Geyze II

Session 140: The Forest From the Trees

* Day changed to Monday, 10. Nov 2025
<@DeathStar> 5
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-644.4.20
<@DeathStar> Location: Peacemaker Ship
<@DeathStar> *Selena and Zayne gathers around Lana in her lab to study the drone that Lana was designing to survey the area that they time jumped into after escaping the past; the ship currently lodged and stuck in a giant tree and surrounded by large purple trees as far as the eye can see currently*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> So you think this can do what we need it to do?
<@DeathStar> *Gwen leans against a table*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Give us a birds eye view of the environment."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well, lets do it then.
<@DeathStar> *she moves for the upper deck*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *moves the drone up to the deck*
<@DeathStar> *Shin is currently sitting on the deck with Fae, staring at the forest when the others arrive on deck*
<@DeathStar> *the deck still showing signs of damage from the Magic Emperor*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> So how does this work exactly?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "We just need to channel some mana into the system to jumpstart it."
<@DeathStar> *Fae stretches out, trying to reach for a fruit in the tree they're stuck in, and begins to flail as she begins to fall over the side*
<@DeathStar> *Zayne finds a spot to observe* Let us see what your drone can do then
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *starts to weave, concentrating ambient mana in the drone*
<@DeathStar> *Selena leans in curiously as the drone starts up* So how do you see anything with this magical drone once you send it away?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "I have its number." *performs a weave and the drone's 'eyeview' floats in midair*
<@DeathStar> <Shin> .... *Shin taps her scythe against her shoulder* It has a .... phone number?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "That's just an....ahhhh...expression..."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen's eye monster begins to chase the drone around*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Eye monster seem jelly.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Aghhhh...st..stop it!"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Bad Bob, bad! That's not a toy! *he claps his hands commandingly*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Eye Bob! Come here!
<@DeathStar> *The monster moves over to Alt and hovers beside her*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> .... Well, that seems pointless if it'll listen to you over me
<@Seraphna> Alt> Yay! Bob likes Alt.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...anyway..." *sends the drone up higher to get the lay of the land*
<@DeathStar> *Lana would see trees, trees, trees*
<@DeathStar> *but also among the trees looks to be further north, village camps set up where logging operations are occuring*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "This is an absurdly forested region." *pushes ehr glasses up* "...and with the height of these trees, how did we not see the forest before the time jump?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> It depends on where we are in the land, I suppose.
<@Seraphna> Talia> We could have come back anywhere.
* Alicia (~Home@pres-24-b2-v4wan-161431-cust1803.vm29.cable.virginm.net) joins #Geyze
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> We are back on the same day as we left.
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> I stake my word as a time spirit
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "I do see some signs of civilization that way."
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> Now, location wise, I have no idea. That is not my speciality
<@Seraphna> Talia> Could be in another part of continent.
<@DeathStar> *Avenir - oops
<@DeathStar> Verdant
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "We may not even be in the Bandit King's lands anymore."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> So I should take a the knife to Miz after all
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "What? No. We have to figure out what to do about him, but not that."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I meant more to get him to identify if we are still in the Bandit King's land
<@DeathStar> *Selena muses* If Lana's drone is right, we at least have a direction to go
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Toward this logging village
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *sends it closer to the village*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Bad Girls can grill Miz for info.
<@DeathStar> *as Lana's drone gets closer, the people there look to be less downtrodden than most of the people they have encountered so far, but they seem to be working hard all the same, getting the logs are piled up and there is someone supervising it all - a large man. There are no sign of any slave crests either. For the most part, the is a strange air about the village - it is not a happy village, but it is not beaten into the ground either*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Hmmmm..." *has it do a high circl of the village for any details*
<@DeathStar> *outside the village there seems to be road leading further away from the village, heading northward - and at least that way is no trees. The road looks to be well maintained and there appears to magi-tech equipment ready to take the wood that is loaded onto it*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Enhance image!
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... *eyes Alt*
<@Seraphna> Alt> I saw it on Nue TV.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *tries getting more altitude to get a better look at where the road might go*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> I spot magi-tech loaders and vehicles. Yoiyami's favorite
<@DeathStar> *the road would head too far out of range to lead anywhere Lana could see*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "We're pretty much in the middle of no where."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well. I repeat again then
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I think that has to be our destination, yes?
