028. "I'm glad that ended well."

[Corwin]

[20:38] <Kotono> --------------
[20:38] <Kotono> The party spends time reading and studying the ritual. The great blob of elemental power continues to throb and hum as you do, grasping the choices and possibilities...OOC: Go ahead.
[20:39] <Aaeru> "There is really only one choice here," Aaeru says at last, glancing at the others. "The way I see it, anyhow. Let's give it a try?"
[20:40] * Wayland nods.
[20:40] <Wayland> "How are we going to proceed, here?"
[20:41] * Janson concludes his study and is about to speak up when he almost hesitates, as if to look for guidance elsewhere. But this isn't Aralla, and his friends here respect him and his abilities, "I think I know how to make the ritual work. "Simmer, if you stand to the South, Wayland to the East, Aaeru to the West, and Andrea to the North," he indicates each direction in turn for those without such
[20:41] * Janson a good sense of direction.
[20:41] <Janson> "Focus on the elements we discussed, and I'll try to conduct the ritual itself without being aligned to any element. I'll have to ask you each for help as we go, but if you follow my lead I think it should be straightforward for anyone."
[20:42] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Got it."
[20:42] <Aaeru> "Someone has to be at the focus of the ritual, and then those of us who understand the way the ritual works can try to do what we can to take some of the burden from the main caster," Aaeru responds to Wayland, nodding at Janson. "Sure, let's go with that."
[20:43] <Andria> Andrea shifts so she is in the correct location according to Janson's directions.
[20:43] <Wayland> "Okay then. Let's go." Wayland moves into position.
[20:43] <Kotono> Simmer does the same, setting into position.
[20:45] <Janson> "It'll take about an hour, I think, but so long as we all stay focused... I think we can do this," Janson takes a deep breath, waiting for everyone to get into position before he begins, starting to circle around the orb as he recites incantations and uses pure will to reshape the tightly bound magic back into its natural flows and rhythms...
[20:45] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 knowledge nature check 1
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 knowledge nature check 1 and gets 31." [1d20=18]
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and aid people if you're gonna, yes.
[20:46] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2 arcana
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 arcana and gets 16." [1d20=14]
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 nature Simmer.
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 nature Simmer. and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[20:47] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1 arcana
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1 arcana and gets 10." [1d20=9]
[20:50] <Kotono> Minutes pass as Janson sees to the ritual, concentration and supporting invocations added by the party! The orb fluxuates slightly, the glass tubes filling and reversing direction inside, great gushes of energy flowing backwards! The orb seems to hum and thrum, shrinking slightly.
[20:50] <Wayland> OOC: Total of 12
[20:52] <Aaeru> Invigorated by starting on the right track like this, Aaeru feels that her trust in Janson and his expertise was not misplaced!
[20:52] <Janson> Just like that. Now Janson lingers near Andrea, focusing on the soil and earth, the bedrock of the world upon which all else rests, beseeching the spirits of that element to take back theirs now that the process is started.
[20:52] <Kotono> OOC: Make aid checks now.
[20:52] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 and gets 17." [1d20=15]
[20:53] <Wayland> Hoping this is good so far, Wayland nods.
[20:53] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1+2 arcana aid
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1+2 arcana aid and gets 4." [1d20=1]
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 simmer
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 simmer and gets 30." [1d20=20]
[20:53] <Andria> "I guess it's working? Keep it up, Janson!" Andrea says, keeping an eye on the others, ready to use her voice to help strengthen them if needed, and just doing her best to concentrate.
[20:53] <Janson> roll 1d20+17 nature
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+17 nature and gets 33." [1d20=16]
[20:54] <Kotono> Pure ley energies surges over the minutes as Janson works, supported by the others! The tubes continue to fill up, the orbs shrinking yet more! But the energy is coming out fast, seeming to vibrate the tubes as you work!
[20:56] <Janson> No turning back, now! Circling around to Aaeru, Janson changes tone to speak to water, the source of all life, to reclaim the energy that was channelled into this construct, for it to flow back into the rivers and lakes, all the way to the open ocean...
[20:56] <Kotono> Simmer rolls her eyes at water, but nonetheless continues to work! OC: Aiding.
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14." [1d20=4]
[20:56] * Aaeru nods slightly at Janson as he approaches, before cleansing her thoughts and focusing on water!
[20:56] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 and gets 9." [1d20=7]
[20:57] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1+2 arcana aid
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1+2 arcana aid and gets 13." [1d20=10]
[20:57] <Janson> roll 1d20+17 nature
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+17 nature and gets 34." [1d20=17]
[20:58] <Kotono> The energy surges yet more, flowing out quickly! The tubes seem to strain but hold it, not quite cracking! Teh orb has shrunk a fair deal now, more of the room freed from imminent destruction!
