Session Start: Fri May 03 20:10:22 2002 Session Ident: #pureland * Logging #pureland to 'logs\#pureland.log' *** Retrieving #pureland info... *** GMStoren changes topic to '-= Chapter 55.1: Three of Darkside, part 2 | Location: Glaive Lowlands | 4559 Luc | Dryad's Day, Morning =-' ~~ SESSION START ~~ Trekking away from the Flammie cave, Rhiana makes her way to the cannon travel center nearby in the Upperland, her destination the darkened lands of the Vandole Empire. As she shoots across the skies in a sonic boom, she can feel the air grow increasingly thick and black as the shores of the continent fade into view from above... * Rhiana presses on, despite the growing feeling of self doubt within her Though the sun is obviously shining brightly, it's soon totally obscured by an overcast vista of starless ebony. The treeline is soon within your view, a moment after that you're careening through a few of the scraggly bush as you touchdown with a thud. (Just how do you fall from thousands of feet up without dying? perhaps it'll forever be a mystery. ^^) * Rhiana stands up and slowly dusts herself off, dwelling upon her failures in yesterday's battle. * Rhiana then turns to the direction of her old home As you reflect upon the battle, you can still feel the weight pressing down on the back of your skull, suppressing your magic. Despite this fact, though, you can feel the area alive with the energy of Shade and the arcane darkness. You find a path leading northwards, though it's very hard to tell exactly where Northtown is in this unnatural haze. * Rhiana heads north, left hand on her sword..hoping she can still use it properly. You trudge through the dark lands for awhile, getting the distinct feeling you're not alone here. It's then that your foot bumps into something in the dark. * Rhiana leaps back instinctively, attempting to see what the object is This cautious movement proves to be unnecessary. The object has long since been without life... unfortunately, it is also the body of a Vandole elite guardsman. He is still armored to the teeth, but his flesh has been rotted away almost to the point where he is merely a skeleton of the former burly warrior. * Rhiana sighs deeply, "Such a waste...." Deserted, he lays there upon the path a victim of some unknown battle in this area. You can find other signs of a conflict in the ways the trees are slashed and toppled. * Rhiana hopes whatever got him still isn't around... * Rhiana ,not confident in the speed of her sword drawing techniques, draws her weapon as she presses on. The path further ahead is blocked by one of these fallen oaks, and beyond it you can see a bit of what you remember as the edges of the Imperial roadway. You'll have to find a way around it... there's a few diverging routes to the west and east. * Rhiana decides to head west around the large oak... You slide through some of the trees to the west side, making headway around the obstacle slowly but surely in a roundabout path. You find a few more remains of the company that previous soldier was a part of, all dead as well, and in much worse shape... one of the men is clutching a piece of paper in his cold hand. * Rhiana collects the paper, to see if the information is important. It's not too hard to slide the hastily rolled paper from the departed fighter, and upon it you can make out words written in curt military prose. "To Commander Flaresoul: Ambushed while on recon by dark force. Operation unsuccessful... Signs point to it being a piece of the main creature, and shares regenerative powers accordingly. Requesting backup imme..." It cuts off. * Rhiana clutches the paper, "Guess I need to make a delivery..." * Rhiana continues on. From what you can tell, this man was carrying a note from the captain back home... the radios must have been dead.. You manage to get through a few narrow overhanging branches, some of them scratching you uncomfortably close, and you're eventually on the main road, catching a fading glimpse here and there of watch fires burning in the distance. * Rhiana continues... Every step forward you take, you begin to get the nagging feeling something's breathing down your neck almost... a chill in your spine. * Rhiana clutches her sword, hoping this stalker is friendly... It's just then you notice the shadows wavering slightly, like a breeze is blowing, but everything is still perhaps too much so. « er still, ^^ » * Rhiana picks up the pace of her walking slowly. You begin to have a hard time seeing the fire guiding you forward