Start of #Sharn buffer: Wed May 09 22:23:50 2007 [17:25:27] [As Aun researches in Morgrave Library about the events surrounding the Crsytal Fall, Phanos is meanwhile lead to the Aerenal embassy in Shae Lias.] [17:26:10] * Phanos follows along, apparently merry. [17:26:19] [He is brought up to a densewood tower, with a large golden and stylized mask above it's entrance.] [17:26:41] ( Did I miss a session start tag? ) [17:26:46] "Nice jink jink youz gots. Wit de wood. It healthy, ya." [17:27:06] [The cleric of the Undying Court guides him past rows of crypts and other attendants and devotees of the Court.] [17:28:24] "I wish to bring you before Mayne Jhaelian, High Priest of the Passage..." [17:28:37] [Session Start] [17:28:44] (There, edit that in where you want it Dem) [17:28:58] "Dat be fine, mon, if it maka you hap-hap." [17:29:52] "Well I would like to discuss how you've been misguided, but the rituals of Undying are sacred to us, and I do not want to overstep my bounds. If Mayne prohibits me from discussing more with you, then I'm afraid I won't be able to." [17:31:18] [He continues on silently, leading Phanos through archways of bronzewood holding up livewood ceilings with vines growing from them.] [17:31:50] "Yah mon. Misguided." [17:34:01] [Eventually, Phanos is brought to a chamber with a single oak tree growing from a mound of rich black soil, obviously imported. The cleric leading Phanos clears his throat politely and the figure under the tree turns to face the pair.] [17:34:08] [Mayne Jhaelian wears the black and gold robes of a priest of the Undying Court, with the golden mask of the Court on a chain around his neck. But beneath this finery his skin is mottled and cold, and his vivid green eyes are the only sign of life in his frozen face. His voice is a rasping whisper, as if it is difficult for him to draw breath in to rotting lungs.] [17:34:48] "Yesss... What is it... Aelian?" [17:36:16] [The decrepid old elf turns to Phanos and looks him over. Aelian seems to wait patiently, knowing that the High Priest isn't done addressing him yet. Finally the older elf turns back to Phanos's guide and speaks once more.] "Why... have you brought... this outsssider... to meee?" [17:36:27] * Phanos stands as quite the contrast, the honored and regal dead standing before the primal living. His raincloud eyes peer to the high priest, the vibrant tattoos on his mostly exposed skin making him appear bmore fancifully dressed at a first glance. [17:38:03] [Aelian glances to Phanos and nods to him, before turning back to the High Priest.] "He has spoken of traditions much like our own... but he is misguided. I wish to teach him the basi-" [17:38:12] "You meeaan... he is.... a necromancer..." [17:38:41] [Aelian nods, silently, and waits for further words.] [17:39:40] [Mayne turns behind him, slowly as his rotting flesh crinkles like dried paper, and picks up a livewood walking stick. He begins to hobble forward, toward Phanos specficially.] [17:40:14] "You... defile... your ancestors... without knowing... how you... insult them... then?" [17:42:28] * Phanos stands his ground. "Me ancestas, dey gift demselves to eternity, dey give dey bodies to de warriah dirj. De dirj say to de vulchah, 'hey you vulchah, I giftie you wif me warriahs, you gifta you shamans too." So he do. De vines, dey give de vulchah powah too. Healin' touch, mon. Nachah. Bugs, beez, turdles. All to de vulchah. De vulchah, he stan on de threshold." [17:44:08] "Then this... vulture... decieves you... for undeath... is... anathemmmaaa..." [17:44:38] "Whose you to say, crinkly mon? You ain't ded..you stan furdah from de threshold den you can comprehend, mon." [17:45:02] "The power... that you... soak your... ancestors bodies... in... is corrupting.." [17:45:58] "The power... of... the deathless... is sustaining..." [17:46:04] "You hole yaself up wif yo tree in eah yah, den you looka me in de eye wif yo magik at all powah, and you say me dat. What you not say? You scurred to be fogot. You scurred to die." [17:47:11] [Mayne listens to Phanos, who's grown paler over Phanos's confrontational exchange, and merely gives a shake of his head, before turning around and walking back to the tree.] [17:47:27] * Phanos clicks his sharpened teeth together. "Me? Me de corrupt savaj, ignit to yo ways, like isa spoded t-be ya? What I know tho? I talksa no-sense." [17:47:27] (Sorry, missed a part there) [17:47:48] [Mayne listens to Phanos, then glances over to Aelian who's grown paler over Phanos's confrontational exchange, and merely gives a shake of his head, before turning around and walking back to the tree.] [17:48:26] [Aeliean puts a hand on your shoulder.] "I think you should leave." [17:49:22] "I tinks I nose not why you brought