Session Start: Sat Dec 08 21:26:28 2007 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * Logging for #lunar-iog2 started * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 60: The Dark Tetrad | Location: Crystal Spire | Pool: 8 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' == SESSION START == Following the events of the visit to Eden, Saturn said her goodbyes and rejoined her brothers and sisters on the moonbase, but not without laying Xavier to a peaceful comatose rest there. With Ryllan now repossessed by Noah, Angie MIA in timespace, and Xavier's soul in the Prophetess hands... it seemed as if a retreat to the safety of the SPire was in order. Niri and her protector Tanan headed upstairs quickly to have a private visit and checkup on the status of the encrystalled Lucia, while Ryllan fell into an exhausted sleep in the medical bays. This left the rest wondering what comes next -- Zophar was certainly going to use the lazarus project in the northlands to harm their homes, but a shadowy barrier still prevented teleportation & communication there. And with Leah presumably on the loose, as well.. As the Seekers of a new age stood beneath the gigantic stained glass cieling, as if waiting for a sign.. and soon it came. The depiction of the angel in the rooftop slaying the eight headed dragon seemed to sparkle in a way they did not remember seeing before. What was it? Hmm...it didn't do that before, did it? * Saki is pragmatic and doesn't especially pay it any mind; rather, she collapses back on the lift, tired, and if someone wants to give her, well, a lift, all well and good. * Vytor has spent much of his free time at the forge, going through his notes, making furious calculations, and otherwise reforging parts for the still not-quite working Stormrider. The tingle of sacred power and light eminates from the highest floor before the sanctuary of Lucia, splitting into four colored beams that shine on the four doors of red, blue, black & white. * DooM_GazE (~doomgaze@staff.lunarnet.org) has joined #lunar-iog2 * ChanServ sets mode: +o DooM_GazE * Mikel looks up from the staff, nearly dropping it as it flickers out of reality for a moment. "...no, it didn't." He raises his voice, hopefully able to be heard wherever in the place Vytor is. "OI! VYTOR!" * DooM_GazE is now known as Ryllan * Vytor looks up from the forge at the spire. Was someone calling his name? * Vytor decides to investigate just in case, and starts the shutdown sequence. * Saki lies prone on the lift, staring dully up the shaft. She looks tired, and a little beat up; she hasn't been kind to herself recently. What could be going on there? Before such chambers were nothing but barren waiting rooms and a crystalline cave with pedestals that once held something. perhaps something had changed since the last investigation. * Vytor heads inside to find Saki sprawled out on the lift. Raising an eyebrow, but not missing a step, he carefully walks around her and arranges to get the lift moving. "Taking a time out?" * Ryllan hear's Vytor's name called, and stumbles out of bed, a little bleary-eyed. He's not entirely sure what the call was, but it sounds interesting. * Mikel makes his way over to the lift, looking down at Saki before crouching. "...you need a healing spell or something?" Hey Mikel. Someone shout my name eariler? * Trune is busy glancing at both the depiction on the wall and the pillars of light, trying to make sense of what has happened. Already his scholar-face is on, and he's rummaging through his backpack for any books that might explain the phenomenon. This screams ancient shenanigans. * Mikel nods towards Vytor. "Yeah. Something's up." Literally, he points up to the light. * Saki responds to Vytor with a lucid and well-thought out "Blerrrrrrrrrrggggg," of noise. * Vytor looks up and frowns, "I don't remember that last time." * Mikel prods Saki with the half dematerialized staff with a raised eyebrow. * Ryllan , after a few minutes, emerges from the lift as well, looking at the lights, "What in all...." Trune's research reveals little of note as to this exact situation. He can only guess that something or someone wants them to go inside. Well, something wants to go exploring. * Saki actually opens one eye to regard Mikel as he abuses the poor staff. "... treat that thing well," she commands in a low mutter. Sure. You going to treat yourself decently? Yeah. Don't... play with that, Mikel. 