Rifts Adventure IC

[Purr]

(OOC: 100 IC pages! Wooo!)

Spoiler: Asian Action Music Baybeeee!

"One Hour Mix of Asian Trance Music Vol. I"

"Ack! Eek! Ohhh!"

Snowfall was in his old man form and feeling like one. The kitsune was in the middle of trying to perform his daily Tai Chi exercises while recovering from Rammoth's sharp and potent needles when Sir Allen's alert sounded! What? he thought. A Rift opening here? That could mean a thousand things!

He took one step and felt the new tattoo twinge painfully. It was only pain, he reminds himself, and pain is part of life. But then again... why suffer if you don't have to?

"I'm commiiing!"

Like Eron, he hopes to get there before the action ends. But then again (again), he realizes he should get there as quickly as he could while making wise use of his personal energies! Well, it was hard for a body to complain about its pains if it didn't have nerves! Snowfall leaps high into the air! At the apex of his jump, he vanishes and reforms into a soft invisible cloud of positive energy (the best kind!). As a cloud, he races through the air and into the pyramid all the while thinking, "It could be Atlanteans realizing another magical pyramid is 'online'! Or... it could be a huge throng of hell-born monsters bent on revenge for the death of Salnesh! Which, if it is indeed the case, I could use my Dimensional Tattoo magic to shoot them out to another dimension entirely! Like... perhaps... Phase World! Yes, let's see how they'd like the vacuum of space as they fall pell-mell into the surface of a star! Or... it could be another celestial messenger like myself making a wrong turn. Eheheheh...

Quoting Bugs Bunny, Snowfall thinks, "'I knew I should have made that left turn at Albuquerque!'"

 

[Rykon]

Zephiron was lounging casually in a chair titled back on its hind legs as he perused an arcane treatise on magic. The call shrieked through his metamorphed ears, nearly toppling him to the floor in a pile of parchment and frustration. "No need for such shouting" he complained. "On my way!" He assured himself, forgetting to key the microphone on the communicator before he stepped outside and took to the sky. With minimal delay, he makes his way to the central chamber, armed and ready for a fight, should it prove necessary.

 

[Sherwood]

As everyone rushes in (except Daisy, who is currently maintaining a overwatch position out front) and sets themselves up for a potential fight, the lines of power leading to the pyramid suddenly surge and a small controlled Rift opens up. Stepping through is a single humanoid figure completely covered in heavy robes and furs that are snow covered from the raging blizzard that you can see on the other side of the Rift. He carries a wooden staff in one hand, and no obvious signs of other weapons or armor, but they could all be hidden under the heavy furs that the figure is wearing.

The figure comes to a sudden stop at the sight of the assembled defenders of the pyramid, realizing that any sudden move may result in a deadly clash. A familiar if somewhat muffled voice comes out of the furs, "I mean no harm, my friends. Give me a moment to take these furs off and you will see." With his free hand, the man undoes the tie holding his robe on and he shrugs and the furs fall to the floor and Terra and Zephiron both recognize the figure as . . . Lord Brazamal!

He grins at the two of you as the realization of his identity kicks in, looking around at the others that he doesn't recognize. "It is good to see you again! Tales of your deeds of destroying the vile beast that was here is starting to spread! I cannot be more proud of you all."

Sir Allen glances back and forth between Terra, Zephiron and Brazamal, and slowly lowers his rifle as he can see that hostilities seem to be not on the menu. He offers up a polite nod of his head, and says, "Greetings, stranger. I am Sir Allen, Cyber Knight. If I may ask without offering offense, who are you, and what brings you here?"

 

[Psychie]

Terra gives the elder dragon a wide smile. "Sir Allen, this is Lord Brazamal from Dweomer, and a dear friend to our party that we had feared to be lost as he hunted after a evil dragon that tried to destroy the world." She steps up to Brazamal and bows deep to him. "It is good to see you again, M'lord. We have so much to tell you about what has happened here. But first, tell me, was your effort to destroy the dragon that you were after successful, or are we faced with the risk of another Mechanoid invasion?"

