dragoona winces from the pain but manages... barely... to stay on her feet... Wind Bag B attacks Xorn! Xorn is hit by a severe blast of wind for 10 damage... Wind Bag C attacks Rista! LeBeau: "RISTA!" Dragoona: "R... ista... watch out..." Rista is hit by a blast of wind for 25 damage... Ashmodeel casts Grey Lightning on the remaining Air Bunny! LeBeau: "Y'a'ight, Rista?" Dragoona: "I think we've both... seen better days, LB..." LeBeau: "Got 'dat right." Rista: "..." Air Bunny C is hit for 251 damage and is shot down by the lightning! Rista casts Chaos on Wind Bag B! * Rista crosses her fingers... concentrating... The waves of chaotic magic home in on... Wind Bag B! Chaos effect: Lower Defense! * Rista looks up... * Rista drops to her knees... and bows her head from her injuries... Wind Bag B's defense down 8. LeBeau: "Rista!" Dragoona: "R... Rista? Are you... okay?" ===ROUND 3=== Rista: "I... I'm... OK... I... I'll be... OK..." Dragoona: "You... you're in worse shape than I am, Rista..." * Rista winces... and closes her eyes... Cain attacks Wind Bag B! Critical hit! Wind Bag C is ripped open completely for 68 damage! Dragoona uses a Mountain Dew on Rista! * Dragoona winces, but is barely able to pull a Mountain Dew out of her satchel and roll it over to Rista... "Here... take this." Rista regains 50 HP * Rista does the dew... "Thanks!" LeBeau casts Fire Dart on Wind Bag C! * LeBeau shoots a arrow of fire at Wind Bag C Wind Bag C has critical weakness to fire magic... 50 damage... Xorn attacks Wind Bag C! First Attack... 26 damage... Second attack... 24 damage... Wind Bag C casts Tornado Drop on Xorn! Dragoona: "X... Xorn! Watch out!" Xorn is enveloped in a small tornado which lifts him high off the ground before dropping him... * Dragoona coughs up a gout of blood. Xorn is hit for 14 damage... Xorn: "... That was fun." Rista casts Heal Blessing on Dragoona! Dragoona recovers 40 HP.... Dragoona: "Thanks, Rista!" ^_^ Rista: "No problem." ^_^ Ashmodeel defends... ===ROUND 4=== Dragoona attacks Wind Bag C! * Dragoona pops the Wind Bag like an over-inflated balloon. First attack... 28 damage... Wind Bag pops like an over-inflated balloon! VICTORY! 20 XP, 20 MXP, 100 Cira acquired... Dragoona: "Nice job, guys." ^_^ Ebonic Crest acquires 2 SXP * LeBeau nods. Dragoona: "Now, guys... on to Kathmandu!" Xorn regenerates 42 HP. LeBeau: "A'ight. Le's get movin'." --Soon, the party reaches the mountain pass to Kathmandu at the base of the Kaze Mountains...-- Ashmodeel: "Ah, the mountains of Savanti." --The pass isn't too steep, but it does wind a rather long way around the various mountains...-- LeBeau: "'Tis kinda chilly 'round 'ere. You OK, Rista?" LeBeau: "Ah coul' len' ya my trench coat." Ashmodeel: "Chilly? This is the perfect temperature." * Dragoona shivers. Dragoona: "What are you SMOKING, Ash?" LeBeau: "Ah'm usta 'de temps roun' Iria." * Rista shivers... and looks at LB... "I... I'II... I'm ... oo...oook..." Dragoona: "It's freezing out here!" LeBeau: "Very tropical." * Ashmodeel chuckles. Dragoona: "Same with southern Dragonia..." * Ashmodeel looks quite comfortable. * LeBeau puts his trench coat around Rista. "'Ere... Ya need it more 'dan I do." * Rista blushes... "Th.. thanks... H... Henri..." LeBeau: ^_^ --After several hours trudging up the mountains, they finally arrive within teleportation range of Kathmandu. Kathmandu, one of the largest cities on Mirzha, is surrounded by high walls. It's only entrance is very-well guarded... The Kathmandu Palace stands tall and proud in the center of the great walled city of mages...-- Ashmodeel: "It really is a shame that Dominic did not come with us." Dragoona: *w* "Ash... Now would be a good time to use the crystal..." LeBeau: "Impressive." * Ashmodeel holds onto the crystal tightly and mumbles a few words incomprehensible to the others. --The party is surrounded by a bright white light... When the light fades, they find themselves inside the city walls down an alley not too far from the palace...-- Dragoona: *w* "Come on guys, we don't have time to lose..." * LeBeau nods. --The city seems to be almost deserted, but it doesn't have that deserted air about it... Most of the people are indoors due to the strict curfew Theran has placed on the population.-- * Rista moves closer to LB. Ashmodeel: "Ahem, follow me." * Ashmodeel leads the party through the city towards the palace. LeBeau: "Ah'm not believin' 'dis. Las time Ah was 'ere, 'dere were people evr'w'ere." * LeBeau follows Ash, putting a arm around Rista. Dragoona: "Blame it on Theran." * Rista's eyes grow wide... Ashmodeel: "You may blame it on this Gabe person." Dragoona: "I intend to blame more than this on him..." LeBeau: "J'est w'o is 'dis Gabe person. Soun's like 'de Destroyer." --Soon they reach the palace... The main gates seem to be well-guarded, however...