Slavery For Amateurs

[Dracos]

Mar 09 19:22:27 *   Adail wastes no time in pulling out his healing wand, "Alright, everyone who needs healing over here please."
Mar 09 19:22:39 *   Carthrat holds her old hand within her new one, inspecting it as though she'd just picked up a curious bauble, or an interesting letter.
Mar 09 19:23:05 *   Knight holds her old hand within her new one, inspecting it as though she'd just picked up a curious bauble, or an interesting letter.
Mar 09 19:24:15 *   Adail looks around at his companions and half smiles, "Which is mostly just you again, isn't it oh large one?"
Mar 09 19:24:28 *   Kamvakua steps near adail, casting cure light wounds on himself to start regardless.
Mar 09 19:24:33 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d8+2
Mar 09 19:24:35 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d8+2 and gets 5." [1d8=3]
Mar 09 19:24:56 *   Adail expends a few charges from the wand to heal some of Kam's wounds.
Mar 09 19:25:02 <Adail>   roll 4d8+4
Mar 09 19:25:03 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 4d8+4 and gets 22." [4d8=7, 1, 7, 3]
Mar 09 19:25:07 <Kamvakua>   "Your wand is welcome, Adail.  That Slaad was quite fiery."
Mar 09 19:25:58 *   Adail then adds an actual cure spell, empowered by his bracelet.
Mar 09 19:26:27 <Adail>   roll 1d8*1.5+2
Mar 09 19:26:27 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d8*1.5+2 and gets 11." [1d8=6]
Mar 09 19:26:51 *   Kotono gives channel operator status to Adail
Mar 09 19:27:23 <Kotono>   Kamvakua's wounds partially mend, the goliath's dreadful burns regressing away. Knight's hand twitches on occasion, but each twitch is less each time.
Mar 09 19:28:19 <Mari>   "Knight, er. Are you alright? Shouldn't we do something about that hand?"
Mar 09 19:28:41 *   Adail then eyes Knight's new hand, "Hmm...if you wish, I can prepare a Protection from Chaos spell tomorrow, to see if that helps at all?"
Mar 09 19:28:53 <Kamvakua>   "I think the lady Knight could use your attention as well, Adail."
Mar 09 19:29:44 <Knight>   "Yes, it's still moving," replies Knight, turning to hold it up for Mari to see. "Aside from that, there is a soreness, but nothing too serious." Her new fingers flex and crick, and she twists her palm about. "It will take some getting used to."
Mar 09 19:30:25 <Adail>   "I can spare one more healing spell, I think. Though she still looks in better condition then you do, Kam. You really took the brunt of those attacks." Adail moves over and casts an empowered healing on Knight as well.
Mar 09 19:30:31 <Adail>   roll 1d8*1.5+2
Mar 09 19:30:32 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d8*1.5+2 and gets 11." [1d8=6]
Mar 09 19:30:55 <Kotono>   As the party talks and heals, the ground 30 feet behind you ripples, as if water disturbed by a summer wind. There are three of them, elementals. Two are merely much larger than humans, while a third towers over even them. The largest is in the lead, "It is...dead?" It asks aloud. "The defiling slaad has been slain?"
Mar 09 19:32:01 *   Mari kicks the corpse by way of demonstration. "You tell me."
Mar 09 19:33:17 <Kotono>   "Gooood." It's voice draws out, rumbling throughout Earth. "You have done Ogremoch a service. Those that come to this place do not live, but your lives shall be spared. Chosen of Ogremoch," Now the elemental gestures with a hand that's mostly a giant boulder, "Come to us. It is time to do Ogremoch's will."
Mar 09 19:33:57 <Mari>   "I thought we just did? What else did you have in mind?"
Mar 09 19:34:18 *   Adail eyes the elementals and mutters softly to the others, "I don't suppose it's possible to simply leave now? I'd rather avoid aiding the evil element prince any more then we absolutely must."
Mar 09 19:35:19 *   Knight ties off the open wound on her old hand, and puts the entire bloody thing into one of Bell's saddlebags. "I would prefer it. What if more are suffering like Gem? I can't wait..."
Mar 09 19:36:51 <Kotono>   "Do you not understand the purpose of this place?" The elemental's voice rumbles about, "It is to harvest the wealth of those fools that seek the Gruesome Ruby. It is to deliver more wealth to Lord Ogremoch. It is time to offer your material goods to Ogremoch, so that his treasure may grow. You who bear the sigil of Ogremoch," His attention is on Kamvakua, "Aid us in this matter."
Mar 09 19:40:43 <Kamvakua>   "This is not what was agreed," Kamvakua growled back at them, glaring fiercely.  "Ogremoch desires the Ruby returned unto his keeping.  None of us desire it or seek it for any other purpose.  Your methods here oppose his goal."
Mar 09 19:42:33 *   Adail shakes his head, "I think that's the point, Kam. Ogremoch doesn't want the ruby back, he put it here specifically to lure adventurers in so his servants could kill them and steal thier stuff."
Mar 09 19:43:02 *   Adail also snickers a bit at the very IDEA of Kam turning on anyone he calls a friend.
Mar 09 19:44:58 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+18
Mar 09 19:45:00 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+18 and gets 36." [1d20=18]
Mar 09 19:45:09 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+8 large 1
Mar 09 19:45:10 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+8 large 2
Mar 09 19:45:10 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 large 1 and gets 19." [1d20=11]
Mar 09 19:45:10 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 large 2 and gets 20." [1d20=12]
Mar 09 19:45:25 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+16 huge
Mar 09 19:45:26 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 huge and gets 30." [1d20=10]
Mar 09 19:47:39 <Kotono>   The huge elemental meets Kamvakua's furious gaze and grunts. "But if we do not have wealth to give to Lord Orgemoch, he will be furious at our double failure! To allow this slaad to wreck havoc and then allow adventurers to escape alive AND with their treasure?!"