me heah. I yain't came to be insulted, no. I came to learn outta respec. I ain't learnt nothin' dat yo spitty cos tol' me from dees wan." [17:49:59] "You insulted the High Priest. Please leave." [17:50:43] "He and dey, jes de same. Ignant o' def, so wastin' all de time in de world, because dey life no longah important. Yo high jujube. He insulted me foyst. I stood me ground, mon. E just don't know how to hanle it." [17:50:55] * Phanos turns, walking from the temple at a leisurely pace. [17:51:58] [Mayne turns around, before Phanos gets too far, and calls out.] "I insulted... your practices. If you came to learn... then it begins... with learning... you were... wrong." [17:52:56] "So you say. Den de blood man, nice dressed, tell me different. Den de burny snake lady, she tell diffrent too, she say you and blood man both wrong." [17:53:03] "But I... am just... scared... what do... I know? Ask... your preserved... ancestors... what they... think. Or... do they... not... speak... anymore?" [17:53:30] "Show me how to get em talk, mon, an dey will." [17:54:02] "It is... too late.... for them.... their bodies.... are suffused... with... anathema." [17:54:38] "If... you admit... your error... perhaps... you... and your descendants... will not.... suffer from... the mistakes... you have... made." [17:54:45] "Sokay. If I learns, der be no aunt tims in dem in de futchah, ya?" [17:54:56] "De new onez, dat be." [18:02:20] [Mayne's vivid green eyes bore into Phanos's for a long moment, then he slowly turns to Aelian.] "He wishes... to preserve... his people. ...Our rituals... are sacred... and cannot... be taught... to outsiders. ...But you may... lead him... down the right... path..." [18:03:51] [The rotting elf turns back to the tree, or starts to, then turns to Phanos.] "One more... thing... This 'blood man'... did he mention... the word... 'Vol'?" [18:04:53] * Phanos bows politely, pulling a pebble from his pocket and illuminating his palm with a simple orison. After his strange appreciative gesture, he puts the pebble back into his pocket, looking to Mayne. "Yah." [18:06:03] "Wanna know hows I make de zombos smell good-good, keep em in good shape. I was gonna let say but den he start talkin about nuttin but zombos walkin around. Dat'd get borin'." [18:06:35] [Maybe's eyes narrow, and a dark look crosses his otherwise placid features. Something like hatred.] "Did he... mention... any thing... like... plans?" [18:08:16] * Phanos thinks to himself for a moment, tugging at the bone in his nose. [18:08:46] "Nah mon. You want I shuld go make talk wittem? Fin sometin out fo yo helpin me?" [18:09:49] [Maybe blinks slowly, then looks upward to the branches of the oak.] "That would... indeed... be appreciated..." [18:11:15] "The Blood... of Vol... decieves... its own... adherents... They give their.... blood in reverse... communion... and it is... used to feed... abominations... of life." [18:11:57] "Fo sho. I'da get in, ya, only talk to you. But if dese people, dey be lied to, dat be wrong no mattah. Ain't no sense in becomin a zombo if ye don't be ready to." [18:12:04] "Whatever... their so-called... 'champions'.... are up to... it cannot be... for the betterment... of anyone... but the undead." [18:13:19] "Zombies... are the least... of their abominations... I am... afraid..." [He turns to Aelian] "Be sure... to edjucate him... on the perverse... gamut... of undeath." [18:13:29] * Phanos sets the pebble on the ground. [18:14:45] [Mayne looks down at the pebble.] "I appreciate... your gesture... without... understanding... its meaning. ...I must now... return to... my meditations..." [18:14:48] "Dis pebble, it gots me mark. I carries dem wif me. You needs to scry, lookie through de pool at me, I let you ifn you takes dis. Jes a rock from me island. I only talkses to you bout dis. Towas too big to trus' manny." [18:15:32] [Mayne's eyes raise.] "I see... then I will... guard it... with care." [18:15:51] [He slowly nods to Aelian, who bends down to pick it up and hands it to the old elf.] [18:16:23] "Thanka you take my token. I come to talk wif you all volified, I wants you have it soze I be safe walkin' heah too." [18:16:55] [Mayne nods.] [18:17:17] * Phanos bows again, then turns to Aelian. [18:17:38] [Aelian puts a hand to Phanos's arm] "Come, I will bring you somewhere where we can converse in private." [18:18:09] * Phanos follows quietly. [18:21:35] [Phanos is lead to a quiet lounge, where Aelian speaks to an attendant in a low voice. As they sit and he begins to talk to Phanos about the nature of positive and negative energy, how one devours and corrupts, and the other heals and sustains, the attendant brings elven tea and snacks, as well as selected religious texts detailing how the power