 

[Purr]

Snowfall bows deeply and sincerely at the arrival of the lordly Western dragon. When he rises, he finds himself visually inspecting the dragon for signs of wounds or discomfort. If he finds none, he reaches into his pack and withdraws his favorite lunchbox. Snowfall reasons that if Terra finds reason to pay respects to this great old lizard, then why shouldn't he? After all, were not dragons of this nature some of the most majestic and fantastic of the universe's creatures?

"Ohh! Lord Brazamal! Your arrival calls for a celebration! When was the last time a creature of your origins stepped into lands of these origins so recently liberated from such great evil, eh? And besides!" The kitsune steps forward and tries to brush off some of the snow. "It looks like you could use a little warming up, milord!" he produces one steaming cup of sake while filling another. With great humility, Snowfall the Celestial Messenger offers the first cup to the lordly dragon.

 

[Sherwood]

Brazamal rolls his eyes at Terra. "Oh I thank you for that, but please don't bow. You are hardly the green, wet-behind-the-ears trooper that you were when we first met. Look around you! How many others can claim that they were responsible for ending the reign of terror that this bunch of vampires brought to the world? I know that there are still other Vampire Intelligences out there, but now the whole multiverse is better off from you ending the existence of this one, cleansing this pyramid and restoring its positive energy flow."

He looks over at Sir Allen and offers him a friendly wave. "Greetings and well met, Sir Allen! I am always glad to meet one of the noble Cyber Knights, and with your presence here, I would hazard a guess that you were a part of this effort to remove the evil from this place. Allow me to extend my thanks to you, also, for your efforts in this."

The dragon then returns his attention to Terra, and says, "I have good news to report. The shadow dragon that has haunted me for so long, and had opened the Rift to the Mechanoid home dimension, is no more. It was a tough fight, but your friend Gradicus and I were able to get the job done. While I don't like the thought of ever doing harm to a fellow dragon, it was a necessary task to perform to keep more of the Mechanoid Swarm from wiping out all humanoid life on this world, and stretching their evil outwards from this world to the many others in this universe. Our good man Gradicus sends his regards, and has returned to his Clan of fellow Undead Slayers, but still looks forward to seeing you again."

Sir Allen looks surprised. "I have heard the name of a Lord Brazamal from Dweomer before, and it is my honor to meet such a distinguished soul as you, my good sir."

Brazamal looks embarrassed, saying, "I just have had the fortune to be the right person in place to do some good in this world."

 

[Sherwood]

Snowfall bows deeply and sincerely at the arrival of the lordly Western dragon. When he rises, he finds himself visually inspecting the dragon for signs of wounds or discomfort. If he finds none, he reaches into his pack and withdraws his favorite lunchbox. Snowfall reasons that if Terra finds reason to pay respects to this great old lizard, then why shouldn't he? After all, were not dragons of this nature some of the most majestic and fantastic of the universe's creatures?

"Ohh! Lord Brazamal! Your arrival calls for a celebration! When was the last time a creature of your origins stepped into lands of these origins so recently liberated from such great evil, eh? And besides!" The kitsune steps forward and tries to brush off some of the snow. "It looks like you could use a little warming up, milord!" he produces one steaming cup of sake while filling another. With great humility, Snowfall the Celestial Messenger offers the first cup to the lordly dragon.

The great dragon lets out a chuckle, then nods. "My thanks! Anyone that travels with the likes of Terra and Zephiron is undoubtedly good folk in my book. Besides, you are offering up a warm treat to these cold bones! What is your name, sir?"

 

[Purr]

Snowfall smiles, his seven white tails swishing. "My adventuring name is Snowfall. I am a holy messenger of Prince Inari, the greatest fox spirit of all! Through Divine Providence, I am a Tattoed Voyager of the Atlantean clan Aurelous and a master of Tai Chi with Chi Mastery!"

With a wave of his paw, he indicates Terra. "I am here on behalf of a family in clan Draco Amicus, Terra's family, in fact! And won't they be overjoyed when they find out how many of their age-old enemies we just put down together!"