Mar 09 19:49:23 <Mari>   "Maybe the slaad's got something you could bring back, and we could avoid anyone having to kill anyone else that way?" Mari adds.
Mar 09 19:51:24 <Kamvakua>   "What treasure?" Kamvakua kicked the Slaad.  "We are bringing it back to him, in this acting as Ogremoch's agents.  If you do not wish to fail him a third time, you should bring it to us and dig proper tribute to him from the earth around here."  He tapped his head.  "In return, I will let you know that you are unlikely to find any treasure with the elementals outside blocking any who would step into your trap."
Mar 09 19:51:51 <Kamvakua>   "You are fortunate that we came before the Slaad could encounter the three of you."
Mar 09 19:53:31 <Kotono>   "Perhaps..." A long rumble, "The slaad's body and that club will somewhat mollify Ogremoch." At last the elemental admits as such.
Mar 09 19:55:42 *   Adail keeps quiet, letting Kam do the...what's passing for negotiating with this critters.
Mar 09 19:56:16 <Mari>   "Right. So, since we've done this huge favor for Ogremoch, and since your material reward is lying on the ground right there, everyone gets something out of this and we'll just be heading back to Nixale now."
Mar 09 19:57:05 <Kotono>   The elemental slams it's foot in the ground, sending quakes about, "So be it! Go then!"
Mar 09 19:57:24 <Knight>   "We have no time to tarry, and this is a solution that allows all of us to benefit." Knight awkwardly claws her way back onto Bell's saddle. "Ah, very well. Let us be off, then!"
Mar 09 19:58:19 *   Mari doesn't need prompting. She's out of here and back the way came!
Mar 09 19:58:33 <Kamvakua>   "Take it, a trade for the service of fetching the ruby to us so that we can take it back to Ogremoch." Kamvakua returned.
Mar 09 19:59:22 <Kotono>   The three elementals slowly stand aside, clearing the path to hurry back out.
Mar 09 20:00:43 *   Adail shakes his head and scurries back up to Kam's shoulder, "Let's just forget the Ruby and go. Ogremoch's goons just threatened to kill us, I don't think we owe him anything anymore."
Mar 09 20:01:10 <Knight>   "It is clearly already in his possession," mutters Knight, sidling alongside Kamvakua.
Mar 09 20:02:53 <Kamvakua>   "Perhaps," Kamvakua's gemstone eyebrows furrowed.  "I do not trust him, but neither do I trust them.  But perhaps simply saving the lives of three of his servants is enough.  Is your arm alright?" Kamvakua turned walking with them toward the exit, his face calming from its terrifying visage.
Mar 09 20:03:43 <Kotono>   The party heads back out. The rear-guard group stands aside without comment, the way out unchallenged. The party reaches back 'outside', free of the temple that perhaps holds the Gruesome Ruby.
Mar 09 20:04:02 <Knight>   "It doesn't seem to be a major hindrance," replies Knight, flexing the palm again. "But I will need to adjust to it. My weapons are too small to properly handle the grip."
Mar 09 20:05:09 <Adail>   "I met someone back in Nixale who may be able to tell you if the hand is of any danger to you, at least, if you'd like me to try and find him."
Mar 09 20:05:38 <Mari>   "What you need to do is get your REAL hand put back on! I'm sure there's someone in town who can do that. I mean, you don't want to walk around like that forever, do you? Besides, I thought you hated slaad?"
Mar 09 20:07:08 <Knight>   "That would likely be best. And, well, Mari, I do hate them, but this is no great burden..." replies Knight, swiping the claw through the air. "Certainly, it's an inconvenience in some ways, but the surgery would no doubt be quite costly and painful..."
Mar 09 20:07:16 <Knight>   She winces. "Exceptionally painful."
Mar 09 20:08:27 <Mari>   "More painful than having someone rip your hand off like happened the first time? I'm sure there's a priest or something who can do it without too much trouble. And come on, think of how much trouble you'd be in if we got into a fight and you hadn't adjusted to it yet!"
Mar 09 20:08:42 <Adail>   "Not if done by the right people." Adail twitches his whiskers, "And on that subject, may I suggest the next plane of destination in this hunt for your family? Any of Celestia, Arborea or my own home of Elysium. I have something I need to see to in an Upper plane, and it would certainly be a nice change of pace from Earth."
Mar 09 20:09:35 <Kamvakua>   "That it would be...but I believe we have another quest here," He glanced at Mari. "You had...a bracelet was it?"
Mar 09 20:10:06 <Knight>   "I assure you that my ability remains unchanged," replies Knight, nodding. "Mmm, no, you could say it's greater than before! It's definately a hand more suited to battle, isn't it?"
Mar 09 20:12:01 <Mari>   "Yeah, well, that's a long walk back, Kam. I guess we'll see whether there are portals nearby or not when we get back to town? And Knight, hey, what about out of battle? It's a slaad hand! What if started doing whatever it wanted? What if it decided it wanted REVENGE for its old owner and attacked you? Or worse, me!"
Mar 09 20:14:08 <Adail>   "Why don't I just keep a Protection from Chaos spell in mind from tomorrow on, then? I'm sure that will stop the hand from exerting any independent influence it might have, though it won't last overly long."
Mar 09 20:14:28 <Knight>   "That is.. well, you saw how my ex-hand.. moved... by itself, right? I don't think either of them can be completely trusted..." she mumbles. "Ah, Gem, Gem... he was in such pain!" Knight takes a deep breath, and runs her claw over her head. "It is.. hard... to consider other tasks at the moment."
Mar 09 20:14:33 *   Adail chuckles a bit and shakes his head, "Apologies for my magic being so weak. It's still fairly new to me."
Mar 09 20:15:30 <Kamvakua>   "She can't walk around perpetually in such a spell.  Either she could claim it, or she should get rid of it," Kamvakua mused.  "And is it?  It's hard keeping direction straight in this, but we can always dig that way and see."
