The Sorcerer and the Fey

[Dracos]

Apr 29 19:43:53 <Kotono>   A path to Lord Balimbomb's realm is not impossible from the Court of the Stars. Nikkolai walks on a path of starlight, winding deep into the ground below. Long does he walk, so long that the flow of time is lost to him, only the sensation of one foot in front of the other, each step a subtle echo. But at last it ends with a step like any other, appearing in a field fo bright, vibrant wildflowers.
Apr 29 19:45:45 *   Nikkolai smiles brightly at the sight of the flowers. "Lord Balinbomb! A vistor has entered your realm! Do I have your leave to proceed, sir?" Nikk calls into the air.
Apr 29 19:47:38 <Kotono>   Around you the field of wildflowers blossoms alive! A colorful powder fills the air, a walkway of it appearing int he fields ahead, just above them.
Apr 29 19:48:47 *   Nikkolai nods agreeably and proceeds along the walkway of colored powder. Perhaps it had been wise of him to actually ask permission this time.
Apr 29 19:50:14 <Kotono>   Nikkolai wanders a time, over great colorful fields! Ahead of it stretches not many flowers, but one. A flower the size of a cathedral, opening wide as Nikkolai approaches. Within a colorful palace of rose petals and honey stands, but it's gates are closed. Standing outside of them is Lord Balimbomb, awaiting.
Apr 29 19:51:54 *   Nikkolai gives the Fey Lord a courteous bow. "Good eve, my Lord. Or Morn. Or is it day? One cannot tell in your realm, I'm afraid. Might I have the pleasure of your company for a short while?"
Apr 29 19:52:42 <Kotono>   He walks forward, hands behind his back. "You may. Come back so soon, sorcerer? With your words of a favor, I had thought you would covet it for some time."
Apr 29 19:57:03 <Nikkolai>   "Circumstances have forced me to do otherwise, I'm afraid. A powerful Fey Lord such as yourself owing a mortal a favor is no small thing." Nikk gestures at the palace behind Balinbomb. "Your home? It is quite lovely. Might I suggest that we sit and have a drink while we talk? I feel that I at least owe you an explanation, since I was so rude when last we met."
Apr 29 19:59:35 <Kotono>   Woosh! Beneath you a chair appears, sweeping you down to sitting! Between you a small table of gingerbread springs to life, drinks atop it. Lord Balimbomb sits gracefully down, "I confess I give you the initiative in this. Speak."
Apr 29 20:04:26 *   Nikkolai lift a cup to his mouth, sipping cautiously as he speaks. "It is a long tale, but I will attempt to be brief. In my youth, I was a slave to a powerful sorceror who had aspirations to lichdom. I was fortunate to escape her grasp and steal her phylactery." (More)
Apr 29 20:06:48 <Nikkolai>   "I burned down her home and fled with naught but the clothes on my back, some food, and books. I made the mistake of jumping into the first portal I came across while fleeing her. I landed in the territory of what I recall to be an elder black dragon." Nikkolai pauses. "I hope you understand when I say that escaping from becoming its meal was my first priority." (more)
Apr 29 20:09:04 <Nikkolai>   "When I found myself in a plane that was thankfully bereft of dragons and otherwise, to my *immense* dismay, I discovered that I dropped the phylactery while I was fleeing. That phylactery is the key to destroying my old master utterly and completely. Without, any assault on her person is futile."
Apr 29 20:10:01 <Nikkolai>   "I had intended to ask you to fight at my side, but I've a better idea. I would ask you to aid me in retrieving the phylactery from the dragon's demense."
Apr 29 20:13:56 <Kotono>   Lord Balimbomb listens to the entire tale, silent ntil the end. "So...you have no idea where this lich's phylactery is and want me to try and magic it up?" Humming to himself, "The magic to do so isn't impossible. Now the dragon on the other hand..." he wavers a hand, "I fit's an old, powerful dragon with minions and servants who has it, getting it back will be a trick."