"As the bearers of mystical tattoos, I believe that we owe a great deal to the Chiang-ku dragons - the very creators of this wonderful magic. In fact, the Vampire Intelligence and demon were holding captive one such dragoness who has offered to help us! Her name is Rammoth and she is nearby! Perhaps you would like to meet her, milord?"

Snowfall nods and grins to the rest of the team as if to say, "Lookit all the dragons! Wheee!" Especially Zephiron.

 

[Rykon]

Zephiron felt half relieved at Brazamal's arrival, though the presence of other dragons always left him on edge. He lowered his weapons and gave a faint sigh, violet fumes leaking at the edges of his mouth even in his humanoid facade. Conversation was refreshingly jovial with good news in tow, though the lack of his own participation in hunting the evil dragon left a bitter taste. He cast a tired glance at the Dragon he'd conceded a regency to in his earliest infancy with a greeting in like manner. "Welcome back friend. I'd have liked to have been present to put that plebian drake in his place with you, Brazamal, but at least it's finished. Though, I find your remorse on the matter puzzling given all that... whatever his name was, had done over his wretched existence."

His reptilian eyes scanned the surrounding interior around the rift and Brazamal. "I don't suppose you brought an escort back north with you? I wasn't quite expecting this detour and we still have that disgusting chrome behemoth to dispose of. Only a vile breed like the mecha-nuggets could concoct a structure like that and still brew the worst tasting beverages I've ever had the misfortune to try."

***

After Snowfall's introductions Zephiron threw his voice in to vouch for their recent additions. "These fellows have been most courteous and becoming of champions. Rammoth here has also been generous with sharing her expertise. I've little to my name save for the two treasures at my side, but if you've ought to bestow upon them, you'd struggle to find fellows more worthy of your favor." He nodded. He knew he was both too young and beyond his authority to demand the Elder reward these people, but he didn't see any harm in speaking their praises. Perhaps they would come to respect and remember the young royal Dragon in the kind of light they now cast on the adult, Brazamal.

 

[Sherwood]

Brazamal looks surprised as Snowfall speaks, but quickly regains his composure and goes over to you and offers up his hand to you. "Well met, my good Snowfall, and the same to you, Sir Allen! So, Miss Terra! It would seem that you are gathering more than just a powerful reputation . . . you are getting quite the assorted group of dragons to rub elbows with. A Chaing-Ku? Here? That is a remarkable find! I would like to meet this Rammoth, and learn more of this fellow dragon."

He looks over at Zephiron with another grin. "You are looking well, my friend, having grown quite a bit from the time we last saw each other I can tell you." Brazamal then addresses the group as a whole, saying, "So, let us find a more comfortable place to talk and trade tales. I thought that I would have the better story to tell, but after this," he motions around him at the pyramid, "I am not so sure!"

 

[Psychie]

Terra has the good manners to look sheepish at the praise being heaped upon her by Brazamal. "Sir, your kind words mean a lot to me. But I must disagree with you on one matter: I am not collecting dragons! I cannot be held responsible for the good fortune to have so many of your noble kind with me. It is simply a matter of luck for one of my Clan to be now graced with three of you around. Come! Let the introductions continue. I am sure that the others of our merry band will wish to say 'hello' to you. There is Maja and Jorge of the were-panther clan, and Rammoth, of course. She is in the process of giving both myself and our dear Snowfall more of the mystic tattoos of the Chaing-Ku's invention."

She twists to show off the raw and still healing tattoo of the dragon that is being added to her skin. "See? Speaking of dragons, I will soon be able to create from my mystic energies a dragon. It seemed to be entirely appropriate for me, given my Clan. Once they are healed, the new marks will be ready to use. I just don't remember them hurting so much as this one does. Ouchies!" Terra grins, and motions for the elder dragon to come with her. "We have some more hospitable talking locations just ahead, complete with food and drink if you so desire."

