House Arrest
Chapter 15

Session Start: Sat Jun 12 1999 23:51
Session Close: Sun Jun 13 1999 03:07
Elapsed Time: 3h, 16m
Total Elapsed: 73h, 53m

Cast (In Order of Appearance)
  • Bahamut as Miriamale
  • Travis "Enygma" Saucier as Lamont Lockeheart
  • Richard "RPG Storen" Gregorio as Lynna Handred
  • Nicole "Lucca" Dinner as Audrey Nanshete
  • "Windstar" as Salah Paria
  • "Andrew" as Finn MacGovray
  • J. Desorme as Will Dosyani
  • Supporting Cast: Spring Guard, Pseudo-Cassandra, Shouting/Old Woman/Aibone
  • Enemies: F3r4l F00l, Fr34ky F4rm3r, Fr34ky F1sh3rm4n

    • Spring of Althena

    [Spring Guard] (mumble) Needahavasoap...
    * Miriamele produces a couple bars.
    [Miriamele] I have soap.
    * Lamont sighs and walks out of the Spring area. He leans up against the outer wall.
    * Lynna grunts.
    [Lynna] I don't see why these fools are so hung up on soap...
    * Lynna looks down at Audrey again.
    * Audrey is still unconscious. ^_^;
    [Miriamele] I dunno. But if having soap makes them happy...
    * Salah slowly opens her eyes, staring into sky groggily...
    * Lamont watches to see if Cassandra wakes up.
    [Storyteller] Salah feels a slight chill quite nearly from head to toe, then she realizes she's up to her neck in water.
    * Finn leans against a tree, averting his eyes from the water...
    * Salah blinks a few times then suddenly pulls her body upright, slipping and splashing back into the water.
    [Miriamele] Hi, Salah. Feeling okay? ^_^
    * Salah turns her body around and looks at Miri, rubbing her head.
    * Audrey mumbles something under her breath.
    [Lamont] ...
    * Audrey opens her eyes.
    * Miriamele helps Salah back up.
    [Miriamele] Gonna live, kiddo?
    * Lynna stands in the water, still holding Audrey.
    [Salah] Ungh... Miri... what... ?
    [Audrey] ... Lynna?
    [Lynna] You finally with us, Audrey?
    [Will] Au-Audrey! You're awake!
    [Audrey] ... where am I... ? It's so cold here...
    * Audrey looks down...
    [Audrey] ... O_o Oh by Althena... !
    * Lamont sees Cassandra isn't waking up...
    [Miriamele] What do you mean, 'what', Salah? Are you okay? What's the last thing you remember?
    [Lynna] That should be obvious.
    * Audrey tries to cover her breast, then her lower area, but can't and ends up accidentally submerging herself in the water. O_o
    * Salah blinks, and realizes a rather cold air is running up her body. She looks down, blinks, then shrieks.
    * Lynna sighs, and hoists Audrey back above water.
    * Lamont hasn't even noticed the girls are naked, actually... hasn't looked at the breasts at all.
    [Audrey] *Cough, cough* Oh my-- *cough!* What am I doing naked in the springs?!
    * Miriamele lowers her ears at the shrieking noise.
    [Miriamele] Calm down! Yeeesh...
    [Lynna] Let's just say it involved a certain vampire.
    [Audrey] ... Vargomere...
    * Salah quickly moves into the springs and submerges her body up to her neck in the water.
    [Audrey] He didn't... bite me... did he?
    [Salah] Wha- how... ?!
    * Salah sweats.
    * Lynna nods slowly.
    [Salah] Wha... what happened?
    [Lynna] He's dead now...
    * Lamont sighs again
    [Storyteller] Your clothes are stacked on the marble benches by the side of the spring, where the party placed them so they wouldn't get ruined.
    * Audrey doesn't say anything.
    [Audrey] At least he's dead.
    [Miriamele] That Vargomere decided he'd try to wreak havoc s'all, Sal. Everything's good now though.
    * Audrey smiles.
    [Audrey] Thank you for helping me Lynna... everyone...
    [Salah] Vargomere... last thing... I remember... a dream... and singing.
    [Lamont] ... so that's who that was...
    [Audrey] Me too Salah!
    [Finn] He's dead now, anyway...
    * Will has his polarized goggles on, with a few modifications... seeing blurred shapes and lights.
    * Audrey nods, and looks at her clothes...
    * Miriamele drops herself completely into the water.
    [Miriamele] You know... it's really unnerving to have all the guys just sitting right there. ^_^;
    [Lynna] You don't have to thank me...
    [Will] Thank goodness... you're all well now... ^_^
    [Lamont] ...
    * Salah looks at Lamont Will and Finn...
    [Salah] Ummmm...
    * Audrey smiles at Will... covering herself up with her clothes, of course ;)
    [Salah] Can you guys... uh...
    * Audrey toddles behind a tree and gets dressed.
    * Lynna wades out of the spring...
    * Will can't see anything but splotches anyway. =D
    * Lamont hasn't even noticed that Salah is awake.
    [Spring Guard] Nomenindasprin... Manineedaspirin...
    * Lynna waves a hand as her robes seem less waterlogged...
    [Storyteller] He grumbles as he begins to wake up.
    * Audrey comes out fully clothed.
    [Salah] Can... you guys go over there?
    * Salah points to the exit of the spring.
    * Lamont seems quite distracted.
    [Will] Go... ? Er, ah, s-sure!
    [Audrey] Go behind a tree, Salah. No one will see you. :)
    * Will bumps into a tree.
    * Miriamele pokes the tip of her tail up out of the water.
    [Miriamele] Jeez... it looks so ratty when it's wet. :P
    * Pseudo-Cassandra wakes up enough for Lamont to drag her out of the water and help her get dressed.
    * Lynna turns Will around toward the exit.
    [Lynna] I believe it's that way.
    [Will] ... aahh... th-thanks...
    * Will puts his hands in front of him and walks toward the exit.
    * Lamont appears relieved that she's OK... but freezes in place... as if he can't move.
    * Audrey giggles at Will.
    * Salah waits for Lamont, Will, and Finn to leave, then steps out of the springs and snatches her clothes.
    [Audrey] I guess I should go too... but I wonder what happened...
    [Lamont] . o O (Thank goodness... )
    [Spring Guard] Hey! All of you out of there! No men in the spring!
    [Audrey] I mean... what did Vargomere do besides bite us...
    * Salah places her clothes on.
    * Lynna hides her face some.
    [Audrey] Are you all right, Salah... ?
    * Audrey waits for Salah. ^_^
    [Lynna] A lot more than just sing for us...
    [Audrey] ... Why were we hurt, though? If he bit us, we'd be vampires like him, right?
    [Salah] I... I feel a little woozy... But I'm all right.
    [Audrey] ... and if we were placed in that spring, Althena's power would kill us straight away.
    * Lamont slowly helps Cassandra out of the water, and carefully helps as much as he can with clothing her. He is quite careful though, appears to be a little scared to do anything.
    [Spring Guard] Hey! You! Hands off that lady! Yeah, you... The one in the gray robe!
    [Audrey] He's helping her!
    * Lamont looks at the Guard.
    [Lamont] Are you talking to me?
    [Spring Guard] I don't care! Rules are rules!
    [Audrey] Fine then...
    [Lynna] Oh just shut yer trap before I shove some soap in that mouth of yours.
    [Audrey] Lamont, I'll take over from here...
    * Salah walks over to Audrey, her ankle length light blonde hair untied and unencumbered by braids.
    * Spring Guard blinks.
    * Will sits against a tree trunk outside, pulling off his goggles to blink in the sunlight.
    [Lamont] Thank you Audrey...
    [Salah] Ummm... Guard sir?
    [Audrey] No problem. ^_^
    * Lamont stares at the Guard.
    [Lamont] Are you talking to me?
    [Finn] Shall I hit him again?
    [Audrey] Maybe I can mute him. ^_^;
    * Miriamele frolics in the water, enjoying this short moment.
    [Salah] If no men are allowed in the Spring... how come you're in here?
    [Spring Guard] Did you just talk back to me?! Oh... The injustice... Nobody respects a good guardsman anymore! What has the world come to?!
    * Audrey giggles and helps Cassandra into her dominatrix suit... er... dress.
    * Pseudo-Cassandra struggles along, having taken the greatest beating from the group and Vargomere alike.
    * Lamont grabs him by the throat.
    [Lamont] Listen up, I just saw someone I care about a whole lot almost killed, and I will be DAMNED if I let you stop me from making sure she's OK. Do I make myself CLEAR?!
    [Audrey] Let's go, Cassandra...
    [Spring Guard] Cntbrth...
    [Audrey] I'm sure the others will help us sort this out...
    * Lamont snorts.
    [Lamont] If you want me to leave, you ASK, and you do so politely. Clear?
