Game Session #6

[Pikachu]

[This first part is technically the last bit of Session 5.5. For a cleaner split between episodes of our escapades, I'm counting this bit as a lead-in on Session 6, still told from the perspective of Sicarius.]

Tubes. Shelves of chemicals. Magic circles. Cold metal tables to lie upon. All too much like the mansion. No, nothing like the mansion. The mansion was filled with stitched-together mounds of zombie flesh. Here, there was no need to make chimeras. Each specimen was purposefully picked. There are no arenas to be found. A template of perfection was already in place. Yes. Under the residence of Oladorn, hundreds of researchers scurried about in search for something greater, but here, the superior sought to create more in their own image. No need for hundreds, but just one single being, darkly enlightened, engaged in a paradox of using Killing Intent to create. Olrox would never be able to make sense of that.

I feel the urge... no, the dead certainty that Olrox must be eradicated. Whereas before I felt a base desire to spill his arrogant blood, now I see a need to remove this affront to perfection. What great being would need to dabble in golems and monsters to lord over other demons and wretches? And for what? The slaughter of lesser beings? Even the Midnight Carnival is able to do that...

I let my anger soothe itself into purpose as I wake from my meditations. Yes, today will be different.

I walk to the briefing room. Even Lucia is awake today. Osmium is eager, of course, to go... if Shin has his wits about him, then we shall be nigh unstoppable. Klavion, however, looks terrible.

"I've been up all night pouring over the details of what Sicarius has been able to find. Here it is..."

We are handed a report. It isn't surprising, but I am impressed that such details were able to be confirmed. The missing persons list is a result of something far more than random kidnappings, but the confirmation of the growing influence of the Dark Lords in Valdis. The government is surely allowing for some, if not all, of these activities to occur. We are ordered to break into the mansion via a barrier that my comrades had found in the sewers.

Muttering something about how difficult it was to break the barrier, Lucia mentions that a contact of his is able to assist us - if we can find him. But first, Shin and Lucia need nourishment, and we are off to a tavern.

Soon after breakfast, Lucia meets up with another Illryian, named Tirvan. Apparently, he is our help, and we head down to the sewers. For a while, the barrier remains unbroken, but Tirvan then uses himself as some sort of conduit to project the image or being of an old man who is able to shatter the barrier. We are then able to enter. This is a wing of the underground lab that I had not explored. Osmium fades into shadow, and I suggest to my teammates to head towards the main path that headed downward into the main lab. With that, I fade into my pocket of Nether. We all wander for a little, but notice that all the researchers and personnel have been slaughtered. What a pity. I hoped to have that privilege.

"Do you hear that?" Shin asks quietly.

I feel an increasingly loud thumping noise, like footsteps, heading toward us. As my teammates slip into a side room, I join them inside, in case I can ambush whatever decides to ambush my comrades there. Nothing happens, though, and whatever large creature was outside (the Vakten, perhaps?) lumbers off into the distance.

We continue onward, searching about for the main path, and again funny noises are abound. This time, it is a mechanical clanging that sounds all too familiar.

Again, everyone bolts into one room and closes the door, but I go into a separate one, just in case the spider is still actively hunting me. If it finds me, I think to myself, I can distract it, dispose of it, and save the presence of the others as a surprise.

I hear sounds of struggle in the hallway, however, and go out to see that Osmium has engaged the creature. I try to hack open its stomach, but its metal hide stops my attack cold. That is most unpleasant.

Shin jumps out of nowhere and brutally wrestles the creature to the ground, and Tirvan comes out after him, dispatching the creature with some strange energy blades [Josh's note: did I remember this part correctly?].

Satisfied with this quick victory, we move on in the underground.

[And with that, we are caught up. Post the continuation of this episode on 8/18 here.]

[dyuman]

Combat:

Craig tries to tentacle it, you swing at it, I leap at it and grab its soft part and tear at it a bit. I get counter grabbed (how F-ing strong is this mofo!?). Tirvan plunges psionic blade into it and it dies.

