032. "I'm sorry, were you interested in an epic battle with the entire guard?"

[Corwin]

[19:17] <Kotono> ---
[19:20] <Kotono> At last! The city of Balmuria is finally in sight for Alicia and Seira. The afternoon's rays are spreading warmly, but hollow as it hints at the cooling of night not so far ahead.  As the two approach, they note the normal gate guard is up to six, stern and alert. Wedge and Biggs are there, joined by others...
[19:22] * Carthrat is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[19:23] * Alicia still looks the part of a scruffy and unpleasant bounty hunter, not having had time to fix her appearance on the journey back home. Approaching the gate, she at least doesn't seem threatening or anything, and makes some effort to correct her posture and remove the slovenly habits she's adopted over the past few weeks.
[19:23] * Seira salutes the guards, her now-reptilian eyes observing them coolly. "For which occasion has the guard been increased?" she asks them.
[19:24] <Kotono> Biggs and Wedge blink at the two, but Biggs goes on quickly. "Lord Salman's orders, ma'am," he reports dutifully. "Also there are standing orders for you to report to Commander Oberuth on arrival." After a moment, "Also," WIth a look to one of the guards, totally unfamiliar, "Go get SIr Demedais also." Biggs instructs, "You remember where the temple is?"
[19:25] <Kotono> "Yes," he agrees quickly enough, hurrying off.
[19:25] <Seira> "Carry on," Seira instructs, heading past them.
[19:25] * Alicia nods crisply to the guards, following along just behind Seira.
[19:27] <Kotono> The newer guards stare at SEira and Alicia openly, while Wedge and Biggs aren't quite so impressed. But the younger one flashes a smile nonetheless, just a moment before he returns to duty. As they ride down the streets, the duo find the streets busy and noisy, a painful, almost jerky hecticness to it all. The walls are fresh and strong, while more soldiers than usual bustle around.
[19:27] <Kotono> AS they ride towards the garrison, Demedais can be seen approaching...
[19:27] <Kotono> *walk
[19:28] * Demedais strides up alongside the two, looking them over a moment with a frown. "Is that an illusion or something that happened in Malmuth, Seira?" he asks after a moment. "Oh, and hello, good to see you're well, all that. Apologies, been rather busy..."
[19:30] * Alicia looks somewhat different than usual herself, with her hair died a dirty red and attired in scruffy studded leather armour and ragged canvas breeches. Nonetheless, she carries herself with the same prim dignity as always. "I hope we haven't missed anything too exciting, back here. How have things been, Demedais?" she asks.
[19:31] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
[19:31] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[19:33] <Anastasia> Around them the busy city continues to bustle. Faraway one can glimpse ship masts, several in port. To the west and past the garrison, a few new rooftops can be seen, gates open and letting people come and go there.
[19:34] <Seira> "I'm slowly unlocking the secrets of my heritage, and all that good stuff," Seira tells Demedais with a rare smile.
[19:35] <Demedais> "Mmm. So it's not all disguise, then." Demedais thinks as he looks over the two again. "They finally decided that well, hey, perhaps Malmuth not talking to us and the troop gathering was, well, a -bad- thing. Argh." Demedais shakes his head in slight frustration.
[19:35] * Alicia nods. "From what we saw in Valandia, war appears inevitable," she confirms.
[19:36] <Seira> "They're certainly making plans, and with the nuisence of Febras leaving for our parts once more, the last hurdle seems to have been passed," Seira agrees.
[19:37] <Demedais> "Febras is returning, too? Bad timing. We have a good physical description of him to give to the guards, I hope.
[19:37] <Demedais> " Demedais mutters.
[19:37] * Alicia frowns, before warning Demedais. "I fought Febras in Valandia. He is... not to be taken lightly," she admits grudgingly.
[19:38] <Seira> "We have two places to watch for him," Seira continues. "The innkeeper and Mihail should be watched."
[19:39] <Demedais> "Very well. I have been training with Engan; I hope I can prove myself capable of bringing Febras down, if it comes down to it." Demedais nods, before looking to Seira. "Very well. Do you think he'll use the gates again or not? Regardless, the guards should be on lookout for such a man."
[19:42] <Seira> "Hard to say, but improved security never hurt anyone," Seira responds at last. "For now, let us report to the Commander?"
[19:42] <Anastasia> Meanwhile, a man with a small wagon pushes past, muttering an, "Hey, excuse me," as he goes by, the streets still hectic. He does a small doubletake as he sees who he brushes past, however.
[19:43] * Alicia obligingly steps out of the way. "Yes, lets head to the garrison to give our report," she agrees.
[19:44] * Demedais nods slightly to the man as he moves -just- enough to let him pass, before looking to Seira. "He's been waiting a bit impatiently. We were all decently worried."
[19:44] * Seira obligingly glances at the man with the wagon.
[19:45] <Anastasia> He's bald and slender, a hard working man with sun weathered skin. But he hurries along, his load of suppiles coming with him.
[19:45] * Demedais grins a bit as the man passes. "Perhaps a sign of the prosperity we will have if we weather this coming storm..."
[19:46] <Anastasia> The garrison is how you remember it, yet pulsing with more life. Unfamiliar faces are about, all training and on duty. You get many stiff, formal salutes as you pass. Commander Oberuth's office has two guards who open the doors for you now(And you can hear the occasional heavy footstep on the roof above). Inside Commander Oberuth awaits, "Oh...good." He smiles a little bit, eyeing the two. "There's going to be a good report here, I can jus
[19:47] <Anastasia> I can just tell. Sit down and get to it." Waving his hand to the seats, "You may not get a chance to do much sitting soon."
[19:48] <Seira> "We have rested aplenty, Sir," Seira tells him, nevertheless taking the proffered seat.
[19:48] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais says as he takes the seat farthest from the door they entered from. "I want to hear this."
[19:48] * Alicia obligingly sits down and lets Seira give the report, since she did most of the snooping around at the enemy garrison.
[19:51] <Seira> "Sir, Valandia is crawling with troops. The Malmuthian delegates we met over the affair with Kondrux are mostly present and accounted for, and they have quite the troop numbers to command. The rumormill suggests that only dealing with Febras and his undead slowed them down, diverting their resources from moving on us. However, he was last seen headed towards Balmuria, just hours ahead of us."
[19:52] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.55=-)
[19:52] * Demedais hisses. "Not pleasant news."
[19:53] <Seira> "Valandia itself, as the rest of Malmuth, from our observation, had been closed off to visitors," Seira continues. "Also, King Ferdi was scheduled to visit around this time, but it proved impossible to stay behind for his visit. Whatever will happen, is going to occur within a fortnight, I believe."
[19:54] <Alicia> "Given what we know of his habits, it's likely he intends to lead the war from the front lines," Alicia surmises. "But yes, whatever is happening, it will happen soon."
[19:55] <Kotono> "...shit." Commander Oberuth is eloquent as he looks upt to the roof, thoughtful. "If Ferdi's going there...yes, yes." Oberuth sighs after another moment, "It's entirely possible. ...Do you have any reason at all to suspect war may not be the aim here? Any reasonable doubt?"
[19:55] <Seira> "Have there been any developments on our front?" Seira asks the Commander and Demedais curiously. "My defensive perimeter, our flying mounts, the surveilance on Mihail?"
[19:56] * Demedais looks to the Commander, letting him respond to this.
[19:57] * Alicia shakes her head. "Not really," she responds to Obureth. "Sadly we couldn't find any definite war plans or strategies, but the troop build up and general mood in the city made their intentions fairly clear."
[19:57] * Seira considers. "Well, Sir, only because it is not spread beyond rumors. Such a gathering of troops would lead people to naturally think of an invasion, but then, why bother keeping it quiet officially? Their borders are closed quite tightly, and rallying the populace ahead of time could surely aid the war effort."
[19:58] <Kotono> "Mihail's been hugging his laboratory. He's only come out a few times, soot stained and hurried." With a scowl that seems natural on his face,  "With everything else, it's just been another headache. Alright." With a thoughtful nod at Alicia's words.
[20:00] <Kotono> After a moment's pondering, "Do the two of you need rest? Change clothes and collect gear?"
[20:00] <Seira> "Are we required elsewhere immediately, Sir?"
[20:01] <Kotono> "No. I can report to Lord Salman, if you need rest and time to regear, by all means."
[20:01] <Alicia> "I would really appreciate a chance to bathe and change, and if we expect any trouble, I'd quite like to have my armour and sword handy as well," Alicia puts in for herself.
[20:01] * Demedais nods, lost a bit in thought.
[20:02] <Seira> "I'll check on my affairs, then," Seira decides. "When should we report back, Sir?"
[20:02] <Kotono> "In the morning - we
[20:02] <Kotono> "In the morning - we'll send word if you're needed before then. Welcome back," With a moment to break, Commander Oberuth smiles. "I hadn't anticipated this taking so long."
[20:04] <Demedais> "It is, indeed, a pleasure to have you back." Demedais nods, grinning.
[20:04] <Alicia> "Yes, we were confined for a good part of our stay in Valandia. It delayed things considerably," Alicia represses a sigh as she gets up and gives a salute. "Well, I'll go visit the baths, and then I'll trade in my equipment."
[20:04] <Kotono> "Very well," Oberuth nods to both. He gives Seira a long look, a thoughtful one.
[20:05] <Seira> "On the plus side, I do not believe we were made, Sir," Seira offers. "They should be unable to connect us to the pair that stayed in Valandia as an alchemist and her bodyguard."
[20:05] <Kotono> "..heh, heh," Commander Oberuth's look just fades into a strange little smile. "Glad to hear it, Seira. Glad to hear it."
[20:06] * Demedais finds the wall behind Oberuth -most- interesting right now. Why, such patterns!
[20:07] * Alicia departs in order to clean herself up and hopefully feel normal again!
[20:08] * Demedais takes his leave as well, heading to Engan's house, assuming Oberuth doesn't stop him. It seemed like a dismissal...
[20:08] <Kotono> "Yes, go on," Oberuth adds after just a moment, "Go on now. I should go meet with Lord Salman."
[20:09] * Seira salutes, and departs.
[20:09] <Kotono> OOC - Seira, make a spot check?
[20:10] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 HAHA
[20:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 HAHA and gets 13."12 [1d20=12]
[20:10] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 reroll!
[20:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 reroll! and gets 16."12 [1d20=15]
[20:11] <Kotono> As Seira heads out of the garrison, she finds herself strangely distracted. It's almost like she gets glimpses of things outside of the corner of her eye.
[20:11] * Seira dutifully looks around, first to the left, then the right, and finally making a full sweep, uncaring of how obvious she might be.
[20:15] <Kotono> Seira doesn't seem to really spot anything besides soldiers at the busy garrison.
[20:16] * Seira proceeds towards her inn to look at the books and bug Donald some.
[20:16] <Kotono> OOC - Listen check.
[20:16] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 OHOHO
[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 OHOHO and gets 14."12 [1d20=13]
[20:18] <Kotono> As Seira walks towards her inn, she sees it is full of life. People are around it, coming in. Signs that time has expanded her business, in step with another? Wait. It's so smoooth that Seira can barely become aware of it before it's occured. Another walks besides her, with a careful grace that speaks of dexterity above that of even the best sneak thief. Febras smoothly falls in step with her. "It's been too long," he begins quietly. "We need
[20:19] <Kotono> "We need to talk, it's about your father."
[20:20] <Seira> "If you intend to say that you're him, this will go badly," Seira comments, not seeming the least bit surprised or concerned by his presence.
[20:21] <Kotono> With a slight chuckle, "No. I have found him, however. Let us go somewhere...quiet."
[20:21] <Seira> "Let's go to my room, a contained space filled with hideous traps only I know how to bypass and operate," Seira suggests, leading the way.
[20:22] <Kotono> "If you wish," he allows gracefully enough, seeming to be content to follow along, hat held low.
[20:23] * Seira passes without a glance at the bar, heading straight into her secondary chambers at the top floor. "Well, then," she says, locking the door to the room behind them, "is he here?"
[20:25] <Kotono> "No. My efforts to reach him were stymied." Beginning, "But I do know that his situation is now complicated and perhaps not his own."
[20:26] <Seira> "Such as ours, no doubt," Seira agrees. "But that can wait until I've heard you out."
[20:26] <Kotono> "He's in Malmuth, the capital city," Febras begins without preamble. "Deep within a special part of it."
[20:26] * Seira stirs. "Held against his will?"
[20:28] <Kotono> "I'm not certain," He begins after a momentary pause, sitting down. "The problem is that where he lives is of high magic - the area is, ah, I believe the words are dimensionally seperated somewhat from the normal areas."
[20:29] <Seira> "Interesting," Seira comments curtly. "Have you been able to ascertain who else occupies that same area?"
[20:31] <Kotono> After a moment, Febras shakes his head. "It lies beneath the palace of King Ferdi. My methods are unsure, the master of the place seems to need no normal doors to go where the master wishes."
[20:31] <Seira> "And the unibrow freak? Heard anything about him?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "Not so much," Febras allows, hat only hiding his eyes. He has an almost smile on his face, "What of you? You've changed in this short period."
[20:32] <Seira> "For the better, surely," she says with a snort.
[20:34] <Kotono> "...yes." Febras is quiet, thoughtful. "I've heard much. You've grown as I thought you would, Seira." Febras' smile creeps up the side of his mouth, "I was entirely correct. You have quite the potential...shame about Shamal, though."
[20:35] <Seira> Seira's smile drops in an instant. "Some mentions are taboo," she warns Febras. Leaning back against her locked door, she gives him a piercing gaze. "And now, we come to our situation. Tell me, Febras, is it possible for you to stop experimenting on humans?"
[20:37] <Kotono> Febras' smile doesn't even twitch, "...hah. I would have saved her, you know, if I had been there." After a moment, the words heavy on the air. "I admit, the attempts in Balmuria were of learning, conviently in sync with your own development. But..." Febras stands, face hidden in a black shadow. "Before that...are you going to insist on trying to destroy me?"
[20:38] <Seira> "I could see us working together, if you stayed away from that which is forbidden, and for good cause," Seira responds evently. "But I will be forced to come at you full strength if this does not prove feasible."
[20:44] <Kotono> Febras is silent, "I could. I've surpassed my nature entirely. I can tell - this city is important, and the people who lead it are even more. Whatever it is you chase from the past, I can smell it all over Balmuria. ...gnomes, was it?" Febras considers after a moment, but shrugs it away. "If you trust me...come this evening to the east, where the forest begins."
[20:48] <Seira> "I trust my skills, thanks," Seira tells him confidently, before her voice lowers. "Extenuating circumstances and all, I can overlook what happened in the past and have a neat fresh start, here. But if I catch news of humans disappearing or ghoul attacks, and believe me, I will in no time, my fragile faith will be broken. That would make me sad, so please try to avoid this outcome, and we'll get along just fine." She tilts her head to the
[20:48] <Seira>  left. "Do we have a deal?"
[20:53] <Kotono> "Very well," Febras agrees quietly, turning to go out the door. "Then this evening."
[20:53] <Seira> "Is Malmuth headed for war?" Seira asks suddenly, though she steps aside, allowing him passage.
[20:56] <Kotono> "Most likely," he shrugs, "Valandia overfills with those who are ordered to war...and a few other types as well," he adds, a momentary thought.
[20:57] <Seira> "Other types?" she asks with a raised eyebrow.
[20:59] <Kotono> "Someone did an amazingly good job of finding me in Valandia," he says, almost absent sounding. "A woman who did not match her apperance with her skills. She would be more at home with a sword that has the dawn and the etherial magic lights glistening off it than a common sword."
[21:00] * Seira smirks at his words. "Is that so?" She shakes her head. "Well, we can discuss that in the evening. I'll walk you down."
[21:01] <Kotono> Febras heasd out, walking ahead as Seira follows. He is silent for the moment...
[21:02] * Seira makes sure no one looks at him funny, walking Febras to the exit of the inn, before returning inside and taking a seat at the bar.
[21:05] * Seira looks around for anyone she knows and might care about, as she orders herself a drink. If no one happens to be around, she'll ask the bartender for the books and go over them.
[21:10] <Kotono> This goes without incident - Inn's doing well, at least. As night descends, Seira heads to Mihail's stake out. The leader of the affair shakes his head at Seira's question. "No, that's been the norm lately. Guy's doing something in there and he's busy at it."
[21:12] <Seira> "Good," she tells them, and with a swirl of the cloak proceeds towards the gates. A spell of expeditious retreat as she leaves the city ensures Seira can outpace any biped, and her bow makes for quite a menacing sight.
[21:14] <Kotono> So Seira heads out, as the sunset paints the sky red behind her. The sun is large, looming lik ea bloody eye over the bay water. Red and green meets in a violent clashing, all behind the elven heroine as she heads eastward! (More)
[21:17] <Kotono> The curtain of night falls as the sun drowns in the green bay behind her. Balmuria is left behind, the stars beginning to show in the sky. Stars that shine down, providing ever so faint light to see. The air is cooling and very, very still, wet and humid. So she travels towards trees and forest, implaciable. On eventually coming to a small smattering of trees, perhaps half a dozen plus one, Seira sees a shadowed figure ahead, hidden yet visib
[21:17] <Kotono> hidden yet visible, awaiting.
[21:18] * Seira walks on, to her doom? Towards forging a new alliance? She stops, and waits on Febras's reaction.
[21:18] <Kotono> OOC - Spot check.
[21:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 haha again?
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+1 haha again? and gets 9."12 [1d20=8]
[21:19] <Kotono> "You came alone...?" Febras speaks, loudly enough for his voice to carry. "...hmph." His hand goes up, even in this, to pull his hat down. "I had wondered."
[21:20] <Seira> "I'm sorry, were you interested in an epic battle with the entire guard?" she asks him, moving sideways until her back is guarded by a tree trunk.
[21:22] <Kotono> Febras doesn't move, shadowed despite Seira's vision. "I had considered it, as a contingency, if you came with a combat party."
[21:24] <Seira> Seira's outline becomes likewise shadowy, as she meets Febras's challenge head on. "You asked me to come to formalize our alliance, I came to do that. Please kindly let me know if this is the moment you betray me, because I wouldn't want to waste time on diplomacy with someone not interested in such."
[21:25] <Kotono> At Seira's heel she hears a soft whine. An animal's whine. "Turn around," Febras states calmly. "It's not going to attack now."
[21:26] * Seira looks towards the whine, a spell of flight formalized in her mind. Despite her words, she is here to talk and run away if things take a turn for the worst, not duel it out with Febras.
[21:29] <Kotono> A few feet behind it sits. It's just a wolf, yet it's face is rigid, skin unmoving, drawn like parchment. It's eyes have a haunting look to it, flickering purple/black. With a breath, you catch several other pairs of eyes behind it, all the same. Looking further, what muscle they do have is incredibly tight and defined, the bodies like coiled steel. Bone pokes out at a few places, but the wolves look unconcerned. "It was a simple matter to su
[21:30] <Kotono> "It was a simple matter to summon them and then the augumentation..." Febras's voice sounds closer, as you hear rustling in the air. "Or the bats in the air, likewise now capable predators beyond what nature could dream."
[21:32] <Seira> "Interesting," Seira comments, returning her eyes towards the true menace, Febras. "So this is a show of strength to convince me of your value, as you fight on our side against Malmuth's armies?"
[21:35] <Kotono> "It's a show..." He begins, abotu fifteen feet away from Seira. From behind him mist is starting to creep forward, faintly red and green. "I had suspected that you could be one of the few I could truly make. The innkeeper was totally devoid, and the others around town were not good enough. But you..." Beginning to smile , face looking up, "You radiate your potential, dragon blooded one....Seira." (More)
[21:39] <Kotono> "Plus..." Febras actually does smile a moment, "You pleased me. You are one of the rare few that do so."
[21:40] * Seira frowns, opening the distance between them again and temporarily gaining the ability of flight. "I'll take that as a compliment, but I choose how I evolve, no one else. A dragon makes a fine goal in life, thank you very much."
[21:41] * Seira also avoids direct eye contact with Febras, willing to drop her gaze to his feet if necessary.
[21:44] <Kotono> Above bats swarm, several dozen of them. They fly with ease, flapping above. Behind her are wolves, watching and moving. Febras reaches to his hand, adjusting a plain gold ring. "Then..."Febras smiles a little bit, as the mist behind him creeps forward, yet his body looks quite solid. "I had hoped you would not find out so soon. More time to grow, but..."
[21:46] <Seira> "I guess this officially makes us mortal enemies," Seira declares, and sends a fireball flaring up into the skies, where bats are abound, before shooting right into the cloud formed by it! And no one in the city would miss the firework, which would be a nice plus.
[21:46] <Seira> roll 9d10 burn, bats, burn
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 9d10 burn, bats, burn and gets 62."12 [9d10=5, 6, 8, 7, 3, 10, 4, 10, 9]
[21:47] <Seira> roll 9d6 now for realz?
[21:47] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 9d6 now for realz? and gets 38."12 [9d6=1, 3, 6, 5, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5]
[21:48] <Kotono> OOC - I'lls ay you get most of them since bats are tiny.
[21:48] <Kotono> roll 30#1d20+7
[21:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 30#1d20+7 and gets 492."12 [30#1d20+7 = 19, 16, 26, 17, 24, 10, 14, 9, 16, 18, 8, 14, 25, 17, 23, 22, 15, 8, 24, 16, 11, 15, 9, 26, 13, 20, 8, 13, 19, 17]
[21:52] <Kotono> A bunch of the bats are burnt into the sky, a great luminous fireball bursting! Seira soars up, amid falling bats! OOC -  I'm going to call initiative here, and askf or your fly speed.
[21:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter, 60ft base speed, good maneuverability
[21:53] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 nerveskitter, 60ft base speed, good maneuverability and gets 12."12 [1d20=1]
[21:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 bats remaining get group
[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 bats remaining get group and gets 9."12 [1d20=3]
[21:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 wolves for reference
[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 wolves for reference and gets 8."12 [1d20=5]
[21:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 mist
[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 mist and gets 4."12 [1d20=2]
[21:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Febras
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Febras and gets 28."12 [1d20=18]
[21:57] * Kotono changes topic to 'Febras>Seira>Bats>Wolves>Mist'
[22:00] <Kotono> Febras seems content to stay where he is for the moment...OOC - seira.
[22:01] * Seira ... becomes invisible and flies away towards the city!
[22:06] <Kotono> Seira takes off! She can hear bats behind her, following at a good pace! They're keeping speed with her and following.
[22:09] * Seira opts to flee for now, adjusting her angle so that she is soaring towards the clouds, while maintaining her general course.
[22:11] <Kotono> Seira adjusts her course! This seems to eventually work, throwing off pursuit.
[22:12] * Seira isn't interested in picking off bats, and she doesn't believe she can stand up to a Febras that is ready for her. Therefore, she makes towards her inn at top speed, intent on touching down at the door.
[22:13] <Kotono> This goes without incident, Seira finally reachimg home and total hopeful safety.
[22:14] * Seira enters, her invisibility fading away along with her blurred state. She makes her way towards the bar, asking for a drink the second time that day.

