Aftershock
Chapter 7, Part A
Session Start: Sat Jan 23 22:43
Session Close: Sun Jan 24 02:02
Elapsed Time: 3h, 19m
Total Elapsed: 36h, 29m

Cast (In Order of Appearance)

Alen as Will Danny as Cassandra Lucca as Audrey Storen as Lynna Criz as Criz

Bahamut as Miriamele Windstar as Salah Storyteller as Finn, Mountain Goad A-E, Mountain Lion A-F Enygma as Finn (Combat Only)

Nanza Barrier, Marius Zone Face

[Storyteller] You wake up the morning after, feeling somewhat refreshed if a little cramped. The crevasse created by the elemental was uncomfortable at best. But at least it sheltered you from the cutting wind and the bitter cold. The small fire you had managed to scrounge together has all but burnt it self out. The faint glowing embers are all that remain of what was a cheery little blaze.
* Will shakes his head sleepily, half-seeing through the morning fog in his eyes
* Cassandra blinks in the sunlight.
[Storyteller] Finn is already up, munching on a bit of the rations you all packed before you left the temple.
[Will] Eh... is it morning already...?
[Storyteller] He seems rather somber, definitely not in a talking mood.
* Will rubs his eyes and tentatively tries to get up once, twice, and goes to get something to eat
* Cassandra looks at Finn.
[Cassandra] Well, someone doesn't seem cheerful.
* Cassandra stands up and stretches her arms out.
* Finn grumbles to himself a bit, then goes back to eating...
* Will munches pensively on some dried rations.
[Will] Hm... where... were we going again?
[Finn] Iluk.
[Will] Is that so!?
* Will takes off his goggles.
[Cassandra] There something wrong with that, Will?
[Will] Huh..? Er- well, no... guess not...
[Finn] That's where the others were gonna meet us.
[Will] But it's been so long...
* Will smiles to himself and stretches.
* Cassandra shrugs and grabs something to eat.
[Will] Okay! I'm done...
* Finn sets up his pack...
[Finn] You two ready?
[Cassandra] Ready as I'll ever be....
* Will nods.
[Will] I guess so...
* Finn slips into his pack, adjusts his twin Katanas and climbs out of the crevasse.
* Will makes sure the things on his backpack won't spill out, and clambers out.
* Cassandra has all her things ready and follows Will.
* Will looks down the mountain.
[Cassandra] Breath-taking view...
* Finn picks his way down the mountain.
[Will] H-hey! Wait up! Finn!
[Storyteller] This side is a whole lot easier. The Grindery had to actually dig it's way up rather than blasting the side in and sliding down.
* Will sighs and looks quickly for a feasible path downwards, then hops down.
* Cassandra hurries after Finn.
[Storyteller] In fact... There are spots that are even too smooth. As she speeds up, Cassandra slips and starts sliding down on her ass.
[Cassandra] Shit!
* Will chuckles.
* Cassandra tries to grab onto something to stop from sliding.
* Finn steps towards her and catches her as she slides past. He pulls her up to her feet.
[Finn] Be careful.
* Finn starts walking again.
[Cassandra] Thanks.
* Cassandra follows more carefully.
[Storyteller] As you descend the slope, you hop down a rise or two... Stopping at one ledge, you look down... Grazing on a few small tufts of grass are half a dozen mountain goats.
[Will] Uh oh.
[Storyteller] Cassandra feels compelled to rub her head, remembering how one of these very same type of goats used it for a landing platform back in Chapter 5.
[Will] Maybe we should wind around them... I mean...
[Cassandra] Let's do...
* Will nods and tries to take a path around the goats, aiming for the base of the mountains.
[Mountain Goat] Bhaaaaaaa! Bhaaaaa!
[Storyteller] One of the goats spies Will as he tries to slip past. It raises it's head, the rest of the goats turn to look.
* Cassandra continues following, keeping an eye on the goats.
[Storyteller] They go back to their grazing.
* Will whews, wiping a stray bead of sweat from his forehead.
[Will] I... guess they don't mind if we just go around... But... let's hurry up in case they do!
* Will speeds up his pace a little, sliding here and there where the rock is smooth.
* Cassandra nods and follows.
* Finn follows them down.

Combat! Round Zero!

