Session Start: Fri Jul 21 22:38:52 2006
Session Ident: #lunar-iog2
* Logging #lunar-iog2 to 'logs\#lunar-iog2.log'
* TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 20B: Avenging Angels | Location: New Raculi | Pools: 1287 §, 12 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/'
<TheStoryteller> == SESSION START ==
<TheStoryteller> And so the adventuring group splinters, the large portion heading to Bluetooth Valley to investigate the poisioning of the water. But a chosen few remain, a rearguard in the holy city against any trickery of their dark opponent. You all assemble in the cloister, where Ryllan has been faithfully guarding Ishtar as she prays and channels her energy into the town's defenses and well-being from the focal point of her room.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] So, you decided to remain here, even when your friends when to the northern frontiers? That's very noble of you.
<TheStoryteller> « er went »
<Lucca> They don't really think so, but thanks anyhow.
<Lucca> «ooc: Whoopsie! »
* Lucca is now known as Trune
<Trune> They don't really think so, but thanks anyhow.
<TheStoryteller> « heehee »
* Ryllan shrugs, rubbing the back of his head. "It's something that has to be done.  I couldn't just leave you to her tender mercies."
<Niri> Yeah, the others seem to prefer interpreting it as cowardice or laziness. :/ Unfortunately we don't always see eye to eye....
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] I have had premonitions today. Visions of the past haunting me as I awoke... I fear it could be an omen of things to come soon. Your decision may not be an incorrect one, my friends...
<Ryllan> Can you describe them?
<Niri> Yeah, precognizance is a bonus...
<Trune> I'm sure it's bound to cause ...stress though. ^^;
<TheStoryteller> Ishatr closes her eyes, trying to bring them into focus. The birds circling her waver for a moment, hesitating as if they saw something frightening.
<Niri> I can cause stress too. *Grumbles* Stupid Tanan...
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] ..how t explain this? Do you know much of the Virtue cult histories?
<Niri> ...I'm not much of an expert, myself. :/
<TheStoryteller> « er how to »
<Trune> I've...heard a little about it, but not in detail.
* Trune looks interested now.
<Ryllan> Only the official version, which is really rather vague in a lot of places.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] Her holiness Queen Virtue helped advance Lunar both spiritually and technologically, you see. Reigning for nearly a century, she was timeless...
* Niri frowns slightly.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] In the period before the Unraveling, however... the creations Bishop Sinel and other technicians made in her name began to become more martial, as heretics became more prolific and it threatened the Cult.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] One of these was a program called "The Angels of Retrubution"... or by others as simply "Valhalla Project".
<Trune> With a name like Retrubution, sounds like it wasn't full of fluff and love, whatever this Sinel guy had planned.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] I won't go into all the nuances... but at the core of them was turning people into living weapons of the Goddess & the Cult. Mechanical wings, like metal angels descending from heaven, spewing holy fire and holocausts to all who denied her vision for Lunar.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] Fortunately, not many were made, but the ones that did exist were truly.. frightening...
<Niri> ....And Queen Virtue did this? Or the people under her? I'm confused.
* Trune blinks, considering something, "From what you sound like... you either saw them in action or..."
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] The Seeker known as Jack actually was the inventor of the basic design of those gilded wings of destruction. They mangled his peaceful wishes for flight... it was largely subordinate clergy, but she did not stop them in the slightest.
* Radien (zipo@adsl-69-110-151-188.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar sighs heavily at Trune.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] I know this because.... I was one of them. A prototype...
<Trune> What? You were? O_o
* Niri frowns, looking somewhat disturbed. Then at Ishtar's latest statement, she blinks, then blinks again. "...Come again?"
* Radien (zipo@adsl-69-110-151-188.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) has joined #lunar-iog2
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] Yes... sadly, my innocence was shattered when I was drugged and forced to be a test subject... if it were not for the other seekers, I would have remained that way.-_-
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] My life up till now has been repentance for all the deaths I caused . n entire town of innocents, destroyed by something that was me and yet was not.
<Niri> ...Ishtar, I have a question. Are those statues out in the corridors of Queen Virtue...?
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar tilts her head in Niri's direction, a long flow of black hair curving like a meandering onyx river. "The images?"
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] yes, they are of Queen Virtue, of course. Though.. in your heart I suspect you are coming to a realization...
<Niri> Er, yeah. It's just...they look an awful lot like, um, my mom. ^^;;
* Ryllan nods quietly, "And yet you devoted yourself to her, after all that...?"
