Session Start: Fri Jul 14 22:15:07 2006 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 19: Communion, pt 2 | Location: New Raculi | Pools: 1287 §, 12 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' == SESSION START == The day dawns once more on the faithful farmners, knights and priests of Raculi! THankfully all is still quite peaceful, but the threat of the careful balance being shattered hangs over the hearts of many. But a quick prayer to Queen Virtue and all face another day with a smile, thankful for what they do have... * Vytor is awake and getting himself cleaned up for another day of...well he's ot sure what's going to happen actually Ryllan, Trune and Saki stay behind at the church complex to watch over the high prestess, Ishtar. They received very good treatment indeed, having a much appreciated warm bed a shower. The other fraction of the group sought these very same things in the home of Vytor. The morning routine at the Dunbar residence is soon interrupted by a knock on the door. * Vytor goes to answer the door, wondering who it is this early Leah is at the breakfast table playing with Shiro, taunting him with a sausage link. Vytor goes to answer the door, and is greeted by the image of a Virtue Knight. * Tanan slumped over a little, staring at his breakfast. He's been moving around and mumbling, but he doesn't quite look totally awake. Good morning. Can I help you? [Virtue Knight] Good morning sir Vytor. I hate to trouble you at this hour, but the High priestess has sent for you and your companions. Please proceed over to the cloister when you are able. We'll be there shortly. Thank you. [Virtue Knight] Three of your friends are already there, having spent the night helping in our watches. Excellent. I assume they're well? * Tanan looks up, letting out a "mmgmph." He then hurried starts eating. [Virtue Knight] They've been given excellent accomodations, and there is nothing to report. The adept Trune seemed to take a great interest in our orphanage, as well. Hmm...I see. Very good. Thanks again for delivering the message. I'll see about waking everyone. The soldier salutes. "If you'll excuse me, I will leave you to breakfast then." * Vytor nods, and shuts the door behind him. * Vytor wanders around the house to see if people are still sleeping * Angie is up in the loft, scratching away in her notebook with a tiny stub of a pencil. [Leah] ooh, so Ishtar wants to see us? I bet it's something exciting! Leah diverts her attention and Shiro snaps the link from her hand, munchin ghappily. ^_^ The adventurer prodigy goes back to cooking some breakfast for the group. Maybe she's trying to imitate Saki. Morning Angie. Ishtar wants to see us, so get ready to go. * Tanan looks at Leah. "Mmph. Hope not. Exciting isn't really what we want right now, is it?" * Angie stands up and whacks her head. She doubles over, rubbing her scalp. "Augh!" * Vytor starts gathering everyone in the kitchen. * Angie scrambles downstairs, altogether dishevelled. She grabs a banana and a dinner roll and chews on them while the others talk. Grab what breakfast you can carry, and we'll be moving. At least once Niri finishes getting ready. Women always take forever. Except the ones who don't * Angie swallows half the roll at once, sending a visible lump down her throat. She coughs into her fist, pointing at Tanan with the other hand while she gathers her voice. "I bet you're done as soon as you begin, eh?" No choking in my house Agnie ;) * Angie coughs again and thumps her chest. "You're not the boss of me." When you're in my house I am. * Tanan blinks a few times, staring at Angie. "I'm still asleep. No. Really. So it's negative time. Ready before I wake up. Clearly." * Tanan grins * Amy (Radien@c-71-193-221-51.hsd1.or.comcast.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 * ChanServ sets mode: +o Amy * Amy is now known as Niri * Vytor pockets a few breakfast tidbits, and goes to check on Niri * Tanan looks speculatively at a piece of bacon, then decided to go for it * Niri snores happily in her bed. * Vytor knocks on the door. ...Mrfff? Niri? You need to get up. Ishtar wants to see us AQAP. * Angie flops back, making the chair squeak. She finishes off the roll and starts peeling the banana, looking around distractedly as she does so. "This IS a pretty nice place. I didn't really notice last night 'cause I was sort of dead, but wow, it's big." As quirkily as possible? * Niri yawns sleepily. "Okay, I'm getting up. Vytor, your pillows are REALLY comfy." * Tanan nods his agreement. "Beats the heck out of my apartment, that's for sure." * Zack is now known as ZackDinnah Heh, thanks ^_^ * Vytor returns to the kitchen, "She on her way." * Vytor goes to clean up the kitchen while Niri collects herself What do you think Ishtar wants? I imagine to discuss one of two things: the Prophetess or the Crops. Or the fact that Ryllan and Trune blew up something sacred. Or irrevocably profaned something sacred. Like the institution of marriage. zomg ... <> <> « Ghehehe. » «ooc: Hahah » I suppose we'll find out when we arrive. I really hope they didn't. Wouldn't surprise me a ton, but... * Niri enters the kitchen, her hair sticking up all over. Morning Morning, Niri. Nice hair. * Tanan grins Leah waves and serves Niri a plate of sausage & eggs. "Eye opener! Also, wow, bed hair, huh?" Er...thanks. :P Yeah. * Niri digs into breakfast. How's everyone this morning? I've got a cure for that, if you're interested. Also, Vytor, can I live here? A cure for what, bed hair? It's a trap! Damn! You'll have a buzzcut in no time if you listen to her. Of course it is. Live here eh? Well, there's enough room for it. * Tanan points semi-accusingly at Angie's head. Now Angie would look good with a buzzcut. Most girls wouldn't. * Angie sulks and nurses the banana. I like your pillows, Vytor. And the restaurants around here. Well, let's discuss things after we save the world, eh? ;) Now come on, grab your breakfast. Ishtar's waiting. * Tanan nods, standing up. "Roghjt" <<...