<@Seraphna> Alt> We stop, ask for directions, overthrow big lumberjack tyrant, Terra gets fruit.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "The timber is certainly beign shipped in that direction, suggesting a city or fort is that way."
<@Seraphna> Terra> Fruit!?
<@DeathStar> <Speedy> We could just live in the tree!
<@DeathStar> *Fae finally has climbed back up into the ship*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Well, that brings us to the next problem then. The ship. What do we do about it. It's stuck in this tree. Do we want to try to free it?
<@DeathStar> *the magi leans over the side* I could try to blow the tree up
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "We were working on a flight mechanism..."
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "It's safer for everyone, if we try to dislodge it carefully."
<@DeathStar> *Selena eyes the back of the ship caught up in the tree top* Any ideas?
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Fire?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Well, barring the completion of the flight capabilities, we'd need to ge it to the ground into an area where the ship cna actually drive around.""
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Well, I mean, it was flying there for a moment
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "I could try to get it flying again."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> And how long would that delay trying to get it to fly 'again'.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh...probably longer than we want to invest, to be honest. Top of a tree isn't a great work area."
<@Seraphna> Ten
<@Seraphna> Terra> I could have the trees lower it.
<@DeathStar> *Selena rubs her head, peering at Terra* We want to risk having her do it?
<@DeathStar> *she peers at Lana*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Lower it...how? And we would still have to get it out of the forest."
<@DeathStar> <Qui> I have an idea but you'll hate it.
<@Seraphna> Terra> I’m the Earth Spirit. They’re trees.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?" *looks at Qui*
<@DeathStar> <Qui> Abandon the ship and let your crew work on it and when they get everything working, they'll come fly and pick you up. -- that might be a while though. Of we can have Terra use her powers and quickly take us to the village and hope that the Bandit King's spirit doesn't come down on us
<@DeathStar> <Qui> That way we can keep the ship sooner
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...right...we can't rely on spirit powers..."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Nicolette was managing to reach out the last time we encountered the spirit
<@Jackieness> <Lana> Ahhhh...still risky though.."
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... *glances at Nicolette*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> So you want to abandon ship for the time being then?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "That is probably the safest option."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Lets grab our stuff then.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "And I'll leave my instructions to the crew."
<@DeathStar> *Peeps hands Alt and Talia pots of soup*
<@DeathStar> <Verdant> I'll stay behind and help protect the ship; since there isn't a lot I can do anyway. <Shin> I'll go this time and provide bodyguard services for Nicolette
<@DeathStar> -Time Hop-
<@Seraphna> Alt> Bad Girl Squad suit up!
<@DeathStar> Location: Unknown Forest
<@DeathStar> *walking along the forest, the group would notice a few things on the ground level - the trees' wood seems to be giving off both magical energy as they walk along, and two many of the trees seem to have stuff stuck in them, allowing sap to be drained from the trees*
<@DeathStar> *Zayne touches the trees, musing*
<@DeathStar> *Fae follows Terra along while Wyrd and Heyu stick to Alt. Azif breaks off some bark, holding it in her hand*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "AHhhh...they must be tapping the sap to collect mana in a physical form."
<@Seraphna> Terra> **eyes the bark to see if it was healthy**
<@DeathStar> *Mirage takes some of the sap* <Mirage> ...
<@DeathStar> *she likes is probably thinking of the mana creatures in that cave that are like her*
<@DeathStar> *Azif is chaotic evil, so yes*
<@Seraphna> Terra> Be nice to the trees. Wouldn’t wander someone ripping your cover.
<@DeathStar> *Azif peers up at Terra*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> This wood is full of mana. They are likely cutting down these trees to use the wood for it's unique property and the sap for the same reason
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> *to Lana* You want to know something? *She says it a taunting way*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "It's certainly mana rich... more so than I would have expected."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> You know how everyone hates the Bandit King, all the other Kingdoms, but no one ever acts against him?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Yes?"
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> It's because his kingdom is one of the more rich in mana - that does not have mana poisoning. The other Kingdoms have this problem for some reason but not his. So their resources become more limited by the year unlike the Bandit King. Ironic huh
<@DeathStar> *Mirage seems to delight that the other Kingdom's resources are becoming corrupted* That means, the more mana they have, the worse off they become once the poison seeps into their resources over time. It's like their own mana is eating them alive.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "The posioning seemed to be be cenetered on the sealed spirit vaults. This lands spirits are awake, though not necessarily free."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It does appear as if the spirit is keeping this land free of the poison
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Rememebr what the Keepers said?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Hm? Which part was that?