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar becomes quiet, as if she is searching for the right words to tell the young girl.
* Niri shuffles her feet.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] Ryllan... I have always been devoted to the ideals of the Cult. people require faith in this harsh world. Even if the Goddess and her servants disappear, the good they nutured in people's hearts should not vanish as well.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] But, Niri... your question... I'm sorry if I can't share everything that I know, as I've made a promise to your mother. But there is more than a mere passing resemblence. Only she can tell you the truth.. when she feels you are ready to accept it.
* Trune blinks, "Yeah, but is that really fair?"
<Niri> ...Unfortunately I sometimes wonder if Mom has ever felt I'm ready to hear anything.
* Niri grumbles and kicks a nearby pillar.
* Ryllan nods, "I see what you mean, Lady Ishtar.  It says a lot of you."
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] I know you may resent it, but there are many things in this world that she is trying to protect you from. And the past is one of those things.
<Niri> ...But it's not as if I can't tell what's going on here. I just wish I understood....WHY.
<Niri> How can knowledge be dangerous, in the long run? I mean, I know it can be, but in the end, isn't it better to know, no matter what hurt may result?
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar smiles a little wearily.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] That is the same question we asked on our journey... and why we ended up where we are today.
<Ryllan> Niri, don't worry about it.  Sometimes it /is/ better not to know somethign right away.  I'm sure she'll tell you when the time is right.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] If you keep that in your heart, the knowledge will come to you. Don't give up!
* Zack is now known as ZackDinnah
* Niri mutters. "Maybe. But there's a reason I always hung out with Dad and not Mom. She and I...well, we never have had much of a connection."
* Niri sighs. "Thank you Ishtar, I'll try to keep that in mind."
<TheStoryteller> Just then there is a knock on the door.
* Trune sighs and shakes his head, "I dunno. I kinda have a bad feeling when parents keep stuff from their kids, but then again, I don't get along with mine at all. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask."
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar seems to smile brighter hearing this pattern on the entranceway. "Enter" she says with enthusiasm
* Niri looks up curiously
* Ryllan watches the door closely, tensing as it opens, though making no sudden motions.
<TheStoryteller> Striding through the warded doorway is a tall man, clad in full armor of the Virtue Knights. But he is not an ordinary one. A rather large bastard sword hangs in a scabbard at his side, and some green hair pokes out of his helmet, which he removes as he crosses the threshold.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] Adam, you have returned!
* Radien (zipo@adsl-69-110-151-188.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
<TheStoryteller> Adam strides up to the center of the room and kisses Ishtar's hand, before the two embrace tenderly. "Of course I came back. You always worry too much, Ish."
* Niri waves. "Hiya."
<TheStoryteller> Adam stands faithfully by her side, flashing a handsome grin for a man of his age. There's a lot about him that seems to be very... perfect. Age has certainly treated him well.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Adam Dynastis, commander of the Virtue Knights and protector of the Lady Ishtar and the Virtue Society. So you are the heroes I've heard rumors about?
* Ryllan raises a hand into a casual salute, "A few of us, anyway.  Ryllan Barak.  It's an honor."
<Niri> Spose so. Nice to meet you, I'm Niri Salyan.
<Trune> Trune McVrey.
<Trune> . o O ( Holy Crap, I've never seen a middle aged pretty-boy before! I didn't even think it was possible! )
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Yes, there was supposed to be more of you. Oh well. In any case, welcome to Raculi. I'm sure by now you've come to realize we're in a constant state of emergency right now, fortifying against an attack by demons, or whatever else this Prophetess might throw at us from her back of tricks.
<Niri> There are more of us, but...the others went out to see if they could help take care of the problem in the icefields. We stayed behind in case the Prophetess shows up.
* Ryllan nods, "That is, sort of, why we're here."
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] I hate to admit this, but we really do need your help here. So I appreciate your aid, especially the fact you're adepts of a sort. Would you like to have a tour of the ramparts with me, to see the dampeners that John has lent us?
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] I think they are the only reason it's been so peaceful as yet.
<Trune> Sure. S'nice to know what we'll be working with, I guess.
<Ryllan> Ideally, I'd like to stick close to both of you, no matter where that might be.  You two, after all, are likely to be the primary targets.
<TheStoryteller> [Ishtar] I will be alright, Ryllan. I am filled with joy by your devotion... but for now, please go with my husband, if only briefly.
* Niri blinks at Ishtar's strange choice of wording. She is undoubtedly an interesting person...