>> * Tanan nods, standing up. "Right" And so the valiant group tar themsleves away from the kitchen table and stride into the new day! Several of Niri's comments about Vytors awesome digs later, you find yourselves at the cathedral and cloister once more. « er tear » From the shoulds of things in the house of worship, a w morning servcie is going on and the organ is playing some lovely music, accompanied by a choir. « er sounds of things » Ooh. The choir's not half bad. * Saki is sitting casually in a pew, frowning up at some of the assorted decorations and symbols hanging on the walls with a sort of detached but curious interest. She doesn't look in the best of moods, and is on her feet quickly at the sight of the party. * Tanan frowns, listening. "They sound good. I don't really have a great ear for that, though." The cloister seems abustle too, as a few groundskeepers tend the statues and manicured bushes. Standing out in the garden is Trune, RYllan and Saki... Hey Saki. What's the news? * Vytor waves to Ryllan and Trune * Saki drags a hand through her hair and looks somewhat muzzily at Vytor, taking a moment to focus. It's a while before she speaks; when she does she still sounds not quite with it. "... bad night's sleep. Need a drink. ... d'no much beyond that." * Niri waves to the others * Trune yawns and brushes some hair out of his eyes, looking like he needs a strong cup of coffee. He waves to Vytor, "Not much happened outside of incessant organ playing. It was really quiet." Morning. There's also another woman you don't recognize near one of the tress, overlooking an angel carving. She is wearing a white lab coat with a small V insignia in the upper left chest pocket, short blonde hair framing a face that seems worried by shines with intelligent green eyes. * Ryllan nods once, seeming the most scheveled of the three, "No sign of the prophetess." « but shines » So far, so good! Everything still seems quiet, yeah * Vytor glances once at the woman, recognizing the V. Then stops dead, turns to look at her again with a strange look on his face. Maybe we should switch tonight if nothing happens today either. Vytor's got a pretty nice place. ...Vytor? Something wrong? I'm not sure actually. * Trune quirks an eyebrow at Vytor, and follows his gaze to the blonde-haired woman. The mysterious scientist turns from whatever she was looking at and faces the assembling group. * Angie follows Vytor's eyes to the doctor. * Saki takes her time getting up to speed, following after the group a little woodenly. [Female Scientist] So... these are the people you told me about? Oh, right. This *Ryllan motions to the scientist* Is Dr. Sonyele, of Vulcannon Labs. She's director of agriculture around here. And yes, Doc, This is the rest of our merry little band of vagabonds. Oh! Hiya. ^_^ *waves* Is Angharad with us? or is she assumed to be off somewhere * Tanan waves. "Nice to meet you, Doctor." «ooc: ...mischan » * Angie offers her hand. "Hey! I'm Angie Baker. I've heard a thing or two about you." * Trune waves, "Hey." * Saki nods quickly, wincing at the sun as she steps outside. Dr. Sonyele smiles a bit narrowly. "A pleasure." She then holds a inquistive glance at Vytor's gaping stare. "Excuse me, have we met before?" * Vytor watches Dr. Sonyele curiously for a bit, but tries to not let his confusion show. "Vytor Dunbar. Hello." I'm Tanan Wardin, a professor from the academy. I assume they've already told you about us, though Only the racy stuff. I don't think so. I know you by reputation. [Dr. Sonyele] Ahh.. that was it. Vytor Dunbar. A great prodigy in the Alchemical division. It's good to meet you as well. You heard of me? [Dr. Sonyele] Somewhat... you have a little bit of a reputation yourself. Oh. (largely because he doesn't know what else to say) [Dr. Sonyele] I'm sure your work is a lot more exciting and glamorous than mine. But I don't mind helping the farmers here with our robotics and biosphere energy manipulation techniques. I'm Niri Salyan. ^^ Nice to meet you. * ZackDinnah is now known as Zack * Tanan smiles, muttering. "A prodigy, huh? Thought you were way too good with that forge..." Robotics is pretty cool. * Zack is now known as Mikel [Dr. Sonyele] WEll, we are a little bit limited. The AI is simple and the frames are a little frailer than we'd like.. but it does raise the quality of lfie substatially. And we help feed many people outside Raculi , too, with produce extending even to meribian markets. [Dr. Sonyele] Which leads me to why I asked you to come here... Hm? (w) Oh man, here it comes. * Ryllan closes his eyes in expectance [Dr. Sonyele] Angharad has already started investigating the local harvest woes you've most likely heard the people moaning about. I believe it's something with the water table, as it affects everything