[21:00] <Janson> Circling around to Wayland, Janson calls out to the air that surrounds everything to take back its own, to be a gentle breeze and drift away serenely, giving the construct a chance to stabilise before the final element ahead...
[21:01] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2 stabilize!
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 stabilize! and gets 3." [1d20=1]
[21:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Simmer
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Simmer and gets 22." [1d20=12]
[21:03] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1+2 arcana aid
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1+2 arcana aid and gets 13." [1d20=10]
[21:04] <Janson> roll 1d20+17
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+17 and gets 35." [1d20=18]
[21:05] <Kotono> Calling on the wind, more of the elemental energies exude out! You can see greenish wind powers flow out, the ball shrinking radically now!
[21:06] <Aaeru> The next phase is the most crucial in this whole ritual, Aaeru feels. It is the one where Simmer can lose control of herself and submit to fire, rather than help Janson subdue it... but perhaps the ritual help her find her inner balance, instead. She keeps her fingers crossed and her mind focused for this very task!
[21:07] <Janson> Now for the last element, and Janson approaches Simmer. Here he speaks to the wild and unrestrained fire, calling on it to escape its confinement and blaze a trail back through the elemental conduits. With no air to feed it, and no earth to burn, what does fire have to stay for here?
[21:07] <Kotono> "Burn everything," Simmer murmurs, concentrating to aid!
[21:07] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 and gets 16." [1d20=14]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 21." [1d20=11]
[21:08] * Wayland eyes Simmer warily as he continues to chant.
[21:08] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1+2 arcana aid
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1+2 arcana aid and gets 16." [1d20=13]
[21:08] <Andria> Andrea concentrates, trying to use her magic to help Janson in place of using her lack of knowledge.
[21:08] <Janson> roll 1d20+21 nature
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+21 nature and gets 24." [1d20=3]
[21:09] <Kotono> Fire comes out like a near tornado, erupting through the glass tubes! This time they begin to crack and melt, flowing out with a fury! The remaining energy begins to writhe and boil in the room, shaking terribly!
[21:10] <Aaeru> The elements were all dismissed, so all that remains to do now is to put things back together and ensure they won't try to mix and form unnatural vortexes ever again!
[21:10] <Andria> "You've almost got it, Janson! You can do it!" Andrea cheers him on even as the room heats up, sweat dripping down.
[21:12] * Janson sweats a little, glad he saved that one for last. Now there's only dregs of energy left, what's been so twisted by the fusion as to be unrecognisable by the departing elements - magma, sludge, ice, vapour... But still enough to cause trouble, and Janson concludes the ritual now with another slow circuit of the orb, speeding these quasi-elements out into the wide world to flow along the
[21:12] * Janson ley-lines and find their own place to exist in natural harmony.
[21:12] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+2
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+2 and gets 21." [1d20=19]
[21:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14." [1d20=4]
[21:13] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1+2 arcana aid go!
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1+2 arcana aid go! and gets 17." [1d20=14]
[21:14] <Janson> roll 1d20+21 the coup de grace
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+21 the coup de grace and gets 32." [1d20=11]
[21:15] <Kotono> At this Janson calls on the last of the energies! They swirl together into pure white, before exploding out through the tubes! They crack and crumble as they do, the energy returning to the earth! The room goes quiet, ragged breathing as all of you feel fatigue creep into you. OOC: Congratulations! Free act.
[21:16] <Janson> "Phew... Jannath, that was intense," Janson mops his brow, taking a seat on the nearest available surface.
[21:17] <Kotono> Simmer slinks down and yawns, "Tired now...wanna curl up with a tree and sleep. A nice, burning tree..."
[21:17] <Aaeru> "I knew the fate of these woods was in the right hands!" Aaeru exclaims, hugging Janson for all she's worth. "You did a great job!"
[21:17] <Wayland> "I'm glad that ended well." Wayland says, seating himself on the floor. "Wow, I'm tired."
[21:17] <Andria> "Good job, Janson! Although the fire surge was a little worrying...well, Simmer might have found that invigorating I guess?" Andrea says with a laugh as she moves towards Janson, sitting next to him.
[21:18] <Janson> "Mrgh... we should probably leave, dunno how long the path through the lake will stick," Janson admits reluctantly, before grinning at the hugging and approval. "Wanna take a look around and see if there's anything useful we can grab that Grithalek didn't, first?"
[21:18] <Kotono> Around a yawn, "Mmm-hmm...so now what do we do? That solved things, didn't it?"
[21:19] <Wayland> "Well, maybe the mage's quarters will have something useful in it." Wayland says.
[21:19] <Aaeru> "We should at the very least ensure no one else is trapped here like poor Grithalek, and that nothing remains that could let another misguided wizard to try this. As for after that? Our troll should be waiting for us back in Aralla."
