027. The Pallanth trip. "Tell me, Lady Gaial, do you know Seira well, yourself?"

[Corwin]

[18:56] <Kotono> So a week passes on the sea. Despite the damage to the ship, it continues it's duties with amazing dedication. The crew calms down, giving the passengers much respect. There is a brief layover in a tiny elven seatown, where Gilderoy disembarks. He mentions something about a matter her forgot and goes, quite insistant.
[18:59] <Kotono> So the ship heads along pleasant forested coasts now. The crew often casts their eyes there, the Barbarian lands left behind for far more civilised fields. As you approach the port of Elfsander, one day of travel left, a slender boat with a single white sail approaches. You can see several men-at-arms, elven warriors on board. They approach, drawing up.
[19:00] <Alicia> "Is this sort of welcome typical?" Alicia asks Seira as she eyes the approaching vessel.
[19:01] * Disconnected
[19:02] * Attempting to rejoin channel #evildunes
[19:02] * Rejoined channel #evildunes
[19:02] * Topic is 'Big ass shark(21)>Sharks(17)>Irenes(14)>Seira(12)>Sea creatures(11)>AliciaHino(5)'
[19:02] * Set by Kotono on Sat Jul 21 17:38:21
[19:02] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54414fbf.l5.c5.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Ebiris_))
[19:02] * Ebiris_ is now known as Alicia
[19:02] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[19:04] <Seira> "Seira and Alicia of the Crimson Guard, here on a diplomatic mission from the United Baronies!" Seira calls back.
[19:07] <Kotono> The ship slows, falling in line. "Proceed on!" He calls after a moment, and after a moment, "Beware ships carrying the crest of Desjardin! They also patrol these waters!"
[19:08] * Seira raises an eyebrow, nevertheless responding in the affirmative.
[19:08] <Alicia> "Why must we beware of them?" Alicia quietly asks Seira, not being up on Elven internal politics.
[19:09] <Seira> "Things are bad," Seira responds just as quietly. "Much worse than I expected, in fact."
[19:10] * Seira frowns. "If we happen to encounter them, don't mention that I am onboard to be on the safe side."
[19:10] * Alicia raises an eyebrow of her own. "Very well, but that doesn't exactly answer my question. Who are Desjardin and why must we beware of them?"
[19:13] <Seira> "One of the noble houses. They don't like Drake, humans, the alliance with the humans and myself, among other things."
[19:14] <Alicia> "Sounds delightful," Alicia returns dryly. "Somehow I feel we're going to be running into them a lot, too."
[19:16] <Seira> "We have our own allies, and they are stronger." Seira shrugs. "As long as we avoid any incidents that reflect back on Balmuria, we should be fine."
[19:16] <Kotono> Meanwhile, you can hear the sailors behind you getting ready, their captain commanding them to continue on.
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:19] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=47 ]12,0{47}
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:19] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=19 ]12,0{19}
[19:19] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:19] <Reiko-chan> 1,0Kotono rolled :1,0 1d100 --> 1,0[ 1d100=84 ]12,0{84}
[19:21] <Kotono> The last day is busy. You can almost see ships on the horizon a few times, but mercifully the port of Elfsander comes into view instead. Here slender wood boats can be seen at rest, a crown atop the grand forest stretching so far south. Here the crew stares at the beautiful buildings, the sense of serenity that comes from each of them. Here in this harbor rest ships, most with a dragon clutching a ball of fire on it's sail, or a filled ho
[19:23] <Kotono>  or a filled hourglass, overflowing with sand. The captain slowly docks, as you see elves coming to meet up with your ship on the docks.
[19:25] <Alicia> "Well, what now, Captain?" Alicia asks Seira as the ship docks.
[19:28] <Seira> "No time like the present to depart and find a place to stay," Seira says. "We could check in with House Drake and see how things are, before we request an audience with the king."
[19:28] <Kotono> The ship puts on moors, as you see the elves are a small squad. Four men at arms and a leader, wearing a beautiful, shining silverlike breastplate and carrying a slender rapier. He stands firm, an hourglass on his breastplate. He awaits, quite patiently outside the ship.
[19:31] * Seira grabs a cloak and wraps it tightly about her body, concealing her features, before tagging Alicia on the shoulder. "Please greet our friends."
[19:34] * Alicia blinks at suddenly being made spokesperson, but follows her orders with aplomb. Marching down the gangplank, she briefly flourishes her green cloak, showing off her own beautiful shining silverlike breastplate, and bows deeply to the apparent leader.
[19:34] <Alicia> "Greetings," she begins in her sadly provincal elven dialect. "I am Lieutenant Alicia Reynes of the Crimson Guard, representing the United Baronies. Thank you for welcoming us to your fair kingdom."
[19:36] <Kotono> The elven leader snorts, but nonetheless stiffly inclines his head. There's a faint scowl on his face, as he deigns to speak. "I am Lothanal of Elfsander, servant of the house of Desjardin." He looks over Alicia, seeming to choose his words carefully. "You will not cause any difficulties in our fair town."
[19:38] * Disconnected
[19:39] * Attempting to rejoin channel #evildunes
[19:39] * Rejoined channel #evildunes
[19:39] * Topic is 'Big ass shark(21)>Sharks(17)>Irenes(14)>Seira(12)>Sea creatures(11)>AliciaHino(5)'
[19:39] * Set by Kotono on Sat Jul 21 17:38:21
[19:39] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54414fbf.l5.c5.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Ebiris_))
[19:39] * Ebiris_ is now known as ALicia
[19:39] * ALicia is now known as Alicia
[19:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[19:39] <Alicia> "Of course, we only plan to pass through this town on our way to other parts of fair Pallanth, so you needn't concern yourself with our presence being disruptive," Alicia smiles, letting the elf's casual racism fly right over her head. She's borne worse slurs in the past, after all.
[19:48] <Kotono> The elf looks over Alicia, grunting. "Very well," he speaks at last, "WE just need to search the ship now. Go on."
[19:49] * Seira acquires magical sight as she waits.
[19:49] * Alicia steps aside - they have nothing to hide, after all. "What will you be searching for, if I may ask?" she enquires, idly looking to see if any of the elves are evil.
[19:59] <Kotono> "Contraband,
[19:59] <Kotono> "Contraband," The leader heads up the plank, his guards following. Up they go, starting to look around.
[19:59] * Alicia takes a moment to look at one of the elves in particular, making no secret of her scrutiny. Unless the elves have laws against fish or rope, she doubts anything on that boat will count as contraband.
[19:59] * Seira makes herself invisible and gives them a wide berth, descending until she is near Alicia.
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC - Move silently check, Seira. +5 circumstancial bonus since you have generally favorable conditions.
[20:01] <Seira> OOC: Can I take 10 for 32?
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC - Sure.
[20:02] <Kotono> The elf stares back at Alicia, but doesn't seem to pay her much mind. Meanwhile, Seira is able to easily sneak by whilst invisible. She gets out and towards Alicia, while teh elves search the ship, not seeming to find much.
[20:03] * Disconnected
[20:03] * Attempting to rejoin channel #evildunes
[20:03] * Rejoined channel #evildunes
[20:03] * Topic is 'Big ass shark(21)>Sharks(17)>Irenes(14)>Seira(12)>Sea creatures(11)>AliciaHino(5)'
[20:03] * Set by Kotono on Sat Jul 21 17:38:21
[20:03] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54414fbf.l5.c5.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Ebiris_))
[20:03] * Ebiris_ is now known as Alicia
[20:04] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:04] <Seira> Pausing just long enough to whisper quietly, "We're going," to Alicia, Seira proceeds onwards, eager to be away from the annoying elitists.
[20:04] <Alicia> "Which way?" Alicia whispers back, heading off the dock.
[20:07] * Seira directs Alicia towards Saul's old summer house.
[20:07] * Alicia follows Seira's directions, hoping her invisible captain remains close by.
[20:09] * Seira fully intends to stay over this time around.
[20:09] <Kotono> With an invisible, cloaked half elf leading the way, Alicia is lead into the city. IT is beautiful, designed to work around nature. Around trees, great estates and roads, litle shops and nooks. Saul's summer home is a tucked away estate, quiet right now. There's a single elven guard at the front door, however.
[20:10] * Seira looks at the emblems on their uniforms.
[20:10] <Kotono> The guard has no obvious emblem. He just stands, quite alert.
[20:11] * Seira picks this time to appear visible, preferably out of sight of the guard, and approaches him.
[20:11] * Alicia follows dutifully behind Seira.
[20:12] <Kotono> The guard is a young man, watching Seira and Alicia as they approach. "What is it," he calls.
[20:13] <Seira> "Who is your employer?" Seira asks curiously.
[20:15] <Kotono> Looking back at Seira, "What business of it is yours?" he asks, ab it peevish. "Do you have business here?"
[20:16] <Seira> "Isn't it obvious, since I came here?" she retorts, sounding bored. "Now. I want to meet a certain someone, but I need to know that she is here first, so I don't end up wasting my time. It really is in your best interest to tell me."
[20:17] <Kotono> "Lady Filetta is in," The guard allows at last. "Do you wish to request to see her?"
[20:17] <Seira> "Do you mind a detour?" Seira asks Alicia.
[20:18] <Alicia> "So long as it does not compromise our mission," the knight allows.
[20:19] <Seira> "I don't think it would," Seira says, before nodding at the guard. "Yes, we would like to see her."
[20:19] <Kotono> "Who shall I announce," the elven guard asks, looking at Alicia with curiosity, tsking.
[20:21] <Seira> "Family," Seira says curtly. "She'll understand."
[20:24] <Kotono> With just a curt a nod the guard goes in for two seconds, talking to an elf just inside the door. You don't wait long, barely two minutes, before there is another door conference, and then, "This way, Seira." The guard leads the two of you inside.
[20:25] * Alicia follows Seira, resisting the urge to glare at the guard.
[20:27] * Disconnected
[20:27] * Attempting to rejoin channel #evildunes
[20:27] * Rejoined channel #evildunes
[20:27] * Topic is 'Big ass shark(21)>Sharks(17)>Irenes(14)>Seira(12)>Sea creatures(11)>AliciaHino(5)'
[20:27] * Set by Kotono on Sat Jul 21 17:38:21
[20:27] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54414fbf.l5.c5.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Ebiris_))
[20:27] * Ebiris_ is now known as Alicia
[20:28] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:29] <Kotono> So in you go. You briefly glanced pleasured halls and rooms, passing through them with opulence. But you are lead out back, into a fragrant, small garden. Here amidflowers Filetta sits, drinking wine and looking thoughtfully at a bush of roses. She wearas a gorgeous silkd ress of gauze green, like a ghost's breath, yet still decent. It speaks of more money than one could easily count. As Seira approaches, "Back so soon..." she murmurs cur
[20:30] <Kotono> "Back so soon..." she murmurs curiously, looking as thet wo approach. "A friend this time, too." A sniff follows that.
[20:31] <Seira> "Quite a lot people here are racist," Seira informs Alicia, disregarding any company they might have. "At a higher ratio than a human city holds, I would say, due to the persistent isolation. Please don't take it personally." Once they reach Filetta, she shrugs. "Hello," Seira tells the elf. "What can I say? I couldn't stay away." She smiles, then. "Please don't try to marry me off to this friend as you did the other."
[20:32] <Alicia> Nodding in understanding to Seira, Alicia schools her features once they reach Filetta, as if she's completely oblivious of all the elven racism being bantered about. Let them think she doesn't even know their language, for that matter. They might just slip up around the foolish unknowing human...
[20:32] <Kotono> Scoffing as she eyes Alicia, "Please...." she begins, but quickly glances at Alicia's double sword. She smiles after, drinking a cup of wine. "Well then, get on with it," she begins, "I'm sure you didn't come to make nice."
[20:34] <Seira> "I came to stay a night, maybe two," Seira says bluntly. "Would that be a problem?"
[20:39] <Kotono> Filetta seems to consider, before smiling. "Oh, I supppoooose," seh drawls out, "My dear little niece could use all the help she could get, hm?" With a sugary tiger's smile she looks to Alicia, "Who's your friend there?"
[20:40] * Alicia looks back at Filetta, but she doesn't smile. Because she knows.
[20:40] <Alicia> If Filetta's evil or not.
[20:41] <Seira> "Alicia," Seira introduces the knight.
[20:42] * Alicia nods ever so slightly as her name is mentioned, keeping her eyes on Filetta.
[20:46] <Kotono> "How charming," she murmurs, standing up. "Is that a double sword you have there?" Filetta switchesi nto Common.
[20:48] <Alicia> "Yes," Alicia replies in common. "Are such weapons common in Pallanth?" she asks, some curiousity getting the better of her. "I've noticed that few recognise it, outside of my homeland."
[20:54] <Kotono> "Not in particular," Filetta smiles coyly, "I've just seen them before - are you from Kelara?"
[20:56] <Alicia> "That's right," although Alicia is repulsed by this woman, she forces herself to be diplomatic for Seira's sake. "Have you ever been there? I used to know a few elves..." she catches herself from finishing 'at the temple'. Better not to lay everything out with this woman, she feels.
[20:57] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm," Smiling as she half closes her eyes, "Oh, that was entirely too long ago. Seira's travels are becoming respectable. She's living up to her human blood...hm?"
[20:58] <Seira> "I like to consider it getting the best of both parts," Seira muses in response.
[21:00] <Alicia> "You are living proof that not all elves are prejudiced, at least," Alicia briefly smiles at the captain, before returning to her falsely pleasant scrutiny of Filetta.
[21:01] <Kotono> Filetta yawns and stretches, "Anyway, if you want to rest, go take a few rooms. I'm sure you can find them, hm?" With a thin smile at Seira as she kicks back into her chair, "It's pleasant meeting you."
[21:01] <Seira> "Which room are you staying in?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "All of the ones in the west wing. I'm sure the quarters in the east wing will do," Filetta smothers a smile on her face.
[21:05] * Seira shrugs. "They are just as nice and comfortable."

[Corwin]

[17:42] <Kokokokokoko> "Yes, yes. Dearest Saul was always so good about living well." Filetta yawns in contentment, swirling her wineglass as she idly thinks. "Well, do go on. I'm afraid I have business to attend to soon."
[17:43] <Seira> "He still is," Seira mutters to herself as she nods at Filetta and shows Alicia the way to the east wing.
[17:43] * Alicia follows Seira, keeping her thoughts to herself until they can be assured of some privacy.
[17:45] <Kokokokokoko> The East Wing, while not truly opulent, is still beautiful. Sure, the paintings and sculptures have been changed, even a few of Filetta about. But it's still good living here, clearly. A few servants bow and scurry away as the girls pass.
[17:51] * Seira picks a pair of adjacent rooms she is vaguely familiar with, and directs Alicia into one of them, making her way to the customary chair by a desk all rooms in the east wing have and taking a seat there, the bow placed safely on the ground by her feet.
[17:54] * Alicia does not adjust her attire or weapon after following Seira into the room, taking a careful look around for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "Whatever relationship you have with that woman, whatever dealings you wish to do with her, I strongly suggest we keep our presence here brief." She glances briefly back at the door before focusing on Seira once more, "She is not to be trusted."
[17:55] <Kokokokokoko> The room is pleasant - plenty of space, nice bed, even a window that is filled with sunlight gushing in. A tree slightly obscures the view. On the wall hangs a portrait of her, quite  well done and elegant. She looks like a queen in it, a queeno f countless golden forests.
[17:57] * Seira snorts, before giggles escape her, finally becoming full-blown laughter. Shaking her head, Seira smiles widely. "Hearing that was like being told my goblin nemesis wanted to fight me all over again," she says happily. "Of course I don't trust her, she's evil and probably spying on me right this instant just for the heck of it."
[17:58] <Alicia> "Then why?" Alicia looks confused. "What are you hoping to accomplish, here?"
[18:00] <Seira> "It's a lot nicer than an inn, and I would like to keep her guessing if at all possible," Seira responds with a shrug. "In fact, finding out that she is spending her time here is a pleasant, welcome surprise, since this means Filetta won't be elsewhere. Trust me, Alicia, this ultimately works in our benefit."
[18:03] <Alicia> "If you say so..." Alicia looks dubious. "Be careful, though. The evil wafting off of her..." the paladin grimaces and shakes her head. "First Mihail, now her... most mortals barely register. That was the sort of aura I'd expect from a demon or undead, or a priestess in the service of dark powers. If she's none of them, that means she's even moreso not to be taken lightly."
[18:03] <Seira> "Any chance you'll smite her, then?" Seira asks hopefully. "Even a little bit?"
[18:06] * Alicia flexes her fingers a moment, contemplatively studying her mailed hand. "I don't want to cause complications for our mission on behalf of the Baronies, but... I swore an oath in the service of Good long before I entered Lord Salman's service. It would not take much to give me an excuse."
[18:07] * Seira looks quite happy at those words. "Okay, then. There were things I wanted to take care of in this port, but if she's here, then we should be elsewhere. We should probably leave tomorrow with dawn."
[18:08] <Alicia> "I do not feel especially welcome, here," Alicia agrees. "Besides which, we have to go to the capital for our mission, anyway."
[18:09] * Seira shrugs, and checks the room for any magical signatures to be thorough.
[18:11] <Kokokokokoko> Seira does not notice anything awry in this room.
[18:20] <Kokokokokoko> So the night passes. Food is brought - non poisonous according to Alicia - and sleep comes at last. (More)
[18:20] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20
[18:20] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20 and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
[18:20] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20
[18:20] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20 and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[18:21] <Kokokokokoko> In the middle of the night, Seira stirs from her sleep. Dreams of a life lost when Saul vanished fizzle away, rendering her awake in a dull haze. Yet she woke up, rather unexpeditedly and abrupt. In her confusion, Seira thinks she heard something.
[18:22] * Seira does her best to look around in the dim lighting, ready to send magic flying!
[18:23] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Spot check if you like, Seira. It's fairly dark, but since you have elfvision it's not a factor.
[18:24] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 and gets 20."12 [1d20=19]
[18:24] <Kokokokokoko> Seira's eyes drift towards the window. She sees something blurry out of it. Dark and blurry, ill defined but blocking the view. In a moment after Seira sees it, however, she can see it move from out of the window's view rather abruptly.
[18:26] * Seira moves towards the window, the spell given form. When she reaches it, she is surrounded by identical doubles who all fight over the right to open the window and look outside!
[18:26] <Seira> roll 1d4+1 mirror image
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4+1 mirror image and gets 4."12 [1d4=3]
[18:27] <Kokokokokoko> It's dark, only a sliver of moon giving any light. Out running in the lawn and garden you see a dark, humanoidish thing. It's very indistinct, blurred badly. It looks about the size of a normal human or maybe a hair taller.  It moves in strange splurts and jags, almost still for long seconds then moving great distances in mere moments. It's fleeing along the awll of the house with great speed.
[18:30] <Seira> "An intruder, sound the alarm!" Seira calls out at the top of her lungs, as she jumps out of the window after it and wills her target to be racked by bouts of uncontrollable laughter!
[18:30] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Tasha's?
[18:31] <Seira> OOC: Yep!
[18:31] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+7
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+7 and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[18:32] <Kokokokokoko> The beast does not seem to laugh at all! It just continues to flee.
[18:32] <Kokokokokoko> You can hear stirrings outside of the room, as the mysterous thing flees away. It's still making strangely good time.
[18:32] * Alicia bursts into Seira's room, fully armoured - Mithral is easy enough to sleep in - and armed. "What? Where?!" she demands quickly, looking about wildly, her eyes ready to seek out any evil in their sight!
[18:33] * Seira is already outside, though not far. She points in the direction of the fleeing figure, before the spell of Expeditious Retreat boosts her own speed enough to keep up with it!
[18:33] * Alicia follows Seira and leaps out the window before taking off after her and her prey!
[18:34] <Kokokokokoko> It starts with a good lead behind the house, running agasint it's walls. It'smaking an insanely good pace - ALicia quickly beginst o fall behind, while Seira is able to keep speed. Meanwhile, lights all over the house turn on, beginning to show signs of movement and life. It's about 100 feet away or so, almost to the corner of the house.
[18:35] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Let's do initiative here, I think.
[18:35] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - 100ft away from Seira, 120ft from Alicia.
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+4 and gets 6."12 [1d20=2]
[18:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 nerveskitter and gets 20."12 [1d20=9]
[18:35] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+10
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+10 and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
[18:36] * Kokokokokoko changes topic to 'Seira>????creature>Alicia.'
[18:36] <Seira> "This is private property!" Seira yells after the creature. "Stop at once, or I'll shoot!"
[18:36] <Kokokokokoko> The creature is making no sign of stopping.
[18:37] <Seira> "Missiles of magic, heed my call!" Seira intones, throwing her hand at the creature's direction, as three bright lights follow her bidding. Meanwhile, she keeps on advancing on it, closing the distance rapidly.
[18:37] <Seira> roll 3d4+3
[18:38] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d4+3 and gets 10."12 [3d4=2, 3, 2]
[18:38] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - When are you throwing the missiles, and how close are you getting to it?
[18:39] <Seira> OOC: Moving 60ft, so I'll be 40ft at the end of my turn. I'll throw them before I move, since I'm within range.
[18:39] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Okay.
[18:41] <Kokokokokoko> The thre emissiles directly strike the creature, making it whimper in pain! IT looks shaken by the attack, causing it to turn around! It looks your way, it's form dark and hidden. It looks almost like a human, just black and so damned blurry.  It does stop and then turn towards Seira! It approaches her, closing the last fourty feet of distance! As it approaches within ten feet, things seem to shift! Time becomes blurred, incoherent and
[18:42] <Kokokokokoko>  incoherent and slowed! OOC - Will save.
[18:42] <Seira> roll 1d20+4
[18:42] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+4 and gets 21."12 [1d20=17]
[18:44] <Kokokokokoko> Seira is able to keep her sense of time and movement unslowed! Despite how everything seems out of wack she's able to adapt! The beastcloses in, looking on her! Around it the distortion seems to get worse, as it hisses at her. A whimpering hiss, "Sssstop..." it jerks out, coming in one great heap of words.
[18:45] <Seira> "You stop! Right there!" Seira commands it.
[18:45] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Alicia, you're up.
[18:49] * Alicia rushes forward till she's confident of being within earshot, then levels her blade at the creature menacing Seira before stridently calling out, "Stop where you are, interloper, or suffer the consequences!"
[18:49] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 for scary
[18:49] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 for scary and gets 27."12 [1d20=15]
[18:49] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[18:49] * Hatbot --> "Kokokokokoko rolls 1d20+8 and gets 26."12 [1d20=18]
[18:50] <Kokokokokoko> The beast is stopped! IT cowers, as you hear more noises from the mansion. There's definitely been notice of your nighttime adventure, likely to bring people very soon. It just looks on at you, almost...sheepish.
[18:52] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Seira.
[18:53] <Seira> "Who sent you?" Seira asks simply, rather than peppering the beast with questions. She steps back until she reaches Alicia, and keeps her eyes on the creature as she circles it slowly.
[18:54] <Kokokokokoko> Once Seira steps ten feet away, her sense of time normalises. Things shift into focus, from a broken, erratic flow into smoothness again. Her head hurts slightly. "F..ff...FRIENDSAIDTHAT....Guests...."
[18:55] <Seira> "What is the friend's name?" she interrogates it.
[18:56] <Kokokokokoko> "Fil...FILETTA. Fi.fifietta." Thew ords come in strange chunks and yet all at once, incoherent.
[18:56] * Alicia seems pleased as she lowers her weapon and stalks forward, stopping about fifteen feet away. "Explain yourself, and it had better be a good one," Alicia demands, somewhat glad that her paranoia of Seira's aunt had resulted in her sleeping in her armour and with her sword close at hand.
[18:57] <Kokokokokoko> Meanwhile, light is beginning to come. A torch, a few people circling around the house and starting to approach.
[18:58] <Kokokokokoko> "Curio...curious!" It whimpers again, rubbing where the missiles hit. "Don...Don'ttell!"
[18:59] * Seira waves them over, moving closer towards the guards and telling them that its dangerous to come too close to the creature's unnatural influence without proper training in magic.
[18:59] <Alicia> "Who is your friend? What did they tell you?" Alicia demands, having little patience for the thing's histrionics.
[18:59] <Kokokokokoko> You notice that between thet hree guards Filetta comes. She wears a severe white dress, carrying no weapon but looking most patient. She smiles as she approaches and sees the party.
[19:00] <Alicia> OOC: What did Filetta tell you*
[19:00] <Kokokokokoko> The creature, "FRIEND...FRIENDsaidthatguestscame!" It blurts out in one speedy ejection of sound.
[19:00] <Seira> "A warning about an infestation of creepy magical beasts would have been nice, upfront," Seira says, mild annoyance showing through.
[19:01] <Kokokokokoko> OOC: Okay, I'll just add on to it's comment before anyone acts.
[19:01] <Kokokokokoko> The creature looks to Filetta and smiles slightly, "Friend...FRIEN-FR-Fr...... ........Friend!"
[19:02] * Alicia glances back at Filetta before resuming her scrutiny of the creature. "And what interest did you have in the guests, hmm?" she asks with a veneer of false pleasantness that doesn't really hide the unspoken threat behind all of her words.
[19:02] <Kokokokokoko> "Oh, so dreadfully sorry," Tsking as she shakes her head, "The poor thing snuck out. It's a pet, guardian and a mercy case all in one. The poor thing probably got excited over what I mentioned." Filetta calls, "Nyuga, relax."
[19:04] <Kokokokokoko> The creature's movements seem to normalize after a moment, suddenly suppressed. IT moves slowly, deliberately now, but with a whimper at Filetta. "Curious to see...a half human..."
[19:04] <Seira> "It should be all right," Seira tells her, though the annoyance seems to be receding. "I didn't try to hurt it, just make it stop so it wouldn't run off and terrorize some poor orphan."
[19:04] * Seira tilts her head curiously. "What is it, again?"
[19:06] <Kokokokokoko> "Oh, you poor, poor, poor thing..." Filetta sighs, coming up to it and lightly slapping it's cheek. "You know better. With your condition you shouldn't do this." Filetta pats it's cheek where she slapped it, soothing. "It's a special creature that's somewhat out of alignment with the normal flow of time. You're lucky you didn't scare into using it's abilities."
[19:07] <Alicia> "Hmph," Alicia does not put her weapon away, regarding both Filetta and Nyuga with clear suspicion. "What 'condition' does it suffer from?"
[19:07] <Seira> "Oh, it used them, alright," Seira says with a smile.
[19:09] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
[19:09] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
[19:11] <Kotono> Patting the creature further as it slinks away from Alicia, "Being out of alignment with time, as I said. But...if you excuse me, I need to take the poor thing back now. It can't stop the disruption around itself for long."
[19:13] <Seira> "Need help?" Seira offers pleasantly?
[19:14] <Seira> *pleasantly.
[19:17] <Kotono> "I can manage," Filetta offers back, just as pleasant. The creature's arm is taken, Nyuga looking back in fear towards Alicia, and then to Filetta, and following.
[19:18] <Seira> "I think the door to my room is kind of broken, now, so I'll probably stay the night in Alicia's room," Seira muses, before asking the paladin, "Is that alright with you?"
[19:18] * Alicia almost says something cutting about how Seira has such a lovely family, but remembers her own circumstances just in time. "Well. That was unusual," she settles on. Nodding to Seira, "Might be better to stay close, all things considered."
[19:19] <Kotono> Filetta and company leave, leaving the two alone in the garden at night...OOC - Ball's in your court if you want to chat or move on.
[19:20] <Seira> "Of course, I'll have to take a look around now that I know she's occupied," Seira tells Alicia quietly once they're in her room, and Seira's own things have been moved there. "It should only take a few minutes."
[19:21] * Alicia nods briefly to Seira. "Be careful."
[19:21] * Seira nods in return, and becomes invisible, before making her way to the west wing.
[19:24] <Kotono> OOC - How are you approaching it? Outside or inside or...Just something to work with.
[19:25] <Seira> OOC: Inside, I'll throw in blur if it seems like invis is going to end. It'd be fun to see how it's defended, whether Saul's study is in use, etc.
[19:26] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, just a sec, I need to go transfer some notes.
[19:30] <Kotono> The West Wing begins with a small but ornate hall. Here hangs a bust of Waukeen, suspended by golden chains from the ceiling. There are grand doors leading to the wing proper - you notice two guards are there, just settling back in. The doors are open, however. They're chatting, "...got loose. Rotten luck," one observes.
[19:31] * Seira stops to listen for a bit!
[19:32] <Kotono> The other yawns, "That thing creeps me out even if it's not aggressive. Guess that's what we get working here."
[19:33] <Kotono> The second grins a little, "It's only a twenty year contract. The money's good and you can go open a business after that. Besides, it'll make a good story."
[19:33] * Seira hangs around a bit more to see whether the guards descend into small talk. If they do, she'll head through the doors.
[19:35] <Kotono> They soon do, talking about opening a wood craftery. Heading in, Seira goes to the main hall. The first few rooms are guest rooms, to the left and right down the long, carpeted hall. Paintings of Filetta hang here. Past that are various sundry rooms of storange, then the private rooms. Seira's old room, a private chapel to Waukeen, Saul's library and his room. The halls are dimly lit and pleasant.
[19:36] * Seira has a change of plans, and first checks whether her old room looks to have been used in the past several years.
[19:38] <Kotono> So Seira walks along. The door to her room is locked, notably.
[19:39] <Seira> Not to her! A check for any traps that have been villainously added to the lock, and then she unlocks it without disturbing the mechanism, sliding the door open.
[19:39] <Kotono> OOC - Make your search check for the traps, first
[19:39] <Kotono> .
[19:39] <Seira> OOC: Take 20 for 29~
[19:39] <Kotono> Seira takes the time to search. The door's not trapped. It's quite clearly a fine lock put to the door, however.
[19:42] <Kotono> As Seira works, putting her full effort to it, she hears a door open ahead of her. The door to Saul's private chapel opens, Filetta exiting out of it and locking the door behind her.
[19:44] * Seira stops! And moves a step aside, looking at Filetta curiously.
[19:44] <Kotono> Filetta hums a little to herself, stretching back and putting the key to the door into her dress's front, sliding in a most private hiding place. With a chuckle to herself she heads towards Saul's room.
[19:46] <Seira> Ah, the hate, how it bubbles below the surface.
[19:46] * Seira waits until the foul creature is gone.
[19:47] <Kotono> She goes to Saul's door and murmurs a few words. The door gently glows and slides open, Filetta stepping through. The moment she does, it closes softly behind her.
[19:48] * Seira remembers those words for future reference!
[19:48] <Seira> But now, she decides to take a look in her old room.
[19:48] <Kotono> OOC - Listen check to see if you can hear them.
[19:48] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 and gets 21."12 [1d20=20]
[19:49] <Seira> OOC: Open lock is at 23 when taking 10. Does the door yield?
[19:49] <Kotono> After some more effort, Seira pops the lock to her room! Heading inside, she finds...it empty. The room hold none of her memories. It's simply barren.
[19:49] <Kotono> OOC - More.
[19:50] <Seira> That's so lame of Filetta, Seira can't help but think.
[19:50] <Kotono> There is a thick layer of dust over the floor here. It looks completely abandoned.
[19:52] * Seira picks an area off in some dark corner that won't be immediately noticed when giving the room a casual glance, and uses mage hand to trace the floor there, checking whether the dust is real or a strange illusion.
[19:56] <Kotono> The dust moves when stirred.
[19:57] <Seira> That nasty bitch, selling her stuff! It wasn't even worth that much!
[19:58] * Seira closes the door, locking it quietly.
[19:58] <Kotono> This goes without incident, Seira back in the hall. It's currently quiet.
[20:00] * Seira observes the door for the room Filetta vacated for traps next!
[20:00] <Kotono> OOC - Go for your checkin'.
[20:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[20:00] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 and gets 24."12 [1d20=15]
[20:03] <Kotono> Seira can't find any traps.
[20:03] * Seira tries to open the lock!
[20:03] <Seira> OOC: Another 23
[20:04] <Kotono> Seira can't pop it with that try - this is clearly a good lock.
[20:04] * Seira ... tries again!
[20:04] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[20:04] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21."12 [1d20=8]
[20:04] <Kotono> Still no good - this lock's not giving easily.
[20:05] * Seira gives up easily, resolving to train harder! And goes to take a look at Saul's study.
[20:05] <Seira> OOC: Search traps at 19, then open lock at 23
[20:06] <Kotono> Seira finds the door is not trapped. This lock isn't as good and with effort Seira can open it. Inside...(More)
[20:08] <Kotono> This is a grand, beautiful library. Bookshelves that hang from the ceiling on tiny, glimmering chains float at eye level, long, single shelves. Cushioned chairs are there, couches, tables. A huge desk on the back sits here. You notice that the shelves are only about half filled, the other half empty. There's aq lot of clutter on the desk, though
[20:09] <Seira> The desk is what she'll go through first, then, Seira reasons. And does just that after locking the door from the inside.
[20:14] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.55=-)
[20:20] <Kokokokokoko> On top of the desk are several things - a few figurines of various otherworldly creatures, ones you know Saul had before. A fairy, a unicorn, a nymph. Beautiful little things of stone and imagination. There are a few papers on the desk, a book, a half eaten plate of food that still looks fresh, a few paperweights, paper, writing utensils and so on. There are several locked drawers, too.
[20:21] <Seira> Papers. Books. They all get examined, even as Seira remembers their places on the table and doesn't disturb the order!
[20:23] <Kokokokokoko> A few papers are just stratch notes, basic math and a few odds and ends of little note. One looks to be a single scroll, with interesting writing. It's talking about Beth and the failed assassination in Balmuria. It reports that the Crimson Guard stopped it - Seira, Shamal, Berlioz and Lyselle. The book is a book of geography just outside of the elven lands, mostly around Valandia and other parts of Malmuth 0 including the Baronies, tho
[20:24] <Kokokokokoko> including the Baronies, though they're not listed as a seperate country in this book.
[20:25] * Seira copies the scroll, and then takes notes on the Malmuthian geography, so that she'd be able to correct their maps of their neighbor when she returns. After that, she decides to try and open the drawers in the desk.
[20:26] <Kokokokokoko> They'r elocked - four total and Seira would have to pick each lock if she wisehs.
[20:27] * Seira wishes!
[20:27] <Seira> OOC: Taking 10 for 23 again
[20:28] <Kokokokokoko> The first one is pried open with some work. This one holds mundane goods - all sorts of odds and ends, a very deep drawer. ?None of it looks remotely interesting, it looks like a junk drawer. Seira can't be sure without taking some time to go through it all, though.
[20:28] * Seira just checks it doesn't have a false bottom and the like, before proceeding on to the next one.
[20:30] <Kokokokokoko> It doesn't to Seira's check. The second one doesn't open to the basic attempt - it's a nice lock.
[20:30] <Kokokokokoko> This drawer looks smaller, delicate but very well sealed with a lock.
[20:30] * Seira takes a short break to unlock the window, but doesn't open it just yet.
[20:31] <Kokokokokoko> The window unlocks well enough from the inside.
[20:32] * Seira decides to try and open any of the drawers that open easily enough, now, taking the time to go through them at leisure for anything important. She's going back to Alicia's room after this, and she's leaving through the window, so invisibility isn't as important now.
[20:33] <Kokokokokoko> The second and third just arne't opening to this sort of effort. The fourth does, however. A few scraps of paper are in here, but it's mostly empty. They look like paper with writing on them, however.
[20:34] <Seira> They are what Seira examines next!
[20:35] <Kokokokokoko> While most of the scraps are notes and of little importance - buying and selling, mundane stuff- the last is. "Visit Desjardin at 3 PM." I tnotes, looking like a reminder.
[20:36] <Seira> roll 1d20+14
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+14 and gets 20."12 [1d20=6]
[20:36] * Seira compares this handwriting to that of the scroll on Beth, just in case.
[20:37] <Kokokokokoko> It's different - the handwriting on thes croll looks different from that of what's on the scraps, generally.
[20:37] * Seira puts everything in this drawer away and looks through the first one thoroughly.
[20:38] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Search check there.
[20:39] * Seira takes her time!
[20:39] <Seira> OOC: 29
[20:40] <Kokokokokoko> In the mist of that entire mess there's a small cloth bag. Inside you find several small, polished gems. Various sorts, each having a vibrant color. A few are broken into tiny shards, however. None of them are big enough to be truely precious, but there's tossed there absently.
[20:42] <Seira> They were clearly left behind for her to find! Seira resists the tempation, however, only taking a tiny shard from the myriad of them, that she is certain won't be missed, deciding to examine it later. The careful mess of the drawer is then replicated, and she tries the second drawer once more.
[20:42] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 32."12 [1d20=19]
[20:42] <Kokokokokoko> Click! This time it opens. Inside she finds a very old looking book. It's bound in leather but it's showing countless years having passes while it exists.
[20:43] * Seira checks the title!
[20:44] <Kokokokokoko> In Elven: "Compendium Historica."
[20:45] * Seira briefs through it, in an attempt to get a gist of what topics it covers.
[20:46] <Kokokokokoko> It begins with the following, "With the fall of the Gnomish God King, The Desjardin Clan realised that the time to mix with lesser creatures had come to an end. With the Seeker going to finish the prison of the God King and it's transversion, the path ahead is now in this silent world."
[20:47] <Seira> Clearly this time the temptation is too high to resist. Seira takes the book, and locks the drawer, before approaching the last one.
[20:47] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 27."12 [1d20=14]
[20:47] <Kokokokokoko> No good. It doesn't open to that effort.
[20:47] * Seira tries again!
[20:47] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 24."12 [1d20=11]
[20:49] * Seira takes a short break to jam the lock on the drawer she took the book from, so that it wouldn't look obviously tampered with from the outside, but still refuse to open.
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> As Seira does, she hears a sound - of someone working the lock into the library.
[20:52] * Seira abandons her quest, and blurs herself, leaving via the window. She takes the time to lock it from the outside if the lock to the room still remains closed by the time she's outside.
[20:53] <Kokokokokoko> So Seira flees out, locking the window behind her! As she does, she can hear the door open, but she's outside just in time!
[20:54] * Seira doesn't stay behind, opting to head away, using the darkness outside as cover, and make her way to the window to Alicia's room
[20:55] <Kokokokokoko> Alicia finds that the time passes, but at last Seira returns...
[20:56] <Alicia> "I was starting to worry," Alicia observes when Seira finally returns. "Find anything?"
[20:57] <Seira> "Knowledge that would greatly aid Balmuria," Seira responds, and asks Alicia to look the other way while she puts the book away among Alicia's things. "And that Filetta is in league with the house that hates us. Want to wait till morning before leaving, or make up a reason to move to an inn? It you cite racism and creepy magical creatures interrupting your sleep, I'm sure we can make this work."
[20:58] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as El-Cideon
[21:01] <Alicia> "Leaving now would probably arouse suspicion," Alicia replies, eyeing the book Seira is stowing in her backpack. "At least openly. We could sneak out easily enough, however, from what I saw of the security arrangements during the earlier excitement."
[21:01] <Seira> "Up to you. We could stay, and if Filetta puts a fuss, you'll smite her?" Seira seems almost eager for that result.
[21:02] <Alicia> "If I have to," Alicia replies grimly. "Tell me, what exactly did you find?"
[21:03] <Seira> "You can't lie, right?" Seira shrugs. "I found nothing. I even have nothing that doesn't belong to me with me. Make sure you say that in the off chance you're asked. And you certainly didn't see me with anything not mine."
[21:07] * Alicia sighs. "What an odd image you have of me," she mutters. "Just because I'm honour-bound to not spread falsehoods, does not mean I will foolishly spill my secrets to the first fool who asks a question. But very well, have it your way. I only hope that what you found was worth the trouble."
[21:13] <Seira> "An elven account from the days of the God-King's fall," Seira says quietly, turning serious all of a sudden. "A priceless find, and certainly not one this... woman... is rightly entitled to."
[21:16] <Alicia> "Hmm... it seems more and more people are becoming aware of the true nature of the gnomes," Alicia murmurs thoughtfully. "I suppose if any people would still have records that far back, it would be the elves, though."
[21:18] <Seira> "We were refused access, since the house in charge of the library happens to hate us." Seira rolls her eyes. "You've met them, the hourglass elves. They hated us even before I first made the offer of cooperation. This led me to believe, at the time, that they could have been involved, perhaps the way sea elves were, and were attempting to hide their past perfidy."
[21:19] <Alicia> "It would make sense," Alicia agrees, smiling. "Perhaps what you've found will allow us to shed the light of truth on their past misdeeds, then?"
[21:20] <Seira> "Or it could go the other way, and your great-great-great-great uncles a hundred generations removed were the ones who betrayed the elves's trust." Seira shrugs. "No offense. I hope it's not what happened, myself, you understand."
[21:23] <Alicia> "Well, the book is only one account, from a source that has an obvious self-interest," Alicia reasons with a shrug. "That water elemental you met was actually there, and you have had visions from the Gods as well? One must look at the whole picture."
[21:26] <Seira> "For what it's worth, I don't think whatever betrayals and perceived betrayals that took place back then are important," Seira muses, leaning against the wall by the window and glancing outside. "If I did, would I work with the sea elves? I do hope it would let us understand why some of the elves are so determined to stay away from Balmuria and the resurrection of the God-King."
[21:28] * Alicia leans back against the wall and looks up, seeming to contemplate for a moment. "I had assumed it was merely their elitism, not wishing to dirty themselves by associating with perceived lessers. But bringing in this part about the gnomes does throw a whole new light on things..." she rolls her head back down to study Seira, "Are they aware of your own actions thus far, in respect of the gnomes?"
[21:30] * Seira nods. "Yes, which makes things even more suspicious. And the vote was very close; it could have gone either way. Should we fail grandly in our pursuit of the pieces of this puzzle we were entrusted with, it might tip the scales once more, so I am glad that Filetta isn't at the capital right now, ready to change her vote and breathe poison into the king's ears."
[21:31] <Alicia> "She might go there if she knows it is our destination," Alicia speaks up with a note of caution in her voice.
[21:33] <Seira> "We haven't mentioned it in front of her, and we certainly won't as we leave," Seira responds with a shrug. "If she does go... well, I bought her vote once, I could probably do it again. Despicable woman."
[21:35] <Alicia> "Let us leave early in the morning, then, and see if we can purchase swift horses in this town. It is best not to tempt fate nor any other obstacles by lingering too long," Alicia nods resolutely.
[21:36] <Seira> "Do it, while I try to run interference?" Seira suggests. "I should still have a friend in these parts. Maybe she could send Filetta after a false trail."
[21:38] * Alicia nods. "I will leave at first light..." she then pauses, looking rather embarrassed, "I may not have enough currency for two horses, however..."
[21:40] * Seira considers this. "Actually, I have a spell that might solve the problem for both of us. And it would certainly trick whomever watches us leave into thinking our travel would be much slower. I'll have to defend on you for defense in exchange, if that is acceptable."
[21:41] <Alicia> "Of course," Alicia smiles. "I will ensure no harm comes to you on this journey, Captain."
[21:43] * Seira returns the smile. "Our course is clear, then. To travel to House Drake's stronghold while Filetta meets with our enemies to plot, surrendering their initiative, and then to make our request to the king as soon as feasible."

