Project Apocalypse RPG Session 7 Log Session Start: Sat Jul 10 20:33:44 1999 ============================================================================ Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as Gamemaster, Dominic, Communications officer, Helmsman, Science Officer, Demonmaster Gabe 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 START=== --The party is still on the deck of the Arcadia, speeding towards the Valley of Winds in Savanti...-- Dominic: "Excellent... So far we have detected no signs of flying carpets on the sensors... The cloaking device seems to be working as well as we hoped..." Dominic: "I hope Rista and LeBeau are okay though. They've been in the cabin a long time..." Ashmodeel: "An interesting device Dominic. It accomplishes its task without use of any mana whatsoever?" Dominic: "Yes, it does... We do not possess the knowledge of the ancients when it comes to combining mana and technology, unfortunately. However, I was able to modify the anti-gravity engines to bend light around the ship, effectively rendering us invisible, albeit at a cost in top speed." Ashmodeel: "There are mages who can render themselves invisible, but I know of none that can do it at such a great scale as this." Dragoona: "..." Dominic: "I have heard of those mages... Looking at the limitations of both magic and technology, it's no wonder the ancients respected both... They both have their strengths and faults..." * Ashmodeel reluctantly nods. --The Arcadia is suddenly buffeted wildly by strong winds before regaining control...-- Dominic: "Whoa! Everyone all right?" Ashmodeel: "Yes." Xorn: "Valley of the winds indeed." Dominic: "It's only going to get worse as we get closer... From what I know of this valley, it's no surprise the Destroyer was imprisoned here... It's nearly unreachable on foot and the severe winds make it extremely hazardous to fly in." Ashmodeel: "The Valley of the Winds is one of the most dangerous places in Savanti. Not too many mages make treks there." * Dominic nods. Communications officer: "Captain, I have a report from Betulia." Dominic: "What is it?" Communications officer: "The Savanti armies are roughly one day's march from Torvalds and are encountering our advanced defensive forces. So far fighting is light, however... They may be trying to consolidate their forces more before a major offensive..." Dominic: "Thank you..." *sighs relief* Helmsman: "Valley of Winds in visual range..." Dominic: "On holographic display!" Helmsman: "Aye-aye, sir!" --A three dimensional image of the valley appears in the center of the deck... It is a bleak area, with stony mountain peaks partially shrouded in pure white snow... Not much of anything appears to be able to live in these severe mountain conditions.-- Dominic: "There's our destination... Hmm... Looks like the kind of place I'd want a summer home all right..." * Ashmodeel's voice is distant, "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" * Dominic shrugs, not in the mood for an argument at this point. * Rista slowly returns to the main deck, her cheeks still lightly tear stained, Henri behind her. * ~LeBeau follows Rista. Science Officer: "Captain, we've detected unusual readings on the bio- scanners." Dominic: "Explain." Science Officer: "Unknown... It seems to be an odd blip in the valley, which otherwise seems devoid of higher life... The pattern does not seem to match any known patterns, however, it does seem to be close to human." Dominic: "I see..." Dominic: "Looks like we'll have to be careful... Until we know what is down there, or if it's a sensor malfunction we have to be ready for anything." Helmsman: "Arriving at the valley... Entering hover mode... I won't be able to hold the ship still for long in these winds, however..." Dominic: "Understood... Ready the hover-platform..." --A platform slides out from the side of the ship, tethered to it to keep it from blowing away.