's nasty. I understand why you're using it, but /be careful/. * Vytor walks along slowly, watching the spectacle and following one of the lights, his curiosity getting the better of him. * Mikel nods, straightening as he lifts the staff up to examine a bit more. "Yeah, I know. Anything /she/ used..." He trails off, making his way to another room out of curiosity. * Trune shrugs and decides to follow suit, heading towards one of the pillars of light. * Saki hauls herself to her feet with a toothy grin and a series of pops of her back. "... I always treat myself well. Besides, that thing's more venerable than you or me." * Ryllan heads toward the Black Room, "Watch your back." The pillars of light stop right on the surfaces of the colored marble and crystal inlaid chamber doors. * Saki frowns, and paces slowly after Ryllan. "... right now, I'd rather watch yours," she responds dully. Each door creaks open slightly as you approach it. * Vytor starts as the door marked by the red light opens by itself. * Trune quirks an eyebrow in surprise as the door with the white light opens by itself, "Classy." I definitely need to get a house made like this. * Ryllan just looks over his shoulder at Saki, then nods after a moment, pushing the black door open the rest of the way. * Mikel steps through the door, staff raised. * Vytor pushes the door the rest of the way open and looks inside, "Hello? Anyone there?" * Trune draws his athames just in case, and steps through the door. As each person enters the rooms, they find it much as they remember it. It is lonely and empty, but it doesn't feel as cold as it did before. Near the back of the chamber is a ball of light in the color of the chmaber, burning with an ethereal flame as it rests in the pedestal. I found a red burning ball...thingie! Ditto! Just blue! * Mikel does the sensible thing and approaches the ball of light. And Black! White for me. Kind of pretty in a way. That means I'm totally gonna get it. * Vytor remains wary. It IS burning after all. I don't remember any of this the last time we were here. * Saki tilts her head in a nod at the pedestal. "... I'm assuming that's mine." Approaching the lights, they flame subtly, and a voice echoes in harmony. "Welcome, brave ones." * Trune gulps slightly and readies himself, stepping towards the white ball of light, "Well, here goes nu--what!? Who said that?" Whoa. Talking burning ball thingie. * Mikel tilts his head. "I don't know if it is a good or bad sign that I'm not surprised." [Aura] We are what remains of the flames of the four great servants of Althena. [AUra] The breath of life of dragons. ...wow. * Saki keeps quiet, only watching and waiting for the speech to end. (w) Is this some sort of recording? [Aura] We are the embers of an age that has passed into the mists of time; but yet we burn dimly, awaiting the time when we will once again be needed to fight the Destroyer. ...I'd wager a guess that time's coming up real fast. Seeing as he's starting to cause trouble already. [Aura] Your champion is already making her journey to this inevitable conflict... * Ryllan waits. [Aura] We can no longer give you our gifts, but we can give you wisdom. [Aura] And, sadly, warn you of what trials you next face. The dark side of our existences. * Saki silently sinks to the floor, sitting in the doorway of her and Ryllan's room. [Aura] The Dark Dragonmaster arises again, commanding the four fiends. Until she is brought low, you will never be able to face Zophar. Dark Dragonmaster? * Mikel leans against the staff, frowning. "Leah. Lovely." * Vytor opens his notepad, and starts writing. * Saki snorts, a grin smile on her face. "... I'm not seeing how this changes anything." «ooc: grim » [Aura] The barrier they form about his citidel will thwart your efforts to progress. To return west, you must first go east. [Aura] defeat the 4 Fiends of red, blue, black & white... the twisted reflection of us, a Dark Tetrad... and return here with their essences. [Aura] Then the barrier can be unlocked, and the ritual of summoning be stopped. * Mikel frowns even more. "Don't suppose you can point us towards where they are beyond 'east'?" [Aura] In the far east, beyond the deserts of the Blue Star, lies a kingdom that has stood ever since the devestation War. . o O (A kingdom?) The desert? Man, if we have to fight that tank again... [Aura] The fiendish dragons are stealing souls of the populace to feel their own dim flames and grow stronger. As they do so, ZOphar gains more himself. * Ark is now known as Aleph [Aura] Though the civilization may scorn you, remain true to your heroic spirits and save them from this calamity. * Saki