Act 1: Choices
Phase 0: Transitions
Phase 1: Choices- Phase 1.1: Prophecy
- Phase 1.2: War
Phase 2: Divisions
Phase 3: Quests- Phase 3.1: Tides
- Phase 3.2: Destiny
Phase 4: Darkness
Phase 5: Light- Phase 5.1: Searching
- Phase 5.1.2: Events
- Phase 5.2: Headway
- Phase 5.3: Truths
- Session 187: Hope Returns
- Session 188: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part One
- Session 189: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part Two
- Session 190: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part Three
- Session 191: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part Four
- Session 192: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard The Climax
- Session 193: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard The Conclusion
- Session 194: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard The Aftermath
- Session 195: The Grasslands
- Session 196: The Cold
- Session 197: The Desert
- Session 198: Trek Across Navarro
- Session 199: Seeking Truths
- Session 200: Revelations
Phase 6: Changes
Phase 7: Hunts
Phase 8: Preparations
Phase 9: Prophecies
- Phase 9.1: Holy
- Phase 9.2: Night
- Phase 9.3: The First Trinity
Phase 10: Godwar
Phase 11: Others
Act 2: Consequences
Mini Series: Heart of Terra
Session 187: Hope Returns
Lenneth awakens and the group explains to her what happened, and then after being shown the broken stone, Lenneth goes to work on using her Reconstruction powers to restore the ancient device. Jean lends her energy and the rest of the team lends Jean power in term, a as a group, they are able to restore the Light Stone. As a storm gathers, the group carries the exhausted Lenneth and Jean onto the stone and Lilica uses her ability to send them all through the stone to a moving location in the water.
They appear on the Hope, reunited with those who have stayed behind. The team, needing a lot of rest, passes out for a full day, and takes another to rest before deciding what to do next.
Date: 11.14.2389
Mia informs them of a number of new jobs up on the Hunter Boards, including the reclaiming of Soniere prison from an army of criminals. The team, responsible for the crimial breakout in the first place, feels obligated to head out and deal with the situation. Aschae also informs the group that Autumn has warned her that there is a trap set up to kill King Arcane, and something is dirtier then usual with the Navarran Nobles. The team decides to split into two, Aschae heading out with El, Seth, Parita, Lucky, Lilica and Seraphim to investigate Navarro while the rest of the crew heads for Soniere prison. Ascahe's team gears up and takes the Light Stone into Navarro's underground.
Anne's group arrives at the city of Thome. Wanting to keep the situation in as little chaos as possible, Anne sends Moira as the leader of the excursion group, Sia and Kaelan, with faces too well known in Navarro, stay behind while Leruste, Rachael, Nephilim, and Ruun head into the city with Mew to try and find her parents. Getting in past the guards, the group hears a gathering going on for a speech, sensing dread, the group moves into the city to hear it better. One of the Navarran chancellors stands on high and lets everyone know the Church has decided to leak a new prophecy, that they claim is an old one, stating that the ruler of Nuege would fall in league with the Angel and that Navarro would be the sword that brings him to justice. They let the citizens know that soon they will have Arcane's head, and Nuege will be at the heel of Navarro forever.
Dread fills the team and they consider leaving right away, Mew, in response, runs off on her own to find her parents.
Aschae's group appears under Navarro and finds themselves surrounded by a small legion of Nuege soldiers, demanding to know if they are traitors or loyalists. Seth steps in and beings to misdirect them, squeezing information from them and stalling, up until Kyle steps up, telling the troops to lower their weapons. The group learns from Kyle that the castle has turned against Arcane, someone leaked the truth about his involvement with the Angel and that the chancellor of Nuege has declared Arcane a false king. Agreeing to help, the group readies to make another stone jump to Nuege, to take down the evil chancellor and win back the crown.
Session 188: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part One
Looking about, the team realizes they can still find Mew before she gets herself in trouble if they catch up to her at the tower she previously pointed out to them. The group begins to sneak up onto the rooftops to get around the crowd when Nephilim has a special moment and uses magik and acrobatics to leap up onto the roof, attracting attention. She then stands there as the others run away, allowing herself to be captured. Due to this, Ruun, then Rachael run off to battle impossible odds to save her, while Leruste lets Rachael go, then he himself runs off into the suicidal struggle.
Moira, having gone low, is left on her own with the rest of the group having taken themselves out. She heads to the tower and sneaks in through a window, she finds battle plans and strategies to take down Arcane, and a uniform to disguise herself with in an office. Following the signs of murder within the tower after finding a report confirming the deaths of captives held to make assassins work for Navarro, Moira has to convince a distraught Mew to come with her and leave the tower.
The rest of the group awakens to fire and screaming, as Rachael, having gone into her berserk mode, flames a path out of jail for the others. They rush out and through town, avoiding guards once they escape the flames and find an abandoned house. Once Moira and Mew reach them, the group coordinated by Sia in the mark tries to decide what to do. Mew leads them to a secret exit to the city, and the group runs from soldiers chasing them, squeezing through holes and out into the countryside, where they meet up with the carriage. The group united, becomes worried as those who were captured seem to remember something done to them. They ride hard to escape and fight down a group of scouts and an empowered Priest. As they finish him off and turn off into the trees to hide, Amazo appears.
