Demara's Logs: Chastisement: Tale of a Jihad

[Ebiris]

[18:59] <Ebiris> After departing Kitami's mansion, Demara teleports back into Mary's bedroom and makes herself comfortable while waiting for the new day. It's about an hour later, just as the first rays of dawn are seen outside her window, that she can hear movement in the hallway.
[19:00] * Demara awaits. After all, I doubt they'd expect their kidnapped child to be ready to burst out of bed early. A little more patience first...
[19:02] <Ebiris> Footsteps are heard heading downstairs and Demara is left in peace for a little while longer. It's the better part of an hour later when she hears someone coming back up to the second floor followed by a knock on her door. Said door opens before she has a chance to reply, and Mary's mother is seen poking her head in. "Mary, sweetie, are you up?" she asks nicely.
[19:03] <Demara> 'Mary' looks up, "Is it morning?" she asks, affecting a sleepy, disheleved look and voice. "I slept so disjointedly."
[19:11] <Ebiris> Slipping inside, Veronica closes the door behind her and goes to pull back the curtains before she sits on the edge of Mary's bed. "You must have had a terrible time," she murmurs softly, looking at Demara with maternal warmth. "Do you want to tell me what happened to you?"
[19:16] <Demara> "It's fine, Mother," Demara demurs, "It's okay. It wasn't that bad." Sliding out of bed, "What is to be done today?"
[19:17] <Ebiris> "Alright, I won't push you if you don't want to talk about it," Veronica replies, though she does look slightly troubled. Leaning forward, she embraces Demara in a tight hug, "What's important is that you're safe, though."
[19:19] <Demara> The hug is ever so faintly returned, though on an impulse, Demara lightly sniffs. What does her mother smell like? It is strong? This could be useful later for suberfuge if she wears perfume, perhaps.
[19:21] <Ebiris> She smells faintly of vanilla - it's a rather subtle aroma, however, and it really does require a sniff to register. Seperating from the hug, Veronica looks down at her assumed daughter, "You don't have to go to your classes today if you don't want to, dear," she finally responds to Demara's question.
[19:22] <Demara> Demara lowers her her head, "What about you and Father? What will you do today?"
[19:25] <Ebiris> "Oh, I'll probably just putter around the lab, today," Veronica smiles innocently. "Your father has to go to work, though," she concludes, expression turning a bit guilty.
[19:26] <Demara> "Oh..." Lowering he rhead further, "Okay. I think I'd liek to go to classes."
[19:28] <Ebiris> With her head down, Demara can't see Mary's mother's expression, but her voice certainly sounds crestfallen. "Are you sure? I've never seen you look so down, like this - you can stay home and relax with me, if you want. No one will hold it against you after what you've just been through."
[19:30] <Demara> "No...I should go," she stands up, seperating from her mother. She goes to her closet and drawers, looking for clothes.
[19:31] <Ebiris> "Alright," Veronica stands up, letting it drop. "Come downstairs when you're ready - breakfast is nearly done," she concludes, heading out the bedroom and leaving Demara to get dressed. Seems like Mary has a decent variety of clothes, from simple peasant dresses, to sturdy looking breeches and shirts, to more girly skirts and blouses.
[19:33] * Demara selects breeches and a shirt, more thinking about mobility than anything else. If she was that sort in training, she'd likely be a bit of a tomboy anyway. Once garbed, Demara heads downstairs.
[19:34] <Ebiris> OOC: want to skip through breakfast or converse with the 'rents?
[19:35] <Demara> OOC: Your call. If you wanna skip, at least give me the gist of what happened.
[19:37] <Ebiris> OOC: I would, anyway, but this is more for your benefit - do you want to do anything with them or try to get certain info, or would it just be small talk?
[19:41] <Demara> OOC: Mmmm. SMall talk, I think. I'm still feeling things out, so go ahead. School stuff may be more important if it's what I think it is.
[19:44] <Ebiris> After a slightly strained breakfast that seems to dance around the subject of just what happened to Mary when she was kidnapped, Veronica puts away the dishes and then approaches her 'daughter'. "I'll walk you to church today, Mary, and I'll pick you up after lessons, too," she announces, her tone rather final.
[19:47] <Demara> "AS you wish, Mother," Mary bows her head. How perfectly convient!