<@Seraphna> Terra> Maybe keeping us imprisoned causes the poisoning of the local leylines?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "After everything went...well...crazy...the excess mana was basiclalya cting like radiation. Seeding spirits was the Keepers' solution."
<@DeathStar> *he holds up his hand, spotting cut trees up ahead and workers working on new ones. A few of the men spot the group approaching and pause, wiping their foreheads - surprisingly, it appears as if the area looks to have safety tools and equipment on hand, and even a few workers are taking breaks*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Looks up to code.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Right. And using mana and magic was the tool of the enemy - at the time. Lets just hope that isn't the case anymore
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "But also...remember all the issues we had when spirit energy and mana mixed?"
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Well yeah, it always explodes
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Most of the time." *pushes her glases up her nose* "Remember the state of the Visage ship's FTL drive? Or my mana/spirit spires?"
<@Seraphna> **Alt waves at the workers**
<@DeathStar> *Shin quietly glances around; thankfully her weapon is not materalized, because she is acting sus*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I do
<@DeathStar> *one of the workers approaches Alt* Welcome, travelers. You can call me Big John. What brings you here? Are you wanting to purchase some of our famous Magical Wood?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Not explosions, but rather a form of corrosion. Maybe this is the similar."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen sizes up the man*
<@DeathStar> *The villagers seem to be whispering about Gwen and there being a Knight visiting them*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Hi! I’m Little Alt!
<@DeathStar> <Big John> You are indeed. *he laughs*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Famous magical wood? What do you use magical wood for?"
<@Seraphna> Terra> **peers around at the operation, not thrilled but she tolerates this in Geyze too outside the Great Forest**
<@DeathStar> <Big John> Ah! *He motions at his fellow workers that he is going to lead the group toward the village* Well, little lady, it can be used for many purposes. Magi especially like using it, but it can be made into Magic Shields - the properties of the wood are full of mana and magic, so it allows the Magi to enchant the wood when the shield is being made. It can also be made into Wood Weapons with the same type of enchants brought out from the mana inside the wood. *he hands them some of the Shields and various magical canes, swords, etc* Some of have tried using wooden armor plating with the magic enhancements placed on them
<@DeathStar> <Big John> It can also be used to build structures and houses, and the mana inside the wood protects the house from ever aging and from being easily destroyed. My own house is one such place
<@Seraphna> Alt> Can use on… ships?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh..fascinating."
<@DeathStar> <Big John> It can yes.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Mana infused wood resists aging? Hmm... I suppose that makes sense, but that does sound useful."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Make fishing rod?
<@DeathStar> *he seems perplexed that someone would use the wood for such a thing but nods*
<@Seraphna> Talia> A tool if true purpose!
<@DeathStar> <Big John> I just know often it is sent to the larger cities where the Magi and Nobles wish to have it for various purposes.
<@DeathStar> *Selena muses* I would not be shocked if the air ships we saw were made with this wood
<@Seraphna> Alt> They probably make boring stuff like chairs.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> ... you believe they would waste this valuable resource to place their.... arse on it?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh..for a prestigae chair, yes."
<@Jackieness> prestige
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks to be twitching*
<@DeathStar> <Big John> ... *studies the group, and at Heyu who is a werebeast horse girl* I would assume you were from my lady's area of domain, but since you do not know about our trees, I am now assuming you are from another domain or from another Kingdom altogether?
<@Seraphna> Alt> **pats her Gladius**
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Ah, yeah. We're on a bit of a journey of discovery. There's a lot to this world to see."
<@DeathStar> <Big John> Ah, how I envy you then. But to come to Xohan of all Kingdoms. While my Lady's domain might be safe, I would not recommend the other areas of this land.
<@DeathStar> *he turns and begins to put up the wood items*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Things didn't seem too dangerous here... are the other regions bad?"
<@DeathStar> <Big John> The other Lords are much crueler than my lady. Many feel my lady should be replaced as stewartship of this domain due to her unwillingness to match their viciousness, but as she is a Knight they fear her. And she provides results
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Ah, I see. It's fortunate we came across the lands of someone respectable first then."
