16:06, Today: ZEIG rolled 22 using 1d20+10. Spellcraft.

I'll wait for the results to post.

13:19, Today: DAI rolled 27 using 1d20+10. spellcraft.

OOC: Ditto

Oh no you don't. Jack is angry at the ice. He follows it, intent on finding the cause.

[Private to DAI: Bartholomew is channeling the spell Regrowth, or something very similar to it. This is probably to help the body regenerate when the soul returns. The other three clinicians seem to be using a magic very similar to the Life spell, but they're cooperating and enhancing each other's effects.][Private to ZEIG: Bartholomew is using some sort of healing magic you cannot identify. The other three clinicians seem to be using a magic very similar to the Life spell, but they're cooperating and enhancing each other's effects.][Private to JACK: Once you resolve yourself and will yourself closer to the cold, pain tears through your entire body. You would instantly regret your decision, but your consciousness fades almost as quickly as the pain begins.]

JACK's body lurches in a sort of weak spasm. Bartholomew's hands begin to glow green and most of JACK's wounds begin to close themselves. As the damage to his abdomen heals, JACK let's out an extremely raspy yelp and then a giant labored breath. The hole in the top of his head, already partially closed, finishes sealing itself. Some of you think you can see the shredded remains of his brain fill back out before the inside of his skull is obscured by flesh once again.

Bartholomew sits down in a chair against the wall behind him and closes his eyes. Sara reaches out and touches JACK, locking eyes with one of the three clinicians. The same one then turns to the three of you, "He can be awoken as soon as you wish. I believe everything has gone well."

Sara does not wait and casts Cure on JACK bringing his non-lethal damage and hit points up enough to wake him. JACK's eyes open. [Private to JACK: You are in a room that you do not recognize. The warmth that you once knew is gone, replaced by the feelings of the world you almost forgot in what seemed to be timeless slumber.

You will remain slightly disoriented for the next couple of minutes. Just as when you awake from a dream, within minutes the only memory you can keep a hold of is that of safety and warmth. You find yourself unable or unwilling, possibly a mixture of both, to describe what you felt after you died. One thing is for sure, you may not have a fear of death, but the fear of having to go through being brought back to life once again will remain with you for a good, good while.]

...That wasn't fun. Jack stares up at the ceiling
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Fri 04 Mar 2011.

Zeig walks up to Jack's side with a soft smile on his face.  He places his left hand on Jack's shoulder and a small warmth spreads from his palm into Jack's body.

"Good to have you back."

19:25, Today: ZEIG rolled 11 using 1d8+5. Cure -> Jack.

Zeig turns to the Bartholomew and gives a deep bow while remaining at Jack's side.

"Words cannot express how deeply grateful...I...we.....thank you."

Bartholomew, not opening his eyes, "Young men, it is I who should be thanking you for the trials you'll soon face."

DAI's body relaxed all at once when JACK finally spoke again.

"Glad to have you back..."

One of the clinicians leaves the room and returns with a couple of charts. They have JACK quickly read a few lines, make sure he can move all of his appendages well, and then lead all of you, including Weston and Sara, back into the main chamber of the clinic.

"The king is looking forward to seeing all of you later this afternoon," Weston says. He steps back once and takes a deep bow towards Sara, then stands tall again. "I trust you will not tarry too long before coming to the palace."

Sara turns to the party as Weston makes his way out of the door and down the street, "JACK, I am so glad to have you back. Please don't run off by yourself again. There are more dangerous things in this world than spiders." Her face goes from nearly emotionless despair to a tired smile. "See you all soon. I've got some quick business to attend to myself." The two court mages give you one last nod each and follow her away.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:38, Fri 04 Mar 2011.

Zeig turns to Jack with a strange expression on his face.

"You know...I was ready to tear into you!  I have every right to bitch at you until the seasons change...but...I'm just so glad you're here.  We're all we've got man, we can't take each other for granted."

Zeig then puts on a smile and slaps Jack on the back.

"Seriously though, you have a lot to catch up on.  We'll get you up to speed before we see the King later today.  In the mean time, what was it like?  I mean, you actually began to pass over!  I understand if it is..er...too strong a subject, but...really...tell me what you can remember, what you felt, what you became!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Fri 04 Mar 2011.

...eeeh... it felt warm and safe... Jack pauses a moment. And I felt angry when I woke up. Not really sure why. He scratches his head. I wonder if that's normal?