[Corwin]

[16:13] <Kotono> ---
[16:15] <Kotono> The morning dew is crisp on the grass as Seira and Alicia ready themselves to leave. As they do, they note there are still a few people about, a steady rotation. But none accost the two travelers as they head out, instead, they begin to make good time and pacing. Dawn dances in the sky above them as they set out from Elfsander. (More)
[16:18] * Carthrat is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[16:19] <Kotono> The road from Elfsander leads out from the town and soon into forest. Well grown and developed forest, guided by millenia of caring, patient hands. Here you walk in glades of shade, arches of tree branches protecting you from the rising morning sun. As you walk on this path, you eventually come to a bridge at about noon. It's made of woven branches and about 100 feet long, over a long, pleasant river. However, all is not how it appears on fir
[16:20] <Kotono>  first glance. A good ten foot radius of the bridge has been blasted away, the sides still faintly smouldering. There's enough space to cross still, only a large chunk taken out.
[16:21] <Kotono> *Ride
[16:23] * Alicia slows down her swift phantom horse as they approach the bridge, taking a moment to cast detect magic before getting within sixty feet of the hole to see if it was made by some sort of spell. If it's still smouldering then the traces of magic might remain, too.
[16:23] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[16:23] * Kotono sets mode: +v Reiko-chan
[16:23] -thundarr.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
[16:23] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-70-112-23-198.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
[16:23] * Alicia sets mode: -v+v Reiko-chan Hatbot
[16:23] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[16:23] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 94."12 [1d100=94]
[16:24] <Kotono> There's no magic that Alicia can see on the bridge.
[16:26] <Alicia> "If it was made by magic it wasn't that recent... any idea what caused this?" Alicia asks Seira as they start over the bridge, looking over the hole in more detail to see if there's any clue as to what was there when it got blasted - blood, or debris that doesn't look like part of the bridge?
[16:27] <Seira> "Fire?"
[16:27] <Kotono> The hole has scorch marks all around it, and small lines of black stain the surviving parts of the bridge. A few shards of what look like pottery and glass are about on the surviving edges.
[16:27] * Seira glances meaningfully at the wooden branches making up the bridge.
[16:27] <Alicia> "Fire would have spread more, wouldn't it?" Alicia asks, briefly looking through the hole and into the water below as they pass.
[16:29] <Seira> "The only way to know for certain, without magic, is to set another portion of the bridge on fire and see," Seira says with a shrug. "It's really not our business, I feel."
[16:29] <Kotono> In the river below Alicia can see chunks of burnt bridge poking out of the water along with what looks like a badly olbliterated cart of some sort - like a horse drawn cart. But it's so devastated and mostly submerged that being exact is difficult.
[16:31] <Alicia> "It's almost like someone attacked a cart... doesn't look like there's any survivors here, though," Alicia sighs. "I suppose it's a mystery, but there's nothing we can do, here."
[16:34] <Kotono> So the party travels onward, leaving the mysterious wreckage behind. (More coming.)
[16:34] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[16:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 7."12 [1d100=7]
[16:34] <Kotono> roll 1d100+20
[16:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+20 and gets 39."12 [1d100=19]
[16:34] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[16:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 26."12 [1d100=26]
[16:34] <Kotono> roll 1d100+20
[16:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+20 and gets 107."12 [1d100=87]
[16:35] <Kotono> Two days of travel pass. As you reach the later afternoon, you come to a choice. You could stop at a nearby village at midafternoon and stay there, or ride on and make camp in the bush overnight.
[16:36] * Alicia defers to her captain and local guide all rolled into one!
[16:37] * Seira suggests that they pass through the village and pick up some supplies, and then decide.
[16:39] <Kotono> The village is a quiet place - Salaraine. It's built around one vast, hollowed out tree, it's branches and trunk like a large, spread out tower. A few buildings surround it, including an inn inside the tree's upper levels and one outside. As you approach, the elves around the village stop their work, turning to gaze at Seira and Alicia. A few look at Alicia with wide eyed shock.
[16:40] * Seira looks for any symbols to identify the allegience or sympaties of this village, if any.
[16:41] <Alicia> "Should've gotten a hood..." Alicia mutters, briefly fidgeting with her hair to cover her rounded ears.
[16:41] <Alicia> Not that it'd help much. She's still at least a head taller than most of the elves, it looks like...
[16:53] <Kotono> Atop the outside inn is a hourglass, Seira can note. A few elves point at Alicia, a mother quickly ushering her child inside, a man staring and blushing. Lots of attention in general is given to Alicia, and to a lesser degree Seira.
[16:54] <Seira> "Let's move on, there is little point in staying here," Seira suggests to Alicia.
[16:54] * Alicia winces quite noticably at the sight of a child being rushed away from her presence. "Please," she agrees, looking down and picking up her pace.
[16:55] <Kotono> So the two head out of town. While watches with curiosity and shock, one male elf trots along a little bit. "Human!" he calls as Alicia and Seira head to the outskirts of the town and back on the trail.
[16:56] <Seira> "Rude elf person!" Seira calls back at him, as their horses pick up speed.
[16:56] * Alicia whirls around to face the gawking elf. "What?" she demands in her own flawless, if unfortunately uncultured, elven.
[16:58] <Kotono> Recoiling slightly at Seira's words, the elf smiles and composes himself with a heady grin. "You're really a human," he can't help but ask. "I've never seen one before."
[17:00] <Alicia> "Hmph. From the attitudes of your townsfolk, I'd have thought you had encountered humans before and been given reason to fear us," Alicia replies haughtily. "Yes, I am human. What of it?"
[17:00] <Kotono> "Why are you here, then?" He asks, undeterred andl ooking Alicia over again. "You look like a soldier, no less."
[17:02] <Seira> "We're on our way to visit my friends, if you must know," Seira announces, not clear why they are humoring a peasant in the middle of nowhere.
[17:03] <Alicia> "I am a Knight in the service of the Lady of Mysteries," Alicia replies proudly, thumping the symbol of seven blue stars she has embossed into her armour over her breast. "And as my companion says, we are visiting her friends. We will not trouble your village any more than we already have."
[17:05] <Kotono> "You're not troubling me," he asserts, "Mystra? I'm just curious."
[17:06] * Sierra_AchDieZiebenkurkel (~Melanchth@pool-71-191-23-106.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
[17:09] <Alicia> "Yes, the Mother of All Magic is she whom I serve," Alicia briefly casts her eyes reverently to the ground. "Would that I could stay and discuss the wonders of which she bestows upon us, but I do not feel welcome in these lands, and furthermore we have our own tasks to be about. I trust that satisfies your curiousity?"
[17:12] <Kotono> "Yes, but...there was another reason I wanted to ask you something. Are you coming from the direction of Elfsander?" He pauses a moment, starting to breath out.
[17:13] <Alicia> "Yes...?" Alicia replies, scrutinising the elf as she waits for him to arrive at a point.
[17:16] <Kotono> HE's rather normal looking - short, pointy eared and with hair like golden honey. HE wears plain green clothes. "I hear all the people who are in with the Desjardins talking about how disgraceful it is we're consorting with humans," he ventures, starting to hesitate. "But you're not ugly or warty. You're...not at all." He says at last, looking to Alicia. "You look like a holy warrior instead."
[17:16] <Kotono> (More)
[17:19] <Kotono> "It's not like that's not like how it may be, but all of them are making so much noise about it since the trading began. Things are beginning to get tense...so..." After a moment, "I wanted to ask you if you've seen a wagon coming this way? IT was due from Elfsander yesterday. I'm worried something could've slowed them down if...well..."
[17:20] <Seira> "What was it carrying?" Seira asks, rejoining the conversation.
[17:21] * Alicia frowns and opens her mouth to speak, but then pauses at Seira's interjection, waiting for an answer on that before she responds.
[17:21] <Kotono> "Alchemist's fire mostly," The answer comeswith a worried look, "It not dangerous just sitting there, but if it got caught up in something?"
[17:22] <Seira> "We saw what was left of it. There were no survivors," Seira says, before lowering her head briefly. "I'm sorry."
[17:22] <Alicia> "We saw what looked like the ruins of a wagon on a bridge about three days ride back from here," Alicia confirms, adjusting travel time to account for their faster than normal mounts. "It seemed like it had exploded and taken a chunk of the bridge with it."
[17:23] <Seira> "Hard to say if it was an accident or an ambush."
[17:23] <Kotono> "Oh no..." Blanching at those words, "T-thank you," he murmurs, "I...I have to go now." Shaking visibly, the elf turns and starts to go back to town.
[17:25] <Alicia> "Hold a moment," Alicia speaks up. "What you said before... do you think the Desjardin are connected with what happened to that wagon?" she asks probingly.
[17:26] * Seira blinks.
[17:35] <Kotono> Turning back and blanching, "I d-don't know. My immediate family isn't part of the Desjardins at all, and our grandfather was affliated with the Gaial family...":
[17:40] <Alicia> "I'd worry about foul play... like you said, Alchemist's fire doesn't up and explode by itself," Alicia starts to look thoughtful. "Before you even said you were worried about something slowing them down, or worse. Have there been any threats?"
[17:44] <Kotono> "No..." Shaking his head, "I don't believe they'd do it...they couldn't, just that," The elf takes several moments to breathe, "They're elves, too. Just that all of this...maybet here was a mistake or..."
[17:45] * Alicia glances towards Seira. "What do you think, Captain?"
[17:47] <Seira> "Who did the wagon belong to?" Seira asks at that.
[17:48] <Kotono> "My brother," He answers, "He had gone to purchase the fires from an alchemist and stop here to pick up things and refresh, then go and sell them at the Citadel."
[17:51] <Seira> "I wouldn't go for conspiracy theories just yet," Seira states. "The Desjardin are wrong about many things, the humans and their affect on society first and foremost, but that alone does not make them behind every potential accident or robbery gone bad in the land."
[17:54] <Kotono> The elf nods again, slow and careful, "Still...now I'm worried," he debates a moment. "Thank ou for the information, human. You said you were a servant of Mystra?"
[17:55] <Alicia> "That is correct," Alicia affirms, deciding to let the matter drop. It doesn't sound like anything they can truly help with, as things stand. "My name is Alicia Reynes."
[17:56] <Kotono> "There's a shrine to Mystra about twenty miles east of here," he offers after amoment. "I don't know if you know of it, but...thank you." With that nod he takes a breath out, "Thank you, Alicia Reynes."
[17:58] <Alicia> "Perhaps we will stop by on our return," Alicia demurs. She knew a few elves back in Kelara at the temple there, but they never seemed to look down on humans the way natives of Pallanth do. She's not quite sure that even the bonds of faith will ensure a human welcome in an elven shrine. "Good luck to you," she nods respectfully to the elf, before turning to depart.
[18:01] <Seira> "Would you like to stay there tonight, instead of camping out?" Seira offers once they are out of earshot.
[18:03] * Alicia looks thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm... yes, lets," she nods. While what Seira said was plausible, if there is a conspiracy of sorts, perhaps their presence will draw it out?
[18:04] <Seira> "To be perfectly honest, this matter bothers me," Seira feels free to admit, now. "The Desjardin do seem to be plotting, perhaps against the crown. I feel that our best chance to get intelligence without creating an incident lies with the Drake, however."
[18:06] <Alicia> "We'll see," Alicia keeps her eyes out for evil as they slowly head back into the small village. "If there are elements opposed to relations with humans, however, they may be foolish enough to expose themselves for a tempting target."
[18:09] <Kotono> As the two return the village, they begin to get looks. Interested ones adn worried ones, lot of them found...
[18:10] <Alicia> This time Alicia does not make any pains to conceal herself as she stands tall, briefly brushing back her hair to leave no doubts at all to her species. "To the inn, then?" she asks after a quick perusal to see if any of the natives stand out.
[18:14] <Kotono> None particulary stand out to Alicia. This is mostly lower elves, however, as they head to the inn. A small, white washed building, the innkeep an elf who doubletakes when Alicia enters in. "M-my!"
[18:16] <Alicia> "Greetings," Alicia smiles as she approaches the counter. "How much for a room for the night, good sir?" Just got to act normal and pleasant, don't sink to their level...
[18:20] <Kotono> "Uh....2 gold..." The innkeep stares a few more moments in surprise, looking over Alicia's armor and taking over her form. "Are you on a pilgramage?"
[18:22] <Alicia> "We're headed for the capital to visit friends of ours," Alicia replies as she reaches in her coin purse for a moment before handing over the currency. "How's business, anyway?" she asks conversationally, "Get a lot of pilgrims, here?"
[18:25] <Kotono> Glancing at the relative pillar of elveness that is SEira, the innkeep speaks absently. "On occasion...your symbol is telling."
[18:27] <Alicia> "How refreshing, that bonds of faith can tie us together despite our differences," Alicia smiles absently even as she takes a more careful study of the inn's interior. "I knew some elven priests at the temple back home, and even learned their language, but it seems to have done little to prepare me for what Pallanth is truly like."
[18:30] <Kotono> The interior of the inn is simple - there's a few common tables up front, but mostly just a hall to the rooms. There's only a cleaning elf girl around, dusting in theory but in reality mostly watching the two heroes. "Oh?" The innkeep asks curiously.
[18:34] <Alicia> "The curiousity I can understand - elves are often regarded as oddities in human lands for much the same reason," Alicia goes on, pausing to try smiling at the cleaner to see how she reacts. "It's the fear and suspicion I never would have expected."
[18:37] <Kotono> The cleaner blushes a little and scurries back. "Yes, well..." The elf makes a very pointed look to Seira. "There are sometimes reasons."
[18:38] <Seira> "Lack of education," Seira states, sounding mildly bored. "You see, Alicia, as elves have much longer lives they tend to focus on some things and neglect others."
[18:40] <Alicia> "I would have expected the opposite, with so much time to see and do a little of everything," Alicia marvels briefly. "Certainly, the elves I knew back home were very wise and knowledgable."
[18:41] <Seira> "Wise and knowledgeable, I'll give you that," Seira agrees. "But it must come in place of other things, such as manners and common sense, at times."
[18:43] <Alicia> "Ah... perhaps we're being rude. Tarring a people all with the same brush is the same thing I was complaining about to begin with," Alicia replies, looking rather embarrassed. "Never mind all that!" she forces a smile and turns to the innkeep. "What's there to eat around here?"
[18:44] <Kotono> The innkeeper blushes at all those words, "I'll get you something in your rooms if you want," he offers.
[18:45] <Seira> "A single room would be enough," Seira voices.
[18:45] <Kotono> "..alright," The innkeep murmurs, and then, "Sorry," he adds, going off and gesturing to the cleaning girl. "She'll help you if you need anything."
[18:48] * Seira intends to take another glance at the book once they are safely in the room and alone, starting with a Detect Magic spell.
[18:48] <Kotono> OOC: On the room or anything in particular like the book I know you're raring to read?
[18:49] <Seira> OOC: First, the room. Then, the book.
[18:51] <Kotono> The room is a plain room without any notable magic. The book radiates strong magic.
[18:55] * Seira examines the book!
[19:00] * Seira opens the book to read it, mindful of the enchantment upon it, and observing any changes in it.
[19:00] <Kotono> There doesn't seem to be any changes as Seira begins to read...(More)
[19:04] <Kotono> The book opens with the simple phrase on the center of the page, "The Time of Twilight." The writer begins to expound: In the days since the end of the Gnomish War the Gods have drawn away. A pallor hangs over the world and the battlegrounds. Already the effect of the God King's heresy and the anger of those above is felt. The elves, victorious, are in a difficult position. They took painful losses in the war, with several important deaths. J
[19:05] <Kotono> Jannu Desjardin lies on his deathbed, drained from the creation of Death Sword Arondaaq and then the subesquent battles. Our nation lies in ruins, our Gods scorn us. (More)
[19:11] <Kotono> We, at least, have the chance and the time to heal. The humans are too impulsive, even so thinned. The dwarves are like the gnomes of old, untrusted now even if innocent. The seas still run red with blood, the skies are empty. But in ourselves, our forest will survive. = From there the first part ends and a history of the rebuilding of Pallanth begins. The Desjardin clan holds sway over the records of the elves and all the written histories,
[19:13] <Kotono> written histories, becoming truly powerful. With the borders sealed, the outside world is begun to be forgotten. But at the end, it says that the Desjardins will not forget the hard lessons of the past. The God King turned the Gods against us in fury. We will not make that folly again. Arondaaq is lost with the Seeker, but with one of the Resorts safely hidden away, we will prevent any from opening the gates. We need not force to prevent this
[19:14] <Kotono> We need not force to prevent this to happen - only time and patience.
[19:15] <Kotono> From there Seira has read most of the book, but there is still some to go.
[19:15] * Seira pauses, and wants to say something, but decides to just finish the book first.
[19:22] * Disconnected
[19:22] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
[19:22] * Rejoined channel #dunes
[19:22] * Topic is 'Seira>????creature>Alicia.'
[19:22] * Set by Kokokokokoko on Mon Jul 23 18:35:42
[19:22] <Kotono> In this age, even if found, the unlucky soul will be treated to a pitiful demise. Countless other magical items have been lost or broken... And finally...the spellgems. The knowledge was lost with the gnomes. Despite our efforts, none of us could manage to understand them. Did the Gods prevent this to save us...or in anger? If the secret has died with the gnomes...so be it. Let it rest in obscurity.
[19:22] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[19:26] * Seira closes the book and puts it away, before frowning. "So the Desjardin have one of the Resorts. I wonder if it makes things easier, or that much harder."
[19:26] <Alicia> "They do?" Alicia perks up. "Which one?"
[19:28] <Seira> "No idea." She smirks, then. "I wonder whether the king does. If they had deceived him as well, exposing their misdeeds would be quite entertaining."
[19:30] <Alicia> "Do you think we could get support in acquiring the Resort?" Alicia asks curiously. "Leaving aside their other purpose, they are powerful artifacts in their own right, and not likely to be surrendered lightly."
[19:31] <Seira> "I think another plan would work better," Seira responds. "Let us collect the others, and then request an elven hero to carry the last into battle alongside us in the spirit of cooperation." She tilts her head, looking at Alicia. "Think they'll go for it?"
[19:32] <Alicia> "It's more likely to succeed than simply asking to take it for our own purposes," Alicia allows. "Also, we'd have a better bargaining position if we held all the others at the time, as well."
[19:33] <Seira> "If it really came to that, we do have some of the artifacts mentioned in the book," Seira muses. "As well as priceless knowledge we have recovered from gnomish ruins. That might be enough for a trade all parties could live with."
[19:35] * Alicia nods. "At least we know that one of the Resorts is safe with the elves, and can focus on getting the others until we're ready to conclude things. For now we might as well focus on getting approval to use Pallanth as a mediator in negotiations with Malmuth."
[19:36] <Seira> "It would be nice to phrase things such that they would offer to be the host to expand upon the glory and prosperity of Pallanth rather than have us in their debt."
[19:37] <Alicia> "You know elven ways better than I. All told, I suspect any request coming from the lips of a human will be received poorly, from what I've seen, so how things are phrased will probably be left in your hands, Captain," Alicia demurs.
[19:40] <Kotono> The morning comes very early - dawn has barely had a chance to stir when you ehar a rough pounding on your room door.
[19:41] * Alicia quickly rises, a hand straying to her blades as she checks to make sure Seira is ready before she answers.
[19:42] * Seira chooses to have a wand handy before she asks, "What is it? The room is paid for until noon."
[19:45] <Kotono> It sounds like a young, scared woman, her voice shaking. "Ma'ams...ther-there's a problem. There'st roops here asking fo-for you."
[19:46] <Alicia> "Troops?" Alicia glances at Seira worriedly as she slings her sword over her back into its baldric. "Better see what this is all about."
[19:47] <Seira> "Use Message on me before we go, please," Seira requests. "I'll go invisible if a conflict is imminent, and return to do the same for you. That would help us coordinate."
[19:47] * Alicia nods and briefly murmurs said spell to link them both.
[19:48] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 79."12 [1d100=79]
[19:48] * Seira collects her things, and defers to Alicia from this point on.
[19:48] <Alicia> Also, a brief casting of prestidigitation makes up for the lack of time to clean herself up. She'll need to be presentable for this, most likely!
[19:48] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 60."12 [1d100=60]
[19:49] <Alicia> That all done, Alicia heads on out to straighten things out.
[19:49] <Alicia> Oh! She casts Shield as well.
[19:49] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 27."12 [1d100=27]
[19:49] <Alicia> Just in case.
[19:50] * Seira likes all the just-in-case magic being cast, and adds mage armor on herself using a scroll.
[19:53] <Kotono> So the two head out, buffed up and prepared. Outside you go and there are certainly troops waiting! Two dozen, an even mix of elves with longswords and support with bows. At the head is an elf with a weathered face, black eyes focusing on you, dark circles around them. His black hair is is long and unkempt.  He holds something in his cupped hands, looking down to it on occasion. He wears clothes patched together from cloth scraps of all color
[19:53] <Kotono> scraps of all colors, each one having a small, unique symbol on them, dozens of squares. "Seira? Alicia?" He asks, looking dead on at the two. "You stole something belonging to our family. Return it or..." The elf is about twenty feet ahead of you, the soldiers five feet behind him in a line. Twenty feet behind them the archers are positions, fanned out to cover the door from several angles.
[19:55] * Alicia raises an eyebrow. Well, they certainly went all out... "And just what are we supposed to have stolen?" she asks, taking a moment to look into the hearts of the elves and see what evil lurks there.
[19:56] <Seira> "What family that happens to be is also quite important," Seira adds.
[19:57] <Kotono> "HAhahaahaha..." The man chortles, his body still even as he laughts. "You stole a book the Desjardins placed in special loan to a third party. His eyes are filled with amusement, even if his face is stone cold blank, focused. "You have one chance to surrender it peacefully."
[20:00] <Seira> "That's not the symbol of the Desjardin," Seira says peevishly, pointing at the dozens of squares. "So you're lying and brought all these soldiers to rob us. I think not." And with those words, she turns invisible.
[20:01] <Kotono> "So be it," he mutters, concentration solid. "Get ready to fire!" OOC - Initiative, yes.
[20:02] <Alicia> Well, this sure ruined... wait a minute. Seira put the book in *her* backpack... and oh, shit, Seira just turned invisible. No, Alicia will not dirty her blades, here. Unfortunately, it looks like things are going to spiral out of control before she can do anything... Unless she's quick.
[20:02] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 92."12 [1d100=92]
[20:02] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter, don't fail me now
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 nerveskitter, don't fail me now and gets 22."12 [1d20=11]
[20:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 nerveskitter oh god
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 nerveskitter oh god and gets 23."12 [1d20=14]
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 patchy
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 patchy and gets 17."12 [1d20=14]
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1 archers
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 archers and gets 8."12 [1d20=7]
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1 soldiers
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 soldiers and gets 16."12 [1d20=15]
[20:04] * Kotono changes topic to 'Alicia>Seira>Patchy>Soldiers>Archers'
[20:07] <Alicia> "Hold!" Alicia's voice rings out clearly as she reaches into her backpack and produces the book Seira purloined. "There is no need for bloodshed, I will return the book." She could certainly murder *someone* right now, but nothing good will come of such urges.
[20:08] <Alicia> OOC: bah, strike my line
[20:13] <Kotono> The troops are wearing plain breastplates adn chainmail, with the archers going for leathers instead.  On looking, you can see that they have hourglasses on their helmets.
[20:13] <Alicia> "Give them the book, Seira," Alicia looks back towards the captain wearily. "Nothing good will come of this."