[21:20] <Janson> roll 1d20+8 searchan
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+8 searchan and gets 28." [1d20=20]
[21:20] * Wayland nods, agreeing with Aaeru. "Right, no need to leave someone stuck here due to some mad mage's whims."
[21:21] <Aaeru> roll 1d20-1 aiding?
[21:21] <Kotono> OOC: Anyone aiding search do so.
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20-1 aiding? and gets 0." [1d20=1]
[21:21] * Kallen (~carthrat@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:22] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1 searrrrrrch!
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1 searrrrrrch! and gets 21." [1d20=20]
[21:22] <Andria> roll d20-1 negative aid also!
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20-1 negative aid also! and gets 11." [d20=12]
[21:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20 checking Simmer's mod, seeing if it's relevant.
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 checking Simmer's mod, seeing if it's relevant. and gets 19." [1d20=19]
[21:22] <Kotono> OOC: It ain't.
[21:23] <Kotono> The party searches, finding a few interesting things before coming back out. They find the lake to be gone - nothing but hints of steam remain. Thus they travel out and make camp by the non-lake, booty with them. OOC: Loot post, if you're doing anything with them saw so IC here.
[21:24] * Janson offers up the shocker lizard doll to Simmer as a token of his esteem. If anything deserves to be burnt it's that.
[21:25] <Janson> OOC: also taking 10 for 22 to id the four scrolls
[21:30] <Kotono> The scrolls are water breathing, barkskin, animalistic power and endure elements. However, they are...complicated. Dozens of equations and arcane formulae are added to them, all four scrolls seeming to represent something bigger. A ritual, though Janson isn't quite sure of what it will do. Something with the ley-lines, he thinks.
[21:31] <Kotono> Meanwhile Simmer takes the doll and happily burns it right up, hugging the flaming toy to her chest and sighing.
[21:31] * Aaeru gives Simmer a thumbs up sign at eradicating an important pest via effigy!
[21:32] <Janson> "These scrolls are straightforward spells on the surface, but I think there's more too them. We should probably hang onto them until we can figure them out," Janson suggests, letting anyone else have a look as he makes up the campsite.
[21:32] * Wayland chuckles at Simmer.
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: A night of rest passes. Everyone but Wayland recovers normal HP, Wayland does not. In addition, will you make a fortitude save, WAyalnd?
[21:34] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+6 and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[21:35] <Kotono> On awakeing Wayland feels flushed, faint and weak. His entire chest is congested, as if thick with mucus.  In short, he feels miserable. Further, his wounds still ache just as they did before.
[21:36] * Aaeru tries her hand at healing Wayland upon seeing how miserable he looks!
[21:36] <Kotono> OOC: What'cha doing, Aaeru? Loh?
[21:36] * Wayland coughs wetly. "Eurgh...I think I may need medical help."
[21:36] <Aaeru> OOC: yep
[21:36] <Kotono> Aaeru lays hands on Wayland...yet his wounds do not heal! Instead they ooze a greenish slime, staying unmended!
[21:37] * Aaeru removes her hands and subtly cleans them, frowning to herself.
[21:37] <Andria> "...you look horrible, Wayland," Andrea says, about to help with Aaeru when she sees what happens. "Ewwww...I think you're right, you need a doctor."
[21:37] <Kotono> OOC: If anyone has ranks in Heal, they can make a check here.
[21:37] <Janson> "Oh... that's horrible!" Janson exclaims at seeing Wayland's plight. "We should hurry back to Aralla, someone there can surely cure you - are you fit to walk?"
[21:38] <Aaeru> "I could carry you!" Aaeru immediately offers.
[21:39] * Wayland goes to stand. "I think I can walk it."
[21:40] <Aaeru> "Don't hesitate to say anything if you feel even fainter! I don't think this is the way Ilmater would call you back, so he clearly intends for you to get back to Janson's village and be healed there."
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 88." [1d100=88]
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 1d100 sub tables
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 sub tables and gets 14." [1d100=14]
[21:41] <Kotono> Half of the day is without incident...past noon, you come 'round some trees and see it. A burnt out zone ahead, running several hundred feet. The forest is smouldering timber and ash now, though there are no sign of current flames.
[21:42] * Janson grimaces, having a fair idea of what caused this but not sharing said theory to keep from upsetting anyone.
[21:42] * Aaeru gasps, covering her mouth with both hands. "Is it our fault?" she asks, eyeing the damage.
[21:43] <Kotono> Simmer looks on with rapt eyes, taking a few steps ahead, "I..." she kneels down, "It's...is...is this paradise? It just makes me want to sing!"
[21:43] <Aaeru> "Do you want to... stay here, then?" Aaeru asks her uncertainly.
[21:44] <Janson> "Forest fires happen all the time," Janson asserts unconvincingly, before looking askance at Simmer.
[21:44] <Kotono> "..." Simmer does seem to consider it, kicking a charred branch. "...no, fire's done here. It's just a pretty picture."