Mar 09 20:17:17 <Mari>   "Hey, don't worry, Adail, that's more magic than the rest of us have. I guess that makes you Nikkolai Junior? So I should probably put more effort into making fun of you. You don't give me as much to work with, though. And Kam, part of the problem is that we'd have to go back UP."
Mar 09 20:20:24 *   Adail twitches his whiskers, "You really don't have to, you know. I'm afraid my own skill at witty banter is very much limited to in battle, and I'd hate to feel a need to throw a punch at you simply to respond to the latest barb."
Mar 09 20:22:28 <Kotono>   Thus the party travels back. They make camp that night, resting. It is a peaceful night of deep slumber and recovery, the next morning dawning. A few more hours takes you to the gates of Nixale, where you find a small group of gargolyes waiting. One of them points as the party comes closer, and one of them calls in Common, "Kamvakua? Mari? Adail? Knight?" OOC: Night's rest HP/spells/recharges/ect.
Mar 09 20:23:34 <Mari>   "That depends on why you're asking," Mari says cautiously. "If you're collecting on a debt or something then we totally saw those guys back down the road."
Mar 09 20:24:13 *   Kamvakua can't help but laugh eying curiously down at the gargoyles.
Mar 09 20:24:40 <Kotono>   "Kikula desires to see you. Now." The gargolye does not laugh at all.
Mar 09 20:24:59 <Knight>   "Who...?"
Mar 09 20:25:08 *   Adail twitches an ear at Mari's joke, but doesn't laugh, "Kikula?"
Mar 09 20:25:23 *   Mari groans. "What does he want?"
Mar 09 20:33:35 <Kamvakua>   "A Goliath I met and spoke with earlier, in the service of Ogremoch," He explained to Adail.
Mar 09 20:34:15 <Kotono>   "Now." The gargoyle repeats, "Get moving with us."
Mar 09 20:34:54 *   Mari glances at her companions and shrugs. It's better than starting a fight right here, isn't it?
Mar 09 20:35:54 *   Adail nods, then waits for the gargoyles' attention to turn so he can heal Kam one more time, just in case this ends in another fight regardless.
Mar 09 20:36:00 <Knight>   "I suppose we can't refuse easily..." mutters Knight. "Interruptions, so many interruptions..."
Mar 09 20:36:06 <Kamvakua>   "Politeness is not their strength.  Nor apparently is message passing.  Let's see what he wants."
Mar 09 20:36:17 *   Kamvakua strode after them.
Mar 09 20:36:18 <Kotono>   The gargolyes turn, leading the party along.
Mar 09 20:36:49 <Adail>   roll 1d8*1.5+2
Mar 09 20:36:50 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Adail rolls 1d8*1.5+2 and gets 9.5." [1d8=5]
Mar 09 20:37:42 <Kotono>   You are taken to Kikula's office. He's still there, staff in hand and smooshed into his seat. Chairs area bout as there were last time, some food and drinks out. He's all smiles, "Ah, sit down Kamvakua and friends!" He speaks in Common, "Sit down, sit down!"
Mar 09 20:38:36 *   Mari sits, but she's not eating or drinking anything this time. And she doesn't trust guy smiley here any more than she did last time, even less thanks to the overtly friendly demeanor.
Mar 09 20:38:48 *   Adail stays seated on Kam's shoulder, keeping an eye on the area with See Invis.
Mar 09 20:39:12 <Kamvakua>   "This is an unexpected invitation, Kikula.  Your gargoyles could do with some conversation," His face wasn't nearly as friendly as last time as he sat down.
Mar 09 20:39:35 *   Knight sits down, with a quizzical glance towards Kikula. "This food is for us?" she clarifies, indicating the plates.
Mar 09 20:40:49 <Kotono>   "Help yourselves," Kikula smiles, "Ah yes, I received word last night about your trip to the Gruesome Ruby." He sits, clapping twice. "Impressive. Now you have to understand, most creatures don't come back from there. They play nice, they do their role in dying so Ogremoch gets richer."
Mar 09 20:41:55 <Mari>   "Yeah, it's a great scam," Mari says, not entirely reproachfully.
Mar 09 20:42:55 <Kotono>   "Oh, it certainly is!" Kikula's tone is bright and cheerful, "It's nothing personal, but all of you were supposed to die. Kamvakua now...either bows to Ogremoch or dies, but he enriches Ogremoch, no two ways about it. But..." He smiles, like death plastered over stone, "You came back alive and intact. Completely unacceptable."
Mar 09 20:43:01 *   Adail subtly taps Kam on the back of the neck, and flicks his tail towards the corner where...seemingly nothing is standing.
Mar 09 20:44:01 *   Knight reaches for the fingerfood, and quickly begins to start taking samples from all the plates. "I did suspect there was a prosaic explanation... pardon me?"
Mar 09 20:44:47 <Kotono>   "Oh yes. Your survival was a most irritating bit of misfortune, as was that cursed slaad." He folds his hands together, "Absolutely miserable luck lining my path regarding the all of you."
Mar 09 20:44:48 <Mari>   "We also did your lord a great aervice by ridding him of a threat his soldiers were unable to deal with. You may want to consider that when deciding how to deal with the unacceptable situation of our survival."
Mar 09 20:44:53 <Mari>   *service
Mar 09 20:45:13 *   Mari kicks Knight's ankle under the table.
Mar 09 20:45:25 <Knight>   Tink!
Mar 09 20:45:47 <Kotono>   "Oh, those incompetents will be reduced to rubble. But that makes you even more dangerous, but no one's dangerous enough to escape an entire city, are they?" Now he leans back, spreading his arms wide. "Since it's suicide to resist, I suggest you play nicely and listen to what I have to say."
Mar 09 20:46:59 <Mari>   "Fine. Go on. I hope for both our sakes that Nixale continues to be hospitable."