He seems to know where they are, but quickly the group reasons that no one in their group is being tracked, their exact location is unknown. Kaelan and Sia use their abilities to keep the group calm and in line, and they stay silent and still, even as Amazon steps nearly onto them. He leaves, and they wait for a while before departing, choosing to head on, as far as they can from the insanity. Whatever was done to those captured, has not taken root, just yet.
Meanwhile, Aschae's group appears in Arcane's castle, soldiers wiped out quickly due to traps, Seth unleashes his Demon abilities to start taking down troops while Lucky and El help unleash hell into the troops. The first battle is won as they secure the basement, when a soldier turns traitor and stabs Kyle fatally through the heart from behind. As he bleeds out, Seth attempts to see if he would suffer being revived as a vampire to continue the fight, however, Seraphim vehemently refuses to turn him and Seth lays the man to rest, promising that his efforts would not be in vain. Taking on Kyle's form and putting on his armor, Seth readies to lead the soldiers on, when Lucky yanks open a door, and an explosion envelops him and Seraphim.
Session 189: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part
Jean's group travels out from the ship and overland towards the prison. Fighting off a Cyclops during the night, Crim, Revi, Truth and Moira defeat the beast together. When Zeal congratulates Moira on her skill, Revi seems to sour with Zeal and tells her off for sitting and watching the fight while the rest of the group did all the work. As the group travels on in the morning, Zeal has her moment of redemption.
When the group nearly falls into a chasm as the drawbridge to the prison is raised, the group manages to pull together and with a bit of rope, pull Revi out of the gaping hole into nothingness. Zeal then uses her special bow to hit a switch that Truth spots, forcing the bridge to fall back down, the group rushes into the prison, to find ways leading down, up and into the Warden's reach of the jail.
Noting a sign that warns them not to go below, that hundreds have been lost, they group chooses not to go down, however, they hear the odd sounds of pleasure and an orgy below. Deciding to take the Warden's office, the group heads for the stairs leading up. However flaming barrels are sent down to greet them, the group retreats back down to find 10 prisoners awaiting them. As the group leaps into battle, Crim lodges a spear in the steps to stop the barrels, the group overcomes the enemies and moves back out into the central hall.
A voice resounds in the prison, revealing the truth of the trap. Manus Dei is there, waiting for them, and wishes to see what art they will make trapped in a prison with thousands of very insane prisoners.
Meanwhile, in Nuege, snow. Also, Lenneth's team moves out into the castle, with Seth leading the charge, watching out for more traps. They leave behind the ashes of Seraphim, who was dusted saving Lucky's life, questions arise as to the accuracy of his name. The group steps out into a central courtyard, where Seth points out an ambush waiting. The soldiers and the team then face off against ambushers as the Chancellor declares them all traitors, Seth, as Kyle, declaring the Chancellor a usurper of the throne.
Lenneth goes into a War Rage while the team battles, soon taking out the ambush, the Chancellor flees and the group follows, into a room filled with 5000 Nuege soldiers. Aschae destroys the Chancellor and his vanguard with a well placed Northern Cross spell. The panicked soldiers surge forward to kill the group, and Aschae sunders the ice in front of them, sending many soldiers to their death. The team fights off the soldiers and move on, as they are not out of the thickest waters yet, the true power in Nuege is the Archbishop of the Church of Nuege.
Seth rallies the men, leading the group to charge in and take down the church itself, aiming to free Nuege once and for all.
Session 190: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part Three
Manus Dei informs the party that there is no escape, and she looks forward to seeing just how the art they create in the prison will be. THe group decides to secure a bottleneck position and march back up the stairs. A single barrel rolls down at them and shatters, a mad prisoner with a shank leaping out at Truth, who quickly demonstrates her ability to kill once again. The group continues onward and find the doorway to the Warden's office sealed, Zeal uses her itching powder to drive those inside mad and as they run out, the party cuts them down.
Entering the office they find women strapped to the walls, thin, decrepit and nearly dead. Crim cuts them down from the wall and Truth sees about treating them as Moira secures the door. The prisoners march up the stairs, hungry for blood and the group looks for a solution before they are overwhelmed as the door begins to get battered. Revi finds a secret passage and the group sets up traps before entering it. As they begin to head down, Jean leaves a magik surpirse for the prisoners, screams are heard behind them.
Taking a fork in the path ahead, the group chooses to head towards ground level. Coming out at a guard station, the group sets up again and this time Moira and Revi use thier assets to lure a group of 20 prisoners down the hall to them. The group cuts down the mad prisoners and seeing yet another overwhelming horde heading to them, get ready to brace themselves for a fight. Truth however, finds a note and following the clue on it, activates a hidden passageway and leads them to safety. The group enters and finds a stairway leading them up.
Following directions from one of the girls, the group heads towards the 17th floor, where they hope to make friends.