of devotion and worship can help sustain the living even after death.] [18:23:06] [Their conversation goes on long into the night, before Aelian appologizes for requiring some time to trance. Phanos is escorted out of the Gate of Passage.] [18:23:12] [Scene Change.] [18:23:32] [Aun wakes up to a polite rapping at her apartment door.] [18:24:48] * Aun gets it, puts on a dressing robe, and opens the door on its chain. "Hello?" [18:25:07] [Alexander tips his hat at Aun.] [18:25:25] "Morning." [He looks like he hasn't slept.] [18:26:00] Morning, Alexander. What's happening? [18:27:36] * NovaSeaker is now known as Alexander [18:27:58] "Well... we hit a snag in our investigation of who hired the Seekers of Truth." [18:28:20] "We found an answer... just not a very good one." [He glances around outside.] "Can I come in?" [18:29:12] * Phanos looks around, inking a new tattoo into his own skin as he sits calmly. [18:29:33] * Aurora is busy with prayers. [18:30:15] * Marianysa wnaders in, rubbing her eyes. "What's goin on?" [18:32:04] * AlsoCharles (~CHBoucher@dsl2-161.gsinet.net) has joined #Sharn [18:33:55] * Aun unchains the door. "Come in, yeah." [18:33:56] * Aun was kicked by Alexander (Alexander) [18:34:18] * AlsoCharles is now known as Charles [18:34:22] * Charles is now known as Aun [18:35:15] * Alexander slides inside and takes off his hat and trenchcoat. "Thanks." [18:35:41] "Alright... We suspect the Tyrants might be behind the Seekers." [18:37:05] "The man we suspect met with them was a knight of the King's Citadel. But the active registry says he's on diplomatic escort duty to Thrane." [18:37:48] "We believe that rather than some huge government conspiracy, the answer is a shapeshifter." [18:38:53] * Aun nods. "That certainly makes more sense." [18:39:51] * Alexander nods. "Yeah, although it's a problem. I hate to admit it, but the Truestrike Inquisitive Agency doesn't have the resources to deal with shapeshifters for the time being." [18:40:23] "We're honestly stumped as to how to figure out who was 'dressed' as a Citadel agent." [18:41:26] Mm. Well, even if we had a way to see his real form, I have to say that we kind of all look alike. [18:41:32] "The Tyrants and the Daask aren't at war, like Daask is with the Boromor clan, so it's most likely that Daask hired them to deal with you. Although I'm not sure why they'd resort to hiring third parties left and right." [18:42:25] "Honestly, the culprit being a Tyrant is just the most edjucated guess I can make at the moment." [18:43:02] "Honestly, the culprit being a Tyrant is just the most educated guess I can make at the moment." [18:43:23] * Aun nods. [18:43:34] Well, shit. [18:43:43] * Alexander grins. "Heh." [18:46:54] * Alexander he drums his fingers on his hat. "Well.. I'm afraid that's all. I'm afriad I'll have to close this case as far as my agency is concerned." [18:47:29] Well, thanks for all the assistance. I guess we're out on our own from here on out, then. [18:48:06] * Alexander nods. "If you come up with anymore leads, don't forget to contact us. Return clients get a discount." [18:48:17] * Alexander he hands her a card. [18:50:01] "Also, just one last thing. On a personal note, I just want you to know that I think changelings get an undeserved reputation in this city. Ban has been my friend forever, and I trust him with my life. I was just wondering, if perhaps I can see your true form? I'd like to meet the person who's kept her head through all this without fail." [18:51:59] * Aun half-smiles. "I'm sorry. I guess it's... flattering? But I don't really show my true form to anyone. It's embarassing, and a little creepy." [18:53:04] "Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to sound creepy." [18:54:08] No, no, I mean my real form. I get the jeebies when I look at myself if I don't have a face on. [18:54:40] * Alexander blinks, openly suprised. "You really think so?" [18:54:49] * Marianysa blinks as well. [18:55:31] Yeah. It's... It's a family thing. I don' [18:55:37] t want to bore you. [18:55:57] * Alexander bows his head and waves a hand. "Say no more. None of my business." [18:56:21] "Well, remember to keep in touch if anything else troubles you or your friends. Sorry we couldn't be of more help." [18:57:32] Oh, you helped more than enough. Thanks for the help with the boat situation, and good luck with your cases. [18:58:03] * Alexander smiles and nods as he puts on his duster, then puts on his hat and tips it at Aun and Mari, then leaves. [19:03:03] * Aun closes the door. "Well, damn. We'd best get everyone together. I think this means I might have to join the mob, and we need to get together to go over it." [19:04:58] * Marianysa scratches her head. "So...what's this all mean?" [19:06:13] Well, it