[Corwin]

[19:16] <Kotono> So Alicia changes and bathes. OOC - Spot check?
[19:16] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
[19:16] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 and gets 8."12 [1d20=7]
[19:17] <Kotono> THis goes marvelously without incident. SHe gets her gear back, the day hers for the moment...?
[19:19] * Alicia smiles to herself as she pats down her mithral breastplate, it far more comfortable to wear than the borrowed studded leather. Slinging her double-bladed sword onto her back, she heads to the armoury so she can hand in her borrowed armour and the silver longsword she bought in Valandia.
[19:21] <Kotono> On getting her equipment back, she finds Biggs there, handing in a few spears bound together. He looks tired, a glance at Alicia. "Ma'am," he says dutifully and politely, circumspect.
[19:24] <Alicia> "Good afternoon, private," Alicia shuffles the armour and sword under her arm and salutes with the other. "How are things?"
[19:25] <Kotono> "It's fine, ma'am," he says nicely enough after a moment, smiling to her. "You look better after your return."
[19:29] <Alicia> "Yes, it was an unpleasant role I had to play. I should be worried I fell into it so easily, but I suppose I've dealt with enough scum over the years to know how they act..." Alicia sighs, before smiling a bit, "Bathing and getting dressed in proper clothes makes me feel a whole new woman, at least."
[19:31] <Kotono> For a moment Biggs's eyes shine, a strange little smile showing on his face. But he wipes it away with a quick shake of his head! "Aaah! Yes it does. That was a hard trip?
[19:31] <Kotono> "
[19:33] * Alicia shrugs. "Not as bad as dealing with those devils, certainly. For the most part it was... boring. What about here? The place seems busier than I recall," she notes, briefly casting her gaze about to see if whomever is in charge of the armoury is around so she can hand over her borrowed equipment.
[19:34] <Kotono> The timid clerk hurries back, passing on Alicia's gear. "Well, Lord Salman ordered more troops in," he shrugs. "So I guess so."
[19:36] <Alicia> "Oh, by the way, I replaced the sword I borrowed with a silvered one - it's still masterwork, but you might want to make note in case anyone ever needs a silvered weapon," Alicia calls after the clerk as he flees. Turning back to Biggs, she nods, "A good thing, at least. We don't want to be caught unprepared. Anyway, good day to you, private," she gives him a brief salute before she heads off to the practice field.
[19:37] <Kotono> He nods and balances it as he scribbles on a scrap of paper. Maenwhile, Biggs smiles. "Oh wait, ma'am!" Biggs calls as Alicia goes off.
[19:37] * Alicia pauses and half turns back to him. "Yes?"
[19:42] <Kotono> "...nah, nevermind," Biggs says after another moment, "Nice taklign to you, ma'am."
[19:44] * Alicia nods, not pressing, and heads off so she can reacquaint herself with her preferred weapon. She'll need to be on top form if there's a war brewing or Febras comes back. Idly, she wonders why she's putting herself through all this, and considers visiting Beth, but after how nasty the last visit turned out, she can't really bring herself to do so just yet.
[20:10] <Kotono> As Alicia studies her martial skills, the afternoon starts to show signs of the evening. As she finds herself working away towards her climatic training finish, Alicia feels a pair of eyes looking at her back, her neckhairs raising.
[20:12] * Alicia allows herself to finish her routine, not suffering any distraction. It seems she hasn't gotten rustier, at least - if anything, she thinks she's improved. Perhaps using a regular longsword helped her appreciate her own weapon? Regardless, she holds her blades easily by her side as she turns to regard whomever was observing her.
[20:15] <Kotono> AS Alicia finishes she hears polite clapping. Turning, she sees Countess Stronger there, "That looked impressive," she calls, "I think the sharp ends went into the right vital spots?"
[20:19] <Alicia> "So I'd hope," Alicia relaxes, the sword spinning briefly in her grip before she slots it neatly into the harness strapped to her back. "The belt you sold me certainly helps, in any case. So, what brings you to these parts anyway, Countess?" she asks, walking over so they can converse at normal volume.
[20:20] <Kotono> "Heard you were back from the grapevine." Easily bantering back, "I think I just missed Seira, so..." A soft shrug. "I wanted to get a chance to talk to you."
[20:21] <Alicia> "I can spare some time," Alicia agrees with a smile. "How may I help?"
[20:23] <Kotono> "Oh come on," Elle reaches out as she approaches, "Is that how you have to talk? How about, 'Oh sure, that would be nice! Let's go have a few drinks and chat!' It's not like you have to sound like a servant who's asking what the next task is!"
[20:26] <Alicia> "Ah... sorry," Alicia actually blushes a tad. "I'm probably overcompensating, since I just spent the best part of a month acting like the worst sort of uncivilised brute you could imagine. Anyway, yes, that's fine," she nods. "Exercise does work up a thirst, after all."
[20:28] <Kotono> "It's not so bad." Stretching out, "I don't get to talk to many real devotees to Mystra besides on brief business. It's a shame, really, but this line of work keeps me int he gold." With a litle smile at Alicia, "Any preferences where?"
[20:30] * Alicia brightens. "Oh, you follow the Lady of Mysteries? How nice - so many mages only pay lip service to her, even as they draw on her gifts so freely." Falling in step with Elle, "As to where, you know the city better than I, so I'll let you decide. I don't drink alcohol, anyway."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Really? Code of conduct?" Elle asks as she starts to walk, "Aaaah, or does it not agree with you?"
[20:42] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[20:44] <Kotono> "Really? Code of conduct?" Elle asks as she starts to walk, "Aaaah, or does it not agree with you?" As you walk, you see Elle seems to be leading you towards Seira's inn. "Ah well. But yes, I do somewhat.It's magic, after all."
[20:48] <Alicia> "Doesn't agree with me," Alicia nods. "Ironic, since I grew up in a vineyard, I suppose," she admits with faint amusement. "Mmm..." she ponders further for a moment, "I sometimes wonder if I'd have been better devoting myself fully to mastering magic, instead of blending it with swordplay. Especially of late, now that I find myself battling devils and the like."
[20:52] <Kotono> "Probably," Elle agrees as you walk the still busy streets, waving her hand. "I still don't see what good a sword is against a bunch of steel skinned devils. But magic? With real mastery, they'll fall like ripe wheat...once you deal with the stupid tendency forthem to compeltely ignore your spells."
[20:55] <Alicia> "There is strength in versatility," Alicia replies primly. It's more polite to say that than her preferred retort of 'specialisation is for insects', anyway. "Especially when spells are limited but you can swing a sword all day long."
[21:00] <Kotono> "It's not much good when the sword breaks apart," Elle retorts as the two reach Seira's inn, stepping in past people. It's busy and chaotic, times passing along. "Wahtever amkes you happy, though. Is it working out for you?"
[21:02] <Alicia> "I think I've crossed a threshold, yes," Alicia replies, not unhappily. "If nothing else, my trip to Valandia provided impetus to improve, anyway. Fighting Febras was a real eye opener."
[21:05] <Kotono> As you enter in, the sounds of warm discussion fills your ears. "How was he?" Elle asks curiously, smiling to the bartender as she heads to the bar.
[21:08] <Alicia> "Inhuman," Alicia shakes her head. "I fought devils recently, and they were tough, but if you put some muscle into it you can still hurt them easily enough. I hit Febras with everything I had and it barely even nicked him. After that I had to rely on scorching ray spells, and he stood up to them quite well, too."
[21:08] <Alicia> Idly rubbing her shoulder, she goes on, "And no one with his build should be able to stab a rapier with that much force. If it weren't for my mirror image spell, I'd have been done for."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Damn," Elle whistles as she sits down, and speaking quickly, "Glass of wine and water for Alicia," she instructs. "This town attracts that sort, doesn't it? I'd think it was a dungeon and not a growing town."
[21:14] <Alicia> "Quite. All things considered, I should be glad I came here, regardless of the reasons," Alicia muses. "Evil such as that must be fought, after all."
[21:16] <Kotono> As the drinks arrive, "I'l drink to that; that and making a good day's work off of it."
[21:16] * Alicia raises her glass. "Speaking of that, how's business?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "Eh," Elle waves her hand backa nd forth, "Mostly up, but I'm still recovering from the dragon mess. Did you happen to come back from your trip laden with too much gold that should be spent?"
[21:20] * Alicia laughs briefly. "We made some money from Seira selling alchemist's fire, but it'll be a long time till I recover the amount of money I spent on this," she pats the belt fitting snugly around her waist.
[21:22] <Kotono> "Mmm." Elle sips her drink, thoughtful. "Speaking of being in debt..." There's a pause, "Is your sister doing...well enough?"
[21:24] * Taishyr (WinNT@58.194.238.87) has joined #evildunes
[21:24] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[21:26] <Alicia> Alicia's expression twists into a grimace. "I wonder if the whole city knows..." she shakes her head and sighs. "I haven't seen her since before I left for Valandia. We fought then, as we always do." Leaning on the bar, she idly swirls her goblet around. "Imprisonment has not dulled her tongue."
[21:26] <Kotono> "Sorry." Elle apologies, "Your sister just made a helluva impact here is all." After amoment, "Don't get along with her?"
[21:29] * Demedais (WinNT@58.194.238.87) Quit (Broken pipe)
[21:29] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[21:31] <Alicia> "I don't think anyone could get along with her," Alicia snorts. "But, even so... family is family. I couldn't let her die, not after..." she catches herself and hesitates a moment. "She's family," she concludes, suddenly sounding very tired and looking vacantly down at the swirling water in her goblet.
[21:33] <Kotono> Elle makes a soft little sound, leaning a little closer to Alicia. "Yeah, well...family is a burden and a blessing, sometimes more one than another. But...how about we have some funa nd put that away from us?"
[21:34] * Alicia straightens her posture, trying to put painful thoughts aside. "You're right. We can't change the past, after all." Coughing briefly to clear her throat, she seems to recover easily enough, "So, what do you do for fun in this city?"
[21:36] <Kotono> "Well...the culture's still not great. Not a ton of arts but there are som efestivals and the like." Sipping her wineglass again, "Not drinking does take away the most obvious."
[21:37] <Alicia> "If you can only find joy at the bottom of a bottle, you're doing something wrong with your life," Alicia deadpans. "Not, I suppose, that I'm in any position to give lectures," she admits, drumming her fingers on the bar.
[21:38] <Kotono> "Oh, its' not the only place to find it, but it's nice when you don'tw ant to go looking very hard," Elle laughs a little bit, "What do you want to do then?"
[21:40] * Demedais is now known as Tai{SlumberingSnowGoddess}
[21:41] <Alicia> "This inn could really use a bard," Alicia notes after a brief look around the patrons. "I don't know, are there any theatres in the city?" she hazards.
[21:43] <Kotono> "Mmm, tell it to the owner," Elle smiles a little bit, "There's one being built in the new section. There really wasn't before - nice town, just barebones about things. ...hey, that's a thought." Elle considers a moment.
[21:44] <Alicia> "Hmm?" Alicia looks curiously at the redhead, wondering what idea she just had.

[Corwin]

[19:09] <Kotono> As the two talk, the time slipping by, another person enters. This time it's the owner herself, a bit worse for wear. "Well, even the best actors can't compete with magic.." she begins thoughtfully, "Oh yes, that could work. Why watch normal actors when you can watch good actors and mindbending magic...?"
[19:11] * Seira demands something strong enough to knock out a dragon, sourly occupying a seat at the bar.
[19:12] <Alicia> "Wouldn't that..." Alicia begins before hearing Seira's familiar voice and turning towards her. "Oh, hello, Seira. What's wrong?" she asks, noting the half-elf and indeterminate-dragon's apparent mood.
[19:13] <Seira> "Febras tried to mess with me. No one gets to do that and escape punishment!"
[19:13] * Alicia tenses. "Febras is here?" she asks darkly.
[19:14] <Seira> "He says all those sweet things, and then all of a sudden there's mist coming out of him and undead animals surround you." Seira shakes her hand, incidentally at the too-slow bartender. "When we meet again, it won't be just the forest I set on fire!"
[19:15] <Kotono> Elle eventually snaps out of her thoughts, blinking heavily. Meanwhile the drinks finally come, delivered after a short delay. "Oh, Se..ira..." Elle blinks again slowly, "My, you've changed."
[19:16] <Seira> "He tried to toy with my pure feelings! And kill more people! This is clearly unforgivable."
[19:18] <Alicia> "Start at the beginning," Alicia asks, slowly pushing her glass away. "Where did you see him?"
[19:20] <Seira> Seira quickly drinks her own in a single sip. "City outskirts. He asked me to meet him, and I knew better than to ignore someone who has no apparent trouble slipping past our best defenses. But I couldn't come to an understanding with him, so fire had to be used." She sighs, signalling the bartender to refill her glass. "I did get some information on Malmuth, so it was worth it, at least."
[19:22] <Alicia> "Well, I doubt we'll catch up with him, now," Alicia laments, "But we should make sure the guard is put on alert if we know he's around the city. And... hmm, Elle, do you have any silversheen in stock?" she asks, turning towards the redhead.
[19:24] <Seira> "I think he's staying for now," Seira says, still sounding upset. "But you know what? I don't care! I'll go adventuring and find something to kill him good. You're invited, of course. Everyone's invited!"
[19:24] <Kotono> A shake of her head, "The town was tapped of it's supply recently," she observes with an idle glance to Seira. "I can look into more, it's not very hard to make."
[19:24] <Seira> "What I have in mind will replenish your stock, no worries," Seira tells Elle.
[19:25] * Alicia nods to Elle. "I'd appreciate it. It might help my sword actually hurt him... though as the captain points out, fire remains an option." Getting up from the bar, "We should notify the commander of this."
[19:26] <Kotono> "Then I'll see you in a few days about it," Elle gets up, "I'll see you two around...and that's still a good idea..." she muses aloud, nodding to herself as she gets up.
[19:26] <Seira> "We don't have much time," Seira muses, now in a much quieter voice. "If we're forced to surrender control of the ruins temporarily and regroup here, we might as well stock up on what we can and deny our enemies the luxury. I think that's our best option, right now. How about you, Alicia?"
[19:27] <Alicia> "Ruins? Surrender?" Alicia doesn't seem to understand. "I don't understand."
[19:29] <Seira> "Oh, it's simple, really," Seira elaborates. "Let's loot them more and Malmuth comes this far and we can't hold them, they can die in all the traps we leave behind."
[19:30] <Alicia> "Do we have time for that? What if Malmuth attacks while we're away at the ruins?" Alicia asks.
[19:31] <Seira> "That's not like the matter with the dragon, we have advance scouts to tell us of any mass troup movements. It's not like they could fly the army above the clouds at insane speeds and drop it in our backyard."
[19:33] <Alicia> "Well, if you think so... but that still means we'd be leaving Febras free to do what he likes in the city while we're gone," Alicia points out. "I don't think now is a good time for us to be absent."
[19:33] <Seira> "Maybe he'll follow us and die horribly in the traps?" Seira looks instantly animated. "The dragon could eat him!"
[19:35] <Alicia> "You're adopting an awfully optimistic viewpoint, Captain," Alicia observes primly. "Regardless, I think the decision would be the commander's, so perhaps we should go and report this development to him, and let Demedais know?"
[19:35] <Seira> "Sure thing, I just need another drink," Seira agrees.
[19:37] * Alicia patiently waits on Seira drowning her sorrows.
[19:37] * Seira drowns them twice more, letting her crazy constitution do her magic, before she's ready to depart.

[Corwin]

