February 1, 2003



Logfile from Malakai

Eclipse puts on his dragon medallion.

Valyros pages: "So what's my modus operandai for getting in here?"

You say, "When last we left Hell's Errand Children, they had just confronted their host, Quentin, with Caine's claim that he was an old friend of the family."

You say, "Recap mode: Quentin sits down heavily in a chair. 'It's...it's a long story.'"

Tsharing says, "We are patient listeners."

Valyros has received your page: "Walking is fine by me, but dramatic entrances are fine, too."

Typheous takes seat, leaning back to listen, his music softly playing a tune appropriate for story telling. He watches Quentin carefully.

Valyros pages: "Was mostly looking for a more specific modivation and/or a good time to do so."

Psyche settles down to watch, shoulders tensing, chill emanating from her.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "The cold shoulder?"

Quentin, "Where to begin? After Ultimatum had been discovered but before the real war had started, I happened upon its power. Now, you have to understand that while I was barely more than an apprentice, I had no few enemies, and I knew at least one of them would no doubt get his hands on Ultimatum. So, my actions can be at least partially forgiven, I hope.

Valyros has received your page: "Sent an (albeit late) email on the subject. Basically, they have to work through this bit with Quentin, and then there will be an opening."

Typheous shrugs. "We'll have to wait and see about that...."

Quentin, "In case you could not tell by its decor, I have spent the better part of the last two centuries here in Theusleh, in this very home. Rather than using Ultimatum to destroy and kill, I used it to protect myself and my home from my enemies. As it turned out, at least one of my enemies learned Ultimatum and tried to destroy me. When his power broke against my defenses, he attacked my house. And when they did nothing against my house, he attacked Theusleh as a whole. Either he thought a less specific Ultimatum would slip past my wards or he sought to hurt me by hurting others. I never learned which.

Valyros pages: "Ew, I did not notice that and have not the time to read the logs."

Valyros pages: "Okay, I'm a tad vauge on the whole Ultimatum, it's a super form of magic, and Quentin lost it before the game. If so, could you just sort of deconstruct it for me when you got time?"

Tsharing says, "Who was this enemy?"

Quentin, "His magic wiped out the northern half of Theusleh's population before he turned his attention to other matters. Of course, once the war ended, word got out about how so much of Theusleh had been killed and why, and I'm afraid quite a number of people blame me for the fates of several tens of thousands of innocent people. So I immersed myself in the city as much as I was able, looking for ways to redeem myself for an error in my judgement. It is a mercy that the younger generations among the short-lived races do not know the full story. Slowly, I am being forgotten again."

Quentin, "He was a powerful Weard, a rival to my master. I once infiltrated his chantry and stole a few books for my instructor. For some reason, he blamed me for it. He no doubt died the same as most of the other people caught outside of cities during the Ultimatum War. He enjoyed his solitude."

Typheous chuckles softly, his music somehow fitting the story. "I imagine you are happy that people are beginning to forget who you are."

Psyche arches a brow. "So you claim that your responsibility for the disaster which befell the north is indirect...?" She sounds sceptical.

Quentin, "Completely. I didn't think he'd sink to destroying an entire city to get at me."

Typheous says, "He must have disliked you fairly strongly."

Tsharing says, "And yet you remained here. Where is this enemy now?"

Valyros has received your page: "Basically, it's the closest thing to ultimate power a mortal can wield. There are a few cosmological constants, but just about everything else is fair game. The only reason it fails to prevent absolute gods from rising is because at least two people learn it at the same time, so it always becomes a no-holds-barred war over reality."

Quentin, "Not so much as you may think. But when you have absolute power and can kill with a few words, you can afford to wipe out all your enemies. And I'm pretty sure he is long since dead. Most of those who wielded Ultimatum either died in the chaos or became gods. To my knowledge, I am the only mortal who has wielded Ultimatum and lived, and look at what it got me."

Psyche glances around. "A collection of pretty things."

Typheous raises his eyebrow. "A house in the bad part of town?"

Quentin shrugs, "It used to be a pretty district, but the place kind of went downhill when all the residents died, and most people won't come this far north because of the ghosts. Maybe it's because some of the protections of my Ultimatums remain, but the ghosts never come near my house. Of course, they might just be giving me the cold shoulder, too."

Valyros pages: "Okay, I got it. Just out of curiosity, is there a skylight, or upper floor with large windows in this house?"

Typheous shrugs. "Possibly, but we're distracting you from your tale."

Valyros has received your page: "No skylight in this room (ground floor), but I'm sure there is at least one large window upstairs."

Valyros pages: "Just give me the all clear signal when I can make my grand enterance."

Quentin_spreads_his_hands, "That, in essence, is my tale. I've done what I can to help Theusleh and its inhabitants. Sometimes it's appreciated, but other times no one notices or they recognize who I am and drive me off. Currently, I'm trying to stop the murders done by the Night Reaper, though I have only a little information on the slayings."

Tsharing says, "Do you think the Night Reaper might be related in some way to your old rivalry?"

Valyros has received your page: "It's set up, now. Pick a moment to raise hell..."

Quentin, "I doubt it. Like I said, Horinal had a love of the country, and nothing in the country survived. Well, except for that band of elves, but they had a lot of power at their disposal.

Psyche lifts a brow. "Elves?"

Typheous's music gets a curious note to it.

I don't understand that.

Quentin, "Yeah. Some of them teach at Wyzdin, now, or did until it vanished. Others live in the forests. There are probably even a couple here in Theusleh."

Psyche . o O ( Just what I don't need. Elves. )

Typheous says, "Were they the same as any other group of elves then?"

Typheous . o O ( It could be a group of Empaths, but that would get fairly boring, I would think. )

Valyros slowlies begins have the shadows swirl around her at the base of the stairs, soon being thrown back to reveal a cloak and an elf who's skin is about as dark as the shadows. She turns to Quentin and says, "Quite an interesting story of your life, true you could have done much more, but from what I've experienced with other mortals with the power of Ultimatium, you've done an exemplary job." She turns to the cabal and nods, "So, am I to suspect these are what is left of Wyzdin academy?"

Quentin, "I haven't met the half of them. They don't come to the city very much. I just know about the ones in Wyzdin because apprentices often come here after they graduate. I only have indirect knowledge that there are more.

You say, "Quentin tries to stand, fails, and falls on the ground. "Who are you? What do you want? How did you get in here?""

Psyche turns around at the words to study Valyros. "Unless you have more news of Wyzdin than we do, stranger, I'd keep your doomsaying to yourself."

Typheous turns to Valyros, standing as his hands drop to his blades. His music shifts to something a bit more dramatic.

Tsharing doesn't look around. "You suspect correctly. Who are you?

Psyche . o O ( All that is left, my ass. )

[OOC] You say, "I am...Ballerina Man!"

[OOC] Typheous chuckles.

Typheous . o O ( Well, at least something of worth was saved... )

Valyros smileses slightly at them "I am sorry Master Quentin, I neglected to introduce myself. I am Valyros Del'zenivras," she says unhooking the clasp on her cloak, and spreading a pair of large black feathered wings, "Member of one of one of the council of combined Sylvians and the current matriarch of the Del'zenivras family."

Psyche pages: "Any of that familiar at all to me, being an elf?"

Typheous leaves his hands on his rapier and main gauche. "And why would you be here?"

Valyros says, "Unfortunately, I was hoping that you might be able to tell me a little more about the disapearance of Wyzdin. Quite a few of the teachers there were from our community, two or three members of the Mage's Council actually."

Psyche has received your page: "Helped organize both dark elves and elves to preserve them against the Ultimatum War. Not the most powerful survivor, by any means, but she was the one who warned the elves of the coming danger."

