--- Jeff/Neydisa Lude 7 --- Session Start: Sun Apr 18 15:00:27 2004 --SESSION START-- >> The sun's wearying touch does not reach far into the dark and misty forest. As the four shamans trek back to Tyrell's camp, they pass signs of the dragons' destruction, but now they seem like aftermath, rather than the promise of trials ahead. « hmm, Etire seems distracted.. whouls I go ahead or wait? » « er should » «ooc: Etir is often distracted. Your call. » * Etir (~Nehn@oh-clevelandheights-cdnt1-bg1a-189.clvdoh.adelphia.net) Quit (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by Etirfk))) * Etir (~Nehn@oh-clevelandheights-cdnt1-bg1a-189.clvdoh.adelphia.net) has joined #Warpg « well that answers that » * Neydisa sets mode: +o Etir <> * Etir is now known as Jeff « all ok? I haven't posted anything yet » >> The sun's wearying touch does not reach far into the dark and misty forest. As the four shamans trek back to Tyrell's camp, they pass signs of the dragons' destruction, but now they seem like aftermath, rather than the promise of trials ahead. * DooM_GazE is now known as DooM_Away\ * DooM_Away\ is now known as DooM_Away * Neydisa walks quietly through the forest, stretching her sore muscles once and a few joints cracking. Her arms haven't had that much work in quite awhile. A pair of dirty gloves also hangs from the edge of her pack, ready to be cleaned and tackle some more tomorrow.. but for now, rest obviously seems first on her mind. * Jeff looks around at the results of the undead creatures' rampage. "It's going to take some time for this damage to fade.. but at least they shouldn't be causing any more." >> Tyrell ambles along in no great hurry; he no longer warily scans the shadows, and seems simply to be an old man taking a walk in the woods. Cathay tromps along silently behind him, poker-faced. Hah... goodness, I think I'm going to be at this awhile. But mopping up the natural world helps you wash away the thoughts up here while you're at it. I think. * Neydisa points to her blue haired head once to make her point, then resumes walking leisurely, not in a rush off to danger for once. Tyrell: Ah, that's a good lass! Yes, there's much left to do. *He clucks his tongue.* Poor Dragon. Slow deaths are seldom graceful. Mmm. I'd never thought of it that way, but I suppose that's true. It must have had so much resentment.. Tyrell: Well, we do what must be done, eh? And right now, I'm thinking what must be done is lunch. *He crosses over his ward and steps back into the camp.* Would you see to that, Cathay? >> "Yes, master." Cathay nods and heads for the firepit. * Jeff carefully steps over the ward-circle as well. * Neydisa hmms softly to herself, stepping cautiously into the campsite. She finds a place to sit down, watching Cathay. "Next time I'll help out.. I'm just a little winded from everything today." >> Cathay offers Neydisa the merest of nods in reply. * Jeff grins. "That brings back memories. For I while I used to think my master only agreed to train me so he wouldn't have to cook or cut his own firewood anymore." Tyrell: Tsk! How cruel. I'm an old man. Really Jeff? But I think I like to stay busy, so it's not so much of a bother, really. * Jeff smiles at Tyrell. "I'm only kidding." >> Tyrell holds up a hand with a grin. "So. Do you feel like staying on a bit, too, lad, or is it back to the road for you? I imagine I could teach you a thing or two." * Neydisa pauses at the mention of that, losing some of her satisfied look. Right... I had almost forgotten... * Jeff pauses, looking surprised. "I'd never really even thought of that..." * Jeff looks over at Neydisa questioningly when she speaks up. * Neydisa looks a little reluctant to bring this up. "We were so occupied with getting here, and never really decided what was the next step on the journey for us." >> Tyrell arches an eyebrow, saying nothing. * Jeff looks back and forth between Tyrell and Neydisa. "I'd assumed that was because this was the goal. You were looking for a teacher, right?" Right! Though I'm a really eager student, still I'm certain I'll be here a long time trying to learn everything I can from Master Tyrell. * Neydisa looks over Jeff a few times with her Amber eyes, trying to gauge his emotions. "But what are you going to do? I can't ask you to stay here all that time just for my sake..." * Jeff sighs, looking up at the sky. "There are things to