[Storyteller] Putting your backs to them was a bad idea! Goat A uses Trample! He comes bounding down the hill, slamming into everybody in line... Goat A hits Cassandra for 9 damage. Goat A hits Finn for 0 damage. Goat A hits Will for 14 damage.
[Will] Ahh!
* Will lands on his back, and struggles up.
[Will] H-huff... I g-guess... they did mind... ah...

Combat! Round One!

* Will takes out his hammer.
[Storyteller] Finn uses a Preemptive Attack!
* Finn rushes at the first goat with his swords extended!
[Storyteller] Goat A takes 64 damage from Finn's weapon skill and dies!
[Storyteller] Goat B rushes at Finn, trying to impale him with it's stubby little horns... Goat B hits Finn for 0 damage. Goat B hits Finn for 0 damage.
* Finn stands firm.
* Will grins despite his situation.
* Finn smiles.
[Finn] If I could cast a healing spell, I would.
[Storyteller] Goat C hopples down towards Cassandra, having heard the story of Landing-Field-Headed-Woman. Goat C hits Cassandra for 10 damage. Goat C hits Cassandra for 9 damage.
[Will] Cassandra! A-are you alright?
* Cassandra glares at the goat.
[Storyteller] Goat D, E, and F decide B and C are stupid, and A is dead... So that just makes more grass for them...
[Will] (w) No choice... but I feel so worn out.... gah!
* Will grips the hammer's handle tightly, shifting his grip uncomfortably. Taking a moment to gather momentum, he approaches the front line and swings his hammer at it in an uneven arc! "H-Hammer Swing!"
[Storyteller] Goat B takes 72 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies!
[Storyteller] Goat C takes 69 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies!

Victory!

[Will] H-haah.. hah... ha..
* Cassandra sighs with relief.
* Will sits down.
[Will] I don't... want to do that... again...
* Cassandra follows.
* Will struggles up with his hammer, and wobbles after Finn and Cassandra.
[Storyteller] The group slowly makes their way down the rest of the slope. Finn occasionally looks back to make sure that the goats didn't decide to follow. Fortunately, the other three goats find grass much more interesting that our intrepid heroes. Reaching the base of the hill, you sit down to take a breather and get your bearings.

Wilderness, Marius Zone

* Will checks his map.
* Cassandra looks around.
[Cassandra] So....umm....Will.....where we at right now?
[Will] I... um... have no idea!
* Will sighs.
[Finn] Any land marks on your map?
[Will] I don't have a very good sense of direction... which is why I always carry this map and compass... but I'm a bit lost now... Um...? Well, there's a big peak here... and a forest over that way...
[Finn] Oh, lemme see the damned thing...
* Finn takes the map from him...
[Will] Okay. ^_^
* Will flops down on the ground, taking out some junk from his pack.
[Finn] Alright... Nanza here... We're east of Nanza... Ocean here... We're not wet... West of the ocean... So... North or northwest of Iluk.
* Will puts it all back quickly.
[Will] So we go North?
[Finn] Southeast... North is that way.
* Cassandra takes out a small mirror from her bag and looks at her face.
[Cassandra] This bump is huge!
* Finn points back up the hill. He slings his pack again and starts walking.
[Will] ... oh... Right you are... so... let's go!
* Cassandra puts the mirror away, stands up, and follows after Finn.
* Will picks himself off the floor and stuffs his map in the pack, and walks along

