Geyze II

Session 124: The First Road Block

* Day changed to Monday, 18. Aug 2025
* Ariel (~enjer@142.167.136.179) joins #Geyze
<@DeathStar> *sets down tacos*
* DeathStar sets mode: +oo Alicia Ariel
<@DeathStar> 5
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-644.4.7 - a few days since arriving at the settlement
<@DeathStar> Location: The Small Tavern
<@DeathStar> *since arriving at the small tavern and agreeing to do various chores for the owner of the tavern downstairs in order to stay in the room upstairs, the team has been stuck in the settlement as a dust storm has been kicking up around outside the settlement, causing the effect of a large dust cloud blowing through the town and the crops outside for the past few days. The people claim it happens every now and then, but other than that they are not a talkative bunch to strangers, and drawing information out of them has not been easy*
<@DeathStar> *Selena quietly washes some dishes before, listening to the sound of the wind outside the building*
<@Seraphna> **A clearly fake Alt splashes in a bucket “cleaning” while the real Alt explores the tavern in Kitty Mode**
<@DeathStar> *Qui seems to be staring at Alt, then looks at the owner of the place, then back*
<@Seraphna> **Talia pretends not to notice as she helps with the food**
<@DeathStar> *Azif stands by a window, not even bothering to help with the cleaning*
* Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) joins #Geyze
<@Seraphna> **Terra helps with the food too, chopping veggies so well it’s like there were more veggies to be had than normal**
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks like being couped up in this place has begun to drive her a little batty, as she sweeps the same spot on the floor for the last 10 minutes*
<@DeathStar> *Peeps remains upstairs in the room with the little girl they rescued*
<@Seraphna> **Alt puts remains of snacks out for her broom to catch**
<@DeathStar> <Owner> You all are certainly pulling your weight. I am impressed.
<@Ariel> * Nicolette dries dishes as they're cleaned, "You know, if you asked me what I expected to be doing today, this isn't it."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well, unless Lana wants to try to brave the storm... *she shrugs*
<@Seraphna> **Fake Alt splashes more**
<Jackieness> <Lana> *is out and about in the town doing repairs for the locals*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> If Lana isn't careful, she'll be blown away. *She snarks, peering down and jerking at there being more dirt on the floor*
<@DeathStar> *as they're talking, the front door suddenly blows open, more dust coming in on the floor as a few men come inside and one of them struggles to shut the door behind them. They trek over to the tables*
<@DeathStar> *removing various clothing from their faces, and taking off gloves, the men look unhappy about something as the owner moves over to get them some drinks; Zayne meanwhile moves to start sweeping again*
<@Seraphna> **Alt pops up in human form wearing her uniform from Luci’s bar** Welcome!
<@DeathStar> *one of the men eyes Alt* <Man> ... This something new?
<@Seraphna> Alt> I’m Alt!
<@DeathStar> <Man> Just get me some of the food, Alt. *he mutters suspicously, then turns back to the other men to begin discussing something - it appears the local enforcers are in town and they were seen over at old Jane's Barn, dragging the entire family off*
<@Seraphna> **Alt brings them their food**
<@DeathStar> *Selena slows down in her dish washing*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *comes in through a door, wearing heavy clothing with thick goggles. She shakes off* "Woooooooo!"
<@Ariel> * Nicolette tries to eavesdrop, though glad she's not working out front right now
<@DeathStar> *The men turn toward Lana as she comes in. Zayne begins to shake visibly in rage as more dirt comes in with her*
<@DeathStar> *the men take the food and begin to eat*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *pushes the goggles up* "Ahhhh...its blustery out there." *pats self down, emitting a dust cloud*
<@Seraphna> **Alt gently leads Zayne to sit and take a break**
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... ... ... *mumbles something under her breath as she is led*
<@DeathStar> *the door opens once more and as Lana is dusting herself off, more figures step in behind her - men in biker jackets that are covered in dust, wearing their own goggles*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Biker> ... Well well. I didn't know they had such busty figures in shitholes like this. *He eyes Lana as the four of them step inside. The men at the table seem to pale and try not to move*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Hello! You want food?
<@Ariel> * Nicolette mutters under her breath, from the kitchen
<Jackieness> <Lana> *moves for the back of the place*
<@DeathStar> *The Biker reaches and touches Alt's pointy ears* What do we have here, boys? Hmm. *He seems to be trying to decide what Alt is*
<@Seraphna> Alt> I’m Alt.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *when she gets to the back whispers* "Raiders are in front."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It's hard not to hear them.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Mmm, it might get bloody quick.
