The Avalon Chronicles
Game Master lynora

Vakkler starts. "A derro...derro, also known as 'white dwarves', are insane people of the Underdark. Derro are not born insane, but drive their offspring to madness at a young age through an unknown ritual. Derro are extremely sadistic, and take delight in capturing unwary travelers and torturing them to death. This particular conflict, as you have just read, started when the derro tribe kidnapped several sons of the mite shaman for such a purpose."

"Derro...didn't you say that you fought alongside them? Was it against the mites? Are there still derro left?" She starts rapid-firing questions in a torrent, trying to make up for the years of non-sentience. Jen takes a deep breath and continues. "If you did fight with the derro, how did you manage to escape? Isn't this what is known as observational bias? Are there any non-insane Derro?"

Vakkler pauses, trying to work out what question to answer first. "Slow down, Ms. Feline. Yes, I fought with the derro, in a different war. That's the Drow Invasion, which comes later. A large derro tribe allied with what remained of the Kobold Empire, along with several mite colonies, and staved off a powerful drow assault. I had 'friends' among the derro, so I was able to assure a safe exit for my brethren after the war ended. But that's neither here nor there. Yes, there are still derro left. The derro involved in the Mite-Derro Skirmish Series were of a single very powerful clan." The kobold stops. "What else...ah, yes. There may be some sane derro, but I've never met one. They're very precise about that sort of thing."
The other students are mostly finished with the quiz, so Vakkler turns away from Jen and starts going over today's lesson.

By the way, though it goes without saying, I personally am no authority on what Agartha's history is. If Lynora, Dragonborn, Dalesman or Emperor7 find what I write to conflict with what they have planned, it can be assumed that Vakkler has something wrong (or the post can just be non-canon'd). :)

I've never thought about it except for thinking up the name of the First Seer, Ekaj, and the Cardcaster version of the Salem Witch Trials(which is over now, thankfully).

"You know," Michael says as he leans against the tree, "once it's not trying to hurt you, the garden looks really nice. The snapdragons are pretty cool."

::Well, you did put in a powerful dragon, a Champion who was also a powerful dragon, and an ex-Champion whatever corruption actually was. That's an awful lot of energy for anything.::

::Yeah, thing is I dunno. As far as the souls in there are concerned, they're slowly wasting away, well except for Aegythrax who probably remains blissfully unaware. I could talk to them if I wished, I could wake Aegythrax. I could use their lifeforce to boost my spells and abilities. I'm not upset about it, their own actions led to their prison. But I can't help but think it's not a slip towards what I was capable of before. I can't help but think what I would become if anyone managed to really hurt you or the kids, or...::

By the way, though it goes without saying, I personally am no authority on what Agartha's history is. If Lynora, Dragonborn, Dalesman or Emperor7 find what I write to conflict with what they have planned, it can be assumed that Vakkler has something wrong (or the post can just be non-canon'd). :)

As long as it doesn't directly contradict something that is already canon, I won't say anything. I like the ad-libbing. :)

And yes, I'm keeping most of the details from two game threads in my head....my memory for useless trivia is a frightening thing.

"Yeah...the snapdragons look alot better from over here...well I'll leave you two alone. Good job, btw!" he'll head back over to Fei, and meditate too

"You know," Michael says as he leans against the tree, "once it's not trying to hurt you, the garden looks really nice. The snapdragons are pretty cool."

"Yeah."

"I wouldn't want to be an intruder trying to get through the garden though. I don't think it would be very comfortable."

....(-_-)....

Ephebe wrote:

::Well, you did put in a powerful dragon, a Champion who was also a powerful dragon, and an ex-Champion whatever corruption actually was. That's an awful lot of energy for anything.::

::Yeah, thing is I dunno. As far as the souls in there are concerned, they're slowly wasting away, well except for Aegythrax who probably remains blissfully unaware. I could talk to them if I wished, I could wake Aegythrax. I could use their lifeforce to boost my spells and abilities. I'm not upset about it, their own actions led to their prison. But I can't help but think it's not a slip towards what I was capable of before. I can't help but think what I would become if anyone managed to really hurt you or the kids, or...::

::Given that I have a small army of devils that run errands for me, I may noit be the best person to talk about slippery slopes and morality,:: she said, her voice tinged with amusement, but then becoming serious. ::Krays, do you think my Grandma is evil?::

"See ya Ryuzo."