tilts her head once. "By 'stood ever since': there are still people ther--" She frowns as she gets her answer, considering it. How did they- unimportant. . o O (People survived the devistation war?) Resiliant bastards...they gotta be. * Mikel lets out a whistle. "Well then. Hopefully they don't do more than scorn us then." [Aura] One of you now carries their currency in his pockets. [Aura] And another... their blood in their veins. * Mikel ...starts patting his pockets, pulling out that note from the city ruins. "...I'll be dammed." The note Mikel pulls out clearly states it's from the 'Chiense government". (Chinese) One of us has their blood in their veins? Who? Chinese, huh? Eh? How is that possible? the flames do not seems to answer Trune's question. * Trune squits a bit, putting a hand on the side of his head. * Saki huffs out a breath and shakes her head lightly. "... anything else?" [Aura] ...it is... we... there is not much power left in these old walls. [Aura] Do what you must -- and save your race from repeating the great sin... time is growing very short... The voices starts to crackle and die out, like a fire being slowly smothered. * Vytor takes rapid notes, hoping not to miss anything. Mm. Sin? Odd. Sin...what are they talking about? The colored balls of fire burn quietly now, wisps of soul energy rising up as if smoke. ...Guess we go east. * Saki stands up without comment, brushing herself off. * Mikel tucks the note away, regarding the ball of fire for a couple more moments. * Vytor waits a few moments more, then flips his notebook shut. Well, that was interesting. * Ryllan watches the fire burn. ...mm, thanks. * Mikel turns and steps out of the room. * Vytor goes back to join the others. * Trune steps out of the room as well. * Saki looks considerably tempted to poke the ball of eldritch flame. Everyone still have their fingers and toes? Yeah. Think so. Don't, Saki. Yep. This all checks out it seems, too. * Ryllan walks out of the black room, "Okay, first question. Do we trust them?" Do we have a reason not to? * Mikel nods towards Ryllan. "Emili's confirmed that there are four fiends at least." At the very least Leah is there. I certainly believe she's strong enough to control those four...fiend things and hinder our progress. * Ryllan frowns, "Noah confirms the history at least." So what is east of this place? Lotsa landmass. More desert apparently, then this kingdom. Which we're entitled to... * Mikel checks the note again. ...A hundred thousand Yuans and interest. SO how is it that people survived the devistation war? I thought everyone who didn;t make it to the Silver Star died off. That's a pretty good question. I guess they didn't after all. Stories can get mangled after all. Look at the whole story on the Unravelling * Mikel tucks th enote away again, sparing a glance up where Niri and Tanan are for a moment or two before chuckling. "True." Maybe they got lucky. * Vytor goes over his notes again Let's see, there was the point about currency, and the bloodline. Any thoughts? The currency is that note we found in those city ruins near the landing. It's not me as far as I know. * Vytor notes that. Bloodline... hrm * Saki shakes her head as she finally steps out of the room. "... mm. The currency part is easy enough. But we don't have nearly enough information on what the place was like to guess the who." I would assume it would only refer to those who were born here rather than on the Silver Star and made the trip. * Mikel closes his eyes, thinking. "...well maybe... wait, are you... what..." * Trune hmms and rubs his chin, apparently in deep thought. So what, that would mean anyone here under 19 or so? * Mikel frowns, opening his eyes. "...need to ask a few questions before I wager any guesses on the bloodline. Hrm." Not necessarily. We've made ocean crossings. I don't follow. They might have crossed the ocean too, you think? If there's a civilization that's been /here/ all this time, they could be using technology at a rate much higher than ours. They could have crossed and found... /us/. OK, so how does that tie in with one of us? * Saki shrugs one shoulder. "... not to be blunt, but the easier question is who knows their birthplace?" * Trune is very quiet. He seems to be going over something in his mind. * Vytor considers Saki's point in silence. * Mikel lets out a groan. I have a vague guess, but... * Ryllan looks at Mikel, "hmm?" * Mikel shakes his head. "Need more concrete info." Though... what do folks know about the Vile Tribe? If anything? Vile Tribe? Not