[20:01] <Ebiris> Bidding farewell to Mary's father, the mother-daughter duo head out of their house and down a short walk to the dominating granite edifice of Pelor's church, the structure boasting a massive golden orb perched improbably atop its tallest tower. It seems rather busy this morning, lots of people of all ages streaming out of the wide open doors.
[20:01] <Ebiris> Heading inside and dodging the departing worshippers, Veronica starts to lead Demara down a side path, a brief glimpse into the temple proper showing an altar at the far end that glows with the radiance of the noon sun, shedding lush illumination across the interior and playing off the numerous golden ornaments and engravings in a glorious cascade of light.
[20:02] * Demara takes it all in, staying quiet and respectful. Right into the teeth of the light, so no reason to attract attention yet.
[20:07] <Ebiris> A few people stop and say hello, but Veronica doesn't seem especially chatty as she gives the greetings perfunct replies and moves on. Circling halfway around the building, she stops outside a doorway labelled "2". "Well, here's your class - looks like we're probably a few minutes late. Do you want me to speak to Father Byron for you?" Veronica asks.
[20:10] <Demara> "Could you?" Demara asks quietly, keeping her head down still.
[20:10] <Demara> "I would apperciate it, Mother."
[20:22] <Ebiris> Nodding, Veronica knocks and then opens the door, stepping inside. Here you can see a decent sized classroom, filled with children of all ages, and segregated accordingly. Most everyone turns to look at the interruption, before their eyes settle on Demara. Veronica goes to quietly converse with a hearty looking middle-aged man dressed in white and golden robes, and after a moment he calls over.
[20:22] <Ebiris> "Go and take your seat, Mary. Rochelle will get you caught up." A cute looking teenage girl with brown hair smiles and waves over to Demara at that from the far side of the room, the seat next to hers notably empty.
[20:24] <Demara> "Thank you, Mother," Demara lowers her head again, before going to the cute teenaged girl and sitting. "Hi," she murmurs to her, eyes casting about the room.
[20:26] <Ebiris> "Hiya, Mary!" the apparent Rochelle grins. She's a few inches taller than Demara's current form, and noticably slimmer. "Not like you to miss dawn services, little miss 'I'm going to be a paladin!'" she observes without any malice.
[20:28] <Demara> "Things happened. What did I miss?" Demara asks back. She smiles faintly to the girl, though it's not a smile that holds much attention.
[20:30] <Ebiris> "We're reading up on Hextor, today," Rochelle makes a face, sticking out her tongue. "Bleah, bad enough we get all the stuff about Pelor rammed down our throats - no offence, I know you like that - but getting all these other stupid Gods, too? If I wanted to learn about Hextor I'd go to *his* stupid church," Rochelle prattles on, keeping her voice to a low whisper.
[20:32] <Demara> OOC: Can I make an K:R check for Hextor info?
[20:33] <Ebiris> OOC: sure
[20:33] <Demara> roll 1d20+6
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Demara rolls 1d20+6 and gets 16." [1d20=10]
[20:35] <Ebiris> OOC: lawful evil god of war, discord, fitness, tyranny, massacres, conflict. Resides in Acheron. Fierce rivalry with Hieronious, his half-brother.
[20:38] <Demara> Hmph, a Devil in any other clothes..."You'd bea n idiot to," Demara replies.
[20:40] <Ebiris> "That's the point!" Rochelle insists, before a loud throat-clearing noise from Father Byron makes her go "Eeep!" and shut up, her attention returning to the lecture being delivered.
[20:42] * Demara does likewise, turning attention to this Father Byron and to start to listen.
[20:49] <Ebiris> The lecture given is somewhat basic, and covers ground Demara already knows. Tenets of Hextor's faith, symbols used, what areas it holds sway in, a few personal interjections about encounters Byron has had with clerics of Hextor coupled with warnings that even if he did okay, it doesn't mean Hextor's faithful should be taken lightly. It's rather child-friendly and sanitised, by all indications.
[20:49] <Ebiris> OOC: Going to do anything during this class or just play good schoolgirl till I move you on?
[20:51] <Demara> OOC: I just want to learn her routine and names, really. This is largley prep work and seeing if there are any obvious stoppers.