do..." * Jeff looks at Tyrell again. "But I don't know where to start looking, anyway, and any wisdom you'd be willing to share with me might be a great help.." >> Tyrell shrugs with tilted head. "Eh? Perhaps you should tell me a bit about these 'things'." * Jeff nods. "There's reason to believe my master, as well as a friend of his who was the master of a friend of ours, were murdered by GaiaCo, over something. I'm not sure what, but it's apparently something they're willing to kill to keep quiet." * Neydisa listens, mumbling "GaiaCo to herself" with a decidely unfriendly tone. « er "GaiaCo" » > I.. want to know why. And it worries me a little. I can't imagine that whatever it is can be any good for, well, anyone but them... Tyrell spits out a raspy curse. "Pteh! Filthy people. Not at all fond of them." You and me both. I once worked for them, but I couldn't stand their disrespect for Filgaia. >> Tyrell waves his hands in front of his face. "Puh, it's a long story. Cathay, tell them the long story, hmm?" He walks over to the pot where Cathay is toiling, waving her off and tending to the soup himself. Cathay sits crosslegged beside Neydisa and Jeff, drawing a deep breath. "Where to begin." Please, by all mean go on... « er means » * Jeff turns his head to watch Cathay, listening quietly Cathay: We have a long and quiet feud with the Gaia Corporation. Many of the workers in the Superfactory are little more than slaves, and we have endeavored to sabotage production there when we are able. We have only recently escaped from a perilous situation that left my master on the island with no means of exit and me elsewhere with no means of approach. Slaves? Somehow that doesn't really surprise me... * Neydisa nods. "After what I've seen, I have proof they go so far as to experiment with people at the R&D laboratory near Old Seim! Thankfully, my friends & I were able to free some of them, but who knows what else is going on..." Cathay: It is nothing new, nor unique to GaiaCo. Slavery and indentured servitude have existed for centuries in the Isle. It is a way of life there; but it is a bad way of life. <> « surf right? » <> «ooc: ja » Their workers at the mine in Surf weren't too happy either, though most of them weren't willing to actually speak out... and I'm sure they had it better than the people on the island. * Neydisa nods. "Well, you remember what happened to me when I tried to speak out.. I lost my job and almost my entire direction in life at one point." Cathay: It seems there is trouble with them all over. We have focused on the problems in the Pegucci Empire, but if what you say is indicative of the scope of matters, it is very bad indeed. The slow venom of greed... just another thing poisoning our world, inside and out. :/ All the more reason to try to stop them, or even slow them a little. >> Tyrell trades off with Cathay, who goes back to tending the stew. "So, you think they had your master killed, eh, lad? They're certainly not above it. And what is it you want to do in return?" « hmm, well I guess no movie tonight. I'm free :) » I want to know why. I want to find out why they killed him, what was so important that they had to keep it quiet. And if I can, maybe do something to disrupt whatever it is. * Neydisa thinks a moment. "The only clue that keeps coming up is something called the 'Messiah Papers'." >> Tyrell leans back and scratches his scalp. "Is that so, eh...hmm. I can't say I've heard of anything of that sort. Your best bet, seems to me, would be to get into their files somehow." There's one other person.. another friend of master Kasam's, who is hiding from them. If I could find him, maybe he could tell me something. * Jeff frowns. "But I only saw him the one time, and he just vanished afterwards. It might be easier to get at their files than to find him." * Neydisa whispers to Jeff, "...you also had that key didn't, you? It was definitely to a storage locker of some kind." Tyrell: Kasam? Hrm. I think I've heard of him, though my memory isn't as good as it used to be. As for this other person...do you have any idea where he might be holed up? He was in Adlehyde, when I saw him. >> Tyrell shrugs. "Well, you could start there. Let me tell you, though -- if a man truly doesn't want to be found, he won't be. It's a big world, and the resourceful need never stay in the city." * Neydisa looks a bit sad as they mention