Typheous relaxes his stance just slightly. "Last we had heard, Wizdin was fine, just unaccessable."

Psyche pages: "Any particular appropriate form of address?"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "BRB"

Valyros says, "I would call being folded out of reality being a little more than 'unaccessable'."

Psyche has received your page: "Dunno, honestly. Might want to ask Joe what kind of address he thinks would be appropriate. The elves are one of the most populous races in the area, albeit spread out, but I have never worked out a specific governance system for them."

[OOC] Psyche says, "Tshar, you see Valyros's?"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "The one that started with ""Unfortunately, I was hoping.....""

[OOC] Psyche says, "Nope, next aftyer that."

[OOC] Psyche says, "Oh, and Val? Is there a particular form of address that would be appropriate for speaking to her, seeing as how Psyche would recognise at least the name?"

[OOC] Valyros says, "Lady more than likely."

[OOC] You say, "The elves are one of the most populous races in the area, albeit spread out, but I have never worked out a specific governance system for them. Lady works for me."

Typheous shrugs, his music still having a bit of challenge in it. "I'm sure there's a reason. Perhaps they've begun some secret initiation rites that they want to make certain stay secret?"

Psyche stays a little more relaxed than Typheous, although the chill around her deepens. There is a hint of evident recognition in her voice, mixed with surprise. "Lady Del'zenivras." A nod. "That depends on who did the folding, doesn't it?"

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Didn't see the one after that. Page it?"

[OOC] You say, "University of Baba Yaga?"

Valyros says, "Yes, and I do not believe that the council members would willingly leave this world without setting things in order back home. Our 'nation' is unstable at best..."

[OOC] You say, "25,000 students crammed into a grass hut on chicken legs."

[OOC] Typheous says, "A giant frat house.... wow..."

Psyche says, "Unless it was in the best interests of the Academy and its students..."

You say, "Quentin realizes he's still sitting on the floor and climbs back into his chair."

Valyros says, "Well I need to find out what went on there. Rumours are flying back home that this might have been a massive terror strike by the Dark Elves members of our nation to stop aiding the 'lesser' races and eliminate some of the more magically powerful Light Elf members of the council."

Psyche snorts. "Well, -that's- bullshit, at least."

Typheous taps the pommel of his rapier. "And you want us to....what?"

Tsharing says, "To help in some way, I presume?"

Psyche . o O ( Everybody wants our help. You'd think we were the fucking last hope of the world or something. )

Quentin murmurs, "I never understood politics..."

Valyros says, "Well at the moment, I just want to know all you know about the mystery surounding this disapearance. If nothing less, I might be some help with your investigation."

Typheous's brow furrows as he studies Val. "Well, everything was fine a month ago."

Psyche leans back in her chair. "You know as much as we do, Lady Del'zenivras. When we left Wyzdin everything was as normal as ever." . o O ( You know, Mer's going to be a fucking wreck when we get back. )

Tsharing says, "Until our exit, and attempt to return, I had no idea anything was amiss."

Valyros says, "This does not bode well, looks like I will have to use my extended leave of absence to it's fullest..."

Typheous . o O ( Or a good bit pregnant.... Damn my roommate's hormones. )

Psyche . o O ( Ah, fuck...don't -tell- me that... )

[OOC] You say, "So pessimistic... Would I do that to Mereke? *innocent smile*"

Typheous . o O ( We'll worry about that after the Night Reaper, getting Plax out from whereever he is, and getting back to Wizdin )

[OOC] Typheous says, "Yes?"

Octavius has arrived.

[OOC] Eclipse waves to the lurker.

Octavius takes a seat in the Peanut Gallery.

Valyros says, "Very well then, would you mind if I make your party a foursome?"

[OOC] Octavius says, "Hello..."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Hello"

Typheous chuckles softly. "I suppose I would not have any issue with it. Provided you're not planning anything other surprises."

[OOC] Eclipse whimpers at the word 'foursome', remembering an incident involving this character last summer...

Valyros says, "What would you define as a surprise?"

Psyche's cold aura sharpens a bit more, but she shakes her head grudgingly. "If you're willing to follow along while we take care of the issue that -brought- us here, instead of sending us off on -your- investigation."

[OOC] Octavius points at Eclipse and does a Nelson laugh

Valyros says, "Very well, I guess I couldn't expect to get such high tallent without a cost."

Typheous bows slightly with a flourish and a cadence in his music. "Why thank you. And by surprise I mean hopping out of shadows like that."

Psyche blinks a bit. . o O ( I expected more resistance. And less playing to our egoes. )

Tsharing says, "What will you do when your investigation is resolved?"

Typheous . o O ( So did I. Not that I quite believe any of it. )

Valyros says, "Well I have been known to take too indulge quite a bit into shapeshifting and spirit walking. Once we have found out what has happened to the academy, I'll need to learn what happened to the members, make sure our citizens are in good health, and make certain we don't have a civil war raging through the woods..."

Psyche asks coolly, "And what about the -rest- of Wyzdin?"

Quentin, "What about the Night Reaper? People throughout Theusleh are dying every night. Shouldn't we put a stop to that, too?"

Typheous takes a deep breath. "So much to do..." He sits, still not quite relaxed. "Which of our problems can we solve now?"

Valyros says, "Of course we need to make sure they are well and good, but at the moment if our people aren't acounted for, something much worse would arrise..."

From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 5, 10, 2, 2, 1, 2, 6, 5 No diff given.

Valyros says, "What is this Night Reaper you speak of? I had my mind mostly in the trees for the past few decades."

Psyche's aura chills a little bit further. "We'll handle things here, with Plax, and the Night Reaper. I think they're probably connected somehow. All of this shit is. And then we can go back to Wyzdin and find out what's going on. And then Lady Del'zenivras can concern herself with 'her people'."

Valyros raiseses an eyebrow at Psyche's comment.

Tsharing says, "We have little more to go on than Quentin did when he was working on his own, with regards to the Night Reaper."

Quentin, "Well, it's a rather recent phenomenon. People are dying without a mark on their bodies. It happens at night and to different kinds of people. Then there was this woman at the Prancing Pony who lost enough blood in a dark alley to have been dead twice over, but instead she was alive and ordering half-raw steak."

Typheous raises his eyebrow. "And if the Night Reaper is connected to Plax's disappearence, then our nightly monster is also connected to someone who's trying to take over the city, if not more."

Valyros says, "Odd, to say the least..."

Psyche says, "That's an understatement."

Valyros says, "Well there I might be of some help at least, like all of my kind, I can see perfectly in the darkest gloom. It would definately increase our chances of catching this killer if we don't have bright lights giving away our pressence."

Tsharing says, "Just about all of us can emulate that ability in some way. Our problem is a lack of information. And with three of us under false identities, known to the ruler, gathering more may be problematic. Valyros, what is your status in this city?"

Typheous chuckles softly. "First, we have to find where he or she will strike next. And I would like a better... unescourted view of a certain residence. But I doubt that will happen anytime soon."

[OOC] Psyche waits for Eclipse to produce -anyone- who can start out on Psyche's good side.

[OOC] Typheous says, "Death might be able to."

[OOC] You say, "Quentin didn't do TOO badly with her, did he?"

[OOC] Psyche says, "Not -too- badly."

Valyros says, "Well I doubt that I could pull more than the respect I could get for being an Elven diplomat and a minor noble."

Psyche says, "Better than being a renegade student..."

Typheous chuckles softly. "Caine would just try to win you to his cause. That'd be about it. He'd put *more* shmooze into his act."