-- Dominic: "I'll steer the platform down from here... The winds are too severe for a computer to compensate for them by itself... Got that?" Ashmodeel: "Understood." * Ashmodeel heads for the platform. * Xorn follows Ashmodeel. * ~LeBeau steps on the platform. * ~Cain follows. * Rista follows as well... --The platform slowly descends down towards the surface... A strange rippling effect occurring as it penetrates the cloaking field surrounding the Arcadia...-- --It is a shaky ride down to the surface due to the severe winds, but the platform does land. There are two paths in front of you, one heading towards the left and the other towards the right...-- Dragoona: "So which way are we supposed to go again?" Ashmodeel: "Let's head right." * Ashmodeel starts down the right path. * Rista looks at the others... Dragoona: "Whichever way the rest of the party is going..." ~Cain: "Looks like Ash wants to go right..." * Xorn follows Ash. * ~Cain follows Ash. Dragoona: "Whatever." Rista: "Should we follow them..?" Dragoona: "What've we got to lose?" * Dragoona follows the Lollypop Troupe going to the right. * ~LeBeau nods. * Rista follows. --A strung gust of wind nearly knocks the party over...-- Rista: "... Hey!..." Ashmodeel: "By the Founders." * Dragoona is nearly knocked over. :p ~Cain: "I'm beginning to see why no one comes to this place..." * Rista closes her eyes... --The path narrows as it winds around a cliff side... There is quite a long way down should one fall off...-- * Dragoona gulps Rista: "...." * Rista clings to Henri. --As the path winds roughly three-quarters of the way around the cliff, it can be seen widening up ahead, and leading into a cave in the distance...-- Ashmodeel: "That would appear to be our destination." * ~LeBeau nods, not much for words at the moment... --A piece of the cliff falls out from under Rista's feet...-- --Fortunately, there is still enough for her to stand on...-- * Rista shrieks... Ashmodeel: "Careful!" --Eventually, the path is no longer winding around a cliff and is back on somewhat stable ground, leading to the mysterious cave ahead...-- * Rista shudders... and whispers... "Not yet.. please.. not yet..." --Soon, the party has reached the entrance to the cave... A soft, but noticeable, humming sound can be heard from inside...-- Ashmodeel: "What is that?" * Ashmodeel enters the cave to investigate further. Dragoona: "It's a cave, moron." * Dragoona follows. * Ashmodeel gives Dragoona a black look. --The cave seems to have some source of light deep inside it... Boulders, tall enough to hide behind are also scattered inside...-- Dragoona: "..." Dragoona: "Why do I feel an ambush coming on?" Rista: "I don't like this one bit..." --As you get deeper and deeper inside the cave, the hum gets steadily louder...-- * Ashmodeel heads for the noise darting behind the boulders as he goes. --The hum becomes more easily recognizable as sounding like it originates from some sort of machinery...-- Dragoona: "..." Dragoona: "Xorn, this is your type of thing, I think." --The source of the cave's light seems to be originating from around a curve up ahead...-- Rista: "..." * Ashmodeel approaches the corner cautiously. --As the party turns the corner, they can see a long-haired, dark armored figure staring at some strange machinery... The figure is Gabe, the Demonmaster!-- Dragoona: *w* S***!" * Ashmodeel quickly gets behind a boulder. * Gabe does not notice the party. Rista: *w* "Ohhh... s***..." * Dragoona ducks behind another boulder. * Rista ducks behind a boulder, dragging Henri to her side. --Gabe seems to be staring at the bizarre features of the wall at the end of the cave... A glowing force field seems to be in front of him... Behind the force field are various devices. A large black obelisk, with several bands of magical energy surrounding it is against the wall. There is the relief impression of a being roughly Gabe's size in the obelisk...