PoL Session 2: Divination, Duplicity, and Drinking

<@SZFelix> So we pick up our story after Camille knocks out Kiyoshi. Camille ties him to a tree, removes his sword, and goes about her business with the rest of the party. Kiyoshi will come to soon enough. Camille turns to Luca, apologizing for the seemingly-rash action: he was armed and is potentially dangerous and possibly unstable. We don't know a whole lot re: situations like his, and don't wish to make these situations any more complicated than they already are. She cautiously suggests that the parties introduce themselves to each other and get a dialogue going. We were rushing against time because there was supposedly another group, but now that we've (probably?) met, it's a lot less urgent. We can take time, ensure no attacks transpire.
<@SZFelix> Luca, the elf leader, carefully sheathes his sword. "Luca Ikuinen. Covozca." He looks at Azucaran. "You may have heard of me." His voice is deep and gruff, that of a man who is likely in more fights than conversations. "And yes, we're the other group."
<@SZFelix> The elf woman who's been almost attached to his arm smiles broadly at the idea of actual peace and conversation. Her voice is smooth, sultry, and seems to surprise her when it comes out. "Suvana."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "I have heard of you. Not many Covozcans haven't. I am Azucaran. A pleasure to meet you."
<@SZFelix> Luca smiles at Azucaran.
<@SZFelix> The dwarves step forward in turn, the guard aggressively shoving the mage forward. "
<Alexander_Cauldhame> \me sighs, saying loud enough so that the closest members of the party can hear, but not loud enough for the other group to hear, "Not names again."
* Kaireyna_Duval shakes her head, looking at the slumbering Kiyoshi tied to a tree, and steps forward to meet the other party.
<@SZFelix> THe dwarf guard speaks for both of them. "Guard Captain Vigarde." He gives anyone who points out the amusing fact that his name sounds "We Guard" a glare. "Solsolian by birth, Covozcan by circumstance." He sighs and looks at Luca. "I'm here because of Seth here."
<@SZFelix> The Blackwing, Cyrus, for the record, is too preoccupied with staring at Kiyoshi to introduce himself.
<@SZFelix> Luca meets the rest of the party, shaking hands on behalf of everyone. Camille shares an intrigued glance with Suvana upon shaking her hand.
<@SZFelix> Luca pipes up post-introductions. "So, looking for Volkar's logs, is that it? Or are you here for something more important?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander, noticing the silence coming from most of the party, walks forward about halfway to the other party, and says "I am Alexander Cauldhame, a merchant by trade, but mostly use that as an excuse to travel and hear stories. I was passing through and stumbled upon this group, much the same way you have now done the same."
<@SZFelix> Archibald caws derisively.
<@SZFelix> Luca smiles broadly at Alexander. "A storyteller! So you're here for the prophecy, then?"
<@SZFelix> There is a bit of tittering from the rest of Luca's group at the word "prophecy."
* Azucaran_Al-Camin pulls out his journal, makes a few quick notes, and puts it back.
<@SZFelix> Elsewhere, Cyrus finally stops examining Kiyoshi and asks the party if he can investigate the sword, as it seems to exhibit a familiar aura.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I'm simply here because the capitals have become boring these past few years so I've taken to wandering more and more."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Kaireyna Duval, but most call me Kai." Kai steps forward even with the rest of her party. While her face wears an inviting smile, she seems a bit reluctant at the same time.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin turns to Cyrus and says, "I suppose it is alright. Do let us know of what you find, will you?" attempting to be as polite as possible.
<@SZFelix> Cyrus smiles and takes the sword, nodding. As of most Blackwings, he seems a little suspect and sinister.
<@SZFelix> Camille whirls around at the word "prophecy." "Did Tatiana tell you, too?" Luca nods and smiles, responding "As soon as I saw you, I was sure you weren't on a regular mission."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Wait. If the prophecy is related to your mission, does this mean Volkar's logs have something to do with the myth of the Chosen One?"
<@SZFelix> "He explored the Sunset Realm. He likely found something about the myth-because the two are interrelated, no?" - Camille
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "This is what I had hoped, but I didn't expect that a scholar would be so interested in an old story like that, so I had no reason to think more of the logs."
<@SZFelix> Camille smiles at Alexander. "I'm not a scholar, I'm opportunistic."
<@SZFelix> "I doubt Volkar was much a scholar, either."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander smiles back "In that case, it seems we will get along well."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "What do you mean? Wasn't he doing research for the Academy?"
<@SZFelix> "He was an adventurer at heart, corruptible like the rest of us, excited for stories of power and adventure and rags and riches. Solsolia doesn't take well to scholars, you remember."
<@SZFelix> "You have knowledge the empire doesn't have? You burn along with the books." Camille's eyes flash with anger. "Even if he made it out, he had to have hidden his research somewhere. They wouldn't take well to it - or they would abuse it."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Still, what makes you two (signaling to both Camille and Luca) think you can find Volkar's logs while so many others have failed?"
<@SZFelix> at this, the dwarf mage smiles broadly and tries to emphatically nod to Camille.
<@SZFelix> Luca chimes in. "So, we're following the research of my sister, Tatiana. The logs are secondary. The prophecy, which could be right alongside it, one of his logs for all we know, is the real prize. And it's supposed to be not too far away." Luca cranes his neck to see a shack not too far in the distance, amidst the ominous birds and trees. "That's a good start."
<@SZFelix> Kiyoshi starts to come to around this time.
<@SZFelix> at this time.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin is now taking more notes in his journal
* Kiyoshi_Sato squirms a bit and grunts audibly as he looks down to find himself tethered to a tree.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Very interesting. Such a shame about the books."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "What did I do now? Who did this?", he inquires.
* Kaireyna_Duval lets out an audible sigh.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Also, where's my sword?"
<@SZFelix> "Because nobody has tried that hard, Alexander!" Camille smiles excitedly. "Don't you know the saying? Nobody comes back from the Sunset Realm. It keeps everyone in, dead or alive. How many people have ACTUALLY tried?"
<@SZFelix> Luca looks at Kiyoshi. "You didn't do anything - that's the point. We were concerned." His face is grim. "Your sword is being examined at the moment for demonic possession. Standard stuff for Cyrus, here."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I've crossed paths with many who have claimed to be seeking for them. None in groups of more than 2 though."
<@SZFelix> Archibald looks up at Camille, confused. "You're part of an academy who sends people into the Sunset Realm all the time. You know as well as I do how many people try and fail."
* Kiyoshi_Sato loosens up a bit. "I suppose its only natural to want to do that after seeing it."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "As secondary navigator, I vouch that this journey is based on sound enough evidence"
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Just be careful with it, will you?"
<@SZFelix> Cyrus to Kiyoshi: "My people experiment with this stuff all the time. If anyone can handle it, it's us."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I would be interested to accompany you if possible, but we can discuss that later. For now, I think there is a more pressing matter." Alexander signals at Kiyoshi to those still playing attention to this conversation.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai turns to look at Archibald and Camille. "How many missions have come before this one? I haven't heard of any missions that have taken place recently."
<@SZFelix> Camille's eyes light up. "Like I said, I'm not a scholar. I don't work at the Academy. I am pretty sure this was a death sentence for me. Volkar's logs are an idea, something mystical to search for, something to justify research in the name of science, something to justify sending people to their deaths in the Sunset Realm. Why do you think I worked so hard to get onto this mission in the first place?"
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "That does not exactly inspire confidence."
<@SZFelix> She sighs. "Look, we'll find time to talk later." She directs the group to Kiyoshi.
<@SZFelix> Luca defends Camille, saying that if she's talked to Tatiana, he would follow her logic to the ends of Visiere.
* Kiyoshi_Sato looks a little uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
<@SZFelix> The old Blackwing steps forward to Kiyoshi, sword in hand. "Let me guess. Indomitable bloodlust and blind rage?"
<@SZFelix> His voice is cold and callous, the kind you expect to hear echoing around a lab during amoral experimentation.
<Kaireyna_Duval> To only the members of the group around her: "I'll cut him down when we're done. Even without his sword, he is still very dangerous."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Pretty close. There's a degree of control in terms of who my target is. After that, you're pretty much right on."
<@SZFelix> Cyrus sighs at Kiyoshi. "And you found it in a cave, somewhere in the middle of nowhere?"
<@SZFelix> Luca's head slowly turns to Cyrus during this conversation, moreso with each passing question.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "The sword belonged to me, prior to its cursing. The curse, however, was found in that locale."
<@SZFelix> "And now you're seeking redemption for whatever atrocities "you" committed?" Cyrus' pupils, could they widen, would be wide right now.
<@SZFelix> A dread grew in his voice with each passing question.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Cut to the chase, how powerful is this thing?"
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "You could call it redemption. Salvation. It just has to end."
