The Duality Wars: The Alien Wars 6

Session 30

<DeathStar> <Narrator> A turning point was beginning to come for the lives of both groups. It is hard to describe the ebbs and flows of life and what brings people to them. The group on Geyze and the group on Kumen, both on a course that would lead them to their final destiny, as well as that of a large picture.
<DeathStar> <Narrator> The steps they took toward that destiny started with tiny steps. Steps that seemed to have nothing to do with a bigger picture. For the club, it began on a day like any other
<DeathStar> 5.20.5990 CE
<DeathStar> 6* Asarar sits, reading the dossier of a packet that she has managed to retrieve
<AquaKoala> *Otto cleans his gun
<kalonZombie> 6*Max gets back from holo-roleplaying, having reached level 13
<Seraphna> * Luci sits playing cat's cradle, seeming lost in her own little world with her folding shield resting nearby, recently cleaned.
<Sara> * Chelsea sits near Asarar for ear petting, though wondering how she ever got that 'job'
<DeathStar> 6* Asarar tosses the dossier down, resting her head on a chin. "Thoughts on some things."
<Sara> * Chelsea looks up
<AquaKoala> *Otto looks up, his hands still cleaning as he listens
<DeathStar> 6* She stands up, moving toward the only window on the top floor, which is shaded so no one can look in and has security measures to prevent listening devices
<Jackieness> <Kira> *flips a coin and then catches it in midair* "What things?"
<Seraphna> Lucianna> "Would it be ironic to die in a living room?"
<Chain> 6*Wolfe snoozes nearby
<kalonZombie> 6*Max walks up "No. I think.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> The Macross Corporation has a big announcement coming up.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> In a week's time, they say they will be unveiling something that will change things for Kumen. They are making big noises about it and are calling in a lot of operatives to their corporations to help get things ready.
<Seraphna> Luci> "Hmmm, sounds both interesting and full of terrible risk."
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Just like the last thing they announced would change things for Kumen?"
<Sara> * Chelsea's ears twitch. "Change things for Kumen? Did they find a new kind of fish?"
<DeathStar> <Asarar> They will likely be calling in Tech-Runners to protect their goods, but probably only those they trust. 6* She peers at Chelsea
<Sara> * Chelsea blinks, her face going more neutral
<DeathStar> 6* Asarar holds up the dossier. "The Macross Corporation works on Biotects, mods, Biotech, and have been for ages trying to get Spirit Fossils to work with a biotech."
<AquaKoala> *Otto is quiet, collapsing his gun and putting it in his case
<Seraphna> Luci> "You're thinking they succeeded?"
<DeathStar> <Asarar> It could be a break through mod
<DeathStar> <Asarar> But maybe.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> I imagine the other Corporations will be hire rogue Tech-Runners to rob them blind
<Seraphna> Luci> "Aren't we staying clear of corproations?"
<kalonZombie> <Max> I should hope so.
<AquaKoala> *Otto checks his datareader to see what corps have offered jobs along that line
<DeathStar> <Asarar> No. MY entire purpose was to work my way to them one day. The question is. Do we go in independent, or let a Corporation sponsor us for now
<Sara> <Chelsea> Spirit Fossils with Biotech, huh...
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Both could be dangerous."
<Sara> <Chelsea> I don't trust the Corporations. Never have. But... that's me.
<DeathStar> 6* If any would have, it would likely be Net-Ron or BioTech
<Seraphna> Luci> "Independant means we have far less of a bag over our heads."
<AquaKoala> Otto> I have two here
<Jackieness> <Kira> "It also means less money and less resources."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Agreed. It also means if we get any data, we might be targetted by all of them
<AquaKoala> Otto> Going independent also means we have no safety net.
<Seraphna> Luci> "True..." *she frowns* "Is there a way we could try and steer towards a company we like? They're all a bit... dark, but some are lesser evils."
<Seraphna> Luci> "We practically give half our earnings to Nue Corp, for instance."
<Jackieness> <Kira> "I would sniff aorund first. Get a feel for which corps are sniffing around."
<Sara> <Chelsea> Nue Corp, huh...