-- Rista: "...." Dragoona: "... All too much like the Destroyer, LB." Xorn: "Is there another way in?" Ashmodeel: "Come, we go around to a more secretive entrance." LeBeau: "Ah 'afta 'gree wit' ya, Dragoona." * LeBeau nods and follows. * Ashmodeel takes the party to another side of the palace. * Dragoona follows and nods. * Rista is semi attached to LB. Ashmodeel: "Speaking of which Dragoona, you never did explain how you know this Gabe." Dragoona: "I don't know him." Ashmodeel: "You know what I mean, you recognized the figure." --The wall on this side of the palace appears solid... However, one of the stones looks slightly loose...-- Dragoona: "..." * LeBeau taps the stone with his quarterstaff. Dragoona: "I'd.. rather not talk about it right now... Ashmodeel: "Xorn, would you be so kind . . ." --A hole in the wall slides open...-- Ashmodeel: "Never mind." * Ashmodeel goes in. * LeBeau follows Ashmodeel. --The hole closes behind the party, leaving them in near total darkness...-- Dragoona: "..." * Xorn follows. * Ashmodeel calls a ball of light to appear in his hand. * Dragoona channels a bit of mana into her blade, lighting up the room more. LeBeau: "'Dat s'oul' 'elp." --Ashmodeel's light allows the party to see that they are within an empty section of the palace dungeon...-- Rista: "......." Ashmodeel: "Ah, we are in luck. We're in the dungeon." Dragoona: "That's lucky?" * Ashmodeel nods to the others, "Come." LeBeau: "'Den we can find 'dis guy an ' get outta 'ere fast." * Dragoona follows the mage. :P * LeBeau follows. Dragoona: "Ah." --The dungeon is dark, dank, and dreary. It is also quite large...-- Xorn: "Do you have a problem with criminals in Savanti..?" --The dungeon is also mostly empty...-- Rista: "...." Ashmodeel: "When the palace was designed, the architects had it in their heads to do everything 'big.'" LeBeau: "Iria's dungeon ain't 'dis big." --The sound of pacing is heard from one of the cells all the way down the hall...-- * Ashmodeel heads toward the sound. LeBeau: "'Dat mus' be 'im." Rista: "....." * LeBeau follows. Dragoona: "Him or a decoy." Ashmodeel: "Shh!" * Dragoona shh's. --They arrive at the cell... It is locked by way of a magical force field. Inside they can see an old mage finishing off a fairly substation meal... His last meal, perhaps...-- Ashmodeel: "Master Kefron?" Kefron: "Ashmodeel? Is that you?" * Kefron looks up from his meal... Ashmodeel: "Yes. We've come to rescue you." Kefron: "Thank the Founders... Careful, that force field protecting the door is deadly to touch..." * Ashmodeel looks around for a way to disable the force field. * Rista looks for a way to shut down the force field. Dragoona: *w* "Perhaps the Ebonic Crest?" --The force field seems to be entirely magically created, with no obvious source of power...-- LeBeau: (w) "'Ey, Ash, 'ow bout 'dat Dark Mana?" Ashmodeel: "Risky . . ." Dragoona: "But it may be necessary." Ashmodeel: "If only we had that piece of Dark Mana with us." Kefron: "I think your Grey Magic, if it has progressed enough, may be able to break the field... Dark Mana shouldn't be necessary, thank goodness..." LeBeau: (W) "'Ain' Cain got a piece of Dark Mana?" ~Cain: "I do, but the geezer said we don't need it." Dragoona: (w) "Let's see what Ash can do, LB." Ashmodeel: "It is worth a try. Please everybody stand back." * LeBeau stands back. * Dragoona crouches behind everyone else * Ashmodeel raises his hands and sends out bolts of grey lightning towards the force field. --It takes a minute or so, but the Grey Magic finally manages to overload the force field!-- * Ashmodeel lowers his hands, "Please master Kefron, we must make haste." Kefron: "I know..." * Kefron gets up... LeBeau: "Now, le's get outta 'ere fas'." Kefron: "How did you get here? The city is locked up tighter than this dungeon..." Ashmodeel: "My father gave me a Crystal of Teleportation." Dragoona: "A teleportation crystal that was given to Ash..." Kefron: "Ahh, Denom... He always was prepared for every possible situation..." Ashmodeel: "Unfortunately, it can only be used once, so we'll have to fight our way out of the city." LeBeau: "Good t'ing Ah didn' use mah cards. 'De may be needed in 'gettin outta 'ere." Kefron: "Hmm... Possibly... Hopefully we can sneak out before anyone catches us..." * Ashmodeel starts winding his way out of the dungeon. Kefron: "Between you and I, Ashmodeel, we may know our way out of here well enough to escape without being noticed..." LeBeau: "Ah know our luck, sir. 