Ambrosia Software Web Board: The Alliance of Living Things (Team Story) - Ambrosia Software Web Board

[OOC] Just in case anybody was wondering, this thing is still going. I have not forgotten about it. I've just been very busy lately with finals, and now that I'm done for the semester, I've got a serious case of writer's block/"I-have-no-ideas-for-what-happens-next" block. I'm not particular about what happens next, so if any of you people participating have any ideas, just run with them. [/OOC]

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"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." -- Charles Babbage (1791-1871) Inventor of the "Analytical Engine", the first computer.

Suddenly Pyra woke up of a sound.
He saw a guy running with speed.
Something fall out that guys pocket.
A key. Pyra picked. Something was
written on it. 'Abydos'. Pyra went back to sleep.
dreaming about the battles and the key.

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(ooc)Just so ya'll know, I've posted Tyronoe's bio. It's pretty basic, sorry. Oh, and I would love to post, but I'm really not sure how to handle entering Pnyx or talking to Lindus etc, so sorry I can't be of any help at the moment.(bic)

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When doubts arise, the game begins

Pyrus woke up that morning, feeling more refreshed than he had since he had embarked on this "adventure". Stepping out of bed, he noticed something in his right hand. A key. Strange, how had that gotten there? He could not seem to remember ever recieving it, but here it was, in his hand. He pocketed the key, and went outside.

After a filling breakfast, they proceeded to break camp and march. Or, in this instance, ride. The journey was uneventful and no one spoke much. It took less than three hours. Halfway along the way, they stopped to try to feed the bird again, but to no avail. The sun was high when they came at last near Pnyx. It was a wonder beyond anything Pyrus had ever dreamed. A great pyramid rose before him, with a great arch doorway which issued forth a purplish glow.
A guard saluted, and greeted them. "Good day, and welcome to Pnyx, travelers," he said. "Enter, and be safe, for this city is home to the most skilled mages of our land."

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--Fanatic72802 (GameFanatic)
Soon comes the day when all shall die.
Surely you, but never I.

Quote

Did I hear my name?
Sorry, my reaction time's not the best atm. But I'm reading up on this now, and I will find a way to get in when I'm done - until then, consider this a placeholder.

(Yeah, I know I wanted to post way earlier, but life kinda jumped at me with stuff I needed to do. But now I got time, and a new iBook - got it yesterday and am ready to post again.)

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Life: Sexually transmitted disease, 100% fatal.

[This message has been edited by Moonshadow (edited 01-14-2004).]