Apr 29 20:15:43 <Nikkolai>   "That is the gist of it, yes." Nikkolai agrees. "I mean no insult, but if you feel that this is beyond your powers, I will release you from our deal and we are done with one another."
Apr 29 20:16:35 <Kotono>   "No, a deal is a deal." With a hum, "At the least I have fair odds of finding what plane it is, or with the failure of that enterprise, if it's being warded from magic and thus in the possession of a creature, most likely that dragon you spoke of."
Apr 29 20:17:42 *   Hikari is now known as Sierra_Dreaming
Apr 29 20:19:41 <Nikkolai>   "It would be wonderful if something would be easy for once." Nikkolai sighs mournfully, nibbling on a cookie.
Apr 29 20:23:21 <Kotono>   "A fact of all life is that easiness is saved for parties and women," Lord Balimbomb matches that sigh, "For other matters, difficulty is the price of the festival."
Apr 29 20:26:56 <Nikkolai>   "It is that, my Lord. Is there anything I can do to aid you in your search?" Nikkolai sets down an empty cup. "If you will forgive my rudeness, I would like to being soon. Every second of every minute could count in my favor if I can get my hands on that phylactery."
Apr 29 20:30:05 <Kotono>   "It will take a half hour's time." In that instant Lord Balimbomb is gone, his voice lingering. "Drink and wait until then, I will bring news of my magics."
Apr 29 20:32:11 *   Nikkolai sighs, rather melancholy as he refills his cup. "Pity that Balinbomb and I got off on the wrong foot. He seems like a nice enough fellow. I wonder if Fey Lords have friends?"
Apr 29 20:38:34 <Kotono>   The half hour passes in morose self reflection. The drink loosens Nikkolai's thoughts, his meanderings coming back and back to her. The lich, the lady, his mentor. As he reflects on these, Balimbomb returns. "Truly, there are some blessings and some mixed ones."
Apr 29 20:39:27 <Nikkolai>   "Well, shall we have the mixed blessings first? I find that it always makes good news taste all the more sweeter."
Apr 29 20:40:20 <Kotono>   "I know the plane what you seek is on." He says, "Therein lies the mixed blessing, for the plane it lies in...is the Abyss."
Apr 29 20:44:25 <Nikkolai>   "...please tell me you're having me on." The cup rattles slightly in Nikkolai's hand.
Apr 29 20:46:12 <Kotono>   "I am not, for the auguries revealed it is in the 36th layer of the Abyss.  However, is it not in the hand of a black dragon."
Apr 29 20:47:28 <Nikkolai>   "That almost makes up for the fact that I have to go to the *Abyss*." Nikkolai tries for a joking tone as he nods to Balinbomb to continue. "Pray tell, who has their claws on it now?"
Apr 29 20:49:22 <Kotono>   "It lies in the web of a bebelith, amid it's hidden treasures." Answering that with a long look at Nikkolai, "I am no expert on the Abyss. I would find one as fast as possible."
Apr 29 20:51:03 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+10 This can't be good.
Apr 29 20:51:04 <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+10 This can't be good. and gets 12." [1d20=2]
Apr 29 20:51:15 <Kotono>   OOC: That's a swing and a miss. HAtebot once again strikes.
Apr 29 20:53:02 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+10 Be kind, Kobot?
Apr 29 20:53:03 <Kobot>   Nikkolai rolled 1d20+10 Be kind, Kobot? --> [ 1d20=4 ]{14}
Apr 29 20:54:50 *   Nikkolai looks blank at the mention of a bebelith. "I am no expert either. I don't suppose you can simply...magic us to the phylactery and magic us back?"
Apr 29 20:54:59 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai has the temerity to look hopeful.
Apr 29 20:56:05 <Kotono>   "No. The Abyss and magic like that don't mix well. I had a friend who tried that. A balor's hand reached out through the magic and touched him, causing him to burn alive. As he did, he spouted words that caused the plant life within nearly a mile to die instantly." Balimbomb shivers, "The Abyss is the worst of chaos."
