This Could Be A Pully Opportunity

Dracos · August 10, 2010, 12:50:57 PM

Aug 09 19:28:04 <Kotono>   In the remnants of battle like carnage. The gelugon's remains litter the ground before you. Two walls of ice still bisect the room. Blood flows freely from your injuries, as the eternal cold of this realm gnaws at you...OOC: Go ahead and act.
Aug 09 19:28:51 <Kotono>   Yulia flutters down and whimpers, "Oooooow! Is everyone okay?" One eye is squinted shut, frosted over with ice.
Aug 09 19:29:10 *   Nikkolai groans, leaning against one of the remaining walls. "Gods, no. I feel like I could sleep for a month."
Aug 09 19:29:20 <Knight>   "We'll live," replies Knight, as curt as ever. "Will we need to hack these things down?" she asks, tapping one of the walls.
Aug 09 19:29:22 *   Kamvakua looks around, counting the corpses he can see and moving over to the walls of ice, smashing at them to break them so he can see everywhere. "I am surprisingly well for having glared at such at devil."
Aug 09 19:30:19 <Mari>   "I'm okay. The real question is are YOU okay, Yulia?"
Aug 09 19:31:08 *   Kamvakua takes a moment to heal himself amongst the smashing of walls.
Aug 09 19:31:12 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d8+4 CLW
Aug 09 19:31:13 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d8+4 CLW and gets 10." [1d8=6]
Aug 09 19:31:23 <Kotono>   Kamvakua breaks up the closer wall. This releases a terrible freezing mist where the wall was, making passage past it ot the second wall hazardous.
Aug 09 19:31:36 <Kotono>   Yulia lands on Mari, "I'll be okay. Who needs healing?"
Aug 09 19:32:21 <Kamvakua>   "I am mostly okay...see to the others first...I will try and cross this, unless...Nikkolai, can you dispel these things?"
Aug 09 19:32:21 *   Mari looks around. "I think Nik took a worse beating than most of us. Start with him?"
Aug 09 19:32:56 <Knight>   "The devil was given unfettered access to his vitals for too long a time, unfortunately."
Aug 09 19:33:29 *   Nikkolai grunts in the negative. "I've no ability to dispel magic."
Aug 09 19:33:40 <Nikkolai>   "And yes...a bandage or two would be nice."
Aug 09 19:33:53 <Kotono>   Yulia flutters over, casting divine magic on poor Nikkolai's wounds!
Aug 09 19:33:59 <Kotono>   roll 1d8+6 CLW
Aug 09 19:33:59 <Kotono>   roll 1d8+6 CLW
Aug 09 19:34:00 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6 CLW and gets 7." [1d8=1]
Aug 09 19:34:00 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6 CLW and gets 8." [1d8=2]
Aug 09 19:34:31 <Kotono>   Nikkolai's wounds somewhat mend, the worst of the bleeding staunching.
Aug 09 19:35:08 *   Mari toes through the remains of the slain devil, looking for anything that looks important or just shiny. "Where'd that giant go?" she wonders aloud.
Aug 09 19:35:41 <Knight>   "I believe he hid underneath the bed," replies Knight, hacking apart one of the walls herself a moment later.
Aug 09 19:36:23 <Kotono>   Amid the vile glass shards lies the gelugon's spear. It's intact, freezing cold to the touch.
Aug 09 19:36:52 <Nikkolai>   "I'm very, very short on magical energy. I've got no more than a fireball or two left. Perhaps a ray or two as well." He smiles in thanks at Yulia.
Aug 09 19:37:46 <Kamvakua>   "I'll go find him," Kamvakua crosses the ice wall, picking up the spear in a hand on his way through. "The rest of you, if you would stay there, no need for all of us to get hurt right away." Kamvakua suggested.
Aug 09 19:37:53 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Crossing icy death wall for damaging @_@
Aug 09 19:37:55 *   Mari isn't about to touch that. It's cold enough from just this close, thanks.
Aug 09 19:38:00 <Kotono>   Yulia flutters to Knight, landing on her shoulder, "Hold on, more coming," she says, murmuring soothing magic!
Aug 09 19:38:03 <Kotono>   roll 1d8+6 CLW Knight
Aug 09 19:38:04 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6 CLW Knight and gets 8." [1d8=2]
Aug 09 19:38:54 <Knight>   "This sensation could become addictive," notes Knight, glancing at Yulia.
Aug 09 19:38:55 <Kotono>   roll 1d6+13 cold damage, your cold res aplies.
Aug 09 19:38:55 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+13 cold damage, your cold res aplies. and gets 16." [1d6=3]
Aug 09 19:39:06 <Kotono>   Kamvakua gets through the wall with only the faintest chill.
Aug 09 19:40:05 *   Kamvakua walks through, heading toward the bed if he can get there without passing the other ice wall...heading for the ice wall if not.
Aug 09 19:40:13 <Kotono>   Yulia uses the last one on herself, shivering.
Aug 09 19:40:15 <Kotono>   roll 1d8+6 CLW Knight
Aug 09 19:40:16 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6 CLW Knight and gets 11." [1d8=5]
Aug 09 19:40:20 <Kotono>   OOC: Yulia, not KNight.
Aug 09 19:42:04 <Kotono>   From here Kamvakua can get to the bed if he wishes.
Aug 09 19:43:03 <Knight>   "
Aug 09 19:43:35 <Knight>   "But what was a devil doing here, anyway?" wonders Knight, poking the remnants of the gelugon.
Aug 09 19:43:47 <Kamvakua>   "Giant, know that your lord devil is slain, his body torn apart as was his fate. And now we must decide your death. Do you choose to end your time as a warrior here or end your life? You choose cowardice in battle, so perhaps you would prefer to survive than to fight to the death."
Aug 09 19:44:38 *   Mari shrugs. "What they usually do, I guess. Being a jerkass, gloating over the fall of men, that sort of thing."
Aug 09 19:44:47 <Kotono>   The giant looks out from behind the massive bed. It eyes Kamvakua with fear, "Get back!" It snaps shakily, "Just get back and get out of here! I won't hurt you if you hurt me!"
Aug 09 19:44:48 *   Nikkolai shrugs nonchalantly. "Perhaps he was a...friend of Cyronax, much as as the Maid was?"
Aug 09 19:45:12 <Knight>   "Well, he must have been rather lonely."
Aug 09 19:45:34 <Mari>   roll 1d20+13 K:P out of nowhere
Aug 09 19:45:34 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+13 K:P out of nowhere and gets 33." [1d20=20]
Aug 09 19:45:57 <Nikkolai>   froll 1d20+13 K:P
Aug 09 19:45:59 <Mari>   "Do devils even get lonely? Nah, that'd redquire them to care about other people. More like they just get bored without someone to exploit."
Aug 09 19:46:08 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+13
Aug 09 19:46:09 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+13 and gets 24." [1d20=11]
Aug 09 19:46:10 <Kamvakua>   "To hurt me is to invite death. Come out and speak, I will not slay you if we can come to agreement," Kamvaua kept his voice calm but stern, trying to impress upon the giant his intent for honest dealings.
Aug 09 19:47:08 <Kotono>   The giant stays behind the bed, "Look, just take what you want and leave me b-be!"
Aug 09 19:47:38 *   Nikkolai frowns in thought. "It is quite odd though."
Aug 09 19:48:21 *   Mari scratches her head. "I dunno, though. It IS a good question. Devils are sworn to Baator, not Cyronax. I mean, okay, we met a devil earlier who was hanging out on Earth just to make spare cash, but I dunno what could've kept this one here. Let's ask our new friend?"
Aug 09 19:48:38 <Nikkolai>   "Most of that lot serve Baator. What would a Gelugon be doing here of all places? An alliance between Cyronax and Baator, perhaps?"
Aug 09 19:49:47 <Knight>   "I always presumed such creatures had an agenda. Since they were protected within the bowels of the castle, it does seem like an alliance of some sort is possible. Then again, it could be here for much the same purpose we are. Hmm."
Aug 09 19:50:01 <Kotono>   Yulia rests on Knight now, curling up against the nape of her neck under her hair. "Or maybe it was bound by magic to serve?"
Aug 09 19:50:39 <Kamvakua>   "Very well, I will let you leave here under two conditions. The first is that this was your last encounter as a warrior. Drop your weapons clearly where I can see and when you leave here, find a life better suited to you. You will live longer that way and we will let you pass unharmed." Kamvakua glared, waiting for him to comply. "The second is that you tell us what you know of the treasures of this place and why you are here. Do both, and I swear you may pass unharmed from this palace, unhunted by us."
Aug 09 19:51:03 <Nikkolai>   "But that still begs the question of *why* it was bound and *who* bound it, if that is so, bright one."
Aug 09 19:51:15 <Knight>   "Perhaps a vestige of the late owner's power. This castle doesn't seem like it's had visitors before ourselves."
Aug 09 19:51:56 <Kotono>   "Good question," Yulia says, "Um, one of you ask Kam to ask the giant, maybe it knows?"
Aug 09 19:52:54 <Kotono>   The giant shakes it's head, "No weapons, I fight with my fists!" It calls back, "I know all the real treasures are in the basements, frozen in a museum-vault of sorts!"
Aug 09 19:53:03 <Nikkolai>   "Shall one of us pop through and assist Kam in questioning then?"
Aug 09 19:54:21 <Kamvakua>   "What traps guard them? What guardians remain in this palace?" Kamvakua queried.
Aug 09 19:54:44 <Mari>   "Or we could just yell." Mari cups her hands over her mouth. "Hey Kam, if you found the big lug, ask him what his boss was doing here?"
Aug 09 19:55:09 <Kotono>   "I don't know," The giant answers, shaking his head back and forth, "When there's trouble, poof! We appear here. Otherwise we're just..." It fumbles, "Sideways. Dreaming."
Aug 09 19:55:41 <Kamvakua>   "What were you two doing here? Were you summoned by the god who damned this palace?" He carefully avoided using his name. No need to call attention here.
Aug 09 19:58:07 <Kotono>   "A c-cleric in his service," Answering quickly, "He g-gave us good dreams as our price to serve. Dreams of might and cold glory! W-we just had to lay low intruders!"
Aug 09 20:00:31 <Kamvakua>   "So he let you rot in glory. What else do you know of this place? Kamvakua openly stepped aside with that question. "Tell us anything else you may know of here, even just the directions to the basements."
Aug 09 20:02:15 <Kotono>   The giant takes a big breath, "There's three ways to the basements. Behind the throne's a secret passage below. There's a portal in the western abodes to lower down. T-there's a hole near the entrance, right past one of the doors. But it's t-trapped if you go from above."
Aug 09 20:03:41 <Kamvakua>   "Is the throne route trapped? Thank you for cooperating, you may leave, but do not cross our paths again here, when you leave this room, head toward the exit of the palace and keep going."
Aug 09 20:03:54 <Kamvakua>   "ANd how do we open the secret passage?"