"Also to some of the largest egos of this land," commented a female voice with a hint of bitterness. Pyrus blinked - something was odd about that voice, as if each of her words were echoed, faintly, by a slightly deeper voice... and the woman who had spoken...
"If that is what you think, Lady." The guard replied a bit stiffly as he turned to look at the woman - not a tall woman, but with some of the oddest features Pyrus had ever seen. Her pale delicate features were framed by long silvery-white hair that shimmered like moonlight, and amber, cat-like eyes gazed at him (and the rest of the party) with interest. He didn't need to see the pointed ears to know he was facing an elf.
"Well, don't just stand around there, Theos. Go and let Helen ready rooms for these people, and good meals." Taking a closer look at the group, she added: "And hot baths too - they look as if they need it."
The guard, whose face had darkened during her instructions, nodded reluctantly. "As you wish, Lady." He murmured and turned away to march down the hallway.
"Oh, and tell Paris to come here!" She called out after him.
As the "Lady" walked up to them, most had dismounted. She examined them closely (making at least the younger members of the group a bit nervous with her intent gaze), frowning a bit at the sores and scrapes most had, and raising an eyebrow at the sight of the moogle. "What a very odd creature.. I have never seen the like of him before - he doesn't look well though..." She kneeled down in front of the little man, laying one of her hands on his head. Her eyes glazed over for a few moments. "No, not well at all, poor dear. Wherever did you find him, Ferazel?" But before the habnabit could reply or indeed say anything at all, she waved her hand. "Ah, never mind. I shall do what I can for him inside, keeping him out here isn't going to help."
"Err..." Joe took advantage of her momentary silence to bring in a few question. "Just who exactly are you?"
"What?" She replied absently, still scanning the group. "Oh, my name. You can call me - oh dear!"
"Well, Lady Odeer," Why was Ferazel suddenly grinning like that? "My name is Joe and I -" But the elf wasn't even listening to him anymore. Instead she almost jumped at Nixus, who was cradling the injured hawk in her arms, and backed away rather protectively.
"The poor bird! Let me see her, girl. Don't just stand around." Reluctantly, Nixus kneeled down and laid the hawk gently on the ground. This strange woman seemed to be a magess after all, and she had mentioned healing Moogle. The elf bent down to examine the bird - muttering all the time about the stupidity of certain humans - and laid her hands carefully on the broken wing. Her eyes glazed over again, and for half a minute, the bird was surrounded by a glowing white aura. As the glow faded, its wing was fixed again.
It stood rather insecurely, flapping both wings experimentally for a bit, then nodded its head as if to approve of the work.
<Thank you.>
"Any time, little friend." The elf replied, and for the first time since she had appeared, a smile lit her face.
She stood up and turned back to the entrance of Pnyx as there was the sound of feet running. A few moments later a dissheveled looking Paris rounded the corner. "You asked me to come?"
"Oh, yes. Yes, I did. Would you please take care of the mounts of these people here?" Her words were literally only a questionmark away from an order. Paris nodded, eyeing her warily.
She sighed, and suddenly looked tired. "Forgive me, Paris. You know how Lindus is getting my temper up recently - I shouldn't be letting it out on you."
The man nodded, and after some trying around and a bit more damage to the local flora, he managed to herd the titans together. "Haven't had to deal with these in a while..." He commented with an apologetic smile to nobody in particular.
"It will do, they're very loyal beasts, my titans." Joe said with a hint of pride in his voice.
"Fine then. If you will follow me? Helen should have some food warmed up by now, and the fires burning."
The idea of hot food and maybe even more, a hot bath, cheered most of the party members up, and they followed the elf inside.
"Excuse me," Pyrus ventured to ask, "but shouldn't we be seeing the Headmaster first? We have some urgent business here. Err, Lady."
But the woman shook her head, frowning. "Whatever urgent business you have, it is a waste of time to try and get Lindus' attention these days. Ever since..." She shook her head again, her voice trailing off.
"Ever since when?" Joe inquired.
"Odeer" glanced at the party, then at Ferazel, and seemed to make up her mind. "Well, I suppose there is no harm in telling you. He's been acting strangely ever since that old man showed up here a few weeks ago... I don't know what has gotten into him, but just this morning, I heard him complaining about how the non-mages ran this land... that the mages were much better suited to rule... I've been trying to reason with him, but that daft old man just isn't listening to me anymore!" She sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be troubling you. You said you have urgent business? Let us talk it over in my quarters, maybe I can help you out."

[ooc] Sorry for making such a long post, it just turned out that way without me noticing. ^^
Oh btw, Joe, Moonshadow can be your Emmisary to Water... Ice is her speciality (check her story in the char info section if you like, it's on the first page somewhere). She could also be one of Flora's or Fauna's servants, since she has a strong love for all things growing and living (for one since she's an elf, for two because of where she comes from).[bic]

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Life: Sexually transmitted disease, 100% fatal.

[This message has been edited by Moonshadow (edited 01-14-2004).]

[ooc] sorry I havent posted for a while, I had some school problems and I totaly forgot about this. Sorry. I am really, really, really sorry. [bic]

Thomas stayed in his room the whole time, not leaving. He reflected on the battle, and how it could have gone better if he helped out Joe and Pyrus when they went melee. Thomas took off his pack and stared into the fire, thinking. He then put out the fire with an ice bolt. Thomas pulled out his sword and a cloth. He started to sharpen the sword when he felt he was being watched. Thomas walked over to the mirror and tossed a sheet to cover it. As the sheet fell over, the feeling of being watched went away.
Thomas then put his sword back and pulled out his 2 daggers, both sharp. He cast some what of a "ice dummy" and practiced destroying it until he grew tired. He pack everything up except tomorrows clothes, which he had just changed into. Thomas lay on the floor, not want to lay on the bed and he soon drifted to sleep.

