Higher & Higher
Chapter 6, Part A
Session Start: Sun Jan 10 22:36
Session Close: Sun Jan 10 01:15
Elapsed Time: 2h, 39m
Total Elapsed: 30, 18m

[Storyteller] The group just escaped from the city on this side of the Barrier. It appeared to be taken over by a group of Vile Tribesman answering to the command of "Lord Koran". After fighting their way out of the city, they ran a distance away. Selecting the lee of a large tree as their hiding place, they stopped to take a breather.
* PseudoFinn breathes heavily as he adjusts his new gear.
[PseudoFinn] What now?
* Cassandra says loud enough for Finn and Will to hear.
[Cassandra] I have to thank you for rescuing me back there.
* Will adjusts his goggles
[PseudoFinn] What was that, I didn't quite hear you.
[Will] No problem, Cassandra. ^_^
* PseudoFinn , obviously tinged with sarcasm.
* Cassandra glares at Finn.
[Cassandra] Just remember who got you your stuff and didn't charge you for it!
[Will] We should think about what we're going to do now... If all those... er... things are parading around Nanza like that, and this... Lord Koran person is controlling them, I guess the original idea to warn the Border Guard can be dispensed with...
[Cassandra] How about we go over the barrier to the other side since we obviously can't go through it?
[PseudoFinn] I didn't think there was any way over... That's why it's called a Barrier.
[Will] Well...
[Cassandra] There's gotta be a way.....I mean, I doubt people were just put on each side of the barrier. They must've found some way over it.....
[Will] If what you want to do is go to the other side, I think there's a path over the barrier we can go through by foot. It was made by the grindery. [Cassandra] See? It'll take a long time, but I'm sure we can make it.
[PseudoFinn] So it's not impassable then? Let's get out of here before we're...
[Storyteller] You hear rustling in the woods behind your hiding place.
[Cassandra] Shh....
[Will] ....? What was that?
* Cassandra looks at Will. She then turns around quietly near the ground and looks in the general direction from where the sound came.
[Voices] Shsh... I think I heard something over there...
[Will] Followed...? That's right, we made a lot of noise and tracks while we ran here...!
[Storyteller] You can see two of the gangly, pointy-eared freaks from the Barrier... or is it three? Damn, it's hard to tell how many in the dark...
[Will] If we time it right, we can ambush them and stop them from broadcasting our location.. hm..
[Storyteller] They're slowly moving in your direction, bows out, arrows nocked.
* Will motions to Cassandra and Finn to separate a little, so that the three of them form more or less a triangle around the things when they come near enough.
[Storyteller] One of them makes a gesture, the one next to him does nothing, but it sounds like somebody else did...
* Cassandra nods to Will and moves a little from Finn.
* Will readies his hammer in silence, ready to spring at the Vile tribesmen when they get to the right position.
[Storyteller] A pair of them move forward, right past the position the group was all clustered in a moment before...

~~ Combat! Round Zero! ~~ The party has suprised two Vile Freaks! ~~

* Will shifts the grip of his hammer uncomfortably, jumping at the two Vile Freaks and swinging his hammer in a wide arc!
[Storyteller] VileFreak A takes 35 damage from Will's weapon skill. VileFreak B takes 35 damage from Will's weapon skill.
[VF A] Gra...
* VF A turns to face Will.
* VF B spins to face Will as well.
[Will] Surrender now! You're outnumbered!
VF A You need to learn math, humie... 2 is bigger than 1!
* Cassandra snaps her whip out and brings it around her. She grins evilly at the enemies, eagerly waiting for any attack that might come towards her.
* Will can't help a small grin. ^_^
* VF A hears the whip snap behind him...
[VF A] Wha?!
[Will] Cassandra! Finn! Come on out! Leave the rest of the team to get the rest of these guys!
* Cassandra grins evilly as she comes out of her hiding place.
* PseudoFinn appears from the bush and drives his sword into the enemy!
[Storyteller] Vile Freak A is hit for 15 damage and dies, a rather stunned look on his face.
* PseudoFinn rolls over to the second Freak and slashes again.
[Storyteller] Vile Freak B is hit for 12 damage and killed! He doesn't even have enough time to look stunned.
[Will] Good job guys! Let's move somewhere else now! Our position here's compromised!