a lot really. Those that made it across tend to keep to themselves from what I gather. Lived on the far side of Lunar, tribalistic, leaders tattooed themselves. Odd technology. Tattooed themselves? * Trune looks like he's once again pondering something in his mind. * Mikel shrugs. "Apparently. I'm getting all of this from Emili." * Saki blinks in blank confusion. I don't get the connection. Their technology was similar to the old stuff around here, too. Emili thinks they might have gone to Lunar a different way. * Vytor opens his notepad again, and starts writing * Trune mumbles to himself, "Maybe...are they one in the same...?" * Saki sighs out at length, sinking to the floor again and lazing up against a wall. So...the nation to the east is of the Vile Tribe? Or maybe the humans that fought for them? You all notice the little ice mongrel Shiro sleeping by the elevator, like he's waiting for Niri to come back. I suppose we'll know for sure once we go east. How are we on supplies? Well, we may want to stock up a bit before we head off. As much as we can. Things are starting to look thin in the cargo hold. Yeah...I have a bad feeling this could take a while. Hope I'm wrong. So do I, but I'd rather have extra supplies then. We can't deprive the base camp either. No, but we can try assemble what we can. Either from base camp or what we can scrounge from around here. * Mikel chuckles. "Hunting time?" ...I need to send a message to the labs asking why the hell they had me bugged, too. * Saki nods curtly. "... I can help with that. Or at least identify some of what should be safe." That'd help a lot. OK, let's say we take some time and do what we can locally. We have enough supplies to stay here a bit longer before we need to make critical decisions. Right. I've got a hunch on something, but I want to research it more before I open my mouth. In the meantime, we should try to ration what we have, and see how well fortune smiles on our efforts. * Mikel snickers. "Same, but I don't think I can research much more. I'll help with getting food together." Who here has experiences along those lines? I know I'd make a better gatherer than a hunter. * Trune gives Mikel a sidelong glance at the 'research more' line. He looks vaugely cross. I'm not much use at a distance, unfortunately. ...Uh, I could probably freeze anything with legs you want to eat. Or stun it. I can spot things, but getting close enough to do a takedownis... tricky. * Saki grins unpleasantly. "We're both pretty good." Poor animals. OK, how about this. Saki and Mikel go hunting, Mikel can freeze or stun stuff, and Saki can bring it down. Ryllan can come with me and prevent me from grabbing anything poisonous. Trune can stay here and finish his research. Sound good? * Mikel lifts a finger. "As long as Rachel doesn't still want to pitch me off a cliff." Sounds good ^^ * Saki just beams, which ends up extremely unnerving. «ooc: Er, wrong window! ;) Trune would never ^^. IT IS A LIE! » Works for me. << hehe. >> * Mikel stares at Saki with an expression of mock horror before sighing. Sounds all right. You guys go have fun killing things. I'll be here. OK, lets meet back here before the sun sets, and we'll see what we can manage. Just stay away from cliff edges, Mikel. Thanks for the advice. And so the hunting and forgaing parties set out to see what they can scrounge up. Thankfully, the world beyond is a lush place and nature has boutiful gifts, some of which fortunately don't run away as well as others... The hunting trip completed, they come back with a mix of foodstuffs and animal meat (not to mentioned a Mikel staying far away from Saki. SHiro looks excited to see them, and it looks like the lift with Niri is descending as well. * Vytor hefts a sack of foraged items, but its definitely not a full sack. Evidently, picking wasn't that good. * Mikel is over there. Away from Saki. He seems to be muttering about not wanting to get eviscerated by an annoyed Rachel like a rabbit. * Niri steps off the lift, waving to the others. "Been out hunting?" Hey Niri. Yeah. * Saki walks back into the spire, completely unconcerned about the couple of strings of dead bits of animal hanging off her back. It seems we're going the long way around. Figured we should stock up. * Mikel looks up from his mutterings, managing a grin now. "Yeah... we got pointed east." The magic burning balls of dragon breath said so (intoned with a straight face) Session Time: Sun Dec 09 00:00:00 2007 That's a way of puttin' it. Oh, are we? There's really no way of getting around