[ooc] Sorry for the short post but I felt that I had to atleast post something and I really havent made it to Pnyx, so I dont know what it is like. And I promiss not to forget about this web board again. [bic]

[Edit: a few grammer problems fixed.]
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[This message has been edited by Dark Jet (edited 01-19-2004).]

"Long time no see Morte!" Morte spun around to see the rekonisable figer of Satori Azal standing in the dim shadows,
"And you too Satori" replied Morte coldy. So whats brings you to this poor misrible little world" Spat Satori "you already Know" Morte replied
"your friends are walking into a trap"Satori said smugly
a vision appeared of a cave, hundreds of skelital warriors were standing in rows at a cave entrace, wich was blocked. The vision then changed to a picture of Funa in a cell, two mages gaurded it. "how could you"morte said coldy."very easierly" replied satori.
"we will stop you Goddes Satori Azal, for ever!"

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Yummy! My moldy, crunchy, mouth-watering... *drools* frruuuiitt cakkeee...

[This message has been edited by Pippin 3 (edited 01-30-2004).]

OOC: Pippin, that's probably some of the best material I've seen out of you so far. Keep up the good work! =)
BIC:
A wary group followed Moonshadow to her quarters. They passed several points of interest on their way, Moonshadow comenting on them to those who had never been before. They passed through the garden, at which point Moonshadow commented, "Truly a wonder, that plants such as this should exist under a roof. Very peaceful here too. Many like to study here."
Pyrus would never have guessed that Pnyx would be so large on the inside, and, if he was correct, there was still another floor. Although grateful for this little tour, intended or not, he wanted time to himself to explore. He related this to Moonshadow, who answered with an understanding laugh.
"Of course, you'll be able to soon, though there can be and have been many dangers within these walls."
Finally they passed the door to Lindus' office. "My quarters are just ahead," said Moonshadow, turning down a corridor to the right.
"Wait!" Nixus said. "I think I heard something from that door!" She pointed to the door to the Magistrate's office.
"Lady Odeer, wait up!" called Joe as Pyrus stepped forward and put his ear to the door.
"There're voices shouting!" whispered Pyrus to the group, who had assembled aroung the door. Everyone heard a younger voice shout, "Fine!" perfectly clear, and someone stomping away, towards the door. Everyone reacted instantly, and stepped back. They hadn't gotten two steps when the door burst open, and out stepped Fan, a rage upon his face. Not seeing anyone, he stomped through the middle of the onlookers, muttering, "If he cannot find a way, I'll find someone mys--" he halted abruptly when he saw Pyrus. "Pyrus?"
Pyrus nodded. "I am here, Master."
Fan sighed, and suddenly the righteous anger was gone, replaced by a weariness, an oldness brought on by having seen things no human should have seen. "No," he said, "No, I shall not mix you up in this." He paused a moment. "You've grown." Looking around at the others, he said, "You have found good companions. They will help you." He cast another look at "Odeer". "You may trust Moonshadow implicitly." Without another word, he walked out, once more angry and intent.
Pyrus stared after him. So, "Odeer" was Moonshadow...and speak of the devil:
Moonshadow looked exasperated. "Sure, spoil my little fun." Turning back to them, she said, "That's Fan, if you didn't notice. He never talks to anyone anymore." At this, Ferazel nodded. "He's held so little contact with his old friends that one might almost think he's grown too big for his breeches." She paused. "You must be someone pretty important to him to have had him speak with you, but you're too old to be his son..."
Pyrus opened his mouth, more than willing to tell her the truth of the matter, but she was already walking down the corridor to her quarters. He, along with the rest of the group, hastened after her.

OOC: Yes, I have a plot idea for this. Or maybe I should make it into a Chronicle...