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Not sure what a clothing company would want with stuff from Macross
<AquaKoala> Otto> Net-Ron and Bio Tech are interested
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Plus you would just set the two coprorations against each other
<Sara> <Chelsea> Anti-clothing-stealing technology? *she shrugs, not having any idea what the relevance would be either*
<Seraphna> Luci> Hmmm... *she sits back and muses*
<DeathStar> 6* She brushes her purple bangs back, nodding to Otto
<DeathStar> <Asarar> As Otto says, we know the likely two candidates. We have to decide, alone or with backing.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> and then which of them we want to try to get them to hire us
<DeathStar> 6* Asarar sits back down in her chair, facing the group
<Seraphna> Luci> "I guess backing it is..." *she frowns* "If it's safest..."
<AquaKoala> Otto> I vote we work for Bio Tech.
<kalonZombie> <Max> Same.
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Whoever is paying more."
<Sara> * Chelsea lets out a sigh. "I'll vote for whatever Asarar thinks is best."
<AquaKoala> *Otto pulls the two offers up onto a big screen
<Chain> 6*Wolfe lightly flicks an ear
<DeathStar> <Asarar> If I have to guess, since Netron is trying to make a Biotect with this so badly, they will pay most
<DeathStar> 6* There are no offers up pubicly
<DeathStar> 6* Likely they will have to find "agents"
<Seraphna> Luci> "We're gonna need a representative aren't we?"
<Jackieness> <Kira> "Like you said... everyone is shady. May as well make the biggest profit."
<Sara> <Chelsea> If it's our only option...
<DeathStar> 6* Asarar rises. "I will work with Otto to put out feelers for now. Finding them will be a sign we are talented." 6* She rubs her gloves. "And we need to find a way into the corporation building doing all the publicity."
<AquaKoala> Otto> I think I figure something out.
<DeathStar> 6* She eyes the dossier. "It seems to be one of their corporate buildings in the middle district. I will get what I can on it, but maybe the rival Corporations will know more."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> They have over 15 facilities in the middle district.
<Seraphna> * Luci muses, thinking. "Publicity means Press."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> Likely the police will be involved along with Corporate security.
<Seraphna> Luci> "Maybe we can get in through a reporter or something of that like."
<DeathStar> <Asarar> *nods* See how far the press can get in.
<DeathStar> <Asarar> And how much they will use the normal police.
<Seraphna> Luci> "Sure. I'll tap my old contacts." *she stretches and pulls a datapad out of her dress, where it was hiding in the loose thing one may never know*
<DeathStar> 6* Asarar moves to go for now
<DeathStar> -SCENE SHIFT-
<DeathStar> 5.20.5900 CE
<DeathStar> Location: Near the Magi Ruins
<DeathStar> 6* After spending a little time with the Monks, the group set out once more to go to the Magi City Ruins on the opposite mountain. Surprisingly, on the second mountain, the snow and cold is not as violent, like a sphere has cut off the cold.
<DeathStar> 6* Qui walks along the rocks, with Kito and Neekito guiding the pack mules. Their ears twitch from the wind, the only thing that has any bite to it for the last two days
<AquaKoala> *Commodus still wears his large bear pelt cloak, keeping alert
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia shivvers, rubbing her chest
<Seraphna> * Alita keeps her heavier clothes on, her wings folded against the cold. She helps Ceilia. "We need to learn good heating spells."
<Sara> * Liana walks along, looking around at each turn
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *stays silent as they travel*
<DeathStar> 6* Up ahead, there is a steep cliff extention, with the top having rocks with sharp edges jutting out making it look like climbing is hard to do. The monks have described this as the location of the Magi Order's City, or what is left of it.
<DeathStar> 6* If they can but reach the top
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia nods
<AquaKoala> Commodus> Well. That is certainly imposing.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *raises a hand to call the group to halt*
<Seraphna> Alita> "Would be a bad time to ask if there's stairs right?"
<AquaKoala> *Commodus stops
<Sara> * Liana stops, looking at Sasha
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia stops as well
<DeathStar> 6* Kito and Neekito flop over the pack animals, their tails drooped as they rest
<DeathStar> 6* Qui hops down from her animal and stretches
<Seraphna> * Alita stops, peering around.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Let's dig in here and come up with a path up."