[Corwin]

[22:40] <Seira> "So. You seem to know who I am, but I have no idea about you. How would I call you?" Seira asks the elf that seems to be in charge.
[22:42] <Kotono> "I am Captain Lunari and I know you have one of our books," he answers shortly, archers prepared to fire. "Taken from the house of Filetta. If you wish to avoid bloodshed, you have your chance now."
[22:43] <Seira> "Can you prove your identity or authority?" she asks curiously.
[22:46] <Kotono> "If need be," he answers tersely.
[22:47] <Seira> "Let's get back to our room, where you could do just that," Seira suggests, smiling cockily. "If you know me then you know that all this force of soldiers is really just for show if we face each other for real. Don't worry, I'll keep you perfectly safe."
[22:56] <Seira> roll 1d20+17
[22:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+17 and gets 22."12 [1d20=5]
[19:52] <Kotono> Lunari looks on, before raising a hand. The archers relent, lowering their bows slightly. "Three of you, with me." he instructs, three soldiers making a crisp pace as they walk along with him.
[19:53] * Seira rolls her eyes, but leads them into the room.
[19:55] <Kotono> Lunari looks to Alicia after, "At least the two of you have common sense."
[19:56] <Alicia> Somewhat relieved that Seira didn't turn invisible and provoke a fight after all, though unsure exactly what she has in mind, Alicia follows the group inside. "Nothing good will come of fighting you," she replies placidly to Lunari.
[19:58] <Seira> "So," Seira says upon reaching the room and propping herself on the bed there, "first I'd appreciate if you sated my curiousity and told me how you came to be here, in the middle of nowhere, really. No offense."
[20:02] <Kotono> "We have our ways," he replies, right to the point. "The matter at hand is that you're stolen something from the Desjardins."
[20:03] <Seira> "It is debatable, I would argue," Seira responds, "yet the book is indeed in my possession at the moment. I believe you were about to prove your credentials to me?"
[20:10] <Kotono> "One, I found it with ease," he begins, "Your stolen book is simple to track under the circumstances with this knowledge. Two, here." He pauses, reaching into a pocket. A ratherl arge signet ring is withdrawn. He idly tosses it at Seira.
[20:11] * Seira frowns, but decides to catch it and take a look.
[20:15] <Kotono> It's a large signet ring. It's engraved with an hourglass overfilling with sand. It's set with diamonds and other gems, looking quite impressive. "My signet ring and seal, given to me by Juai Desjardin himself."
[20:16] <Seira> "Ah, so you must be high in his trust. That makes things simpler." Seira turns the signet ring over, before tossing it back. "Where is the head of House Desjardin at the moment? At the Citadel?"
[20:17] <Kotono> "Quite possibly," he looks on at Seira with uncompromising eyes, as his three guards stand just outside of the room. "I hear His Majesty is conferring with the scions again."
[20:21] <Seira> "Here's the thing," Seira tells him. "Bluntness should be rewarded in kind, I feel. This book is only leaving my hands for two others, King Lorthan or the honorable Juai Desjardin himself." Her voice is not mocking in the slightest at the honorific. "I've had a chance to look inside, you realize, which is why it is with me at this moment, making its way to the capital. I believe the monarch would find its contents very interesting as well, but I am quite amenable to discuss this with the House Desjardin instead. I have always regretted missing the chance for an audience with Lord Desjardin the last time I was here." She tilts her head. "Would you like to escort us to the capital, where the matter of the book will be resolved?"
[20:22] <Seira>  very interesting as well, but I am quite amenable to discuss this with the House Desjardin instead. I have always regretted missing the chance for an audience with Lord Desjardin the last time I was here." She tilts her head. "Would you like to escort us to the capital, where the matter of the book will be resolved?"
[20:23] <Kotono> OOC - Okay, I think I want a bluff or diplo check here, whichever. +2 bonus sicne that was a pretty decent bit of playing there.
[20:24] <Seira> OOC: Diplo, I'm totally not lying
[20:24] <Seira> roll 1d20+19
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 and gets 27."12 [1d20=8]
[20:27] <Kotono> Lunari pacesa moment, before going to sit down. He looks thoughtful, steepling his hands toether. "Hah, hah, hah. You didn't roll over and die, did you? I'd heard about your last trip to the Citadel and it's clearly a well earned reputation." He pauses as he thinks further, almost smiling. "Now I could press the point, you understand. You might even win and escape alive. But none of us want that, so...very well. You two will travel with us ef
[20:28] <Kotono> effective immediately."
[20:29] <Seira> "I don't have a problem with that," Seira tells him, nodding briefly. "In fact, I dare say we would feel safer with an escort to ward off the stray, adventurous bandit."
[20:33] <Kotono> "And what of you, human?" The strangely garbed elf looks at Alicia, curious. "You do not look like a follower, either."
[20:51] <Alicia> "Appearances can be deceiving," Alicia demurs. Much as it may gall her, there's no denying her current station in life.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Mmm-mmmm." Eyeing Alicia thoughtfully, "Very well then. Get your belongings together, we will leave in a half hour."
[20:55] * Seira does not have many belongings, and they're all with her anyhow. "I'm ready," she announces.
[20:56] <Alicia> "Likewise," Alicia agrees, having gotten her things ready the moment she heard there were troops here for them.
[21:02] <Kotono> "Let's go." Lunari gets up and leads you along. Horses are provided and you find yourselves riding amid a small regiment of elven troops. In the center of a loose box, Lunari riding at the head.  The common soldiers defer to him quite quickly, his own work detached and distant. At lunch and dinner pauses, one can see him reading from a thick book. OOC - Are you two going to want to do anything or just keep your heads down on the trip?
[21:02] <Seira> OOC: I'll read something. Let's go see the elves~
[21:03] <Alicia> OOC: head down
[21:12] <Kotono> The rest of the trip passes without incident. Soon the party comes onto a great, shining lake. Here the Citadel of Light stands on it's great island, ferryboats passing back and forth. Here the captial of the elves gleams in the sunlight of high noon, dazzling. So many masterworks of centuries await there, architexture crafted not in days, but in months and years. Thel ine of troops seem sto slightly slacken as you arrive, Lunari setting off
[21:14] <Kotono> Lunari setting off to talk to boatmen, seeming to gather a few of them.
[21:18] * Alicia sticks close to Seira as they travel. Although betrayal seems unlikely this close to their goal, she's never been one to relax if she can help it.
[21:18] <Kotono> Soon boats come, the soldiers clambering aboard. Lunari sticks by you as you get on, "I'll escort you to the Desjardins," he says, to the point.
[21:19] * Seira nods, and turns to address Alicia. "Would you like to come as well, or go and find a place for us to stay as we visit?"
[21:21] <Kotono> "She's coming with us," Lunari announces, shaking his head. "Not letting oen of you just go wander off into town."
[21:21] <Alicia> "Well, that settles that, then," Alicia smiles primly as she boards the boat, not seeming bothered.
[21:22] * Seira raises an eyebrow, but opts to shrug. "Let's go, then."
[21:25] <Kotono> The boat trip in is quiet. Into the city you go! Past countless edifices of wood and other materials, overwhelming. Here a human architect would study for a lifetime, yet you only see the barest glances. For you head to a beautiful, arching estate. Here amid wealth and beauty you escorted in a daze, past sealed gates and fences. (More)
[21:28] <Kotono> Past an intricate fountain shaped like a gushing hourglass, into a grand estate. Inside is like a bookless library, silence, deep halls and soft but ample lights. You are lead far back in, Lunari only pausing to talk to servants briefly. As you stand in front of a grand hourglass'd door, seeming to radiate a soft silvery essence, Lunari at last stops. "This will be it," he announces.
[21:30] * Alicia has an eye out for evil during the whole trip, but seems perfectly content to follow along as they're guided.
[21:30] <Seira> "No time like the present, then," Seira responds, waiting for Lunari to either announce their presence or leave.
[21:33] <Kotono> Lunari knocks on the door respectfully. "Scion, they are here." After a momentary pause, the door is opened. Inside you find a large room. A sitting room of deep chairs, fireplaces, books, wine, sleep. Sitting in a chair near the closest fireplace is Juai Desjardin. His long white beard and face show countless years lived, yet his eyes still burn with a fierceness that cowes easily on focusing. With a slight, vicious smile, "Welcome back to P
[21:34] <Kotono> Pallanth, thief."
[21:35] <Seira> "Thank you for the warm welcome, Lord Desjardin," Seira tells him neutrally. "Must we really start with insults, after all the trouble I had to return something you've lost to you?"
[21:36] * Alicia stands neutrally behind her captain, not interjecting unless absolutely necessary. Seira seems to know how to play the elves' game well enough by herself, anyway.
[21:38] <Kotono> "You meddled in business you had no stake in meddling with, and stole something of ours." Leaning forward as he looks to Seira, focusing his eyes on her, "That book was entrusted to another under very specific circumstances."
[21:42] <Seira> "That trust was clearly misplaced, then, wouldn't you say, My Lord?" Seira responds evenly. "If I had been entrusted with a priceless elven relic dating from the time of the gnomish war, I would have made every effort to keep it safe." She tilts her head. "And I also have it on good authority that the person it was loaned to shines with as much unnaturalness as a priestess of Shar, or a fiend. I cannot help but be troubled, for the sake of House Desjardin."
[21:43] <Seira> I cannot help but be troubled, for the sake of House Desjardin."
[21:48] <Kotono> "Haha haha." Laughing at Seira's words, "Blaming the victim for your folly? I find your actions quite telling. Regardless, even then, sin does not forgive sin. First of all, return the book." As this happens, Lunari hangs back, respectfully just inside the room.
[21:51] <Seira> "Of course," Seira says, approaching the chair adjacent to the one Desjardin is in, and places the book on its seat with care. "And speaking of sin, My Lord, might I ask but one question? Is King Lorthan aware of the most serious breach in the main clause of the alliance treaty between our two nations?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "Hm?" Taking the book and checking it's pages with a careful but quick flipping through, the book is placed down delicately again. "What is you mean?"
[21:55] <Seira> "The primary reason for our cooperation is the prevention of the rise of the dreaded gnomish God-King Daa-vid and the collection of information and magic towards that end, the fabled Resorts prime amongst them. That the United Baronies are in possession of two of them has been shared with Pallanth at the earliest convenience. And yet, you hold another, while keeping this knowledge to yourselves. Pardon me for speaking out of turn, Lord Desjardin, but taking a book from my own home seems to pale in comparison."
[21:55] <Seira> Pardon me for speaking out of turn, Lord Desjardin, but taking a book from my own home seems to pale in comparison."
[21:58] <Kotono> Juai Desjardin's nostrils flare, his breath coming out in an angry snort. "Than I shall be direct - cry off your quest, forsake what you have learned and leave these matters be. I will not let you lead Pallanth into another disaster at the hands of the other races. Was not one war enough bloodshed for you?"
[22:01] <Seira> "I'm trying to prevent another war!" Seira exclaims. "All my efforts go into this. We really are on the same side, so why must we work against each other? He is coming back whether we do anything or not, so all the better to block Daa-vid before he gets too close to resurrection! Already... two of the Resorts, the Shard mentioned in this book -- they are in our possession! We can rid the world of him for good, this time!"
[22:03] <Kotono> "How many people said that before?" Juai snorts in derision, "How many noble elves went to death for those words? How many followed that for the Gods, only to find emptiness and forsakenness as the reward for the survivors?"
[22:06] <Seira> "Not for the gods!" Seira says firmly, shaking her head. "For our people, our countries, our way of life! I'm not the only one to believe in this at the Baronies. It won't be easy, it won't be bloodless, however we wish it. But mark my words, we will win, and stop him for good. We'll stop him, and it won't be emptiness that we shall have as our reward, but our very future!"
[22:10] <Kotono> "What future? What future lies there in ashes? That's all that was left to us! With the Gods behind us we barely survived, and now we are to fight him again with less power? The only future I see down your path is the dark future of oblivion!" His voice rises, becoming a half shout. "WE have ourselves and nothing else - let the Gods hang. Let the God King be forgotten and have nothing to do with us. Let the other races chase themselves into e
[22:13] <Kotono> chase themselves into eternal folly, but we will not! You there! Are you here to plead for us to follow Mystra's empty promises?" A look at Alicia, cold. "Why did you bring this human here?"
[22:15] * Alicia can hold her tongue no longer. Stepping to the side of Seira, she speaks up. "It will not be forgotten, and it will only be through the sacrifices of good people that you'll be able to maintain your way of life - because if we stand idle, others will not. Either Daa-vid will return on his own, or those who serve dark Gods will destroy him utterly, giving them and those they serve unimaginable power to reshape the world."
[22:15] <Alicia> She looks coldly down at the elven leader. "For all your age and wisdom, you preach a hollow doctrine of fear. Evil will triumph if Good is too scared to lift a finger and save itself."
[22:22] <Kotono> "What, good will build a world on the bones of elvenkind?" Juai dismisses it with a forceful wave of his hand, "To the Abyss with Good and Evil. To Limbo with the Gods and the God King. Our destiny lies in OUR hands and our hands alone! Our destiny is to florish, even if the world beyond us burns again in suicide!"
[22:24] <Alicia> "And do you think those fires will stop at the edge of your great forests just because you wish them to?" Alicia demands fiercely. "Listen to yourself, man! Isolation will not protect you from what will happen if Daa-vid returns or those who oppose us are able to destroy him first - this affects the whole world, and like it or not, you *are* a part of it."
[22:25] <Kotono> OOC - Diplo check, I suppose, you're doing well enough to force his hand. +2 bonus since you're doing well.
[22:25] <Seira> "I happen to agree with the core of this," Seira interjects. "The Gods seem to expect a tad much, and we can live just fine without their aid. Good and Evil with the capital G and E are a bit more tricky, but I can understand the need to work with the undesirables at times. It's really the elven isolationism, or any kind of isolationism that I disagree with," she muses. "Even if Daa-vid does not return, by some mircale, why let your society stagnate when it could flourish with new ideas adapted by the best and brightest of elven minds?"
[22:26] <Seira>  why let your society stagnate when it could flourish with new ideas adapted by the best and brightest of elven minds?"
[22:26] <Alicia> roll 1d20+18
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+18 and gets 38."12 [1d20=20]
[22:26] <Seira> roll 1d20+19 aid~
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 aid~ and gets 27."12 [1d20=8]
[22:32] <Kotono> "I..." Juai pauses, voice stopping. He bows his head, "We are the ones to make a culture that will last, not lost in wars once more. Even your own country is the birthed product of a bloody struggle. What can you do? Fight him? I..." His anger has sizzled away like snow on a grill, leaving only a few drops of confusion. "Do you truly believe that mass murder and war will advance us? That throwing in with you humans will suffice?"
[22:34] <Seira> "I think that at their core, all sentient beings want to work together towards a common goal, to make a decent living and build a just society. War? There's always the chance of that, yes, but it could be avoided. Even as we speak, the same humans who fought against the Baronies in such bloody battles are extending their hand in peace. Is this not telling?"
[22:36] <Alicia> "Not war," Alicia shakes her head. "With the Resorts, a small band of highly skilled warriors and magic users can penetrate the God's seal on Daa-vid, and confront him once and for all. Failure at that point would no doubt bring war, which is why we must be very careful and prepared."
[22:36] <Alicia> "But success... as I understand it, the Gods will return at that point, and those favoured by the champions to slay Daa-vid will be in ascendance. That is why us right thinking people must band together, ere the likes of Cyric and Bane usher in a new world order."
[22:43] <Kotono> "...." At last, Juai raises his head. "Can you prove these words you speak?"
[22:44] <Alicia> Well... Alicia's really just going by what she's been told by Seira and Demedais. Hopefully Seira can pull something out of her hat, here!
[22:44] * Seira exchanges a glance with Alicia. "The words about the gods, or about the peace initiative?" she asks cautiously, truly confused.
[22:47] <Kotono> "All of it," Juai goes on.
[22:51] * Seira nods. "Yes, Lord Desjardin." She withdraws a sealed scroll from her blue robes, and places it by the ancient book. "This is a request from Lord Salman of the United Baronies to sponsor a peace summit between his nation and the nation of Malmuth, addressed to King Lorthan and the Council. As such, this is easily verifiable." She considers her next words carefully. "Spells exist to make sure that what we say is the truth, yet if that is not enough, then I could lead a trusted lieutenant of yours to gnomish ruins where a messanger of Helm still stands guard to this very day. It has been amenable to responding to our queries in the past, though its very presence should be enough to corroborate our words. And if that is not enough, there are more drastic measures I could undertake, yet I would need to be in Balmuria proper for that."
[22:51] <Seira> the truth, yet if that is not enough, then I could lead a trusted lieutenant of yours to gnomish ruins where a messanger of Helm still stands guard to this very day. It has been amenable to responding to our queries in the past, though its very presence should be enough to corroborate our words. And if that is not enough, there are more drastic measures I could undertake, yet I would need to be in Balmuria proper for that."

[Corwin]

[19:48] <Ko-stalking> Idly taking a finger to break the waxen seal, Juai Desjardin reads. "Yes, yes...It was used on you last time..." he murmurs as he reads. The scroll is put aside as he thinks for a very long time, eyes closing. "No wonder indeed." He finally snorts as he reads, thoughtful. "I scantily believe it, from what the Council has heard a war between the United Baronies and the Malmuthian Empire is inevitable. But..."
[19:52] <Alicia> "There are always those who see profit in war. It is our job to be vigilant against their machinations - that is partly why we are seeking for Pallanth to sponsor these negotiations," Alicia volunteers, since Juai seems more amenable, now. "It would allow us to discuss matters in good faith, away from the entrenched power structures of those who seek to gain an advantage from conflict."
[19:52] <Seira> "For what it's worth, Lord Desjardin," Seira comments, nodding at Alicia, "I believe both leaders are honest about their intentions, in a departure from my regular suspicions."
[19:54] <Ko-stalking> "....then what profit does that man seek?" He murmurs aloud, still thoughtful. "...Seira, Alicia. Come. I believe His Majesty and the Council should meet now. Either our source or the King of the Malmuthian Empire is a bold liar."
[19:56] * Alicia frowns uneasily at those words. "As you say, my Lord, perhaps our own knowledge of our neighbours may prove lacking after all..." she replies, exchanging a worried glance with Seira.
[19:57] <Seira> "We would never rejects more intelligence out of hand," Seira confirms. "Thank you for the opportunity."

[Corwin]

[18:04] <Ko-stalking> Juai Desjardin rises, face neutral now, distant. HE leads the party along, seeming to be lost in his own thoughts. Soon you pass into the grand chambers of the Elven King. Here the council meets, the six chairs and one independant. The chairs are filling quickly, Celebrimbor noted and looking on in rather tired surprise when Seira enters. Yet as your names are announced His Majesty looks on, "Juai Desjardin, what is the meaning of this?"
[18:06] * Seira resolves not to speak out of turn unless absolutely necessary, and wait.
[18:06] <Ko-stalking> "There comes messengers fromthe United Baronies, bearing relevant information," He speaks as he sits, the Council murmuring. Celebrimbor, despite his tiredness, also looks rather surprised.
[18:07] <Ko-stalking> "Very well, approach." King Lorthian addresses the two heroes, "What news do you come bearing?"
[18:08] * Alicia defers to Seira, maintaining a silent vigil behind her captain.
[18:11] * Seira approaches the monarch with steady steps, before bowing respectfully and handing over the now-opened scroll. "Your Majesty, Lord Salman has been approached by messangers of Malmuth's king, and they have agreed in principle to meet and work out a peace treaty, putting an end to the years of hostility. In this missive, he graciously requests Your Highness and the Council of Pallanth to aid the two human nations in this task by holdin
[18:11] <Seira> in this task by holding the peace talks on neutral ground."
[18:14] <Ko-stalking> The scroll is read, the King pursuing it's reading with a slow, cautious air. As it is read, his brow furrows.  At last he lowers it, thoughtful. "House Desjardin. You have been a vocal voice on the matters of isolationism. Why do you bring this fourth to us?"
[18:15] <Ko-stalking> "I have to admit, I'd like to know that as well," Ambrose Highsun speaks up, looking to the seat of Desjardin as well. He looks mildly surprised, eyebrow raised.
[18:16] <Ko-stalking> "Is it not obvious? Even if I oppose these matters, I have not shut my ears when information from our source is discussed. The two points do not agree, therefore, there is either subterfuge on one side or a vast misunderstanding. Either greatly imperils Pallanth, your Majesty."
[18:19] <Ko-stalking> The King thinks long moments, as Kortan Chillander smiles with a wry look. "Humans vs an elf or not, we can't ignore that there is clearly something afoot. If King Ferdi is sincere, then our source is lying or gravely mistaken. If King Ferdi is telling the truth...then this proposal could range from dangerous to pure folly."
[18:20] <Ko-stalking> Celebrimbor clears his throat at this point, "Regardless...Your Majesty. Even if this is a private council matter, I recommend that Seira and her friend be allowed to understand what we talk of. Even in this...." Celebrimbor sighs, "Very difficult matter."
[18:20] <Ko-stalking> The chair of Silverleaf scowls, "That assumes that the messengers here are trustworthy," he notes acidly.
[18:21] <Ko-stalking> The King holds up his hand, "Seira. Tell me, what do you think of this offer, and what does your country think of it?"
[18:22] <Alicia> Despite her polite veneer of noble apathy that she uses in such settings, Alicia does look slightly affronted at the notion she's untrustworthy. Nonetheless, Seira knows these people best, so better to leave talking in her hands.
[18:23] <Seira> "I cautioned my liege against it, because it is my duty to," Seira responds honestly. "However, I believe Malmuth is sincere. That, however, does not include any elements in Malmuth who might decide to operate independantly, even if it means going against their king."
[18:25] <Ko-stalking> "Your Majesty. We are dealing with humans - even the elf that works for them is only a half blood. Do we trust them entirely to have fully rational minds?" Idril Silverleaf speaks forth. "BEfore we divulge information that was bidden to be for our ears only, we must consider such!"
[18:26] <Ko-stalking> "Yes, because they're inherently untrustworthy, we voted to trade with them," CElebrimbor sighs tiredly, slumping. "Really, Idril, must we beat this horse in front of them again?"
[18:26] * Alicia continues to look entirely polite and indifferent despite the slurs against her species. Ahh, diplomacy...
[18:26] <Ko-stalking> Amaryl Gaial looks down, breathing out before, "...I agree with Celebrimbor Drake," she adds in quietly. "We've cast our lot, have we not?"
[18:27] * Seira gives Alicia a light, imperceptible shrug. She's not too happy, either, but that's how things are, better to just smile and wait it out.
[18:28] <Ko-stalking> The king clear shis throat again, "Enough. Silence." Looking to his Council, "I believe that matter to be a buried one, Scion of Silverleaf. Even if they are as you say, the fact that war looms outside our borders is not mitigated by that fact, nor is simple good and intelligent choices." After a moment, the King looks on at Seira and Alicia. "This information is not to leave this room. We give it to you in good faith...and because the s
[18:29] <Ko-stalking> nd because the source is personal to you, Seira."
[18:29] <Ko-stalking> Idril looks unhappy but does not say a single word further. Juai Desjardin looks on, a conflicted face but staying silent as well.
[18:31] * Alicia nods in acknowledgement to the terms presented, but stays silent.
[18:31] * Seira is quite surprised at those words, but quickly puts a few things together in her mind. It is possible, after all. She nods, likewise, her expression carefully schooled.
[18:33] <Ko-stalking> "After the agreement between our kingdoms, Filetta came forth to the council. She said that in the end we may have chosen well or not, but that our choice may indeed be binding for more than we had anticipated." The King's tone is slow and solemn, "She came to us as one who knows Malmuth and one of the men behind it's utmost planning once King Ferdi took the throne."
[18:34] * Seira does show surprise, now, as the source is revealed to be someone else entirely than expected.
[18:36] <Ko-stalking> "She brought with the words that a man was in good standing with the King of Malmuth and pursuing his own agenda in tandem with them. This man is the wizard Irenes. With her she brought proofs, including knowledge that only one in her position could know, as well as one of the....creatures Irenes has created."
[18:37] * Alicia draws forth a sharp intake of breath as Irenes is mentioned. Damn that man, when she gets her hands on him...
[18:38] * Seira waits for the time she is allowed to comment, since speaking out of turn would just confirm what they had all said about immaturity. Along with other insults thrown casually.
[18:39] <Ko-stalking> "From that point, debate has raged amoung us. We cannot back out easily and not all entirely believed her words." The King looks on, serious and quiet for a few dreadfully long moments. "House Desjardin in particular used it as an argument against our actions, so that we should withdraw instead of choosing a side." A look to Juai Desjardin, but he stays quiet once more. "Her claims are assrted, but this only casts more mystery into the w
[18:40] <Ko-stalking> workings of Malmuth, and if she is...truthful and accurate."
[18:41] <Alicia> "Irenes was involved in an assassination attempt on Lord Salman, and has opposed us in other matters - he even attacked our vessel as we sailed to Pallanth," Alicia admits. "We had assumed, however, that he had no actual connection to the Malmuthian government."
[18:42] <Ko-stalking> "It does confound this whole matter," Celebrimbor announces after some long thought. "Either there is dissent or a sudden change in policy, or there is falsehoods going on at one pont or another."
[18:44] <Seira> "If I may, Sire," Seira says carefully. "Is there more than third-hand information, here? Filetta has proof that she was in contact with Irenes, I take it? That might well be so, but why would he tell her the truth? Are they in league with one another?"
[18:49] <Ko-stalking> "Yet another matter of our contention," Ambrose Highsun adds in, "I do not entirely trust the woman, but we could not allow her words to be ignored solely on that. I have endosed that possible suspicion, yet now it comes to a head."
[18:49] <Ko-stalking> "We have been at debate about it since I return. Explaining my considerable tardiness," Celebrimbor adds, speaking to Seira.
[18:49] <Ko-stalking> "Eh." Kortan shrugs at last, "At heart I still say we've chosen to throw in with a group already. "There's not much point jockeying for a different position now. If the Empire of Malmuth wishes a war...then they will bring it. If not, not. If they are so foolish to consider us involved because we are on better terms with the Baronies?" Kortan smiles, a chilly look. "Even if some wish it, we have not entirely forgotten the arts of war."
[18:50] <Ko-stalking> Once the Council speaks, the King clears his throat. "Scion Highsun is correct. WIth her compelling basic proofs her position could not be entirely dismissed. Further, with her relative's connections with these affairs, matters are all the more conflicted."
[18:50] <Ko-stalking> The moment the King stops speaking, Idril glares at the Seat of Chillander. "Are you a fool, throwing around war that lightly?"
[18:51] <Ko-stalking> "He most likely is," Juai Desjardin agrees, but is cut off by the King's voice, "Enough. Silence, Council. Your energy on this matter, while dedicated, begins to trample on simple decorum."
[18:52] <Seira> "I believe there is something the Council is not aware of," Seira voices, then. "Alicia and I have been in contact with a Malmuthian agent recently, and certain information was exchanged." She frowns. "If Irenes does work for Malmuth, he does so unofficially. While I would not discard the possibility... would an undercover agent throw away his best asset, the deniability for his actions, to a councilwoman from another land he has no ties
[18:52] <Seira>  to?"
[18:54] <Ko-stalking> "Not willingly," The King agrees to those words, "It complicates matters further. But it also appears that this Irenes is the direct mover behind much of this, in some manner or another. Tell me, ambassadors of the United Baronies, what do you know of this man?"
[18:54] <Ko-stalking> The Council does indeed go very silent, seeming to take the command from his Majesty to heart.
[18:55] <Alicia> Since Seira has the most direct experience with Irenes, Alicia chooses to let her field this one.
[18:58] <Seira> "We first encountered this powerful mage as we were following up on a seemingly-random spree of crime in Balmuria," Seira responds, thinking back to the case and organizing her thoughts. "We found out, to our disgust, that he was conducting experiments on humans, shaping them with his magic to further aid his research. When confronted, he ran away, leaving his followers behind. Since then, he had returned to try and assassinate highly-pl
[18:58] <Seira> aced members of the Baronies, and we have corroborated reports of his residing in Malmuth. Not of him working for them, however." Seira can't help but feel amusement inside as she says the following. "He is also the leading expert on gnomish ruins and magic, from what we were able to discern, and he actively seeks them out. For whatever goal, I cannot say, yet I do not believe it to be a good one."
[19:00] <Ko-stalking> "He seems to bear the Baronies much hatred..." The King observes to that, "The gnomes again. Is this merely an extension of the struggle for the secrets that lie within those forgotten places?"
[19:01] <Seira> "I do not believe so, Sire. Our intelligence suggests that he is capable of creating Spellgems, among other things."
[19:02] <Ko-stalking> That gets a few murmurs from the Council, but nothing quite carrying. "...I see. Like your father, Seira?"
[19:02] * Seira winces, but nods. "Yes, like my father. However, my father never tried to assassinate a foreign head of state."
[19:03] <Ko-stalking> "Your Majesty," Juai Desjardin speaks up at this point, "If I may?"
[19:08] <Ko-stalking> "Hold your peace a little longer," His Majesty shakes his head. "This is true, Seira. I ask you, as Filetta is also your flesh and blood - what do you say of her?"
[19:10] * Ko-stalking is now known as Kotono
[19:12] * Seira twitches, and finds herself lost for words. "I'm sorry to say that I have never trusted her from the day I met her to the present and that this feeling is quite mutual as far as I could see. But, of course, I would be biased."
[19:12] <Seira> She glances back at her companion. "Alicia, who happens to be a knight of Mystra, only met her for the first time a few days ago, however, and didn't like her either. I like to see that as confirmation of never having trusted her that strangers sense something off, there."
[19:13] <Kotono> "Alicia?" The King asks, "Speak of what you feel. Are you a holy champion of Mystra?"
[19:14] * Alicia bows briefly as she is addressed. "My dislike stems not from any evidence nor actions she committed in my presence. However, Mystra has granted me the ability to see if evil dwells in the souls of others - the one known as Filetta radiates with such intensity in my sight normally rivalled only be demons or the undead."
[19:16] <Alicia> "If she is mortal, that means she is either very powerful, or a champion of an evil deity," Alicia concludes.
[19:17] <Kotono> "I see...let us investigate this matter further once again," The King speaks, and after a pause, "Council, what say you to all this?"
[19:18] <Alicia> Since they've raised the subject, Alicia happens to make use of her just discussed gift as she surveys the Elven High Council.
[19:20] <Kotono> Before any can speak, Juai Desjardin stands. "Your Majesty," he bows. I oppose this war, this collaboration, this needless shedding of life once more on an altar of madness. Yet.." Looking down, "Even our own kind does not always agree, and some involve themselves. Are we so hellbent on another massacre as happened in the past? Will we throw our lives away to battle ghosts of a bygone era and the power hungry that seek to control thier gifts?
[19:20] <Kotono> I would say no even yesterday...but events begin to make me wonder if there is a choice on any level, or if we simply delude ourselves into hoping so." (more)
[19:23] <Kotono> "These past times I had focused on these things as only minor elven matters, mainly the purvey of foolish humans. But yet there comes more and more evidence that it may not be so. Idril, even if you refuse the powers the Gods have given you, the greatest sacred spellcaster in hundreds of years...what say you? Do you turn your back on them for this?" He seems to ponder it aloud, before shakinghis head. "Does it matter? I see more and more face
[19:23] <Kotono> facets to these problems, and Seira's words today stirred me more than I would imagine I could be stirred." (More)
[19:25] <Kotono> "I simply...more and more wonder if our hopes of isolating ourselves are meeting their end. As much as I wish they would not...I worry that we may simply ride against a tide that will consume us if we do not swim with it."
[19:25] <Kotono> Idril Silverleaf looks livid as he's addressed, but holds his tongue for now. He almost twitches, red faced.
[19:27] <Kotono> "Is that a vote for more intervention?" Ambrose Highsun notes, starting to look geniunely surprised. "In your own twisted, begrudged manner?"
[19:28] * Alicia observes the interplay between the rulers of the elven nation with rapt interest, not doing anything to draw attention to herself while they thrash things out.
[19:29] <Kotono> "In the end...I begin to feel that even if we stay amid ourselves, now that the door is cracked, we cannot keep what is happening outside. Maybe it's the will of the Gods or our own damn fault for getting to this point on our own." He merely shrugs his shoulders, limp. "But be it as it may..."
[19:30] <Kotono> Juai Desjardin looks tired after that, drained. "Matters move. Int he end, only a fool completely ignores the tidal wave forming ahead of him. I fear more and more that what happens in this time will be a truly great tidal wave."
[19:33] <Kotono> "Yes indeed," Celebrimbor agrees, "Not all of us feel humans are beneath us. Is a cat utterly in our contempt because it lives only a sprinkling of years? Does it make us love a pet any less?" He chuckles, "Apologies to both of you for the analogy. But the heart of the matter is correct, so what if they are different. They hav esouls just like us, they live in this world by our side."
[19:33] <Alicia> Alicia's eyebrow twitches at the pet analogy, but she manages to restrain herself.
[19:38] <Kotono> 'Enough," The King holds his hand up, silene falling. "Our own bickerings aside, it does not change the first point presented. I will send Celebrimbor to collect Filetta with all due haste. We will reassemble in an hour. Celebrimbor, use the magical means as you must. I believe she is still in Elfsander?"
[19:42] <Kotono> "Yes, your Majesty," CElebrimbor rises, hurrying out. The Council breaks for the moment...OOC - Balls in your court if you want to do anything or we can just skip ahead.
[19:43] <Alicia> OOC: Unless Seira can think of anything fun we can do in 1 hour, let's skip ahead
[19:43] <Seira> OOC: A great many things! But how about going with Cel and asking him for anything he couldn't tell us in mixed company?
[19:54] <Kotono> Celebrimbor hurries out of the hall, but not fast enough to escape Seira.  He stops as she catches up, waiting.
[19:55] <Seira> "Things seem to be coming to a head with Filetta," Seira mentions casually, for his ears only. "If you have any further information from your research into her past and her activities, it would probably be a good time to use it to justly destroy her credibility."
[19:58] <Kotono> "Not quite as much got done there as I'd like - while it was related, the council has been deeply engrossed in these debates." A tired look as he rubs his forehead, "Doubly so since she gave much of her information freely - there's little point in mentioning something she herself confirms. But...there is one thing."
[19:58] <Seira> "Oh?" Seira's ears twitch slightly in anticipation.
[20:04] <Kotono> "Besides expenses that point towards a healthy sense of vanity - she loves her own face, did you ever notice? - she's been quietly and slowly liquidating some of Saul's assets for pure gold. She's gathering money...not that there's anything illegal about it as she owns those posessions, but she's doing it in a way to stay on the low."
[20:05] <Seira> "How annoying," Seira comments. "Is she planning on running if revealed as a fraud, or to finance something? Irenes, perhaps?"
[20:05] <Alicia> "I noticed a large number of portraits in her residence," Alicia agrees quietly. "Rather unseemly, if you ask me."
[20:07] <Kotono> "I'm not sure, but she's clearly using the money for something. It could be bribes, purchases, financial aide to another..." Celebrimbor merely shrugs lightly. "I'm not inclined to think it's something she wants people to know about, considering the method she's using."
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[20:10] <Seira> "Speaking of knowing things..." Seira starts, before quickly summarizing staying in the summer house for a night, stumbling upon a book owned by Desjardin after her suspicions have been aroused when they were accosted by a strange time-warping beast, and how she and Alicia took it to Juai Desjardin himself to confront him. She keeps the actual facts of the book to herself for now, citing the vastness of the information held within and th
[20:10] <Seira> eir time limit.
[20:13] <Kotono> Celebrimbor takes it in, "Alright, I'll keep it in mind. See you in an hour," he smilse momentarily, before hurrying off. So an hour passes - Alicia and Seira wait with the others for Celebrimbor. Minutes tick-tock by, thetime approaching, everyone waiting...
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[20:15] <Kotono> But the anticipation does not last long. Instead the doors open, "Presenting Scion Celebrimbor Drake and The Lady Filetta!" Celebrimbor walks in, going to his seat quickly. Filetta lazes about instead, wearing a gorgeous green gown and corsets, a tiara of beautiful jewels on her head and rings worn. "Your Majesty," she bows most politely to him.
[20:17] <Seira> Hatred and excitement war for dominance, yet Seira shows none of that on the outside, waiting for the proceedings to resume.
[20:19] <Kotono> "Now then...Do you have a proper spell ready?" His Majesty asks Celebrimbor directly. "Or shall I summon another?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Such a spell is not in a normal wizard's purvey," Celebrimbor admits, "I have already summoned another." Indeed, for shortly after he speaks, a blonde haired man in  white chainmail enters, bowing. "I have my instructions to detect evil on her and then ascertain her truthfulness?"
[20:23] <Kotono> *elf
[20:23] <Kotono> Filetta merely smiles and nods respectfully. "Of course, Your Majesty."
[20:23] * Alicia checks herself, just in case Filetta has taken precautions.
[20:24] <Alicia> "Perhaps you should cast dispel magic first, my Lords," Alicia suggests after a glance herself at Filetta. "There are simple spells to defeat such divinations."
[20:25] * Seira glances at Filetta with a magically-augmented sight!
[20:44] <Kotono> "If you wish," Filetta bats her eyebrows politely, "Scion?"
[20:47] <Seira> "Before that, if I may," Seira interjects.
[20:48] <Seira> "It really isn't fair to wear something of Abjuration that would block any such scans and make them moot. If, perhaps, Lady Filetta could be afforded a quiet moment in seclusion to change her wardrobe, the spells would be far more precise."