[20:56] <Ebiris> Things go on like this for another two hours, after the lecture on Hextor a herbology lesson is given and then class is dismissed. Through it all Demara is able to match most of the faces to names within Mary's age group, and she seems to be well liked by all. As class breaks up, Rochelle gives Demara a teasing smile. "Off to practice your swordplay, now, I take it?"
[20:58] <Demara> "Yeah." Settling into things, Demara puts on a little smile. "What about you?"
[21:03] <Ebiris> "Oh, you know," the taller girl waves her hand airily, "Help dad get the inn cleaned up for the dinner rush, then help cook for said rush. Maybe today a handsome man will come and sweep me away from all that, though..."
[21:07] <Demara> That's a thought. Young and hopeful...heh. That could be arraigned. "You can always dream," Mary agrees kindly enough, "Why don't you walk with me to sword practice?"
[21:09] <Ebiris> "I guess I've got time to kill," Rochelle shrugs agreeably as the two head out of the classroom, heading through the corridors encircling the temple. "What about you? Had your eye on any boys, lately?"

[Ebiris]

[19:29] <Ebiris> Enduring a continual barrage of inane chatter from Mary's supposed friend as she walks around the temple, Demara finally finds herself at a dusty practice field to the side of the main temple, decorated with archery targets and sparring dummies, a small group of teenagers are just starting to filter into the area, overseen by two robust looking young men wearing leather armour and an an older man wearing well polished field plate.
[19:29] <Ebiris> wearing well polished field plate. All three prominently display Pelor's symbol of a face within a sunburst upon their attire.
[19:32] * Demara eyes the three of them. Of course, it figures. Ah well, it shouldn't be a problem unless they're so paranoid as to scan a student. With that, 'Mary' continues approaching and eyes the three. What does she remember on Pelor, anyway? OOC - I'd like to make a K:R check if possible.
[19:32] <Ebiris> OOC: go for it
[19:33] <Demara> roll 1d20+6
[19:33] * Hatbot --> "Demara rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[19:34] <Ebiris> Demara knows that Pelor is the greater deity of the Sun, worshipped by a sizable minority of humans, though less popular with other races. Neutral Good, he concerns himself with the Sun, Light, Strength, and Healing.
[19:36] * Demara continues on, making a note of that for later.
[19:37] <Ebiris> As Demara considers this, she notices all the youngsters present are lining up on the open square between the practice aids, facing the adults.
[18:30] <Ebiris> "Hmm, looks like we're missing a few today, but I suppose this is our lot," one of the lightly armoured men observes, a baby-faced young man with curly ginger hair and a smattering of freckles across his cheeks. "Now, then, everyone follow us and we'll get warmed up before we start in earnest!"
[18:30] <Ebiris> At that, the three apparent instructors begin to guide the assembled youngsters through a series of simple stretches and warm up exercises - nothing even close to strenuous for Demara to copy if she so chooses...
[18:31] * Demara does so copy, taking pains not to obviously outpace the other humans. Really now, she's not so dim as to become the star fencer overnight unless the situation calls for it.
[18:34] <Ebiris> The warmups proceed for about ten minutes, no one present seeming to have any trouble at all with it. Then everyone is split into three groups - one doing archery at targets placed against the church's wall, another doing grappling exercises, and a third going through weapon drills with light wooden swords.
[18:34] <Ebiris> roll 1d3
[18:34] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d3 and gets 1." [1d3=1]
[18:37] <Ebiris> Demara finds herself in the archery group with the curly ginger-haired man leading the way! He hands out shortbows to two of the students, seemingly expecting them to know how to handle them, and places arrows on the ground about thirty feet from the targets. "Okay, form two lines behind Davison and Yourk, here, and everyone takes three shots at the target before handing over to ther person behind you, alright?"
[18:39] * Demara nods and takes her bow. On an impulse, she attempts to detect the thoughts of the ginger haired man. OOC - DC 23.
[18:39] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[18:39] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+6 and gets 25." [1d20=19]
[18:40] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24." [1d20=16]
[18:43] <Ebiris> Demara picks up the shortbow after the teenager in front of her has made his three shots - only two actually hit the target, and no one so far has gotten any within the first three rings.