[Duragar]

Because we all knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Behold... your most recent session(s) from none other than Tirvan's point of view!
Italics are Tirvan's thoughts, and thus comprise the majority of the account.
Bold Italics are the projections of Anulitaro, comprising Tirvan's psychic conversations and his mantras for activating his powers.

Damn it... I knew something was going to happen. I knew that if I took my eyes off them for a second, they would get into trouble. Sometimes I truly wonder if my morality is a blessing or a curse. Had I not aided those Vigilantes... Would I have been able to do something about it? If I had not been so distressed by the sight of members of my order in such a wretched state... Would I have had the sense to check in on my old friends before returning to Master Tirvakir? These questions of self-doubt burn within my mind, but I cannot allow myself to be paralyzed with inaction now. They have gone missing... and now that I have encountered them, I am fairly certain I know who is responsible. However... I will need help. If the Jewels were captured by this force of darkness, I doubt I alone am enough to save them, much as my inner bravado would want to say otherwise. I doubt the Master will allow me to go on this endeavor if I ask him for aid... It is a personal matter, for now, until I can prove the tie between the loss of our comrades and this dark organization... However, as I consider my possible courses of action, I recall my encounter earlier today. Maybe...
Not wasting any more time with deliberation, I immediately stop off at the Post Office, and write a letter, requesting aid from Lucia... Lucia Something? What was his last name again? Damn. I must have forgotten. Sighing, I simply address it to Lucia, hoping he will not be offended by the omission of his last name. I do, however, clearly remember the box number I should deliver it to, and request that the letter be placed in that box. Well... I hope he checks his mail regularly. With little else to do for the rest of the evening, I retire to my quarters, back in the Monastery.
It is the wait that is most infuriating. It has been all too clear to me since my forging that I have had little use for sleep, thus it makes it all the more aggravating when I must sit awake, contemplating the possible ends that my old friends could meet. Of course, since I do not have the focus to meditate, either, I doubt I would have been able to sleep, even if I could still do so. Thus, I must bide my time, resuming my training. During this time, perhaps one of the most ironic things to happen to me in a while occurred during my training... during my training, I managed to finally master the technique Master Tirvakir had been teaching me to help me protect myself - Calming the Storm. With it, I would be able to obscure my aura from magical eyes... and thus hide the fact that my aura is so... unique. I find it ironic... because had I perfected this technique just a day sooner, I doubt Lucia would have been as quick to approach me. He was obviously interested in my aura, and until him, everyone else from his organization just sat and watched me. Lucia has been the first to not be an unnerving nuisance to me... Though he says they are interested in recruiting me. I have an odd feeling about this 'Twilight Watch,' but perhaps seeking allies outside of my Order would be prudent. Thus are my thoughts and activities until the morning, when the Saint Yves Tavern opens.
At last... I sincerely hope that Lucia learns of my plight. He proved himself an expert tactician and a formidable combatant. Surely, he would be able to help me find them. Thank the heavenly Gods... I did not have long to wait, for Lucia arrived not long after I did... and it seems that his allies are also with him. I recognize the big, burly Shin. It is hard to forget a Val whose strength makes me look like a weak kitten. And that dark, moody Illryian... Osmium I think he is called. A strange one, he is... even for another Illryian. It seems he has his own demons to conquer, but if he associates with the Twilight Watch, there must be some light in that dark demeanor, somewhere. The fourth is not whom I expected... instead of the cloaked man with hints of silver underneath, I see a cloaked nobleman... his features are sharp and alert... the countenance of a hunter about him. Tattoos.... He's an Illryian as well. I feel a sense of foreboding from him... he hungers for battle. I suddenly feel very fortunate that his dark intent does not appear to be directed at me, or any other person in this establishment. Was this the fourth member I heard mention of during the excitement of yesterday?