* Trune bites his lip and taps his foot, for reasons almost uknown.
* Niri exchanges a glance with Trune.
* Ryllan pauses briefly, then nods, "Alright then. Take care."
* Trune glances back and looks like he's trying not to laugh.
<Niri> Well, I suppose we are filled with joy to oblige, sooooo...let's go.
* Trune snrks and then shakes his head several times, his face slowly going back to being serious, "Yeah, let's book it."
<TheStoryteller> Adam nods and leads you out of the cloister building and back into the gardens. Instead of going straight back to the cathedral, he turns up another path that leads to a nearby stairway up to one of the lookout/battlements.
* ZackDinnah is now known as Zack
<TheStoryteller> A few Virtue night squires are standing guard on the way and they salute Adam as he goes by. he claps one on the shoulder and offers some random words of encouragement.
<TheStoryteller> « er Knight »
* TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 20B: Avenging Angels | Location: New Raculi | Pools: 1287 §, 9 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/'
<TheStoryteller> Eventually the trio finds themselves atop the walls. What a lovely view of the town and the surrounding plains! There are many farms, and the day is a bit hazy. In this particular checkpoint, there is a large silver orb suspended by 8 chains, the colors of the elements.
<TheStoryteller> As you approach it, the distinct energy of willforce is prevailent, subtly altering the flows of magic nearby.
<Niri> Hmmm. What's that thing?
<Trune> Weird. It's got a lot of power, whatever it is.
* Niri inspects it curiously, testing the feel of the energies surrounding it.
<TheStoryteller> There is a elder Adept sitting in a chair near it, reading a book. he doesn't immediately look up from his studies, but speaks curtly to whomever is asking.
<TheStoryteller> [Adept] ...it is a dimensional magic dampener. It prevents the use of dimenionsl anad temporal altering techniques, by using Johnathan's own stored powers to offset and negate their effects.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] yeah. What he said.
* Ryllan nods, "He gave me something similar, though this is much larger-scale."
<Niri> No way, really?
<Niri> I admit I'm starting to think somewhat better of Johnathan. Just slightly.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Thanks to this, the Prophetess magic won't work within the confines of the city. We have a ring going entirely around the town center. So she theoretically cannot telelport in like before.
<Ryllan> So she has to come in through the front door.  Theoreticcally.
<Niri> Hey, awesome. But...there's gotta be a catch. There's gotta be some way she can get around it, just because things like this ALWAYS happen.
<Trune> Well thanks for your insight, Miss Negative Nancy.
<Niri> I'm being realistic!
<Trune> That's my job. --;
<Niri> I mean, the optimistic giggling has done nothing but make Tanan and some of the others hate me, so...
<Ryllan> You always plan for the worst, Trune.  's a rule.
<Niri> I think his issue with it is that it's HIS rule, not mine.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] WEll obviously this is experimental. It's just based on what's happened before to the others. She appears suddenly and has free reign to go wherever she wishes.
<TheStoryteller> Niri is keenly aware that is is an Adept class device, powered by a human operator. But her lack of specific training makes her unable to trigger it, just sense it's massive stored power... like a powerful mind is living in the orb.
* DNW (DNW@24.7.108.129) Quit (Quit: Rolling off to bed)
<TheStoryteller> as you tinker and admire the device, a shout goes up from a lookout nearby.
* Niri peers at it, tilting her head. "So...how is this thing powered?"
* Niri looks up at the shout
<TheStoryteller> [Virtue Knight] Sir Adam, something on the horizon.. the haze is shifting strangely!
* Trune looks up and tenses, "Looks like I was right after all."
Session Time: Sat Jul 22 00:00:00 2006
<TheStoryteller> [Adept] My lady, it's powered by Johnathan's will, partially stored in the artifact. But it needs another mind to interface with and focus the effects. Hence, where I come in.
* Ryllan looks up at the look out, "(m)You've got to be kidding me..."
<Niri> Ohhhh. :o Wow....
* Niri looks up to see what Trune is looking at
<TheStoryteller> The wiseman puts down the book, marking where he left off, and shuffles near to the device, prepared in case of trouble.
<TheStoryteller> Ada, rushes over and grabs a pair of telescoping lenses from the soldier who sent out the alarm.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Hmm... it looks like a flock of.. birds? No, something else. Shiny...
* Niri blinks. "Shiny?"
<Trune> So the Prophetess has stopped her goth phase and has gone for the shinny preppy girl phase instead?
<Trune> «ooc: shiny even »
<Niri> ...Trune, be quiet. :P
* Trune coughs.
