The Path of Resolution

[Alec]

<Field: Warehouse>
<Field Type: Neutral>

This is the final battleground of the journey; all paths converge here. It's a large room with plenty of space for the calamities ahead. Be ready, and be careful.

Players
Alec
Tristan
Trevor
Jessica
Rhynan
James
Alex
Niran
Yannick
Anonymous
Bandor
Hanson
Erin
Seth
Drinzo

[Alec]

Trevor and Jessica stepped into the room and looked around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first. That's when Alec and Tristan walked through another door to their right.

"Over here!" Shouted Trevor, running over to them. He handed the walkie talkie over to Alec. "Heh, I guess we didn't really have a need for these after all."

Alec smiled in return. "I guess not, so I hope that's a good thing. Looks like things went well for you guys," he noted, seeing everyone else walk in behind him.

"We came away practically unscathed!" said Trevor enthusiastically. "And, we got this." He brought out the key of union which continued to sparkle as he held it.

"We lost someone." Spoke Tristan, matter-of-factly.

"Yeah..." Added Alec, "Roman isn't with us anymore, but we'll have to mourn later. For now, we got this." He brought out the key of discord to show.

"Hmm, I wonder what it does..." Jessica asked, tempted to poke at it.

"We'll have to see, but no touching." Tristan remarked.


The rest of everyone would come through their respective doors, which are all lined along the same wall. The path of reflection comes from the left, the path of union in the middle, and the path of discord to the right. Regardless of their positions, they all land everyone here.

Players

[/u][/color][/center]

Alec's Characters

Alec Level: 25 Class: Prophet Subclass: Evoker Active Persona: Althaea Element: Water HP: 181/475 SP: 368/800 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Tristan
Level: 25
Class: Hunter
Subclass: Skater
Element: Earth
HP: 450/725
SP: 517/550
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Trevor Level: 25 Class: Fighter Subclass: Tempter Element: Fire HP: 600/600 SP: 500/675 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Jessica
Level: 25
Class: Heavy Craft
Subclass: Blonde
Element: Dark
HP: 878/975
SP: 231/300
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]


The Skylark's Characters[/b][/color]

Rhynan Level: 23 Class: Darkbringer Subclass: Emo Element: Wood HP: 87/560 SP: 325/625 Status: Critical

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]James
Level: 23
Class: Enthraller
Subclass: Goth
Element: Dark
HP: 375/560
SP: 94/625
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Alex Level: 23 Class: Prophet Subclass: Supra-Celestial Element: Lightning HP: 409/445 SP: 103/740 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Bramwell's Characters[/b][/color]

Niran Level: 24 Class: Fighter Subclass: Psychopath Element: Water HP: 722/840 SP: 215/290 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Yannick
Level: 24
Class: Alice's Hand
Subclass: Emo
Element: Fire
HP: 262/460
SP: 393/770
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Anonymous Level: 24 Class: Tactician Subclass: Inflicted Element: Dark HP: 220/580 SP: 318/650 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Bandor's Characters[/b][/color]

Bandor Level: 20 Class: Tactician Subclass: Skater Element: Earth HP: 500/500 SP: 165/550 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Hanson
Level: 20
Class: Guitarist
Subclass: Skater
Element: Thunder
HP: 310/500
SP: 495/550
Status: Fine[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Dudeman's Characters[/b][/color]

Erin Level: 19 Class: Heavy Craft Subclass: Psychopath Element: Fire HP: 252/765 SP: 240/240 Status: Fine

Seth Level: 19 Class: Fighter Subclass: Psychopath Element: Wood HP: 252/765 SP: 199/240 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]

Drinzo Level: 19 Class: Darkbringer Subclass: Skater Element: Earth HP: 350/480 SP: 326/525 Status: Fine

[/center]

[Ranual]

drinzo stumbles through the door tired from their last battle and turns to alec and says "nice to see you got through in one piece"

seth slouches through the doorway from their path and yells "yes finally outta that hellhole" punching the air fortunately it is a high ceiling so he doesnt have to slouch and isnt punching holes in it

erin walking behind her massively large ally says "sorry about him what he should be saying is glad you made it out alive" she then leans against a wall with her massive bazooka next to her

[The Skylark]

Rhynan staggered into the room, concentrating on one thing.