<@DeathStar> <Biker> Hm. Yeah, get us some food. *He sits down, then yells out loudly* We've come to ask some questions. We already taken one family in and we aren't afraid to take this whole town in. We noticed a part of one of our bikes was missing. Do any of you know anything about it? *He eyes the men at the table*
<@Seraphna> **Alt goes to get food**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...how did they find the bike? I practically took apart the computer when trying to see if I could get the data off of it."
<@DeathStar> *The owner turns toward Lana, being in the kitchen*
<@DeathStar> <Owner> Do you know something about this?
<@Seraphna> **Terra hmms** I think these are other bikes. Not the ones we found earlier.
<@Seraphna> **Alt sets the food down** Want drinks?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh...ahhhhh...we found some smashed bikes out in the desert. I managed to assemble a working one to use to make the trip easier..."
<@Seraphna> Terra> They talking about their own bikes. Might have a thief in town?
<@DeathStar> *The woman begins to panic* You took one of their bikes? Oh, why did I ever let you stay here. Oh, they'll kill us all or worse, take us in.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> You forget, Terra. We hid the bike in the barn. *she whispers softly*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> If they somehow traced it
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Found in pieces. Pieces."
<@Seraphna> Terra> So we’ll get rid of them.
<@Seraphna> Terra> Seems they took a family anyway.
<@DeathStar> *one of the bikers pull Alt onto her lap* This is good enough for now
<@DeathStar> *Azif slowly rises behind the counter, as if she is about to act*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Okay. **she sits there blinking**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...let me clean up...as a distraction..." 8scurries upstairs to do that*
<@DeathStar> *the owner seems to be debating what to do*
<@Seraphna> **Terra winks and wiggles her fingers, the dust that everyone tracked in starting to gather**
<@DeathStar> *Peeps looks up at Lana, being upstairs with Yoiyami and the little beastgirl*
<@Seraphna> **Talia leans in and whispers to the woman** Keep calm. We’ll make sure this doesn’t come back to you.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *changes clothes, tries cleaning off the dust and doing her hair as quickly as she can manage*
<@DeathStar> *the bikers seem to be giving orders to the men, telling them to go out there and gather everyone and bring them to the tavern for them*
<@Seraphna> Talia> When the men leave. Less innocent people in the way.
<@DeathStar> *the men slowly step out the door into the storm*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> You plan to start a fight? <Zayne> ...
<Jackieness> <Lana> *comes back down, trying to push her bust up, though she si clearly awkward while trying to be eyecandy*
<@Seraphna> Talia> You plan to wait till they gather a bunch of people to harm?
<@DeathStar> *The raiders pause, turning to stare at Lana* Well, hello there.
<@DeathStar> <Raider 2> You tired of this place and want to ride with us? *they laugh*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahh....ahh...hello."
<@DeathStar> *They indicate for her to join her beside Alt*
<@DeathStar> *Selena deadpans from the kitchen*
<@Seraphna> **Terra gathers the dust and quietly has it drift under the table**
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Immakill them
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Well... let's wait until none of have hostages in reach."
<@DeathStar> *the slight burn marks on her face seem to actually be glowing* <Selena> Very well
<@Seraphna> Talia> Alt’s not a hostage at least. She’s been ready to take an arm or two since she sat down.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *moves closer*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> And Lana?
<@Seraphna> **Alt is very subtly holding her hand in a position like she’s gripping an invisible sword**
<@DeathStar> *As Lana moves within arms reach, one of the raiders reaches out to pull her onto their lap* <Raider 3> You can ride with me, babe, back to our base.
<@Seraphna> Talia> I have to hope she has something planned, since it’s currently one hostage or a village of them.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh....but I have my job here. Maybe you could visit more, ok?"
<@DeathStar> <Raider 4> You not careful, the boss might take her away from you. *The Owner seems to be practically ready to scream*
<@DeathStar> *all of them turn their heads, distracted when the front door begins to open and the wind and sand begins to blow in*
<@Seraphna> **Terra seems to come up with something as the dust all moves right under the table**
<Jackieness> <Lana> *starts to subtlely cast a debuff on the bikers while they are distracted*
<@DeathStar> *so far no one has noticed as the dust is under the table now as the first group of people are coming inside*
<@DeathStar> <Biker 1> Well honey, we'll have to discuss this "visit" thing. I might can spare you some time. Ha.
