[19:25] <GM|JonB> ***Log Start***
[19:26] <Kuleno> (( I see we got debriefed and escorted to rooms or
something after Raoul did whatever, but that's it. ))
[19:27] <GM|JonB> *After delivering the Blueprints, your mission
involved contacting Earth via the I-D that Nikolai has on him. After
being debriefed by the Earth side of the project, you are all told to
take a couple days off to unwind from the mission, which was more
stressful than they had expected.
[19:28] <GM|JonB> *It seems that the royals of Biet are willing to
host you for a few days, except for Raoul, who isn't a guest.
[19:28] * Nikolai scratches his head. "So, Raoul..."
[19:28] <GM|JonB> *In fact, you're Raoul's guests!
[19:28] * Raoul likes having guests.
[19:28] * Kuleno likes standing around. He excels at it.
[19:29] * Raoul generally prefers pretty female guests who are also
his subjects, but this is a change of pace, and he'll give it a shot
anyhow.
[19:29] <Nikolai> "Since we have some time on our hands, were you
planning on showing us around your beatiful homeland?"
[19:29] <GM|JonB> ((Anika is unavailable))
[19:29] * Yuki` is drinking some water, as per usual.
[19:30] <Nikolai> ((aww))
[19:31] <GM|JonB> ((I was refering to Raouls 'pretty female guests'))
[19:31] <Raoul> "Indeed! I was hoping you would ask."
[19:31] <Raoul> ((Heh. Princes is princes.))
[19:33] <GM|JonB> ((Hit the FastForward button?))
[19:33] * Raoul will show his comrades around Azrag Biet, then - the
ports, the bazaars, and later, the pubs. But yes, >>ing is
acceptable. Montage!
[19:33] <Nikolai> ((~Va-cation all I ever wan-ted~))
[19:34] <Kuleno> (( X get! ))
[19:34] <GM|JonB> *It is a couple days later when Nikolai's I-D
starts to buzz quite incesently. It's giving off the signal that you
should pick it up now, and not later.
[19:34] * Nikolai picks up the I-D and activates it. "Nikolai Cadmus."
[19:35] * GM|JonB is now known as GM|CaptBlack
[19:35] <GM|CaptBlack> *Dias Black's face appears on the small
screen. "Is everyone there?"
[19:36] * Nikolai nods.
[19:36] * Yuki` coughs.
[19:36] <GM|CaptBlack> "Get them. We have something for you to do,
and time is an issue."
[19:37] * Kuleno perks!
[19:37] <Nikolai> "They are present."
[19:37] * GM|CaptBlack waits to see everyone on the screen before
starting again.
[19:38] * Raoul gets there, having been summoned. He was having fun,
dangit.
[19:38] * Yuki` looks at the screen for a moment, still coughing
slightly.
[19:38] * Raoul peeks over the others, waves politely.
[19:38] * Kuleno is towering over everyone.
[19:39] <Raoul> ((get a group portrait of this.))
[19:39] <GM|CaptBlack> "Alright, less than an hour ago, we detected
an I-D event. Problem is, it's not one of ours, on either side.
We've traced the event and discovered that it came from a nation to
the north of Etoile, by the name of Jord. We don't have much
information on that nation.
[19:40] <GM|CaptBlack> "But we did, once the boundry had settled
down, sent a UAV through to investigate the site. It prompty
crashed, due to terrain. We need people on the ground, and you're
the only team available within 12 hours."
[19:42] * GM|CaptBlack pauses, then keeps going. "We're going to do a
double jump to get you there. Yes, it's a rough thing to do, but it's
been judged an acceptable risk, given the... intensity of the event.
[19:42] <Raoul> "Intensity?"
[19:42] * Kuleno continues to miss all the technical mumbo-jumbo.
[19:42] * Yuki` coughs a bit harder before she can control
herself. "...a what?"