[18:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> ---
[18:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> So Seira and Alicia head towards Commander Oberuth's office as the evening wears on. Doing so requires several things, including Alicia going off to gather certain things. While she is gone, word is sent to Demedais of a meeting and thus he comes. So soon the two meet Commander Oberuth, the burly man sitting. "Alright. Seira, what is it," he asks outright.
[18:33] <Seira> "Febras is here, and aside from his sick admissions of stalking me, he agrees that Malmuth are gearing up for an attack. To face that, and his annoying advances once and for all, I propose we return to the ruins and take everything we can manage back to help us. Sir."
[18:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Listening to those words, "Febras is here? " A scowl forms of his face, dark and irritated. "So you want to go explore the ruins for more tools to stop an incoming invasion? Hm." OBeruth considerst his a few moments, "If an invasion is imminent as described, I dislike leaving us without full protection."
[18:38] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af22bdc.tcl110.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[18:38] * Demedais raises an eyebrow slightly. "I am inclined to support Oberuth's position... mmm. Is he likely to work with Malmuth to get to you?"
[18:38] * Carthrat is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[18:39] <Seira> "As I suggested to my colleagues, Sir, I believe that our advance warning system is enough, if we only head for the ruins a few hours each day."
[18:41] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[18:41] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[18:41] * Alicia steps inside and salutes briskly, having had to quickly go and do something of vital importance that absolutely could not wait. "Sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything?"
[18:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Just discussion - Seira wants to go to the ruins," Oberuth speaks briskly enough, folding his hands, "Alright, you're our best. So...do you think the three of you could pull that off?"
[18:44] <Seira> "We stopped because we got what we came there for, a way to stop Kondrux. Not because we were faced with overwhelming odds, Sir."
[18:44] <Alicia> "How far away are these ruins, exactly?" Alicia asks. "If war is imminent, being out of the city for an extended period could be dangerous, to say nothing of leaving Febras here unchecked."
[18:45] <Seira> "A couple of hours away, no more."
[18:45] * Nerem (~Neko@pool-71-244-18-19.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[18:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> AS the four talk, there is a hurried knock on the door.
[18:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Oberuth clears his throat a moment, glancing up. "A moment," he says, and then, "Yes? What is it?"
[18:47] * Demedais half-turns to look at the door, glancing toward it.
[18:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The door opens, a very winded runner leaning against the frame. "S-sir," he manages a salute, "Our outer patrols send a report - a caravan has been seen coming over the border - 25 men strong, and Almand is believed to be with them. They look to be pressing on despite nightfall encroaching."
[18:50] * Alicia raises an eyebrow. "Perhaps bearing an official declaration?" she muses aloud.
[18:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Damn..." Oberuth breathes out, "Alright, begin readying people, regardless of what he may bring. If it's an official declaration, the rest of the army won't be too far behind."
[18:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Sir," the running breathes out and catches his breath, "More information is coming, I was sent with the bare minimum," h ereports dutifully, but trots off after saluting to all.
[18:53] * Demedais frowns, nodding to the soldier. "This makes no sense, at least to me."
[18:53] <Alicia> "What doesn't make sense?" Alicia asks, glancing at Demedais.
[18:54] <Demedais> "Why send their best diplomat into enemy hands to deliver the message?"
[18:55] <Seira> "Why indeed have the best diplomat attempt to deceive us," Seira mutters.
[18:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Either they're foolish...or it isn't a declration of war?" Oberuth ponders, "Perhaps they're going to try another tack first?"
[18:55] <Alicia> "Because that's how these things are done? We're hardly barbarians likely to chop off a diplomat's head, are we? There are rules to war, at least where I come from. I had thought they were universal," Alicia sounds a bit confused, looking around in hopes the others will affirm that indeed they do subscribe to the same code of conduct.
[18:56] * Seira rolls her eyes, before nodding at Alicia lightly.
[18:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Oberuth nods absently to that, "Yes, but you don't send your most important diplomat to do that, either."
[18:56] <Demedais> "Decieve us? Over what?" Demedais shakes her head at Seira, before looking to Alicia. "Not what I was suggesting."
[18:56] <Alicia> "Is he their most important, though?" Alicia asks. "I thought he was just the one that dealt with the Baronies most often."
[18:56] <Seira> "Over anything to give them an advantage over us, I suppose."
[18:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The best relating to us, then, regardless," Oberuth considers after a few moments, "Regardless, until more information comes any expiditions are tabled." Standing up, "I need to go inform Lord Salman and take care of preparations now. Would the three of you stay near the gates and supervise as needed?"
[18:59] <Seira> "I believe it would be best if Demedais were to take charge of this, in case they have managed to draw parallels between us and our alter egos," Seira suggests.
[19:00] <Demedais> "It's best if all of us take part - I was in their country not long ago defying every single shred of authority they tried to use on me. They won't be happy with me, either." Demedais shakes his head slightly. "Still, I am willing to take point on this, yes."
[19:01] <Seira> "That was my intent."
[19:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Very well then," Oberuth nods to both, "But even regardless of that - the Crimson Guard being at the forefront will do wonders for morale. Go."
[19:01] <Alicia> "I'm confident in the disguise I used," Alicia shrugs, before giving Obureth a salute. "By your leave, sir," and departing.
[19:01] * Demedais nods and salutes, before leaving.
[19:02] * Seira follows their lead.
[19:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> A few hours pass under torch and starlight.  Soldiers prepare, the walls manned and patrols heavy. There is an air of readiness permeating everything, tinging every breath taken. Commander Oberuth briefly visits the gates, ensuring all is ready. He stays slightly back and mentions Lord Salman is somewhere safe - just in case. After two hours of such, calls come, "They are sighted, sirs!" One of the wall guares proclaim, "Around 25 stron
[19:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Around 25 strong with horses and a carrage!"
[19:05] * Seira keeps off to the side, relying on her superior vision and ears to keep her up to date, while doing her best to look imposing in her blue dragon robes.
[19:06] * Alicia takes a moment to cast Message between herself, Demedais, Seira, and Obureth. "Remember, you only have to mouth words for the rest of us to hear," she tells them through the spell. That done, she takes up position near Demedais, resplendent in her mithral armour, though with her blades still strapped to her back rather than held.
[19:06] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 38."12 [1d100=38]
[19:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Oberuth speaks under his breath, magically transmitted, "Demedais, ready?" he asks quickly.
[19:07] <Demedais> "As ready as it gets, Sir." Demedais replies, keeping a stiff lookout.
[19:07] * Alicia also casts Detect Magic and Shield once the procession is about a minute or so away.
[19:07] <Alicia> roll 2#1d100
[19:07] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2#1d100 and gets 159."12 [2#1d100 = 74, 85]
[19:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> To Demedais and the wall guard, they can see a caravan approaching. It is lead by hardened, veteran warriors, keeping a loose but military formation around a carraige in the center. It stops 100 feet from the gate, the front soldiers approaching the gate of Balmuria. Looking forth, "The representative of His Majesty wishes to speak to the Commander of this city on urgent business."
[19:10] <Demedais> "I am Demedais of the Crimson Guard. State your business." Demedais replies coolly.
[19:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Lord Almand wishes to speak to your Commander on state matters," he repeats calmly, "This is an urgent matter that His Majesty deems worthy of immediate hearing."
[19:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Behind him, the soldiers stand on careful guard, stiff and unmoving. The carraige awaits in the center, silent and serene in the night.
[19:17] * Demedais considers, eyeing the soldiers around the caravan. Sweeping for chaos quickly, he makes a slight turn back toward the town. "Leave half your escort here at a minimum; such overprotection is unnecessary," he finally says, looking toward the town. "Sending them in slightly; I don't trust this, it feels like a trap." he mouths as his face is turned toward the town.
[19:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The leader soldier nods briskly, turning back and talking to the ones at front. One of those goes to the carraige, opening the door and speaking briefly. Then it repeats in reverse, the lead soldier returning. "Very well," he agrees, the rear half of the soldiers slowly disengaging back.
[19:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yeah. If, if, if," Oberuth observes quietly over the message, "The less inside the better."
[19:21] * Demedais watches the rear soldiers move back, nodding. "Very well. Please follow me." With that, he smartly turns, and immediately mouths "Where would you like to meet them, Commander?"
[19:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Just inside the gate is fine," OBeruth mouths back, "Seira, Alicia, would you cover the sides, but stay in listening range."
[19:23] * Demedais nods and does as ordered.
[19:23] <Seira> "As you wish, Sir," Seira agrees, taking the left one, her bow within reach.
[19:24] * Alicia dutifully backs off to the side of the gate inside the city walls, staying close enough that she'll be able to clearly see anyone coming through the gates with her magic detection. And evil detection, which she chooses to fire up about now.
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dozen or so troops and carraige begin to approach now, a crisp, cautious advance. They form a pointed box around the carraige, looking around slightly but mainly staying on guard. Commander Oberuth meets them there, nodding to Demedais as the carraige enters. The procession then stops, coming to a peaceful halt. On eof the soldiers opens the door, Almand coming out. He wears a simple, soft blue robe and walks slowly, restrained. His
[19:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army>  His expression is nothing but politeness, as he nods. "Aaah. Demedais of the Crimson Guard and Commander Oberuth. It is an honor to meet you again, despite the current situation."
[19:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yes." Answered in one word, Commander Oberuth presses on. "Then let's get on with it. What is the meaning of your visit at this late hour?"
[19:29] * Alicia briefly looks around, trying to see if there's anything suspicious that would be making her feel vaguely uneasy. No magic or evil on the diplomat or his escort that she can see...
[19:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: SPot check, 'licia.
[19:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1 haha
[19:30] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+1 haha and gets 5."12 [1d20=4]
[19:31] * Demedais opens his mouth slightly, before closing it at Oberuth's words. Letting him take the forefront verbally, he casts an eye over Almand in particular and the soldiers second, trying to divine any purpose he can from this wretched mess.
[19:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With a slight wrinkle of his nose, "Well, I suppose that the current situation makes pleasantries something worth discarding. Very well then," Almand gets to business, "His Majesty is appalled at how the current situation has developed. Your offer of arbitration in the elven lands has reached his ears, and he finds it favorable for the sake of both our nations." Without a single pause, words like smooth wine gliding down your throats, "
[19:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "HIs Majesty does not wish to have further bloodshed on these fair lands."
[19:34] <Seira> "Fine, let's accept," Seira mouthes from her shadowy post.
[19:35] * Alicia is vaguely distracted by her continuing unease, and does not offer any commentary.
[19:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Commander Oberuth nods very slowly, as if digesting the information. He looks Almand over once, "Alright. I can pass that on to Lord Salman," Oberuth is agreeable to that, "Is there anything else?"
[19:38] * Demedais raises an eyebrow, still frowning. He nods once at Oberuth's request for information, before waiting.
[19:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The troops with Almand keep their eyes peeled as he speaks. A smile creases Almand's face, quite charming and pleasant. If he were a little younger, it would be dashing, nay, striking. "Only one other matter," he agrees, "One of your Crimson Guard members was reported to have raised trouble in our borders," He looks to Demedais with a rather amused look, "In the interests of peace between our lands, we have no plans to demand he come fo
[19:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> we have no plans to demand he come forth for possible charges. His Majesty is merciful, at least for the first time. You would do well to remember his generousity, Demedais."
[19:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Be that as it may, His Majesty most strongly advises that you better respect our boundaries, for the sake of mutual peace. Such esteemed members of your Guard will doubtlessly raise suspicions should they come wandering, even with the best of intentitions."
[19:44] <Demedais> "I remember it, although I recall raising little to no trouble." Demedais replies, the frown setting in deeper. "And I will repeat now what I said to General Olburt: I was there not as a representative of the Crimson Guard, nor as a citizen of Balmuria, but to fulfill my promise of pilgrimage to Helm. If you have any complaints about my actions there, direct them to him. Still, Emperor Ferdi's generosity is noted." This last is said with a slight smile.
[19:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Commander Oberuth listens, clearing his throat once Demedais finishes. "Very well, we will take such matters under advisement," he says, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. "Now then. I expect Lord Salman will reply to your messages in all haste. We will send word soon."
[19:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Almand smiles right back to both, "We will await good news," he says, and then, "Good day to you all."
[19:48] * Demedais gives a slightly more relaxed nod, but says nothing as he looks around.
[19:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Lord Almand gets back in his carraige, his half caravan beginning to head back out under the night sky.
[19:50] <Demedais> "Still don't like this." Demedais mutters through Message.
[19:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Meet back in the garrison in twenty minutes," Commander Oberuth orders, a bit short as he watches him go. Once he is out, the gates are closed and he takes a brisk pace back towards the west.
[19:52] * Seira decides to stay by the gate for a while, before reporting to the garrison with a few minutes to spare.
[19:53] * Alicia meets up with Demedais and Seira, her composure entirely back in place. "Think they're stalling?" she wonders.
[19:53] * Demedais stares out toward the east, offering a prayer to Helm for guidance. "Either stalling or indirectly demanding surrender." Demedais replies as he finishes the prayer.
[19:54] <Seira> "Most likely. But, as before, this works entirely in our favor," Seira responds. "I don't believe they would ask for our surrender so inefficiently, however."
[19:55] <Alicia> "If they thought they could force a bloodless surrender they would do so," Alicia shakes her head. "Either they're sincere, or this is a way to buy time - but time for what? From what we saw in Valandia, their army seemed in a far greater state of readiness than ours."
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Around you guards and soldiers shuffle a bit, a tenseness in the air that is slowly starting to give way.
[19:57] <Demedais> "At this point I'm willing to doubt everything." Demedais says after a moment.
[19:58] <Seira> "Any delay of hostilities works in our favor. Until I see some hard proof countering that, playing along would remain my recommendation."
[19:58] <Alicia> "Mmm... well, the decision is out of our hands, anyway. Lets go see the commander?" Alicia suggests.
[19:59] <Demedais> "Let's go, yes." Demedais nods."
[20:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> On meeting in the garrison, you find Lord Salman in the meeting room as well. He waves you aside as you enter, "To business," he begins briskly, The Malmuthians want peace?"
[20:01] <Seira> "So they say, Sir."
[20:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "If this is true, thank all the Gods," Lord Salman agrees, "We have no desire for another war if it can be avoided. We will send forth agreement in the morning that arbitration is entirely agreeable to us and that we shall meet in the Elven lands as soon as possible."
[20:04] <Seira> "And continue our current entrenchment efforts, of course, Sir?"
[20:04] * Demedais pauses. "If it is true and they do not have any... demands for such peace." Demedais nods after a second. "This all rings false to me, though, although I could not say why. I too would request we continue bolstering our defenses."
[20:05] <Alicia> "It would be naive to take them entirely at face value," Alicia echoes her colleagues.
[20:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Sir, if I may," Commander Oberuth interjects after Seira speaks, "I agree with Alicia and Seira entirely. Frankly, the information we have gathered is at nines with what they presented tonight."
[20:06] <Seira> "Instead of as soon as possible, how about within a month's time?"
[20:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "If they were to invade us, why stall? By all reports they have a sizeable army in Valandia and have had ample time to prepare logisitics. If they want peace, why the vast garrison?" A scowl passes over his face, "What are they at?"
[20:07] <Seira> "Keeping their options open, perhaps."
[20:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Why the delay? Do you all wish more preparations?" Lord Salman inquires curiously.
[20:08] <Seira> "Yes, Sir. We must build more defenses, and have enough time to unlock the mysteries of the adjacent ruins."
[20:08] * Demedais glances at Oberuth with an unreadable expression, before smiling slightly and nodding to Seira. "That gives us more time to try and determine some answers. If I may intercede... this also goes against Engan's knowledge of Ferdi to a large degree. I have problems believing this is their true intent. Perhaps... they intend to land a blow in the Elven Lands instead?"
[20:09] <Alicia> "Perhaps..." Alicia looks thoughtful. "Captain Seira proposed searching the ruins for things to help us in battle - perhaps Malmuth is stalling so that they can do much the same in order to bolster their forces? This city *did* just slay a dragon, recently. Few armies could achieve that."
[20:09] <Seira> "Precautions could be taken against that," Seira mentions. "If Your Lordship were to ask the elven ambassador for temporary possession of a teleportation ring, then at the first sign of betrayal you would be whisked away to safety."
[20:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Oberuth starts to speak a few times, but each new sally makes im reconsider. "Demedais, that was my own thought. There is inconsistency between the actions of Ferdi and Malmuth whenever we find out more unguarded information about them. Is this a ploy to decapitate us, even risking the wrath of the elves? Do they consider their diplomacy attempts there foiled now? And perhaps...heh. I would care little to face those mighty enough to sla
[20:12] <Demedais> "That protects Lord Salman, but what if this is a feint directed towards the elves? What if they want us to go to their lands to distract us from their focus here? Too much doesn't make sense."
[20:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> I would care little to face those mighty enough to slay a dragon, yes."
[20:14] <Seira> "Well." Seira frowns. "I don't see how that would happen, frankly. We requested a meeting on token elven soil, not in their holiest of holies. Aside from a council member with the same teleportation ring, there should not be any elves of import to the kingdom."
[20:15] * Demedais falls silent for a moment. "Then there's no logic in this that I can see."
[20:15] <Seira> "It could be an attempt to draw us away, true... but that is easily foiled with proper precautions."
[20:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Commander Oberuth scowls at that, "Then there must be factors that we do not see, that explains the inconsistencies. Has Engan mentioned any other dissent within the royal circles or even power struggles?"
[20:17] <Seira> "Dissent amongst the ranks is exactly what I would expect to be behind all this."
[20:17] <Demedais> "...Not that I recall off the top of my head, no." Demedais shakes his head. "Ferdi has apparently clamped down on everything."
[20:18] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Lord Salman likewise has gone quiet, listening to the back and forth. His eyes are dark and keen as he listens. "A tyrant is the breeding ground for a rebellion's birth," He ventures at last. "Especially when desires diverge."
[20:18] * Seira thinks it is quite possible a mage is involved, somehow, as they often are, but keeps this to herself.
[20:19] <Demedais> "...do we know anyone that could be leading such a thing?" Demedais shakes his head in thought. "I will ask Engan, but it is likely he would not know, I think."
[20:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "We don't know enough about what goes on in Malmuth these past few years," Lord Salman begins to scowls a moment, before he wipes it away with automatic, easy reflexes. "What's it like past Valandia? Wh at's the air in the capital, or the palace?"
[20:21] <Seira> "An extra-dimensional space, apparently," Seira adds helpfully. "Below the palace, I am told."
[20:22] <Seira> "If it were me, and I had incredible ruins, I would build a palace over them too."
[20:23] <Demedais> "Seira. You would build a palace anywhere so long as it looked incredibly awesome according to your tastes." Demedais says drily.
[20:23] <Seira> "Yes, about that. I should start work on my magely tower, now that I am back."
[20:23] * Demedais rolls his eyes.
[20:23] * Seira avoids looking pointedly at the Commander, but it's a close call.
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Well yes," Oberuth agrees with a momentary smile at Demedais. "Seira, that was the information Febras gave you? Could you review it now for our benefit?"
[20:24] <Seira> "That was it," Seira reports. "I already mentioned the other part, of how he also believed Malmuth were gearing up for war."
[20:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "It's circumstancial," Lord Salman considers, "But..." After a lengthy pause, "We can afford a day while I deliberate now. You wished to mount a looting expidition to the ruins?"
[20:27] <Seira> "Looting sounds dirty, but in a nutshell, yes. May we find glory and ancient weapons of incredible arcane might."
[20:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Form a party and attempt so immediately," Lord Salman instructs, "If our speculations this night are correct, we will need as many of those as we can muster."
[20:28] <Demedais> "Or something useful." Demedais replies. "After all, that bloody warhammer's an ancient weapon of incredible might, but bloody good it does us right now except not being in their hands..."
[20:29] <Alicia> "It helped a great deal with those devils, though," Alicia observes with a smile.
[20:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "And being hit upside the head of devils that came calling," Commander Oberuth recalls with a momentary grin.
[20:29] <Seira> "And would again, if our enemies summon them."
[20:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Commander Oberuth blinks a moment at Alicia, before shaking his head.
[20:30] <Demedais> "Devils that ca- oh, right. What I missed." Demedais grumbles, shaking his head. "Very well, then. When do you wish to depart, Seira, Alicia?"
[20:30] <Seira> "Tomorrow works for me. Unless we go today and rest in the ruins."
[20:30] <Alicia> "It makes little difference to me," Alicia shakes her head.
[20:32] <Seira> "We just need to take some supplies to make it past the traps without wasting magic."
[20:32] * Demedais nods. "And I need to remember there's a descent, and pack accordingly. I'd rather rest here, in all honesty, so meet before dawn tomorrow?"
[20:33] * Alicia nods agreeably.
[20:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> So the party takes the waves at dawnbreak! Swimming into the great gates, they soon enter the room where the twin fish horrors were slain. Here still rests the island in the center, passed without incident. Next is the room of the ruined zombie beehive. With your rope and patience, this is passed without incident. However, the room has taken to a fouls mell, a vast rotting odor offending your noses.
[20:47] <Seira> "We must send it on fire more on our way back," Seira comments.
[20:48] * Alicia feels faintly sick as she leaves that room, even with her solid constitution. Coughing a bit, she makes use of a prestidigitation spell to give everyone a pleasant fragrance and wash away the badness.
[20:48] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 38."12 [1d100=38]
[20:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Into the pleasant center room of the water fountain, then through the fake Balmuria. This is a Balmuria frozen in time, silent and voided. A mere museum peace of a future that was not to be, only disturbed by your back and forth travel to it's end gate. Then the next room, where a pool of green water awaits.
[20:49] * Seira adds an extra protection over herself in the form of magely armor, and then attempts to go through the pool of water.
[20:50] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira passes into the pool and vanishes!
[20:50] <Alicia> "It's supposed to do that, yes?" Alicia asks Demedais.
[20:51] * Demedais nods slightly. "Yep." With that, Demedais pokes the water.
[20:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais vanishes as well!
[20:51] * Alicia trustingly follows!
[20:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The three appear in a ten foot marble pillar hallway, a door ahead. A door that leads to Ajan, the one who guards and waits these ruins.
[20:52] * Seira is already merrily proceeding towards Ajan.
[20:53] * Demedais follows, using Detect Chaos as a precaution but doing nothing else of not but following Seira.
[20:53] <Alicia> Recalling what she was told of this dragon, Alicia follows Seira with her eyes alert for evil. She'd like to simply judge the dragon on his actions and exercise her own discretion, but when dealing with a creature such as this, she really should take pointers from a higher authority.
[20:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> So the door is opened! The great red dragon awaits, looming over those that dare enter! It's voice rumbles, "Welcome...Seira...Demedais..." It stops when it views Alicia, a thick, heavy pause in the air. "The Mistress of the Weave has touched you. Welcome," he speaks to her. He is overwhelming, imposing, breathtaking beyond mortal images.
[20:55] <Seira> "Hello," Seira greets Ajan, bowing. "We came to visit again."
[20:56] * Demedais nods in slight relief, before looking to Seira. "So, uh. You going to grow up to be like Sir Ajax someday?"
[20:56] <Alicia> "Thank you for the welcome," Alicia replies respectfully, losing some of her wariness but still somewhat awed by the sight of the enormous dragon before her. Was Kondrux like this? And they killed him?
[20:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "You return once more with the Fifth Resort," He rumbles, "The events on the surface continue to unfurl, do they not?"
[20:57] <Seira> "Yes," Seira responds. "It would be nice if we found an anti-army weapon this time around, but we intend to take what we can. Is that alright?"
[20:58] <Demedais> "As they always do and perhaps always will, much to our irritation." Demedais nods before inclining his head in agreement to Seira.
[20:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The Gods have touched each of you. You are welcome to attempt these trials," Ajan allows, voice making the room rumble like a low grade earthquake.
[20:59] <Seira> "Did anyone else stop by?" Seira asks curiously.
[21:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "They have not," The words make everything shiver, "...the matter with Kondrux is resolved?"
[21:02] * Seira pats her blue dragon robes. "In a matter of speaking."
[21:02] <Demedais> "It is." Demedais nods, looking at Seira's robes before nodding again.
[21:03] <Seira> "The contract never escaped my mind, though it is too soon for me to attempt it."
[21:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Very well then...with the Fifth Resort, you would be served to going there," He looks to the fifth door pointedly.
[21:03] * Seira bows at Ajan again, and goes to inspect the indicated door.
[21:04] * Alicia stares at Ajan for a moment before blinking and belatedly echoing Seira's gesture and then following the captain to the door.
[21:04] * Demedais nods to Ajan, and heads over to the door, holding the Fifth Resort in his hand and looking at the door to see how to use it.
[21:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+10
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10 and gets 24."12 [1d20=14]
[21:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Demedais stands before it, the Fifth Resort glows and the door smoothly fades into nothingness. Ahead is a ten foot marble hallway, then another green pool.
[21:07] * Demedais blinks slightly, before heading toward the pool and poking it with his sword out and drawn.
[21:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais's sword touches the pool, making him vanish1
[21:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> !
[21:09] * Seira doesn't see a reason to argue with this plan, poking the pool with her bow.
[21:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira's bow touches the pool, making the half elf/dragon/human vanish as well!
[21:09] * Alicia defies convention by sticking her hand in the water.
[21:10] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia gets her hand good and wet as she vanishes! The three appear in a small square marble room, with a door to the north on one wall, and a door to the south opposite it.
[21:10] * Seira examines them thoroughly for traps.
[21:10] <Alicia> It's easy for Alicia to dry her hand when she has prestidigitation running!
[21:11] * Seira makes everyone stand back from the southern door, before attempting to disarm the trap!
[21:12] * Alicia stands next to the north door.
[21:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+15
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 and gets 35."12 [1d20=20]
[21:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira struggles but is able to disarm the trap with some good work.
[21:13] * Seira opens the door next, confident in the knowledge that you trap your loot!
[21:13] * Demedais moves closer to Seira as she moves to open it, ready to defend against any evil or chaos inside with a use of Detect Chaos.
[21:14] * Alicia draws her swords and murmurs a prayer for Mystra to protect her.
[21:14] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 16."12 [1d100=16]
[21:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Ahead of Seira is a wide foyer, going twenty feet out. The walls are white, doors to the west and east. Straight downward is a stairway arching higher than you can see, of beautiful silver and gold. You can see a sky(?) there, resplundent with golden beauty. There is an air of flawlessness here, yet a feeling of being watched.
[21:14] <Alicia> OOC: Shield get.
[21:15] <Seira> "Your shield opened the path, so you should lead," Seira states with authority.
[21:16] * Demedais nods slightly, before slowly moving ahead and down the stairway.
[21:16] * Alicia looks up at the golden sky as they step into the foyer. "Where are we?"
[21:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais reaches the stairs and goes up them! The feeling of being watched increases, but there is a lessing of the intensity, a calming as you begin to walk forward.
[21:17] <Demedais> "I can't confess that I know..." Demedais says, musing.
[21:18] <Alicia> "Shouldn't we check these doors before going up the stairs?" Alicia suggests, gesturing to said doorways.
[21:18] * Demedais pauses for a second, looking up. "...This is the same feeling as when I was near Oolu." Demedais says loudly enough for Seira to hear.
[21:19] <Seira> "Huh. Then let's try the doors here, first."
[21:19] * Seira checks them for traps, too!
[21:20] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais returns down the steps, looking around, a prayer to Helm on his lips.
[21:20] * Seira opens the eastern door on a whim.
[21:22] * Alicia opens the opposite door, if Seira doesn't point out any traps.