Apr 29 20:58:08 *   Nikkolai smiles sourly. "Nothing is ever easy." (more)
Apr 29 21:04:16 *   Nikkolai is thoughtful for a moment. "You have gracefully kept your word, despite my earlier rudeness. I am thankful for that much, at least. And now, I would like to ask you a favor. I've heard that the Fey are fond of using bargains and favors as currency. Am I wrong, sir?"
Apr 29 21:05:58 <Kotono>   "You are not," Lord Balimbomb gives Nikkolai a long look, but never meeting his eyes. Instead, "WE have little use for coin or wealth as you mortals reckon them."
Apr 29 21:09:28 <Nikkolai>   "I thought as much. The Fey have a fearsome reputation as masters of the spoken word. I would be surprised to learn that there are more than a handful of mortals who have bested a Fey in a battle of wits or bargaining." Nikkolai calmly takes a sip of his yet unnamed drink. "Shall we make a bargain, you and I?"
Apr 29 21:14:04 <Kotono>   It tastes faintly of apples and liquor, yet doesn't make his head swim. "I'm listening."
Apr 29 21:16:04 <Nikkolai>   "I think I am safe in thinking that you are more than a match for a Lich in sheer magical strength. But before you dwell upon it, I would not have you attack her. That pleasure is reserved for me." A vengeful gleam flashes in Nikk's eyes. (more)
Apr 29 21:17:04 <Nikkolai>   "My old Master has a new apprentice...a small boy the age of 6 or so, unless I miss my guess." Nikk leans forward. "What would it be worth to you to steal him away from her?"
Apr 29 21:19:21 <Kotono>   "Ah, a young child!" With a slight smile there, "Children taken from the cradle, raised in our lands! Have you heard the tales of that, whispered by old mothers and fearful parents?"
Apr 29 21:22:26 <Nikkolai>   "I have heard the tales, yes. But as part of any agreement you make with me...you may not take the child for your own unless the boy's parents or any living relatives of his willing to take him in still live."
Apr 29 21:23:31 <Kotono>   "Hmph." With a look at Nikkolai, "Then to what profit does this avail us, sorcerer?"
Apr 29 21:25:16 <Nikkolai>   "Does not the full name of a fledgling sorceror have any interest for you?" Nikkolai smiles. "Many things can be done with a full name, can they not?"
Apr 29 21:27:16 <Kotono>   "Well, well, well. You're offering yourself?" With a long look at Nikkolai, "Truly?"
Apr 29 21:28:04 <Nikkolai>   "I'm inclined to believe that service to a Fey Lord such as yourself is worse than damnation or eternal servitude to a Lich." Nikkolai responds dryly.

[Zephyrus]

<Nikkolai> "I think I am safe in thinking that you are more than a match for a Lich in sheer magical strength. But before you dwell upon it, I would not have you attack her. That pleasure is reserved for me." A vengeful gleam flashes in Nikk's eyes. (more)
<Nikkolai> "My old Master has a new apprentice...a small boy the age of 6 or so, unless I miss my guess." Nikk leans forward. "What would it be worth to you to steal him away from her?"
Kotono> "Ah, a young child!" With a slight smile there, "Children taken from the cradle, raised in our lands! Have you heard the tales of that, whispered by old mothers and fearful parents?"
<Nikkolai> "I have heard the tales, yes. But as part of any agreement you make with me...you may not take the child for your own unless the boy's parents or any living relatives of his willing to take him in still live."
Kotono> "Hmph." With a look at Nikkolai, "Then to what profit does this avail us, sorcerer?"
<Nikkolai> "Does not the full name of a fledgling sorceror have any interest for you?" Nikkolai smiles. "Many things can be done with a full name, can they not?"
Kotono> "Well, well, well. You're offering yourself?" With a long look at Nikkolai, "Truly?"
<Nikkolai> "I'm inclined to believe that service to a Fey Lord such as yourself is preferable to damnation or eternal servitude to a Lich." Nikkolai responds dryly.