<@DeathStar> *two of the bikers stand up from the table and begin to direct the people to sit down*
<@DeathStar> *the dust under the table suddenly seems to spring up around the two Bikers still at the table, attacking them suddenly; the two Bikers that stood up turn around* <Biker 1> What?
<@Seraphna> **Alt slides off one of those laps and shifts towards one of those standing, going for a throat slash**
<@DeathStar> *The Biker holds up his arm, the armor in it protecting him enough to stumble outside and go for his parked bike in the sand storm. He attempts to hop on it, when there appears to be someone already sitting on it*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette casts a barrier around the kitchen, "Get the civvies in here."
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami blnks, then races off with the bike
<@Seraphna> **Alt goes for the other one’s leg after being throat-blocked**
<@DeathStar> *The second one curses as he holds his leg, stumbling outside after his friend, bleeding*
<@Seraphna> **Talia leaps out and moves to put one of the choking ones down**
<@DeathStar> <Biker 1> .. Bitch! Give me back my bike!!
<Jackieness> <Lana> *raises her hands and weaves an ice elemental gun* "...ok..." *fires at the back of the one who just retreated outsiode*
<@Seraphna> **Alt gives chase and pounces at his back to try and tackle**
<@DeathStar> *the second Biker goes down from the combined attack*
<@DeathStar> *The first Biker eyes them, peers inside, and rushes off into the dust storm while Selena and Zayne gets the civilians back into the kitchen*
<@Seraphna> **Talia moves onto the other choking one**
<Jackieness> <Lana> *fires at the retreating biker*
<@Seraphna> **Terra heads out after the first biker disappearing into the dust storm, reaching out to take control of it**
<@DeathStar> *Lana somehow gets a rare shot off; though the dust storm makes it hard to see, a noise of pain is heard over the wind*
<@DeathStar> *Fae follows Terra, since wind is more her thing than Terra*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh....I clipped him! Go and get him!"
<@DeathStar> *as the storm begins to die down and the area clears of the storm, a blood trail is seen leading along the road*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> ... *seems disturbed by something*
<@Seraphna> **Terra and Fae use the storm to clean up the first one and the already fallen second one**
<@DeathStar> *she reaches out and grabs Alt, vanishing with he*
<@DeathStar> *Fae looks around, floating along after the blood trail*
<@DeathStar> *it seems it leads all the way to a broken window at someone's house*
<@Seraphna> **Terra drifts closer and frowns** They hide in there.
<@DeathStar> *as Terra and Fae are looking inside, they would sense a powerful spirit energy heading their way - rapidly*
<@DeathStar> <Fae> .... ?
<@DeathStar> <Fae> Terra feel that?
<@DeathStar> *Origin peeks out of Nicolette's hat and chirps a warning to her - essentially keep low*
<@Seraphna> **Terra nods and quells her energy**
<@Seraphna> Terra> Go human half.
<@DeathStar> *Fae panics and does so - but it still feels like the spirit energy is heading right for them*
<@Seraphna> **Terra guides her away from where they were to hide**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "There is still one left..."
<@DeathStar> *appearing in the middle of the street, almost right in front of the bar, the silver haired spirit appears - while it was giving off massive amounts of spirit energy a moment ago, it seems to give off none now as it peers at Lana intently, their eyes almost appearing to be reflective*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette lets the barrier fade so it doesn't give them away
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..." *ducks back inside*
<@DeathStar> *the spirit looks about at everything, peering back inside the kitchen area where everyone is being kept* ...
<@Seraphna> **Alt keeps out of sight**
<@DeathStar> *oddly enough none of the people of the town seem to want to speak up to the spirit, even as it stares at them almost questioningly, so after a moment, it turns and looks around the area, touches the blood on the ground and seems to be studying it, then goes to the building the raider ran off to, leaving the area after a bit*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> ... Well then.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...we should leave before we bring any further misfortune..."
<@DeathStar> *indeed, the town folk are giving them a look of not being welcome*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> *appears with Alt* But we saved them
<@DeathStar> *Qui goes upstairs to retrieve Peeps and the girl*
<@Seraphna> Alt> If we stay then the next raiders that come will punish them. If we leave they can say thru drove us off.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "But would those...those jerks have shown if not for that stupid bike?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> They had already come here before they found it so yes.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We still have the map at least. We know the direction we have to go
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Maybe we cna find who those raiders worked for."