[21:45] <Janson> "Well, don't let it stop you from singing?" Janson offers, rather curious just what sort of song a fire-warped dryad would sing.
[21:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 20." [1d20=15]
[21:46] <Kotono> A pretty good song, of fire and burning. It's melodic, in a pyromaniac sort of way. As you proceed through...hm? To your right about 40 feet away is pile of burnt wood and branches, collapsed. But...it's starting to shake and smoke?
[21:47] <Aaeru> "That wood really liked your singing!" Aaeru calls in approval.
[21:47] <Kotono> "Oh!" Simmer turns, "Is something on fire down there?"
[21:48] <Janson> "It's really good, did you make it up just now?" Janson asks, approaching the smouldering pile curiously.
[21:48] <Kotono> As the party watches, the pile of wood shakes...and explodes out! With a violent roar it stands...a bear! A huge bear! A bear bigger than a horse, ten feet tall while on all fours! Short bone horns jut from it's chin, shoulders and forehead! Most of all...it's on fire. The bear burns, as if made partly of pure heat! OOC: K:N here if any of you care to.
[21:49] <Aaeru> "A firebear!" Aaeru exclaims, recoiling despite herself at its burning majesty.
[21:50] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 sure
[21:50] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 sure and gets 14." [1d20=3]
[21:50] <Andria> "That's...that's not right!" Andrea exclaims in shock as she draw her blade, looking in concern at the injured Wayland. Hopefully the bear doesn't want anything to do with them...but so highly unlikely!
[21:51] <Janson> A normal animal would never ever attack a dryad. Hopefully a fire animal would never attack a pyro-dryad? Janson takes this as his cue to quickly shift behind Simmer! "I think it wants to be friends with you?" he offers hopefully.
[21:52] <Kotono> Simmer stares and after taking a long look, she makes a strange rustling, simmering noise!
[21:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[21:54] <Kotono> The bear stops and leans forward, sniffing at Simmer. Simmer smiles and reaches out, touching it's nose. The two then begin to talk - in popping, hissing crackles and bursts. For a little time they're at it, until Simmer points the way you came. The bear takes off and lopes in that direction, off and away.
[21:54] * Janson smiles at the byplay. "Where'd you send it off to?"
[21:55] <Wayland> "Never have I been so happy that you are with us, Simmer." Wayland smiles tiredly.
[21:55] <Andria> "Okay, glad that didn't break out into a fight," Andrea says, if a bit confused at what just happened, putting away her blade again, looking at Janson and Simmer waiting for an explanation.
[21:55] <Aaeru> "The golden lake?" Aaeru voices with a shrug. "Do you think he could turn it into a fire lake?"
[21:55] <Kotono> "Somewhere it can burn, of course. Poor thing," A hand on her hip as she turns back, "It's more intelligent than a bear now and just wants to burn things. So cute." she starts to walk again, "It was going to burn all of us, but I talked it out of that."
[21:56] <Aaeru> "So it knows not to burn people in these woods, now?" Aaeru confirms.
[21:56] <Kotono> "I think so. Maybe." Simmer shrugs, "I'm sure it'll figure it out."
[21:56] <Janson> "Bears are intelligent as it is," Janson feels compelled to defend the animal kingdon. "Anyway, I'm sure it'll find its own niche. Nature finds a way."
[21:57] * Aaeru defers to Simmer and Janson's expertise on this.
[21:58] <Kotono> OOC: Roll fort again, Wayland?
[21:58] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6
[21:58] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+6 and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[21:59] <Kotono> roll 1d4 con damage and make another fortitude save
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 con damage and make another fortitude save and gets 1." [1d4=1]
[22:01] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6
[22:01] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12." [1d20=6]
[22:01] <Kotono> OOC: That's a point of con drain now instead of damage. (More)
[22:02] <Kotono> Wayland awakens the next morning. His skins is covered with little green dots of ooze, flesh starting to show signs of breaking down. His nose runs with it constantly, as his body feels terribly hot and weak.
[22:03] <Wayland> "I think I may be in trouble, guys." Wayland mumbles.
[22:04] <Aaeru> "We have to hurry back to Aralla! That is the only way!" Aaeru insists. "For now, try to bear with it. Think of it as one of Ilmater's trials to help focus your mind and devotion!"
[22:04] <Janson> "We better pick up the pace. If we hurry we should reach Aralla before nightfall," Janson declares as he swiftly breaks down their camp. "Are you still able to walk?"
[22:06] <Wayland> "I may need assistance at some point, but for the most part," Wayland struggles to his feet. "I think I'll make it."
[22:07] <Aaeru> "Mind over flesh! Meditate on that!" Aaeru adds most helpfully.
[22:07] * Wayland nods at Aaeru.
[22:07] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 26." [1d100=26]