seems like the Daask hired the Tyrants to hire the Seekers of Truth to find out about us. [19:06:23] The assassin might be from them, too. [19:07:06] We never saw him die, after all. [19:07:52] So on one hand, we have about two thirds of the organized criminals in Sharn trying to murder us, and on the other, we have what looks like the Silver Flame from over a century ago trying to tear us apart from the inside. This isn't very good. [19:13:19] "Oh, an de elvsies wanna me to look into de Vol." [19:14:10] * Marianysa rubs her head. "Oh man." [19:17:24] Hm. This could be difficult. [19:17:57] "Elvsies can wait, mon." [19:18:06] "Dey live a long time nuff." [19:18:27] If you go after the Blood of Vol, Aura looks into the burny snake, and I try to find out the deal with the Tyrants, that hardly leaves any of us to deal with new crises that come up." [19:18:41] * Aun laughs. "True enough, that's almost all they do." [19:19:34] * Alexander is now known as NovaSeaker [19:26:20] "So we alls focus on one ting atta time." [19:26:33] "Stick togeddah, deal wif de probbos." [19:30:08] * Aun nods. "Speaking of which, we need Aura and Sev. I guess we'd better head down to Fallen." [19:33:06] * Phanos rises, nodding and donning his cloak. He wipes the skin of his frshly inked tattoo and puts a large leaf over it. [19:33:27] How do we decide what to do first, though? [19:35:06] [The group decides to figure that out once they find Aurora and Sev!] [19:35:36] (Can we just assume we get down to Fallen without incident?) [19:36:14] [They catch a skycab and go down to Fallen, making their way to Blackstone Cathedral. The way there is eerie and quiet in the early morning, but it seems even the infant rays of sunrise are enough to keep the ravers away from the more populated areas.] [19:37:25] "We needs to take caya of deez ravas. We get rid o dat probbo, maybe some enemies leave us be." [19:37:36] "It be troublin' erbody." [19:37:40] [They find the doors to the central hall locked] [19:37:53] * Aun nods. "That seems most prudent, yeah." [19:38:04] * Aun knocks on the doors. "Hello?" [19:39:28] * Aurora answers the door. "Flame ble- oh, it's you guys. Hi there." [19:39:59] Mornin' Aura. [19:40:20] How was yesterday after I left? [19:40:36] (You left when they were done) [19:40:53] ( yeah, but they might have been attacked by another assassin. ) [19:40:55] ( :V ) [19:41:22] It was alright. Though this morning... We should come inside and go to a private room. [19:42:36] Oh, sure. Please, come in [19:42:55] * Aun goes inside [19:45:16] [Aurora leads them through the back left door of the hall and to the library in the east wing.] [19:45:46] * Aurora has everyone seated. "OKay, so what's this about? [19:46:14] * Aun waits until everyone's in and the door is shut. "Alexander found out that the Daask hired the tyrants to hire the Seekers of Truth. And maybe send that assassin." [19:49:15] WOw. That's pretty convoluted. And creepy. [19:50:29] Yeah. Eventually, we're going to want to find how involved they are. But since they're changelings, it's a bit hard. [19:50:55] After we resolve the ravers, I may join them undercover and find out what I can. [19:51:08] * Aurora nods. [19:51:48] Sounds like dangerous work... [19:53:24] All our work's dangerous work. [19:53:37] So ravers first? [19:53:49] The ravers menace everyone. [19:54:22] After that, Phanos might join the Blood of Vol for... some reason? I'm not sure I caught it earlier, but it sounded important. [19:54:38] "To tell the elvsies bout it." [19:54:52] Oh, right! [19:56:25] Wonder how hard that is [19:57:26] Didn't they want you to join already? [19:57:35] So it shouldn't be THAT hard... [19:58:02] Yeah. I figure the hard part will be avoiding detection. [19:58:10] Didn't hey want something from you before joining, though? [19:58:15] "Ya mon, dats why I be lettin' de elvsie scry." [19:58:30] "Dunno mon. I wont have much dey know." [19:58:35] "Or dont know." [20:00:24] Hm... [20:00:30] ... did they tell you how to contact them? [20:02:00] "Mebbe." [20:02:27] ... ah well. Anyway, ravers. [20:02:48] How hard do you think it might be to get a sample of whatever was at the tower crash? [20:03:26] It depends if the ravers defend it. And wether there's actually anything to find. [20:03:48] * Aurora nods [20:04:07] There are probably too many ravers to single-handedly exterminate them so we need to learn something about them... somehow [20:04:39] We could try to study a live one, study a dead one.. get someone else to study a dead one... [20:04:45] Even if we wipe them out, more could appear. [20:04:54] Yeah... [20:04:57] ... oh, wait. The Chronicle [20:04:57] Studying them or their habitats is likely the best option. [20:05:07] There was an article