Katarina Zone, Near the Nanza Barrier

[PseudoFinn] Good idea. Where's that passage?
[Will] I don't know exactly. We'll have to look for it in the Barrier...
[Cassandra] We just better hurry because in case you've forgotten, there's snow on the ground and it's not snowing right now so our tracks will be very visible...
* PseudoFinn nods in agreement.
[Will] You're right, Cassandra! Let's go!
[PseudoFinn] East or west?
[Will] I think it was east.
* Cassandra shrugs then quickly checks the bodies in case they had anything of use on them. She finds a pair of long bows.
[Will] Well then...
* Will takes out his compass, looks around for a second or two and starts quickly towards the east.
* Cassandra takes everything that she can carry.
[Cassandra] You guys, get some things.
[Will] .... huh
[Cassandra] The equipment on the corpses.
* Cassandra grabs the two bows.
[Will] What are you do- uh... do you think we should...?
[PseudoFinn] Let's just go. You can shop for shoes some other time, Cassandra.
* Will resumes his course.
[Will] This way!
* PseudoFinn follows Will.
[Cassandra] I was just grabbing the bows.
* Cassandra follows.
[Storyteller] You can see people to the south, coming from the barrier. They're still far off, hence probably can't see you, but are carrying torches and lanterns.
* Cassandra looks at the people.
[Cassandra] Lucky bastards.
[Will] Uh-oh...
[PseudoFinn] (softly) Just move!
[Will] R-right!
* Will quickens his pace.
[Storyteller] The group travels through the snow, even in the pale light reflecting of the Blue Star, the white ground glows slightly. For now, the search parties from the Barrier seem to be heading in the direction you just left. They're almost sure to find the prints and follow... You pass a large boulder as you're marching through the snow. Again, you feel the need to stop for a quick breather. It's too damned cold out here.
* Cassandra wraps her cloak around her a little tighter.
[PseudoFinn] This boulder must be from where the Grindery plowed through... We've gotta be close...
* Will starts to lag behind a little, visibly worn out from the constant traveling and running he's been through.
[Storyteller] You hear a faint sound behind you, but a gust of wind covers it up.
* Cassandra stops walking trying to listen for the sound again.
[Storyteller] You listen for a bit, but you don't hear any further sounds...
* Cassandra shrugs and hurries after the other two.
[Storyteller] Off to the right you see some smaller boulders, just barely covered in snow. The terrain also rises slightly in that direction...
[Cassandra] Umm....guys? I think we should go that way.
[Storyteller] You pass through the trees, heading that way... Will's compass indicates south... The forest begins to thin out before you. Through it, you can see a great expanse of darkness, more so than the surrounding area.
[Cassandra] I wish we had some form of light with us right now....
* Will hmms, lost in thought. [Cassandra] Something wrong, Will?
[Will] ...? Hum? Uh, no...
[Storyteller] You reach the edge of the forest... The massive cliff face of the Barrier Mountains rises before you. It is sheer rock straight up. You probably couldn't climb it here even if you did have equipment. You're going to have to find the pass.
[Will] Well... this is it...
* Cassandra looks up.
[Cassandra] This really isn't good. My clothing's gonna be ruined...
[Will] Heh heh.
[PseudoFinn] Isn't there supposed to be a pass, Will? This looks just like the rest of the barrier.
[Will] Maybe it's more to the east...
* Will sighs.
[Will] Well... we should move on...
* Will checks his compass, and points to the east. He looks at Finn and Cassandra.
[Will] Looks like we'll have to keep moving east...!
[PseudoFinn] Are you sure?
[Will] Not really.I think it's more to the east, and by the looks of it... we'll never get to the other side unless we find the pass.
* Will hmms, remembering something.
[Storyteller] Off to the right (east), the face of the wall looks like it's lit better. As if there's not as much blockage of the Blue Star.
[Will] Remember those funny-looking boulders we saw a while back? If they were made when the grindery passed through here, then we can't be very far off! Well... what do you say?
* Will follows his compass to the east.
* Cassandra follows Will.
[Storyteller] A few hundred feet down the wall, you spy what you're looking for. The cliff face here is mangled and smashed. You can see scattered ledges as you look up.
[Will] ... there! This is it!
[Storyteller] There is a gradiant to the cliff here as well. It will be rough, but it is certainly possible to climb here.
[Cassandra] Shit. I thought this was gonna be a pass.....Guess we're gonna have to climb...
* Will looks up
[Will] ... well... not exactly what I thought, but we'll get through...
* PseudoFinn shuts up and just starts climbing.
* Cassandra starts climbing after Finn.
* Will tests the lower ledges with his hands and starts climbing as well. [Cassandra] .oO(This is murder on my boots. This is murder on my boots. This is murder on my boots. This is murder on my boots.)
[Storyteller] You climb for what seems like hours. It is absolute murder on your footwear and hands alike. Will's leather gloves at least protect him from some of the sharper rocks. It is absolute murder on your footwear and hands alike. Will's leather gloves at least protect him from some of the sharper rocks. You climb and climb and climb and climb...