[Corwin]

[17:48] <Kotono> "Oh." Filetta bats her eyelids again, "I suppose so," she allows at last, "If the Scions and his Majesty would excuse me?" With a bow she departs, heading out of the room.
[17:48] * Seira seems upset, though tries not to show it. "Where do you suppose her confidence comes from?" she asks Alicia quietly.
[17:50] * Alicia shrugs. "Ordinarily whether someone is evil or not has no relevance to the law, so these matters are rarely brought up in formal proceedings, and when they are they are easily discounted," she whispers. "However, since the Lords have made it an issue, I'd expect more concern. Perhaps she genuinely doesn't see herself as evil? Few people do, after all."
[17:52] <Seira> "It would affect how believable she comes off, I suppose," Seira muses. "Yet if she didn't consider this a factor, why would she try to hide it with magic?"
[17:53] * Alicia inclines her head. "Point. I certainly didn't mistake what I saw at the mansion, at any rate."
[17:54] <Kotono> The scions murmur amid themselves, some muted discussion. A few minutes pass, the discussion winding down...
[17:55] <Seira> "We should not invest too much capital in the results of this test," Seira says, nodding at Alicia's words. "If she doesn't use this as a diversion to run, we should be prepared to argue on our proposal's behalf on its own merits. It's better than trying to win through besmirching another."
[17:56] * Alicia nods again. "I honestly didn't expect my words to be given any weight, since it's too easily abusable. No court in Kelara would accept my word that someone is evil as evidence of anything, at any rate. Actions are far more important."
[17:59] <Kotono> About five minutes pass. At last Filetta returns, making a graceful bow. "M'lord," she defers politely, looking about.
[18:00] * Seira takes another glance at both Filetta and the person about to examine her.
[18:00] <Kotono> "Very well, do it so we can continue," King Lorthan nods curtly.
[18:01] * Alicia nods in satisfaction after eyeing Filetta for a moment.
[18:01] <Kotono> "Allow me, first," Filetta speaks after some moments of consideration. "As soon as the spell is completed?"
[18:04] <Kotono> Casting, the chainmail'd priest invokes! "Great elven lord of the sun, open my eyes to which what mortals hide, yet wear proudly from every act they commit!" After a moment, he nods to his King. "...yes," he says, stepping away from Filetta.
[18:05] <Kotono> After a moment, Filetta opens her eyes. "Your Majesty, I wish to address the court." Clearing her own throat before going on, "The wizard Irenes meddles in many things. I brought forth one unfortunate creature to this court in past times to demonstrate; I present another."
[18:07] * Alicia looks at Filetta with clear suspicion, wondering what trickery this is...
[18:08] <Kotono> "One such result has left me with an air that even the most pristine deeds cannot dispel." Bowing her head in apology, "I wished for my words to be taken seriously and I do not wish for an errant spell to cast doubt for what I say. Therefore I had endevoured to create discreet shielding before I entered Pallanth."
[18:09] <Kotono> The various Scions look on, ranging from surprise to disdain. Ambrose Highson looks nigh disgusted, while Kortan Chillander is almost smiling in his shock.
[18:09] <Kotono> *sun
[18:09] * Alicia keeps quiet, but it's quite clear from her expression that she doesn't believe a word of it.
[18:12] <Kotono> His Majesty watches on, a mix of thought and distance. "...I admit worry to your words and to these results, and further, that you willingly deceived us," he announces, "For now, I assign you to be imprisoned within a normal room within this palace, while we discuss and look into these allegations."
[18:14] <Kotono> Filetta face goes down, a frown fought back. With half lidded and slit eyes she nods, "Of course, Your Majesty. I am certain time will bear out my words." With a call two guards enter, one on either side of her as she walks out.
[18:15] <Kotono> The moment she's out, "Your Majesty," Ambrose Highsun stands, "I believe what must be done is clear. I assert that such a being is not a friend, but at best a manipulator and at worst attempting to bring us to folly. One that openly radiates evil is as miasma to our land and our council!"
[18:16] <Kotono> "Eh." Kortan looks on, then shrugs a bit. "You're forgetting that considering all the noise around this Irenes, that it's entirely possiblet hat she could be telling the truth. Let's not toss everything out the moment we get a buckle."
[18:17] <Kotono> Idril Silverleaf pauses, before shaking his head with derision. "This is only reason to withdraw ourselves from this pesky matters of humans. I care little for if she is evil or not; only that she is another way we may get tangled."
[18:18] <Seira> "If I may," Seira interjects. "It seems there are two viable options, here. Either Filetta is indeed evil and she has been lying all along, including today... or she has been involved in forbidden magics that forever taint the soul, and has lied about it. While being evil is a personal choice, I do not see how she could be considered trustworthy with such a track record."
[18:18] <Kotono> The Scion of Highsun looks on at Kortan with slitted, bright eyes. "I find your words to be well meaning but dangerous."
[18:19] <Alicia> "My Lords," Alicia speaks up respectfully. "Evil does not necessarily mean duplicitious. Now, her words may be false, or they may be true. But whichever the case, she clearly shared information with you because it benefitted her in some way. The question you should be asking, is how."
[18:20] <Kotono> Clearing his throat loudly, Celebrimbor nods. "At best, by her assertion, she was mixed up with this Irenes and stained by it - perhaps by fault of her own, perhaps not. At the least she has no business holding the 7th seat, regardless of reasons why she did before." Celebrimbor listens to Alicia, stopping as she speaks. "Revenge? Money? Deception? Power?" A shrug by him.
[18:20] <Kotono> "Or redemption of a sorts?" Kortan notes himself, "Not all evil is absolute, is it?"
[18:22] <Kotono> Juai Desjardin at last speaks, "Perhaps... If that is the case, she could be a great ally. But..." Desjardin pauses, before at last speaking with heavy words. "This calls into doubt many things. Even if well meaning, she directly disguised informatiom from th is court."
[18:22] <Kotono> The King ponders, "Seira, Alicia?" he asks, "Seira in particular - what do you think of your kinsman?"
[18:23] <Kotono> Ambrose seems to quietly seethe, but he sits back down. Meanwhile, Amaryl Gaial just looks down, blushing a bit. She murmurs something, but it doesn't really carry at all.
[18:24] <Seira> "I'm not really comfortable speaking ill of those who are not present to defend themselves, Majesty," Seira responds, bowing her head. "As I've said, we have never either trusted or liked one another, and I foresee no change in this due to recent events."
[18:24] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4 listen what did the noblewoman say?!
[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+4 listen what did the noblewoman say?! and gets 10."12 [1d20=6]
[18:24] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 another epic listen?
[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 another epic listen? and gets 9."12 [1d20=8]
[18:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 another epic listen? reroll?!
[18:25] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 another epic listen? reroll?! and gets 9."12 [1d20=8]
[18:25] <Kotono> "Why? Seira, this is an important matter, I ask of you to speak of your true heart and mind," His Majesty presses, as Alicia fails to overhear what was said in all thet alking. Sod oes, Seira, to. Amaryl just looks down, perhaps lost in thought or perhaps scared?
[18:27] * Seira looks conflicted, before nodding curtly. "As you wish, Majesty," she responds. "I believe her to be an impostor, and not truly related to me. I have no real proof, sadly. The only one who could confirm this would be my father...." Seira frowns stubbornly. "Yet would he not have mentioned her somewhere, either to me or in his will, had they been related? None of his close friends knew of her, either, before she showed up abruptly an
[18:28] <Seira> before she showed up abruptly and started liquidating all his assets quietly!"
[18:29] <Kotono> "Then..." Celebrimbor scowls, "We should attempt to track down our errant Saul sooner than later, Your Majesty," Adding weight to it, he looks at him directly. As that is said, Idril Silverleaf just snorts. "If she was mixed up with this Irenes, that may be the reason that she was not. If he has done all that has been allged, I would do the same...but...." He just shakes his head after.
[18:30] <Kotono> "Liquidating his assets?" Ambrose Highsun inquires directly, "For what?"
[18:31] <Seira> "To finance Irenes, perhaps?" Seira says bitterly. "I have no way of knowing."
[18:31] <Kotono> "Her assets," Kortan Chillander corrects with an absent air, "I do not wish to go further there, as at the moment those goods ar elegally hers." He just shrugs again, thougtfully looking away. "Yet..."
[18:33] <Kotono> The King at last shakes his head. "We have much to discuss and consider.  But on fresh minds, we will meet again in two hours after meals and rest."
[18:34] <Kotono> When that is said, Juai Desjardin looks to Celebrimbor, "Come with me," he speaks curtly to him.
[18:36] * Seira casts a look around to see whether anyone would like she and Alicia to come with them. If there are no candidates, she intends to go and greet Amaryl!
[18:37] * Alicia merely follows Seira unless she is dismissed.
[18:37] <Kotono> Celebrimbor considers a moment, before looking to Seira and Alicia. Juai looks as well, before making another curt nod. "Seira, Alicia," he calls.
[18:38] * Seira nods, and follows.
[18:38] * Alicia heads on over as instructed, bowing respectfully. "How may we serve, my Lords?"
[18:39] <Kotono> "Come with us," CElebrimbor says, "There's much to discuss, I assume."
[18:40] <Alicia> "It seems matters are not as simple as we had presumed," Alicia murmurs, dutifully following wherever they lead.
[18:41] <Kotono> You find yourselves walking out of the palace,  to Celebrimbor's abode. Here in a private room a small meal is laid out by quiet servants, fruits and clear wine. Once the four are sat down, "It seems..that matters are not as clear cut or as easy as I had believed," Juai Desjardin begins.
[18:43] <Alicia> "The United Baronies were perhaps... naive, in supposing that Irenes was an independent agent," Alicia admits thoughtfully. "Admittedly we still only have Filetta's word on that, but unless she herself was deceived, I'm unsure what would be gained for her in drawing his existence to your attention and giving details of the backing he has."
[18:44] <Kotono> "I'll take that as all that needs to be said," Celebrimbor's face shows a flash of a smile, but only lasting a mere moment.  Instead, he folds his hands in his lap and, "Since you had supported a fair bit of what I and Seira'scontingent was against...why?
[18:45] <Kotono> "I'm starting to wonder if I'm correct or if I even has a choice," Juai snorts in irritation, but then, "I begin to wonder. Each of us has a distinctly different view that doesn't entirely meld with the others. Especially around the matter of this damnable wizard and cohorts."
[18:46] <Seira> "It would be folly to think that Irenes works for anyone but himself," Seira states. "No. He has been involved in the hunt for the forgotten gnomish past for decades, now. We have ample confirmation that he was not an agent of Malmuth then. If he happens to cooperate with some facet of their government now, it is only as long as they are useful to him."
[18:49] * Alicia doesn't appear entirely convinced. "The unfortunate fact is that we lack reliable confirmation, either way. Perhaps if we are better prepared next time he assaults us, however, we may be able to learn more from him directly. Or permanently remove him from consideration," she concludes with a thin smile.
[18:52] <Seira> "With the way he can teleport all over with a thought, that day might be farther than we think," Seira says gloomily.
[18:55] <Alicia> "So long as we are prepared to counter his invisibility, disrupting any spells he casts becomes that much easier," Alicia counters. Though she does continue on a more gloomy tangent, "It is... perhaps a shame, that the Lady of Mysteries does not show discrimination in who she allows to take advantage of her gifts."
[19:00] <Kotono> "'Tis a pity. Should I die before this is resolved, I will ask her that myself," Celebrimbor muses with a thin smile of his own. "The Gods do as the Gods please...but pfah. Enough of that. He is a well prepared wizard that seems to be willing to risk himself in a very hands on way. How many times have you seen him or detected his meddling?"
[19:00] <Kotono> Juai Desjardin snorts at Celebrimbor's digression, but holds his tongue instead. He nods in a few places, but otherwise waits.
[19:01] <Seira> "You should be good for another seventy two years, so let's hope this gets resolved before then," Seira comments to Celebrimbor.
[19:01] <Seira> "At least!"
[19:01] * Alicia lets Seira field the question about encounters with Irenes, since she was actually around for them.
[19:02] * Seira considers the actual question. "Four times, I think, that we've faced him directly? Indirectly, it is impossible to tell, but today would've made a sixth."
[19:03] <Kotono> "With teleportation the logistics are simplistic," Celebrimbor nods, "But at least four or six days he's taken to directly try to eliminate you or Balmuria. You're clearly enough of a threat inhis eyes to warrant such."
[19:04] <Seira> "We do hold the main ruins hosting the God-King's body," Seira mentions.
[19:06] <Kotono> "Plus you're investigating te other matters related," Juai Desjardin observes quietly. "Direct competition. So...then his goals would be to eliminate you and those that would interfere with his research and completion? He already knows much with the spellgems, but..."
[19:06] * Seira frowns. "If he happens to be affiliated with an evil deity, then we might be competition in more than that, having the support of Helm."
[19:08] <Seira> "Ever since first meeting him, I always envisioned our final battle to take place in the underground gnomish complex next to Balmuria," she muses slowly. "Even as I've met him again and again, this hasn't changed."
[19:10] <Kotono> "If the Gods are taking sides in this...then is Mystra in Helm's camp?" Celebrimbor pointedly looks at Alicia.
[19:13] <Kotono> "Why there?" Juai Desjardin inquires as he thinks, "Do you think he'd force his way in one way or another?"
[19:13] <Alicia> "I confess, I knew nothing of these matters before I began my service under Lord Salman, and Mystra has given me no guidance regarding them," Alicia admits, shaking her head. "Perhaps she influenced events to guide me into my current position, but she has not seen fit to provide any illumination on these events."
[19:15] <Kotono> "Such is the way of the Gods..." Celebrimbor chuckles with a smile that twists into wryness. "There is a superb philisophical discussion to be had, but this is not the time. Notedly, Mystra and Helm are not strongly 'Good', like Lathander or Torm. If this was a battle of good and evil, I would expect those, not more neutrally aligned ones."
[19:16] <Seira> "That is the only thing that makes sense with the information we hold," Seira responds. "Irenes has all the magical knowledge one would seek to find from the gnomish ruins, and he certainly doesn't have trouble to find financial support for his research. He doesn't seem like a person who he is eager to fight others, and seems to do so almost reluctantly every time. What could possibly be motivating him, then? I believe it would be gettin
[19:16] <Seira> g to the God-King, either to resurrect him or usurp his place and power. Perhaps Irenes wishes to become a god?"
[19:19] <Alicia> "As I understood it, those who slew Daa-Vid would gain power to effectively create a new order among the Gods as they return in force to the world. Perhaps he simply serves a patron and expects ample reward in turn?" Alicia posits. "We cannot know for sure."
[19:20] <Kotono> "IT could be," Celebrimbor agrees after some thought. "I admit, even the knowledge of the gnomes I've seen second hand entices me. I've studied magic for countless years and yet they have things I nary even dreamed of. The gain must be something like that, or what Alicia said."
[19:23] <Seira> "What of the request the Baronies made?" Seira asks suddenly, changing the topic. "If Pallanth were to offer some remote, uninhabited land as a location for secret peace talks, we could stand to find out whether Malmuth is serious without any serious risk to Pallanth or its residents. And should they be on the level, the risk of war drops considerably."
[19:23] <Kotono> "...hm. So...this all may just be a grand competition for what is to come next for the world?" Juai Desjardin asks after long, difficult pauses of his own, face drawn.
[19:24] * Alicia nods sympathetically to Juai. "It does appear that way. And if we do not play, we are guaranteed to lose, I am afraid."
[19:25] <Kotono> "It's not my plae to say...." Celebrimbor glances at the Scion of Desjardin, but continues on with his own thoughts. "It's not my choice to make, but I suspect his Majesty will agree to it if we all back the proposal. Ambrose Highsun will almost certainly side with us, and with him Amaryl Gaial. Idril...is anyone's guess and Kortan Chillander follows his own thoughts."
[19:26] <Kotono> "But can the game be played if some of the pieces are msising?" Juai Desjardin mrumurs, eyes half closed. He looks to be losing himself in thought, voice lowering.
[19:26] <Seira> "It'll be the same as forfeiting a turn, if not the game itself."
[19:29] <Kotono> "Then...why haven't they told us that? Why?" Juai Desjardin speaks with a small hint of anger, "If we put ourselves in spelendid isolation for centuries, what is the point if we are only to be drawn out again or lose on a scale we can only guess at?"
[19:30] <Seira> "I often ask myself that very question," Seira says with a shrug. "But being upset over the hand we've been dealt doesn't exactly help us, sadly."
[19:31] <Alicia> "Perhaps the world simply needed those centuries to recover from the last war," Alicia suggests softly. "But however it started, the fact is that events have started unfolding towards a definite conclusion. I don't believe it would be possible to reverse them, now."
[19:32] <Kotono> "Well, why do you not know? You come in with every other answer, it seems!" Looking up, voice reeking a momentary flare, "I've used my name, my family and myself to keep us away from the other races!" Sighing after that, quieting at Alicia's words. "And now I sound like an angry old man. I won't oppose your measures this coming day regarding the peace talks, at least."
[19:35] <Alicia> "I never expected to find myself caught up in these events when all I sought was to protect my sister," Alicia admits, shaking her head. "All I can do now is as I have always done - to act as my conscience dictates. And I fear that unless we take action to grasp fate ourselves, then it will grasp us, and we will not be treated kindly."
[19:35] <Alicia> She shrugs with half a smile, "The potential rewards of success are admittedly tempting, but in the end, it is the price of failure that compels me to act."
[19:36] <Kotono> "On the subject of failure..." CElebrimbor interjects, "We still have the matter of Filetta. As far as I care she can sit in a palace room for a goodly period of time, but we can't ignore the issue forever."
[19:37] <Kotono> Ignoring Celebrimbor pointedly, "Perhaps so," Juai says, voice tight. "Just...ugh." With that he sahkes his head, going quiet as well.
[19:39] <Alicia> "If you have any clerics capable of casting Dispel Evil, it would put an end to her foolish story once and for all. Much as I doubt anyone was taken in by it, but confirmation never hurts," Alicia replies, turning her attention to Celebrimbor. "Beyond that, interrogate her to find out what she knows and the depth of her involvement with Irenes machinations?"
[19:39] * Seira considers herself too close to the topic at hand, and holds off on commenting for the time being.
[19:40] <Kotono> "We may, I'll look into it. Sensible ideas all. Alright." With a nod, Celebrimbor at last goes for some of the forgotten food. "Anything else? I wish to eat before going back, at least."
[19:41] <Alicia> "Nothing I can think of, for the moment," Alicia demurs, likewise getting into the meal.
[19:42] * Seira is content to wait until the council reconvenes.
[19:45] <Kotono> When the Council and King regather, the mood is quiet but anticipatory. His Majesty speaks as it begins, "Very well. For this, I ask the opinions of my council, and on relevant matters, of our guests from the Baronies that are intracately involved in such matters." After a moment to let his words echo in the hall, "First, I ask of our guests - we have been busy and distracted by today's events. What is your full purpose here?"
[19:46] <Alicia> Seira's in command, so she gets to answer the tough questions. Alicia just looks pretty or scary as needs dictate.
[19:47] <Seira> "To request that Pallanth sets aside a quiet, isolated area for hosting a secret peace summit between the leaders of the Baronies and Malmuth, so that the two human nations can come to better understanding of one another, and avert the possibility of a war on your borders, Sire," Seira tells the elven king.
[19:49] <Kotono> "Ah yes. Now that we are refreshed, I ask of the Council: What do you say?" The King asks.
[19:51] <Kotono> Highsun stands first, and with a discreet bow, "I have no objection to this. Peace outside of our borders is admirable and it serves preexisting goals."
[19:52] <Kotono> Amaryl Gaial rises and nods, "Wea gree with the house of Highsun," she murmurs, sitting back down.
[19:52] <Kotono> Celebrimbor is next, "We agree as well. We cannot hide from coming events, so let us endevour to make them agreeable to our nation and our tranquility, Your Majesty."
[19:53] <Kotono> Next comes Juai Desjardin. "Thehouse of Desjardin declines to take a position  on this matter..." he says crisply, before sitting. Idril Silverleaf looks at him with venomous eyes, standing next. "We oppose such. There is no need to get invovled...but...I'm already badly outvoiced, am I not?" he notes with a touch of bitterness.
[19:54] <Kotono> Chuckling, Kortan stands last. "Eh, I have some reservations to parts of this, but it's fundamentally a good idea if both kingdoms can be trusted."
[19:56] <Kotono> His Majesty nods to all those words, before at last, "I find this matter a chance to provide stability outside of our borders. With the current difficulties, this appeals on many levels. If Malmuth and the United Baronies are sincere, we have no objection to doing so."
[19:57] <Kotono> After a moment, "Our nation puts trust in yours, diplomats," he speaks to both heroes directly.
[19:58] * Seira bows deeply. "Our nation is sincere, Your Majesty, and we thank you for your trust in us."
[19:58] <Alicia> "The information you have given us sadly casts doubt on the sincerity of Malmuth," Alicia admits, echoing Seira's bow. "However, we will endeavour to ensure all is in order before we impose upon your gracious hospitality."
[20:09] <Kotono> "Very well. We will compose a message back and give tit o you on the morrow. Now then...on the matter of Filetta, we shall take steps to ascertain the truth as best we can. Is there any more information any of you can offer?"
[20:11] * Seira considers this. "No, but we might be able to corroborate or disprove certain elements of her story. If you were able to determine when and where she claims to have met with Irenes, such information could be checked. Also, any tangible proof she has offered that he works for Malmuth, beyond repeating his words."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Yes, we need to get all the information we can from her and rake it over coals," Ambrose Highsun agrees quite quickly.
[20:17] * Alicia smiles approvingly at Ambrose's words.
[20:19] <Seira> "There is another matter I wished to raise with the Council, if permitted," Seira speaks then. "This recent unpleasantness reminded me of the potential benefits of it."
[20:20] <Kotono> "Go on," The King allows with a nod.
[20:22] <Seira> "Would it be possible to establish faster modes of communication between our nations?" Seira queries. "Certain information is best shared at the earliest convenience, and we have no methods of instantaneous travel, as of yet. This leaves us with a week of travel at the least. If Pallanth could keep such means in the trading post it has recently finished building in Balmuria, it could prove most useful in an emergency."
[20:24] * Kotono (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
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[20:28] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Kotono Kotono
[20:33] <Kotono> "Such matters can be looked into," The Elven King agrees, "In a true emergency we still possess Rings of Teleportation as a national treasure."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Very well," The King nods after a moment, "If all matters are dealt with for this time...?"
[20:36] * Seira nods.
[20:37] * Alicia has nothing further to raise.
[20:38] <Kotono> "Very well, we are done for now," The King announces, rising. OOC - Ball's in your cuort this second if you wish to do something.
[20:39] <Seira> "I wish to see Celebrimbor about a private matter, before we leave," Seira tells Alicia quietly. "Is there anything you would like to do in the meanwhile?"
[20:41] * Dracos is now known as Drac-sleep
[20:41] <Alicia> "I suppose I shall have a look around the city, unless there's anything you can recommend as especially interesting?" Alicia replies amiably. "When and where should we meet up?"
[20:44] <Seira> "I would recommend trying to meet one Amaryl Gaial and getting to know her better, if at all possible," Seira muses. "She has supported our cause from the start, likely despite heavy opposition from within her own house. It would be nice to build better ties with her."
[20:46] <Alicia> "Very well," Alicia nods crisply, looking to see if she can catch said noblewoman as the council adjourns.

