Geyze II

Session 115: The Calm Before the Storm

* Day changed to Monday, 14. Jul 2025
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-644.3.31
<@DeathStar> Location: Capital of Grebolrg
<@DeathStar> *Selena has invited the group into her room at the Inn for a meeting the next day while they wait for the Peacemaker boat to arrive; it appears each of them have been given nice rooms, except for Terra, who was given essentially a broom closet sized room*
<@DeathStar> *Selena adjusts a table for everyone to sit at and then pours some drinks and food she purchased*
* Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) joins #Geyze
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I have checked out the city. I have taken note that this place has a high number of soldiers
<@Seraphna> Terra> Terra not understanding why given bad room. **sulks**
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> It is also well fortified against enemy attack
<@DeathStar> *Fae offers Terra some snacks*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I glanced through the library but I confess there wasn't much I could get my hands on. It appears the books are only allowed to be read by citizens and one has to show proof of being one.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Yeah, I'd been wondering if it was out of culture or necessity... not that I want to find out in person."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> But glancing at the titles, it appears they have a large selection of history books and magic books.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *enters the room*
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> Welcome, Lana
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...have you found anything out while exploring?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We were just discussing that. *she directs that at Lana*
* Alicia (~Home@pres-24-b2-v4wan-161431-cust1803.vm29.cable.virginm.net) joins #Geyze
<@DeathStar> *Shin appears in the room*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *nods and finds somewhere to sit*
<@DeathStar> <Shin> The boat has arrived in the city
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well, at least Terra will not have to worry about sleeping here in the inn any longer
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...then we should probably move to the boat. It would be alot cheaper that way...and" *looks around* "...more comfortable."
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Eheh... this a bit below your standards, Lana?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> She probably is planning to immediatly retreat below the decks.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...well...maybe...but...its clear the proprietress does not like Terra."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Let us go - we should meet up with Ceilidh and Yoiyami
<@Seraphna> Terra> Terra so confused. How someone not like Terra?
<@Seraphna> Alt> Could be like Yoiyami and not like anyone.
<@DeathStar> *Selena steps out of her room and down the stairs; as they head down the stairs, the Innkeeper is giving Terra a look* <Innkeeper> Oh, is the princess leaving already? I certainly hope my place was up to her standards.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Yoiyami likes plenty of people
<@Seraphna> Terra> Terra sorry she make lady upset. Not know what did wrong. But sorry.
<@Seraphna> **Terra gives a sorry fruit, a rarity because she doesn't often meet people who are upset with her**
<@DeathStar> *The Innkeeper eyes it, and gives a sniff as they step out onto the streets. Shin leads them along. Once again, the city looks very crowded with people moving about - many of them seem to be headed northward toward another district from where they are at, but Shin looks to be leading them westward, where the docks are located*
<@DeathStar> *eastward
<@DeathStar> *Azif keeps close to Alt and Origin keeps under Nicolette's hat as they soon reach the port, where ton of boats can be seen - the port here looks massive compared to the small village from before and it appears that many ships come and go. It looks like it's also much stricter - their ship seems to be currently being searched by the guard with Ceilidh and Yoiyami off to the side from the ship while this is going on*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Perhaps they have an issue with contraband?"
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Reminds me of the homeland, honestly."
<@DeathStar> *a guard comes up with some of the lab equipment, holding it out* What is all this? *he shakes it out, not caring if it's fragile* This looks suspicious.
<@DeathStar> *the guards also seem to be inspecting the prisoners they rescued, examining them*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...that is scientific equipment! Please be gentle!"
<@DeathStar> *the guard turns toward Lana* And who are you?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I am Lana Azarah, sorceress, sage, and researcher."
<@DeathStar> <Guard> Fascinating. So are you a passenger on their boat? *he thumbs at Ceilidh and Yoiyami*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Is that a problem?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Yes, I am the elad researcher on this expedition."
<@DeathStar> <Guard> I don't know, iiiiis iiit going to be a problem, little lady? *He eyes her*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I don't know if you have issues with researchers."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Guard> And what sort of expedition research trip are you on? *He sets the research equipment down on the deck*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...well... we are new to this part of the world."
<@DeathStar> *the guard stares at her blankly like she grew a new head*
<@DeathStar> <Guard> And where did you come from then?
<Jackieness> <Lana> *looks over to Selena, going into deer-in-headlights mode*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> .... *she seems to be thinking now, since a foot has been put in it - lying or truth*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> An island off the coast.
<@DeathStar> *the guard eyes them* You all seem suspicious to me and I don't like suspicious things. *he sniffs, then waves his men to move onto the next boat*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I'd be more angry if I wasn't used to that..."