<@SZFelix> He whispers to Luca and Suvana, then turns back to Kiyoshi. "I think it can end - and you can still live. I know of a way to fix it, but first we'll have to get out of here." His eyes dart over to Kai. "Strong. But not the most complete. I have seen similar cases in Greywings, trying to enhance their physical strength. At worst, it goes mad, killing everything and everyone in its path. This seems like a mild case, if he can choose the target of his rage." Cyrus tries *Very* hard to muster a winning, reassuring smile, but isn't particularly successful.
<@SZFelix> Camille sighs, looking relieved.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "What would happen if we tried to destroy the weapon? Would it even be possible?"
<@SZFelix> Archibald rolls his eyes.
<@SZFelix> Cyrus does the same.^
* Kiyoshi_Sato puts his head down. "Trust me, I've tried. It's not possible."
* Kaireyna_Duval shakes her head. "Of course. Has the curse changed at all since you started using it?"
<@SZFelix> "What you have now is a weapon, reckless but largely tamed. Believe it or not, he might be an asset rather than a liability...but that can all change in time." - Cyrus
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Call me what you want, I still fight for honour, whether the path be clouded or not."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Would there be any warnings before this 'change' or will he suddenly have no control over who he attacks like the others you mentioned?"
<@SZFelix> Camille softly apologizes to Kiyoshi for the very, *clinical* manner in which we're discussing his fate.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "I've noticed a slight lack of focus or attention before the rage. Afterwards I don't notice much at all."
<@SZFelix> Cyrus, to Alexander: "There should be some signals. Everything that my people have done has been put to rest as soon as we sense it. It's an intuition thing." He pauses momentarily. "Heh, that must be so reassuring."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "To elaborate on my question, has the curse gotten any stronger or weaker since the sword was cursed? Have you gained control, or has it been harder to control since the curse?"
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "If anything, it's not the curse getting stronger or weaker, I just became better at controlling it, however slight."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "I suppose that is also reassuring. What method would you attempt in order to fix it?"
<@SZFelix> As this conversation continues, night starts to gather. Camille continues to take notes in her journal. The clouds largely begin to part, revealing a beaming full moon. Luca and the birds on the trees become markedly more agitated as the clouds start to part and the moonlight shines down upon the tops of the trees, and, by extension, the party.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "No methods, at least none I knew about. Experience?"
<@SZFelix> Luca's voice is noticeably more hurried. "Look, we'll talk about this later. This deep into the Sunset, nighttime is the worst time. *cutting off anyone who tries to interrupt him* I don't CARE if you survived your first night, it's infinitely worse here. we need to find a place to rest inside or we're that next group sentenced to death and gone for good."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "...Can I come down now? I'd like to refrain from becoming a meal without having something to say about it first."
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai speaks up. "Wasn't there a shack or cabin of some sort a ways back?"
* Azucaran_Al-Camin frees Kiyoshi
<@SZFelix> his voice shifts swiftly into commander mode. "Camille, untie Kiyoshi. Cyrus, keep his sword for now. Nathaniel, ease up on Seth, we might need all hands ready. Suvana, stay close. *soft smile* The rest of you, if you don't want to die, you'll come with me to the shack not too far off." The birds start to gather.
<@SZFelix> oops
<@SZFelix> Camille helps Azucaran untie Kiyoshi. :P
<@SZFelix> Luca turns to the rest of the party. "Don't. Provoke. The birds."
<@SZFelix> They start to run, Camille included. Do you follow?
* Azucaran_Al-Camin follows close behind Camille
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai sets off for the cabin immediately after Luca finishes.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander follows quickly, but makes a point of looking back every few seconds.
* Kiyoshi_Sato places his blade back in its sheathe. With silent and quick steps, he follows the others.
<@SZFelix> Archibald reluctantly goes along with this harebrained plan.
<@SZFelix> (Kiyoshi, Cyrus has your sword.)
<@SZFelix> We run through a series of thickets, bushes, branches, thorns, trees, and miscellaneous other forest material. The trees are almost pitch-black, filled with birds, staring you down.
<@SZFelix> As they're approaching the shack, the environment seems to morph before everyone's eyes. In place of where the shack was is a multi-story mansion, replete with ominous iron gate, oddly placed well, stained glass windows, and a clap of thunder.
<@SZFelix> The gate is swung wide open.
* Kiyoshi_Sato stops for a minute to observe what just happened. "Have I gone crazy already?"
<@SZFelix> Archibald and Cyrus sigh almost simultaneously. "Illusion magic. It's not all in your head."
<@SZFelix> Nathaniel mutters for the first time. (He's the guard.) "Just another thing about what makes this place so wonderful."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "I see. I am no expert in magic. As you may be able to tell."
<@SZFelix> Luca practically ushers the entire party into the abandoned creepy mansion. Do we go in? Luca goes in. Suvana trips, and lands on some breakable branches, alerting birds in the area who, for the first time, make noise and rise out of their trees almost in unison.
<@SZFelix> Cyrus, to Kiyoshi. "No." Sass optional.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kaireyna swears, and stops on the way in to help Suvana back to her feet.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin looks at the birds. "Well, that settles that." He goes in.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander stands just to the side of the doorway, making sure it remains open, ready to enter, but also able to see what happens now that the birds have alerted.
<@SZFelix> At seeing the birds, Nathaniel, Seth, and Cyrus practically fly (heh) into the mansion. Cyrus gives Alexander a look when he leaves the door open, as if to say "You fucking idiot. Close it."
<@SZFelix> oh, Archibald runs in too. oops.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I'll close it when I come in. Don't worry, I'll get in well before there's any actual danger of them entering."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Quickly, take my hand, elf." Kai whispers.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I just want to see them a little bit more."
<@SZFelix> Suvana thanks Kai, taking her hand.
<@SZFelix> The birds, as if on cue, practically dive-bomb the remaining outsiders.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> As soon as this starts, Alexander quickly enters the house, closing the door if there's no one else still outside.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai rushes to the door, putting herself between Suvana and the birds.
<@SZFelix> (Camille ran in with the rest.)
* Kiyoshi_Sato walks in last, watching his back.
<@SZFelix> The birds are the size of ravens, each of them covered with more scales than fur. They move at an unnaturally quick pace. When they are moving, a shrill noise pierces the air, making it harder to move. You all make it in just fine, but not before understanding WHY we all fear those birds so much. They also seem to move as one, despite numbering so many individually, they seem to move as a unit. When the party all goes inside, they quickly return to their tree. When they move at night, it's more like an oppressive cloud than it is several small creatures.
<@SZFelix> fur. feathers. whatevers.
<@SZFelix> The bird's tail, as you can get a brief glimpse, more resembles the microraptor than does it the raven.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "So does anyone want to go outside so we can see exactly those birds want to do?" Alexander jokes.
<@SZFelix> Camille thwacks him over the head with her notebook, harder than she intended. "I wanna live, thanks." She jokes back.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Once everyone is inside, Kai quickly shuts the door behind her. "Fucking birds," she says, under her breath.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Pardon my lack of knowledge of this land. What in the Emperor's name are those?"
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> Azucaran has taken out his journal and is making a rough sketch of the birds. "Fascinating is what they are." He replies
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander rubs his head, clearly trying to make it appear that the notebook hurt than it really did, "But where's the fun in that?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Evil is what they are." Kai adds, leaning up against the wall.
<@SZFelix> "Kautu birds, protectors of the Sunset Realm." A voice rings out, from the center of the mansion.
<@SZFelix> "And you had the survival instincts to come here. Wonderful, well done, really!" There is not much of a trace of sarcasm in his voice.
<@SZFelix> (it's a male voice)
<@SZFelix> Luca's party is by and large collecting itself. Cyrus has set the sword down on the ground and is giving it a thorough examination. Luca is comforting Suvana, who thanked Kai and went back to Luca. Nathaniel and Seth are engaged in tense but seemingly reciprocated conversation.
* Kiyoshi_Sato leans against a wall, back to it, and glances around at the sound of the voice.
<@SZFelix> Seth jumps at the voice, accidentally cutting Nathaniel off. He glances around, eyes lingering on a mirror on the right hand side of the mansion, before bringing them back to the party. "Show yourself!" His hands crackle slightly with magic, voice cracking at the word *yourself*
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander's hand instinctively reaches for his sword when upon hearing the voice, but he stops it once it gets about halfway to the hilt.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin stands alert. Ready to draw his weapon.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai looks ahead, waiting intently to catch a glimpse of the source of the voice.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> I start to mutter something you can't quite hear under my breath, but it appears that I'm quite focused on whatever it is that I'm saying
<@SZFelix> A man steps out behind a wall, passing the mirror, and turning to face the party. He stands straight up, his hands folded together behind his back, and reminds Luca very firmly of a butler. His face was dreadfully pale, his hair short, silvery, and slicked back, and there was a certain malice in his heterochromatic eyes, one lively and green, the other dead and grey. His face had a certain agelessness to it. He smiles wide at the party, teeth perfectly aligned and seemingly well cared for. "Welcome!"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander suddenly stops muttering when he appears
* Kiyoshi_Sato raises an eyebrow, but keeps quiet for now.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "My apologies stranger, we did not know that this place would be occupied."