[Corwin]

[18:11] <Kotono> As the meeting of the Elven Council breaks up, Seira finds herself with CElebrimbor again. The two walk out of the palace in no particular, immediate hurry, a beautiful afternoon blossoming around them. The old elf looks thoughtful as he walks, holding his peace for the moment...
[18:12] <Seira> "I've been really patient," Seira tells him, once they are away from prying ears, "but the whole turning into an evil dragon, dad dying to save me deal has been weighing down on me. Any chance that you have some news, here, Celebrimbor? We only have seventy years and change to fix things, after all."
[18:14] <Kotono> "Only seventy years?" Celebrimbor raises an eyebrow back, "Hardly enough time to do anything. But yes, I've found out a little. Come." He quickens his pace, leading Seira onward, towards his family's estate.
[18:15] <Seira> "Well, sarcasm is a good outlet for anger and frustration, or so I hear," she returns, but follows the rest of the way quietly.
[18:18] <Kotono> You only get a few chuckles as you walk back. Soon you find yourself in a pleasant garden, sitting with servants bringing fruit and drink. Once they are gone, "The matters are somewhat complex, but I do have some good news to report and some bad news."
[18:19] <Seira> "I prefer to hear bad news first," Seira instantly voices.
[18:24] <Kotono> Sipping a glass of water first before he sits down, CElebrimbor murmurs a few words. A book appears in his hand, and with another few it glows white. It floats in the air with nary an effort, pages opened. "The pact you were a part of is a unique thing. That a dragon would enter it with mortal beings is said to be almost unheard of. Well then, the bad news? In doing so you clearly have the attention and desires of Ajan. In doing so he finds y
[18:29] <Kotono> finds you worthy of his attentions, regardless of the situation. Now then..." Flipping a few more pages, CElebrimbor motions for Seira to come forward.
[18:30] * Seira scoots over to glance at the opened book.
[18:33] * NeremWorld (~Neko@pool-71-164-226-63.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[18:35] <Kotono> The left page is full of writing in Draconic, old styled and long to read. On the right is a picture, of a great flowing river of endless magma, where red dragons dance and writhe. Below it, "The Fabled River of the Red Stygian: A legendary place where red dragons bring those they find worthy."
[18:38] <Seira> "It seems very painful," Seira comments, brows furrowing. "It's not an orgy, is it? Was that what you meant by Ajan taking an interest in me?"
[18:39] <Kotono> "...." Celebrimbor darkens at that, but goes on. He turns the page, tapping the writings ahead with his finger. "Longer ago than we have numbers to express such times, there was a river red dragons took those mortals that truly interested them to. They would bind their spirits to them in some way or another and slowly take them there. Most would be fuel and food to the river, but a rare few would be worthy to be transformed into full red drag
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[18:41] <Kotono> dragons, champions of evil." Pausing to turn the page and scanning along, "If your dream is true, then perhaps Ajan has noticed you and ponders this fate?"
[18:43] <Seira> "Wow, the author had me there, up until the last word." Seira peers closer towards the page, trying to discern that it is indeed 'evil' that she is to champion.
[18:44] <Kotono> The exact script is, roughly: "Those not consumed by the Stygian will be born again as those of the Red Dragons. They will soar in the skies with us, our knights."
[18:46] <Seira> "I'm sorry," Seira tells to Celebrimbor in a serious tone of voice, "but I don't see anything about evil, here. What lead you to draw that conclusion? Do you think that by saying 'with us' or 'our knights' that my mind would be affected in some way?"
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[18:49] <Kotono> "Considering the dream you had, yes." Celebrimbor looks up to you, "If it were benign, why would Saul sacrifice himself to it in your place? Further, why would this river make red dragons that were against what red dragons are?"
[18:52] <Seira> "I would suggest that evil dragons normally take only evil or corruptible... apprentices, let's say. Thus, their... evilness... would be assured in the process. Perhaps dad took my place because he knew that it wouldn't work on me, and thus the river would kill me. After all, I didn't see him come up, so...." Seira frowns. "Well, this certainly sounds bad. There were good news also, you said, or are the bad news still coming?"
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[18:56] <Kotono> "The good news?" Celebrimbor flips a few pages back, "Is that the dragons take that oath very seriously. As long as you uphold your end of it you won't have any direct problems. Also," Then he flips ahead, "Those that are chosen for the river that are strong enough have a power or ability that attracs the dragon's attention in some way."
[18:57] <Seira> "An actual inborn ability, you mean, not as a euphemism for skill or arcane knowledge?"
[18:58] <Kotono> "It can go either way. Tell me...what about you would interest a red dragon?" Seira is asked, as Celebrimbor looks at her directly.
[19:01] <Seira> "My charming personality, my wit, the fact that I'm its best place of leaving the prison it has resided in for literally ages, I believe it could be anything." Seira ruins the effect by snorting. "But if I had to pick, I'd go for that last one. Then, there was also the part about only those 'blessed by the gods' being able to proceed, and we seemed to have qualified. Maybe part of the conditions on its release is that only someone approv
[19:01] <Seira> ed by the gods could unmake the prison they themselves created?"
[19:01] <Seira> *best bet
[19:02] <Kotono> "Entirely possible," Celebrimbor muses, flipping along in the book. "Knowing all of this is a good step in controlling it. Tell me, what do you plan to do  with this information? Do you ponder confronting the dragon?"
[19:04] <Seira> "I will go and take more stuff from those ruins, sell the junk I don't need, and consider preemptive ways of becoming a dragon that don't involve diving into magma. That's just stupid, I don't want to do it, no matter how traditional or important to elder dragons of ancient times." She shrugs. "I fully intend on carrying out my part of the pact to the best of my ability. There is no time limit, so I wouldn't rush it just yet. Certainly,
[19:04] <Seira> a mage with merely third circle spells could not achieve it, anyway. If it turns out that Ajan tricked us, somehow, and does intend us harm after being freed... well, we'll see then. But I don't assume the worst right away."
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[19:11] <Kotono> "Yes. Worries for another day," Closing the book with a satisfying clank of old leather, "Also, of course, find your father. If between him, yourself, your friends and the gnomish ruins you can't find a way to solve these problems, the Gods have truly dealt you a doomed hand."
[19:16] <Seira> Seira nods, and changes the topic. "I seem to recall that our first meeting mentioned spellgems. And also that I've been in your debt quite a bit from the start. Well, our recent expedition managed to uncover something that should help offset that and prove you that your investment was a good one! Here--" Seira hands over an old, leather-bound tome, its title in gnomish. "--the gnomish cookbook and spellgem-making manual." She withdraws
[19:16] <Seira> a set of notes, lightly-bound and written in Draconic, Elven interspercing them. "My notes, as I took the time to proofread it and weed out the junk, plus make an index that works. That last part took the better half of a month, I'll have you know. May you put all this knowledge to good use, and keep it out of danger and all that." Seira seems incredibly pleased with herself at the end of her speech.
[19:19] <Kotono> "...my." Celebrimbor takes the tome and sits down, starting to scan the notes. "..yes, yes I will. By Mystra..." As he reads his words become more active, pace quickening. "...I see. Taht the gnomes made this..."
[19:21] <Seira> "Umm. Please don't use any sacrifices of sentient beings or blood magic or any of that creepy stuff like consorting with devils, I noted down perfectly acceptable alternatives for those willing to wait long enough." Seira winces. "Unfortunately, I myself am not, nor is Balmuria conductive to having such experiments in it. The well-protected estate of a noble house in the heart of Pallanth, however...."
[19:23] <Kotono> "Yes, yes." Celebrimbor nods agreeably to that, "Still, this is incredibly primal. Turning souls into pure magical grist? Treating the very essence of mortal beings as mere fuel for the elite surely did bring down the wrath of the Gods. Yet...it's secrets lie here again."
[19:27] <Seira> "Drawing on the happiness of people without harming them seems to work just fine, and I can't see the gods object to that," Seira muses. "It shouldn't even drain from their worship, if I understand the mechanics right. I always slept through those classes."
[19:27] <Kotono> "I'll look into it," Celebrimbor promises, "Do you need a room prepared for tonight here?"
[19:31] <Seira> "It would help to have Alicia and I stay somewhere safe," Seira agrees graciously, before asking, "Do you think my new friend Lord Desjardin would let me take a glance in his library, or is it still too early in our fragile relationship to be so bold?"
[19:35] <Kotono> "You an try," Celebrmibor offers after a moment, "I wish all the luck that the world has, however."

[18:12] <Kotono> ---
[18:13] <Kotono> As Seira goes off with Celebrimbor, Amaryl Gaial slowly rises. She looks around, lingering towards Ambrose Highsun. Her face is a little tired, but she looks about nonetheless, drifting.
[18:17] <Alicia> Well, Ambrose seems to have his head screwed on straight, so Alicia wouldn't mind killing two birds with one stone. Waiting just a moment for everyone else to get moving with whatever they're doing, she respectfully heads over towards the duo. "Honoured Lord and Lady," she bows deeply to each in turn. "I wish to express my thanks for the support each of you have shown, this day."
[18:20] <Kotono> "Aaah..." Amaryl Gaial lightly blushes, before swallowing. "Yes, thank you," she replies soundly.
[18:21] <Kotono> Ambrose Highsun speaks after that, calm. "There was nothing but logic to support - With Filetta cast into a grave shroud of doubt and the chance to secure peace beyond our borders, options are simplistic."
[18:26] <Alicia> "It is refreshing to see those in power take such an objectively moral approach to decision-making," Alicia favours Ambrose with a smile, before turning slightly to include Amaryl in the gesture. "Too many allow the waters to be muddied in the name of expediency, while losing sight of what is quite simply right and just. I feel many could learn from your examples of governance."
[18:32] <Kotono> "Too many forget that and lose themselves in petty bickering," Ambrose Highsun smiles back to Alicia as well, "What good are we if we do not work for the good of our peoples and those around us?"
[18:33] <Kotono> Amaryl merely nods after that, murmuring something first, and then, "Yes...Yes, that is true," she says, breathing out. "Lady Alicia...you are one of Seira's friends?"
[18:35] * Alicia nods agreeably to Ambrose before giving her attention to Amaryl's question. "I have not known Seira for a terribly long time, but from what I have seen I would be honoured to be considered among her friends," she replies humbly.
[18:36] <Kotono> "Yes...I am impressed with what we have seen from your kingdom," Ambrose goes on, "Seira while still a child, possesses strong will and a sense of rightness for those she serves. You strike me as such as well."
[18:41] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@c-71-229-141-137.hsd1.co.comcast.net) Quit (And off to parts unknown -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[18:43] <Kotono> "Thank you..." Amaryl smiles slightly, breathing out. "How do you like our kingdom?"
[18:46] <Alicia> "I have always clung to my morals, even before Mystra saw fit to bless me. Perhaps that's even why?" Alicia posits briefly, before responding to Amaryl. "It is not entirely what I expected - I suppose the elves who travelled to my home were a breed apart. Nonetheless, after dealing with Lord Desjardin, I feel confident in meeting anything Pallanth can throw at me," she smiles lightly, before cocking her head in thought.
[18:46] <Alicia> "Tell me, Lady Gaial, do you know Seira well, yourself?" she asks, a bit curious as to why she'd be thanked for flattering her captain.
[18:48] <Kotono> "Not so much - we only met the last time she came to Pallanth," Amaryl speaks after that, listening, "You do rather sound like Sir Ambrose..."
[18:50] <Kotono> Ambrose smiles a littl emore, extending his hand out. "It is an honor then, paladin," he offers back. "May Mystra and the gods of the elves look over you in your days."
[18:52] <Alicia> "I shall take that as a compliment," Alicia laughs slightly at Amaryl, before firmly shaking Ambrose's hand. "May you continue to lead your people with strength and righteousness, my Lord," she returns easily.
[18:57] <Alicia> *at Amaryl's words
[18:59] <Kotono> "Then be well," Ambrose agrees, "But I have matters of statecraft and family to attend to now, these coming days are going to be even busier ones."
[19:00] <Kotono> Amaryl smiles back, a little hesitant. "It really is an honor..." she murmurs again, "Alicia.
[19:00] <Kotono> "
[19:03] <Alicia> "I am sure that justice will prevail," Alicia replies earnestly, giving her full and undivided attention to Amaryl once Ambrose has departed. "I had no wish to say this before for fear of causing you offence or embarrassment, my Lady, but as Seira has intimated that your support of our cause has met with opposition in your own family, I wish to convey our sincerest gratitude for your kind words in the Council."
[19:03] <Alicia> She leaves it at that for a moment to see how Amaryl responds before proceeding.
[19:09] <Kotono> "A-ah.." Gulping that down, Amaryl puts on a friendly face. "It's acceptable. They're just..." Amarly shruggles a moment, "Very traditional. When the last Scion of Gaial died, everything was unsettled. But...you know, hyou have to do what's right."
[19:14] <Alicia> "Perhaps they will settle down more when the results of your good work on the council bears fruit?" Alicia offers supportively. "We humans may not live as long as your people do, but we are not forgetful, and your continued support is appreciated. If there is anything you can ever think of that we can provide, my Lady, please do not hesitate to ask. Our relationship should be a two-way street after all, should it not?"
[19:17] <Kotono> "...yes. Thank you," Amaryl Gaial smiles firmly at that, offering her hand as well. "Are all of the humans and half humans in your kingdom like you and Seira?"
[19:20] <Alicia> "Are all elves like you and Lord Highsun?" Alicia replies as she accepts the hand with a far more delicate grip than she used with Ambrose. "No," her face clouds briefly and she shakes her head. "There are villians among my people, I am shamed to admit. It is all we can do to provide a fitting example, and, when it is necessary, chastise our wayward siblings." She means siblings in a purely figurative 'brotherhood of man' way, of course!
[19:25] <Kotono> "Well spoken!" Amaryl blurts out, shaking hands back.  "I wish you well...and you're proof that those old elves are just foolish."
[19:30] <Alicia> "You do flatter me so, my Lady," Alicia blushes in as lady-like a fashion as she can manage. Which isn't much of a stretch, admittedly. "However, I wish you every success in convincing your fellows of what you just said!" laughing slightly, she proceeds to give Amaryl a courtly bow, "Now, I am sure I have taken enough of your time, my Lady. Simply remember what I said, though. We are always at the service of our friends, if they but ask."
[19:31] <Kotono> "I'll remember that!" Amaryl smiles, "Be well, Alicia of the United Baronies."
[19:33] * Alicia returns the smile warmly. "And you, Amaryl Gaial," she replies, before respectfully departing the council chambers. And realising she probably should have made plans to meet up with Seira somewhere.

[19:38] <Kotono> --
[19:40] <Kotono> The next day finds Seira and Alicia back in the court. Here the other six Scions have gathered, from the upbeat(Ambrose) to the brooding and gloomy(Silverleaf). As the two heroes approach the throne, a single page waits, given a scroll by His Majesty and bringing it to them. "Herein lies our official reply and salutations to the United Baronies. Seira and Alicia, we ask that you deliver this with all care."
[19:41] <Alicia> As usual for this situation, Alicia defers to the good captain!
[19:47] * Seira approaches the page, giving each of the Scions the same respective nod regardless of their voting preferences, and accepts the scroll. "Our thanks for the promptness of the reply, and for hearing us out."
[19:48] <Kotono> "We hope that this will lead to peace in our kingdom and in the kingdoms beyond our scope. Carry this hope with you and be well." HIs Majesty nods, "Godspeed."
[19:49] * Seira gives the king a full bow at that, and departs respectfully.
[19:49] * Alicia echoes Seira's bow before following!
[20:00] <Kotono> The trip back from the capital towards Elfsander is uneventful for the first few days. But soon a branching path leads them towards the east and another goal altogether. The Temple of Mystra is sought, and soon...(More)
[20:02] <Kotono> It curls into the sky. In a clearing of trees wide and large it stands. Stacked like blocks, a temple with a tower jutting from it's center. The air here is buzzing with latent energy and yet silent, peaceable. In place of a gate a single white stone rests at the bounadries of the temple, in front of doors that lead inside.
[20:02] <Kotono> The coloring is purple and blue, standing out proudly fromt he forest around it.
[20:04] <Alicia> "Ahh, no matter where in the world it may be, Mystra's house is always a place I can call home," Alicia smiles as she dismounts her phantom steed, breathing in deeply of the almost electric air. "Coming, Seira?" she asks as she approaches the entrance.
[20:05] * Seira nods, and tags Alicia's shoulder. "Time for me to be the shadow."
[20:07] <Alicia> "A wizard of your skill should be just as welcome, I'm sure," Alicia replies easily, nonetheless leading the way.
[20:10] <Kotono> So you pass into the doors. They open without protest, leading you into the temple proper. Here is a room for reflection and meditation, sunlight streaming down in leaf shaped shadows. A ceiling of pure glass is above you, laced with beautiful leaf designs. Ahead of you sits an elf in brown robes and one in dazzling patchwork clothes. They're deep in discussion, the woman with the brown robes scowling.
[20:13] * Alicia briefly bows her head, mouthing a short prayer to Mystra as soon as she steps into the door. That formality done, she walks fully inside, looking around quite openly at her surroundings before settling on the other two occupants of the temple and respectfully approaching.
[20:18] <Kotono> As they do the conversation halts, the brown robed woman standing. She looks at Alicia...
[20:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 15."12 [1d20=3]
[20:19] <Kotono> She nods to herself, "Welcome, servant of Mystra," she speaks with no ill will, "It has been a long time since one of our human bretheren have come to this temple."
[20:20] <Kotono> The other woman mutters something under her breath. "Yes yes," she waves her hand, "If you want to ask, yes, they'll do."
[20:20] <Alicia> "Blessings of the Weave upon you," Alicia replies with a smile, before glancing in slight confusion at the other elf. "They'll do?" she repeats, blinking.
[20:21] <Kotono> "You heard me. Go ahead and get them to do it," sh ewaves her hand, "I want it back since it's quite precious to me. My head doesn't even feel the same since I lost it today."
[20:21] <Seira> "Your manners?" Seira interjects curiously.
[20:22] <Kotono> The other woman sighs, an elf with beautiful honeyblonde hair. "I apologise for her. Now then," Clearing her throat, "What she wants to ask you if you'll retreieve something she lost in exchange for a reward."
[20:24] <Alicia> "I... see," Alicia replies dubiously. "Pray tell, what did you lose, fair lady?" she asks, turning to regard the other elf and putting all her manners and patience to the fore. She can't yell at someone in a place of worship, after all!
[20:25] <Kotono> "Yes, yes." Ignoring Seira and not even looking at her, "Tell them about the preserve if they agree-oh, even better. I lost something very important to me. Something that I wear on my head...my Circlet of 4FIRE."
[20:25] <Seira> "Let's not get involved," Seira tells Alicia. "It's pretty cheap to buy, so the reward can't be that good."
[20:26] <Alicia> "Now, now," Alicia waves a hand placatingly at Seira, "If a worshipper visits the temple seeking assistance, it behooves us to provide what aid we can." She briefly leans towards the blonde elf and whispers, "She *is* a worshipper, yes?"
[20:27] <Kotono> Leaning in as well, "Yes, I think so. She's just...well...herself." Shaking her head and cheerfully going on, "But it's a special circlet she created to aide her fire magic. She was helping tend to the preserve when she lost it."
[20:29] * Alicia nods, deciding to take charge of this situation. "Very well. Did you misplace the circlet, or was it stolen, madam...?" she trails off expectantly, hoping she takes the hint and gives a name.
[20:32] <Kotono> With a toss of her hair, "My name is Alhadre. Now then, it was lost in the preserve - I was tending and trying to finally calm the large viper snakes when it fell off." Scowling in irritation, "Of course it fell into a recess where several of them were coiled and one of them swalloed it.
[20:33] <Alicia> "So... you want us to find the snake that ate your circlet, and... retrieve it. From inside the snake?" Alicia asks slowly. They must be big snakes...
[20:34] <Kotono> "Oh yes, but it gets better...You heard how I mentioned I was trying to calm them down...but wait. I'm getting even more ahead of myself. Hmph, you tell them." Looking to the blonde elf, she sighs once more.
[20:35] <Kotono> "The Preserve is a space of forest we keep behind the Temple. It holds many...unusual creatures that aren't common. A week ago a troublesome incident stirred many of them up. They're just now starting to calm again."
[20:35] <Alicia> "What stirred them up?" Alicia asks, deciding it best to get all the facts in order first.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Have you ever heard of creatures called fey?" the blonde elf asks cheerfully. "They're almost unknown of or gone, but there are still a few around. The Preserve happens to be one of those places."
[20:38] <Alicia> "You mean like fairies and dryads?" Alicia asks, nodding.
[20:39] <Kotono> "Yes!" The blonde girl perks up, "Pixies as well...I like them a lot..." she smiles innocently, but doesn't linger there for long. "They're what stirred things up. It happens ever so often, but this time was worse than theothers."
[20:41] <Alicia> "So the pixies got the animals all stirred up, and then one of the snakes ate Miss Alhadre's circlet, yes?" Alicia asks, guessing she at least has some handle on events, now.
[20:42] <Kotono> "Essentially," THe blonde smiles winsomely, "There's fey, large animals and snakes, a treant and other things like that. They're normally friendly, but..."
[20:43] <Alicia> "What sets them off, then?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "They always claim it's just good fun, so..." A shrug. "When they're acting up, they tend to be anywhere from neutral to outright hostile." At this point, Alhadre speaks up. "Yes, yes. I don't really want to have to go to the hassle of that, sicne I'm ill suited to this. I could get it, but I'd probably burn up a good part of the preserve."
[20:47] <Alicia> "Well, at the very least, I'd have to kill the unfortunate snake that ate the circlet. I'm not sure it would be capable of, ah... voiding, something like that, so cutting it open is probably the only way," Alicia replies, looking to the blonde cleric to see if she's got any objection to slaughtering one of the animals in the preserve.
[20:48] <Kotono> "It can't be helped sometimes..." The blond elf sighs once more, "Caring for such animals and creatures is inherently risk filled. Atleast the snakes are not intelligent."
[20:48] * Seira tilts her head. "So you're asking us to kill the snakes you were caring for, essentially?"
[20:49] <Alicia> "Well, the magic should still be visible through it's hide, so at least only one needs to be slain," Alicia points out.
[20:49] <Kotono> "No," Alhadre snaps in irritation, "I'm asking you to go in, try not to kill too many of the fey or animals or wahtever on the way and get the circlet out. Also while not dying, since it's still not entirely safe in the preserve."
[20:52] <Alicia> "If you can tell me where to find the lair of the snakes that did it, it shouldn't be too problematic, I'd think..." Alicia ponders. "Simply hurry in, locate the correct snake with detect magic, kill it and take the body, then you could turn us invisible long enough for us to depart, Seira?"
[20:53] <Seira> "Sounds like a plan! All it now lacks is an incentive!"
[20:54] <Kotono> "It's in the center, just behind the treant's grove," the nice blonde elf supplies with her own smile. "Alhadre, how much are you going to offer them for this?"
[20:55] <Kotono> The red haired woman gets up, pacing a few steps. "Hmmm. 2,000 for bringing back the circlet and another 3,000 if you can do it without killing anything but the snake."
[20:56] <Seira> "Each?"
[20:58] <Kotono> "Do I look like I'm made of gold," she asks, pinching her very  ungolden arm. "5,000 gold is plenty if you do the job right. You just discussed how you'd do it easily, anyway."
[20:59] <Seira> "Ah, so troublesome," Seira grumbles. "I'll make you a scroll of invisibility, okay, Alicia? I don't need petty cash right now."
[20:59] <Alicia> "It is a large sum of money, Seira," Alicia agrees with the red-haired elf. "We can't raid a dragon's hoard every day."
[21:00] <Seira> "It's either really boring or really dangerous, and I'm not really looking to purchase anything." Seira does not quite pout.
[21:01] <Alicia> "Alright, alright. If you're willing to wait while my friend scribes a scroll of invisibility for me, I will endeavour to recover your circlet, Miss Alhadre," Alicia smiles at the supplicant.
[21:01] <Kotono> Snorting at Seira's words, "Why, in my days, we EARN money. I'm virtually giving thi saway!" Alhadre contents. "Fine."
[21:02] <Seira> "Then save some and go do it yourself," Seira snaps back, crossing her arms. "In any case, I just need a quiet corner somewhere," she tells the blonde elf. "I won't even get in your way."
[21:03] <Kotono> Blushing at it, "Please don't fight," she chides, "I'll take you to a meditation room, dear."

[Corwin]