'Dey'll fin' us." Ashmodeel: "I certainly hope so." Kefron: "So what do you know about the coup?" Ashmodeel: "Only what my Mother and Father told me." LeBeau: "Not much..." Ashmodeel: "What was in that book you found?" Dragoona: "We know that it's not good..." Kefron: "It was an ancient book... Dating back before the founding of our kingdom... A lot of it was dedicated to the early years of our people, including... A genocidal war we raged with the ancestors of the Technomages..." Dragoona: "... Much of what Ash found out in Torvalds..." Kefron: "Torvalds? The Technomage capital?" * Rista nods. * LeBeau nods. "'De same." Kefron: "I'm not surprised that information was there... Was it restricted in Torvalds as well?" Dragoona: "Yeah..." Ashmodeel: "Circumstances beyond my control forced me to go to Torvalds." Ashmodeel: "Yes, if they knew that we had access to it, they would have put us to death." Kefron: "I see... This book stated that it was to be sealed away forever on its final page... That it was not meant to be read by any of the writers' descendants." Ashmodeel: "I also found out some knowledge regarding my abilities, but we can discuss that later." Ashmodeel: "Who is this Gabe?" LeBeau: "Le's get outta 'ere b'fore we're foun'?" Kefron: "Hmm... Well, this book explained that our ancestors were somehow granted their powers by the Espers... It never stated how..." Xorn: "Now is not the time for this, we'd best escape while we can." Kefron: "Gabe... He calls himself a 'Demonmaster.' I have no idea where he came from, but he is immensely powerful... You may have heard that with one attack he killed the entire high council when they threatened to revolt against Theran." * Rista shudders... LeBeau: O_o; Ashmodeel: "Yes..." Kefron: "His magic is very unusual... Unlike any I have seen or heard of before..." Dragoona: "...." Ashmodeel: "Is it possible that he is not from our world." Dragoona: "... Part of me hopes so, Ash." Kefron: "Perhaps... It would certainly explain his different magic..." LeBeau: "Too much like 'de Destroyer." Kefron: "Anyway, once we're out of here, we must stop Theran from gathering the Dark Mana... I fear what he may be planning to do with it could threaten the entire world..." Ashmodeel: "You mean destroy the barrier sealing the Destroyer?" Kefron: "I don't believe that is his intention, although this could be just as dangerous. The book mentioned a pool of mana located deep within our planet. It is also called the 'Blood of God.' The book said that anyone who was to drink of this mana pool would have god-like powers..." Ashmodeel: "The Blood of God . . ." Rista: "........." Dragoona: "........." LeBeau: "......" Kefron: "No one, not even Theran, should be allowed the power of godhood... Especially in the condition he's in now..." Ashmodeel: "Do you believe he is acting of his own will, or do you think he could be under a foreign influence?" Kefron: "I don't know... It could be a little bit of both. Gabe is certainly not a positive influence on anyone... However, he has been under a lot of stress recently and was worried about our declining population." Dragoona: "...." --The party finally reaches the sealed wall where they entered...-- * Rista mutters... "Finally...." LeBeau: "Declinin' population?" * Ashmodeel searches around for the switch. Kefron: "Our population and birth rate have been declining steadily for several generations. No one is sure why." --The switch is hit, and the door opens slowly...-- --Outside the palace are two people. One is a middle-aged, powerful-looking mage. Accompanying him is a young man with long dark hair, tied back in a ponytail, and dark eyes. He is wearing dark armor and carries a sword at his side...-- Rista: "......." Dragoona: "..." * Theran turns and eyes the newcomers. Gabe: "Well, well, Theran... What do we have here?" LeBeau: (w) "... D'ose mus' be Theran an' Gabe." Dragoona: .oO(Okay... we're toast, but at least it's not him.) Ashmodeel: "Uncle Theran!" Ashmodeel: "And Gabe I presume?" Gabe: "You are correct..." * Gabe chuckles... * Dragoona closes her eyes "What is up with you two losers?" * Theran inclines his head. "Greetings, Ashmodeel." * Gabe gives Dragoona an evil glance, but decides to let Theran do the talking, for the time being... Theran: "What brings you to accompany such rude personages as these?" * LeBeau gets out his cards and starts to shuffle. Ashmodeel: "I find myself asking this question a lot lately." Ashmodeel: "I could as the same of you, Uncle." LeBeau: .oO(Rude? Ah 'appen ta be 'de cap'n of Iria's Guard.) Theran: "Gabe is useful... and your companions?" Ashmodeel: "They serve a purpose in battle, nothing more." * Rista looks at Henri... Ashmodeel: "All this time I have wondered . . . Why?" * LeBeau looks at Rista. * Theran seems to consider that. * Dragoona glares at Gabe. * Gabe appears not to notice. * Dragoona glares, regardless. :P Theran: "Why is a very good question to ask. I have encouraged it among all students of magic." Theran: "Unfortunately the answers are not always as obvious as they appear." LeBeau: "Ain' 'dat 'de truth." * Rista stays silent... * Dragoona does also... Ashmodeel: "You always think about things thoroughly Uncle, before acting." Ashmodeel: "However this time, I think that you cut your deliberations short." * Theran makes a strangled sound between a cough and a laugh. "I do not think so. But then, of all my advisors you always were the one who would question me." LeBeau: "'Dis is gettin' confusion'. T'ank goodness Ah was never a diplomat." Dragoona: "....." Theran: "So, Ashmodeel, what have you been up to? It's not like you