Valyros says, "Tell me, do they have any aerial spirits guarding the place where you would like to spy on?"

Psyche shakes her head. "Already enough to choke on." She glances over at Tsharing. "Tsharing, did you notice any?"

Valyros sighses and shakes her head, Over 20 years of being a major member of the Elven Council, and I'm still not used to all of this political procedure.

[OOC] Psyche says, "Val - use : instead of . :)"

[OOC] Valyros says, "SOrry, so used to ORG>"

[OOC] Psyche noddles. "Let me just hack the pose code out. We arent' using it."

Valyros fluffs her wings a bit.

Tsharing says, "I did not check."

Typheous smirks. "I imagine they're fairly well warded and heavily guarded. I don't think Caine's the trusting sort. Not with his resonance."

Valyros says, "Well if there are not, I might be able to take a peek in there. How good a look were you thinking of?"

Quentin, "I, also, am not sure what defenses Caine maintains..."

Typheous says, "I was thinking more of a casual stroll through his extra rooms and any other place he might stash a hostage."

Tsharing says, "If this is burglary, I will come with you."

Valyros says, "Well I'm not certain if he would allow that. Of course that would probably mean you doning some disguises, probably my diplomatic entourage."

Valyros says, "Who exactly are we looking for?"

Psyche fingers her blonde ponytail. . o O ( Not another disguise... ) "A classmate of ours, heir of the Terz family."

Psyche doesn't say whether she'll come or not.

Typheous chuckles softly. "I wasn't thinking of going in the front door, but I'm afraid I don't have much to go on." . o O ( No... That got us no where fast. )

Valyros says, "Name, race, distinguisihing characteristics?"

Typheous gives a fairly accurate description of Plax.

[OOC] You say, "The governor's son. A myshar."

Valyros nods.

User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`

Eclipse 1h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90

Rahab 9m 4s IC Wiz

Valyros 1h 2m OOC PC

Typheous 4h 3m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...

Psyche 3h 3m IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...

Tsharing 47m 4m IC PC

Octavius 33m 29m IC PC Will to do anyhting for a good cause, just ask

--[Sat Feb 1 21:46:51 2003]--------------------------------[7 users; 0s lag]--

Valyros says, "I could scout in the Umbra if need be, but I can't bring anybody else with me. I'm not that proficent in that school yet."

Tsharing says, "I can go there too."

Valyros says, "Ah, good to meet another Spirit mage. A very useful, but overlooked school in my opinion."

Tsharing says, "Also dangerous."

Typheous smirks. "I wouldn't be surprised it there were wards against that, as well. That said, feel free to try, but be warned there was an electrified fence around the building."

Psyche shakes her head. "I have only minimal skill with Spirit."

Valyros smiles widely, "I don't think that would be much of a problem," she says spreading her wings a bit.

Quentin, "And my skill is sufficient to hedge spirits out, and little more."

Typheous chuckles softly. "Again, feel free, but I'm not certain it's the safest way to gain further information."

Valyros says, "Well what would you feel would be the most sucessful course of action?"

[OOC] Octavius says, "Got to go. Later everyone."

(remotely) Typheous hmmms... Out of curiosity, do we have something we should try to do first? I'm feeling a bit too open ended with what to try to do.

Octavius has lost his link.

Tsharing says, "We need information."

Typheous has received your page: "I'm an evil GM and you know it. When was the last time I held hands? *smirk*"

Psyche nods in agreement.

Quentin, "Yes, we do."

Tsharing says, "An investigation of some kind is necessary, and nothing more feasable has been proposed."

Typheous nods. "Save that only the two of you could carry out this investigation. Will you be all right on your own, or should we search for something else first?" He turns to Quentin. "I don't suppose Caine has some sort of estate outside of town? Somewhere he could stash someone indefinately?"

Valyros says, "Alright, not my strong point, but I'm game."

The resolution of Octavius fades. With a hiss of static his disconnected body implodes into a single point of light, then blinks out of existence.

Quentin, "Not to my knowledge. The Berlions rarely leave the city."

Valyros says, "Well I'd prefer we exaust all avenues that we all could investigate before splitting up."

Typheous frowns. "So just the one house?"

Quentin, "Yes."

User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`

Eclipse 2h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90

Typheous 4h 2m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...

Valyros 1h 2m OOC PC

Psyche 3h 2m IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...

Rahab 25m 2m IC Wiz

Tsharing 1h 7m IC PC

--[Sat Feb 1 22:03:02 2003]--------------------------------[6 users; 0s lag]--

Tsharing says, "When?"

Typheous motions to Tsharing and Valyros. "I'd say now. Is there any reason to wait for a particular time of day?"

Psyche glances at Typheous. "What shall we do, then? Go shopping?" There's a dry edge to her tone.

Valyros says, "I wouldn't think so if we're going into the Umbra."

Typheous glances up at his hair. "Well, I do need some new outfits to go with this hair."

Quentin, "I saw a shop that has just the thing."

Psyche fingers a blonde strand and tucks it back behind her ear with an expression of disgust. . o O ( I want my old hair back. ) "No, thank you, Quentin. We'll take care of it ourselves...."

From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 6, 7, 7, 3, 8, 3, 8, 4 No diff given.

Psyche . o O ( I feel like enough of a freak show as is. )

Psyche . o O ( I feel like enough of a freak show as is. )

[OOC] Psyche says, "Twice, even."

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Past Lives (5) and Lives (0) (5d10): 2, 2, 4, 5, 9 ** 1 success (diff 6) **

[OOC] You say, "He dresses too badly to be gay, right? Of course, that reminds me of an episode of the Drew Carrey Show I saw recently..."

Tsharing says, "I know of magic that can weaken the Gauntlet around a Node, so the two worlds mesh."

Tsharing says, "A group could pass over that way. However, you will need at least a basic grasp of the Sublime Element to do so, and I do not have that."

Typheous chuckles softly. "I think I'll go change first. No need to cause too many heads to turn."

Psyche shakes her head. "Neither do I." She glances at Typheous. "Likewise."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "That's her way of asking if Valyros has Prime 1."

Valyros says, "Yes, I have a apprentince's understanding of it, enough to channel more quintessence into myself and my spells."

Tsharing says, "Then if we have a Node, then we can all go to the Invisible World. Is there one in the haunted quarter?"

You say, "Quentin shudders slightly. "There is...one that I know of. It's deep in the ruins, though. You'll need to erect defenses.""

Tsharing says, "We can."

Typheous nods, standing and heading for the stairs. "Work on preparations here. I'll be back in a couple minutes." He heads up stairs to change.

Valyros says, "I can do some wards against some spirits, do you have any of our people's wine on hand?"

Psyche follows Typheous upstairs.

Valyros says, "If you don't mind, I'll just change down here."

Quentin nods, "Yes."

You say, "He fetches some."

Psyche changes quickly and comes back down, unless she gets waylaid.

Valyros passes her hands over her face, which soon turns to the color of her ligher skinned comrades, then she wrings her hands, turning them white as well.

[OOC] Valyros says, "Do I need to roll?"

Typheous thinks he'd get slapped if he tried to waylay Psyche, so he doesn't and comes back a bit later than her.

Valyros takes the wind from Quintin and nods, "Thank you for your generosity."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Wine :P"

Tsharing pages: "= I'd like to awaken Tsharing's staff at some point. A visit to the Umbra would be a good rationale for that."

[OOC] You say, "Yes. Standard dif."

Tsharing has received your page: "Yes. It would be."

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 7, 9, 2, 10 No diff given.

[OOC] Psyche says, "Spam in my inbox: Gir1s forced to fsck by Satanists... And all I can think is, "Where did they find all that many systems to run fsck at once?""