Aug 09 20:04:16 <Kotono>   "I d-don't think so. Sit on the throne and focus!" He says, "I-if you k now how to fool a magic, you can do it!"
Aug 09 20:06:44 <Kamvakua>   "Get going. And remember, you died here today as a warrior. Never cross my path as such again." Kamvakua gestured for the door, not stopping him if he chose to flee and staying out of the path between the bed and the door.
Aug 09 20:07:06 <Kotono>   The giant comes out and breaks into a run, going straight out the door and gone!
Aug 09 20:07:46 *   Mari stands aside and lets him go. It's not like she heard any sounds of a fight in there, so Kam must have let him go.
Aug 09 20:08:12 *   Nikkolai peers after the giant. "Kam seems to have taken care of business."
Aug 09 20:08:28 <Nikkolai>   "Let's hope he got something for us."
Aug 09 20:08:30 <Kotono>   "So now what?" Yulia asks aloud, raising her voice, "Kam?"
Aug 09 20:08:35 *   Kamvakua moves close to the broken part of the ice wall, repeating what he learned to the rest of the group. "I think we should rest and wait for these walls to come down naturally. We can try for the throne afterwards. Did you find anything of purpose on the devil?"
Aug 09 20:08:36 <Knight>   "A cowardly giant. Who knew such things existed?"
Aug 09 20:11:09 <Knight>   "Nothing beyond what you claimed already. Perhaps we should retire to one of the bedrooms. They seem more defensible that these large chambers," suggests Knight.
Aug 09 20:11:22 <Nikkolai>   "Resting sounds like a very good idea right now." Nikkolai tentatively reaches into his robes, hoping not to find a cat...in pieces.
Aug 09 20:11:48 <Kotono>   The cat crawls out down Nikkolai's pant leg at this.
Aug 09 20:11:55 <Kamvakua>   "I agree. But let us wait a bit to see if these walls come down. Nikkolai, how long do these things tend to last?"
Aug 09 20:13:04 *   Nikkolai twitches violently. "YOWCH! Blasted cat!" He winces as he feels the cat's claws dig in on the way down. "Let me think for a moment...I'm not entirely sure."
Aug 09 20:13:23 <Kotono>   OOC: K:A check.
Aug 09 20:14:12 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+17 K:A
Aug 09 20:14:12 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+17 K:A and gets 23." [1d20=6]
Aug 09 20:15:06 <Mari>   "Well, I'm all for resting. I..." Mari briefly looks very distracted, looking at the icy spear Kam picked up. "Er. Mmf. Never mind...Anyway, there are these bedrooms, right? Why not use them, as long as someone keeps watch overnight?"
Aug 09 20:15:09 *   Nikkolai studies the walls for a moment before replying. "Perhaps around 15-20 minutes. If you ask me, I'd much rather sleep in a bedroom."
Aug 09 20:16:40 <Kamvakua>   "That's reasonable. Let's just wait for the walls to disappear and then make our way there," Kamvakua agreed.
Aug 09 20:18:23 <Mari>   "They'll disappear eventually, right? Why stand around? Let's go find some place to rest. There were some bedrooms here, right? Any one of them that didn't have a corpse in it should work." Mari starts back out of the room.
Aug 09 20:19:15 *   Nikkolai nods in agreement, gesturing to the kitty to follow as he goes after Mari.
Aug 09 20:20:15 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+1 untrained search while he waits. But then he's following and going to bed
Aug 09 20:20:17 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+1 untrained search while he waits. But then he's following and going to bed and gets 5." [1d20=4]
Aug 09 20:20:43 <Kotono>   Kamvakua doesn't find anything of note on a quick search. Thus the party goes to rest...OOC: Recover HP for a night's rest. Go ahead and refresh abilities. Tell me when you all are good and restored.
Aug 09 20:21:17 <Mari>   roll 1d20+7 ?!?
Aug 09 20:21:17 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+7 ?!? and gets 26." [1d20=19]
Aug 09 20:28:47 <Kotono>   The morning comes. The party rises slowly, everyone awakening save for Mari. She's still in bed, deep aslumber. But morning has healed wounds, and spells can heal yet more...
Aug 09 20:29:49 <Kamvakua>   "How is everyone? Does anyone need restoration?" Kamvakua asked, sure that several did.
Aug 09 20:30:01 <Knight>   "Mari, get up! It's time for breakfast," states Knight, shaking Mari back and forth a bit.
Aug 09 20:31:20 *   Nikkolai sat up and stretches his back with a few audible pops. "Mari would probably sleep through a thunderstorm." Nikk said sleepily.
Aug 09 20:31:25 <Kotono>   Mari's out pretty good, snoring lightly. Girl's out harder than the last time she had an all you can drink bar night.
Aug 09 20:31:50 <Kotono>   "How are all of you," Yulia asks, "Hey listen, do anyone need some healing?"
Aug 09 20:32:07 <Knight>   "Yes, well, that's what I'm afraid of," replies Knight, straightening up. "My body is not yet in optimal condition."
Aug 09 20:33:40 <Kamvakua>   "Yulia, can you look over Mari, she seems to be really sleeping in," Kamvakua never knew her to be totally unaware of her surroundings so.
Aug 09 20:34:00 <Mari>   roll 1d20+7 ?!?
Aug 09 20:34:01 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+7 ?!? and gets 16." [1d20=9]
Aug 09 20:34:13 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d4 Adail restore
Aug 09 20:34:14 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d4 Adail restore and gets 2." [1d4=2]
Aug 09 20:34:20 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d4 Nikki restore
Aug 09 20:34:20 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d4 Nikki restore and gets 2." [1d4=2]
Aug 09 20:35:53 <Kotono>   Yulia flutters over to Knight but stops, eying Mari, "Maybe she's just tired?" But she diverts to her, "Her wounds are healing nicely," she calls up, "But she's really out cold...ack!" Yulia darts up and away from her. "Her tail's starting to swing about, though."
Aug 09 20:36:44 *   Nikkolai raises an eyebrow. "That Yugoloth business is really starting to become tiresome."
Aug 09 20:36:53 <Kamvakua>   "...the cold might be making her hibernate. This isn't good," He shook Mari roughly, worried that she might be in some kind of snow coma from the combination of cold + yugoloth.
Aug 09 20:37:04 *   Nikkolai staggers to his feet and totters over to Mari's bedside.
Aug 09 20:37:40 <Kotono>   Mari's voice can be heard - she's starting to giggle. IT's a deep-throaty sound, not like her normal voice. It's soft, almost a raspy whisper-giggle.
Aug 09 20:38:00 <Knight>   "Hmm." Knight reaches over for Mari's tail and gives it a yank!
Aug 09 20:39:10 <Kotono>   Pulling back the covers and grabbing Mari's tail, Knight yanks it! It gets Mari to emit a howl of distinct pain, awakening instantly!
Aug 09 20:41:06 *   Mari sits bolt upright, whapping Knight's hand away. "Get your hands off me, dammit! I--" Mari coughs, her voice momentarily a throaty rasp before shifting back to normal. "I mean, OW. Ow ow ow. That hurts, you know?"
Aug 09 20:42:06 <Knight>   Knight withdraws her hand, wincing slightly. "Er, I'm sorry about that. We couldn't wake you any other way," replies Knight, shaking off some kind of slime. "You would know I mean nothing improper by it."
Aug 09 20:42:22 <Nikkolai>   "Next time, we'll throw a bucket of water on you." Nikkolai comments dryly.
Aug 09 20:42:29 <Kamvakua>   "You were worrying us...I was beginning to think the cold had lured you into a coma," Kamvakua admitted honestly.
Aug 09 20:42:33 <Kotono>   "When it's not all ice!" Yulia chimes in, "Are you okay, Mari?"
Aug 09 20:42:58 *   Mari rubs her forehead. "Yeah, well...I was kind of somewhere else, I think. It's a little hazy...Thanks, I guess. It wasn't one of my better dreams."
Aug 09 20:43:33 <Knight>   Knight frowns. "I don't like that. We are who we are, and things that make us another being aren't.. um, good."
Aug 09 20:44:47 <Mari>   "I'm myself, okay?" Mari says with a scowl. "No matter what I might look like. Let's just moving, alright? No more gossiping about Mari, we have a castle to plunder." Mari swings her legs off the bed and stands up.
Aug 09 20:45:05 <Kotono>   "Um...which way do we go now then?" Yulia asks.
Aug 09 20:45:58 <Knight>   "Well, first, should we not deal with this unfortunate feline?" wonders Knight, focusing on the cat. "Talons, do your best."
Aug 09 20:46:25 <Kamvakua>   "To the throne room....hmmm?" Kamvakua had all but forgotten the cat in the battle with the icy devil.
Aug 09 20:46:25 <Kotono>   OOC: Go for it. GDM roll it up.
Aug 09 20:46:28 <Knight>   roll 1d20+11 I can has dispel????
Aug 09 20:46:29 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 I can has dispel???? and gets 26." [1d20=15]
Aug 09 20:47:37 <Kotono>   The cat glows! For a moment it's form turns green and then bright orange! It's body expands out and then...!!! A man stands there. A sandy haired man with a white tint to his skin. A well built man, lean but toned. He's not lucky enough to be wearing anything, but his eyes are sharp. He immediately blushes, covering himself and hustling behind a dresser. A split second after he blink-blinks, "Wait, wait, wait! I can think! My mind's back!"
Aug 09 20:47:42 <Kotono>   A split second after he blink-blinks, "Wait, wait, wait! I can think! My mind's back!"
Aug 09 20:48:43 <Nikkolai>   "How fortunate that you found yours. Not all of us can regain them once we lose them so easily." Nikk eyes the man. "What is your name, sir?"
Aug 09 20:48:46 <Knight>   "You were quite fortunate we happened to be passing by," notes Knight.
Aug 09 20:50:02 *   Mari gets a good look before the man hides himself away. "There's probably clothes around here somewhere," she says, walking over to said dresser and opening the drawers.
Aug 09 20:50:10 <Kotono>   "My name is Salembor." Clearing his throat and coughing up a hairball, wiping his lips after with his wrist, "Ahem. Salembor, diplomat, sorceror and truly blessed if I've survived the wrath of Cyronax."
Aug 09 20:51:21 *   Nikkolai shrugs, not particularly bothered by his nudity. He was slightly envious even. Why couldn't he look lean like that? "A fellow sorceror?" Nikkolai brightened visibly.
Aug 09 20:51:30 <Knight>   "I think they may be wet and chilled," replies Knight, reaching into the bag of holding and fishing out some more servicable clothes. "I am Knight. What brought you to this place, Salembor? Oh, and- I suppose you were trapped as a cat for some time..."
Aug 09 20:51:32 <Nikkolai>   "Brilliant!"