    [Spring Guard] Cntbrth...
    * Spring Guard passes out from lack of oxygen.
    * Lamont lightens his grip some.
    [Lamont] What? Oops...
    * Spring Guard falls to the ground. THUNK!
    * Lynna laughs.
    * Audrey reaches the others, Cassandra in tow...
    [Lamont] I... I... what did I just do... ?
    [Audrey] ... Lamont! O_o
    [Lynna] Well, that's the third thing you did right today, Lamont.
    * Salah looks around the area.
    [Salah] Ummm, has anyone seen my pendant?
    * Lamont jerks back, blushing some.
    [Lamont] I... I didn't... what... I...
    [Audrey] You want me to revive him?
    * Lynna fishes in her dark garments a minute, and produces the Pendant.
    [Lynna] I wonder Salah... would it look like this, maybe?
    * Salah looks at Lynna's hand.
    [Salah] Oh, thank you!
    [Lamont] I... what... -... I...
    [Lynna] Yeah, yeah...
    * Lynna puts it in her hand.
    [Lamont] Why did I do that?
    * Salah takes the pendant from Lynna's hand and stares at the broken gold chain.
    [Lynna] But I swear next time I'm not going to pick up after you.
    [Audrey] Maybe you're finding the courage you knew was in you all along. :)
    * Pseudo-Cassandra leans up against a fence post, looking very much the worse for wear...
    * Salah glances over to Cassandra.
    * Lamont blushes some.
    [Lamont] I... guess... I dunno... I've never done anything like that before... *m* but this trip is a lot of firsts for me...
    [Audrey] Cassandra... do you want me to heal you?
    [Salah] Hey Cassandra? Are you... okay?
    [Finn] I think we should get going soon, guys...
    [Lamont] Hmmm? Is she OK?
    [Pseudo-Cassandra] No... just tired...
    * Pseudo-Cassandra nods.
    [Audrey] Just tired, I think...
    [Finn] What does everyone think about going to Meryod?
    [Pseudo-Cassandra] I'll be fine.
    [Lamont] I hope she's all right...
    * Miriamele climbs out of the spring and sets to drying her tail & hair...
    [Finn] I'd like to make sure everything is okay there.
    [Lamont] Meryod is... an interesting place.
    [Audrey] Finn, what exactly did we do with Vargomere... I want every detail told...
    * Lamont walks over to Cassandra and makes sure she's all right.
    [Salah] Ummm... Does anyone know where Miss Madeline went?
    * Will closes his eyes, wiping his dirt-stained hands on the sleeves of his tunic.
    [Finn] You as in the females?
    * Lamont looks at Audrey.
    [Lamont] It doesn't matter what you did. It just matters that you're OK now.
    [Storyteller] The Spring Guard would tell you she walked past last night, but he's unconscious. Again.
    * Audrey blinks at Lamont.
    [Audrey] Yes... as in Females. You don't need to shield me. I know something terrible happened. I can feel it...
    * Lynna folds her hands into her cloak.
    [Lynna] Well, for one thing he pitted you three against us for his own sick pleasures...
    [Pseudo-Cassandra] I'll be fine, Lamont...
    * Lamont nods to Cassandra.
    [Lamont] If I can do anything... let me know...
    * Miriamele, satisfied with her moderately dried state, now proceeds to clamber into her clothing.
    [Lamont] Audrey, you weren't yourself. Don't worry about it. We took care of things.
    [Audrey] He did... ? I didn't hurt you, did I?
    * Audrey looks down.
    [Finn] Well, technically you didn't...
    [Audrey] I'm ... sorry...
    [Lamont] Don't worry about it.
    * Miriamele heads over to where the rest of the group is conversing.
    [Lamont] You didn't touch me.
    [Audrey] ... Okay...
    [Finn] It was a truly awful situation... I think we'd be better to forget it.
    [Lamont] I agree with Finn.
    [Finn] Move on, and all that.
    * Miriamele looks down...
    [Finn] We've got a lot to do.
    * Salah sighs heavily.
    [Audrey] ... I guess so...
    * Lamont rubs a welt on the side of his face... looks like it was left by a whip.
    [Finn] So... Meryod? Who's coming with me?
    [Audrey] I am.
    * Finn smiles wryly.
    [Lamont] I have some theories on what is going on here...
    [Salah] ... Ummm... guys...
    [Audrey] I heard Meryod is filled with... people who are all related to each other.
    [Lamont] Yes, I've been there.
    * Salah looks down.
    [Audrey] Salah? What is it?
    [Lamont] I spent a few months there once...
    [Finn] I was born there.
    [Salah] I know... this is gonna sound crazy, but...
    [Lamont] I hope your family tree has branches, Finn.
    [Lynna] What's up, Salah?
    * Lamont kinda half laughs at his attempted joke... but coughs his way through the rest of it.
    [Audrey] Salah... ?
    * Finn raises an eyebrow at Lamont briefly, then turns to Salah.
    [Lamont] Sorry. I don't know what's come over me lately...
    [Salah] I think... no... I know Madeline is my sister...
    [Audrey] How can you be sure... ?
    [Lamont] Oh... *her*... I'm sure she's OK...
    [Salah] I don't know, the only proof I have is the picture... but deep down, I really feel she really is my sister.
    [Audrey] Salah...
    * Salah glances at her pendant...
    [Salah] But...
    [Lynna] Family...
    * Audrey sighs and thinks of her own family... most likely all dead...
    [Salah] I-I, I just... can't keep going...
    [Lamont] ... Has anyone stopped to think about what we could be up against here... ?
    [Audrey] ...
    [Storyteller] After getting their gear together (and their clothes on), the party heads away from the Spring. Travelling northward a bit, they quickly pick up a path that should lead them toward Meryod.
    * Lynna sighs briefly.
    [Lynna] Salah... you need to get your priorities straight...
    [Lamont] I mean... I know... well... I'm not personally part of everyone's mission here... but I've been thinking since that... Firebase metal thing... and... well... it's odd.
    [Lynna] Your first goal is to keep going. If you ever stop, the world will leave you behind. Then you'll never find anything.
    [Salah] She... she doesn't know me...
    [Lamont] . o O (Why am I even here anyway? Why didn't I go back to my Dad... ?)
    * Salah looks up at Lamont and quietly whispers "Because you love her... ?"
    * Lamont coughs, his ears get a little red.
    [Finn] We're up against a force that we probably aren't even close to comprehending right now.
    [Will] ... I only know that that place was... it was... more advanced than anything else I'd ever seen... Myght may be able to build airships, engines and generators, but...
    [Lamont] Well, who were the two we saw back in that Metal thing?
    * Finn keeps walking.
    [Lamont] Who were they?
    [Lynna] Who was that Xenobia... I don't like her...
    [Salah] Koran... and Xenobia...
    [Lamont] Right...
    * Miriamele scouts on ahead, quite unable to contribute to the conversation at hand.
    [Audrey] ...
    [Lamont] Xenobia...
    [Audrey] She said Althena was dead...
    [Lamont] She was killed by Dragonmaster Alex...
    [Salah] Koran... seems to be looking for my brother.
    [Lamont] Head of the Vile Tribe back when Vane was shot town... Which means...
    * Lamont gets out his drawing pad.
    [Lamont] If she's not dead...
    * Lynna grimaces.
    [Lynna] The Vile Tribe... so she's behind these attacks...
    * Audrey looks down at the ground...
    * Lamont flips through it some, then shows a picture. It's of the Magic Emperor.
    [Lamont] He might not be either. That's just a theory...
    [Lynna] And what would she know of my father...
    [Audrey] You think Koran is the... ?
    * Finn blinks.
    [Salah] ... I don't think... Ghaleon was revived...
    [Lamont] Well, the first Magic Emperor was Ghaleon... but I don't think it's him... But we could be up against a new one.
    * Lynna pulls out a claw.
    [Lynna] Next time I see her, I'm getting some answers.
    [Audrey] I agree. :/
    [Audrey] I'll stop Xenobia... somehow...
    * Lamont coughs.
    [Lamont] But I know how we can find out...
    [Salah] Earth... 2002... I wonder what that means... ?
    [Lamont] We'd have to ask someone who saw it all, and see if they know what's going on.
    * Salah pulls out her picture of Madeline and Tirulian.
    [Lamont] Someone who would know...
    * Finn shakes his head...
    * Salah looks at the picture closely...
    [Lamont] I suppose no one knows where the Goddess is at right now, huh?