in a wide area indescriminately. Hrmmm...that's...interesting. [Dr. Sonyele] Much of the fresh water we use for irrigation is run off from the Canadian Icefields nearby, and any problem with the plants would have to be originating somewhere up there. So the taint is coming from up north? * Saki listens quietly to the explanation, frowning at mid-air. [Dr. Sonyele] That's the current theory, Vytor. Things were just fine until a few weeks ago, when the sightings also started being reported, and some research teams went missing. * Angie frowns into her hand. "That's a pretty dangerous area, right? I hear a lot of people vanished around there." Not only that, doesn't it mess you up physically? The female doctor nods. "Yes, that area still has a form of what we call 'radioactivity'... residue from ancient battles. It's impossible to go there for long periods of time... though we do have some special suits that can protect you for a short while." How short? * Mikel peers about the place as he steps in, tapping his staff against the ground in a rhythmic fashion. "Where is she..." After a moment his eyes spot Dr. Sonyele, prompting a nod as he begins to walk over. "You wanted to see me, Doctor..." He trails off as he sees who she is talking to, blinking once as a grin comes across his face. "Well well, this is a bit of a surprise." Ergh. Radiation gives me the willies. :/ That sounded like a pretty specific 'you', Doc. What exactly did you have in mind? IF something gives you the willies, then y- Holy shit it's you again * Niri blinks at the newcomer. "Uh...hi again?" * Angie does a double-take. "Hey, you're that stalker guy! Fuck, you got here fast." She grins and walks over to meet him, slapping him on the shoulder. Hey, it's the guy who asks a lot of questions! Howdy. * Ryllan looks at Mikel. [Dr. Sonyele] About a day, give or take. The silver alloy is still being perfected. And... oh, you've already met Mikel? * Ryllan sighs and rubs his temples, "(m)This day just keeps getting longer." Hi Mikel * Saki gives Mikel a nod, still mulling over the prospects. Yup, out in the field. *nods* Yeah, he was totally stalking us a while ago. * Mikel lets out a sigh, followed by a wince as he gets slapped on the back. "Good to see you all too." He nods towards the scientist. "I ran into them out in the swamps." He makes a face. "This is an improvement over their greeting then, at least." Yeah, he was sneaking around our vehicle, so we dragged him into a ruin. * Tanan grins [Dr. Sonyele] This certainly makes this simpler. AS one of my research assistants, he's going to go with you on a little trip up to Bluetooth Valley. We also jumped on him It was pretty awesome actually, though I'm sure not on his part. "Don't forget pointing sharp objects at me." * Niri grins and drapes an arm around Mikel's shoulders. "It means we like you!" Well.. you WERE sneaking around. Sorta. Boy, they send you on all the suicide missions, eh? Never start learning secrets. makes you paranoid. <> * Mikel makes a face at Angie. "Must be because I know you guys, eh?" He shifts his gaze over to Niri, blinking a couple of times. "...that's to people you like? What do you do to people you hate? Skin 'em alive to roast for dinner?" << that's what you do, even >> << well, either way >> No, we poke a fork in them and maranade them and call it a day. Also, barbeque. * Saki blinks, then blinks again as she looks up at the doctor. "... Doctor, we're mostly supposed to be guarding the town at the moment..." she trails off, uncertain and frowning at the mid-distance. [Dr. Sonyele] I know it's dangerous, but I need to find out what's happening. If this continues, Prophetess will be the least of the worries here when people have no food to eat. well, half of us could go and half of us could stay. <> I'm not sure that's wise. * Saki scratches at her head for a moment in thought, then shakes it. "... no. Safety in numbers. ... I don't think she'll come while we're not here." I dunno Mikel, the Prophetess is really the only person I hate, at least that comes to mind. Didn't she say she wanted us to witness her efforts anyhow? Are you joking? She'll come WHILE we're gone so we can witness her wrecking everything the second we return. I think Trune's right on that one. Yeah, no. I mean, I'd do that, and then I'd cackle madly about it but that's not really her style...er, to cackle manically, I mean. Sorry Doc, but I cannot and /will/ not leave Ishtar to die. What if we're wrong that she only attacks while were around? [Dr. Sonyele] There is also the chance that Bluetooth Valley, being a renowned lair of strange creatures, could be used as a weapon against us by the mad seer. I'd be more comfortable having Trune and Ryllan stay, at least. Plus then they can come save us when we get lost. * Trune gives Angie a quizzical stare, "Why me?" She probably won't attack while we're not here, as long as we don't just outright leave and go somewhere else and not come back. * Mikel glances about at everyone, raising an eyebrow. "...witness her efforts?" The elementalors, Trune. * Mikel looks completely lost. As is the norm when he's with these people. You've got the power. [Leah] Hmmm. She did say we're 'witnesses'. * Saki frowns at midair, akin to trying to crush a bee with telepathy. Then with an expansive sigh, she nods and hangs her head. "... alright. I'm in." Aaah. Right, no pressure or anything. Oh, no, there's