Irresponsible Drinks

[Carthrat]

[14:34] <@Kotono> > The rest step forward! A few words of the Lady, then...
[14:36] <@Kotono> You appear within a ring of stones. Three stones, in a secluded, silent grove. Not a sound can be heard, the sunlight strong and warm from above. About you stretches plains, far as the eye can see. Far ahead on the horizon you can see something rising, something tall and indistinct.
06[14:37] * Mari looks around, steps outside the ring of stones. "Make for the obvious landmark, I guess?"
[14:38] <Adail> "I certainly don't have any better ideas," Adail deadpans, then pads along beside Mari.
01[14:38] <Knight> "We weren't given clear directions. It will have to do," replies Knight.
06[14:39] * Mari nods and sets out!
[14:39] <@Kotono> Ami falls in step, stiffly marching on. She peers up at the sun, "The sky is blue. Ill-fitting for battle, a sky the shade of blood is much more approriate."
[14:39] <Mari> "I'm used to walking places that don't even have a sun, lately. I'll take what I can get. And here to talk to this guy, not kill him, so blue's fine by me."
01[14:40] <Knight> "It's unwise to be so rigid..."
[14:41] <@Kotono> "Battle and bloodshed will follow as surely as Lord Bel will hang the head of Demogorgon from the walls of the Brass Citadel." Ami's reply is stiff as the party continues on. "The daemons sell themselves to the highest bidder in the Blood War, they crave it almost as as much as a demon...or as much as they crave gold and wealth."
[14:43] <Mari> "Yeah, I'm just saying, wait until we actually go somewhere *with the intent of fighting* for all that stuff, okay? Ease up on all the Baator-is-best-in-life at least while we're talking to this guy? I doubt it's gonna impress him much if he's a kind of guardian spirit for this place. He just needs to understand we have the same goals here."
[14:44] <@Kotono> "Hmph." Ami continues in her pace, "To better the mission's success chances, yes."
06[14:44] * Adail just chuckles, but doesn't add anything for the moment.
01[14:44] <Knight> "Intimidation would not be suitable," chimes in Knight. "Though I wonder. You fight for Baator. Is it because you fear it above all else?"
[14:46] <@Kotono> "Fear?" Ami turns to Knight, "Only a fool would not understand and fear Baator. They are the inevitable victors over all other idealogies and enemies."
[14:48] <Mari> "Oh boy." Mari rubs her forehead as she walks along. "Nothing's inevitable but death and taxes. Ami, how much time have you spent anywhere else? What do you really *understand* about anywhere else?"
01[14:48] <Knight> "I see. So, you would fight for them because you believe they can win, unlike the other groups. The particulars of their ideology, their ethics, their goals- these are inconsequential to your decision?"
[14:50] <Adail> "Actually, even death and taxes are quite avoidable, if quite difficult for the former." Adail quips, "See the Lady herself for an example of how it might happen, and undeath is hardly the only trick that's been used as an attempt at immortality before. And there are places in the vast cosmos which, believe it or not, do not collect taxes."
[14:51] <@Kotono> "They win because their idealogy, ethics, goals, strength and everything else is superior." Balling a fist up and looking down at it, "They will slaughter all of them...even the daemons. This foolish Oinoloth will one day lie prostrait before the Serpent Throne. Such places," With a solid, unflinching gaze at Mari, "Are disordered hovels. Taxes bestow wealth on the superiors who deserve them."
[14:54] <Mari> "I was trying to avoid examples like her, Adail," Mari says. "You know, you didn't answer everything I asked about. How much have you really got out, all these years? Things look a lot different when you have to live with all kinds of people."
[14:55] <@Kotono> "I have my life and the strength not to be a victim again," Ami snaps, gaze burning into Mari. "-I- won't hide while yugoloths slaughter others again." Turning away from her, "That's all I need."
06[14:58] * Mari isn't about to say anything to that. She just looks away.
01[14:59] <Knight> "Better to victimize than be victimized, you would say?"
[14:59] <@Kotono> Ami keeps walking, not once looking away from Mari. Even the side of her head as she looks away, "I wonder...will you lie in a shallow grave when this is all said and done?" Turning away from her at last, "Better to be victorious than a victim. If all your doings leave you a victim, your life is meaningless."
[15:00] <Mari> "Do you want me to?" Mari asks, quietly.