    Up ahead, Miriamele on point...

    [Storyteller] You see a quartet of guys beating up on each other. Even the one that's bleeding profusely from his nose doesn't seem to realize that he's hurt.
    * Miriamele steps out from her cover.
    [Miriamele] Hey! What're you doing?!
    * Miriamele rushes forward!
    [Storyteller] They continue kicking and punching each other. One grabs a second by the collar and tosses him toward the large rock Miri is conveniently hiding behind.
    * Miriamele stands on top of the rock and shouts.
    [Miriamele] HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!
    [F3Ral f00l A] Hehe... Stoppid a secund... Girly ho!
    [Storyteller] They all start giggling...
    * Miriamele looks at the group with disbelief.
    [F3Ral f00l B] Girly... It's what's for dinner!
    [F3Ral f00l C] Girly does a body good?
    * Miriamele looks a little confused.
    [Miriamele] Dinner?
    [Storyteller] The group catches up with them, seeing Miri on top of the rock talking to the four guys. It's hard to tell if they're stupid, or drunk, or something entirely different. (Maybe just Meryoders.)
    * Lamont eyes Miriamele.
    [Lamont] What's going on here?
    * Miriamele takes on a more dead set look, flicking her tail in annoyance.
    [Miriamele] Touch me and die. But I don't think you should be fighting.
    [Audrey] Miri... ?
    [Lamont] ... oh I see... we're close to Meryod...
    [Lynna] I think we just found the roots of the tree that grows in Meryod.
    [F3Ral f00l B] Whyno... S'fun.
    [Salah] It's strange though... this picture isn't like the ones I'm used to seeing... huh?
    * Salah looks up.
    [Salah] What's going on?
    [Will] ... ?
    [Audrey] ... I wish I knew...
    [Lamont] Gentlemen, I believe it is in your best interests to leave my allies and myself be.
    [Miriamele] Fun? You're beating each other black and blue in the name of fun? Were you lobotomized a few years back?
    [F3Ral f00l A] Billyboooooooob... I think that one thar is startin' with us...
    * Lynna advances on the group of oogling hillbillies.
    [F3Ral f00l B] Thems fightin' werds...

    Combat! Round One!

    Enemy Rear: F3Ral f00l C & D
    Enemy Front: F3Ral f00l Adrian & Billybob
    Ally Front: Lamont, Miri, Lynna, Will, Finn
    Ally Rear: Audrey, Salah

    [Audrey] We don't want to fight!
    [Lamont] Please leave our presence at this time, or I will be forced to thrash you.
    [Audrey] ... great great great.
    [Lynna] I got a lot more than words for you, if you don't back down right now.
    * Audrey blahs.
    * Salah hides behind Lamont.
    * Lamont steps out in front.
    * Audrey stands behind Will.
    [Will] We... we're going to fight these people...?
    * Miriamele sniffs.
    [Miriamele] Fine. I guarantee after this you won't be looking for fights so eagerly.
    * Audrey pats Will on the shoulder.
    [Audrey] Looks like it. :/
    * Miriamele hops off the rock, ready to rumble.
    [Lamont] Gentlemen, I beg of you not to force a confrontation here. I suggest you leave my allies and I be.
    * Lamont flashes his claws...
    [Lamont] I have no desire to spray your blood on my hands, but I will not hesitate if you do not cease and desist at this time.
    [Miriamele] Maybe we could just put them to sleep?
    [Audrey] Maybe...
    * Will takes his cane from his pack, closing his hand tightly around its handle.
    [Lamont] I suppose I have no choice.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Adrian twirls around in a circle, then squats down, arms out. F3Ral f00l Adrian uses "Fr34k Fl1p!". Gains the ability to counter attack.
    [Audrey] Why are you fighting us? Are you that... stupid?!
    * Finn draws his sword.
    [Lamont] Forgive me, Althena, for what I am about to do.
    * Lynna looks over the fools like a wolf about to pounce.
    [Lynna] Think of it this way Lamont... maybe we could actually make them look good.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l B bounces back and forth from foot to foot...
    [F3Ral f00l Billybob] But Adrian! I coulda' been a contenda!
    [Storyteller] He rushes at Finn. F3Ral f00l Billybob hits Finn for 0 damage.
    [Audrey] Finn... !
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Billybob hits Finn for 0 damage.
    [Audrey] ... Heh! ^_^
    [Storyteller] Critical Hit! Finn takes 69 damage.
    [Audrey] ... er... spoke too soon. :/
    [Lamont] Oh, that has to smart a little...
    [Finn] You dumb bastard...
    [Salah] Finn!
    * Finn narrows his eyes.
    [Lamont] Stay focused, Finn.
    [Finn] I don't need fighting advice.
    [Storyteller] He lands between Salah and Audrey, kicks both, and bounces back.
    [Salah] Don't hurt them too much. I don't think they know what they're doing.
    [Audrey] Ack!
    * Lamont looks at Finn oddly.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l C kicks his foot against the ground a few times, then stamps like a bull. He takes a step forward, then screams and leaps over the party.
    [Storyteller] Audrey takes 7 damage from F3Ral f00l C's weapon skill.
    * Audrey is knocked down, but quickly gets up again.
    [Storyteller] Salah takes 12 damage from F3Ral f00l C's weapon skill.
    * Salah gets hit in the stomach.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l D sucks his thumb/DEFENDs!
    * Salah gasps and coughs, trying to get air back into her lungs.
    * Lamont slides into attacking position.
    [Lamont] Forgive me, Althena.
    * Lamont rushes at the first Fool, thrusting his claw forward.
    [Storyteller] Lamont hits F3Ral f00l Adrian for 0 damage.
    * Lamont uppercuts with the opposite hand.
    [F3Ral f00l Adrian] Was dat spose'd ta hurt?
    [Storyteller] Lamont hits F3Ral f00l for 0 damage.
    * Lamont maintains his focus and swings again.
    [Storyteller] Lamont's focus is broken by a peculiar odor emanating from his opponent. Lamont missed!
    * Lamont growls, and overhand swings with the opposite hand.
    [F3Ral f00l Adrian] Pppppppppppppppth...
    [Lynna] Well, I think we can be assured that inbreeding does have it's merits.
    [Storyteller] Lamont hits F3Ral f00l Adrian for 0 damage.
    * Lamont uppercuts with the other.
    [F3Ral f00l Billybob] Hey, Adrian... He's messin' wit ya clotheses.
    [Storyteller] Lamont missed!
    * Lamont swings once more.
    [Storyteller] Lamont hits F3Ral f00l Adrian for 0 damage.
    * Lamont rolls back.
    [Lamont] Well there is more than one way to skin a cat.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Adrian counter-attacks Lamont! F3Ral f00l Adrian hits Lamont for 13 damage.
    * Lamont stumbles a second, but quickly regains his composure.
    * Miriamele charges toward F3r4l F00l1 Adrian and plants a swift kick in his stomach! Using the soft gut as a foothold, she then vaults herself into the air and somersaulting and as she comes down, rakes her claws down his front! Landing on her feet, Miri quickly backs off to a safe distance, drawing into an attacking stance...
    [Storyteller] Miriamele hits F3Ral f00l Adrian for 0 damage. Miriamele hits F3Ral f00l Adrian for 0 damage. Miriamele missed! Miriamele hits F3Ral f00l Adrian for 0 damage.
    [Lamont] Looks like we'll have to rely on our arcane talents here, my allies.
    [Audrey] I've got plenty of that! ^_^
    * Miriamele nods.
    [Miriamele] I'm thinkin' so.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Adrian counter-attacks Miriamele! F3Ral f00l Adrian hits Miriamele for 14 damage.
    * Miriamele tumbles back, but not fast enough.
    [Miriamele] Punk!
    [Lamont] If they are this head strong, they can't have the endurance to survive a magic attack.
    [Miriamele] I don't think headstrong would be the word I'd use here... ^_^;
    [Lamont] I apologize, Miss Miriamele, it's the only term I could think of to describe a "Bonehead" without sounding too insulting.
    [Miriamele] Oh, I think you could probably insult these guys six ways from Sunday and they still wouldn't know it. ^_^;
    * Lamont snickers.
    [Lynna] Let's see you handle this, hay for brains!
    [Audrey] I was thinking more lard for brains, myself!
    * Lynna lets out a piercing cry, and charges through the front row in a streak of blackest night! She then looks down at her bloodied hands as if waiting for the screams of torment that surely follow...
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Adrian takes 220 damage from Lynna's weapon skill and is defated! F3Ral f00l Billybob takes 206 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Audrey] You're right, Lynna! ... or whoever suggested magic. ^_^ Sorry.
    [Lamont] I believe it was me...
    [Audrey] Sorry Lamont. :/
    [Lamont] But I'm not one to take credit for such a trivial thing.
    * Lynna leaps back...
    [Audrey] You should! You thought it up!
    [Audrey] ... and now...
    [Lynna] Huh... it figures... they probably don't even know how to spell the word school...
    * Lamont's ears get a little red.
    [Lamont] You would have figured it out anyway. I just stated the obvious.
    * Audrey prays... She clasps her hands together and chants softly to herself. She begins to glow with a soft aura. "Althena... empower me with the knowledge of ages past!"
    [Storyteller] Audrey's Wisdom rises by 101!
    [Audrey] ^_^ Don't be so modest, Lamont.
    * Lamont smiles some.
    [Lamont] I apologize... I just don't want anyone thinking I'm... arrogant or anything.
    [Audrey] You're not. ^_^
    * Salah stands up and looks at one of her opponents. She closes her eyes and suddenly a faint blue shimmer of light surrounds Salah and her long untied hair flies upward. A similar blue shimmer of light circles one of the F00ls, and suddenly a dark pink light appears from Salah's forehead and flies into the F00l's head.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Billybob's mind is too a jumble for Salah to take control!
    * Salah sighs.
    [Salah] It didn't work... His mind is too primitive to take over.
    [Audrey] Wouldn't it be the opposite usually?
    [Lamont] If he has a mind.
    [Will] I... wish it hadn't come to this, b-but...
    [Audrey] Go Will! You can do it!
    [Lamont] I'm leaning toward dog fodder in place of brains at this time.
    * Audrey cheers! ^_^
    * Will hefts his heavy mace into a teetering horizontal balance, attempting to maintain it in an attacking posture. Gathering strength with a determined back swing, he approaches the front enemy row and swings his mace in a fantastic arc, smashing through rock and bone! "Hammer... Heave!"
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l Billybob takes 136 damage from Will's weapon skill and is defeated!
    [Storyteller] Enemy Front is defeated. Enemy Rear becomes Front.
    [Lamont] Only two left... and they are in a row there...
    * Lamont starts to formulate a plan.
    [Lamont] I hope Finn has better success than I did...
    * Finn runs at C, growling fiercely, and slams his sword through his armor with a cry...
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l C takes 276 damage from Finn's weapon skill and is defeated!
    [Lamont] Excellent work, Finn.
    * Finn kicks the body off his sword and backs up.