I need to heal...Flyssa?

He felt the sword, pleased with the recent battles, reach into his mind and...teach.

now, why didn't you do that before?

Cure (Lvl. 3; Heal 200 Hp to one person; Sp: 35)

Rhynan cast the spell, then stood up straight, still covered in blood, still bleeding from the neck, but feeling much better.

"...Bram? Are we going to be okay?"

***

Alex grumbled to himself as he followed Alec. He still had a headache, though it wasn't as bad as before, and his wand had begun to splinter. Soon he would need a new one...maybe something metal, with a sharp edge? Or a staff...he liked Alec's staff.

Regretfully, he pulled his mind away from iron and brass, crescent shaped staffs, and radio antennas...turning to Niran, he spoke.

"With Seuss, 'maybe' is always the best choice...he's the kind of guy that will kill you with a yes or a no. With the buttons, I mean. I guess I should have explained what I thought, first."

He hoped the boy would take that as an apology- Alex wasn't very good at them.

***

James stood strong. He was in fairly good shape, and he felt himself recovering. The Enthraller looked at Yannick.

"Are you okay? All in one piece?"

Rhynan and Bram staggered in together, leaning on each other. Bram was obviously wounded, and certainly no threat at the moment. James shook his head, still talking to Yannick.

"I did not expect to see those two again. Perhaps that man, the tall one, is more than he seems?"

[bandor]

oh no, even more. i thought we were finally done Bandor groaned putting away his pans and walked into the room followed by Hanson.
we'll be fine boss he assures him Hows everybody else? Hanson asks everybody, you all deal with some crazy seusslings there?

[Bramwell]

(I'm sorry, I've not had the chance to update my profiles but I wanted to post while I had the opportunity as I've kept you waiting long enough. I will get on it as soon as I have the chance! For now, I'm just posting.)

As Bram stepped through the door a familiar sense of coldness gripped him like a vice. The feeling of a thousand icy shackles seemed to wrap about his heart and for a moment he was still. The pain sibsided, the heaviness melted away, his battle weary body seemed as nothing more than a necessity.

Anon had returned to the puppet he was, the undead Seuss minion he had been before...but all was not lost. In his half stupor he glanced to Rhynan, the man he still remembered, the love he still recalled. He had to grip to that, cling desperately for it was all he had now, the only factor that did not change him completely. Even his emotions seemed to linger longer than before and for the first time since his unlife, Anonymous managed a geniune smile.

"Yes my love, all will be fine now"

The ghostly voice remained, but a soft echo of emotion danced through it mischeviously. Raising a hand, he lay it gently on Rhynan's head and patted his blood matted mane comfortingly.

--------------------------------------------

The violent youth was in a surprisingly good mood, despite the fact he had yet to beat the shit out of the little scinetist lady. "All in good time" he told himself mentally. So pleased was he with the idea that even the interference of Alex, who seemed to antagonize him generally passed by without note.

Alec: "With Seuss, 'maybe' is always the best choice...he's the kind of guy that will kill you with a yes or a no. With the buttons, I mean. I guess I should have explained what I thought, first."

For a moment there was a silence and Niran stared at the other boy, his arm folded across his chest. Niran too was the type of person who'd likely go ape shit at you over a "yes" or "no" answer, or if you said pretty much anything he didn't like, you got in his way etc. Shifting his weight from his left to his right, he unfolded his arms and made a fist with his dominant hand, then....

~bump~

"You got it spot on my man, well done!"

A friendly punch to the top of the arm bearing no animosity but unfortunately a little of Niran's raw strength. Turning the punch into a pat on the back, he continued past Alex and headed towards the Boss.

------------------------------------------

Yannick muttered a meek reply to James and huddled into the back of him like a frightened child hiding behind it's mother. Leaning his head on the nape of James' neck, he breathed softly and try to soak up what little warmth his friend emitted.

"Yeah..."

Yannick said pathetically to what James had to say, not particularly interested in the pair, especially since seeing Rhynan with the tall boy made him a little jealous.

"...?"

Thinking about it though...lifting his head up he shuffled slightly to the side so he was only half hidden he glared over James' shoulder.