Meanwhile in Nuege, Lenneth's group rallies and heads for the tower, seeing it heavily guarded, El uses her Mystife to create a new door for them in the side of the tower wall. Making their way in, the group begins to slaughter the sleeping Templars within, much to Parita's quite discontent. The group moves to a second floor and repeats the act, the group slowly making their way up the tower.
Session 191: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard Part Four
Jean's party fights thier way through the halls on the 17th floor and finally reaches the area secured by the female prisoners. Approaching, they meet the current guard detail, a team of washed females led by a woman named Legretta. Arianne, an impetuous woman seems to want to claim Jean when she perkily asks for the women's help, Legretta however sees the groups value, pushes Arianne away and goes to inform the other female leaders about the offer.
The group meets in a council with the women and through Crim and Jean, manage to convince them to think about breaking out. These thoughts are secured when Legretta reveals to the rest of the council her suspicions that Jean is in fact, the Angel of prophecy. Jean proves it to them and feeling they stand a chance with her power, the council agrees to fight. The group has a small rest before the sounds of fighting begin.
The group finds themselves entrenched as a wall blasts in and a group of prisoners rush them. Facing the overwhleming odds, the group barely takes out the lot, Jean's personality shifting as she kills more and more. Shoring up the hole with the bodies of the fallen, the group proceeds to the stairs where screams erupt. A monster of a man, possibly the brother of the one on the prisoner ship starts carving a path through women. The team works together, accidentally injuring Legretta in the process, however, they manage to kill the monster with a combination of magik, quick movements, and ruthless strikes to the head.
As they recover and regroup, the other leader challenges Legretta and the group and seems ready to abandon them. Zeal decides to cut her down, causing the entire group of women prisoners to attack the group, leading to a string of terrible events, by the time the group clears the upper floors, Enpece is killed, Revi gravely injured, and Jean near cracking. It is thanks to Truth, who sees that Manus Dei does all this only to try turning her into the monster that will destroy the world that she retains peace. Rallying the group, Truth had reinforced with all their marks to protect Jean's innocence. At the end of the ordeal, Manus Dei has so far failed.
Using healing herbs, Revi is healed with Zeal's help and the group rests, Legretta still wounded, only a few female prisoners left. Thy bide their time now.
Meanwhile in Nuge, the group reaches a look out post. Seeing a glow chandelier, Seth gets the idea to use it to take out the heavily armored Templars. Parita takes the initiative and moves out into the room, crying and luring the guards around the chandelier. As she's picked up and a guard turns to approach them, Seth fires his arrow, sending the chandelier down, as the rest of the group stands and watches, Seth attempts to pull Parita out of the way and seems to fail, the chandelier crashing and exploding, vaporizing those under it.
In utter shock, Seth begins to lose it, he rushes to try and find her and there is no trace of her. El rallies the man to move and the group moves on, in the insuing struggle, Lenneth falls below and when she returns, confirm that any traces of a body for Parita are missing. The group continues to fight their way upwards towards the Arch Bishop.
Session 192: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard The Climax
Jean's group recovers in the entryway, the lower levels still before them, and Jean refuses to leave with the demons still alive and able to go out into the world the hurt people. Jean does however suggest the group take the injured Revi back to the ship to get reinforcements. Truth expresses worry about the ship, as they learned that the prisoners had eight boats, not just two. Crim volunteers to take Revi back to the ship, heading out with her on a horse, escorted by several of the female prisoners. The others get ready to head below.
In Nuege, the group continues to fight their way up the tower. Scaling through floors and eventually taking the stairs, the group heads upwards. Facing several Templars and Mages on the way up, the group is slowly drained of their magik power. Near the top they find a magik barrier around a door and El makes a hole in the wall leading outside, Seth building a ramp up to the next floor, El makes another door and the group heads around.
When they reach the Bishop, he sits comforterably, with 20 templars, 10 priests, and 2 overseers between him and the group. Outnumbered, Aschae and Seth try to talk the Bishop down, Seth letting slip that some of the gods have abandoned their posts. Whether accidental or intentional, this leads to the Bishop praying to the remaining gods, informing them. Aschae then realizes the error in the Bishop's plans and laughs, using God Magik she restores her mana and summons a Fairy, and lets the Bishop know his days are done.
The group then faces the Templars, after repeated attempts to get at the Bishop through magik barriers, Ty leaps on a Mage and shows while the mages planned on magik attacks and arrows, brute force was overlooked. Seth leaps into battle as well, and the group becomes a massive jumble of chaos. Ty and Seth, with Lenneth, begin weakening the barrier with every mage they kill, and Aschae powers up while fighting off Templars. Using a sacrificial move, she takes two critical hits and launches her spells, taking out the overseers, many of the templars, and hitting the Bishop, who crawls into his room for safety, just as the attack chains and goes out of control, blasting the room, everyone blacks out.