[OOC] Tsharing says, "I have stealth spam. It appears a week after the listed sending date....."

[OOC] Psyche says, "Oooh, creepy."

Valyros takes out her Tome of Spirit Lore and begins to searh for the nessicary information on warding.

[OOC] You say, "brb"

Typheous returns much less flamboyantly dressed. "Anything we think we will need on this trip?"

Valyros says, "Other than courage? Not that I can think of."

Tsharing spends the time meditating, using the circlet as a focus.

Tsharing pages: "Spirit ward, also targeting Psyche and Typheous. 2 targets, 2 duration, 5 effect."

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 10, 9 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 9, 3, 2 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 3, 2, 1 ** 0 successes (diff 3) **

*** Scourge die is a 1: Backlash Triggered ***

Valyros says, "So I have introduced myself, but I am not quite sure who the rest of you are. I can only guess you're Typheous?"

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 3, 6, 1 ** 1 success (diff 3) **

Psyche says dryly, "We seem to suffer from an excess of that. And insufficient intellect to back it up." She adjusts her tunic, much more comfortable out of the chainmail dress.

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 8, 4 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **

Tsharing says, "I am Tsharing, of the Order of the Dragon, student of Master Gama."

Typheous nods slowly. "I am." His music cresendos slightly. . o O ( I don't know about that. We haven't gotten into too much trouble yet. )

Psyche inclines her head. "Psyche Aldaria, Lady Del'zenivras." There's a brief pause before she adds her original home region to the name. "Studying under Master Liriel."

Valyros says, "Yes, I am sure you do your Order proud Tsharing."

[OOC] You say, "back"

Valyros reaches a bit into one of her pockets, a bit of black felt coming out of it.

Tsharing says, "Pride is unnesecary."

(to Tsharing) Eclipse nods.

[OOC] Psyche casually reaches out and flips Tsharing's 'c' and 's' :)

[OOC] You say, "I'm the English grad and she's the one correcting spelling mistakes... How does that work?"

Valyros smiles at her, "I quite agree, but sometimes it is best to hand out a bit of praise."

[OOC] Psyche preens.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "It's one of those words I just can't type."

Typheous says, "Are we ready to go then?"

Psyche says, "I am."

Valyros says, "Alright, but first, I need to ward you against spirits."

Valyros says, "So if you all could line up next to each other..."

Typheous takes up a position next to Psyche.

Tsharing says, "I have already warded them."

[OOC] You say, "Wards within wards within wards..."

Tsharing says, "Not directly, of course. So long as they remain near me, they will be fine. I have simply designated them as my companions, and since the spirits know what that means, they will not be harmed."

Valyros blinks, looks at everybody, then chuckles a bit, "So you have, I was so used to being the only one around able to do so, I didn't thought you would."

Quentin, "You are welcome to ward me, my lady. It will save me the trouble of looking up that old spell for it I have somewhere in my room."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "And hence I ward you without breaking paridigm."

Psyche simply stands, and waits for them to decide what they're doing. Only a -little- impatient.

Valyros says, "Well mine's a tad more indiviualistic. You don't mind if I ward them just in case we get seperated?"

[OOC] Eclipse yays for obeying paradigm.

Tsharing says, "If you wish."

Typheous relaxes a bit, not moving away from Psyche. His music has a hint of adventure in it.

Tsharing pages: "I've just had an idea for awakening the staff. It becomes the 'reincarnation' of a legendary weapon of the same type, destroyed with her old world. No extra powers yet, of course, but it opens it up for future improvement."

Valyros opens the tome in one hand, with the bottle of wine in the other, she begins to chant in her native elven tounge, calling out to the heavens to protect those she designates with an offering of spirits. With that she splashes each with a bit of wine on each.

[OOC] Valyros says, "Roll for each?"

Tsharing has received your page: "That could be interesting, certainly."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "I think you can do it as one big spell."

[OOC] You say, "You could either roll for each or just ward the group, paying 1 success per person after yourself."

[OOC] Typheous says, "Just 4 targets."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Which helps when you don't want the penalty for multiple running spells."

[OOC] Typheous says, "Err, however many are getting warded."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Well if I ward as a group if we get seperated, will the wards still function?"

[OOC] You say, "Yes."

[OOC] Valyros says, "One thing then."

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 4, 10, 5, 9 No diff given.

[OOC] Valyros says, "I am the Spirit Valykarie, fear my L33T 4R3T3 SK1LLZ!"

Psyche flinches a bit from the wine-splashing. . o O ( Meaningless rituals... )

[OOC] Tsharing says, "BRB"

[OOC] Valyros is 250 years old, of course she's an old school caster.

[OOC] Psyche grins. "Psyche gets into paradigm wars with everyone."

Typheous . o O ( And it's going to stain my shirt, too, sheesh how useless. )

[OOC] Eclipse sings, "A cloaking robe of elven wine / is a big part of my paradigm / All these rituals I do / are proper for my kind..."

[OOC] Eclipse sings, "A cloaking robe of elven wine / is a big part of my paradigm / All these rituals I do / are proper for my kind..."

[OOC] Psyche BEATS ECLIPSE SAVAGELY!

Valyros steps back and puts the bottle down, "There you're all set."

Psyche . o O ( Fucking fop. )

[OOC] Valyros says, "You're so lucky I don't have mind..."

Typheous . o O ( Usually you pick up better on sarcasm... )

[OOC] Psyche says, "Yeah, yeah."

Psyche . o O ( Too conversational. If I don't insult you once in a while I can feel myself going all goody-goody. )

Valyros puts on her cloak and looks at Typheous and Psyche staring off into space, "Are you two alright?"

[OOC] You say, "These two are lucky no one with Mind hangs out with them... That or no one with Mind hangs out with them because they don't want to be subjected to this all the time..."

[OOC] Psyche says, "They're not necessarily staring into space, Val."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Well general odd effect :P"

[OOC] Psyche Grins. "For them, it's the same as normal conversation any more."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "I do have Mind 2. But it would be impolite."

Psyche furrows her brows at Valyros slightly. "Why do you ask? Did something go wrong with the spellcasting?" She's still generally looking impatient.

Typheous smirks. "Just fine." . o O ( And being nice to me will cause the end of civilization as we know it. )

Quentin sighs, "Well, off to the maddening dark Node we go..."

Psyche . o O ( The last fucking thing you need is more ideas. )

Valyros says, "No, everything went as well as can be expected."

Typheous . o O ( More ideas? What makes you think I have any ideas at all? )

Tsharing says, "Maddening?"

Psyche shrugs her shoulders. "Then what are you waiting for? I don't know where we're going."

Valyros puts her cloak on, hiding her wings and follows Quentin to the Node.

Psyche . o O ( Leave me alone. )

Quentin, "Just a myth, I'm sure. Weird goings on in that old basement. Wine would sour in a week down there. There have been a couple cults to Dark Gods that met in it. I'm sure it was just the kinds of people that lived there, though, not the Node itself. Anyway, if you'll follow me..."

You say, "Quentin exits the house."

Typheous follows Quentin. . o O ( That's not exactly possible.... )

Psyche shakes her head with a sigh. "Fucking dark gods. Think it's fucking funny, don't they?" The comment, under her breath seems to have meaning only to her as she follows Quentin.

Tsharing follows him.

