PPU Adventure #1

[AnimaStone]

Anima opens one eye.

ANIMA: No! You fool! Don't you understand? That mansion! It is where they...

A look of utter terror comes across Anima's face.

ANIMA: It is too late. I cannot hold them back anymore. Abandon the ship. We may salvage it later, but staying with it now is certain death.

As everyone begins exiting the ship, Anima looks at Pinata, directly in his eyes.

ANIMA: They are still too strong. I may be able to keep them from us... but perhaps not. I will need to devote my entire self to holding them back. You must lead them. Take them to the mansion. Although it is orderly, I have a feeling that something very important in it. It was, at one point, Foretel's house.

Pinata begins walking away to talk to the others.

ANIMA: If I should fall... keep my body safe. Do not let them ravage it. Seal it in concrete, or lead, or something, but keep them away from it. I may not be the strongest red mage eM has seen, but... certain innate qualities I have make me come pretty damn close. I hate to think what they could make me do.

[piñata]

*Piñata's expression sobers as he looks back at Anima. He looks odd without a goofy grin on his face.*

Piñata: If anything happens to you, I promise, I will personally make sure they don't get your body.
Anima (looking relieved): Thank you. And good luck.
Piñata: Good luck to you, too.

*Piñata turns away again, taking the others off toward the mansion on a roundabout route, so as to escape detection as long as possible before whatever enemy Anima is protecting them from knows they're there. Bass comes up next to Piñata.*

Bass: Are you sure he's trustworthy?
Piñata: I have no forking idea. But he's gotten us this far, and he's obviously not a white mage, so I'm inclined to trust him.
Bass: Hey, I'm a white mage.
Piñata: Yeah, but you don't act very... white magey. You know the type I'm talking about -- the "worship my god or die" type.
Bass: Oh, them. Yeah, they're forking annoying.
Piñata: I'm going to need you, Elfie, and the other major players here. There may be something I can't handle that you can. Be alert -- the prophecy isn't always clear when certain events are going to happen, but it's adamant that you're going to save our asses at some point.
Bass: Whatever I can do, just let me know. I'm sure that goes for the others as well. We all trust you with our lives.
Piñata: You should probably look to someone more mentally stable for leadership.
Bass: Who? The necro? The Elf who hears voices? The white mage who just got compleated by the Phyrexians? The guy who didn't want his severed arm reattached?
Piñata: Okay, so we're all forked up. Point taken.

[AnimaStone]

(OOC: I'm not really advancing this particular part much. Go ahead to advance the party as much as you want. I'll break in if need be.)

Anima looks around at the group. He sees Pinata begin giving orders, and the varied reactions of the group.

ANIMA (thinking): So this is what it has come to? How... wonderful. My homeland is destroyed, my Fisher King is dead, and I am in the care of a bunch of lunatics.

Anima sighs.

ANIMA (thinking): Apparently, being the embodiment of chaos does not make you immune to chaos. Although... these ones do have what they need. I can tell... they have a certain look in their eyes. If anyone is able to fulfill the roles in the prophecy Foretel told me about before he died, they can. They have the ones he mentioned...

Anima looks at Bass

ANIMA (thinking): ...the reluctant warrior...

Anima looks at Elfie.

ANIMA (thinking): ...the cunning one...

Anima looks at Ape.

ANIMA (thinking): ...the amnesiac...

Anima looks at Qrel.

ANIMA (thinking): ...and the Many.

Finally, Anima looks at Pinata.

ANIMA (thinking): And Foretel mentioned that one by name. Pinata. These must be the ones. I can only hope that Foretel actually knew what he was talking about. He was in a state of delusion.....

Anima sighs again.

ANIMA (thinking): Too late now.

Anima shuts his eyes and begins to concentrate. He is now completely shut off from the outside world. An invisible shell forms around the party... but immediately, invisible fingers and tentacles begin to poke at it, testing its strength.