[18:43] <Ebiris> As she glances over at the servant of Pelor and attempts to plumb the depths of his mind, the man looks around briefly in apparent confusion, before starting to back away a few steps. "Everyone just keep at it - remember to relax as you release the drawstring," he suggests.
[18:43] <Ebiris> Whatever he happens to be thinking, however, she cannot tell.
[18:44] <Ebiris> roll 1d6
[18:44] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6 and gets 6." [1d6=6]
[18:44] * Demara mentally curses. Well, she can bail at worst if this guy's good enough to figure out what went on. Demara carefully aims, as if having to struggle with it, before releasing three arrows. IDeally they'll be two moderate hits and a miss, nothing spectacular.
[18:45] <Ebiris> Although he's quiet and a few paces away, Demara can still easily hear as the man begins to incant words in celestial as she targets her arrows. Sounds like a spell of some sort...
[18:46] <Demara> OOC - Can I spellcraft it?
[18:46] <Ebiris> OOC: go for it
[18:46] <Demara> roll 1d20+5 Don't Alicia
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Demara rolls 1d20+5 Don't Alicia and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[18:46] <Ebiris> It's a simple orison, esaily deciphered as a plea to Pelor for him bestow upon his servant sight of the arcane.
[18:47] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:47] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 14." [1d20=6]
[18:51] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:51] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 17." [1d20=9]
[18:51] <Ebiris> OOC: what items are you wearing?
[18:51] * Demara takes a breath and fires, attempting to shoot as she wanted.
[18:53] <Ebiris> OOC: all of them? none of them? only some?
[18:54] <Demara> OOC: I was under the impression they just got covered by the shape change.
[18:54] <Ebiris> OOC: they vanish if you assume a shape that physically can't wear them. Since humans and succubi have the same body types, they'd stay on.
[18:54] <Demara> OOC: As in I didn't take any off when I changed. So they'd be on, I assume.
[18:55] <Ebiris> OOC: man, should've had people comment on that way before now. Oh well, can't do much about it at this point.
[18:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 25." [1d20=17]
[18:55] <Demara> OOC: I agree, to be honest. But eh.
[18:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 11." [1d20=3]
[18:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 28." [1d20=20]
[18:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 28." [1d20=20]
[18:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[18:55] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24." [1d20=16]
[18:56] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:56] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 21." [1d20=13]
[18:57] <Ebiris> Demara takes her three shots, placing two on the board and one missing cleanly and splintering against the church wall. Behind her the next trainee in line holds out a hand expectantly for the bow.
[18:58] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[18:58] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 27." [1d20=19]
[18:58] * Demara passes the bow over and follows where the student who shot last went.
[19:04] <Ebiris> The next student begins to take his shots as if nothing untoward were happening. Demara notices that people who've already taken their turn are just going to the back of the line as she hears the man whisper under his breath, "By Pelor!"
[19:04] <Ebiris> roll 1d100
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 and gets 70." [1d100=70]
[19:04] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+12
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+12 and gets 13." [1d20=1]
[19:07] * Demara walks along unconcerned, while mentally sighing. There's probably no salvaging this without some luck now, but..."Is something the matter," 'Mary' asks as she walks away from the freckled man.
[19:09] <Ebiris> "Nothing for you to worry about, Mary," he replies uneasily. "Just everyone keep on doing what you're doing - I'll be back in a second." At that he bee-lines towards the armoured figure putting the sword group through their paces. Rather harshly, it looks like, as he upbraids one boy who looks even younger than Demara's current body for his poor form.
[19:10] <Demara> OOC: Can I try to charm him before he runs?
[19:10] <Ebiris> OOC: he's not running, so you make an attempt if you like
[19:11] <Demara> "Excuse me, wait," Mary calls, while letting the charm magic do it's thing and hopefully work. If not...well, if she's lucky she'll only be rubbing feet for a few centuries.
[19:12] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+6 and gets 14." [1d20=8]
[19:13] <Ebiris> "Excuse me, Sir Proust!" he begins, before slowing and stopping at the combination of Demara's words and wiles. "Ah..." he blinks, seeming torn as he looks between the young girl and the old man.
[19:14] <Demara> "I'm sorry, but could I talk to you a moment, sir? It's important," Mary says demurely, lowering her head respectfully.