    Combat! Round Two!

    Enemy: F3Ral f00l D
    Ally Front: Lamont, Miri, Lynna, Will, Finn
    Ally Rear: Audrey, Salah

    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l D makes like a pogo stick and bounces up and down the length of the front line, giving them all a good swift kick in the teeth.
    [Audrey] Hey... !
    * Lamont takes to the defense.
    [Storyteller] Lamont takes 13 damage from F3Ral f00l's weapon skill.
    * Miriamele attempts to avoid the haphazard attack!
    * Lamont blocks most of the attack.
    [Lamont] Ha.
    [Storyteller] Miriamele takes 66 damage from F3Ral f00l's weapon skill.
    [Audrey] Ahh... no! :/
    [Miriamele] Oogh! O_O
    [Storyteller] Lynna takes 13 damage from F3Ral f00l's weapon skill.
    [Lamont] Oh goodness, Miss Miriamele, are you OK?
    [Storyteller] Will takes 51 damage from F3Ral f00l's weapon skill.
    [Audrey] Miri!! Will! Stop!
    [Lamont] And Will...
    * Miriamele gets up.
    [Miriamele] That was... unexpected.
    [Storyteller] Finn takes 72 damage from F3Ral f00l's weapon skill and is KONKed!
    * Finn totters unsteadily, then falls to the ground.
    * Audrey growls under her breath.
    [Will] Agh!
    * Lynna gets very annoyed...
    [Lamont] Finn!... You'll pay for that!
    * Lamont starts to chant as a green aura swirls around him. "Oh great spirit of air, Sylph, I call your power to my aid. Let the power of your great winds be as sharp as Althena's sword and cut through the foes of justice that oppose me!"
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l D takes 147 damage from Lamont's spell.
    * Miriamele spins to face the Fool.
    [Miriamele] You're really in for it now, buddy.
    * Will coughs, holding his wounded arm.
    [Audrey] Hang on Will... ! When this is over, I'll heal you!
    [Will] D-don't worry... I'm all right... ^^;
    [Lamont] Darn! I didn't end it...
    * Miriamele mutters a host of arcane and incomprehensible words under her breath, gradually cumulating to one single, simple word. "Burst!" The very air around F3Ral f00l seems to coalesce into light and heat, before climaxing in a brilliant flare! A small fiery explosion rocks the area!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l takes 47 damage from Miriamele's spell and is defeated!
    [Lamont] Good job, Miss Miriamele.
    [Audrey] ^_^ Yes!

    Victory!

    [Storyteller] In the new SSS tradition, Finn is restored to 1 HP *before* EXP is doled out!
    * Lamont pulls Finn to his feet, since we are Nall-less.