[piñata]

*Piñata exchanges a meaningful glance at Bass as the two of them are the first to sense the magical web being cast around them.*

Bass (looking worriedly back at Anima): What the fork is he doing to us?
Piñata: It feels like some sort of protection spell. I thoink he's trying to help.
Bass: Are you sure he's trustworthy?
Piñata: How many times do you plan to ask me that?

[piñata]

(OOC: Sure, you could get in on this. In fact, there's already a character named Enelya that exists in the storyline -- the Royal Seeress of Olwe -- that you could play. She can foretell the future and stuff. If you decide to play as her, you might want to wait until we get to The House of Lore (probably on the next page sometime, unless someone else decides to draw out this grapes storyline) to introduce yourself, since Anima's character was supposed to be the only survivor among the people living at our current location. )

Now, back to the adventure...

Piñata: I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly.
Bass (rolling his eyes): You could've just said "What's that smell" or something.
Piñata: Seriously, though, what the fork is that?
Bass: I don't know, I can't place it. I've definitely smelled it before, though.
Piñata (pointing): There.
Bass: Mriswith?
Piñata: They're all dead, though. No wonder it smells bad... mriswith blood reeks.
Elfie: What do you thoink killed them?
Piñata: Probably Foretel. The bodies look like they've been here a while, although it's hard to tell with mriswith because I've never actually seen one decompose.
Elfie: They probably decompose more slowly because they're reptiles. Do you thoink there are any still inside the mansion?
Piñata (reaching out with the Force): No. Nothing's alive in there. (shuddering) At least not in the traditional sense of the word.
Bass: That evil we felt when we came in... it's concentrated in there, isn't it?
Piñata: Pretty much so, yes.
Bass: Do you know how to defeat it?
Piñata: I have no forking idea.

[SuperBassX84]

Bass: In that case, I'm staying out here. After what happened to me the last time I felt it, I do not feel like endangering myself again. I will protect Anima and Basurake against more...physical...threats.
Piñata: Pansy.
Bass: Don't I wish.

[piñata]

(OOC: Enelya, could we please take these OOC posts to the OOC thread? You should probably post in there anyway... if you have any ideas as to how your character would fit into the prophecy, other than the fact that she wrote it, I want you to share them.)

*Piñata steps over the dead mriswith, going into the mansion, looking around for signs of danger. The others follow him with varying degrees of nervousness.*

Piñata: We're probably going to need to post a watch out here in the courtyard. Oddveig, Elfie, Kyliki, and Ereinion, can you guys handle that?

*After a chorus of affirmatives, Piñata opens the door. He's immediately greeted by a smell not quite as bad as the mriswith, but still bad nonetheless.*

Scythe: What's that? It's different from the mriswith.
Piñata: It's human. Someone's decomposing in here.
Scythe: Foretel?
Piñata: Probably.
Krotos: Isn't Foretel more powerful than any of us?
Piñata: From what I understand, he was more powerful than all of us put together.
Krotos: So how do you expect to defeat whatever killed him?

(OOC: Anima, I'm going to end my post here... I'm not sure exactly how you want the fight with the grapes to go, so feel free to tell me if there's anything I need to know about them. Keep in mind I didn't read the mask book you keep referring to. )

[AnimaStone]

Anima's eyes suddenly open.

ANIMA: Defeat them? You cannot. I cannot. All of us put together could not. Perhaps in his prime Foretel could, but he has been in a decline ever since mononoke86 deserted him. No. We cannot defeat them.

Anima turns to face Pinata and the rest of the group.

ANIMA: But we can evade them. Right now, they have a psychic hold on us. I tried to lock them out, but they somehow bypassed my shielding. Because of certain... innate qualities I possess, they cannot lay a finger on me. But all of you are maskless.

Anima looks towards the only door in the vicinity. It is a small, metal door that is dented in several places and shows signs of rusting.

ANIMA: I will go and find masks for you. Surely, someone as powerful as Foretel would have a psyche big enough to shield all of yours.

Anima looks towards Pinata again.

ANIMA: You have seen the mriswith? They use the mriswith as guards and scouts in this world. I would be disappointed in them if they did not think to attack you while you are psychically weak. You might want to help the one who is at the ship as well. He has not managed to elude notice, and he is alone.