[15:03] <@Kotono> Ami's lips twist into a smile, "Are you going to break down and cry as one of them rips your guts out," Her face twists out of that smile, eyes starting to blaze with fury. A hand goes to her halberd, "They died because we were too weak to do a damn thing. If we'd known the discipline of Baator younger, the daemons would have been slaughtered to the last larvae. Look at you now!" Ami sweeps her
[15:03] <@Kotono> arm, halberd whistling through the air, "A drunkard without a smack of discipline! How will you stop anything when they come again?"
[15:09] <Mari> "Stab them a lot. That usually works. Sometimes even when I'm drunk. Ami, we were CHILDREN. No training or discipline would've helped us. The only thing we should have been doing was running. They died because the world's an unfair place where awful things happen every day. That's all, and giving sermons won't change it at all."
[15:11] <@Kotono> "Only the weak run!" Ami snaps that out, turning away from Mari. "Cowards who cannot defend themselves deserve nothing but to die beneath the boots of the mighty." At that Ami looks down herself, going silent.
01[15:12] <Knight> "That is quite nihilistic. Are you suggesting we should execute anyone we come across whom we are capable of defeating?"
[15:13] <Mari> "So that's what this is about, huh?" Mari says in a softer tone. "I get it. You think it's your fault too?"
[15:16] <@Kotono> Ami doesn't reply to either right away. She walks a few more steps then stops, raising her balled up fist to look at. "I have the power to be a victor, not a broken child." In a softer voice, "Hail Bel, Mighty Master of Avernus. Through his teachings and his underlings I have grown to a resolute warrior. Never again will weakness limit me."
06[15:16] * Adail had just opened his mouth to deliver a comment of his own, then gently closed it at Mari's observation. After a second, he speaks up softly, "Children cannot fight off fully grown warriors, no matter thier race or discipline or courage. And I do not believe any who died would begrudge a child for living."
01[15:18] <Knight> "I think I will ask you, one day, if you think we are strong. And perhaps you will ask us how we came by that strength on our own. Yes, I think that day will come."
[15:20] <Mari> "Yeah. Just stick around long enough to see that, okay Ami? You're not running right back to Baator after this is over, right?"
[15:21] <Adail> "Just be prepared for a very long conversation on the many philosophies of the road when you ask Kamvakua. Brevity on that subject is most decidedly not one of his many strengths." Adail quips, though it's not quite as fun without Kam there to eye him for it.
[15:27] <@Kotono> This draws Ami into reflective silence as you begin to travel. Three hours of this pass, under warm sunshine. In the horizon you can see it - it looks to be a great white tower, rising up towards the heavens. It's closer than you realize at first, surely less than an hour away now.
01[15:28] <Knight> "There haven't yet been any signs of a Yugoloth presence," notes Knight, warily.
[15:29] <Mari> "Quiet, though. Like the plague killed off all the animals here too. I wouldn't bet on them never having been here. So, are we just gonna walk up and knock on the front door, or what?"
[15:29] <Adail> "That would be the polite thing to do, so yes." Adail nods.
[15:30] <Mari> "And we're nothing if not polite."
[15:30] <Adail> "Well, we should certainly try to be to someone we're seeking out as a prospective ally."
01[15:30] <Knight> "I'm going to take a look from above," replies Knight, spurring her mount into taking off.
06[15:31] * Adail also takes a look about, though from the ground, with his enhanced senses. But he's been doing that periodically the whole way out of sheer paranoia.
[15:32] <@Kotono> Knight flies up and up! The tower looks to be impossibly tall, and as Knight ascends? The sunlight becomes brighter! It's warmer, chasing any chill from her bones. It's so bright as to be near-blinding, obscuring everything around her.
01[15:33] <Knight> Knight covers her eyes and descends again, more interested in surveying the surrounding terrain for any signs of habitation than glimpsing the top of the tower.
[15:34] <@Kotono> Knight can see the plains stretch as far as she can see. She doesn't see anything of note beyond the tower.
[15:35] <Mari> "Well, there's not much in the way of hiding places out here, I guess. Not much chance for an ambush unless someone's invisible. Let's just walk on up?"
01[15:35] <Knight> "Nothing for miles," she reports, landing shortly afterwards. "The tower is tall beyond sight."
01[15:35] <Knight> "I don't think an ambush is likely," she agrees, beginning to head towards the tower's base.
06[15:36] * Adail nods and pads along as well.
[15:36] <@Kotono> The party proceeds the rest of the way! The tower is not fenced, a great wooden set of doors taller than all of you leading isnide.