about the crash then, right? THink that'd be helpful? [20:07:21] I think we already found it. [20:07:46] Ah... [20:07:48] Helpful? [20:08:34] "Were do we find dem?" [20:11:26] Hey, uh, what about that guy at the arena? [20:12:48] What guy? [20:12:56] Oh, the weird cloakman? [20:14:04] I'm curious, too. He's clearly directing them, and didn't like anyone else using them. [20:14:14] At the time, I thought he was protecting them, but I think now that it can't be that benevolent. [20:17:07] "Where we be findin em den?" [20:17:13] "How we finds out how to?" [20:17:54] Well... there's the tower. [20:17:59] That's kinda vague, though [20:18:41] Yeah. And bits of it are everywhere. [20:19:30] I think I tripped over a chunk this morning. [20:19:32] Wanna look? [20:19:57] ...I guess. Better than nothing, I suppose. [20:21:10] * Aurora points to a chunk of rubble leaning against the weall. [20:21:33] You brought it in with you? [20:21:58] Well, no. I think it crashed through the roof or something when the tower first fell. [20:22:02] It's kinda heavy. [20:22:39] Oh. Well, I guess we ought to look at it. Are you noting any magic from it, Mari? [20:25:31] ... wait, no. It was outside. [20:25:59] I tripped over one outside. Then just tripped over this one on the way to the door. [20:26:26] * Phanos goes to look at it. [20:26:57] * Aurora takes the group out to the rock [20:27:10] * Marianysa goes to take a look at the rock. [20:28:47] * Aun follows [20:29:24] * Marianysa scratches her head, frowning. "It doesn't SEEM to be magical, but I can't tell for sure." [20:29:55] * Aurora scratches her head. [20:31:24] Hm. [20:31:55] Well, I figure it's probably not worth formal analysis. Anything with this big an effect must be really long-lasting and pretty major. [20:32:05] Chunks of masonry won't do us much good. [20:32:38] "so les go to de towah." [20:33:06] I guess we can try to see how far we get before we have to run [20:33:39] Sorry guys. [20:34:55] * Aun puts a hand on Mari's shoulder. "Don't worry, you did good. Though get ready. It looks like we're going into Raver territory." [20:35:33] * Marianysa nods. [20:36:20] Wish Aurelis were here... oh well. Lemme go get Sev. [20:40:22] [The group follows Aurora to Sev's apartment. It's on the top floor of a shattered tower, the northeast section of it jutting upward toward the rest of the city. The stairs leading up to that section of the tower are still intact, and his apartment is the only fully enclosed one on that level.] [20:44:33] "Nice place, dis." [20:44:43] * Aurora knocks on the door [20:45:00] [There's a grunt, but not much else.] [20:49:17] Sev? [20:49:17] * Aurora tries to open the door. [20:49:28] [Door's locked.] [20:49:38] * Aurora knocks harder [20:49:41] Seeeev. [20:49:45] We're gonna go kill stuff [20:49:46] You in? [20:50:58] * Kesuke (~crazysapi@ip24-252-34-39.om.om.cox.net) has joined #Sharn [20:51:01] * Kesuke is now known as Sev [20:51:33] * Sev answers the door after a small eternity, looking at Aurora and rubbing his eyes. [20:51:35] What time is it..? [20:52:42] "It late. We go hunt ravas." [20:53:36] Do what you want, man.. Lei was doing this thing with her tongue that.. wait, what?! [20:53:56] * Sev looks up, slamming the door. Rustling is heard around inside. A few seconds later Sev rushes out, his maul hitched onto his back. [20:55:14] Alright, let's go. We're going to try to get as close to the tower as we can and find something useful [20:55:19] If we get in too much over our heads, we run. [20:55:30] Fine by you? [20:55:42] You guys can run. I won't need to! [20:55:49] * Sev flexes, grunting and nodding. [20:55:51] Let's do this! [20:56:31] Yeah, that's the spirit. Come on, let's crush some guys for the good of the city! [20:56:49] Uh, er, yeah. Good of the city, bloodlust, fucked up sense of revenge, it's all good. [20:57:07] * Sev begins walking INTENTLY. [20:57:41] * Marianysa quirks a smile. "Nice to see you're in a good mood." [20:58:02] * Sev blinks, looking back at Marianysa. [20:58:07] W-where exactly are we going again? [20:58:10] The Tower. [20:58:20] Where all the Ravers have been coming from by the dozens and maybe hundreds. [20:58:25] Right, but ah.. you guys better show me which one. I'm still kind of.. [20:58:30] * Sev blushes faintly, then clears his throat. [20:58:36] R-right! [20:58:49] I'll give directions. You stay ahead. You're tough and strong. [20:59:02] * Aurora stretches, then gets her bow ready. [20:59:44] Y.. yep. I'm the tough, strong one. Mhm. [20:59:59] * Sev clears his throat one last time before staring forward and following Aurora's lead. [21:00:16] * Aurora walks right down to Faela [21:00:38] * Aun draws her thinblade, holding it at the ready, then relaxes when she sees