that city, wondering silently how the noble Allen is faring... Yes, that's the problem. I somehow doubt he'd just let someone find him, even if he's still there. Well, don't forget that our friend Shane has a great network of contacts in the royal city. I'm sure he'd have an idea to go on? Tyrell: There are spirits with talent at finding people, and magics that can be used -- I've employed them from time to time, but it's a difficult and expensive process., and it can be foiled if the person you're trying to find has similar means. * Neydisa comments, "That's true.. it is how we got here." Tyrell: Oh really? Tsk! I should make myself more difficult to find. Well, it certainly wasn't too easy to find you, and I see what meant about expensive. * Neydisa laughs once. 'Yes.. we've still got two weeks to work those effects off." >> Cathay ladles out four bowls of stew, handing one to each participant and keeping one for herself. The stew is hot and smells good after the tiring battle, but it's pretty much the same thing they had for breakfast. * Jeff nods to Cathay and smiles. "Thank you." >> Tyrell accepts his bowl with both hands, chuckling raspily. "Kheeh, yes. Wind spirits can tell you what path to take, but they often demand a high price." * Neydisa voices her thanks and sniffs at the bowl, but being a rather non-picky person hardly complains. If you're going to go running off after this mysterious friend of your master, maybe you should take it easy first Jeff. You were really hit hard by that... I guess it's my fault for not being a better negotiator... * Jeff waves a hand as if to say it doesn't matter. "It was worth it. We both got answers we were looking for." * Neydisa helps herself to the stew. "Still, I -- sorry, I tend to apologize too much." * Jeff chuckles, then looks to Tyrell. "Honestly, sir, I'd like to take you up on your offer, at least for a little while..." Tyrell: Ahh! Excellent! More hands makes faster work. But.. >> Tyrell frowns. "But?" * Jeff looks uncomfortable, setting his bowl down. "I don't know that you'd..." * Jeff trails off, frowning himself. >> Tyrell beckons Jeff to continue, his frown slipping into a knowing grin. * Neydisa looks up from her meal. There's definitely something she's trying hard to keep at the back of her mind, but it's tough. ...I can't ask you to teach me and not be honest with you. It wouldn't be right. * Neydisa looks torn. .o( Is he really going to tell him? ) * Jeff closes his eyes for a second, then sighs. Jeff,.. I mean, if you're uncomfortable here.. * Jeff mutters softly. "Who you are doesn't change..." * Neydisa 's gaze drifts to the warded circle a brief moment, then back to the discussion. * Jeff nods ot himself and opens his eyes, looking at Tyrell. "I'll be frank." I'd be more than happy to stay and learn for a little while, if you're willing to teach me, but considering who you serve, you have a right to know. * Jeff shakes his head. "After we had the run in with GaiaCo in Surf, a former student of my master who was working with them, who'd gone to the service of the wolf killed me. I'm not technically alive." * Neydisa closes her eyes solemnly. Tyrell gives Jeff a careful, appraising lok. "I'm afraid you're mistaken, my boy. You look quite alive to me, if a bit the worse for wear." * Jeff slips the ring off his finger and folds his hands together. "The guardians were kind when they sent me back." >> The gong hanging from the tree sounds out a deep note. Tyrell does a double take, sidling closer for a better look. Cathay is on guard, but her eyes are on Tyrell, not Jeff. "My goodness," the old master says, "I've never seen anything like that in my life." ...it's true, master Tyrell. I was held powerless, forced to watch it all happen.. Ge Ramtos herself came for him... * Neydisa lets out one dignified sob, though doesn't cry. * Jeff spares a concerned look at Neydisa, but is mostly trying to gauge Tyrell's reaction > Tyrell stands up abruptly, pacing. "Normally I wouldn't even believe such a story. That's quite remarkable, quite remarkable indeed." He shakes his head, murmuring to himself. "I must consult with my patron. Can we...sleep on it?" * Jeff slips the ring back on. "Of course. I know it's hard to believe..." The west wind of hope can conquer even death itself... though it's much more complicated than this, I think that sums it up well for me. * Neydisa