"Yeah, I pity anyone who tries to sneak in or out. This school is full of strange security. Never a dull moment."

Looks over at Ryleh for a second or two, then back to Ephebe.
::No I belive she is pragmatic. She does what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. She doesn't second guess herself she just does it.
I don't think she's ever descended into slaughtering innocents...::

"See ya Ryuzo."

"Yeah, I pity anyone who tries to sneak in or out. This school is full of strange security. Never a dull moment."

"I don't know if you noticed, but there is someone climbing in the tree above us, and they are not wearing a school uniform or a gym uniform."

Jen is really excited by the lesson, but her feline tendencies are trying to give her a cap-nap. Only the gentle and occasional prodding from the grey gem keeps her from closing her eyes.

"think it's safe to say no. Should we tell Professor Agave?"

Looks over at Ryleh for a second or two, then back to Ephebe.

::No I belive she is pragmatic. She does what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. She doesn't second guess herself she just does it.
I don't think she's ever descended into slaughtering innocents...::

::Krays, she very nearly wiped out an entire race in order to protect her family. I very much doubt that everyone she killed was guilty. She didn't kill the children, which at least showed some shred of conscience left, and I think that's why she was able to come back from that. Mostly. ::

::The point is, I think you also have that quality that would keep you from stepping over that line from which you can't come back. You may unleash hell in order to protect your loved ones. I know I would. But you have limits. That you worry about it is actually a good sign.::

::At least, that's what I tell myself. But, then, I'm a reformed bad guy myself, so this may all be wishful thinking.::

"think it's safe to say no. Should we tell Professor Agave?"

"I'm not sure. It seems like a vaguely familiar person, but I can't get a really good look."

Michael grins suddenly.

"Well, they are in a tree and I can get us up into the branches..."

Kitty grinned. "Sounds like an excellent idea."

"Well, you see, the shape of a disc has a myriad of uses." Michael says as he creates a large bronze force field in front of them. "You can use it to get across water, or to put something on or you use it as a jump off point."

As soon as he says that, Michael pushes himself up and on to the bronze disc, using it as a jumping point to get up into the tree.

"Hi." He says to the mystery person. "I don't know who you are, but I do know the entrance is on the other side of the school."

::Yes...I remember what I was capable of before, and it turns my stomach. I guess you're right though, if I'm worried about it, at least I still view it as vile. I was bad enough on one planet. Imagine what havoc I could wreak if I were to join other of my kind in the empire? Well, just don't get hurt, ok?::

::You're a what?::

The person in front of him is covered from head to toe in dark green clothing, even having a cloth wrapped around her face. All he can see is her eyes. She jumps away from him, startled, and abruptly appears again at the bottom of the tree.

"Nanami?!" Kitty exclaimed.

"Sakura-Neko! It really is you! You got so tall!" the mystery girl said, suddenly hugging Kitty.

"Nee-chan...can't....breathe...."

::Yes...I remember what I was capable of before, and it turns my stomach. I guess you're right though, if I'm worried about it, at least I still view it as vile. I was bad enough on one planet. Imagine what havoc I could wreak if I were to join other of my kind in the empire? Well, just don't get hurt, ok?::

::You're a what?::

::People keep forgetting that I was raised by a demon. This leads to some...we'll just call them interesting moral views. If I hadn't had the memories of the Ephebe from this world forced into my mind...well, I think the old you and the old me would have gotten along just fine.::

"Well, this makes the whole 'uses of the disc' speech useless." Michael says as he jumps out of the tree. "I'm guessing she's family?"

::People keep forgetting that I was raised by a demon. This leads to some...we'll just call them interesting moral views. If I hadn't had the memories of the Ephebe from this world forced into my mind...well, I think the old you and the old me would have gotten along just fine.::

::Well, then I guess we were meant to be:: he says, love clearly rising to the top of his emotions

"Michael, this is my Onee-chan, Nanami. Nee-chan, I'd like you to meet Michael Dacamara, my boyfriend," she said, blushing.

The girl in green pulled the cloth away from her face. "What?! A boyfriend?? No, way, you're way too young for that kind of thing!"

"Nee-chan," Kitty said patiently, "you haven't seen me for two years. I got older. People do that."

"Always room for more ninjas...right Fei?" Ryuzo asks without opening his eyes.

::Well, then I guess we were meant to be:: he says, love clearly rising to the top of his emotions

::Most definitely,:: she thought back, her love for him answering his.