totally pressure. If you do anything at all wrong, everything that goes wrong is totally your fault! * Vytor rolls his eyes Wouldn't it be easier to just unpack a vice and stick his head in it, Angie? And then I can blame you when I snap and my delicate mind goes foosh like the flushing of the toilet. I can say you destroyed my youth with your petty needs! Easier but not as creative, Tanan. * Mikel ...looks at Trune. "A bit cliche?" ...Yeah. I should just not use words sometimes. --; Now now, there's plenty of blame to go around, children. So, what's the verdict? * Tanan looks at Niri, then shrugs. "Creativity's good, but sometimes simplicity wins out." * Saki glances over at the Professor, arms crossed. "So. ... how do we do this?" [Dr. Sonyele] *raises an eyebrow* Did I mention that if you aid me, I will take you to Vulcannon labs personally to see Chrissy? Not to mention how thankful the Church would be. * Angie scratches her nose, half-smiling. "Aaaaanyway," she drones, "I think it's best if we leave at least a person or two behind. Or Ishtar could come with us! ...except that's way worse." Same way as always? Head up there and you punch stuff. Ah1, now you're singing my tune! And as it happens I have some space robot stories that just might interest the folks at the Institute. Seems to work really really well. Except I may not have phrased that right. «ooc: er, the Labs. » «ooc: Also Aha, not ah1. wtf » * Vytor looks at Saki, "You said the Prophetess wouldn't attack if we weren't here, right?" * Saki tilts her head a little, and gives a lopsided shrug. "... Maybe. Don't know for sure. ... sounds right." ...'sounds right'. * Angie waves her hands emphatically. "We THINK that. But it's not worth betting Ishtar's life on, right?" No offense Saki, but we can't gamble on that. Not with lives. No offense Ryllan, but what can we do if she DOES come? * Saki makes a face, and tries again. "... /feels/ right. Something... I don't know. We're important, somehow." * Mikel cracks a bit of a grin as Sonyele dangles a carrot in front of the group. He frowns for a moment though, looking about the group before whispering to Niri since she still has an arm draped on him. "Erm. Do I get a little manual to what all this is about, or?" I dunno...I just don't get the impression she'll fully wait for us. That'd make her insanely polite for a psychopath No, I'm sure if we wander off to the other side of the world she won't Erm. Okay Mikel, did we explain about the Prophetess at all? But as long as we're in the area... it seemed important to her "No, no you didn't. I think it was a trust issue of some sort." She might wait for us. * Vytor starts to pace, thinking things through * Niri looks around at the others. "It IS okay if I explain to him, isn't it?" * Saki nods slowly. "... not to mention she hasn't showed up yet. Maybe this is important too." She makes an aggravated noise, and scratches at her temple. It's not like the Prophetess keeps her activities secret, after all. Oh, I guess so, Niri. If he wants to get involved and die, I guess he's already got the doctor's permission. She also might either not or might take advantage of our leaving. <<... <<...Grammar, doom>> * Tanan frowns, crossing his arms. "Keep this in mind too, Ryllan. If some of us stay, that might be good enough for her. Leaving one or two behind might be the same as killing lady Ishtar." * Mikel glances at Tanan. "It sounds like I'm gonna get sucked into it anyways, if she's coming here." Well, basically, the Prophetess is this woman who showed up at the festival in Meribia and caused all kinds of mayhem. She's going after all the old Truthseekers, and...well, we think she's sucking out their souls. We're not really sure what she needs them for. But anyway, so far we've er...failed to protect anyone. This woman is practically unstoppable. So we're trying to keep her from getting at Ishtar. * Mikel nods, frowning for a moment. "...no offense, but what makes you think you can stop her here if you've failed in the past?" ....The alternative is to not try, and what good is that going to do anyone? We do have a plan. * Angie shrugs. "Gotta try!" she says, voice light with easy fatalism. It's insane, dangerous, and may just result in me turning myself inside out. But it's a blan. << Plan. Fuck>> We've got a trick or two to try, some help from those elementalors, and from master Hylan. It might just work. Maybe. Besides, you shouldn't underestimate Team Angie. We have secret weapons and stuff. With an insane amount of luck. :D The image of you litterally being turned inside out is gonna make me lose my breakfast. Thanks, Ryllan. * Niri stares at Trune and Ryllan Ew. [Dr. Sonyele] That's right. Headmaster HYlan directed us to setup dampening fields using a fraction of his own chaotic shaping forces. ? Explain? * Mikel taps a finger on his staff before staring at Tanan. "...You've got Master Hylan's help? Right then, not quite as suicidal then." Not quite, just dependent on his whims. "Oh." "Fifty fifty." [Dr. Sonyele] Oh, I thought you knew? Those devices you 've seen adpet oworking on the walls with are those very same ones. It's said that it could counteract her time & dimensional shaping by using Johnathans similar powers. « er adpets working » « bah » << Poor Storen >> Interest, could it keep her out? Session Time: Sat Jul 15 00:00:00 2006 [Dr. Sonyele] Quite amazing