* SZFelix is now known as Luis_Sunset
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Who are you if you don't mind me asking?" Azucaran says with a vague sense of unease.
* Alexander_Cauldhame remains quiet, distancing himself slightly from everyone else, and watches the stranger.
<@Luis_Sunset> He smiles at Kai. "No worries, stranger! It's been years since I've had a visitor. Do, come stay a while!" He extends a thin, wiry arm in a gesture into the rest of his mansion. "No doubt escaping the Kautu led you to take shelter. You picked the right place!" He turns to Azucaran. "I am Luis, gracious host of guests and exquisite socialite." He smiles broadly, the exact same smile he has used every time he has noticeably smiled. "Though... no visitors lately. What a shame. Not for some 15-20 years."
<@Luis_Sunset> He frowns at this, posture drooping slightly.
<@Luis_Sunset> Camille looks to Azucaran, before speaking up herself. "No visitors in 20 years?" She does her best to look sympathetic.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I hope you don't mind my speculation, but I could imagine you've gotten quite lonely with no visitors for such a long time. If you would like, I could certainly attempt to entertain you, along with everyone else here, with a story or two."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Well, the wildlife might account for that. Such a tragedy, living out here by your lonesome. How long have you lived in these parts, may I ask?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Mostly to himself, but clearly directed at the blackwings: "Although, I suppose there are at least two here who wouldn't find that all that interesting."
<@Luis_Sunset> Luis appreciates the sympathy from Camille. "Not since those dwarves came by 20 years ago. And they didn't even stick around! In such a rush." Luis brightens noticeably at Alexander's suggestion. "Are you a storyteller? Adventurer? Do stay the night and tell tall tales with me! I've lived here long enough, I can help you find your way around these parts."
<@Luis_Sunset> Cyrus gives Alexander a look of reproach before carefully saying "I - would - love - to - join - you, - too!"
* Azucaran_Al-Camin has brightened noticibly. "That sounds like fun."
<@Luis_Sunset> Luca and his group quickly conference before Luca adds that if Camille stays, he's staying too. Suvana is noticeably less pleased with this. His group agrees to stay, with Seth remarking that any trips outside could get us killed anyway.
<@Luis_Sunset> Archibald says nothing.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I think I know just the story for a night like tonight. Whatever magic was used to cause your house to change shape has called that one to my mind."
<@Luis_Sunset> Kiyoshi and Kai, thoughts? Are y'all staying?
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Very much so. Luis, would you mind letting us regain our bearings? We only just landed in here, and I would like to converse with my companions."
* Kiyoshi_Sato smiles slightly. "I suppose I have no other choice. I accept your kind hospitality."
<@Luis_Sunset> He smiles at Kai's suggestion. "Of course. You have the house to yourself." With bit of giddy excitement, he heads off to the kitchen to prepare food for his guests.
<@Luis_Sunset> Luca's group now contains Camille and is talking separate from the rest of the group.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai beings to speak quietly to the rest of her group. "How long do we plan on staying here?" Her mood had considerably worsened after Luis left the room.
* Kiyoshi_Sato hushes his voice a bit. "I suppose as long as we need to. Emphasis on need."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Or course I can't speak for the expedition group, but we've all seen what those birds are like so I think you'd be crazy for trying to leave before morning."
<@Luis_Sunset> For future reference while GM makes a pizza real quick, Archibald advocates getting out ASAP. He probably wants to kill us in his sleep. Did you notice how rehearsed his smile seemed? Don't tell me you thought any of that was genuine.
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "We can't leave until morning. Those birds, while interesting, are best observed from afar."
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai shares Archibald's sentiments. "Something tells me that we're just as safe inside this mansion as we were outside with the birds."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Perhaps you're a little too paranoid. He seems lonely more than anything."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "We need to learn more about this place as well. How has it survived this long in the sunset?"
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Where does he get his food? His water?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Hold on, I'm going to try something." After saying this, Alexander starts muttering again in exactly the same way he did right before the man stepped into view.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kaireyna shakes her head. "Precisely. This place is a trap, there's no doubt about it."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Before doing that, Alexander said "Whatever you decide to do, I also suggest remaining within view of the entrance if possible."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Who set the trap then? Why?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> "This is the Sunset Realm. I don't think it's a who, I think it's a what."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "I advise you all to stick with each other. Don't go off anywhere without the rest of the group. And whatever you do, never let your guard down."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "And we should try to find out more about this place. I want to see the pantry and kitchen area."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "I'd need my sword back. But I doubt that'll happen soon."
<Kaireyna_Duval> To Azucaran: "Agreed. This place is clearly magic, and I wouldn't be surprised if Luis had a fair bit of it as well."
<Kaireyna_Duval> To Kiyoshi: "Tell me, will your curse activate if you are separated from your blade?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander suddenly stops muttering. "I think we can trust him, for now at least. He is simply preparing us food right now."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "What food?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai turns to look at him, a bit surprised. "How can you be so sure of this, Alexander?"
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "As long as the blade exists, so does my curse."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Whether I'm holding it is no factor."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "It's mostly cheese and crackers, but there could be something small I missed like olives too. And Kai, do you really expect that I would do all of my traveling without at least some magical ability? Look at me, it's not like I would be able to actually protect myself with this sword."
* Kaireyna_Duval sighs, and pulls out the dagger from its sheath. It is mithril, similar to the rest of her equipment. "Take this dagger for now. You will certainly need a way to defend yourself. Just be careful with it, and I expect it back once you get your weapon back."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "And you'd know if he poisoned them?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Fair enough. Not only a storyteller, but one with magic as well. Very interesting."
* Kiyoshi_Sato takes the dagger and looks it over. "If I must."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "The only way I would have missed that is if the ingredients had been poisoned before he entered the kitchen." Alexander attempts to conceal his pride at his discovery, but it still shows a little.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Even if he didn't poison the food, this place is magic. Eating the food here might not be wise regardless of poison."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Well, that's a start at least" Azucaran says as he makes a few notes in his journal
<Kaireyna_Duval> "However, it seems that we have a magic user in our midst, besides the dwarf over there. I'm sure you can probably feel if there is magic in this place."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I am, unfortunately, not extremely skilled at doing things like that. I can sense a magical aura coming off the house, but nothing more specific than that."
<@Luis_Sunset> Cyrus verbally pokes your party, asking if he may interrupt briefly. He is carrying Kiyoshi's sword.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "That is unfortunate. I do appreciate your efforts so far, Alexander."
* Kiyoshi_Sato looks at Cyrus. "Yes?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai turns to address Cyrus. "Any luck?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "If you must." Alexander's tone expresses slight hostility.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin looks up from his journal
<@Luis_Sunset> Cyrus calls Camille over to join the conversation. "I recognize this daemonic curse. It's not within the sword, it's within you. I think I have dulled it slightly (the curse, not the blade), and believe I know just how to cure it. I don't want to take chances with that kind of magic here in the realm, so we'll have to wait until we get out, but it *can* be fixed. In the meantime, however, I don't want you unarmed." He offers the sword to Kiyoshi.
<@Luis_Sunset> Camille walks over to join the conversation.
* Luis_Sunset is now known as Camille
* Kiyoshi_Sato takes the blade graciously. "Thank you."
<@Camille> Archibald balks at the blade being given up to a madman, but says nothing. His expression is deliciously sour, though.
* Kaireyna_Duval politely asks for her dagger back, seeing as Kiyoshi has been reunited with his blade.
<@Camille> Camille asks how you guys are all feeling about our current state of existence. She says she plans to stay, because she believes he knows something about Volkar and our mission as a whole. He did mention dwarves fiftene-to-twenty years ago, and seemed rather miffed about their behaviour.
* Kiyoshi_Sato hands the small blade back to Kai.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "I was actually hoping to discuss that with you. However, I would suggest that we leave as soon as the sun rises. Staying too long in such strange place is also quite dangerous."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I plan on staying for now. It seems much safer inside, even if this man or house isn't to be trusted, and also he appears eager to hear a story."
<@Camille> Camille looks at Alexander, eager. "Exactly. We tell stories, we see what he knows. A fair trade, no?"
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Leaving at dawn doesnt seen too rude."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Seem."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander nods in agreement
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "It seems agreed then. We'll head out in the morning and stay here for the night."
<@Camille> "We have others investigating the area as a whole. If it's suspicious, we'll piece that together too. Suvana and Seth have agreed to investigate from our group. I'm pretty good at keeping someone talking." Her eyes settle on Alexander after this sentence.
<@Camille> Camille asks if we're all settled, starts to walk away, then whirls back to the party. "Wait. I promised I'd explain something when we were relatively safe, no?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "And I like to think that I'm decent at keeping people listening."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Your group?"