When Seth comes to, he sees El and Gemane standing over the others, healing them, the church group having lost the toss up. Seth rises and finds a mage alive in the broken ice, pulling her out and putting a knife to her throat, he tries to force her to heal a dying Aschae. The girl is coaxed into at least healing a critically wounded Lenneth, and Aschae finally remembers the girl, Elesia, as one who paid her kindness in the past. At that memory, Elesia agrees to heal Aschae as well. Seth steps up and joins El and Gemane in searching the room of the Bishop, after checking about, Seth finds the priest, dead and rotting under his bed in a trap door, and loots him for shinies.
As he steps out, the group gathers around El, who announces more Templars are on their way up. She Lightsteps the group out of the tower and sets it to collapse. Outside, all watch in shock as the Bishop's tower collapses into rubble, the group safely away, having taken Elesia with them. Parita not having been found.
Back on the Hope, those who stayed behind are relaxing when prisoner ships are seen approaching. The group gets ready to find them off and just before they can fire cannons, blasts of light destroy all of the prisoner ships at once, and a group appears on the deck. The Copy-Jean stands next to Cersei, who holds an evil looking blade aloft, at their sides are a company of Templars. Cersei raises her sword and yells out, "All fall before the gods."
Session 193: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard The Conclusion
Jean leads Moira, Zeal and Truth down into the depths of a demon ridden basement. As they enter down below, they find a woman chained to the wall, she pleads to be let go, and Truth notices that something seems off. She holds a blade to the woman, demanding to know who she is as a pink mist rises up about them. Soon they are accosted by a group of sex demons, beautiful women caressing them and attempting to undress them. Jean seems to break out of this first, elbowing one in the stomach and casting Cure to try and bring Zeal out of it, who zones out.
Truth realizes what to do and halts her breathing, curing Moira as well and between Jean, Truth and Moira they begin to break free, when the demons take Catherine, the woman who was chained up hostage. Truth attempts to talk them down, and Zeal volunteers to be taken prisoner instead. The switch occurs and the demons are allowed to leave, taking Zeal outside with them, molesting her.
The other three continue on into the next room, opening the door they are attacked by a raging demon, who charges out and attempts to bullrush them, seemingly, but it's quickly apparent it's running away. The girls take down it's legs and kill is, moving downstairs. Here they are ambushed by Hunger Demons. After a brief struggle, the three girls overcome the demons, taking them out with minimal injury. Zeal meanwhile is raped and then rebounds, her energy not totally taken from them, begins to shoot down and kill the demons.
As she finishes, Truth unburies the last door.
On the Hope, Kohna faces off against the deadly force that is Cersei. While she does, the girl that looks like Jean heads for the Light stone. Sensing something amiss, Serenity calls out for the woman to be stopped, and Mercy of all people rushes out, tackling the girl into the sea as she cracks the stone. Serenity leaps into the water to save her, pulling Mercy up with a rope, she yells for Mia's help, and Mia fires a canon into the water.
Stumped to get through Cersei's defenses, Kohna pulls back, watching as Mia is cut down, and Serenity, the maid and Lit's sister, moves up to try and defend the ship. She turns a canon on Cersei, and seeing her fright, Cersei tries to have the girl stand down. However, enraged and impassioned at the injustice she sees in Cersei hurting people who are innocent, including poor little baby catgirls, Serenity yells at her, calling her dishonorable. This seems to jerk at something deep inside Cersei.
Serenity reaches to fire the cannon as Cersei lashes out in rage, the cannon explodes as Serenity leaps away.
Down below the prison, Truth, Jean and Moira encounter... a well lit chamber filled with food, a gentleman seated at the table. He thanks them for opening the door, Johnathan Morrowind introduces himself and his sister, Katey, the two mysterious, seemingly human people drive Truth's suspicions through the roof as Zeal joins them. However, they eventually sit and discuss things, as Zeal brings a demon she tamed up above to go get the others when Truth asks for quick transport home to the Hope as their reward.
Truth's wish becomes a desperate plea when she senses Mia missing in the Mark. Sensing trouble, she rushes Johnathan's aid, and due to Zeal zoning out and taking her time to bring people down, orders her to lead the prisoners back to the Hope over land, Jean, Truth and Moira leap through a portal with the Morrowinds onto the deck of the Hope.
On the Hope, Mia has started to rouse and uses her own blood and Demon Magik to throw off Cersei. Serentiy tends to her and Lit while Kohna tries to close in again as the portal opens. Moira joins the melee while Truth tries to counter Cersei's dark sword, eventually getting it away from her and blasting it out of a growing dark power buildup. Moira and Kohna, with Mia's aid, destroy a gem on Cersei, freeing her from evil control. The group then calms, tending their wounds, as the Morrowinds claim a room for themselves.
Crim and Revi meet up with Zeal's group in the desert, and sensing an urgent order from Truth for them to get back to the ship, the united group rides hard.
Session 194: An Old Prophecy Hits Back Hard The Aftermath
Seth sneaks into the castle, having many interesting adventures on his own which forever change him. However, arriving in the King's chambers, he finds two notes in succession, one speaking of an ambush and requests for more reinforcements. The second, bloodstained, speaking of Arcane's death, a call for orders, and the command to put the Chancellor in charge. Seth discusses what to do with the group, then as Kyle, makes himself temporary Regent of Nuege. Some soldiers move in and attempt to arrest him, however, Seth as Kyle claims to be a servant of Lenneth.