Aug 09 20:52:48 <Kotono>   "Ah, are you one of the Art?" Salembor's own eyes light up, "Ah, you liberated me then with dispellation magicks?" He reaches over to take the clothes, "Cold never bothered me, my grandfather was a frost giant. And yes, I had to invoke my greatest magic to alter reality so that I would be safe, for Cyronax sealed dimensional escapes. But all I could think about was Tinkerbell, my cat."
Aug 09 20:53:52 <Kamvakua>   "Your gambit showed true, you may be the only survivor from that time."
Aug 09 20:54:26 <Mari>   "Nah, Nik here didn't save you. He doesn't know anything about dispelling magic! Thank Knight."
Aug 09 20:54:28 <Kotono>   With a deep sigh, "Whew!" He wipes his frozen brow, dressing quickly. "Any idea how long it's been? I'm guessing I'm not going to like the answer, am I?"
Aug 09 20:54:38 *   Nikkolai shakes his head regretfully. "Alas, I'm not well-versed in dispellation magicks. My learning has been...haphazard at best."
Aug 09 20:55:00 <Kotono>   "Really?" With a quirk of his head to Knight, he snaps his fingers, "Oh! Oh! Oooooh!" Nodding to Knight, "You're one of the lunati-er...ahem..." Clearing his throat, "Inspired ones who blend steel and sorcery?"
Aug 09 20:55:57 *   Nikkolai mutters under his breath. "Smooth save there, my friend."
Aug 09 20:56:33 <Knight>   "Er, no, not really," replies Knight, rubbing her head. "It's just a trick my brother knows, and taught to me, you might say. As for time, I think it has been quite a while. But the planes don't really change very much over time, don't you know? We're all still speaking the same language, at least."
Aug 09 20:57:28 <Kamvakua>   "Something like that," Kamvakua answered for her, hoping at least not to make it obvious what Knight was.
Aug 09 20:58:08 <Kotono>   "That's an inspired trick! You must be a natural," Salembor doesn't miss a beat, coming over to Knight now that he's dressed, "I should reward you by making you an apprentice. Hmmm...I suppose my castle's long gone, but I have a few favors I can call in with immortals..." He starts to pace about, gesturing grandly, "But then again, you'll probably say something about your friends, profit, camarderie and all that so another reward is in order. So I can alter reality to make one of you a little faster, or smarter, or tougher or what have you! So tell me, which one of you wants to be augmented?"
Aug 09 20:58:39 <Mari>   "Hey, right here!"
Aug 09 20:59:26 <Mari>   "Although, you know, Nik could *really* stand to be smarter..."
Aug 09 20:59:56 *   Nikkolai is fast becoming...unenamormed of this sorcerer. "Augmentation magic takes...considerable skill, from what I understand."
Aug 09 21:00:40 <Kamvakua>   "So does altering reality to be a cat," Kamvakua noted.
Aug 09 21:01:00 <Knight>   "I don't really have the time to be an apprentice. We're very busy, as you might imagine," replies Knight, shrugging. "But I appreciate the offer."
Aug 09 21:01:19 <Kotono>   "Well, I can do either...but just once. These sort of magics don't grow on trees, and I need to save one to get out of here." Nodding along, "Well, make up your minds and I'll be glad to do it. Now I k now what you're thinking," He comes around to Nikkolai, hand on his shoulder, "If he can alter reality, why doesn't he solve our problems or this or that? That's a very good question," Going over to Mari and patting her back, "The normal answer
Aug 09 21:01:23 <Kotono>   That's a very good question," Going over to Mari and patting her back, "The normal answer is that you won't grow if someone swoops in and solves your problems. Heard that one before?"
Aug 09 21:01:57 <Mari>   "Yeah, but it's totally okay if maybe someone solves one of them once in a while..."
Aug 09 21:02:00 <Nikkolai>   An eye twitches on Nikkolai's face. "It is fast becoming a routine reply to all of my questions."
Aug 09 21:03:21 <Kotono>   "It is half true and half bullshit." He goes to the bed and sits, stretching back. Tendons and muscle crackle, "I could probably solve a problem for you by waving my hand, to the best of my power. But you'll miss valuable chances to grow. I had a king who had me do that for a few years. He stagnated in his growth as a ruler, since why did he have to try when I could fix all his problems. But hell, the kingdom was in good shape!"
Aug 09 21:03:24 <Kotono>   try when I could fix all his problems. But hell, the kingdom was in good shape!"
Aug 09 21:04:02 *   Nikkolai replies, "Why bother aiding the king? Why not rule an empire of your own?"
Aug 09 21:04:58 <Kotono>   With another shrug, lying back and onto his side, head propped up by his hand, "Being a ruler is tedious work and occasionally looking good on a throne and in a fancy robe. It's boring."
Aug 09 21:05:26 <Mari>   "But it does get you all the ladies, right? That's gotta be some consolation."
Aug 09 21:05:29 <Knight>   "Perhaps we could play a game of chess to determine who receives this boon," suggests, glancing at Mari.
Aug 09 21:06:06 <Kotono>   Kicking his feet in the air as he watches the party, "If you need a royal name to get women, you aren't trying hard enough." With a grin at that, "Anyway, figure it out however you please. As long as it doesn't take all day."
Aug 09 21:06:08 <Mari>   "Oh come on, you know you'd win! That's a loaded offer." Mari sighs. "You did set him free, so I guess it's your call if you want to take the reward here."
Aug 09 21:06:28 <Nikkolai>   "It's nice to see you have a proper set of priorities." Nikkolai says in a *very* dry tone. "If you ask me, I'd much rather have a nice little marble universe tucked away somewhere, to play and experiment as I please."
Aug 09 21:06:45 <Kamvakua>   "That would be a long argument," Kamvakua mused to knight. "Why don't you just talk it over. We have much to do here afterwards," Kamvakua waited by the door patiently. He'd done nothing to help the sorcerer, so it hardly behooved leaping out for the reward.
Aug 09 21:07:05 <Kotono>   "Smart sorcerer," Nodding to Nikkolai, "I never got around to doing that, but a demiplane is where it's at! IT's all yours, you can live like a king! Hell, like a God if that's your thing."
Aug 09 21:08:13 <Knight>   "It's not exceptional, I think, sequestering yourself away from the world and never going out to experience it. If one can control everything, everything is equally meaningless," muses Knight. "Ah, thank you, Mari. I would, then. Any way this body can be made more enduring is something I would gladly take.
Aug 09 21:09:10 <Kotono>   "If that's your decision, stand before me." Salembar says, "You may want to close your eyes, but it's not required."
Aug 09 21:09:49 *   Nikkolai peers at Salembor closely, watching to see if he can learn anything from the powerful sorceror!
Aug 09 21:10:13 <Knight>   "I'll be fine. It can't be a worse sight than the Abyss," suggests Knight, striding forth towards Salembor. "You are quite generous. I was hoping I wouldn't have to bring up the matter of payment."
Aug 09 21:11:41 <Kotono>   "I try," With a smile as he waves a hand, "Reality? I'm back! Now listen, make this woman here stronger!" He snaps his free hand, "That's my wish and I demand it!" A flash of light erupts around Knight, her insides feeling as if they are ablaze with life-heat!
Aug 09 21:13:40 <Knight>   "Ah, that feels good!" says Knight, smiling. "That is even more satisfying than healing magic. Nikkolai, learn this spell."
Aug 09 21:14:15 *   Nikkolai frowns, muttering under his breath before he replies. "This magic is far beyond me....for now."
Aug 09 21:14:28 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+17 k:A
Aug 09 21:14:28 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+17 k:A and gets 32." [1d20=15]
Aug 09 21:15:24 <Kotono>   "You're welcome," Sitting up now, and casting an eye to Nikkolai, "You were paying attention, eh?"
Aug 09 21:15:47 *   Nikkolai flushes slightly. "Oh yes, that I was. It was...I'm not sure if there are words for it."
Aug 09 21:16:27 <Mari>   "There are plenty of words for it. Like 'awe-inspiring,' or 'superlative,' or 'better than Nikki.'"
Aug 09 21:16:41 <Nikkolai>   "The way you simply...*molded* that energy to your will. Very masterful." Nikkolai was in awe...and just a bit envious.
Aug 09 21:16:59 <Kamvakua>   "Nikkolai learns where he can. It was fortunate that we crossed paths, Salembar. Do you have a way out of here? If not, we will be journeying out when we are done. I wonder...do you know of any traps in the palace vaults and basements we should know of?"
Aug 09 21:17:19 <Kotono>   He murmurs a few words, his eyes turning blue. "You're not bad," he looks Nikkolai up and down, "Fourth circle magic." Reaching into his wrist, flesh parting like water, Salembar takes out a scroll. It's not bloody or stained, but as if it was just taken off a scroll rack. "Here. It's a bit advanced for you, but it's good study."
Aug 09 21:18:35 *   Nikkolai raises an eyebrow, accepting the scroll. "Very gracious of you, Master Salembar." Curiously, he unrolls the scroll and peers into its contents.
Aug 09 21:18:47 <Kotono>   "The vaults?" Rubbing his chin, "I didn't take the tour, but I hear it's guarded by a lot of soldiers and wards. Guess the soldiers aren't a concern now, but I don't know if Cyronax did anything to it. Main thing is the vault door - if that's intact you'll need to find a way to open it. Can any of you manipulate magic items or use magical items by force of will?"
Aug 09 21:20:08 <Mari>   "Not me," Mari says with a shrug.
Aug 09 21:20:30 <Knight>   "I'm afraid not."
Aug 09 21:21:07 *   Kamvakua shakes his head, the basics of divine magic all he has been able to reach so far.
Aug 09 21:21:09 <Kotono>   "Oh. Then it's going to be harder. Try a lot of brute force and enduring the traps," With a little shrug, "Sorry. See, you'd have to fool it into thinking you were of the royal bloodline when you come in contact with the vault door."
Aug 09 21:21:40 *   Mari shrugs. "Guess we'll just have to bash through it like everything else."
Aug 09 21:22:10 <Knight>   "What about that gown?" asks Knight, blinking. "It was called the Gown of the Snow Princess, correct?"
Aug 09 21:22:15 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai's eyebrows try to flee from his face, he's raised them so high. "This is...a very worthy gift, Master Salembar. This is a very potent spell indeed."
Aug 09 21:22:17 <Kotono>   "Good luck," Standing up now, "I'm going to get myselves out of here. Good fortune to all of you and you have my thanks."
Aug 09 21:23:04 <Kotono>   With a murmur as he vanishes, "Glad to hear it. Try to make it out in one piece!"
Aug 09 21:23:40 <Knight>   "And you have ours," replies Knight, to empty air.
Aug 09 21:23:49 <Kamvakua>   "Thanks, Shall we go to the throne room? Who cares to pretend they are a long lost prince?" He looked at Nikkolai, "or princess?" He eyed Mari.
Aug 09 21:24:10 *   Nikkolai rolls the scroll back up and tucks it away safely. "Not a bad fellow. A bit pompous, but then, most of us Sorcerors are."