[19:14] <Ebiris> "What?!" the armoured figure turns and gives the red-haired cleric a truly venomous look.
[19:15] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+7
[19:15] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[19:15] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[19:15] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 and gets 19." [1d20=14]
[19:16] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[19:16] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 and gets 18." [1d20=10]
[19:18] <Ebiris> "Er... I should go and talk to Mary," he stammers out, backing away as everyone seems to be turning their attention to the ensuing scene. "Wait," he pauses and looks over the older man with more concern. "Sir, you have a strange aura, too..."
[19:18] * Demara takes a moment to discreetly use Detect Good.
[19:21] <Ebiris> Most of the children have faint auras of goodness about them, while the two men with leather armour have robustly moderate auras. The older man in full plate, however...
[19:21] <Ebiris> it's very curious. She can sense the lingering remnants of what once was a strong aura of righteousness clinging to him... and yet it's no longer being actively generated - a sight that's more familiar right after a being of goodness dies, yet he still stands hale and hearty before her.
[19:22] <Ebiris> Sir Proust narrows his eyes. "Aura? What the blazes are you talking about man?" he asks, before his gaze settles on Demara and a cruel smile blooms on his lips. "Oh. I see."
[19:24] <Demara> Oh joy. Demara idly wonders which side it is, but odds are it's a damned dirty devil in the flesh there, or some sort of nasty spirit. Neither is likely to be overly favorable to her, but...this situation is degenerating with haste. Demara returns that look with confusion, "Sir?"
[19:28] <Ebiris> Most of her fellow students mirror Demara's current look of confusion, even as Sir Proust begins to stride towards her with heavy footsteps, his gleaming plate mail clanking metallically with every step he takes. "Just what sort of fiend are you?" he asks coldly, looking down at her with purest malice. A gauntleted hand begins to reach for his blade, when...
[19:28] <Ebiris> "Help!" a female scream is heard from the street curving past the practice ground. This seems to distract everyone for a brief second - even Sir Proust turning to look...
[19:34] * Demara takes a few steps back as she looks, after a moment of sharp mental debate.
[19:36] <Ebiris> Out on the street everyone can see a woman being set upon by a pair of knife-wielding thugs - her blouse already stained crimson from her wounds. The cleric overseeing grappling practice doesn't even hesitate, drawing his mace and rushing over to intervene! "In the name of Pelor, stand down!" he commands. Proust, on the other hand, just snorts in dismissal of the scene, drawing his sword and turning his attention back towards Demara.
[19:37] <Ebiris> OOC: lets roll init, here
[19:37] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+1 Proust
[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+1 Proust and gets 5." [1d20=4]
[19:37] <Demara> roll 1d20+3
[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Demara rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21." [1d20=18]
[19:37] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+2 charmed cleric
[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 charmed cleric and gets 8." [1d20=6]
[19:37] <Ebiris> OOC: fuck you, Hatbot
[19:39] <Ebiris> OOC: your go
[19:39] * Demara thinks a moment...and hurries well behind the charmed cleric! "W-w-what are you doing," 'Mary' demands of Proust, from (hopefully) safety behind the cleric.
[19:42] <Ebiris> "Sir, what are you doing - we need to help that woman!" the curly-haired cleric insists, spreading his arms out to try and shield poor Mary.
[19:44] <Ebiris> "Tch, you're soft, Sigmund," Sir Proust spits contemptously. "The fiend probably set up that as a distraction so she could escape from us - isn't that right you filthy imposter?!" he concludes viciously as he steps around the cleric intent on getting to Mary...
[19:44] <Ebiris> "No, you can't do this, Sir!" Sigmund screams, hurling himself bodily at Sir Proust to try and stop him!
[19:45] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+10
[19:45] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{28}
[19:45] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+10 crit check
[19:45] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+10 crit check --> [ 1d20=6 ]{16}
[19:46] <Ebiris> roll 4d6+36
[19:46] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 4d6+36 --> [ 4d6=12 ]{48}
[19:47] <Ebiris> Only to catch a sword in the gut as Sir Proust reflexively stabs out and eviscerates him! The cleric's lifeless body sinks to the ground as all around children begin screaming in horror, but Sir Proust doesn't stop as he lashes out at Demara! "Back to the pit with you!"