<@DeathStar> *Selena seems to be thinking*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...well...thank you for the warm welcome."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Where is your Lady Knight then as we continue our travels? *Big John leans over and points down the road that Lana spied on earlier* <Big John> If you continue down this path, you will see it break into a 4 way path; if you go westward away from the river, you will soon find her city. If you go northward, you will find another city that is also in her domain. The rest of her domain is mostly small villages
<@DeathStar> <Big John> But you are welcome to stay and rest here as long as you need
<@DeathStar> <Shin> Perhaps we can try to rent a magi tech cart while we are here
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Oh, heh... yeah, that's not a bad idea."
<@DeathStar> <Big John> I said I would be your guide - here. *he steps out of the shop - the village is decently sized. The group would spot what looks to be a small place for the locals to get together after work to drink, and it looks like it has room and board. There seems to be an item shop as well for people to buy stuff, indicating that the Knight allows them to be paid for their work surprisingly*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Wouldn't hurt to stay a night."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I'll go rent us a room then
<@DeathStar> *Gwen slips into the tavern*
<@DeathStar> *Big John leads them over to the place where the magi-tech carts are located, most of them being loaded up with the wood. A man with magi-tech goggles is there, and he turns to stare at them, the goggles zooming in to stare at their faces*
<@DeathStar> *one gets the feeling he is scanning each of them*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Big John> They were wondering if they could rent one of your carts. <Goggle Man> .... *zooms in at Lara* You got funds?
<@DeathStar> *Lana
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?" *looks at Selena* "The money?"
<@Seraphna> Alt> That’s the stuff we grabbed in the last two places right?
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> You been robbing people? I like
<@DeathStar> *Goggle Man eyes them*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..yes... we...ahhh... earned soem money previously."
<@Ariel> * Nicolette sighs
<@DeathStar> *Goggle Man eyes the money Selena hands over*
<@DeathStar> <Goggle Man> ... I was going to make you an offer to carry my cargo for free to the next city, but I'm not sure if you're the trust worthy type.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *just lets out a sigh*
<@Seraphna> Alt> We only take from bad people and slavers. Who are super bad.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...Alt..please...stop...talking..."
<@DeathStar> *he zooms in at Alt, then pockets the money* We'll just consider this done for now; the ride will be ready when you are.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> At least he'll give it to us
<@DeathStar> *Big John seems to be a little wary* You're not being chased by anyone are you?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "No...this one just makes everythign weorse by bad word choices..."
<@DeathStar> *Azif covers Alt's mouth* No
<@DeathStar> *She drags Alt off*
<@Seraphna> **Alt just makes sad kitty eyes**
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Ah, no. We're not wanted or anything. Sometimes bandits think you're an easy mark, that's all."
<@Seraphna> Terra> She’s just young and mischievous.
<@DeathStar> *Big John brightens back up* That is good to hear then. It can be dangerous out there on the roads in the other domains, I know how it is
<@Seraphna> **Terra nods** She was referring to bandits.
<@DeathStar> <Big John> I should get back to work. Hopefully I see you all this evening. *He waves politely and moves off*
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> Now I just want to mess with this town even more
<@Seraphna> Alt> **muffled** Be good.
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> How can such a carefree like place exist here. Drives me nuts
<@DeathStar> *Azif lets Alt go*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Carefree? That's your impression of this place?"
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Their lady is the only thign keeping this place from becomign like the rest of the kingdom."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I'd say they're still pretty on edge. Lana's right - they're deathly afraid one of the other lords will come in and tear everything down
<@Seraphna> Alt> They paranoid enough to assume cute innocent Alt of wrongdoing.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "It feels like their lady might be heavy handed in her own way, but I could be wrong."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Based on the covnersation, if she faisl to deliver, then she would be replaced."
<@Jackieness> fails
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Lana is right - she has to push them hard enough to not be replaced I imagine
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> So what is the right balance.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ideally, she would be less stern if the Bandit King were no longer any pressure from above."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> We need to learn more about her
<@DeathStar> *Selena heads toward the tavern, where it appears to be mostly empty - all the men and women are likely out working*
<@DeathStar> *a single man is getting everything ready for the evening crowd, preparing meals in the back*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen waves from his stool*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "..it may make more sense to leave this ruler in place so there is someone left ot maintain order if we are successful."
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> Wait, I thought the plan was to tear them all down?
<@DeathStar> *Gwen seems to be focused on something, staring out the window*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "I'm rather curious if she's good and being forced to act bad, or bad pretending to be good."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Do we need to? She doesn’t seem to be using the slave mark.