* Ryllan rushes to Adam, "May I?" he asks simply, staring out at the horizon.
<TheStoryteller> The rest of you quint, straining to see what it could be. But you don't have to wait long. What was once a distrubance in the afternoon haze becomes a flock of golden winged humans. They are closing fast, dashing forward with great speed directly at the ramparts containing the defensive orb ring system!
<TheStoryteller> « er squint »
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] By the Goddess... that's impossible!
* Trune 's eyes widen, "What the blue hell?!"
<Niri> ....Okay that looks bad. O_o
* Niri fumbles for her boomerang.
<Ryllan> (m) Valhalla.
<Trune> Ghosts from the past, indeed.
<Niri> ...What, Ryllan?
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] They should all be dead... it's got to be her foul magics
* Niri prepares a defensive spell or two
<Ryllan> I thought all those were left on... Dammit! *With no other words, he draws his daggers, tying to size them up.*
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] She is toying with us, using our sins against us!
* Niri eyes the others, trying to decide who will go down the fastest if they take a hit :P
<Ryllan> You've fought with these before, right, Adam?
<TheStoryteller> Adam draws his large bastard sword, glinting in the light. "Men, hold your positions! We have to defend the barrier at all costs! Aim for their heads.. a control circuit rest there that should disorient them!"
<Trune> Their heads huh...You know any magics they're weak against?
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] You can hit them with magic, however after a single strike, they will adapt to the spell and become resistant. The key is to shift your spells constantly.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Try Thunder or Water first...
<Trune> Gotcha, thanks!
<TheStoryteller> Adam tries to give you a rundown of tactics, but a group of four is closing fast on your tower position. Three males, and one female, dressed in the robes of the warrior priesthood. A grim look is on their faces, and an emptiness in their eyes...
<TheStoryteller> The golden wings flash with light and a laser baraggae rips into the defenses! The Adept staggers back, not expecting this and falls down with an injury... the four angel land with a thunk on the battlements.
<Ryllan> They're after the defenses!
<TheStoryteller> [Valhall-03] Target acquired. Elimnate all threats.
<Trune> You wish, choir boy!
<TheStoryteller> >> COMBAT! 
* Niri clears her throat, preparing a spell
<TheStoryteller> >> Enemy Front: Valhalla -03, Valhalla-08
<TheStoryteller> >> Enemy Rear: Valhalla-06, Valhalla-11
<TheStoryteller> >> Ally Front: Adam, Ryllan
<TheStoryteller> >> Ally Rear: Niri, TRune
<TheStoryteller> >> Round 1 
<TheStoryteller> >> Declaration Phase.
* Niri prepares to cast Song of Shielding on Trune
* Trune traces a pattern in the air, a dark purplish trail is left in the pattern's wake.
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam grips his sword's hilt tightly, a burning passion in his eyes. The air about you thickens, and gravity seems to twist...
* Ryllan looks back at trune, preparing to enhance his spell.
<TheStoryteller> >> Valhalla-06 spread it's wings, preparing to erect a defensive shield! Valhalla-03 locks onto Ryllan with it's lasers. Unit 08 's rockets begin to flare!
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 11 rushes at Adam full titl, reaching out to slam him!
<TheStoryteller> >> Battle Phase.
<TheStoryteller> >> /ad Hah, just like old times... remember on the Destiny? I'll crush you just the same!
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Hah, just like old times... remember on the Destiny? I'll crush you just the same!
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam releases his spell, casting Big Crunch on Unit 11! A gravity sphere of Jovian-caliber force encircles the mad angel, crushing it to nothing but a pinpirck of light, before it expands back to it's original size, mangled beyond all recognition. Valhalla-11 is instantly KO'd!
<Niri> Ooh, nifty stuff.
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan is waiting on Trune...
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune's action.
<Trune> Voices in the Night, Whispers from Beyond. Spirits of dark, be a source of power.. Mimir's Well!
* Trune holds his athames out to his side, curls of shadowy energy swirling about his body as a spidery string of arcane words slips from his tongue. He then holds his athames outwards, and the shadowy energy draws inwards and then dissapears.
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune's old faithful bumps his Talent 50%! Ryllan uses his metamagic, unaffected by the proximity of the ward, to grant Niri the same bonus.
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri's action.
<Niri> Score! Thanks, Trune. ^_^
* Ryllan slumps, just a little.
* Niri strikes a melodic chord by singing an upward arpeggio. It is uplifting and raises Trune's courage and stamina as he hears it.