Faela. [21:01:22] * Phanos follows behind with his zombie cohort. [21:01:43] [The group returns to Blackstone to find some of the homeless waking up and filtering out of the church. Faela can be found in the main hall, serving breakfast to people sitting in pews.] [21:02:17] * NovaSeaker is now known as Faela [21:03:22] * Faela smiles. "Hello!" Her expression then changes to one of concern "You look up in arms today... " [21:03:33] * Sev blinks, looking around. [21:03:38] These guys promised me some raver ass-kicking. [21:03:40] I'm yet to see any. [21:03:54] * Faela turns to Aurora. "What are you planning, Aurora?" [21:04:11] Well, we can't beat them through sheer force of arms, so we're going to ahve to learn more about them [21:04:23] So we're going to storm the tower and try to find anything we can examine. [21:04:27] Maybe even capture one. [21:05:40] * Faela frowns. "I hope you don't plan to hold one here. I hate to compare those tortured souls to animals, but they usually travel in packs and might take exception to one that's missing." [21:06:01] Haha, damn straight. [21:06:12] Let's just kill 'em all. No good studying them. [21:06:27] "Sev!" [21:06:27] "Oh, look! It's got hands!" [21:06:36] * Marianysa gives Sev a strange look. [21:06:39] * Faela frowns at Sev in a matronly-disapproving manner. [21:06:47] Sev, there aren't enough of us to kill every single one of them. [21:06:48] * Sev frowns a bit, rubbing the back of his head. [21:06:57] "We don't be needin' to find out more about em, we be needin' to stop dem." [21:06:59] And even if we did kill all of them, they could make more. [21:07:07] Well we can still do a dent. And Faela, what? You gonna say you LIKE it when they come running for the temple? [21:07:09] We need to find out how thye're being made. [21:07:20] One could follow the other, though. I think there's strange magics, and we could learn from one. [21:07:23] Psh.. well you guys came to get me for one thing only, remember? [21:07:36] "Each one of them was once a person, Sev. With family. They might still have family. You more than anyone should know that." [21:07:51] Psh. Did it happen to you? [21:08:12] * Aurora frowns. [21:08:14] "What if it did?" [21:08:20] Me standing here saying what I'm saying should be as good an answer as you need.. [21:08:23] * Sev frowns, turning away. [21:08:35] "Would the fact that my daughter was taken cheapen my work here?" [21:08:51] "Would my 'charity' mean more or less?" [21:08:55] * Marianysa blinks at Sev, then stares at Faela. [21:08:57] ..Everyone's got problems. I'm doing what I can. That's my charity. [21:09:40] Sev, just try to reign yourself in a little. The fewer encounters we have with them, the better. [21:09:43] "I have no problem with you defending yourself Sev... or even getting your hands dirty while looking for a method to stop them... But remember, you're killing people." [21:10:02] If we can find a cure for this, the entire raver problem's gone. [21:10:09] Yeah, exactly. [21:10:21] Then we can kill things that are less morally fuzzy [21:10:24] Like Daask. [21:10:29] Hmfh. [21:10:39] You guys act like I should be able to miracle an answer.. [21:10:52] I'm just as in the dark as the rest of ya. [21:10:59] Faela... I really hate to dig into this, but how long ago did this happen? [21:11:27] "I'm not asking you to perform any miracles, Sev. Just try not to find humor in killing victims of a horrible plauge." [21:11:48] * Faela turns to Aurora. "Before I came here..." [21:12:09] * Aurora nods... [21:13:09] * Faela turns around to address the needs of the displaced. [21:13:09] Was it just sudden? [21:14:16] "Aurora, I appreciate your concern, but there's nothing that can be done now." [21:14:38] A-alright... [21:14:54] We'll do what we can. Everyone ready? [21:15:01] Any more equipment you migth need or want? [21:15:02] * Faela pauses in her task. "If you want to find out more information... the largest chunk of the Crystal Tower I ever saw was at the bottom of Hethran Tower... at the very base." [21:15:11] * Aurora nods. [21:15:38] * Sev thinks, rubbing the back of his neck. [21:15:51] Wouldn't do much good, I left the rest of my money in.. [21:15:53] * Aun frowns. "I guess I'm as ready as I will be." [21:15:55] * Sev glances around at the destitute. [21:15:57] A safe place. [21:16:42] Hm. So we'll be seeing the ground, it seems. [21:16:46] Or close to it. [21:18:02] Weird. [21:18:19] Well... let's go. [21:18:57] I'm ready as ever! [21:20:50] [Aurora and Sev lead the group to Hethran Tower. The walls of the tower bear gigantic fissures, and it leans slightly to the north. Only one tower stands between it and the open air to the south of Sharn, and it is pulverized to rubble, with titanic shards of glass and crystal