in this shift, the world slowly seeming to conspire against your efforts. Before you know it you've walked into a shadowy dead end of the withered trees. Was the road an illusions..? « er illusion ^^ » You think you hear a laugh somewhere... * Rhiana narrows her eyes, "How humorous indeed..." [Whisper] And what do you hope to do...? Lost one... where are you going? There is only night everywhere... My hopes and desires are none of your concern, stranger. * Rhiana glances around the night, hoping her eyes can pick up some sort of movement What could be described as a pointy eared demonic red face materializes from all around you, looking at you with hollow black eyes. It doesn't seem malicious just yet... the voice seems to come from it, though it's mouth makes little to no movement. * Rhiana stands there, looking cold and unphased by the demon, a trademark of hers..no matter if she feels fear or not, she does not show it. [Dark Mask] Don't presume so much, for you bear the Mark of a mana Knight upon you... we are enemies... but you perplex me... I was never a mana knight. I just was along for a trip that ended up getting me no where. I did fight along side the mana knights for a time, though. [Dark Mask] And now you run to a home that no longer shall exist after this night is through... Then I will share the fate of my home. ..one way..or another. [Dark Mask] You sound so sure, yet you don't really know what path you're choosing... heheheh... oh this will be delight-ful... 8evil smile* You have quite the insightful tone for one who knows absolutely nothing. [Dark Mask] Oh, how wrong you are. For I am but a piece of the cosmos. The essence of darkness personified. The beast called in legend... Xabie Far. Forgive me if I sound less than utterly impressed by your godly-ness. [Xabie Far] Oh, you want a demonstration? How sad it is that I can't face a true witch of the shadow arts... I'm afraid your demostration would be wasted on me. I have no means of offensive or defensive magic anymore. [Xabie Far] Perhaps if you're a bit more respectful, I might let you live to remove that curse then. I see how you crave the power... and if you use it on your old friends... hahaha... I have no interest in inflicting pain upon the Mana Knights...if those are the supposed friends you are refering to. [Xabie Far] Ah so honorable. But there's no rush for that... first things first. That letter. Give it to me. For what reason? [Xabie Far] The lord of secrets does not part with his workings so lightly... if that reached your bloodkin, it could cause a bit of an unpleasant development. [Xabie Far] So, fallen witch, give it to me. Or you will be like those men you had seen before... * Rhiana raises her eyebrow slightly. the face begins to glow with energy, as the shadows gather... [Xabie Far] Come now, I'm a reasonable devil. It would be such a waste to kill you here when your potential for chaos is so great! Come now.. * Rhiana shrugs, "Your oxymoronic nature is indeed puzzling." * Rhiana forks over the letter The letter clatters to the ground and burns up in black fire. "Good, good... but I'm afraid that wasn't what I meant..." It smiles devilishly. "I mean to cleanse that memory from your very soul..." I have a rule about that. No soul searching on the first date. Maybe if you're good on our second time out, I'll let you. [Xabie Far] Such an endearing form of humor you humans can have. But I'm afraid the time for negotiation is over. You don't really have a choice, dear girl. « short fight ^_^ » I'm afraid I'll have to put up some form of resistance. * Rhiana brandishes her sword. >> COMBAT! vs Xabie Far! [Xabie Far] Your struggles only feed the chaos! Come now, relinquish your secrets to the void... heheh... My biggest secret is that it's that time of the month, and you're really starting to piss me off. >> Xabie Far gathers the shadows into a searing hellish blaze around Rhiana! casts Dark Blazeon! >> Rhiana resists Darkness! 190 damage! * Rhiana jerks back from the jolt >> Rhiana's turn. * Rhiana twirls the sword and jets forward, using a fencing stance to jab at Xabie Far's head >> Rhiana attacks! 