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--Fanatic72802 (GameFanatic)
Soon comes the day when all shall die.
Surely you, but never I.

[This message has been edited by Fanatic72802 (edited 01-30-2004).]

[OOC] Howdy everybody. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with this lately. Though the story is going well, I fear I cannot continue to be "in charge" of the thing. I flunked last semester, and in order to get out of 'academic probation', I need to work my buns off and stop doing several of the things that I allowed to distract me from studying (i.e. several webboards, several computer games, and about 2 dozen webcomics). So anyway here's the deal: my character Joe won't have anyone modding him.
We have a few options:
(1) A single person can take over Joe, and he can be their character from now on. This option means that whoever wants him would email me, and I would choose one of those people.
(2) Joe can be treated like an NPC, and basically everyone involved in the story could say "Joe did this or that". The character Joe would be the property of everyone.
(3) We can put Joe on some sort of hiatus, or kill him off, or something, like we did with the moogle. (I personally don't like this option because I feel it would really screw with the story, considering he was the first character and everything, but I'm letting y'all decide)

Now, this doesn't mean that I would never, ever come back, since this is my favorite web board. I would still read the story from time to time, but I really want to fix this thing called "1.461 GPA". Yes, it really is that bad.

(Note for high-schoolers going to college next year: If you're used to getting good grades without studying, you'd better be ready to modify your habits, or you'll end up bailing out the same boat as me.)

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"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." -- Charles Babbage (1791-1871) Inventor of the "Analytical Engine", the first computer.

[This message has been edited by Big Joe (edited 02-02-2004).]

I would "suggest" that Joe is either:
-(1) A single person can take over Joe, and he can be their character from now on. This option means that whoever wants him would email me, and I would choose one of those people.
-(2) Joe can be treated like an NPC, and basically everyone involved in the story could say "Joe did this or that". The character Joe would be the property of everyone.

If option 3 were to happen, it would ruin the whole quest/team story. As I recall...
--(Quoted, first post) “My sister is Flora, and I am Fauna. She is the Spirit of things that grow from the ground, and I am the Spirit of the animals. Our brother talks to much, and rarely gets to the point he’s trying to make. You have been summoned here because you are the human I have chosen to bring the animals of this island into alliance with the humans. They see your kind as invaders, killers, and destroyers. They like you, however, Joe. Have you ever wondered why they always respond to your lyre? You have the gift of the mage in you, and unconsciously focus that gift into your music. But you also have a love for animals beyond that of most humans, and the animals see that and respect you for it. I have chosen you as the Bard of the Beasts, the one who sings and speaks to and for the animals, primarily for this reason.” (End Quote, first post)

So if Joe dies or has to be left at Pynx, the story is over or postponned, which wouldn't be that helpful. I like this team story, 1: because it is the first one i am pertisipating in and 2: because it gives me a great place to use my some what creative mind (when i can think of what to post).

-Dark Jet


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Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show that killing people is wrong?

[This message has been edited by Dark Jet (edited 02-02-2004).]

I must agree with Dark Jet, option one and two sound fine. I myself would rather not take Joe on as my own character; I'd be too worried that I wasn't portraying him the way he is supposed to be, but I have nothing against anyone else taking him on.

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When doubts arise, the game begins

[OOC] After much consideration, and a couple of emails, I have decided to allow dusk to take over the character of Joe. In fact, I'm allowing him to use this account to do it, in order to minimize any confusion. He's a smart guy, a good writer, and he knows about as much as anyone as to what the character is like. I will still be reading the story occasionally in my free time, and dusk will email me if he's ever not sure what Joe would do in a certain situation.
I may come back after a while, just as soon as I have a handle on my grades. Until then, all of my posts are really dusk's posts, unless I say it's really me.

Oh, and Nixus - you may want to email dusk with the details of that plan you had involving Tyronoe and Joe. I don't remember all of it, but I do remember thinking it was a cool idea.