[21:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Demedais goes foward, a clarion voice sounds. "...my task and heart are light that you are the mortals to reach this far." It's a voice of otherworldly beauty, sounding from in front of Demedais. It materilizes in an instant, a beautiful gold skinned humanoid in annoited armor. A heavy mace is in it's hand, it's body nearly seven feet tall. Curly white hair tops it's head, a pair of white feathered wings on it's back, about five feet
[21:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army>  about five feet long each. "Holder of the Fifth Resort, prepare.  You and your friends with good in your hearts shall find this trial less taxing than others who could have come this way. Prepare yourself - even in smypath my duty is to challenge you." (More)
[21:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira opens the east door! She finds a black and red hellish landscape, a stairway ahead and a boiling bloody sky ahead. She feels uneasy here, disturbed and watched. A far less benevolent watching than the previous. (More)
[21:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia opens the last door. A gray expanse with lines of beautiful blue shooting through it. A stairway is ahead here, yet it is perfectly horizontal, going on into dimness far ahead.
[21:27] <Demedais> "Understood." Demedais nods, 'examining' the being to try and identify it.
[21:27] * Seira closes the door. "Hell can wait," she muses.
[21:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 K:R
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+7 K:R and gets 23."12 [1d20=16]
[21:28] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 aid
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 aid and gets 27."12 [1d20=18]
[21:28] * Alicia promptly closes the door since they have company, turning before her eyes widen at the sight of a genuine angel. Well... if she met devils, it's nice to see a more pleasant outsider. "What challenge do you propose?" she asks, walking over to stand behind and to the side of Demedais.
[21:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The purpose of this place is to strenghten those that vie to resolve the past. As your hearts are pure, I will challenge you to friendly combat." It's mace is drawn, "If you defeat me and the challenges ahead, a gift from the Gods of Good awaits. The other two paths have gifts from the gods of each moral alignment, an offering to those mortals that can overcome the challenges."
[21:32] <Seira> "So it's a defeat them all, gain the set kind of deal?" Seira asks dubiously, not approaching herself.
[21:33] <Alicia> "I would rather not receive gifts from the likes of Shar," Alicia replies distastefully. "But very well, as you have given us leave to prepare before sparring, I shall do so." With that, she casts Enlarge Person and Mirror Image on herself. "Demedais, do you want to be enlarged?" the now towering paladin asks.
[21:33] <Alicia> roll 2#1d100
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2#1d100 and gets 101."12 [2#1d100 = 26, 75]
[21:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yes. What must be sharpened in your might, your ability to fight. As I have no ethical quandry with this group..." The angel's mace is at the ready now, "Prepare."
[21:33] <Alicia> roll 1d4+3
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+3 and gets 7."12 [1d4=4]
[21:34] <Seira> "I'm sorry but I might have to set you on fire," Seira tells the angel, not sounding particularly sorry.
[21:34] <Demedais> "Eh, sure." Demedais nods. "Worth it in this instance, I think." At Seira's comment, he looks over at her and shakes his head before looking back to the Astral Deva.
[21:35] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 13."12 [1d100=13]
[21:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Initiative.
[21:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+6 and gets 20."12 [1d20=14]
[21:36] <Alicia> roll 1d100 nerveskitter
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 nerveskitter and gets 57."12 [1d100=57]
[21:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+9 and gets 10."12 [1d20=1]
[21:36] <Demedais> roll 1d20 yeah okay
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20 yeah okay and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[21:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+8
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+8 and gets 18."12 [1d20=10]
[21:36] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Seira>Angel>Deme>Alicia'
[21:37] * Seira shoots at the angel!
[21:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[21:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 23."12 [1d20=12]
[21:37] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 14."12 [1d20=3]
[21:38] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Both shots are aimed well, but the angel's armor is stout enough to deflect them off like a passing breeze! "Engarde!" The angel calls, as it fearlessly advances onto Demedais! OOC - You're large sized now, right?
[21:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Closing in, the angel fearlessly attacks!
[21:39] <Demedais> OOC: Apparently so, yep.
[21:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 33."12 [1d20=12]
[21:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d8+12
[21:39] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d8+12 and gets 18."12 [1d8=6]
[21:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The blow is motivated, slamming into Demedais' ribs and winding him!
[21:42] <Demedais> "Mmmph!" Demedais grunts a bit, but grinning slightly as well. "Alright, then..."
[21:45] * Demedais nods, and shifts into a slightly more defensible position, before taking a retaliatory swing to test its defences.
[21:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (-2 PA -2 C. Exp.)
[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 (-2 PA -2 C. Exp.) and gets 11."12 [1d20=1]
[21:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais finds it's defenses are ironclad, his sword met by a mace and staved off! OOC - Alicia.
[21:47] * Alicia ducks in around Demedais and lunges into a somersault, coming up behind the angel as all eight of her slice upwards in a single attack she gets in flanking position!
[21:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble to avoid AoO
[21:47] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble to avoid AoO and gets 29."12 [1d20=17]
[21:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16
[21:47] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+16 and gets 28."12 [1d20=12]
[21:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia moves like the wind, but isn't able to quite land a blow! At the last moment it rears around, angling so that her sword slash hits it's armor and not it's body! OOC - Seira.
[21:50] <Seira> "This better be one awesome weapon," Seira grumbles, as she approaches Demedais and casts Haste on the three of them.
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira wraps them in speeding magic, as the angel smiles back at Demedais. "I want to see the skill that has lead you this far!
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Gah.
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira wraps them in speeding magic, as the angel smiles back at Demedais. "I want to see the skill that has lead you this far!" Now toe to toe with Demedais, it's mace strikes are unending!
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 34."12 [1d20=13]
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+16 and gets 33."12 [1d20=17]
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - AC?
[21:52] <Demedais> OOC: 28 currently.
[21:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOc - Fort save.
[21:53] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14
[21:53] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 and gets 26."12 [1d20=12]
[21:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d8+24-4
[21:53] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 2d8+24-4 and gets 29."12 [2d8=5, 4]
[21:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais is rocked by a blow to his knee and then an upward swing that hits his chin, but he stays up like forged steel instead of crumbling glass!
[21:54] * Demedais grunts, before losing himself in the motion of his blade!
[21:54] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 26."12 [1d20=11]
[21:54] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 and gets 24."12 [1d20=14]
[21:54] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23."12 [1d20=18]
[21:56] <Demedais> OOC: With proper Haste bonus: 26, 29, 28.
[21:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Second hits.
[21:58] <Demedais> roll 3d8+8
[21:58] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 3d8+8 and gets 21."12 [3d8=6, 6, 1]
[21:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> In the swordsmanship that follows, Demedais manages to score a hit against the golden bodied angel! It's not a knockout blow, but it's a start as his side is torn! OOC - Alicia.
[21:59] <Demedais> "Mmmph. You've got excellent defense, my friend." Demedais says through gritted teeth.
[22:00] <Alicia> In position, even if it helps little, Alicia begins to attack in earnest, buoyed by Seira's spell as all eight of her act out a deadly dance of swordsmanship, myriad blades glinting as she pivots and reverses, showering the angel with attacks!
[22:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 28."12 [1d20=15]
[22:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 18."12 [1d20=5]
[22:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 and gets 14."12 [1d20=1]
[22:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 and gets 10."12 [1d20=2]
[22:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 and gets 9."12 [1d20=1]
[22:00] <Seira> "Can we call it even, now? See, we even scratched you!"
[22:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The angel is grinning as he weaves between Alicia's feral fury, the first stroke even coming close! "We're just getting started, unless you wish to submit?" OOC - Seira.
[22:02] <Seira> "No thanks, I like shiny things."
[22:04] <Seira> And with that, Seira withdraws a scroll, summoning a patch of grease beneath the angel's feet.
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19."12 [1d20=7]
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - What's your DC?
[22:05] <Seira> OOC: Not that, from a scroll
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The angel wobbles in the grease, but gracefully keeps his balance! "I'll get to you in good time," he glances back to Alicia, before focusing on Demedais again!
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 32."12 [1d20=11]
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+16 and gets 17."12 [1d20=1]
[22:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+11 and gets 25."12 [1d20=14]
[22:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - AC 26 still?
[22:06] <Demedais> OOC: Yes.
[22:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d8+12-2
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d8+12-2 and gets 15."12 [1d8=5]
[22:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Despite being surrounded and dodging like a madman on a greased floor, the angelic warrior is still stoutly upright! He slams his mace into Deme's chest, another solid hit! OOC - Deme.
[22:07] <Demedais> "Tch...!" Demedais winces, but continues his assault on the angel's armor!
[22:07] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 33."12 [1d20=18]
[22:07] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 23."12 [1d20=8]
[22:07] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 and gets 26."12 [1d20=16]
[22:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Crit threat on the first.
[22:07] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 critcheeeeck
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 critcheeeeck and gets 30."12 [1d20=15]
[22:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - One hit, but it's a crit.
[22:08] <Demedais> roll 6d6+16
[22:08] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d6+16 and gets 35."12 [6d6=3, 1, 5, 2, 5, 3]
[22:08] <Demedais> roll 6d8+16 ahahaha ignore me I suck cock
[22:08] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d8+16 ahahaha ignore me I suck cock and gets 39."12 [6d8=3, 6, 2, 3, 5, 4]
[22:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Slammed hard, Demedais retorts! Int he flurry he manages to get in close, a great overhanded slash tearing down the chest of the angel! It's not criticallyd amanging thanks to it's resistance, but it's still a soild, epic injury! OOC - Alicia.
[22:10] <Alicia> "Will you, now?" Alicia sounds almost amused as she and her duplicates swing upwards with eight swords to try and smack the mace out of the angel's grasp.
[22:11] <Alicia> roll 1d20+23 opposed attack rolls
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+23 opposed attack rolls and gets 25."12 [1d20=2]
[22:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 35."12 [1d20=14]
[22:11] <Alicia> roll 1d20+18 try again~
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+18 try again~ and gets 27."12 [1d20=9]
[22:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 28."12 [1d20=7]
[22:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Despite Alicia's good timing, the angel whirls with it's mace, bleeding but now bowed! The first blow misses, the second hitting but a powerful contest of strength joined! Despite the contact, the angel wins and is able to power away Alicia! The angel matches her amusement with his own clear enjoyment! OOC - Seira.
[22:12] * Seira greets the angel with a faceful of glitterdust!
[22:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 will
[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+12 will and gets 21."12 [1d20=9]
[22:14] <Seira> OOC: Strike!
[22:14] * Seira decides to just heal Demedais.
[22:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 ref
[22:14] <Seira> roll 2d8+9
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+12 ref and gets 30."12 [1d20=18]
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 2d8+9 and gets 19."12 [2d8=4, 6]
[22:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> AS Seira heals Demedais, the a ngel is still not slipping! It's balance is too good, as it continues it's assault on Demedais!
[22:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 29."12 [1d20=8]
[22:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+16 and gets 30."12 [1d20=14]
[22:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+11 and gets 21."12 [1d20=10]
[22:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d8+24-4
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 2d8+24-4 and gets 30."12 [2d8=7, 3]
[22:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Fort save.
[22:17] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 no hate, bot!
[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 no hate, bot! and gets 32."12 [1d20=18]
[22:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais is battered like the last port in a storm, but he stands upright! His body aches, as the angel eyes him critically. "Do you wish to retire," he asks. OOC - Deme, you're up.
[22:18] * Demedais inhales slightly, eyeing the angel back. "Not just yet, friend!" With another lunge of strength, Deme engages the angel!
[22:18] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 23."12 [1d20=8]
[22:18] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 25."12 [1d20=10]
[22:19] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10
[22:19] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 and gets 22."12 [1d20=12]
[22:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais strikes well, but each blow is able to be stopped on the very cusp of hitting! OOC - Alicia.
[22:20] * Alicia is starting to feel mounting uselessness and frustration as she finds herself unable to so much as inconvenience the angel. Sparring is all well and good, but it's readily becoming apparent that she's completely out of her league. Even with all her magical enhancements, she can't even fight on the same level as the others...
[22:20] <Alicia> But she can't give up. To do so would insult everything she has ever fought for, prove once and for all that she truly is unworthy. And so, with a feral battlecry, Alicia strikes forth with all her might in a savage onslaught, eldritch might working around her blades so they might pierce the angel's defences!
[22:20] <Alicia> roll 1d100 wraithstrike
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 wraithstrike and gets 25."12 [1d100=25]
[22:20] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13 melee touch
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 melee touch and gets 25."12 [1d20=12]
[22:20] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13 melee touch
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 melee touch and gets 28."12 [1d20=15]
[22:20] <Alicia> roll 1d20+13 melee touch
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+13 melee touch and gets 31."12 [1d20=18]
[22:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 melee touch
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 melee touch and gets 11."12 [1d20=3]
[22:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 melee touch
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 melee touch and gets 9."12 [1d20=1]
[22:21] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Three hits.
[22:21] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Roll each one seperately.
[22:21] <Alicia> roll 2d6+7
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d6+7 and gets 15."12 [2d6=5, 3]
[22:21] <Alicia> roll 2d6+7
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d6+7 and gets 15."12 [2d6=3, 5]
[22:21] <Alicia> roll 2d6+7
[22:21] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 2d6+7 and gets 11."12 [2d6=1, 3]
[22:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia's magic catcehs the angel offguard, going through it's armor like it's air! He manages to look sincerely surprised, three hits scarring his torso and chest! "Impressive magic..." he murmurs, looking back to Alicia. OOC - Seira.
[22:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 ref
[22:22] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+12 ref and gets 28."12 [1d20=16]
[22:23] <Seira> "It's not nice to taunt," Seira tells it sourly, slapping Demedais's shoulder before moving away, circling around the angel towards Alicia.
[22:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Seira fades, the angel hesitates and begins, attacking Demedais somewhat more slowly, carefully!
[22:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 27."12 [1d20=6]
[22:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d8+12-2
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d8+12-2 and gets 11."12 [1d8=1]
[22:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d100 1-20 miss
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d100 1-20 miss and gets 93."12 [1d100=93]
[22:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+16 and gets 25."12 [1d20=9]
[22:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
[22:25] <Tiny_Ko_Army> But despite the flurry of blows, Demedais is only striken once! He manages to stay upright, dazed but still able to fight! OOC - Alicia.
[22:25] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Er, Deme.
[22:26] * Demedais grits his teeth. "I offer you a chance to give up now, angel; I do not want to risk fatally hitting you with my attacks."
[22:27] <Seira> "I think he'll go to angel heaven if you kill him, so it's okay," Seira mentions helpfully.
[22:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The angel smiles a moment at that bravado, "Attack. I fully intent to submit if you can take to the brink," he answers back, "Try. It's my duty."
[22:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> *take me
[22:27] <Demedais> "Very well, then." Demedais says, ignoring Seira's 'help' as he launches another fusillage of blows!
[22:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 20."12 [1d20=5]
[22:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 28."12 [1d20=13]
[22:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 and gets 25."12 [1d20=15]
[22:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais comes close, but can't quite score with his giant sword! OOC - Alicia.
[22:29] * Demedais grunts, shaking his head in disbelief.
[22:29] <Alicia> Since her last assault, while emotionally satisfying, didn't really do much damage, Alicia once again tries to disarm the angel and take some pressure off of Demedais!
[22:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+23 opposed rolls
[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+23 opposed rolls and gets 26."12 [1d20=3]
[22:29] <Alicia> OOC: FUCK OFF
[22:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+18 try again :(
[22:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+18 try again :( and gets 36."12 [1d20=18]
[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 38."12 [1d20=17]
[22:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Tiny_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+21 and gets 39."12 [1d20=18]
[22:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia is on guard and strikes with all her fury, but somehow the angel holds on to it's weapon! OOC - Seira.
[22:31] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af22bdc.tcl110.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[22:31] * Seira decides to shoot at the angel's back from her position next to Alicia.
[22:32] <Seira> roll 1d20 I hit on a nat 20 only, anyway, 5pa
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 I hit on a nat 20 only, anyway, 5pa and gets 12."12 [1d20=12]
[22:32] <Seira> roll 1d20 I hit on a nat 20 only, anyway, 5pa
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 I hit on a nat 20 only, anyway, 5pa and gets 14."12 [1d20=14]
[22:32] <Seira> roll 1d20 I hit on a nat 20 only, anyway, 5pa
[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20 I hit on a nat 20 only, anyway, 5pa and gets 16."12 [1d20=16]
[22:32] <Alicia> OOC: Wait!
[22:32] <Alicia> OOC: I get 3 attacks from haste, so can I take the other one?
[22:32] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Yeah, sure.
[22:33] * Alicia sets mode: -v+v Hatbot Rei-chan
[22:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+23 come on, momma needs a new pair of shoes
[22:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+23 1,0come on, momma needs a new pair of shoes --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{37}
[22:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+21
[22:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+21 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{27}
[22:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> IN the flurry of combat, Alicia is able to strike out again and hit the hand of the angel! His mace is knocked aside, a successful strike! OOC - Seira.
[22:34] * Seira dives for the mace from her position next to Alicia!
[22:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 ref for grease
[22:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0ref for grease --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{28}
[22:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+10
[22:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{16}
[22:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira moves quickly and is able to procure the angelic mace! It's heavy! The angel breathes out a breath at that, before nodding. "Very well, that's enough then. I concede; my magic is of limited use on ones such as yourselves."
[22:36] * Seira snorts. "Mace GET."
[22:37] <Alicia> "Phew," Alicia relaxes, letting her weapon fall to the side. She actually did something important, after all! "Well fought," she nods approvingly to the celestial.
[22:37] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "If you would," The angel asks, glancing at the mace, as he approaches Demedais. "I will heal you - this part of this trial is defeated." he says.
[22:37] <Seira> "Hey, since you're surrendering, can you heal Demedai-- yeah, that."
[22:37] * Demedais nods slightly in thanks, before leaning heavily on his sword. "Which is probably a good thing, all things considered, although I'm more at home fighting evil instead of those good or balanced."
[22:39] <Seira> "What's our gift from the gods?" Seira asks happily, standing up while clutching the mace. And dismissing the grease with a gesture.
[22:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Reaching out, Demedais feels his injuries melt away like snow in the spring thaw. His wounds are fully restored in an instant. "You three are worthy - defeating one such as myself is far harder for those that share the spirit of good within them." Once that is done, he turns and bows to Alicia. "A good tactic." And then towards Seira, I congratulate your persistance. If you would return my weapon," he asks. "Continue onward on this path
[22:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army>  path."
[22:41] <Seira> "I'm pretty sure we need it more than you," Seira tells the angel. "Don't you have a celestial armory to get a replacement? Just think, it can serve the cause of good and defend our country from devil invasions and the like!"
[22:41] <Alicia> "Seira!" Alicia gives the captain a reproving look.
[22:42] <Seira> "It's true!"
[22:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Make a bluff check.
[22:42] <Seira> OOC: It's totally true! why bluff?
[22:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: -You- think it's true. There's a difference. Because you're trying to get the angel to believe something you want it to believe, as per the description.
[22:43] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[22:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{27}
[22:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+24
[22:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+24 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{42}
[22:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The angel cracks a smile, "To let my weapon go freely is a failing of my duty. Please return it."
[22:45] * Demedais nods in thanks to the angel before glaring at Seira. "Give the nice angel his mace back, please." he says irritably. "And why'd I expect something like this? Although quite frankly I've seen you pull off more surprising feats of bravado..."
[22:45] <Seira> "We could've named a school after you," Seira says sourly, handing it over. And, curiously, not having much problem holding it up, despite its weight. "Be sure to come and help us out the next time devils attack through our weakened dimensional barriers?"
[22:47] <Demedais> "Or even human devils." Demedais adds fairly cheerfully.
[22:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The mace returned, "Devils are attacking the Prime?"T he angel inquires curiously. "Aaah, I see. I will discuss it with my superior. Advance on, heroes." The angel fades into light, shimmering away. "I was honored to meet you."
[22:47] <Seira> "I'm good with just the outsiders battling it out, if it'll spare our poor farmers next time."
[22:47] * Seira waves at it happily, and proceeds up the stairs.
[22:48] <Alicia> "Farewell," Alicia waves, before following Seira. All eight of her.
[22:48] * Demedais waves as well, before nodding to Seira. "Quite frankly, it wouldn't surprise me to find better than the mace here. And if the angels come to help... well, that's one load off our backs."
[22:49] <Seira> "A shame, I wanted a souvenier," Seira muses. "And we really do need it, since no one else in our forces aside for the playboy can apparently find new weapons of quality."
[22:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Up the stairs in the golden sky, advancing on! After about two minutes of walking, you come to a wide floor. Here is a ten foot wide floor, a beautiful spiral of golden energy focused here. It awaits, but in front of it...(More)
[22:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> At first it looks like a lion, but then your eyes tell you otherwise. It is far more noble than a lion could ever dream to be, wise blue eyes and an air of purity around it. It's mane is of gold, it's body lean and powerful. It sits and waits on it's haunches, speaking as easily as if it was a human. "You defeated the Astral Deva, warriors? Indeed, my heart is light as well. There may be hope for our side yet."
[22:53] <Alicia> "What are the sides?" Alicia asks.
[22:54] * Demedais cocks his head in an effort to identify it. "It was impressively close, but my friend managed to disarm it before it struck me one last time." He then waits for the answer to Alicia's question.
[22:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The side of those that come to defeat the God King, but that would worship those of vile evil," The lion replies to Alicia sternly. "Those are the ones I had dreaded that I would some day meet, but it has not been the case."
[22:55] * Alicia nods, seemingly satisfied. "So there are only two sides in this. That, at least, keeps things simple."
[22:55] <Seira> "Can you tell us who exactly is working for the others side?" Seira asks curiously. "Names, abilities, locations... a picture would do wonders."
[22:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "No. I only know what we were told when our duty began. It was thousands of your years ago." The lion watches on at the party, "The world of mortals is something that I have been assigned to, yet we maintain our vigil here without knowing what goes on beyond this trial ground."
[22:57] <Alicia> "So, what happens, now that we have bested the Deva?" Alicia asks, along with her choir of seven duplicates.
[22:57] * Seira frowns. "I don't want to speak badly about your superiors, but clearly, better plans of actions are available. Like, I don't know, direct involvement and supporting us."
[22:58] * Demedais refrains from commenting, knowing where the lion of awesome is coming from.
[23:01] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7
[23:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{16}
[23:01] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 me too!
[23:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0me too! --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{17}
[23:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The lion closes it's eyes, "Child, do you ever wonder why the Gods do not come and cure all your ills and suffering?" A moment of silence to let that sink in, "Imagine a world where the Gods of Good did all they wished. It would be beautiful...until you remember that there are two sides. What good would a world of constant divine warfare be for mortals? And now, with the God King...Even in agreement, the Prime is not that place. The Pri
[23:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The Prime is a place where you forge your own destiny." In a moment, a beautiful image appears. It is of first thousands of lights of every color, whirling in an infinite dance. But after a few moments, your eyes adapt. The colors are great energies and spells, running around over the surface of a world. Each one wipes out or restores all there, differeing powers in endless flux.
[23:03] <Seira> "So you're saying you can't win, and the best you can manage is a divine stand off?" Seira blinks. "I understand everything much clearly, now. Okay! Do you think you could help us with something? I believe there are two ruins outside our borders we have not been to, yet. One below the palace of Malmuth's king, and one off into the desert kingdom next to us. Am I right?""
[23:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I do not know. Beyond this place, my knowledge of the Prime is sorely limited." The lion answers in the negative. "I am not the one to ask."
[23:05] <Demedais> "Seira, it's been thousands of years. Malmuth hasn't been around that long." Demedais reminds Seira.
[23:05] <Seira> "Who can we ask, and how do we reach them?"
[23:05] <Seira> "I can supply precise geographical coordinates if needed," she responds with a shrug.
[23:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I can only give you answers that would likely frusturatey ou even more - Mystra or Helm, Lathander or Torm. The Gods themselves."
[23:07] <Alicia> "People in Malmuth and the Desert Fiefdoms?" Alicia suggests. "Besides, if you already know where those ruins are, what more can you learn without actually visiting them?"
[23:07] <Seira> "I needed some confirmation, but I suppose it's a waste of time to try."
[23:09] * Demedais nods. "So, uh. Alicia, you're probably more virtuous than I, plus you were the one that landed the decisive blow. Go on."
[23:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The Gods are not a tool to answer your every question," The lion chides softly. After a moment, "The both of you are paladins," he asks the other two.
[23:09] <Seira> "Girl with bow, here," Seira speaks, waving at it.
[23:10] * Alicia blinks at Demedais and then turns to the lion. "Ah, yes, Mystra has blessed me," she nods hesitantly.
[23:11] <Demedais> "Paladin of Helm, not exactly your normal one, though." Demedais says cheerfully. "Detecting Chaos is my specialty, though I still smite evil."
[23:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Ahead is the blessing the Gods of Good left to those whom reach this far. I am pleased that those with a good heart will claim it." The lion steps aside.
[23:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Those in the other rooms will not be so willing and happy to see you and to obtain the power the others left."
[23:12] <Seira> "Those in the other rooms are probably evil and thus need to die, right?"
[23:13] <Demedais> "We guessed as much, I'm afraid." Demedais grins. "Still... Duty above all else.
[23:13] * Alicia glances again at Demedais, a blank expression on her face. "The gift is for all of us, or only one?" she asks, slowly turning back to the lion.
[23:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Go ahead, all of you," The lion speaks.
[23:14] * Seira needs no other urging and goes ahead.
[23:14] <Demedais> "...oh." Demedais says, before following Alicia.
[23:14] * Alicia nods and slowly follows on past the lion.
[23:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As each steps into the energy, they feel charged! OOC - Each of you roll a 1d10?
[23:15] <Seira> roll 1d10
[23:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=6 ]4,0{6}
[23:15] <Alicia> roll 1d10
[23:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=8 ]4,0{8}
[23:15] <Demedais> roll 1d10
[23:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=9 ]4,0{9}