[17:46] <Ko-brb> Soon a scroll is prepared for Alicia. She has it in hand, everyone waiting on her next action...
[17:47] * Alicia gets detailed directions to the viper's lair, and borrows a knife from someone, before setting out on her perilous quest!
[17:49] <Ko-brb> The Preserve is a long stretch of forest, wide and long. It's over a mile long and wide each, demarcated by a special border. The trees on the border bear leaves of the most pure silver-white-blue, radiant. The forest inside is quite thick, with only one path to enter directly, from the very front. Otherwise it's all roughing it in the woods.
[17:51] <Alicia> While Alicia might not be fully at home in the woods, it's not necessarily hostile to her. So, taking a moment to cast detect magic...
[17:51] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[17:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 57."12 [1d100=57]
[17:51] <Alicia> she starts hiking through the woods along the directions given towards her goal.
[17:52] <Ko-brb> OOC - From the front or going in the sides or...?
[17:53] <Alicia> OOC: from the front, taking the most direct route.
[17:55] <Ko-brb> The path is about ten feet wide, rough but well travelled. As you pass into the glade you begin to feel the air warming, the sun's light seeming to penetrate well despite the heavy foliage. As Alicia walks down the beginning of the path, she notes magic in the air. A faint aura overall.
[18:00] * Ko-brb is now known as Kotono
[18:01] <Alicia> Knowing her own limitations, Alicia doesn't even bother trying to identify the general aura. She only needs to find a specific aura inside a snake, after all. Keeping an eye out for any hostile animals or other things, she continues walking through the woods...
[18:02] <Kotono> Within another half minute of walking Alicia begins to hear giggles all around her. Feminine tinkles, full of mirth.
[18:03] <Alicia> These must be the pixies. "Hello?" Alicia hazards in elven, looking around to see if she can locate any of them.
[18:05] <Kotono> Alicia detects another flare of magic, faint again. Then another, complimenting what's already in the air. In Elven in return, "Pretty! Nice!" Laced with giggles, "Oh, you'll play with us?"
[18:06] <Alicia> "That depends entirely on what you mean by 'play'," Alicia returns dryly, recalling what was said about these creatures stirring up the local fauna.
[18:10] <Kotono> More giggles lace Alicia's ears, dancing away like the wind changing direction. Fading ahead, down the path. "We'll see you...you came here for what upset her, didn't you...?"
[18:12] <Alicia> "If you mean the snake that consumed Miss Alhadre's magic circlet, then yes," Alicia affirms honestly. "Perhaps you can help me find it?" she asks, maybe a tad too optimistic.
[18:13] <Kotono> "Play with us..." The air singsongs with their voices, "We'll take you there! Jus tplay with us...!"
[18:14] <Alicia> "Very well," Alicia decides to humour them. "What do you want to play?"
[18:18] <Kotono> "You'll see...just follow the lights!" After another faint surge of magic, Alicia sees lights in the distance. They're easy to miss, blending in with the sunshine well, but they're still visible down the path.
[18:19] <Alicia> "You're not going to play a trick on me, are you?" Alicia asks dubiously as she nonetheless follows the lights. No sense in being hostile to them, after all.
[18:22] <Kotono> All the answer Alicia gets is giggling.  Ahead the lights dance, the path fording onward. Soon Alicia comes to a split road - it continues onward to the north, but there are branches to the east and west. To the north the trees thicken and darken, seeming to cluster even moreso. The east and west look pretty normal, except for lights seen in the distance down the western path.
[18:23] * Alicia compares the path the lights urge her to take with the directions she was given.
[18:25] <Kotono> Alicia remembers that it's in the center, just past the treant's grove. According to the nice blonde elfgirl, anyway.
[18:26] <Alicia> Does the path the pixies are leading her on lead to the centre?
[18:27] <Kotono> The path to the north leads towards the center. The paths to the east and west lead off to side directions.
[18:28] <Alicia> Well, maybe it's better to go around the treant's grove anyway? She can probably afford a slight diversion, therefore Alicia agreeably follows the pixies' guiding lights.
[18:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
[18:32] <Kotono> Down the path you go. At about sixty feet you hear some rustling in the bushes, but nothing seems to come of it. The path slightly curves southward, coming to a bend. As you approach it, you begin to hear growling.
[18:33] * Alicia turns towards the growling noises, taking a moment to cast shield on herself as she draws her sword.
[18:33] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[18:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 61."12 [1d100=61]
[18:34] <Kotono> Turning around the bend, you see that the path goes south through a clearing, then turns around and ventually cuts back to the north again. However, in that clearing? Two supersized wolves face off, growling at each other! A third one, slightly smaller and with a pretty matted black coat, watches.
[18:35] <Alicia> Well, none are actually interested in attacking her, so they can do as they please for all Alicia cares. Keeping a wary eye on the canines, she backs off, briefly checking if there are any lights to guide her or if she should just abandon this diversion entirely.
[18:37] <Kotono> AS Alicia looks around, she sees lights dancing ahead, just past the large wolves.
[18:38] * Alicia decides to make her way into the undergrowth, giving the wolves a wide berth as she makes her way around them before resuming the path the pixies set out for her. They'll probably kick up a fuss if she doesn't play with them, so might as well just grit her teeth and bear it...
[18:42] * Carthrat is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[18:46] <Kotono> OOC - Uh. Go ahead and roll a move silently check just so I have something to work with.
[18:46] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+3 and gets 18."12 [1d20=15]
[18:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 11."12 [1d20=8]
[18:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 18."12 [1d20=15]
[18:48] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and reroll with the last wolf. Since you two are tied for effective modifier on this rollI need a tiebreaker.
[18:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+3 and gets 9."12 [1d20=6]
[18:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 12."12 [1d20=9]
[18:49] <Kotono> Alicia creeps along! As she makes a wide circle she stays fairly quiet, creeping! But after about halfway, she can hear the growling pause a moment. Then there's a loud sound, and the growling resumes in earnest! It doesn't seem to bec oming close to you as you finally come out on the other side, a bit scraped up by the trees but otherwise intact.
[18:50] * Alicia briefly glances back to make sure the wolves aren't taking an interest in her, before she continues on after the lights.
[18:52] <Kotono> They don't appear to be as Alicia travels the road. The wolves are still growling at each other, one with a nasty nip on it's flank.
[18:54] <Alicia> Good luck to them or whatever, Alicia doesn't care what random animals do to kill time. It's probably about as constructive as what the pixies are doing, she reflects as she continues following the path set by them.
[18:56] <Kotono> As you continue to go you begin to hear crashing water in the distance. Besides that silence begins to reign, a sense of tranquility in the air. The road takes a small bend back to the center soon, hiding what the sound is coming from.
[18:58] <Alicia> Wherever the lights tell her to go, that is where Alicia goes! While silently praying to Mystra that the pixies will get bored and she can go about her business in peace.
[19:00] <Kotono> Turning, you see that there is a small glade ust off the path. There looks to be a small little lake, with a mysterious waterfall just glimpsed. It's tiny but quite pleasant, running alongside and mostly hidden from the path.
[19:01] <Alicia> Any magic seen around the little lake?
[19:04] <Kotono> There isa  faint, gauzy magic around the pool.
[19:05] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 for fun (spellcraft)
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 for fun (spellcraft) and gets 18."12 [1d20=13]
[19:08] <Alicia> That's probably bad for her, Alicia decides, before checking to see if the pixie lights are still urging her onwards down the path.
[19:08] <Kotono> The pixie lights have vanished a moment - nothing right this second. There's still the faint magic ahead, however.
[19:09] <Alicia> "Well, here I am?" Alicia speaks up, wondering if they're listening. "Do you still want to play?"
[19:11] <Kotono> There's a looooooooooooooooong pause. It lasts nearly half a minute, before, "Um..." The pixies sound far away, but as they do, you hear a melodious voice speak in elven, captivating feminmity. "Who is that...?" calls out from within where the waterfall is.
[19:13] * Alicia turns her attention towards the waterfall. "Alicia Reynes, at your service," she replies in elven, wondering who lives in a waterfall. "I apologise for the disturbance, I was led here by some... pixies, I believe."
[19:22] <Kotono> "Oh..." The voice calls, as the pixies can be heard starting to chatter amid themselves. Just making noise, really, indefinite words. "She awake?!...Uh oh..." those sort of things are heard.
[19:24] * Alicia blinks and glances around in the general direction the pixie voices are coming from. "Why do I feel like I'm missing something?" she asks wearily. Well, everything in this preserve is under the protection of Mystra, so surely she doesn't have any reason to truly fear for her safety?
[19:31] <Kotono> "Uh oh..." The pixies rustle ahead, starting to make noise, "Allundra's...kinda dangerous..." They warn.
[19:32] <Alicia> "And yet you led me right to her," Alicia replies with faint accusation, deciding to at least check if there's any evil about before she really starts to worry.
[19:34] <Kotono> Alicia does not detect any evil. "A new elf...?" the voice inquires sweetly, like poured honey slowly  molded into words.
[19:36] <Alicia> "I'm not an elf," Alicia replies, wondering if maybe anyone that can scare the pixies is really so bad. "Anyway, I'm sorry to have disturbed you, but I think I've been sidetracked enough, so I should probably be on my way."
[19:43] <Kotono> "I see..." The voice carols out again, alluring. "What are you...?" Meanwhile the sightless, invisible pixies can be heard chattering further. "C'mon, c'mon! Daaangerous!"
[19:45] <Alicia> "I'm human," Alicia tells Allundra. "Anyway, I'd best be off about my business. Farewell," and with that, she does indeed depart down the path and away!
[19:48] <Kotono> So Alicia heads on. After walking a decent distance away, the strange creatures are heard around her, nearby. "Allundra's very dangerous," one reports sagely. "We don't want someone playing with us going blind!"
[19:49] <Alicia> "Well maybe you should be more careful about where you lead your playmates," Alicia primly replies. "She didn't sound all that bad, however, and I sensed no foul intentions from her..." she adds thoughtfully.
[19:52] <Kotono> "She's very special..." The pixies say, as you fee a slight pressure on your back. "C'mon, c'mon! You don't want to go blind, do you?"
[19:53] <Alicia> "No, I dare say I do not," Alicia replies dryly, briefly turning around at the pressure on her back.
[19:55] <Kotono> Alicia feels a pushing on her side before it stops as she turns around. She doesn't see anything, though - but she does feel a faint breeze hitting her front now, lots of little faint air movements.
[19:57] <Alicia> "Do you have to be invisible all the time?" Alicia asks with slight frustration, resisting the urge to bat her hands at what some part of her brain insists is a buzzing insect.
[20:00] <Kotono> With a faint shimmer, one little creature appears in the air! Then another and a third, one after another! They were bright green and red clothes with curled shoes, only a foot and change tall. They're very cute in a childish sort of way. One imperiously pokes at Alicia's face, flying at eye level. "
[20:01] <Kotono> OOC - Ack.
[20:01] <Kotono> With a faint shimmer, one little creature appears in the air! Then another and a third, one after another! They were bright green and red clothes with curled shoes, only a foot and change tall. They're very cute in a childish sort of way. One imperiously pokes at Alicia's face, flying at eye level. "Oh come on! You're starting to sound like a stick in the mud now, like those others!"
[20:02] <Alicia> The urge to bat her hand at the pixie who just poked her is nigh overwhelming. Nonetheless, Alicia resists! "It's not a fun to play with people you can't see, you know," she replies, forcing a smile as she humours them. Clearly Mystra must be testing her.
[20:09] <Kotono> "Well then, missy!" The pixie pokes at Alicia again, "You can see us now!"
[20:11] <Alicia> "Yes, and clearly my life is now complete," Alicia replies, fighting the urge to poke back. "Now, perhaps we could play a game?" she suggests, smiling with as much sugar and saccharine as she can muster.
[20:16] <Kotono> "Sure!" The three pixies float up, dancinga round your head. "You want to go to the snakes, yes?"
[20:20] <Alicia> "I can take the time to play with you, first," Alicia replies breezily. "I even know of a fun human game we could play. Would you like that?" she asks, not a trace of deviousness or duplicity in her manner. Best to just get rid of them in case they think of some way to have fun with her while she's dealing with the vipers.
[20:21] <Kotono> "Oh, what is it," The three pixies ask, as Alicia can feel more flutters behind her as well.
[20:24] <Alicia> "It's really fun - you say the name of an animal, then someone else has to say the name of another animal that starts with the same letter the last one ended with. You keep going like that until no one can come up with any new animals - you're not allowed to repeat any," Alicia explains, putting as much enthusiasm and cheer into her description as she can, and hoping it'll be infectious.
[20:26] <Kotono> "Like if I said wolf, the next oen could say falcon?" The little creatures puzzle it over, as one smiles, "That sounds sort of fun."
[20:26] <Alicia> "You got it!" Alicia beams. "I'll start, okay? 'Pig'," she begins.
[20:29] <Kotono> "Giselle!" The second fairy fires quickly, then the third things. "Elk!" The next one calls.
[20:30] <Alicia> "Kangaroo!" Alicia chimes in enthusiastically, helping to get the game moving at a fast pace.
[20:30] <Kotono> The pixies stop, staring at Alicia. "Kanga..roo?" They look at her. "What's that?"
[20:31] <Alicia> "It's an animal from human lands," Alicia replies, a bit piqued that they aren't just keeping up with the game. "Come on, hurry up and name an animal that starts with 'O'," she urges.
[20:35] <Kotono> "Orangatan!" One says after a moment, and the next goes on after a pause. "Nymph! Hawk! Um...um..." The pixies hesitate, before the next passe son. "Oh, how about Kat!"
[20:35] <Alicia> "Tarantula!" Alicia calls, not protesting the ill fitting word. So long as the game moves fast, that's all that matters.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Ape! Eagle! Elephant! Toad! Dog!" So they go on, starting to get into it...? OOC - Bluff check, yes.
[20:36] * NeremWorld (~Neko@pool-71-164-226-63.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[20:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
[20:37] <Kotono> The pixies look to be pretty int oti.
[20:38] <Alicia> Good enough... playing a few more rounds and making sure to keep the suggestions flowing whenever the pixies start to look unsure, Alicia waits until the animal names are flying thick and fast before she starts to carefully creep away from the gathering, leaving them to their fun.
[20:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 1."12 [1d20=1]
[20:40] <Kotono> Alicia sneaks away down the path, as they continue to call out animal names! They're completely into it, not even seeming to notice Alicia's departure.
[20:41] * Alicia creeps along until she's completely out of sight and earshot before she breaks into a run, putting some severe distance between herself and the pixies as she heads towards the viper's lair. She slows down after a few hundred feet, however, not wanting to just blunder wildly all the way through the preserve.
[20:42] <Kotono> Alicia sprints down the path! It continues north before crooking back  southward, correcting and connecting to a small path that leads to what looks to be a sunken pit. There don't seem to be any animals around. Alicia's detect magic has run out.
[20:43] * Alicia recasts it before approaching the pit.
[20:43] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 76."12 [1d100=76]
[20:44] <Kotono> The pit is a thirty foot wide circular ent into the earth. It's lined with little slither holes and smallish caves. Various snakes lie around here, green and brown. From the small to the normal sized to even a huge one draped across the lip of the pit, sunning itself and big enough to try to swallow Alicia whole.
[20:45] <Alicia> Any magic in sight?
[20:46] <Kotono> There'sthe start of a moderate aura that Alicia can just see deep in one of the caves. The cave is about three feet wide or so, mostly going down at an angle.
[20:48] <Alicia> OOC: how far away is the aura?
[20:48] * NeremWorld (~Neko@pool-71-252-196-154.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: About fifty feet in. Ten ft is assumed since you're not right over it. It's moderately deep.
[20:51] <Alicia> Close enough. Alicia picks up a convenient pebble and casts prestidigitation, using it to both make the pebble body temperature and give off a faint musky scent - enough to hopefully convince the snake it's a small rat or some other tasty morsel. Then she casts mage hand and uses it to float the pebble down the cave to her maximum range (45ft) and use it as bait to try and lure the snake out.
[20:51] <Alicia> roll 1d100 prestidigitation
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 prestidigitation and gets 100."12 [1d100=100]
[20:51] <Alicia> roll 1d100 mage hand
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 mage hand and gets 75."12 [1d100=75]
[20:54] <Kotono> Deep inside, Alicia begins to hear rustling. Meanwhile, as she stands there the snakes outside begin to stir a little, too.
[20:55] * Alicia probably is going to have to go down there once she gets her target out in the open, but one thing at a time. Keeping an eye on the magic aura, she manipulates her bait to keep it just out of reach, but constantly active and hopefully tempting as she tries to lure the snake out of its hidey hole.
[21:00] <Kotono> The magical aura begins to move forward, slowly slithering. Five feet foward, 45 to go.Ten feet, slowly travelling up.
[21:01] * Alicia keeps at her task...
[21:03] <Kotono> 35 feet to go, another ten travelled. As this happens...
[21:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 17."12 [1d20=17]
[21:06] <Kotono> 25 feet to go! The snakes around are starting to loko in Alicia's direction, scales starting to slither against the earthen sides of the crater.
[21:07] * Alicia backs off a bit and moves around the crater to keep as much distance as she can between herself and the other snakes while she maintains her focus on teasing out her true target.
[21:10] <Kotono> The snakes aren't terribly fast, as it's only fifteen feet out! Almost there! Then five feet, within view. You can see the head of what looks to e a magnificently large viper snake poke out, tongue flickering into the air.
[21:12] * Alicia sends her little warm bait rock tumbling down from the cave into the pit, hoping to lure the viper fully out into the open.
[21:13] <Alicia> As it falls, she recasts her now expired Shield spell.
[21:13] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 29."12 [1d100=29]
[21:15] <Kotono> The snake continues to slither out, as...OOC - Will save.
[21:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 16."12 [1d20=3]

[Corwin]

[18:40] <Ko-brb> OOC - Let's do initiative here, for the sake or organiationzation.
[18:40] <Alicia> roll 1d100 nerveskitter
[18:40] -atarians.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
[18:40] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-70-112-23-198.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
[18:40] * Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
[18:40] <Alicia> roll 1d100 nerveskitter
[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 nerveskitter and gets 7."12 [1d100=7]
[18:40] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9
[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 22."12 [1d20=13]
[18:41] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+4 ????
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+4 ???? and gets 14."12 [1d20=10]
[18:41] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7 small snakes
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 small snakes and gets 25."12 [1d20=18]
[18:41] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+3 medium snakes
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+3 medium snakes and gets 10."12 [1d20=7]
[18:41] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+6 da big one
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+6 da big one and gets 9."12 [1d20=3]
[18:41] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+6 da big one coming out of the hole
[18:41] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+6 da big one coming out of the hole and gets 9."12 [1d20=3]
[18:43] * Ko-brb changes topic to 'Small snakes(25)>Alicia(22)>????(14)>Medium Snakes(10)>Big snake(9)=Big snake with magical item inside!(9)'
[18:43] <Ko-brb> Alicia sees that the snakes are sniffing the air as she feels a little muddy headed a moment. The rock's getting attention, including the big one pursuing it. OOC - Alicia.
[18:45] * Alicia tosses a smokestick into the midst of the other snakes to hopefully distract them and keep them from getting too close to the snake she's after.
[18:48] <Ko-brb> Smoke gushes out around the snakes, hiding them from view! A few from the edges quickly creep out, hissing with distress. As this happens, Alicia can begin to hear little giggles around her...OOC - Make two will saves?
[18:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 22."12 [1d20=9]
[18:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 24."12 [1d20=11]
[18:51] <Ko-brb> But nothing direct seems to happen to the paladin! The medium snakes are mostly fleeing in the cloud, half hidden and disturbed. The large snake on the edge of the rim slinks forward towards Alicia, creeping at her. Meanwhile, Alicia can dimly see the big snake continuing it's journey, almost fully out of the hole now. OOC - Alicia.
[18:51] <Ko-brb> The smoke begins to dissipate, very slowly beginning to give out now that the smokestick is used up.
[18:52] <Alicia> "Please don't distract me, I'm rather busy in case you haven't noticed," Alicia vainly tells the pixies as she prepares to attack her target snake as soon as it exposes itself fully.
[18:52] <Alicia> OOC: readying an action to attack and all that
[18:53] <Ko-brb> OOC: Okay.
[18:54] <Ko-brb> Around Alicia little laughs are heard, faint magic flying around her. "But we just wnat to play more since you ran off!" One singsongs happily, "Cougar!"
[18:54] <Alicia> "Rhinoceros," Alicia replies irritatedly as she keeps her eyes on the prize.
[18:57] <Ko-brb> "Satyr!" The pixies around Alicia giggle, still unseen. "Oh better, snakes! Look!" As the snakes are still disoriented and moving, Alicia can at last see the big one come out all the way, about twenty feet long. Meanwhile, the other one is getting closer, slithering towards Alicia.
[18:58] * Alicia tenses before she leaps down towards the snake, striking hard with the flat of her blade while yelling out a battlecry of, "Salamander!"
[18:58] <Ko-brb> OOC - Attack roll, obviously.
[18:58] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 (+2 charging, -4 nonlethal, -2 power attack)
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 (+2 charging, -4 nonlethal, -2 power attack) and gets 15."12 [1d20=8]
[18:59] <Ko-brb> OOC - Juuus thit.
[18:59] <Alicia> roll 1d8+9
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d8+9 and gets 12."12 [1d8=3]
[19:01] <Ko-brb> A mighty blow on the snake as Alicia leaps down, slamming the flat of her blade down effectively! A hit that leaves dented adn damaged scales, the snake writhing from the impact! Meanwhile, from above you, "Rabbit!" The pixies call, and as they speak, a cute little white rabbit appears about five feet away from Alicia! OOC - More; the big snake is going to act now. Lemme rejig the initiative to reflect your held action.
[19:02] * Ko-brb changes topic to 'Small snakes(25)>????(14)>Medium Snakes(10)=Alicia(10)>Big snake(9)=Big snake with magical item inside!(9)'
[19:03] <Ko-brb> The stricken big snake is not amused at all! It rears up and attempts to bite Alicia!
[19:03] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 and gets 27."12 [1d20=20]
[19:03] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7 crit check ow.
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 crit check ow. and gets 15."12 [1d20=8]
[19:04] <Ko-brb> roll 1d6+4 and make a fort save, 'licia.
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d6+4 and make a fort save, 'licia. and gets 10."12 [1d6=6]
[19:04] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[19:04] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 23."12 [1d20=10]
[19:05] <Ko-brb> Ouch! Alicia let down her guard at just the wrong moment on her recovery, the big snake biting her leg! The wound burns, blood trickling down to her feet, dripping! The other big snake comes forward...and lunges at the white rabbit mean ahead of it!
[19:05] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10."12 [1d20=3]
[19:06] <Ko-brb> CHOMP! IT's maw goes around and through the bunny, passing through it like air! Meanwhile the small snakes continue to scurry around in the fading smoke! So do the medium ones, as, "It's your turn," The pixies call. "Starts with a T or you loooose?"
[19:08] <Alicia> Alicia can at least forgive the snake. It's an animal that knows no better, and she is hurting it. But those damned pixies have no excuse! "Tadpole!" she snarls as she batters at the snake.
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 (-4 nonlethal)
[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 (-4 nonlethal) and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+2 (-4 nonlethal)
[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+2 (-4 nonlethal) and gets 19."12 [1d20=17]
[19:09] <Ko-brb> OOC - Two hits.
[19:09] <Alicia> roll 2d8+8
[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d8+8 and gets 15."12 [2d8=3, 4]
[19:15] <Ko-brb> SMASH! THe snake is striken again, badly dented! It's not out yet, even though Alicia is beating it like a red headed stepchild! "Isn't this fun,"
[19:15] <Ko-brb> OOC - Gah.
[19:17] <Ko-brb> SMASH! THe snake is striken again, badly dented! It's not out yet, even though Alicia is beating it like a red headed stepchild! "Isn't this fun," One of the pixies carols right next to Alicia's ear, "Electric eel!" But as this happens, roots rise out of the ground, attempting to entangle the snake that bit the rabbit. "I like that image!" A voice near the snake retorts angrily.
[19:17] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7
[19:17] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 and gets 17."12 [1d20=10]
[19:18] <Ko-brb> Meanwhile, the striken snake attempts to bite Alicia again, as it's smaller breatheren flee from the smoke and battle!
[19:18] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 and gets 17."12 [1d20=10]
[19:18] * Ko-brb changes topic to 'Small snakes(25)>>Medium Snakes(10)=Alicia(10)=Pixies>Big snake(9)=Big snake with magical item inside!(9)'
[19:18] <Ko-brb> But it only bites against her leg armor futilely! OOC - Alicia.
[19:19] <Alicia> "Lamprey!" Alicia cries as she continues to assault the snake with the flats of her blades, doing her very best to pummel it into submission!
[19:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 (-4 nonlethal)
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 (-4 nonlethal) and gets 24."12 [1d20=19]
[19:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 (-4 nonlethal)
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 (-4 nonlethal) and gets 16."12 [1d20=11]
[19:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20 (-4 nonlethal)
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20 (-4 nonlethal) and gets 8."12 [1d20=8]
[19:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 critcheck
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 critcheck and gets 8."12 [1d20=3]
[19:19] <Ko-brb> OOC - Two normal hits.
[19:19] <Alicia> roll 2d8+8
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d8+8 and gets 12."12 [2d8=1, 3]
[19:21] <Ko-brb> With two more beats the snake at last collapses, it's length spread out in unconciousness! "Yeti!" They continue to chorus, "OOoooh, does that mean you're winning the game you're playing with the snake?" Meanwhile, the other snake is entangled with the roots around it!
[19:21] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+3
[19:21] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+3 and gets 14."12 [1d20=11]
[19:21] <Ko-brb> OOC - Go, Alicia.
[19:23] * Alicia takes out her borrowed knife from her belt and kneels down as she proceeds to cut open the snake's flesh around where she saw the magic aura. "It looks like I am," she agrees with the pixies, distractedly adding, "Iguana."
[19:26] <Ko-brb> AS Alicia cuts in, she hears the fairies laugh. "Oh, that's wonderful! "Ape!" It shouldn't take too long to hack out whatever it is - Alicia can see the tip of what looks to be a golden circlet, studded with rubies.
[19:27] <Alicia> "Someone said ape already!" Alicia blurts out, her triumph doubled as she extracts the circlet from the snake's gullet. "That means you lose!"
[19:28] <Ko-brb> "...No waaaay!" The pixies squawk as nearly one, then you hear a bit of tussling. "El'an, you lost for us! Bad!" You hear tiny pixie slaps and claws, little sounds of tiny fighting. "It's your fault since you're the one who made her say Iguana!" With a heavy pull Alicia gets the circlet  out!
[19:29] <Ko-brb> As Alicia does, there is the feeling of something landing on Alicia's shoulder. "That was fun, though," one opines, "Wanna play another game now?"
[19:30] <Ko-brb> roll 1d20+7 the poor snake that's entangled
[19:30] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d20+7 the poor snake that's entangled and gets 18."12 [1d20=11]
[19:30] <Ko-brb> OOC - Er, +3, but moot anyhow.
[19:30] <Alicia> "Now, now, nobody likes a sore loser," Alicia remonstrates, running her hand briefly over the snake's wound as she bestows just enough of her divinely granted healing power to seal it up. "Much as I'd love to play with you some more, I really should get going, however," she replies apologetically. But not sincerely.
[19:31] <Ko-brb> "Aaah!" As you see two pixies appear in the air, tussling back and forth, one giving the other an axehandle downward as they tussle, the third speaks into your ear. "But it's really fun! Just one more game!" she pleads nicely.
[19:33] * Alicia proceeds to clamber up out of the snake pit before her snake wakes up or any others decide to make a meal out of her. "Rather than playing games, shouldn't you do something about your friends?" she asks, pointing to the two tussling pixies.
[19:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 climb
[19:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 climb and gets 22."12 [1d20=15]
[19:34] <Ko-brb> As Alicia gets herself out of the pit, the two pixies continue to scrape and fly around erratically. "Oh, that's just how they are. They are kind of sore losers..." She seems to stay on your shoulder, playing with an errant lock of Alicia's hair.
[19:37] <Alicia> "Well, so long as nobody gets really hurt..." Alicia sighs. "I'm all out of healing after that, anyway, and wasn't even able to do anything for myself," she briefly shakes her punctured leg. Ah well, it's not too bad. Since she has a minute without fear of attack, she then proceeds to clean up her sword and knife of blood via her prestidigitation spell.
[19:42] <Ko-brb> "If you play a game I can help you with that..." THe pixie promises with a giggle in Alicia's ear.
[19:44] <Alicia> "Very well," Alicia takes a deep breath and puts her sword away. The pixies are too darn childlike for her to really hate. "What game do you want to play, now? It can't be one that takes too long, since I really shouldn't keep everyone at the temple waiting," she goes on grudgingly.
[19:45] <Ko-brb> "It doesn't take long at all!" The pixie giggles, as you feel her hand touch your earlobe. "It's called...let's dance!"
[19:47] <Alicia> "Ah, but I'm not a very good dancer..." Alicia replies hesitantly, blushing just a little.
[19:48] <Ko-brb> "This'll help!" The pixie promises, as the snakes in the pit are finally now starting to reorganize a little. They're still pretty out of it, many of them having retreated into caves or holes.
[19:49] <Alicia> "Oh, alright," she finally relents. Everyone always says she's too stuffy, but surely dancing with fairies is the very definition of whimsy? "How do pixies dance?"
[19:50] <Ko-brb> "Like this!" With a happy giggle Alicia feels her earlobe again! It happens all at once - she has the insane, irrestable, maddening, all consuming need to DANCE. Right here, right now, to dance up a great old storm.
[19:50] <Ko-brb> roll 1d4+1
[19:50] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d4+1 and gets 5."12 [1d4=4]
[19:54] * Alicia twitches, trying to fight it. Of her own volition, her foot begins to tap. Whenever she feels like she has her foot under control, then the other simply picks up the unheard rhythm without interruption. All too soon, her body begins to sway. "This is not funny!" she cries in mortification as before she knows it, she starts skipping and twirling around, dancing away to the perverse whims of these nasty little fairies.
[19:55] <Ko-brb> As Alicia dances, the pixies appear in front of her, including the two beaten up ones. They begin to clap, and call, "Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!" Round and round Alicia goes, her freedancing knowing no limits! OOC - Go ahead and line it up then do your winddown. Duration's 5 rounds so you ahve some dancing in you.
[19:58] <Alicia> Alicia's face is a rictus of embarrassment and muted fury as her treacherous body continues to sway and jig, performing all sorts of acrobatic flourishes as part of her unstoppable dance routine. Truly, there is nothing worse than attention deficit disorder and powerful magic being wrapped in the same far too cutesy package.
[20:01] <Alicia> Finally, with a brief lunge forward, Alicia arcs her body back, bent over nearly double as she reaches the stunning climax of her routine! Finally discovering that her limbs respond to commands once more, she ever so slowly and deliberately straightens... and then smiles. Try as she does to fight it, some part of her simply recognises that you can either laugh or go entirely insane with fury.
[20:01] <Alicia> "That was very unkind," she lectures as she struggles to keep her lips from twitching upwards.
[20:01] <Ko-brb> The pixies flock around Alicia, "That was fun!" They call, one even landing on the paladin's head. "You really danced like nothing else!"
[20:03] <Alicia> "You didn't have to force me like that, you know," Alicia continues to berate them as she briefly tilts her head upwards in a futile attempt to look at the one using her head as a perch. Maybe this is why pixies are an endangered species? "Asking is far better than forcing someone to do something, unless you want to make enemies."
[20:04] <Ko-brb> "But it's fuuuuun!" The pixie retorts, jumping up and rebalancing on Alicia's head. "Why don't you stay with us...we'll have lots of fun like this!"
[20:05] <Alicia> "No," Alicia puts her foot down. "I really must go. But thank you for a... novel, experience," she tries to let them down gently in case they become insistent.
[20:06] <Ko-brb> "Aaaw..." The pixies fly away a little bit, "You'r emore fun than the others!"
[20:07] <Alicia> "Maybe if you were less forceful people wouldn't be as leery of you?" Alicia suggests, her tone becoming more matronly as she starts to lecture them again. "You need to understand that the rest of the world does not exist solely to provide amusement for you."
[20:08] <Ko-brb> "Aaaaw!" The pixies start to fly off, "Now you sound like Alhadre when she gets like that! Booooooring!" A few make icky faces, the lot of them starting to depart.
[20:11] * Alicia sighs and shakes her head. Clearly her wisdom is falling upon deaf ears. Still, maybe being boring is better than being interesting, when it comes to hyperactive flying children. That will never ever grow up. Alicia makes a face herself as she considers the concept, before putting it aside and heading off. "Good bye, anyway," she calls, starting back towards the temple.
[20:11] <Ko-brb> roll 1d100
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Ko-brb rolls 1d100 and gets 48."12 [1d100=48]
[20:11] <Alicia> She also makes sure to clean the circlet as well with her prestidigitation spell!"
[20:11] <Alicia> OOC: ignore the quotation at the end, there
[20:12] <Ko-brb> The trip back to the temple is without incident. With a clean circlet, Alhadre smiles and skitters away. She comes back with a small bag full of gems. "That should pay for it!
[20:12] <Ko-brb>  OOC - Gah.
[20:12] <Ko-brb> The trip back to the temple is without incident. With a clean circlet, Alhadre smiles and skitters away. She comes back with a small bag full of gems. "That should pay for it!" she tosses the bag and takes the circlet, trotting off. The blonde elf smiles, glancing at Seira. "Thank you," she bows. "Are the two of you leaving soon? Do you need your wound tended to?"
[20:13] * CC is now known as Seira
[20:13] * Seira blinks, and glances at the wound, before patting it. Despite the careless-seeming action, only numbness and healing spreads from Seira's touch, however.
[20:13] <Seira> roll 2d8+8
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2d8+8 and gets 12."12 [2d8=2, 2]
[20:15] <Alicia> "Not any more," Alicia gives Seira a grateful smile before regarding the cleric. "If possible, could we stay under the temple's roof for the night?" she asks. "Better than camping, I'd think. Also, now that I'm no longer destitute, what do you stock in the way of magical supplies?"
[20:17] <Ko-brb> "Oh! I didn't think you were..." Looking at Seira with a surprised smile, "What are you looking for?"
[20:20] <Alicia> "For one thing, if you have any scrolls or potions of See Invisibility, I think that'd be handy to hold onto," Alicia begins. "Past that... hmm, to be honest, I think I need to save up a bit more before I can likely afford an enhancement to my blade, so I suppose that should do for now."
[20:21] <Ko-brb> "Yes, we have a scroll of that and a potion," The blonde elf perks up, "We don't sell but to pilgrims here, so our supply is less practical healing and more mystic estorica."
[20:22] <Ko-brb> After a moment, "If itw asn't expensive we'd use those to deal with the pixies more..." she murmurs a moment. "Oh well."
[20:23] <Alicia> "Yes the pixies are troublesome," Alicia commiserates, before smiling a bit, "But the scroll should suffice. As for mystic esoterica... well, do you have anything perhaps useful to a mystic knight?"
[20:29] <Ko-brb> "...there is one thing...but..." Considering a moment or two, "A mystic knight came here along time ago in Mystra's service. He left behind a token for other mystical knights and a few words of instruction."
[20:29] <Alicia> "Oh?" Alicia perks up, eager to hear about a kindred spirit, perhaps.
[20:30] * Seira perks up, wondering whether aspiring dragons passed through the temple, too.
[20:31] <Ko-brb> "A kindred spirit may pick up this token. If they are worthy...they will be resplundent. If they are not, they will face a thankless trial." The blonde elf pauses, "There's one other that came here a few hundred years ago. They didn't leave with the token...or with much of anything at all."
[20:34] <Alicia> "Nothing ventured nothing gained... I am confident I have Mystra's favour, but perhaps you could tell me more about this other knight so I can better decide if we can truly be considered kin?" Alicia asks after a moment's deliberation.
[20:35] <Seira> "Any other passing travelers who left things here?" Seira queries curiously. "I'm bound to qualify for _something_, I bet."
[20:41] <Ko-brb> "A few, pilgrims will trade and sell items. This is a...special case," The blonde elf admits with a little smile. "Sir Crankon of Silverleaf. He was a wandering warrior of the elven kingdoms, always moving in his service and ministry."
[20:42] <Alicia> "Well, I certainly have wandered far from home, over the years," Alicia admits. "Hmm... and what of this other knight who tried to pick up the token?" she asks.
[20:44] <Ko-brb> "A half elf, Lorelan. A shadowy knight came from the token and battled him into submission. He spoke little of it after, leaving thet emple at dawn the next day."
[20:46] <Alicia> "And you know nothing more of either of them?" Alicia asks, considering. It may be a bit presumptous, but... she does hold herself to very high standards in Mystra's service, and it's simply foolish not to acknowledge that. Certainly, if piety and righteousness are qualifying points, she should be okay.
[20:46] <Ko-brb> "Very little. Both cases are inthe past and were travellers passing through. A rarity, I admit," The blonde elf admits after.
[20:48] <Alicia> "Well, I, for one, would like to try," Alicia decides, nodding resolutely. Even if she's deemed unworthy, should she not simply take that as a lesson and strive even further for perfection?
[20:50] <Ko-brb> "If you wish...Go ahead and climb to the top of the tower." A nod as she steps back, "It's up there."
[20:51] <Alicia> "Either way, this should prove educational," Alicia smiles gamely. "I shall return shortly," she bows to Seira and the priestess briefly before heading up the tower indicated.
[20:52] * Seira returns towards perusing what passes for a library in the temple.
[20:53] <Ko-brb> So Alicia heads up! The top of the tower is a single sparse room, where a a simple noble's engraving sits. It's of a silvery tree leaf. It rests on the table quite plainly, sunlight coming in from several windows dotting the high, dome like roof.
[20:55] * Alicia wonders how many centuries the token has been sitting there, waiting for the one destined to pick it up... Mystra willing, that wait will end now. Taking a deep breath, she steps over towards the table and clasps her hand around the engraving.
[20:55] <Ko-brb> OOC - Make a wisdom check.
[20:55] <Ko-brb> OOC - +1 bonus due to certain circumstances.
[20:56] <Alicia> roll 1d20+2 I am not especially wise
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+2 I am not especially wise and gets 19."12 [1d20=17]
[20:59] <Ko-brb> Alicia feels her anger bubbling up inside of her body like a tidal wave. Images flash in her mind - her sister, those damned pixies, the monsterous beast that attempted to invade the sanctity of her body. They all replay, a chorus of dark emotions trickling back, recalled.
[21:02] * Alicia grits her teeth as she clasps the engraving tightly. "Stop..." she grinds out, her grip not loosening at all. Anger is a tool, a focus, an anchor, even. But she is its master, and it does not control her! With all her will, she holds the rage back from consuming her, keeping it on its familiar leash.
[21:06] <Ko-brb> The engraving is warm in Alicia's hand. OOC - Will save now.
[21:06] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 23."12 [1d20=10]
[21:12] <Ko-brb> Alicia feels her rage boil down. She feels better, the sensations passing.
[21:14] <Alicia> Having wrestled with her feelings, Alicia picks up the engraving with some expectation, wondering if she passed muster.