really. But I just leant some of the automaton muscle to get them up there. <> Probably wouldn't keep her out, she could always just walk in like we did. Hopefully'll make her weaker here though. That'd be too easy, Vytor. All it could really do is force her to appear outside. "An improvement into her appear, oh, right next to you though, isn't it?" [Dr. Sonyele] We don't know for sure, but it's the best defense we could have at this point... << into=over >> << Its a damn disease >> «ooc: Tanan started it! » << appearing, too. Dammit. >> * Saki sighs again, then sweeps eyes over the party. "... so... what's the plan?" Well, someone's gotta stay here. I'll definitely go north, because I'm like retarded. More like you're mildly insane. ^^ * Trune bites his lip, thinking. Hrm. I'm tempted to stay here. Like I said, ice fields. Willies. Ick. [Dr. Sonyele] I've got enough equipment for everyone, so that's not an isuse. More can be fabricated easily. One way or another, I'm staying here. I'd almost rather take my chances with the Prophetess. Aww, c'mon Princess. You can make snow angels and glow. I really don't think leaving anyone behind is a good idea. Look at it this way: it's a mystery! We'll probably die, but it's all mysterious blasted ruins from the aicnent world and stuff! ...But you don't understand. ;_; It's like...ugh! It's invisible poison! I'm jokin'. I don't fancy going there either. I'll tell you what I need, is a magic spell that completely blocks it. I don't trust those suits. * Mikel glances around. "Well. If you all aren't here, you're gonna have even less of a chance, aren't you? So its all or nothing." I...think I'd be of better use here in case she DOES attack, honestly. I'm the guy who makes shit blow up. Hee. Yeah, I think I'll hang out here. Invisible poison that's slowly working its way south. * Tanan shakes his head. "This is reckless." Not a chance. I'm going north. * Angie addresses the doctor again. "I'm a bit of a dab hand at geomancy. Do you know any tricks for cutting down on the exposure? I figure if anyone would it's you, right?" You know it occurs, guys. This poison is slowly working it's way south, right? Doc, be honest, how urgent is this? [Dr. Sonyele] Do you think I'd be asking you to go if I didn't think it was very serious? You're a well-known group of adventurers. I have confidence you can survive a lot better than some weak scientists. [Dr. Sonyele] For all I know, Prophetess could be doing this to starve us out slowly from behind our walls. This could turn into a case of survival of all the people in this town, if enough comes south. No food or safe drinking water? I understand that it's serious. But what's the timeframe on the migration south? * Angie brightens. "Well-known, eh? Would you say we're FAMOUS?" She leans in close, looking slyly at the doctor. * Saki frowns at the ground for a long moment in thought. When she looks back up she's looking better than she has in a while, almost grinning. "I'll go too. ... I owe a favour or few, and fate's led us this far. ... maybe this is what we're here for first." * Niri giggles at Angie. [Dr. Sonyele] if it continues to accelarte at the present pace, the water table will start becoming too infected to purify for potable water in a month... and our harvest too low to sustain proper nutrition in less time than that. And how long is the trip, roughly, to the area you want investigated? * Mikel frowns. "That's... more than a little worrisome." He glances over the others, frowning for a moment. "So... wait. How do you know she'll come here, instead of finding one of the others away from you and getting them while you're waiting for her here?" [Dr. Sonyele] As I said, the suits can only protect you for about a day before degrading. The trip itself is only a few hours with your Land Rover all-terrain vehicle. * Saki nods slowly in understanding, almost muttering to midair. "... they've defences. And I've a gut feeling. Always a gut feeling." She glances up at Mikel, eyes far away and a nasty little grin on her face. "She told me." she says simply. "...I'm going to stop asking questions along that vein." * Mikel shivers. Okay. Try this. We give the prophetess a week to show up while we have everyone arrayed here. After the suits stop working, what happens? I assume you meet the maker. Depends on the level of radioactivity. ... A low level means you just die young of strange diseases. A higher level means you die immediately! I think. She doesn't, some or even all of us, according to their own consciences, go check this out. If we only have a day to operate in the region, a week won't make much difference in our ability to affect things. * Ryllan looks to Sonyele for confirmation of that statement. * Saki blinks back to herself, and nods. "If it's just a day work, better to do it now before it reaches any farmland." * Mikel raises a finger. "...well, you could leave before the suits completely give way and get another set on, depending on how many are avaliable." Yeah, I'd kind of go check this out immediately. If it does seep into the farmland, it'll take months or years to remove. After all, we can call the Elementalors. [Dr. Sonyele] Biologically speaking, the rays given off start breaking down your molecular structure. Mutating cells... hmm, well, your description is close enough. Also, maybe there's a way we can get you guys back quickly if something