[19:47] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+14
[19:47] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+14 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{24}
[19:47] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[19:47] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{25}
[19:47] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+5 crit check
[19:47] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+5 crit check --> [ 1d20=3 ]{8}
[19:49] <Ebiris> roll 2d6+18
[19:49] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 2d6+18 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{23}
[19:06] <Ebiris> The unfortunate cleric has barely even hit the ground before Sir Proust is on Demara with a flurry of strikes, the first of which she ducks under but finds herself caught unawares when he hacks downwards and strikes her shoulder with bone-jarring force, ripping through her demonically toughened skin with ease!
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
[19:07] * Demara doesn't resist screaming this time, clutching her shoulder and looking like a terrified, bleeding girl! "AAAAAH! STOP, YOU'LL KILL ME! HELP!" Demara screams. Hopefully, someone will see this and...but for now, she can only act the role. First, Demara looks around - is there anywhere shadowy or hidden she could run to safely?
[19:10] <Ebiris> There's a few alleyways snaking off on the other side of the street where the two muggers are even now fleeing down, leaving their bloodied victim alone as the other cleric of Pelor looks between her and the scene on the training ground with mounting horror. She'd have to make a run for it, but it looks like her best bet short of taking to the air.
[19:15] <Demara> Is the cover worth keeping? Perhaps for alittle longer. Demara focuses her dodging attentions on PRoust as she attempts to tumble out of his range safely!
[19:15] <Demara> roll 1d20+8
[19:15] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{16}
[19:17] <Ebiris> Ducking under a thrust of the bloodied greatsword, Demara sprints across the street for the alleyway, just barely getting a few feet down the nearest one before her assailant gives chase... except. "Stop!" a command is barked from the remaining priest, his single word filled with Pelor's power!
[19:17] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8
[19:17] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+8 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{18}
[19:18] <Ebiris> But Sir Proust seems unmoved, sprinting after Demara as fast as his plate-mail will allow. "Don't let her get away, you fool!" he barks, finding that his armour now proves a serious detriment to pursuit as he barely reaches the edge of the training ground, still some ways off from Demara.
[19:19] <Ebiris> OOC: your go
[19:21] <Demara> roll 1d20+6 Planes, I suppose. General info grab.
[19:21] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+6 Planes, I suppose. General info grab. --> [ 1d20=2 ]{8}
[19:22] <Ebiris> Nothing relevant comes to mind.
[19:22] <Demara> "He murdered him after saying he was evil!" Mary points at Proust, before sprinting down the alley and hopefully well away.
[19:25] <Ebiris> Demara is far faster than any tin-can wearing knight, and quickly opens up enough distance through the herringbone-like alleys of the city to be reasonably confident that she's lost pursuit. The alleys continue winding this way and that, but it does become clear at some point that she'll either have to head out onto the main streets again, or just go round in circles.
[19:25] <Ebiris> OOC: spot check
[19:25] <Demara> roll 1d20+21
[19:25] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+21 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{36}
[19:27] <Demara> Also, Demara takes a moment to check ifs he's leaving an obvious trail or blood dripping or anything, if possible.
[19:28] <Ebiris> Even though she's distracted quite a bit by her mad dash for freedom, Demara is aware of two things. One, she's dripping a trail of blood that could conceivably lead anyone right to her. Two, there's a small black bird flying through the alleys rather than above them, and it's there every time she looks behind herself.
[19:29] * Demara also looks about to see if there are any back doors she could go into at this alley or anything, first of all.
[19:32] <Ebiris> Demara recalls passing many doors, and right now at her current point there's two within easy reach - one a covered in flaking blue paint and with a rusty padlocked deadbolt on the outside, and the other opposite it is heavily recessed down a short stairway. She's sure to find more either by backtracking or continuing onwards, however.
[19:34] * Demara staggers along, heading for the recessed one down the stairway. Worth a shot still, see if it's unlocked.
[19:34] <Ebiris> OOC: listen check
[19:35] <Demara> roll 1d20+17
[19:35] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+17 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{22}
[19:37] <Ebiris> Demara can hear a faint scuff of footsteps directly behind her as she steps down the stairway... but she never heard anyone approach.
[19:39] * Demara takes a moment to draw her rapier and turn around, seeing if anything is about to be unpleasant towards her.