Kotono "Naturally." With a longer look at Nikkolai, "You could be useful, there is magic in your blood. Perchance what gives it to you? What is your heritage and bloodline? That of a dragon? A spirit of the outer planes? A fey, perchance?"
Nikkolaishrugs nonchalantly. "I'm afraid that I have no knowledge of my genealogy. My parents were...less than fond of my magical aptitude and sold me to the lich when I was 7, I believe. If you have a way of divining my heritage, you are more than welcome to try. I've always been a bit curious myself."
Kotono> "It could be done. Give me your hand," Lord Balimbomb holds his out.
Nikkolai raises an eyebrow, hesitating for the merest of moments. If the Fey Lord were hostile, he could have struck Nikkolai down the moment their bargain was ended. Still, he did not wish to hand more bargaining chips over to the Fey than he had to. After a moment, he places his hand in that of Balinbomb's.
Kotono> Lord Balimbomb says slippery, twisting word! Nikkolai's finger is pricked by unseen force, a droplet of blood coming out! It flies off his finger and into the air, "Show me the power that flows within you!" He commands.
Kotono> From the droplet of blood, the blood turns into golden amber! It clatters into Balimbomb's hand, "Amber? A natural material of trees...perhaps a dryad or a nymph is your great, great grandmother. You do have a certain presence."
Nikkolai blinks at the amber stone formed from his blood. "Somehow...that's disappointing. I'm glad that my great, great grandfather was a hit among the etheral ladies but...the child in me wishes that I had had a Dragon or some powerful Fey as my ancestor." Nikkolai sighs wistfully. "Such are the dreams of children." (more)
Nikkolai> "There you have it, my Lord. Am I valuable enough to you to further hammer out the terms of our bargain?"
Kotono> The amber crackles away into specks of blood, sinking into the flesh of Balimbomb. "Show me your magics now, sorcerer."
Nikkolai winces at the sight of his blood fading away into Balinbomb's flesh. Well, perhaps the Fey Lord will be generous and conveniently forget that some foolish mortal gave him some of his blood? "What would you have me do? Run down my list of spells? Or perhaps a bit of mock combat?"
Kotono> "Merely demonstrate your magic," He waves a hand, "Rise and show me what you can do."
Nikkolai rises from his seat and takes a few steps from the table. "I am mostly capable of ranged combat magic, but I make it a point to study both mind magic and magic that fortifies the body and spirit." With a quiet murmur, a crackling blue orb appears in one hand, sparking merrily! "If I had some targets, I could easily show you what I'm capable of."
Kotono> To your side five flowers rise, each one about the size of a person, "Continue."
Nikkolai rears back and makes a throwing motion at the centermost flower, sending the orb screaming at its target!
Nikkolai roll 1d20+9 TA
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+9 TA and gets 22."12 [1d20=13]
Nikkolai roll 8d6 damage
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 8d6 damage and gets 22."12 [8d6=1, 1, 5, 3, 1, 6, 1, 4]
Nikkolai smirks in satisfaction. "I'm rather proud of that spell. If it doesn't wipe out the enemy in one hit, it most often paralyzes them."
Kotono> The flower withers and crackles, electricity doing grevious damage! "Ah, respectable. What other magics do you have besides the lightnings?"
Nikkolai With a swift snap of his fingers, roaring violet flames spring into existence above Nikk's outstretched palm. He aims it at the nearest flower and sends two streams of flame rushing at it!
Nikkolai roll 1d20+9 TA
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+9 TA and gets 18."12 [1d20=9]
Nikkolai roll 1d20+9 TA
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+9 TA and gets 19."12 [1d20=10]
Nikkolai roll 4d6 damage
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 4d6 damage and gets 18."12 [4d6=5, 4, 6, 3]
Nikkolai roll 4d6 damage
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 4d6 damage and gets 9."12 [4d6=3, 1, 4, 1]
Kotono The lances of fire hit into the flower, burning it up! It burns merribly, "Ah, the command of two elemens! Do you possess a third?"