<@Ariel> * Nicolette looks to the villagers, "Who was that?"
<@DeathStar> <Peeps> I can tell you that much based on the map. *She says as she comes downstairs* It will be the local gang lord. Or providence lord if you prefer. The Bandit King breaks off the land to sort of lieutentants who run sections of the land - these badlands are run by a biker gang lord, due to the fact the land here is so desert like and hard to navigate.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...let's go that way."
<@DeathStar> *the settlement people all look at each other, then look away, as if they have no intention of answering Nicolette, but the Owner finally speaks up* You must truly be outsiders if you have no idea who that was - that is Damjan's weapon.
<@DeathStar> <Owner> If it senses powerful magic or anything unusual, it will appear and wipe out the problem, or capture it
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...yes. We just arrived here by...ahhh...incident."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Is a Spirit, probably under Slave magic.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It most likely has a slave crest on it like Peeps was describing, but if that is the case then Damjan and his family placed it on her and it can only be removed by defeating him
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami returns, still on the bike, now that the bikers and spirit is gone.
<@Alicia> "... I kinda messed up the timing on that one..."
<@DeathStar> *The people eye Yoi and begin to tense up, thinking the Raiders are back*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> I think stealing his bike worked out
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...we should go. We should go!"
<@DeathStar> *Selena begins to head northward*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> You are aware of one thing though, Yoiyami
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I was planning to scout ahead with this, but I guess I shouldn't right now... and what's that?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We didn't exactly catch the raider. And you are on his bike. It means by raider law he will have to stalk you and reclaim his bike
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "He should learn to break laws then, I guess."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...if I had the equipment, I could construct a spirit trap..."
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "What do you need?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Raiders following laws… that’s funny.
<@DeathStar> *as they move along, the little horse beast girl they follow seems to lag behind*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> You know, we still have no idea what her name is since she hasn't spoken. We need to come up with something to call her
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh.... help her on to the bike!" *gestures*
<@DeathStar> *the girl eyes Lana, then the bike, and seems to speed up and run ahead of the group*
<@DeathStar> *As if fleeing Lana*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "...well, okay."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?!"
<@Seraphna> Alt> I will name her Speedy.
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Well, it's that or Marvellous."
<@DeathStar> *as they travel along the area and soon leave the settlement, the territory soon becomes sandy and barren again, leaving Yoiyami's bike the best mode of transportation*
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami looks for trackers as she continues, just in case
<@DeathStar> *Qui slowly strips down as little amont of clothing she needs due to the mugginess; as Yoiyami searches the bike, it indeed seems to be tracked. The bike looks to have some sort of system design that allows it to be pinged*
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami starts to disable the tracker
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Might have to dissemble and rebuild this thing."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..let me look." *moves over to examine the bike too*
<@DeathStar> *as Yoiyami works on ripping out the pinging system, up ahead the group would see a massive wall across the landscape - a barrier of sorts. Around the barrier, it seems to serve as a check point and a base all in one, as down below one can see a line of traffic waiting to enter the complex, including all sorts of stuff from people just traveling, to food trucks, etc.* <Peeps> This place is where the local gang lord resides. You can't get past this check point without running into him.
<@DeathStar> *various points along the wall, one can see the bikers exiting the wall and driving along the badlands*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Yep. Dystopian empire 101."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "They cna't see us with this bike."
<@DeathStar> *Azif throws a sheet over it*
<@DeathStar> <Fae> Not sure if that would work
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhhh?"
<@Seraphna> **Terra huffs** Would burying it be enough to alert the other spirit?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "If you did it with spirit powers, maybe. We cna't risk it."
<@DeathStar> *Yoiyami and Lana most likely can disable the ping system temporarily, or barring that, remove it from the bike or barring that, take it apart and reassemble the bike at a later point*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "That's kinda troublesome. I don't have any good plans to get through unseen... and I'm guessing we're not going to have much luck just busting through."
<@DeathStar> *the girl looks at the team, then at the wall, then back, perhaps waiting to see what they do*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We could deactivate the tracker by decouling it from the power source."
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I thought your plan was to bust the entire system down. Are we stating we are giving up at a single wall?