[Corwin]

[19:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The energy fades away, power augumenting each hero before it's gone. When your senses clear from this gaudy display of power, you find you are alone atop the stairs now.
[19:13] <Seira> "Let's go kill something bad, now?" Seira proposes.
[19:14] <Demedais> "Death to bad things. Amen." Demedais nods.
[19:14] * Alicia does not feel particularly blessed, briefly unclasping the oak-tree badge from her cloak and looking at it thoughtfully... Seira jars her out of her reverie, however. "Yes," she nods sternly. "Lets see what prize the forces of evil are guarding from us." With that, she starts stalking down the stairs, sword grasped tightly in her hands.
[19:14] <Seira> "I know how to speak to a paladin's heart?" Seira says with a smile, following.
[19:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> So down the stairs you go. On reaching the bottom again, you find the door to the, well, Hell is still open. In here you see a dreary, dreadful landscape, of oynx black and blood red stairs descending. Despite this the air is quite, waiting. Yet there is something palpable in it, like liquid tension all over your bodies.
[19:17] * Alicia takes out a scroll of protection against evil and promptly reads from it, giving herself a more reliable blessing than the one she just received, before she marches into the chamber towards said stairs.
[19:17] * Demedais follows Alicia, sword drawn and trying to keep an eye out for chaos. Who knows what type of evil it may be...
[19:18] <Demedais> "... ahead of us. Keep an eye out. It's huge." Demedais says, almost flinching.
[19:18] * Seira has the bow ready, but no obvious magic on aside from the invisible mage armor.
[19:21] <Tiny_Ko_Army> You walk perhaps two minutes down the stairs. As you proceed deeper in, you hear a soft, silk like strumming noise. It sounds in your mind, like a single thread of disruption. "...bah, you're the little mortals to make it here?" Ahead of you it begins to appear - a horrible, twisted, demented thign! It's lower body is a black spider's, eight legs prancing about to support it's large frame. It's upper body is that of a woman, with claws
[19:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army>  with claws for hands and a horrid, venom dripping mouth! It has six eyes, each one red dots with points of green. On the sides of you, you can hear horrid skittering sounds, almost underneath the stairs?
[19:22] <Seira> "Bah, you're the one they sent here to die?"
[19:24] <Alicia> "No need to sound so disappointed, I presume we have to defeat you to pass, but to be honest I think I'd go out of my way to slay such an abomination on principle," Alicia replies, hoping that if she sounds confident then she'll be confident. Fighting devils and demons is still somewhat new to her, and her showing against the Deva was lacklustre enough to give worry if the other guardians are as potent.
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> It stands perhaps twenty feet ahead of you, claws arching out as it stretches! It's legs skitter about like demented extensions of a mad machine, yet keeping perfect balance. "I won't give up the gifts, no matter what the terms were! You'll die here!"
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Initiative, it so wants to hurt you.
[19:26] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[19:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{20}
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+5 big spider woman
[19:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0big spider woman --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{23}
[19:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3 ????1
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0????1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{12}
[19:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3 ????2
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0????2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{11}
[19:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3 ????3
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0????3 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{7}
[19:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3 ????4
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0????4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{14}
[19:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3 ????5
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0????5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{22}
[19:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20-1
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20-1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{8}
[19:27] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{20}
[19:28] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=Seira(20)>?4(14)?1(12)>?2(11)>Deme(8)>?3(7)'
[19:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The great spider rears back, spitting a great gob of webbing at Seira! IT expands out, making a spidery net that threatens to entangle her!
[19:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 what's your touch AC, Seira?
[19:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0what's your touch AC, Seira? --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{20}
[19:30] <Seira> OOC: 18
[19:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The spiderweb lands all over Seira, pinning her to where she  is and making her entangled in sticky strands! OOC - I'll PM you details. You're up, 'licia, why I chat with Seira in PM a moment.
[19:32] * Alicia charges at the lead spider, her sword channeling holy power as she smites it in a deadly overhand attack!
[19:32] <Alicia> OOC: DC 18 will save or shaken for anything with less than 9hd within 30 feet.
[19:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Do they have to be able to see you or have line of sight or anything?
[19:33] <Alicia> OOC: I imagine they'd have to see me
[19:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Yeah, that's what I was thinking.
[19:33] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14 -4 pa smite
[19:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0-4 pa smite --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{29}
[19:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Hit.
[19:34] <Alicia> roll 2d6+22
[19:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d6+22 --> 6,0[ 2d6=7 ]4,0{29}
[19:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The sacred power gifted to Alicia rings out as she charges the horrible spider creature in front of her! With a glowing slice she smites it, ripping a leg up with a expert thrust!
[19:37] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 escape artist
[19:37] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0escape artist --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{26}
[19:37] * Seira tries to escape the webbing!
[19:38] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira struggles with her web prison, managing to slide out of it and step back! She's free now, having escaped the bonds of her demonic prison! As the spider is slashed, falling into combat with Alicia, from the rigth side it comes! A large spider, with hints of fiery red across it's legs! It looks twisted and dark, skittering up and charging Demedais!
[19:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[19:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{18}
[19:39] <Demedais> OOC: AC 25.
[19:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Despite it's quick effort, Demedais is able to wiggle and have it deflect off his armored side, the bite leaving smears of a nasty clear venom over it! OOC - Deme, you're up.
[19:39] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=Seira(20)>?4(14)Spider 1(12)>?2(11)>Deme(8)>?3(7)'
[19:40] <Demedais> "No. Bad spider. No cookie!" Seeing Seira free and Alicia having scored a solid hit on the big one, Deme decides to keep this side clear by squishing a few bugs on this end!
[19:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (-4 PA)
[19:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{30}
[19:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 crit threat
[19:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0crit threat --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{19}
[19:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 full attack
[19:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0full attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{10}
[19:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - One hit, but it's a crit.
[19:42] <Demedais> OOC: Kay.
[19:42] <Demedais> roll 6d8+24
[19:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 6d8+24 --> 6,0[ 6d8=28 ]4,0{52}
[19:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With a speedy feint, Demedais brings is sword up ahd slices the spider into two! It dies before it even knows Demedais chose to attack! But the leader is still up, now squaring off with Alicia!
[19:43] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=Seira(20)>?4(14)>?2(11)>Deme(8)>?3(7)'
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+19 bite
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+19 1,0bite --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{36}
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 claw
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 claw
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{17}
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{19}
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - ACs?
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d7 bite
[19:44] <Alicia> OOC: Image AC is 13, Alicia AC is 26
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d7 1,0bite --> 6,0[ 1d7=3 ]4,0{3}
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d6 claw
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d6 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d6=5 ]4,0{5}
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d5 claw
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d5 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d5=1 ]4,0{1}
[19:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The two stand toe to toe, but Alicia's images keep her safe! Two of them wink away, while a claw bounces off Alicia's guard! OOC - Alicia/Seira power hour go.
[19:45] * Seira holds her place until any other spiders like the one that charged Demedais reveal themselves.
[19:48] <Alicia> "Mystra, guide my blade through the weave and pierce my foe's guard!" Alicia chants a spell, her blades shifting like mist as she lays into the spider woman with a flurry of attacks!
[19:48] <Alicia> roll 1d100 wraithstrike
[19:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0wraithstrike --> 6,0[ 1d100=96 ]4,0{96}
[19:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 -2 pa
[19:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0-2 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{21}
[19:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 -2 pa
[19:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0-2 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{24}
[19:49] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 -2 pa
[19:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0-2 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{17}
[19:49] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 -2 pa
[19:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0-2 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{8}
[19:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Three hits.
[19:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Roll each one at a tiem.
[19:50] <Alicia> roll 2d6+9
[19:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d6+9 --> 6,0[ 2d6=7 ]4,0{16}
[19:50] <Alicia> roll 2d6+9
[19:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d6+9 --> 6,0[ 2d6=5 ]4,0{14}
[19:50] <Alicia> roll 2d6+9
[19:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d6+9 --> 6,0[ 2d6=8 ]4,0{17}
[19:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Trading off blows, Alicia's wisp like sword cuts into the spiderdemon like blades of air! She gets several more wounds, shallow but adding up quickly! A hissing cry escapes her lips, as Seira sees another large spider crawls up, this one coming out on the side towards Alicia! OOC - Seira, you going to take your held action?
[19:51] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=Seira(20)>?4(14)>Spider 2(11)>Deme(8)>?3(7)'
[19:52] <Seira> OOC: Yep
[19:52] * Seira mechanically takes aim!
[19:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{26}
[19:53] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{16}
[19:53] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=>?4(14)>Seira>Spider 2(11)>Deme(8)>?3(7)'
[19:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Bot hit.
[19:54] <Seira> roll 1d8+1
[19:54] <Seira> roll 1d8+1
[19:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{7}
[19:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 ]4,0{5}
[19:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira peppers it with two well shot arrows as it crawls up, but it's  not enough to down it! It makes it's foul attack on Alicia, biting at her!
[19:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[19:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{25}
[19:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d5
[19:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d5 --> 6,0[ 1d5=4 ]4,0{4}
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> It chomps down on the stomach of an image, which makes it fade away into the magical ether, whiel two arrows jut out of it's body! OOC - Deme.
[19:58] * Demedais grunts and levels his blade at the large womanspider, executing a sweeping slash toward the intersection of waist and abdomen in his charge!
[19:59] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (5 PA, smite evil, charge)
[19:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0(5 PA, smite evil, charge) --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{20}
[20:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais charges, but the spider rears back! The blade whizzes by it's body, grazing the webbing where Seira was trapped instead! The spider whirls it's head around at Deme's attack, eyes widening! AS it does, another spider crawls forth, this one going right at Demedais again!
[20:00] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=>?4(14)>Seira>Spider 2(11)>Deme(8)>Spider 3(7)'
[20:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[20:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{17}
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> But this one lunges and bites, but the Fifth Resort quickly blocks it's attack! Meanwhile, the spiderwoman turns back to Alicia, once again assaulting her head on!
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+19 bite
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+19 1,0bite --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{27}
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 claw
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{13}
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 claw
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{17}
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d4 bite
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d4 1,0bite --> 6,0[ 1d4=2 ]4,0{2}
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d3 claw
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d3 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d3=3 ]4,0{3}
[20:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d2 claw
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d2 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d2=2 ]4,0{2}
[20:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia manages to parry off the blows, images dying one after another! The last one is destroyed by it's last claw frenzy, leaving Alicia unwarded! OOC - Alicia.
[20:03] <Alicia> With Demedais here to take on the hard target, Alicia elects to remove some of the pressure by focusing her attacks primarily on the spider menacing her.
[20:03] <Alicia> OOC: DC 18 will save or shaken for anything with less than 9hd
[20:03] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{30}
[20:03] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{21}
[20:03] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{14}
[20:03] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
[20:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+2
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{16}
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{7}
[20:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+2
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{20}
[20:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - First two and the last hit the spider.
[20:04] <Alicia> OOC: DR?
[20:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - No, go ahead.
[20:04] <Alicia> roll 6d6+21
[20:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 6d6+21 --> 6,0[ 6d6=28 ]4,0{49}
[20:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As the spider looks on in verminic terror at Alicia, she carves it up like a christmas turkey! It falls apart, severed in several vital spots! Meanwhile, the spider attacking Deme is unshaken, managing to resist Alicia's terrifying aura! A few moments after, a fourth spider crawls up, this one rushing Seira!
[20:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9 do you have any buffs up for this
[20:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0do you have any buffs up for this --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{24}
[20:06] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>?5(22)Alicia(20)=>Spider 4(14)>Seira>Deme(8)>Spider 3(7)'
[20:06] <Seira> OOC: The mage armor I mentioned. And it just hits, sigh.
[20:06] * Alicia also takes a five foot step closer to the spider attacking Demedais so she can focus fully on it in a moment.
[20:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d8+3 and make a fort save
[20:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d8+3 1,0and make a fort save --> 6,0[ 1d8=2 ]4,0{5}
[20:07] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[20:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{15}
[20:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira resists the worst of it, unbowed by the vicious poison injected into her body by the bite to her leg! OOC - Seira.
[20:08] * Seira steps away from the spider. And shoots it. Twice.
[20:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[20:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[20:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{20}
[20:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{15}
[20:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - One hit.
[20:08] <Seira> roll 1d8+11 curse ac 16
[20:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+11 1,0curse ac 16 --> 6,0[ 1d8=8 ]4,0{19}
[20:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira fires quite well this time, the arrow slamming into the spider's maw! It's a serious wound, but not quite enough to stop it! OOC - Deme.
[20:10] <Demedais> "Okay. This has been fun, insect, but I'm going to end it here..." With another roar of holy energy, Demedais sweeps his blade twice toward the monster's throat!
[20:11] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (-4 PA)
[20:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{34}
[20:11] <Demedais> roll 1d20+9 (-4 PA)
[20:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{20}
[20:11] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 crit threat (-4 PA)
[20:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0crit threat (-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{19}
[20:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - One normal hit.
[20:12] <Demedais> roll 3d6+14
[20:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 3d6+14 --> 6,0[ 3d6=13 ]4,0{27}
[20:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais is quick, but the spider is just marginally quicker! With a blow that would sever her neck from her body, doom is only averted by thrusting her chest forward! From her collar bone to her stomach is sliced, painful and bloody, but not fatal! As Demedais scores that, the spider attacking him continues it's assault!
[20:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[20:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{17}
[20:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> But once again, Demedais is able to sway to the side, magical shield flying in place to protect him! The spider woman bleeds profusely from her wounds, but stays on her task. Witha n animalistic hiss, she attacks Alicia!
[20:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+19 bite
[20:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+19 1,0bite --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{37}
[20:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 claw
[20:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{21}
[20:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11 claw
[20:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0claw --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{26}
[20:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOc - Fort save.
[20:14] <Demedais> "Look. You're cute, yes. But stop this. I dislike the feeling of a bloody spider attempting to rape my leg." Demedais growls at the bloody thing.
[20:14] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16
[20:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{24}
[20:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d6+9+2d4+4
[20:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 2d6+9+2d4+4 --> 6,0[ 2d6=6 2d4=4 ]4,0{23}
[20:16] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>Spider 5(22)Alicia(20)=>Spider 4(14)>Seira>Deme(8)>Spider 3(7)'
[20:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia is bitten across her side, a chunk of her now spider food! A raking clas scrapes across her leg, as another bounces off her breastplate, just over her heart! Meanwhile, yet another spide crawls up, this one looking to assault Alicia as well!
[20:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[20:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{16}
[20:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> But Alicia recovers from her attacks quickly enough to slide to the side! OOC - Alicia.
[20:17] * Alicia gasps in sudden pain, lashing out with an instinctive counterattack at the horrific spiderwoman before she focuses herself fully on attacking the one molesting Demedais, unleashing a flurry of rapid strikes against its carapace!
[20:17] <Alicia> OOC: DC 18 will saves for the new arrival and the one attacking Seira
[20:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+2
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{21}
[20:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+2
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{20}
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 boss
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0boss --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{15}
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{31}
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 crit check
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0crit check --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{15}
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{17}
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{26}
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 crit check
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0crit check --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{19}
[20:18] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Two hits and a crit on the flunky spider attacking Seira.
[20:18] <Alicia> OOC: the one attacking Deme.
[20:18] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Same result, but oaky.
[20:18] <Alicia> roll 8d6+28
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 8d6+28 --> 6,0[ 8d6=29 ]4,0{57}
[20:18] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>Spider 5(22)Alicia(20)=>Spider 4(14)>Seira>Deme(8)'
[20:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> This spider is torn up liek a thousand ruined pieces of paper, landing in several dozen chunks all around! Meanwhile, the spider on Seira continues it's rampage!
[20:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[20:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{15}
[20:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> But it's bite only hits the air in front of the brave half elf/dragon! OOC - Seira.
[20:19] * Seira responds with a hail of arrows, all two of them, against this pathetic attempt. After stepping back.
[20:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[20:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{23}
[20:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[20:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{18}
[20:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Bot hit.
[20:20] <Seira> roll 2d8+22
[20:20] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 2d8+22 --> 6,0[ 2d8=13 ]4,0{35}
[20:20] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Bigspiderwoman(23)>Spider 5(22)Alicia(20)>Seira>Deme(8)'
[20:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With a hail of arrows, Seira slays this spider, sending it to a arrow filled demise! It's body slumps voer, too many holes in it! OOC - Deme.
[20:23] <Demedais> "Ch- pay attention to the one actually attacking you, you lump of impotent venom!" Demedais bellows, swinging twice more at the frame of the beast a bit more carefully.
[20:23] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (2 Comb. Exp.)
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(2 Comb. Exp.) --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{15}
[20:23] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 (2 Comb. Exp.)
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0(2 Comb. Exp.) --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{11}
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais strikes with speed, but not with accuracy! Both blows are simply outright misses! Meanwhile, the big spider staggers back, before assaulting Alicia once more!
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+10
[20:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{14}
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Strike.
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+19
[20:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{33}
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[20:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{13}
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[20:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{22}
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Fort save.
[20:25] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16
[20:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{23}
[20:25] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d6
[20:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d6 --> 6,0[ 1d6=2 ]4,0{2}
[20:25] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d6+9
[20:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 2d6+9 --> 6,0[ 2d6=11 ]4,0{20}
[20:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia fends off both claws, but this leaves her neck vulnerable to ab ite! It misses her jugular, bu tinjects poison right into her blood stream! Trickles of blood trail down, laced with vile poisons! OOC - Alicia
[20:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Strike that go. spider's up.
[20:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The last spider continuest o bite at Ailcia, unphased by terror!
[20:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[20:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{18}
[20:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> But Alicia is too fast, unslowed in the least! OOC - Alicia.
[20:28] * Alicia buckles a bit as she's weakened by the poison, the magic of her ridiculous badge only feeling like a slap in the face when she's confronted by this sort of agony. Deciding that the spider is of little import, she focuses on the true threat, casting wraithstrike once more as her blades blur forward in hopes of penetrating its guard!
[20:28] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=72 ]4,0{72}
[20:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 -6 power attack
[20:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0-6 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{27}
[20:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 -6 power attack crit check
[20:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0-6 power attack crit check --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{22}
[20:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3 -6 power attack
[20:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0-6 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{12}
[20:29] <Alicia> OOC: 2 handed, so that's all my attacks
[20:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Crit and a hit.
[20:30] <Alicia> roll 4d6+44
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 4d6+44 --> 6,0[ 4d6=19 ]4,0{63}
[20:30] <Alicia> roll 2d6+22
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d6+22 --> 6,0[ 2d6=3 ]4,0{25}
[20:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With that massive flurry of strikes, Alicia manages to return the favor! It's neck is impaled by her blade, before she whirls around, cutting it's jugular in two! With the return stroke, she slices it's stomach open as a secondary argument! OOC - Do you have cleave? If orget.
[20:32] <Alicia> OOC: I don't
[20:32] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC  - Seira.
[20:32] * Seira leaves the cleanup to Demedais!
[20:32] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The spider mistress keels over, slumping and bleeding like a broken dam! It falls over to meet it's end once more, slaughtered! OOC - Deme, then.
[20:33] * Demedais turns to look at the final spider. Noting that it doesn't keel over at his gaze, Demedais vaguely swings at the thing, planning on chopping it into square chunks.
[20:33] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14
[20:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{19}
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+9
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{15}
[20:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - First hits.
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 3d8+8
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 3d8+8 --> 6,0[ 3d8=12 ]4,0{20}
[20:35] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Spider 5(22)Alicia(20)>Seira>Deme(8)'
[20:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais strikes once, severing a few legs of the last spider, but it's not enough! OOC - Seira, were you going to act before it?
[20:35] <Seira> Annoyed, Seira shoots at the persistently-surviving spider.
[20:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 (2pa)
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0(2pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{25}
[20:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 (2pa)
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0(2pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{24}
[20:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 (2pa) haha
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0(2pa) haha --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{15}
[20:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Two hits. Juuust missed the crit.
[20:36] <Seira> roll 2d8+10
[20:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 2d8+10 --> 6,0[ 2d8=16 ]4,0{26}
[20:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With that final attack, the spider dies from twin arrows, it's eyes both ruined one shaft at a time!