[19:43] <GM|CaptBlack> "The plan is, that in 15 minutes, you'll be I-
D'd to White Sands, then once the system resets, less than a minute,
we'll I-D you to the outskirts of the site. Investigate and report."
[19:43] * Nikolai has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[19:43] <GM|CaptBlack> "We don't have much information at the moment,
but Caspar was quite annoyed, and when he gets annoyed..."
[19:44] <GM|CaptBlack> "Any questions?"
[19:45] <Raoul> "Any suspicions as to who or what would act this way?
You make it sound as if this event were larger than whatever the
normal is."
[19:45] * Kuleno keeps his questions to himself.
[19:46] <GM|CaptBlack> "We don't know. When we I-D'd in the UAV, the
residual energy messed with the portal, and the thing came out going
down from 50 meters, rather than straight ahead. We're dropping you
guys on the outskirts to find out the answers to those questions."
[19:47] <GM|CaptBlack> "You'll be provided with cold-weather gear on
your turnaround here at White Sands, so just get your gear."
[19:48] <Yuki`> "...what do you know about Jord? Beyond that it's
cold?"
[19:49] * GM|CaptBlack sighs, putting one hand to his forehead. "Not
much. They're pretty isolationist, from what I've gathered. Don't
even know what language they're using."
[19:49] <GM|CaptBlack> "But from what we can tell, this isn't a
populated zone, more like the wilderness. Intel speculates that it
was a remote testing site for their version of the I-DEMON."
[19:50] <Yuki`> "...okay..."
[19:50] <GM|CaptBlack> "If that's all?"
[19:51] * Raoul nods, thinking to himself. 'they' rarely has a
positive connotation.
[19:52] * Nikolai has joined #I-DEMON
[19:52] <GM|CaptBlack> "Alright then. 15 minutes. Find an open
place for the portal."
[19:52] <GM|CaptBlack> *With that, the connection is closed.
[19:53] * Kuleno already has his cold-weather gear on. Go go thick
fur.
[19:54] <Nikolai> "So. What preparations do we need to make before we
depart?"
[19:55] * Raoul gets his sword; other than that, with cold-weather
gear provided, he should be okay.
[19:56] <GM|CaptBlack> ((I assume everyone gets ready then, and finds
an open place for the portal?))
[19:56] <Yuki`> "...better clothes for me. Beyond the cold weather
stuff."
[19:56] <Yuki`> "But we'll probably get those at the... wherever."
[19:57] <Kuleno> (( I'm good to go. ))
[19:57] <Raoul> ((yes.))
[19:57] * Nikolai has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[19:59] <GM|CaptBlack> *In an open garden, the team is assembled, and
right on time, the portal opens up, shifting the view in front of
them from an ornate wall to an open desert area, with metal buildings
in the distance. On the other side, you see Dias Black, and a couple
soldiers, standing ready with a couple boxes.
[19:59] * Yuki` shudders a bit.
[20:00] <GM|CaptBlack> "Come on! The sooner we shut this one down,
the quicker we can cycle up!"
[20:01] * Yuki` hesitates, but eventually enters.
[20:02] * Raoul pops through, nods to the soldiers.
[20:02] * Kuleno enters!
[20:02] <GM|CaptBlack> *With the party through, the portal shuts down
behind them.
[20:03] <GM|CaptBlack> "Welcome to Earth, Kuleno, Yuki-chan. Did I
say the right?"
[20:03] * Yuki` coughs a little. "Just... Yuki, please."
[20:03] <Yuki`> !roll 1d100
[20:03] <Highwind> Yuki` - 1d100: 53 ( Total: 53 )
[20:04] * Yuki` keeps coughing, but she's able to stay upright at
least.
[20:05] * GM|CaptBlack nods, and the soldiers hand out bright orange
parks to everyone who needs it. One of them explains that they are
survival wear for the airforce, and were the only things they could
get on such short notice.
[20:06] * Yuki` will need it, very much, yes.
[20:07] * Raoul slips one on. Orange is not his color, but it fits
well enough.