As the group outside starts to avoid Templars and Lenneth makes her way to the castle, Kyle entertains the guards, getting them agree to wait for the appearance of a goddess. She arrives just in time, getting them to stand down, then the newly empowered Seth begins to call the nobility. Calling on Phoen, with the threat of Amazo coming to Nuege, the group first fails to broker a deal for her help, having originally wanted to do things on their own, however, Aschae decided otherwise. Calling her a second time when Lilica is harmed trying to use the Light Stone, they agree to give Phoen an Anima in exchange for braving Manus Dei and sneaking a shield device from the hold of the Hope.
Phoen takes Aschae with her to get the device, then takes a pit stop in Navarro, visiting Anne's group, where Sia tearfully hands over Anima J to Phoen. She is somewhat comforted when Phoen shows she understands that the Anima are living, thinking creatures. Phoen's offhand mention of Arcane's death however shocks Kaelan. And there she opens a letter when names Mercy as the new Queen of Nuege, revealing to all her knowledge of Mercy's origins and the reason she has been so concerned about Arcane's well being.
Taking the note to Nuege, Aschae hands it off to Lenneth and Seth, who present it to the nobles with a cover story, and the united Nuege, now confirmed to have a ruler, turns on the remaining Templars and begins to push them out of the city. As they do, Amazo draws near and Lenneth uses her powers to start to activate the ancient shield. Needing time, and since no one seems eager to face Amazo when he arrives, Seth draws out Anima L and puts it on, going out to face the God head on on his own, while asking for Aschae's help.
Between the two, they battle Amazo, keeping him occupied, however, Amazo shifts to end their attacks in one blow when El sacrifices herself, firing an ultimate attack which shoots a hole straight through the god. Caught in the feelings of pain for the first time in his life, he is overwhelmed again by attacks, just long enough for the shield to activate and push Amazo from Nuege's capital.
Bringing the group together, Gemane uses the Light Stone to go to the Hope and brings Mercy, Hope, Crim, and Lady Nicci back with her, where Mercy begins to train to be a queen. Crim offers his support as a guardian, being a Lord of Nuege, Lenneth having to stay in Nuege to maintain the shield, also remains while Seth assumes the life of Kyle, the new Regent.
A prophecy is fulfilled, and a nation under the power of the Angel is born in Nuege.
Back with Anne's group, they arrive at a Grasslands village and settle down for a relaxing evening, enjoying the company of people who seem not to care for the politics of the world. Anne and Sia heal the sick and a party starts up for the group.
Session 195: The Grasslands
After resting for the evening at the grasslands village, the group moves on and continues along their path towards the Elven Forest. As they approach the south, they see smoke rising in the distance. Here Rin curses herself for not forseeing this and Sia and Kaelan quickly catch onto what's happening, a brushfire. The plains erupt in fire and the group attempts to get control of the situation, Sia forming a water barrier which allows the party to breath, and the group works the carriage onward. Soon surround by flames, Sia, Moira and Kaelan launch out of the carriage and into Anima to combat the fiery obstacle.
Kaelan takes to the sky in Anima T, searching for a path through and spotting a village, begins to lead the group there. Sia uses D to carry the carriage along and channels Water Magic to keep the flames around them down, while Moira uses C to bring the very earth up against the flames. This works for a time, however, progress soon becomes impossible due to the fire. Sia hands off the horses and carriage to T, who flies for the village, while D leaps through the flames and uses water to cushion herself, and C leaps through the flames with Super Jump.
T crash lands and getting out of the carriage, the group starts using Earth Magik to form a barrier around the village, saving it from flames. C lands and works on one wall while D and T join forces on another. Soon the village is saved and the group is able to rest for a short while, waiting out the fire. As they begin to discuss how they cannot wait much longer, leaves begin to fall all around them, and the Goddess Autumn quenches the flames. Deciding not to hazard meeting her or other gods, Sia and Kaelan repair the broken carriage and the group heads south again.
When they next camp, Kaelan begins to prepare to go, considering calling on Autumn while she's nearby to broker a deal, when strange noises come out around the camp. Charles saves Sia from a nearly deadly blow as a large looking soldier steps out from the shadow to attack them. Sia realizes who she's looking at soonest, declaring him to be Amazo. Amazo laughs and taunts the group, revealing his ability to possess anyone who believes in battle.
The fight quickly breaks out, Kaelan joining the fight, glad she did not leave but frustrated at the idea that Autumn's proximity to the group allowed them to be found. Sia launches a small army of creations at Amazo, keeping him busy for the attacks from Moira, Rin, Leruste and Kaelan to land, while Anne and Wyrd deal considerable damage to him as well. Ruun is injured during the fight and as the group overwhelms the possessed Amazo, Amazo sinks his claws into Leruste, attempting to possess him next. Leruste turns his devotion to Anne and Rachael fills Leruste with fear from fire at his feet, expelling the spirit of battle.