-- Dragoona: "..." Gabe: "Hmph... So you're the reason why the Emperor was concerned... I'll be glad to report back that you're still frozen in carbonite and still locked behind several layers of magical bonds..." Rista: "....." Gabe: "He should be pleased to learn that you weren't actually freed, Antonius..." * Gabe laughs... "Heh, some Destroyer you are... You don't look so 'tough,' all frozen in carbonite like that... Not that it matters... I was created specifically to deal with you should you awaken. The Emperor's plans cannot be stopped by you or anyone..." Gabe: "I knew that you were not the source of the Tenshi DNA detected back home... However, the Emperor did want to make sure, which was well within his rights... Hard to believe that we were created from..." *laughs* Gabe: "Anyway, sleep well, Antonius... May you sleep here forever until the end of time..." * Gabe teleports off. Dragoona: "Okay. We've confirmed that blocky there is the Destroyer." Rista: "...." Dragoona: "But what the f*** was that loonieey talking about?" Ashmodeel: "Ahem, I would think that Knights in training would learn to speak more appropriately." * ~Cain: "I wonder what 'Emperor' that SOB was talking about..." * Dragoona shoots a look at Ash. Rista: "Who knows..." Dragoona: "Obviously not someone who is here to make the world a happier place." Ashmodeel: "No matter. We've confirmed that this the Destroyer and that he is still 'asleep.' We can't awaken him at this time, so let us be off to the next cave." * ~Cain: "Why would we want to awaken him at the first time?" Dragoona: "You make it sound like we would awaken him, Ash." Ashmodeel: "I have a feeling that this destroyer is not what legend makes him out to be." Ashmodeel: "Besides, he seems to be an enemy of Gabe and this Emperor, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Dragoona: "..." * ~Cain: "The guy nearly destroyed our world centuries ago... I'm not sure he's that good a friend..." Dragoona: "I think the Arcadia's fumes have gotten to you, Ash..." Ashmodeel: "History often gets muddled, but this is a discussion for later." * Ashmodeel starts for the mouth of the cave. * Xorn follows Ash. * Rista follows... * Dragoona follows as well... * Rista stops.. and looks back... * Dragoona walks past Rista. * Rista stares at the "Destroyer..." * Rista murmurs in a low voice... "Why... do you seem... ...?" She shakes her head and follows the others... looking very distracted. * ~LeBeau asks Rista what's wrong. * Rista sighs... "I... felt something... back there..." * ~Cain: "Felt something?" Rista: "It... ...was something... familiar somehow... I don't know..." --Eventually, the mouth of the cave is reached...-- Rista: "... and ... I could have... sworn that that thing... ... smiled at me... through the carbonite... Doesn't that sound preposterous?" Ashmodeel: "Very." Dragoona: "Ash... hush." * Rista glares at Ashmodeel... and doesn't say another word. ~Cain: "What, you think you know what's going on Dragoona?" * Ashmodeel pays Dragoona little attention. Dragoona: "Not really, I can only guess these things, and I'm not that great at guessing anyways." ^^; ~Cain: "Well, what do you think?" --Soon you're back at the winding cliff-side path...-- Dragoona: "I don't really know, but maybe... maybe the Destroyer has met someone related to Rista once? I don't know..." --Some more pieces of the path fall off as the party walks across, but there is still just enough left to walk on...-- * Dragoona sweatdrops. --Eventually, you reach the fork in the road where you started...-- * Rista shudders... walking as if she was walking on ice less than an inch thick... * Ashmodeel head for the other path. Dragoona: "So now we go left to the Founder's ca... well, that answered my question." --As you progress down this path, the wind steadily becomes stronger and stronger...