[20:37] <Seira> "Right, then. Let's go punch whoever is in charge until something nice comes out," Seira declares, marching on.
[20:37] <Alicia> With all the foes gone, Alicia slumps to her knees, coughing in pain as she brings a hand to her throat, attempting to heal herself. That badge may want her to be at death's door, but she's certainly not interested in throwing her life away like that. "A moment, please," she requests, voice dry and scratchy.
[20:37] <Demedais> "Need a cast of lesser restoration, Alicia?" Demedais says, not moving. "I'd rather not go ahead unprepared to fight again."
[20:38] * Demedais nods and steps over to Alicia, channeling his magic to her.
[20:38] <Demedais> roll 1d4
[20:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d4 --> 6,0[ 1d4=4 ]4,0{4}
[20:38] <Alicia> After sealing up the wound on her throat, Alicia stands up, still a bit wobbly. "Please, I think that poison infected... ahhh," she smiles faintly as Demedais' magic aids her recovery. "My thanks," she nods appreciatively.
[20:40] <Demedais> "Not a problem. Want a bit more healing, or...?"
[20:41] <Alicia> "If we intend to challenge the next stairway it would not go amiss," Alicia admits.
[20:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Make a second fort save, 'licia, after Deme does whatever healing he will.
[20:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{19}
[20:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d6
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 2d6 --> 6,0[ 2d6=10 ]4,0{10}
[20:43] * Demedais nods and lays his hands on Alicia's shoulder, channeling his stored healing into her.
[20:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia buckles under the poison, ehr body hot - so painfully hot.
[20:47] * Demedais flinches back. "What the- my healing capability isn't -that- bad!"
[20:47] * Alicia gasps and falls to her knees, her body in sudden searing agony as the vile poison courses through her!
[20:47] <Seira> "When at first you don't succeed, try and try again."
[20:49] * Demedais winces and moves to use another two lesser restorations, using up his stock.
[20:49] <Demedais> roll 2d4
[20:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d4 --> 6,0[ 2d4=7 ]4,0{7}
[20:49] <Demedais> "It's probably best if you don't fight on the way out." Demedais remarks a bit dryly.
[20:50] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The healing greatly lessens the pain in Alicia's form, but some remnants still remain.
[20:50] <Seira> "There's not much to fight...."
[20:50] <Demedais> "Let's go and hope whatever else is here isn't agressive..." Demedais says, leading the way while detecting chaos.
[20:50] * Alicia shivers a bit, slowly standing up on aching legs and leaning on her sword. "Lets just get what we came for and leave," she grunts. "We can deal with the last staircase another day."
[20:51] * Demedais nods.
[20:51] <Demedais> "Even if we can't, we're not up for it right now. We'll have to make do without it."
[20:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The party continues on! Soon they reach the bottom - a grand nexus of energy, the very top visible, the rest arching deep below the stairway. Here stands a man in a perfect black tunic and pants, achingly beautiful. He holds no weapon that you see, but his eyes are endless pools of shifting violet and crimson. He looks on wih detached interest as you approach, ears slightly pointed, but more like sharp edges than an elven tint. "Aaaah..
[20:52] <Seira> "Are you the final boss?" Seira asks him bluntly.
[20:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Aaaah...you are the ones. You defeated the obsticles so far and have come to claim more power in your quest?"
[20:54] <Alicia> "Got a problem with that?" Alicia asks, raising her sword as best she's able in her current state.
[20:54] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With idle, disinterested glares at Alicia and Demedais, "I am the one in front of the gift, yes. But I wonder...dear Seira, do you wonder?" He smiles nicely at her, a distinct charm to it. "Why the so called Gods of Good do not intervene?"
[20:54] <Seira> "Is this the moment you offer me a chance to defect?" she asks, smiling back just as nicely.
[20:55] <Demedais> "Yeah. The God-King won't beat himself, you know." Demedais grunts, hand on his sword but otherwise seemingly uninterested in him.
[20:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 planes
[20:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0planes --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
[20:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Smiling sright back at Seira, "No, to find ones more suitable for your beliefs. Ones that aren't afraid to intervene as you desire."
[20:56] <Demedais> "So says the being who's likely made of pure chaos. You know, we really need a warhammer of lawlike making." Demedais comments wryly.
[20:56] <Seira> "I'm not a paladin, I don't mind getting helpful hints from evil," Seira tells him, still smiling. "Please continue!"
[20:56] <Alicia> "Yes, because demons are so trustworthy," Alicia snorts sarcastically.
[20:57] <Seira> "I'm always willing to pitch my intellect against nice demons!"
[20:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The eyes of the creature narrow at Demedais, just a moment of perterbment. But it doesn't last, as he smiles back, "Simply come with me and you'll find those Gods that will be more than willing to act for you."
[20:58] <Seira> "I think I left something in the stove back home. I suppose I'll have to take a raincheck on that." Seira shrugs. "Anything you can tell me, or something shiny you would like to give me before I try for the whole evil gift thing?"
[20:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Ah well. I had doubted you would be able to agree to it even if you wanted," With a look to Demedais and Alicia, "If you watn the gifts, you'll have to find a way past me!" It's eyes radiate eldrich power, "Come!" he stands perfectly still, "I will make your grave in this forgotten prison yet!"
[20:59] <Seira> "It's not fair to taunt me with presents and then cut to a fight scene," Seira complains. "In Waukeen's name, I will have to punish you!"
[20:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Initiative, I think.
[20:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20-2
[20:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20-2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{13}
[21:00] <Demedais> roll 1d20-1
[21:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20-1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{13}
[21:00] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[21:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{21}
[21:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter
[21:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0nerveskitter --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{21}
[21:00] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Alicia=Seira>Deme=Evilthing'
[21:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - You two are up.
[21:01] * Alicia holds for the moment, raising her sword and praying. "Mystra, guide your unworthy servant's hand to strike truly, and slay the evil before me..."
[21:02] * Seira glitterdusts the demon, making him even prettier! "I'm not in the habit of going away with strangers. Taking candy, maybe. But not the other thing."
[21:02] <Seira> OOC: No SR, will 20
[21:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+10
[21:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{11}
[21:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Effect?
[21:02] <Seira> OOC: BLINDNESS
[21:03] <Seira> OOC: And he sure is prettier, now
[21:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The glittering dust flies forth, blinding the demonic creature! It's eyes are clouded, covered by golden dust! OOC - Deme and him are up!
[21:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 casting defensively
[21:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0casting defensively --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{21}
[21:04] * Demedais rushes forward, engaging the demon with a quick, brutal stroke!
[21:04] * Seira also moves from her spot. Just because she can.
[21:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Scowling at the magic around, "Suffer for your impudence!" hte growls, waving a hand as a loose armor of rust surrounds his body as Demedais attacks!
[21:04] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (-4 PA, charge)
[21:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(-4 PA, charge) --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{19}
[21:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Hit.
[21:05] <Seira> "Aww, love is over?" Seira asks mournfully.
[21:05] <Demedais> OOC: Can I shield bash with a charge, since it's animated?
[21:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+20 spellcraft
[21:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0spellcraft --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{29}
[21:06] <Demedais> roll 3d8+16
[21:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 3d8+16 --> 6,0[ 3d8=16 ]4,0{32}
[21:06] <Seira> "Beware the rust, Demedais! It might endanger your weapons!" Seira calls out in warning.
[21:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The slash slides in a moment before the armor forms, ripping his arm! Demedais finds little resistance to his blows, the strike effective! OOC - Alicia and Seira are up.
[21:07] <Demedais> "I'll keep that in mind! How risky is it?" Demedais replies in slight alarm.
[21:08] * Alicia has little choice but to risk her trusty sword, sadly, lacking as she is in backup weapons. Therefore she ducks in, tumbling around Demedais and the demon to take up position flanking it, and lashes out with a vicious horizontal strike through its midsection!
[21:08] <Seira> "Anything you like that is metal and not an artifact might be in danger," she responds, before gleefully shooting at the demon.
[21:08] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 tumble DC 15 don't think he can AoO anyway
[21:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0tumble DC 15 don't think he can AoO anyway --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{28}
[21:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+7
[21:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{15}
[21:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+7
[21:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{14}
[21:09] <Alicia> roll 1d20+29 -7 power attack
[21:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+29 1,0-7 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{31}
[21:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Seira misses, Alicia hits. Do damage first.
[21:09] <Alicia> roll 2d6+24
[21:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d6+24 --> 6,0[ 2d6=9 ]4,0{33}
[21:10] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Your weapon needs to make a reflex saving throw.
[21:10] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11
[21:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{13}
[21:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 2d6
[21:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 2d6 --> 6,0[ 2d6=9 ]4,0{9}
[21:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Your weapon takes 9 points of rust damage, this ignores hardness.
[21:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The slash is highly effective, tearing into the mage and leaving him with a horrible wound! OOC - Deme.
[21:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+12 casting defensively
[21:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0casting defensively --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{15}
[21:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - You two can AoO him if you wish on this coming spell. He's sucking.
[21:14] <Demedais> "Well, that doesn't give me many options, does it?" Demedais replies to Seira, taking one potluck swing at him before grabbing his shield and trying to bash the mage's face in with it!
[21:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> He attempts to cast a spell, gathering energy in ...but it fizzles!
[21:14] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (-4 PA)
[21:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{17}
[21:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Hit.
[21:15] <Seira> "You have like one more option than anyone else, except barbarians and those crazy people fighting with their fists."
[21:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC- Sword needs to make a save.
[21:15] <Demedais> OOC: Wait, do I get an AoO or no? If not, not using the sword.
[21:15] <Seira> OOC: He's hitting with a shield
[21:15] <Seira> OOC: He grabbed it!
[21:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: You don't, the spell just fails. Then the shield hits normally, no save needed.
[21:16] <Demedais> roll 1d10+8 well this might fail badly.
[21:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d10+8 1,0well this might fail badly. --> 6,0[ 1d10=5 ]4,0{13}
[21:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With that final clang, the wizard falls in a heap! He is blind and dead, bowled over by sudden force and swift action!
[21:16] <Demedais> "...right.
[21:17] <Demedais> " Demedais mutters, setting the shield back to floating. "That was rather anticlimatic, thankfully."
[21:17] <Seira> "Loot, exciting loot," Seira sings to herself, approaching with magical sight.
[21:17] <Alicia> "Ehh..." Alicia looks mournfully at her somewhat pitted sword. "This has not been a productive excursion for me," she laments.
[21:18] <Demedais> "Maybe this'll turn your luck around?" Demedais says. "Or try to eat our souls. Either way."
[21:18] <Seira> Anything she sees that is magical, Seira points out to Alicia to check for evil!
[21:18] * Demedais uses detect chaos one last time to try and spot any more of the stuff.
[21:19] * Seira thinks there is a necklace and asks Alicia about it specifically.
[21:19] <Demedais> "Okay. He seems to be the last of the chaos." Demedais says cheerfully. "The power is hopefully, then, paladin-safe."
[21:20] * Alicia detects for evil.
[21:20] * Seira resists the urge to point out the EVILNESS of things.
[21:21] <Alicia> "Appears safe. Likewise I can detect nothing objectionable from our 'reward'," Alicia pronounces judgement as she carefully stows away her sword.
[21:21] * Seira happily loots the body!
[21:21] * Alicia heads into the energy nexus like before, with some trepidation.
[21:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira takes a pendant of silver from the slain caster. It feels like a metal pendant in her hand.
[21:22] <Demedais> "Well, then. Shall we do this and then get you to someone who can get rid of the rest of the poison?" Demedais asks, as he follows Alicia.
[21:22] * Seira pockets it and heads in after the others, not seeing a reason to be cautious at this late point.
[21:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The three step into the nexus of energy! IT flares around them, as...OOC - Roll a d10 each, please?
[21:22] <Seira> roll 1d10
[21:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=5 ]4,0{5}
[21:22] <Demedais> roll 1d10 ohdeargoddon'trapeme
[21:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d10 1,0ohdeargoddon'trapeme --> 6,0[ 1d10=3 ]4,0{3}
[21:22] <Alicia> roll 1d10
[21:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=8 ]4,0{8}
[21:26] <Seira> roll 1d10
[21:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=5 ]4,0{5}
[21:26] <Seira> roll 1d10 man, this will be so bad
[21:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d10 1,0man, this will be so bad --> 6,0[ 1d10=9 ]4,0{9}
[21:29] <Seira> roll 1d6 that's why I have con
[21:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d6 1,0that's why I have con --> 6,0[ 1d6=1 ]4,0{1}
[21:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The energy surges in and then fades, it's task done.
[21:31] <Demedais> "... I see." Demedais murmurs. "Well, that was invigorating."
[21:31] * Alicia frowns slightly, flexing her fingers after a moment. "Is it just me, or did the power guarded by evil provide a more... meaningful, blessing?" she asks dubiously.
[21:32] <Seira> "No, they both suck."
[21:32] <Demedais> "For me, they were both useful.
[21:32] <Seira> "I think we need to go beat up the other guy."
[21:32] <Demedais> "Oddly, the bonus from evil was... not logical. At all." Demedais says after a pause.
[21:33] <Seira> "If that's the way they treat their potential dates I can see why this guy didn't go out much."
[21:33] * Demedais eyes Seira. "Let's go. One way or another we're done here."
[21:33] <Seira> "Can't we get more violence in before leaving?"
[21:33] <Alicia> "The first one was like a slap in the face, whereas I now feel notably stronger," Alicia looks thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps I am being tested... Regardless, if you truly wish to challenge the last stairway, I may be well enough to proceed - hopefully its guardian will be reasonable, at least."
[21:34] <Seira> "Okay!"
[21:34] <Demedais> "If she feels up for it, I have no real objections. My smiting wouldn't likely work on whatever's ahead anyway." Demedais replies, climbing up and to the other doorway.
[21:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The party goes to the neutral stairway. Here the expanse is peaceful and serene, they find. The stairs ahead are more like a straight path, perfectly horizontal. There rapidly becomes an air of balanced tranquility, peaceful to your souls. After about two minutes of walking, you approach what looks to be a desk. Here a balding, middle aged man in a toga writes in a gigantic book, a steady, endless pace. As you approach, he does not even
[21:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> he does not even look up.
[21:36] * Seira happily attempts to pass by him.
[21:36] * Demedais nods gracefully and does the same. He's got his duty to do, after all...
[21:37] * Alicia is polite. "Greetings, sir," she begins, stepping forward, "We have come to try and prove ourselves worthy of the blessings of the neutral Gods."
[21:37] * Seira freezes mid-step.
[21:37] <Seira> "We have? Can't we just go on?"
[21:37] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As you approach his desk, "And thus, the three approached the offering of neutrality," he speaks aloud, voice composed and rigid. He pauses, before closing the book. "Welcome, Alicia." He doesn't really smile at her, but there's nothing unpolite about it. His look is slightly disapproving towards the other two.
[21:38] <Alicia> "If he'll let us," Alicia replies. "Do you really think he would, considering even an angel needed to spar with us?" she asks, glancing at her companions.
[21:38] <Seira> "What's not neutral about avoiding causing unnecessary and avoidable harm to your aging body?" Seira challenges the man.
[21:38] * Demedais stops as well and turns toward him, bowing a bit. "Very well. I didn't want to disturb your work, but- ...Seira..."
[21:38] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I have no interest in combat," he begins, "My purpose here was to record the tales of the group that reached here and then ask of you one thing."
[21:39] <Seira> "Okay!"
[21:39] <Demedais> "Ah. Very well, then. My apologies for walking past; what is it you want to know?"
[21:39] <Alicia> "That sounds agreeable," Alicia nods pleasantly.
[21:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I see that those that favor the light are largely in the lead," he ponders, "Why do you feel you are the ones to reach here, and not ones that worshipped other Gods? Why paladins and a dragonblooded instead of blackguards and a cruel wizardess? And even then, among all of you - why the three of you? Why not companions past that left or passed, or friends you know? Why are you three the ones to challenge the God King?""
[21:42] <Seira> "Because we're the best. It's not even all ego talking. Can we go now?"
[21:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Opening his book, the man scribbles a few words down. "Very well. What say you, Alicia and Demedais?"
[21:45] <Demedais> "...Seira!" Demedais barks in irritation before rubbing his temples a bit. "Some of it is fortune, some of it is fate; I have had the support of Helm, and his trust. That has seen me through much that others would falter at. But as to why others...if I must answer, it would be to say that only the gods could know - and of all their plans, no one knows. I simply trust in Helm and put blinders on at times." he finishes with a wry grin.
[21:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> More writing is done, this time far more than Seira's entry. "Very well. Alicia, what say you?"
[21:46] <Seira> "What! I get to believe whatever I choose. And we've been given help by Helm's enemies as much as Helm, and I never refuse it, because all that matters is getting to the goal, taking out the God-King, and surviving with your sense of self intact."
[21:46] <Alicia> "Truthfully, I am new to this situation, and my presence here has more to do with the work already done by Seira and Demedais," Alicia admits with a trace of uncertainty. "As I know little of those who compete with us, I could not say why they have failed to come as far as we have..."
[21:46] <Alicia> "If I had to venture, I would simply say it is a factor of innate skill, the necessity of seeking artifacts to bolster Balmuria's seemingly precarious position, and the happenstance of having these ruins so close at hand. These three factors seem to go well in hand for driving us forward to this point."
[21:47] <Demedais> "I suppose I can't argue that, but your ego is large enough to sink a fleet of warships in." Demedais returns.
[21:47] <Seira> "It lead me to victory each and every time. I think I'll stick with what works, thanks."
[21:48] <Demedais> "Right. My apologies, sir." Another bow to the man.
[21:49] * Seira smirks. "So do we pass? In all the ways that count?"
[21:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> A bit more writing for Alicia's words, then at last the book is closed again. "I wish you fortune in the trial ahead." As the echo of leather slapping leather fades, the book shut, the man, his desk and belongings vanish. "May you succeed with your virtues and despite your failings."
[21:49] <Demedais> "Thank you, sir." Demedais says, smiling a bit.
[21:49] * Seira nods firmly and heads on!
[21:49] <Alicia> "You are most gracious," Alicia replies before he vanishes, before following Seira onwards.
[21:50] * Demedais follows at Alicia's side, ready to move ahead if anything threatening is spotted.
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> About two more minutes pass as you walk. Soon you come to the end - a perfect singularity, a flat plane of energy. There looks to be no guardian of it...?
[21:52] * Seira tries to approach. If there is one, she'll surely meet it the hard, painful way.
[21:52] * Alicia follows Seira. The guardian they saw before didn't seem the duplicitious sort, so it should be safe.
[21:53] * Demedais hesitates a second, not trusting this lack of anything, but then quickly moves to catch up with Alicia.
[21:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Will save, Seira and Alicia...oh, and Deme, too.
[21:53] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
[21:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{22}
[21:54] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 no Rei-chan fail please
[21:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0no Rei-chan fail please --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{19}
[21:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+7
[21:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{10}
[21:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> In front of the three as they approach, they suddenly find a scale. It wobbles in perfect balnce, but a mirror image of another scale perfecty opposed appears in tandem with it! Both ripple, as...
[21:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia winks but nothing happens! Seira winks and in front of her appears a bold dragonic elf, with a massive warhammer and enduring wisdom in her features, a model of control! She wears full plate and sports superb musculature underneath the ebony plates! Demedais winks! Opposite Demedais...Demedais appears, this one wearing delicate gray robes and looking on with a faint disdain. "Hmph." he mutters scornfully, as Seira shakes her head
[21:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "They're strong, even for illusions! Careful...damn!" Glancing to her side, "Alicia must've been held up! Think you can manage the magic alone, Deme?"
[22:00] <Seira> "Look, you appear reasonably smart," Seira appeals to herself. "I'm neither an illusion nor intend to attack you."
[22:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais laughs, "Of course I can," he sneers as he looks ahead, "WEll, you don't - the illusions ahead aren't going to be much of a challenging trial, clearly."
[22:02] <Seira> "Who talked to you, Helm for brains?" Seira snaps at him.
[22:02] * Alicia decides to let Seira and Demedais handle the talking, here.
[22:03] <Demedais> "...hum." Demedais says, looking at the otherDeme. "So, uh, what're you guys here for- ey!" Demedais turns to Seira, eyeing her. "You mind?"
[22:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira sighs deeply, "Idiot..." she sighs at the evil Demedais. "At least one thing is constant..."
[22:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Enough," Demedais scowls, reaching into his robe and holding something inside around his neck. "Only damnation awaits magic foolish enough to oppose me!"
[22:04] * Seira mirrors her sigh. "I think we reached a point of merging realities and alternate existences," she proposes. "We were after something shiny to beat up this God-King of the gnomes, and how lame is that? So unless you're serving him I don't want to fight you."
[22:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With a glance at the evil Deme, "Funny, that's my line, illusion," Seira banters back to herself, "But I'm not going to trust the smooth talking of this trial. Stand away or we'll have no choice."
[22:05] <Seira> "Fine. How do we stand away?"
[22:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The evil Seira blinks a moment, before narrowing her eyes in a careful look, framed with a smile. "Just walk backwards, well and far away. No need to worry about illusions once this is done."
[22:06] <Seira> "Also. I think you're an illusion, too, but at least I'm not calling you that to your face! Show more tact to yourself!"
[22:07] <Alicia> "Lets just let them do what they like, they're obviously trying to provoke us as part of the test," Alicia comments, already starting to back off, but not taking her eyes off them.
[22:07] <Demedais> "Yeah, everyone's confusing me with magic. Definitely a constant." Demedais shakes his head in irritation. "We can't walk backwards, else the entire thing goes haywire. Better idea. You guys circle clockwise, same as us. Once we're on the opposite sides of each other, we go our seperate ways." Demedais proposes.
[22:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Oh shut up, the both of you." Evil Demedais growls, "You both sound like little elven children that can't get along!"
[22:07] <Demedais> "Or at least I bet it would. Retreating's not the sort of thing magic likes."
[22:08] <Seira> "Hey." Seira blinks. "Is Dad around?"
[22:10] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira shakes her head. "Just back away," she instructs...before her face turns into a really nasty, angered look. "Oooooh, you little bitch," she hisses, all tact gone. "I guess you really do want to fight, then!"
[22:11] <Seira> "Wow, so it's the same in every universe." Seira blinks again. "Only I have better anger management. Okay, I'm good to go back, now. Take care!"
[22:11] * Seira walks back after Alicia.
[22:12] * Demedais pauses, looking at the two leaving before looking at the two clones. "Well, I was going to ask you guys if you wanted to work with us to beat up that miserable gnome, but since they're leaving, I get to protect them, regardless of my gut. So have fun." With that, Deme strolls quickly back to Seira and Alicia.
[22:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As the party generally falls back,the two smile...and approach the energy nexus! As they do, the two wink and fade away.
[22:13] <Alicia> "Right, that's that done, now it's our turn?" Alicia hazards, walking forwards again.
[22:14] <Seira> "Worth a try, I guess," Seira responds with a shrug, following.
[22:14] <Demedais> "Perhaps. At the very least, you should be able to get something, I'd guess?" Deme replies, shrugging. "Whatever. I'm not in the mood to fight me, I know how my luck goes. Knowing him he'd have all of it." With that, he follows the two back in.
[22:14] * Alicia steps once more into the breach, dear friends.
[22:15] <Seira> "Oh come on, he is obviously a loser cleric!" Seira snaps. "He shouldn't even get decent spells!"
[22:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The three step into the light! Energy whrils around them, as... OOC - Roll 1d10 each?
[22:16] <Demedais> "I repeat myself. He'd get all the luck."
[22:16] <Seira> roll 1d10
[22:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=6 ]4,0{6}
[22:16] <Alicia> "I think you're both reading too much into an illusion," Alicia comments as the light swirls.
[22:16] <Alicia> roll 1d10
[22:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d10 --> 6,0[ 1d10=8 ]4,0{8}
[22:16] <Demedais> roll 1d10 oh whoo!
[22:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d10 1,0oh whoo! --> 6,0[ 1d10=10 ]4,0{10}
[22:16] <Seira> "Pain. You mean pain."
[22:16] <Demedais> "Well, yes. But the luck, too."
[22:17] <Seira> "He's serving Helm! Like, willingly! Without reservations or a mind of his own or-- right, sorry."
[22:18] <Demedais> "Remind me to throw you into the bay some time."
[22:19] <Seira> "Yeah, the only way he'll do anything to me is through his zealots, because the gods are too important to actually intervene directly and-- the bay, you said?"
[22:19] * Seira eyes the zealot warily.
[22:20] <Demedais> "Yes. As in the water. As in not a red dragon's favorite place to be."
[22:20] <Seira> "I don't care about that, I'm the one that let us breathe the water in, remember? I just find the prospect of being manhandled by a human boy irritating and would eat you one day."
[22:21] <Demedais> "Mmm. Would it help if I wore heavy gloves and got a female to help?"
[22:22] <Alicia> "Please, leave me out of this," Alicia waves the pair off as she steps out of the swirling nexus. That was nice, at least.
[22:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The energy floods in and flashes, bestowing gifts on them.
[22:23] <Demedais> "I wasn't going to ask you to get involved. No reason in getting our Captain mad at you."
[22:23] <Seira> "What, you think I like to be manhandled by girls?" Seira blinks. "Girlhandled? This stupid human language is confusing at things like that."
[22:23] <Demedais> "No, I was... yeah, nevermind, you missed the point. Fine. I'll just buy some sort of magic from Stronger and have that throw you in the bay."
[22:24] <Alicia> "I haven't been called a girl in a long time, anyway," Alicia shrugs easily. "So, shall we head back, now?"
[22:24] <Demedais> "Let's."
[22:24] <Seira> "Speaking of missing the point...." Seira sighs. "Listen. Since you'll probably die anyway before you can be eaten, I'll just set you on fire a lot. Okay?"
[22:25] <Demedais> "Instead of setting me on fire, let's set Febras on fire, okay? He's less likely to like that."
[22:25] <Seira> Seira's face twists in anger, and smoke fills her nostrils. "Febras...."
[22:26] * Demedais smiles and continues walking.