The group makes haste, not chancing to stay there and rides through the night, finding another village the next morning. They're told they're lucky to have arrived, as a Goddess is present. Here they find Autumn, and realizing it's too late to run, they settle down to talk to her. Autumn gives Wyrd a cucumber and tells her to go play, and Kaelan brokers her deal, a favor which cannot lead to anyone's harm, in exchange for passage to Nuege. Kaelan says her goodbyes to the group and taking Rose with her, she teleports away with Autumn.
In Nuege alarms ring as Autumn appears with Kaelan. Lenneth arrives and reveals that since Kaelan, a marked, led Autumn into the barrier, Autumn can come and go as she pleases. Kaelan goes to join Mercy and Lenneth and Autumn together have a chat before Autumn goes off to find Aschae.
Session 196: The Cold
Mercy prepares to greet the nobility of Nuege. She and Kaelan dress in their finest as they go over last minute notes with Nicci, Lenneth, Seth, Lucky and Crim. Lucky moves off to command the kitchens and Crim melds in with the Spear family. Seth resumes his duties as Kyle, stepping out to lead toe procession. Mercy takes her place on the throne and Kaelan sits in the Queen's place. 'Kyle' has the idea of making Rose to handmaiden of the Queen, making it proper that Rose stick to Kaelan's side.
The nobility comes in, like a mob, led by an older woman, one of the most powerful nobles in Nuege. She questions Mercy, challenging her claims, Mercy shows a remarkable resolve as she debates back, her knowledge of Nuege's history and lineage uncanny. Soon the woman is left speechless for the present and Mercy calls for the feast. As the families move out, Mercy states they're in trouble, as one of the noble's sons once slept with her when she was a maid.
'Kyle' changes into a busty maid and moves out to distract the son in question, soon distracting him beyond worry. Kaelan and Mercy step out to join the feast, some looking in question as to why Kaelan is sitting in the Queen's place, and how Mercy can produce an heir. The group discusses this over the Mark but decides to leave it till another time, as Mercy isn't showing much just yet.
The next afternoon the group meets up to decide what they are to do, and moving on El's words that most of them should be with the Angel when she reaches the forest, all decide to return, Crim at first volunteering to stay behind has a tactical officer for Mercy. This changes when Kaelan decides to stay in his place, choosing to stay at her wife's side. The others gather at the Light Stone, teleporting to Navarro, where they begin to make their way out of the acqueducts and into the city.
Session 197: The Desert
The Hope docks at Cade, and the refugees from the prison begin to pour out onto the docks as Mia negotiates with the dock master. Here, Jean tests Narok for feasibility of keeping him with the team and charges him to learn and understand about love and friendship. Cersei moves out, claiming she may rejoin the group later, while Revi leaves, saying she's going to go to Matias to find out what's happened with her niece. The group parts ways and the bulk of those heading inland, Jean, Truth, Zeal, Legretta, Moira, Narok and Kohna depart from the ship.
The Hope immediately sets sail to get away from the town and the group is left to shop, rest and acquire passes to get through the gates. Oddly they find no Gypsies to help them through the desert, but they get through the gates just fine with the passes that Legretta acquires for them. They head out into the desert on horseback, riding into the continually increasing heat.
That night, they make camp, and the ground rumbles. Truth realizes why the Gypsies were probably missing, a Hunter Job was on the boards which stated a Sand Lizard had gone insane and was killing people in the desert. While astute, it doesn't identify the problem, another job listing does, Scorpstings. The group is surrounded and fights for their lives, Zeal, having zoned out again is stabbed with a Scorpsting tail and goes into a coma, Legretta taken out due to her life force connection.
The group however survives and moves on, moving through the sands, narrowly skirting a ruins and a group of Templars waiting there. They head on and when they reach the edge of the desert several days later, they are ambushed by a Sand Worm, who attempts to eat them. With teamwork, Truth, Moira and Narok battle the beast outside while Kohna is eaten and battles from within. The beast is slain, and the group moves onto the fields.
Session 198: Trek Across Navarro
Seth leads Aschae, Crim, Ty, Gemane and Lucky into the streets of Navarro, where they quickly acquire a horse and provisions for their trip, but seem to be lacking in a way out or passes to get through the gates. As they discuss their plans, Ty speaks of her desires to kill the King of Navarro. Seth tries to talk her down from it, stating they don't need more problems to deal with at the moment, but it seems to be hard going.
After settling into an Inn and getting things prepared to go, the group heads out to get passes when a carriage heading towards the tournament clearing the streets of Navarro stops in front of them. A man gets out and proclaims himself the speaker for the Prince, and "invites" Aschae and Ty to join the Prince in his carriage, intenntions plain as day. Seth seems agitated about letting them go, but seeing themselves outnumbered and outclassed, Ty goes and Aschae follows, Seth trusting Aschae to take care of Ty.