Aug 09 21:24:12 <Mari>   "Huh. That might not be a bad idea, Knight. We could try that? It's not like I want an excuse to wear the dress more or anything, no sir."
Aug 09 21:24:57 <Knight>   "You don't need to call me 'sir', Mari. Despite my name, I don't hold any rank here."
Aug 09 21:25:25 <Kotono>   Yulia giggles a bit, "It's nice to meet someone who isn't so grumpy!" Fluttering over to Nikkolai, "Master, where to now? That throne, right?"
Aug 09 21:25:29 <Mari>   "It was just a figure of speech--oh, never mind. Let's go?" Mari steps out of the bedroom, heading back to the throne room.
Aug 09 21:26:17 <Nikkolai>   "Indeed. Let's see if our Mari is of a fine pedigree." Nikkolai's snickering shows how much he thinks of *that* idea, even as he follows.
Aug 09 21:26:32 <Kamvakua>   "Let's check the throne bedroom room out thoroughly before we try the throne." Kamvakua suggested, leading down the hall to the doorway they took the first time in.
Aug 09 21:27:00 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d4 alright, rping healing is a pain as usual :P
Aug 09 21:27:01 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d4 alright, rping healing is a pain as usual :P and gets 1." [1d4=1]
Aug 09 21:27:05 <Mari>   "Oh sure, laugh it up. Like YOU'RE one to call someone else pompous. And I'll have you know there's all sorts of stuff mixed into my family tree. How do you know I'm NOT royalty, huh?"
Aug 09 21:27:49 <Knight>   "I believe if you chart back the average humans geneology far enough, anyone could call themselves royalty," remarks Knight. "Primogeniture should be a dead institution by now. But, as I said, the planes do not change very much."
Aug 09 21:27:55 <Kamvakua>   "It's probably more a state of mind rather than blood..."
Aug 09 21:31:48 <Knight>   Knight marches into the room that was once the scene of their pitched battle, and begins rooting around it for shiny things!
Aug 09 21:32:06 *   Mari strolls down to the grand bedroom to make a good search of what the devil might have been hiding there as well.
Aug 09 21:32:15 *   Kamvakua does as well, helping to search the room and rooms behind if any, that the devil and frost giant were guarding.
Aug 09 21:32:31 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+1 Aiding whoever wants to make the main search roll, if any.
Aug 09 21:32:32 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+1 Aiding whoever wants to make the main search roll, if any. and gets 11." [1d20=10]
Aug 09 21:32:49 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 searchifying
Aug 09 21:32:49 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 searchifying and gets 17." [1d20=7]
Aug 09 21:33:20 <Mari>   OOC: should be 21, then. 17+2+2
Aug 09 21:34:59 <Kotono>   Tossing the roomt akes a bit of time. You find the following interesting things in it: A gold choker, a small red marble of cunning design, a silk robe that's perfectly intact, and a cloth belt that's also intact.
Aug 09 21:35:31 <Kotono>   Adail notes that everything but the choker radiate magic.
Aug 09 21:36:06 <Kamvakua>   "Let's take it all," Kamvakua encouraged putting it in the bag. It could be checked out later. "Shall we find our way to the throne room?"
Aug 09 21:37:02 <Mari>   "Yeah, let's. We could see down there from some of the bedrooms, right? It'd be easy to climb down from there, I think." Mari heads back to main hall and enters...the chessmaster's room, that should give a good view of the place, right?
Aug 09 21:37:25 <Knight>   "Well, we can slide down on a rope straight from the collapsed bedroom," suggests Knight. "I think we should be able to do it. It's not that far down, I believe."
Aug 09 21:37:52 <Mari>   "I'd rather not enter that room, Knight," Mari says as she walks. "Better to just knock our own hole through another wall."
Aug 09 21:38:22 <Kamvakua>   "We should be careful there...who knows what it might take to set a section of the palace falling apart."
Aug 09 21:38:43 <Kotono>   You return to the chessmaster's room. Out the windows you can see the throneroom and it's scene of massacre is still there.
Aug 09 21:38:57 <Knight>   Knight tries opening the windows!
Aug 09 21:39:46 <Kotono>   The window is frozen over. It's not opening easily.
Aug 09 21:39:58 *   Mari gets her rope out. "Just smash it open, Knight."
Aug 09 21:40:03 <Knight>   Knight forcefully tries opening the windows!
Aug 09 21:40:20 <Kotono>   OOC: Rolld amage real quick.
Aug 09 21:40:35 <Knight>   roll 1d10+21 swords!
Aug 09 21:40:36 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d10+21 swords! and gets 26." [1d10=5]
Aug 09 21:40:39 <Kotono>   The window shatters apart! There's is now a new exit from the room, out the broken window.
Aug 09 21:41:13 *   Mari ties her rope to the doorknob, then tosses the remainder out the window. Hopefully it's enough for them to climb down?
Aug 09 21:41:15 <Knight>   Knight clears away what shards of glass remain, and checks to see if she could squeeze through the entrance.
Aug 09 21:42:11 <Kotono>   It's a 30ft drop to the floor, so it's enough to reach down. The window is big enough to go through, yes.
Aug 09 21:42:50 *   Mari heads on down without wasting any more time, then.
Aug 09 21:43:32 <Kamvakua>   "Knight, you've got second," Kamvakua remained to steady the rope if need, not that it likely needed it.
Aug 09 21:44:15 *   Nikkolai peers doubtfully over the edge of the window. "Perhaps I should go last. Maybe you could lower me down? I'm not terribly dexterous."
Aug 09 21:44:28 <Kotono>   OOC: Climb check, Mari.
Aug 09 21:44:41 <Mari>   roll 1d20+17
Aug 09 21:44:42 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+17 and gets 32." [1d20=15]
Aug 09 21:44:45 <Kotono>   Mari slides down like an angel in flight, reaching the floor without a problem despite the slippery rope and the icy air.
Aug 09 21:45:23 *   Mari takes a look around the room, strolling about the table but--and this is important!--not touching any of the dead people or anything near them.
Aug 09 21:46:02 <Knight>   "I'll stay here with Tusky," replies Knight, shaking her head. "If something happens I'll join you quickly, but I don't want to leave him just yet."
Aug 09 21:47:00 <Nikkolai>   "Ah, I'll stay with you!" Nikkolai says, sounding quite relieved.
Aug 09 21:47:33 <Kamvakua>   "Well, alright, though I dislike us splitting up..." Kamvakua hauled his way down.
Aug 09 21:47:40 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+11
Aug 09 21:47:42 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+11 and gets 26." [1d20=15]
Aug 09 21:47:42 <Kotono>   Mari approaches the table. It's full of dead knights! They're frozen over corpses, really.
Aug 09 21:47:44 <Nikkolai>   "Twould be careless to leave even one of us alone."
Aug 09 21:47:52 <Kotono>   Kamvakua climbs down as well, reaching the bottom safely!
Aug 09 21:48:24 <Knight>   "Actually..." Knight whips the ropy barding over Tusky, shrinking him down to a more manageable size. "Kamvakua, could you catch Tusky? I can't climb down with him, but..."
Aug 09 21:48:27 *   Mari walks over to the throne, circling around to the back to look for this secret entrance the giant spoke of.
Aug 09 21:49:05 <Kamvakua>   "...I can try, it might be easier to slide him down,"Kamvakua gestured to the wall, but got both arms ready to catch.
Aug 09 21:49:35 <Knight>   "Or perhaps some complicated pully system..." mumbles Knight, glancing at the wall to see if it's slanted enough to actually slide down.
Aug 09 21:50:13 <Kotono>   It's a straight drop.
Aug 09 21:51:14 <Kotono>   IT's a throne! A pretty enough throne. OOC: Make search.
Aug 09 21:51:29 <Knight>   Well, there's nothing for it. After having Adail communicate their unreasonable plan to Tusky, Knight opts to heave him into Kamvakua's waiting arms!
Aug 09 21:51:35 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 again
Aug 09 21:51:35 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 again and gets 25." [1d20=15]
Aug 09 21:51:54 *   Kamvakua does his best to catch the mammoth without letting him slam into the ground.
Aug 09 21:52:19 <Kotono>   Mari can find the outline of a secret passage in her search, right behind the throne.
Aug 09 21:52:45 <Mari>   Is there a visible way to open it, or is this going to take some prodding and prying?
Aug 09 21:52:57 <Kotono>   Mari could try but it looks really well secured.
Aug 09 21:53:35 *   Mari gets out her tools, but waits for the rest of her companions to get down into the room before trying anything.
Aug 09 21:54:33 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a str check, Kam.
Aug 09 21:54:55 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+6
Aug 09 21:54:56 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12." [1d20=6]
Aug 09 21:55:16 <Kotono>   roll 1d100
Aug 09 21:55:16 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 35." [1d100=35]
Aug 09 21:55:19 <Kamvakua>   OOC: remember, Kam is large for carrying capacity/strength bits.
Aug 09 21:56:08 <Kotono>   Kamvakua braces to catch the mammoth! Tusky writhes in the air as he's tossed, coming down hard on Kamvakua! For a moment it looksl ike he's going to catch him!...and then...as he braces to hold him...the floor beneath him CRACKS! Yes, he catches Tusky, but the floor can't take the combined weight! OOC: You can make a reflex save here, Kam. -4 penalty due to carrying Tusky.
Aug 09 21:56:41 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+11-4 KoS
Aug 09 21:56:42 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+11-4 KoS and gets 27." [1d20=20]
Aug 09 21:57:55 <Kotono>   Kamvakua leaps away in devastatingly quick agility! A good corner of the floor gives way, including the wall to the window! IT starts sliding down! Above, Yulia, Knight, Nikkolai and Adail can notice the floor suddenly shifts and lurches down HARD, shaking!
Aug 09 21:58:48 <Knight>   In no mood to go for another long drop with a sudden stop, Knight backs quickly away from the collapsing bedroom!
Aug 09 21:58:49 *   Nikkolai yells aloud, trying to keep his balance by clinging to the windowsill!
Aug 09 21:59:04 <Mari>   Mari, from over by the throne, turns to look at the noise. "What in the Styx are you people doing over there?"
Aug 09 21:59:27 <Kamvakua>   "Failing to get a mammoth down," Kamvakua put Tusky down far away from it, trying to keep from panicked mammoth.
Aug 09 21:59:48 <Knight>   "What are you talking about? It was a smashing success!"
Aug 09 22:00:29 <Kotono>   OOC: Make ref, Nikkolai.
Aug 09 22:00:40 <Kamvakua>   "Well, we didn't bring down the throne room entirely...that's true!"