[20:07] <GM|CaptBlack> "We've been trying to get a hold of Ms.
Keirley, but she's gone dark. If we can get her, we'll send her up
to reinforce you."
[20:07] <Yuki`> *cough cough* "Okay..." *cough* "...have... water?"
[20:08] <Raoul> "Certainly very warm... Backup is always appreciated.
If this journey is anything like our last, it may prove necessary..."
[20:08] <GM|CaptBlack> *Yuki is given a canteen by one of the
soldiers. "Courtesy the United States Government."
[20:09] * GM|CaptBlack waits for eveyone to get dressed, then
nods. "That should be it, Portal should be opening up.. now."
[20:09] * Yuki` drinks it down quickly, then hands it back before
finishing with the parka.
[20:09] <GM|CaptBlack> "You can keep it ma'am."
[20:10] * Yuki` shrugs slightly and puts it in her bag.
[20:10] <Kuleno> (( I assume Common and English are the same? ))
[20:10] <GM|CaptBlack> ((Yep.))
[20:11] * Kuleno grunts his acknoweldgement.
[20:12] <GM|CaptBlack> *Behind the party, another portal opens. This
one crosses from desert to 4 feet of snow. You can see that some of
it is already melting. "Better get going."
[20:12] * Raoul steps tall, to get his foot in over the snow.
[20:13] * Kuleno gets going!
[20:13] * Yuki` will walk through, slowly.
[20:14] <GM|CaptBlack> *Once through, the portal closes. The parkas
keep those who wear them warm. There is quite a lot of snow here,
but it isn't snowing, nor is the wind heavy. There are a lot of pine
trees here. Awareness checks at +30.
[20:15] <Yuki`> !roll 1d100
[20:15] <Highwind> Yuki` - 1d100: 72 ( Total: 72 )
[20:15] <Yuki`> ((Fail by 2.))
[20:16] <GM|CaptBlack> ((Raoul? Kuleno?))
[20:16] <Raoul> !roll 1d100
[20:16] <Highwind> Raoul - 1d100: 46 ( Total: 46 )
[20:16] <Raoul> ((win, even normally))
[20:18] <Kuleno> !roll 1d100
[20:18] <Highwind> Kuleno - 1d100: 11 ( Total: 11 )
[20:18] <Kuleno> (( Whee, I'm lagging hard. Sorry. ))
[20:18] <GM|CaptBlack> *You look up. And notice that the tops of the
trees have been knocked over, away from the ridge to your left, what
you would presume to be your north. But the rest of the trees, and
the snow, appear undisturbed.
[20:18] * Kuleno notes this. "Thing fly?"
[20:19] <Yuki`> "What?"
[20:19] * Kuleno points to the tree tops.
[20:19] <Raoul> "Oh my... An impressive force."
[20:20] * Yuki` looks up. "Oh."
[20:22] <GM|CaptBlack> *You can hear the wind start to pick up a
little bit. Not much, but it's there. And whatever it was, came
from the ridge, or what was past it.
[20:22] * Kuleno is extremely puzzled by this. He has no idea which
way to start looking.
[20:23] * Raoul slowly starts towards the ridge. He says nothing, but
is simply curious.
[20:23] * Yuki` will followly closely behind, hugging herself a bit
for more warmth.
[20:24] * Kuleno follows, as usual. Even though he shoud probably be
leading here. Snowy, mountainous terrain and all.
[20:24] <GM|CaptBlack> *You quickly reach the top of the ridge, and
look over the edge...
[20:25] <Raoul> ((cliffhanger!))
[20:25] <GM|CaptBlack> *The valley has been blasted clean. All the
trees have been driven flat against the ground, perfectly arrayed
from the epicenter of whatever it was that happened.
[20:26] * Kuleno manages to keep his anger outraged. Mostly.
[20:26] <Yuki`> "..."
[20:26] <GM|CaptBlack> ((Yuki, make an awareness role, flat please.