Date: 11.29.2389
Meanwhile out in the plains, Anne's group spots a village, but go on alert when they realize how quiet the area is. Approaching, they find a scene of death, bodies all over, but when they investigate them they find the bodies have been drained of blood. Sia, guessing vampires from the forest, and dreading it being the girl they helped out, informs the others of the possibilities. The group decides to track, and setting Leruste on the trail, they follow him out.
They find the girl, Anne readying to slay her and almost succeeding while Nephilim debates talking to the girl she wants to save. She finally does and they discover the girl had nothing to do with the murders, but knows which vampires did do it. Following the girl to a Vampire lair, Rachael and Sia use a Super Firestorm Magik to clense the cave with a wave of fire, killing all the vampires inside at once.
Session 199: Seeking Truths
Anne's group sets up camp, nearing their location but still having many days travel to go. They decide to coordinate the others to meet up in the same location. They settle down to rest while the little vampire, Lee, sets out to hunt.
Date: 11.25.2389
As Seth, Gemane and Lucky acquire the papers they need to get through the city gates, an alarm goes off, something terrible has happened. The group ends up running after Gemane even after Seth's caution to wait, and in an alley they find Ty and Aschae waiting for them. They learn that the two took part in the slaughter of Navarro's royal family, and they they were aided by a strange robed man. Seth identifies the man as none other then Arch Bishop Kelso and when he learns they did not kill the princess, Seth and Crim both come up with the answer as to why he helped them.
Around the same time, that answer is made plain as Arch Bishop Kelso's voice announces that the Angel has killed the Royal Family, and the Princess will assume the throne, under Church control. With this they declare that the Angel is gathering by the Elven forest and an army will set out to meet them. With this warning evident, the group waits as the time of morning begins and then takes to horse, bum rushing the guards at the gates and racing out into the countryside, sending Anne a warning.
Date: 12.4.2389
Jean's group passes into the fields and Zeal awakens from her coma, Legretta soon following. The group passes a family on a wagon, and from them they learn about the assassination of the royal family and the army amassing to the east of them. They thank the group and send them on their way. Truth contacts Anne over the bond and gets directions on where to meet up with her and the others, north of the forest, and the team proceeds onwards after a little rest.
Date: 12.7.2389
The teams converge at the meeting point, here reunions are held and drama erupts when Seth has to inform the others about what happened with Parita. He keeps tight lipped but in the end takes responsibility for her, swearing that he will look for her when this is all over. This seems to satisfy most, except Ruun who wants to kill him, held back by Nephilim. The group gets rest and decides to send the noncombatants, with Leruste, Luck and Crim back to the Hope to keep them safe.
Session 200: Revelations
The day of the weddings blooms in... wetness. It rains lightly outside and Cheryl looks on in a worry over the outdoor weddings being ruined. Miyuki and Yasha however are able to create a cathedral outside made of ice and snow, an impressive wedding present to those involved. The families gather and get ready, both in the mansion and on the PAX, for this big, big day. Soon the families gather, Athena delighted with snow at her wedding, and the kids having a blast.
Athena, Jennifer and Sammael are wed together under the cathedral, and Jennifer's face alights with joy when two men enter the cathedral during the ceremony, Warren Carmichael and a mysterious figure. The ceremony is somewhat, but happily interrupted when Chii spills the beans early and the mystery man is unmasked as Benjamin Carmichael. Cheryl and Ben have a private moment while Jennifer gets teary eyed over seeing her brother back with his mother.
The families continue to have their ceremonies, Tabetha and Leira are wed, Angelos and Erevis make their marriage offical, and finally Iceheart and Freyja hold a Kitsune ceremony in a replica shrine. After a beautiful and wet ceremony, the groups all head inside for the reception and Cheryl's birthday party, where she's showered in gifts, love, and Chii's panties.
Date: 12.8.2389
The assembled group prepares for the fight of their lives. Sia activates Anima D, Moira activates Anima C, and Seth activates Anima L, the three then gather the group up, most on Sia, who forms protective barriers. Cersei, who joins them at the 11th hour with a guest, Thomas in tow, moves out to distract the God-General and his legions, and when she draws them away, the group strikes. They charge into battle, taking a massive pounding, L carves a path with magik blasts while C busts skulls, Sia keeps D going and absorbing strikes. That is, after Sia launches an empowered version of her golem, Albery, into the fray of Templars.
Things begin to go wrong as people are knocked into a sea of Templars. The group scrambles to get people back on and overcome a wall created by the mages. Taking out the mages, Sia uses her drill on the wall and creates a big hole and the group rushes through, when a new problem arises. The mages begin to cast Big Bang spells, massive gravity wells which explode after a given time. The team works hard to get around them, Aschae launching her powers to entrap the two Big Bangs in Earth Coffins. All the while, Anne and Jean are giving their power to the team to keep them charged up.
Just as they seem to be clear, Amazo, who appeared to cause the group problems, slams down on D and L as they try clearing the Big Bangs. D and L are down and slowly crushed as they do all they can to hang on and protect those with them. Then, thanks to C's mauling and Aschae turning the contained big bangs on Amazo, they're able to break free and run for it again, heading towards the barrier entrance, where the mother of the Gods, Di'Mantha awaits them.