"When I met Rhynan, he'd just lost his lover...do you think that's him? Is it really possible to bring back the dead?"

The Finnish youth thought back to what had happened at the church and shuddered as he thought of his crazed mother....

[Alec]

"We fought loooots of crazy stuff!" Jessica said, replying to Hanson. "Well, I guess mostly one thing... But it was HUUUUGE!"

Trevor rolled his eyes and resisted the urge to smack her. He was not literally a lady killer. "What matters now is that we're all here with few casualties."

"Let's try to keep it that way," responded Tristan.

Alec nodded. "Well... It looks like we're all here. Let's go, then. We have to get out of here and somewhere safe."

He began walking forward, leading the group...


Rhynan healed himself for 200 Hp.

As the group began to move forward, a snicker rang out through the room. The source came from the opposing wall where a multitude of crates were set out. "Well, well, well... Who do we have here?" A man leapt from the top of a stack, landing a few feet in front of him. He walked slowly toward the group, still at a fair distance.

"I spy with my little eye a rag tag group!" He brushed his long black hair out of his face. He stood tall, well over six feet. As he came closer, the party could tell that he wasn't completely sane. "Whatever are you here for?"

Players

[/u][/color][/center]

Alec's Characters

Alec Level: 25 Class: Prophet Subclass: Evoker Active Persona: Althaea Element: Water HP: 181/475 SP: 373/800 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Tristan
Level: 25
Class: Hunter
Subclass: Skater
Element: Earth
HP: 450/725
SP: 522/550
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Trevor Level: 25 Class: Fighter Subclass: Tempter Element: Fire HP: 600/600 SP: 505/675 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Jessica
Level: 25
Class: Heavy Craft
Subclass: Blonde
Element: Dark
HP: 878/975
SP: 236/300
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]


The Skylark's Characters[/b][/color]

Rhynan Level: 23 Class: Darkbringer Subclass: Emo Element: Wood HP: 287/560 SP: 295/625 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]James
Level: 23
Class: Enthraller
Subclass: Goth
Element: Dark
HP: 375/560
SP: 99/625
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Alex Level: 23 Class: Prophet Subclass: Supra-Celestial Element: Lightning HP: 409/445 SP: 108/740 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Bramwell's Characters[/b][/color]

Niran Level: 24 Class: Fighter Subclass: Psychopath Element: Water HP: 722/840 SP: 220/290 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Yannick
Level: 24
Class: Alice's Hand
Subclass: Emo
Element: Fire
HP: 262/460
SP: 398/770
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Anonymous Level: 24 Class: Tactician Subclass: Inflicted Element: Dark HP: 220/580 SP: 323/650 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Bandor's Characters[/b][/color]

Bandor Level: 20 Class: Tactician Subclass: Skater Element: Earth HP: 500/500 SP: 170/550 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Hanson
Level: 20
Class: Guitarist
Subclass: Skater
Element: Thunder
HP: 310/500
SP: 500/550
Status: Fine[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Dudeman's Characters[/b][/color]

Erin Level: 19 Class: Heavy Craft Subclass: Psychopath Element: Fire HP: 252/765 SP: 240/240 Status: Fine

Seth Level: 19 Class: Fighter Subclass: Psychopath Element: Wood HP: 252/765 SP: 204/240 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]

Drinzo Level: 19 Class: Darkbringer Subclass: Skater Element: Earth HP: 350/480 SP: 331/525 Status: Fine

[/center]

[Ranual]

erin turns toward the voice and utters not a sound in retort just raises her bazooka and steps forwards as if in a challlenge to the man

seth standing nearly seven feet tall is not impressed by this stranger at all he lets out a low animal like growl tensing his muscles in a lunge

drinzo draws his sword and speaks "i see he's a large fellow, good to know he eats well"

[bandor]

I actually think we are trying to get out Bandor said hesitantly. Could you perhaps help us with that? at this he turns and skillfully cures rhynan
Cure (Lvl. 3; Heal 200 Hp to one person; Sp: 35)
[The Pollyannaish Effect] This skill is to be used at the same time as a healing spell; the amount of health recovered is doubled. {Sp: 20}

Hanson takes up a defensive stance heals himself and prepares to defend his allies if needed
Heal (Lvl. 1; Heal 50 Hp to one person; Sp: 10)

[The Skylark]

Rhynan nodded at Bandor, thanking him. Rhynan now felt almost as good as he ever did, though the puncture wounds in his neck remained. He felt adequate, if not ready, for the challenges ahead.