[Storyteller] Hey, you climb some more... Go figure...

[Storyteller] Guess what comes after that?

* PseudoFinn grumbles...
[PseudoFinn] Will this climbing never end?
[Cassandra] Eventually...
* Will's usually pale complexion starts taking a more ashen tone..
[Storyteller] You manage to reach a narrow ledge... If you wanted to, you could probably stop here.
* Will crawls over to the ledge and slumps down on it.
* Cassandra reaches for the ledge and hoists herself up onto it.
* PseudoFinn pulls himself up and then drops down next to Will...
* Cassandra sits down on the edge, her legs dangling off the side. She looks down.
[Cassandra] We've climbed quite a bit.....
[Will] ... I feel... awful... tired... -_-
[Storyteller] Down below, you can see the forest. It looks like you're about a half or two-thirds the way up the mountainside.
[Cassandra] And look at my gloves! They're ruined!
[Will] ... so are my boots... though my gloves are okay..
[Storyteller] It appears that the new owners of Nanza have given up the search. There doesn't appear to be anybody following you. Down below, you can see a row of lights moving along the road back to Nanza. You can just barely make out the city itself. A few of the lighted outbuildings are still visible far away and down the side.
[Cassandra] Looks like there's no more search parties. There goes the last group, I hope, right now.
* Cassandra points to the row of lights.
* Will makes a few coughing noises that sound like a laugh.
[Storyteller] *Thunk* A small rock falls from someplace above and lands in Cassandra's lap.
* Cassandra looks up. [Cassandra] What the hell?
[Will] Yeah... we're the only ones crazy enough to do this.
[Cassandra] I don't know.....I think there's something above us...
[Will] ...? Something...?
[PseudoFinn] It's probably nothing... Let's just go...
* Will shifts his gaze upwards.
* PseudoFinn gets up, ready to climb again.
[Cassandra] I hope so.....
[Will] Y-yeah...
* Cassandra stands up and stretches her arms.
[Cassandra] It's a good thing none of us are afraid of heights....
[Will] Heh heh... that would be a bother...
* Cassandra looks at Finn and Will.
[Cassandra] After you.
* PseudoFinn begins moving... Thinking it's a good thing he hasn't looked down.
* Will gets up and looks up before climbing again.
[Will] I hope there's not much left... I'm not cut out for this kind of stuff...!
* Cassandra follows after Will, still thinking there's something, or someone, waiting for them further up...
[Storyteller] Climb-Climb-Climb... Two or three minutes later, you hear another falling rock someplace below you.
[PseudoFinn] Just keep climbing... [Cassandra] Okay, there's something up there. There has to be....
* Will keeps climbing, too tired to notice.
[Storyteller] Eventually you reach the top... Were you find... Nothing... The peak is nearly flat, about fifty feet away, you can see where it drops down at an angle again. The vertical walls of the barrier begin about a hundred feet away to either side...Maybe more, it's hard to judge distance. The Blue Star shines above you, shedding it's gentle glow over the peak.
[Will] G-gah... m-made it!
[Storyteller] You hear something behind you.
* Cassandra looks up at the Blue Star...
[Cassandra] What a beautiful sight...
* Cassandra turns around.
[Cassandra] Did you hear that, Will?
[Will] ....? What... was that? Y-yeah!
[Storyteller] A figure pulls itself up over the top.
* Will turns around to face the source of the noise.
* Cassandra steps away from the ledge.
[Figure] Damned you people move fast...
[Cassandra] Who are you?!
[Storyteller] The figure falls flat on his face... A round metal cylinder rolls out of his open pack, bouncing off his head before rolling up against Will's foot.