<@Camille> She frowns. "Luca's one of my people. His sister is my best friend. I'm...sorry if I feel affiliated with them so quickly. I assure you, that trust isn't in vain." She looks despondent.
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "I would like to find out where the food comes from." Azucaran says quickly
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kaireyna nods. "I understand."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Got food on your mind, eh?"
<@Camille> Archibald gives them both sharp glares.
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "This doesn't seem like good farming land."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I have a feeling there are more interesting matters than a few wheels of cheese in this house."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Then where do you suggest we start?" he asks Alexander
<Kaireyna_Duval> "We start with Luis of course. Perhaps we should go meet him. However, I would like to hear about the thing that Camille had mentioned before we go."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I mean that this man appears to be quite the sorcerer, since I haven't seen anyone else around who could have altered the appearance of the house. If that's the case, I think how he gets his food is rather trivial. One question that raises, though is why he wouldn't use that power to go somewhere else."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Perhaps he can't."
<@Camille> Luis comes out with a tray full of miscellaneous food and a smile full of stories.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "And that is exactly why it is a good question to start with."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Welcome back, Luis," he says, slight amounts of suspicion in his eyes.
<@Camille> He gorges himself on some food and sits down on the floor, inviting everyone to join. Suvana and Seth sneak off into the distance, exploring things. Anyone from our party doing that separately, too? Or are we ALL just talking?
<@Camille> Archibald goes exploring.
<@Camille> Anyone *Else*
* Kaireyna_Duval smiles at Luis. "Thank you very much for your hospitality. I hope that accepting a group of our size doesn't inconvenience you."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Thank you very much for getting some food. Is that wine I see? Due to my travels, I haven't been able to have any for years" Alexander says, his eyes remaining on Luis' smile of stories for a second.
* Camille is now known as Luis_Sunset
* Kiyoshi_Sato sits down, but does not eat yet.
<@Luis_Sunset> "Oh, please. Like I said, first time in forever." He offers Alexander some wine, as he does for the rest of the party (literally speaking, here.)
* Azucaran_Al-Camin goes off to explore some
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander accepts the wine, but doesn't take a sip. Instead, he simply holds the cup with a slight expression of awe on his face. Then, he sets it down. "How about a story before I start eating. What's a meal without some entertainment?"
<@Luis_Sunset> Camille pipes up. "I have one. Might I start?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Of course. I'm accustomed to being the only one with any interest in telling them, so letting someone else talk is always a treat."
<@Luis_Sunset> Camille smiles, then begins. I'll summarize.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander picks his cup back up, but still doesn't take a sip.
<@Luis_Sunset> "So, one time, in a land not too far away from here, there's a school, right?"
* Luis_Sunset is now known as Camille
<@Camille> much better
<@Camille> "And that school is run by a researcher, a man fanatically devoted to his job. He's a bit paranoid, a bit crazed, but everyone thinks that's just part of his territory. But he holds a great secret."
* Alexander_Cauldhame leans forward, extremely interested in the story from the first sentence.
<@Camille> Camille frowns, then looks at the group. "Do you mind if I make this one interactive?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> Regarding the food: "It all looks very delicious, but I'm afraid my appetite is sated. Perhaps I will have some in a little while."
<@Camille> Luis acknowledges this with little to no qualms.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "What do you mean by interactive?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai also leans forward, interested in where this is going. "Of course not."
<@Camille> Luca smiles warmly at Camille. "Go ahead."
<@Camille> Camille explains that she wants to have us help guide the story.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Interesting concept, multiple performers for the same story," Alexander can't help but mutter to himself.
<@Camille> She continues. "So he holds a terrible secret," her voice tremulous over the world 'terrible.' "And a few people know it, but he doesn't want to deal with it. So if someone comes close to figuring it out, he'll have them killed."
<@Camille> "Once," she continues, "there were two girls. One of whom an artist, living her life in a series of contradictions: art for the world to see, artist hidden in the shadows," she laughs to herself, "too covered in colour to appear normal." "She looks around at mostly intrigued faces. "The other was a student, researching the world around her like it was her mission, her dream, her life's work."
<@Camille> "The two of them met, you see, when they were both doing research. When the academy director saw the art of the former and the work of the latter, he thought they were going to uncover his secret, so he got rid of them. Into a land of nothingness, from whence nobody had ever returned. Except they did." She smiles at the end of that last sentence.
<@Camille> She turns to face her audience. Luis, at least, is enraptured. "So, now's the fun part. What's his secret? What did they come so close to uncovering? What is worth killing to hide?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai stares intently at Camille, but says nothing.
* Kiyoshi_Sato cocks his head, no answer in mind.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Let's go with something grand. How about the identity of the Chosen One from the myth?"
<@Camille> Luca opens his mouth to speak, but Alexander is already on point. "That's what I was going to say," he mutters, slightly deflated.
<@Camille> Camille looks impressed, almost unsurprised. "You think that he'd hide from something like that?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander makes eye contact with Luca and smiles in a friendly way.
<@Camille> Luca reciprocates.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Let's say that he did know. Keeping the knowledge to himself would bring himself a fair bit of power, as he would know the true identity of such a powerful individual."
<@Camille> Camille smiles. "This story isn't over. It's actually just begun. Truth is - I was never part of Maecien's academy. They found me, drawing a mural depicting the greatest myth of our time, and they dragged me away, saying I knew some great secret about Volkar or whatever, and that I was to accompany these other people on a mission." Her eyes flash with intensity, turning quickly to Kaireyna. "Tell me, Kai, what were you researching? Am I right? Were you sent on a suicide mission just like I was?"
<@Camille> Luis leans forward intently at the name Volkar, but says nothing to disrupt the intense elf telling the story.
* Kiyoshi_Sato opens on of his previously closed eyes to look at Kai.
<@Camille> The entire room looks anxiously at Kai.
<Kaireyna_Duval> "I do admit, I was devoting some research to the Sunset Realm. However, it's only suicide if we fail. And I don't intend to do that. Call me naive, call me whatever you life, but it is foolish to believe that death is imminent."
<@Camille> Camille looks at him intently. "It's not suicide. We'll live. I have every intention of living. But were you researching the Chosen One. That's the important question, here, because I think he knows."
* Alexander_Cauldhame takes out a journal from his bag, this one looks brand new and takes no time at all to find, and begins scribbling furiously in it.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai smiles, a bit amused. "Perhaps you're right. And I do believe that I know the secret you are talking about."
<@Camille> "I don't think he's a good person. I think he's scared of something, scared of people finding out. But why?" She looks around.
<@Camille> Luis cuts in.
<@Camille> "You mentioned a Volkar? I've heard that name."
* Alexander_Cauldhame suddenly looks up from his journal, turns to Camille, and asks "I'm sorry that this doesn't seem like the optimal time, but would you mind if I took a quick look at your journal again?"
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Tell me Luis, have you met him?"
<@Camille> Luca responds quickly. "Yeah, bud. Everyone's heard that name. The only adventurer to make it far enough into the Sunset Realm to have real evidence." Luis shrugs off his responses by responding to Kai. "Yeah. I believe I did. A group of dwarven explorers came in under his name. They said they were hiding from something, and needed a place to stay. Naturally, I obliged. When they were gone, they'd left a few things under their bed."
<Kaireyna_Duval> "Would you mind if we looked at these things?"
<@Camille> Camille looks incredibly excited. "Please?"
<@Camille> Luis' happy demeanor switches quickly. "...sure..."
* Alexander_Cauldhame looks very interested, but also disappointed that this means it will be longer before he gets a chance to tell his (less plot relevant) story.
<@Camille> Luis flees to go up to retrieve the documents.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai's attention shifts to Camille, looking her over with intent. "If you're story was true, that means you have been in the Sunset Realm previously."
<@Camille> Luca interrupts. "Not her. Tatiana. My sister gave us all the information we could have needed."
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai stands up. "I see. Pardon me, I don't think we have formally met. I am Kai, as you may have heard. I believe your name is Luca?" Kai says, extending a hand.
<@Camille> Camille smiles at Luca. "Yessss. I thought I'd test my theory by drawing a mural in the middle of Maecien, and I got sent into the Sunset Realm no problem. Death penalty? Maybe. But it puts us one step closer to finding the Chosen One."
<@Camille> Luca stands up. "Luca. A pleasure, though I wish it were under better circumstances." His handshake is nice and firm.
* Alexander_Cauldhame whispers something to Camille during Luca's introcution
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai nods. "I would be very appreciative if you or Camille could tell us about your sister, but I understand if you would refuse."
<@Camille> He sighs as he sits back down. "Soon enough, though. Between the man Camille calls Constantine and the information Luis can give us... then we can tell you about Tatiana. Her whereabouts are...uncertain, now, however. Presumably adventuring on her own, as always." He laughs a little, a pained laugh.
<Kaireyna_Duval> Kai also sits back down, with her mood dampened a bit. "My sympathies."