Aug 09 22:00:54 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+9 Oh gods
Aug 09 22:00:54 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+9 Oh gods and gets 23." [1d20=14]
Aug 09 22:01:20 <Kotono>   Yulia flutters back as well, while Adail leaps back! Meanwhile Nikkolai holds on as the wall collapes! The room tumbles into a new hole, Nikkolai plunging out of sight and below! He manages to hold on and avoid a freefall as ice and impact rock him! OOC: Make a fort save now.
Aug 09 22:02:24 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8 Owwwww
Aug 09 22:02:25 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8 Owwwww and gets 15." [1d20=7]
Aug 09 22:02:55 <Kotono>   The impact is too much, Nikkolai's world fading into unawareness in a flash of pain! OOC: KO'd and 2d6 damage.
Aug 09 22:02:56 <Kotono>   roll 2d6
Aug 09 22:02:57 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=1, 4]
Aug 09 22:03:11 <Kotono>   The fall knocks up a terrible cloud of broken ice and mist, a great big hole below now, filled with rubble!
Aug 09 22:04:10 *   Mari trots over to the hole, keeping a couple feet back from the edge as she peers down. "Nikkolai?" How far down does it look? Can anything be seen down there?
Aug 09 22:04:34 <Kotono>   It goes down about 20ft. Nikkolai an be half seen, pinned down by some rubble. A faint watery-blue light comes from below.
Aug 09 22:04:40 <Knight>   "Ah, Nikkolai!" calls Knight, rushing over to climb down what's left of the wall in order to start digging him out!
Aug 09 22:05:04 <Kotono>   OOC: Climb, Knight.
Aug 09 22:05:33 <Knight>   OOC: I'll take 10 for 16?
Aug 09 22:05:57 <Kamvakua>   "Nikkolai, are you alive down there?" Kamvakua called down as well, trying to get a sight of the poor boy, Adail on his shoulder to help spot him.
Aug 09 22:06:10 <Kotono>   Knight scampers down easily enough, the rubble full of hand and footholds. He's not buried deeply - he held on and wasn't thrown out, thankfully. As you dig him out, Nikkolai stirs. He has a gash on his forehead, but doesn't look hurt otehrwise offhand.
Aug 09 22:06:34 <Kotono>   Down here you can see what looks to be a hall. Far ahead is an engraved door, covered with the dawn over a tundra-field.
Aug 09 22:06:49 *   Nikkolai groans loudly. "Did someone get the sigil of the hammer that hit me?"
Aug 09 22:07:16 *   Mari shrugs and makes her down the slope of debris after Knight. (OOC: +17 mod, I'm assuming I can't fail this.)
Aug 09 22:07:25 <Kotono>   OOC: Yes.
Aug 09 22:07:31 <Kotono>   Yulia flies down, "Master!" She yelps, "Are you okay?!"
Aug 09 22:08:09 <Knight>   "I'm sorry! I didn't expect the castle to fall down," replies Knight, helping Nikkolai up.
Aug 09 22:08:41 <Mari>   Nik seems to be okay, so Mari walks over to the door to take a closer look at it. "I guess this is the vault?"
Aug 09 22:08:50 *   Nikkolai holds a hand to his head, grabbing on to Knight as he extracted himself from the rubble. "No matter, Knight. I'm well, bright one."
Aug 09 22:09:11 <Kotono>   It's pretty work and quite intact, Mari can note. OOC: If you're going to inspect/look for traps/anything like that make search.
Aug 09 22:09:21 *   Kamvakua keeps up top, not trusting more weight on the rubble. "Is he safe down there?" He called, waiting a moment to hear.
Aug 09 22:09:24 <Mari>   roll 1d20+10 searching for traps, yes
Aug 09 22:09:25 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+10 searching for traps, yes and gets 30." [1d20=20]
Aug 09 22:09:32 <Knight>   "Ah... good. That's good, then," replies Knight, nodding. "Well! Let's go! We're fine, Kamvakua!"
Aug 09 22:09:36 *   Nikkolai gently pats Knight on the arm before staggering slightly after Mari, still wobbly. "It would be too much to hope, I'm sure."
Aug 09 22:10:04 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+11 climbing down
Aug 09 22:10:06 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+11 climbing down and gets 17." [1d20=6]
Aug 09 22:10:15 <Kotono>   Kamvakua makes it down safely as well. Adail follows.
Aug 09 22:11:18 <Mari>   "Don't touch the door," Mari says, "nasty frost trap on it. If somebody wants to help me get into this, I'll see if maybe I can fool the thing." Mari says the magic words and retrieves the dress from her pack.
Aug 09 22:12:29 <Nikkolai>   "Hrm. Perhaps Knight or Yulia should help you?" Nikkolai blinks, not really bothering to turn around.
Aug 09 22:12:53 <Knight>   "How can I possibly help with this sort of thing?" asks Knight, blinking and peering back up the slope at Tusky.
Aug 09 22:13:05 <Kotono>   Tusky's staying right there, peering down with wide, fearful eyes.
Aug 09 22:13:12 <Knight>   "Oh! You mean, get her in the dress. Um."
Aug 09 22:13:29 <Kotono>   "What did you think she meant?" Yulia glances to KNight.
Aug 09 22:13:33 <Kamvakua>   "Can you work around it?" Kamvakua wondered and then turned around, giving her privacy.
Aug 09 22:14:39 <Knight>   "Well, you know, I thought she might want magical expertise, or something like that. But I can handle a dress. It's just like getting into armour. Except made of cloth, and twice as hard," replies Knight, walking over to help Mari suit up.
Aug 09 22:14:52 <Kotono>   Mari is suited up without incident.
Aug 09 22:15:29 *   Nikkolai grins slightly. "It suits her. Very well, actually. Hadn't really noticed before."
Aug 09 22:16:08 <Kotono>   "Maybe she really is a princess, and a cute girlfriend for someone at once?" Yulia opines, "She could have that in her blood, she said."
Aug 09 22:16:19 *   Mari doesn't much care about witnesses--hasn't most everyone seen this by now anyway? Once it's done, she walks over to the door. "Maybe you guys should keep a safe distance in case this doesn't work. ...Okay, door, you're supposed to obey royalty, right? I'm the ice princess, so open up!" Assuming anyone who wants to move away has done so, she'll try opening the door.
Aug 09 22:16:21 <Knight>   "The dress is a bit voluminous. It's rather loose about the chest," notes Knight, tying some very firm knots about Mari's midsection.
Aug 09 22:16:49 <Mari>   "What's that supposed to mean?" Mari snaps back at Knight.
Aug 09 22:16:50 <Kotono>   OOC: Make a charisma check, Mari. Remember the dress is +2 charisma.
Aug 09 22:17:00 <Mari>   roll 1d20+3
Aug 09 22:17:02 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+3 and gets 13." [1d20=10]
Aug 09 22:17:24 <Kotono>   "You're..." Yulia hums, "Well, some women are like mountains and hills, others are like plains?"
Aug 09 22:17:40 <Kotono>   The door opens! Ahead is a winding stairway going down down down and down!
Aug 09 22:18:15 <Knight>   "Well, it was obviously intended for a much larger woman," replies Knight. "Oh, dammit," she mutters, glancing at the slope to see if it would be possible to coax Tusky down.
Aug 09 22:18:32 <Mari>   "I'm not--that's--come on, I've at least got some, you know, rolling hills here. Right?"
Aug 09 22:18:40 <Kotono>   Tusky is well away from the edge and and does not look amused.
Aug 09 22:19:20 <Nikkolai>   "Don't worry, Mari. You've got a nice little valley going for you." Nikkolai smiles, and *not* in a lecherous manner.
Aug 09 22:19:31 <Kamvakua>   "You look lovely in it, Mari, way to open the way," Kamvakua headed to the front starting down the stairs.
Aug 09 22:19:50 <Knight>   "Well, this isn't going to be possible. I can't leave him alone up here," mumbles Knight, glancing fondly at the big lug.
Aug 09 22:20:32 <Kotono>   "I can stay with him," Adail volunteers, starting to climb back up, "I'll talk to him."
Aug 09 22:20:35 <Mari>   "I've--what? Oh, fine." Mari pauses for a moment, concentrates to alter her body until the dresses is filled out closer to it's intended shape. "There, happy, Nik?"
Aug 09 22:21:32 <Knight>   "Ah, see? It fits beautifully, now! You know, that is a very handy talent."
Aug 09 22:21:44 <Nikkolai>   "I was quite happy with how you looked before. But I will admit that the dress flatters you even more." Nikkolai concedes.
Aug 09 22:21:53 <Kamvakua>   "You really shouldn't try to please him...He goes after everyone anyway," Kamvakua humed.
Aug 09 22:22:16 <Kotono>   The party proceeds down the stair. It goes down for at least 100 feet, winding down down down and down yet more! At the bottom is a hall, 30ft long. Straight ahead is a vast door carved of stone and ice, radiating a preternatural, bone chilling cold! It's sealed tight there!
Aug 09 22:22:23 <Mari>   "I'm not pleasing him! Although the right word rhymes with that."
Aug 09 22:22:42 <Kotono>   "She's lucky, isn't she," Yulia flutters to Knight, "I wish I could do that! Different hair colors, different wings or legs any time I wanted!"
Aug 09 22:22:47 <Kamvakua>   "Can you get this one open as well?" Kamvakua wondered.
Aug 09 22:23:11 <Kotono>   After a moment, "Say Knight! When we get back to a safe city, let's get you a makeover, hair color changes and all of that! It sounds like you'd like one, right?"
Aug 09 22:23:20 <Mari>   "It's worth a try. Keep back though, just in case." Mari walks up to this door and tries again. "Open up in the name of Ice Queen Mari!"
Aug 09 22:23:30 <Kotono>   OOC: Charisma.
Aug 09 22:23:37 *   Nikkolai mutters, "What's wrong with liking the form that you were given?"
Aug 09 22:23:42 <Mari>   roll 1d20+3
Aug 09 22:23:43 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+3 and gets 14." [1d20=11]
Aug 09 22:24:48 <Kamvakua>   "We all ascend or descend differently along our paths. You are not the same as you were ten years ago, she's merely faster at it."
Aug 09 22:24:54 <Knight>   "I.. pardon? What gave you that idea? It's not something I want for myself! I'm perfectly happy with how I look, and if I'd wanted to I could easily have worn that dress."
Aug 09 22:24:55 <Kotono>   The great stone and ice door vanishes! Ahead is darkness...and standing before the darkness is a figure. He is human, face locked into a big, happy grin. It doesn't leave as he claps, "Welcome friends!" He wears a noble's clothes, well dressed and with long black hair. "So someone's finally blundered in this far?"
Aug 09 22:25:27 <Kotono>   "Oh, that's a lie!" Lowering her voice to a whisper, "Every woman wants to look differen-huh?" Looking up, Yulia's attention is taken by the man.
Aug 09 22:25:34 <Mari>   "Blundered? No, we knew what we were looking for. who are you?"
Aug 09 22:26:37 <Knight>   "He seems rather well-kept, for these conditions."