Typheous . o O ( Something wrong with the Dark Gods? Other than the obvious? )

Psyche . o O ( None of your business. )

Typheous . o O ( Of course.... )

You say, "Quentin walks quickly, whistling cheerfully as he winds through the abandoned wreckage of a civilizaion he failed to protect, marching along with his staff and white cloak. "We're rather lucky to be doing this during the day. At night, the ghosts act exactly like they did in life. Sometimes you can almost forget they're dead. Well, at least until you see one of the wraiths, of course. The ghosts don't remember dying, but the wraiths do, and I don't think they're particularly fond of me, either.""

Valyros says, "I have no love for Dark Gods, for most dieties for that fact. They usually are too uptight."

[OOC] Typheous says, "But if you get a couple beers in them..."

Psyche smirks quietly.

[OOC] Psyche says, "They start hitting on chicks, trying to impress them, and the next thing you know there's a lightning bolt through the plate-glass, and who's going to send a repair bill to the -gods-?"

[OOC] Eclipse thinks of what it would be like to play Black and White while drunk and feels sorry for the mortals...

[OOC] Typheous chuckles.

[OOC] You say, "I didn't MEAN to thrown the fisherman's wife into the sea."

Valyros says, "The only one I really respect is the one that stopped me from becoming one."

Typheous raises his eyebrow, but keeps quiet. . o O ( And I thought Vance had a big ego. )

Tsharing says, "A deity?"

You say, "At last, you come to a crumbling old building at the corner of Ash Tree Lane and Pickman Street."

Psyche murmurs. "Becoming a god? This would be Ultimatum-era, yes?" . o O ( It happens. )

Quentin, "Ah, here we are. Node is in the basement.

Valyros says, "Yes, I was the plaything of Eclipse, one of the more lose, and insane, dieties. He offered to turn me and the rest of my friends into dieties to try and save as many people before his Ultimatum. After he explained what was happening but before he gave us the power, I was whisked away, back to the woods several miles from here."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Poit"

Tsharing says, "I have not heard this story before."

Psyche arches a brow. "Plaything?" There's a hint of derisiveness in her tone.

Valyros says, "Yes, sufice it to say, it was not a plesant experience..."

Typheous coughs pointedly. "I expect not."

Psyche shakes her head. "Doesn't sound it."

You say, "Quentin turns his head away at Eclipse's name."

Typheous glances to Quentin. "Something else we've not heard yet?"

Valyros says, "And I doubt I would have been pleased to have been given divine status by him. More than likely in the next few millenia I'd be thrown down in the next Ultimatum War, when he got bored."

You say, "Quentin laughs without humor. "You don't think I learned Ultimatum from a book, did you?""

Psyche shrugs. "It's possible. Books have strange authors."

Typheous smirks. "I suppose not."

Tsharing says, "Is this Node safe to draw from?"

[OOC] Psyche will BRB, go on around me.

Quentin, "By the time the Ultimatum War happened, no one had even heard of Ultimatum, much less learned how it worked.

Valyros says, "Needless to say, that I managed to find evidence to the upcoming Ultimatum War for those with the Gift and managed to save several thousand people without the help of Ultimatum or the gods."

You say, "Quentin begins to walk toward the house. "I can't see any reason why it should be dangerous to draw on its power. It's just a Node, after all.""

Typheous nods. "Well, shall we be off on our adventure then?"

Valyros says, "Lets."

Tsharing goes there.

Valyros follows everybody in, on the lookout for dangerous spirits.

You say, "Quentin leads you through the eerie silence of the house. Even the spiders have not built homes here. The house feels strangely...empty. No furniture. No decoration. No sign that anyone has ever lived here."

Typheous glances around, a bit uneasy. His music is appropriately haunting.

Psyche stiffens slightly, the chill around her contributing to the atmosphere.

You say, "After a walk down a hallway too long to fit in a house of this size, you reach a door with a stone stair down. Quentin mumbles a few words, and the crystal at one end of his staff glows with a bright white light that seems to fade into nothing only a few dozen feet into the darkness of the basement."

You say, "Quentin begins to decend."

Valyros follows.

Tsharing goes down.

Typheous follows.

Psyche likewises.

Typheous pages: "I don't hear anything from the Medium bit, do I? "

You say, "The basement is windowless and the size of a city block."

Typheous . o O ( Reminds me of Drapheous' place, strangely enough. )

Typheous has received your page: "You hear murmurs like prayers all around you. There seems to be a leader and an audience or congregation. "What comes soon to this world?" "Oblivion!" "What do we experience when we die?" "Oblivion!" "What hope can we have?" "None." "Exactly. At the end of the world, there is only darkness, darkness like that of this basement. The darkness of Oblivion.""

Psyche . o O ( No wonder I don't like it. )

Typheous pages: "Gee... This part of town isn't haunted at all. There's just those 4-5 ghost we saw the first night."

Typheous . o O ( Except his place doesn't have voices chanting in it..... )

Typheous glances around the room, lifting a hand to his temple.

You say, "In the center of the room is a 5-sided, square pillar some six feet wide on a side. On one side is a plain wooden door."

Psyche blinks, looking at Typheous. .o O ( Voices? ) "You all right?"

Valyros says, "So we have to go through this door I take it?"

You say, "Quentin sighs, and his breath steams out in front of him. "Well, here we are." You suddenly realize it must be freezing cold down here, but you never noticed the change in temperature."

[OOC] Psyche says, "no, because Psyche pre-chilled us."

Typheous nods to Psyche. "Just something I've grown up it." . o O ( Well, ghosts, spirits, something chanting. Wonderful little blessing us Empaths have. )

[OOC] Typheous says, "Grown up with."

Psyche shivers, rubbing her arms slightly. "Oh, I see." . o O ( Glad I'm not getting it. )

Quentin, "Maybe, that is, I think so. I seem to remember this square pillar having three sides the last time, not that it was any less square, mind you."

You say, "He blinks and looks away from the door."

Typheous shakes his head, his hand dropping back to his side. . o O ( Oh just your average black mass, that's about it. Not too exciting. )

[OOC] You say, "Liar, liar, pants on fire!"

Psyche . o O ( There's something I never desire to experience. )

Tsharing says, "Can we travel over yet?"

Psyche walks around the pillar, examining it more carefully at Quentin's words, furrowing her brows as she attempts to work out the logic of the beast.

Typheous chuckles softly. "Please hurry, I'm hoping to leave before whatever was here gets to anything more interesting."

Quentin, "I imagine we'll have to thin the Guantlet a little more to open the door. The next Juncture is still quite a ways off."

Psyche . o O ( I thought you'd find it educational, maybe. )

Eclipse [to Psyche]: One side, two sides, three sides, four sides, five sides - square.

Valyros pages: "Would I know how to thin the Gauntlet?"

Eclipse [to Psyche]: They're all right angles, there just happen to be five of them instead of the usual four...

Tsharing says, "Who will do that?"

I don't understand that.

Valyros has received your page: "Yes. It's a fairly common Spirit 2 Effect."

Typheous . o O ( You'd just love getting my part of a black mass in your head, wouldn't you? )

Valyros says, "I will help you thin the Gauntlet."

Psyche walks around again, murmuring to herself, before lifting her own hand to her temple, blinking, and sighing. . o O ( Five sides. Square. Only if you're being sacrificed, and I don't feel it. ) "I'll be useless in it."

Quentin, "I know a spell for it."

!!! A checkpoint has begun. During the next few minutes, you will experience slow response time (AKA lag). Be patient, grasshopper.

!!! The checkpoint has finished. After a suspenseful 0 seconds, the world is saved once more.

Typheous eyes the... square carefully. . o O ( Great, something to give you a headache, too. )

[OOC] Psyche says, "I don't know why I bother to checkpoint this system...."

[OOC] Eclipse feels the lag. :-P

Tsharing says, "The rite was to reduce it around a Node to the point of nonexistence, effectively inducing what you call a Juncture."