    Wilderness, Marius Zone

    [Will] ... Wh-whew... !
    * Miriamele flicks her tail a bit.
    [Miriamele] Ha! Take that you dimwitted twit!
    * Finn staggers to his feet with Lamont's help.
    [Lamont] Are you OK, man?
    [Finn] I'm fine... thank you...
    [Lamont] Finn, are you OK?
    [Audrey] Finn... Will... Miri... gather around me... I'll heal you!
    * Will nods and stands beside Audrey.
    * Salah looks at the bodies and lowers her head for a moment.
    [Storyteller] They're clearly not dead. Just unconscious. One of them is snoring, while a second is drooling.
    * Miriamele heads over to Audrey...
    * Audrey points her hands to Will, Miri, and Finn...
    * Audrey opens her eyes and smiles, raising her hands to the sky. She whispers a soothing, musical mantra... "Whisper of the goddess... hear my prayer... and help us in our time of trouble! Heal Aura!" A swath of light encircles the row, and seeps gently into their bodies!
    [Storyteller] Miriamele, Will, and Finn are restored to full HP!
    [Miriamele] They're not a very bright lot, are they?
    [Lamont] No, they are not.
    [Audrey] ^_^ There you go!
    [Salah] Why were they acting like this?
    [Miriamele] Thanks. ^_^
    [Will] Th-thank you... ^_^
    [Lynna] You know... I almost feel bad for them. Almost.
    [Salah] Are all the people in Meryod like this?
    [Finn] Thank you, Audrey.
    [Lamont] I can't tell you, Salah... some people are just like that.
    [Audrey] It's nothing...
    [Finn] No, they aren't. Only misinformed people think that.
    [Will] Meryod... Meryod... ?
    [Audrey] Maybe they had too many mushrooms for breakfast... ?
    [Will] W-wait...
    * Finn scowls.
    [Audrey] ... the bad kind? ^_^;
    * Will sets down his backpack, rummaging through some inner pockets, throwing some junk and papers aside.
    * Lamont puts his claws away.
    * Miriamele looks perplexed.
    [Miriamele] Should we just leave them here?
    * Salah sighs.
    [Will] Meryod... Meryod... I know I've heard that name...
    * Will triumphantly draws out his map!
    [Audrey] Hmm... I'm not sure... :/
    [Lamont] It's not a totally bad place... I've been there before.
    [Salah] When we get to Meryod, I'd like to get a new hair braid and fix the chain on my pendant.
    [Miriamele] I only ever heard about Meryod in stories back home. Almost as legendary as Meribia, but not for the same reasons. ^_^;
    [Lynna] Great idea Salah... it would save me the trouble.
    [Will] Meryod... Meryod... yes, I knew it!
    * Lamont crosses his arms.
    [Finn] Are we going?
    [Will] Look! We're near my h- er, I mean, Myght's Tower!!
    * Finn starts walking.
    [Storyteller] One of the f00ls rolls over and grumbles.
    [Audrey] Really?
    * Lamont follows Cassandra, who's probably following Finn.
    [Audrey] You think Myght would like me... ?
    * Audrey follows the others...
    * Lamont is still a little concerned about her.
    * Lamont is... OK... still very concerned about her.
    [Will] W-well... I-I'm not sure if we should all go... to... uh... m-meet Myght...
    [Audrey] Oh. :/
    * Salah quickly runs up with everyone walking beside Audrey.
    * Pseudo-Cassandra mopes along. She's still sort of pale, but she's doing okay.
    * Will trods along, his backpack back on his, well, back. ^_^
    [Audrey] So he probably wouldn't like me... :/
    [Will] N-no, it's not that... !
    [Audrey] :( Hmm. It's okay...
    [Lamont] So, like I was saying... I think we need to meet someone who might know enough to tell us what we're up against...
    [Audrey] ^_^ If you see your teacher, tell him I said hello... okay?
    [Will] H-he... just... well, he d-doesn't like visitors much... ^^; Y-you'll see when we get there!
    [Salah] Maybe if Nobody were here. He could tell us...
    [Audrey] Okay. ^_^;
    [Will] Lamont... I'm sure Myght could tell us something... ^_^
    [Lynna] That Nobody... just what is he...
    [Salah] Or maybe my brother...
    [Lamont] Will, I was thinking of someone a bit more... higher up... I'm sure Myght is wise... but... who I had in mind might be a bit better.
    [Will] Who... ?
    [Audrey] Damon?
    * Lamont flips through his drawing pad again, and shows a picture of a flying white kitty.
    [Lamont] Him.
    [Audrey] O_o The White Dragon?
    * Miriamele wags her tail.
    [Miriamele] Cute! ^_^
    [Lamont] Wouldn't he know?
    * Will peers at the drawing pad...
    [Will] A... flying cat... ? ^^;
    [Audrey] Actually it's a dragon. ^_^ Jessica told me!
    * Lamont coughs.
    [Lamont] Will, this is Nall... the White Dragon that helped Dragonmaster Alex take down Ghaleon and save Althena.
    [Will] D-dragon!? Y-you mean... the, er, ah, dragons?
    [Salah] Nall, the White Dragon...
    [Lamont] I'm not saying we need to go seek out all the dragons... but Nall was there for the clash between Dragonmaster Alex and Ghaleon.
    [Salah] I've always wanted to meet him...
    [Miriamele] So... where do we find him?
    [Audrey] Hmm... me too! ^_^
    [Will] I didn't know, I thought... well... I thought they were bigger...
    [Lamont] Well, the stories all say the White Dragon Cave is on Caldor Island.
    [Lynna] Running around chasing dragons...
    [Lamont] I've been to Saith once... but never really looked for the cave.
    [Lynna] Well, I suppose that's one thing we haven't seen yet.
    [Storyteller] As you travel up the path, you finally reach the river bank. According to Will's map and Finn's memory, you just need to follow the river to Meryod.
    [Miriamele] I've never heard of this Caldor... is it far?
    [Lamont] Quite far... from where we are.
    * Will looks at his map...
    [Salah] What about the Red or Blue Dragons?
    * Finn feels his ring get significantly colder at Salah's words...
    [Lamont] The Red or Blue Dragons weren't there for the fight, Salah...
    [Audrey] It's small and rustic, from what I've heard... Dragonmaster Alex came from a village on the island! ^_^
    [Lamont] As did Dragonmaster Dyne.
    [Will] Caldor... I see Caldor... wh-whoa... it's really far away!
    [Lamont] I'm sure Audrey knows more than I do... she probably studied all that in much more detail.
    [Finn] Hey...
    * Finn peers down at it.
    [Storyteller] The stone seems to shine more than usual, but it could just be a trick of the light.
    [Salah] But they're dragons like Nall? What would Nall know that they won't?
    [Lamont] Well... no one's seen the Red or Blue, or even Black Dragons in years... we do know that Nall is alive.
    [Lamont] And well.
    * Finn rubs the stone absentmindedly...
    [Lynna] Say Finn...
    * Lynna looks at him.
    * Will looks pale as usual and stunned by this merciless attack of geography and Dragonmaster tales...
    [Storyteller] Up ahead, you can finally spot the town. The setting sun makes it somewhat hard to make out the details. The lanterns in town are dark, having yet to be lit.
    [Lamont] Hmmm... Will...
    [Finn] Yes, Lynna?
    [Lynna] I have to say you have more than just a strong voice to dust Vargomere the way you did.
    * Lynna snickers at her pun.
    * Lamont looks like he's deep in thought.
    * Finn smirks.
    [Will] ... Um, huh... ?
    [Audrey] Will?... Are you okay? You look a little paler than usual.
    [Lamont] Myght built Dragonmaster Alex an airship, didn't he?
    [Finn] Meaning, Lynna... ?
    [Will] M-me... ? I'm- an airship... y-yes, he did!
    [Miriamele] I dunno, Mr. Lamont. History isn't one of my strong points.
    [Lynna] What, strange getting a compliment from me? Heh.
    [Salah] That's Meryod up ahead.
    [Lamont] You don't have to call me Mr. Lamont...
    [Lamont] But if we're gonna seek out Nall... and he's over on the island...
    [Will] Y-you know... Audrey... y-you look a little...
    [Lamont] Do you think Myght would have us an airship to take?
    [Audrey] ... Hmm?
    * Miriamele smiles.
    [Miriamele] But you give me all these titles. The least I could do is return the honor.
    [Finn] It is rather strange... you're not the type to lavish praises on people.
    [Will] Pale, too...
    * Lamont blushes a little.
    [Lamont] I'm just being polite...
    [Audrey] ... I do? :/

    Meryod, Marius Zone

    [Storyteller] Meryod's customary greeter seems absent. In fact, the town is eerily quiet.
    [Audrey] Hmm... maybe we should both find an inn and take a rest...
    [Miriamele] Then you should expect other people to be polite back. ^_^
    * Finn walks in ahead of everyone else...
    [Salah] ...
    [Will] That would be... swell... ^_^
    [Storyteller] The sun rolls down over the horizon, plunging you into darkness.
    [Lynna] Well, I'm taking a day off. I feel quite good after beating those poor fools. :)
    * Will looks at Lamont.
    [Audrey] ... Is it just me... or is it quiet?
    * Lamont looks at Will.
    [Lamont] Just an idea.
    * Lynna then looks at the town...
    * Salah shivers...
    [Salah] I-I don't like this...
    [Will] It takes time to build an airship... I'm sure he must have kept the old blueprints, but...
    [Salah] It's too chaotic...
    [Finn] It's definitely quiet. This isn't right.
    [Audrey] Chaotic? It's quiet, Salah ... which is just as bad...
    [Salah] No...
    [Will] To build one, especially an engine like that one... it would take some time...
    [Lamont] Well, I'm sure... maybe he has one already built... you know, it's quiet around here...
    * Finn starts ambling around the town, looking for anything unusual...
    [Lamont] I don't remember it being like this...
    [Lynna] Unless we just beat down the only citizens of town, which I doubt, something is up.
    * Will looks around him.
    [Salah] There- there's definitely something chaotic.
    [Shouting] Back foul crettin!
    [Miriamele] ?
    [Lamont] What was that?!
    * Finn runs toward the shouting.
    * Lamont follows.
    * Salah runs after Finn.
    [Will] We have to see!
    [Audrey] Wait!
    * Miriamele pursues, and quickly moves to dart to the forefront.
    * Finn draws his sword as he runs...
    * Audrey follows Finn!
    * Lynna is en route as well to the shouting...
    * Will tries to locate the origin of the sound, making off after Finn & Lamont!
    * Audrey's feet go 'click clack' against the rotting wood boards of the bridge.
    [Storyteller] You see a bunch of deranged Meryoders trying to attack an elderly woman. As they rush her, they seem to bounce off of a wall scant feet from her. Her hands wave back and forth in the mystical motions of a sustained spell.
    [Lamont] H-Hey!
    [Finn] What do you think you're doing?
    * Salah stops a good distance.
    [Finn] Get away from her! Now!
    [Audrey] ... ? What on Lunar... ?
    [Old Woman] Thank Althena! Get these lunatics away from me!
    [Will] W-whoa... !
    [Lamont] In the Name of Althena, leave this area at once!