shakes her head. "But don't take just my word. Please do what you have to, master Tyrell. I'm sure you'll be blessed with the answers." >> Tyrell absently hands his bowl to Cathay, and steps to the perimeter of the ward, back to the others. He simply stands there, deep in thought. "Perhaps the morning will bring clarity." --SESSION END-- Session Close: Sun Apr 18 20:37:45 2004 Session Start: Sun Apr 25 13:46:44 2004 --SESSION START-- >> Morning comes reluctantly to the misty woods. The grass is slick with dew when the first rays of sun pierce the canopy. * Jeff <> « hehe » >> Tyrell emerges from the tent bright and early, pacing around the perimeter of the circle with his hands folded behind his back. * Jeff is still lying on the ground asleep, never really having been one to get up with the dawn * Neydisa has been up since a little bit before sunrise, resting in place and watching the new day dawn on the forest. >> Sounds from within the tent suggest that Cathay has risen, but she has yet to emerge. <> * Neydisa tears her glance away from the canopy, now watching the elder shaman instead. "Morning, master Tyrell." >> Tyrell makes another quarter circle before registering Neydisa's greeting. He waves to her, but does not look her way. "Good morning." * Neydisa gets to a sitting position, stretching once and glancing at the sleeping Jeff, recalling what happened yesterday. >> A full ten minutes pass before Cathay emerges, hair neatly tied. Tyrell is still walking in circles, though he's slowed his pace to more of an amble. * Jeff stirs during the time, opening his eyes at the sound of people walking around and greeting each other. * Neydisa is still looking at Jeff as he awakens to her warm smile. * Jeff yawns and blinks a few times, then smiles back. "mmph. Good morning." * Neydisa then dusts herself off a bit and stands. "I think that's the soundest asleep I've ever seen you." >> Cathay nods in the other shamans' direction. "Good morning." >> Jeff is treated to the sight of circling Tyrell for a few minutes more, at which point the master abruptly unfolds his hands and walks to the centre of the warded circle, sitting crosslegged on a log. * Jeff sits up, stretching a little, and watches Tyrell curiously. >> Tyrell watches Jeff back, his expression curious but inscrutable. After another interminable wait, he claps his hands. "Okay, you're in." * Neydisa looks as if she's about to say something, but then hushes up as Tyrell speaks. * Jeff blinks, looking surprised but not displeased. "Really?" >> Tyrell shrugs his shoulders. "It's a mystery to me. I believe I am making the correct decision, though. I'm not sure if I'm ready to believe that you were placed in this state by Ge Ramtos herself, but you're definitely not the usual deal." * Jeff smiles. "I wouldn't believe it myself.. but thank you." I know it's a lot to take in at once, but jeff is a very trustworty person... Tyrell: So, back to work, eh? I've got a bit more to do before we can leave that temple behind us. Cathay, bring the instruments, would you?\ >> Cathay nods and says, "Yes, master." She dips back into the tent, emerging with a small sack. * Neydisa bends one of arms behind her, following with the other, limbering them up for a big cleaning job again. "Mmm, right." * Jeff stands up, cracking his knuckles and a few other joints. "Is the gate there not sealed fully? I mean.. do we need to worry about anything else being there?" Tyrell: I would know if my wards had been broken. We have not solved the problem, but we have plugged a leak. I've removed most of the grime from the mechanisms, hopefully it's enough for you to finish the task there. Ah, all right then. * Neydisa absentmindedly mumbles about a few spots she missed. « brb just a second.. please continue » >> The four shamans return to the temple; it does indeed look far better than it did the day before, but here is no banishing the faint, lingering smell of must and rot. Tyrell beckons for Cathay to hand him the sack, which she does; he opens it up and withdraws a bracelet-sized ring woven from twigs. "You three tidy up a bit more while I work, won't you? This will take a little while." >> Cathay picks up the rags left from the last visit and gets to work without a word, rubbing vigorously at the stubborn dirt in the grooves of the central altar. Meanwhile, Tyrell paces around the inner perimeter