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Options I can see so far... hide amongst the traffic... and right, uncoupling it sounds good... fight the entire camp, or find a way to just bypass the entire wall..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> The problem is how many forces are packed inside the wall; how many innocents could be in the wall, how to teach the wall
<@DeathStar> *Reach
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We don't have the data points."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> The problem is we just don't know enough about the land and the people won't talk to us
<@DeathStar> <Qui> They are extremely distrusting
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...for good reason, I imagine."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well, maybe we need to start doing stuff to make them trust us
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Hmm..."
<@Seraphna> Alt> And most of us aren’t considered free people. Gotta smack down some tyrants before they’ll start listening.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Yoiyami's idea isn't a bad one
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Sneaking in among the traffic
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Its a classic move..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It would be even better if we could sneak in among one of the caravans
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "They don't have to be especially big tyrants at first, but we have to do something for them... and increasing visibility comes with extra risks along with reward."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Auntie!
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Well, taking out the biker gang for this area would be starting small I would say - they can't pose that much of a threat.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> They're raiders after all
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Yes?
<@Seraphna> Alt> This Amazon rules! We beat up tough leaders. Then we tough leaders.
<@DeathStar> <Qui> It is true.
<@DeathStar> <Qui> If we remove the wall from our mind as an obstacle, then all we're facing is a bunch of raiders
<Jackieness> <Lana> *takes a deep breath* "We have to move forward because there is only wasteland behind us."
<@Seraphna> Terra> Spirit not ping us until we used major elemental control.
<@DeathStar> *Azif raises her hand as if they are in school*
* Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
* Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) joins #Geyze
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "What is it?"
<@Seraphna> Alt> Yes prettiest book Azif.
* Jackieness is now known as Guest11093
<@DeathStar> <Azif> The tiny beastgirl ran off while you all were debating what to do. .... I thought you might want to know
<@Seraphna> Alt> Speedy!?
<Guest11093> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?! Where did she go?!"
<@DeathStar> <Qui> I thought it was Marvelous
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "That's okay... if she doesn't want to stay with us, she can just go back to that village."
<@DeathStar> *Azif points down at the wall*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> She went that way
<@Seraphna> **Alt gives chase**
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... well, I guess that limits our options."
<Guest11093> <Lana> "Come on, everyone!"
<@DeathStar> *Zayne follows Alt rather quickly, surprisingly*
* Guest11093 is now known as Jackieness
<@DeathStar> <Fae> Gasp! Tiny little one is going to turn us in?!
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami follows, making *damn certain* that the tracker is off before continuing.
<@DeathStar> *Speedy Marvelous seems to be avoiding the crowd of people, thankfully, which allows the team to just head straight for the wall. As they near it, it appears she is looking for some sort of entrance or hole, and spotting a drainage ditch that is small enough for her, she begins to ry to wiggle in*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..there she is!"
<@Seraphna> **Alt follows her as a kitty**
<@DeathStar> *Zayne grabs her and begins to pull her back out*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "What's wrong with that plan?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> You want to let her go in? *she holds the wiggling horse girl*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Oh right, you can't fit... sorry."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Us cute and tiny ones can fit!
<@Seraphna> Talia> I could watch them.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Might not be a bad idea to get those who can fit, through."
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks uneasy*
<@Seraphna> Alt> If water was deeper could turn you all into fish.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...they are the ones most likely to be detained if we get stoped while in line to enter the main gates."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> What?
<@Seraphna> Alt> Azif gave me fish spell.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Yes. To turn her opponents into fish so she can eat them
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... anyway, what's wrong, Zayne?"
<Jackieness> <Lana> *just looks at Alt*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> She is a six year old child. Sending her into the enemy stronghold does not set well with me. But Lana is right, she might also face trouble in the line. *grits her teeth* I wish she could speak.
<@DeathStar> *she sets her down at the entrance* <Zayne> Protect her, Alt - Talia
<@Seraphna> **Alt and Talia turn into kibbies**
<Jackieness> <Lana> *nod nods*
<@DeathStar> *stepping away, one could almost sense dark energy bubbling on the surface of Zayne's energy, something that has been bubbling all day*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "And be careful. No heroics."
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... are you feeling okay?"
<@Seraphna> Terra> Zayne, you’re a spirit yes?
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I am feeling tense and a type of annoyed jittery lately. *she peers at Terra* That is correct.
<@Seraphna> Terra> Haven’t learned to control your shape yet?
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> My...shape?
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Not everyone can do that..."
<@Seraphna> Terra> Our bodies are more or less projections.
<@Seraphna> Terra> Once you fully learn it you can resize yourself or even change how old you look with effort.