[Will] Maybe... we're not the only ones crazy enough to do this...
* Will kneels on the floor, picking up the cylinder.
* Cassandra walks a few feet away from Will, afraid of what my be in the cylinder.
[Will] What's this...?
[Storyteller] It's made of smooth burgandy metal, with silver banding holding the ends on.
* Will looks at the figure.
* Cassandra repeats to the figure.
[Cassandra] Who are you?
[Storyteller] You can't see much of him. He's dressed in raggedy travelling close and is lying flat on his face.
* Will goes beside it and kneels down again.
[Will] Hey... you okay?
[Storyteller] No response.
* Will pokes it lightly.
[Storyteller] No response.
* Will rolls him on his back to get a better look.
[Cassandra] Why do I feel like some evil monster is gonna pop out of this guy?
[Storyteller] As soon as you do, you think better of it... There is simply nothing left of his face... It looks like he might have once been handsome, but is no longer. As you watch, the entire body begins to degenerate into a black sludge.
[Will] ... a-aah!!
* Will jumps back.
[Will] W-what is this!?
[Cassandra] Will....? What....What's happening to him?!
[Will] I-I don't know!!
* Will drops the cylinder he was holding like a red-hot brick.
[Storyteller] It hits the ground with a distinct... cracking sound... The ground beneath you begins to shake.
* Will quickly steps back!
* Cassandra's eyes widen.
[Cassandra] Holy shit. What'd you do, Will?
[Will] I don't know!!
[Storyteller] The container begins to glow brightly, as if it were melting from the inside out.
* Cassandra crouches down near the ground, grabbing onto a nearby, grounded rock.
[Storyteller] The ground shudders... The container melts away completely. The rock around it follows suit... The puddle of hot, motlen rock widens, then begins to rise up...
[Will] Let's get out of here!!
[Storyteller] The mountain splits behind you, blocking any chance of escape.
[Cassandra] Afraid not, Will....
[Will] Uh-oh...
[Storyteller] A figure rises out of the motlen rock, forming into the vague shape of a man.

~~ Boss Combat! Round 1! ~~

[Will] Looks like the only way out is fighting... [Cassandra] You think?
* Will raises a gloved hand into the air, crackling bolts of electricity forming in his fingertips!
* Will shoots a thunder bolt at the TE!
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 6 damage from Will's spell.
* Cassandra snaps her whip out and brings it around her. She grins evilly at the enemies, eagerly waiting for any attack that might come towards her.
* Will takes out his hammer, gripping it tightly by the handle...
[Storyteller] Cassandra uses "Quicklash". She gains the ability to counter attack.
[Storyteller] The Elemental throws its arms wide. The rocks and magma of it's body grind together, making a low rumbling sound; almost like a growl.
* PseudoFinn leaps over to the elemental and slashes upwards at it.
[Storyteller] Finn hits TechnoElemental for 6 damage.
* PseudoFinn counters that with another cross slash.
[Storyteller] Finn hits TechnoElemental for 2 damage.
* PseudoFinn uppercuts with the final blow.
[Storyteller] Critical Hit! TechnoElemental takes 39 damage.
[PseudoFinn] Yes!
* Cassandra smiles at Finn.
[Will] Go Finn!
[Storyteller] The Techno-Elemental drives it's superheated hands into the ground. The rock melts and bursts upwards, splattering the party. Cassandra takes 20 damage from TechnoElemental's spell. Finn takes 18 damage from TechnoElemental's spell. Will takes 19 damage from TechnoElemental's spell.
[Will] Aah!
* Cassandra glares at the elemental.