Anima walks up to the door. Suddenly, he turns to look back at the group.

ANIMA: And as for Foretel's power... can you see the battle signs? The walls are chipped. There is a crater in the ground. And see the number he killed.

Anima shakes his head.

ANIMA: He was truly mighty. He could not be slain by physical means even when he was so weak.

Anima opens the door and walks into the mansion's inner rooms.

[SuperBassX84]

-=Back near Basurake, Bass starts looking for Anima=-

Bass: Goddammit...he was here a minute ago...fucking shafty bastard...

-=At that moment, Bass feels a pulling...a pulling from within...a pulling he's felt many times before=-

Bass: Of all the times for that bastard...

-=Bass quickly finds a small spot in the woods, effectively shielded from view, and begins his meditation, encasing himself in a protective psychic cocoon - long ago devised to protect himself from outside harm while dealing with inside trouble=-

-=As he gets into his meditations, he becomes more and more aware of the world around him. Long refined, his Essence Powers can tell him the precise location, power, and sometimes even thoughts of everything within several miles. He knows what is out there - not precisely what it is, but that it is powerful. Powerful and evil. He only hopes that it does not find him while he is meditating, and if it does, that he is safe in his cocoon=-

-=Inside Bass's Psyche...=-

Bass: Bane, you bastard! Show yourself so I can put you down like the dog you are - AGAIN!
Bane: As much as I'd love to engage in yet another wonderful bloodbath here in dreamland, we've got a much bigger problem to deal with.
Bass: What do you mean, "we"?
Bane: I mean as in that pathetic shell of a body you and I share.
Bass: The body is mine. The mind is mine. The soul is mine. You just happen to exist in a small corner of all three.
Bane: You're missing the point, fool! That presence out there is far greater than ANYTHING. Greater than Morbaruk, even at the height of his power. Greater than Aratar or Yawgmoth or Omeguz or any of the rest of them. Greater than the mighty Foretel. Greater even than me. Greater even than yourself.
Bass: So what's your point?
Bane: My point is that while you were defending your precious Conclave I was out traveling the Planes in various forms. The knowledge I have is more expansive than anything you could hope to achieve.
Bass: And?
Bane: I've encountered this thing before. I never got close enough to find out exactly what it was, but I got the basics. Anything more evil and destructive than yourself, although I am loathe to admit it, needs to be researched so that it may be properly dealt with if it ever comes to pass.
Bass: Damn. You're actually making sense.
Bane: Shut up! This isn't a joke. I don't feel like inhabiting a body that doesn't even think for itself, so listen up! This thing attacks you psychically. Like I said, I'm not sure of the actual details, but if I'm right, despite that weakness that we felt earlier, we have a very unique psyche - basically, there's two of us. If we're clever enough, we may be able to keep it off balance, never allowing it to take control of our body. You'll have to talk to that Anima thing.
Bass: Thing?
Bane: Shapeshifter. I see more than you think from in here, and I know more than you could dream.
Bass: Get to the point.
Bane: You'd have to talk to him to be sure, but we may be able to beat this thing. Not beat as in defeat, but beat as in not get controlled/destroyed.
Bass: I'll talk to Anima, then. Now about that bloodbath.
Bane: Nevermind. I've more research to do on this being.
Bass: Bane, why are you helping me?
Bane: I'm not. I'm helping US do what WE can do to save US. If you die while I'm in here, I die, too, and I'd rather have the joy of watching you bleed from the outside.
Bass: And I'd enjoy nothing more than erasing you from existence.

-=As Bass comes out of his cocoon, he realizes the presence has left him alone, left the area, for the time being. He quickly gathers himself up and heads towards the mansion, pondering his conversation with Bane within his subconscious=-

[piñata]

(OOC: I'm still going to rely very heavily on Anima to advance the storyline. This post will mostly just tie us in more closely with the Conclave adventures, and provide us with some humor. Also, Bass, since the voice of the prophecy speaks to you from inside your mind when it has something to say, you can assume for now that there are actually 2.5 of you (I'm not counting Bane as a complete inhabitant because he's still elsewhere as well).)