[15:37] <@Kotono> The doors are not open.
06[15:38] * Adail goes up to the doors and knocks!
[15:40] <@Kotono> The knock is a quiet little sound! For a few moments not a word is heard, then a quiet, reflective voice asks aloud, "Who seeks entry once the soul has shut the door?"
[15:41] <Mari> "Someone seeking to save Amlyn," Mari says. May as well get right to the point, right?
[15:41] <Adail> Adail speaks clearly and without hesitation, "My name is Adail Levif, warrior of Elysium. My companions and I seek the Knight of the Fountain."
[15:42] <@Kotono> "To open the gates of the soul, great valor is required. Do you agree, saviors?" The voice asks aloud.
[15:44] <Adail> "I've always found compassion better for getting to the soul of matters, but valor certainly doesn't hurt." Adail responds with a half smile.
01[15:44] <Knight> "Is that a metaphor, or a fact?"
[15:47] <@Kotono> "As of this moment...a fact." The voice concludes as the sunlight from above dazzles your eyes! When they clear seconds later, they are above you! A pair of them - golden, eagle like lions, winged and flying down right at the party!
[15:48] <Adail> roll 1d20+8 init
[15:48] <Kobot> Adail rolled 1d20+8 init --> [ 1d20=19 ]{27}
01[15:48] <Knight> roll 1d20+5 I'm going to punch this guy
[15:48] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+5 I'm going to punch this guy --> [ 1d20=14 ]{19}
[15:48] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Ami
[15:48] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+6 Ami --> [ 1d20=4 ]{10}
[15:49] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 G1
[15:49] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 G1 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{9}
[15:49] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 G2
[15:49] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+4 G2 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{6}
[15:49] <Mari> roll 1d20+9
[15:49] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{13}
03[15:49] * Kotono changes topic to 'Adail(27)>Knight(19)>Mari(13)>Ami(10)>G1(9)>G2(6)'
06[15:52] * Adail looks up, then lets out a pulse of light to protect the party as he takes a defensive stance, "I suppose I should be making a cat and mouse joke here somewhere," and beckons the lions to take thier best shot.
01[15:54] <Knight> "What a waste of time," mutters Knight, drawing her sword and lying in wait!
[15:56] <Mari> "Cats, huh? Well, I guess I've been looking for an excuse to try this." A complicated few seconds, and where Mari stood is now a tiger with long fangs!
[15:57] <@Kotono> Ami nearly double-takes at Mari, all while readying her halberd! A split second later the first one plummets down, diving down right at Adail!
[15:57] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+21 (+2 charge)
[15:57] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+21 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=16 ]{37}
[15:57] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+21 (+2 charge)
[15:57] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+21 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=4 ]{25}
[15:57] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+19 -2 to the last one
[15:57] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 -2 to the last one --> [ 1d20=3 ]{22}
[16:00] <@Kotono> The great beast tears into ADail, but he's too fast and too small to hit! OOC: Go Knight-o.
01[16:02] <Knight> Knight closes with the enormous lion with a sharp intake of breath, and it is besieged by a relentless flurry of attacks!
01[16:02] <Knight> roll 1d20+20 PA-5
01[16:02] <Knight> roll 1d20+15 PA-5
[16:02] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+20 PA-5 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{39}
[16:02] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+15 PA-5 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{34}
01[16:02] <Knight> roll 1d20+10 PA-5
[16:02] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+10 PA-5 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{26}
01[16:02] <Knight> roll 1d20+20 crit chech
[16:02] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+20 crit chech --> [ 1d20=10 ]{30}
01[16:02] <Knight> roll 1d20+15 crit check
[16:02] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+15 crit check --> [ 1d20=10 ]{25}
01[16:03] <Knight> roll 1d20+14 horse stomp!
01[16:03] <Knight> roll 1d20+14 horse stomp 2!
[16:03] <@Kotono> OOC: All hits.