I'll make one for Nikolai))
[20:26] <GM|CaptBlack> !roll 1d100
[20:26] * Raoul is agape. This is pure destruction.
[20:26] <Highwind> GM|CaptBlack - 1d100: 78 ( Total: 78 )
[20:26] <Kuleno> (( suppressed, not outraged. ))
[20:26] <Yuki`> !roll 1d100
[20:26] <Highwind> Yuki` - 1d100: 62 ( Total: 62 )
[20:27] <Yuki`> ((Fail by 22. >_<))
[20:27] <GM|CaptBlack> ((Bah, I'll say Nikolai made his.))
[20:27] <GM|CaptBlack> <Nikolai> "This is like Tunguska."
[20:28] * GM|CaptBlack is now known as GM|Nikolai
[20:28] * Yuki` looks pale for just a moment, then shakes her head
and looks confused. "What's a Tunguska?"
[20:29] <GM|Nikolai> "Not a what. A place. In Russia, back on
Earth. Almost a century ago, something exploded over the winderness,
and this was the result, only much larger. Like a couple thousnad
square kilometers. This was just a firecracker in comparison."
[20:30] <GM|Nikolai> "But that was an air-bust. This was ground
level. We should start in the middle."
[20:32] <Raoul> "Will it still be dangerous there?"
[20:33] * GM|Nikolai shrugs. "Don't know. Tunguska wasn't. Best guess
was that it was caused by an asteroid that almost-hit."
[20:33] <Yuki`> "Yeah... I think that something as powerful as that
might make for some... leftover stuff of whatever did it."
[20:34] <Yuki`> "...but then again I guess we don't have a choice."
[20:34] <GM|Nikolai> "Maybe. That's why the middle. If there's
something left, it'll be there."
[20:35] <GM|Nikolai> ((/me doesn't like wearing a PC. This is
leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Sorry Django!))
[20:35] <Yuki`> "Right." Yuki starts slowly walking down towards the
middle.
[20:36] <GM|Nikolai> (( Terrain looks something like this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tunguska_event_fallen_trees.jpg ))
[20:36] * Kuleno is right behind. He should probably still be leading
this trek.
[20:37] * Raoul keeps up, but sinks into the snow. It's nothing like
sand at all, and he's a little distracted with the idea of what could
pull this off. Some powerful magic, or Earth technology. But he
doesn't know what, specifically, and that worries him.
[20:39] <GM|Nikolai> *The party advances, and you don't don't need
any special senses to feel that this wasn't a natural event.
[20:40] <GM|Nikolai> ((Another awareness check, even))
[20:41] <Kuleno> !roll 1d100
[20:41] <Highwind> Kuleno - 1d100: 50 ( Total: 50 )
[20:41] <Yuki`> !roll 1d100
[20:41] <Highwind> Yuki` - 1d100: 18 ( Total: 18 )
[20:41] <Kuleno> (( Pass by 26. ))
[20:41] <Yuki`> ((Okay, this one is a success. By 22.))
[20:42] <GM|Nikolai> ((Raoul?))
[20:42] <Raoul> !roll 1d100
[20:42] <Highwind> Raoul - 1d100: 55 ( Total: 55 )
[20:42] <Raoul> ((sorry. <.<))
[20:42] <Raoul> ((fail by 1.))
[20:43] <GM|Nikolai> *As you get close to the center, Kuleno spots
what seems to be a series of regular shapes on the sides of the North-
West ridge. Yuki, however, stumbles over the remains of the UAV,
firmly planted into the soil.
[20:44] * Yuki` in fact, almost literally stumbles upon it. "The
hell?"
[20:44] <Yuki`> ((And UAV?))
[20:45] <Kuleno> (( Unmanned Vehicle. ))
[20:45] <Kuleno> (( +Aerial ))
[20:45] <GM|Nikolai> ((Unmanned Ariel Vehicle. A recon drone used by
the armed forces))
[20:46] * Raoul looks over. "Find something?"