to carry around with such company. And you have obviously been up to something." LeBeau: "W'at was 'dat crack s'pposed ta mean?" Ashmodeel: "It should be obvious to you, Uncle, as to what I am doing. So will you arrest me, or have Gabe destroy me like he did the high council?" * Gabe smirks slightly. * Theran smiles thinly. "That would be an interesting proposition. But I would hate to waste you, dear Ashmodeel. If you would be so kind as to leave you companions that may be a more suitable arrangement. You do not truly need them." Theran: "I have Savanti's best interests as heart. You know that better than anyone." Dragoona: *murmuring* "You also do not truly need Gabe then. Unless you are as weak as you look." --The party is still facing off with Theran and Gabe...-- Ashmodeel: "An interesting proposition Uncle. Just what is in it for me, aside from not being killed." * Kefron stands by silently, hoping Ashmodeel will make the right decision... * Rista stays close to LB. Theran: "You would be helping save your people, the citizens of Savanti. We are a dying people, as you are well aware." Theran: "You have always come to my aid in watching over our country. Why not now?" * Ashmodeel thinks about his Uncle's words. Kefron: "Remember, Ashmodeel... Is it worth saving our people if there is no world left for them to live on?" Ashmodeel: "Uncle, in these matters you are rarely wrong." Ashmodeel: "However, there is a time when every man makes a mistake. I believe this is your time." Ashmodeel: "I cannot believe that what is best for Savanti lies with this . . . scum." * Ashmodeel motions to Gabe. * Gabe reaches for the hilt of his sword... * Theran seems somewhat disappointed. * Gabe squints at Ashmodeel... * Dragoona motions for the hilt of her sword as well, albeit more subtly. Gabe: "Would you like me to take care of this 'problem' for you?" * LeBeau pulls a card out of his deck. Theran: "I had hoped better for you, but I suppose that fate is not decided for us." * Rista starts to pale... * Dragoona unsheathes her sword. * Theran makes a negligent gesture. "Gabe, you may have them. I have other business elsewhere." * LeBeau charges the card with his light tech. * Theran surrounds himself in magic and teleports away. Gabe: "Yes, your honor..." Dragoona: "..." Gabe: "Well, then, let's see what you're made of..." * Dragoona glares evilly at Gabe. LeBeau: "Ah can't convince ya ta a game o' cards, eh?." ===BOSS COMBAT! DEMONMASTER GABE!=== * Gabe begins chanting... Dragoona: "By the power of the Shinryuu..." Gabe casts White Protection! A force field of white energy surrounds Gabe... Gabe is immune to magical attacks for one round... Gabe casts Blue Vigor! A field of blue energy surrounds Gabe... Gabe's number of attacks for the next round has increased... Cain casts Air Juvi! Gabe it hit for 1 damage... Dragoona casts Sword Toss! Dragoona: "In the name of Bahamut..." * Dragoona channels fire magic into her sword, chanting what seems to be complete gibberish, and when everyone least expects it, she throws it at ludicrous speed straight at Gabe's body! The sword explodes on impact, and reappears then in Dragoona's hand. Gabe suffers 0 damage... LeBeau casts Winning Hand! Dragoona: "... My god. You are..." Rista: "......" * LeBeau throws the light infused card at Gabe, "Looks like Ah got a WINNING HAND!" The card explodes upon impact into a shower of light. Gabe takes 0 damage... Xorn attacks! Rista: "......" First attack... 1 damage... Second attack... 1 damage... Rista casts MindBend on LeBeau... Dragoona: "... We're toast." LeBeau's MgD and Def up 10... Ashmodeel casts Grey Lightning! Gabe suffers 0 damage... ===ROUND 2=== * Gabe assumes an attack stance... LeBeau: "We finished. LeBeau: "Cain, get 'dat crest ready." Gabe attacks Cain! First attack... Critical hit! 408 damage! Second attack... Critical hit! 412 damage! LeBeau: "CAIN!" Third attack... Critical hit! 405 damage! Dragoona: O_o Fourth attack... Critical hit! 407 damage... Fifth attack... Critical hit! 409 damage! Sixth attack... Critical hit! 411 damage! * Dragoona watches in horror as Gabe opens up a can of whoop ass on Cain. Seventh attack... Critical hit! 405 damage! Eighth attack... Critical hit! 415 damage! Cain is defeated... Gabe casts Nova Strike on Dragoona! * Dragoona tries to make a break for it! Dragoona: "Ack!" * Ashmodeel consigns himself to the next world. Gabe leaps high into the air... His sword becomes charged with the energy of an exploding star... Impacting with the same force into Dragoona's body... Rista: "Oh... gods..." * Rista turns away... 914 damage... * Dragoona screams in utter pain as she gets practically, and literally, impaled by Gabe. Xorn: "A... tactical retreat might be in order..." Dragoona is defeated... LeBeau: "NO S*** SHERLOCK!" LeBeau casts Winning Hand on Gabe! Gabe is hit for 1 damage... * LeBeau throws another light infused card at Gabe. Xorn attacks! First attack... 1 damage... Second attack... 