<@DeathStar> <Shin> If it is the latter, I will have no problem striking her down
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "We have to think forward a bit..."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I was wondering where all the kids were in the village. *he points out a large building in the distance* I think they're all in there
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Maybe its a school."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Creepy
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Joke.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Alt go see?
<@DeathStar> <Heyu> I'll go with Alt if she wants to take a look
<@DeathStar> *the chief brings out some food for everyone - it looks like some sort of cooked pig with a side dish of rice*
<@DeathStar> *Fae pokes at the big*
<@DeathStar> *pig
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...thank you."
<@DeathStar> *the men and women of the village slowly begin to come in and take their seats, each of them getting pig as well.*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> We should turn in early for the night and start off as soon as possible tomorrow morning, unless you wish to question the villagers on anything
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...we have been walking all day."
<@DeathStar> *the children begin to pour in - it looks like it was indeed a school. They join their parents in eating*
<@Seraphna> **Alt hmms** Pig, the not-bird meat.
<@Seraphna> **Alt noms**
<@DeathStar> <Azif> .... *slides her portion of the food to Alt*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Consume and grow strong
<@DeathStar> -Time Jump-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-644.4.21
<@DeathStar> Location: Village of Magic Trees
<@DeathStar> *Big John stands next to their magi-cart, seeing the group off* It should be a fairly safe trip. Just keep going north if you want to go to the next big trading city, or go west if you want to reach our Lady Knight and the main city of this domain
<@DeathStar> *he hands the group some samples of the magic wood* Here - take this to remember us by
<@DeathStar> *Selena sits in the front seat of the magi cart, studying the controls as she holds the wheel; Gwen lays in the back, stretched out, along with Mirage and Wyrd*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...thank you!" *waves as they depart*
<@DeathStar> *Fae leans over the side as Selena starts them up, moving forward with jerking motion as they begin to pull out of the village*
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza waits until they are out of sight, then poofs into her human size form and spreads her arms out, standing on the seat, swaying back and forth*
<@Seraphna> Terra> Stretching, Venza?
<@DeathStar> *the road seems to stretch out as far as the eye can see, with trees on either side of them - the same annoying trees they been seeing, along with various other types of bushes and plants. Animals watch them as they go by - ducking low and trying not to be noticed by them. As they continue along, there seems to be a bit of an oddity of them - even though many of the animals look like many of the ones seen across on their side of Geyze, these animals seem to have some mutations - as if they're glowing in areas, or have extra parts to them here and there that they shouldn't. A rabbit hops by with what looks to be magical sheen to it's fur*
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza nods and turns* Yep~ *She jerks as they hit a bump and falls off the cart*
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> And that is why you do not stand on your seat.
<@Ariel> * Nicolette takes a look at the wood pieces... they could make some nice crafts. But she makes sure they weren't enchanted already.
<@DeathStar> *The wood seem to be unaltered right now, allowing one to make any types of enhancements one can think of with the mana inside*
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza climbs back inside, holding a turtle*
<@DeathStar> *it's shell a strange multi-color gleam*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette sighs, and leans back on the cart. "Maybe I'm getting paranoid..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> This place getting to you? I don't blame you
<@DeathStar> *Mirage leans in toward Nicolette* Hey, once you realize we're all out to get you, then you can get the jump first
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *examines* "The fauna must be absorbing the mana from the platlife they consume*
<@DeathStar> <Lavenza> Can I keep him?
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> What does that mean for the people who are eating the wildlife then?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...you should really return it to the wild."
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza looks sad but sets the turtle back on the ground*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "As to the impact on humans...that is harder to say."
<@DeathStar> *as they continue along, up ahead smoke can be seen from some sort of fire.*
<@DeathStar> *Selena leans forward, squinting - it appears to be on the road itself*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette shifts over to give Lavenza a hug. "I know you'd take good care of them, but it wouldn't be fair to steal them away from their home."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...that's strange..." *weaves to give them a ranged view*
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza nods* Nicolette right
<@DeathStar> *Lana would see a pair of magi-tech carts off to the side of the road, still burning the cargo missing. And no sign of the drivers*
<@DeathStar> <Shin> ... *has her hand ready to summon her weapon*
<@Seraphna> Alt> Banditos.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *sweeps her magical viewer to see if she cna spot anything*
<@DeathStar> *as they come up to the spot, Selena stops their cart* <Selena> Bandits stealing whole sets of logs?
