|session start| |we find our valiant heroes sitting around a fire in the cave of trials. raena has fallen fast asleep in the corner of the cave, with az snoring away on top of her. how...uh...nevermind| [19:42] ....... [19:42] * zepp|delinius yawns [19:42] * Celes sighs [19:42] ... [19:42] * Donovan stares at the fire. [19:43] good to see everybody so cheery [19:43] ..... [19:44] ... [19:45] * Vassago` chuckles [19:45] ..... [19:45] What's so funny Vassago? [19:45] what's so funny Vass? [19:45] tomorrow is the start of the solstice [19:46] ......we were never aloud to celebrate in the vile tribe...so it is of no revalence to me [19:47] The solstice, I almost forgot. [19:47] is it tomorrow already? my my...where has the time gone [19:47] .......... [19:47] too bad zepp won't be around to celebrate it. I get the feeling he never has before. [19:47] * Rethwyn` shakes his head [19:48] i havn;t either..so he won;t be alone.. [19:48] well, its never too late to start, now is it rethwyn? [19:48] ...well..no..thats not true...i did ..once that i can remeber [19:48] perhaps it can be your redemption [19:48] ....it was the day my father was killed [19:48] I used to love the Solstice. [19:48] * Vassago` laughs [19:48] me too Donny [19:49] redemption [19:49] hah.. [19:49] Right...reth's gift to us this year will be another visit by our moron dragon friends [19:49] redemption for a vile tribe...thats funny.. [19:49] so when do you plan on sendin' em after us again, ol rethy ol pal? [19:50] .....my actions and motives are none of your concern vassago.. [19:50] Nowadays, I don't know... [19:50] well, they are when they involve the death of everyone else [19:50] your hands are more soiled then mine,so you have no room to talk,charlitan. [19:50] that is what you're after, isn't it? [19:50] * Rethwyn` glances at vassago [19:51] why i helped them is none of your buisness... [19:51] hey, now cut it out you two...this is hardly the spirit of the solstice [19:51] Vass...leave him alone [19:51] Calm down Reth. [19:51] * Vassago` chuckles and leans back against the wall "well, its your funeral call" [19:51] ....... [19:52] we could say the same thing about letting you be here [19:52] besides, all of you youngsters could never understand the true spirit of the solstice [19:52] do any of you even remember how it started? [19:52] * Celes shakes her head [19:52] .......the solctice is the day althena brought the life of the blue star here to lunar [19:52] the vile tribe kept records as to why to preach against it [19:52] can;t hate somthing you don;t understand,after all [19:53] How could I forget? My master crammed that fact into me. [19:53] not bad vile boy...I can remember the first solstice, it was a most beautiful time to live [19:53] i'm shure it was,if it came before us.. [19:53] we never celebrated it [19:53] it was a tribute to althena after all [19:53] heresy [19:53] and holidays made for a weak warrior anyway [19:53] * zepp|delinius chuckles [19:54] ah, how history becomes deformed throughout the passage of time [19:54] the first solstice ever... [19:54] ...I couldn't begin to imagine it. [19:54] the first solstice was simply a celebration of life, a celebration of peace and unity [19:54] I keep forgetting you dragons live such an incredibly long life... [19:55] Too bad those days are gone. [19:55] peace and unity with life besides vile is heresy too.. [19:55] * Rethwyn` smirks [19:55] People from all across the world gathered together on that day to celebrate their existence...yes rethwyn, even the vile tribe. the dragon,s the vile tribe, humans, they all came together [19:55] * Celes nods in agreement with Donny [19:55] we have alot of heresy charges in the vile tribe [19:56] we existed then? [19:56] not in your present form today [19:56] i thouyght the vile tribe was the banished tribe on lunar,long after it was populated with life [19:56] condemed to the wasteland. [19:56] yes, you were condemned, but you lived among the humans for a while [19:57] ...it was our own fault.. [19:57] though neither humans nor vile would admit it [19:57] of course i'll probibly be put to death by some rouge band after this if we live for saying that [19:57] the viletribe made there overly proud decision,now there decendants must live with it... [19:58] you need only live with it if it is your choice to live with it [19:58] and besides rethwyn, by travelling with these people