Aug 09 22:26:44 *   Kamvakua readies his pike, having already met the one friendly soul in the place and not expecting more.
Aug 09 22:26:55 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Detect Evil
Aug 09 22:27:14 <Kotono>   "Tychardas." He claps twice, his hands leaving cold white frost as they impact together. He sniffs, then smiles to Mari, "Aaaaaaah!" He nods and steps away, "I know better, m'lady. Go on ahead."
Aug 09 22:28:27 <Mari>   "Ah, of course. It's good that you know your place...Give us a bow as we pass by, servant."
Aug 09 22:28:50 <Kamvakua>   "That's alright, I think we have business here first before we can take a single step inside," Kamvakua growled meaningfully to the others, raising his spear.
Aug 09 22:29:34 <Kotono>   The man steps well back to the side and bows to Mari. "They are your servants, m'lady?...?" He pauses, eyeing Kamvakua.
Aug 09 22:30:06 <Mari>   "Yeees, that's right. All of them. I'm here to make a little withdrawal. They'll be carrying things for me." Mari steps into the vault.
Aug 09 22:30:22 <Kamvakua>   "Yield and show yourself, you do not fool my eyes," Kam grabbed for Mari, trying to hold her back with a hand.
Aug 09 22:31:41 <Kotono>   "There is one thing. Betray the binding on me so I don't have to raise arms against you. Betraying Cryonax will be long overdue..." He trails off again, eyeing Kamvakua, starting to frown.
Aug 09 22:32:05 <Knight>   "I can see him just fine. Also, he seems to be yielding as it is," notes Knight, blinking. "Oh."
Aug 09 22:33:12 <Mari>   "Release you from my service, you mean? This is what you ask for?"
Aug 09 22:34:12 *   Kamvakua doesn't strike, but doesn't take his eyes off the creature.
Aug 09 22:34:20 <Kotono>   "No, from the service of Cyronax!" It's eyes narrow, "Long has he held me bound here in this boring, profitless service! Styx-less Marraenoloth, I will give you gold and treasure for freeing me from this odious task!"
Aug 09 22:35:19 <Mari>   "We're happy to do anything that sticks it to Cyronax, aren't we?"
Aug 09 22:35:20 <Nikkolai>   "I can see how this kind of job would be a drag." Nikkolai comments. "Too much downtime. Not enough fun."
Aug 09 22:36:24 <Kotono>   "Then do it! Wealth awaits you!" The man says, voice strident and hopeful, "All the gold you can imagine!"
Aug 09 22:37:29 <Knight>   Knight frowns. "How exactly would we set about releasing you? Furthermore, can you offer us any collateral as to our ability to trust you on this promise?"
Aug 09 22:37:37 <Nikkolai>   "I think that all of us combined can imagine quite a lot. Tis a failing of greedy mortals, I'm afraid." Nikkolai isn't really too trusting of this...person.
Aug 09 22:37:38 <Mari>   "The question is, how do we do that? Is there some trick to it, some loophole in your contract...or what?"
Aug 09 22:38:58 <Kotono>   Suddenly the man steps back several steps, near the darkness, "No true Styx-daemon would ever ask that! You have fooled my senses somehow!" For a moment anger fills it's face, before it coughs and smooths it's face over. "Then our position has changed."
Aug 09 22:39:39 <Nikkolai>   "Ah, well. It's time to kill things, yes?"
Aug 09 22:39:46 <Knight>   "We will have to slay you after all?" asks Knight, frowning. "I would prefer to avoid unecessary violence here."
Aug 09 22:40:40 <Kotono>   "Perhaps there is no violence needed. But I desire escape from this situation. Can any of you destroy a binding or dispel magic? Free me and you can have the relics left behind."
Aug 09 22:41:28 <Knight>   "Talons is asleep," grumbles Knight. "I can't do it again today."
Aug 09 22:42:02 <Mari>   "Yeees...yes, I think maybe we do have to. You think you can insult me like that? You think you know who or what you're talking to? Maybe I'll just have to show you."
Aug 09 22:43:56 <Kotono>   Taking another step away from Mari, "There is no need for violence! We can discuss this," He says quickly.
Aug 09 22:44:03 <Nikkolai>   "Ah, it seems our Queen has come to her senses." Nikkolai gives Mari a little bow. "My lady, shall we light this little bastard up and listen to him squeal?"
Aug 09 22:45:22 <Knight>   "If you give the word, we will set upon him."
Aug 09 22:45:33 *   Mari steps forward, reaches out to touch the man's chin. "Mm...I just want to eat you up, you know that? Buuut, if you have something else to offer us for freeing you, best tell us what it is and what you need in exchange. Fast."
Aug 09 22:45:52 <Kotono>   OOC: Make an intimidate check. The rest of you can roll ot assist, you're certainly helping.
Aug 09 22:45:58 <Knight>   roll 1d20+5 ohohoho!
Aug 09 22:45:59 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+5 ohohoho! and gets 7." [1d20=2]
Aug 09 22:46:01 <Knight>   OOC: alas
Aug 09 22:46:10 <Knight>   OOC: Wait
Aug 09 22:46:14 <Mari>   roll 1d20+3 unfortunately, that is one skill I have no ranks in
Aug 09 22:46:16 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+3 unfortunately, that is one skill I have no ranks in and gets 5." [1d20=2]
Aug 09 22:46:16 <Knight>   OOC: that actually succeeds because I have intimidate ranks
Aug 09 22:46:17 <Knight>   OOC: go me!
Aug 09 22:46:24 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+20
Aug 09 22:46:24 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+20 and gets 38." [1d20=18]
Aug 09 22:46:59 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+23 Intimidate separately?
Aug 09 22:47:01 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+23 Intimidate separately? and gets 29." [1d20=6]
Aug 09 22:48:24 <Kotono>   A flash of barely controlled anger flares in the man's eyes...and yet he stares into Mari's eyes. In a moment his eyes widen again, "...just go in," it says abruptly, glancing at the party and stepping back. "Just take what you want." It's eyes stay no Nikkolai and Kamvakua.
Aug 09 22:49:31 <Mari>   "Hmph." Mari steps into the vault to look around.
Aug 09 22:49:42 *   Nikkolai gives the man a mocking smile, inclining his head. "Go ahead, my lady. I'll stay out here and keep our fine guard occupied with conversation."
Aug 09 22:49:46 <Kamvakua>   "Knight, go help her?" Kamvakua suggested, keeping his eye..and spear pointed at him, but not moving to strike.
Aug 09 22:49:57 <Knight>   Knight trails after Mari, giving the man a long, lingering glance before heading in after her. "On it."
Aug 09 22:50:43 <Kotono>   Mari and Knight go in! Inside is a vault! It is full of old coins! Sitting atop it lies a crown and robe of pure ice, lying there freely!Meanwhile the man stays where he is, shooting glances between the two.
Aug 09 22:51:07 <Nikkolai>   "So. Tychardas. I'm curious as to why your master vented his wrath on this place. Explain."
Aug 09 22:51:21 <Nikkolai>   Nikkolai made it quite clear that it wasn't a suggestion.
Aug 09 22:51:44 <Knight>   "This is what we came for," notes Knight, holding upon her bag of holding and starting scoop in as many coins as she can. "Will we wear it out?"
Aug 09 22:51:51 <Kotono>   "He is not MY master. I am merely bound here," With a cold, careful look, "A defense, nothing more."
Aug 09 22:52:34 <Mari>   "That looks like what we're here for," Mari says. "Oh, and the money's nice too. C'mon Knight, let's shovel all this stuff into that bag, and hrmmn--" Mari rubs her forehead, turns around, eyes the strange man, walks over.
Aug 09 22:52:48 <Kotono>   Mari returns out of the darkness without incident.
Aug 09 22:52:57 <Nikkolai>   "Mmm. I see. And who precisely *is* your master?"
Aug 09 22:53:05 <Kamvakua>   "It is not uncommon for evil gods to bind lesser evils as prisoners to their whims. I reacted harshly...But you seem to have done us no harm. Hopefully we can part here never to see each other again when this is through." Kamvakua's voice was kind, even as his eyes remained narrowed and ready to hunt and kill.
Aug 09 22:53:39 <Kotono>   "I bow to none but the General of Gehenna," The yugoloth says with a smooth smile, glancing back to Mari as she returns.
Aug 09 22:54:28 <Knight>   "Oi, Mari, this gold isn't going to shovel itself, you know," grumbles Knight, continuing to pile things into the bag. She holds up the crown for a moment, taking a good look.
Aug 09 22:54:29 *   Kamvakua blinks, looking at mari with a hint of worry across his face. It would be bad now for her to have one of her fits.
Aug 09 22:54:31 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+13 Whooooo are you?
Aug 09 22:54:32 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+13 Whooooo are you? and gets 17." [1d20=4]
Aug 09 22:55:34 *   Mari stares at him for a long moment, with a hungry expression on her face. "I--it's telling me I should--but I don't want to--" She shakes her head, holds her hands over her stomach, looks at the floor.
Aug 09 22:55:51 <Mari>   roll 1d20+15 also belated K:P if I can do it after that
Aug 09 22:55:52 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+15 also belated K:P if I can do it after that and gets 34." [1d20=19]
Aug 09 22:56:12 *   Nikkolai raises an eyebrow and his lips compress into a tight line. "You serve a mighty master, Tychardas."
Aug 09 22:57:12 <Kamvakua>   "Resist it Mari, we are almost out of here."
Aug 09 22:59:23 <Kotono>   The creature's eyes go as wide as saucers, "You're possessed," it says, flatly and with fear, then smirks, "Get away from me if you value the trinket of your soul. Oh yes, eating me will damn you. Listen to me! Get away from here!"
Aug 09 23:01:19 <Kamvakua>   "Mari, resist and step away," Kamvakua readied to tackle her if she went for the Yugoloth, more worried what would happen if she won than if he attacked at the moment.
Aug 09 23:01:55 <Mari>   "You're just--you don't know the General at all, I know it! Jumped-up little fool, trying to make yourself look big! I should--I should--ergh." Mari shakes all over, pulls at her hair, talks to no one apparent. "I don't want to! He's still alive! I can't!" She bares her teeth, for a brief moment, then stumbles away. "No!"
Aug 09 23:02:51 <Mari>   roll 1d20+11
Aug 09 23:02:52 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16." [1d20=5]
Aug 09 23:02:56 <Knight>   Knight pokes her head out of the darkness, with the crown hanging just off her head. "Just get away from here, Mari! I've got most of it packed away!"
Aug 09 23:03:46 *   Mari turns and lunges at the man with a snarl!
Aug 09 23:03:54 *   Kamvakua leaps at Mari to tackle her.
Aug 09 23:03:54 <Nikkolai>   "Well, shit."
Aug 09 23:04:16 <Kotono>   OOC: Roll init all. Also a sec for a PM question.