the barrier, huh? * Trune is leaning against the wall, a book propped in his lap. He waves once to the group before going back into his research. Evidently not, but apparently we have things to do in the east. * Niri waves to Trune, noticing him as the lift goes silent once more. Like what, Vytor? * Niri leans against the wall a little ways down from Trune, sticking her hands in her pockets. "You'd better tell me what happened while I was checking on Mom." * Vytor flips open his notebook * Mikel glances at Trune. "Progress with the research?" * Trune quirks a lip, glancing at Niri, "A bit, yeah." There's apparently a kingdom out there that survived the devistation war, plus it seems like there's some dragon fiends there that are helping Zophar gain more power. We're to defeat the fiends, take their...magic gumballs of darkness or something, and bring them back here. * Trune tries to bite back a chuckle at Vytor's mention of magic gumballs. He can't quite help himself. * Mikel raises an eyebrow, making a slight head motion towards Niri while Vytor explains things. * Vytor loses the levity in his face, "And Leah might be there as well." Magic...gumballs? And a surviving kingdom to the east? *She frowns* I hope that's not anything like the creepy things in Bluetooth. It's not. * Niri 's expression darkens slightly at the mention of Leah. Well...not really. It... might be humans, it might be Vile Tribe I think. That's not a surviving kingdom. Maybe the people in bluetooth could be said to have survived, but not thier civilization Well, yeah, but so far it's the closest we've seen to surviving humans from before the Unraveling. So...hmm. Humans or Vile Tribe? We're not sure. But Mikel apparently has a lot of their money, and one of us is of their bloodline. Yeah... a hundred thousand yuans plus interest, however much that is. As far as bloodline goes... * Mikel shrugs. * Vytor sits down, dumps out the contents of his sack, and starts organizing them for Saki's perusal. * Niri blinks. "Their...bloodline? Then...hmm." Shiro nuzzles Niri's feet, looking up at her curiously. Any idea what that might all be about? * Niri smiles down at Shiro and pats him absently. Not sure really. It sounds a little far-fetched to me. * Trune looks like he wants to say something, but stops himself, "Not entirely sure." I... have a guess or two from what Emili's said, but I need more information. Well...I guess I don't see what the /point/ is. Is there some reason we need to know that? Some reason it matters? Oh? What did Emili say? * Vytor shrugs, as he continues to sort. Not unless the bloodline makes you liable to go crazy and attack us. ...point, Ryllan. * Saki coughs politely. * Saki slides a tired glare Ryllan's way. Which, as we've noticed, isn't actually that far-fetched. Emiria... *he shakes his head* Maybe we should hire some kind of shrink, just for a safety net?....I'm only half kidding on that, honest. * Mikel groans. "Do you feel the need to throttle those you travel with?" * Niri sighs. "Yeah, Emiria. That's a good point. So...one of our group might go nutso when we go east, huh? Great, just what we need." And Trune, sounds great. Let us know when you find one. ;) You'd have to pay him top silver to come with us, I think. * Vytor finishes sorting out his meager findings, and settles back to listen while the others talk. Not sure how successful you'd be! Haven't seen too many psychologists yet on our journey. Maybe that should be my new calling. Trune, Elemental Gimmick Psychiatrist! ...It has a nice ring to it. * Niri chuckles. You know, if I wanted people to stab me with blunt objects. * Mikel raises a finger, a spark of electricity flickerind around it. "Electroshock therapy." * Niri peers over at the book. "So what have you found out there?" Ooh, I shouldn't be surprised you're into that, Mikel, yet for some reason I kind of am! *cough* Anyway...! * Vytor looks over at Saki, "So how'd the hunting work out?" * Niri blinks at Trune strangely. ...and I didn't think anything could horrify me more than.. * Mikel shakes his head. I try. Hunting... went... well. ...I don't want to go hunting with Saki anymore though. Rachel's scary. Anyway, in all seriousness, here's what I found out. * Saki holds up a brace of rabbits, nodding in satisfaction. "Well enough." ....Scary how? or do I want to know? I looked up what I could on the Vile Tribe. They were really mutated things that lived on Lunar away from Althena's light. Think we could score more with a second day's work? There's a few more spots I wanted