Thank you all for understanding
[/OOC]

It was night, and the small band had been assigned rooms within Pnyx for the night. Suddenly, Joe woke up in his borrowed bed with a start, holding the sides of his head. "GAAAAHH!" he screamed, waking up Villa and Pyrus, who he was sharing the room with. They immediately rushed to his side, asking him what was the matter. "Headache - migraine - Worst thing - ever!" he spat through his teeth. He continued to sit on the bed, rocking back and forth, groaning and gritting his teeth, while the other two tried to think of something to do for him. Then, as suddenly as it began, Joe's headache stopped.
"What was that?" Villa asked.
"I don't know," Joe replied, beads of sweat dripping from his brow. "It felt like someone just opened up my skull and started prying through my brain. Hurt like hell. Thought my head was just going to explode for a few minutes there. Weird, huh?"
"We'd better go and tell somebody," Pyrus suggested. "I don't think it would be good if you had another attack like this in the middle of something important."
"Can you walk?" asked Villa.
"Yeah. Head still hurts, but it's not nearly as bad. Let's go find somebody."

[OOC] Take it away, dusk! [/OOC]

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"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." -- Charles Babbage (1791-1871) Inventor of the "Analytical Engine", the first computer.

Thomas sneeked out of his room in the middle of the night, about the same time Joe was in pain. Thomas crept silently down the hall, until he reached some stairs ooc: I am assuming we are a few floors above ground level-bic: , he slipped down the stairs. When he reached ground level, he heard gaurds comming. Thomas openned a door and slipped in, He looked around to see if anyone was in there. He saw it was a small room with a window, just big enough for Thomas to get through. THUMP. Thomas winced as his gear made a noise as it hit the ground out side, he heard the guards comming towards the door. Thomas jumped through the window and made it look like nothing was in here.

Thomas regeared up and headed around to where he remembered the path was. He noticed the guard was half alseep, but instead of hitting the guards, Thomas ran and slid into the grass to make it look like a small animal was running away. Thomas was crouch walking parrallel to the path. After the path went behind a hill, he stood up and walked oer to the path. SNAP. Thomas drew his bow and aimmed in the genral(sp?) dirrection of the snapped twig. Thomas could sense there was a party of people srounding(sp?) him. He felt the cold touch of a metal dagger as it lay under his chin. Thomas dropped his bow and gear into a bag and handed it to one o the mysterious people.

He walked away without a sound. Two of the people stayed back a little and whispered. "It is like this man has been captured before.." whispered one.

"Nah, otherwise he would have shot one of us and killed atleast the other 5 and then he would've taken on us six before he finally surrendered. There could be great potential for this one." replied the other figure.

"I agree" said the first one. The two figures ran to catch up with the group.

Ooc: I am going to be gone for a bit, I didn't want to burden anyone with guessing what my char would do in a situation. I'll have him catch up in a little bit. Please dont free him... Thanks in advance. Bic:

-Dark Jet

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Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show that killing people is wrong?

[ooc] Well, this is my first post as Joe, I'll try and do as best I can... Feel free to point out any mistakes, but email them to me (dusk@mindless.com) so as not to clutter up the team story like this [bic].

Joe walked out of the room with realtive ease, the pain in his head gone completly. He gave Pyrus a weak smile and shrugged off his hand when he offered support. "I'm fine, really. It just felt wierd. I guess I'm still a bit shaken."
Villa shook his head and scoffed, a mere headache and this is the attention he gets.
Pyrus and Villa walked Joe to the headmasters hall, concern filling the young warriors eyes. The night was still and quite, the teachers at rest. The floors wooden tiling deadened the sound of the trio's footsteps, giving an eerie lack of sound. As they walked past the study hall a light could be seen, glittering off five sets of eyes, a group of students played dice on the empty table. They stopped as soon as Joe passed, looking with accusing eyes. A few muttered moments between the students highlighted that gambling was obviously not following the mages code. The students damped the lamp and left, looking guilty and self concious. Villa smiled at Pyrus, tapped Joe on the shoulder and with a wink, made off to follow them.