Valyros takes up a possiton around the 'square' opening her spell book to the appropriate page.

Psyche squeezes her eyes shut. . o O ( So...illogical... )

You say, "Quentin takes up a position facing another side."

Typheous . o O ( You just keep your eyes closed and I'll just try to ignore the chanting. )

Psyche . o O ( Sounds like a plan. That way I don't have to watch these archaic, outmoded spellcasters work either. ) )

Tsharing watches for interruptions.

Psyche listens to the casting, trying to ignore the thought of the pillar and the chill of the basement/

Typheous smirks at nothing in particular. . o O ( It's quaint... )

Psyche . o O ( It's fucking ridiculous. And inefficient. )

Typheous . o O ( Yes, well, it works. )

Valyros belts out arcane phrases and magic words in a language few know, slowly trying to warp reality to her will along with the others.

You say, "Quentin stands on one side of the pillar and Valyros stands on the other so that there is a mage standing on each side of the five-sided, square pillar preparing to create an effect. Quentin raises his staff and begins to chant."

[OOC] Psyche says, "Not Elven, this time, is it? :)"

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (3d10): 4, 7, 6 No diff given.

User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`

Eclipse 3h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90

Psyche 4h 1m IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...

Valyros 3h 2m OOC PC

Typheous 5h 2m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...

Tsharing 53m 4m IC PC

--[Sat Feb 1 23:35:57 2003]--------------------------------[5 users; 0s lag]--

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 10, 10, 9, 7 No diff given.

[OOC] Valyros says, "See, the old ways, are the good ways."

You say, "The door on one side of the pillar and on all sides opens into the pillar, swinging out toward you to reveal a hallway."

[OOC] You say, "Yes, I see that..."

[OOC] Psyche beats her dice.

Tsharing says, "Is it done?"

Valyros says, "It is."

You say, "Quentin blinks. "It would appear so.""

Psyche opens her eyes at that, and squeezes them shut again in an extended blink before attempting to reconcile herself to the door.

Valyros says, "So, shall I go first?"

Typheous takes the door in stride, looking like he's trying to block a very persistent voice. . o O ( Blinking won't make it go away. I could hold your hand and you coul dkeep your eyes closed if you don't want to look at it. )

Psyche . o O ( No, thank you. I'm already perilously close to vomiting. )

Psyche will go after Typheous does, but not before Quentin and Valyros.

Tsharing says, "I will. I am not needed to get you out."

Tsharing goes in.

Typheous follows Tsharing. . o O ( I still say that's all in your head. )

Typheous has received your page: ""When the Black Door opens, we will decend into understanding. When the Black Door opens, we will decend into infinity. When the Black Door opens, we will decend into Oblivion.""

Valyros goes in.

You say, "Quentin follows."

Psyche goes in last, then. . o O ( I know. )

Typheous shakes his head. "I hope this gets better soon..."

Valyros says, "What do you mean? It's going rather well so far."

Psyche . o O ( The mass? )

You say, "The hallway continues for about five minutes before it comes to a spiral staircase leading down into the impenetrable darkness. Even Valyros's sight fails beyond a hundred feet with no sign of a bottom in sight. Abruptly, Quentin removes a coin from his pocket and drops it into the abyss."

Typheous gives Valyros a wry look. "There's enough spiritual noise here to drive a man mad, that's all." . o O ( Yes. Remember the ghost who said nothing but oblivion? I've got a chorus of them with a preacher. )

Tsharing pages: "Spirit sense, to see what side of the Gauntlet we're currently on."

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 9, 4, 2 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **

Psyche . o O ( I see. )

Valyros says, "That's why I thank what ever god was in charge of it, that I was born a woman."

Psyche shakes her head. "Why? Women are born mad."

Tsharing has received your page: "You're actually in the process of crossing over, actually. You've never heard of the Gauntlet being stretched out like this, but that appears to be the case here."

Valyros gives a toothy grin, "Exactly."

Typheous rolls his eye. "So, are we going down the stairs into 'Oblivion' then?"

You say, "You begin to walk down the spiral staircase. After about twenty minutes, you here the distinctive sound of the coin hitting the bottom."

[OOC] Psyche says, "...Wow."

[OOC] Psyche swipes one of Clippy's 'e's and sticks an 'a' in its place. "Mmm. Hearing good."

Tsharing says, "A side-effect of the Ultimatum appears to have been an unnatural stretching of the barrier. The journey is not supposed to take this long."

Psyche remains silent, attempting to keep her cool. And incidentally chilling everyone else.

Typheous rubs his arms to stay warm. . o O ( Mind warming up a bit? )

You say, "Five minutes later, you reach the bottom of the stairs and are standing on a plain on a sunny day. To the north loom the mountains where you know Ironridge stands. Several miles to the west, east, and south, the forests take control."

Valyros says, "Yes, unfortunately. You used to be able to pop into and out of the Umbra in less than a minute. Those were the days..."

Tsharing has received your page: "Now you are completely in the Penumbra."

Psyche . o O ( I have about as much control over it as you do your music, I think. )

Typheous . o O ( Here I was thinking you might be able... Nevermind, I don't feel like getting slapped today. )

Psyche turns to glare at Typheous briefly, then back to looking around the new scenery. "Where the hell are we?"

[OOC] You say, "Anyone have Cosmology?"

[OOC] Typheous forgets.. probably not.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "3"

[OOC] Valyros says, "Unfortunately no. That's going to be on my list of things to get."

[OOC] Typheous says, "Not unless Seduction counts... oh wait, wrong Cosmo."

Tsharing has received your page: "You are in the Penumbra, which is identical to the real world in many respects, but lacks all signs of civilization. Weak sensory input is dulled, here, while strong sensations are heightened."

Tsharing says, "We are in the Border World. It is the dream of the Invisible World, where the weak things we would notice are nonexistant, and the strong heightened. The things not yet noticed in the dream, such as civilisation, do not appear here. It is a slaow place to change."

You say, "The sun is too bright and not warm enough. The wind is too cold even though it barely touches your skin."

Typheous glances around. "And from here, where do we go?"

Psyche looks around again, nodding after a moment. "I see."

Quentin, "The Berlion estate should be a mile south of here, right? Or is space distorted here, too? I can never remember these things."

Valyros shields her eyes from the sunlight and says, "Well there are hundreds of worse places we could have ended up in.

Tsharing pages: "How many successes to permanently awaken a quarrterstaff?"

[OOC] You say, "Yeah. You were in "a place of great tragedy", so you could have ended up on the outskirts of the Shadowlands, instead..."

Typheous shakes his head. "That's comforting."

Typheous pages: "And did the mass stop?"

Tsharing has received your page: "10, though it would only begin the process of fully empowering it..."

Typheous has received your page: "Yes."

Typheous pages: "I'm hoping nothing took its place, right? ;)"

Typheous has received your page: "Nope. If there were any spirits here, they'd be able to poke you with a stick..."

Typheous pages: "True. ;) "

Valyros says, "Well we shouldn't stay here for too long. Let's get moving."

Tsharing says, "Yes."

Tsharing gets moving.

Typheous follows along.

[OOC] Psyche laughs.

You say, "Quentin follows."

Valyros follows Tsharing and Quentin.

Psyche finds a place on the other side of the group from Typheous.

Psyche follows, then.

You say, "Quentin closes his eyes and clutches his staff as he walks."