Mar 09 20:47:21 *   Kamvakua stands, nodding slightly "I don't believe you understand," He glared at the man.  "An offer of a favor is an opportunity to enrich Ogremoch.  That you have chosen to waste it in such a matter is foolishness.  I am listening.  Speak quickly, because we may be that kind of suicidal," His eyes were dangerous, even if it was a bluff.
Mar 09 20:48:02 <Kotono>   "Oh yes. Since your wealth can't enrich Ogremoch?" Now Kikula gazes at Kamvakua, "Ogremoch deigned to restore you to mortal life." Kikula stands as well, "Do not think he gave it freely. Your position is to benefit Ogremoch. If your lucre will not be his, your loyalty and fealty will be."
Mar 09 20:49:13 <Knight>   "What is it, precisely, that you want from us?" asks Knight, with a deep frown. "Is this simple extortion, or something more?"
Mar 09 20:49:23 *   Adail remains quiet, simply keeping the corner of his eye on the invisible man in the corner.
Mar 09 20:49:54 <Kamvakua>   "Unacceptable in any sense.  Ogremoch accepted a trade for such.  I offered more because I value my own life well.  But if you think to enslave me by that, you are a fool, and soon to be offered as a corpse."  Kamvakua stepped slightly to the side away from where Adail had tapped.
Mar 09 20:50:30 <Kotono>   "You may kill me, you may kill many." WIthout even missing a beat, "But you will not leave this city alive if yo udo!" As he speaks...OOC: More.
Mar 09 20:50:48 <Mari>   "Ogremoch already has benefited from us. The slaad and the weapon it carried. And for the cost of very little trouble on your part. I think you should count this as coming out ahead."
Mar 09 20:52:08 *   Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
Mar 09 20:52:21 <Kotono>   A flash of black agony clouds Kamvakua's vision, his entire body recoiling as a weight settles onto his spirit! With a vicious smile as he watches, "As your life is Ogremoch's, so is your fate. As long as you defy Ogremoch, you will suffer under terrible curses, Kamvakua! Where does your vaunted road lead under this but to oblivion?"
Mar 09 20:56:40 *   Kamvakua growls, the effect only serving to make him less reasonable. "As I said, speak quickly, or curse or no, I am going to rip your body into so many pieces that no spell would put it back together.  I will not be a slave.  This is not allowed.  I follow Fharlanghn unto the Horizon."
Mar 09 20:58:08 <Kotono>   "No, you don't." Kikula smiles still, "Ogremoch owns you to the very soul that lives in your stinking pile of flesh!" His smile twists into a scowl, "Bow, and all of you will leave Nixale alive. Do not...and your blood will stain the Earth here forever."
Mar 09 20:58:08 *   Adail places a hand on Kam's head, "Don't lose control just yet, Kam." Then speaking to the other goliath for the first time, he half inclines his head, "But yes, say what you're going to say and quickly."
Mar 09 20:58:31 <Mari>   "So this is what Ogremoch's word is worth, huh? How can you expect us to believe any deal you offer at this point? When you repay a specific service by cursing the provider? You really need to work on your sales pitch, Kikula. Who's going to make deals with Ogremoch when there's word of them going sour like this, huh?"
Mar 09 20:59:51 <Knight>   "State your terms as plainly as possible, but be forewarned that we cannot accept forms of absolute servitude. We have business elsewhere and cannot stay in Nixale- or indeed this plane- forever," notes Knight.
Mar 09 21:01:03 <Kotono>   "You have my terms. Kamvakua, bow to your master." Kikula demands, "And all of this unpleasantness goes away."
Mar 09 21:07:43 *   Adail shakes his head, "That's what you offer? Absolute servitude or death? No middle ground at all? How do you expect a promise made under duress like this, even if he would agree to it, to have any weight on him?" Half smiling, Adail continues, "I have another poposal for you, if you'd care to hear it."
Mar 09 21:08:15 <Kotono>   "Really, little celestial?" Turning to him, "It had better be good."
Mar 09 21:09:29 <Adail>   "Material wealth is not the only wealth worth having. I have information from my travels in the rest of Earth, information that would be of great interest to Ogremoch. As I have no particular love for Ogremoch, as you can imagine, I have seen no reason to share it as of yet."
Mar 09 21:10:19 <Kotono>   With a peer at Adail, "It would have to be exquisite information. Kamvakua is a superb specimen."
Mar 09 21:13:23 *   Kamvakua growls swelling in stature, his fury at the treachery clear, likely moments away from separating Kikula's head from his shoulders. "You dare this treachery, Nameless Thief?  You should be pleased to have anything, but I will remember unto both our deaths that Nixale is the home of nothing but trash," He dipped into his native gol-kaa, the terms rather harsh, only heard when describing an outcast of one of the tribes.
Mar 09 21:14:21 <Adail>   "Oh, it is. Trust me, it is. It concerns something that could be an extreme threat to Ogremoch, far more then we could ever pose. Would information of this like be enough to let us simply leave and never come back?"
Mar 09 21:15:38 <Kotono>   Kikula's eyes tear away from Adail, and spitting back in Gol-Kaa, "This tribe is far superior to the trash of a tribe you follow, fool!"
Mar 09 21:16:01 <Kotono>   "Enough." The voice is smooth, coming from the corner. "You speak of something that may interest me."
Mar 09 21:16:57 <Mari>   "Whoa, what? Uh, Kam...maybe you should calm down for a minute?" Mari says with a placating hand on his shoulder (or probably his elbow, given the height different).
Mar 09 21:17:15 <Kotono>   Kikula jerks his head back, a wordless snarl. The unseen voice continues, appearing in a shimmer of magic. The priest of the Delve temple is here, coming forward. "This has grown rather charged. Let's all sit down and discuss what the guardinial has to say first, before we get to any homicides."
Mar 09 21:18:15 *   Kamvakua does not move to sit down, but neither does he plunge his spear into Kikula's skull, though the desire is clearly there. "I am listening as I have to this offal."  He returned in common.