[19:39] <Ebiris> OOC: will save
[19:40] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+17 to beat SR, actually
[19:40] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+17 to beat SR, actually --> [ 1d20=18 ]{35}
[19:40] <Ebiris> OOC: yes, will save
[19:40] <Demara> roll 1d20+11
[19:40] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{21}
[19:44] <Ebiris> Turning around, Demara is brought face to face with a hideously shrivelled old crone, bent over and stooped enough to barely reach her own current height. Beady eyes covered in rheumy white film peer at her from above a crooked nose with a bulbous hairy wart on the end. "Having a little trouble, dearie?" she asks in a scratchy voice, clicking fingernails that might be better described as claws together.
[19:44] <Ebiris> Yet despite her horrific appearance, Demara can sense something captivating from this crone, something that calls to her like a kindred spirit.
[19:46] * Demara breaks into a small smile. "I've had better days," she admits. "You don't look like you fit in here, do you?"
[19:52] <Ebiris> "Oh, I fit in lots of places, dearie. I've been watching you, though, and you don't seem to fit in so good, do you?" she cocks her head and in the silence Demara can hear the sound of clanking metal echoing through the alleys - it's hard to tell if it's getting closer or not. "At least, not according to that handsome knight fellow, hmmm?"
[19:53] <Demara> "His sense isn't so good," Demara demurs, "I really shouldn't stay for him to insist on trying to prove his point, either. It would be...disagreeable."
[19:55] <Ebiris> "You shouldn't worry," the hag smiles, revealing a mouth full of crooked yellowing teeth - though not one missing, despite their seeming ill dental health, "I've given him a little distraction. Should give us all the time we need to chat," she concludes, reaching out with jaggedly sharp fingertips towards Demara's chin...
[19:57] * Demara smiles and after a moment allows the contact. She is a friend, after all. "Good then. The entire incident was disagreeable."
[19:59] <Ebiris> Wrinkled fingers caress Demara's flesh with all the gentleness of a mother towards her child. "Show me your real form, child," the words are whispered from ancient lips, barely heard above the two women's breath... yet they hit Demara with palpable intensity.
[19:59] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+17
[19:59] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+17 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{22}
[20:00] <Ebiris> OOC: what's your SR?
[20:01] <Demara> OOC - 23.
[20:01] <Ebiris> But they shatter against Demara's abyssal resistance, having no more power over her than the words of a trusted friend.
[20:03] <Demara> "Some things...should stay a mystery even between friends," Demara purrs back, gently batting the hand away. "What do you want? AFter all...nothing's easy or free, is it?"
[20:06] <Ebiris> "Information, my sweet," the crone replies warmly as she lets her hand fall to the side, seemingly not bothered by the rebuttal. "After all, what could an innocent and cherub-like little dumpling such as yourself do to earn the ire of one of Pelor's holy knights? That is a puzzle I would like to decipher," she concludes, tracing her clawed hand up to tap against the side of her head, scratching through the unkempt gray fuzz that surrounds it.
[20:07] <Ebiris> .
[20:08] <Demara> "Ah, just an irritating problem," Demara allows. "I do believe that his body is a rotting sack of flesh with an unwanted new occupant. Pity for him."
[20:12] <Ebiris> "Is that what you think?" the hag laughs quietly, a vicious rasping sound that makes Demara think more of certain Abyssal torture implements. "Perhaps if I were to tell you what really happened to him, then you might indulge an old woman's curiousity? That sound fair to you, dearie?"
[20:13] <Demara> "Perhaps...but I do ask...how do you know?" With a peering smile, "Oh, mine is just guesswork, I admit. Do you have something better?"
[20:17] <Ebiris> The woman before Demara isn't giving away anything in those misty discoloured eyes of hers. "Observation, my dear. Someone else had an interest in the poor knight who even still seeks you, as I'm sure his church are beginning to seek him." She cocks her head slightly as Demara can faintly hear more metallic footsteps, some definitely sounding like they're approaching.
[20:17] <Ebiris> "But perhaps this isn't the best place to talk. Mayhap we might relocate before swapping tales, little one?"
[20:17] <Demara> Demara considers just a moment. Mmm...perhaps so, yes. "Yes, let's," she agrees.