 

[Silanon]

That silence right after those words; without a doubt, it's the perfect moment for a steel-clad warrior to barge in with too much speed and too little control. That, at least, seems to have been Eron's conclusion, as he joins the others with unmatched enthusiasm, grazing the doorway with his sword in hand and a thundering roar on his lips - only that he gulps down the latter when the chamber proves to not be filled with demons, cats, or other monstrosities. Just a man, instead. Unfamiliar, yet seemingly friendly, or someone would've tried to put a blade through his chest already. Not the case, though, as it seems. Not like a single man could stop them; Salnesh tried and failed, after all... or did they wait for him? Knowing that their speedy Crazy was almost there, too? He gives his allies a glance. They seem... at ease. Mostly. Good... so maybe there's just no killing to be done.

Just to make sure, the Crazy turns on the spot, checks all of the chamber's corners for possible threats. Then shrugs as well as the armor allows, and lowers his weapon. "No killing today, then. Unless things change, that is. One never knows, with the cats, and the demons and vamps, and Salnesh's plans not yet unraveled. Eron's the name, Keeper of Sir Cooley's blade, former guardian of the untrodden city, witness of Salnesh's end." The man looks like he might like fancy names. "Barely conquered the place, so excuse the stench. The rotten vamps rot elsewhere, now, but the air still lingers..." Another shrug, a look at the others. "And here I was ready to fight off an invasion." It sounds almost disappointed.

In the end, curiosity wins, however - and so he whispers in the closest friend's direction: "Did he give us his name, yet?"

 

[Purr]

"He did," Snowfall leans over, reaching up to reach Eron's ear, and confides. "This is Lord Brazamal, an ally of Miss Terra's and the others. He is an old Western dragon and on my escapades, I sure don't see many like him very often!"

 

[Sherwood]

With the arrival of Eron, Brazamal greets the Crazy with curiosity. "Hello there! Miss Terra here vouches for you, so that means you are on the way to being a good friend of mine. I am Brazamal, one of the counsel of Lords of the City of Dweomer." He offers up his hand to you, and then follows Terra on her way out of the chamber to be introduced to the rest of the merry band of heroes.

The were-jaguars are all impressed with the arrival of the elder dragon, and are all very welcoming to him. Rammoth is somewhat cool to his arrival at first, since dragons are not known for gathering in large groups, but it does not take long for Brazamal to put her at ease and soon enough they are chatting with no hint of animosity between them at all.

Over the course of the next several hours, tales are shared of how you were able to defeat the Vampire Intelligence and the Maggots that were in the lower chamber, and he tells the somewhat embellished story of his fight along side Gradicus to defeat his old nemesis and keep the other dragon from trying to summon up more of the Mechanoid force to attack this planet.

It is after all that when Brazamal starts to settle down and get serious. "I am hoping to be able to find a way to get you and this mobile fortress back to the city sooner rather than later. The Coalition is throwing its weight around, and is moving into the lands of the Federation of Magic in force. But while that is a threat to us, there is something else I must share with you, and once more, I hope I can place my trust in you to be able to rise up and do what needs to be done."

Brazamal says, "I have gotten word from home that there has been a Coalition officer that was taken prisoner and interrogated. He let slip that there is some secret weapon that the city of Lone Star has been working on, and they plan on 'releasing them' out into the wild to 'help cleanse the filth of magic' from the area within the next several months. Sadly, I don't have any more details than that, and apparently, this prisoner did not survive his interrogation, so there is no way to try and get more information from him. I was hoping that I could turn to your team to be able to look into this, especially since Lone Star is on the way to Dweomer."

He pauses for a moment, then says, "I know that I am asking a lot of you, and if you all decide that this is too big of a nut to crack, I will understand. But look around you. There is a dead Vampire Intelligence here! That was an epic task that you were able to overcome, so going to Lone Star and finding some nasty surprise aimed at wiping out magic users shouldn't be too hard for you to take on!"

 

[Silanon]

Eron accepts the offered hand, of course - and follows along as well as he can manage, given the armor's trickery. Stories of heroism, an old nemesis, good allies - sounds vaguely familiar, one might say. Good, that - these kind of struggles form the best kind of men and women, with an odd Crazy thrown into the mix here and there as well. When the conversation takes a turn in the more serious direction, the ancient dragon can be certain of Eron's attention.