Regardless, I wave the group over to me, and Shin is the first to notice me. "Tirvan?" he speaks as he reaches my table. I nod in the affirmative, and beckon for him to sit, as the other group members come up behind him. "I assume you received my letter, Lucia?" I speak. Ever since learning Anulitaro, Trader's Tongue has always felt so clumsy and slow, but as very few people beyond myself and the Eodai can comprehend Anulitaro, I must remain in that mode of speech. "I recognize most of those assembled here, but I do not believe I have met you. Might I ask for your name?"
"Sicarius will do. And yours?"
"Tirvan Palomedes. A pleasure to meet you. I see that you have your team with you. I presume then, that you -" ... Hold on... what is this?
"You must come with us. You are required." Osmium does not sit, but immediately grabs my sleeve, and attempts to pull me to my feet. Lucia looks annoyed at him, but calmly and quickly explains the situation. Shadow Illryians... Warded Mansion... Eodai Ghosts... Jewels of Heaven... Missing Vigi- Wait a minute... "Wait... The Jewels of Heaven are there as well?" Lucia nods. With that, I need no further prodding from Osmium. Their mission coincides with mine. It was all I could hope for and more. "Let's go then!" Lucia looks annoyed at me for this sudden outburst... Hmm... he's wary about something... In retrospect, perhaps I should be more wary as well, but I have a vested interest in the success of this endeavor. Though they were always critical of my past failings... and were annoyed to no end at my ineptitude with magic... they were the closest people I had to friends back then. I may be Tirvan now... but my old life is not dead yet. I had to do this... I had to try and save them...
Regardless, it seems that we are on our way. Fantastic... I suppose this is it, then. If we are successful... I will finally see them face to face again. Rubia... the most beautiful girl I have ever known. Her hair as wild as a fire, her beaming face a beacon of light... Would she even recognize me as I am now? I do not think she was present at the expulsion ceremony... Would she be afraid the Illryian I have become? But on the same token, I am no longer ramming my head against my ineptitude in fire magic... I can prove myself to her... her shining ruby eyes, her cherry smile, her scent like... like sweet raw sewage... wait... what?!
My thoughts snap back to reality as I see Shin pry open a manhole cover. "Down here," Lucia says as he points down into the darkness, and Osmium is already on the move into the fragrant depths. Oh gods... why have you forsaken me? "... That is a sewer." It has been a long time since I have had to deal with something like this... and I was none too pleased with the prospect of ending my clean streak. But... Oh hells... Lucia does not look pleased. "Yeah. And....?" He speaks, annoyance prevalent in his tone. "Ugh... Fine then." After the other Watch members hop down into the foul shadows, I myself make the plunge. At least my fortitude training was good for something... I suppose this is not all that bad... Oh who am I kidding? this is perhaps the most vile sensation I have felt in a long time... not since my forging... since that foul being made his mark on me... have I felt this wretched... But I am thankful that at least we are all moving quite quickly. After what probably was not that long, but was certainly longer than I wanted to be here, we came to a dead-end, leading up to a manhole cover. "This is it." Lucia speaks. "You are the one who will open this." Osmium intones authoritatively. Well... I suppose I could see why they wanted to bring me. Even with my poor magical sense, the amount of Time magic I could see radiating from this area was immense... How they thought I was powerful enough to break an enchantment like this is quite beyond me. It would take a Master to... Oh. Well, damn. I suppose I will have to deal with that sooner rather than later, then. Ugh... I do not want to have to sit down here... but maybe at least I can make the floor a little cleaner...
I touch my fingers to the tattoos hidden under my bandages... not the jagged, burning scars of my forging, but the soothing tattoos of my order.... the Mark of the Four Storms. I feel for the Second Seal... The Glorious Thunder of Redemption... My mind races in Anulitaro, formulating the mantra to focus my thoughts into a cohesive blade... my soulbound blade... "Second Seal, Burn with Righteous Power! Burst forth! Thunder Lance!" I feel the powerful force of thunder coalesce into my arm, and with a grunt, I thrust my fist into the ground. The Thunder Lance cracks the ground, but at the same time, I see the wind displaced by the explosion sweep the floor cleaner as the cracks run. The group looks bewildered by my display, but watches me expectantly. Oh... they must think I did this to break the seal... "Well?" Osmium speaks, as if to answer my suspicions. "I.. Cannot break this seal myself, but I know someone who can." Lucia, noticably annoyed by this response, give me a look. "So... why exactly did you do that, and make all that noise?"