<@Camille> "She's always got a plan, that I know." Camille smiles, fondly remembering times spent with her friend. "And Luca, Luca here would defend her to the death."
<@Camille> General agreement is had on this.
<@Camille> Cyrus looks really bored.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander notices Cyrus and shakes his head a little bit.
<@Camille> Nathaniel still refuses to take his helmet off, for the record.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander is still wearing his bag, keeping one hand on it most of the time.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> At this point, Alexander finally takes a sip of his wine, and a wave of complete bliss comes over his face.
* @Camille will remember that.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I haven't had wine this good since...well... I doubt any of you care enough for that story."
<@Camille> Luis walks down carrying a box, happy that his guests are enjoying their experience.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Thank you very much for the excellent food. You really miss that sort of thing living most of your life on the move."
<@Camille> "So, they left a lot of their work here, but the page they left on top seems markedly more interesting to what you guys were talking about."
<@Camille> -Luis
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<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I'd like to look at them in chronological order, if that's possible. Then, we'll have the full context for that page."
<@Camille> "Trust me," says Luis. "This is what you'll need."
<@Camille> He brandishes the first page. "I made it. I finally made it to the city itself. I can't believe I survived the Kautu attack. They are brutal creatures. You need to be truly fearless to survive. I saw my best men cut down in a manner of seconds, but it's so much worse than that. He's still alive, somewhere. Those birds are still feeding on him. They ate him alive, even redirecting his bloodflow to keep him alive while they enjoyed their meal as much as possible. Then they healed him as much as they could... and... ANyWAY." *the writing is markedly messier now* "Think of what good those creatures could do if they were reigned in. They're brutal killing machines, but with some control... The city is fascinating. It's the most successful place I've ever seen, though they don't take well to intrigue. They keep asking me about somebody named Constantine, they think I'm him. That I'm the one who will end it all. I think they think I'm the Chosen One. I've figured out the full prophecy-the one they don't tell everyone-but I'm going to hide it elsewhere, such that he who finds it is the Real Chosen One. Or at least can tell the guy. I'm hiding it behind a terrible beast in the realm, that shrunk in fear of me when they declared me Constantine. If they can take this beast down, then they're the ones we need." Luis asks us if this is what we're looking for, noting that Volkar and his group seemed in a terrible hurry to leave the realm and hide, being pursued by all kinds of baddies, and that whatever knowledge he found is probably dangerous.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Very helpful, but would I be able to see these pages for myself?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "While that is fascinating, and helpful for the others' quest, would you mind if I took the rest of that to look over when I get a chance, since without its context it is much less valuable to me."
<@Camille> Cyrus covers his head in his wings.
<@Camille> Luis sighs and hands it over, muttering something about insatiable quests for knowledge.
<@Camille> to Alexander, first.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander says to Cyrus "Of course you blackwings wouldn't care about anything more than completely necessary for your quest. But those details you miss are the most interesting and often important parts."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> *"more than what is completely necessary"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Thank you very much. I'll give everyone a chance to look after I'm done if you want, or I can summarize if that works better for those of you with (looks at Cyrus) less patience for such things."
* Alexander_Cauldhame begins to read
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* @Camille wonders aloud, "What did you find?"
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<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Their trip was not pleasant, one could say. The farther they went into the Sunset, the harsher it got. Eventually, everyone in the group except for Volkar died. Many of them were eaten alive by the birds. Eventually, though, Volkar got to the center of the Sunset."
<@Camille> Luca looks awestruck. "He made it all the way there?"
<@Camille> Cyrus is noticeably more interested.
<@Camille> Camille shifts closer to Alexander to see what he's reading.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "That's what he claims. In the center, he found the city referenced in that page. It was populated by mostly humans, but also some Solars and a few Samsaran women."
<@Camille> Suvana and Seth come walking down
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "The residents of that city appeared to have no idea of what the wildlife was doing outside and there was also no sign of it attacking Volkar once he got to the city."
<@Camille> "Lovely house you have, friend! Just exploring some of the finer points." Suvana almost protests TOO much before she realizes Alexander has the floor.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Besides that, there is just a lot of description of how Volkar's men died and several close encounters with the birds that he had too."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Something doesn't add up. I doubt we are that close to the center. How do pages detailing his journey end up all the way here? Luis said that there were others with Volkar, yet it says there that all of his companions died."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Maybe he could have decided to go back into the Sunset, looking for something he missed the first time, or possibly attempting to rescue some of the humans from that city."
<@Camille> Luis notes that it was possible they made their way back because something wanted them back. That there was something off about the dwarves accompanying the man, but he didn't have time to get a good sense of their origin.
<@Camille> Cyrus balks at the word "rescue."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Did he mention any dwarves in the city?"
<@Camille> "No, but he mentioned Solars. Who knows what they're capable of?"
<@Camille> Suvana scowls at the mention of Solars.
<@Camille> Archibald and Azucaran emerge into the main room.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kaireyna turns to Luis, with a puzzled look on her face. "How many times did you encounter Volkar, Luis?"
<@Camille> "Just once - he was hurried, stored this stuff here, and went on his way."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Did you remember the direction he headed in?"
<@Camille> Camille is practically bursting with energy. "Okay. Humans? Dwarves? Volkar? Can we talk about the important thing for a second? Why did they accept him with the name 'Constantine?' Does that mean what I think it means?"
<@Camille> Luis ignores the loud excited artist girl. "Back into the realm, from what I could see."
<@Camille> "Back into the Sunset, towards the center."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Yes, I thought it was quite obvious from the way you spoke of him."
<@Camille> "I thought he knew who it was. I didn't think it WAS him." - Camille
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Camille, you said you knew this Constantine, right?"
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Why else would he be so afraid of the knowledge getting out? I don't think a man would kill for a secret other than his own."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "There are many other reasons. Perhaps he was corrupted by the powerful being that caused the Sunset."
* Azucaran_Al-Camin is looking somewhat confused at walking into this converstaion halfway through
* Kaireyna_Duval_ pulls Azucaran aside and informs him of what happened.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> (as well as Archibald, if he is interested)
<@Camille> Archibald is in fact interested, though he listens and appears to be mentally distant.
<@Camille> Informing is done by way of Kaireyna.
<@Camille> Luca remarks that this is all well and good, but if we're to get the prophecy we need to find this 'terrible beast' behind which he hid it.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I would like to see this city first. I've never set my eyes on a human before. At least not one that's alive." Alexander glares at Kiyoshi.
* Kiyoshi_Sato keeps his head down and eyes closed.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> After relaying the information to the two newcomers, Kai comes back into the discussion. "What do you want to do about Constantine?"
<@Camille> Camille remarks that she came here for the prophecy, and she'll go and get that if it's the last thing she does.
<@Camille> She also says that we need to tell someone in power in Maecien, force him to reveal it somehow. Possibly Adrienne.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai brings to attention the part in the journal where Volkar encountered the beast, which seemed afraid of the name Constantine.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Do you know the Empress, Camille?"
<@Camille> Camille concurs, but doesn't think Adrienne will give us the time of day unless we've recovered something truly about the prophecy. There could be a million Constantines. If we get the true version of the prophecy, Adrienne will pay attention to us.
<@Camille> Luca, to Kai. "No, but I do. Tati does."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Looks like we should be heading to the city in the center of the Sunset realm then. I can hardly wait" says Azucaran with some enthusiasm
<@Camille> Luca scowls at the group. "do you really think you'll make it there, all on your own? Please don't let your own scholastic excitement get in the way of your safety."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "I feel that we're more than capable as a group."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I can assure you that we won't make it if we don't try, and it's interesting that a weak, slightly old man like me would want to attempt the journey."
<@Camille> Seth turns to Luis, inquiring if he knows anything about where the prophecy is hidden.
<@Camille> Luca gives Alexander and Kiyoshi a concerned look. "You know that we're not...going with you, right? We are getting the prophecy.
<@Camille> "
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Thanks for the concern. I still think we should be fine."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I am just an old man, I don't really see how I can help with defeating that creature Volkar mentioned, and the possibility of meeting humans is definitely one I would risk my life for."
<@Camille> Luis tells Seth that he shouldn't technically say it, but he knows exactly where the cave is. He hates the way the Sunset Realm is being run, so he thinks finding that prophecy could better it for everyone.
<@Camille> He offers to guide us, or them, to the cave.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "There's no mention of where these caves are, but I think we can all assume they're closer to the center than we are. If that's the case, then why don't we all set out together and then those of you searching for the prophecy break off when you think you're near the cave?"
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "I'm going where Camille is since she is the leader of my expedition."
<@Camille> Camille asks the rest of the group if they'd like to come along, because if this beast is as scary as we think, we'll need everyone on hand.
<@Camille> And, she says, with fire in her eyes, that she wants to see the Sunset Realm changed to something better. If it takes the chosen one, then we find the damned prophecy
* Kaireyna_Duval_ agrees, as she had no intention of rushing to the center when there are other things to be done.