happens... That week could make acres of land useless, though. But, I mean. Do we die right away, or do we have time to get back after that? The problem with radiation is that if you get out alive, it doesn't mean you're safe. You still might die. Usually very painfully and horribly too. Yup. See why I don't want to go? That's precisely why I am going. I don't want that coming here. * Mikel raises an eyebrow. "And the Prophetess won't do the same to you?" Doc, professional opinion on what a week's delay will do? Um. It's kind of hard to explain. I can SEE the Prophetess. That somehow makes it better. She's less like an insidious, invisible poison and more like a sadistic club with nails in it. * Saki gets that nasty little grin again. "So danger of mauling pain and hideous death. Sounds like a typical day down in the ruins, huh?" She glances across at Vytor, expression hard. "... let's get it done." * Trune stares at Niri, "Wow, that's...pretty accurate!" * Niri takes a bow! Actually... Besides, I can hit the Prophetess, in theory. Knuckles, meet face. Bam. Radiation- I can't touch. Or heal. * Mikel pats Niri on the shoulder. "I get it, now. Fair 'nough." * Vytor nods to Saki, "You, me and anyone else who wants to." [Leah] A club with nails.. who just moves really really fast! Exactly! If the suits will mostly protect us, we'll only receive low levels if they start breaking down and we get out, right? * Angie nods, gesturing emphatically. "That's what I'm wondering. Like, do we need to drop everything and be sure we're gone before the deadline, or is it OK if we're around a little longer?" [Dr. Sonyele] Right. The outer coating will breakdown slowly, completely disintegrating in another 24 hours. Then the suits are just rather flashy clothing. A little isn't that big a deal. We've had people come off the icefields before ok. It takes a bit of doing, but you can heal the damage if it's not too severe. If we're in and out none of us should take too large an amount. * Angie takes a deep breath, swelling her chest, then exhales slowly. "Right! So...when do we do this?" If anyone needs to shop or anything we should prolly get that out of the way. I'm not going to say I want to spend hours and hours working on us all, but if it comes to that I can. I'm surprised your dad's never mentioned the technique to you, Trune. It's rath-.. right. Hrm. [Dr. Sonyele] AS for the delay of a week, I'd reather not wait that long. It could be to the point the faithful start panicking. * Tanan makes a face. "Should probably give everyone a once over after this anyway." "Do or face trouble here. Lovely." Oh, he has Tanan. I've just mostly zoned out and noticed how many knick knacks my mom has on her fireplace mantle. * Vytor stands with Saki, making his choice in the matter quite clear And it never occured to you that might be one of the valuable things to learn? * Tanan sighs. "Nevermind." Yeah...kinda realizing that now. It's too bad he wouldn't come with us. * Angie pumps a fist in frustration. "Old people are insufficiently adventurous!" * Trune looks down at the ground and kicks up a stone, "...Just as glad he didn't." He'd have found out the truth about the elementalors if he had, though. I second that, Trune. *makes a face* * Saki breathes out a looong breath, and nods. "... alright. Let's get geared up. Niri, Ryllan, you're here. ... be careful. I think that if she does do anything I'll... ... feel it. ... maybe. And we'll come running." * Ryllan nods, "We'll hold." Either way.. we need to do something about this. The doctor might well be right about this being an attempt to starve the town out... * Mikel shakes his head before looking at the doctor. "You have a way for us to keep in contact with you and the others?" And I still think it's an extremely bad idea to leave anyone here and risk having her decide that enough witnesses are around. * Niri nods to Saki. "We'll be careful." I'll stay behind and keep an eye out. Dunno if Niri can do without me, unless she plans on tripping on the Prophetess. ;) * Niri sticks her tongue out at Trune./ Should we bring Angharad? This is sort of her thing... *She trails off, frowning into space.* I guess maybe you don't have helmets for wolf faces, though... [Dr. Sonyele] Actually, I'm glad you asked. We do have some simple two-way radios. Have you ever operated one before? It's rather simple. * Trune grins slyly, "And thus Niri shows us her seven year old face." * Ryllan nods at Niri and Trune, "Thanks, guys. Glad to have you." * Ryllan looks at the Doctor, "'Push button, talk', right?" Be careful not to use the radios too much, though. That radio activity is dangerous. [Dr. Sonyele] Yes, that's the basic principle. Try to be careful with them. They don't exactly grow on trees. * Niri punches Trune lightly in the gut. ^_^ And here I was looking forward to picking them in the orchard. You're really going to insist on staying? Ow! And now she shows us her three year old tantrum flying fist! [Dr. Sonyele] Those of you who want to undertake this job for me can find everything you need at the gatehouse in an impact-resistant container. It should fit just fine into the cargo comaprtment of your vehicle. Thanks Dr. Sonyele The world fears my fist, Trune. * Mikel waves a finger at Niri. "Try lower if you want to leave a lasting impression." He nods towards the doctor, grinning. "Alright, then." * Ryllan looks at Tanan, "You're