<@DeathStar> <Shin> You are used to petty guards?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...I'm not good with these sorts of things..."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "'You look suspicious'."
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Honestly, he's right to be suspicious. We're definitely not usual traffic through here."
<@DeathStar> *Selena steps onto the boat while Zayne reaches out as if to pet Yoiyami's head, but then doesn't, since she figures she wouldn't appreciate being touched without permission* You look like a normal teenager to me
<@DeathStar> *which is ironic since Zayne and Yoiyami look about the same age*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *goes about gettign the lab put back together*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Mew.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I called it. *she notes about Lana rushing to the lab*
<@DeathStar> *Azif holds out a snack to Alt*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I have an excuse!"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I suppose we can hold the meeting in the lab. *she follows Lana there and finds a spot*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I'm not normal traffic anywhere but home... and yes, Lana checking the lab is perfectly rational, considering."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "They were manhandling our research equipment!"
<@Seraphna> **Alt nibbles it**
<@DeathStar> *Zayne lurks in the shadows with Shin - the equipment looks to have been shifted all over the place*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Alright, now that we're in the city we have to decide our course of action, Lana.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> What do you want to do next.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "OK...what do we know thus far?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well, from what little we know of this Kingdom
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We know there's a mana barrier to the south protecting something. It also might be part of what is corrupting the magic leylines? Maybe? We also have reason to suspect they might be one of the ones who attacked the Kingdom of Crimore in the past due to them making the Creation Machine
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Anything I'm missing?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "So a structure to the south with a barrier that may be tied to the magic corruption?"
<@DeathStar> *Origin speaks rapidly in her chirpy language that she does sometimes*
<@DeathStar> *It seems she is indicating that the barrier is over something large under ground*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I wonder if any of the locals know anything about it..."
<@Seraphna> Alt> I think she's saying that there's a barrier over a giant fish underground!
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "I honestly wonder if it's another flying structure that crashed. It's certainly mysterious."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> It would help to explore the city more if we want to learn more. I don't think approraching the leaders in the castle would do much. They also have a Tower much like our Magi Tower. It is impossible to know if it is operational, but if it is it could do serious damage
<@DeathStar> <Shin> Looking at the city, it does look a lot like the flying city we judg encountered
<@DeathStar> <Shin> Unless you are talking about barrier structure. If that is the case, how many flying cities were there?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "there were 12 kingdoms, but eahc one was oprganized differently. Crimore, for example, was ana entire floating continent."
<@DeathStar> <Shin> If that's the case - It is possible what is under the barrier could be part of this floating city that crashed and was sealed off
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Floating continents always seem so... I guess it is still fantastical."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I admit it is hard to picture. Seeing Varia flying was something hard to imagine, but then stretching it to entire landmass...
<Jackieness> <Lana> "There are many gaps in our knowledge."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> But I think Zayne is right - approaching the leadership probably will not work out in our favor this time. If we just walked up to them and said who we were, they probably would secure us
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Mmm..."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I want to say it can't hurt, but it does tip them off."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Its too dangerous."
<@Seraphna> **Talia pops out of Lana's boobs**
<@Seraphna> Talia> Hi! Gwen wants you all to meet up with him~
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I am beginning to wonder if Lana encourages that
<@DeathStar> *she slowly eats on a sweet*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "She just started doing it on her own!"
<@Seraphna> Alt> It's nice in there.
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "That's not the important part."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Right. You said something about Gwen?
<@Seraphna> Talia> Yep! Come with me! **she starts trotting away**
<@DeathStar> *Selena looks at the others, then Lana for her call*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We'll go meet him."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... *she stands up* <Shin> I will stay behind and guard the ship. If I am needed, Nicolette can call me
<@Ariel> * Nicolette follows after Talia, knowing this is likely important intel. "Okay, counting on you to hold down the ship then."
<@DeathStar> *Verdant nods goodbye to the team while Selena, Zayne, and Azif follow Talia off the boat*
<@Seraphna> **Alt and Terra follow too**
<Jackieness> <Lana> *heads after Talia*
<@DeathStar> *the city as they follow Talia seem to have been divided into almost sectors - the port seems to be it's own little area by the water, then the oldest area of the city seems to be the crashed flying city as they navigate the streets, with the structures looking a lot like Varia's. A lot of the places here seem to be residental almost and near them the castle can be seen as well as the Magi Tower. The newer areas, which is where Talia is taking them, seems to have been built afterward and near them is what appears to be a massive academy of sorts. Al during this a wall is along the parameter with the magic canons over their heads - near the academy Gwen sits there, dressed like a civilian, feeding some strange bird creatures*
<Alicia> * Ceilidh watches, paying more attention to the new lifeforms than Gwen, having never seen these before
<@DeathStar> *the birds look to be cute, but definitely odd - and definitely larger than most birds you'd find in a park*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...those look...almost like a construct..."