<DeathStar> <Qui> ... Alright! 6* She begins to shovel with her hands
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "While not quite what I had in mind, snow's use for shelter material is well-documented..."
<Sara> <Liana> And besides, "dig in" means like... fortifying. It wasn't literal.
<DeathStar> 6* Qui stops and huffs, cheeks puffing
<DeathStar> 6* She sits down in her little hole either way. The two fauna merely hang off their animals until instructed otherwise
<DeathStar> <Qui> So what is the plan, commander?
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "As I said, dig in. Make shelter from the wind and cold. Plan our next move as we rest."
<Seraphna> * Alita peers around and tilts her head. "A shelter... from this stuff?"
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Actually it makes sense. It's a good holder of heat.
<DeathStar> 6* The cold remains relatively low still, the wind while having bite is still not that big of a deal
<Seraphna> Alita> "Oh?" *she slides down to help*
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia nods, explaining the finer details as she moves to help
<Seraphna> Alita> "So it's like how we get hot and warm when under a blanket together?"
<Sara> <Liana> I...
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Liana, did your grandfatehr's writings include anything about this place?"
<DeathStar> 6* Qui opens a container of water, drinking from it
<Seraphna> Alita> "Something about fighting off an ice dragon with only a wooden spoon if I recall."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Yup. Exactly. Though we can't have fun times in it because of frostbite...
<Seraphna> Alita> "Do we have one of those?"
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> I'm sure we do somewhere.
<AquaKoala> *Commodus helps to make the snow shelter "We could try scouting along the mountain,
<Sara> <Liana> Look, he and that dragon had history -- he knew the exact weak point from his fight with it a year before. I don't think that's helping though...
<Seraphna> Alita> "Is that the dragon who owed him money?"
<DeathStar> <Kito> We just have to get up there with some rope, right? *She eyes the top with the rough ridges*
<DeathStar> 6* Qui eyes the two, since the weakest of the dragons kicked their asses
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Not one bit. Commodus is correct then, we will need to scout. If no path presents itself... then the hard way it may be."
<DeathStar> <Qui> Well, the monks said this was the only way up
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *turns and looks up* "...and magi... there would be another way, but not an option for us."
<AquaKoala> Commodus> If it is so, we will have to create a rock climb up.
<DeathStar> <Qui> A good fortication for them. 6* She muses thoughtfully
<AquaKoala> Commodus> But we don't have the proper equipment
<DeathStar> 6* Kito opens the sack the monks gave them, pulling out a pick axe and rope
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Nor the proper spells."
<Seraphna> Alita> "Kito has found something of use."
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Of course. The Kitos are always prepared."
<Sara> <Liana> "Found"? Um... *she quietly keeps the fact of where the sack came from to herself*
<Seraphna> Alita> "Should we make err... ask Commodus to climb and give us a rope up then?"
<Sara> <Liana> If only we could make a rope gun like grandpa once did... *she lets out a wistful sigh*
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Rest for now. Save the climb for later."
<DeathStar> 6* The Kitos hand it to Commodus
<DeathStar> <Kito> You are big and strong.
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Yep
<AquaKoala> *Commodus rises and sighs, dropping his cloak and grabbing the equipment, tying the rope to his waist and moving for the cliff
<DeathStar> 6* They flop over Sasha's lap
<AquaKoala> Commodus> It's going to take hours, might as well start now.
<Seraphna> Alita> "If you fall to your doom Commodus, I will be here to nurse you back to health." *she makes it promising*
<DeathStar> <Qui> A shame Spira isn't with us. We could use her summon ability to go up top with a summon help
<Sara> <Liana> Yeah...
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "As I said... we lack the proper magic..."
<AquaKoala> Commodus starts up the cliff, using the pickax as a climbing axe
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Even if you only fall two, three feet...
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia grins at Alita
<DeathStar> 6* After an hour of climbing and reaching the top, Qui, wandering around and studying things, peers at a crooked rock as Commodus reaches the top and sees the ruins of what was likely the Magi City walls
<DeathStar> <Qui> This is a funny shaped rock
<Sara> * Liana looks at the rock
<AquaKoala> *Commodus blinks and moves examines it
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "What is that about a rock?"