[Corwin]

[19:19] <Seira> Since they're headed home to rest, they simply have to make sure there are no new developments on the Lord Salman front and bug Elle to identify their newest trinklet.
[19:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The trip home goes without incident. Ajan watches as you go by, looming but quiet, watchful. The swim out is a bracing and fresh one, soon the surface reached. Balmuria is still somewhat tense, waiting, but nothing serious has changed. OOC - Paying to have it IDed, right? Who's coughing up?
[19:21] <Alicia> OOC: I'll cough up, if someone else winds up taking it they can pay me back
[19:21] <Alicia> OOC: Wait!
[19:21] <Alicia> OOC: someone who gets a discount can pay, instead
[19:21] <Seira> OOC: Geez, I'll pay
[19:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The party finds out that it is an amulet of health+2.
[19:24] * Seira intends to wear it until they're done going through the ruins.
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Okay, a day passes without incident. Get your HPs/maintenence done?
[19:27] <Alicia> OOC: Deme, roll a lesser restoration for me?
[19:27] <Demedais> roll 1d4 LR 1
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d4 1,0LR 1 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 ]4,0{1}
[19:27] <Demedais> roll 1d4 LR 2
[19:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d4 1,0LR 2 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 ]4,0{1}
[19:27] <Alicia> OOC: Thanks
[19:27] <Demedais> OOC: ...fine.
[19:28] <Demedais> ;_;
[19:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC: Heading back now?
[19:29] <Demedais> OOC: Assuming no news for us, yes.
[19:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> A single day has passed since the party came to the ruins. Refreshed and revitalized, they return to the portal room of this segment of the ruins. The trapped door and the three trials are done, only another, untrapped  door awaiting.
[19:31] * Seira opens it and heads inside.
[19:31] * Demedais uses Detect Chaos as he follows Seira in.
[19:33] * Alicia dutifully brings up the rear.
[19:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Inside, a grand dance hall spreads out ahead of you! In this regal spendlor lords and ladies dance to beautiful music! The men wear well designed armor with metallic accents, the ladies brocades of the finest silk offset by gemstone breastplates. There is an air of nobility to the room, several hundred feet wide and long. No windows, light comes from torches that give off no smoke. Several dozen couples dance, all wearing ornate masks.
[19:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The music comes from nowhere you can see. The far wall is too far away to see much of, too many dancers and too much distance.
[19:34] * Seira steps inside, looking for any other doors or the one in charge. "If I start dancing inexplicably, get me out," she tells the others.
[19:34] * Alicia casts detect magic, suspecting an illusion.
[19:34] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=81 ]4,0{81}
[19:35] * Demedais nods and keeps close to the door, trying to spot something or anything bizarre or unexplainable as he keeps an eye on Seira.
[19:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> From the ceiling hands chandaliers, crystalline and glowing off the torchlight. As Seira steps inside, "Aaaah, Madam," From the sides a man with black hair and wearing noble armor comes forth, bowing. He wears a white mask over his face, blank and smiling as it covers everything but his blue eyes. "Have you come to dance?"
[19:37] <Seira> "No," she rebuffs him. "I'm just passing through."
[19:37] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 spellcraft
[19:37] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0spellcraft --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{17}
[19:38] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Aaaah, a pity," he sighs dramatically, as the dancers weave around. It's a virtual sea of them, which is going to be difficult to get through.
[19:38] <Seira> "Who are you?" she asks.
[19:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Sir Alabaster De Goyas," he bows, a sweep forward to Seira. "Fifth of the Court of the Count Stargazer." Meanwhile, the classical music continues to wain, a slightly upbeat, reflective melody.
[19:41] <Seira> "Huh. Seira, future dragon, at your service. Have you been dancing here for several millennia?"
[19:41] * Demedais hesitates for a second, looking around. "Any conclusion, Alicia?"
[19:41] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 nobility!
[19:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0nobility! --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{14}
[19:41] <Seira> OOC: Never mind
[19:42] <Alicia> "There's faint magic all around, but..." Alicia shakes her head ruefully, "I'm sorry, I was never very good at spellcraft, I can't discern its nature." Frowning a bit, she looks over the conspicuously armoured dancers to see if they are also armed.
[19:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Aaah, such charming words," Chuckling warmly at Seira's witty banter, "The night is still young! Come, dance with me," he offers his hand out.
[19:43] <Seira> "Show me the exits out of the room and I'll save you a dance," she counters, sounding quite truthful.
[19:44] <Demedais> "Perhaps if we cross to the other side, we may find something?" Demedais says, sounding reluctant to even mention it.
[19:44] <Alicia> "I fear if we make a misstep we will find ourselves attacked on all sides - having the dancers armed and armoured sets me ill at ease," Alicia comments, deciding to cast a shield spell over herself.
[19:44] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[19:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=64 ]4,0{64}
[19:44] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Are you truly in such a hurry," he offers, a lost sigh following. "Perhaps you would find it more your speed to go on, then," waving his hand forward, he gestures towards the sea of dancers.
[19:45] <Alicia> "Regardless, we won't accomplish anything by standing here." And with that, she strides out after Seira.
[19:46] * Seira shrugs. "Let's dance once I get back, then." And she attempts to nimbly avoid the dancers, moving across the room.
[19:46] * Demedais grunts in irritation, before moving ahead in an attempt to keep up with Alicia.
[19:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Dex check, all.
[19:47] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[19:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{6}
[19:48] <Demedais> roll 1d20 ch.
[19:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 1,0ch. --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{17}
[19:48] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[19:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{25}
[19:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Alicia, into #evil.
[19:50] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With some effort Demedais and Seira make it to the other side of the room, through the throng of dancers. However, there's no sign of Alicia coming out with them. On the rear wall a  nice, ornate door in the center, one of the far left, and one on the far right. Between the far doors and the center door are a single door each, plainer, making a total of five.
[19:51] <Seira> "Demedais, check on Alicia, will you? I'll handle the doors," Seira mentions, exploring them for any traps.
[19:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As the two come out, the music becomes peppier, full of raw energy, encouraging.
[19:51] * Demedais looks back to the dancing people, wading a bit back in to try and spot her before he plunges in.
[19:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Sec in here, Deme, need to resolve a few lines for 'licia first.
[19:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Spot/listen as you like first before you plunge in?
[19:55] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 spot
[19:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0spot --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{11}
[19:55] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 listen
[19:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0listen --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{15}
[19:55] <Seira> roll 5#1d20+10 search
[19:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 5#1d20+10 1,0search --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{19}, 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{22}, 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{20}, 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{14}, 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{22}
[19:57] * Demedais inhales sharply, looking around. One last thing to do before he plummets in... Cupping his hands to his mouth, he bellows, "ALICIA! OVER HERE!" and pauses to see if he gets a response.
[20:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> No response.
[20:05] * Demedais stares at the crowd one last time, casting a critical eye over the swarm for a visible reaction before sighing in disgust and lunging back in for the other paladin!
[20:05] * Seira casts mage armor from a scroll. And opens one of the plainer doors.
[20:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Just milling about the swarm and plunging in, Deme?
[20:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira opens the door! She finds a simple room ahead of her - it looks like a room with a few deep chairs and beds, a refreshmentand rest room.
[20:08] <Seira> Time for detect magic!
[20:08] <Demedais> OOC: Deme was theoretically right behind Alicia for part of the way, so he's going to try and retrace his steps if at all possible.
[20:08] <Seira> Is the room... magical?
[20:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Okay.
[20:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Roll  a d3, Deme?
[20:10] <Demedais> roll 1d3
[20:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d3 --> 6,0[ 1d3=2 ]4,0{2}
[20:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - #terror.
[20:11] * Seira goes to explore the smaller room, giving it a customary search.
[20:11] <Seira> roll 1d20+10
[20:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{26}
[20:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The room has some finger foods if Seira's hungry - they smell divine. The beds are nice and there's also chilled water and fruit juice. Pleasant, but little of value unless Seira wishes to swipe silverware.
[20:28] * Seira checks the rest of the rooms, starting with the mundane.
[20:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The other mundane room is a room with fur overcoats and cloaks, as well as several small locked chests. A man is here - a man wearing shining full plate and holding a mace in one hand. "Madam," he bows respectfully, "Do you wish to deposit anything in the holdings for the duration of the dance?"
[20:32] <Seira> "Not particularly," she responds. "Who's holding the dance?"
[20:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "His Lordship Cinq Stargazer, Lord of the Castle, of course." With a polite smile to Seira, "HIs Lordship may be late to the dance, I am afraid, so it may be some time. We would be glad to hold anything so you do not have to carry them and tire yourself out."
[20:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 nobility?
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0nobility? --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{19}
[20:36] <Seira> "I'll be back," she tells the man with a smile of her own, one more vicious by comparison. And goes to yet another door!
[20:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Seira comes out, she sese Alicia stumbling out from the sea of dancers!
[20:41] * Seira waves her over. "Ah, good, good! Did Demedais finally fetch you?"
[20:42] <Alicia> "Demedais? Ahh... no, I haven't seen him," Alicia shakes her head, looking around for said paladin as she fully escapes the crazed dancers.
[20:43] <Seira> "Paladins," Seira mutters under her breath, too quiet to be overheard, and with a sigh proceeds to the next door as planned. "Is it a zero sum game?" she muses to herself, considering the implications of sending in one holy zealot for another.
[20:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Which door in particular? Center, far left or far right?
[20:44] <Seira> OOC: I'll go with right
[20:44] <Alicia> "He's probably been caught up in the same mess I had," Alicia sighs, looking around for Demedais while Seira goes through the doors. "Find anything interesting, here?"
[20:44] <Seira> "There is loot being guarded by some guy in a mace. I don't think he can chase well, because he has full plate on. And I doubt he fights any better, because hello, mace!"
[20:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The far right door opens to what looks to be a garden. A moonless sky is above you, sparkling with thousands of stars. It's breattakingly pure, the air cold. Cold enough for rills of snow to be lying on the ground, amid denuded rose bushes and the like. However, much of the garden is still blooming even now, blue and white and soft pink blossoms mixed into the snow.
[20:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Farther in looks to be a hedge maze, some gazebos and the like.
[20:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia can see Deme's sword still poking out from somewhere far away into the crowd. It's kinda indistinct.
[20:46] * Seira dislikes mazes, and thus goes for the leftmost door. Sticking to the wall, of course, and not heading through any dancers.
[20:47] <Alicia> "I think I can see Demedais... he's waving his sword around, but at least it's sheathed," Alicia observes. Well, he's more patient than her, so if she could endure it then surely he can manage not to kill anyone, right?
[20:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> A long castle hall is ahead. Doors dot it on both sides, largely wooden. A few windows are there, showing a blank but pleasant snowy landscape outside.
[20:48] <Seira> "I will set people on fire if they annoy me by holding the expedition up," Seira responds, not being particularly quiet about it. "So they'll probably let him go soon."
[20:50] * Alicia briefly looks around to see if she can see any musicians providing the background to the dancing. Interrupting them would probably disrupt things enough for Demedais to escape.
[20:50] <Tiny_Ko_Army> There are no musicians that Alicia can see. The music comes from nowhere in particular.
[20:51] * Alicia idly taps her feet while waiting on Demedais.
[20:51] * Seira decides to check the last door before committing herself to action.
[20:52] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 glee~
[20:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0glee~ --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{16}
[20:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira checks the last door. It opens into a courtyard, of pure grass and well kept cobblestones. You can see the main keep of the castle ahead, a few parapets several stories high, that sort of thing. It's rather big. The courtyard is big as well, a few servants working here, shoveling snow.
[20:56] * Seira walks up to a servant, gaining her attention. "Hi. Tell me about your king."
[20:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The servant is a ruddy faced young man in warm if crude furs, "I'm sorry, ma'am?" he blinks slowly, "Do you mean Lord Stargazer?"
[20:59] <Seira> "Yes, yes," she says, snapping her fingertips in irritation. "I was invited by very important people but they think it's funny to hide behind masks and laugh. I need to know who my host is, and I need to know it before my urge to launch a fireball at the taunting cretins is too strong to contain."
[21:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Aaah. Lord Stargazer rules this castle, ma'am," he smiles a little bit, indulgently, even if his eyes don't agree with it. They're dark and hard. "Oh! Are you a wizard? You  mentioned throwing a fireball!"
[21:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Meanwhile, still no sign of Demedais as Alicia waits.
[21:00] <Seira> "I am the strongest wizard here," she boasts. "That I know of. Tell me if you think I'm wrong."
[21:01] * Alicia decides to forgo some decorum by yelling over the heads of the crowd. "Demedais! Hurry up and stop playing with them!"

<--->

[18:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> ---
[18:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> So Alicia goes through the dance! But disaster soon strikes, she is entangled in dancers! Beforeshe knows it, she is surrounded on all sides! Trapped, smothered...!!! OOC - Will save.
[18:54] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
[18:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{34}
[18:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia shakes her head. She was filled with an overwhelming desire to dance for a few moments, but it so passes. Now she is surrounded by a vertiable wall of dancers on each side, energetic music playing. They seem tall, just tall enough to block her in and cast shadows over her, making vision difficult.
[18:56] * Alicia is polite! "Excuse me," she tries, approaching said wall and motioning that she'd like to get past. For their sake, they'd better respond with similar politeness.
[18:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dancers turn to her on all sides! A ring around her, of lords and ladies! The masks cover their faces with fake, eternal smilles, framed by shadows caused by the too-tall dancers. They look on at Alicia, "Do you wish to quit so soon?" One asks, "You've just arrived! You've not even had a dance proper!"
[18:59] <Alicia> "You don't look like pixies," Alicia deadpans in reply. "I'll pass on the dancing, thanks."
[19:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "What mysterious words!" One dancer calls, a lady that sounds amused and yet scandalized, reaching rather high tones. "This lady is most bedeviling," A man agrees, as Alicia feels a shove to her back. "Dance!" A scornful woman calls, "You disgrace this court!" OOC - Listening check, +10.
[19:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
[19:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{26}
[19:02] <Tiny_Ko_Army> It's strangely far away, but Alicia hears Demedais shout, "ALICIA, OVER HERE!"
[19:04] <Alicia> Sadly, Alicia is too distracted to reply, as she turns towards whomever just shoved her back with blazing eyes. "Oh, you did not just shove me," she hisses. "This was funny for all of five seconds, but unless you wraiths or illusions or whatever back the hell off, things are going to get unpleasant!"
[19:04] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 intimidate you fuckers~
[19:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0intimidate you fuckers~ --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{19}
[19:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+7
[19:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{15}
[19:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> It's a woman with a blazing red mask and red gown, scarlet hair done up in several buns. Her mask has a tempting, alluring smile on it that speaks of better things that she could give. "I shoved you, you peasant cow," the woman spits back, "You're acting utterly disgraceful! If His Majesty comes he'll punish you for such horrible insolence!"
[19:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> There are rumblings from the dancers all around, brooding and unhappy.
[19:09] <Alicia> "He's welcome to try," Alicia replies scornfully, calling upon all her patience as she resists the urge to split the woman in two, instead turning and shoving her way through the other dancers in an effort to catch up with Seira and Demedais. If they won't move, then that's their tough luck.
[19:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Okay, no AoO since they'd only shove and they don't threaten with natural weapons.
[19:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The woman does not move, looking down with her fixed in place mask smile as she attempts to push by!
[19:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Str check for you, and a check for her.
[19:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+2
[19:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{14}
[19:13] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[19:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{13}
[19:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia gets in a shoving match, but the woman is able to knock her back to where she started and get her down. She laughs, putting a hand to her mask. "Ooooh! Is that how an unrefined peasant girl acts in front of her betters?" she says, as one of the men kneels next to her. "Madam, allow me," he offers a hand, "The Lady Persephone is cruel."
[19:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - STrike. She's going to try to knock you back.
[19:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+1
[19:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{2}
[19:16] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[19:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{10}
[19:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia gets in a shoving match, but is knocked back to where she started. The woman laughs, putting a hand on her mask. "Oooooh! Is that how the unrefined peasant girl acts in front of her betters?" she inquires, as the people around her murmur and watch.
[19:20] <Alicia> "You presume too much," Alicia scowls, realising that she should be shoving people in the opposite direction to this crazed lady, since that's the way she was heading originally. While it is somewhat tempting to put her in her place, it likely wouldn't accomplish anything. Therefore Alicia shows her back to the woman and tries to get past the other dancers, again giving them a chance to part gracefully.
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The first man politely gets out of the way, but a man after shakes his head. "Madam," he says, hair of silver showing age, "This is wholly unacceptable!" OOC - Str check.
[19:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+2
[19:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{22}
[19:26] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[19:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{14}
[19:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The man is firm, knocking Alicia back and bumping against the first man she cleared!
[19:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Gah.
[19:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The man is firm, knocking Alicia back and bumping against the first man she cleared! The silver haired man shakes his head, "I apologize for Lady Persephone's words, but such swift abandonment does truly not suite you."
[19:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Spot check, 'licia.
[19:28] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
[19:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{19}
[19:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Far away, almost too distant, Alicia swears she can see something waving overhead, just glimpsed.
[19:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> It's to the right and slightly up, back the way she was going.
[19:31] <Alicia> "I am not here for your amusement," Alicia replies, anger rising to a simmering boil. "I have been immensely patient with the rudeness of you 'people', but there are limits and you are swiftly approaching them. Make. Way," she concludes with a fierce glower.
[19:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15 intimidate~
[19:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0intimidate~ --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{19}
[19:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+7
[19:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{8}
[19:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The man makes a little gasping noise, "S-s-such manners, he sputters out, as you hear from a bit away, "I say we should do something about a woman like her!" Lady Persephone glowers, voice filled with righteous indignation. "The nerve! The brazen displays of rudeness! If I were Queen, I'd say: Off with her head!" But the man in front of Alicia has indeed moved, cowered.
[19:35] <Alicia> "You're not queen so shut up!" Alicia throws back fiercely, stalking onwards to freedom.
[19:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "OOOH!" The reaction of the entire crowd around Alicia is a stirring, a massive shock! You hear an eep of noise, geniunely surprised. "You...INOSOLENT WORM!" Lady Persephone growls, as Alicia stomps out! She manages to break out, seeing the far wall now! Suddenly things are brighter, more defined! The dancers don't seem so horribly tall now.
[19:41] * Alicia doesn't bother to respond to the stuck up braggart, simply continuing onwards to the far wall and looking around for Seira and Demedais.
[19:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - #dunes for the moment.