[18:10] <Alicia> [20:59] <Ko-brb> Alicia feels her anger bubbling up inside of her body like a tidal wave. Images flash in her mind - her sister, those damned pixies, the monsterous beast that attempted to invade the sanctity of her body. They all replay, a chorus of dark emotions trickling back, recalled.
[18:10] <Alicia> [21:02] * Alicia grits her teeth as she clasps the engraving tightly. "Stop..." she grinds out, her grip not loosening at all. Anger is a tool, a focus, an anchor, even. But she is its master, and it does not control her! With all her will, she holds the rage back from consuming her, keeping it on its familiar leash.
[18:10] <Alicia> [21:06] <Ko-brb> The engraving is warm in Alicia's hand. OOC - Will save now.
[18:10] <Alicia> [21:06] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[18:10] <Alicia> [21:06] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 23."12 [1d20=10]
[18:10] <Alicia> [21:12] <Ko-brb> Alicia feels her rage boil down. She feels better, the sensations passing.
[18:10] <Alicia> [21:14] <Alicia> Having wrestled with her feelings, Alicia picks up the engraving with some expectation, wondering if she passed muster.
[18:14] <Kotono> The token is of a silver threaded leaf, beautiful, like a snow coated hanger-on in the winter. It sparkles like ice crowned metal leaves in the sunshine.
[18:19] <Alicia> "I don't feel more resplendent..." Alicia murmurs thoughtfully as she studies the token, briefly looking to see if it has a clasp or pin with which it could be attached to clothing.
[18:20] <Kotono> There is a small pin on the back.
[18:24] * Alicia casts detect magic and has another look at it before anything else.
[18:24] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[18:24] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 65."12 [1d100=65]
[18:26] <Kotono> The emblem radiates moderate magic.
[18:26] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 can I figure it out?!
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 can I figure it out?! and gets 14."12 [1d20=9]
[18:29] <Kotono> Alicia cannot figure out the magic around it.
[18:30] <Alicia> Well, she can surely find someone who can! Heading back down the stairs, Alicia seeks out the honoured priestess of Mystra!
[18:43] <Kotono> Alicia finds her down in the main temple, going through her prayers.
[18:46] <Alicia> "Priestess?" Alicia asks softly after approaching the blonde elf.
[18:48] <Kotono> After about ten seconds of further meditation she gets up, smiling. "Oh! You're back! How did it go?"
[18:49] <Alicia> "I believe I passed muster," Alicia smiles as she holds up the leaf-patterned broch. "However, I'm still left mystified as to what it actually does - I know it's magic, but that's about all I can make out. Any chance you could shed some further light on it?"
[18:51] <Kotono> "Oh!" Nodding to Alicia, "Do you want me to cast identification magic?"
[18:52] <Alicia> "If you would be so kind," Alicia nods. "I think I have a pearl in the bag of gems Miss Alhadre gave me, earlier."
[18:57] <Kotono> So an hour passes! Alicia and Seira are regathered when the priestess returns, but she looks...embarrassed? Surprised? She hands back the emblem to Alicia.
[18:58] * Alicia accepts it and looks expectantly at the other woman.
[19:00] <Kotono> "Well..." She shakes her head slowly, "Instead of the normal information, I only got the following, 'You will be resplundent when you are in the most danger'."
[19:01] <Seira> "You got a brooch of not dying?" Seira asks curiously, glancing at it through a magical lense.
[19:01] <Seira> roll 1d20+19
[19:01] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 and gets 23."12 [1d20=4]
[19:03] <Alicia> "Hmmm..." Alicia affixes the broch on over the clasp of her cloak. "That's not very informative... I suppose I'll be endangered sooner or later, but it really would be far better to know in advance what it does."
[19:07] <Kotono> "I'm sure it's useful, just...how odd." The blonde elf smiles once more, "Oh, I hope you'll wear it well, at least."
[19:08] <Alicia> "It is fetching, if nothing else," Alicia admits.
[19:12] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[19:12] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[19:14] <Kotono> So soon Alicia and Seira resume their journey. Elfsander awaits, Filetta's currently somewhat vacated home the target. Otherwise, the ship stays in port and wait, and the party getslooks from curious elves all the time...OOC - Go ahead and do what you wish.
[19:14] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:15] * Seira decides to stay at the mansion again!
[19:18] <Kotono> At the mansion's front gate Seira finds a single guard there again, waiting and looking mildly bored. He seems to look up when Seira approaches, "Oh, sorry, Lady Filetta's away at the capital right now."
[19:19] <Seira> "That's alright," Seira tells him, waving his concerns away. "I'll just stay a night before my ship leaves. My old room is fine, too."
[19:22] <Kotono> The guard shakes his head, "No one's allowed in while Lady Filetta's out. That's her direct order."
[19:23] <Seira> "Well, she let me in before, right? And did she tell you not to let me in again? This is quite unreasonable."
[19:24] <Kotono> Another shake of his head, "I'm not going to get in trouble over someone sneaking in..." he says at last, not budging right away.
[19:26] <Seira> "How is this sneaking in?" Seira asks in frustration, running a hand through her hair. "I walked right up to the front door! Twice!"
[19:29] <Kotono> "That was when Lady FIletta was here. When she's not here, no visitors poking around." He shrugs after that, "Sorry."
[19:30] <Seira> "It does occur to you that we're family? That's how I introduced myself last time?" Seira asks with exaggerated patience, reminding him of the occasion.
[19:32] <Kotono> The guard shrugs his shoulders, "Sorry, but she's really insistant on that point. No one enters when I'm gone."
[19:33] * Seira gives him a flat stare. "I think I want to see your superior."
[19:36] <Kotono> The guard looks on, before snorting. "He's going to tell you the same thing, you know."
[19:37] <Seira> "Yeah, yeah, run along and fetch your betters now, would you?" she asks him, visibly annoyed.
[19:39] <Kotono> Giving SEira a nasty look he steps inside and calls, "I need Dithan out here!"
[19:40] * Seira has received nasty looks from dragons and devils, a nobody guard doesn't phase her in the least. She easily returns it.
[19:43] <Kotono> Within about two minutes another elf comes out, lean and lanky. His eyes light up slightly, "Oh, Seira," he nods. "What do yowu ant?"
[19:44] <Seira> "I just want to stay the night in my family's home, before I leave the country again," she says, not quite whining. "This mean guard just keeps repeating that I can't!"
[19:48] <Kotono> "Lady Filetta was quite seriousa bout it...but..." He thinks a moment...OOC - Diplo check if you like.
[19:48] <Seira> roll 1d20+17
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+17 and gets 37."12 [1d20=20]
[19:49] <Seira> "But I don't know when I'll be back again!" Seira insists.
[19:49] <Kotono> "...It won't hurt aything. Very well, go ahead and come in," he allows, stepping away.
[19:49] * Seira smiles at him, and walks past the impertinent guard without looking his way.
[19:51] <Kotono> The guard gives SEira an evil eye, but she gets inside adn two her room without incident...OOC - Ball's in your court again.
[19:53] <Seira> Three hours before the sun rises should be the time to execute her plan. Seira plans on getting enough rest before that, and then go and finish her examination of the study and Saul's old room.
[19:56] <Kotono> In the middle of the night there are few guards out. Seira slept well in the meantime, and her chance to go is now...
[19:58] <Seira> Pass Without Trace should ensure her passage would not be noticed by either elf or beast unless she slips up. Once she is ready, she decides to apply Invisibility on top of it, and continue on her old course of going to the other wing, then wait for an opportunity to pass by the guards stationed there. Seira feels there is a good chance that Filetta didn't even notice her previous excursion, or she would have informed the guards properly
[19:58] <Seira> , so there is no need to tamper with a plan that worked before.
[20:04] <Kotono> The first part goes flawlessly. There are two guards standing there, idly discussing the weather. Slipping by them is a simple task, back to Filetta's personal wing.
[20:05] * Seira makes a single alteration to the plan. Ducking back out of hearing range of the guards and making sure none others are around, Seira casts Detect Magic and then returns to look for any magical auras at the entrance to the wing.
[20:09] <Kotono> The entrance of the wing has no magic around it.
[20:10] * Seira quietly makes her way to the library, constantly on the outlook for magical auras.
[20:25] <Kotono> There is no magical aura around the library's way, but the way to Saul's bedroom is magically enhanced.
[20:27] <Seira> The library will be first in her search. She had already been there, and handled the lock, so she repeats her previous actions and, after slipping in, locks the door behind her.
[20:28] <Kotono> The door is locked behind her. The library has few changes to it, about the same as she left it not so long ago.
[20:28] * Seira looks for magic first!

[Corwin]

[18:35] <Kotono> There is no magic on the dresser or desk. The library is generally quiet.
[18:36] * Seira opens the first drawer, and looks inside at the assorted things, to check whether the desk happens to be blocking her detection attempts.
[18:38] <Kotono> There's nothing particularly  magical in the first drawer. Just lots of odds and ends, it appears.
[18:39] * Seira closes it and examines whether the drawer she took the book from still has the jammed lock she left there.
[18:40] <Kotono> The drawer with the jammed lock has had it's lock removed entirely.
[18:41] * Seira carefully checks the third drawer for traps, before trying to open it.
[18:43] <Kotono> OOC - Taking 10/20 on the search check?
[18:44] <Seira> OOC: 20
[18:46] <Kotono> The third drawer does not seem to be trapped from the outside. There is a lock on it, however, quite high quality.
[18:48] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[18:52] * Seira tries to open the lock!
[18:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 31."12 [1d20=18]
[18:59] <Kotono> Seira fiddles with the lock a goodly time, at last prying it open. It took a good minute or two, the lock itself quite sturdy and well made.
[18:59] * Seira opens the drawer!
[19:02] <Kotono> Inside the drawer rests a large wooden box, taking up most of it. On top of the box is a small green snake, hissing with it's tongue out as you open the drawer.
[19:02] * Seira blinks, and makes extra sure there is no magic.
[19:03] <Kotono> At Seira's inspection she still sees no magic. The snake quickly looks up, starting to hiss frantically at Seira.
[19:04] * Seira tilts her head, and shows her signet ring to the snake.
[19:06] <Kotono> The snake's tongue goes towards the ring, but seems to diver towards your finger.
[19:06] * Seira declines to oblige the snake, and pulls the hand away, before considering the box and the snake.
[19:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+8
[19:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 and gets 10."12 [1d20=2]
[19:11] * Seira opens the first drawer once more, and uses Mage Hand to take hold of the snake and transfer it there, holding it magically in place as she pushes that drawer closed.
[19:12] * Carthrat is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[19:13] <Kotono> It's a big of a struggle but the mage hand is ablet o move the snake. It doesn't move much itself, placed into the other drawer. That leaves the box free of snake problems.
[19:13] * Seira examines the box for further traps before moving again.
[19:13] <Seira> OOC: Another 29
[19:14] <Kotono> The box has a slender needle trap if opened.
[19:14] <Seira> The box must clearly hold something interesting! Seira works on disabling this particular trap.
[19:15] <Seira> roll 1d20+14
[19:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31."12 [1d20=17]
[19:15] <Kotono> Click! With good work Seira is able to disarm the firing device. The needle inside shouldn't do her any harm now.
[19:16] * Seira admires her handiwork for a brief moment, and opens the mysterious box.
[19:21] <Kotono> Inside the box are sheets of fine paper. Each one has slow, deliberate print on them. The first one on top reads: "Idril Silverleaf. The scion of the house of Silverleaf, controlling his family with tight, hidden objectives. Often cynical and dark, despite being a servant of the Gods. Contacts thus far have proven of middling use, I do not believe him to be prime and with the current situation the houses of Desjardin and Silverleaf cannot ove
[19:21] <Kotono>  overcome Highsun, Gaial, Drake and Chillander." It looks half finished, ending there, and with several more sheets resting below.
[19:22] * Seira examines the handwriting, and whether it matches anything she had seen to date.
[19:23] * Seira makes sure there is no pressure trap or the like on the inside of the box, and then takes the pages out, leafing through them to catch the titles.
[19:24] <Kotono> The following are the first few lines on each sheet of paper:
[19:26] <Kotono> Kortan Chillander is the...
[19:26] <Kotono> Current events in the elven kingdom...
[19:26] <Kotono> The Council has been meeting several...
[19:26] <Kotono> The Rings of Teleportation are confirmed...
[19:26] <Kotono> House Desjardin remains a...
[19:26] <Kotono> Projected odds of...
[19:26] <Kotono> Celebrimbor Drake has once again mentioned...
[19:27] <Seira> Nothing to warrant immediate attention, Seira decides, except for that last one. She reads more on what the projected odds are.
[19:29] <Kotono> "Projected odds of a council deadlock are estimated at 35%. The current situation has not had a decisive resolution and does not look to without some manner of motivation. As long the certain ones do not provide it our situation should be manageable.  The contingencies have worked well enough since the main thrusting objective failed."
[19:31] * Seira thinks it's stupid of Filetta to write her own memo notes in code, but accepts it, taking them with her before placing the top of the box back, and closing the drawer. She gives her attention to the last drawer.
[19:36] <Kotono> The fouth drawer has a lock previously forced, still af ew scraps of loose paper in there.'
[19:38] * Seira moves back from the table, leaving it pretty much as she had found it, from the outside, and moves towards the door. She makes herself invisible again, and opens it, moving towards the door to Saul's bedroom. She stops just where Filetta did, when she had spotted her, and glances around to make sure no one is there to take note of her actions.
[19:38] <Kotono> There's no one around.
[19:40] * Seira says, "Kontor Ire Vey," clearly to the door, though not so loud it'd carry over to the guards outside the wing.
[19:43] <Kotono> With a smooth motion the door opens just wide enough for Seira to enter.
[19:44] * Seira enters, taking a look around.
[19:47] <Kotono> Insides is a palatial bed and decorations, beautiful. Amid the brocaded and silken wonders you notice a very pleasant room, decorated with Filetta's unique tastes. It looks quite fine indeed.
[19:47] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[19:48] <Kotono> Insides is a palatial bed and decorations, beautiful. Amid the brocaded and silken wonders you notice a very pleasant room, decorated with Filetta's unique tastes. It looks quite fine indeed. The bed is big enough for twelve and a circular concave, there are mirrors on the ceiling above the bed.  Statues hold up small drawers, paintings hanging on the wall.
[19:52] * Seira checks behind the paintings, first, before observing whether the drawers are trapped, and trying to look inside them, too.
[19:53] <Kotono> OOC - Search check.
[19:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 and gets 13."12 [1d20=4]
[19:54] * El-Cideon (~Melanchth@pool-71-178-116-56.washdc.east.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:55] <Kotono> Seira doesn't find any traps or much of note so far. Unless you count the paintings, which is anyone's guess on how much a painting of Filetta would go for.
[19:58] <Kotono> The drawers are filled with three things. About a third has clothes, not much of note unless Seira wants to wear Filetta's unmentionables. The second has various property notes and recordings, records of financial dullness. The third consists of just a small cubb in one drawer - it has a small silken bag folded in.
[20:00] * Seira actually takes the time to examine Filetta's financial dealings, hoping to see where the money is being funneled.
[20:08] <Kotono> OOC: Hm. Do you have any skills relevant to it, first off?
[20:11] <Seira> OOC: Decypher script, gather info, search, sleight of hand, just about any knowledge skill?
[20:14] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, you can make sense of it, but it'll take some serious time to do so. A couple of hours, likely.
[20:14] <Seira> OOC: How long just to copy them?
[20:21] <Kotono> OOC: About an hour assuming you do it right and essentially took twenty. Less if you hurried.
[20:22] * Seira decides to take a look in the small silken bag, first.
[20:23] <Kotono> Inside is a beautiful blue diamond, a bright green sapphire, an orange tourmaline, three silver opals. Each look quite well chosen and well done.
[20:25] * Seira places them back just the way she found them, and gets towards copying the notes, while being conscious of anyone approaching the room. Once she is done, she intends to cover any signs of her presence in that room, and leave under the guise of her last prepared Invisibility spell.
[20:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 3."12 [1d20=3]
[20:28] <Kotono> This goes...withou tincident! Seira returns to her room, safe and secured!
[20:29] * Seira intends to get some more rest, though without sleep this time, and then leave at a reasonable time to board the ship. She plans on having it hold its departure long enough for her to examine all the documents in her possession, and if needed, send word to her allies at the elven court.
[20:36] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and make a general int check here, Seira?
[20:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+8 one general int check with Fox's Cunning, coming up~
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 one general int check with Fox's Cunning, coming up~ and gets 16."12 [1d20=8]
[20:39] <Kotono> After some work Seira is able to determine that Filetta is funnelling money out of Saul's investments and to herself, in a slow, careful manner. She's liquidated about 25% of his assets very quietly.
[20:47] <Kotono> The sea is a beautiful thing, especially the green sea of the Bay of Sparkling Stars. As you enter into the bay Seira and Alicia can see the cool water splashing,the sounds of the ocean a steady lull. Until, disturbing meditations one morning, the man in the crow's nest calls, "People! There's people in the bay!"
[20:48] <Seira> "Why would there not be?" Seira asks, raising an eyebrow.
[20:48] <Ebiris> "Because normally they'd be in boats instead?" Alicia surmises, going to take a look.
[20:49] <Seira> "They're literally in the bay?" Seira frowns, heading to take a look as well.
[20:49] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:53] <Kotono> As a few sailors join the two, they go to the rail. On the starboard side, about two hundred feet out, a few humanoids swim towards the ship. Watery skinned and elven ears, familiar to Seira. Sea elves are approaching the ship at a steady pace.
[20:56] <Seira> "Well, no one is drowning, at least," Seira comments, waving at the sea elves.
[20:58] <Kotono> "What are they," A few of the sailors ask as they approach at a steady pace. Bu tnonetheless they come onward. One even looks up, waving - Tynave is noted, leading the five elves along.
[20:59] <Alicia> "Sea elves?" Alicia surmises, thinking back to what Seira told her previously about the watery humanoids.
[20:59] <Seira> "Sea elves, they're our friends," Seira says loudly enough so that the sailors won't get any funny ideas. "Hello, Tynave!" she calls over in Elven to the group of elves.
[21:03] <Kotono> The lead sea elf waves again, Tynave seeing Seira. "Seira?" She calls in elven, slowly. "Seira!" The others following her are a little slower, hesitant.
[21:06] * Seira waits for the ship to come closer to them, while asking the nearby sailors to lower a rope ladder into the water.
[21:06] <Kotono> The sailors do so while keeping a watch out. They're a little hesitant as well, but the rope ladder is so lowered.
[21:07] <Seira> "Please be on your best behavior," she tells them quietly. "These elves might become Balmuria's allies in the near future."
[21:09] <Kotono> The two sailors lowering the ladder nod, one licking his lips. "Captain Seira?" he inquires, "Um...do you attract all these strange creatures?"
[21:09] * Alicia nods to Seira, watching the sea elves curiously.
[21:09] <Seira> "How are elves in any shape or size strange?" Seira asks with deceptive mildness.
[21:10] <Kotono> "Uh, well, captain...they aren't human?" the sailor ventures, quickly finishing his joba nd standing.
[21:10] * Alicia gives the sailor a faintly disbelieving look, as if unable to comprehend how someone could be so dense.
[21:10] <Seira> "Isn't there a deck that needs scrubbing? Get to it."
[21:12] <Kotono> The other sailors grabs his talkative shipmate and hurries away. With the two gone, you hear Tynave calling. "Seira! Is Elle or Shamal up there with you? Who's the other one?"
[21:13] <Seira> "I'm afraid not. Here, with me, is Alicia. She also works with the Guard. Would you like to come up and meet her?"
[21:14] <Alicia> "Greetings," Alicia briefly waves down at the elves.
[21:16] <Kotono> Looking at the other elves, one of them shakes his head. They're all youngish, as much as you can tell. "Could you come down here? The others aren't so used to it yet. This is only the third shipw e've came to greet."
[21:17] <Seira> 'Third?' Seira mouthes, before shrugging and carefully and slowly climbing down to the water level.
[21:18] <Alicia> "Do you want me to come as well?" Alicia asks, leaning over the ship's railing.
[21:19] <Kotono> Against the rocking boat Seira has a time getting down, but she does so without incident. Tynave smiles and wavees down, "Sure, come on! It'd be nice to meet you!"
[21:19] <Seira> "It's best for our friends to meet more of the land-dwellers," Seira adds.
[21:20] <Alicia> Glad that her armour is exceptionally light and unlikely to result in her sinking to a watery grave, Alicia clinbs over the edge and descends to the waterline, still holding onto the boat itself to save herself the effort of swimming. "My name is Alicia Reynes, it is a pleasure to meet you," she introduces herself politely.
[21:22] <Seira> "Why are you greeting boats like this?" Seira asks curiously, directing the question to the group in general, and not to Tynave herself, to get more of them involved.
[21:23] <Kotono> "Oh, Oolu wants us to as a way of 'getting out from those musty old sea caves an dseeing the world!'" Tynave reports, "He's been ablet o get us to do it so far. According to him, it's like teaching retarded fish how to swim after they've been sitting on th eseabed for a few hundred years." Thoughtfully shaking her head, "He's strange, isn't he. Not quite what I ever expected."
[21:24] * Alicia blinks at the phrasing used. "He sounds rather rude," she can't help but observe.
[21:25] <Seira> "Yes. And if he asks you girls something you're not comfortable with, you probably shouldn't do it." Seira snorts, before adding, "But he's a good person, pretty much. I'm glad he's making an impact in your society."
[21:26] <Kotono> One of the other sea elves even speaks up at that. "He keeps saying we can't hide in some old caves and water."
[21:27] <Kotono> "He's...well...he said he'd been trapped somewhere for over two millenia. That's a really long time," Tynave adds helpfully.
[21:27] <Seira> "He was," Seira confirms. "Have you talked to anyone in the city, so far?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "People going into the city - sailors and humans." Tynave reports.
[21:28] <Seira> "Would any of you like to visit as my guest? I give my word that you'll be safe, and could leave at any time you wish," Seira offers.
[21:33] <Kotono> "Maybe soon - you see, we're supposed to just do this right now," Tynave nods, "I'd like to see everyone again. And...you're Alicia? You don't seem mean, just like the others."
[21:34] <Alicia> "I should hope not," Alicia smiles. "It sounds like you're finding people on land aren't like you'd been told?"
[21:37] <Kotono> "It's just different," Tynave adds agreeably after several moments, "I didn't think they were that bad, though! No after I met you."
[21:39] <Seira> "Just like with your people, there would be those good and those bad," Seira tells Tynave. "Though I would like to think that Balmuria has a favorable ratio of decent people in it."
[21:40] <Kotono> A nod, "That's what Oolu says, and he'll say we'll come back when we're ready and have things back in order. He's trying to get things like special Brine Potions and the like back."
[21:42] <Alicia> "Brine potions?" Alicia asks curiously, wondering what good those could be.
[21:42] <Seira> "It would be a nice touch, yes," Seira agrees. "They are quite useful for those of us without the magic to breathe underwater."
[21:43] <Kotono> "They're special. I think Seira has it," Tynave says agreeably, as the other three elves busy themselves looking upa t the ship. Sailors look down as well, lots of gawking ands taring, even the captain at it. "Since Oolu says no one can visit unless they can breathe underwater, and that's an easy way of doing it if you aren't a wizard."
[21:45] * Seira nods. "It is. Would you like to visit the ship, at least? Those men are under my command, and they won't bite."
[21:48] * El-Cideon (~Melanchth@pool-71-191-19-81.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
[21:54] <Kotono> "Well..." Tynave considers, "Can I ride with you into port then swim back?"
[21:54] <Seira> "Certainly."
[21:56] <Kotono> So Tynave waves her friends off, slowly gettingonto the ladder. She struggles with it, dragging herself up. "Ooooph...this is harder...out of water," she ventures, as the crew continues to gawk.
[21:57] <Alicia> "Do you need any help?" Alicia asks as she easily clambers up the side of the boat herself.
[21:57] <Seira> "Practice makes perfect," Seira quotes, looking out for the sea elf, ready to assist.
[22:01] <Kotono> She reaches out, clearly grabbing onto the others. "Dizzy now, too...dry air isn't as good..."
[22:02] <Seira> "That, too, would require practice," Seira tells her. "You wouldn't want to faint or throw up when Oolu does take you to a tour of our city, would you?"
[22:02] * Alicia puts an arm around Tynave to support her. "Easy now, with me," she instructs, helping the sea elf up the side of the boat one step at a time.
[22:02] * Seira waves at the other elves. "Want to follow the ship into the bay?"
[22:06] <Kotono> The other three are already cautiously swimming off. "Got it," she gets atop, getting lots of looks. Even the captain is there, "Sea elf? Never thought I'd get to see one face to face..."
[22:07] <Seira> "You'll be seeing them a lot more from now on, I wager," Seira says, before introducing the two.
[22:12] <Kotono> Tynave smiles, "Thank you," she says politely, before coughing in the air. "Can we go?"
[22:13] <Seira> "We can."
[22:19] <Kotono> So the ship sails in! The Balmurian port is expanding! Towards the east a new smaller harbor is being made, along side the developing new houses. Construction is going at a merry rate, many smaller places already done. In the harbor boats rest, and a small detatchment of guards await at the dock, as the gangplank is put out.
[22:20] * Seira lets Tynave decide the time she wishes to disembark.
[22:21] <Kotono> *west
[22:24] <Kotono> Tynave looks out, before turning to Seira and Alicia. "Thank you," she smiles winsomely. "Your city is still very pretty."
[22:24] <Seira> "We try," Seira responds, a note of pride in her voice.
[22:25] <Alicia> "Maybe some day I could see your home," Alicia replies pleasantly, deciding not to point out that Balmuria is hardly 'her' city.
[22:28] <Kotono> "Seira can bring you oen day!" Tynave promises, "She came with Shamal and Elle before!" With that she looks out to the city and then dives into the waver, smoothly swimming.
[22:29] * Seira winces, but resumes waiting on the ship to dock properly.
[22:30] <Kotono> Once it's fully docked you see the small detachment of guards is still awaiting.
[22:31] * Seira doesn't intend on letting them wait much longer, and approaches to determine who are they waiting for.
[22:31] * Alicia is right behind her erstewhile captain!
[22:34] <Kotono> It's mostly normal guards - including a few faces Seira simply doesn't know off hand, surprisingly - led by guardsman Wedge. His uniform looks a little nicer now, however. "Welcome back," he says sharply. "Lord Salman is waiting fore news of your efforts."
[22:34] <Seira> "You were expecting us?" she asks.
[22:37] <Kotono> Wedge smiles slightly, "Lord Salman had a few of us stay semi ready each time a ship came into the harbor to dock, sir," he comments.
[22:38] * Seira frowns, but nods curtly. "Very well. We were just on our way to see him. Is he to be found at the Garrison?"