<@Seraphna> **Talia hops on Gwen**
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Want to eat one? *He jokes to Talia, standing up as they approach* Hello, everyone
<Alicia> * Ceilidh tries to determine if they're at least biological, which shouldn't be hard.
<@DeathStar> *They are indeed biological, if a bit strange*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Look tasty.
<@DeathStar> *Origin peers at the birds as well*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I wanted to make you all an offer
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I wonder if these can be categorised as birds... they're probably more different to earth birds than crocodiles, but..."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> But... um...seeing as you all are interested in the birds. *he peers at the birds* I was going to offer you a citizen's ID but do you want one of the birds instead for the trade I want?
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I'm not agreeing to unknowns."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...what trade?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> As you might have noticed, there's a lot you can't do unless you're a citizen in this city. The library, *he motions at the academy* Entering the magical academy. Entering certain other areas that might give you information. I don't mind giving each of you an ID --- or the bird if you rather - if you all retrieve an item for me that I need
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...what item?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Ohhh, that's what we were looking at.
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "You know what they are?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> There's a magical key. The Knight of this city will have it. It shouldn't be on their person so I'm not asking you to risk yourselves. It should be in their home - I think. I've marked it on the map. Worse case would be in their place in the castle. *he hands them a map of the city with the two places marked*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?" *looks at the map and then at the others* "...team huddle."
<@Seraphna> Talia> I have 24 plans, 23 of them involve putting Lana in a servant maid uniform to sneak in.
<@DeathStar> *Selena and Zayne step close, with Azif leaning forward* <Azif> We are doing this for the bird?
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...why would we?"
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I am uncertain how some of you think
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...me too, to be honest..."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Yeah, some of you think weird! **in her head it's all candy and fish**
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "IDs would definitely be helpful..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I agree with Nicolette. It would help us move around and if we're stopped ...
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...The IDs... the birds are already free."
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I think it'd be easier to just... acquire a bird some other way."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "The question is if pilfering this key will bite us later."
<@DeathStar> *in the background, Gwen feeds Talia snacks*
<@Seraphna> **Talia purrs and noms**
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Probably."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I cannot imagine the Knight will be pleased
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Do we have to do it right away after getting the ID?
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I don't know."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I am also wondering why Gwen or the Magic Emperor want this key."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Do you think he'll tell us?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...worst he can do is refuse to answer." *then turns around*& "Assuming we got this key for you... why do you want it?"
<@DeathStar> *Gwen gives his most charming smile* To use it of course
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...use is to do...what?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> **Nods sagely**
<@DeathStar> *Gwen looks more serious* Lets just say it'll make things more quieter for why I'm here. Otherwise, I'll have to do things the loud way
<@Seraphna> Talia> Which makes trouble for us.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *turns back around to the group huddle* "... ... ...ahhh..well...Gwen is never that charming or intimidating."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Huh? Daddy is awesome!
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Do we really need IDs?"
<@DeathStar> *Gwen plays around with the birds in the background*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "I have a bad feeling about it..."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We can manage without them, yes - it'll just be harder
<@DeathStar> <Selena> If you have a bad feeling turn him down then
<Jackieness> <Lana> *turns around* "Ahhh...after much discussion and consideration, we have decided to decline your generous trade offer."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen nods, making a slight wistful face* Very well. I'll stick around in the park a bit longer if anyone changes their mind. *he moves to the bench and sits down with Talia on his shoulders, reaching up to feed her occassionally*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...let's go before we draw any attention."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Still... I can hardly believe I turned down a request to steal something."
<@Seraphna> Alt> I still think we should trust Daddy.
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks at Yoiyami* You are your own person. If you believe the deal is good, you can take it
<@Seraphna> **Alt nods to Yoi**
<@DeathStar> *Zayne seems to be thinking still, having not followed the others - Azif remains where Alt is at, while Selena is following Lana*
<@Seraphna> **Terra muses** He's off, but that doesn't mean bad. Just different. Not shown evidence of causing us harm either.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...Gwen is not acting lime himself though..."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "No, I absolutely don't believe the deal is good."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Sure, but that doesn't mean Daddy's bad Momma Lana. Have you talked to him for real since?