here, have you not made the first step in breaking away from the vile dogma? [19:58] Tell us Delenius: what is the Solstice now? [19:58] it's all i know anyway... [19:59] ....i'm traveling with these people because of an honor debt..it has nothing to do with breaking my faith from the viletribe [19:59] the principle of the solstice remains the same, but the actions of the people do not. Up until about 3000 years ago, the entire world used to gather together at the centermost location of the planet. a huge statue of the goddess althena used to exist there, taller than the tallest buidling ever erected [19:59] taller then the blue spire? [20:00] but one year, how could i forget, the statue disappeared [20:00] yes, taller [20:00] But it was destroyed, right? [20:00] no remnants of the statue have ever been found [20:00] not a single piece of it [20:00] ...... [20:00] what was the blue star like? [20:00] and ever since then, the world has lost its unity [20:01] * Rethwyn` glances up from his dark corner,over the fire at delinus [20:01] the blue star is a truly desolate place [20:01] but what it lacked in nature, it made up for in the will of people [20:01] * Donovan keeps staring that the fire. [20:01] that's why this planet had such high expectations to be a utopia [20:01] did you see it when it was being made? [20:02] it combined the best aspects of nature and humanity [20:02] .... [20:02] I have witnessed the becoming of mankind from its first day [20:03] * Vassago` rolls his eyes [20:03] don't you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk, old man? [20:03] * Celes glances over to Vassago [20:03] do you ever tire of making snide remarks and spreading dissent and hate wherever you go? [20:03] * Celes sighs [20:03] * zepp|delinius looks over at vassago [20:03] okay then, why don't YOU share something with the group vassago? [20:03] * Donovan shakes his head. [20:04] * Vassago` rolls his eyes again [20:04] come on Vass [20:05] I couldn't tell you about the only solstice I remember, its much too harsh for the young kiddies in the audience [20:05] ... [20:05] meaning donovan and celes? [20:05] * Celes looks around the room [20:05] I think we can take it Vass [20:06] * Donovan glares at Rethwyn. "Shut up!" [20:06] yes, i'm sure I wouldn't want to ruin their virtuous purity [20:06] * Vassago` chuckles [20:06] * Donovan stares at Vassago. [20:06] then again... [20:06] i was merely interpeting what vassago was saying [20:06] * Vassago` looks over at celes [20:06] she does seem to like to mess around with the older men, so maybe she could take it [20:06] * Vassago` grins [20:07] * Celes looks down to the ground and shakes her head [20:07] * Donovan looks back to the fire. [20:07] you always have to be like that don't you...? [20:07] he enjoys it.. [20:07] it truly is in your blood [20:07] why no...certainly not. Sometimes I can be mean too [20:08] * Vassago` chuckles [20:08] well, do you want to hear my little story or not? [20:08] ..the vile tribe wasn;t formed for vegence or to wind up like vassago...it was just to survive [20:08] yes [20:09] okay then. as you may or may not know, its a tradition of the followers of zophar to spend the 12 days of the solstice doing as many sinful things as possible [20:10] I was never really too keen on any of that zophar stuff anyway, so I usually just spent the 12 days drinking my life away, so I wouldn't remember any of the crazy stuff that went on then [20:10] I could tell you some things about the dark dragons that would blow your wee little minds away, but I'll diverge from all of that [20:11] the only real memory of the solstice I have was around 20 years ago...It was the 6th or 7th day, I don't remember all too clearly, cause I was drunk off my butt at the time [20:12] but I remember waking up in my bed, and there was a strange light all around me, and the most beautiful song I had ever heard. It sounded almost exactly like her's.. [20:12] * Vassago` points to celes [20:12] ... [20:12] but it disappeared as soon as I tried to concentrate on it, and the next thing I knew, I was unconcious again [20:12] ..... [20:12] who was singing it...? [20:13] ..... [20:13] of course....there was the sex too [20:13] but I'll skip that [20:13] * Celes sighs [20:13] unless Donny wants to hear some of it.. [20:13] * Vassago` looks at donny [20:13] does it turn you on boy? [20:13] a singing voice like hers..i've heard