-- * Dragoona follows Ashy to the left. * Dragoona struggles to make forward progress in the winds. * Rista closes her eyes... "This is insanity." --The wind gets stronger and stronger... making it very difficult to walk against... only allowing you to inch forward step by step...-- Ashmodeel: "I know insanity quite well." Rista: *mutters* "I'm sure you do..." Dragoona: "We... can tell, Ash." --A cave can be seen up ahead... Strangely, the area immediately around the cave has perfectly calm air...-- Dragoona: "..." Rista: "..." Dragoona: "This is weird." Rista: "How odd..." Dragoona: "Can we just go in, get the thing, and leave now?" ^^; * ~Cain: "Ash, do you have any idea if the Founder of Savanti has any elemental ties?" Ashmodeel: "Not really, but this wind could be some kind of magical ward over this whole valley." * Ashmodeel heads for the cave. --As you approach the cave, a soft white light can be seen inside it...-- --The winds die down to nothing near the entrance to the cave...-- Xorn: "It seems every cave we come to has some sort of light source..." Dragoona: "Let's just go in, get the thing, and leave." ^_^ * Dragoona bravely (or stupidly, depending on your outlook) enters the cave. --The inside of the cave is a downward inclined path... leading towards the light source...-- * Dragoona goes faster due to the fact it's down hill.. * Ashmodeel proceeds at a more civilized rate. --The exit of the cave suddenly seals up behind you...-- --Apparently, a sudden avalanche had covered it with boulders...-- Dragoona: "... S***. Again this happens. Ah well, that's what the crest is for, ne?" * Dragoona is extremely optimistic despite the circumstances. * Ashmodeel shrugs and continues on. --The light steadily gets brighter the deeper you progress into the cave...-- --The cave opens up into a larger chamber ahead, from which the light seems to be emanating...-- Dragoona: "I don't trust this..." * Dragoona unsheathes her sword. --A slight breeze can be felt as you approach the chamber...-- Rista: "....." --Inside the chamber, the source of light can be seen... It is a small, glimmering, white crest... However, a barrier of wind seems to be blocking access to it...-- Dragoona: "....." Ashmodeel: "Guardian of the crest, show yourself!" --The swirling winds slowly begin to take form...-- ~Cain: "I don't think we should've done that... I think you may have pissed something off..." Dragoona: "I think Ash has PMS or something. Don't worry about it Cain." --The winds swirl and begin to take physical form... That of a sword made entirely of wind!-- ===BOSS COMBAT! WIND SWORD!=== * Dragoona takes out her sword and holds it in a semi-heroic pose. ^_- * ~Cain prepares to use the crest... Rista: "....." Dragoona: "...." Cain summons the Grim Rapper! The entire area turns dark as night, as a tall hooded figure with a scythe and boom box appears above the party... Grim Rapper casts Hard Core Hip Hop! * Dragoona winces and hides behind Cain. Various sounds, reinforced with dark energy, eminate from the rapper's boom box and slam into the Wind Sword. Rista: "...." Wind Sword suffers 945 damage. Dragoona: "I totally agree, Rista." * Dragoona slowly comes out from behind Cain. Dragoona attacks... * Dragoona attacks. And with such originality! :P First attack... 28 damage... Second attack... 31 damage... * LeBeau starts gathering energy in his right hand, which becomes an aura of fire around his entire arm. Dragoona: "Hmm. This doesn't seem to be that effective..." ^^; LeBeau casts Fire Dart! * LeBeau shoots a shaft of fire at the Wind Sword. Wind Sword has critical weakness to fire magic... 38 damage... Xorn attacks! First attack... Critical hit! 48 damage! Second attack... 