Mar 09 21:18:50 <Kotono>   "Kikula," WIth a single word, the priest makes Kikula stand aside. The priest goes to sit in Kikula's chair, "Now then, where were we about that information?"
Mar 09 21:20:03 *   Adail nods to the priest, having a complete lack of surprise at his appearance, "You understand my reluctance to simply state what the information is before reaching an agreement, of course. Unlike something material, I cannot show it to you for appraisal without it simply becoming yours."
Mar 09 21:21:12 <Kotono>   "At the same time, I can't agree to it without proof that it's worthwhile." Smoothly continuing, the gold attached to it's stony body jingling, "Give me a taste of it so I can make an informed decision?"
Mar 09 21:24:13 <Adail>   Nodding, Adail thinks a moment, "As I said, it concerns a threat to Ogremoch, both to his wealth and to the lives of any who serve him. This threat has proven to be capable of easily swatting us aside, even when we traveled with a powerful arcanist in addition to what we have now. We barely escaped with our lives, and that was simply a portion of what this threat could bring to bear."
Mar 09 21:24:56 <Kotono>   "Hm..." Steepling his hands together now, "Is that all you have, or is there more to influence the decision?"
Mar 09 21:27:14 <Knight>   "There are specific details which we can relate," responds Knight. "But that would require a concession from yourselves."
Mar 09 21:27:50 <Adail>   "We can give you specifics of the threat, details about some of it's servants as well as an idea of where it operates so if you wish, you can do something about it before it grows powerful enough to actually challange Ogremoch."
Mar 09 21:29:21 <Kotono>   After a few moments, the priest looks to Adail, "Is that the final offer to consider?"
Mar 09 21:31:03 <Adail>   "That's the most I can tell you without going into the details, yes."
Mar 09 21:32:51 <Kotono>   The priest is silent for a very long while. At last, "Very well. But pray to Ogremoch this isn't a desperate, empty bluff. Tell me then, what is it you speak of?"
Mar 09 21:34:06 *   Kamvakua continues his fearsome gaze at Kikula, his eyes alone boring into the goliath's skull, only Adail's negociations keeping the cretin in one piece.
Mar 09 21:34:57 <Kotono>   Kikula's gaze does not break, utter, fearsome hate right back.
Mar 09 21:38:51 <Knight>   "Very well. There is a certain Xorn who has begun forging an empire in the upper catacombs," responds Knight, steepling her fingers. "He himself has told us that he will stop at nothing until he rules this plane, and already many of the creatures flock to his side."
Mar 09 21:39:18 <Kotono>   With a steely gaze at Knight, "I have heard of this Xorn. Continue."
Mar 09 21:41:16 <Knight>   "We are able to give you information on his primary targets and operations to date, including those whom he has struck at and who I, at least, believe he would focus his attacks on in the future. To facilitate this flow of information, I suggest we make our terms explicit- in return for what we know, you will release all of us from this city and not seek our services again."
Mar 09 21:43:26 <Kotono>   "That is acceptable." Now to Adail, "Those terms are accepted. You tell us this and then you leave Nixale. If you come back, you die. If you stay away AND oh yes, keep your mouth shut about the Gruesome Ruby, you're good. Oh yes, you may want to have some of Kamvakua's heavenly friends do something about the seal on his soul. Your baliwick, certainly."
Mar 09 21:44:34 *   Mari has no problem with any of these terms and lets her companions continue. Kam leaving here with the curse intact at all is galling, but this isn't the time to press for more.
Mar 09 21:44:50 *   Adail nods, "I will most certainly have that looked into yes. And I will not speak of the Ruby."
Mar 09 21:45:15 <Kotono>   "Then speak," The priest says, as Kikula makes a low growl.
Mar 09 21:46:58 *   Adail nods to Knight, "Locations and tactics are more your area then mine, so I'll let you handle those. I will mention a particular servant of the Xorn King that bears mention, though. A sorcerer who's magic was powerful enough to undo spells that we could do nothing about. A Xorn sorcerer, no less, who covets items of power like a dragon covets coin."
Mar 09 21:48:03 <Kotono>   "He will have to be dispatched, then," The priest rumbles, "A Xorn sorcerer? An absurdity, but one that powerful cannot be ignored."
Mar 09 21:48:31 <Knight>   "The xorns were focused on assaulting traders in the region, most likely to the end of destroying local economies and shutting down routes of communication. We have reason to believe that as the richest society in the area, the Dao were the worst hit; they have few friends thanks to a series of tollbooths that charge unreasonable sums, so they could have expected little opposition in this." (More)
Mar 09 21:49:57 <Knight>   "Furthermore, certain natural factors have worked in their favour; those who must make their way through tunnels to move higher in the region will find their path blocked by purple wurms. As you can see, the entire area is ripe for a hostile takeover. Complicating matters are the presence of numerous portals to other planes; I believe few across the other side-
Mar 09 21:50:59 <Knight>   "-would have much interested in a unified empire coming about across the border. I fully expect the Xorn to build in numbers, as they are virtually unopposed and success will draw followers to their cause. The wealth gained from raiding caravans- many of precious stones, I would imagine- would easily allow them to hire expertise-
Mar 09 21:51:31 <Knight>   "-from across worlds to shore up any areas in which they are lacking. For example, in magical weapons and espionage."
Mar 09 21:52:15 <Kotono>   OOC: Go ahead make a diplo check, either Knight or Kam? +18 bonus based on what you've given and done.
Mar 09 21:52:28 <Knight>   OOC: That's a lot!
Mar 09 21:52:35 <Knight>   roll 1d20+21
Mar 09 21:52:36 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+21 and gets 28." [1d20=7]
Mar 09 21:52:39 *   Serith bats the dice around for Knight --> [ 1d20=4 ]{25}
Mar 09 21:53:51 <Kotono>   "The threat is greater than the rumors have said." The priest rumbles deep, "Troublesome. In that environment, an united Xorn empire cannot be permitted. Yes, this will have to be smashed." Nodding to himself, "Do you have any more information?"