<@DeathStar> *Lana would detect what appears to be magic weapons were likely used, as there are signs of magic being used in the air to stop the carts and the riders were likely killed by magic*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Possible, but I'm a bit skeptical."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "This was done with magical attacks."
<@Seraphna> Alt> Lots of stray mana here.
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza looks around and Shin seems to be waving her own hand*
<@DeathStar> <Shin> The people here were killed - lots of fear when they were.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "This could have been a raid by one of the other lords."
<@DeathStar> <Shin> They were terrified by the people who did it
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I wonder what woul make them suddenly feel bold enough to raid
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> Oh. I have a few ideas
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...maybe us?"
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> Bingo!
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> You been upsetting the balance and taking out the competition
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> I imagine they're going to expand into the void you left behind.
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> Though from what I understand....
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> There ARE only 3 Lords left.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "And we are seriously considering leaving this one be..."
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> Well, you might can even get away leaving another too
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "There's no way they'd know that, though..."
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> The Bandit King has one Lord set up to protect himself from the far west and you guys have been gutting him from the east
<@Seraphna> Alt> More jerks to spank.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...we shouldn't linger."
<@DeathStar> *Selena nods and resumes*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> If we can make peace with the Knight
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> We should probably do it.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Especially because if you recall, Xohan has two Knights
<@Seraphna> Alt> Then we got two Knights AND an Alt!
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I just... if Nicolette is right and she is faking it
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "The lady was supposedly relatively just, and this is her territory. The other Knigth didn't sound quite as...ahhh...amiable."
<@DeathStar> <Lavenza> How does one determine one is a fake?
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "We need to try to find out her motivations."
<@DeathStar> *Mirage gets that evil grin and pulls Lavenza close*
<@Seraphna> **Alt flicks her nose**
<@DeathStar> *Mirage makes a face and lets her go*
<@DeathStar> *As they travel, the animals all seem to have left; and the magic in the air seems to have increased enough to raise the hair on people's arms*
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks down*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Mana is stickign around instead of dissipating into the environment."
<@DeathStar> *A large magic blast shoots out and hits Azif and sends her flying off the carriage; another then comes flying in right for Lana, then another for Heyu, then another for Nicolette, then another for Lavenza. It appears they are being sniped*
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza scrambles to try to raise a spirit shield for Nicolette*
<@Seraphna> **Alt shifts to take the boast with her shield move**
<@Seraphna> **blast
<@Seraphna> **Azif’s blast
<@DeathStar> *Alt is bounced off the carriage but is relatively unharmed*
<@Seraphna> **Alt calls Heyu to her hand**
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *tries to raise a barrier*
<@DeathStar> *Lana bounces under the carriage as does Lavenza and Nico*
<@DeathStar> *a large man approaches the carriage, firing and sending Gwen flying next*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> *he seems to be holding a gun type weapon, loading ammo into it*
<@Seraphna> **Talia leaps and blasts at the man next**
<@DeathStar> *the man's armor glows with magic rune symbols, and he adjusts his hat to keep it from flying off. His face covered in some sort of magi-tech plating*
<@DeathStar> *Wyrd leaps out and slashes out, but he loads and fires, knocking her away*
<@DeathStar> *while Shin seems to be trying to get in close*
<@Seraphna> **Talia burns a sword at his plate, Alt running and catching Wyrd as a blade and rushing his side •**
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *tries to get back on to her feet*
<@DeathStar> *Selena meanwhile has taken cover behind the carriage, peering out while Zayne is gathreing her magic into her gun*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette stays low to the ground, calling upon the mana in the land to come forth and wrap the man's feet in bonds of stone
<@Seraphna> **Talua swings Wyrd to drain and Heyu as a follow up to slice**
<@DeathStar> *the man glances down at the ground while everyone is charging him, and makes a noise as they attack, his armor glowing*
<@DeathStar> *Zayne lifts and fires a magic blast to hit him*
<@Seraphna> **Talia tries ripping mana out of the plate**
<@DeathStar> <Man> Well, you clearly aren't the usual customers. No, I think I know who you are...
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *starts to weave, then tries to debuff the man's defenses*
<@DeathStar> *he aims his gun right at Talia as she does so, and fires at her, the shell firing a strange purple blast at her*
<@DeathStar> **The man's armor smokes and with his plate damaged and debuffed, he reaches over to touch something, beign stuck in place. He teleports, leaving behind what appears to be shoes*
<@Seraphna> **Talua pulls up her sword to block**
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...he's gone."