a voice like hers before too..but thats not a solstice story nor somthing i'd divulge [20:13] * Donovan doesn't acknowledge Vassago. [20:13] remember that dragon lady who was here yesterday? [20:14] hoo boy, I think you'd like her Donny boy [20:14] * Donovan begins to growl. [20:14] she's into that whole domination thing [20:14] * Celes glances over at reth, but then turns her attention back to the mounting anger in the group [20:14] i can only remeber celebrating the solstice once |ahem...now allow us to diverge for a little bit so we can check on aki| |warp speed captain.....cue dimensional warp music| |and now....we're back in vane! hooray. we find ourselves in the dungeon beneath the ex-home of the magic guild| |and yes...that's where aki is, surrounded by a few other people of questionable integrity| [20:17] * StrangeMan1 looks at the girl crouched in the corner [20:17] * Aki` slouches in the corner, exuding anti-sociality to avoid contact with any of the strange looking people around her and tryin with all her might to convince herself that she's not scared [20:18] * StrangeMan1 walks over to her, but stops about 5 feet in front of her [20:18] what a way to spend the solstice huh? [20:18] * Aki` looks up at him and gives him an icy glare [20:18] Believe it or not, I've had worse. [20:19] oh..? I can't think of much worse than this. [20:19] I can. [20:19] * Aki` looks away to end the conversation [20:19] . o O ( ...go away, dirty nasty thing >_< ) [20:19] my entire family was killed in the take over of vane...my daughter was just about your age.. [20:20] . o O ( ...damnit ) [20:20] * StrangeMan2 slowly creeps up behind strange man 1 [20:20] ...sorry [20:20] how'd you get in here? [20:20] I got... uhmn... separated from the people I was traveling with and then I got caught. [20:20] * StrangeMan2 peeks over strange man 1's shoulder [20:21] oh [20:21] ooooohhhhh....she's a pretty one isn't she??? [20:22] * Aki` tenses visibly and glares at him [20:22] * StrangeMan1 jumps a bit, turns around, and punches the scumbag square in the face [20:22] ...you come one fucking step close and you'll-- [20:22] * Aki` blinks [20:22] * StrangeMan2 falls down, and does weird stuff that scumbags do [20:23] I guess working 20 years as an althena guard can pay off sometimes, huh? [20:23] You were an Althena Guard? [20:23] * Aki` looks at him skeptically [20:23] * StrangeMan1 nods [20:24] I was only of the lucky ones....I guess. most of them were killed in the battle. But then again, maybe they were the lucky ones [20:25] ...I hear that. [20:25] * StrangeMan1 sighs, and his eyes begin to sparkle [20:25] . o O ( ...this is all that dumb ass Vassago's fault... ) [20:25] oh, you should have seen the gift I got my daughter for the solstice this year [20:25] it would have made her so happy [20:25] Oh, yeah? [20:25] Uhmn... what was it? [20:26] it was an entrance to the magic school. it was her life long dream....every day she would pass by the magic guild on her way to school, and I would see the sparkle in her eyes. It took me 11 years of saving every penny I could, and I was finally able to get one [20:27] * StrangeMan1 begins to shudder [20:27] i'm sorry, i'm just ranting...I know things are tough for all [20:27] * StrangeMan1 walks away [20:28] ..... [20:28] Hey |a door can be heard opening in the distance| [20:28] * Reldayne walks in [20:28] * Aki` blinks and looks up at him [20:28] * Reldayne looks around the cell and his eyes stop on aki [20:28] * Aki` scrambles to her feet immediately, launching into her favourite curses [20:29] well well....look at what we have here |HAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOW WE'RE GONNA LEAVE YOU IN ALL IN SUSPENSE AND GO BACK TO THE CAVE!!!!!!!!!!!| [20:29] ..... [20:30] so rethwyn, you say you've celebrated the solstice once? [20:30] i doubt anyone wants to hear about it...but yes [20:30] that i can remeber..i'm shure it celebrated it more [20:30] just..to young for me to remeber [20:30] I'd like to hear it [20:31] Try Reth. [20:31] * Vassago` chuckles [20:31] I'd LOVE to hear how vile boy celebrated "life" [20:31] considering its the one thing he's never had [20:31] ......i didn;t really get to celebrating... [20:32] as you all prbobily know.. [20:34] * Vassago` yawns [20:34] we don't have all solstice vile boy [20:34] what was it like...? [20:34] when numbers are low enouygh..a few of the more..promiscuous