    Combat! Round One!

    Enemy Front: F3Ral f00l A, B, C
    Enemy Middle: Fr34ky F4rm3r A, B
    Enemy Front: Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A, B
    Ally Front: Lamont, Miri, Lynna, Will, Finn
    Ally Rear: Audrey, Salah

    * Will takes his Molten Cane from his pack!
    [Lynna] Jeez... these boys are really desperate...
    [Lamont] More of these guys...
    [Will] Finn... are things usually like this... ?
    [Finn] No, Will, they aren't. I have no idea what's going on.
    [Lamont] Remember my allies, depend on your magical abilities.
    [Audrey] I would bet that Xenobia and this Koran fellow are behind this... but maybe I'm being too premature...
    [Will] Th-there must be some explanation for this...
    [Lynna] I don't care... just more exercise for me...
    [Lamont] Let's save some lives first...
    * Lynna takes out her claws.
    [Lamont] We'll worry about what's causing it afterwards.
    * Will nods.
    [Will] R-right!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l A bounces up and down briefly, moving back and forth. He stops and crouches down. "Freak Flip" F3Ral f00l A gains the ability to counter-attack.
    [Miriamele] Let's just hope for no new surprises in the middle of all this.
    [Lamont] I'll take care of their vision.
    * Audrey chants a spell under her breath.
    * Lamont starts to concentrate on a spell.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l B growls as he looks at the party, he slips off to the side and makes a few shadow punches. "Funky Fist" F3Ral f00l's attacks are tripled next round!
    * Miriamele draws up, beginning her own incantation as well...
    [Audrey] ... Mommy... ;_;
    [Lamont] Stay focused! We have the power of light on our side.
    * Audrey nods to Lamont and goes back to her chanting...
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l C rushes at Lamont... F3Ral f00l C hits Lamont for 16 damage. F3Ral f00l C hits Lamont for 12 damage. F3Ral f00l C hits Lamont for 9 damage.
    * Lamont stumbles.
    [Lamont] Ahh!
    [Will] L-Lamont! Are you all right?
    [Audrey] Lamont...
    [Lamont] I... I'm OK for now.
    [Lynna] Stop babbling about Light and just watch your back...
    * Lamont holds up his hand, allowing a bright white aura to surround it, "Illumina, lend me the brilliance of Althena's light so I may hide myself from the presence of the evil before me! Light come forth!"
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00ls are affected by Lamont's spell for 12 rounds.
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3rs are affected by Lamont's spell for 11 rounds.
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm3n are affected by Lamont's spell for 13 rounds.
    [Lamont] There...
    [Will] I'll take care of the ones at the back!
    [Lamont] Good idea.
    * Lamont grabs his side.
    * Miriamele glances at Lamont.
    [Miriamele] You okay?
    [Lamont] I'll... live. Just a scratch...
    * Miriamele intones and invokes a masterful demonstration of sorcerous might! "Power of Sol unbridled! Smite my foes with thine infinite fury! Solar Flare!!" The temperature begins to climb, higher and higher, until the atmosphere is rippling with heat! The very air then seems to combust as fire consumes the battlefield from all sides! Miraculously, the party is not consumed by the sea of flames...
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00ls take 13 damage from Miriamele's spell.
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3rs take 17 damage from Miriamele's spell.
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm3n take 0 damage from Miriamele's spell.
    [Lamont] OK, new plan of attack. Finn, Lynna and Will, use your weapon skills on the Fishermen in the back. I can see Magic won't do much damage to them...
    [Will] I... I think it would be safest to try to knock them out by groups, rather than one by one...
    [Miriamele] No, keep going with what you know. I'm just not a good magic user, s'all. ^_^;
    [Lamont] Still, Miriamele... you spell should have had some effect.
    [Will] I can't, Lamont... I can only reach the front with my weapon.
    [Lamont] OK... then I guess we'll have to do it the old fashioned way... Go ahead and take out the front row then.
    [Miriamele] -_-; Trust me, I think another magic user should try first.
    [Lynna] All I see is enemies... and all they see shall be death...
    * Lynna chants low... "Heed me, o shadows! Become a scythe of destruction, to cut through the souls of my foes! Black Arc!" Suddenly, she swipes at the air, as a wave of onyx energy rips through the Fishermen' s row!
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4nmen take 67 damage from Lynna's spell.
    [Lamont] Hmm...
    [Lynna] Well...
    [Lamont] I apologize, Miriamele... you were right...
    [Will] Good shot, Lynna... ^_^
    [Lynna] I think fish must really make you smart after all.
    * Lamont sighs a little.
    * Audrey would cheer Lamont up, but she's too busy chanting. ^^
    [Miriamele] Don't worry about it, Lamont. I just had a hunch s'all. ^_^
    [Lamont] Well, there is good news... they can't hit what they can't see.
    [Miriamele] See? Now there's a good way to look at it. ^_^
    * Audrey begins chanting... High above, winds begin to coalesce and swirl, as a rift is torn open in the air! From the starry blackness a myriad of a fiery rocks are ejected, spraying the battlefield with flames! S tars above, destroy the sinners! Meteor Swarm!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00ls take 154 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Lamont] Sometimes I should just shut up though. :)
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3rs take 179 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm3n take 96 damage from Audrey's spell.
    [Will] Wh-whoa... ! o_o
    [Lamont] Now that's talent...
    [Audrey] Whoo... ! I... I did it!
    [Miriamele] You are the best at what you do, Aud! ^_^
    [Will] Th-that was impressive, Audrey... ! ^_^
    [Storyteller] Salah DEFENDS!
    [Audrey] Th... thank you... !
    [Lynna] Well, you're not any worse for wear...
    [Will] Okay... !
    * Will holds an open hand out toward the enemy party, his other hand touching his forehead... Tensing his hand as energy bolts start converging around it, he points at the back row in a quick movement and calls out, "Special Delivery! Petrify!!" He sends a shockwave of energy rushing toward the rear enemy line, stunning its members as they quickly start growing a thick, gray shell!
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A is unaffected! Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n B is unaffected!
    [Will] That didn't work...
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A raises his fishing rod above his head. He waves it back and forth, the hook swinging wildly.
    [Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A] Here fishy fishy fishy fishy fishy!
    [Lamont] OK, now this is just plain weird.
    [Audrey] No kidding... !
    [Storyteller] Fwwwwwwwwwwooosh... Water rises up through the floor boards of Meryod and knocks everybody over!
    [Audrey] Augghhh! *Splash!*
    [Lamont] *glug*
    [Will] G-gaah!
    [Storyteller] Lamont takes 30 damage from Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell and is KONKed!
    * Audrey's hair comes undone and hangs messily in her eyes.
    * Lamont starts doing the deadman's float.
    [Storyteller] Miriamele takes 86 damage from Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell.
    * Miriamele struggles to stay above the waves!
    [Miriamele] I've already had my dose of water today, thanks!
    [Storyteller] Lynna takes 25 damage from Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell.
    * Miriamele gasps, and struggles for air!
    * Lynna gets a mouthful of water.
    [Lynna] I hate this!
    [Storyteller] Will takes 85 damage from FFl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell and is KONKed!
    [Audrey] Miri! Lamont! Will! ;_;
    * Will is knocked against the planking, falling unconscious under the waves.
    [Storyteller] Audrey takes 21 damage from Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell.
    * Audrey gulps down water!
    [Storyteller] Salah takes 23 damage from Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell.
    [Storyteller] Finn takes 84 damage from Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n A's spell.
    * Lamont is feels like he's been on a 3 hour tour
    * Finn spits out water...
    [Lynna] *cough* This is going to be *cough* Reachdeep all over again...
    [Miriamele] Now my tail's gonna look a ratty again... -_-
    * Salah gets splashed by huge waves of water. Her long dry hair, is now long wet hair sticking against her body and over her eyes.
    [Audrey] No it won't!
    * Audrey staggers back as if physically struck.
    [Audrey] It won't! It won't!
    [Finn] I don't think the other fisherman will get a chance to do that...
    * Finn leaps across the rows and slashes his sword toward the other fisherman's neck, aiming for a nice beheading.
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3r4n B takes so much damage, his head is splattered to the four winds. Defeated!
    * Finn smiles savagely.
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3r A reaches over the front row of f00ls with his pitchfork to poke Audrey! Fr34ky F4rm3r A missed!
    [Audrey] Ha!
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3r B reaches over the front row to poke at Lynna! Fr34ky F4rm3r B missed!
    * Lynna sidesteps the poke.
    [Fr34ky F4rm3r] I cannasee Hortence!
    [Fr34ky F4rm3r] Cannase awhat? Everythin' is b-lack!