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri performs her newest ditty, a Song of Shielding, raising Trune's Stamina by 25%!
<Niri> Now you won't fall over if you get nudged. ;)
<Trune> Pssh. I can withstand abit of nudging.
<TheStoryteller> >> The female angel, unit 06, finishes building up the power required, constructing an anti magic barrier of holy light. Anti-Phase shield! The front row is now taking half damage from all magical sources!
<Trune> Feh, that's not gonna stop me for long, sweetie.
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 08 engages the Ascension booster system. All enemies gain +50% Agility and Dexterity!
<Niri> You're only postponing the inevitable!
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 03 acquires Ryllan as a target and fires the Purifier laser at him! he's knocked onto his back briefly in pain for 146 damage!
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan has no enchantments to strip.
* Ryllan pulls himself to his feet, "Ow... that's...  impressive."
<Niri> ...Eep. Trune, can you help him out there? I
<TheStoryteller> >> Round 2 
<Trune> Yeah, I can.
<Niri> ...I'm about to lay down some smack. >:|
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Just hold out. I can finish them off quick enough.
<TheStoryteller> >> Declaration Phase.
<Niri> Hey, leave some for us!
* Niri prepares a thunder spell for Unit 06! "Happy birthday, ladies..."
<Trune> Be careful though. This could be another one of her diversion tactics. We gotta finish this as fast as possible.
* Trune traces another pattern in this air, this time the wake has faint, trailing wisps of light.
<Niri> ...I hadn't thought of that. >_< You're right. Okay girls, you're going down!
* Ryllan looks at Niri, "Down indeed.  Watch this."
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam prepares to slash at Unit 03. Unit 08 begins to take flight, eyeing Adam for some pain. Unit 06 acquires Trune as a target of anti-magical support fire. Unit 11 prepares to employ a special status attack, feather undulating eerily.
<TheStoryteller> « er »
<TheStoryteller> « unit 3 »
<Niri> Ooh, team attack! *salutes Ryllan* Thanks, Muscles.
<Trune> Aw, thinking of tangoing with me, sweetcakes? Big mistake!
<Niri> ...You know Trune, I think we need therapy. Our battle taunts are pretty darn cheesy. ;)
<TheStoryteller> >> Battle Phase.
<Ryllan> Better than theirs.
<Trune> True! Besides, might as well have my bit of fun before I'm throttled mercilessly.
<Niri> Don't forget, when it comes to it, hit the one in front with physical attacks. That's 08. *points to the serial number on its side*
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 06 belches a miniature version of Lucia's heavenly magic at TRune, burning his skin and destroying any shields he might have. Votive Flare!
* Niri blinks. "Ow. O_o You okay, Trune?"
<TheStoryteller> >> 105 damage! Trune's buffs are dispelled!
<Trune> Nngghh! Damn!
<Niri> Hey, no fair! I went to a lot of trouble for that!
* Niri grumbles about her new spell.
* Trune brushes a bit of soot of his clothes, looking a bit peeved, "I'm fine. Don't sweat it, it probably woulda been a lot worse if you did nothin'. Thanks."
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam gives a cry of "For Virtue!" as he lays into Unit 03 with holy fire trailing his sword. Holy Explosion!
<TheStoryteller> >> 1099 damage! Unit 03 has ceased to function!
<Niri> Heyyy. Like I said, leave some for us! ;)
<Trune> ...and suddenly I feel rather useless.
<Niri> Hey, we can always be meat shields.
* Trune pouts...just a little. He also smoulders a bit, but that's not quite as cute.
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 11 rears back, shotting it's nano-molocular feathers at Adam! The toxins within enter his bloodstream instantly, rendering him paralyzed, if briefly! Flechette... FREEZE for 2 turns!
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Ghuh.. forgot.. about that one...
<Ryllan> Take a break, then.
<Niri> Don't worry, we'll handle it!
<Trune> We've got it!
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 08 succeeds where 11 failed, grabbing Adam bodily and shotoing skyward with him, before turning around and divebombing him right through the roof! Eden's Fall! 103 damage!
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan's action.
* Ryllan grins at Niri, "Take a spell, give it a little push, and..."
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan's waiting on Niri, rather.
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune's action.
<Niri> Yessir! *salutes Ryllan again*
<Trune> Mark of morning, the defiant dawn, rise from the horizon and grant us your strength! Kiss of Dawn!
* Trune opens his clasped hands and a wash of sunrise pours out to envelop Ryllan!