* Alexander_Cauldhame recognizes Camille's determination, and reluctantly agrees to go with the rest of the group because that's an emotion stronger than he's ever known outside of his stories.
<@Camille> Archibald thinks we're insane if we go to the center, noting our mission was to get the logs and it was completed.
<@Camille> Also finds little faith in some so-called prophecy, but recognizes the emotional sway it has on others.
* Kiyoshi_Sato is just happy at the notion of moving once more.
* Retrieving #sunrisesunset modes...
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<@Camille> In reference to Kaireyna asking about why anyone would kill for a secret other than his own: Anyone who KNOWS who this person is is likely to be grilled tremendously for that knowledge, because everyone wants the prophecy on their side. That's like mystic babble bullshit 101.
<@Camille> Luca asks if it's settled that everyone will come with their group.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin agrees to join their group
* Kiyoshi_Sato flashes a thumbs-up.
* Alexander_Cauldhame nods reluctantly.
* Kaireyna_Duval_ also agrees.
* Archibald_Nestus planned to go with them from the start.
<@Camille> Luca smiles broadly. "Excellent! Now, we wait the night, and then we head out?" He turns to Luis, inquiring re: sleeping accommodations.
<@Camille> Luis says there are four rooms for sleeping, aside from his own, all of which will be made readily available to you.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I don't care what room I'm in, but I must be on a bed if possible. Since we plan to travel tomorrow, it would be best for my back not to kill me all morning."
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "I'll sleep anywhere. Floor, bed, chair.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Conversely, I do not require a bed."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "I can sleep on the floor also."
<@Camille> Camille, Luca, and Suvana stay together. Nathaniel insists someone keep watch on Seth so he and Cyrus take shifts. It doesn't really matter, at all, unless you guys have night actions.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai will go with Azucaran, along with anyone else who wants to share a room.
* Kiyoshi_Sato finds a currently empty room, but welcomes anyone who wants to stay in it as well.
<@Camille> If you do not have night actions, it becomes morning. If you have night actions, you have until 10:40 PM EST to declare them.
* Alexander_Cauldhame take the fourth room (the one without Kiyoshi, Kai, or Camille and their respective groups), invites anyone who would like to join him, and goes to sleep promptly in the bed, with his bag under him.
<@Camille> The sun rises on the Sunset Realm.
* Alexander_Cauldhame wakes early, goes back to the room where we had been talking the night before, pulls out one of his journals, and begins to read.
<@Camille> It is morning, the least dangerous time in the Sunset Realm. Bright and early, Luca, Suvana, and Camille are awake and plotting on a map with Luis. Nathaniel's armor looks more pristine than usual, presumably having polished it at night, and Cyrus looks pretty damn tired. Seth is happy and moving, magic swirling around him.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin goes over to the map to see if his geographic knowledge can be of assisstance
<@Camille> The entire group does some form of actions, and Luis has food prepared for everyone. If you didn't eat the night before, you should do so now.
* Kiyoshi_Sato accepts the food and eats slowly as he paces.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander doesn't eat much and asks Luis if he could take a little bit of the wine with him for the journey.
<@Camille> On the map, Azucaran sees geography very similar what he saw upstairs. The cave indicated upstairs appears to be the same one as the one to which we are headed. Luis obliges and gives Alexander a special bottle of wine, amused.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai joins the group, looking like she didn't sleep much, but quite awake and active.
<@Camille> Luca starts moving about, barking orders about the house, waking up anyone who slept in, saying that the group is leaving in 20 minutes and there is no time to delay, we want to get there before nightfall.
<@Camille> It's less than a day's walk, but hurrying is important anyway
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander thanks him and carefully places it in his bag. "Also, I hope no one minds if I say a short prayer. It's not likely going to be much help, since what remains of the god to which I pray is trapped in the center of this realm, but it helps me calm down before a dangerous journey."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kaireyna was ready when she walked downstairs.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin prepares quickly once he sees his help is not needed at the map
* Kiyoshi_Sato doesn't carry much besides his clothes and sword anyway.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> After saying that, Alexander adds, "I'll be waiting outside if you wish to join my prayer, or speak to me about something else for that matter, and I'm ready to leave so just let me know when you do so."
* Archibald_Nestus scarfs down breakfast and shuffles around the house managing his belongings and such. He does his best to passively avoid Alexander and all the noise he makes.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> While walking outside, Alexander purposefully pauses right in front of Archibald for a second and then continues walking as if nothing had happened.
<@Camille> Cyrus occasionally shoots Archibald a look when Alexander talks, as if to say "my gods, right?"
* Kaireyna_Duval_ eats breakfast after arrangements are made, eating quite a bit after not eating the previous night.
* Archibald_Nestus shakes its head at the fellow birdfolk in sympathy.
* Kiyoshi_Sato walks outside to enjoy fresh air.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin writes some in his journal
<@Camille> So we head out, a group of twelve, ready to face the day.
<@Camille> *We fast travel there, the realm is actually rather nice outside. Kind of oppressively warm, but Nathaniel stubbornly keeps his helmet on. There is very little sign of a breeze.*
<@Camille> We make it just outside the cave. Birds are eyeing us, as per usual.
<@Camille> Inside the cave is *theoretically* where the rest of the prophecy is hidden, as well as some sort of evil being. Luis says as much, then asks if we're ready. He offers to stay outside, in case some bad things happen.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai moves over and whispers to Camille.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander says "I don't know how much help I'll be in a fight besides this, but I would still like to go in," and casts Heriosm on Kiyoshi, Kai, Nathaniel, and Luca.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> After she is done, she addresses Luis: "I think it would be safer if you came with us, Luis."
* Kiyoshi_Sato sets up his banner and attaches it to his hakama, displaying his crest proudly.
<@Camille> Luis rolls his eyes. "Still don't trust me? FINE." He pouts slightly and accompanies them.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai smiles at him. "Thank you. We'll keep you safe while in the cave."
<@Camille> The group proceeds into the cave?
<@Camille> The cave's entrance is basically a slope downward into a big cavern.
<@Camille> Camille sets up a rope and a visible grappling hook and ensures they have a way back up if things get slippery.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai informs the party that she also has rope and a hook should it be needed
* Azucaran_Al-Camin readies his weapon but does not mention his rope and hook.
<@Camille> The NPCs give the PCs a look like "what, you're not heading in first?"
<Archibald_Nestus> As it goes along with the group, Archibald pulls out a brightly colored syringe and injects itself with the serum.
<@Camille> The exception to this being Camille, who is still ensuring defenses will be fine.
* Kiyoshi_Sato steps in, hand on his blade, and looks into the cavern.
<@Camille> It's a slope down to a cavern, poorly lit, cavernous cavern.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai sighs, and offers to lead the group.
<@Camille> EVERYONE including the GM is appreciative.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> She brandishes an everburning torch and moves forward.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin goes with Kai being ready to flank
<@Camille> We all head down there, two by two.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander goes in the second-to-last group of two.
<@Camille> We arrive at a cavern. It is poorly lit and there is a loud scratching sound to be heard in the foreground.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Does anyone mind if I light this room up a bit? My eyes aren't what they used to be and I would like to see if something tries to attack us."
* Kaireyna_Duval_ holds the torch firmly in her left hand, keeping her right hand free and ready to unsheath her weapon.
<@Camille> Seth offers to do the same.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin lights a lantern to better see in the dark and holds in his left hand
<@Camille> Seth uses magic to light up the room with illuminate-esque spells.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander draws his sword and casts light to turn it into a torch. "Finally a good use for this thing."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai returns her torch to her bag and keeps going, with the fireworks being lit behind her sufficiently lighting up the room.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander keeps his sword out because he's amused by his idea to use it as a torch.
<@Camille> The room comes into much better view: a large cavern, with several stalagmites and stalactites in their respective places in a cavern. There is a large puddle of water at the far end of the cavern. Shadows dance and flicker along the walls in accordance with the light you have brought to the room. Splashing softly in the large puddle of water is a creature that looks like http://pathfinderwiki.com/mediawiki/images/thumb/c/ca/Bezilak.jpg/250px-Bezilak.jpg - its movement deceptively quiet for a creature of this size. (It's about 15-17 feet tall.) The most observant members of our party could spot a well-dug and well-concealed hole relatively close to the puddle of water - we could not fetch it without alerting the creature to our presence.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai stops the party behind her, attempting to keep the beast unaware.
<@Camille> The party of twelve slowly screeches to a halt.
<@Camille> "That's it." Luis whispers, breathlessly.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Keeping the group far enough and keeping her voice down, Kai turns to the group for suggestions.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander whispers "I won't be much help until we already have its attention, since whatever I want to involves a good amount of noise."
<@Camille> "Double distraction?" Nathaniel's voice is happy.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "How confident are we in killing this thing?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I suppose I could throw my voice to the other side of the cavern to keep its back to us for someone to sneak up."