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 8, 4, 4 ** 1 success (diff 5) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 10, 3, 10 ** 2 successes (diff 5) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 5, 6 ** 3 successes (diff 5) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 3, 3 ** 1 success (diff 5) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 8, 4, 3 ** 1 success (diff 5) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 1, 2 ** 0 successes (diff 5) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 6, 4, 9 ** 2 successes (diff 5) **

Tsharing pages: "Got it. I'll wait for an apt moment to reveal / realise it."

Typheous watches for anything out of the ordinary.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "This is the Penumbra. Tkae your pick."

You say, "At last, you reach a place where all the grass is bent and blown in an intricate, labyrinthine pattern. (Per + Awareness, dif 7)"

[OOC] Eclipse was about to say the same thing...

[Roll]: Psyche rolled Perception (3) and Awareness (2) (5d10): 10, 7, 5, 1, 3 ** 1 success (diff 7) **

[Roll]: Valyros rolled dice (6d10): 1, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8 No diff given.

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (6d10): 7, 10, 1, 5, 8, 4 No diff given.

[OOC] Valyros says, "1"

[OOC] Psyche says, "One."

[Roll]: Typheous rolled Perception (3) and Awareness (2) (5d10): 6, 4, 7, 7, 2 ** 2 successes (diff 7) **

[OOC] Typheous says, "2"

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Perception (2) and Awareness (2) (4d10): 6, 2, 2, 7 ** 1 success (diff 7) **

You say, "Everyone recognizes the vibes of the place as a minor Node."

[OOC] Psyche says, "Yo! Node-vibe in the hizzowwwwwse!"

Valyros says, "So this is the place we're looking for, I gather?"

Psyche says, "It would appear so."

You say, "Quentin nods slightly."

Typheous stands back, hands ready on his blades.

User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`

Eclipse 4h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90

Psyche 5h 14s IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...

Typheous 6h 53s IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...

Valyros 3h 2m OOC PC

Tsharing 1h 4m IC PC

--[Sun Feb 2 00:09:28 2003]--------------------------------[5 users; 0s lag]--

Tsharing says, "Is it safe?"

[OOC] You say, "Plays the opening of The Two Towers..."

Quentin, "I can't see why not, unless someone is conducting a ritual in here or something..."

[OOC] Typheous says, "No, in other words."

[OOC] Psyche says, "No, it's not -safe-. But it's -good-."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Is a Balrog going to fall down the huge stairway with a wizard on it's back?"

[OOC] You say, "It's tempting, but..."

Valyros says, "Well I guess there's only one way to find out."

Valyros steps foreward looking for any wards/magical traps/spirit sentries.

[OOC] Valyros says, "Roll Arete?"

[OOC] You say, "Which Spheres? And yes."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Prime and Spirit"

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 9, 7, 8, 7 No diff given.

You say, "Quentin looks throught the crystal in his staff."

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (3d10): 4, 6, 10 No diff given.

Valyros has received your page: "No Spirit wards. Quite a bit of magic, though."

Quentin, "Time ward, or so it seems."

Valyros says, "There are no spirit wards, but quite a bit of magic..."

Tsharing says, "I see."

Valyros says, "Last time I heard that, the world began to end..."

Tsharing says, "What is the nature of the ward?"

Psyche says, "Is that enough to account for all the magic, Quentin?"

Quentin shrugs, "It's hard to tell. It's warded black as that staircase earlier, at leas to Time scrying. Pretty standard, though, really. Unless I miss my guess, there are probably space wards, too. Maybe Caine isn't as proficient with Spirit."

Typheous nods. "We can hope so."

Psyche pages: "How does one look for magical traps?"

Copied from Mortis (#295):page by God (#2) Sun Sep 9 23:26:36 2001 EST

Copied from generic player (#6):page by God (#2) Sun Sep 9 22:37:54 2001 EST

Page accepts several formats, to cope with the variety of styles to which refugees are accustomed.

page <user> with <message>

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Additionally, you may send the same message to several users by either enclosing all their names in quotes (for the first two formats above), or including their names before the '=' sign.

Tsharing says, "He does not mind people seeing what he does, but does not want to people to see what he has done. Or will do."

Valyros takes out her book, takes a deep breath, and flips through her spirit tome, her inner quintesence aligning to that of their new environment.

Psyche's lips tighten. "I can imagine why," she murmurs.

[Roll]: Valyros rolled Arete (4d10): 5, 10, 4, 6 No diff given.

Psyche has received your page: "From the other side of the Gauntlet, it will take at least Spirit 1. Otherwise, Prime will tell you if there are active effects. Time will give you a hint as to whether there are any contingency spells waiting to spring. Other Spheres will notice active Effects made with the same Spheres, though not necessarily the precise nature..."

(remotely) Psyche nods. "Sorry. You know how slow I am with getting the hang of anything magic :P"

Psyche has received your page: "Not a problem."

Valyros pages: "Umbral adaptation, just remembered to do it. Negates that annoying +difficulty."

(to Valyros) Eclipse nods.

(remotely) Psyche files that information away.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "BRB"

Valyros says, "Well, we're not doing anything just sitting here. Let's go."

Valyros makes her way towards the Umbral castle, being careful of where she is going.

Psyche keeps one eye on her surroundings and one on Valyros's pathway, following carefully.

Typheous follows carefully, watching the area around him.

[OOC] You say, "Repost those from El's BRB, folks, please."

[OOC] Psyche got it.

You say, "It isn't too difficult to make it to the center of the grassy labyrinth, since you can easily see over the top of the grass."

[OOC] Psyche wields @paste with a mighty arm.

Valyros pages: "You say, "Well, we're not doing anything just sitting here. Let's go.""

Valyros pages: "Valyros makes her way towards the Umbral castle, being careful of where she is going."

You say, "Quentin raises his staff and begins to speak the words of the spell."

[Roll]: Eclipse rolled dice (3d10): 5, 10, 6 No diff given.

Tsharing pages: "= Spirit 1 / Mind 1 to see to the other side of the Gauntlet concurrently. Df3, successes?"

Valyros stops as Quentin starts casting.

[OOC] Typheous says, "So, there's just the imprint of the castle in the grass, right? No actual castle to see?"

Psyche stops too, and waits.

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 7, 9, 3 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 9, 3, 1 ** 1 success (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 3, 6, 9 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **

Tsharing has received your page: "Adequate."

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 4, 7, 4 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Tsharing rolled Arete (3d10): 5, 5, 3 ** 3 successes (diff 3) **

Tsharing pages: "2 duration, 3 concealment."

[OOC] You say, "Correct. Not even a true imprint of a castle. The labyrinth in the grass is just the manifestation of the Node in the Penumbra. No sign of civilization, remember?"

[OOC] Typheous nodsnods.

Tsharing has received your page: "The room on the other side of the Gauntlet is a large, vaulted chamber crafted with pink and black marble, with the floor a mosaic labyrinth exactly reflecting the one in the grass on this side. It appears to be unoccupied."

Tsharing says, "The maze on the other side is a painted labyrinth in a marble chamber."

Typheous frowns. "Anything else you can see?"

Valyros takes out a piece of paper and a stylus, starting to sketch out the lay out of the labryith and the proper way through it.

Psyche pages: "Would it be possible to use Spirit to run the minimap across the Gauntlet?"

Psyche pages: "So I could tell where people were?"

[OOC] You say, "Btw, folks, the labyrinth on the other side is just an arrangement of tiles on the floor, not a labyrinth you'll have to Might & Magic your way through..."

[OOC] Typheous says, "Awwww... ;)"

Psyche has received your page: "As long as there are no wards, yes."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Yeah, but it might be magically trapped."

[OOC] Valyros says, "My thoughts exactly."

Tsharing says, "Nothing else. The chamber is unoccupied."