He squeezed Bram's hand, saying nothing to the man.

***

James shrugged in response to Yannick.

"There is much I do not know, obviously. I do not think he is truly alive, however. Walk near him for a while, and you will feel alone- like there is nobody beside you."

Yannick was being more affectionate that usual, and James took a step forward out of the boy's reach- Yannick was better than most, but the physical contact was a bit too much for James.

He rubbed a few of his new wounds, thought for a moment, and muttered a word.

"Сальве"

Cure (Lvl. 3; Heal 200 Hp to one person; Sp: 35)

Healed, the Enthraller shrugged, turned away from Yannick and looked towards the tall man.

"What do you want from us?"

***

Alex winced and grinned at Niran's actions. Ignoring the strange man, he began to walk around the room, making sure there were no surprises waiting.

[Bramwell]

The reception was not the one that Anon had expected, there was no animosity, a surprising fact given all that had transpired. Saying as silent as his lover, Bram squeezed the cold fingers of Rhynan and lead him cautiously forward, towards their temporary allies.

It was not long however before something sinister seemed to wry it's way into the room and a tall, mysterious man appeared, giving the Tactician and unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach. Squeezing the fingers of his lover even tighter, he momentarily pulled him back, not willing to risk any harm to him.

------------------------------------------

Niran looked up half interested as the stranger appeared, only to let out an unimpressed sigh and flop against a nearby object strong enough to hold his dead weight.

"To kick your ass, if you come any closer..."

The tone was nonchalont and the fighter didn't stir, but mentally he was pumped. Ready at a moments notice because he was still itching to pummel something into the ground.

------------------------------------------

The Finnish boy cringed as the Russian took a step away, trying to find a modicum of personal space. Feeling dejected, Yannick said nothing and just wallowed in self pity for a moment, before gloomily casting his eyes over the stranger.

[Alec]

Alec bristled as the man came near and Tristan stepped forward, stepping in front of their leader. "We're here of our own business. That knowledge is of no concern to you. But as the man over here says, we are trying to leave this place."

Trevor and Jessica stood their ground, bracing for anything that might come.




Bandor heals Rhynan back to full health while Hanson and James recover themselves.

"Ohhhh, not my business, hmm?" The man twirls around extravagantly, lifting a hand to fondle his chin. "I can accept that, but help you? Now that is another story, my dear friends.

"YOU THERE!" The man shouted, turning manically and pointing at Alex. "Don't walk away while I am talking to you!" A swirl of mist twists around his finger and then strikes out towards the boy, inflicting him with paralysis. "Much better. Now maybe you'll PAY ATTENTION." He seemed to calm for a moment, but his temper flared again as he turned to Niran. "And YOU, don't be so rude!" His finger lifted again and Niran felt himself without speech (silence).

"Now that insolence has been quelled..." He smiled and brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. "Who am I? Vladmir Sigmund Wolfgang the third, but you may call me Vlad."

Players

[/u][/color][/center]

Alec's Characters

Alec Level: 25 Class: Prophet Subclass: Evoker Active Persona: Althaea Element: Water HP: 181/475 SP: 378/800 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Tristan
Level: 25
Class: Hunter
Subclass: Skater
Element: Earth
HP: 450/725
SP: 527/550
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Trevor Level: 25 Class: Fighter Subclass: Tempter Element: Fire HP: 600/600 SP: 510/675 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Jessica
Level: 25
Class: Heavy Craft
Subclass: Blonde
Element: Dark
HP: 878/975
SP: 241/300
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]


The Skylark's Characters[/b][/color]

Rhynan Level: 23 Class: Darkbringer Subclass: Emo Element: Wood HP: 560/560 SP: 300/625 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]James
Level: 23
Class: Enthraller
Subclass: Goth
Element: Dark
HP: 560/560
SP: 69/625
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Alex Level: 23 Class: Prophet Subclass: Supra-Celestial Element: Lightning HP: 409/445 SP: 113/740 Status: Paralysis (5)