~~ Boss Combat! Round 2! ~~

* Will takes a Herb out of his backpack and uses it to replenish his HP!
[Storyteller] Will regains 20 HP!
* Cassandra uses an herb on herself.
[Storyteller] Cassandra regains 20 HP!
* PseudoFinn draws his blade up and rushes towards the monster with it extended!
[Storyteller] Finn uses Rapidcut! TechnoElemental takes 33 damage from Finn's weapon skill.
* PseudoFinn rolls back into formation
[Storyteller] In retribution, the TechnoElemental swings back at Finn! TechnoElemental missed! TechnoElemental hits Finn for 1 damage.
* PseudoFinn staggers..

~~ Boss Combat! Round 3! ~~

[Will] Okay... here it goes!
* Will shifts his grip on the hammer's handle, swinging it awkwardly at the TechnoElemental! "Head Blow!"
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 32 damage from Will's weapon skill. TechnoElemental is unnaffected by SLEP.
* Will hops back.
* Cassandra coils her whip around her hands, and grins wickedly. She unfurls the whip and lashes it out at TechnoElemental, snapping with a sickening crack!
[Will] That's more like it!
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 35 damage from Cassandra's weapon skill.
* PseudoFinn pulls out one of his herbs and chows down on it.
[Storyteller] Finn regains 20 HP!
[PseudoFinn] I have a good feeling.
[Storyteller] The TechnoElemental reaches down to grab hold of Cassandra... TechnoElemental hits Cassandra for 11 damage.
[Storyteller] Cassandra has Counter Attack! Just before it grabs her, she lashes out with her whip. Cassandra hits TechnoElemental for 13 damage.
[Will] Good job, Cassandra!!
[Storyteller] It grabs her, raising her above it's head before smashing her down on the ground. TechnoElemental hits Cassandra for 14 damage.
[Will] .... er... ow...
* Cassandra glares at the elemental.
[Storyteller] Cassandra has Counter Attack! She rolls and rises to her feet, lashing out with the whip again. Cassandra hits TechnoElemental for 17 damage.

~~ Boss Combat! Round 4! ~~
 

* Will swings his hammer unevenly at the TechnoElemental again!
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 40 damage from Will's weapon skill. TechnoElemental is unnaffected by SLEP.
* Cassandra takes out another one of her herbs and uses it.
[Storyteller] Cassandra regains 20 HP!
* PseudoFinn draws his weapon and charges again, ready to strike!
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 32 damage from Finn's weapon skill.
[Storyteller] The TechnoElemental lifts one of it's feet out of the pool of magma and kicks Finn away! TechnoElemental hits Finn for 8 damage.
[Storyteller] It brings its fist down on him, the heat from it enough to scorch Cassandra's hair as it passes by. TechnoElemental hits Finn for 6 damage.
[Will] What can I do... what... I know Earth magic won't work, and neither will Thunder... I guess all I can do is use this hammer...!
[Cassandra] You ass hole! You burnt my hair!