[16:03] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+14 horse stomp! --> [ 1d20=10 ]{24}
[16:03] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+14 horse stomp 2! --> [ 1d20=20 ]{34}
01[16:03] <Knight> roll 1d20+14 horse stomp
[16:03] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+14 horse stomp --> [ 1d20=5 ]{19}
01[16:04] <Knight> roll 4d6+30
01[16:04] <Knight> roll 4d6+30
[16:04] <Kobot> Knight rolled 4d6+30 --> [ 4d6=17 ]{47}
[16:04] <Kobot> Knight rolled 4d6+30 --> [ 4d6=13 ]{43}
01[16:04] <Knight> roll 2d6+15
[16:04] <Kobot> Knight rolled 2d6+15 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{22}
03[16:04] * Kotono changes topic to 'Adail(27)>Knight(19)>Mari(13)>Ami(10)>G2(6)'
[16:05] <@Kotono> With a powerful fury Knight's blade slices the griffon apart! It falls into motes of light, fading! As it does, the second comes plunging down at her!
[16:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+21 (+2 charge)
[16:05] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+21 (+2 charge) --> [ 1d20=18 ]{39}
[16:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+19
[16:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+19
[16:05] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{27}
[16:05] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{39}
[16:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+19 crit?
[16:05] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+19 crit? --> [ 1d20=17 ]{36}
[16:05] <@Kotono> roll 3d6+16
[16:05] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 3d6+16 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{31}
[16:06] <@Kotono> roll 2d4+10
[16:06] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 2d4+10 --> [ 2d4=4 ]{14}
[16:06] <@Kotono> roll 4d4+20
[16:06] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 4d4+20 --> [ 4d4=11 ]{31}
[16:07] <@Kotono> The great winged lion plunges into Knight! It bites and claws her body all over, raking through her armor like it's barely there! The squeal of metal and the rip of flesh can be heard and seen! OOC: Adail.
03[16:07] * Kotono changes topic to 'Adail(27)>Mari(13)>Ami(10)>Knight>G2(6)'
06[16:10] * Adail snaps a hand at the beast to pepper it with darts of force, then tumbles around it until he's got it directly between himself and where Mari should be coming from(OOC: MM, tumble to set mari up for a flank)
[16:10] <Adail> roll 5d4+5 MM assuminh no SR
[16:10] <Kobot> Adail rolled 5d4+5 MM assuminh no SR --> [ 5d4=10 ]{15}
[16:10] <Adail> roll 1d20+18 tumble
[16:10] <Kobot> Adail rolled 1d20+18 tumble --> [ 1d20=2 ]{20}
[16:10] <@Kotono> The five missles lance the griffon, pelting it's body all over as Adail tumbles past it! OOC: Mari, go.
06[16:11] * Mari tests out her ROAR and then leaps at the griffon, a storm of teeth and claws!
[16:11] <Mari> roll 1d20+13+2 bite
[16:11] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d20+13+2 bite --> [ 1d20=15 ]{30}
[16:12] <Mari> roll 1d20+11+2 claw 1
[16:12] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d20+11+2 claw 1 --> [ 1d20=3 ]{16}
[16:12] <Mari> roll 1d20+11+2 claw 2
[16:12] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d20+11+2 claw 2 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{21}
[16:12] <Mari> OOC: also improved grapple + rake comes into play I believe?
[16:12] <Mari> roll 1d20+17 should be my grapple check in this form (large size animal)
[16:12] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d20+17 should be my grapple check in this form (large size animal) --> [ 1d20=17 ]{34}
[16:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+25
[16:13] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+25 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{36}
[16:15] <Mari> roll 2d6+7+5d6+1 bite/SA/fire
[16:15] <Kobot> Mari rolled 2d6+7+5d6+1 bite/SA/fire --> [ 2d6=7 5d6=23 ]{38}
[16:15] <Mari> roll 1d6+3+5d6+1 claw/SA/fire
[16:15] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d6+3+5d6+1 claw/SA/fire --> [ 1d6=1 5d6=19 ]{24}
[16:16] <@Kotono> Mari leaps in and bites, mauls and generally maims the griffon with teeth of fire! It's torn apart, already weakened by ADail's assault! In moments it breaks into motes of light, gone! A flash of dazzling light follows - when it clears, two things have happened! Knights wounds are gone and the doors to the tower are wide open!
06[16:17] * Adail nods, "Well then, shall we?" And then walks in!
[16:19] <@Kotono> Ami glances at Mari, eyeing her feline form without direct comment.
[16:19] <Mari> "Hey, that worked pretty well," Mari says, mouth not really moving somehow. "I should do this more often. Except I dunno about getting all the blood and stuff on ME instead of like my clothes or something. I don't want to have to, you know, clean myself with my tongue or something. Maybe it goes away when I turn into something else." Mari walks on, tail twitching.
01[16:19] <Knight> "I feel as though we're being toyed with," complains Knight, trotting inside after Adail.