females of the vile tribe sneak out of the wasteland....and have children fathered by men on this side... [20:34] ooh, I like it already [20:35] they stay long enough to give birth,and then disapere without a trave,leaving the bastarded children with the father [20:35] and come back for them when there old enough to carry weight of work.. [20:35] usually about 5.. [20:35] hehe, how deliciously cruel [20:35] ...i am one such child.. [20:35] * Celes shakes her head in disgust at Vass's crude remarks [20:35] ..and wouldn;t you know it,i'm one of those bastard children.. [20:36] * Vassago` looks at celes "would you do that to your lovely little zepp?" [20:36] my time ran out on the solstice.... [20:36] ...my father had raised me for 5 years now.. [20:36] * zepp|delinius throws a stone at vassago [20:36] he's where i learned the lessons of honor from.. [20:36] don't insult my body like that [20:36] it stuck with me ever sence.. [20:37] don't forget, if zepp ever does wake up, he will inherit my memory [20:37] he was a kind,honorable man....unfortunatly not to knowledgibly about the oposite sex and too innocent minded [20:37] all of it Delinius? [20:37] he was easily seduces by my mother [20:37] forever...? [20:37] yes, he and I will become one [20:38] is there a chance that his memory could be messed up because of it...? [20:38] .......i woke up one day on my own..things unusually quiet [20:38] ...i walked out into the main room of our small remote cottage/house and found my fathers dead body [20:38] there is always a chance he won't remember a thing [20:38] laying on the floor,two puncture holes in his neck [20:38] but I wouldn't worry [20:38] * Celes nods slightly [20:39] * zepp|delinius looks at rethwyn [20:39] * Celes looks back over to Reth [20:39] your...what? [20:39] ...i was knocked out from behind and draged off ruffly.......i saw my mother with the last few glimpses of conscionceness..when i woke up,i was in the wasteland... [20:39] .... [20:39] in the training area [20:39] * Donovan just keeps staring at the fire. [20:39] i was raised vile sence then [20:39] ....and that was the only celebration of life i remeber.. [20:39] so you aren't...full vile? [20:40] ..sense then i've worked as hard as i could,rising in ranks..for one reason [20:40] * zepp|delinius nods [20:40] to kill my mother.... [20:40] that would explain it [20:40] no..i'm not full vile [20:40] * zepp|delinius seems suddenly in a happier mood [20:40] i'm suprised i made it as high as dark acolyte as a half blood.. [20:40] probibly because vassago found my past comical [20:40] he's the one who got me the posistion [20:41] * Celes turns towards Vass [20:41] he did...? [20:41] ...and to my knowledge my fathers corpse is still laying on the floor [20:41] by now a skeleton [20:41] yes... [20:41] * Vassago` has a look of puzzlement on his face [20:41] you're a...half blood? how come I never knew? [20:41] according to what i was told.... [20:41] * Rethwyn` takes off hood [20:41] because i inherited my mothers physical features [20:42] i look like a vampire [20:42] i'm only a dampile though [20:42] the news of vassago helping me was good news.. [20:42] hrm.. [20:43] * Vassago` looks at delinius [20:43] * zepp|delinius nods back [20:43] ...because i knew for a fact him and my mother were jumping each others bones on the side [20:43] * zepp|delinius yawns [20:43] simply put huh...? [20:43] it wasn;t easy tracking her down to vassago,probibly because she's smart..smart enough vassago never noticed he was being used, [20:43] and probibly still dosn;t know [20:44] ..and thats it [20:44] its getting late.....how about you celes? anything to share with your gracious followers? [20:44] i've been hunting my mother ever sence..blah blah blah [20:44] my first solstice was in Vane...with my newfound father [20:44] * Donovan looks at Celes, listening to her. [20:45] * Vassago` chuckles [20:45] does nobody in this damn group remember their past? its kinda scary [20:46] ..... [20:46] i remeber my father. thats it, and thats enough for me.. [20:46] I never knew my real parents, I met my father when I was too young to remember...he took me in and cared for me like his own...I loved him like a father, and I still do [20:46] * Donovan shakes his head no. [20:47] I guess it wasn't a great solstice. He wasn't rich or anything I mean, but I actually had a father...it was a great feeling... [20:49] * Donovan