"I need to meditate to contact him.... and I didn't want to get dirty while I sat." Oh man... that is one hell of an evil eye he has, even under those shades. I see why that assassin spilled his guts from just a look on Lucia's part. "Y'know what? Whatever. Just... Just get on with it and hurry it up. This was supposed to be a stealth mission, and that probably set off all sorts of alarms on the place." Oh good... That was information that would have been helpful a minute ago. I quietly inform him of this fact, and get on with my intent - contacting Tirvakir about this mission. I reach my thoughts out from below the streets... winding around the wards that seem to be shielding the building above us from my mind... out through the grass of a well maintained lawn... up into the sky... back down... down... back to the monastery. I sense his powerful mind in the cloister... I tap into his mind, and sense urgency in his thoughts... Well, I suppose it is time to compound them.
"Master... It is I."
"Tirvan... what is it, my son? Where are you? Your thoughts are distant to mine."
"I believe I have located the place in which our brethren have been taken and... turned. Also, I believe that whomever is responsible for enslaving our brothers is also responsible for ...other nefarious deeds in the city. However, there is a barrier-"
"You are in the city again. I presume this is also about that Entertainer's Troupe you have been infatuated with?"
Damn. I guess I should not be too surprised that he knows. He would not be Grand Master of our Order were he not a master of body and mind, and to one such as him, my thoughts are an open book.
"Yes, Master... but their problems and our own problems are related. They were captured as well, and I am afraid that if we do not act quickly they will be..."
"Very well, Tirvan. If you are so adamant about pursuing this path, even after all that I have warned you about, I suppose there is little I can do to stop you at this point. Now then, you said something about a barrier?"
Thank the Gods he is willing to help.
"There is a barrier here, made mostly of Time magic. I do not think I can dispel it on my own."
"... Let us see it, then."
Ugh... I do not like doing this, but I have little choice at this point, as I feel a consciousness ride through our mental link. suddenly, I feel the powerful might of the mind of Tirvakir alongside my own. He projects himself through my eyes, his Astral Form able to see the situation as if he himself were there.
"So it is true then... Very Well." I can feel the power course through his body in the monastery... the pulse shoots through my link with him, and into me. I shudder as the power continues through my eyes and to the Projection. I feel the mental pulse of his growl as he forms his energy into a spell. With a wave of his hands, he shatters the barrier, and I feel the pulse of the dissipated time magic wash over us. "It is done. I have broken the barrier that was sealing this passageway. I... wish I could aid you in this endeavor, but we have a situation that must also be attended to. Last night, I sensed the return of an all too familiar aura... one that you, too, are familiar with. The aura of the one who branded you. We move to hunt him." I grit my teeth at this. Speak of the devil... Aethrion... the Dark Lord of the Cosmos... So he has returned. Funny that my thoughts would turn to my encounter with him while traveling in this forsaken sewer, especially now that he has been detected in the city once more. But... what does it mean? If he has returned... did he make this barrier? I thought Lucia said Zex was the one behind this... Could they be in league with one another? I suppose there is only one way to determine the truth.
"Thank you, Master. I wish you luck in your hunt. Fight Well."
"And I you, young one. May fortune be with you."
With that, I feel the power of my master shunt out of my own spirit, and I regain feeling in the rest of my body. I slowly stand, and look with my own eyes on the seal that was once over the manhole. "That should do it." I speak. Lucia nods approvingly. "Looks like it. Ready to do this?" Shin gives an affirmative with the gusto I have come to expect of him. Osmium seems focused and intense, ready to strike "I am prepared." Sicarius too seems steeped in anticipation, and I see the outline of a cane as it moves underneath his cloak. "Indeed, but be prepared, there is a large number of Shadow Illryians and researchers in there. We will have quite the fight on our hands if they are alerted." I cannot help but flash a grin... and speak the words of Rubia whenever she's about to compete, magically or otherwise.
"Let's rock."

Well, that took longer than expected. Will complete this after running some errands.