01[16:19] <Knight> "We could wash you properly, if you require it."
[16:20] <Mari> "Cats. Water. I dunno, I'll think about it."
06[16:20] * Adail shakes his head, "Not toyed with, really. If I recall correctly, Lathander, the Skyfather that is, is fond of feats of physical prowess. So this isn't really unexpected I suppose."
[16:21] <@Kotono> As Adail walks in, "I felt your energy. It is as pure as I had hoped, Guardinal." As Mari follows the voice continues, "Your energy is wild and untamed, yet your blood sister's is cold and cruel. Yet yours...your energy is not mortal energy at all, warrioress. What are you? You are no human, no matter was you appear to us." Within lies a grand stairway going up and up and up and up.
[16:22] <Mari> "Knight is Knight," Mari says, saving Knight the trouble! She starts up the stairs.
06[16:23] * Adail hitches a ride on the now large enough to sit on Mari as she starts up.
01[16:23] <Knight> "It is as Mari says. I'm here to fight for Amlyn. That's the important thing, is it not?" asks Knight, starting to follow.
[16:25] <@Kotono> The stairs lead you higher and higher! As you walk, "None of you are OF Amlyn, or of this world. How have you come here?"
[16:26] <Mari> "We came to help a friend," Mari says, answering the question in spirit if not to the letter.
[16:29] <Adail> "One of our companions is of this world, and this realm. He's seeking aid elsewhere at the moment, so is not with us here." Adail elaborates a touch.
[16:30] <@Kotono> The steps lead to a grand foyer. Here ahead of you is a palace of water. It's gates are open, flowing walls not leaking a single drop out. Sunlight from above dazzles it, making the water as brilliant as sunsoaked diamonds. "A great darkness has settled onto Amlyn...I had worried you were agents of it, but it does not seem so. Come, I await within."
01[16:31] <Knight> Knight proceeds!
[16:31] <Mari> "No, we're here to kick its butt right outta town. Be glad for some help on that." Mari walks in!
[16:32] <Adail> As he's sitting on Mari's back, Adail obviously enters as well.
[16:33] <@Kotono> Thus you proceed in! Deeper and deeper you go...and ahead. Within the very center of the palace, as walls peel away as you walk,a s if revealing the core of all that is, lies a simple pool of water. It is deeper than you can see, but only a few feet in diameter. Bubbles rise up from it, sound coming from them. "Long ago did my mortal body become unable to support my will. Speak to me of your
[16:33] <@Kotono> goals and tell me of your quest, first of all."
[16:35] <Adail> "The short version is that we're trying to find a cure for the plague, and deal with the servants of the Oinoloth that are spreading it." Adail offers.
01[16:35] <Knight> "It is simplicity. Yugoloths and their allies have invaded Amlyn, riding on the power of a plague that will kill all living inhabitants if left unchecked. Our goal is to kill their leader, Ursagel, and seize his arcane materials."
[16:37] <@Kotono> "Admirable," The bubbles speak of this, "How does one bound in the chains of slavery to the endless Pit factor to this?"
01[16:40] <Knight> "An ally is an ally. Where one goes after death isn't my concern."
[16:40] <@Kotono> Ami is silent, though her eyes blaze as she glares at the pool.
[16:41] <Mari> "She likes stabbing things, yugoloths included. She's here and she's willing to help, alright?"
[16:41] <@Kotono> "Who provided your passage into this realm?" The bubbles then ask, "You traveled on the wings of magic."
[16:43] <Adail> "The Lady of the Green Kirtle." Adail answers honestly, "She is also working to end this plague."
01[16:43] <Knight> "Are you reading our thoughts?" wonders Knight. "Or does your knowledge come from some other source?"
[16:44] <@Kotono> "The bodies I see are only covers for the souls within you," The bubbles say, "I can see the rainbow chaos that thrives within her, the cold chains that drag her sister down to Hell, the purity within the Guardinal, and...the Other that is you." A moment's pause as more bubbles rise up to speak, "Such is the calamity that you work for the Lady of the Green Kirtle, celestial?"
[16:46] <Adail> "Considering this plague is currently unable to be cured and quite certainly WILL destroy then entire country and perhaps PLANE if left unchecked? Yes." Adail answers flatly.
[16:48] <@Kotono> There are no bubbles for a few moments. When they return, "I see. You do not lie. You seek my aid? How so?"
01[16:48] <Knight> "What is within your capabilities?"