[Corwin]

[16:24] <Ko-nethate> "He's established himself there," Wedge nods quickly, "If you'll come with us?"
[16:28] <Alicia> "Lead on, sergeant," Alicia nods agreeably.
[16:31] <Ko-nethate> So the heroes return to Lord Salman. They find him in a converted garrison room, listening to a page pass on a message about the building program. The page bows quickly and retreats away, leaving his attention solely on the two. "Alicia, Seira, tell me of your mission. Was it successful?"
[16:32] * Seira nods curtly in response. "Yes, Sir." She withdraws the elven king's letter, providing it to Lord Salman. "While they had some reservations, our proposal was approved."
[16:36] <Ko-nethate> The letter is taken, read over with diligence and time. "So it appears. Almand or another page has not returned yet." Setting the letter down, "Tell me of the matters that have occured in detail?"
[16:38] <Seira> "Irenes has allied himself with a council member of the elven court, claiming that he is officially working for Malmuth," Seira reports. "We have reason to doubt this, but the matter must be brought up, if only for completeness's sake."
[16:39] * Tai{MustResetLaptopSettings} (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[16:40] <Ko-nethate> "I see...do you believe that Irenes is not affliated with Malmuth now?" The question is asked with a delicate softness, ponderance in his voice, measured heavily.
[16:42] <Seira> "Not directly, at the highest levels, no," Seira responds. "In the absense of further information, of course, Sir," she adds, looking at him questioningly, almost expectantly.
[16:44] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[16:45] <Ko-nethate> A shake of Lord Salman's head. "We still have only speculation and heresy about Irenes, I am regretful to say." Pausing after that, "The reports say he is an extremely capable wizard. Are there countermeasures to be employed?"
[16:46] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[16:47] <Seira> "They are all too troublesome or too expensive, Sir."
[16:47] <Alicia> "After he attacked us on our ship as we sailed to Pallanth, I saw fit to purchase a scroll that will let me see him even if he's invisible, albeit temporarily. It seems he prefers to oversee battles while flying and hidden from sight," Alicia explains. "But Seira has it correctly, such magic expensive and usable only by few."
[16:50] <Ko-nethate> Lord Salman nods once. "I need not tell you that his capture or demise is one of our highest priorities, only rising as we find more information about his actions." But after a moment of that, "There are other, minor matters to deal with as well, however, as we wait."
[16:50] <Seira> "If we go for his capture, we will inevitably lose, Sir," Seira cautions. "The likes of Irenes are beyond our ability to contain."
[16:51] <Ko-nethate> "Then kill him if you must." Lord Salman does not even hestate. "That his life is forfiet is a long ago agreed on inevitability."
[16:51] * Tai{MustResetLaptopSettings} (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[16:51] <Alicia> "I have no problem with that," Alicia agrees readily.
[16:52] <Seira> "I try every time we meet," Seira likewise agrees.
[16:54] <Ko-nethate> The smile on Lord's Salman's face is more akin to a fearsome, feral look. "Very well then. There are still other matters, however. First of all, Parsifal requries your knowledge on Shocker Lizards. In the past week or so, single, paired or occasionally three or four at once have been wandering into the town limits. They are extremely aggressive and often appear disoriented. While they can be managed, they are a dangerous threat and we nee
[16:55] <Ko-nethate> need to take action in finding out the best ways to subdue them safely."
[16:55] <Seira> "The range of our archers is superior to theirs, Sir. They need only to be alert and concentrate on the beasts one at a time."
[16:55] <Alicia> "Archers should be able to dispatch them quite readily, assuming they're seen before they reach the town itself," Alicia agrees.
[16:57] <Seira> "If they aren't, we clearly need to replace our forward scouts and guards."
[16:58] <Ko-nethate> "Yes. The more painful reports come from when a sentry or two did not identify them by sight and closed in to see what the devil they were," Lord Salman agrees with the slightest wince. "Your words agree with our observations. Very well then..." AFter another moment, "The wizard Mihail came to me to personally object to his treatment at the Crimson Guard's hands."
[16:58] <Alicia> "I'd suggest clearing the area immediately surrounding the town of anything that could be used as cover so that they're easier to spot at a distance," Alicia suggests before falling silent at the next part.
[17:00] <Seira> "That is unfortunate," Seira says, shrugging.
[17:01] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[17:02] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[17:03] <Ko-nethate> "Under the circumstances, we cannot alienate one of our few wizards. Step carefully," Lord Salman warns, "If you feel he is going to need to be arrested and have strong proof, come to myself or Commander Oberuth immediately."
[17:04] * Seira nods. "Of course, Sir. At the moment, however, I tend to believe his innocence on the matter we interrogated him over. Whether he is involved in others, only time and a careful investigation would tell."
[17:09] <Ko-nethate> "Very well," Lord Salman agrees to those words, thoughtful. "Go ahead and rest for now - we are essentially waiting for Lord Almand to return now. Alicia."
[17:10] * Alicia nods. "As you say, my Lord," she replies formally, before departing.
[17:11] <Ko-nethate> "Alicia," Lord Salman says again, "I meant for you to stay."
[17:12] <Alicia> "Ah..." Alicia pauses at the door, looking briefly embarrassed. "Forgive me, I misunderstood," she mutters, quickly resuming her former position.
[17:13] <Seira> "See you later," Seira murmurs to the paladin as she steps outside after a salute to Lord Salman.
[17:14] <Ko-nethate> Once SEira has stepped outside, Lord Salman look sto her. "Alicia, I understand you met with your sister?"
[17:15] <Alicia> "I felt compelled to see for myself what had become of her since she left home," Alicia replies stiffly. She certainly didn't visit for Beth's sparkling wit, that's for sure.
[17:16] <Ko-nethate> "There is regret that We can only suspect that you came away with bitter dissapointment." Lord Salman speaks slowly, diplomatically.
[17:18] <Alicia> "I certainly wish I could have been surprised," Alicia represses a sigh at that admission.
[17:19] <Ko-nethate> A nod after that, "Yes." After a few moments, "Alicia, I have a duty to charge onto you."
[17:20] <Alicia> "... yes?" Alicia asks after a small hesitation, suspicious as to what duty he could ask her after that preamble. It's unlikely he'd mention Beth just as small talk.
[17:22] <Ko-nethate> "Seira is becoming important not only to the Crimson Guard, but to this very country. "Not only does she put herself in dangers by her duty, but she has attracted the attention of Irenes, who has shown himself to be far more than willing to attempt foul assassinatinos. Protect her."
[17:22] <Ko-nethate> OOC - Gah.
[17:23] <Ko-nethate> "Seira is becoming important not only to the Crimson Guard, but to this very country. "Not only does she put herself in dangers by her duty, but she has attracted the attention of Irenes, who has shown himself to be far more than willing to attempt foul assassinatinos. Protect her." After a momentary pause, expression somberly in blankness, "He has shown he has the resources and desire to hire and fuel ones like your sister."
[17:25] * Ko-nethate is now known as Kotono
[17:25] * Alicia masks her own irritation at having her sister's misdeeds continually rubbed in her face. "Of course, my Lord," she assures him. "Captain Seira will come to no harm on my watch."
[17:26] <Kotono> A nod, and then, "Also...learn from her. You met the elves she knows? You have seen her knowledge of the gnomes first hand?" Lord Salman continues on.
[17:26] * Merc-zzz is now known as Merc
[17:28] <Alicia> "I will try," Alicia nods. "However, although Seira and I both use the same type of magic, I am unable to learn spells in the same manner as she is - I can only use those spells Mystra sees fit to bestow upon me," she cautions.
[17:29] <Kotono> "Very well." Lord Salman agrees, "Go ahead now."
[17:29] <Alicia> "As you will," Alicia nods before departing, hopefully for real this time.
[17:31] <Kotono> roll 1d5
[17:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d5 and gets 5."12 [1d5=5]
[17:32] <Kotono> roll 1d4
[17:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 and gets 1."12 [1d4=1]
[17:33] <Kotono> A day passes. Alicia and Seira are called to the meeting room, where Commander Oberuth awaits. He looks freshfaced and sharp, gesturing for the two to sit down. "At ease," he begins, "Still no sign from the Malmuthians - they're dragging their feet, apparently."
[17:33] <Seira> "A sign they did not expect this turn of events, Sir?"
[17:33] * Alicia deftly sits herself down. "That's what I'd assume," she agrees with Seira.
[17:36] <Kotono> "Yes. I just wish Demedais was back, but...no matter." Oberuth agrees, "In the meantime there are still matters we can deal with. "In particular," Tapping the table, "The outlying farmsteads by the Barbarian Lands have been reporting trouble the last few days."
[17:37] <Alicia> "What sort of trouble, sir?" Alicia asks curiously.
[17:39] <Kotono> "It's not goblins, at least," Commander Oberuth sighs a moment, "That would be dealt with by a normal guard detatchment these days. The outlying farmsteads have reported strange sounds at night - pounding. When they come out in the morning, large holes are torn in walls, often doing considerable damage."
[17:40] <Alicia> "So... they've heard loud noises, which apparently is caused by holes being torn into their own walls, but no one has seen anything?" Alicia asks disbelievingly.
[17:43] <Kotono> "No, here's where it gets strange," Oberuth goes on, "When sighted, they claim they saw 'a statue do it'."
[17:43] <Seira> "A golem, then?
[17:44] <Seira> "
[17:45] <Kotono> "I don't know. That's why you're getting sent," Commander Oberuth smiles slightly. "If it is a golem, that raises several unpleasant questions. If i'ts something else, it needs to be stopped."
[17:47] <Alicia> "I hope it's not a golem. That'd be murder on my blades," Alicia briefly laments. "I might need to pick up some supplies, first."
[17:48] <Kotono> "Agreed entirely," Commander Oberuth says without a hesitation at all. "...are you familiar with golems in regards to our current difficulties, Alicia?"
[17:49] <Alicia> "There was one that guarded Demedais' shield, wasn't there?" Alicia asks, thinking back over what she's been told.
[17:49] <Seira> "And another in the abandoned ruins next to Balmuria."
[17:50] <Kotono> "That is the going concern. The gnomes used them as powerful guardians." Oberuth grunts, and after a moment, "Will you need added support?"
[17:52] <Seira> "I propose that we investigate first," Seira says after some consideration. "It might be foolish to commit to a mission without knowing of the opposition."
[17:52] * Alveria is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[17:54] <Alicia> "Best to know exactly what we're dealing with first of all," Alicia agrees.
[17:54] * Merc (~kazaana@host-206-54-196-170.entouch.net) Quit (Time to leave, before the plushies trigger the explosives.)
[17:54] <Kotono> "Alright," Oberuth agrees, "Get going then and investigate."
[17:56] <Seira> "Yes, Sir!"
[18:02] <Kotono> OOC - Are you guys going to head out? If so, what's your plan?
[18:02] <Alicia> OOC: Buy the scroll I mentioned in #elysium, then go to wherever the statue thing was last seen and start asking questions?
[18:03] <Seira> OOC: Is this the area where we found that ruin with the golem?
[18:03] <Alicia> OOC: that was way out in the barbarian lands, this is like just by the edge of them.
[18:03] <Seira> OOC: Yes, but same direction?
[18:04] <Kotono> OOC: Roughly yeah.
[18:08] <Kotono> The trip out takes a few hours. It is not overly difficult to find the first victim - a small farmstead, it's kitchen wall half caved in. A young man spits and swears as he leads his family in clearing away the mess. Today no crops are grown, only recovery. This is the first instance of damage that you see.
[18:12] * Seira approaches the man and his family, catching their attention. "We are from the Guard," she tells them. "Would you mind describing what happened here?"
[18:14] * Alicia follows behind Seira, taking a look over the damage and surrounding area. Surely a walking statue would leave obvious tracks, right?
[18:14] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[18:14] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[18:18] <Kotono> The man wipes his brow, "Guards? Ooooh, you're the fancy ones!" Stopping his work and putting down a hammer, "Yeah, last night we heard this THUMP THUMP from the kitchen." As he speaks, Alicia looks around. This requires only eyes to find and little else - there are heavyset tracks in the ground. Heavy adn wide, leaving deep imprints in the earth.
[18:18] * Sierra_OUT is now known as Sierra_Mikain
[18:20] <Alicia> "Did you see what caused the damage?" Alicia asks after looking around.
[18:21] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[18:24] <Kotono> "Yeah, it was big - real big. Looked like a big moving statue," The man states. "Hit the wall hard enough to crumple it up like a wad of hay."
[18:24] <Seira> "Did it say anything, or do anything aside from breaking a wall?"
[18:27] <Kotono> "It did that and fell back thataways," Gesturing northward, "Back towards where all the goblins live, but damend if it nothing like a goblin Iv'e ever seen."
[18:31] <Seira> "We'll keep investigating," Seira decides, and glances at Alicia. "Let's follow the tracks for now?"
[18:32] * Alicia nods. "At least they're obvious enough," she notes, getting back on her horse and starting off.
[18:33] <Kotono> OOC - Do either of you have the relevant ranks in survivial/tracking?
[18:33] <Alicia> OOC: No~
[18:35] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Go ahead and make a tracking check untrained. It's an incredibly easy to follow trail, but untrained you still have a chance of bungling it.
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 and gets 17."12 [1d20=16]
[18:38] <Kotono> The trail's not terribly hard to follow. Footsteps that leave three inch deep imprints into the earth every couple of feet are damned hard to lose track of.  About two hours in, you come into the Barbarian Lands. But not far - for standing besides an oak tree you see it. The stone golem stands there, immobile and slumped against the oak tree. It's back is to you, but it doesn't seem to be moving at all. The great oak creaks lightly every so o
[18:39] <Kotono> lightly every so often against the weight of the golem. It's just...standing there?
[18:39] <Alicia> "Look familiar?" Alicia quietly asks Seira as she studies the golem from a distance.
[18:40] * Seira checks!
[18:43] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as The_Sierra_Ultimatum
[18:48] <Kotono> The golem is eight feet tall, with a conical cap. It's body is made of solid granite, massive and heavy. It's eye sparkle, made of purple gemstone shards. 
[18:49] <Seira> "Seems like it," Seira tells her. "I'll approach the golem and try to talk with it. Should it become violent, I'll retreat at once."
[18:52] <Alicia> "I'll cover you, then," Alicia nods, keeping her distance but close enough to hit it with a spell if necessary.
[18:52] * Seira nods, and approaches the golem openly... but from an entirely different direction than Alicia remains at.
[18:53] <Kotono> The golem does not move in the least as Seira approaches. It's simply standing there against the great oaken tree.
[18:54] <Seira> "Hello again," Seira greets it. "We've met before, remember?"
[18:55] <Kotono> The golem does not move at all. No voice, no movement, no existance beyond as a stone statue as far as Seira can see.
[18:56] <Seira> "Are you following an order of the God-King?" she asks him curiously. "I thought you were forbidden from leaving the place you were guarding."
[18:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 8."12 [1d20=8]
[18:57] <Kotono> Again, no reaction from the golem. It's just standing there.
[18:59] * Seira considers, and steps back to a safer distance, rejoining forces with Alicia. "Let's give defeating it here a try," she suggests. "I'll hit it with any spells I have to seal its movement, and you could try and put it down. If it doesn't work, we'll retreat."
[19:00] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[19:00] * Demedais is now known as Taishyr
[19:00] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[19:00] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:01] <Alicia> "Maybe it only activates at night?" Alicia suggests. "If we wait until then we might get some answers out of it."
[19:01] <Seira> "To be perfectly honest, I'm not interested in answers, only in stopping the menace to our citizens," Seira responds.
[19:03] <Alicia> "You're in command," Alicia shrugs, proceeding to cast Shield, Enlarge Person, and Mirror Image on herself.
[19:03] <Alicia> roll 3#1d100
[19:03] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 3#1d100 and gets 151."12 [3#1d100 = 80, 48, 23]
[19:03] * Seira casts Mage Armor on her person from a scroll, before increasing her short-term speed and taking cover behind a tree, as she casts Ray of Enfeeblement on the golem.
[19:05] <Alicia> roll 1d4+2
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+2 and gets 4."12 [1d4=2]
[19:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 ranged touch
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 ranged touch and gets 14."12 [1d20=3]
[19:06] <Seira> roll 1d6+2
[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d6+2 and gets 8."12 [1d6=6]
[19:06] <Kotono> The golem is struck by the ray...but nothing seems to happen.
[19:07] * Alicia shoots off a pair of scorching rays, herself!
[19:07] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[19:07] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 ranged touch and gets 19."12 [1d20=11]
[19:07] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 ranged touch
[19:07] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 ranged touch and gets 15."12 [1d20=7]
[19:07] <Kotono> The rays seem to have no effect on the golem, not burning it's stony skin at all.
[19:08] <Alicia> "Okay, have to do this the hard way. Glad I bought that scroll..." Alicia sighs, taking out a sheaf of paper and reading off it before drawing her sword, which begins to emit a low thrum.
[19:08] * Seira sends translucent jaws to bite at the golem.
[19:08] <Seira> roll 5d6
[19:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 5d6 and gets 15."12 [5d6=4, 2, 2, 5, 2]
[19:10] <Kotono> The jaws fail to do any damage to the golem - the bites just don't close around it's body at all, failing.
[19:11] * Seira becomes several elves, all identical clones.
[19:11] * Alicia casts True Strike before walking over to smack the golem as hard as she can.
[19:11] <Seira> roll 1d4+1
[19:11] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4+1 and gets 4."12 [1d4=3]
[19:11] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and make your attack roll, Alicia.
[19:12] <Alicia> roll 1d20+20+3 (-6 power attack)
[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+20+3 (-6 power attack) and gets 26."12 [1d20=3]
[19:12] * Seira uses her wand to send an orb of acid at the golem just as Alicia strikes it.
[19:12] <Kotono> OOC - Hit, 'licia.
[19:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 13."12 [1d20=2]
[19:12] <Alicia> roll 2d6+19+1d6
[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d6+19+1d6 and gets 30."12 [2d6=4, 3][1d6=4]
[19:13] <Kotono> OOC - Damage, Seira, then I'll do something.
[19:14] <Seira> roll 1d8 fun
[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 fun and gets 7."12 [1d8=7]
[19:16] <Kotono> Between Alicia's massive blow and Seira's orb of acid, some damage is done to the golem! It's arm is chipped and it's side is splashed with sizzling hot acidicity! This seems to make it move, to stir! "G.g.g.gggggggg!" It straigtens it's body and...
[19:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[19:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 10."12 [1d20=10]
[19:18] <Kotono> "Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill." It repeats in a monotone, "Kill humans. Kill humans. Kill humans. Kill humans. Kill humans. Kill humans." Another pause, "Directive is to..ggggggg...." The golem buckles a few seconds, making the ground shake. "Protect, retreat and return, prot...ggggg....Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill." OOC - React and initiative here, since it's probably best if we go into it.
[19:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 init
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 init and gets 26."12 [1d20=15]
[19:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20-1 and gets 2."12 [1d20=3]
[19:19] <Seira> "Yes, it's a safe bet we should put this malfunctioning thing down."
[19:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[19:19] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+4 and gets 8."12 [1d20=4]
[19:20] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Alicia>Golem'
[19:20] <Kotono> OOC - Seira, feel free.
[19:21] <Seira> Seems like using her wand to support Alicia is pretty much the only thing she can do.
[19:21] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:21] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
[19:21] <Seira> roll 1d8
[19:21] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 and gets 4."12 [1d8=4]
[19:22] <Kotono> The acid splashes the golem, doing a little more damage to it! OOC - Alicia.
[19:23] <Alicia> Unable to repeat her previous all out assault with a hope of accuracy this time, Alicia unleashes a flurry of quick strikes, relying more on her blades' current sonic enchantment to do damage where steel itself may fail.
[19:23] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9
[19:23] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 18."12 [1d20=9]
[19:23] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9
[19:23] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 23."12 [1d20=14]
[19:23] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[19:23] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+4 and gets 24."12 [1d20=20]
[19:23] <Kotono> OOC - One hit.
[19:24] <Alicia> roll 2d6+7+1d6
[19:24] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d6+7+1d6 and gets 21."12 [2d6=6, 2][1d6=6]
[19:24] <Kotono> A flurry of strikes, the last slashing into the golem's leg! Minor stonework damage, weakening the magical construct! (More)
[19:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[19:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 18."12 [1d20=18]
[19:25] <Kotono> "Kill...kill..." The golem shakes it's head, like rocks rolling around. "Directive Devil...not purpose..." It steps back, away from Alicia. OOC - Seira.
[19:26] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 20."12 [1d20=9]
[19:26] <Seira> roll 1d8
[19:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 and gets 1."12 [1d8=1]
[19:28] * Seira gives up something this pointless and opts to try her bow next, drawing it.
[19:28] <Kotono> Another splash of acid, doing minimal damage to the backing away golem! OOC - Alicia.
[19:29] * Alicia hesitates. "Despite its words, it doesn't seem hostile," she notes to Seira, ready to defend herself if the golem does attack, but otherwise waiting to see what it does.
[19:30] <Seira> "Let's break it before it does follow up on its directives of killing humans, then, shall we?"
[19:33] <Alicia> "Very well," Alicia relents, again calling upon Mystra to bless her sight so she may strike truly, before moving after the golem but not quite getting in range just yet.
[19:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[19:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 11."12 [1d20=11]
[19:34] <Kotono> "Directive...Purple...Devil..." The golem shakes it's head once more, before lunging at Alicia and making a single devastating attack!
[19:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 19."12 [1d20=1]
[19:35] <Kotono> But the slam misses entirely, whizzing by Alicia! OOC - Seira.
[19:36] <Seira> May her arrows strike true!
[19:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (4pa)
[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 (4pa) and gets 21."12 [1d20=15]
[19:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (4pa)
[19:37] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 (4pa) and gets 19."12 [1d20=13]
[19:38] <Kotono> Both arrows are shot well but bounce off the golem's stony skin, doing no damage! OOC - Alicia.
[19:39] * Alicia replies in kind to the golem's devastating attack, exchanging finesse for brute power as she trusts Mystra to guide her blades!
[19:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+23 -6 power attack
[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+23 -6 power attack and gets 41."12 [1d20=18]
[19:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3
[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+3 and gets 14."12 [1d20=11]
[19:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20-2
[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20-2 and gets 18."12 [1d20=20]
[19:39] <Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
[19:39] <Alicia> roll 4d6+38+2d6
[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 4d6+38+2d6 and gets 65."12 [4d6=2, 3, 6, 6][2d6=4, 6]
[19:40] <Kotono> The two blows rock the golem massively, one gouging deep into it's chest! Damage is done, considerable amounts!
[19:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[19:41] <Kotono> "Kill...Kill....Devil..." It repeats, before lunging at Alicia again, two attacks as it fully unloads on her!
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 21."12 [1d20=3]
[19:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 33."12 [1d20=15]
[19:41] <Kotono> OOC - AC and MI?
[19:41] <Alicia> OOC: AC 24 (images have 13). 4 images.
[19:42] <Kotono> roll 1d4 attack 1
[19:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 attack 1 and gets 1."12 [1d4=1]
[19:42] <Kotono> roll 1d4 attack 2
[19:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 attack 2 and gets 4."12 [1d4=4]
[19:42] <Kotono> Alicia parries away the first lucky stroke, while the second pulverisies another image nearby it! OOC - Seira.
[19:43] <Seira> An arrow would hit! Eventually!
[19:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (4pa)
[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 (4pa) and gets 8."12 [1d20=2]
[19:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (4pa)
[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 (4pa) and gets 20."12 [1d20=14]
[19:43] <Seira> Just not today!
[19:43] <Kotono> Ting! Not these times, again not able to hit and damage the golem! OOC - Alicia.
[19:43] <Alicia> roll 1d100 wraithstrike
[19:43] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 wraithstrike and gets 15."12 [1d100=15]
[19:44] <Alicia> "Fall, will you?!" Alicia demands as her shiny blades blur into an almost smoky consistency as she lashes out at the golem, not letting up her assault!
[19:45] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 -4 power attack (touch attack)
[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 -4 power attack (touch attack) and gets 18."12 [1d20=13]
[19:45] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 -4 power attack (touch attack)
[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+5 -4 power attack (touch attack) and gets 20."12 [1d20=15]
[19:45] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 -4 power attack (touch attack)
[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 -4 power attack (touch attack) and gets 17."12 [1d20=16]
[19:45] <Kotono> OOC - All hit.
[19:45] <Alicia> roll 6d6+45+3d6
[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 6d6+45+3d6 and gets 72."12 [6d6=4, 2, 2, 3, 4, 1][3d6=2, 6, 3]
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
[19:46] <Kotono> With another bevy of blows Alicia tears into the golem! She rips it's leg nearly asunder, tearing into it's head, ripping it's side! It seems nearly defenseless against these, wobbled!
[19:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[19:46] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 6."12 [1d20=6]
[19:47] <Kotono> Shaking and making the ground quake, the golem speaks. "Corruption...Devil," it tries to say. "Unexpected corruption...run." It speaks this directly, before attacking Alicia once more! "Cannot control functions fully."
[19:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 30."12 [1d20=12]
[19:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 25."12 [1d20=7]
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 1d3 attack 1
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3 attack 1 and gets 2."12 [1d3=2]
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 1d2 attack 2
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d2 attack 2 and gets 1."12 [1d2=1]
[19:48] <Kotono> roll 2d10+9
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d10+9 and gets 19."12 [2d10=4, 6]
[19:49] <Kotono> The first slam destroys another image, while the second makes a direct hit into Alicia's stomach, sending her wobbling! OOC - Seira.
[19:49] * Seira changes her opinion again, and flings more acid at the golem.
[19:49] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 20."12 [1d20=9]
[19:49] <Seira> roll 1d8
[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 and gets 4."12 [1d8=4]
[19:51] <Kotono> Another splash of acid does more damage to it's body! It leaves a nasty burn on it's granite construction, severly causing more rot to it's stony body! But it stays up despite even another blow! OOC - Alicia.
[19:52] <Alicia> "Oooohf!" Alicia's eyes widen as she expels a sharp gasp of air with the force of the blow she just took. Deciding she needs to recover her defences, the paladin falls back in a tumbling roll, springing to her feet out of range of the golem's arms as she recasts mirror image!
[19:53] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble
[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble and gets 22."12 [1d20=10]
[19:53] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 17."12 [1d100=17]
[19:53] <Alicia> roll 1d4+2
[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+2 and gets 3."12 [1d4=1]
[19:54] <Kotono> Alicia recasts mirror image after a smart and quick tumble away! As that happens...
[19:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[19:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[19:56] <Kotono> The golem manages to hold a hand up. "Corruption Devil. It has damaged my instructions. Unstable. The circle came alive again." It manages to take a few steps away, not pursuing Seira or Alicia. OOc - Seira.
[19:57] * Seira isn't doing much damage, anyway, so decides to wash the golem with summoned water. If nothing else, it would present Alicia a prettier, cleaner target.
[20:00] <Kotono> The golem is splashed by water. Little seems to happen.
[20:00] <Kotono> OOC - Alicia.
[20:04] <Alicia> "Can you control yourself, or repair your instructions?" Alicia asks warily. "Right now you are too dangerous for us to allow you to remain unchecked."
[20:06] <Seira> "Alicia, this is a servant of the God-King. It being in full control would actually make things worse, don't you think?"
[20:07] <Alicia> "You said it wasn't hostile when you first encountered it," Alicia reminds Seira.
[20:07] * Seira rolls her eyes. "Because we said all the right things, left, and didn't think it could follow us. Evidently, it is capable of venturing outside. That changes everything."
[20:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[20:15] <Kotono> "He..." It begins, "Repair...function. Unstable." It needs time to get those words out, slow.
[20:16] * Alicia sighs as she once more calls upon Mystra to bless her aim. "Nothing for it, it seems..."
[20:19] * Tai{MustResetLaptopSettings} (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[20:19] * Tai{MustResetLaptopSettings} is now known as Taishyr
[20:19] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[20:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20
[20:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[20:19] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-160-72.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Taishyr))
[20:19] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[20:20] <Kotono> The golem does not attack again. "Corruption Devil. The circle is active. Repair function. Unstable. Broken. Half of the pact still remembers." OOC - Seira.
[20:22] * Seira casts dispel on the golem, careful not to catch Alicia with it, curious what her actions would cause.
[20:22] <Kotono> OOC - Dispel check.
[20:23] <Seira> roll 1d20+5
[20:23] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+5 and gets 7."12 [1d20=2]
[20:24] <Kotono> The magic makes the golem pause outright for a few seconds. For a few it merely stands there, but it doesn't seem to last long enough. OOC - Alicia
[20:25] * Alicia does not bother with useless words, instead she simply advances forward to dispassionately strike at the golem with all her might, trying to put it down for the good of all.
[20:25] <Alicia> roll 1d20+23 -6 power attack
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+23 -6 power attack and gets 36."12 [1d20=13]
[20:25] <Alicia> roll 2d6+19+1d6
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d6+19+1d6 and gets 29."12 [2d6=2, 3][1d6=5]
[20:29] <Kotono> Another blow, and this one at last knocks the stone golem down! It's leg is nearly broken and shattered, it's weight causing it to plummet down! "Corruption...Corruption..." Still comes from it's mouth.
[20:30] <Kotono> OOC - Golem is downed but not out, but not in a position to act. Seira?
[20:30] * Seira tries to kill it with acid, what else?
[20:30] <Seira> roll 1d8
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8 and gets 3."12 [1d8=3]
[20:31] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 17."12 [1d20=6]
[20:31] <Kotono> The acid splashes it further! A little more damage onto it's ruined body! OOC - Alicia.
[20:32] <Alicia> "This ends now," Alicia mutters, before her blades arc downwards in a hopefully decisive manner.
[20:32] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 29."12 [1d20=16]
[20:32] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 27."12 [1d20=14]
[20:32] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 and gets 26."12 [1d20=19]
[20:33] <Kotono> OOC - Al hit.
[20:33] <Alicia> roll 6d6+21+3d6
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 6d6+21+3d6 and gets 42."12 [6d6=2, 1, 4, 1, 2, 3][3d6=3, 1, 4]
[20:33] <Kotono> With that final onslaught, it is just enough. The golem is finished, acid scarred and chopped up. It falls apart into several large chunks, "Function...Corruption...circle....devil..." With that it goes silent, put to rest.
[20:34] <Seira> "Rest in pieces, I guess," Seira mutters, observing the area with her magical sight.
[20:36] * Alicia sighs as she sheathes her blade, looking over the ruined golem. There was no honour in what she just did. But, as Seira said, it was necessary. "Should we investigate the place you found it originally?" she asks. "From what it said about the magic circle, it could be a problem if left unchecked."
[20:37] <Seira> "We should, but first, I would like to check our library on corruption devils. I have been putting this little bit of research off because it was just so pathetic, but it keeps on returning annoyingly."
[20:39] <Alicia> "What should we do with the golem?" Alicia asks, otherwise ready to leave if that's Seira's decision.
[20:40] <Seira> "The magic is fading," Seira responds. "Let's wait a bit to see it disperse entirely, and then leave it here."
[20:41] * Alicia nods and waits.
[20:41] <Seira> "We're good," Seira announces after two minutes.
[20:43] <Alicia> "Hmmm... one moment, actually," Alicia pauses, bending down to pry out the gems used in the golems eyes. "Considering how the gnomes used gems in so much, these might help with your research along those avenues."
[20:44] <Kotono> The gems are nicely inserted in. It takes Alicia a few minutes to chisel them out, but it's so done. Two gem shards perhaps two inches long, pretty purple and glistening. Still bright even after countless lifetimes as part ofa  magical golem.
[20:44] <Seira> "Or we could sell them," Seira agrees. "Let's go back, now?"
[20:45] <Alicia> "If they're no use otherwise," Alicia shrugs, pocketing the gems. "Yes, let's go."
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC - Going to research or report or...?
[20:48] <Alicia> OOC: report then research?
[20:48] <Seira> OOC: I'd love to research, then report all our findings
[20:51] <Kotono> OOC: Whichever works for me. Sicne it's mostly just a dice roll go ahead and roll research first. KnowledgE: Arcana.
[20:51] <Kotono> OOC: Er, planes, excuse me. Dur.
[20:51] <Seira> OOC: Can't I take 20 or something?
[20:51] <Kotono> OOC - It'll take you a few days if you want, but sure. You okay with that.
[20:52] <Seira> roll 1d20+8 let's see what a roll would do
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 let's see what a roll would do and gets 14."12 [1d20=6]
[20:57] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth meets you early the next day. As he drinks down water and looks over a report - looks like stuff about the new outer western wall on the new city segment. "How'd it go?" he asks outright.
[20:58] <Seira> "There was a golem responsible for the disturbances, a gnomish one. Alicia dealt with it swiftly and decisively," Seira reports. "We believe the same corruption devil that has attacked the city before was behind it."
[20:59] <Kotono> "..again?" Scowling, "I heard about that incident from Khardon. How are they connected?" After a moment, "Good work, Alicia."
[21:00] <Alicia> "Thank you, sir," Alicia replies primly. "The golem mentioned its instructions had been corrupted - something to do with a magic circle becoming active and a corruption devil. It was too out of control for us to leave, however, so had to be put down."
[21:00] <Seira> "He doesn't like the city, myself, or the city and myself," Seira says with a shrug. "In any case, Sir, we now have two courses of action. Proceeding to the ruins this golem originated from, or researching our opponent first over a course of several days. Which should we pick?"
[21:03] <Kotono> "If there's something stirring in those ruins, they we need to deal with it. I remember the otherwordly creature Irenes summoned. A Babau, was it not?" With a disgusted face, "There's very little choice if there's any chance of creatures like that being active there."
[21:04] <Seira> "The only problem is that we cannot effectively dispatch of this devil, and anything we do now at the ruins would only be a temporary measure."
[21:05] <Alicia> "There's always the possibility that it's a *different* devil," Alicia posits. "The last one seemed quite unequivocably dead after we were finished."
[21:06] <Seira> "The possibility exists," Seira concededs. "Well then, we'll leave at once, unless there is anything else?"
[21:06] <Kotono> "For all I know they spawn hundreds at a time from hellfire," Oberuth shrugs, "Either way...I tend to agree with Alicia's line of thought, combined with the fact that letting something like that lie makes my skin crawl. I'm not willing to allow that to live near our city. In fact...do you need a third?" he asks outright.
[21:07] <Seira> "It would be an honor to have you join us, Sir."
[21:08] <Alicia> "No sense in turning down assistance when going into unknown danger," Alicia replies. "Is Demedais still away on his quest?"
[21:09] <Kotono> "Yes, we hope he will return any day." Oberuth stands, "But Lord Salman is here, as is Khardon if need be. I will prepare and be ready to leave within the hour."