Krays smiles and kisses Ephebe, seeming to shake off whatever thoughts had furrowed his brow.
"It's good to see you're relatively unharmed Vai."

"Um, hi Nanami... san? Did I use that right?"

"Always room for more ninjas...right Fei?" Ryuzo asks without opening his eyes.

Nanami looked at him suspiciously. "You are a shinobi? What clan?"

"Kato Ryuzo, Mole clan." he says, using the standard family name first.

"Um, hi Nanami... san? Did I use that right?"

Kitty beamed at him. "Yes, that's exactly right. You're starting to get the hang of these honorifics after all."

Nanami looked at him suspiciously as well. You're starting to get the idea that suspicion was her default setting.

"Hello, Dacamara-san," she said stiffly.

"Hello." Micahel says, slightly disconcerted by the suspicious stare. "Um, I've been helping Kitty get remembered by people lately, if it helps."

"Kato Ryuzo, Mole clan." he says, using the standard family name first.

Nanami bowed formally. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kato-san. I am Tanaka Nanami of the Akuma clan. You are a friend of Sakura-Neko's?"

"Umm...Nee-chan? I just go by Kitty here. It's easier than explaining the whole name mess....Also, i would really appreciate it if you would stop being rude to my boyfriend."

He stands and bows, but no lower
"I'd like to think so. We are not enemies."

"Of course we're friends, Ryuzo," Kitty says, clearly just a bit exasperated with her sister who is, in the grand tradition of older siblings everywhere, making things uncomfortable for her.

"Well, then I'm happy."

Days' classes dragging on, Ghalen remembers why he hated school
'It was your idea to come here. Sulking about it is unbecomming.'
::Well you'd think having the spirit of a sumpremely old dragon in my head, he might have some insight to planets that flip inside out or that were populated with gem dragons. But, no, he didn't so here I am::
'*Chuckles* You are a funny human, Mr. Kiln. I don't even think Mezzenbone knows anythign about inside out planets. But let's not let a silly thing like reality stop our pity party. Enjoy your classes'
He feels the presence receed, and he's left with the professor droning on about mites and derro. At least he hadn't gotten his attention like the...cat...did.

Nanami frowns at Kitty's informality towards Ryuzo, but turns her attention back to Michael.

"What do you mean that you have been helping people remember Sakura-Neko, Dacamara-san? There's been a huge fuss at home as all of a sudden no one can remember seeing her for the last two years and even her things were missing. And then Okaa-san found an old letter saying that Sakura-Neko was enrolling in this school."

"Well she... uh, she... Kitty, do you want to explain or do you want me to?"

"Nee-chan...you know how you can move very quickly between one place and another? Well, I have a power like that too, only mine is...complicated. It makes people forget me and not be able to see me. I've been trying to figure out how to turn it off for the last two years. In order to be visible and for people to remember me I....well....I have to be really honest. Like, admitting I don't want to be a shinobi instead of working really hard to train at it because I wanted to make okaa-san and oto-san happy. I...I'm really good at working with animals, and that's what I really love to do, and when I'm honest and work on being my real self then people remember me again."

She looked at Nanami's uncomprehending expression.

"Okay, I think I made a total mess of that. Michael? Could you try to explain?" she asked nervously.

"Since Kitty wasn't being herself when she was trying to be a shinobi, you forgot about her because she was being her. I kinda figured that out and when we tested it, we found out I was right. You remembered her a day or two ago, I'm assuming?"

"Well...yes. Two days ago. We just all looked around and realized she wasn't there," Nanami admitted.

"Wow...that's amazing. Your deception worked too well...shinobi indeed. Well done. I realize it was not your intention, but many ninja aspire to the kind of power you stumbled upon."

"The problem is getting that kind of 'power' is meaningless because everyone forgets about you. Only psychics have a chance of remembering you, and it's hard for them even."

"It's not something anyone should aspire to. Not if you can't turn it off. It's horrible being invisible all the time. I was really lonely. Not even my own family knew I existed. For two years. Even here at Avalon where they were supposed to be helping me learn to control my powers, they kept forgetting to give me a schedule, and my things kept getting cleaned out of my room, and I only had clothes that fit because I kept raiding the lost and found and there wasn't anyone to talk to. Professor Sunwake could see me if I was right in front of her, but she tended to forget once I was out of sight. Michael was the first person who could actually see me."

"To each their own."
He bows to all present
"It was nice to meet you Nanami-san."
He turns, and leaves.