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I wonder if that applies to maka-born spirits..."
<Jackieness> <Lana> "So she could resize so she could go with them?"
<@Seraphna> Terra> Maybe! She’s just have to think about going Chibi!
<@DeathStar> *Zayne eyes the drainage*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... I have been this 'age' for so long, trying to picture myself any other form is hard to imagine
<@Seraphna> Terra> Sometimes it helps to picture someone similar! I can go Chibi if I think of Momma.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Eheh... well... you could try for the same age, but scaled down."
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Well, that does explain why Sparkling still looks so young..."
<@DeathStar> *Zayne considers, then kneels and seems to shrink down like Lavenza does, probably using her as a blueprint in her mind*
<@Seraphna> Terra> Some like Lana will have to go in front due to big boobs.
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza peeks out from Nicolette's hat as Zayne then shifts down the pipe and out of sight*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> An interesting technique. So should we try to get in line?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...y...yes."
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Maybe I should stick with the drain people."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> If you think you can do it
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... take care of Zayne for me."
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami goes to watch over the drain group
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Personally I think it would be great if Lavenza had shrinking magic. *She turns to eye Origin. Origin tilts her head, as if questioning her*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "...that would be useful for moments like this...I'm...not built for sneaking."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Alright, lets get in line then
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Being front loaded doesn't have much to do with your sneaking ability."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I think she just likes to bring attention to it. *she says, half-joking, half serious*
<@Seraphna> **Terra joins them**
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> *the back of the line seems to have several large carriages, the back of which seems to be filled with strange furniture. A kid sits in the back as a guard, while a strange man is in the front of the carriage driving it; the second carriage is much the same, but a girl is in the back of this one, and the one driving it seems to have a man with a cloak. And walking with them is one of the Knights it appears, serving as a guard*
<@DeathStar> *Selena freezes upon seeing them and slows down, turning to Peeps* <Selena> I thought you said the two Knights of this land ruled cities
<@DeathStar> <Peeps> They do. ... ... That must be a Rogue. It is best to avoid them.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Rogue Knights?"
<@DeathStar> <Peeps> They are Knights with no Kingdom anymore, and essentially serve their own morale code. Since the armor is passed down among families, or sometimes it is passed among those who they feel will use the armor wisely, the Rogue Knights could be anyone. They simply travel anywhere they wish. And many don't stop them.
<Jackieness> <Lana> *looks at the others* "It must be the story of the Magic Emperor too."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> You think the Emperor is a Rogue Knight?
<@Seraphna> Terra> From your stories about back home there may be more than we thought.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "The Rogue Knight piece is one new data point."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It would make sense I suppose. The Emperor gave Gwen an armor, too, which would make him a Rogue Knight
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "I wonder what they're doing out here..."
<@DeathStar> *the Knight seems to mostly be patting the horses as they move forward*
<Jackieness> <Lana> *nods* "Though did the armors come from this continent or weere they hidden on our side of the world?"
<@DeathStar> *drawing closer to the wall*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette wanders off, regarding the knight curiously.
<@DeathStar> <Qui> There goes our Nicolette.
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh, Nico!"
<@DeathStar> *as they get close enough that the bikers are doing "checks" of everyone - mostly taking money and goods as "payment" to pass through the wall, the Knight stands and looks menacing. As the bikers near his group, they jerk and naturally know that what a Knight is and begin to panic a bit*
<@DeathStar> *and so they simply give the caravan a paper, indicating they are fine, and decide to pull out without even checking Lana and company*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Interesting reaction
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Knights are strong enough that the raiders give a wide berth...oh, if only I could study their armor."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Maybe you can seduce one to get them out of their armor. Like Gwen
<@DeathStar> *Fae peeks out from around everyone*
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"! *flusters*
<@DeathStar> *the caravan and Lana's group are allowed inside the wall/base; the gates on the otherside are still shut to allow them out the other side, but standing in the large area with all the waiting people the group would see various places for travelers to set up "shop" so speak for a time. There are places to spend coin and other activities, likely why the other gate is not yet raised. There is a place to drink, a place to rest for the night, and there seems to be areas for purchasing stuff - weapons, items, traveling stuff like carriages and cheaper bikes compared to the one the bikers use. Oh, and slaves*
<@DeathStar> *the caravan in front of them moves off to get supplies and wait for the gate to raise, the Knight breaking off from them for the time being as they head off to the tavern area*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> ... So - what's the plan?