Pyrus knocked on the large metal door, the room on the other side hollow and resounding. There was silence.
As Joe raised his hand to knock again a soft voice spoke, almost as if he was next to them "Come in."
The metal door swinged freely and Lindus could be made sitting at the head of the wooden table, in all his regal glory he was still a shadow of the king.

"Now, what has troubled you at such a late hour?" Lindus layed delicate hands on the table.
Pyrus and Joe stood awkwardly for a few moments, then sat. The floor radiated chilled air and Pyrus shuddered, wishing he had brought his shoes.
"Well, I was sleeping, when suddenly I was overcome by a huge pain in my skull, as if it had been pried open by a dagger." Explain Joe.
"Does it still hurt?"
Joe shook his head "No, the pain went away just a few moments later."
Lindus shook his head and leaned over, placing elegant, wrinkly fingers on Joe's temples. He sat for a moment, his eyes staring into Joe's forehead, unblinkingly. Joe shivered at the cold floor, the... the... floor. Joe shook his head, clearing the odd spell of cloudyness.
Lindus smiled "There isn't anything wrong as far as I can tell. I know you weren't trying to cast any spells. I don't know what it was. Go and see Palaestra, in the alchemical class rooms, she should be able to give you a clear mind potion to help with the pain."
Pyrus stood up and again offered his hand to Joe, who refused, walking to the door.
They turned and looked at Lindus, who was deep in thought and darkness again. Joe thanked him, but the head mage didn't hear him.

Palaestra too, was awake, dabbling with a luminescent orange liquid that pulsed and chorttled through a complex series of pipes and flasks. She ignored Joe and Pyrus until they sat down.
"So, from the looks of you you need a Clear Mind potion. I've one handy."
Joe thanked her "but it really isn't necessary, I feel fine." The potion master shot him a dirty look, her fierce black hair scraggling over her shoulders.
"Of course" Joe continued "you know best and I would probably feel much better for one."
Palaestra nodded and passed him the potion. It felt cool through the glass of the bottle and as he drank it, that same comforting cold soothed his mind.

Pyrus and Joe walked back to their room, having forgotten about Villa they chatted quietly.
"Do you think we will reach the cave soon?"
"Not for a bit, we still need to purchase supplies. I think morale is low after the battle, it's best if we rest for a day or two in the safety of the Pynx. Time is imperative; but we don't want everyone abandoning us at a crucial moment."
As they approached the room they had been assigned for the night Pyrus nodded, a silent agreeal.
"Are you sure you're alright Joe? You looked like you were in a lot of pain."
Joe reassured the young man and bid him goodnight.
"Probably just stress." he concluded, dousing the lantern.

[edit] added more.... hope you all like it [/edit]

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"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." -- Charles Babbage (1791-1871) Inventor of the "Analytical Engine", the first computer.

[This message has been edited by Big Joe (edited 02-23-2004).]

Although the eerie mood of the Pnyx should have bothered her, Nixus felt oddly calm within its cold, hard walls. She lay with her hands placed firmly behind her head, staring up at the familiar roof of the room she’d last stayed in. Yunaleska mumbled in her sleep and turned over. She jerked awake as her head smacked into the wall beside her bed, and sat up rubbing her forehead furiously. She looked toward Nixus
‘Oh go to sleep, Nixie. It’s getting late and you’ll be grumpy in the morning if you don’t get enough sleep.’
‘Nixus laughed. ‘When am I every grumpy in the morning?’
Yuna raised an accusing eyebrow. ‘Always,’ she said firmly. But from the cheeky smile and rolling eyes the girl displayed as she turned over, Nixus knew that she was only mucking around.
Nixus sighed. ‘Ah, it’s not that late anyhow; you just went to bed very early.’ She lay down and pulled the covers over her shoulder. ‘Goodnight Yuna.’