<DeathStar> (Commodus is up top)
<AquaKoala> (I meant the walls)
<DeathStar> (Gotcha)
<DeathStar> 6* Qui points at a large rock that is tilted at a 45 degree angle yet looks sturdy, almost unnatural
<DeathStar> 6* The walls look like they were hacked with swords and other Legionare weapons, and still bare them to this day. However it's a good place to secure the rope for the others
<DeathStar> 6* The remains of the city inside have no snow on them surprisingly, but it looks raided and looted hundreds of years ago
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *moves over to the rock* "Now this is interesting..." *kneels down and looks at where the rock is pointing*
<AquaKoala> *Commodus stops to secure the rope as securely as possible, then drops the other end down to them
<DeathStar> 6* Off the mountain edge
<DeathStar> 6* Neekito grabs the rope and begins to scurry up, packs on her
<AquaKoala> *Commodus waits patiently, keeping an eye on the rope to be safe
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *sets a hand on the rock*
<DeathStar> 6* The rock feels cool
<Seraphna> * Alita helos steady the rope below.
<DeathStar> 6* Neekito reaches the top and and pulls herself up beside Commodus
<DeathStar> 6* Kito scurries up next, just as fast
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "I don't know what it is, Qui."
<Sara> * Liana tilts her head at the rock. "Doesn't look natural to me. Why's it skewed over like that?"
<DeathStar> 6* Qui shrugs, not sure either and moves for the rope
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "A mystery for another time. Given its proximity to the Magi ruins though, I'd wager there is a relationship there." *turns and heads for the rope*
<Sara> * Liana follows
<Seraphna> * Alita goes after Liana
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia follows Alita
<DeathStar> 6* Kito wanders around the perimeter up top - when all are up there, Qui peers at the ruins, barely any full structures left standing in the once large city
<DeathStar> <Qui> Depressing
<DeathStar> <Kito> It has been grave robbed. All the Magi secrets are likely gone except well hidden ones
<DeathStar> 6* She walks along what was likely once streets, not long since turned to nothing due to time and erosion up there
<Sara> <Liana> Too many ruin chasers ruin the ruins, huh...
<Seraphna> Alita> But the hidden ones are always the best ones.
<Seraphna> Alita> The ravenous reeves ruin the ruins whilst chasing the ruinous treasure among the ruined ruins lacking respect, resolve or rumination.
<DeathStar> 6* Qui stares at the two, confused
<Sara> <Liana> I think the ruins are doing something to Alita's head.
<DeathStar> <Qui> I don't get it
<DeathStar> 6* In the center of the city, a half spire still partially remains, half of the top gone with a large gaping hole. Likely the only real shelter they will get
<Seraphna> Alita> "Just a spat of alliteration."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> I liked it
<AquaKoala> *Commodus pulls the rope up once all are present and accounted for
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "The spire is the most obvious place, so it has likely been picked clean."
<DeathStar> <Qui> So what should we do, Commander?
<Seraphna> Alita> "The salacious spire suffers spiteful sojourn, suculent it was to savages sacking sinfully."
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia giggles
<Sara> <Liana> Okay, there must be something in the air...? *she makes a face*
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "The spire does have one thing going for it... a good view of the ruins. Let's go." *starts forward*
<Seraphna> * Alita smiles and adjusts her furs, moving to follow Sasha.
<AquaKoala> *Commodus follows
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia follows Alita, holding her hand
<Sara> * Liana follows after Sasha
<DeathStar> 6* The cold seems to be gone in the ruins, like the "sphere" is even more active. There's even a bit of warmth. The wind is even gone, more so as they near the center and the spire
<DeathStar> 6* Qui slowly shrugs out of her coat
<Sara> <Liana> It's warm here for some reason...
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Likely still a spell effect is active."
<Seraphna> Alita> "Perhaps some unknown working of spirits or a magical artifact."