1 damage... Ashmodeel defends... Rista casts Drain Litany on Gabe! LeBeau: "Ah say we make like a banana and split... before we're split in two like Cain and Dragoona." Gabe loses 1 HP. Rista regains 1 HP... ===ROUND 3=== * Gabe begins chanting, and is surrounded by a red aura... Rista: "....." LeBeau: "HOLY S***." * Dragoona is too dead to notice :P Gabe casts Red Anger! The entire party is bombarded by balls of flame falling from the heavens! * Dragoona is fried as well as dead now. :P * Rista cowers... LeBeau: "We're toast." Rista: "I... I'm not ready..." Ashmodeel suffers 479 damage and is defeated... LeBeau 502 and is defeated... Rista 450 and is defeated. Xorn 418 and is defeated... Gabe: "Hmph... Now it's time to finish this... Permanently... How dare you try to interfere with our plans..." --Suddenly the ground begins to rumble and a loud thundering can be heard overhead...-- --A giant object of some sort comes flying in a high speed!-- --The object comes to a landing between Gabe and the party... It appears to be a 50-foot tall mech of some sort!-- Gabe: "What do you know? An Espermech... I didn't think they still existed..." --A female voice is heard from the machine...-- Espermech Pilot: "Tenshi scum! I will not allow you to endanger this world!" Gabe: "What did you just call me? A 'Tenshi'? Hmm, the only way you'd know that's what I really was is if you are an Esper... Funny, and I thought we wiped you out millennia ago..." Espermech Pilot: "We don't die as easily as you think, Tenshi... Some of us still live." Gabe: "Hmph, not for long..." --The green jewels on the shoulders of the mech begin to glow...-- * Espermech prepares to cast Emerald Beam! Gabe: "Hmph... I'm not stupid enough to go into battle underarmed against an Espermech... Heh... You win this battle... However, the war is far from over..." * Gabe teleports off in a swirl of dark magic... --The Espermech turns towards the party... The cockpit, located in the chest, opens... A being of light is seen within... She waves her arm and the party is healed...-- --The cockpit of the mech closes... It then flies off into the sky, soon vanishing far out of visual range...-- ~Cain: "What the hell was that!?" LeBeau: O_o; * Xorn picks up Dragoona. "Let's get out of here, quickly." Ashmodeel: "Twer I a Technomage, I'd say it was an angel from heaven." LeBeau: "Was 'dat one o' 'dose Espermechs we learn'd 'bout?" Kefron: "By the Founders... I don't believe it..." LeBeau: "Good idea, Xorn." Xorn: "Any ideas about getting outside the city?" LeBeau: "Except the Arcadia, no." Kefron: "I... I never thought I'd ever see one those..." Ashmodeel: "As Kefron said, together we will find a way." * Dragoona is still unconscious, and now slung over the android's soldier. ;P Xorn: "I'll summon the Arcadia, but I doubt it'd want to get too close to the city." Kefron: "Ashmodeel, do you know what we just saw?" * Dragoona gives Ash a warning kick in the groin. Ashmodeel: "An Espermech if I remember correctly." Kefron: "That's what the 'Tenshi' called it... It had a different name in the ancient book, however..." Ashmodeel: "What?" LeBeau: "Hmmm?" Kefron: "Machines like that were called the 'Chariots of God...'" Ashmodeel: "Chariots of God, Blood of God . . . what's next, some guy coming down and proclaiming to be the Son of God?" * Dragoona would chuckle if she wasn't still out. :p Kefron: "I don't know... I do know that those machines were summoned by the Espers to fight beings called 'Tenshi' that nearly wiped them out during the Great War... These 'Tenshi' fought on the side of darkness..." Ashmodeel: "In any event Kefron, do you believe that the old garden door to the outside is guarded?" Kefron: "I doubt it... No one has used that path in ages..." Ashmodeel: "Not since I used it to skip out on your lessons." Kefron: "So that's where you went..." Kefron: "Anyway, let's leave before Gabe realizes it's safe to return..." * Ashmodeel starts heading for the Garden. * Kefron bows his head slightly in puzzlement as he follows Ashmodeel. * Kefron mutters... "That name... What does it mean?..." * LeBeau follows Ash and Kefron, carrying Rista. Kefron: "I read it in the book... If only I could remember..." --The garden path is, fortunately, unguarded...-- * Ashmodeel looks around, "Hmm, the pixies that were here are all gone. A shame." Kefron: "Ashmodeel, have you ever heard the term 'Tenshi' before?" Kefron: "Yes, sadly, they left after the coup as well..." LeBeau: "Le's get outta 'ere." --The door is somewhat rusted, but can still be forced open...-- Ashmodeel: "Just lately Master. I have been privy to many new pieces of knowledge lately." Kefron: "I see... I was just wondering... I know I read about it in the book somewhere... The chapter about history prior to the Great War... I can't seem to remember what it meant though..." ~Xorn: "Might I suggest that I summon the Arcadia once we have left the city's limits?" * Ashmodeel attempts to force to door --The door opens after a little struggle...