<@DeathStar> *as the group begins to head back, the military seems to be doing inspections on the streets*
<@Seraphna> **Alt slips back to talk to Gwen if no one else does**
<Alicia> * Yoiyami keeps away from the military inspections, just in case
<@DeathStar> *it appears they are checking people's health for the plague, as well as other stuff, then they clear the street - a Knight like the Magic Emperor begins to lead the way with the guard as what appears to be a carriage head down the street, showing royal symbols on the side, the carriage heading toward the academy they were just near*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...the eladership are on the move."
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Hmm? I wonder what's up."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Maybe they are giving the commencement speech?"
<@Seraphna> **Terra muses and starts skating away on her own, making her way back to Gwen, perhaps to check on Alt and Talia**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...we need to decide how to act next."
<@DeathStar> *Fae jerks and follows*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well----
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We can try to get information from taverns I guess
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Then let's start."
<@DeathStar> *Selena leads them to the nearest tavern*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *looks around as they enter*
<@DeathStar> *the tavern, as they enter, is loud - noisy - and full of mostly men who seem to be depressed. Female servers rush around trying to serve all the tables as quickly as possible and even using magic to help prepare the drinks and help get them to the tables quicker, it still isnt enough. The tavern appears to be a two story one*
<@DeathStar> *with the upstairs looking to be a little quieter than the noisy bottom floor*
<@DeathStar> *Selena looks around and spots a free table on both the bottom and top floor*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh...this seems to be a place for wageslaves."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Lets try the top floor just so we can hear ourselves
<Jackieness> <Lana> *nod nods and heads upstairs*
<@DeathStar> *she finds a table and sits down. A dwarf - that or a short person with a long beard - smacks his axe down and eyes the girls* <Dwarf?> Lassies, I'll give you lots of coin I got from the mines to see... to see.. yer... *he bleches and looks ready to pass out* Yer goods. *he nods, waving a pouch of gold at them*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette frowns, moving to make sure this drunk can't lay a hand on Selena
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Not for sale."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> *he blinks at their reactions, then seems to focus on Lana*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Dwarf> Yer a --- *the server shows up and bounces him out of the way with her tray* So, what can I get you ladies? *She asks*
<@DeathStar> *Selena nods her thanks to Nicolette*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Does the house have a specialty?"
<Alicia> * Yoiyami peruses the menu, assuming there is one
<@DeathStar> *Yoiyami would find various spirits (as in drinks this time) and food - lots of meats and soups. Yoiyami would find she could order practically a whole cow for herself - Luci would be in heaven*
<@DeathStar> <Server> We do. Our speciality is our shepard's pie
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...then I'll have that."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> A little wine and soup please.
<@DeathStar> *downstair, Alt and the rest return. Zayne looks around and points upstairs*
<Alicia> * Yoiyami considers, then orders the shepard's pie.
<@DeathStar> *Azif makes a face at the all alcohol smell*
<@DeathStar> *The Server nods*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...we do have local currency, don't we?"
<@Ariel> * Nicolette ponders, and orders the same as Selena. She normally likes to go for the specialty, but shepard's pie feels a bit heavy for today.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We do - not a lot of it, but we do
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We got some from the last village."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Good.. I'd hate to order food and be unable to pay."
<@DeathStar> *Azif eyes the menu and looks displeased at no desserts*
<@DeathStar> *Fae and Zayne indicate they are fine to the server*
<@DeathStar> *the server returns to get their orders put in*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Well, you will be happy and unhappy. Which will you want to know first
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Of course. You will want the good news first
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Bad. It's easier to plan around..."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Oh, the bad first? Gwen has gone off to enact whatever Plan B is
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Okay."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Not really news, but okay."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Whatever it was, he said he did not want Alt involved and sent us away
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> The good news is he gave each of us that stayed behind IDs.
<@DeathStar> *she shows one*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Then you cna be our eyes and ears then!"
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...what the hell...?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> That is true. Is there a particular place you want me to go?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...we need access to their history volumes in their library."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Ah, certainly. *she stands up* I will see about their rules
<@DeathStar> *she heads off*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Aghhhhh! You cna eat with us first!"
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Some reason you don't want to eat the food here?"
<@DeathStar> *Zayne waves a hand, indicating she is okay, stepping out the door even as the server is coming up the stairs* <Fae> Technically she might not need to 'eat'.
<@DeathStar> *Fae spins the ID Gwen gave her - it appears to be some strange marker almost*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...how sad. Then again, I suppose that means never getting hungry..."