grins at the thought. [20:49] he taught me some magic, then enrolled me into the magic school at the age of 5. He also taught me how to sing, but you guys are the first people to hear me...besides my father I mean [20:49] .....your voice reminds me of someone..were you always so good a it? [20:49] * Celes nods [20:50] .... [20:50] it was easy...it makes me feel good [20:51] I guess I don't really have any tragedy...sorry to disappoint you Vass... [20:51] * Celes cracks a smile [20:51] * Vassago` chuckles [20:51] no really, you've warmed my heart [20:51] up to it;s highest ever,-35 [20:52] * Vassago` laughs [20:52] why reth, that's the first wise crack I've ever heard out of you [20:52] who knows, maybe I could begin to like you half blood [20:52] and i could begin to tolerate you,as long as you don;t make snide remarks about my human father. |okay....back to vane again| [20:53] * Reldayne walks up to aki [20:53] * Aki` glares at him [20:53] ..what the hell do you want, bastard? [20:54] so, we've finally managed to capture the beautiful young Aki. I must commend Ghaleon on his good work [20:54] what do I want? [20:54] well, I'm just looking for some solstice cheer [20:54] the beginning of the solstice festival begins tonight at midnight [20:55] ..I know that [20:55] I thought you might like to accompany me. Zophar throws one hell of a festival, you know [20:55] why, you could even be the main event [20:55] ....I'd rather stay here. [20:55] * StrangeMan1 watches the two and listens to their conversation [20:55] What do you mean, asshole! [20:56] why, you don't know about the festival? [20:56] ....why would Zophar have a festival for Solstice?' [20:57] its a celebration against the goddess althena, and we kick it off with the sacrifical offering a virginal girl, to show our 'love' for the virgin Goddess [20:57] * StrangeMan1 raises an eyebrow [20:57] The hell are you getting at?! [20:57] * Reldayne looks around [20:58] . o O ( Ohhh goddess ;_; Please say he means sacrifice as in killing me ;_; ) [20:58] Do you see any other girls around? [20:58] unless...you didn't, did you? [20:58] * Aki` blushes despite herself [20:59] No!! >_< [20:59] excellent [20:59] . o O ( Damnit, that was stupid of me T_T ) [20:59] now, come with me girl [20:59] the celebration is about to begin [20:59] No >_< [20:59] * Reldayne casts a spell on aki, knocking her out cold [20:59] * Aki` collapses [20:59] such a fiesty one [20:59] * Reldayne picks her up and carries her off [21:00] * StrangeMan1 watches the two go off...creeps up to the cell door, and opens it without a problem [21:00] hehe...a simple rust spell was enough to stop it from locking [21:00] these evil folk aren't too bright [21:01] * StrangeMan1 creeps out the cell and follows reldayne |aki awakens about half an hour later in a small room, all by herself| [21:01] * Aki` pulls herself slowly to her feet, grimacing [21:01] ...what.... oh, yeah... shit. |The clock on the well reads 11:45...15 minutes before the start of the festival [21:02] * Aki` eyes the clock with a growing sense of dread [21:02] ...maybe they'll just kill me. [21:02] * Reldayne enters the room with a start, leaving the door open behind him [21:03] * Reldayne looks around [21:03] well, are you ready? [21:03] ....for what >_< [21:03] for the ceremony of course [21:03] * Aki` glares at him [21:03] Just what happens in your ceremony |the door slams shut| [21:03] * Aki` jumps [21:04] No! I won't let you do this to her! [21:04] * Reldayne turns around [21:04] You?! [21:04] what in blimey hell? [21:04] who the hell are you? [21:05] you took my daughter away from me! I won't allow you to do it to anyone else! [21:06] Get out of here, idiot! [21:06] why must these pathetic nuisances bug me all the time... [21:06] * Reldayne points his hand at the man and shoots a bolt of fire at him [21:06] Look out!! [21:07] * StrangeMan1 deflects the bolt right back to reldayne, hitting him in the leg [21:07] * Aki` blinks [21:07] * Reldayne chuckles [21:07] not bad...would you like to try again [21:08] althena....lend me your ultimate power to save this girl's life, so that no one may go through what I have....I give my life to destroy you! [21:08] what...what the hell |An intense white light starts to fill the room, surrounding Reldayne| [21:08] No!! Where is this power coming from!! [21:08] * Aki` shields her eyes, crying out [21:08] What in the