of the great room, waving the ring in slow arcs through the air. * Jeff shrugs and starts cleaning as well, being sure to stay out of Tyrell's way * Neydisa takes out a pair of heavy gloves she had washed in the nearby stream last night, and puts them on, commandeering a loose rag herself. She pauses now and then to glance Tyrell's way, but tried to concerntrate on the important, if menial task. « er tries to concentrate ^^ » * Neydisa whistles now and then as she scrubs, too. >> Tyrell makes seven full circles waving the doodad around. After the seventh, he stows it and approaches the altar. "Good enough, good enough," he says, waving the others away. * Jeff steps back, watching * Neydisa backs away a bit, taking a moment to wipe the sweat off her brow. "If you say so, master Tyrell." >> Tyrell sits crosslegged and pulls a number of small, seemingly-insignificant objects from the sack, spreading them out. He places a thin stick lengthwise across a round stone, and it falls off. He repeats this process several times, unperturbed, before the stick finally balances. * Neydisa beats some of the dirt out of her cloth, and then turns her attention back to Tyrell's strange ritual with a curious eye. >> After a few minutes of incomprehensible manipulations, Tyrell gathers his things back into the bag, taking out a rough lump of chalk, with which he draws a large "X" in the centre of the teleportation platform. <> «ooc: Hahah! » « oogh » Tyrell: *stands up* Well, that's that. Can either of you two tell me what I just did here? * Jeff glances at Neydisa * Neydisa glances at Jeff, then back at Tyrell. * Jeff shrugs helplessly. "I have no idea." Tyrell: Kheheh. Cathay? Umm... I'm afraid I'm also a bit lost. But you obviously were measuring the flows of energy here with that twig & the rings? >> Cathay looks over at Jeff. "He rerouted the energies that power the dimensional gate so that it lacks the energy to open." Just like that? Tyrell: Young man, it took me many years to learn to do that! In any event, I've done all I can here for the time being. Being stymied here will only increase Dragon's anger, but he cannot be confronted directly, so all that remains is to plug holes where they appear. I.. see. You certainly make it look like a simple matter! * Neydisa rubs her chin. "But, in the end, you're probably right... just another leak opens somewhere else..." Oh! I didn't mean to say that it was easy! I just.. thought it would be more.. complicated? Time consuming? I don't know.. >> Tyrell shrugs. "We are only men. It is the most we can do. Now then, let's head back." * DooM_GazE (~doomgaze@staff.lunarnet.org) has joined #Warpg * Neydisa collects the remaining rags in her hands to take them back for a good cleaning, pausing to see if she can detect the subtle alterations in the energy. >> There seems to be a barely-perceptible change in the "feel" of the place, but being so slight, it's difficult to be sure that she isn't imagining it. * Neydisa shakes her head once, and prepares to leave with everyone. >> Upon returning to camp, Tyrell kneels down by the edge of the ward. Tyrell: Cathay, would you help them with the tent? Cathay: Yes, master. *She beckons to Jeff and Neydisa.* Come on. This is a two-person job. * Jeff nods. "Sure." * Neydisa nods as well. "Sure thing." >> Tyrell breaks the circle, and the air witbin seems to shift slightly. He then walks over to the tree where the small gong hangs and pulls it down, tying it so tbat it hangs down over his back. >> It takes a while, but Neydisa, Jeff and Cathay get the tent folded into something manageable, though by no means small. Cathay binds it with leather straps and slings it over her back. * Neydisa picks up her rather weighty travelbags once the tent is done with. "So, where are we off to, master Tyrell?" >> Tyrell clucks his tongue. "I'm not likely to come back to the Baskar region. I thought we'd take a little tour." Well, I certainly wouldn't mind travelling a bit more. I might not be coming back either. Yes... that's true. Tyrell: What do you say, Cathay? Where would you like to go? >> Cathay lowers her eyes and shakes her head vigorously. "Whatever you would prefer." * Neydisa glances once to Jeff, pondering. Tyrell: We could head northwest, but that's a lot of empty road. How do you two feel about a nice long walk? Nothing wrong with a walk.. with the skies free of those