<@DeathStar> <Fae> Food is good way to restore energy if spirit is low. And it tastes good still
<@DeathStar> *the server sets their orders down*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *starts to eat*
<@DeathStar> *Selena begins to eat her own - thankfully the food is pretty good for such a place like this*
<Alicia> * Yoiyami eats too, paying a lot of attention to the taste
<@DeathStar> *part way into the meal however, a commotion breaks out - the doors are thrown open and some commoner comes in, exclaiming about something happening at the castle. Indeed, faint alarms can be heard going off*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *whispers* "...Gwen."
<@DeathStar> *the tavern slowly begins to empty out onto the streets*
<Alicia> * Yoiyami rapidly finishes her meal, going from savouring it to just wolfing it down as fast as possible
<@DeathStar> *Selena sets her wine aside and finishes her soup, rising; Fae flutters down to the street level and outside*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *gobbles then moves after the group*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Oh yes, I guess now is the moment
<@DeathStar> *she stands up and heads on out*
<@Seraphna> **Terra gulps the last of her food and skates after Fae**
<@DeathStar> *it appears most of the people are peering at the castle in the distance; it looks like some magic barrier is flickering around it.* <Azif> It appears most people are distracted. Was there anything you all wanted to do?
<@Ariel> * Nicolette soaks up the last of her soup with a piece of bread, and follows after. "Maybe we should just keep our heads down."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh..back to the ship?"
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Unless you want to check out the castle while everyone's distracted or stop Gwen... yeah."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We could gain favor stopping Gwen, I'm sure
<@DeathStar> *Azif moves over to Alt, standing by her*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...maybe we could see if we cna get closer then."
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "I feel like stopping Gwyn might make them more suspicious of us."
<@DeathStar> *As they move closer to the castle, it appears as if a large number of soldiers have placed themselves around the castle and oddly enough the Magic Tower next to it. They seem to be looking all around, as if waiting for something or someone. A floating carriage comes in from the sky and lands, when one of those Knights steps off of it*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "That must be their Knight."
<@Seraphna> Alt> They got floating carriages too.
<@DeathStar> *out of one of the air vents that seems to regulate magic, Gwen can be seen flying out of it, holding what looks to be a magic box when all the canons and soldiers and the Knight begin to advance on him.* <Selena> I do not think we will be necessary after all
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...we so do not want to get too close."
<Alicia> * Yoiyami was already hanging back
<Alicia> * Ceilidh tries to determine what the box is, but at this distance, it's probably difficult
<@DeathStar> *Gwen holds up the box toward something or someone on his shoulder*
<@DeathStar> *Ceildih could be able to detect the box is containing something powerful, and the box is merely a container to hold whatever it is without causing issues to the holder*
<@Seraphna> **Talia takes it and vanishes**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...do you think that is their Creation Machine fragment?"
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Ah, the box is like... lead lining but for magical radiation."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "T... Talia?" *facepalms*
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Yes."
<@DeathStar> *The soldiers rush forward toward Gwen, gang piling Gwen until he's covered entirely*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I would have expected a more show of source. *she muses as Gwen is lifted up by the soldiers and the Knight approaches him and punched in the stomach, hefting Gwen over his shoulder and carried back into the castle*
<@DeathStar> *force
<@Seraphna> **Talia pops her head out of Lana's cleavage** What's up?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?!" *moves arms to keep talia out of sight*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Hello, Mrs Talia
<@Seraphna> Talia> **muffled**
<@DeathStar> *while they're talking, a commotion is heard*
<@Seraphna> Terra> Should we really be out when all this is happening?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> *down the road, an armored Knight just like the one that took Gwen inside a moment ago is walking down the street toward them - is it the same one, or does this Kingdom have two?*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> .. how....?
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I thought it was one per kingdom..
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Maybe not."
<@Seraphna> Talia> Could be from another Kingdom. Or a rogue.
<@Ariel> * Nicolette reaches out, trying to sense if there's a magical nature to one of the knights
<@DeathStar> *As Nicolette reaches out, she can indeed feel the magic coursing through their armor. It doesn't feel exactly the same as the Magic Emperor, nor does it even feel the same as Gwen's, indicating each armor has it's own unique properies despite each having a magical property to it*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...this is probably bad."
<@DeathStar> *the crowd seems to respond to the Knight, meaning eaching out and touching them or bowing to them in respect, some even cry out to them - the name being used seems to be Nina, indicating a female in the armor*
<@DeathStar> *Origin remains still under the hat*
<@DeathStar> *The Knight stops in front of Lana* <Nina> Excuse me
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Nina> I felt... something come this way. I believe it was magic or magic adjacent. *she points ...at her breasts*
<@DeathStar> *The crowd seems a bit confused*
<@Seraphna> **Talia pokes her head out** Oh sorry, that's me. I'm a mana construct!