<Archibald_Nestus> "I have invisibility potions, we need not resort to brutality." the wing remarks.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Perhaps I could hold it's attention for a while."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Unless the creature is deaf, I doubt they will be able to solve all of our problems."
<@Camille> Cyrus nods in agreement with Archibald and Nathaniel. "Double distraction, and invisibility potions. Nathaniel, do you want to take point on this one?"
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai gestures to the heavy-armor using members of the group.
<@Camille> Nathaniel is very happy to hear this.
<@Camille> He gestures to gather everyone around him.
<@Camille> First, he asks Cyrus a simple question. "Do you know anything about this creature? You're practically a walking bestiary."
<@Camille> Cyrus has heard of creatures like these. They're tricky. They like to outsmart the opponent, he informs the party.
<@Camille> Nathaniel is pleased to hear this. "So, we have a saying in Solsolia. Fix the trade route, sneak through the Sunset Realm. It's for militia that like to think one step ahead of their opponents, so..."
<@Camille> Luca practically completes his sentence. "So you trick them into thinking they've figured out your trick."
<@Camille> Nathaniel's voice almost jumps an octave with excitement. "Yes!" he reigns it in. "You have invisibility potions, yes? How many?"
<@Camille> Cyrus says that we have up to six between the two Blackwings.
<@Camille> Nathaniel asks for Camille's notebook, who hands it over really quickly. He draws a map of the room, pointing to the beast at the other side (in the center of the wall.)
<@Camille> Then he points out the twelve of us. "right now, it doesn't know we're coming. So we send people at it, a few at a time. We give our three heaviest hitters invisibility potions, and we send them in on its left. For us, that's Kai, Luca, and myself. Then, our distance attackers start throwing magic and bolts at it. Meanwhile, we give three other heavy hitters or rogues (Kiyoshi, Camille, ???) the other invisibility potions, and they act as our second surprise, flanking it on the other side. our invisible groups reveal themselves one at a time. If we get it confused enough, I'm sure we can take it down in no time." he sounds very proud of himself.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander offers to check if the prophecy would be buried in the hole, but warns that he would use a good amount of his magical ability for the day to do so.
<@Camille> Cyrus thinks that's a good idea and that we'll probably end up resting after this anyway.
<@Camille> Luca confirms.
<@Camille> Most of the NPCs like Nathaniel's plan of attack - he is the military leader in the group, and generally has sound tactics.
<Archibald_Nestus> "Do it, lest we have wasted our time and possibly lives for naught."
<@Camille> "So, who's our third heavy hitter?" Nathaniel starts moving our group into place, like actors on a stage.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin agrees with the plan of Nathaniel
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai agrees, but tells the group to back away for now as Alex works his magic.
* Kiyoshi_Sato agrees with both ideas.
<@Camille> Kai, Luca, and Nathaniel take left. "We wait for last, so we can make our real surprise COUNT."
<@Camille> Kiyoshi, Camille, and (Azucaran?) take right.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander says that he will try to see what he can, and starts talking quickly under his breath.
<@Camille> Nathaniel collects invisibility potions - 2 from Archibald, 4 from Cyrus, and hands them out to the six flanking attackers.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "It looks like the prophecy is in that hole after all. We may want to alter the plan slightly such that someone goes there while the fighting is elsewhere so that we can retreat but not leave without what appears to be the prophecy if need be."
<@Camille> Historians note the room is probably not big enough to do that and escape all damages.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "I disagree. Splitting the party in this cave might not be wise. We should worry about the beast beforehand."
<@Camille> "Let's just focus on the plan, before it notices us." Camille drinks her invisibility potion, as do the rest of the NPCs.
<@Camille> who were given one
<@Camille> Nathaniel whispers before he drinks his, "May the Emperor bless your soul should you fall today. And thank you all."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Yes, good luck." Kai ingests the invisibility potion as well.
<@Camille> The ranged attackers: Archibald, Cyrus, Seth, Suvana, Luis, and Alexander? If Alexander can do anything. Get into position as well.
<@Camille> since we have an attack plan, we're rolling for init within our groups of sneaky attackers, anyway.
<@Camille> All RANGED attackers roll for init
<@Camille> Suvana, Cyrus, Archibald, Seth, Alexander, Luis. We fire at will.
<@Camille> Suvana blasts the creature with an area of extreme cold (Cone of Cold), and Cyrus summons black tentacles around his feet, which he fails to break free from. Archibald!
<@Camille> Seth sends a bolt of lightning shooting across the water and into the feet (and tentacles) of the beast, causing it to scream, and Archibald throws a couple of bombs at the beast which make a solid connection.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander first begins to sing a song about heroism and people killing stuff epically.
* Archibald_Nestus manically slaps together a pair of bombs out of seemingly nowhere from his rucksack and lets fly.
<@Camille> Luis tries a vampiric touch but it goes poorly.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander also attempts to tell a joke to the creature, but it's sense of humor doesn't match up very well with the joke.
<@Camille> Ranged casters are hit by a leaping, ricocheting explosion of energy and blasted backwards slightly.
<@Camille> The creature didn't seem to take well to being attacked. It hisses at the party in the distance. "What...do you wish? We can solve this...without violence..."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "We seek an artifact that we believe is in your cave."
<@Camille> "Heh... an artifact, eh?" its eyes glint with malice. "I can make that happen. Is that what you wish of me?"
<@Camille> Its voice is a melodic low cross between a hiss and a purr.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I think I speak for most of us when I say that we would prefer to get it without violence if possible. Does anyone disagree?" Alex looks to the rest of the ranged people.
<@Camille> "I do." Nathaniel's low, booming voice echoes across the cavern as he phases into view, swinging furiously with his battleaxe at the creature.
* Archibald_Nestus appreciates that.
* Alexander_Cauldhame sighs and resumes singing.
<@Camille> The blow sends the beast writhing backwards, at which point Camille phases into view, her twin daggers embedded in the back of the creature. It seems confused and doesn't know where to turn.
* Kiyoshi_Sato dashes out of the dark and swiftly thrusts his blade through the beast.
<@Camille> The beast staggers back, still alive but struggling to function.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> His rage is visibly building, but not at critical level.
* Kaireyna_Duval_ is revealed as she swings her falchion in a wide arc, hitting the beast with a powerful attack but missing the second swing.
<@Camille> Cyrus chuckles softly. Kai looks like she's trying very hard.
* Kaireyna_Duval_ will remember that.
<@Camille> Luca Ikuinen materializes behind the creature, driving his sword straight through his heart. It falls forward, a mass of black blood, and Luca places his boot on the creature's back, pushing him down into the puddle as he takes his sword from the creature. "It is done," he says loudly and proudly. "Sorry, Azucaran."
* Azucaran_Al-Camin is fine with not shedding blood
<@Camille> Luis appears excited that the fighting is over, and invites Alexander to go dig up the prophecy together.
<@Camille> Luca invites his group over to the edge of the cave to pass out healing potions, etc.
* Kiyoshi_Sato 's rage subsides, surprised he wasn't taken by the curse.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander is very relieved, and quickly moves towards the hole with Luis.
* Camille is now known as Luca_Ikuinen
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "If I may, I suggest we all go down at the same time."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> ^Mostly directed at the two that are heading for the hole
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander keeps moving quickly, but signals for the others to join him if they wish.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai follows
* Kiyoshi_Sato sheathes his sword and follows the group.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Most of Luca's group stays near the exit, waiting.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> in fact, all of them do.
* @Luca_Ikuinen addresses the PCs. "So, these warriors that Camille has found. You have impressive potential.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin walks up to where the group is at
* @Luca_Ikuinen continues, remarking "I could see this entire group working for Covozca some day."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai moves over to the group. "We have to make it out of the realm, first."
* Archibald_Nestus rummages through its rucksack, pulling out a pair of pills which it swallows. Its eyes are bloodshot, and move more rapidly than ever from detail to detail. It offers no comment to the conversation as it pulls its belongings back together.
<Kiyoshi_Sato> "Flattered. I tend to not stay in one place for long. Once we're done here, I won't be staying much longer."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "You flatter me, sir"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Thank you, but I can hardly imagine myself doing anything more demanding than traveling from place to place as a profession."
* @Luca_Ikuinen smiles at Kai. "And then what do you intend to do with that, anyway? " His eyes dart to the box that Alexander and Luis were just pulling out of the ground, the center of the box marked with a lion, a shark, and a falcon locked in a triangle of fierce conflict, meeting at the center; the symbol of the prophecy.
* @Luca_Ikuinen smiles at the rest of the PCs, save for Archibald, too.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> The box is locked, though when you touch it trying to open it, it whispers aloud. "Who are you?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I hope to examine its contents, nothing more."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander addresses the box, "I am a mere storyteller, my name means nothing."