Zeig looks disappointed for a moment but quickly hides it behind a smile.

"Well I suppose I'd wake up angry if I had been attacked too!...er......I guess that's not really the same thing."

Zeig's eyes dart around quickly.

"Anyways, on the subject of distracting we have so much to talk about...you see there's this prophecy and we're to set off for Melmond to investigate the earth crystal and the rotting land...apparently we're obligated to throw our lives away..." Zeig clears his throat loudly before continuing.  "I mean, adventure forth and solve some mysterious crisis.  Our parents already paid that price but apparently it wasn't enough...you might ask Vil or Dai more about it."

In an attempt to distract Jack from his current circumstances Zeig only reminds himself of his displeasure with the situation the party has found itself in.  He makes an unceremonious exit and approaches the clinicians, attempting to divine some information regarding the ritual they just performed.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:31, Fri 04 Mar 2011.

They are quite happy to share any information they can give you.

The clinic staffs around twenty people. Half of them are capable, professional healers that employ alchemy, white magic, and plain old first aid and mundane procedures. The other half are in training and act as assistants. [Private to ZEIG: This is what your role would have been. This is where you got your two ranks in the Heal skill. You probably didn't spend tme here in full employment.] There are usually three people on staff in a 3-shift rotation capable of extensive healing and bringing those that they can back from the brink of proof of mortality. With those three people are also usually 2-5 assistants.

They further explain that Bartholomew's presence isn't usually required, but the internal damage to JACK's body was quite severe.

OOC:

Explaining all that jazz whenever I see Jack again, in a more calm manner.

The party also leaves and eats quickly as they describe to JACK all that has happened while he's been... away, for lack of a better word. [Private to JACK: Kinda pausing to see what you'd like to say, if anything, about your solo adventure.]

The meeting at the palace is nearing soon.

Everyone finishes informing JACK of the relatively little he's missed. JACK doesn't tell the rest of the party much at all, letting the situation they found him in speak for itself.

The situation at the palace when you arrive is much more calm than when you left it. The guards at the front gate of castle were expecting you, and lead you to the king's throne room. The fact that you're going to the throne room catches your ears. Usually the king only holds audiences here for large ceremonies or for extremely traditional activities.

You all enter the throne room from the main set of large, ornate double doors. The king is in his throne almost forty yards away across the massive chamber. Many palace guard, naval, and army officers are standing in a row on either side of the walkway to the throne, as if they had been waiting there for your arrival. Weston is standing to one side of the walkway in the middle of the room apparently surrounded by officers in much lower positions. Several, several noblemen are on balconies on either side of the room on the second story. Some of them you recognize, and some you do not.

"After you", says one of the guards behind you.

The walk towards the king's throne is almost surreal. Nobody says a word and merely stare at the four of you as you make your way past. Just before you reach the stair up to the throne platform, Sara steps out from behind it with small wooden box. she motions for you to climb up the stairs, and then follows you.

"I have asked you here today to impart upon you a terrible burden", says the king a moment after you step up onto the last stair leading to the platform. He stands from on top of his high throne and walks down onto the platform raised inches above your step. "There is one last thing that need be done before you are on your way."

Sara walks around you and opens the box, presenting its contents to her father. Inside, you can make out what appear to be four small, golden chains.

"All of these people behind you came of their own accord, light warriors. Most doubt the old legends and faith, but those here today have plenty of faith in you. It is not my place to take too much of your time, as you four are now guardians of this world, not only citizens of our small nation of Cornelia."

The king removes one of the chains. A small blue crystal dangles on the end of it. He steps forward and places it around ZEIG's neck. "This was around your mother's neck for many, many years. It has made its way back here, to you. May it soothe you."

He removes another chain, this time with a brown crystal. He loops it around DAI's hat, barely, and lets it rest on his neck. "Stubborn, persistent, and forceful."

The next is a green crystal, which goes to VIL. "Dynamic, fluid, and swift", says the king, "...much like your father."

The crystal on the final necklace is a deep and vivid red. The king walks over to JACK. "Unfortunately, you may already know why you posses this. Passion, power, and rebirth." The king leans in very closely to JACK and whispers "... and hopefully mostly the first two."

Sara closes the box. The king takes a step backwards and himself bows at the four of you. The entirety of the room behind you, as well as those on the balconies do the same. This lasts for upwards of ten seconds before the king raises his face.