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ah...well...I'm a sorceress."
<@Seraphna> **Talia hops out as a kitty** I'm her Familiar!
<@DeathStar> *the Knight stares at Talia, looking surprised at Talia revealing herself*
<@DeathStar> <Nina> Do you mind if I scan your...familiar?
<@DeathStar> *she asks Lana and Talia*
<@Seraphna> **Talia poses to be scanned**
<@DeathStar> *Nina holds out her gauntlet and it begins to glow, searching Talia for likely the box*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...go ahead."
<@Seraphna> **Talia does not have the box currently**
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Is something wrong?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Everything okay Lady Nina? Is that right title?
<@DeathStar> <Nina> .... *she closes her hand, standing there a moment* .... Something important was taken from the castle. Rest assured, we will get it back.
<@Seraphna> Talia> I hope you find it!
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We were watching the arrest."
<@DeathStar> <Nina> Hrm. *she looks at the group* I take it you new to the Kingdom. I hope you adjust well to our lands. And that your stay .... healthy
<@Seraphna> Talia> Thanks!
<@DeathStar> *The Knight moves on and the crowd seems awed that they were talked to; Selena lets out a breath. Azif watches as Nina seems to eye her on her way by*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We heard about the mana palgue,"
<@Seraphna> **Talia hops back down Lana's cleavage and vanishes**
<@DeathStar> *It is clear that the Knight heard Lana, but it seems she opts not to answer that particular line of conversation - either due to the people around her, or for some other reason*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh...let's get back to the boat before soemthing else happens."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Right.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *starts walkign back to the port*
<@DeathStar> *Selena heads back where their boat seems to have been left untouched for the time being. Fae sets down her citizen ID, knowing she'll never use it and figures someone else might want it. Azif also tosses her's down - she'll just go wherever Alt does, after all*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> So can someone tell me what just happened
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "All that and we're just ditching the IDs?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Talia..."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... I have a lot to talk about."
<@DeathStar> <Fae> Fae not ditching. Fae figures someone else might want to use it to go places
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Then we'll start with Yoiyami.""
<@DeathStar> *Azif seems to be in thought, leaning back in her seat*
<@DeathStar> *Selena takes a seat, looking at Yoiyami*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Yes Lana?
<@Ariel> * Nicolette inspects the ID, seeing how... identifying it is
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...I didn't see it but... the way Gwen acted... do you think he has something like a tsukaima?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Talia... what happened back there?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Gwen's been working to get the pieces. Since you didn't go for getting him the key he had to do it the loud way. And since he doesn't want to hurt those people he planned it so he got captured and I got away with the piece.
<@DeathStar> *it looks like Gwen gave them markers where they then place their own magic into it to resonate with the marker. It truly seems to be a magic society. It must suck for those who do not have magic to be citizens here*
<@Seraphna> Talia> He'll let himself out after they calmed down a bit.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> With two Knights, it might be hard even for him to escape. You realize that
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Why does he even want the pieces?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...we didn't want to cause get in the crossfire in case it went south anyway. Our position here is tenous be virtue of our outsider status."
<@Seraphna> Talia> From what I gather, to stop the Emperor from getting them.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> What was this piece being used for? Out of curiousity
<@Seraphna> Talia> The Emperor fully intends to use the Creation Machine, so keeping the parts away from him is the only way to really stop him.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...we never removed Gwen's control mark though..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> That is true. Yet he seems to be acting on his own
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...this is so confusing..."
<@Seraphna> Talia> It was to power their Magi Tower.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Which works pretty much like ours does, blow stuff up! Even their own land.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I wonder what the Floating City's did
<@DeathStar> *she turns to Lana* So, do you think we should return this?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "The floating city will probably fall if they lose their piece..." *looks at Selena* "...wait...the piece is here?"
<@DeathStar> <Azif> From what I gathered, if it is Creation Powered, their Magi Tower was a threat to us even from here. It might still be even without it. Gwen likely took it knowing that
<@DeathStar> <Azif> And yes, it's obvious Gwen stole it. And put it that magic box. That magic box is extremely strong
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "I feel like gathering the parts isn't doing anything to benefit us... and just makes it easier for the emperor to get them all."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Perhaps.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We can leave that box out in front of the castle
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...the question is now what... if we leave now, it would look suspicious... if was stay... still suspicious."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> But if they're using their's to power their Tower, I admit I do not feel good about that
<@DeathStar> *Zayne arrives, holding a large number of books and dumps them on the table*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Gwen's trying to get them before the Emperor takes them. If you leave them here the Emperor will just take them later.