Mar 09 21:57:20 <Adail>   "The xorn serving the Xorn King are frankly fearless, though I don't know if that's normal for them. We were outright attacked by a large group of smaller ones that fought to the death even as we killed them as quickly as they came."
Mar 09 21:58:01 <Knight>   "We are unaware of their base of operations," murmurs Knight. "But the King must surely have a central lair- most likely inaccessible by the existing tunnels, given their ability to shift through the earth. Only elementals could really oppose them."
Mar 09 21:59:38 <Kotono>   "Yes, yes," Nodding now, and getting up to pace, "Alright, go. You'll be escorted out." Gesturing, "Get going, I have a war council to convene."
Mar 09 22:00:33 *   Mari stands up and exits without any farewells or pleasantries. The sooner she can get on with never seeing this wretched city again, the better. She's on guard for any last-minute trickery, of course.
Mar 09 22:00:55 <Knight>   "You will be very busy," agrees Knight, standing and giving the priest a nod before departing. A victory for reason!
Mar 09 22:01:20 *   Adail nods, "Very well." Tapping his freind on the shoulder, he nods, "Alright, let's go."
Mar 09 22:01:56 *   Kamvakua glares, "Rot here," He grunted in gol-kaa, turning and heading away, recognizing that despite his overwhelming desire to crush the goliath, discretion had won the day.
Mar 09 22:03:54 <Kotono>   To this, the gargolyes joint he party. It is a dead silent walk as they are escorted out to the gate they first came into Nixale from. The gargolyes stand at the gate once the party are out, staring at them without expression.
Mar 09 22:05:49 <Adail>   Once away from the gate, Adail half smiles down at Kam, "If it would make you feel any better, I can hazzard a guess as to what awaits that miserable excuse for a goliath in the afterlife, and it's not pretty. I'd bet gold that Ogremoch would cheerfully barter away the souls of his own fallen worshippers to devils and the like for more wealth."
Mar 09 22:06:29 <Mari>   "And then Ogremoch would decide not to just so he could get your gold!"
Mar 09 22:07:21 <Knight>   "Truly, Adail?" asks Knight, raising an eyebrow. "It makes me wonder what inspires people to follow him, if in doing so they would pay the ultimate price."
Mar 09 22:08:49 <Kamvakua>   "Lies.  Lies, Lies and more Lies.  Who can understand the thoughts of those whose souls have rotted in?" Kamvakua frowned.
Mar 09 22:09:08 <Adail>   "They wouldn't know. I can only guess this because I'm fairly well versed in the afterlife, being a celestial. Most would simply think they get to cheerfully serve him in death as well as in life, not ever suspecting they matter nothing to him in the end. It's sad to see anyone walk down that path, but that one seemed to have commited himself to it fully."
Mar 09 22:09:24 <Mari>   "Anyway, we're agreed that getting off this plane as soon as possible is the smart thing to do now, right? This place is going to get ugly real fast. Let's find the nearest portal and jump in? Although that might mean walking back to Hardsoil."
Mar 09 22:09:52 <Knight>   "It is the only way we can retain our direction," notes Knight, grimacing. "It will be a hungry week, this I can say now."
Mar 09 22:10:10 <Mari>   "And, uh, speaking personally, I know a lot of us mortals don't think a lot about the consequences of our actions. Just saying."
Mar 09 22:10:19 <Adail>   "Back to Hardsoil suits me. We should warn Tam of all this, and from Hardsoil we can get back to Stratusberg. Reaching an upper plane from Air will be easier then from Earth, and now we have three reasons to go to one."
Mar 09 22:11:04 <Kamvakua>   "I would appreciate that...  That demon's curse is blackening my sight,"  Kamvakua shook his head, marching on stolidly.
Mar 09 22:11:17 <Kotono>   roll 1d100
Mar 09 22:11:18 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 81." [1d100=81]
Mar 09 22:11:20 <Knight>   "All I wish is to work under open sky again," murmurs Knight.
Mar 09 22:13:28 <Kotono>   It is a trip through the Rise of Earth, but an empty one. No harpies harass you nor is there anything but heavy, tiring climbing. When that is done, Kamvakua leads you to climb and dig! Thus this goes and goes and goes! At last, after much travel...Hardsoil! You reach the town, still peaceful and intact on your arrival. The party is dirty, sweaty and hungry, but intact.
Mar 09 22:15:02 <Knight>   "Mari, is it the appearance of my hand that is so disgusting?" asks Knight, once they reach the town. "Or is it something else that seems to unnerve you? There's been nothing unusual all week! And it is perfectly sanitary."
Mar 09 22:15:56 <Mari>   "I need a bath, a roast pig, and a week's sleep. In about that order," Mari grumbles. "It's just strange looking, Knight. You're all asymmetrical, now! What if there was, say, a man you fancied or something. That might scare him off!"
Mar 09 22:16:55 <Adail>   "I imagine the only kind of man who might strike Knight's fancy would recognize it for the potential combat asset it is and not be bothered with it."
Mar 09 22:17:11 <Kamvakua>   "I believe the smell would be her largest concern," Kamvakua teased, heading toward the inn and requesting the baths, food, and a half week of a few rooms, placing whatever gold the man asked for it.
Mar 09 22:17:53 <Knight>   "It is entirely odorless... no, that isn't the point. We have no time for dalliances!" mutters Knight, nonetheless quite happy to get in a hot soak before heading off to business.
Mar 09 22:18:11 <Kotono>   Kamvakua pays ten gold for this as the party heads to the inn. As they do, a few people are about. They begin clapping, "Mari! Mari! Mari!" As one, "I'll go ready the dwarven ales, the celestial wines and the air-vodka!"