- - - - - - - - - -

The day dawned bright and brought the land back to life. Yuna was already awake and dressed when Nixus rose.
‘Morning!’ Yuna called merrily from the door.
Nixus yawned. ‘Apparently so.’
‘I’ve just been at breakfast, and I’m about to find Joe,’ Yuna said. ‘You’re welcome to join me.’
Nixus slid her feet over the edge of the bed and rubbed her eyes. ‘Er, not right now. I’d like to wake up first.’
‘Did you sleep well?’
The two girls talked for a short while longer, before Yuna left in search of Joe. Nixus called after her ‘If we’re leaving today, I’ll be in the library!’
The mage rose, dressed and left the room. After a short visit to the kitchen, Nixus headed to the library where she hoped to read up on Cythera’s magic folk. Along the corridor, she noticed a group of students milling around a boy.
‘She was all dressed in white, and really pale!’ the boy whispered. ‘She didn’t look at me, but it felt as though she was watching me.’
‘You think it’s her? That wicked enchantress?’ said one of the other students.
Another girl chimed in. ‘Don’t be stupid; everyone knows that all rot, not a truthful word in it!’
Dismissing what she heard as common conversation, Nixus passed the group and thought nothing of what they had said. It was not long before she was in the library, being helped to find the books she was seeking.

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When doubts arise, the game begins

Villa arrived in the study hall late, grumpy and with a black right eye. His fingers were badly bruised, his brow showed a lovely crimson red crust and there were, beneath the stained shirt, many more bruises as a toll of his late night gambling and early morning fall.
Yunaleska, who had returned to the communal hall gasped at his haggard appearance. "Are you ok Villa? You look like you need a good warm bath." and a tub of ungent, she thought.
Villa smiled grimly and painted the scene for her: it was late at night and he had been minding his own business with Joe and Pyrus, when a group of students jumped him. They beat him severly, and stole what little savings he had, aswell as taking from him the only link to his lost child hood; the small, gold chain around his neck. "So you see, my dear, not even the Pynx is safe in this vile place. Just when you think you can lay down and take a snippet of nap, and what happens? You get mugged! This damned place is no better then the streets of Cademia."
Yuna shook her head in disapointment and disbeleif. To think the mages would sink to such levels!

Later the girl learned from Nixus of Villa's nasty fall down the magisterium stairs after the librarian caught him trying to pocket one of the students engraved inking quill. "It was gorgeous, really was," Commented Nixus, "had a lovely golden chain and all."

The unsuccessful crook wasn't the only one to ignore the changes though. Not even a quarter of the students even glanced in that direction this morning. Lindus had done a good job of the spell, but the truth couldn't be hid from some one as astute as Moonshadow, and hushed whispers between teachers grew ever more concerned. The garden had died. The very heart of the magisterium was no longer live with chirping birds or blue flowers. It was dead.
And if it wasn't for the cool white stones of the giant Pyramid, then everyone would have noticed that it wasn't the only thing that had died.
The landscape, from the Lands End all the way to the Pynx, and on both sides of the mountain range, a drab brown plague was spreading leaving in it's wake startled animals and worried miners: for every plant was dieing. Joe concluded quickly that this was the work of the evil that Flora had told of.
Some action was needed, and it was needed fast.


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What part of "You don't understnad anything!" don't you understand?