<AquaKoala> *Commodus searches for a heat source
<DeathStar> 6* As they enter the spira's center stage, they see paintings on the wall of what the city used to look like. Spires and tall structures, likely for the mages, as well as hints of things underground and magical labs. Images showing mages practicing in the clouds practically
<DeathStar> 6* Commodus would not find one really, though the spire likely would be the "center"
<DeathStar> 6* One can feel traces of spells still
<AquaKoala> Commodus> Has to be some form of magic
<Sara> <Liana> Even after all this time, huh?
<Seraphna> Alita> "I wonder why no one ever tried to rebuild here..."
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Remote, poor logistics. Not worth the effort."
<AquaKoala> Commodus> Ghosts.
<DeathStar> <Kito> Stuff stolen
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Magic defenses?
<Sara> <Liana> Dragons?
<Seraphna> Alita> "Might still be worth it."
<Seraphna> Alita> "Imagine digging into this location, focused efforts to unearth what's still lost..."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> I'm drooling thinking about it.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *looks for a way up higher in the spire*
<Sara> <Liana> That seems a little disrespectful to all the history here, though.
<DeathStar> 6* Qui studies the map of the city on the wall, and how there seems to be a lot of underground stuff in certain areas, even under the Spire. As Kito and Neekito put stuff up, in the side rooms of the Spira's main center area, they put things up against a 45 degree angled rock that is in a side room
<DeathStar> 6* There are stairs in one of the side rooms that go upward
<Seraphna> Alita> "I feel we honor history by digging it from the dirt."
<Sara> <Liana> When you're dead, would you want a bunch of random strangers to someday come in and steal all of your... *she looks Alita over and frowns* ...underthings? *she asks, unable to think of something more worth it Alita might have*
<DeathStar> <Neekito> So if people stole from your grave you would not mind?
<AquaKoala> *Commodus looks for a down staircase
<Seraphna> Alita> "I'd be dead, I don't see how I could possibly mind."
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Hmmm... no obvious means up and down.... then it must have been some sort of teleportation. We need to find a magic focus."
<Sara> <Liana> So you don't believe in an afterlife, huh?
<DeathStar> 6* There appears to be nothing going downward. The four side rooms breaking off from the main circular room are as follows: a library with a lot of the books looking almost breakable, a dining hall/kitchen, a strange backroom with the rock that their stuff has been put in, and then the stair room
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> You don't take your underthings to the afterlife with you. Everyone knows that.
<Seraphna> Alita> "In an afterlife, I don't believe I would have much need for material possessions."
<AquaKoala> *Commodus feels along the floor
<DeathStar> 6* Due to the size of the Spire, I will get back to COmmodus after he feels along all of the floor
<Sara> <Liana> Hey, you never know. Some believe that in the afterlife, you're a dragon with a huge mound of treasures to protect.
<DeathStar> 6* Qui watches Commodus curiously, moving to the library
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Ah, a library..." *also enters the library*
<Seraphna> Alita> "Seems boring..."
<Seraphna> Alita> "Ooo! Library!" *she rushes in*
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia rushes in with her
<DeathStar> 6* As Commodus feels along the floor, he bumps the 45 degree rock slightly. So far nothing on the floor. Main circular room and 2 down
<DeathStar> 6* Qui tentatively takes an old spell book and it begins to crumble
<DeathStar> <Qui> A-hah. Crap
<DeathStar> 6* She tries to put it together, breaking it more
<DeathStar> 6* Sadly, the title of it was "Theories on spells of life and thereafter."
<Seraphna> Alita> "Careful!" *she gently helps, pulling out a cloth to hold it more gently*
<AquaKoala> *Commodus pauses and pushes and the rock
<Sara> <Liana> Touching is starting to seem like a bad idea...
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "I see... do not touch any of the books." *leaves the library and explores some of the other side rooms*
<DeathStar> 6* As Commodus pushes the rock, it shifts downward a little. It seems a lot of pressure is needed
<AquaKoala> *Commodus strains, pushing harder (burn 1 Strength)
<DeathStar> 6* It clicks down, and a floor opens, revealing stairs that are decaying a little
<Seraphna> Alita> "We need a holding agent for these... mmm, do we have honey or anything else sticky among our supplies?"