Mar 09 22:18:39 <Mari>   "I--what--I don't even--"
Mar 09 22:19:06 <Kotono>   "Wait, wait," Another dashes, "You're staying here. On me!" He slaps money down over Kam's, "This'll pay off some of the tab I owe you."
Mar 09 22:19:29 *   Adail snickers, "I see...'you' have been busy, Mari."
Mar 09 22:19:40 <Mari>   "What? Oh wait, so you owe me drinks? Welllll."
Mar 09 22:20:04 <Kotono>   "100 gold worth," Another man sighs, "Who would think you could drink us all under the table, one at a time?"
Mar 09 22:20:24 <Knight>   "You can do that?"
Mar 09 22:20:28 <Mari>   "Well, I've got a lot of experience, you know?"
Mar 09 22:20:36 <Kamvakua>   "One who was mislead by her slender figure, of course," Kamvakua laughed, catching on quickly.
Mar 09 22:20:40 <Kotono>   "Mari's the best drinker in all of Hardsoil!" Another man says, as they hurry off, "The tavern, an hour'st ime!"
Mar 09 22:20:40 <Adail>   "Only under certain circumstances, I'm sure."
Mar 09 22:21:58 <Mari>   "So, uh." Mari looks at her companions. "I guess I shouldn't disappoint my admiring public. I'm gonna get in a scrub and then make the rounds."
Mar 09 22:22:21 <Kamvakua>   "I think you might be in trouble, Mari...at least if they start you drinking," Kamvakua let it go out of mind, heading for the baths himself.
Mar 09 22:22:47 <Mari>   "I can handle whatever they throw at me! Especially if someone else is paying for it!"
Mar 09 22:23:08 <Kotono>   Ah. Bathing and eating was superb. Drinking, perhaps not so much. These persistent headaches linger as you go see Granny Tam. On entering, you hear her laugh, "Oh ho ho ho! So you've come back to Hardsoil, have you? Missy, hoping to find out where your little boytoy's hidden away?"
Mar 09 22:24:27 <Mari>   "Well, he's not mine specifically. Nik's really public property, I just abuse him more than most. Actually, we're mostly here to say wow sorry but there's totally going to be a war here soon."
Mar 09 22:24:51 <Kotono>   "What?" Granny Tam's laughter ceases rather abruptly. "Why don't the all of you come on back then?"
Mar 09 22:26:14 <Mari>   "Right. And I see you've been doing my name some good while I was away. I guess I should thank you for the free drinks." Mari heads to the back of the shop as requested. "Seriously, though, it's going to get messy here real soon."
Mar 09 22:26:57 <Knight>   "The forces of Ogremoch will soon be seeking a confrontation with the Xorn King," states Knight, stepping after Mari. "They do not wish see a nascent empire grow into a threat."
Mar 09 22:27:38 <Kotono>   Granny Tam is back, perched atop a shelf. A small girl with raven black hair and sallow features, a bowl cut and deep dark eyes. She wears a black dress and black stockings. "Ah, wonderful," The little girl bites on her tongue, "Hard times will be coming to Hardsoil. Do you know how soon, when and how?"
Mar 09 22:28:26 <Mari>   "We don't know how soon, but it's been a minor journey since we left Nixale. I wouldn't wait before getting the locals prepared."
Mar 09 22:29:37 <Knight>   "I would expect their scouts are already within the walls. They can move much quicker than us. But a proper assault would take weeks to coordinate at the least, even assuming they gather good intelligence."
Mar 09 22:30:03 <Kotono>   "If a war's coming..." Granny Tam considers on this, "Hardsoil is going to need stout guardians or it'll be a casuality of war." She draws out a breath, "Children, I'm going to ask you to stay if you can. Can you?"
Mar 09 22:31:48 <Mari>   "Er. Well, uh, personally, my plan was to leave the plane as fast as possible. Ogremoch's goons pretty much promised to kill us on sight and the xorn don't like us much either. That, and Kam got a big ol' curse put on him. Being somewhere else, well, that sounds pretty good right now."
Mar 09 22:32:43 <Kamvakua>   "It is by our coming that these things came about.  We can't simply walk away from them.  Or at least I can't.  I have to do something about this curse they have placed on me...but...it would not be right to simply leave Hardsoil.  We are friends, and I shall stand with you."
Mar 09 22:33:00 <Knight>   "Unfortunately, you... are aware we have our own problems," replies Knight, pursing her lips. "But I feel some obligation to help, and I feel I know of a better way than simply placing ourselves between two armies."
Mar 09 22:33:01 <Kotono>   "Really now?" Raising one eyebrow, the little girl hops down! She hits Kam's shoulders and percies there, balanced flawlessly. She paces on those broad shoulders, "Granny Tam is hearing that you're trying to say that you got into a lot of trouble in Nixale. Tell Granny about it."
Mar 09 22:34:20 <Kotono>   A pause at that, "Thank you, Kamvakua." Granny Tam starts to smile, "Knight, if you know of a better way or allies that can pull theri weight, I'm all ears. In fact, I can be if that'll help.
Mar 09 22:34:21 <Kotono>   "
Mar 09 22:35:15 *   Kamvakua laughs. "Those rotters got their claws in me at least.  I misjudged a leap...and didn't quite manage to stand up from it.  Ogremoch took advantage of that and then tried to send us to our deaths."
Mar 09 22:36:01 <Knight>   "Firstly, you must see that this is not a war over Hardsoil. It is simply caught up between two armies. To enforce neutrality, you would need stout guardians that ideally would never need to see combat." She purses her lips. "You know of Stratusberg, of course? Both Hardsoil and Stratusberg would have many reasons to form an alliance. This is a trading hub, and I suspect merchants from-
Mar 09 22:36:32 <Knight>   "-the plane of air would prefer it to be ruled by reasonable authorities rather than extremist zealots."
Mar 09 22:37:21 <Knight>   (more)
Mar 09 22:37:25 <Mari>   "Yeah," Mari says, echoing Kam, "and when killing us didn't work, Ogremoch's priest went all, 'Okay, if killing you didn't work, you have to be our slaves, or we'll...try to kill you again.' It was very heinous."