C is damaged and collapses, Moira and her group rushing out when Sia tries attacking Di'Mantha, her own water turned on her and decontructing D, she grabs her gauntlet, summons a new Albert to carry the wounded, and begins to run as Di'Mantha sicks Amazo on her and Jean. They're given just enough time to get away when Rin leaps up onto Amazo and attacks him head on, Amazo is stunned by the boldness, but only for a moment, he grabs hold of Rin and pops her like a grape between his fingers.
Cersei loses her fight, Xerus beheading her and severing her body, and then turning to join the fight with the others. Seth rushes with Anne as L is damaged and collapses as well. Nearing Di'Mantha he nearly loses Anne, but manages to get her free thanks to a well placed arrow from Zeal and rushes to safety. Moira and Thomas, along with Zeal hold off Xerus a moment, soon the entire party races through the barrier in a complicated, near fatal manner. As soon as they cross, all is quiet, the gods unable to touch them there.
They take a moment to mourn the dead, Cersei and Rin having paid the ultimate price to get them through the battle. Truth and Sia heal up the group with Jean and Anne passing out, the group creates stretchers and marches into the maze of trees, seeking the elves.
Date: 12.9.2389
After many hours, the group sees signs of life, a squirrel in the trees. Mew gets overly excited and chases after them, and Sia follows after her adopted kitty, causing the rest of the group to follow as well. This antic is short lived when Mew lets out a cry of fear. The group rushes over to find Mew stabbed in the shoulder with a spear. Soon they're in a stand off with a group of Elves, one of which yells at Nephilim for daring to bring Halflings into the woods.
This agression is interrupted when an Elder steps out and declares them all safe, healing Mew and instructing them all to follow, Nephilim discovers here and now that she is someone called the Chosen One. He provides answers when they gather in his hut, informing Nephilim that she was sent away from the city with her parents long ago to find the Angel and bring her back to the forest, in order to help save the world. Using the amulets she has discovered along her path, they are able to open a box with a map of the woods, an X leading them to their destiny.
The group wastes little time, moving out to follow the map, which takes them to an area which isn't forest at all, a mass of mountains and canyons the shield around the forest seems to disguise the area and keep it secret. Anima D and C are formed and the group rides them across the land, soon stopping out a mountain. Here, Sia forms her drill and D digs through the rock and dirt into the mountain, the group falls through and soon finds themselves in a ruins.
Following the ruins, across strange tracks, up a set of stairs passing a room with a dried fountain and a larger dark area above it, they follow guiding lights in the floor, Sia remarks that this all seems familiar, like Jean's memories coming to life. They enter the third room, a large room with panels and a chair in the middle, and a voice speaks up in Ancient. Sia is able to translate, and soon the thing is able to talk to all of them. It introduces itself as CHIP, a machine which has been waiting for them for over 2400 years.
He seats them and explains about the war with the others, how General Cheryl died in the attempts to defend Earth, how their homeworld was destroyed and the lunar colony became the Tareh of today. He reveals that Jean is actually named Lorelei, and Anne is Lemon, who posed as General Cheryl after her death. That the Others could be beaten, but they learned how far too late. He explains that Angela Bennet thought of a strategy to leave the PAX for Lorelei to find when she came out of time and space and to leave a red haired volunteer who would bring the ship, and them, back 15 years before the group lost their war.
All they need to succeed is the 8 Runes, and discovering that the 8th Rune, the Holy Rune is in the hands of the gods, CHIP agrees to give them the Iron Paw, a smaller ship to retrieve it, but only if they swear to help him go back in time. This presents a problem, as Thomas points out, changing the past will cause the group to have never existed, it would wipe out the lives of countless people who existed thereafter. Jean seems to agree that they can leave a time door open, so both timelines can coexist, however, Anne remains quiet.
As the group settles on the plan to save both timelines, Anne is stabbed through the heart by a God General's sword. Thomas steps back from her, explaining that if Jean agreed, Anne would likely disagree, and he had to take control of the outcome of the prophecy. Sia doesn't listen, launching ice spikes into him, Narok blasting him. Zeal moves to stand between the group and the others as Sia focuses on healing Anne, trying to save her life as Rachael helps her, they try to work the sword out, Sia's power unable to undo a godblade.
Stardate: 10-592.3.23
The party continues in the Mizukaze Mansion when suddenly a beam shoots through the wall and catches Cheryl, sending her flying. Angelus floats down, a pair of wings glowing on one side of his back. He declares to them that he is reborn as a god, and that the group will die in 15 years time, they cannot escape it. However, the group doesn't bother to listen, throught their combined efforts they pound Angelus down, Angelos cursing him as they fight. Angelus makes his escape and the group rushes to recover.
As it settles down, Cheryl changes reality, she brings Angela Bennet back to life, changing her past so that Spade, Chad, Dias and Xanatos never hurt her, that she made all the right decisions and is for all intents and purposes, the good girl she always had the potential to be. Only Cheryl and Chii, due to their bond, aware it was ever different.