    Combat! Round Two!

    Enemy Rear: Fr34ky F1sh3rm4n A
    Enemy Middle: Fr34ky F4rm3r A, B
    Enemy Front: F3Ral f00l A, B, C
    Ally Front: Lamont (KONK), Miri (5), Lynna (27), Will (KONK), Finn (36)
    Ally Rear: Audrey (25), Salah (14)

    [Storyteller] Lynna uses a Pre-Emptive Attack!
    [Lynna] I'm going to gut that fool like one of his tasteless catches!
    * Lynna suddenly lunges forward at F1sh3rm4n A without any warning, all but her glinting claws becoming as a blur to the naked eye...
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n takes 90 damage from Lynna's weapon skill.
    [Storyteller] Finn uses a Pre-Emptive Attack!
    * Finn follows Lynna, his sword flashing as he lunges toward the fisherman...
    [Storyteller] Fl1pp3d F1sh3rm4n takes 83 damage from Finn's weapon skill and is defeated!
    * Lynna steps aside to watch Finn finish the job.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l A rushes at Miri, fists and feet flailing... F3Ral f00l A missed! F3Ral f00l A missed! Critical Failure! F3Ral f00l A hits F3Ral f00l B for 22 damage.
    * Miriamele ducks out of the way!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l B smacks F3Ral f00l A on the head.
    [F3Ral f00l B] No, like dis! Go for da taily!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l B missed! F3Ral f00l B missed! F3Ral f00l B missed!
    [F3Ral f00l A] Oh yead... Just like dat, huh?!
    * Miriamele evades the attack.
    [Miriamele] Touch the tail and die.
    * Lynna brings up her claws.
    [Lynna] Wow... I think you have a fan club Miri...
    * Miriamele looks back at Lynna.
    [Miriamele] I dunno how I'm supposed to feel about that. They have no brains, and they're blind! ^_^;
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l C rushes toward Lynna, intending things that would get a cousin kicked in the chin. F3Ral f00l C hits Lynna for 5 damage. F3Ral f00l C hits Lynna for 0 damage. F3Ral f00l C hits Lynna for 5 dam age.
    * Lynna goes toe to toe with the runt, not giving much ground.
    [Lynna] SO... you really want to end up like your second cousins on the road, do you?
    [Storyteller] Lamont is KONKed!
    * Miriamele mutters a host of arcane and incomprehensible words under her breath, gradually cumulating to one single, simple word. "Burst!" The very air around Farmer A seems to coalesce into light and heat, b efore climaxing in a brilliant flare! A small fiery explosion rocks the area!

    ------ Log Interrupted by Disconnect ----- Miri killed Farmer A -----

    [Storyteller] Lynna took a pre-emptive.
    * Lamont is having nice warm dreams about a beach... and Cas... hey... get out of my dream sequence!
    * Audrey opens her eyes and smiles, raising her hands to the sky. She whispers a soothing, musical mantra... "Whisper of the goddess... hear my prayer... and help us in our time of trouble! Heal Aura!" A swath of light encircles the front row, and seeps gently into their bodies!
    [Storyteller] Miri regains 87 HP (Maxed)! Lynna regains 44 HP (HP61)! Finn regains 75 HP (HP111)!
    * Miriamele feels much, much better.
    [Miriamele] Thanks, Aud! ^_^
    * Salah creates a sword made of solid Ice and hurls it out one of the F3r4l F00ls.
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l C takes 129 damage from Salah's spell, the huge icicle throwing him back and pinning him against the wall. Without magic to hold it, it quickly melts. He slides down the wall, dead.
    [Storyteller] Will is KONKed.
    [Audrey] Will...
    [Storyteller] Finn used a pre-emptive.
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3r B jams his pitchfork into the ground in front of him. "Good Harvest" He regains 50 HP!

    Combat! Round Three!

    Enemy Rear: Fr34ky F4rm3r B
    Enemy Front: F3Ral f00l A, B
    Ally Front: Lamont (KONK), Miriamele (91), Lynna (61), Will (KONK), Finn (111)
    Ally Rear: Audrey (25), Salah (14)

    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l A munches on a Jasmine! Regains 75 HP!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l B munches on a Jasmine! Regains 75 HP!
    [Lynna] Well... they aren't as dumb as they look...
    [Storyteller] Lamont is KONKed.
    * Lamont continues dreaming happy dreams.
    * Miriamele mutters a host of arcane and incomprehensible words under her breath, gradually cumulating to one single, simple word. "Burst!" The very air around F4rm3r A seems to coalesce into light and heat, b efore climaxing in a brilliant flare! A small fiery explosion rocks the area!
    [Storyteller] Fr34ky F4rm3r A takes 47 damage from Miriamele's spell.
    * Lynna gestures with her arms as the air around her opposition quivers and shifts... "Ghosts of the seen and unseen, bend the minds and hearts of the weak in spirit with fear made flesh! Phantom Force!"
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l A takes 60 damage from Lynna's spell. F3Ral f00l B takes 74 damage from Lynna's spell. Fr34ky F4rm3r A takes 52 damage from Lynna's spell. The three of them spin around, attacking enemies only they can see and hear. In their misguided swings, they manage to kill the F3rm4r.
    [Lynna] That ought to keep them guessing...
    * Audrey closes her eyes and prays piously to the heavens. "Althena... bring the spark of life back to this fallen one! Revive Litany!" A beam of light shoots down into Will's chest from somewhere above!
    [Storyteller] Will comes back to life with 11 HP!
    * Will coughs some water out of his system and stumbles to his feet, shivering and wet. ^_^
    [Will] C-cold... brr...
    * Salah closes her eyes and lowers her head, as a loud whistling noise can be heard as well as the sounds of an ocean. With a sudden flash, a torrent of water circles around Salah reaching high into the sky. It splashe s down upon the enemy row and splits into several directions, becoming solid sheets of ice. With a thrust of Salah's arms the ice shatters into several thousand pieces and slams into the enemy line!
    [Storyteller] F3Ral f00l A takes 59 damage from Salah's spell and is defeated! F3Ral f00l B takes 77 damage from Salah's spell and is defeated!

    Victory!