Pyrus was in the garden when it happened. He was conversing with a few of the less advanced students on the most unlikely topic of philosophy. Pyrus had woken early and had had his breakfast from the kitchen, altogether a little too trusting of what he ate.
"But if you're doing something that doesn't hurt anyone, then it isn't wrong, is it?" one of them asked.
"Yes, but is it not wrong to lie, even if it makes someone feel good?" the other one retorted.
"Well, say you either have to lie to your best friend or kill someone? What do you do then?" Pyrus asked offhand.
"Well, it's the lesser of two--I say, what was that?" the first one asked.
"What was what?" the second one asked.
But Pyrus had felt it. A resounding, like something enourmous falling, and where you think you should hear a noise, (in fact, you do almost hear a noise) you can't hear anything, but you can feel the vibrations it makes in the air.
It happened slowly after that. Pyrus and the two students were looking around for the source of this strange phenomenon when it started very slowly. The changes were so subtle that if you were to glance at the garden from a distance for a second, you would see no change and assume that it had always looked like that, but as the three looked around, the garden was changing. All around them, vegetation was turning from a healthy green hue to a sickly dying brown. Flowers wilted, and water became stagnant.
The other current inhabitants of the garden realized this, and many ran out to find Lindus, and as many more ran in the direction of the alchemy classroom to find a remedy.
Pyrus' first impulse was to find Joe. Pyrus usually found that his first impulses were the best choices, so he ran back to their quarters after taking a hasty leave of his two new friends.
He dashed up the stairs three at a time and rounded to corner, only to almost run headlong into Moonshadow.
"Moonshadow!" Pyrus gasped. "Thank Alaric I've found you! The garden--"
"I know, I know." Moonshadow cut him off. "I had guessed this might be the case, I was off on a walk outside when everything started dying, and feared it might be so with the garden as well. One of the students told me before I even got there. I fear Joe's headache during the night may have had something to do with this." Had word of Joe's ailment spread so quickly?
"I've got to tell Joe about this!" Pyrus exclaimed. "Do you know where he is?"
"I'm sorry, I do not know. Have you tried your quarters?"
"I'm headed there now." Pyrus gave a parting nod that was customary of an apprentice showing respect to his master, and took a hasty leave to find Joe.

Fan paused, having scaled a small hillock to rest on a small outcropping of rock overlooking Pnyx. Pensively he surveyed the scene unfolding before him.
"This isn't good. I'll have to hasten my search." he said to himself.
Without another word, he turned south and made his way down the hillock.

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--Fanatic72802 (GameFanatic)
Soon comes the day when all shall die.
Surely you, but never I.

[This message has been edited by Fanatic72802 (edited 03-03-2004).]

The mysterious figures lead Thomas back to the area where Joe's party fought the brigands. It still smelled like burnned corpses. The party continued walking near the path, then they turned to the left and walked into a small camp hidden by some rocks.

When Thomas awoke he noticed the figures where alseep. He walked over to his bag, and pulled out his bow. He loaded one arrow, then ran into the forest without making noise. Thomas was some what of a hunter and he recignized tracks when he saw them. He noticed a fresh boot like imprint into the ground, Thomas thought "what is wrong with following?".

Almost dawn, Thomas had followed the tracks, he noticed a trail of red blood next to the trail so he dicied to wonder of a little bit but still be within sight of the foot prints. The "path" ended at a tree, he looked up searching the trees. Nothing. A moan of pain came from the other side of the tree. Thomas slowly walked around till he saw wo it was. It was one of the captures, apperently the hunter.

It was a little past Thomas's normally breakfast time, when Thomas reached the outside bondry of camp. He was carrying the figure on one shoulder and he had a bag full of grapes and fruit on the other.

Eight of the twelve(sp?) figures were up and moving, everyone stopped what they were doing and starred. Thomas walked into the middle of camp and laid the man down, he then tossed the bag of fruit over to the apperent "cook". Thomas headed over to his gear and put the bow and arrow back. But he pulled out a small first aid kit.

By the time breakfast was servered, The "hunter" was mostly healed, and his wound was pachted up. Half of the group seemed more friendly while one, wanted to kill him but the other five weren't that bad. They weren't as friendly as half of the group but the weren't that mean either. But Thomas wasn't out of this yet...

ooc: hi I am kind of back...bic:

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Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show that killing people is wrong?

The party (where my guy is) waited a little longer untill the hunter could walk, Thomas picked up most of the hunters gear and carried it for the wounded person. The figures walked in a circle with the hunter and thomas in the middle.

After a couple of days traveling, Thomas managed to make small talk with the party. Thomas was listening to the hunter teach him a song when one of the figures halted and said," Kortash ahead, duxith."

"Whats that mean?" whispered thomas crouching, and copying what the others did.
"It means, brigands, 12" repiled the hunter. "oh and my name is Traken."

ooc: trying to keep this alive. I'll post later, when I have more time. bic:

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Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show that killing people is wrong?