~~ Boss Combat! Round 5! ~~
 

* Will approaches the TechnoElemental, smashing it with his hammer!
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 41 damage from Will's weapon skill. TechnoElemental is unaffect by SLEP.
* Will hops back.
[Will] H-hey... none of you would happen to have water or air magic, wouldn't you?
* Cassandra coils her whip around her hands, and grins wickedly. She unfurls the whip and lashes it out at TechnoElemental, snapping with a sickening crack! [Cassandra] Not I.
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental takes 32 damage from Cassandra's weapon skill.
* PseudoFinn draws his swords and leaps..slashing at the enemy's head.
[Storyteller] Critical Hit! TechnoElemental takes 33 damage.
* PseudoFinn lands and uppercuts another shot.
[Storyteller] Critical Hit! TechnoElemental takes 45 damage.
* PseudoFinn slashes once more, this time a straight slash
[Storyteller] Finn hits TechnoElemental for 7 damage.
* PseudoFinn rolls back into formation.
[Will] There has to be some other way... maybe if I use Earth magic... well, no other choice!
* PseudoFinn flashes a "V" sign.
[Storyteller] Grinding in anger, the Elemental raises it's hands again.
[Will] Great, Finn! If we keep it up, we can win this!!
[Storyteller] It smashes through the rock, the burning magma flowing up and splashing the party. Cassandra takes 24 damage from TechnoElemental's spell. Finn takes 25 damage from TechnoElemental's spell. Will takes 20 damage from TechnoElemental's spell.
[PseudoFinn] Ack!
[Will] A-agh....
* Cassandra falls to one knee, her clothing burnt.

~~ Boss Combat! Round 6! ~~

* Will tries to stand firmly on the ground despite his condition, using a Herb on himself!
[Storyteller] Will regains 20 HP!
* Cassandra takes out her last herb and uses it on herself. She slowly stands up.
[Storyteller] Cassandra regains 20 HP!
* PseudoFinn takes out his last herb and has a light snack.
[Storyteller] Finn regains 20 HP!
[Storyteller] TechnoElemental again uses Magma Geyser!
[Will] N-not again!!
* Will braces himself...
[PseudoFinn] This is not good.
[Storyteller] Cassandra takes 24 damage from TechnoElemental's spell! Finn takes 27 damage from TechnoElemental's spell and is KONKed! Will takes 19 damage from TechnoElemental's spell.
* Cassandra again falls to her knees.
[PseudoFinn] Yeow!
* PseudoFinn falls over, doing his best Kenny impression.

~~ Boss Combat! Round 7! ~~

[Will] This- this is hopeless! Only one Herb left...
[Will] Please... let this work!
* Cassandra mutters under her breath.
[Cassandra] Damn Will for dropping that damn cylinder....
* Will raises his arm, chanting under his breath, a misty ring of magic forming around his hand! As the energy starts condensing into a sharp rock spike, he hurls it at the TechnoElemental! "Stone Spear!!!"
[Storyteller] The spear lances into the TechnoElemental! TechnoElemental is strong vs. Earth! TechnoElemental takes 13 damage and dies!
* PseudoFinn lays there like a corpse.
[Storyteller] With a crash, it falls to the ground.
* Will falls to his knees.
* Cassandra's eyes widen as she watches the elemental die.
[Cassandra] Holy......shit! I'M ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Will] W-we... we... did it!!

Victory!

* Will coughs weakly, drained and shaken from the fight.
* Cassandra sighs, weakened greatly by the battle. She crawls to Finn to see if he's alright.
[Storyteller] Finn is unKONKed and regains 1 HP! He has seen better days, but he'll live. Of course, the state of most of your equipment and clothing is in doubt.
[Will] Hey... Cassandra... Finn... you... *cough* all right?
* Cassandra pushes herself off the ground and helps Finn stand up.
* Will looks at his ragged and burnt clothes.
[Storyteller] What isn't burnt is covered in soot.
[Cassandra] I need a bath......and new clothes. And some major medical attention...
[Storyteller] Both the container and the melting man vanished when the Elemental sank.
[Will] N-no kidding...
* Cassandra looks at where the mountain split up...
[Cassandra] How're we gonna get past?
* Will stands up weakly, his lack of physical stamina being a real nuisance.
[Will] I... don't know... maybe we should camp here before going on.
[Storyteller] The split is not truely that deep. In fact, it would make a good shelter for the evening from the wind.
[Cassandra] Maybe we can stay inside the split for the night....
[Will] Y-yeah... h-help me carry Finn over there...
* Cassandra walks slowly, half-dragging Finn, to the split.
[Storyteller] The group manages to get down into the sheltered area without killing themselves...Where they fall asleep for the evening...