Mar 09 22:38:14 <Knight>   "Furthermore! You are a master of disguise, are you not? And we have seen you can work this magic on others! Is it within your power to make a company of ordinary soldiers appear as something more?"
Mar 09 22:39:06 <Kotono>   "It'll take a lot of energy, but I can." Granny Tam hops off Kamvakua's shoulders, landing on Mari's shoulder.s She paces there just as easily, barely felt by the drow girl. "And it sounds like you got yourself in bad with Ogremoch. You have good reason to hurry to one of the Heavens, then."
Mar 09 22:40:31 <Mari>   "Yeah, see?" Mari says, craning her neck to try and address Granny. "I mean, I'm sorry and all, but bolting to another plane is looking like a great idea to me."
Mar 09 22:40:36 <Knight>   "That's the best way. Both sides may see Hardsoil as a potential resource, and it is known as a trading town and a neutral hub with no... expansionist ambitions. At least, this is the feeling I've gained. Simply make it appear too costly to take directly, and you'd never need fear an assault. Of course, trade will suffer in the interim... but when the dust settles..."
Mar 09 22:41:41 <Kotono>   "One problem. Earth and Air? That's like Fire and Water." Sticking her tongue out and hopping to Knight's shoulders' pacing there and almost as light as a feather, "Natural dislike. That's a barrier to overcome right away."
Mar 09 22:42:43 <Adail>   "Hmm..." Adail seems lost in thought for a moment.
Mar 09 22:42:55 <Mari>   "Well, we kinda did them a favor by getting rid of this crazy woman who was blockading a portal nearby. Maybe they'll listen to us if we explain this as a similar situation?"
Mar 09 22:43:38 <Kotono>   "Bring your charm. Lots of it." With a thought, and peering down at Mari's two drow charms, "Appeal to the lowest common denominator. Wear something flattering and revealing. Look pretty as you can. Show some leg. Say all the right things."
Mar 09 22:44:47 <Kotono>   After a moment, "Oh yeah," Looking right down at Knight's hand, "Why the HELLS do you have a slaad hand now?"
Mar 09 22:44:52 <Adail>   "If you're willing to put up with a handful of...rather excitable Eladrin for awhile, I may be able to talk some of the Knights of Arbor into helping guard Hardsoil. Arborea's actually the best bet for getting Kam fixed, as both of us have allies there, and I could talk to the Knights."
Mar 09 22:45:11 <Kotono>   "Ah, Granny can tell with eladrin," Nodding to Adail, "The more the merrier!"
Mar 09 22:45:13 *   Kamvakua couldn't help but smile at that. "Tam, you are one of a kind.  Do you know of a swift route to Arvandor or Arborea?"
Mar 09 22:45:48 <Adail>   "Pitch the idea to them as a chance to oppose Ogremoch, a good training ground and an opportunity to spread Good into Earth, and I'm sure some of them will jump at it."
Mar 09 22:46:19 <Mari>   "Sure, I can do that. I mean, I should *probably* get all insulted at the suggestion of me playing hussy, but...it's not like that can't be fun once in a while. Know a good tailor, if I need something exciting to wear? I do have Eva's old dance clothes, but I dunno if that's quite right."
Mar 09 22:46:53 <Kotono>   "I can get you a portal over there, just this once, but it'll take a lot of energy and pull." Granny Tam frowns, "You'll have to find portals back, too." She hops over to Adail's shoulders, somehow on there despite all logic, pacing back and forth, several times bigger than he is. Adail only feels a bit of weight on him, nothing serious.
Mar 09 22:47:36 <Mari>   "And yeah, Knight's hand...What we can we do about that? I keep trying to tell her it looks weird, but she just doesn't care."
Mar 09 22:47:58 <Knight>   "Yes, there was an incident. Do you think there will be any complications? I'm growing quite attached to it, in more ways than one."
Mar 09 22:48:17 <Kotono>   "Granny doesn't know, but she can look into it," Granny TAm says.
Mar 09 22:50:29 <Knight>   "Ah. Yes. Mari keeps telling me to reattach my old hand, but... it seems to be decomposing, so I'm not sure..."
Mar 09 22:51:40 <Kotono>   "Get powerful magic for that, but for now?" Granny Tam hops the floor, "Go rest, Granny will summon you in a few days when the portal's ready."
Mar 09 22:51:57 <Adail>   "Hmm, so it may end up a question of slaad-hand or zombie-hand, eh? Can't say there's much of a choice there."
Mar 09 22:52:05 <Mari>   "Yeah. I keep saying, how are you going to get a man to look at you with that terrible monster claw? But it's not making much impression. I dunno what's wrong with Knight's priorities."
Mar 09 22:52:24 <Kamvakua>   "Her priorities are in the Cards."
Mar 09 22:52:38 <Knight>   "You keep talking about men looking at me. Why would I want men to look at me? Distractions!"
Mar 09 22:52:49 <Kamvakua>   "Thank you, Granny Tam.  I will do what I can to ensure that Hardsoil has as many defenders as possible.
Mar 09 22:53:31 <Kotono>   Granny Tam cackles, "Oh yes, yes we will...and Knight, dearie, you'll understand about the birdsa nd the bees one day!"
Mar 09 22:53:35 <Mari>   "That's the point, Knight! You'll never learn what you're missing!"
Mar 09 22:54:23 <Kamvakua>   "Perhaps a book on the subject for her, Mari," He teased the hopeful drow.
Mar 09 22:54:49 <Mari>   "Sure. I'll find one with lots of pictures."
Mar 09 22:55:49 <Knight>   "That's it. I'm leaving. Granny, I need to have something specially made, by the way," replies Knight, glancing at the little tiny girl. "An extra-large lance- this claw's more suited to that. Do you know a good smith?"