<@Seraphna> Talia> If we take them, he won't have reasons to attack each city to take them either.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> There
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "No, he'll just attack us.2
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> What are we discussing?
<@Seraphna> Talia> Yes. But we can actually fight. Unless you were planning all those kids and weak people we saw to take the hits.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Also taking them means we can do what Gwen wants to do with them. Destroy them.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We cna't desatroy them unless we have all of the partsm, including the components form the MAgic Emperor."
<@DeathStar> *Zayne takes a seat*
<@Seraphna> Talia> So... are we just going to let the Emperor take them and use it first?
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I take it me getting the history of this place is now useless
<@Seraphna> Talia> Destroy the spirits, let old magic and monsters rule? That was the plan?
<@DeathStar> *Selena folds her hands*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I guess we need to decide
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I'm interested in the history." <Ceilidh> "Same."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> How we as a group want to go forward
<@Seraphna> Talia> Yes, because why are we here if we're not going to do anything.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Let's table the issue of the Creation MAchien and discuss Zayne's findings."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We can table it, Lana, but the bigger issue is going to remain - you know that, right?
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Really, it's just going to remain until we can defeat the Magic Emperor."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I believe learning about everything should be our #1 priority, let me state that up front
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I agree."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We need more data points, and that is what these books are for."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> But when we come across the pieces or anything to do with it, what should be our goal.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Hold onto them or what?
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "That's what we're trying to work out."
<@Seraphna> Talia> I'm gonna be straight, either you're holding them or I'm taking them to Gwen. I'm not letting people basically hand them to the man who wants to erase my family.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "There's a big difference between finding one in a ruin, and finding one people are actively using."
<@DeathStar> <Azif> By my estimates, most of the piecs are likely being held
<@Seraphna> Talia> Yeah, the amount of people the Emperor kills to take them.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> There's only one piece we do not know the whereabouts
<Jackieness> <Lana> "For now, we are not going to drop it on the doorstep like an unwanted child...especially since with the city at high alert, we would be caught anyway and taken in for questioning."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "So, what, are you intending that we steal the rest?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> You don't have to. Just hold onto the ones we get.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Gwen's risking his life to save people, but we're not gonna force others to do so.
<@Seraphna> **Terra is frowning deeply at this point**
<@Seraphna> Talia> I think Gwen was hoping Lana could study each one and learn more about them.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I guess it is coming down to - Gwen is going to keep grabbing the pieces
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... so, Lana, how is research going?"
<@Seraphna> Alt> Daddy brave.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I would refrain from opening the box if you plan to research the piece until things calm down
<Jackieness> <Lana> *sighs* "...then I had best study the pieces." *adjusts ehr glasses* "...in the meantime, your homework is to read these volumes and learn everything about this kingdom and its contemporaries that they were willing to keep on the public record."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Okay then
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I mean, obviously."
<@DeathStar> *she begins to show the books she grabbed* Here we go
<Alicia> * Ceilidh is already reading
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Judging by these books, this Kingdom crashed during the Fall
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We can probably learn more about who attacked who
<@Seraphna> Alt> If their tech is anything to go by, they have been at a stand still or even regressing since the fall.
<@DeathStar> *<Zayne> There is also books on the plague
<@DeathStar> *she points at books that go over it*
<Alicia> * Ceilidh reads those, in particular
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Well done, Zayne."
<@DeathStar> *Ceilidh would see the plague seems to have been going on since the Fall, surprisingly - and growing more severe every century since. Going over research notes and all, many put blame on a magic spell that was meant to seal away something that the elders had to use the leylines, which began to slowly corrupt the mana over the centuries, with many fearing it would slowly spread throughout land but with the kingdoms hating each other it is hard to tell how far the plague has spread*
<@DeathStar> *many have debating trying to undo the spell by the elders, but it is so complicated no one has been able to do so*
<@DeathStar> *plus those in power simply refuse*
<@Seraphna> **Talia sits watching, calming down since people aren't going to undo Gwen's work now.
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Wow, glad Jikuu can't see this, she'd be screaming... internally, anyway."
<@DeathStar> *Ceilidh would also find notes that there's actualy more than one barrier spell*
<@DeathStar> *which could explain why the corruption spread so fast*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...hypothesis...the structure you found is the sealign sight...or perhaps one of multiple such sites."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Sealing things away in the leylines seems like a terrible idea."