[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 1, 7 ** 0 successes (diff 3) **

Tsharing says, "I do not think there is anything to find."

[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 10, 8 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 5, 8 ** 2 successes (diff 3) **

[Roll]: Psyche rolled Arete (2d10): 6, 2 ** 1 success (diff 3) **

Psyche pages: "Releasing with 5 successes. 1 into effect, 2 to duration, 2 to range."

Valyros says, "Darn..."

Typheous frowns. "No sign of Plax?"

Psyche pages: "Life forms, positive/negative auras, and general layout."

Tsharing says, "Not here. We should try the other chambers."

Valyros says, "He could be in the basement of the castle or one of the upper stories, in which case we wouldn't be able to see him here."

Psyche has received your page: "You get a brief layout, including several servants, Caine and the gatekeeper in a room together down the hall. The basement is warded, though."

Psyche looks up. "Caine's with the gatekeeper down the hall...there are a few servants." She indicates on the invisible map she's just sketched. "But there are wards."

Valyros says, "What sort of wards?"

Psyche pages: "Just against scrying from what I can tell, or can I sense any more?"

Typheous frowns. "And Caine won't be able to see us here, would he?"

Psyche has received your page: "You just know that you can't scry on it without being in physical sight of it. Maybe it's just a Correspondence ward, but it might also be more complex. You can't tell for sure."

Psyche sounds a little disgruntled. "Against scrying, at least...there are several places I can't see anything of without being there. Can't tell any more than that."

Valyros says, "One of those places would likely be where they are holding Plax."

Tsharing says, "The dungeon would be the obvious place."

From Psyche: [Private Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 4, 9, 10, 8, 4, 8, 10, 2 No diff given.

Typheous says, "Probably... Where is it from here?"

Psyche . o O ( Brilliant deduction, Lady Del'zenivras. Tsharing. )

Psyche says, "Down?"

Typheous . o O ( *smirks* Thank you, Ms. deduction. Now, unless you plan on doing what Caine did in our meeting with him, would you like to find the way down? )

Psyche has received your page: "The gatekeeper just disappeared from the "living things" list following a brief spike in the "magic and bad juju" level of the room she and Caine were in."

Tsharing says, "The obvious place may not be where he actually is,. though."

Psyche's breath hisses in. "Fuck. Nevermind that gatekeeper. Something bad just happened."

Psyche . o O ( I...shit. )

Typheous raises his eyebrow. "What?" . o O ( What is it? )

[OOC] You say, "Psy - You are at least able to find the staircase down to the basement with your minimap."

[OOC] Psyche says, "Yay!"

Valyros says, "What?"

Psyche . o O ( *anger flares* Something magical and negative just happened...and she dropped off the list of living things. That fucking...*a mental snarl* )

Valyros says, "What happened Psyche?"

Typheous . o O ( She's dead then? )

[Roll]: Psyche rolled Willpower (8) (8d10): 8, 2, 4, 9, 9, 6, 3, 10 No diff given.

Psyche's voice is tight. "There was a flare of...negative magic. Something bad. And she's no longer marked as living..." Her voice turns more growl than words. "So much for the Night Reaper being a -diversion- of Caine's..." A long deep breath. "But I can find the stairs down, even if I can't see the basement...."

Psyche . o O ( No longer alive, in any case. )

Tsharing says, "What exactly has happened?"

Typheous . o O ( But still there and mobile? Or can you tell? )

Valyros says, "Alright. So that means we got as much information as we can, and should go back and plan our next move?"

Psyche has received your page: "Caine has left the room and is headed toward the Node."

Psyche shakes her head. "I can't get more specific. She was in a room down the hall with Caine. Then there was a spike, and she vanished from the life-sight. It's possible there'..." She breaks off. "And Caine's headed for the Node."

Psyche . o O ( I don't think so. I'm only looking for living things and energy auras. Something -bad- happened. )

Tsharing pages: "I'll have to be going soon."

Typheous . o O ( Hmmm... I only had a mental link wiht the last victim we ran into of the Night Reapers.... )

Typheous glances around. "We should probably leave. He might have noticed us."

Psyche keeps her eyes half-closed, concentrating on the mental map.

Tsharing has received your page: "psy=Caine appears at the entrance of the chamber. He's wearing the ring Plax received as a gift, and you can almost see him glowing with the gatekeeper's resonance energy."

Psyche has received your page: "Caine appears at the entrance of the chamber. He's wearing the ring Plax received as a gift, and you can almost see him glowing with the gatekeeper's resonance energy."

Valyros says, "I second that motion."

Caine, "Who's there? Show yourself."

Psyche has received your page: "He's heating up the Death Ray of magical Effects."

Typheous starts moving back the way we came. He says in a hushed voice, "Now." . o O ( Damn... )

Tsharing says, "Caine is here. And he has Plax's ring. He has the resonance of the gatekeeper."

Psyche steps back. "Fuck." A pause. "He's got her resonance written all over him...and he's got Plax's ring on." She glances at Tsharing.

Valyros follows Typheous' example

You say, "Quentin takes off running north, through one of the walls of the real world."

Psyche . o O ( Argh, not her too. )

Valyros says, "Is that a bad thing?"

Psyche says, "Yes. It means we get the fuck out before he lets that Effect he's working on fly."

Valyros runs as fast as she can for the boarder.

Typheous . o O ( I hope not. I like having you all to myself. )

Typheous takes off running too, making sure Psyche can keep up.

Tsharing has received your page: "Be done in 5."

Psyche glances back to make sure Tsharing's coming too before she takes off.

Tsharing follows.

You say, "You leave Caine and the Berlion estate behind and are soon back at the staircase."

[OOC] You say, "And that's where we'll stop for the night."

Tsharing says, "Now what do we do?"

[OOC] Psyche says, "Charming."

[OOC] Valyros says, "Thank God..."

[OOC] Tsharing says, "OK"

[OOC] You say, "RP point votes"

User Conn Idle RP-Stat `@my tag is ...`

Eclipse 4h 0s IC Wiz Causing players confusion and trouble since '90

Tsharing 31m 7s IC PC

Valyros 4h 7s OOC PC

Psyche 6h 10s IC Wiz I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just -right-...

Typheous 7h 1m IC Wiz Well I'm terribly sorry, but I don't care...

--[Sun Feb 2 00:56:48 2003]--------------------------------[5 users; 0s lag]--

Tsharing pages: "Valyros"

[OOC] Valyros says, "I've been running on 4 hours sleep all day."

Typheous pages: "Psyche"

Valyros pages: "Tsharing."

I don't understand that.

Try this instead: @grant-xp tsh 3 to

Psyche pages: "Val"

*** Added 3 XP to Tsharing's Experience ***

*** Added 3 XP to Valyros's Experience ***

*** Added 3 XP to Psyche's Experience ***

*** Added 3 XP to Typheous's Experience ***

[OOC] You say, "Val gets the RP point."

[OOC] Psyche applauds.

[OOC] Tsharing says, "Well, nice to see things pick up a bit again."

*** Added 1 XP to Valyros's Experience ***

[OOC] Valyros says, "Wow, you like me, you really like me!"

[OOC] Psyche nods. "Having a fourth really helps."

[OOC] Typheous says, "Woo"

[OOC] Eclipse agrees.

[OOC] Typheous says, "That it does."

[OOC] Valyros says, "I would have been doing more crap in the umbra if I was a tad more coherent..."

[OOC] You say, "The plot thickens, yes?"

[OOC] Valyros says, "Well if there's nothing else, I think I'll bid you all goodnight."

[OOC] You say, "See you later, Joe."

Valyros has disconnected.

Tsharing has lost her link.