Aug 09 23:04:23 <Knight>   roll 1d20+1
Aug 09 23:04:25 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+1 and gets 21." [1d20=20]
Aug 09 23:04:26 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+8+5
Aug 09 23:04:26 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+2 good go
Aug 09 23:04:26 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+8+5 and gets 15." [1d20=2]
Aug 09 23:04:27 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+2 good go and gets 13." [1d20=11]
Aug 09 23:04:30 <Mari>   roll 1d20+9
Aug 09 23:04:31 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+9 and gets 26." [1d20=17]
Aug 09 23:05:29 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+5 'loth
Aug 09 23:05:30 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 'loth and gets 14." [1d20=9]
Aug 09 23:05:35 <Kotono>   roll 1d20+7 Yulia
Aug 09 23:05:36 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Yulia and gets 25." [1d20=18]
Aug 09 23:06:27 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Mari(26)>Yulia(25)>Knight(21)>Nik(15)>'loth(14)>Kam(13)
Aug 09 23:06:30 <Kotono>   OOC: Go Mari.
Aug 09 23:07:13 <Mari>   OOC: how close am I to him at the start of combat?
Aug 09 23:07:21 <Kotono>   OOC: You came out, so 5ft away or so.
Aug 09 23:08:13 *   Mari is on the man in a flash, blades out, slashing away to cut her next meal into bloody chunks!
Aug 09 23:08:31 <Mari>   roll 1d20+16 SoS
Aug 09 23:08:32 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+16 SoS and gets 26." [1d20=10]
Aug 09 23:08:35 <Mari>   roll 1d20+12 normal hit
Aug 09 23:08:36 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 normal hit and gets 17." [1d20=5]
Aug 09 23:08:41 <Mari>   roll 1d20+111 SoS 2
Aug 09 23:08:41 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+111 SoS 2 and gets 124." [1d20=13]
Aug 09 23:08:51 <Mari>   OOC: er, +11
Aug 09 23:08:55 <Mari>   roll 1d20+7 normal 2
Aug 09 23:08:56 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+7 normal 2 and gets 19." [1d20=12]
Aug 09 23:09:05 <Kotono>   OOC: They all hit. Damage.
Aug 09 23:09:19 <Mari>   roll 4d6+8+20d6+8+4 fire
Aug 09 23:09:21 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 4d6+8+20d6+8+4 fire and gets 111." [4d6=6, 5, 1, 4][20d6=2, 6, 5, 2, 3, 5, 6, 6, 1, 2, 1, 3, 5, 3, 6, 5, 1, 5, 5, 3]
Aug 09 23:09:49 <Kotono>   The creature is ripped apart before it can react! It's torn itno shreds, falling ot the ground and at Mari's feet! Fresh meet is all by her, the smell intoxicating to her! OOC: Yulia's up.
Aug 09 23:10:06 <Kotono>   Yulia shudders, holding for the moment! OOC She can't do much here, will wait if things get worse. Knight.
Aug 09 23:10:11 *   Kotono has changed the topic to: Mari(26)>Yulia(25)>Knight(21)>Nik(15)>Kam(13)
Aug 09 23:10:45 <Knight>   "That stupid thing!" grumbles Knight, reaching out to seize Mari's tail again and yank her away from the mess she left behind!
Aug 09 23:10:59 <Kotono>   OOC: Grapple, say. Resolve it you two.
Aug 09 23:11:49 <Knight>   roll 1d20+11 I can has touch attack grapple
Aug 09 23:11:49 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 I can has touch attack grapple and gets 29." [1d20=18]
Aug 09 23:11:58 <Knight>   OOC: you get an AoO if you want to stab me
Aug 09 23:12:21 <Mari>   OOC: well. *I* don't want to. Buuuut Mari doesn't want someone to stop her from eating right now, so.
Aug 09 23:12:27 <Mari>   roll 1d20+12 AoO?
Aug 09 23:12:28 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 AoO? and gets 13." [1d20=1]
Aug 09 23:12:44 <Knight>   roll 1d20+16 GRABBU CHECKU
Aug 09 23:12:45 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+16 GRABBU CHECKU and gets 28." [1d20=12]
Aug 09 23:13:00 <Mari>   roll 1d20+8 uh
Aug 09 23:13:02 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+8 uh and gets 10." [1d20=2]
Aug 09 23:13:20 <Kotono>   Mari is grappled, tail grapped! A lance of pain shoots through her body! OOC: Make a will save, +4, Mari.
Aug 09 23:13:26 <Mari>   roll 1d20+11
Aug 09 23:13:27 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22." [1d20=11]
Aug 09 23:13:44 <Kotono>   With a start, Mari feels her mind become as it should be! The hunger recedes, strong but under her control now!
Aug 09 23:14:22 <Kamvakua>   "Hold her tight, don't let her go, Knight," Kamvakua encouraged the grappler.
Aug 09 23:15:05 <Mari>   "Erm, I...oh gods, what did I do? What did I almost do? Knight, I tried to stab you!" Mari isn't trying to resist. More like she's falling at Knight's feet and sobbing. "ImsorryImsorryImsorry."
Aug 09 23:15:41 <Kamvakua>   "Dammit," Kamvakua looked to see if there was any pit or anything he could shove the corpse into.
Aug 09 23:15:53 <Kotono>   No pits nearby, just the darkness in the vault.
Aug 09 23:15:58 *   Nikkolai observes the corpse from afar. "Remind me not to get in between Mari and her meal."
Aug 09 23:16:22 <Knight>   "Your mind wasn't your own, Mari. Don't worry about it," replies Knight, kneeling down next to the girl. "I'm fine, see? So let's get you away from here for now."
Aug 09 23:16:25 <Nikkolai>   "Let's just leave the corpse be. We're not long for the exit anyway. We have what we came for."
Aug 09 23:16:27 <Mari>   "Get me out of here," Mari says through gritted teeth. "Just get me away from it!"
Aug 09 23:16:41 *   Kamvakua kicks the corpse to the far side, "Nikkolai, go check if we got everything, we need to get away from here....or Knight, why don't you two just go upstairs?"
Aug 09 23:17:01 <Knight>   "Right. Come on," offers Knight, grabbing Mari's hand and leading her back towards the throne room.
Aug 09 23:17:07 *   Kamvakua stays between mari and it until Knight carries her upstairs.
Aug 09 23:17:42 *   Nikkolai walks to the vault and steps inside, scanning sharply for anything they might have missed.
Aug 09 23:17:53 <Kotono>   OOC: Magic or searching or what, Nik?
Aug 09 23:18:10 *   Mari stares at her feet all the way up, clinging on so tight to Knight's hand that it must hurt the other woman. Every now and then she shakes her head at something.
Aug 09 23:18:44 *   Kamvakua heads in, using muscle and senses to help scan through every corner, taking his time to dilligently get anything Knight missed.
Aug 09 23:19:14 <Kotono>   There's magic radiating from and past the back wall.
Aug 09 23:19:37 <Knight>   "It's affecting your mind, isn't it?" asks Knight, taking refuge by Tusky's side. "How do you feel now?"
Aug 09 23:19:46 *   Nikkolai frowns and moves forward to the back wall, inspecting the source of magic.
Aug 09 23:20:10 <Kamvakua>   "Is there something back there Nikkolai?" Kamvakua was making quite sure the room he had access to so far was empty.
Aug 09 23:20:19 <Kotono>   OOC: Make search.
Aug 09 23:20:26 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Take 20 for 21?
Aug 09 23:20:43 <Kotono>   There's a slightly upraised spot on thew all, as if to be pushed open. The magic is coming from behind the wall.
Aug 09 23:20:57 <Mari>   "Noooo," Mari moans as she ascends. "Shut up, SHUT UP! My friends will help me! I don't need to be--NO, that's not what I'm going to be! I'm a good person, that won't happen to me!" Mari barely seems to hear Knight, though she hangs on to her as though resisting a hurricane.
Aug 09 23:21:11 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20+2 Search
Aug 09 23:21:11 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20+2 Search and gets 8." [1d20=6]
Aug 09 23:21:20 *   Kamvakua tries pushin the upraised spot.
Aug 09 23:22:30 <Kotono>   The spot is pushed! The back wall slides back! Here is a pile of gold bars, stacked up. Atop it sits several books and a pair of boots. The boots and books radiate magic.
Aug 09 23:22:50 <Mari>   "I'm in control...I'm in control of myself...I don't have to do anything I don't want to do...Nobody tells me what my fate is!"
Aug 09 23:23:30 <Nikkolai>   "...if this isn't the appropriate time for a resounding 'FUCK YES', as commoners say, I don't know when is." Nikkolai says heartily, instantly going for the books!
Aug 09 23:23:45 <Mari>   roll 1d20+12 oh god
Aug 09 23:23:47 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 oh god and gets 21." [1d20=9]
Aug 09 23:24:16 <Knight>   "Nobody can control you, or make you something you aren't, Mari..." murmurs Knight, tapping her lighting on the shoulder. "Star, help her," she adds, flicking a card into her palm and pressing it into Mari's shoulder.
Aug 09 23:24:28 <Knight>   OOC: It would be the +2 wisdom variant, here, for added willsave glory
Aug 09 23:24:30 <Kotono>   Mari's hands and face begin to darken to a smooth, oily black!
Aug 09 23:24:57 <Kamvakua>   "Indeed, not a bad find, but be careful," Kamvakua looked over the place. "Is there more behind here perhaps? A cache to distract from another cache? You can see magic far more clearly than I," Kamvakua asked, helping load the stuff into his own bags, focusing on the gold and boots, since well, he wasn't going to get between nikkolai and his books.
Aug 09 23:25:18 <Kotono>   There is no other magic that Nikkolai can detect.
Aug 09 23:25:42 <Knight>   "Mari, get it together!" snaps Knight, pulling the girls face to look at hers. "Can't you do something, Adail? I think we're losing her!"
Aug 09 23:25:53 *   Mari wails, stares at herself in horror. "Nooo! What's happening?" She can change her shape when she wants to, right? She just has to focus! Keep her herself!
Aug 09 23:26:38 <Mari>   roll 1d20+14
Aug 09 23:26:39 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22." [1d20=8]
Aug 09 23:26:42 <Kotono>   Adail comes over, preparing a spell if need be! OOC: A called for save in PM comes first, though.
Aug 09 23:26:55 <Nikkolai>   "Well, Kam. We've done well. Let's head back up to the others to see how Mari is faring."
Aug 09 23:26:56 <Kotono>   Mari's skin...returns to it's color, the black fading.
Aug 09 23:27:44 *   Mari pants, panicked, her breathing only slowing when the strange transformation seems to stop.
Aug 09 23:28:59 <Kotono>   "M-mari?" Yulia asks very quietly.
Aug 09 23:29:20 <Knight>   Knight's face crinkles into a dim smile. "It seems you managed to master it," she opines. "Does it hurt anywhere? Can you move properly?"