[20:46] * Yuki` frowns deeply at the wreckage, then looks over it a
bit. "Something important. What, I'm not sure."
[20:46] * Kuleno is interested in those shapes. He has no idea what
that "UAV" thing was.
[20:47] * GM|Nikolai looks over at what Yuki found. "That's the drone
Captain Black was talking about, the one that crashed. Probably
useless."
[20:48] <Yuki`> "So... we just leave it, or what?"
[20:49] * Kuleno tries picking it up.
[20:49] <GM|Nikolai> "For now, yes."
[20:50] <GM|Nikolai> *The remains of the UAV are pretty big. over a
meter and a half long, a fixed wing design.
[20:50] <Raoul> ((brb))
[20:50] <GM|Nikolai> ((You can try))
[20:50] <Kuleno> (( Roll me up, cap'n! Strength? ))
[20:50] <GM|Nikolai> ((Yep))
[20:51] <Kuleno> !roll 1d100
[20:51] <Highwind> Kuleno - 1d100: 73 ( Total: 73 )
[20:51] <Kuleno> (( Love you too, Highwind. ))
[20:51] <GM|Nikolai> *Kuleno tries to lift the airframe from the
ground, but can't extract it from the ground. It hit pretty hard,
and dug in deep.
[20:52] <Raoul> ((back))
[20:52] * Kuleno returns his attention to the north-west ridge.
[20:52] <GM|Nikolai> "I'd suggest just marking the spot for later
retrieval."
[20:52] * Kuleno treks over that-a-way, motioning to the others.
[20:53] <GM|Nikolai> "What do you see, Kuleno?"
[20:53] <Yuki`> "Marking... how- where is Kuleno going to, and why
isn't he telling us?"
[20:53] * Kuleno sketches the shape in the air.
[20:53] <Kuleno> (( Since you never told me what kinda shape it is.
<.< ))
[20:54] <Raoul> "Kuleno does not speak much. Or have you not noticed?"
[20:54] * Raoul grins, until the joke falls flat, and then he stops.
[20:55] * Yuki` just gives a quick look at Raoul and goves over to
where Kuleno is.
[20:55] <GM|Nikolai> ((You gonna point it out?))
[20:56] * Kuleno motioned to the others for a reason.
[20:57] * Kuleno motions to the shapes.
[20:57] * Raoul trots oer to examine them, then, behind everyone else.
[20:57] * GM|Nikolai looks where he's pointing, and examines the
shapes. "That looks like, maybe building shadows?"
[21:00] * Kuleno still has no idea what kind of shapes they are. They
just don't look natural.
[21:01] <GM|Nikolai> "Like whatever blew up here pulverized the
buildings and left shadows of them along the ridge.
[21:01] * Yuki` looks as well.
[21:03] * Melo has joined #I-DEMON
[21:03] <GM|Nikolai> *It does look like the shadows of some
buildings, but what they were, you couldn't tell. As you get closer,
you can see stone foundations flush with the ground.
[21:03] <GM|Nikolai> ((You're late!))
[21:03] <Melo> (( Fell asleep. >.< ))
[21:04] <Melo> (( Do you want me? ))
[21:04] <Yuki`> "That's... huh. That is very strange, and I really
don't like it."
[21:04] <GM|Nikolai> ((I was planning on calling the session short
due to the way things panned out.))
[21:05] <GM|Nikolai> "You and me both, Yuki."
[21:05] <Raoul> "Wiped the building off the map."
[21:06] <GM|Nikolai> "Right. Maybe there was a basement or
something?"
[21:07] <GM|Nikolai> ((I'm going to call the session here, as I was
planning on getting to this point after the fight scene. But no
fight means I'm running on fumes.))
[21:07] <Yuki`> ((Okay.))
[21:08] <GM|Nikolai> ((2000 XP, 0G. No Shopping or Crafting.))
[21:08] * GM|Nikolai is now known as JonB
[21:08] <JonB> ***LOG END***