25 damage... Wind Sword attacks LeBeau! Dragoona: "LB! Watch it!" The Wind Sword takes a horizontal position and slices across LeBeau's body. * LeBeau makes an attempt to dodge. LeBeau is hit for 22 damage. Rista: "Henri!" * LeBeau falls to one knee. "Now DAT 'urt." Wind Sword casts Vacuum Blade on Ashmodeel! The Wind Sword spins rapidly above Ashmodeel, violently drawing all the air out of his lungs! Ashmodeel suffers 14 damage. Wind Sword attacks Xorn! Xorn is slashed for 1 damage... Rista casts MindBend on LeBeau! LeBeau's Def and MgD up 9! Rista: "If only I was quicker... I could have helped you sooner, Henri... I'm sorry..." LeBeau: "S'a'ight." * LeBeau stands and takes his stance again. Ashmodeel casts Heavy Weight on the Wind Sword! The force of gravity surrounds the Wind Sword, crushing it under its own weight... Wind Sword suffers 29 damage. ===ROUND 2=== * LeBeau pulls a card from his lucky deck. Dragoona casts Sword Throw! * Dragoona channels fire magic into her sword, chanting what seems to be complete gibberish, and when it's least expected, she throws it at ludicrous speed straight at the Wind Sword! Her sword explodes on impact, and reappears then in Dragoona's hand. LeBeau: "Get 'em Dragoona!" Wind Sword has critical weakness to fire magic... 466 damage! Cain casts Air Juvi! * Cain uses LB as a springboard and nails the Wind Sword with a suicide dive drop kick. Dragoona: "Hmm." Wind Sword is hit for 222 damage! * Dragoona sees how effective that is and continues to channel further Fire mana into her sword. LeBeau casts Winning Hand! * LeBeau infuses his card with his light magic and throws it at the wind sword. Upon impact, the card explodes into a shower of light. Wind Sword suffers 264 damage. LeBeau: "'DAT'S more like it." Xorn attacks! First attack... 22 damage... Second attack... 25 damage... Wind Sword attacks Cain! LeBeau: "Look out, Cain!" Dragoona: "Yeah! What LB said!" Rista: "...." Cain is slashed by the living blade for 16 damage. Wind Sword attacks Dragoona! Dragoona: "Ah!" Dragoona is slashed for 11 damage. * Dragoona tries to parry. Wind Sword casts Airslash on the back row! The air blade makes a supersonic slice across Ashmodeel and Rista! LeBeau: "RISTA!" Rista: "...." Ashmodeel suffers 12 damage. Rista 16 damage. Rista casts Chaos on the Wind Sword! The waves of chaotic magic home in on... the Wind Sword! Chaos effect: Lower Attack! Rista: "That should help us a little..." Dragoona: "Yeah." Wind Sword's Atk down 10! Ashmodeel casts Heavy Weight! LeBeau: "S'ould." Wind Sword is pressed together for 31 damage... ===ROUND 3=== Cain casts Air Juvi! * Cain uses LB as a springboard and nails the WInd Sword with a suicide dive drop kick. Wind Sword suffers 226 damage. Dragoona casts Sword Throw... Dragoona: "Okay, this seemed to have worked last time, so I think it should this time too!" * Dragoona chucks her flame-enhanced sword at the wind blade again. Wind Sword has critical weakness to fire magic. 462 damage! LeBeau casts Winning Hand! * LeBeau infuses his card with his light magic and throws it at the wind sword. Upon impact, the card explodes into a shower of light. Wind Sword suffers 267 damage... LeBeau: "A'ight!" Xorn attacks! First attack... 24 damage... Second attack... 25 damage... Wind Sword attacks... Dragoona! * Dragoona once again tries to parry. Dragoona is slashed for 1 damage. Wind Sword attacks LeBeau! LeBeau parries! Wind Sword casts Tornado Slice! The Wind Sword turns itself into a giant tornado with razor-sharp winds! It descends directly into the middle of the party slicing everyone! Dragoona: "Ah s***!" LeBeau: "Oh s***." Ashmodeel suffers 2 damage... Cain 19 damage. Dragoona 18 damage. LeBeau 1 damage. Rista 10 damage. Xorn 5 damage. Ashmodeel opens up the can o' whup ass and casts Grey Lightning! * Dragoona winces under the pain of that thing. * Rista winces... Wind Sword suffers 275 damage. Rista casts Drain Blessing! Wind Sword loses 26 HP... Rista regains 26 HP! ===ROUND 4=== Cain casts Air Juvi! Critical hit! Wind Sword is hit for 449 damage! Dragoona casts Sword Throw! * Dragoona decides to change her attack a little and fly towards the Wind Sword WITH her sword, both exploding at the same time, yet Dragoona left fine. ^_~ Wind Sword has critical weakness to fire magic. 