to look at. They lived on Lunar. * Niri makes a face. "So how on earth is any of us supposed to be part of their bloodline? We're a little nuts sometimes, but I don't think any of us counts as a mutant..." They don't fit the profile, I don't think. And yeah, that's a good point, too. If they were on Lunar, how could they be here too? I think some maybe crossed over. Remember Angharad? I think she was part of the vile tribe...or maybe a decendant. Mm... she isn't with us now, though. Hmm...really? Interesting. But yeah, unless she suddenly parachutes out of nowhere... They were considered mutants...really warped bodies and what not, with strange tattoos. * Saki tilts her head in agreement. "Mm. I don't mind another few trips to stock up." * Vytor indicates his and Ryllan's findings, "See anything useful?" Anyway, that's...most of what I found out. Huh. Warped bodies, how? Were lots of them kind of animal-ish, like Angharad? * Saki sets the strings of meat down after carefully laying out a blanket for them, before sitting down cross-legged next to it and pulling the sack over. Tugging a glove on she drags out a handful of bits and pieces and starts to sift. Some, some were really twisted...monster like. * Mikel nods. Hmm. There were humans that fought for them, too... Apparently where they lived was a really harsh enviroment. They had to stick the really twisted and weak ones in pod like rejuvination devices to survive. That suggests they probably have some techonolgical know-how. At least a little. * Niri blinks. "That's...disturbing." Hmm. I wonder if it's anything like the crystal where Mom is now... It sounds like, doesn't it? It'd make sense. * Niri nods I wouldn't be surprised if they lived much the same way here, if that's what this civilization really is. They'd have to, to survive the messed up environment for so long. * Vytor waits for Saki's appraisal. At any rate... east it is then. Right. * Saki bites on a nut with a loud cracking sound and a piece of shell pinging off into the distance, then digs out the centre to inspect it. I had an odd feeling it might come to this. * Niri perks up. But that means we'll get to explore even further, and see MORE stuff no one's seen since the Devastation Wars! ...as long as it does not involve more frickin' tanks Being blown up is something I do not want to repeat. Right. No tanks for you. Yeah, you used up your tank quota for the month. For the decade, I'd say. I'll have to cancel my new year's plans. * Niri gives Mikel a dire glare. "You'd better!" ...Either that or take me along. ...scary look. ...no. You're banned from tanks. Awwwww. You're no fun. * Ryllan (~doomgaze@staff.lunarnet.org) Quit (Ping timeout) I'd rather Hiro not kill me. ...Why do I get the impression Hiro would think it ...Why do I get the impression Hiro would think it'd be awesome to chase a tank? ...shuddap Trune you're not helping. * DooM_GazE (~michaela@dynamic-66-102-73-34.wtccommunications.ca) has joined #lunar-iog2 * ChanServ sets mode: +o DooM_GazE * DooM_GazE is now known as Ryllan * Niri snickers That reminds me of a funny story I have to tell you guys sometime. * Saki spits out one berry moments after she's put it in her mouth, inspecting the inside for a moment. "... not that one." She turfs out another, tossing it towards Vytor for reference, and starts separating it. Wasn't a tank, though. It was some kind of six-foot-tall security droid. * Vytor snags the item from mid-air and looks it over. See, security droids are totally a different case. It had machine guns. Did it have a BIG gun? Heck yeah. I don't believe you. Should've heard Mom chewing Dad out after he and I ran into that thing! 'Course he was grinning all through the scolding. ...why do I get the feeling I should be more afraid of your mother? Either way! No tank for you, young lady. It kinda depends. Mom's scarier, but Dad's more likely to get you killed. Well, to hear Mom tell it anyway. But he's never been killed YET! Nor gotten me killed, so ha. You're still not allowed near the tank. If I have to freeze your legs together to accomplish this I'll do it. * Niri sticks out her tongue. * Mikel raises a finger. "I can freeze that too." * Vytor (DNW@c-67-180-33-225.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: ) And thus the next goal was decided. With both provisions and direction, the seekers head to the mountains far to the east past Mesopotamia. Will they find hope or scorn, as the spirits say? Tune in next week. == SESSION END == >> 25 xp! Session Close: Sun Dec 09 01:02:46 2007