Nikkolai nods. "My final pure combat spell is an energy spell. I'm afraid it doesn't do a great deal of damage, but it *does* bypass any natural or artificial defense an enemy might have."
Nikkolai With a shout and yet another throwing motion, Nikkolai hurls five comets of molten gold energy at yet another flower!
Nikkolai roll 5d4+4 Hooray, Magic Missil!
Hatbot --> "Nikkolai rolls 5d4+4 Hooray, Magic Missil! and gets 12."12 [5d4=2, 1, 1, 3, 1]
Kotono "Ah, the famous magic missile?" The flower is hit but undamaged by the missile! Lord Balimbomb's smile is slightly less amused, "There was no need to show it, I know the spell and know it won't do much no a non-living target."
Nikkolai nods in a slightly sheepish manner. "It indeed has gotten me out of more than one pinch." Clearing his throat, he adds, "I am also adept at summoning. Shall I give an example of the two spells I've mastered?"
Kotono "No need, I know summons." Lord Balimbomb says, "What of other magics? What other magics can you manage?"
Nikkolai "As I mentioned, I'm a fair hand at mind magic. I can detect the innermost thoughts of a being with enough study and concentration. I am also able to influence the way in which a human may regard me. I know several fortifying spells to speed up and invigour the body and spirit."
Nikkolai "I am also a master of distraction tactics and evasion. There isn't much an enemy can do if his terrain is unfavorable with inches of flammable grease applied to it or if he is blinded and sickened by a wall of smoke." With nary a word, Nikkolai gently ascends into the air. "Gravity has no claim on me either, I'm afraid."
Kotono "Very well, that is enough." Lord Balimbomb makes a shooing gesture, "Sit and let us talk."
Nikkolai nods and floats gently to the ground, taking his seat once more. He takes yet another sip of the delightful apple flavored drink provided to him. "Make you proposal, sir. I would hear it."
Kotono "It may be possible to do your request, or it may not. Doubtless this lich would have taken precautions, which must be tested and countered. You are aware of this, Ia ssume?"
Nikkolai "Of course. I have a suggestion for terms, if I may?" Without waiting for a confirmation, Nikk continues. "Since it would profit you none to make an attempt and not get anything in return for your efforts, if you fail, I will still pledge to be in your service for a year and a day. The usual." (more)
Nikkolai "If you are to succeed, I will offer you my services for as many years that the boy has lived. If I'm not mistaken, he is 7 years old. Is that satisfactory, my Lord?"
Kotono "That is acceptable," Lord Balimbomb says after a moment or two.
Nikkolai raises an eyebrow in slight surprise. He hadn't really expected the Lord to give in so easily without *some* dickering. "I am willing to thrown in another year or two to both options if you are also willing to part with a spell or two that you think may be particularly useful against a lich."
Kotono "Perhaps I can..." Thinking aloud, "Yes, perhaps, but it will take a day or two's time to arrainge."
Nikkolai "Very well, sir. Do we have a bargain?"
Kotono Lord Balimbomb holds his hand out, "We do."
Nikkolai "It is agreed, then." Nikkolai takes Balinbomb's hand firmly. "I, Nikkolai Dastron, do hereby pledge myself to the service of Lord Balibomb under the agreements we have both reached. No more, no less."
Kotono Nikkolai feels a sting in his hand, a sharp pain! "So it is agreed," Lord Balimbomb's grip is like steel!
Nikkolai takes his hand back, flexing it slightly. "In what manner will I be serving you? I assume that as your servant, I will be afforded some small status among the Seelie Court?"
Kotono "We shall see," With a faint smile from Lord Balimbomb, Nikkolai can notice his palm. His blood is coming out of a small cut, forming and embedding into his flesh! His palm of his right hand now has an amber teardrop, like a tattoo.
Nikkolai raises it up to the sunlight, squinting in order to see it better. "A mark of service? Well, it is certainly much kinder and less noticeable than the one my last master bestowed upon me."