[16:50] <Adail> "Honestly, I'm not sure." Adail has to chuckle at that, "We intercepted messages from the servants of the yugoloths that mentioned you. They seemed quite concerned about you and implied you were already working against them somehow. That made you quite high on the sadly short list of potential allies."
[16:51] <@Kotono> "If you seek a warrior...that time has passed for me. I am a spirit, with only a toehold in the material world." The bubbles are rueful at that, "I overcame death, but not without a price. Not even my will can transcend that inevitability entirely. It is not a matter I tell many...perhaps it is paranoia, for I have been mostly aslumber. But I can aid you and offer you what knowledge I do know."
01[16:53] <Knight> "Then, do you know of any means to travel to Ysgard within easy reach?"
[16:53] <Mari> "Well, you know plenty about us without us telling you, so I imagine you know something we can use."
[16:54] <Adail> "A plague is something I can't exactly punch, so any knoweldge you have that might help...some lore of healing perhaps that could get me even one step closer to curing this...I would be greatful."
[16:56] <@Kotono> "A passage to Ysgard?" The bubbles come freel now, "Lies in the Underground Gladitorial Grounds. A lost shrine to warfare, older than all of the kingdoms in this realm. It is haunted by ghosts who still crave battle...passages to Ysgard and Acheron can be found there." Then after that, "The Lady of the Green Kirtle...she is still alive?"
01[16:56] <Knight> "She's a dead woman, but she walks yet." Knight shrugs. "Where can we find these grounds?"
[16:56] <Adail> "Not technically, no." Adail deadpans.
[16:57] <Mari> "For a given value of 'alive,' I guess. She's still walking and talking, if that counts."
[16:58] <@Kotono> "...." No reply to that, "Then...so be it." AFter that, "They lie deep beneath the city of Amlyn, forgotten save by the sages."
01[16:59] <Knight> "Understood. Then, next. The plague is powerful and spreads quickly. Do you know of any method we could use to stem it? It need not be a perfect solution, but we must be able to keep a strong force healthy for long enough to do battle with Ursagel's minions."
[16:59] <Mari> "How do we find the place once we're in the city? I figure it's probably a big area, being a city and all."
[17:05] <@Kotono> "Beneath the city are caves and rivers, follow them down and down. It is said all paths there lead to the Grounds." As the bubbles speak, "I do not...if any man in this world can answer that question, it is Archsage Estamont."
01[17:07] <Knight> "That may pose an issue. As far as I can tell, the Lady holds a dislike for the Archsage. Coaxing them into working together on this may prove difficult."
[17:07] <Mari> "Estamont...and wasn't he lost somewhere?"
[17:08] <@Kotono> "I have not seen or heard of him for a time," The bubbles admit, "There is...history there."
01[17:08] <Knight> "I feel it may be necessary for us to know of it."
[17:08] <Mari> "Yeah, do go on with whatever gossip you've got."
[17:10] <@Kotono> "A generation ago, Estamont and the Lady were part of the same adventuring band. Early in her career did the Lady retire, opening a magic boutique as the rest of the band adventurered. I know not what happened, but there was a falling out in time between the Lady and the group."
01[17:11] <Knight> "Are there others in this group who still live on today?"
[17:13] <Mari> "Huh. I bet it was a bad break-up or something."
[17:14] <@Kotono> "Hessan and Four-Finger Vandel are years dead, having fallen in battle." The bubbles now speak, "Two still live, Tall-Fellow Gisbourne and Wistyn."
01[17:14] <Knight> "I believe Tall-Fellow has died at the hand of the Yugoloths already... what of this Wistyn?"
[17:16] <@Kotono> "A man of a thousand faces, who fades from memory and the written word. A master of faces, always watching and spying. He is the best sneak I have ever met, grim but superb at his craft and an unparralelled scout, actor, manipulator and thinker. While he is quite possibly alive, finding him is another matter."
01[17:18] <Knight> "Is there anything in or about Amyln that would be of particular interest to an ambitious fiend?"
[17:18] <Mari> "Sounds like somebody I could learn from. Any idea at all where he might be now? Or...maybe something that might interest him enough for him to come to us?""
06[17:18] * Adail shakes his head, "If we really want to get ahold of him, Sending is the way to do it. Let him know we're looking for aid, and let him decide whether or not to seek us out. Rather then waste time finding someone we'll never see unless he wants us to."