Wilderness, Marius Zone

[Storyteller] The group left the ship about midday. They stopped for the evening near what was supposed to be the entrance to the Nanza Tunnel. The signs stating fees and liability waivers were placed as usual, but the entrance was collapsed in. Much to Miri's delight, there is no snow on this side of the Barrier. The weather is like the chilliest part of autumn, just before winter.
[Audrey] Ah... warmer.
* Lynna catches up with the others, a little slower than normal after yesterday's event onboard.
[Audrey] Not by much...but warmer.
* Criz scratches his forehead.
[Criz] I'm still wondering, what did I do to get Patricia so mad at me!
[Storyteller] You camped in the rubble of the entry way. It provided some shelter from the wind so you could build a snapping, roaring fire. Just before sunset, you heard what you believed to be a thunderstorm. It was loud enough to almost make the ground shake. It didn't produce any rain, lasting only a few minutes.
[Miriamele] How rare, yet nice. I love thunderstorms. I wish it'd rain..
* Audrey blinks.
[Audrey] What would you do if it did, Miri?
* Audrey grins.
[Audrey] It's fun dancing in the rain, sometimes. ....although I've never done it....
[Storyteller] You all went to sleep, good food issued from the ship's stores filling your bellies and the fire keeping you warm. Then next morning, you woke up and continued on your way. It was a long walk to Iluk, but if you were lucky, you could be there in less than two day's time.
* Audrey whistles as she walks.
* Lynna trudges on to Iluk, largely quiet for most of the trip, gazing at the greener lands once every so often.
[Audrey] It's funny...seeing so much green.
[Salah] I've never been on this side of the barrier.
* Criz continues their long walk, as he thinks to himself, if they actually know where they are going.
[Salah] It's kinda weird though.... seeing all this green during the winter. Did you guys hear all that thunder last night?
* Audrey smiles, and stops at a bush, plucking some berries from it.
[Criz] It was thunder?
* Lynna looks up to Salah.
[Lynna] What about it?
* Audrey looks at them.
[Audrey] Yes...these are edible.
[Criz] I thought it was Audrey...but I didn't want to say anything...
[Audrey] Huh? CRIZ?!
[Storyteller] As soon as Audrey touches the bush, something leaps out of it and lands on her.
[Audrey] AHH!

Combat! Round 1!

[Storyteller] Prairie Lions! 6 of 'em!
[Storyteller] Party: All One Row/Gaggle/Clump
[Storyteller] Enemy Front: Lion A, B, C
[Storyteller] Enemy Rear: Lion D, E, F
* Miriamele draws her sword!
[Criz] What? Pay attention Audrey!
[Salah] Audrey!
* Lynna turns her head.. and is greeted by a pack of feral lions.
[Storyteller] Then encircle the party, cutting off all retreat.
* Criz whips out his nunchucks and gets ready for some fun filled battle.
[Lynna] Audrey... next time you invite trouble, tell me.
[Criz] Ohh...look no way out...even more fun!
* Lynna brandishes her claws.
* Audrey is still sprawled on the ground.
[Audrey] Sorry... I didn't know...
[Criz] Come on Audrey, battle positions! Right now get ready to use that mumbo jumbo stuff of yours, cause we might need it!
* Salah begins singing.
* Lynna elbows Criz.
[Lynna] Don't you slack off either, bigshot...
[Criz] Me slack off? That would be a first! Now remember Lynna, go for the throat! With your claws, you can slice them up pretty good and end it for them with no pain...just a bit!
[Storyteller] Lion A tries to dig his claws into the poor little Audrey he's standing on top of. Lion A hits Audrey for 0 damage. The lion takes a nice big swipe out of her gut, ripping right through her nice pretty new robe. Critical Hit! Audrey takes 30 damage.
[Audrey] Ahh!
[Salah] Audrey!
[Storyteller] Lion B pounces on Criz, aiming for his throat!
* Audrey cries out!
[Lynna] Audrey, Criz.. watch yourselves! These guy's don't fool around!
* Criz looks at Audrey.
[Criz] Damn it! No one and I mean no one gets to do that to Audrey... not even me!
[Storyteller] Lion B hits Criz for 7 damage. Lion B hits Criz for 4 damage.
[Criz] You see, you lions don't have the skill to inflict pain like I can!
* Salah returns to her singing.
[Storyteller] Lion C takes that as a challenge (if he even knew what it meant) and rushes at Criz.
* Audrey clutches her side, moaning
[Storyteller] Lion C hits Criz for 3 damage. Lion C hits Criz for 6 damage.
[Storyteller] Lion D decides Salah will make a good before-dinner mint, he rushes in her direction bowling her over then slashing at her. Lion D hits Salah for 12 damage. Lion D hits Salah for 15 damage.
* Salah screams and falls over.
[Storyteller] Lion E circles around the group, perhaps she's leading the hunting party... Lion E is now in Front Row.
[Storyteller] Lion F pounces on Lynna, bringing her to the ground in a flurry of claws and teeth. Lion F hits Lynna for 3 damage.
* Lynna gets pounced, trying to throw the beast off...
[Lynna] Rrrrr....
[Storyteller] Lion F hits Lynna for 6 damage.
[Audrey] I...I think we're in big trouble....I'm...I'm sorry..
* Audrey starts to cry.
[Criz] Audrey...
* Criz walks up to Audrey.
* Miriamele charges towards Lion F, plunging her small sword into it's side!
[Miriamele] Ha!
* Miriamele then spins around and throws her boomerang at the Lion group on the other side, returning to her place, and catching the returning 'rang!
[Storyteller] Miriamele hits Lion F for 17 damage.
[Storyteller] Boomerang has Line Effect! Miriamele hits Lion A for 5 damage. Miriamele hits Lion B for 7 damage. Miriamele hits Lion C for 9 damage. Miriamele missed Lion E!
* Audrey claps her hands together and chants lowly to herself. She begins to glow with a white aura and her eyes turn as pure as white. When she is done chanting, she feels her wisdom increase!
[Storyteller] Audrey's Wisdom rises by 24!
* Audrey sinks back down to the ground.
* Salah cries out in pain.
* Criz starts to get all fancy-dancy with his nunchucks as he twirls them and stops with both of them caught under his arm and charges towards Lion A. He jumps into the air landing on the back of the Lion as he pulls his ears and pounces on it. He then jumps in front of it and delivers a back fist strike, followed by a jab with the chucks in hand at the Lion's throat and then attacking repeatedly with his speed.
* Criz then does a split and uppercuts with the chucks in hand at the Lion's Jaw knocking out some yellow teeth. He then spits at the lion and goes back.
[Storyteller] Criz hits Lion A for 3 damage. Criz hits Lion A for 6 damage. Criz hits Lion for 5 damage. Critical Hit! Lion A takes 44 damage. Criz hits Lion A for 2 damage. Critical Hit! Lion A takes 40 damage and dies!
[Criz] You see, aim for the throat you dead animal!
* Salah stands up and starts singing again... She closes her eyes and begins singing a sweet song, at the climax of the song her voice reach a high pitch sound that sends waves of energy at the creature.
[Storyteller] Lion B takes 46 damage from Salah's spell.
* Lynna gathers up the shadows around her as dark energy shoots from her palms, hurtling towards Lion C. "Negate Beam! Strike down my enemies with your ebony touch of death!"
[Storyteller] Lion C takes 67 damage from Lynna's spell. In a series of small explosions, the dark matter cause it to vanish from space time.
* Lynna clenches her fist in excitement!