<Jackieness> <Lana> "We got lucky...but...where would the drain empty out?"
<@DeathStar> *Selena turns to eye the left doors that go into the complex itself. They appear to be locked and guarded*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Somewhere over there. It appears to be off limits to the public.
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Should we head to the tavern and give them a chance to meet with us?
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Or try to get to them
<Jackieness> <Lana> "Will they even be able to get out of there on their own?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Good point. We should see if we can find a way to them
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Drain Team
<@DeathStar> *The group comes out in the lower levels with the cells. Right now they appear to be empty, but the horse girl immediately seems to run to one cell and grabs a set of chains and holds them when chibi Zayne floats in*
<@DeathStar> *the cells smell awful, and there's a wetness everywhere*
<@Seraphna> **Alt pads over to her** You were looking for someone here? Your family?
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "No-one's here."
<@DeathStar> *the girl nods and seems to indicate they were there - but it's clear they're gone now* <Zayne> If you recall there signs of raid on her settlement when we got there that night - they likely were brought here
<@Seraphna> Talia> Means they recently cleaned house. Probably made them slaves already. The good news is that means they're probably alive.
<@DeathStar> *the girl seems unsure what to do now*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Stay with us. We'll find them okay Speedy?
<@DeathStar> *Zayne poofs herself back to normal as "Speedy" nods*
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks around the empty cells - they seem to lead toward some stairs that wind upward*
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami makes sure the downstairs is clear before heading up the stairs cautiously
<@Seraphna> Alt> There will prolly be guards.
<@DeathStar> *as they go up the stairs they reach a second level with more cells; these seem to be empty too, but since Yoiyami is keeping an eye out, there appears to be one cell that is occupied in the back. A figure chained to the wall with some sort of strange mask on their face, and ratty prison clothes on their body. Other than that, the exit to the cells seems to be straight ahead through an iron door*
<@Seraphna> **Alt blinks and sniffs at the masked person**
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Anyone know what that mask is? Unless it's just a mask."
<@DeathStar> *They smell human and as if they been there a while*
<@DeathStar> *The mask smells magical*
<@DeathStar> *Azif appears behind Alt*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> That is a powerful magic on that person
<@Seraphna> Alt> Human though.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> They must have made some angry enemies
<@Seraphna> Alt> Maybe mask holding them back or something.
<@DeathStar> *The person seems to be listening to them*
<@Seraphna> Alt> What kind of magic though? Maybe I can eat the Mask?
<@Seraphna> Talia> Does stand to reason if it's an enemy of the Raiders then it might be a friend to us.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I would advise against it. It is not eldritch, but it is definitely a dark magic.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Black then probably. Well we can at least bring them with.
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "Again, any idea what the mask is?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> You good with that Mask Person?
<@DeathStar> <Mask Person> .... If you bring me along... I will... help you bring this place down ... if that is what you want
<@Seraphna> Talia> What's your name?
<@DeathStar> <Azif> The mask seems to be a sealing mask as well as a mask to bring pain and suffering on the wearer
<@DeathStar> <Mask Man> I do not remember.... .....
<@Seraphna> Talia> That's what's sealed away then. Their identity.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Might even cause people to forget who they are... so name might not help us.
<@DeathStar> *Speedy hides behind Yoiyami, peeking out*
<@Seraphna> **Alt slashes the chains, and Talia tosses an old cloak over them** Wear that to hide the mask.
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "As long as they're going to take this place down, I'm fine bringing them along, and... shouldn't we just take it off?"
<@Seraphna> Alt> When have time, maybe Azif and I can dispel mask.
<@DeathStar> *The figure stands up weakly and they comply with the order to hide the mask*
<@Seraphna> Talia> It probably will do something bad if we take it off.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Like kill them or us.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I can probably locate the spell to remove it, but it will probably take something of a powerful eldritch spell
<@DeathStar> <Azif> And everyone gets so jumpy when I bring it up
<@Seraphna> Alt> I don't!
<@Seraphna> Talia> Dear we need to have a talk about you playing with strange magic later.
<@Seraphna> Alt> **pouts**
<@DeathStar> *Azif pets Alt's ears*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... I am uncertain on what I hink of this
<@Seraphna> Talia> At least give Lana time to study it and see if that's the best way first.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Fiiiiine.