Aug 09 23:29:49 <Mari>   "I'm okay," she says quietly, smiling a fragile smile at Yulia. "I'm okay, I'm still me. I'm not broken or evil."
Aug 09 23:30:22 <Kamvakua>   "Alright, well, next time, all we have to do is do this without you getting killed," He smirked good naturedly at Nikkolai, heading up with him to the top.
Aug 09 23:30:25 <Kotono>   "W-we really need to get you to someone who can help once we get this geas off us," Yulia says, "Hey listen, that's right everyone?"
Aug 09 23:30:55 <Knight>   "I knew you wouldn't lose to something so base. Mari is certainly a unique individual, after all, more so than any fiend," replies Knight, nodding. "Yes, certainly."
Aug 09 23:31:12 <Nikkolai>   "Indeed. But hey, everytime one of us dies, we get rich. This is a pattern I can get used to."
Aug 09 23:31:29 <Mari>   "Hey, listen, that's right," Mari echoes. "I won't let something else tell me who I'm supposed to be!"
Aug 09 23:31:43 <Kotono>   "Right! Queen Morwel honored all of you, too!" Yulia says brightly, giving Nikkolai a dirty look. "I'm sure she can give ou strength, Mari!"
Aug 09 23:32:25 <Mari>   "Nik, if you're comfortable with that, you can be the one doing the dying," Mari mimics Yulia's glare.
Aug 09 23:32:44 *   Nikkolai shrugs. "Time I do my fair share, no?"
Aug 09 23:33:21 <Kotono>   "So...are those books it? I say we get out of here and get this done with," Yulia says.
Aug 09 23:33:28 *   Nikkolai gestures at the hallway, impatient to be off. "The quicker we leave, the quicker we get the geass off, and the faster we get Mari's little bun in the oven taken care of."
Aug 09 23:33:55 <Kamvakua>   "Not I. I prefer not to get killed. Nikkolai is right, let's get back and then to Elysium. The sooner the better."
Aug 09 23:34:05 <Knight>   "That is a strange way of looking at it. Death has always been a significant expense," notes Knight, dryly. "In any case, I agree. It's a long way back to Shivra."
Aug 09 23:35:07 <Kotono>   Thus the party heads out! The courtyard is as you left it, the way out ahead. The fountain is also there in the middle.
Aug 09 23:38:21 <Knight>   Knight returns Tusky to his normal size. "Come on, let's go and meet Serith," she offers.
Aug 09 23:38:27 <Mari>   "Let's get out of here," Mari says, ignoring the fountain. "And never come back."
Aug 09 23:38:48 *   Nikkolai sighs as he mounts up. "I do wish that I had a kitty to take along with us..."
Aug 09 23:38:55 <Nikkolai>   "Pity Serith can't come."
Aug 09 23:39:13 <Kotono>   "Let's spend some time in Arborea or somewhere nicer after this!" Yulia says, "We need a vacation before we deal with that lich!" As you go out, you don't see Serith. Ahead, the path back into Cold is bloody-red.
Aug 09 23:39:31 <Kamvakua>   "She'd eat you, Nikkolai. She could do it too," Kamvakua was ever the voice of reason, as he strode on, joining on top of the mammoth for the trip back.
Aug 09 23:39:53 <Knight>   "She would. If she is alright," notes Knight, eyeing the trail of blood (for what else could it be?) and spurring Tusky onwards.
Aug 09 23:40:08 <Kotono>   OOC: Make listen, all.
Aug 09 23:40:11 <Nikkolai>   "...Serith!" Nikkolai cups his hands and calls out!
Aug 09 23:40:20 <Knight>   roll 1d20+1 LOLLISTEN
Aug 09 23:40:21 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Knight rolls 1d20+1 LOLLISTEN and gets 12." [1d20=11]
Aug 09 23:40:25 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+12
Aug 09 23:40:26 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+12 and gets 22." [1d20=10]
Aug 09 23:40:29 <Nikkolai>   roll 1d20
Aug 09 23:40:30 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Nikkolai rolls 1d20 and gets 18." [1d20=18]
Aug 09 23:40:39 <Mari>   roll 1d20+12
Aug 09 23:40:41 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+12 and gets 30." [1d20=18]
Aug 09 23:40:46 <Kamvakua>   roll 1d20+20 Listen for Adail
Aug 09 23:40:48 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kamvakua rolls 1d20+20 Listen for Adail and gets 39." [1d20=19]
Aug 09 23:40:56 <Kotono>   The party can hear a faint but audible growling far to the right. It sounds like a smilodon, as you've heard before on the trail.
Aug 09 23:41:15 <Mari>   "Over there," Mari points, through the perpetual snow.
Aug 09 23:41:26 <Nikkolai>   "There! Turn to the right, Knight! If Serith is still alive, we needs must aid her!"
Aug 09 23:41:47 <Knight>   Knight has Tusky tred very carefully, to ensure she doesn't acidentally step on the smilodon. "Yes, yes, I know!" she snaps.
Aug 09 23:42:17 <Kotono>   You go ahead. Afte ra bit you find Serith, lying in the snow! Her side is terribly ripped open, organs exposed! Her head lifts up ever so slightly, a mewling whimper as she sees you.
Aug 09 23:43:00 <Nikkolai>   "Godsdamm--" Nikkolai cuts himself off and throws himself off of Tusky.
Aug 09 23:43:01 <Knight>   "Yulia, Adail," snaps Knight, glancing down at the wounded beast. "Those aren't injuries you'd do with your fists, even if you're a giant," she notes.
Aug 09 23:43:14 <Kotono>   Adail rushes over, as does Yulia, casting cure light wounds over and over!
Aug 09 23:43:18 <Kotono>   3d8+18
Aug 09 23:43:18 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+18 and gets 26." [3d8=2, 1, 5]
Aug 09 23:43:19 <Mari>   "Someone help her! Yulia, Adail, someone?" Mare resists rushing forward to check on her, given her recent mood.
Aug 09 23:43:40 *   Kamvakua eyes, nodding at Knight's call, looking around for signs of other wildlife, beasts that may be waiting. OOC: Suvival check for signs of other predators?
Aug 09 23:43:50 <Kotono>   As the wounds begin to mend, Adail translates! "Ice maidens from the sky...the servants of the fey queen...looking for you, attacked us."
Aug 09 23:43:51 <Kamvakua>   OOC: Mare=Mari
Aug 09 23:43:56 <Nikkolai>   "Who did this to you, Serith? Or what?" Nikkolai, tries to help stem the flow of blood while the two heal her!
Aug 09 23:44:46 <Kotono>   OOC: Do you have any ranks in heal or anything like that, Nik?
Aug 09 23:45:03 <Kotono>   Yulia applies more healing power in the meantime!
Aug 09 23:45:05 <Kotono>   roll 2d8+12
Aug 09 23:45:07 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+12 and gets 16." [2d8=2, 2]
Aug 09 23:45:13 <Nikkolai>   OOC: No. I'm just sorta...pressing down on wounds. I can't really be of any help aside from that
Aug 09 23:45:17 <Kotono>   OOC: Okay.
Aug 09 23:45:27 <Mari>   "That bitch! That fucking bitch! We should melt her damn castle down around her!"
Aug 09 23:45:58 <Kotono>   "So cold...massacring the tigers all because of us?" Yulia whimpers, "So cold!"
Aug 09 23:46:03 *   Nikkolai snarls. "I would *love* to get my hands on that whore. How many of you are left alive?"
Aug 09 23:46:28 <Kotono>   "I...don't know. So many were frozen or ripped apart by their claws."
Aug 09 23:46:55 *   Nikkolai murmurs to Adail, "Can you see anything? Are there any others out there we can aid?"
Aug 09 23:47:19 <Kotono>   Adail goes to look around briefly, but shakes his head, "Two corpses," he says.
Aug 09 23:48:13 *   Nikkolai looks Serith over. "You're in no condition to stay here alone. Are you well enough to travel? I think you should come with us. If we leave you alone she could come back."
Aug 09 23:48:20 <Knight>   "We must seek restitution for this assault," notes Knight. "I will not suffer this arrogance from that she-devil, and I have no doubt you desire satisfaction, Serith." Her lips crinkle into a grimace. "It will not be so hard. Our artifacts can render us impervious to cold. We could crush her as an afterthought."
Aug 09 23:48:26 <Kotono>   "Hey listen," Yulia looks around, "This is why we have to stop people like her, do you see? People get hurt! Good people, innocent people! If we can't sto pher now, let's go to Shivra, rest up and come back after Mari's right! WE can find the means to stop her and finish her!"
Aug 09 23:48:50 <Kotono>   Serith slowly manages to rise, shaky but moving.
Aug 09 23:49:15 *   Nikkolai does his best to support the great cat, even though he doubts he's helping at all.
Aug 09 23:49:28 <Mari>   roll 1d20+5 K:N out of nowhere
Aug 09 23:49:29 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Mari rolls 1d20+5 K:N out of nowhere and gets 19." [1d20=14]
Aug 09 23:49:56 <Knight>   "Our best chance is probably now. Once we hand over these artifacts we won't be able to attack her with virtual impunity."
Aug 09 23:51:18 <Mari>   "She's...using forbidden magic," Mari says out of nowhere. "Even other fey wouldn't stoop that low. Maybe some of them might know how to get around it?"
Aug 09 23:52:17 <Kamvakua>   "...You are probably right...But if we do that, we are definitely ignoring the geas. We should get them back first...and then attack her if we will. She will send some of her swarm to attack us on the road anyway, so she will weaken her forces."
Aug 09 23:52:18 <Knight>   Knight is silent for a moment, and she closes her eyes. "Perhaps we have no choice but to return," she admits. "Not with this Geas and Mari's issues."
Aug 09 23:53:36 <Nikkolai>   "My master should have something to say about this." Nikkolai replies grimly. "I'm not officially in his service yet...but if this is true, then it's my duty to report it to him. Perhaps he can aid us."
Aug 09 23:54:05 <Knight>   "One of my siblings is on this plane, as well. I have reason to return."
Aug 09 23:54:59 <Kamvakua>   "So when we return, we will hunt her down. It is agreed?" Kamvakua eyed his friends.
Aug 09 23:55:12 <Mari>   "Yes."
Aug 09 23:55:37 <Knight>   "I'm fine with that. Until then, Serith should accompany us," notes Knight, glancing at the tiger. "We can plan this out, make a proper assault, and take a flawless victory. Hah! Already, my blood boils!"
Aug 09 23:56:04 <Nikkolai>   "Quite." Nikkolai scratches Serith's ears gentlt, even as he tries to support her. "No one messes with my kitties."
Aug 10 00:03:33 <Kotono>   roll 8#1d100
Aug 10 00:03:34 <Hatbot>   ACTION --> "Kotono rolls 8#1d100 and gets 225." [8#1d100 = 28, 17, 49, 2, 19, 50, 33, 27]

Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

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