impaling the mountain of debris.] [21:21:46] [Bridges to Hethran Tower are all destroyed, ripped off their moorings when the tower was pushed northward, and collapsed without its support.] [21:22:50] [Looking down into the depths, the shadow of the mountain of rubble to the south and the surrounding massive tower bases block nearly all direct sun light, and only the glint of a spark gives clue to the supposed massive chunk of the Crystal Tower lodged into it's base.] [21:23:16] I wonder what it'd have been like to see it when it was still standing... [21:23:54] It must have een great... [21:23:59] * Faela is now known as NovaSeaker [21:25:51] Hm... there must be some way to get in. [21:25:57] I mean, they can get out. [21:25:59] * Aun nods. "There must be some document of it. Though now, I'm not sure if I'd want to see it." [21:26:01] Yeah. [21:27:55] ... yeah, we're going to have to get closer to the ground first. [21:29:20] Wanna go down a tower, or does anyone feel like trying to climb down the slope? [21:29:54] I...I'm not so good at the climbing thing. [21:30:08] Alright. [21:30:09] Yeah, nor am I. [21:32:42] [The group stands inside the closest tower, looking out over to Hethran Tower through the bridge entrance. The tower they are in is heavily damaged by the Crystal Fall as well. Just to get to this side of the tower and the bridge opening, they had to crawl tightly through a collapsed ceiling, taking care to avoid the shards of a crystal spire.] [21:35:17] It's not going to be so easy to run from here... [21:36:01] [There's a distant roar.] [21:36:12] ... oh geez. [21:36:13] * Sev looks around, grinning. [21:36:20] They wanna give us a warm welcome, do they.. [21:36:28] * Aurora gets her bow into her hands [21:37:11] If I die at least I die having made things right with Lei. Might even see the folks again. [21:37:19] * Aun stands ready with her sword, chanting upliftingly. [21:37:21] [The roar is joined by another voice... and another, and another.] [21:37:21] * Sev unhitches his maul, gripping it in both hands firmly. [21:37:43] No dying. [21:37:52] * Marianysa draws her sword. "Only winning." [21:37:54] That would be the plan. [21:37:56] [Soon the cacophony is indistinguishable from a single voice, and appears to be coming from across the shattered bridge.] [21:38:32] .... hm. How hard would it be to take back a crystal chunk? This is the first chance we have to maybe see what went down here [21:40:07] [From the shadows of the Depths, a wave of bodies and flesh claws its way up the mountain of rubble. There's at least a hundred individuals comprising the tide as it crests the mountain and starts heading down the west side, out of the group's view.] [21:40:34] ..This might be more than I can chew.. [21:40:53] I can't kill all that. [21:40:55] Let's get a piece of the tower and run. [21:40:57] ... yeah [21:41:00] * Aurora looks for a chunk [21:41:04] Sounds awesome! [21:41:08] If they come back around before we get the fuck out of dodge, we're done. [21:41:08] * Sev hurriedly scans the area. [21:41:40] [Soon, the tide of Ravers can be seen climbind up a tower on the west side of Hethran Tower. They seem to be moving away from the group.] [21:42:01] Maybe...they're after something else? [21:42:11] Maybe, but I'd rather they be styaing perfectly still [21:42:17] Less chance of an accidental run-in [21:43:01] Let's not risk it. Get what we came for and let their prey deal with it. [21:43:29] (What you came for is nowhere near this area) [21:43:41] (Unless hundreds of feet down and over is "near") [21:43:49] "Well, dey be leaving, leaving tings open fo us." [21:43:53] I guess. [21:44:00] ... let's move, but move fast. Really fast. [21:44:18] * Aurora moves. [21:44:28] (Where?) [21:44:44] ( um... not sure. What's the surrounding area look like again? ^^; ) [21:45:36] (You're in the western half of a floor of a tower that's half collapsed. There's lots of debris and rubble obfuscating things. Where are you trying to go, down?) [21:46:12] ( I'm not surea ny more. @_@ ) [21:46:44] (Anyone that is sure wanna call the shots?) [21:47:02] ... think we can climb down? [21:47:11] If not, we have no choice but to just head back [21:48:15] (I'm sure not sure) [21:48:41] ( ANy estimate of a climb DC check to get up or down ? ) [21:48:51] ( We don't have much info to work with ) [21:49:00] ( Or just a description of how hard it might be ) [21:49:27] * Aurora takes a closer look. [21:49:30] ... let's head back. [21:49:34] * Aurora grabs a random rock. [21:49:44] Yeah. [21:50:07] Keep a lookout for crystal shard chunks. If it's too big to lift, maybe we can chisel away part of it. [21:50:12] * Aun finds a small portion of the tower that's broken off. "I'm worried about that war