<DeathStar> 6* The rock now against the floor, revealing it's a fake rock
<AquaKoala> *Commodus whistles for the group
<Sara> * Liana looks over and goes to Commodus' side
<DeathStar> 6* Qui follows back. Kito and Neekito prepare food with their honey, and glare at ALita
<Seraphna> * Alita staggers. "I-It's okay... we d-don't need to."
<AquaKoala> Commodus> I have found the stairs down
* Jackieness` has joined #Duality
* Jackieness has quit IRC (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by Jackieness`)))
* Jackieness` is now known as Jackieness
<DeathStar> 6* Qui eyes the darkness
<DeathStar> <Qui> Dark
<DeathStar> 6* There is a dead torch on the wall
<Seraphna> * Alita looks over. "Torch."
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia moves over and lights it back up with some fire magic
<AquaKoala> *Commodus takes the torch off the wall
<DeathStar> 6* Qui grabs onto Sasha
<DeathStar> <Qui> Think we'll find something new down there?
<DeathStar> 6* Kito and Neekito do not rush over, making supper. Uninterested
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "We are about to see."
<Seraphna> * Alita walks over with interest.
<AquaKoala> *Commodus heads down carefully
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia follows, being careful
<Sara> * Liana heads down with Commodus, peering around and burning some perception
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *proceeds down the tunnel*
<DeathStar> 6* The stairs move downward. Liana sees that Commodus is about to step onto some weak steps. There's a section of steps that are completely weakened. The stairs appear to be over a cavern almost as it goes down, built into the mountain itself, so if one falls, they will fall hard down onto some jagged rocks
<Seraphna> * Alita follows the others.
<DeathStar> 6* Thankfully, the steps seem to be about 40 only then go through a doorway
<Sara> <Liana> Look out! *she goes to stop Commodus, grabbing him if necessary*
<AquaKoala> *Commodus stopes
<DeathStar> 6* Five steps are weakened. Qui peers
<DeathStar> <Qui> Jump?
<Sara> <Liana> The stairs are in as bad of shape as those books were in some spots... look carefully.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "There is little room for error here."
<AquaKoala> *Commodus judges then distance slowly
<DeathStar> 6* With 5 steps, it's about 5 feet
<DeathStar> 6* Maybe a bit less
<AquaKoala> *Commodus crouches and leaps for good steps
<DeathStar> 6* Commodus makes it, the torch swooshes
<DeathStar> 6* Kito peers at the doorway. "Does anyone want meat in their meal tonight?"
<AquaKoala> *Commodus steps fyrther carefully so others can jump
<DeathStar> 6* The rest of the stairs seem stable enough
<DeathStar> 6* Qui jumps gracefully, waving herh ands to balance once landing
<Sara> * Liana deadpans at the sound of Kito, before crouching and attempting the jump, after Qui is safely across and there's enough room of course
<AquaKoala> Commodus> Yes please Kito
<Seraphna> * Alita burns a point of speed to jump across, being a weak wimpy mage thing.
<Seraphna> Alita> "Lots, Kito-dear."
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia also burns a speed point to jump it
<kalonZombie> 6*When there's enough room to do so
<DeathStar> 6* After they all reach the doorway, doing jumps, they would see a place holder for the torch. Inside the room is a red orb on the wall, and a few more tomes lined up, as well as a few wands, many relics of all shapes
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *begins her own dash and then jump to cross*
<AquaKoala> *Commodus checks the holder, pulling on it lightly
<Seraphna> * Alita inspects the wands to see if they're durable enough still for use.
<DeathStar> 6* There's a triangle shaped one, a wand like one, a circular orb like one attached to a rod, to count a few. And there's a place to lay down, almost like a table made of stone
<DeathStar> 6* They seem to be, though needing recharging
<DeathStar> 6* The holder seems sturdy
<Seraphna> Alita> "These wands can be used with recharging."
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "I am curious what they do."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> We could always find out.
<DeathStar> 6* The tomes are the strangest, as they have markings on them
<DeathStar> 6* And the table has a tome shape indention
<Sara> <Liana> Do you guys make anything of these tomes? ... Don't touch *she adds*
<Seraphna> * Alit alooks over the tomes, burning a point of Mind to get some insight as to their use.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "The tomes would go here."