-- LeBeau: "Good idea." Ashmodeel: "Some help here, please." * ~Xorn easily manages to open the door, thanks to his android muscles... ~Xorn: "Will that suffice?" * Ashmodeel thanks Xorn as he enters the passageway. --The passageway is dark, but light can be seen not too far ahead...-- * Kefron still ponders the meaning of "Tenshi..." Kefron: "I remember... I remember that it means!" Ashmodeel: "What is it then?" Kefron: "It's a word from an ancient language... One that hasn't been used since before the Great War... It means 'angel.'" Kefron: "By the Founders... I hope this doesn't mean..." Ashmodeel: "Seems to be dark angels to me." Kefron: "That is possible... The Espers were sometimes viewed as emissaries to the gods of light... The Tenshi would be their dark equivalents..." LeBeau: "We fought a dark angel earlier... In Dragonia." Ashmodeel: "What do you think that it does not mean?" Kefron: "A dark angel? Was he as powerful as Gabe?"" LeBeau: "Ah think so..." Kefron: "I'm afraid we could be dealing with another Great War... The Espers have revealed themselves, as well as the Tenshi..." * Dragoona stirs just soon enough to hear from "Great War" on..." Dragoona: "Wha?" * Dragoona realizes she's being carried by Xorn and sweatdrops. * LeBeau listens. Dragoona: "... Could you put me down please?" ^^; Kefron: "I see... Another Tenshi... This is bad... Especially as the book stated that the Tenshi nearly exterminated the Espers..." Dragoona: "... Tenshi?" Kefron: "If there are two Tenshi on this planet that are known to us, there could be many more that are not known to us..." Ashmodeel: "In light of what is happening Master, I think we should get on good terms with the Technomages. They are the only other people to have a knowledge base as good as Savanti." ~Xorn: "Apparently, Dragoona, Gabe was a being called a 'Tenshi,' which means 'Angel.'" Dragoona: "..." Dragoona: "Okay... PLEASE put me down now?" ^^; Kefron: "I would have to agree with you... It took a combination of magic and technology to help the Espers defeat the Tenshi and their allies the first time around... It might take the same this time around..." * ~Xorn puts Dragoona down. Kefron: "We may as well make amends with them for our past, as well..." * Ashmodeel looks around, "I think we are sufficiently far away from the city now. Xorn, summon the Arcadia." * ~Xorn nods and summons the ship... Dragoona: "....." --Suddenly, the air above the party begins to ripple... As the ripples subside, the Arcadia can be seen directly overhead!-- Dragoona: "Well, at least that's good..." ~Xorn: "A cloaking device of some sort..." --A hover platform descends from the airship carrying Dominic...-- Ashmodeel: "Impressive." Dominic: "Are you guys all right? Did you save your old teacher, Ashmodeel?" Dragoona: "No, and yes, Dom." Dominic: "What do you mean, Dragoona?" Ashmodeel: "Yes. Master Kefron, may I introduce the Technomage Dominic." Dragoona: "I mean, Kefron is okay..." Kefron: "Pleased to meet you, Dominic..." Dominic: "It is an honor, Kefron... Despite our peoples' differences, I have the utmost expect for the scholarly, such as yourself..." Dominic: "So, what happened to you there?" * Dragoona rubs the still sore spot on her side where she got Nova Striked... there's a hole in her armor there that can be clearly seen. Ashmodeel: "We we're nearly killed by a 'Tenshi.'" Dominic: "Did you say 'Tenshi'?" Dragoona: "Nearly?" Dragoona: "I think I was dead for a few seconds... ouch." Ashmodeel: "Yes, and then some large machine called an Espermech or 'Chariot of God' saved us." LeBeau: "'Dat was one tough sonovabitch." Dominic: "Tenshi... Espermech... My god... This is bad... This is very bad!" Dragoona: "You think we don't know this?!" Ashmodeel: "You and Kefron are of like minds." Dominic: "You probably do..." LeBeau: "Ah t'ink we already do know 'dat." Dominic: "Quickly, get on board... The Tenshi could be as dangerous to the planet as the Destroyer!" Ashmodeel: "Panicking will not get us anywhere. The need to find Gineyeres is greater than ever." * Dragoona clasps her pendant. "Bahamut, may you and the Founders once again help us..." * Dragoona gets onto the Arcadia. * Ashmodeel gets on the platform. Dominic: "I agree..." * LeBeau gets onto the Arcadia, still carrying Rista --The platform carries the group to the main deck of the Arcadia...