<@DeathStar> *Selena looks ata map* IT looks like there might be 3 of them
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> A triangle
<@DeathStar> *surprisingly, it looks like two of them are in the other Kingdoms land, yet the journal seems to indicate that it was Greborlg that did the sealing for all 3*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Well... we definitely need to look into this. But it's been slow in it's growth. Is it a priority?"
<@DeathStar> <Lavenza> It bothers me still. *she admits*
<@DeathStar> <Lavenza> But I do not see how anything can be done
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We don't have all of the details, and the leadership here decliens to break any of the seals for a reason. Its possible breakign a seal might cause the plague to spread faster."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We might can do something about the other 2 since they're in the other lands
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Yeah... it definitely bothers me. Just trying to triage which these different crisii."
<@DeathStar> *Selena looks up from the history books*
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I mean, there's not much we can do about any of them right now."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Its the details missing from here that bothers me."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "History books are rarely complete."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> According to this, the leader of the Kingdom claims he gave the order to use the Tower on the enemy, but confesses that that final few hours everything is blurry, as if everyone was in a state of shock and no one can fully remember what happened. Or even who the enemy was
<@DeathStar> <Selena> All that was known was that their Tower had indeed been used due to the depletion of the mana in it
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Sealed threat. Space threat."
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Are we thinking the Sealed threat and the plague are the same?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> After that it appears they built up their army and used the creation piece they located to keep the Tower fully powered and able to fire and never deplete, making it able to constantly fire
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "The same? No, I doubt it. But it could be related."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Nicolette might be right. We know there is a structure under ground and that whatever sealing spell placed on is becoming toxic to the land. I would think that it's also becoming toxic to whatever is there as well
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Again, lack of data points. As for the plague...I think that whatever they sealed has started to leak out into the local leylines."
<@DeathStar> <Lavenza> Is there a way to get more data on what is underground?
<@Seraphna> Terra> I could try feeling it out.
<@DeathStar> *Ceilidh's plague information would slowly go over how it appears as if over the years, mana itself has slowly been corrupted - as if something has become rotten in magic*
<@DeathStar> *people have been theorizing something has caused the magic in certain spots of the land to go bad*
<@DeathStar> <Lavenza> How much can Terra feel?
<Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I think we do have to deal with whatever got sealed away. Not sure if we have to unseal it to do that or not."
<@Seraphna> Terra> Usually very deep into planet, but not tried much on this continent.
<@DeathStar> *Selena taps her chin* We know this is a heavy military magic Kingdom
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Legion with spells."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> They seem to draw on magic heavily here and over the centuries certain areas have become corrupt zones, stimming from that seal probably - we dont know if the other two kingdoms have the same issue
<@DeathStar> <Selena> They also seem to have created military magic academy
<@DeathStar> <Selena> That their citizens are free to try to join
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "So we know there are multiple barriers... but do we have any information on the spells used?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> The military academy might have some information on it
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I will look into it
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> -Epilogue 1-
<@DeathStar> *the ship's comms beep from a certain Aquarius*
<@Seraphna> Nox> You have reached the Aquarius, how may I direct your comms?
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> Silly
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> I wanted to updated you all on something
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> But this was the first time you all were on the boat at once
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> The other day Luci and company came to Geyze with Ymir to deprogram her, according to Lumi
<Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Deprogram her? Wow."
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> Well, here's the catch - there's a high chance Kumen is or is currently being affected by a large scal magic spell
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> That is affecting memories and people's perception of events
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> Despite the fact there should be no mana running through Kumen to cast such a spell
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...unless all of the mana is beign directed into maintianing the spell."
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> Correct. It is likely Kumen might be the sight of a Creation Engine Piece
<@DeathStar> *site
<@Seraphna> Alt> DIdn't the history book say the war started cuz they fired the tower, but can't remember why and everyting is fuzzy?
<@DeathStar> *Selena nods* Yeah something like that
<Jackieness> <Lana> "They were alarmed by Crimore's creation of the Creation Engine, and someone attacked first."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Maybe that's a creation shard they're using then? Now we know where four are counting ours.
<@DeathStar> <Mireille> I just wanted to keep you in the loop. It might be why all those Corporations rose up in like in just a few years. If a piece can do that, who knows what else they can do
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Cells
<@DeathStar> *the two Knights begin to approach Gwen* <Knight 1> We're going to make you speak and tell who you passed the piece to. And you will talk. All about who your accomplice is and then you'll sing in front of the crowd before we execute you
<@DeathStar> -TBC-
* DeathStar changes topic to: Geyze II: Monday 7:30 - 10:45 PM | Act 1: Magic Unbound | Session 116: TBA
<@DeathStar> -Minis Open-
* Day changed to Tuesday, 15. Jul 2025