<@DeathStar> *the masked man passively stands behind them*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I mean... most people heres only experience with eldritch magic is 'thing used to try to kill us' or similar, so I understand being jumpy about it."
<@DeathStar> *Zayne gives him a glance, then looks ahead*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I suppose that is fair.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I am simply here to provide aid when requested.
<@Seraphna> Talia> We don't know all that many men anyway. We just have to figure out if there's an important one missing.
<@DeathStar> *Zayne goes to open the door, but it suddenly begins to open before she does*
<@DeathStar> <Guard> Be on your guard, the prisoner might have escaped *is heard on the other side*
<@Seraphna> **Talia moves by the doorside and forms her Magic Blade**
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami hides behind the doorway, out of sight
<@DeathStar> *Zayne follows suit. Azif pulls Alt into the shadows with her.*
<@DeathStar> *as the door opens, the guards stare at the man standing there, and begin to approach him* <Guard> How the hell did you escape? Be a good boy and just stand right there.
<@DeathStar> *the guard and two others begin to slowly step into the room*
<@Seraphna> **Talia steps up behind the two and slams her sword up at the back of one's neck**
<@DeathStar> *the guards go down, gurgling. The lead guard begins to turn around*
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami grabs the guy with tendrils.
<@Seraphna> **Talia twists and deforms the swords only to summon her Familiar Blade and swings for the final guard oce he's tied up**
<@DeathStar> *the two manage to tag team the guard before he has a chance to do anything*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... okay, I guess we're not getting any information out of this guy..."
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I could give you a useful spell
<@Seraphna> **Talia starts searching the bodies** No but we can get keys.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> If you want it
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> You are beginning to sound like a sleazy salesman
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "I'm more interested in the theory than just random black box spells, thanks."
<@DeathStar> *Talia would find on them jail keys to get out of there*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I was going to offer a spell to talk to the dead
<@Seraphna> **Talia takes the keys and looks for anything else of use**
<@DeathStar> <Azif> But if you are not interested
<@Seraphna> Alt> Ooo, put that one on note.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Could question fishies where they keep their secret fish cities.
<@Seraphna> Talia> ...She's got a point.
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Then I will offer it to you when we are done
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... why would you even think that they have fish cities at all?"
<@Seraphna> Alt> Well there's a Fish Spirit.
<@Seraphna> Talia> It's true, I brought it to Geyze.
<@DeathStar> *Zayne has already moved on ahead*
<@DeathStar> *taking Speedy*
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "... come back when you can find the secret time cities." *heads on*
<@Seraphna> **Alt and Talia follow, Alt leading her new Ally, The Masked Man**
<@DeathStar> *The masked man follows after them, with Azif sticking with Alt. Though no one would probably notice but Alt, there is a slight pout on her face*
<@Seraphna> **Alt gives her a nuzzle** You're my book anyway.
<@DeathStar> *the keys they took unlocks the doors and the group would find themselves on the first floor, where they would see various raider stuff all over the walls. It almost looks like a frat house than a base. They can hear loud music playing through the halls and beast women can be seen moving down the halls, carrying drink trays to the raiders in various rooms on the floor.*
<@Seraphna> Talia> NOw we sneak out and find the street.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> How do we even locate the others? This place is huge
<@Seraphna> **Talia starts putting on Raider Gear**
<@Seraphna> Talia> I escort my prisoners out.
<@Seraphna> Talia> Zayne you get dressed too.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> You think that old trick will work?
<@Seraphna> Talia> I'd rather not kill every raider here just to leave.
<@DeathStar> *Zayne goes to grab the raider gear from the other room*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> There is just one problem though
<@Seraphna> Talia> MMm?
<@Alicia> <Yoiyami> "How does that help locate anyone? Or are we just wrecking... okay, look, we can just sneak out unnoticed, they're very distracted."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Even if we meet with the others, it still doesn't bring this place down
<@Seraphna> Talia> That's the plan, this is in case there's door guards. Plus then we know how to get back in with our full strength.
<@Seraphna> Talia> But right now we have... 4 combatants and 2 escorts.
<@Seraphna> **Alt starts doing math on her paws, not putting together that Talia isn't counting her**
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... *to Yoiyami* While we look around, see if anything stands out to you that might help bring this place down
<@Alicia> * Yoiyami nods, searching
<@DeathStar> -TBC-
* DeathStar changes topic to: Geyze II: Monday 7:30 - 10:45 PM | Act 1: Magic Unbound | Session 125: The First Providence Lord