[17:19] <@Kotono> "Frankly...your ally, the Lady. Estamont spoke that she had begun to cavort with fiends." The bubbles note, "I know not. He always seeks the best gambit, the impossible spying and test of his ability. He strives to perfect his craft."
[17:21] <Mari> "I guess we can ask her. She didn't mention him before, and I figure there's probably a reason for that, if not one we'd like. Couldn't hurt to ask, though."
[17:23] <@Kotono> "Are there more questions?" The bubbles then ask.
01[17:24] <Knight> "How could the Yugoloths have gotten here in the first place?"
[17:26] <@Kotono> "A portal or several callings," The bubbles assert, "If there are many, it took great time and great effort, or an open and willing portal to sneak through."
01[17:26] <Knight> "Do you know of any such portals?"
[17:27] <@Kotono> "There are none in the region to the Lower Planes, save for the ones to Acheron." So the answer comes right back.
[17:28] <Mari> "And I guess they wouldn't have come through there."
[17:30] <@Kotono> "It is possible," He answers. "To the second point you raised...you seek my aid in more than just advice, no?"
01[17:31] <Knight> "It is true, but it is difficult to ask you for specifics without knowing your resources. You know the situation, however."
[17:32] <@Kotono> From within the waters it rises out! A blade of blue-white crystal, a greatsword big enough for a giant. It gleams, dripping the waters it came out from. In the center is a seven sided sapphire, so deep blue it looks unreal. "The first...an armament."
06[17:33] * Mari lets someone else take that. A bit big for her!
[17:33] <Adail> "I can assume that isn't for me," Adail notes with a chuckle.
01[17:34] <Knight> "It's rather large," notes Knight, reaching to grab the hilt in both hands. "Even I can't wield a sword of this size."
[17:36] <@Kotono> In Knight's hands the blade shrinks down, becoming more manageable for her! "It is a weapon I carried in mortal life...I will loan it to you as long as the yugoloths terrorize Amlyn."
01[17:38] <Knight> "Ah, I see! My thanks," replies Knight, swinging the blade slowly through the air. "It is a blade to be admired, I can tell."
[17:39] <@Kotono> The balance of the weapon is beyond any KNight has held before. AS she does she swears she can see things happening a moment before they do! As she holds it, the waters bubble, "Those who partake of the Skyfather's fountain can gain a blessing...but it a trial of will and inner light."
06[17:40] * Adail steps forward, "I will face this trial galdly, then." Then he moves to take a drink from the fountain...
[17:40] <Mari> "I've had some of those before. I don't mind much by this point. Everybody willing to give it a try?" Mari looks over the others, particularly Ami.
[17:42] <Adail> roll 1d20+17 will
[17:42] <Kobot> Adail rolled 1d20+17 will --> [ 1d20=16 ]{33}
[17:42] <Mari> Of course, just because Mari's willing to try doesn't mean she isn't watching Adail closely to see what happens!
[17:42] <@Kotono> Ami looks back at Mari, "Baator is the superior might. I need not the castoffs of a weaker divinity."
01[17:43] <Knight> "Inner light? That is a word for virtue, isn't it?" asks Knight, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I would say you have been virtuous as of late, Mari. I wonder, would you say the same for me?"
[17:43] <Mari> "Well, if you're already so strong, I guess you could triumph over whatever the magic water here tells you, right? How could you be sure if you don't try? Knight! Say something helpful about untempered steel or whatever."
[17:43] <@Kotono> Adail radiates sunlight for several moments, glowing like the sun!
[17:44] <Mari> "I guess I'd say you've been very much yourself, Knight."
01[17:44] <Knight> "Uh, well, power is power, isn't it? Does the source matter? It really depends on whether or not you can handle it, doesn't it? I'm not sure it would be healthy for you, however..."
06[17:45] * Adail quietly murmurs where the others may or may not hear, "I understand. Just because I cannot strike this enemy does not mean it is beyond my grasp. A sacred fist is, first and foremost...sacred." He then stands, offering the pool a bow and steps back, seeming lost in his own thoughts.
[17:46] <@Kotono> "Hmph," Ami crosses her arms and glowers at the water.
[17:47] <Mari> "That doesn't help me all that much here, Knight! Look, Ami, you go on and on about how Baator is the best way and all that, but I'm not convinced you know that much about anything else. It'd be like if I had just this one kind of beer and said it's the best ever even though I'd never drank anything else. And where would I be if I did something like that? Test yourself and be stronger for it!"