Wilderness, Marius Zone

[Storyteller] As you're marching across the flat lands, you see a cloud of dust up ahead. It's either a very localized sand storm (not friggin' likely) or one hell of a ruckus.
* Will blinks, putting his goggles aside to see better.
[Miriamele] Bandits?...
* Will looks at Finn
[Will] It looks like a fight.. we should go help!
[Cassandra] What is that?
* Finn pulls his swords...
[Will] What do you think, Cassandra?... Should we?
[Finn] Join the army they said... See the world they said... I'd rather be back in Vane moping...
* Cassandra looks at Finn.
[Cassandra] Shut up and lets go check it out.
[Will] ... Right!
* Finn heads in that direction...
* Cassandra hurries to dust cloud.
* Will takes out his hammer...

Combat! Round Two!

[Storyteller] Reinforcements have Arrived! Reinforcements have the advantage of Surprise!
* Lynna sees a few figures popping out of the woodwork...
[Will] Hang on! We're here to help!
[Criz] Well looky at who it is!
* Criz smiles at their sight.
[Audrey] Thank god...
* Audrey is bleeding from a very large gash in her gut, and she's deathly pale.
[Will] ...!!
[Cassandra] Hey, you guys look like shit.
[Audrey] Thanks...
* Lynna tries to support Audrey with an arm, blinking at Cassandra.
[Lynna] You don't say...?
[Cassandra] Don't feel bad, I'm not doing that great myself.
* Will grips the hammer's handle tightly, shifting his grip uncomfortably. Taking a moment to gather momentum, he approaches row B and swings his hammer at it in an uneven arc! "Here we go... Hammer Swing!"
[Storyteller] Lion D takes 73 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies! Lion F takes 69 damage from Will's weapon skill and dies!
* Will goes back to his former position, tired.
* Lynna sees Will knock off the beasts, eyeing him curiously...
* Audrey smiles at Will through the blood.
[Audrey] Go...Will!
[Will] Don't... worry! We'll take care of them...
* Cassandra curls her whip around herself. She lashes out gracefully at the front row.
[Storyteller] Lion A takes 72 damage from Cassandra's weapon skill and dies! Lion E takes 72 damage from Cassandra's weapon skill and dies!