[20:19] <Ebiris> "First I'd best do something about that awful dripping - this won't hurt a bit, dearie, so just grin and bear it," the hag promises with a crooked grimace as she contorts one of her clawed hands before her and begins mouthing a spell before she reaches towards Demara.
[20:20] * Demara awaits the spell, doing nothing.
[20:20] <Ebiris> roll 3d8+10
[20:20] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 3d8+10 --> [ 3d8=13 ]{23}
[20:21] <Ebiris> She clasps her fingers over Demara's ruined shoulder and in an instant the succubus feels her wounds knit together, her fiendish flesh once more as pristine as the day she was coaxed from the shell of a lesser demon.
[20:22] <Demara> "Well then..." Demara's smile grows, "Do lead on."
[20:25] <Ebiris> With her hand on Demara's shoulder, the hag's smile grows wider as...
[20:25] <Ebiris> OOC: she's using another spell that needs you to be willing, are you?
[20:25] <Demara> OOC: Sure, why not?
[20:27] <Ebiris> Suddenly Demara shrinks! All her possessions meld into her new form as she finds herself viewing the world from barely a foot above the ground. Now giant-sized clawed hands reach down towards her...
[20:28] <Demara> It figures. Just when a day can't get any worse...Demara attempts to teleport away.
[20:28] <Ebiris> OOC: destination?
[20:28] <Demara> OOC: The room where we met for our last meeting, say.
[20:29] <Ebiris> OOC: Kitami's house? Okay.
[20:30] <Ebiris> OOC: Actually... lets roll init to see if you teleport before anything happens that might stop you (like being grappled)
[20:30] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+8 hag
[20:30] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+8 hag --> [ 1d20=14 ]{22}
[20:30] <Demara> roll 1d20+3
[20:30] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{10}
[20:32] <Ebiris> OOC: you're not really flat footed, to you can make an AoO to stop her. See #elysium for your current stats.
[20:32] <Demara> roll 1d20+4
[20:32] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{13}
[20:33] <Ebiris> OOC: you still have your own bab (polymorph is a pain) modded by the cat's dex and +2 for being tiny. So what does that work out at?
[20:34] <Demara> OOC 7+2+2=11
[20:35] <Ebiris> OOC: so hits AC 20. Whiff.
[20:35] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+23
[20:35] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+23 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{29}
[20:35] <Ebiris> OOC: touch AC?
[20:36] <Demara> OOC - It ain't that.
[20:37] <Ebiris> roll 1d20+19 grapple
[20:37] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+19 grapple --> [ 1d20=3 ]{22}
[20:37] <Demara> roll 1d20+3 I could roll a 20, I guess
[20:37] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+3 I could roll a 20, I guess --> [ 1d20=18 ]{21}
[20:37] <Ebiris> OOC: so damn close
[20:41] <Ebiris> Demara reflexively lashes out with her new... claws? Not quite as nice as her demonic ones, but they'll do in a pinch as she tries to rake the crone's leathery flesh, seeing her arms are currently covered in orangey-yellow striped fur with tiny little paws on the end. But it's to no avail as she finds herself bodily lifted up into the air despite all her struggles.
[20:41] <Ebiris> "Oh, you are a vicious little beast," the crone reprimands sternly as she has to work at containing all of Demara's feline fury. "Don't make me snap that tiny little neck of yours!"
[20:42] <Ebiris> OOC: your go
[20:43] <Demara> OOC: Can I cast SLAs with a concentration check in a grapple?
[20:43] <Ebiris> OOC: you can DC 20 + spell level
[20:50] * Demara concentrates and attempts to teleport away! OOC - DC is 27, same as Etherial Juant, so I may as well 'port.
[20:50] <Demara> roll 1d20+11 c'mon
[20:50] <Rei-chan> Demara rolled : 1d20+11 c'mon --> [ 1d20=19 ]{30}
[20:53] <Ebiris> Focusing with all her will, Demara vanishes from the hag's clutches, reappearing in the library of Kitami's abode! She sees said evil sorceress sitting on one of the chairs nearby, though likely it's really Inuga...
[20:54] <Ebiris> OOC: we'll pause here until Sunday when everyone's around.
[20:54] <Demara> OOC: Okay.

[Ebiris]

Demara now joins Seraphim Sword