[17:48] <Mari> "I'll even go first if I have to," she adds.
[17:48] <@Kotono> Ami glares at Mari, "Fine." Abruptly she goes to the water and drinks, glaring at her, "I fear no enemy and will overcome all!"
[17:49] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+2 devil's favor, irony abounds here)
[17:49] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+11 (+2 devil's favor, irony abounds here) --> [ 1d20=8 ]{19}
01[17:49] <Knight> "It's impossible to make a complete judgement based on a single life," notes Knight, striding towards the fountain to take a drink herself. "For mortals like you, it's best to try many things, don't you think?"
[17:49] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+14 fort for her
[17:49] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+14 fort for her --> [ 1d20=13 ]{27}
[17:49] <Mari> "Well, now I definitely have to go..." Mari tries it as well.
01[17:49] <Knight> roll 1d20+11 LEMMINGS
[17:49] <Kobot> Knight rolled 1d20+11 LEMMINGS --> [ 1d20=11 ]{22}
[17:49] <Mari> roll 1d20+9 oh god I hate will saves
[17:49] <Kobot> Mari rolled 1d20+9 oh god I hate will saves --> [ 1d20=17 ]{26}
[17:50] <@Kotono> roll 1d100 Knight
[17:50] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 Knight --> [ 1d100=23 ]{23}
[17:51] <@Kotono> roll 20d6 Ami half
[17:51] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 20d6 Ami half --> [ 20d6=78 ]{78}
[17:57] <@Kotono> Mari and Knight shine with sunlight! Ami's body is riddled with beams of light, sunlight gushing out of her mouth and eyes! She screams, falling back!
[17:58] <Mari> "Ami? Ami! Are you alright? Uh, it'll stop in a second, probably, I'm sure! Just hang on!"
06[17:58] * Adail rushes over towards Ami, the first part of a healing cant already out of his mouth! (Lesser Vigor, +15 hp over time, cast as soon as he reaches her.)
[17:59] <@Kotono> Ami convulses, burnt all over! Tightly clenched eyes leak a few tears as she struggles to sit up, coughing! "That...wretched power...won't...stop me!"
01[18:00] <Knight> "I don't think this was an unpredictable result..."
06[18:01] * Mari kneels down next to her sister. "It's okay, just rest a minute."
[18:02] <@Kotono> Ami struggles to get up, even as her wounds heal. She spits at the water, missing by a few inches. "You think I'll kneel down because of that?"
[18:03] <Mari> "Did you...see something, or hear something?"
[18:04] <@Kotono> "A fool who doesn't... A cough, "Understand true power!"
[18:04] <Mari> "Right. It's okay, I'm familiar with those."
01[18:05] <Knight> Knight bites back a snort of laughter. "In any case, I don't think alternative ideologies can really be evangelized through a quick drink."
[18:05] <@Kotono> "This," Ami kneels down by the water as she takes a handful, "Is what I think of your power!" She snaps down at the water.
06[18:06] * Mari grabs her sister's arm, trying to tug her away from the pool. "Alright, I think he gets it already!"
[18:06] <@Kotono> Ami glares daggers at Mari, "Let go of my arm."
[18:08] <Mari> "Or what? Just because my sister gives me a dirty look, I should go hide in a corner? I'd never leave it! You're acting childish."
[18:09] <@Kotono> "I am going to take another drink of water." Her voice is level and chilly, "I will not submit to some sniveling godling like that!"
01[18:09] <Knight> "You might die. That would hinder our plans."
01[18:10] <Knight> Knight frowns. "It's preferable for you not to pointlessly cripple yourself, in any case. You will have other opportunities during times of less immediacy."
[18:10] <Mari> "Al...right. Um, try and stop before it kills you?" Mari looks to the others. "Could it, Adail? You healed her, right?"
[18:11] <Adail> "Not completely, from the looks of it. And yes, it quite possibly could from that kind of reaction."
[18:12] <Mari> "Killing yourself isn't the best way to win an argument, Ami. And you need to be in good shape for the fight coming up, right?"
[18:12] <@Kotono> "I will not die," Am says, "I will not die to this. It's laughable to consider!"
01[18:13] <Knight> "Well, then, I suggest you change your mindset whilst you drink," replies Knight. "Power isn't simply raw endurance and force. It's being capable of flexibility, too."
[18:13] <@Kotono> "Hmph," Ami turns away from the spring, standing up. Without a word she stomps off.