Victory!

[Criz] Hmph! I could have done it myself!
[Cassandra] I'm sure you could've.
* Will drops his hammer and rushes over to the other group
[Criz] But anyways..
* Audrey smiles.
* Lynna is holding Audrey up just barely.
* Criz walks up to Cassandra.
[Criz] It's great having you back though!
[Audrey] Here....everyone...gather around...
[Will] I never thought we'd meet again like this... in a fight again! Are you okay?
[Miriamele] Are you alright, Aud?
* Cassandra looks at Criz.
[Cassandra] I'm sure.
[Audrey] I will be...everyone who needs to be cured, stand around me!
* Salah weakly smiles.
[Salah] Hey.... what t-took you guys?
* Will searches his pockets.
[Lynna] Audrey was hit pretty bad.
* Cassandra walks over to Audrey and holds her up.
* Criz walks up to Salah.
[Audrey] Ahh!
[Criz] Don't you worry, we'll have you healed up and ready to get felt up aga...I mean ready to fight again!
* Lynna glares at Criz.
[Audrey] C...careful Cassandra! It's tender there.
[Cassandra] Sorry.
* Audrey raises her hands to the skies. "Holy Althena! Cure our wounds with your holy light! Heal Aura!" Nodes of light dance around the party!
[Storyteller] Everybody is healed to full HP!
* Will smiles.
[Cassandra] Thanks a bunch, Audrey. We kinda ran out of my herbs that I stole.
* Salah stands up a little woozy but all right.
* Audrey smiles as her wounds close.
[Salah] Thanks Audrey!
[Audrey] Don't mention it!
* Lynna looks a little less tense under the healing lights.
[Audrey] I'm so glad to see you all again! I missed you.
[Will] Thanks a lot... we were a bit beaten up too... by goats... and that huge thing on the mountain...
* Salah looks around at the whole group.
[Salah] Well, it's nice to see you guys again!
[Cassandra] We could've used your help last night when we fought that damn thing on the mountain.....
[Miriamele] Goats? Musta been really big goats...
[Cassandra] Oh! I have a gift for you and Salah.
* Audrey giggles.
[Salah] What thing?
* Lynna looks at Will...
[Lynna] So... who's the new guy, again?
[Salah] You do Cass?
* Will waves at Lynna.
* Lynna eyes him...
* Cassandra gives Salah and Audrey each a long bow.
* Salah takes the long bow.
[Salah] T-thanks!
* Criz notices everyone talking, as he feels left out. He puts his chucks away and goes off nearby.
[Will] I'm... Will I almost crashed againt you in the wagon, remember?
[Lynna] Oh yes.. the inventor. :P
[Will] Yeah.
* Finn joins Criz...
* Lynna nods.
[Lynna] Just got a lot on my mind right now...
* Criz rolls up his sleeve as he looks at his scars...
[Finn] Women, huh?
* Criz notices Finn and rolls the sleeves back down.
[Criz] O hey Finn...Nice to see you back in one piece!
* Audrey smiles.
[Audrey] Shall we continue on?
[Will] So... how did you all fare after we split up?
* Cassandra joins Finn and Criz.
[Cassandra] Something wrong, boys?
[Audrey] Oh...well....
[Criz] Woman...yeah...you can say that.
* Audrey ahems.
[Audrey] My village was destroyed!
[Criz] She isn't quite yet a woman though...
[Lynna] ...Nearly drowned.. fought a giant squid... no big deal.
* Finn shakes his head, then walks back toward the group.
[Audrey] Yeah...we do this stuff all the time...
* Salah walks over to Will.
[Salah] Nice to see you again Mister Will
[Cassandra] So, how was your journey, Criz? Did you find what you were looking for?
[Salah] How was the barrier?
* Criz looks around curiously as he sees the group a whole once again. He smiles as if he's happy to be with them all, as if this is his new family.
[Criz] My journey? Well lets just say none of my questions were answered.
* Lynna feels a slightly warm feeling seeing everybody... maybe Ramus was right.. a little...
[Cassandra] Oh....oh well.
* Audrey looks very happy to see everyone back together!
[Cassandra] Maybe you'll find 'em here?
[Criz] So did you meet Kyle?
[Cassandra] No. But......
* Cassandra 's eyes go wide.