"Not just an intelligence, I should say. Just a lucky side effect. He -the demon Salnesh, I mean - sought shelter here, but perished in the assault. His end is the real deal, here - there are many ugly vampire things out there, but only a single demon quite like him." A short pause, as he considers the situation. With him removed, that's a luxury he has, now. Make decisions, not just follow a trail.

"The point still stands, though, Lord Brazamal. He was undefeated for all those years, and yet, these people here got it done. Like, really done - done for good, no questions there. Anything else - really, anything - should be doable, without a doubt. A challenge still, but that's good, real good. What purpose would there be, otherwise, after stopping him. This plan you mentioned - it sounds like one he'd enjoy. Death and murder without limits, perhaps... that alone's enough to have me aboard. Besides, there's magic running through these" - he points out the metal studs, showing his transformation - "would be bad to have them shut down, I'd assume, real bad - never asked, though... better make sure it doesn't happen, I like to be speedy, and strong, and alive."

He looks at the others, gathered around them. "Maybe - with it being on your way, even - we could risk a look, see what's happening there? Could go there alone, with Hooves, of course - but it'd be a real pain to retrieve Sir Cooley's sword if I fail, and that's just not good. Promised to take good care of it back then, after all..." He pauses. "Lone Star, you said... what's it like? Once defended a city - never entered it, though. Wouldn't let us in, but we wouldn't let the monsters in, either, so that was alright..." He shrugs. "Either way, I knew cities before, but since then, it's always been trees, hills and small places like this pyramid here, or the village, or... well, other villages, there are a couple of those. Not all of them full of cats, luckily..." His eyes wander, muster the jaguar people around.

"So - Lone Star. Are there cats?"

 

[Sherwood]

Brazamal leans back in his seat and gives Eron a long look. "I have never been inside the place, but what I can tell you about the outside is that it is a massive fortress, extending both high into the air and deep underground. Tens of thousands of soldiers call Lone Star home, and it houses the works of the deranged scientist Desmond Bradford, and is the lab where the Dog Boys were originally developed for the Coalition. Whatever this 'Omega Project' is that the prisoner hinted at is most likely going to be found deep in the ground in one of these secret labs. As for cats? I cannot say, since I have never been inside, as I have said."

 

[Psychie]

Terra rubs her chin, frowning. "Well, while we are a tough bunch of nuts, the whole military force that is stationed at Lone Star is going to be a bit more than we can handle. M'lord Brazamal? Do you have some kind of plan that does not involve us all dying? I'm liking this whole 'staying alive' thing we have going on here."

 

[Purr]

"Whoouuf," Snowfall shivers at Terra's words like an icy wind just cut through. "Lone Star is a Coalition fortress, isn't it? Never been there, but anyone who hasn't heard of that joint hasn't been around America at all! Celebrated One," he asks Lord Brazamal respectfully, "do you have some edge we are not aware of?"

 

[Sherwood]

Brazamal has a sly look on his face, and then looks over at Snowfall. "You are correct. I have no desire to see you facing off against the full might of the Coalition forces in the Lone Star Complex, but I have on good authority that there are a series of secret tunnels that run under the Complex that have ended up being the dumping grounds for some of the various experiments that the scientists consider to be failures. All you need to do is to find one of these tunnels, slip inside, and find the Omega Project labs and destroy whatever it is that they are working on."

"And to help you with that, I have in mind a guide in the form of one that has been there before. Miss Daisy? Am I correct in believing that you have been there before? Is it possible for you to find one of these secret tunnels that I'm talking about?"

To a stranger, Daisy's expression is unreadable, but the group here have been together long enough to see that she is uneasy at the thought of going back to the place of her birth. "Yes, I do remember some old caves that supposedly connect to the secret labs that are underground, and there are supposedly some nasty things under there that have been abandoned by the scientists. I can give it a try, but I make no promises. In order to even get that close, we'll have to sneak past a bunch of sensors and patrols. It won't be easy, no matter what we do." She looks at Terra and says, "You may not be able to fit your Automations in these tunnels, especially Tiny. The others might be able to squeeze through, but even that is not a guarantee."

Brazamal nods. "I understand, but if there is any group of brave adventurers that can do it, I believe that this team can pull it off. I don't quite know what talents that Mr. Snowfall or Mr. Eron bring to the group, but you have faced off against a Vampire Intelligence and were the victors. That is no small feat to do."