75 damage! Charge at 3/6! [Xabie Far] Well well.. you're not all talk after all.. but sadly not a match. I'm not completely washed up, just mostly. Xabie Far begins to glow with intense forces, making your head spin at the magnitude of the magic building up around his eyes... *** Huw (ryokos.aco@192.168.0.13) Quit (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by KaraOkage))) >> Xabie Far casts Hell Southern Cross! The shadows shoot out in a formation of a reversed crucifix, aiming to lift Rhiana into the sky and impale her with the force of shadowy Dark Forces over and over... o_O ...well this is kinda over doing it, don't you think? [Xabie Far] You're alone in darkness, and now your light will be snuffed out for good! Just as she feels her anti-magic buckling to the endeavor, a shout rings out and a lance of metal goes streaking across the shadowly landscape, and impales Xabie Far right in his devilish eye, making him reel backwards. The illusion around you slowly begins to melt away into the real forest... [Familiar Voice] Don't count on it! Rhiana falls to the ground, getting her breath back. * Rhiana drops to a knee, attempting to get her thoughts back in order...head still very cloudy [Xabie Far] Agh, what is this...?! A figure runs up through the trees, carrying a heavy sword and shield that seems to radiate a passionate red hue that pushes back the darkness. beneath a helmet bearing the crest of Flaresoul, two set eyes stare ahead... as a long lock of hair cascades out the back of it. [Rhiana.. Sister...! I don't know how you got here, but...] « erk » [Sophia] Rhiana.. Sister...! I don't know how you got here, but... * Rhiana raises to her feet, "It's a log story, Sophia.." ..but I think we should save it for later. She offers a gauntleted hand. "I came here to investigate a sighting of the beast, and it looks like I was right. Tell the tales when the battle's done, for I won't see you beaten in such a way, by our family's honor!" [Xabie Far] Well, well, well... this is even more interesting.. what a sweet reunions... allow me to utterly destroy the moment... *twisted cackle* * Rhiana smirks slightly, "Well, with the shape I'm in, it wouldn't take much to beat me in a fight. If you ever wanted to take out any built up anger from when we were kids, now's the time to do it..." >> Sophia arrives on the scene! [Sophia] Believe me there is no comparison with that to what this.. thing... has done to my men... have at you! >> Sophia attacks! 296 damage! Charge at 4/6! *** Gayo (~foon@stjh1-1322.nb.vibe.net) has joined #pureland *** ChanServ sets mode: +h Gayo Yeah, he's really done a number on some troops that I saw. «ooc: oops. I go. » *** Gayo (~foon@stjh1-1322.nb.vibe.net) has left #pureland [Xabie Far] A thing... you should bow before your soon to be master... rrgh! >> Xabie Far casts Evil Gate on Sophia! She manages to free herself from the portal of evil spirits before it's too damaging... 210 damage. >> Rhiana's turn. * Rhiana manages to regain her composure enough to perform a rather not so bad looking double handed swing at the head >> Rhiana attacks! 79 damage! Charge at 4/6! [Sophia] Since when have you went back to the ways of the blade...? About....12 hours ago? ..and I'm more or less just using this until I know I won't be in danger anymore... [Sophia] ...I want to hear it. but first, let us end this. I'll show you who bows here, and it shall be you! *draws the glimmering sword back, looking much like her father as she does so* >> Sophia expends her charge! Uses Tanzer Blitzkrieg! She launches into a flurry of jabs in an attack that seems more an artful and deadly dance more than an attack.. but once it's marks are left, they bleed like no other a balck ichor... 684 damage! * Rhiana whistles, "Impressive." [xabie Far] ...so it is. But I'm afraid you can't beat us in such a way... until next time my dear lost witch... *fssssh* The head seems to discorporate into nothingness that spawned it. >> Victory! Thank you, my Sister...without you I wouldn't have come even close to overcoming him... >> Gained 1800 xp! Sophia catches her breath, looking around for anymore enemies. "Don't thank me... consider it repayment for saving me last time from my own darkness." You make out the same path you were walking on before, heading towards the watchfires.. so it was real after all. Only now there's a garrison of troops marching down it towards you two. * Rhiana smiles, "I am glad to see you...I was coming back home to help out." Sophia sheathes her weapon, and reaches out to put her arms on your shoulders. "You have an impeccable timing, Rhiana... it's now that we need you the most..." I have been known to do some things right from time to time. * Rhiana just now realizes she has the sword drawn, and sheaths it as well. [Sophia] Heh... come back to the camp with the troops. We need to have a long talk... [Sophia] I wish it was