-- Dominic: "We have no other choice... Ashmodeel, Kefron, I believe our peoples must bury the differences between each other and unite against this threat, much like the ancients of Gineyres did ages ago..." * Dragoona looks at Dominic. "Dom... do you think it could be possible that the Destroyer was a Tenshi as well?" Dominic: "I don't believe so... It is said that as powerful as the Tenshi were, the Destroyer was far more powerful..." * Kefron nods in agreement. Ashmodeel: "Kefron and I have come to this same conclusion." Dominic: "I have more bad news, however..." Dragoona: "... Just f***ing spiffy. What's wrong now?" Dominic: "There are reports of Savanti troop movements in Betulia... They may be trying to attack Torvalds! Rumor has it they are lead by a rogue samurai from Yamato..." Dragoona: "WHAT?!" Rista: "...." Ashmodeel: "We were informed that Theran has somehow contracted the use of these samurai." Dominic: "Than that may confirm this rumor..." Dragoona: "... Didn't... didn't I hear one of your parents imply that Gabe was one of such samurai, Ash?" Ashmodeel: "I don't believe so." * Kefron reaches into his pocket... "What's this..." Ashmodeel: "Besides we have seen that Gabe is no mere Samurai." Dragoona: "I KNOW that, Ash." ~Xorn: "Gabe is a Tenshi... Not a samurai..." Dragoona: "That doesn't mean he couldn't have labeled himself as such..." Kefron: "What do you know? I have a loose page from the ancient book here..." ~Xorn: "I believe the samurai in question could be Deimu." Ashmodeel: "What does it say?" * Kefron reads... "Hmm... This could either be good news or bad news... Apparently, the Destroyer is imprisoned in a cave in the Valley of Winds, not far from Kathmandu... In another cave nearby, however, lies the resting place of the Guardian Founder of Savanti." LeBeau: "Ah t'ink we should fin' d'ese Founders 'den make tracks for Gineyres." Dragoona: "Shall we try for the next crest, guys? Chances are if we can get all the Founders, we might have a chance." Dominic: "That may be a good idea... Gineyres is rumored to be heavily protected... We could use all the assistance possible..." Ashmodeel: "I believe that the crest should take priority." Ashmodeel: "I would like to see the guardian of this land. It must be better than the last one we found." Dominic: "Hmm... That reminds me... The movements were located near a region of Betulia called 'Founder's Cave.'" Dragoona: "... WHAT?!" Dragoona: "Guys, we may just need to split up here..." LeBeau: "WHAT?" Dominic: "Founder's Cave is rumored by the locals to hold some mysterious powers..." Ashmodeel: "Dragoona, if you persist in that state, you will blow a blood vessel." Dragoona: "Not like Gabe didn't already blow most of them, Ash." ~Xorn: "Well, fortunately we were healed by that Esper..." LeBeau: "OK... We'll split up. Ash, I want ya to take Xorn and Dragoona wit' ya to the Cave in Savanti. Cain, Rista and Ah'll go to Betulia." Ashmodeel: . o O(I really should have joined Theran . . . I think I shall keep my options open for now.) Ashmodeel: "I believe that splitting up is not the greatest of ideas." LeBeau: "'Den w'at do ya suggest? We can't j'est keep flyin' 'roun' in a Technomage airship over Savanti. An' we can't let Theran's force get a hold of 'dat Founder." ~Xorn: "We may need our combined strength, especially if the other crests are protected like the first..." Ashmodeel: "If we split up, we loose the chances to get either of the crests." Ashmodeel: "I agree with Xorn." Dragoona: "I think the Founders Cave has top priority..." Dominic: "I believe we could theoretically remain in Savanti airspace for a rather long period of time, as long as we avoid major population centers... Our new cloaking device got us this far, didn't it?" Dragoona: "There doesn't seem to be any activity for Savanti's Founder... only Betulia..." Ashmodeel: "We will go to a Founder's cave, the one in Savanti." Dragoona: "And lose the chance of saving the one in Betulia?" Ashmodeel: "It is not in a battlefield." LeBeau: "An let Theran's group get 'dat crest in Betulia? 'DAT'S not a wise idea." Kefron: "You must also remember that the Destroyer is imprisoned near the Savanti Founder's cave..." Ashmodeel: "I doubt the crests are his top priorities considering the power of the Tenshi and the 'Blood of God'." LeBeau: "if 'dey're sendin' 'DAT kinda force after a Founder, 'den it must be 'mportant." Dragoona: "So we're damned if we do, damned if we don't?" Ashmodeel: "The crests are insignificant compared to them." LeBeau: "'DEN W'Y DE DAMN ARMY?" Kefron: "I would have to agree... With the 'Blood of God,' Theran could potentially have greater power than the Founders themselves..." Dominic: "Founder's Cave is located within striking distance of Torvalds... They may be trying to attack the Technomage citadel..." Dragoona: "I don't think that's what Theran wants, Kefron..." Ashmodeel: "Diversion perhaps. Theran might feel that the caves here in Savanti are well protected. He did not factor in the cloaking device into the equation." * Dominic thinks. "That could be it as well... Theran is definitely a shrewd strategist, whatever his plans..." Ashmodeel: "Dragoona, I believe that Kefron and I are more likely to know what is going on inside of his mind." Ashmodeel: "And besides, what could one airship do to an army." Dragoona: "The inside of a glass may be clouded... the outside never fades or is distorted." Kefron: "Well, according to the book, the mana pool that contains the 'Blood of God' is protective by a magical barrier... Which could explain why he wants the Dark Mana..." LeBeau: "Ah j'est can't see leavin' dat founder ta Theran's force. If 'e's willin' ta send an army aftah it, 'den it's gotta be 'mportant. Dragoona: "Yeah." Ashmodeel: "Okay, so we save that one, they he gets the one here." Kefron: "I don't believe he is after the Founder... Remember, Torvalds is located near the cave, and who else but the Technomages pose a greater threat to his ambitions?" Dragoona: "True." Ashmodeel: "And I would prefer to find out how this Destroyer factors into the equation. I believe there is more about him than is let on." Dragoona: "... Very true." LeBeau: "W'atevah. If ya wanna see 'de Technomages get wasted, 'den fine. Le's go ta 'da cave 'ere in Savanti." * LeBeau turns on his heels, sets Rista down and walks off. Dragoona: "Dominic, what're your thoughts?" Ashmodeel: "Dominic, I assume that the Technomages have adequate defenses." Dominic: "It's a tough decision... Torvalds is the most heavily defended city on the planet... I don't know how well we would do against a Tenshi, however... Their power is supposedly unrivaled... I do think they should be able to withstand an attack from the forces that are rumored to be in the vicinity... At least they wouldn't fare any better with our without us." Dominic: "Part of me wishes to go, especially as it is my home, but my logical side tells me that it could be a safer mission to the Valley of Winds..." Dragoona: "Safer, and smarter." Dragoona: "I think we've decided... but I think we need to make LB understand..." * Dominic shouts, "What's the status of Torvalds's defense grid?!" * Dragoona looks at Rista. Communications Officer: "The grid is at full power. Anti-mana shielding has been activated and the remote battle droids are in position." Ashmodeel: "You talk to him, he has no concept of logic." Dragoona: "Rista should talk to him... she seems to be closest to him. * LeBeau stands somewhere away from the group, shaking his head as he looks down at the ground. Dominic: "Okay... I think Torvalds should be secure... I know Emily and Uncle Dukhat will forgive me because they would do the same... Helmsman, set course for the Valley of Winds!" Dominic: "Rista, would you please explain the situation to LeBeau?" --The Arcadia turns abruptly and starts heading towards the northwest...-- * Rista shakes off her shock... and walks over to Henri... * LeBeau stands there, looking down at the ground. Rista: "... H... Henri? LeBeau: "Yeah, Rista." * LeBeau doesn't look up... Too caught up in his thoughts." LeBeau: "Ah j'est can' b'lieve 'dey're doin' 'dis. Leavin' 'dose folks ta be slaughtered by 'dose guys. " LeBeau: "An we could'a done somethin' yet no one'll listen to ol' Henri. An if 'dey're goin after Torvalds, 'den ya can bet yer ass 'dey'll go aftah 'de Founder... Ah j'est know it." LeBeau: "Ah don' know 'owta make 'dem see. We can' let 'de Technomages get slaughtered by 'dat damn Tenshi." * LeBeau draws a card from his deck, infuses it with light and throws it at a random mountain. * Rista sighs... "I completely agree with you... but... it's suicide, love..." * Rista winces... Rista: "We would be no good to help if we ourselves are killed..." Rista: "I didn't hear any reports of Tenshi in the area of the cave..." LeBeau: "Ah j'est can' do it, Rista. 'De last time Ah was in 'dis situation, was when Bray went on 'dat killin' spree of 'is. Ah was told dat 'DAT was suicide too, but won de fight." * Rista sighs... at a loss of what to do... * Dominic approaches... Dominic: "May I have a word?" LeBeau: "W'AT IN DE 'ELL DO YA WANT?" * Rista jumps... Dominic: "You think you're the only one having a difficult time with this decision?! My people are the ones that are going into battle!" Dominic: "However, I know we will serve them better by trying to recover this crest than dying against that army." Dominic: "However, I am more than willing to head back to Torvalds after we recover this crest and lend assistance... Does this sound like a fair compromise?" LeBeau: "Look, Ah got nothin' ta lose, Dom. Ah done lost evr't'ing already. 10 years ago." Dominic: "Well I do. My entire people... Yet I am doing this because I know it is right for them, and for the rest of us..." * Rista looks at LeBeau... and blinks... Dominic: "Rista?" LeBeau: "an' evr'one too. *turns away closing his eyes.* Ya don' know 'de bad mem'ries Ah got, Dom." Dominic: "No, I don't... However, I do know that this is what should be done if we don't want any of us to have any more bad memories..." Dominic: "Do you think the people you lost would want you to die a senseless death?" LeBeau: "Watchin' someone Ah really cared fer bein' run through by a MADMAN'S CLAWED 'AND... unable to do nothin' fer fear. It took me 5 days to get up 'de courage ta fight 'dat sonovabitch." * Rista takes a step backwards... eyeing LeBeau... then turns and runs to the cabin at the far end of the deck, crying heartbrokenly... Dominic: "Rista???" LeBeau: "Oh s***... Rista..." * LeBeau runs after Rista. ===SESSION END===