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Bramwell's Characters[/b][/color]

Niran Level: 24 Class: Fighter Subclass: Psychopath Element: Water HP: 722/840 SP: 225/290 Status: Silence (5)

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Yannick
Level: 24
Class: Alice's Hand
Subclass: Emo
Element: Fire
HP: 262/460
SP: 403/770
Status: Fine[/td][/tr][/table]

Anonymous Level: 24 Class: Tactician Subclass: Inflicted Element: Dark HP: 220/580 SP: 328/650 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Bandor's Characters[/b][/color]

Bandor Level: 20 Class: Tactician Subclass: Skater Element: Earth HP: 500/500 SP: 120/550 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td][/td][td]Hanson
Level: 20
Class: Guitarist
Subclass: Skater
Element: Thunder
HP: 360/500
SP: 495/550
Status: Fine[/color][/td][/tr][/table]


Dudeman's Characters[/b][/color]

Erin Level: 19 Class: Heavy Craft Subclass: Psychopath Element: Fire HP: 252/765 SP: 240/240 Status: Fine

Seth Level: 19 Class: Fighter Subclass: Psychopath Element: Wood HP: 252/765 SP: 209/240 Status: Fine

[/color][/td][/tr][/table]

Drinzo Level: 19 Class: Darkbringer Subclass: Skater Element: Earth HP: 350/480 SP: 336/525 Status: Fine

[/center]

Enemy?

[/u][/color][/center]

Vladmir Sigmund Wolfgang III Level: 30 Class: Wizard Subclass: Unknown Element: Dark HP: 550/550 SP: 1190/1250 Status: Fine (albeit a little volatile)

[Ranual]

seth just casts cure on himself while staring intently at vladmir Cure (Lvl. 3; Heal 200 Hp to one person; Sp: 35)

erin stands stoically silent as if trying to read this strange man

drinzo being more vocal than the other 2 asks can we just call you vladmir, and im sure you have our undivided attention now

[bandor]

You have quite the temper good sir Bandor says trying to think up a plan to stop this obviously crazy man from hurting them. Thinking to at least make it easer he turns the mans paralysis spell back at him
[Reversal] Once per battle/quest, the Tactician gets to redirect a spell that is cast on him and/or one of his allies back to the caster. This counts for both offensive and status effect/weakening spells. The caster still takes the sp cost. {Sp: 35} Now good sir, i mean no disrespect but you had no reason to attack my friends like that. What have we ever done to you?

Hanson is much more volatile and decides this guy has to learn not to mess with people when they just escaped scary crap to be shoved into more scary crap. You asked for it he screams as he strikes a loud note on his guitar and starts to play Thunderstruck by ACDC
Heavenly Lightning (Lvl. 4; Ele. lightning; Type: converge; S; Sp: 40

[The Skylark]

Rhynan was healthy and capable of fighting...but he felt uneasy, unsure about actually attacking Vlad yet, though the others were already acting aggressively. He thought for a moment and then smiled wryly at Yannick.

Restore (Lvl. 2; Heal 100 Hp to one person; Sp: 20)

"Sorry," he said to Yannick, squeezing Bram's hand. For once, for this one moment before the fight where everything was working, Rhynan's life actually made sense to him.

* * *
Alex stretched. He did not like paralysis spells; they made all his limbs feel like they had been asleep for hours. He winced when Hanson attacked, though– Alex was hoping they'd be able to get around Vlad without just killing him.

Oh well.

Alex rubbed his temples–he needed to figure out a better strategy for these battles so he wasn't using so much magic–and closed his eyes.

Forest of iron. Black and white trees--running-- the trees don't talk, they just loom-- trailing fabric, hand across chest, long nails--only the purple veins in color...grasping...

...and passed the dream to Vlad.

[To Dream] Alex brings his enemy into his own dream of life, showing them what he sees and giving them the ailments Nightmare and Sleep. {Sp: 35}

* * *
James looked at Yannick.

"Working in concert was effective before; shall we do it again? I'll need to rest a while before I cast any powerful spells, however."

James awkwardly put his hand on Yannick's shoulder.

"...and thank you." He looked at Yannick, hoping the younger man would understand what James meant.