"Your destiny, and ours, light warriors, now lies with you. I wish I had more to offer other than what I have already told you, though I can suggest that you do what you can to find Lukan as you travel the world. Your path lies outside of the walls of our small city. Take it as soon as you are able."

Sara nods at the door behind you. The two guards that led you to the platform bow and gesture towards the door. As you begin to walk down the stairs, still somewhat in state of disbelief, those to your left and right along the walkway bow once more as you pass.

The doors to the throne room close behind you. A moment later Sara comes running down the hallway to your right, running what what must have been inhuman speed. "One last thing", she says. "you should not lose those crystals. I have faith that they might find their way back to you, however. " Sara gives each of you a long hug, and then leads you back out to the palace grounds.

Ball is in your court, kids. The king told you what he suggest you take as your first course of action, although you may do what you will.

DAI freezes a moment when Sara hugs him, but returns it before she lets go. He gives a nod to her words and says:

"I'll be careful with it...we shoul all return soon enough, after all...we're the Warriors of Light."

DAI merely hoped these words were not spoken too soon...the world was large.

During the speech Zeig holds himself well but doesn't quite manage to hide all of the shame that colors his red cheeks.  As the blue crystal pendant settles on his neck Zeig fights to hold back tears, holding his composure the best he can.

As he returns Sara's embrace his guard can finally be let down.

"Warriors of light,huh...I think I...can understand now how difficult this was for your father."

Zeig returns her gaze with a smile and continues.

"We'll return with the promise of a world worth living in.  If we don't go forth, what would become of our gardens?  And, besides, there's so much to learn about the world that we can't even begin to imagine!...I'm taking notes.  I'll be sure to make a copy for you when it's finished, a collection of the wonders of the world."

Zeig reluctantly watches Sara move on and holds the pendant around his neck, swearing upon it to return.

Before sundown tomorrow, you all have the chance to buy rations and other mundane travel gear "retroactively".

The four of you, without too many words, make your way to the city's gate. One of the guards there yells out "Halt!" as you walk through the grand archway and rushes towards you with an additional guard. He makes it up to you, and stares you down.

"I just wanted to meet the guys they said they're rebuilding the north bridge for. You don't look so impressive, really, I wonder what all of the fuss is about?" He seems to lose interest and resumes his post. The other guard stands there and gives you directions to the northern bridge.

The gates are open before you, and you begin to make your way, once more, into the wilderness.

Jack starts walking along the path, lightly touching the red crystal. What do you guys think then? All this warriors of light stuff... I'm not really sure I understand it all.

Zeig takes a long, wistful look back at his hometown as his companions make their way to the gate.

"I don't know.  A few days ago I would have thought it was awful convenient to lay this responsibility at our feet, but...we went toe to toe with Garland.  We fought goblins, skeletons, and spiders...and we're still here."

"I don't believe in fate but I do believe in us.  If we rely on each other who knows what we're capable of?"

DAI looked upon his hometown as well with ZEIG, before turning away and taking a few slow steps.

"If we are the Warriors of Light...then we shall commit our destiny...and if we are not then...they'll be pissed when they find out we fulfilled their prophecy for them..."

Jack gives a snort of laughter. I never thought if it like that. All right. He stops. ... Where were we going again?

DAI points to the EAST lightly.

"Melmond..."

OOC: Melmond..a wretched hive of scum and villainy

The conversation continues as the party arrives at the northern bridge in the late afternoon. [Private to DAI: You can increase distance traveled in a day by about 50% with chocobos, by the way, not that you really have all that much expendable MP at level 3.]There is a small, what looks to be temporary village set up on the southern side of a wide, fast-moving river. The bridge is by no means complete, but there is scaffolding to make your way across.

Many of the bridge workers and guards politely stop you to ask if they can shake your hands and wish you luck. Apparently bridge work had resumed only two days ago and they were instructed to raise scaffolding enough to cross as quickly as possible. The rumor was that the light warriors themselves were in need of its use. Most of the workers seem disappointed when they see that the four of you were the reason.

The sun sets as you carefully make your way across the unfinished bridge, your first steps into the world beyond the relatively safe lands of Cornelia. The quest laid before you is still quite daunting and somewhat vague.

The other side of the river seems like a decent enough place to camp, and the guards on either side of the bridge should be more than enough to at least scare away any threats or make plenty of noise before they are upon you.

Everyone eat one day's worth of rations. This is your last chance to retroactively buy mundane supplies from Cornelia.

Everyone gains 200 Experience Points for completing Chapter 2.