going to insist on going?" And Tanan, were you talking to me? ....Well, yes. Pretty much. * Niri blinks at Mikel and blushes. "Watch it!" You're taking a big risk staying. Dr. Sonyele gives a slightly sour face to Ryllan. "I'd try to laugh, but I'm really not in the best of moods with this going on. Haven't been for a long time." And you're taking a big risk going. Someone's gotta stay around, or we'll come back to find our charge dead. * Mikel looks completely innocent. * Angie bounces on the balls of her feet, smiling ear-to-ear. "You just sit tight, we'll be back before you know it." Not if she's intending for us to witness this. It's splitting up or leaving permanently that's the danger. /If/. You're betting Ishtar's life on my being wrong. * Mikel sighs. "You're both making a gamble, like it or not." * Saki smirks suddenly at Niri, eyes gleaming. "How about a bet, kiddo?" "Decide, and get going. Wasting time helps no one." And if we all went? we're betting on your being right. There's little difference. I honestly don't know that the whole bunch of us together would be that much more effective against her than just Ryllan, Trune, Niri, and Angharad. Except that I'm listening to what she told us. If she didn't want us here, she didn't need to let us know where she was going next. In some ways, this whole conversation is boosting my ego. That won't do! "In other ways, its completely crushing it?" How come, Trune? Saki, a bet...? What kind? *frowns* Well, yeah! I mean, everyone is thinking I'm gonna be this big ass gun to the Prophetess' head, and that's cool! But honestly, I dunno if I will and that kinda sucks. You're not standing alone, Trune, that's me, too. Ha. Well, maybe we can come up with some kind of overpowered team attack, Trune! The defenses, and the elementalors, and Ryllan's little trick might weaken her to the point where we can take her down. But I'm not sure if all of us together can manage it, nevermind half of us. How about it? Thunder Soul maybe... * Saki leans over conspiratorially. "If we have to come running back prematurely, I'll take your dishes duty for good. Vice versa." She straightens, not even waiting for an answer, and cocks her head at Vytor before striding off without another word to get geared up. Maybe the, "I cast firey spells of death while you flail and trip?" * Tanan shakes his head, disapproval and a little anger clearly written on his face. "This is insane. We either have to let the down die or risk disaster with half of us here." AS the conversation progresses, it is interrupted by a small flying droid jetting through the air and coming to a halt by the Doctor. It hovers there a moment. * Vytor grunts at Saki as she leaves, getting the drift * Mikel glances over at the droid, blinking. "Nice." * Niri blinks at it. "Spud!" ...What? Spud? "...spud?" «ooc: YOU SUCK AMY ;) » ....Er. I dunno. "That isn't a potato." [Zeta Sentry] *twitters on about survey data* "It looks nothing like a potato." You sure? Looks kind alike one. Like...a small...metal...potato. Look, Tanan, if we all go and you're right, we're done. It so does not. "...if your eyes were going bad and you painted it brown, maybe." << And you're wrong.>> ...Shush or I step on your toes. It looks like a yam. Get your...earth based vegetables straight! No, rutabega! Or turnip! [Dr. Sonyele] I see... alright, thank you. Return to the old pattern and reaccomplish. * Mikel glances at Sonyele. "News?" A reutabega? You wouldn't know a rutabega if it bit you on your ass and shouted, "I am the Queen of New Meribia!" If we stay... Maybe we can do something. Hold her off long enough for you to get here. Come fast. ....I am just going to pretend that line of sewage did not spurt from my mouth, thanks. She waves it off, and the thing goes zooming back. It kind of does look like a silver-encased potato with wings and eye-like sensors protruding in several direction. What if the Prophetess showed up disguised as a rutabega? * Saki starts poking through the various pieces of equipment, hemming to herself. With a sidelong glance at the blacksmith, she's smirking. "... think we'll be back before they're done?" << dammit stor! >> Maybe we should brush up on our vegetable recognition before then. At this rate, yes Pray that I'm wrong, and that she won't show up unless we're all here. * Trune snrks, "Wait, isn't a potato techically a fruit anyway? I" «ooc: er -I » [Dr. Sonyele] Oh, it was just another survey of the fields. Standard protocols. But things aren't getting better, Mikel... * Saki gives the supply crate an experimental lift; huffing and puffing follows. Another try, and she's just about lifting it a little, but it's not doable on her own. "... g... ugh. Give me a hand." * Vytor offers Saki some assistance, breaking out of his thoughts * Mikel nods, glancing at the others. "Try not to get killed, eh? See you later." With that he turns to catch up to the punching machine and hammer man. * Angie walks over as if she's going to help, but instead she boots the crate as hard as she can with the steel toe of her boot. Guys, you... bah. Fine. Do what you will. I hope my life never hinges on your decisions. * Angie then bends over to help lift the crate. * Tanan nods shortly to Sonyele. "Doctor. We'll grab that gear and see what we can find. I should go catch up to the others. Thank you." * Tanan turns and follows Mikel out. Sonyele nods to Tanan. "Good