 

[Psychie]

Terra leans back in her seat and lets out a puff of air. "I don't quite know what to say. That is a heavy load of information to process. Well, it sounds like we have a way in with our Daisy, and I am willing to give it a shot. We just have to thread the needle to get to these tunnels and find out if there really is a way in." She glances over her shoulder at the three silent Automations behind her, then back to the group. "As a Controller Mage, my primary weapons are my Automations. But I am not helpless without them, and if it is needed for us to go in without them, I am quite confident that my other magic abilities are going to be sufficient to get the job done."

The Atlantean pops a morsel of food into her mouth, doing some thinking as she chews. "I am thinking, we have a few options available to us here for our traveling.

One, we stick with the mobile fortress we captured from the Mechanoids and go overland. I don't like that option, and here's why. It will eliminate any ability for us to sneak up on Lone Star, since it will be impossible to hide the damn thing from every Tom, Dick, and Harry as we have the place hike through. No way we can get surprise.

Two, we take the mobile fortress underwater through the Gulf of Mexico. That gives us a bit of stealth as we travel, and probably fewer encounters as we do. The downside is that we will not have any chance to resupply as we go along that route without surfacing it somehow, going ashore, and then transporting whatever goods we need back to the fortress. Better in my mind than overland, but not perfect.

Three is that we have the ability to move faster and stealthier than the fortress. We can leave the fortress in the care of the were-jaguars and hustle along on our own. The downside to that is we will be leaving our repair and resupply ability behind us, and if our powered suits take any damage, we'll have to repair them as we travel.

Four is whatever ideas that you guys can pitch. I am personally thinking that going underwater is going to be the best option, but that is not locked in stone. Anyone have any better ideas that you can suggest?"

 

[Purr]

Snowfall bows politely to Terra. "Miss Terra, if I may recommend my own Atlantean-provided abilities as a Tattooed Voyager? For the first time since I've joined your team at least, we have access not only to a Dimensional Traveler (that's me!) and a Dimensional Pyramid to boot!" Snowfall places his hands together in a sign of humility. "Might this small messenger be allowed to see if we can combine our means to transport the Walking Fortress and all of us closer to Lone Star?"

"Of course, I'd like to first do some buying, selling, and trading - anything to boost our abilities to enter a place like this Lone Star. We have a rare opportunity and the means to do much here - it would be foolish to go in without first doing our utmost to prepare ourselves!"

 

[Psychie]

Terra nods. "Absolutely! I am hardly the only one that can come up with good ideas here, and I am quite open to suggestions. Lord Brazamal? How much magical energy would it take to open a Rift big enough to get the fortress through it to speed up our travels back to Lone Star? Personally, I don't know that spell to know the requirements of how much power it will take to cast."

 

[Sherwood]

Brazamal sits quietly, deep in thought. Finally, he says, "I know that there is enough energy between all of us that we can open a controlled Rift to transport us back to the Magic Zone for all of us, but it is a bit uncertain if we would be able to make it big enough to fit this mobile fortress. But, with the aid of Rammoth, the were-jaguar tribe, and the group of us, it might just be possible. We can then get the fortress back, and give you plenty of supplies and new equipment."

 

[Psychie]

Terra thinks for a moment, then says, "We have the Ley Line Nexus here with the pyramid that can provide additional energy to make the Rift happen, too. If no one has any objections or other ideas, I would be quite happy to load up the fortress with our goodies and try to get a portal open wide enough to get through with the fortress. Anyone have a thought about that? Any reasons why we shouldn't give it a try?"

 

[Sherwood]

Brazamal looks about the group and says, "I do believe that between the lot of us, we can do it. Of course, you will have to move the mobile fortress closer to the pyramid in order to be able to use the power of the Nexus and the stabilizing influence of the pyramid. That shouldn't be a problem, though. Just have the thing get up and walk on over. It can then be placed in position nearby for us to work the ritual of the spell. If there is anything that is needed to be loaded into the fortress, it can then be done before we cast the spell."