*Suddenly, a voice comes forth from DA's mouth. It isn't DA's voice.*

DAidene: What did you do?
DA: I really can't have this conversation right now, Aidene.
DAidene: You were compleated by the Phyrexians?
DA: Yep.
DAidene: The Elders will never approve of this.
DA: Don't I outrank them?
DAidene: You're Phyrexian now. I believe that's called high treason on Serra's Realm. You'll be lucky if they don't execute you.
DA: I'm trying to give you a reason to stop hating the Phyrexians. Or are white creatures no longer interested in peace?
Elfie: Wow, I taught him pretty well.
Belgarath (leaning in toward Piñata): What's going on?
Piñata: It's a long story.
Belgarath: Well, just tell me one thing. He's not going insane, is he?
Piñata: No, not insane. Certainly... er... special, but not insane.
Belgarath: Well, that's a relief.
DA: I can hear you two, you know.
Piñata: Good. Can Aidene hear us too?
DAidene: Yes. You're very entertaining.
DA: Don't encourage them!
Piñata: Well, I was wondering... Aidene, next time you're on Serra's Realm, could you say hi to Perlia for me?
Freyalise (giving Piñata a frosty look): Who's Perlia?
Piñata (clearing his throat): Nevermind.

*The group continues following Anima.*

[AnimaStone]

Anima continues walking. He enters a large ballroom in which a huge organ is playing a requiem.

ANIMA: Foretel's ballroom. Some of the mightiest people to exist in eM have been in here: Foretel, obviously, mononoke86 of the Warrior's Guild, Caelestis of the Mystics, Allanon of the Mages, Duncan Angelfire before he was taken by death... and of course, Genocide Heart, the one that caused this all.

Anima shakes his head in disgust.

ANIMA: Foretel's personal study is just beyond here. If they do inhabit this place, they are most likely in there.

PINATA: Hold on.

ANIMA: What?

PINATA: If you're standing there, and we're standing here, and Foretel is dead... then who's playing the organ?

The group collectively looks at the organ. No one is sitting at the bench, and it appears to be playing itself.

ANIMA: That is either a song for the repose of Foretel's spirit.... or it is a song for our deaths. Either way, be wary.

Anima looks into the dark corners of the room, where great, molding tapestries hang.

ANIMA: I have no doubts that he will send mriswith here.

Anima turns to Pinata.

ANIMA: You must hold the mriswith off. They are trying to ensure that no one is able to encounter them. If I leave now, I can avoid the battle, but you must delay the mriswith long enough to let me find you masks.

Without waiting for an answer, Anima sprints to the door at the far end of the ballroom and goes through.

[piñata]

*Piñata turns to Devo as Anima exits the room.*

Piñata: Devo, I need you to go get Bass. He's the only one capable of sensing the mriswith before they become visible. Also, if there are any horses alive in this area, I need you to get them to join us. We might stand a better chance against the mriswith if we engage them from a mount.
Devo: Okay. I'll be right back.

[SuperBassX84]

((OOC: I would say he's inhabiting my head and exerting his presence elsewhere, not the other way around. You still don't quite seem to grasp the whole concept of Bane.))

-=Before Devo even gets out the door, Bass bursts through=-

Devo: Well, that was easy.
Bass: Where's Anima?
Piñata: He's getting us masks, but that's beside the point. We need you to--
Bass: WHERE EXACTLY IS HE?
Piñata: It doesn't matter! We were told not to follow him and you need to find us Mriswith before they become visible.
Bass: Tell me exactly where he went and I'll find your damn Mriswith.
Piñata: Fine, but I don't see what good it'll do. He went through to Foretel's study, over there. Now about the Mriswith.