luck. We'll be in touch if problems arise." Urf! Damn, there are heavy! What's in them? (w) Gee, you get the imrpession Tanan is horribly dissapointed in everything I do or what? * Ryllan shakes his head as he watches them go, "...Hey, Doc?" "Suits or some other sort of supplies, probably." (w) I think Tanan is horribly disappointed in everything all of us do. * Mikel lends what help he can, though this isn't his strong suit. Tanan is too damn optemistic. [Dr. Sonyele] Yes, Ryllan? What is it? * Trune thinks about it a moment, then nods, "Guess you're right." [Dr. Sonyele] Most of the people in this town are. Makes me feel a bit left out. ...Never mind. You don't deserve it. * Saki staggers a little, but manages along with Vytor to manhandle the damned crate into the back of the Destiny, before hopping in after it. "... let's go." You know, with fewer people, we could ride INSIDE the Destiny for once. * Tanan conveniently arrives as the crate is loaded, scowling and muttering. We could! * Mikel glances over at Tanan. "You alright?" The Doctor folds her arms and looks at the statue again. She mumbles something about "atonement". Er, they could, but you're staying here, eh Niri? * Angie leans on the crate. She's breathing heavily even though she hardly helped. "This is my suicide year, so far." * Vytor looks around to see who's joining the expidition * Saki takes a seat inside the Destiny, regarding the Professor for a long moment before shaking her head. "... it's alright. ... they're just kids, after all." She frowns, scratching at the side of her face as she drifts off a bit. "... the town'll be fine. ... I feel." ....Shush, Trune. :P I hope so. I grew up here. ANd there's a lot of people counting on us to stop this. Otherwise the town'll havr to be evacuated. * Saki smirks, for the briefest of seconds. "... I meant the Prophetess. The rest is up to us." * Tanan sighs. "I hope you're right, Saki. Just kids... heh. Hell, Ryllan's older than me. Still... I expected better from Niri and Trune." * Angie clambers into the backseat, stepping gingerly around her equipment boxes. "I'm mostly focused on the whole Canada thing. I'm sort of torn about it. Half way I'm like "This adventure will be a magnificent feather in my cap!" but then also like holy shit I'm going to die in the middle of nowhere. " * Vytor grumbles something under his breath * Mikel climbs into the Destiny as well, tapping a finger on his staff. "Live and learn." We should be ok, Angie. In and out. And like I said, low-level exposure's treatable, as long as we don't hang around in it. Let's just not get stranded. Yeah, but remember, we aren't the first ones to head up there. Sure, but we've been through all sorts of idiot things already, and come out ok. More than most people can say. * Saki nods curtly, trying to make some vague gesture in the air. "I... ... I think I'll feel it if the Prophetess attacks. Or even comes near. It's like a pressure." She frowns, not making herself clear, then shakes her head. "... let's just get it done." * Tanan turns to look at Mikel, hesitating a bit. "...welcome aboard. Didn't want to get you involved, but looks like we've dragged you in on this, so... Hey. No hard feelings?" "Well, if they have some sort of sense they'll contact us too." Agreed. THe longer we wait, the further the poisons move * Mikel shrugs towards Tanan. "I'm fine with that. You guys seem to have a fair chunk on your plates." * Tanan sighs, slumping into a seat and bowing his head. "You can say that again." * Vytor settles into the cab of the Destiny this time Leah looks a bit torn between Niri and the others but then Shiro goes running off after them, leaving her no choice but to follow the pup's desire to head to the icy reaches. Yeah, our plates are badass. * Mikel pokes his head out, blinking. "Coming with us?" He glances at Angie, raising an eyebrow. "Have to be, with this sort of trouble." * Angie darkens, lowering her eyelids. "It's a rough world," she grits out, "and you gotta be rough to survive in it. And there's none rougher than Gunsligner Angie." << Angie get your gun! >> « hehe » * Saki stares, and then clips Angie lightly around an ear. * Mikel taps a finger. "Catchy, marketable. Now we need a few madcap adventures to sell it." * Vytor breaks a grin for the first time in a while, but it doesn't last We've had a few. Except no one saw them, do they still count? "Only if you remember enough to write a book on 'em." * Tanan frowns, thinking about that for a bit. "Couldn't forget if I wanted to." * Angie claps a hand to her ear. "Owww, what?" She makes a face. All right.. shall we go, then? "I think we've got one more." Let's get going * Saki has the decency to sit back and look ... not at all contrite. "... sorry. Must've been all that experimental spirit rubbing off on me. Had to see how Gunslinger Angie would respond." She's probably shoot you, as guess. Well, I shot you, so I guess we're even. But next time, RAIN OF HELLFIRE. And so the group parts ways. One band bravely sets off for the frozen wilderness to the north to find the source of the contaiminantion... as well as an old forgotten horror to unearth. The other decides to play rear guard, bolstered by the defenses of the blessed city. Will it be enough if the Prophetess does attack? Find out next time! == SESSION END == >> 4 XP to everyone! +1 to Ryllan. Session Close: Sat Jul 15 01:09:00 2006