hell?! [21:09] * StrangeMan1 takes a dagger out of his pocket and tosses it to aki [21:09] QUICK! DO IT NOW! [21:09] I...I can't move...what is going on!! [21:09] * Reldayne attempts to cast a spell, but nothing happens [21:09] * Aki` grabs the dagger, hesitating only a moment before stepping up to Reldayne [21:09] ....how's it feel to be helpless? [21:10] this...this can't be happening [21:10] this spell isn't supposed to exist [21:10] arghhh [21:10] * Aki` lifts the dagger, features twisting into a look of triumph and anger mixed together before she plunges the blade into his chest [21:10] ahhh.....ahhhhhhhhhh!!!! |Reldayne's body turns into a heaping pile of flames, and is turned to ashses in a matter of seconds| |the light disappears| [21:11] * Aki` stares at the pile of ashes, a good deal paler than usual [21:11] * StrangeMan1 collapses onto the ground [21:11] * Aki` scrambles to the man quickly and leans over him [21:11] H... hey! [21:11] * Aki` shakes him [21:11] ohhh...I've...I've redeemed her [21:12] * StrangeMan1 looks at Aki` [21:12] please...do me a favor... [21:12] * Aki` swallows hard and nods [21:13] please...find my daughter...I know she is out there somewhere... [21:13] ....I will [21:13] her...her name is Celes...tell her her father Taran loves her, and wishes he could have seen her on his last solstice [21:13] * StrangeMan1 collapses over and dies [21:13] * Aki` just stares at his dead body [21:13] ...C... Celes? [21:14] He gave his life.... for... [21:14] * Aki` lowers her head and cries |back to the caves to finish this out| [21:15] well, donny, you're the last one [21:15] come on, spill your guts [21:16] * Donovan lowers his head. "Do I have to?" [21:16] * Celes nods [21:16] what is your story...? [21:16] you don't have to, but we'll hang you by the balls if you don't [21:16] Well, for me, my happiest Solstice was also my saddest. [21:16] * Donovan is silent for a moment, he turns back to the fire and sighs. [21:16] * Celes actually chuckles at Vassago [21:17] Like I said: I used to love the Solstice. I was around 15 at the time. It snowed that day. I received the first present of my life. These. [21:17] ....... [21:17] * Donovan hold up his hands showing his gloves. [21:17] My master gave them to me. It made me so happy. We trained with them for the whole Solstice. They were real heavy, I could barely move with them on. But I got used to them and they made me stronger and faster. We didn't train on the last day though. That was the day I became a real monk. [21:18] That's the happy part. [21:19] * Donovan hangs his head. [21:19] All monks are initiated on the final day of the Solstice. That was the day that Zophar came and killed everyone, destroying my shrine...... It snowed that day too. That's why I don't care for the Solstice anymore. Too much pain. [21:20] I still beleive that Zophar let me live, why, I don't know. [21:20] I've never taken these gloves off since then. [21:20] ... [21:20] so...you haven't washed your hands in years? that's pretty sick man [21:21] They've never gotten dirty [21:21] not even when you're chokin the chicken? [21:21] * Donovan glares at Vassago. [21:21] * zepp|delinius stands up with a start [21:21] what in the... [21:21] there has just been a large disturbance in the dragon force [21:22] .... [21:22] something has happened [21:22] What do yu mean? [21:22] * Celes looks over to Delinius [21:22] ....what? [21:22] I...I don't know [21:22] it sounded as if thousands of men made a joke and were suddenly put in there place.. [21:23] * zepp|delinius sits back down [21:23] something big has happened [21:23] we have to get back to vane right away [21:23] * zepp|delinius starts to gather up his belongings [21:24] it...it came from Vane? [21:24] I'm in. I can't wait for a good battle. [21:24] Yes [21:24] I know we're all tired, but there is no time to spare [21:24] * Donovan takes off back to Vain. [21:24] * Celes stands up slowly, still somewhat confused, and gathers her stuff [21:24] i'm a vampire..i'm never tired in the dark |the group heads off back in the direction where they came from, except for vassago| [21:25] * Vassago` sighs [21:25] they are maturing quickly [21:25] * Vassago` rubs his chin [21:25] perhaps they will be ready soon [21:26] reldayne, you might be my enemy, but you were a good friend for a while...I will miss you [21:26] * Vassago` heads off to catch up with the group |end session|