<Niri> Awww, how sweet.
<Trune> Quiet, you!
* Niri grins cutely.
<Trune> Fine then...when you get all chewed up from these guys you won't get a cuppa soup from me.
* Niri looks sad and sniffles. With puppy dog eyes.
* Ryllan grins, "Thanks, Trune.  That's... really, really nice about now."
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune gives a little Kiss of dawn to Ryllan... even weakened, his healing strength is mighty indeed. +176 HP. Max!
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri and Ryllan can act!
<Trune> Just tryin' to keep everyone from not dying. Dying bad, living good!
<Niri> Awright! My turn!
<Niri> Swirling thunder, strike them down! Drive these ladies out of town! Thunderbolt!
* Trune suddenly burst out laughing!
<Trune> «ooc: bursts, even. hello, plurals :| »
<Niri> ....What? :| I'd like to see you do better!
* Ryllan raises his hands toward Niri, "And just a little push... And we unleash the fury of hell itself.  Magnify!"
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri's call skyward is heeded, as a bolt strikes forth from the clouds above. With Ryllan shaping it from a small spark into a massive blast! The Phase shield absorbs the worse of it, but it still manages to injure Unit 06 significantly! 238 damage.
<Niri> Woot! Take that!
<TheStoryteller> >> Round 3 
* Ryllan smiles slowly, "I like this.  You do all the work."
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam is FREZZE for 1 more round!
<TheStoryteller> >> Declaration Phase.
<Niri> Hey now. ;)
* Niri flexes!
<Trune> Ngh...I think I'd like to blast that thing sky high but I'm a little beat up. Damn.
<Ryllan> Alright, time to mix it up.  *Ryllan grins feraly, looking at 06*
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 06 begins to engage it's energy conversion systems, in an attempt to compensate for damage. Unit 08 decides Niri is a threat that must be elimanted, targeting her with it's flare guns!
<Niri> Eh, I guess I can play nurse just this once. ;)
<Niri> And don't you even start with me. *wags a finger at 08*
* Trune draws another pattern in the air, this time with a blue wake.
<TheStoryteller> >> Battle Phase.
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 08 uses it's boosted speed to fire a rapid bunch of flaming pulses at the adventurer girl!
<Trune> Niri, look out!
<Niri> Whoa! You'd hit a girl with glasses? *Throws arms up to shield her face*
<TheStoryteller> >> Valhall Unit 08 attacks! Three times! 74, 86, 80! Niri barely hangs on with 7 HP!
<Trune> Holy crap! O_o
* Niri blinks in shock.
<Niri> ...I LIVE!
* Ryllan lets out a low whistle, "Hang in there, Niri."
* Niri is doubled over, wheezing. "Hey, Hiro's daughter...ain't going down so easily!" Niri bleeds. ^_^
<Trune> Hang in a bit longer, okay? Try not to uh...bleed on the carpet.
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 06 uses System Vitae! Converts 66 MP to 132 HP. Is now absorbing magical attacks as MP.
<Niri> Don't worry, I'm on the stonework. *hack*
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan is waiting..
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune's action.
<TheStoryteller> « backup »
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan's action.
<Niri> ...Grrr. Okay, I am seriously pissed now. First the others decide we're huge cowards and immature idiots, and then we get used as punching bags by mage-hating machines. I've had it. *coughs up blood*
<Trune> Rhythm of the tides! Awake and assail! Aqua Burst!
* Ryllan lunges forward, pusing past unit 08 and into 06, slashing visciously at it!
* Trune rears back with a sphere of water he draws from the moisture in the air. Quickly he pushes both hands forward, slamming the sphere into his target with impressive force!
<Trune> «ooc: eep! Ignore that ^^ »
<Trune> «ooc: I had to redo the alias from scratch and didn't see that »
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan's daggers find their marks, but they don't wound the thick skin of the mind-controlled warrors much. Two hits.. 28, 33!
<Niri> ...You guys SUCK. ;_; ...The angel thingies, I mean. Not you, Ryllan. Good try.
<TheStoryteller> The blodne haired priestess-cyborg is scratched on her forehead, revealing a circuit that Adam spoke about.
<Niri> ..Ow, my spleen.
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune's action.
<Trune> Rhythm of the tides! Awake and assail! Aqua Burst!
* Trune rears back with a sphere of water he draws from the moisture in the air. Quickly he pushes both hands forward, slamming the sphere into his target with impressive force!
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune water spell strikes the barrier, but it does once again do significant damage despite that fact. Weak to Water! 203 damage.