<DeathStar> 6* They seem to be something the magi hadn't introduced to the world yet
<DeathStar> 6* They seem sturdy still as the day they were made
<Seraphna> Alita> "These are definately new... and seem perfectly fine to use."
<Seraphna> Alita> "I imagine each tome has some function when pressed into the slot."
<Sara> * Liana looks nervous, biting her lip, hoping it's nothing dangerous
<DeathStar> 6* Qui taps the red orb on the wall, unable to hide her curiousity. Lights come on in the room, magic flaring
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "...the stone at the base of the cliff must have also led to another underground passage."
<DeathStar> <Qui> Aah! ... ooo
<DeathStar> <Qui> I wonder if that is how attackers got into the city long ago
<Seraphna> Alita> "Maybe..." *She peers at the tomes, seeing if one opens*
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "It depends where that passage would lead. The outer walls were clearly besieged though."
<DeathStar> 6* The tome opens. Inside are strangely various animal hairs with magic lines under them, written in a language unknown, likely the mages' language at the time.
<Seraphna> Alita> "A sampling tome of some sort... animal hairs..."
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia blinks, looking at it
<DeathStar> 6* The lines change to Alita's language
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> We could probably translate it maybe?
<Sara> <Liana> Creepy.
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Oooooooooor...
<DeathStar> 6* They read: I choose the body of this animal for you, life from nothing, servant, come forth and serve."
<Seraphna> Alita> "...It... it creates animals...?"
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Well, we do not need any animals running wild here. Next tome please."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Maybe... or maybe a familiar?
<Seraphna> Alita> Yes! A Familiar...
<Seraphna> * Alita peers over the choices.
<DeathStar> <Qui> *blinks* Those are legends I thought
<DeathStar> 6* She leans forward
<Seraphna> Alita> "All legends are seeded in truth."
<Sara> <Liana> So they say...
<DeathStar> 6* It seems to have cat, dog, owl, bear, tiger, snake
<Seraphna> * Alita muses. "I want to try this out..."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> A cat would be nice.
<Seraphna> Alita> "So would a bear... hmmm."
<Seraphna> * Alita moves over to the stone impression and burns another two mind to figure out how the process works, with the spell, choice, and incantation.
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "No animals."
<AquaKoala> Commodus> Interesting.
<Seraphna> Alita> "Sasha, if this creates a familiar it's a gigantic find."
<Seraphna> Alita> "We have to test it."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> And it would likely be one of the LESS impressive things here if it does
<Sara> <Liana> And then fight it. *she says matter-of-factly -- definitely a glimmer of her grandpa in there*
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> No. Familiars follow the orders of their masters.
<DeathStar> 6* It seems Alita speaks the line with the name of the animal, closes the book and presses it into the tome slot
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "...then let's discover what the rest of these things do before we do anything. It could be one-time use or once a day."
<DeathStar> 6* Qui gets her weapons ready when Liana says that, then pauses
<DeathStar> <Qui> Oh
<Seraphna> * Alita frowns. "I'm ready to cast now though..."
<DeathStar> <Qui> Are we sure they aren't all familiar tomes?
<Seraphna> Alita> "Ceilia, check one?"
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "That is what we need to be certain of. Examine the next tome, please."
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia moves to check one
<DeathStar> <Qui> I wonder if a non mage can cast it. Might be why mages of old were feared or hwy they wanted this
<Seraphna> * Alita muses, deciding on the one she wants as she waits.
<DeathStar> 6* It seems the four or so tomes, the next one is also a familiar tome, the choices a little different. This one including a hawk and a fox like creature almost and no cat
<DeathStar> 6* Likely each mage made the tomes to their desires
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Hmmm, more familiars
<DeathStar> 6* Qui eyes the third. The items on it are damaged, but the lines appear anyway
<Seraphna> Alita> "Excellent. We can test this one then right?" *she's certainly eager*
<DeathStar> <Qui> This has no choices but you can still make a choice. Odd
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "How odd."
<DeathStar> 6* She closes it
<DeathStar> <Qui> Must be age
<Seraphna> Alita> "Perhaps they work as blanks and you can choose what animals fit in?"