dragons, it should be fairly pleasant. That's fine with me. I wouldn't mind seeing more of this place. Actually... master, Tyrell? Tyrell: Hmm? Before we got her, we visited the Temple of Zephyr. But there is one more relic we didn't pass by... * Neydisa thinks deeply. "I know I've heard of something called the "Stone Circle", northwest of here, before you reach Mt Xenom. There's all sorts of theories about what it does, but some say it related to the Guardian worship, or a sun calendar." >> Tyrell scratches his barely-stubbled chin. "Hmmm! I think I have heard of that. It won't be easy to find, though." * Neydisa laughs nervously. "Well, it's just a suggestion. Please don't worry about it too much." * Jeff frowns. "That should be northwest of here, actually, shouldn't it?" * Neydisa nods. «ooc: Er, doh. Assume I said northwest. The only thing northeast is water » «ooc: Oh, I did. NM. » « you did » Tyrell: That's pretty vague, son! Still, if we head toward the mountain we should come across it sooner or later. Well then, let's get marching, shall we? >> Tyrell sets off confidently without needing to check his bearings, and Cathay follows close behind. * Neydisa smiles at Jeff, and hits the road again... * Jeff follows along as well >> It doesn't take long to get out of the woods; stepping back into the sunlight is like walking through a curtain of heat. Even early in the morning, it's sweltering and painfully bright. Tyrell and Cathay seem unaffected, however -- the master marches on without a care, and Cathay has eyes for nothing but the road. * Jeff seems a little more bothered than the two, but walks along without complaint * Neydisa checks her compass once, as she steps out into the hot savannah and adjusts to the sunlight. >> After a short time on the road, Tyrell passes out jerky and roots to make up for a breakfast skipped; however, he doesn't stop walking to eat them. * Neydisa thanks Tyrell for the meal, apparently not bothered too much with eating on the go herself... *munch* You know, it's always a comforting feeling to be going somewhere. It's almost sad in a way when you finally reach your destination. But another journey isn't far behind... Cathay: We live on the road. *pause* Like a fish, if we stop swimming, we will die. * Neydisa giggles once. "Cathay, you took the words right out of my mouth." >> Cathay grunts. * Jeff smiles to himself, nibbling at a piece of jerky So, you travel a lot... If I'm staying with you for a bit, I'm sure to enjoy myself, then. >> Time passes in a haze of heat. Sometimes Tyrell sings a little song, but for the most part the journey is silent. At lunch there is a break for more meager food, and then the march continues again. Eventually night falls, ameliorating the heat only slightly. They continue on in the dark for a short while, and then Tyrell calls a halt. * Neydisa glances at the stars as they start to appear, nothing their positions, before coming to a stop and lowering her gaze from the heavens. >> Tyrell moves off the road a ways. "I think we can do without a fire tonight, though we'll need to cook tomorrow. How are you two holding up?" I'm fine, thank you. A little tired, but that's to be expected. Mm, well, I suppose we can setup camp here. I'm good for another bit or so. Tyrell: No need to press yourself. We're in no hurry, after all. * Neydisa nods. 'Sorry, I tend to do that..." * Jeff (~Nehn@oh-clevelandheights-cdnt1-bg1a-189.clvdoh.adelphia.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer) * Etir (~Nehn@oh-clevelandheights-cdnt1-bg1a-189.clvdoh.adelphia.net) has joined #Warpg * Etir is now known as Jeff <> « wb..? did you miss anything? » <> I'm fine, thank you. A little tired, but that's to be expected. Mm, well, I suppose we can setup camp here. I'm good for another bit or so. Tyrell: No need to press yourself. We're in no hurry, after all. * Neydisa nods. 'Sorry, I tend to do that..." «ooc: Hrm. Is it OK if I end here? » «ooc: More chatting can occur if desired. » <> * Neydisa rubs her hands. "OK, I'll rest now. But I'm volunteering to cook tomorrow!" She smiles. * Neydisa sets mode: +o Jeff >> Tyrell passes out the last of the roots and jerky and beckons for the others to sit. "Now, if I'm going to teach you, you need to understand the basics. The first thing you need to remember about spirits is..." --SESSION END-- Session Close: Sun Apr 25 16:43:00 2004