462 damage! The Wind Sword literally dissipates into thin air! VICTORY! Dragoona: "Go me!" ^_^ 35 XP, 100 MXP, 4 SXP, 500 Cira gained! * Ashmodeel dusts himself off, "And now, for the crest." * Ashmodeel walks up the shimmering crest. Dragoona's new confidence turns Sword Throw into Bahamut's Fang! * Rista remains quiet. * LeBeau puts an arm around Rista. --The crest remains on the platform, shimmering with its soft light...-- * Ashmodeel gently takes the crest from its place on the platform. -Ashmodeel acquires Viento Crest (Summons ??? [Wind], Wis+25 w/Wind) Ashmodeel: "Hmm, does anyone here have an affinity towards Wind?" Dragoona: "I don't really have any affinity..." Dragoona: "If no one else wants to use it, I will." Ashmodeel: "Well, seeing as though it is the crest of the Founder of Savanti, I shall retain it for now." LeBeau: "Ah t'ink Ash s'ould carry 'dat one." Ashmodeel: "Let us leave this place." LeBeau: "Good idea, Ash." * Ashmodeel head back through the cave. LeBeau: "W'atcha t'ink, Rista?" --The mouth of the cave is still blocked by fallen rocks...-- LeBeau: "Ladies first." * Rista nods... Dragoona: "Yeah. Ash, I think you need to use the Founder to get rid of those rocks..." Ashmodeel: "Exactly what I was thinking." * Ashmodeel concentrates and calls to the power within the crest. Ashmodeel casts Summon Annette Level 1! The image of a beautiful young sorceress appears above the party... Annette casts Gale Force! * Ashmodeel seems awestruck. Annette summons the powers of the wind against the obstruction... Boulders have critical weakness to wind magic. 1839 damage. The boulders are obliterated beyond infinity! LeBeau: "Wicked..." Rista: "....." * Ashmodeel regains his composure and exits the cave. * LeBeau follows Ash. * Dragoona follows LeBeau. * Rista clings to Henri... --The winds outside seem to be much calmer, though still strong.-- --It is much easier to walk now that the winds are no longer quite as severe...-- * Rista shivers... LeBeau: "Le's get back ta 'da Arcadia." --The hover platform remains where you left it...-- * Rista gets onto the platform * LeBeau follows Rista * Xorn follows as well. * Dragoona gets on as well * Ashmodeel gets on the platform --Once everyone is on the platform, it steadily rises up into the sky, through the cloaking field, and back onto the deck of the Arcadia...-- Dominic: "Welcome back! What did you guys find out down there?" Ashmodeel: "The Destroyer." Dominic: "The Destroyer!? Alive?!" Dragoona: "I wouldn't say alive." Ashmodeel: "Sleeping, so Gabe said." Rista: "........" Dragoona: "Iced, so I would say." * Rista shivers... Dominic: "Sleeping... Iced? As in carbonite frozen?" Dragoona: "Yep." * Rista nods... Ashmodeel: "Yes, I think that's what Gabe said." Dragoona: "We also got the second crest..." Dominic: "Hmm... Carbonite freezing would be one way to keep him imprisoned..." * Ashmodeel holds up the Viento Crest. Dominic: "Oh, the second crest? Congratulations! That's two Founders so far..." Dragoona: "Now I assume it's time to go back to Betulia and Torvalds?" * LeBeau nods. Ashmodeel: "Yes." Dominic: "Of course... At once... By the way, did you run into anything unusual down there? We were tracking you and noticed you met up with that anomaly on the bio-scanner." Dominic: "Wait, you ran into Gabe!?" LeBeau: "Again." Ashmodeel: "Yes, he seemed to be gloating over the Destroyer." Dragoona: "Yeah. Luckily he didn't see us." LeBeau: "Ain' 'dat 'de truth." Dragoona: "Said something about 'the Emperor' being glad that the Destroyer was still there." Dominic: "Gloating over the Destroyer... I wonder why..." Dragoona: "..." Rista: "........" Dominic: "The 'Emperor'? Hmm. The only Emperor I know is Kazehito over in Yamato, but I doubt he's wrapped up in this." Dragoona: "Anomaly?" LeBeau: "Coul' 'de Destroyer be anot'er Tenshi?" Dominic: "LeBeau, I don't know... The legends say the Tenshi and the Destroyer, while being somewhat alike, are also