<TheStoryteller> « er.. 176 actually. »
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri's action.
* Niri , running on momentum, rasps out Song of Light on 06, but directs the healing power at Trune rather than herself.
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri siphons the health from the angel and into TRune in a heroic gesture worthy of her name! Niri takes 109 HP from the angel and gives it to Trune! He's healed to max
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 06 gains 31 MP!
<Trune> ...Thanks Niri.
* Niri takes her 7 HP self and collapses wearily into a sitting position. :P
<TheStoryteller> >> Round 4 
<TheStoryteller> >> Declaration Phase.
<Niri> ...Can I spare a moment to finish these hags off, or do you think I'll keel over first?
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] THis is it, I'll fight ghosts with ghosts...
* Ryllan fishes out a herb from his bags, holding it up to his forehead, "You've got all the time you need, Niri.  I've got a present for you."
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] focuses his spiritual powers into his sword, mumbling about "13". Unit 06 prepares to barrage Niri again. Unit 08 acquires Trune as a target for another Purifier!
<TheStoryteller> « erk »
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam focuses his spiritual powers into his sword, mumbling about "13". Unit 06 prepares to barrage Niri again. Unit 08 acquires Trune as a target for another Purifier!
* Trune draws another pattern in the air, this time the wake is a strong blue color.
<Trune> You do that again and you're dead, sweets!
<Niri> Well guys, it was nice knowing you!
<Niri> Be sure to tell Tanan "I told you so" for me. :P
<TheStoryteller> [Valhalla-06] Resistance quotient higher than initial estimates. Success still probable.
<Ryllan> Tell him yourself, Niri.  I look like a messenger?
<Trune> Will do, but it ain't over yet!
<TheStoryteller> [Valhalla-08] Squad 50% strength. Continue assault. Virt... fzzt... mistress did not program failure as option.
<TheStoryteller> >> Battle Phase.
<Trune> Too bad, cuz I'll be more than happy to teach it to you!
<Niri> No, Ryllan, but you look considerably less bloody! But oh, all right, fine. I'd rather have the pleasure myself anyway.
* Niri prepares another Thunderbolt aimed at Unit 06.
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam is the first to act, finishing his chant. "Spirits of the past, fallen of my battles... the immortal battalion. Pride of the 13th... show it to me... striek together for Virtue's glory!"
<Niri> .....He's going to deprive us of the pleasure of a final blow, isn't he?
<Niri> Oh well, at least maybe that means we'll survive!Q
<TheStoryteller> >> Adam rushes forward at the Unit 06 targetting Niri in slow motion. AS he raises his sword, the vvision of 4 other Virtue soldier of old join him. A woman, Nicolette, stabs with her snide spear! It is followed by Turliss, the eccentirc swordsman! Covering fire from the small, but strong Popoi arrives, as a lumbering juggernaut of a skull smacks into the target. Finall Adam swings his sword, in a bright flash!
<TheStoryteller> >> 1569 damage! Unit 06 is obliterated, falling off the ramparts to her death!
<TheStoryteller> >> the last ghost Joe gives a thumbs up to Adam before vanishing into the ether. ;)
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] THanks guys.
<Niri> Thanks Adam...
<Trune> Soooo, miss Negative Nancy, what was this about dying?
<Niri>  Me trying to irritate you! :D
* Trune drops his voice to a melodramatic falsetto, "Ooohhh, give my final regards to Tanan, the hour is nigh! I grow weak! Ooohhhh!" *cough* Note I make fun of your defeatist attitude and not the fact you're bleeding like a hemophilliac, by the way.
<TheStoryteller> >> Unit 08, the lonely agressor, hesitates onlt briefly and aims to wipe Trune's smirk off his face with painful light rays.
<TheStoryteller> >> Purifier strikes TRune for 114 damage. He has no enchantments to dispel!
<Trune> Ow! Will you quit that! I like my skin!
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan's action.
<Niri> Very kind of you, Trune. Thank you. Also, it seems that bleeding profusely is in style today...
<Trune> Yeah it's freakin' poetic.
* Ryllan grins at Niri, "Like I said.  No dying today."  The herb is now glowing with the pure, cold light of applied will, "Enjoy."  he says, as the herb flies from his hand and drops into Niri's mouth easily.
<TheStoryteller> >> Ryllan Infuses the simple Dried Herb with additional latent healing powers, as Niri experiences a double healing effect nearly equivalent to a Jasmine. +320 HP! maxed.