[Audrey] Yes yes! Did you?
[Criz] If you did...I hope you got me an autograph!
[Lynna] Wait a minute...
* Lynna remembers the pass collapsed...
[Miriamele] I met Kyle once... but that was years ago. My dad knew him.
[Lynna] Do you happen to know why the Nanza pass was destroyed?
[Cassandra] No, we weren't in Nanza long. A bunch of Viles took over, lead by some Lord Koran.
* Lynna rolls her eyes...
[Criz] Lord Koran?
* Miriamele hmms...
[Miriamele] Koran?
[Lynna] Oh .. just great.
[Cassandra] They thought it was funny to kidnap me and present me to him....
[Salah] Koran... who is Koran?
[Criz] Exactly what I want to know.
[Lynna] What.. he an old hearthrob or something? :P
[Salah] How did they find you Cassandra?
[Will] We don't really know...
[Miriamele] I dunno, but he must be tough if Kyle hasn't put him down..
[Will] We got into Nanza to rescue Cassandra... and we had to leave quickly...
[Audrey] Koran...?
[Cassandra] No, I think they put Kyle down.....
* Miriamele frowns..
* Will nods.
* Lynna mumbles..
[Lynna]...if he's Criz's hero, it doesn't surprise me...
[Criz] What Lynna?
[Will] They were in charge... we had to escape and cross through the barrier where the Grindery passed through to get here.
* Lynna looks at Criz.
[Lynna] What?
[Salah] I wonder.... could he, Imogene, and Vargomere be on the same side?
[Will] But when we got to the top... a strange man appeared in front of us, and suddenly fell silent...
[Criz] What are you insinuating with that remark?
[Lynna] I'm just saying you should pick your heroes a bit wiser.
[Will] When I went to check on him... it was as though something had corroded his face... i-it was totally gone...
* Audrey thinks to herself.
[Audrey] They might be.
[Criz] Yeah well...I choose who I want to choose Lynna.
[Will] After that, a big rock thing surfaced and almost killed us all... it was really strange.
[Miriamele] You know.. thinking about all these bad guys is nice n' all, and I'm sure we'll have to think more about it later... but what's our plan for now?
[Salah] We kinda meet something like that Will, except she was a water type creature.
[Will] Really?!
[Lynna] Whatever Criz... just watch you own back. You only have yourself in the end.
[Finn] Why don't we get moving?
[Cassandra] Actually, since we're already over here on this side of the Barrier, I was hoping on meeting an acquaintance of mine in Reza....
* Lynna folds her arms.
[Finn] We can sit down and make plans in Iluk...
[Criz] I don't live that far from Reza...
[Will] I guess you're right...
* Miriamele points towards a direction.
[Miriamele] That way, if I'm not mistaken, Finn.
* Will picks up his hammer.
[Salah] Yeah, let's get going.
[Lynna] Oh boy.. I'm going to enjoy this soo much...
[Audrey] Reza...the thieves city?
* Lynna is obviously sarcastic about Iluk.
[Criz] For all I know, I might find my answers back in places that I would have least expected to find them.
[Salah] I wanna get going before we meet more of those lions.
[Criz] Yes Audrey.
[Will] I'll show you around! I know Iluk pretty well.
[Finn] News must not get back to the choir girls... They're merchants now, Audrey. Have been since I was born at least...
[Audrey] Oh. Ahem. Silly me.
* Audrey looks at Finn thinking he was rather rude!
[Will] Let's get going then!
* Finn starts walking...
* Salah quickly follows Finn.
[Salah] Come on everyone!
* Will smiles at Audrey.
* Lynna glances at Audrey, as if to say "men".
* Miriamele tags along, keeping a watchful eye on all the somewhat bleak surroundings..
[Will] He's been like that lately... don't mind him.
[Audrey] Oh...all right.
* Lynna starts walking as well...
* Audrey smiles at Will.
* Criz begins to walk behind the group, as he goes into his pocket and takes out a crumbled up picture. He smiles at it.
[Criz] Soon enough....
* Criz puts the picture back in his pocket.