different..." Ashmodeel: "If so, he does not seem to be in league with the other Tenshi or Gabe would have tried to free him." Dragoona: "They say the same about the Founders and the Destroyer, Dominic." Dominic: "True... Which means that at least we don't have to worry about the Destroyer... Only the Tenshi." * Rista stays... VERY quiet... Dragoona: "Perhaps the Destroyer would be the founder of the Tenshi?" LeBeau: "Ya a'ight, Rista?" Dominic: "Perhaps... Although if he was the Tenshi's founder, why would they want to keep him imprisoned as well?" * Rista looks at LB... and nods... Ashmodeel: "In any event, I have a feeling that the Destroyer make be of use to our cause, but I will need to find out more." Dragoona: "I think she was a little spooked by the Destroyer, LB. She was saying something about it... smiling at her." Dragoona: "I still say you're insane, Ash." Dominic: "I don't think we should risk releasing him though, unless we are absolutely sure..." Ashmodeel: "Think what you may, little knight." * LeBeau nods. Dragoona: "I think I will, little mage." Dominic: "At this point, I'd almost have to agree with Dragoona... The Destroyer is a greater evil than the Tenshi to the best of my knowledge." Ashmodeel: "Impertinent little . . ." Dominic: "However, I think I have good news..." LeBeau: "Ya two calm down, a'ight?" * Rista glares at Ash... Dragoona: "Good news?" LeBeau: "We kin always use 'dat." Dominic: "You said you met Gabe down there, right? And that was the only unusual thing you saw, other than the Destroyer?" * Ashmodeel dismisses Rista's glare with a smirk. LeBeau: "Ah t'ink so." Dragoona: "... Other than the massive winds around the Founder's cave, but that was a given with the crest and all." Dominic: "Then... Hmm... I think we may have found a way to track Tenshi!" LeBeau: "'Dat'd be a big 'elp." * Dominic activates the holographic display with multiple readouts of the scans. Dragoona: "Yeah. Very big. Then we could avoid them." ^^; Dominic: "You see that blue line in the spectographic bioscan?" Dragoona: "Until we were good enough to kick their asses, that is." ^_^ Dragoona: "Uh.... I understood you until 'blue line.'" Dominic: "The 'spectrographic bioscan' is one of our devices used to analyze living things on our scanners. If you look in the upper right hand corner you will see a sample scan, okay?" Dragoona: "Uh... kay." Rista: "....." Dominic: "In the lower right, there is another scan. It's almost identical, only it lacks the blue line. Got that?" Dragoona: "Uh... kay." * LeBeau watches. * Rista tries to follow... LeBeau: "'Den yer sayin' dat de signals wit' de blue lines're de Tenshi." Dominic: "Exactly..." * Rista smiles... finally sort of understanding. Dominic: "Without the blue line, the scan is that of a normal human. If my theory is correct, the blue line can be used to identify Tenshi on our scanners." Dragoona: "Uh... kay." ^^; Dominic: "Well, at least now we'll have advanced warning if they are in the immediate vicinity." Dragoona: "By the way Dom..." Dominic: "Yes, Dragoona?" Dragoona: "... No, never mind. I don't think I really remember it right anyhow, cuz I was mostly unconscious at the time..." Dominic: "If you insist..." LeBeau: "Now we got a chance ta avoid 'de Tenshi." Science Officer: "Captain, we've detected a blue signal on long-range bioscanners!" LeBeau: "W'ere at?" Rista: "......." Dragoona: "Fun." :P Science Officer: "The extreme northern part of the continent... Somewhere in the Plains Region, also known as Okra." Dominic: "Helmsman, set course for Founder's Cave, Betulia!" Helmsman: "Aye-aye, sir!" Dominic: "It seems that the mystery has grown, however..." Dominic: "Why would a Tenshi want to go to the Plains region? There is nothing of value there." Ashmodeel: "At least nothing of value that we know of." LeBeau: "'Cept 'de Founder." Dominic: "True... Perhaps they are after the Founder..." Rista: ".........." Dragoona: "Or..." Dominic: "We