<@DeathStar> *Talia would feel heavy even while blocking*
<@DeathStar> *Shin rises up from the ground behind here he was at*
<@Seraphna> **Talia oofs and falls down**
<@DeathStar> *Talia would feel as if her mana is beng drained slowly*
<@DeathStar> *Shin grabs Talia and lifts her up*
<@Seraphna> Talia> M-My Mana…
<@DeathStar> *Gwen and Azif return, having had to work their way back; Azif sporting what looks to be a hole in her shoulder*
<@DeathStar> *Shin drops Talia in the cart* Lana
<@Ariel> * Nicolette pulls herself to her feet. "I wonder who that was..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> No idea but he seemed to have an idea of who we were
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> *she looks around warily as she gets into the cart. Mirage picks up one of the men's shoes and walks back over, holding them out to Nicolette*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *limbs into the cart and examines Talia*
<@DeathStar> *it appears to be a strange black boot with a symbol on the back of it. The boot itself appears heavier than one would think*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen pulls himself up next to Talai - Lana would feel a spell is on Talia that is eating her mana, a spell meant to defang magi*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Think… dying…?
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Hey hey now
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Mana drain. He was expecting to tangle with Magi."
<@Seraphna> Alt> All we are is Mana. If it takes it all Momma will…
<@DeathStar> *Azif looks at Alt, then at Talia*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> Are you capable of helping her?
<@Seraphna> Alt> Can feed her my mana, not sure how long will last.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *raises her hand and weaves, trying to see if she cna pick apart the mana drain effect*
<@DeathStar> <Azif> I can give you a spell that can break such a debuff if she is unable
<@Seraphna> **Alt nods**
<@DeathStar> *Lana is able to weaken the spell; enough that the drain is slowed enough that hopefully the duration of the mana spell will run out naturally*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "I've slowed it down...hopefully the spell continues to weaken on its own."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen sits with Talia*
<@DeathStar> *Selena lets out a breath and starts them up again*
<@DeathStar> *Shin seems to be on extra alert while Lavenza seems to be twitchy*
<@Seraphna> **Alt gives her mother half her energy**
<@DeathStar> *Zayne looks at Lana* Thankfully we were able to act fast on that
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I do not think he expected so many of us to have shield magic and Nicolette to lock him in place
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "My spells are not as flashy...but I probably have a better udnerstanding of mana theory than anyone on our side of the world."
<@DeathStar> *they arrive at the four way split that Big John mentioned*
<@Ariel> * Nicolette settles in and focuses on maintaining a wide area detection spell, not wanting to be caught by surprise again.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Gun of pure evil.
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> It was an unusual weapon
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> I use a magic gun weapon myself, but he seemed to have the magic in the ammo
<@DeathStar> *Selena turns to the others*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Big John mentioned two destinations - going north would lead to a trade city while going west would lead to the Knight
<@Seraphna> Talia> Which has mana fish?
<@DeathStar> *Gwen opens up the packed meals Peeps gave them*
<@DeathStar> *handing Talia the fish soup*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Our attacker was probably not a magi. He was dependent upon his magic items...as we started to counter those items, he withdrew while he could."
<@DeathStar> *Zayne considers that*
<@Seraphna> **Talia has Gwen feed her**
<@DeathStar> <Zayne> Interesting theory
<@DeathStar> *Gwen feeds her slowly*
<@Seraphna> **Alt joins in for feeding**
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I'll pick the Knight if no one has a preference
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "That being said, he was clearlye xpecting to ambush magi, based upon his loadout."
<@DeathStar> *Selena turns and heads that way*
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Yeah, we need to check out what's up with this knight."
<@DeathStar> <Shin> He has to have been tied in with the attacks on the carts though - to just randomly attack us
<@DeathStar> <Shin> I wish to know who employs him
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Given his dependence upon magic items, the stolen wood was probably going to be sued for more equipment."
<@DeathStar> <Azif> The drivers might even wear such wood equipment while taking it to their destination
<@DeathStar> <Azif> An ambushed shot would kill them
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Though he was relatively gentle with us until we found out we were a true threat."
<@Seraphna> Talia> Mmm… wood is magic here right?