    Meryod, Marius Zone

    [Audrey] Yes! ^_^
    [Finn] Good job, Salah.
    [Audrey] Nice Salah! ^_^
    * Audrey hugs her!
    * Salah falls on her knees and pants heavily...
    * Will wipes some hair from his eyes, wrapping his arms around his torso.
    [Audrey] Whew... Are you okay, will?
    [Will] Th-thanks, Audrey... th-that's... twice, t-today... ^_^
    * Lamont coughs a bit.
    [Salah] It's, it isn't over...
    [Storyteller] The old woman ceases waving her hands, the shimmering barrier collapsing into a million golden stars before fading away.
    [Old Woman] Thank you...
    [Will] H-hai... j-just, wet... =)
    * Lamont pulls himself up to a knee.
    [Storyteller] She toddles over to the town's water pump and sits down on the ledge around it.
    [Salah] It's, it's over...
    [Finn] Are you all right, ma'am?
    [Miriamele] Who are you, miss? What's going on here?
    * Finn walks over to the woman.
    [Old Woman] Thanks to you, I am...
    [Lamont] By Althena...
    * Lynna kicks a couple of the unconscious townsmen away.
    [Old Woman] I'm a traveller... From Tamur...
    * Audrey hugs Will.
    [Audrey] You scared me...
    * Lynna looks up.
    [Audrey] Don't keep getting hurt. ^_^;
    [Lynna] Tamur, you say?
    [Will] S-sorry... for being so useless... ^^;
    * Salah groggily gets up, exhausted from all that fighting.
    [Storyteller] She sighs heavily, pulling off one of her boots to reveal a shiny silver sock. She shakes a few pebbles out, then puts the boot back on.
    * Lamont stands up... and sees everyone is with the old woman.
    [Finn] From Tamur...
    [Old Woman] Yep... Tamur.
    * Salah walks over besides Finn and the old woman.
    [Audrey] You're never useless! ^_^
    [Finn] This may be beside the point, but do you know a man named Julian?
    [Old Woman] Can't say I've ever met a Julian.
    * Lynna folds her hands, thinking to herself.
    [Will] ... th-thank you. =)
    [Salah] They... they weren't human... at least... not anymore...
    * Finn shrugs.
    [Audrey] It's nothing. :)
    [Finn] Okay... so... do you have any idea what's going on in this town?
    * Miriamele takes a look around at the rest of the town...
    [Will] D-do you think we can find... an inn around here... ?
    * Salah holds her head, having a major headache from all those emotions.
    [Old Woman] Somethin' to do with the water I think... hey... You're the Handred girl, aren't ya?
    * Lamont stumbles a round for a second.
    * Finn lightly massages his temples.
    * Lynna looks at the woman, grinning sarcastically.
    [Lynna] Am I that famous?
    [Audrey] ... The water? O_o
    [Old Woman] Nope... Yer father is worried 'bout you... Farn is it?
    * Salah leans against Finn exhausted...
    [Audrey] ... Did anyone drink it just now? O_o
    [Old Woman] Yeah... the water... There's somethin' up the river dumpin' silvery stuff into it.
    * Finn absentmindedly extends a protective arm around Salah...
    [Audrey] Poison...
    * Lamont sits down and draws a bit.
    [Finn] Silvery stuff... mercury?
    [Lynna] Worried about me... he shouldn't be... I can take care of myself...
    [Old Woman] Probably misses ya'.
    [Lynna] I guess so... but I'm not going to go home just yet. By the way, what's your name?
    * Lamont continues scribbling away on his pad
    [Old Woman] Aibone.
    * Will brushes some water out of his hair, shivering like a wet chicken
    * Lamont just sits there and draws.
    * Audrey takes off her cloak and puts it around Will's shoulders.
    * Salah sighs.
    [Salah] There are still more here...
    [Audrey] There. ^_^
    [Salah] Animals...
    [Will] Audrey... you're always taking care of me... ^_^
    [Audrey] You take care of me too! ^_^
    [Aibone] Lemme help you a bit for helpin' me...
    [Storyteller] She waves her hands around. Warm air blows over the wet party, drying them out.
    * Finn looks around the area, somewhat distracted...
    * Audrey's hair frizzes to the point of looking silly. O_o
    * Lamont hasn't noticed that he's dry... just draws.
    [Finn] Is everyone in the town like this?
    [Will] N-not really... all I do is get whacked- Ooh... whew...
    * Lynna snickers.
    [Lynna] Aibone... heh... maybe you hung around mom using that trick to dry your family's clothes?
    [Aibone] I'm not sure... I was trying to pass through. First got attacked by a few fishermen up the river...
    [Audrey] No you don't... :/
    [Salah] I feel more of them... scattered.
    [Audrey] You're strong Will... I'm weak...
    [Will] I'm the one who lies on the floor, not you... =)
    [Audrey] No... no it's not that...
    * Will hugs Audrey.
    * Finn sighs.
    [Aibone] I was thinkin' maybe addin' some Spring Water would help.
    * Lamont rips a sheet off of the pad and throws it into the water, and starts over.
    [Finn] I think we all need to find someplace to sleep, and deal with this in the morning...
    * Audrey begins to cry.
    [Audrey] I let him manipulate me... strong people don't let others do that...
    [Finn] Well, I think we should probably investigate the source of the poison.
    [Aibone] I could shield a small house for ya', but that's about it...
    [Aibone] And I don' know how long it would last. I'm late for an appointment at Damon's Spire.
    [Will] No, Audrey... y-you're wrong... even the strongest people can be beaten by magic...
    [Finn] How does that sound to everyone?
    [Storyteller] She stands up.
    [Audrey] No... no...
    * Salah yawns.
    [Salah] It's... fine with me.
    [Will] But the strong know how to recover, and make up for it... =)
    [Lynna] Great... send me a postcard, will you.
    * Audrey cries into Will's shoulder, letting out feelings she's kept in all day long.
    [Finn] I have a particular house in mind...
    [Audrey] ... Really... ?
    [Aibone] Everybody stand close.
    [Will] Yes. ^_^
    * Lamont hasn't moved a muscle.
    * Audrey looks up at Will and sniffles, smiling a bit.
    [Audrey] Thank you...
    [Storyteller] She begins tracing her hands around, above her head. The silvery bubble forms around the party.
    * Miriamele waits patiently.
    [Aibone] Which way, Finn?
    * Lamont continues drawing, hasn't noticed any bubbles or anything.
    * Lynna stands near the bubble's perimeter, a little wary.
    * Finn starts walking toward a small house...
    [Will] ... y-you're welcome...
    * Audrey follows the others...
    [Finn] That one...
    [Storyteller] The solid edge of the shield bubble scoops up anybody who's not following and pushes them along with the group.
    * Salah walks along slowly and tiredly.
    [Lamont] Wha... what the heck is thi... ?
    * Lamont rolls along, since he hasn't stood up.
    [Finn] This is my family's old home...
    * Finn opens the door and goes inside.
    [Storyteller] Aibone drops the bubble outside the house.
    [Audrey] Thanks... ^_^
    * Salah follows.
    [Lamont] I'd appreciate a warning next time.
    [Will] Sleep... ^_^
    [Aibone] Everybody go inside. I'll set it up from outside... Mind you... Ya'll have to wait till it comes down on it's own.
    [Audrey] Sleep is good...
    [Lynna] I'm not complaining...
    [Lamont] ... whatever... I don't even know what's going on...
    [Aibone] Can't control a hard shield as easily.
    * Salah looks around Finn's house.
    * Finn wanders around inside the house, his hands trembling...
    [Audrey] Finn...
    * Audrey sits down by a wall.
    [Audrey] Don't be scared...
    [Storyteller] Everybody goes inside Finn's house. Aibone shields the house inside a larger silver bubble, then continues on her way to Damon's Spire, leaving the party safe and sound. They're locked up tight as a drum in Finn's house.

    Finn's Family Home, Meryod

    [Lamont] I'm glad to see everyone is all right.
    [Finn] Maybe it was a bad idea to confront old demons so suddenly...
    * Lynna looks to Finn...
    * Finn picks up a picture on a table, looks at it briefly, then sets it face down...
    * Will looks around the house, hoping for a place to huddle into.
    [Lynna] Everyone's got to face their fears... or you can't live your life.
    * Lamont picks a nice out of the way corner to sit down and be with himself.
    [Lamont] I'll be over here if anyone... needs me.
    [Storyteller] Oddly enough, nothing has changed. Apparently, the citizens respected your deed to the house, even though you'd be gone for so long.
    [Finn] It almost smells like home...
    [Audrey] I'm so tired...
    * Lamont draws some more, but by the look on his face he isn't happy with the way it's turning out.
    * Salah sits down on the dusty old piano bench, and lays her head gently on the piano.
    * Miriamele goes and plunks herself down next to Lamont.
    [Miriamele] You don't seem terribly happy...
    * Pseudo-Cassandra flops down on the couch, passing out.
    [Lamont] I'm fine.
    * Finn looks at Salah and smiles...
    * Audrey falls asleep...
    [Lamont] I'm just glad to see everyone's all right.
    * Lynna wanders around the house...
    [Miriamele] You don't look so glad. :/ Whatcha workin' on?
    [Lamont] I don't know yet...
    * Finn gently moves her over and starts playing the piano...

    Outside

    [Storyteller] The small, elderly woman walks away from town, her steps even and sure. One of the crazed villagers comes up the path, swinging wildly.

    She raises her arm, a black and red spiral of energy shooting outward. The Meryoder rises into the air, spinning, twitching, and screaming. He bursts into flames, and then explodes into oblivion.

    She walks on, chuckling to herself.

    Last Modified: Sunday, 17-Sep-2006 21:11:00 CDT
    http://www.privateworks.com/sft/logs/chapter15.shtml