also have the issue of just who this 'Emperor' is..." Dragoona: "Dominic... I might as well ask you after all..." LeBeau: "Ah t'ink 'de Tenshi might be goin' aftah 'de Founders so 'dey can't be used against 'dem." Dominic: "Yes, Dragoona?" Dragoona: "What do you know about Espermechs?" * Dominic nods in agreement with LeBeau." Dominic: "As much as anyone else on this planet, why?" Dragoona: "I thought I heard something Gabe said right before I was totally out... something about an Espermech... and him not wanting to take one on... or something..." LeBeau: "If'n 'de Tenshi're aftah de Founders... den we'd bettah get to 'dem b'fore 'de Tenshi do..." Dragoona: "The first time we met him, I mean. Back in Kathmandu." Dominic: "Well, the Espermechs were used to battle the Tenshi... Without them the Espers weren't powerful enough to defeat them. Does this answer your question?" Dragoona: "Not really... I have cause to believe that at least one is still operational." Dragoona: "Otherwise, I doubt we'd be living right now." LeBeau: "An' if'n one is still goin', den 'dere's gotta be more out 'dere ta find." Dragoona: "Exactly." Dominic: "That is logical... It took more than a single Espermech to defeat the Tenshi in all likelihood." LeBeau: "Mebbe we kin use Esper technology ta our advantage." Rista: "How?" Dominic: "If we can find the Espermechs, *and* control them..." Ashmodeel: "Provided we can find the Espers." Dragoona: "Perhaps that might also be what the Tenshi are after? Trying to get an Espermech to boost their already insane powers?" Dominic: "That could be more difficult than finding an Espermech. The Espers are supposed to be extinct." Dominic: "Although, apparently, a few have lived." Dominic: "I do not think an Espermech and a Tenshi could work together... Espermechs are referred to as being 'holy' in the ancient legends. Tenshi are anything but holy." LeBeau: "We kin talk 'bout 'dis till we're blue in 'de face. W'ere woul' we likely fin' an Espermech? Most likely Gineyres." Dragoona: "You never know how things can work out, Dom..." Dragoona: *cough* "Anyways." LeBeau: "All roads lead 'dere, it seems." Dominic: "True... There may be others hidden about the planet. If I were an Esper, I wouldn't hide all my Espermechs in the same location." Dragoona: "It seems we're caught in another fork in the road." Dominic: "However, even if we were to find them, I can't guarantee we'll be able to use them." Dragoona: "Do we go to Betulia now, or to the Okra Plains?" Dragoona: "Makes sense." Dominic: "Or perhaps even Yamato. I'm fairly certain that Kazehito isn't involved in this, but he may have clues on that samurai that is working for Theran." Ashmodeel: "If we go to Okra, we may find out what the Tenshi are up too. But if that Tenshi is as powerful as Gabe, we may find our deaths as well." LeBeau: "We'll 'afta jump off 'dat bridge w'en we get 'dere." * Rista mumbles something to herself... Ashmodeel: "If we go to Betulia, we help the Technomages, but may find the Savanti army more that we can handle." Dragoona: "So we're damned if we do, damned if we don't?" Ashmodeel: "Either way, it is a dangerous path." Dominic: "There is also the issue of Founder's Cave in Betulia, where we know there is a strong chance of a Founder being located..." LeBeau: "'Ow're 'de Torvalds d'fenses 'oldin up?" Dominic: "From the last report, the Savanti army has managed to reach the outskirts of the city. The anti-mana barrier is holding, however. The battle seems to have paused until the Savanti army can receive reinforcements." * Dragoona looks at Dominic oddly, "Why else would it be called a 'Founder's Cave'?" :P Dominic: "So, shall we continue our course to Betulia?" Dragoona: "Yes." Dragoona: "Let's." * Dominic nods and signals to the helmsman to continue. --The Arcadia speeds off back towards its home land... While the mysterious Tenshi continue executing the plans of their unknown Emperor...-- ===SESSION END===