just catching up on old times... There will be time for that later. For now, I want to help you defeat the demon. [Sophia] Yes, there's a lot I have to tell you, and also much I must ask... I'll do whatever I can, of course. Sophia herds you towards the guardsmen, who salute you. :o * Rhiana waves her hands, "Don't worry about that saluting stuff..save it for Sophia...she's the one who deserves it." «ooc: I'm gonna have to leave pretty soon :/ » [Vandole Trooper] But I... y.. yes, of course, Lady Flaresoul. It's just we never thought we would see you here again after what had occured at Illusia... Life's full of little surprises, isn't it? [Sophia] Now more than ever. The makeshift camp is this way... I'll fill you in as we go. Monsters, as well as the movements of Southtown... « want to cut off then? » Southtown is still fighting us even though they know we are dealing with the demon of darkness? «ooc: We can. Maybe pick up some tomorrow or later tonight if you want. » « okay just a few more things then. » «ooc: Kay » [Sophia] To give you the basics, they are mobilizing against us. They started movements in the lowland areas even before the whole incursion into the pureland was planned as our last ditch effort. Now, we don't have the manpower to keep them back much longer... What does his highness say? [Sophia] I've been holding guard on the perimeter areas due to sightings of the dark beast Xabie Far, who has attacked both of our factions in the disputed areas. Obviously it is both our enemies... According to some information I found, the demon splits into many peices.. [Sophia] As for his highness, he took the main detachment of troops and is fighting the dark hordes that seem intent on breaking into Northtown... So he doesn't wish to surrender then [Sophia] I know he is a strong mad, but you can see even he like us all is desperate now. « er man » Well it is the work of some cowardly people to press an attack when we're facing the demon like this. [Sophia] I know about the splitting, my scouts have been looking into trying to piece together it's weakness... it can't be beaten by itself or we're just wasting what little time we have. The real linch pin then is what i just found out only moments ago. Which is? [Sophia] It appears the Gemma and his entourage arrived in Southtown... minus yourself... * Rhiana cuts her eyes, "Oh, did he?" «ooc: Okay, time to cut...:/ » [Sophia] The Republic will probably march north in a full offensive with him to exterminate the beast, but that also means our men will undoubtly be drawn into it as well. If we could somehow convince them to work with us together... we need him and the Mana sword to beat this thing. *** Zafra (Chriswiz@12-233-231-23.client.attbi.com) has joined #pureland *** Zafra (Chriswiz@12-233-231-23.client.attbi.com) has left #pureland «ooc: Erk. Sorry about that. » Then we should capture them. [Sophia] Perhaps... it could force a retreat to buy some more time.. but how? We've proven in the past we can't capture the Knights effectively... unless.. [Sophia] Rhiana. You're traveled with them... you know their ins and outs. How they work. You always were the better student of tactics than me... * Rhiana nods, "Indeed. I believe I could help you capture them." Sophia considers this, as you reach the perimeter of a military outpost near the city. "Then we need to plan... we only have a few hours before they reach the front, and the beast is moving that direction too." If you take a group of your best troops, I'll give you directive over a radio...would that work? «ooc: Can we pause for now? :) » [Sophia] I see... I can understand if you don't want to face them directly... «ooc: Pllllleeeeaseee? :D » [Sophia] If I trust anyone right now, it is you, though. I'll make arrangements to proceed with it. « ending now :) » «ooc: Okay..I'm late, so I really need to jet, lol. » * Rhiana nods, "Well, I wouldn't be much use on the field of battle anyway..you're better off with your troops." So I'll serve you better this way, I believe. [Sophia] There's still a lot to talk about... *doesn't finish and starts giving orders to her troops nearby* Yes..but we'll get to that soon enough. «ooc: Seriously, if I don't leave now, I'll be in deep ba-ba stinky :( » Rhiana finds a moment to rest in the secure camp, though shadows of what will come haunt her. Is she on the right path? «ooc: Whew :) » ~~ SESSION END ~~ Go on :) *** Rhiana is now known as Enygma Thanks Storen :) sorry to keep you. Session Close: Fri May 03 22:09:14 2002