party, though. We should rush back." [21:50:25] Yeah [21:52:48] On the other hand, that seemed like the most of them. [21:53:26] * Aurora searches the rubble, hoping to stumble on a crystal shard chunk at least [21:54:34] * Aun pushes around rubble, looking for stairs * Aun pushes around rubble, looking for stairs * Phanos does as well * Marianysa looks for stairs too! [Aun searches around and finds a city sign that usually designates staircases near a pile of rubble. The rubble is sunken into what looks like a storefront, but on second thought could actually be a staircase.] [22:00:22] Hey, guys, help me clear the rocks here. I think I found a staircase. [22:00:34] ... ah? Oh, sure. [22:00:35] * Aurora works [22:01:02] * Marianysa helps move rocks. [22:01:23] * Sev moves up after Marianysa, not holding back as he heaves and shoves rocks outta the way. [22:03:04] [The sun rises a quarter of the way to its peak before the party is finished clearing rubble out of the alcove, which indeed turns out to be a stairwell.] [22:03:34] Hmfh.. hah.. [22:03:44] T-there. See? Easy. [22:03:52] Eugh... that was a lot of work. [22:04:12] Yeah. This'd better help us out. [22:05:49] [The group descends the spiral stair case, wide enough to support several collumns of pedestrian traffic. The floors below the one they left all have their gates closed and locked, but no lights or other signs of life are apparent inside those levels of the tower.] [22:06:05] Weird.. [22:06:18] Eerie. [22:06:21] ... yeah.. [22:07:22] [Sputtering everbright lanterns, their magic damaged and dying over decades, sporadically light the stairwell. Eventually after ten minutes of descending the stairwell, the magical illumination seems to have died, and only darkness extends below.] [22:07:38] ..Guh. I don't like this. [22:07:43] We got any light? [22:08:05] I can provide some, but it's not permanent [22:08:56] Half an hour. [22:09:23] Mm.. [22:10:05] Better than nothing. [22:10:31] ALright. What do you want to light up? [22:10:35] Umm.. [22:10:48] This is kind of creepy. [22:11:01] I could light up a rock, but that might be kinda hard to keep a grip on it. [22:11:08] * Marianysa doesn't sound concerned, despite her words. Maybe even excited. [22:11:14] [There's a skittering of rats off in the darkness of the level they're currently on.] [22:11:22] A weapon sound good? [22:11:26] Hah, sure. [22:11:32] Take your pick. [22:11:45] Alright. Let's try your maul. [22:12:42] * Aurora steps up to Sev's maul, and whispers softly, running one hand along it while clutching her holy symbol. It's an uncomfortably long six seconds, but when it's done, the maul starts to glow. [22:12:58] (3 seconds) [22:13:15] ( Oh, standard action, not full round. derp ) [22:13:37] Didn't scar it now did you? [22:13:46] * Sev smirks to himself, keeping it gripped and held up. [22:14:02] [The glow of the maul lights the way as the group descends further. The count of gated off levels rises to 15 before they come across a level that isn't sealed. Unfortunately, this is because the gate has been torn off it's hinges.] [22:14:27] * Sev grits his teeth.W [22:14:34] Well, wanna take this one or wait for another one to come along? [22:14:40] [The iron is bend and twisted, rend from it's foundations.] [22:14:51] Well, this looks really vile. [22:15:00] But then... Into the belly of the beast, I gues [22:15:31] Yeah.... [22:15:49] * Phanos grins. [22:17:01] [The group climbs through the twisted remains of the gate, noticing unhappily that the metal bars are caked with dried blood in parts.] [22:17:26] [The light of the maul illuminates a distance into the level of the tower.] (Anyone have low-light vision?) [22:17:44] * Aurora shivers. [22:17:52] ( Aren't we all humans? ) [22:17:52] Sure hope this isn't what those ravers were chasing. I'd actually feel sorry for them once in my life. [22:17:59] (Hell no) [22:18:29] (Anyone?) [22:18:49] * Marianysa squints into the darkness. [22:19:08] ( Oh, wait. Whoops. Aun ) [22:19:17] (Phanos) [22:19:23] ( Phanos isn't human? ) [22:19:36] (He's a spellcale. His skin is covered in black scales.) [22:19:44] ( Huh. ) [22:20:00] (For the love of mike.) [22:20:03] (I think changelings just get normal vision) [22:20:46] ( Rusty? You there? ) [22:20:54] (They have low-light) [22:21:52] (Oh, okay. I forgot to mark it on my sheet, then) [22:22:51] [Phanos lets out a exotic curse and looks off to the left... a few moments before a hulking figure comes charging into the radius of Sev's light. It's closer to seven feet than six, and naked. It would appear to be a perfect physical specemine of the human species except for one disconcerting fact. It doesn't have a face.] [22:22:57] [Session End.] End of #Sharn buffer Wed May 09 22:23:50 2007