<@DeathStar> *the landscape around them seems to be well maintained surprisingly as they continue along, passing along what looks to be a valley of sorts - all around the road one can see trees and plants and wildlife, a ton of resources that are available. And there are signs that the Knight has been tapping into it, as there are indeed small villages along the road that are tapping into just like the one village they came across.*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "The wood from the magic forests."
<@DeathStar> *and it seems that these resources, at the pace they're going, cannot last forever*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Wonder if I can take the mana from a tree.
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Do you want me to stop at one of these villages?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...we can take a break."
<@DeathStar> *Selena stops them outside one of the small villages - there appears to be a bit of a commotion going on as they approach and a large gathering is occurring*
<@DeathStar> *they seem to be circling one of the younger men*
<@DeathStar> *and near by the forest looks burnt*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh..something is happening."
<@DeathStar> <Mirage> I do love some good drama
<@DeathStar> *Zayne steps off the cart while Gwen helps Talia to her feet*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Mewl.
<@Seraphna> **Alt rides Azif**
<@DeathStar> *Azif looks around; as they approach the villagers, they seem to finally take notice of the team*
<@Seraphna> **Terra waves**
<@DeathStar> *the village elder, an old man, points at the younger man and motions at the others* <Elder> Take him away until we decide what to do with him *The man is dragged away, protesting*
<@DeathStar> <Elder> You have come at an ill time, strangers.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..we could see the fire damage...what happened?"
<@DeathStar> <Elder> One of our lads was seen trying to meet with a strange girl no one has ever seen before or since during the night. He claims she was from a neighboring village and that they were in love, and were planning to run away to get married in the big city, but during the night, the forest burned and now all our lives are doomed because that girl set the forest on fire.
<@DeathStar> <Elder> And now you strangers show up as well. Are you working with her?
<@Seraphna> Terra> We’re on a trip to see the Lady Knight.
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "Can't say I know who you're talking about. But how do you know she started the fire?"
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...we don't know any strange girls. We were on our way to the lady's city."
<@DeathStar> <Elder> Bah. One of the men saw the two go into the forest right before it began and now the girl is missing. If she was true, she would have shown herself by now. That is all the proof I need.
<@Seraphna> Alt> Sure she not got hurt in fire?
<@DeathStar> <Elder> But if you really are out to meet the Lady Knight, I wish you luck. Ohhh, how we have failed her now.... *he moans*
<@DeathStar> *the man next to the Elder speaks up* There has been no sign of anyone injured in the fire. The fool boy that was with her was lucky not to be hurt though when we got out there
<@Seraphna> **Terra looks to the others like she wants to restore the trees**
<@DeathStar> *Fae holds Terra's hand*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...we were attacked by a bandit on the way here."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen leads Talia over to some of the cut logs that are already prepared*
<@DeathStar> *getting looks from the men*
<@DeathStar> <Man> A bandit? I see. It is truly becoming terrible. We should report all this to the Lady Knight so she can do something
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "That's one reason that we are on our way there."
<@Seraphna> **Talia gently pokes a plank to feel the mana**
<@DeathStar> *Talia would feel it is full of juicy mana. Lavenza watches curiously*
<@Seraphna> **Talia checks to see if any villagers are watching her**
<@DeathStar> *they are not, they seem to be conferring with the elder*
<@Seraphna> **Talia drains a plank**
<@DeathStar> *The plank twitches and becomes - ordinary wood*
<@DeathStar> *the man moves over to the team*
<@DeathStar> <Man> If you do not mind waiting here in the village for a bit, I will join you along with the accused and we can escort you to the city to meet the Lady Knight and tell her of this
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "I have no objections."
<@Ariel> <Nicolette> "No harm in waiting. And there is definitely safety in numbers."
<@DeathStar> *the man leads them over to wait in his house, where his wife smiles, moving over to share some food - at least this time it appears more normal, giving the group what appears to be food grown in the gardens*
<@DeathStar> <Man> I will go pack my bags and get the boy ready. Then we will join you shortly.
<@DeathStar> -TBC-
* DeathStar changes topic to: Geyze II: Monday 7:30 - 10:45 PM | Act 3: Cermonies | Session 141: TBA
<@DeathStar> -Minis Open-
<@DeathStar> *Lavenza plays with her cornbread*
<@DeathStar> *she has it battle her corn*
* @Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) has quit IRC
<@DeathStar> *Selena seems to be jorring notes*
* Day changed to Tuesday, 11. Nov 2025