* @Luca_Ikuinen watches the group with great interest.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> The box practically jumps out of Alexander's hands and onto the ground of the cave.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Cyrus rolls his eyes. "It's a puzzle, you idiot."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander chuckles. "And I take it that means you know the solution too? You blackwings are always so full of helpful knowledge and so eager to show it off."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "We know the name of the chosen one, and the box has to do with the chosen one. Perhaps that would be of use to us here," Kai says, still thinking.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Cyrus walks over to the box and picks it up. Slowly and precisely, into the box. "Constantine Tzoulis, the Chosen Saviour." The box clicks open. Cyrus smiles at Kai on the way back to his group, proud and holding the box.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai nods at Cyrus, and moves closer to look at the box.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin also tries to get a look in the box
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander is surprised, and follows Cyrus back to the other group to get a look inside the box while furiously mumbling things you can't make out.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Camille takes the stone tablet from inside the box and reads it aloud. "When the Solars can no longer protect us, the world will be thrust into a great darkness. But in every great darkness, there is a light, even if it is a single, shining beacon of hope that will return to light the world’s way forward. It will take constant vigilance, but one Samsaran will have the ability to find the secret to destroying the Sunset Realm for good, and freeing Visiere from the threats the Solars could not stop. That Samsaran will not want to accept his destiny, and that’s how we’ll know. He will have a complex brand on his back, a lion, a shark, and a falcon locked in a triangle of fierce conflict, meeting at the center. This brand is only given to one person, and given repeatedly upon rebirth. It is an indication that he is, in fact, the one to save us. Once he accepts his destiny, Visiere can finally be freed. Now, there is one more thing... just being this person is not enough. If you are truly the Chosen One, and you truly wish to harness the Sunset Realm and save the world from its torment, you are to locate the Orb of Punai and the Orb of Vihre. These are your tokens of identification, and they will only be given to the one with the brand. We wish you luck on your journey." Camille puts it back in the box and starts scribbling in her notebook again.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> The same new journal Alexander had at the mansion comes out of Alexander's bag and he scribbles in it furiously while Camille is talking.
* @Luca_Ikuinen frowns, then his eyes light up. "Of course. This is how Volkar got caught. He pretended to be the Chosen One, but didn't have the orbs."
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Camille passes it around to everyone in both groups until it ends up with her again.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "You mean to say you have these orbs?"
* Azucaran_Al-Camin writes in journal.
* @Luca_Ikuinen smiles at the PCs. "Well, we found it. Thank you, everyone, for a job well done." He looks at Alexander in particular. "Nope, but we're going to get them. And we're going to get Constantine... he runs the magic academy in Maecien, correct? I'm so glad Camille found that out for us."
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai glances at the party members religiously writing in their journals, before looking back at Camille. "Are any sort of directions given to the whereabouts of these orbs?"
* @Luca_Ikuinen is sure Tatiana will have found something about either of those artefacts by now.
* @Luca_Ikuinen implies as much.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "So what do you mean by saying that Volkar failed because he didn't have them when you don't either?"
<@Luca_Ikuinen> "He dodm
<@Luca_Ikuinen> excellent
<@Luca_Ikuinen> "He didn't have Constantine. HE didn't HAVE the Chosen One with him. I will." He smiles at the group again, a much different smile than before. Much more ambitous.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> The rock of the prophecy is passed around and makes its way back to Camille.
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "This sounds like a grand adventure the likes of which have not been seen since before the shadow of the Sunset fell upon the realm."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Is there a sign-up for this?"
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "This should make for a good story, I suppose," Kai says, directed at Camille and Alex in general.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander smiles. "Of course I would be interested in joining you, even though I'm sure many would be more competent for such a journey. Still, there needs to be someone there to transcribe and share the actions of the Chosen Hero and I think I would do that better than many."
* @Luca_Ikuinen smirks at the party. "Did I *ask* you to join us?"
* Alexander_Cauldhame chuckles. "I simply meant I would accept if you did."
* Archibald_Nestus rolls its eyes and makes his way out of the cavern as the smell of kill begins to overtake it.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai laughs at Luka's remark, and follows Archibald out.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "You didn't seem to mind the smell of dead bodies when they were human" Alexander says when he notices Archibald leaving.
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "No. I asked to join you."
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Luca sees the party try and leave and draws a sword, ensuring they stay right where they are.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai looks at Luca funny. "What, you're not joking?"
<@Luca_Ikuinen> "We are fighting for the ideals of my sister, Tatiana. We are fighting for Covozcan greatness. If we're going to save the world from despots and from this oppressive hellscape itself, we need only the most convicted. We don't need these damned storytellers wasting every second of our journey with pithy tales and delays." Luca's eyes are alight with pent-up rage.
* @Luca_Ikuinen sighs deeply. "I wish these quests didn't have to come to such an unpleasant end."
<@Luca_Ikuinen> "So, we'll be taking the prophecy. We'll be saving the world from itself, and harnessing the Sunset Realm for ourselves. Thanks for the help." Luca takes the prophecy from Camille and walks out.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> Camille gives Alexander a look, as if to say "remember what I told you."
* Alexander_Cauldhame will remember that.
<@Luca_Ikuinen> She follows Luca out, along with the rest of the group. Seth blasts the rocks at the entryway, trapping the rest of the group inside the cave.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander has become frozen after Luca's words, not visibly reacting at all to anything that has happened since.
* Luca_Ikuinen is now known as Luis_Sunset
* @Luis_Sunset is still with you.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Without saying anything, Alexander opens his bag and takes out a piece of paper.
* Kiyoshi_Sato has said nothing, but his eyes are visibly filled with rage.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin stands away from Kiyoshi and goes to talk to Kai
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "Well, Luis, perhaps I misjudged you." Kai is trying to maintain her cool after the cave in, but it isn't completely working. "It looks like we're all stuck down here, and that was the main way out. We're all gonna die down here if we don't find another way."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "Time to brainstorm then." he says as he takes stock of his inventory
<Archibald_Nestus> "Tis a simple obstacle."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "What is your plan, Archibald?"
<Alexander_Cauldhame> Alexander suddenly springs back to life. "We must get to Maecien before Luca. I'll explain more once we're out of here."
* @Luis_Sunset is standing up, over in the corner of the room, examining a crack in a wall. "Archibald, you still have bombs?"
<Archibald_Nestus> "Plenty. They are crude things, ill-suited for typical mining purposes but perhaps it will be enough if placed correctly."
* @Luis_Sunset has his eyes light up the same way they did when he had visitors. "Please, try it!"
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "How likely is that to cause a cave-in? Then again, I don't have a better idea..." Azucaran says almost to himself
<Archibald_Nestus> "Let us first move rhat rubble re can."
<@Luis_Sunset> "It's a risk we have to take." Luis says. He then helps the group move the rubble.
<Kaireyna_Duval_> Kai surveys the room. "Is there anything around that would catalyze the explosion? And is there something on the other side of that wall?"
* Azucaran_Al-Camin moves rubble with the group
* Alexander_Cauldhame tries to move rubble, but gets in the way more than anything else
<@Luis_Sunset> "It's a risk we have to take." Luis says, again. "We'll die down here otherwise."
* Kaireyna_Duval_ hauls some of the larger debris out of the way.
<@Luis_Sunset> Debris is sufficiently hauled out of the way.
* Archibald_Nestus places the bombs based on careful geometry he is hardly trained for.
* Azucaran_Al-Camin covers his ears. "This is a rash decision.... let's go for it." and ducks behind cover.
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "I would normally suggest waiting until morning, but now I suggest we travel as soon as possible to be sure we can beat Luca and the others."
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "You still need to tell us why that is so important?"
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "We need to get to Constantine first, of course."
* Kiyoshi_Sato walks outside, still dead silent, still visibly angry.
<Azucaran_Al-Camin> "You think Luca will harm him?"
<Kaireyna_Duval_> "I think Luca will do whatever he wants to meet his goals."
<Alexander_Cauldhame> "Camille told me that we should contact Adrienne about this in Maecien first and she will help us. And also that we have to beat Luca to it.Constantine
<Alexander_Cauldhame> *We have to beat Luca to Constaintine."
<@Luis_Sunset> The wall - unstable as it was - blows up - lucky guess, or good work -  revealing a pathway out. it's relatively dark outside, but the moon is not shining so brightly tonight
<@Luis_Sunset> Luis is happy. He smiles broadly and runs out into the forest he sees before him, urging others to wait until he is sure it is safe.
<@Luis_Sunset> There are birds, and they whirl and look at him at once. A cloud of feathers rises from nearby trees, rogue Kautu swirling and twirling like tendrils of a great beast. Luis tries to move, but to no avail, he finds himself entirely paralyzed. The Kautu are on him in no time, picking him up and carrying him off, his screams the only thing punctuating the silence that befalls the Sunset Realm at night. Suddenly, with a final, piercing scream, they stop altogether. I don't think it's safe out there right now.
<@Luis_Sunset> [END]