<DeathStar> 6* Qui backs behind Commodus to see what happens
<Seraphna> * Alita looks to Sasha, eager to try still, wings fluttering a little, looking far more chipper than she's been of late.
<DeathStar> 6* Holding up one of the relics
<DeathStar> 6* As if the rod with a orb on it might protect her
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Not yet. Catalog the findings and make note of where they were before we disturbed them."
<Seraphna> * Alita frowns, but does so in her notebook rather quickly, beginning to look a little put off.
<Seraphna> Alita> "Can we now...? Please...?"
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia starts to catalog everything
<Jackieness> <Sasha> *walks by Alita and sets a hand on her shoulder* "..now that work is done, you can have a cat."
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> What about a bear?!
<Seraphna> * Alita clams and smiles, then moves over. She pauses. "Mmm, you could do a bear sis?"
<Seraphna> * Alita steps up to the device.
<Sara> <Liana> Cats are nice...
<Seraphna> * Alita speaks the words, "I choose the body of this cat for you, life from nothing, servant, come forth and serve." *She then closes the book and places it in the slot.
<DeathStar> 6* There's a light flash from the table and tome, as the tome burns up and the table shakes, a crack appearing in it, likely due to the fact it hasn't been used in hundreds of years. Magic floods through the air into the center and blinds for a moment, before the table goes dead, all the magic used up - for how long, who knows. It seems sparking it to life after so long has rendered it dead for the time being
<DeathStar> 6* Laying in the center of the table is a blue haired girl, with pointy ears, naked. She looks to be around 12-15, hard to determine, and despite looking human, she wiggles her nose with an almost cat like grace
<Seraphna> * Alita shields her eyes, then slowly tries to look around after the glash,she blinks and walks over to the girl curiously. "It... worked?"
<DeathStar> 6* Thankfully, the rest of the magic bunker and it's relics look untouched
<kalonZombie> <Ceilia> Kinda?
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "...this was... not what I had in mind."
<DeathStar> 6* The girl sits up, her red eyes opening to focus on Alita, and she looks blank, as if there is nothing in her head, waiting on Alita for orders
<DeathStar> <Qui> That is not a cat
<Seraphna> Alita> "You are Talia." *she says, giving it a name*
<DeathStar> 6* She nods
<DeathStar> 6* Qui looks at Commodus
<DeathStar> <Qui> Is that a cat?
<Sara> <Liana> It's not.
<Seraphna> Alita> "Come Talia..." *she holds out her arms, motioning her to come to her*
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "We should not have tampered with these dead magics."
* Jackieness has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<DeathStar> 6* The girl shifts into a cat form, blue furred and follows Alita
<Seraphna> Alita> "She's new born. She'll be fine in time when I can teach her things."
* Jackieness has joined #Duality
<kalonZombie> 6*Ceilia smiles and pets Talia
<DeathStar> <Qui> There's the cat
<Seraphna> * Alita picks the cat up and holds her in her arms. "Good Talia."
<DeathStar> 6* Talia looks blank as pet, as if unsure what it is
<DeathStar> <Qui> I think we should go up with what relics we can hold and eat for now
<DeathStar> <Qui> I wonder how many more of these places there are...
<Seraphna> Alita> *nods, smiling*
<DeathStar> 6* She grabs has many as her item slot can carry
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "Take what we can then and rest up then..."
<Seraphna> * Alita takes a wand from the rack, filling her slot, she then carries the cat up.
<DeathStar> 6* Once arriving, Neekito growls at another cat in her domain
<DeathStar> <Neekito> Is NEekito b eing replaced? Warn you, Neekito can cook!
<DeathStar> 6* She waves her laddle
<Seraphna> Alita holds Talia close. "Not being replaced. This is my familiar, Talia."
<Jackieness> <Sasha> "...and at this point, no more experimentation. That table was irreplaceable..."
<DeathStar> <Neekito> So you are familiar with replacement
<DeathStar> 6* She puts stew into bowls
<Seraphna> * Alita looks at Sasha. "Talia is irreplacable. The table is a machine, with time we can figure out it's workings."
<Sara> * Liana frowns.
<DeathStar> 6* Talia just stares at people, as if absorbing
<DeathStar> -END- for now