-=Before Piñata even finishes speaking Bass has begun concentrating. After a few seconds, he comes out of his trance=-

Bass: Three from the back door, nine from the front. Open fire on the front door in EXACTLY 31 seconds. Back in 38. That should be surprising enough to make them appear. Oh, and then there's this one--

-=Bass reaches out to his right, grabbing a Mriswith around the neck, nearly crushing his windpipe, and causing him to appear and drop his weapons. The Mriswith crumples to the ground and is quickly set upon by DA and Belly=-

Bass: Fucking scouts.
Piñata: Why do we have to fire on them? Why can't you just tell us?
Bass: Because I have more important things to do.
Piñata: ??

-=Without another word, Bass pushes past the others and heads towards Foretel's study=-

Piñata: Anima said not to follow us.
Bass: Don't tell me what to do.
Piñata: I can't let you go in there.
Bass: I SAID DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!

-=Piñata steps back, seeing a rage in Bass's eyes he's not seen in ages=-

Piñata: Fine. Go. Get yourself killed.
Bass: Thank you. And if any of you try to follow me, I will kill you.
Elfie: Bass, are you feeling Ok?
Bass: I'm fine. You've got about 6 seconds left before you gotta start firing. Hopefully I wasn't off in my calculations.

-=At that, Bass disappears through the door, leaving the group alone to face the Mriswiths=-

Bass: Dammit, Bane. I agreed to "share" to beat this thing, but threatening my friends I will not tolerate.
Bane: It was necessary, idiot. If they follow, they will surely die. Your friend Piñata will probably follow us anyway - fool's curiousity and stubbornness will be his death.
Bass: For your sake and his, I hope not.

-=Bass starts down the spiral stairs that lead towards Foretel's study=-

[AnimaStone]

At the door to Foretel's study, Anima pauses. A gurgling sound can be heard from the area within.

ANIMA: So this is what I've been reduced to? I'm just a petty thief, waiting for a rich man to look away so I can pick his pocket.

Anima laughs unnervedly. Suddenly, he hears footsteps on the staircase above him. Anima looks up and sees Bass.

ANIMA: ....You. I told them to keep you safe. I would hardly classify this--

Anima gestures toward the door.

ANIMA: --situation as safe.

BASS: I know what you're going to say. I assure you that I am safe. I also possess certain... innate qualities, you could say. In effect, I have two psyches occupying this body.

A slight change comes over Bass's face.

BANE: Not entirely correct. You have one psyche occupying the body and one that is trying to break free.

Bass's face changes again.

BASS: Bane! Not now!

Bass looks up at Anima. Anima nods.

ANIMA: You are safe.

Anima puts his hand on the doorknob.

ANIMA: I must warn you: they are more powerful than you can imagine. You cannot, at any cost, allow them to get a handhold on your mind. If you feel them touch you, do something to get them off.

Bass nods. Anima opens the door. At the top of the long shaft of stairs, a lone mriswith sneaks through the door. It looks down at the door to the study and sees Anima and Bass. Ever so slowly, it begins to creep down the stairs.

(OOC: Pinata, your move. Leave that mriswith, but kill some of the ones in the ballroom. Bass, if you can use this post to tell me more about Bane, that would be nice.)

[SuperBassX84]

-=As Anima begins to open the door, Bass puts his hand up, signalling for him to stop=-

Anima: What?
Bass: There are things you should know about Bane. He is the evil that had built up inside of me for years incarnate. He is almost entirely--
Bane: I am ENTIRELY entirely.
Bass: --Evil. The only reason I'm trusting him now is because I have to, and because I know that when this is over, I can shut him away again.
Bane: You hope.
Bass: Anyway, watch yourself around me. I can't even trust myself right now, much less anyone else. And considering I've always been the only one I can trust, it's extremely unnerving.
Anima: Don't worry - I always watch my back.
Bass: Also, I know about your...innate qualities...as you describe them.
Anima: How?
Bane: I know about them. I just decided to enlighten him.
Bass: What happened to "we"?
Bane: You always were an anal prick.
Bass: Shut up. Finally, there's a Mriswith coming down those stairs behind us.
Anima: Ignore him - where we're going he'll have a hard time following.
Bass: Deal.

-=At that, Anima and Bass head through the door=-