* Niri snaps at it and barely catches it in her teeth. "Mmf!" Chews and swallows in the hopes of surviving long enough to punch Tanan in the teeth.
* Niri stands up straight. "ALL RIGHT DAMES, PREPARE FOR A BEATING!"
<Trune> Did you just call them 'dames'?
* Ryllan blinks, "...Wow.  I think I might've found my calling."
<TheStoryteller> Unfortunately, the lone angel remaining is a young male... you almost feel sad for him being enslaved. Such a waste...
<TheStoryteller> >> Trune's action.
<Trune> Rhythm of the tides! Awake and assail! Aqua Burst!
* Trune rears back with a sphere of water he draws from the moisture in the air. Quickly he pushes both hands forward, slamming the sphere into his target with impressive force!
<Niri> I think you have, Ryllan! Remind me to hug you later.
<TheStoryteller> >> TRune's spell seems a bit less effective this time. 144 damage.
<TheStoryteller> >> The angel remains aloft, however it is showing signs of fatigue..
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri's action.
<Niri> All right Sparky, get ready to fry! Even though you're a kinda cute guy. Shouldn't hang out with these crazies that fly! Thunderbolt, strike him right in the eye!
<Trune> ...I think you just wounded us all deeply and irreversiably by that line of poop that just flew out of your mouth.
<TheStoryteller> >> Niri's Thunderbolt indeed gets him right in the eye! 200 damage even!
<Niri> I've had a bad day. Cut me some slack.
<TheStoryteller> >> The boy slumps to his knee on the brick, a dazed look in his eyes as the circuit in his head sparks madly and gives out.
<TheStoryteller> >> VICTORY! 
<Trune> C'mon! We have to make sure she hasn't gotten to Ishtar!
<TheStoryteller> [Valhalla-08] System fail..ure... w..what have I...?
<Niri> FINALLY!
<Niri> Don't mess with Hiro's daughter! Or Lucia's, for that matter!
<TheStoryteller> The man suddenly vanishes into ghost wisps of black essence.
* Ryllan takes quick stock of the situation, looking for the other defenses and their attackers.
<TheStoryteller> >> The fractional party gains 1000 silver each, and 6 MXP!
<Niri> We'd better hurry to Ishtar.
* TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 20B: Avenging Angels | Location: New Raculi | Pools: 2287 §, 15 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/'
<TheStoryteller> Adam quickly surveys the damages from afar... it looks like the dfenders have held, as a cheer goes up from the brave Virtue Knights!
<TheStoryteller> However, not far away, one of the orbs has sustained damages, and promptly explodes in a burst of light!
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Oh crap...
<Niri> Uh oh....quick, let's find Ishtar!
* Niri bolts.
<TheStoryteller> [Adept] Nggh.. I'll be okay.. but... Horace! Oh, those cruel machanical demons!
* Trune bolts as well, following right next to Niri!
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Pull yourself together, man! Fix that thing quickly! If she finds out she mad a hole in the perimeter, Ishtar will be in danger of being attacked directly!
<TheStoryteller> « er made »
* Ryllan moves, dashing for Ishtar's sanctum.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Everyone, return to the cloister. I'll watch this front for more of them...
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] And whatever tricks you have up your sleeve, I suggest you get them ready...
* Ryllan looks back at Adam, "You're a target too, remember?"
<TheStoryteller> Adam shakes his head.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Actually... I'm not truly one of the 10 truth seekers.
<Ryllan> Right hten.
* Ryllan dashes onward.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] Everyone knows I fought with them on the side of preserving Lunar, but I wasn't one of the ones mentioned in the Prophecy.
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] It's a long story... don't worry. Just get over there. I will follow once I can get this breech fixed!
<TheStoryteller> [Adam] I'm counting on you to protect my wife!
<Trune> Right! We'll do our best!
* Ryllan curses bitterly as he runs onward, "Dammit.  We failed again."
<Niri> We haven't failed yet, Ryllan. Get your tricks ready. I've got that song of mine in the works, and I'll at least see what I can do.
<Niri> I think I may be able to interfere with her dissonance...
* Niri listens for any change in the harmonics of the temple!
<TheStoryteller> The trio rushes back to the Virtue cathedral complex, the air growing colder and a chill wind blowing in from the north. The shadows lengthen and the stalker draws nearer. Will Elementalors, song, and artful deflection be enough to win the day yet?
<TheStoryteller> == SESSION END ==
* TheStoryteller sets mode: -m
Session Close: Sat Jul 22 02:04:23 2006