<--->

[21:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Oh! Are you here at the request of Selah the White?" His question is polite now, his eyes averted to the ground. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Surely you are a potent wizard."
[21:03] * Seira sighs. "Just tell me where Selah is."
[21:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I believe he's in his tower, or if not, he's likely with His Lordship." Pointing ahead, "HIs Lordship is in his throne room, I believe, and you can reach the tower by various connecting halls from there."
[21:04] <Seira> "If I go this way--" Seira points in the indicated direction, "--I'll get there without detours?"
[21:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "If you want to walk a bit, yes," Agreement follows those words. "Don't go on the sidepaths - they lead first to the kitchens, then to commoner staying rooms."
[21:06] * Seira nods, before gesturing behind her, into the ballroom. "My companion got held up. Large guy, large shield, looks kinda dim. Fetch him for me, will you? I lack the patience to deal with that crowd."
[21:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Very well, ma'am," he agrees, bowing to her and carefully putting his shovel aside.
[21:07] * Seira begins tapping her foot, throwing irritated glances back as she waits.
[21:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Seira waits and Alicia shouts, she sees that the dance suddenly begins to shift. IT's movinga ll towards the centerish, where she say Deme's sword up. There's some shouting and words being spoken too, something watched. Meanwhile, a simple servant man comes in, looking about.
[21:16] <Alicia> "Oh, for Mystra's sake..." Alicia briefly puts a hand over her face. Taking out a smokestick, she briefly considers her options, before settling on a course of action. "Get moving, Demedais!" she yells, before hurling the device towards the developing fracas.
[21:21] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The servant stays near the door, watching Alicia with wide eyed shock, and then the dance crowd.
[21:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais struggles out of the fog, but manages to erupt out of the crowd! As it begins to fade, he hears angry calls behind him, but sees Alicia ahead! "You ignoble cur!" Baron Smithyhill calls forth in rage, voice sounding closer than it should be.
[21:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira can hear some shouting int he ballroom as she waits, the other servant here shrugging and keeping to his shoveling.
[21:23] <Alicia> "Come on, Demedais, lets not stick around to play with them," Alicia suggests, gesturing him towards the door Seira last went through.
[21:24] * Demedais nods and quickly follows Alicia, ignoring the man's yells. "I have no duty to entertain men who feel their entire lives revolve around 'honor'." he grumbles as they move.
[21:25] <Alicia> "They're not even real people," Alicia assures him as she hurries away.
[21:26] <Demedais> "If so, then even worse for the poor man; there's only seven people I would have respect for, even as an illusion." Demedais shakes his head.
[21:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> So Alicia and Demedais reach the courtyard. It's cold out here, a single servant shoveling snow. Seira awaits, as you can still hear a furor behind you.
[21:27] <Seira> "Finally!" she exclaims. "Let's go see the wizard." And with a swirl of her cloak, she sets off on the path indicated to her earlier.
[21:27] * Alicia closes the door behind her! "Hopefully they'll have calmed down on our way back," she gives Seira a sickly smile. "Shall we press on, Captain?"
[21:27] * Alicia dutifully follows.
[21:28] <Demedais> "Next time we all cross with ropes tied to each other." Demedais grunts in irritation as he too follows.
[21:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Alicia begins to follow, there is the sound of the door to the dance hall being throw open most loudly. "Curs!" Baron Smithyhill leads a fairly large chunk of the dance out. "You attempt to flee under the cover of stealth?"
[21:29] <Seira> "What is it now?" Seira snaps, her eyes lighting up with fire as she turns back to glare at him. "I came to meet Selah, go away or I'll send you to your maker!"
[21:29] <Seira> A handy fairy fire demonstration makes her threat seem more real, somehow.
[21:30] * Alicia whirls around and draws her sword. "Okay, back the hell off!" she yells, her limit finally reached. "We are not going to humour you worthless constructs any longer - settle down, right now!"
[21:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Which of you is better at intimidate?
[21:30] <Demedais> "So it was you guys that threw that stick? As much as I suppose I should have guessed..." Demedais mutters, shaking his head. "Look, sir. I have already stated why I'm not going to bother fighting you, but if you wish to argue with two angry sorceresses and explain why you were holding me up..."
[21:30] <Alicia> OOC: +15
[21:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Make an intimidation check, +4 bonus for Seira's theatric.s
[21:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+19
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{30}
[21:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9 (Bumping them up a bit due to interest and mob mentality, you rolled high enough to where this is moot.)
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0(Bumping them up a bit due to interest and mob mentality, you rolled high enough to where this is moot.) --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{19}
[21:32] <Seira> OOC: No mob would intimidate me!
[21:32] <Seira> OOC: Not while I have fireball!
[21:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The mob halts somewhat, spilling out of the dance hall. "Y-you..." Baron Smithyhill  sputters in pure rage, "You th-threaten our lives?!" The crowd looks geniunely stunned, "Your words are madness! HIs Lordship will have you thrown in the dungeons for those words!"
[21:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Some of the mob backs up some, some levels off, all watch in fascination.
[21:34] <Seira> "Okay," Seira says flatly, keeping her voice loud enough to be overheard by the mob. "Those not wanting to die, step away thirty feet or more from that fool." She points at the baron in question.
[21:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Seira talks, the party can hear doors opening ahead. "If you do, your lives will be forfeit! I am a noble under Lord Stargazer!" Baron Smithyhill does not move, even as som eof the mod fades back into the previous room, but not all.
[21:36] <Demedais> "Seira, better idea. I think they get the point, so let's just get this errand done and go. Lord Salman will wonder where we've gone if we dally here and handle every inconvenience." Demedais growls.
[21:37] <Seira> "Source of all power, light which burns beyond crimson," Seira chants, not listening to Demedais, her attention reserved for the upstart baron along with her glare.
[21:37] * Seira raises her arm, light indeed beginning to gather above her palm.
[21:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "What's going on here, in the name of HIs Lordship," A man calls from behind Seira and company. He sounds most irate.
[21:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "W-what?" Baron Smithyhill stares in abject shock now, staring on at Seira.
[21:39] * Seira pauses, looking over her shoulder.
[21:39] * Alicia turns towards the newcomer, letting Seira handle her end. "We're dealing with some unruly guests," she tells him.
[21:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> IT is a man in plate armor, with a heavy polearm. "Whoa re you?" he asks outright, looking at the three.
[21:41] * Seira lets Alicia handle this, in turn returning her attention towards the baron. "Where were we? Oh, yes, I was about to get satisfaction."
[21:41] <Seira> roll 1d20+10 will it be over his?
[21:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0will it be over his? --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{21}
[21:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+9
[21:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{12}
[21:41] <Alicia> "Alicia Reynes, knight errant in the service of our lady Mystra," Alicia replies primly. "And you?"
[21:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Sir Anthony, in service of his Lordship. In the name of the Crown, I demand that you all cease this activity! The three of you and the Baron will come with me." He voice is stern, manner unbending.
[21:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Baron Smithyhill blinks long and hard, before starting to back up and away from Seira. "You foul..."  he hisses.
[21:43] <Seira> "The baron will regretfully not be joining us," Seira intones sadly. The ball of fire grows ever-larger.
[21:43] <Alicia> "Let it go, Captain. He's not worth it," Alicia suggests quietly. "It looks like we're going to meet whoevers in charge, here, anyway."
[21:43] * Demedais closes his eyes tightly, inhaling once quite sharply as he hears the dialogue between Alicia and Sir Anthony. "Seira!" Demedais snaps.
[21:44] <Seira> "Or drown in a lake!" Seira snaps at Demedais. "Seira this, Seira that, this is entirely your fault! How does fetching Alicia over entail sticking back and getting into a silly fight with a silly fool?"
[21:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Sir Anthony simply goes back to the doors ahead and calls, "Guards! Knights! We have a hostile magic user! FUll alert," he bellows.
[21:46] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Baron Smithyhill finally gets the idea, backing off and into the ballroom.
[21:46] * Seira snaps her fingers, the fire disappearing. "Okay, I'm good now," she announces.
[21:46] <Demedais> "You were the one obsessed with the doors, firstly; secondly, this is always the method you think of to handle problems, and it doesn't always work! You want to... argh, see? Come on, let's go. This whole thing's going to be a waste if you keep aggravating the people we need to talk to."
[21:47] <Seira> "No, no, the fault clearly lies with you!"
[21:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The party can hear the sound of clamor ahead, and the sounds of metallic footsteps. A lot of them, in particular.
[21:48] <Seira> "You, Sir Something-or-Other, take me to Selah," Seira tells Anthony imperiously.
[21:48] <Alicia> "Both of you calm down - this isn't helping!" Alicia snaps, before heading after Sir Anthony. "Sir Anthony, please, there is no need to overreact," she tries to reason with him. It's admittedly a bit half hearted since she's a bit past caring about the inhabitants of this realm.
[21:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Sir Anthony is coming back out, and you can see at least a dozen armored men coming down the hall at a good clip. "The three of you are under arrest," he speaks briskly, polearm out. "Lay down your weapons now."
[21:50] * Seira sighs. "You have a pike. I have AWESOME HOSTILE MAGICS. Can I talk to Selah now or do I have to waste some of them first?"
[21:52] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Sir Anthony levells his pike in Seira's direction, as men gush out. Men in heavy armor and with swords, mace, spears, bows. They're hurrying along quite quickly. "In the name of His Lordship, you are under arrest. Surrender or you will be deemed hostile."
[21:53] * Alicia sidles up to Seira. "I think we should play along," she whispers. "This is obviously some sort of test."
[21:55] <Seira> Seira rubs her temples, shaking her head at Alicia. "Look, they put you in charge, so there must be intelligence lurking. I want to talk to another mage. I don't want to give away my shiny things. I am willing to allow one of your mages an audience and promise quite nicely to behave for the duration." She pats her blue robes. "See? Made from a dragon. We killed it. It was very profitable. Why do you want to make us fight you?"
[21:56] <Demedais> "At this rate, Seira, I'm just going to start pretending I don't know you. Easier for all involved, probably, and less taxing on my patience and sanity." Turning to Sir Anthony, he lets out a loud sigh. "I have no intent of commiting any act of violence here. It was for that reason Sir Baron Smithyhill chased my comrades and I out here; he sought a duel in the middle of the dance hall for an percieved slight. I refused to fight, being as my duty was to g
[21:58] <Demedais> "I refused to fight, being as my duty was to get to these two. Thus the disturbment of the dance and my Captain's anger toward Baron Smithyhill - she does not like delays. I had hope to belay her temper, but... please. Her temper's a vast thing. Please don't rile her any more, I request."
[22:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira's words sound, but Sir Anthony also listens to Demedais' words after. "Then submit and come with us. If you are found innocent of crimes, you have no reason to fear loss of property. To defy this order is a crime into itself." The men behind Sir Anthony prepare, bows pointed, swords ready, spears sharp.
[22:01] <Demedais> "Seira. Let's go. We'll probably get to speak to the man you wish to after this anyway." Demedais says before she can let her anger loose again.
[22:02] <Seira> "This entire situation is a crime upon logic, a crime upon nature." Seira throws her hands in the air in irritation. "Never, in all my travels, have I seen people more eager to perish foolishly!" She stares at Anthony, taking hold of her bow and gesturing at it with her free hand. "This is my bow. It shoots things." She points at herself. "This is me. I make things explode with the power of my mind." Seira points at the bow once more. "Arr
[22:02] <Seira> ows. For show and style. Why do you want to take away my style under pretenses of safety?"
[22:02] <Demedais> "I'm willing to come with you, but my sword must stay with me; as a kensai-in-training, I cannot gi-..."
[22:03] * Alicia certainly isn't going to advertise her own spellcasting prowess. "I have nothing to fear from your judgements," she acquieses, holding her blades off to the side and dropping them.
[22:04] <Demedais> "As a kensai-in-training, I cannot give my sword up, but I will consent to having it bound in its sheath. I hope this is acceptable." Demedais says, blatantly ignoring Seira at this point.
[22:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I would recommend stepping away from her," Sir Anthony nods to Alicia agreeably. To Demedais, he eyes him. "A kensai, eh?" He seems to mull that, but as he reacts to Seira. "You have  one more chance," he tells her, as you can hear more men coming from behind the others.
[22:06] * Seira glances at Alicia. "It would be bad if I talked to the king after hurting his guards, right?"
[22:07] <Alicia> "Let it go, Seira," Alicia suggests, obligingly stepping away. She'll certainly back Seira up if a fight is forced, but she isn't going to escalate things. "You catch more bees with honey than with vinegar," she adds in a faintly chiding motherly tone.
[22:08] <Demedais> "Yes." Demedais says simply before turning to Seira and moving back a step, partially for his own safety. "Uh. Yes. Yes, it'd be very bloody bad."
[22:08] * Seira considers. "Oh, very well. It is no pleasure to win a battle of wits against the unarmed."
[22:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Then put down your bow," he instructs, Sir Anthony awaiting.
[22:09] * Seira secures her quiver of arrows and tosses it over. "That will do, right?"
[22:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Sir Anthony nods, as soldiers come out. They surround the party, "Come forth with me. Any hostile moves will be considered grounds for immediate and summary punishment," he instructs, starting to head forward.
[22:11] * Seira follows. Though she does laugh loudly and long at his words.
[22:12] * Alicia represses a sigh and likewise follows along.
[22:12] * Demedais nods and lopes forward, casting one glare back at Seira before moving on.
[22:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The three are lead through several halls. It takes perhaps ten minutes of good walking, the decorations becoming much more pleasant. Soon you come to a throne room - guards every five feet along the wall, several dozen down the long hall. Here a lord sits - he wears a thin gold circlet, plate armor, and has a fierce black beard. He's in good shape, a morningstar  on his lap. Standing at the side of the throne is a man in plain noble clo
[22:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> with a white beard that reaches down to the floor. A shimmering field of force surrounds the two. There looks to be something under the throne, but you can't really see. "Your Lordship, the three that caused such problems at the ball. I have sent messagers and scribes to record from those at the ball."
[22:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yeah, good work," the man on the thrown drawls, stretching back. "Aaaah, so you're the troublemakers from tonight, eh? What the hells was the meaning of all this?"
[22:16] <Alicia> "Don't trust anything that Lady Persephone says," Alicia volunteers helpfully.
[22:16] <Seira> "We are visitors," Seira responds. "I hope we came at a good time?"
[22:17] * Seira looks around for someone who is clearly a wizard!
[22:18] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Lord Stargazer looks on at the two, as the man with long white beard watches. Seira can note he's openly wearing pouches, having many pockets as well. "We are always open to visitors from a new land," Lord Stargazer speaks, "Please, explain yourselves."
[22:19] * Demedais makes a deep bow to the man. "That's a decently long story. To summarize it, a man got irritated at me for not agreeing to a duel, I left the area while he was distracted but he was pursued, my companion here got rather irritated at the man for pressing the point and proceeded to prepare her magic. Once he left, she dispersed it, but her anger remained; thus the snarkiness to your guard, Lord Stargazer."
[22:19] <Seira> "Alright. Here is the thing... we came by means of a very high-level magic portal from a distant, distant land, Your Lordship," Seira speaks, now reasonably subservient. "It just so happened we met with some rude people and tempers flared. But now we can get right back on track."
[22:19] <Alicia> Perhaps it's a mistake, but since Seira and Demedais have more experience with these ruins, Alicia elects to let them field this. Unless they start to screw it up.
[22:21] * Seira glances at the noble with the long white beard. "Yes, and what I actually prepared was this." She raises her palm up. "I do hope no one tries to foolishly stab me over a demonstration," she comments, before summoning faerie fire once more.
[22:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "A dragon blooded, also. Interestin'," Lord Stargazer notes as he listens, looking Seira over. "Don't see that many of you around." He listens well, "Duels are an important part of our kingdom and heritage, young knight. If Baron Smithyhill challenged you to one, things are grave indeed."
[22:23] <Seira> "Can I fight in his stead?" Seira asks. "He is my subordinate, after all."
[22:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The white beareded man snorts mildly, "A simple Faerie Fire, sir. Low level druidic magic." Seemingly amused by it, "If she speaks the truth, then it was a bold gamble. Bold, but not dreadfully intelligent had I been there."
[22:24] <Seira> "Since I've been traveling to see you," she responds to the mage, "I wouldn't have needed to resort to it to proceed."
[22:26] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yeah, I've gathered they may not be long on discreetness," Lord Stargazer observes with a wry, sharp note. "You've still disrupted a considerable ball and quite frankly made asses out of yourselves."
[22:26] <Seira> "Live and learn," Seira says gravely. "Nevertheless, we are in a bit of a bind. Might we ask where we are, and when we are, Your Lordship?"
[22:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The room is reasonably well lit, but shadows are starting to be cast around. "Then try to do it without disturbing the entire castle guard, young one," the bearded man agrees.
[22:27] * Demedais simply looks at Seira for a long, hard second before turning back to Lord Stargazer, ready to say something before Seira speaks up.
[22:27] <Alicia> "The dancers were exceptionally rude, and I think there was some magic at play there to try and keep us in the ballroom," Alicia points out. "We only responded in kind to our remarkably uncouth treatment."
[22:27] <Seira> "And it is all behind us now," Seira reminds. "Other concerns are more pressing, I'm afraid."
[22:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The Castle of Lord Stargazer," Lord Stargazer speaks, "At the Winter Solstice Ball." A frown at that, "How curious. Selah, did you cast anything on the ball room?"
[22:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Not that I know of," he replies after a moment, "'tis a simple matter to find out if anything is active there, or if this is mere false words." Stepping forward, the wizard begins to walk. "I'll gather the reports of the witnesses while I'm there, Lordship."
[22:29] * Demedais shakes his head slightly and steps back. "Lord Stargazer. Have you ever heard of Lord Salman, the Malmuth Empire or the United Baronies?"
[22:29] <Seira> "And the land, Sire?" Seira inquires. "Also, might we ask for your wizard to stay for a while longer?"
[22:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "That is the name of the land - we're an independant area," he waves his hand absently towards Selah. "As I've never heard of those lands, you're fromf ar away."
[22:32] <Seira> "Demedais, this might have more to do with the time factor than distance," Seira comments. "Our dating method refers to the current year as 399DK. Does that hold any meaning?"
[22:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "None whatsoever. It's December 22nd, Year 814. Curious." Looking on critically at the trio, "How did you find yourselves at a magic portal, eh?"
[22:34] <Demedais> "Possibly." Demedais hesitates, before stating, "Answer me one more slightly bizarre question; what do you know of gnomes?"
[22:34] <Seira> "We are exploring ancient ruins located in our country, Your Lordship," Seira responds, before wincing. But still, they did have to ask that eventually, and might as well get it over with when the mage is away.
[22:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With a strange, curious look, "Gnomes? Ask Selah when he gets back, he has a gnomish appretence. Most of them are tinkerers in a far away mountain, creating 'inventions'." The emphasis is heavy on the last word, dismissive. "I hear they run their clerics to riches based on the explosions the failures cause."
[22:36] * Alicia blinks in surprise at this development, but holds her tongue.
[22:36] * Seira considers. "Do the people worship any gods in this land, My Lord?"
[22:36] * Demedais glances at Seira. "We may as well get that part of it over with..." Demedais pauses at that answer, then says quietly, "So... "
[22:36] * Seira shakes her head at him.
[22:37] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Sir," Selah quickly storms back in, "I recommend the sealing of the castle immediately. I have detected hostile magics cast."
[22:38] * Seira raises her hands. "Not me!"
[22:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Selah looks at the party intensely, "I am not sure of the source offhand - but I do know that it was capable." Clearing his throat, Lord Stargazer nods agreement, "Sir Anthony, if you'd go give the order?"
[22:39] * Seira blinks, suddenly. "What is the name of your gnomish apprentice? Is it Daa-vid?"
[22:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> After a moment, "I don't know if you're telling the truth or not...and to be flippin' honest, I'm not sure I care until we get this sorted out. I'm going have you kept in a room until we can ascertain you have nothing to do with this."
[22:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Selah shakes his head, "His name is Dencartigan." he answers, bemused, "What sort of gnomish name is Daa-vid?"
[22:40] <Seira> "He lead their rebellion against humanity and the other races," Seira tells him. "Many were wiped out."
[22:41] * Demedais turns to Selah to listen, his face worried but not surprised - until Seira speaks up, at which point he blanches openly and turns to her. "You think we've arrived before that disaster?"
[22:41] <Seira> "It's not impossible. We've seen that the ruins can alter time, and have granted us windows into the future and the past."
[22:42] * Alicia looks between her two companions in confusion, before drawing her own conclusions. Time travel is completely impossible as far as she cares to think about it, but this could be an illusion like the fake Balmuria they passed through earlier. "So what do we do?" she asks.
[22:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "You can finish your discussion in your quarters," His Lordship instructs, "Guards, would you taket hem to a noble's room. No need to be too nasty, but set up a capable guard. Get one of the clerics to do it if need be, if we're short of wizards on this. Your discretion, Saleh."
[22:43] * Demedais closes his eyes. "But not guaranteed. I- very well, Lord Stargazer. Yes, let's discuss this while they work. This is... this could be quite important..." He shakes his head once, before falling silent.
[22:44] <Seira> "Our dating system is used universally in our present," Seira states with certainty. "This is a fact. Therefore, we are in a dimensional pocket closed off to the rest of the world, or elsewhen."
[22:44] <Alicia> "It's probably like that fake Balmuria from before," Alicia whispers, "But lets play along and see what we can learn."
[22:44] <Seira> "No, no." Seira shakes her head. "I've traveled to the future. It was real."
[22:45] * Alicia looks highly dubious, but chooses not to argue the point.
[22:45] * Demedais eyes Seira. "What? When did you manage that one?"
[22:45] * Demedais accepts any escort as they move on.
[22:46] <Seira> "This is so not the time," she says in irritation, before direction her attention towards Saleh. "If it's the invasion, I'll fight on your side! I know a lot more than party tricks!"
[22:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I appreciate it, but this isn't the time to trust strangers until we have this sorted out," Selah shakes his head, "Just cooperate for now."
[22:48] <Seira> "Hmph." Despite this, Seira doesn't object. She figures she'll be able to milk whatever cleric or mage assigned to them for information.
[22:48] <Alicia> "We'll get a chance if this plays out like Demedais thinks," Alicia whispers, before straightening and waiting to be escorted elsewhere.
[22:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Guards surround the trio, "Follow us," one instructs, taking the point. Six others follow. The group is lead to a pleasant suite of rooms deep in the interior of the castle. No windows, but it's quite nice. Further, one room is dedicated to having a spring in it. Seems to be some cunning sort of piping system that brings hot water into a pool in the bathroom, making an indoor hot spring. Beyond that, the place is comfortable. Two guards
[22:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> ThTwo guards stay outside, four inside, and a few on patrol in the hallway leading to the place. No immediate sign of the promised spellcaster, though.
[22:49] <Seira> "This could be an illusion, a hallucination, or anything of the sort," Seira admits once they are in the room, and away from the guards. "But there is the chance we really are here in some form."
[22:50] * Demedais nods to the guards. "Okay. Since they're handling their own problem, let's try and figure this out in the downtime. There are both of those possibilites. The only other thing I can think of is that perhaps this is a different world entirely? Is such a thing even possible?"
[22:51] * Seira thinks it over. "While possible, it is unlikely due to the nature of our arrival."
[22:51] <Alicia> "I don't think so," Alicia shakes her head. "Time travel is impossible - stopping time even for a few relative seconds is the most any sort of magic can do, but true travel back in time just can't be done. I think we're here to see something of the world before, and possibly what happened when the gnomes struck - this place is all about testing and preparing us to face Daa-Vid, isn't it?"
[22:52] <Demedais> "Yes. Which brings us to another point: could this be a way for the gods to show us Daa-vid's attempted ascension?" Demedais queries.
[22:53] <Seira> "That seems most likely, yes," Seira agrees. "Yet the magic you speak of is merely mortal magic. As you should know, being a disciple of Mystra, that any god has a spell that does anything they fancy with but a thought."
[22:53] * Seira shrugs at Demedais. "That is the second option, yes. I do hope you're wrong, however, and that we could actually make a change in history."
[22:54] <Alicia> "And as a disciple of Mystra, I've had these things drilled into my head for years," Alicia retorts. "No God, no matter how mighty, can go back and change the past. It simply cannot be done - time only moves forward."
[22:54] <Seira> "They don't intervene directly. That's not the same thing," Seira points out.
[22:54] <Demedais> "I know nothing of what magic can do. But is it possible, Alicia, that one God cannot do it - but all the Gods could? This was a threat that unified all of them against him, remember." Demedais notes.
[22:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As the party talks, the door opens. A middle aged, portly man in brown robes enters. "Hullo," he says, going to sit down. He looks each other, "I heard you caused a ruckus tonight?"
[22:56] <Alicia> "Think about it for a second - the first God that could travel back in time would also be the last. They'd go back and make themselves all powerful before anything else could get a foothold. Do you seriously believe that the Gods are giving us a chance to go back and stop Daa-vid from rising? To erase the past ten thousand years or however long it's been?" Alicia argues, not buying any of it.
[22:56] <Alicia> "Oh, hello," she shuts up and turns to the new arrival.
[22:57] <Seira> "Yes, hello. I'm Seira, and you are...?"
[22:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Johansen," he offers a hand out, getting up. "I got woken to watch you, so it should be a good story. After all, the castle's going to full alert."
[22:58] <Demedais> "Hi." Demedais nods to the man. "Demedais, paladin and kensai-in-training of Helm. And yes, sadly, we did, although according to Saleh there was some magic on the whole ball room so it was more us ignoring the magic's effects. I hope."
[22:58] <Seira> "I'm a wizard. Are you one, too?" Seira asks, being curt and pleasant somehow at the same time.
[22:59] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Oh, Helm, eh?" A shrug of his shoulders, "Heard of him. No, I'm a devotee of the Gods."
[22:59] <Alicia> "Maybe whoever cast the spell wanted everyone distracted by dancing so they wouldn't worry about anything else happening tonight?" Alicia suggests idly in response to Demedais.
[22:59] <Seira> "Which one?"
[23:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Those of Good..." He gives Demedais a strange look. "If you're a paladin I guess it's possible you don't know better..." he looks at him oddly, "Since holy warriors dedicate themselves entirely."
[23:01] <Seira> "I'm sorry for being curt, Johansen, but we may not have much time. Do you mind answering a few questions for me?"
[23:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With a bit of a laugh, "I did ask first, you know. I doubt you're going anywhere tonight if His Lordship put you in here, so..." he spreads his hands out.
[23:02] <Seira> "Can you summarize the pantheon being worshipped, briefly? Do you have a map of the world, or some part of it? Is your country in contact with races other than human? Does the name Pallanth mean anything?"
[23:02] <Demedais> "Possible. Since this place is on full alert now, though, hopefully whatever trouble would have been caused by it will be averted." Demedais replies. "And, uh. Where we're from, it's common to worship only one, as bizarre as that may sound. We're cognizant of the other gods, but simply commune with one." Demedais then recedes into the background, letting Seira work.
[23:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Giving Seira a look, his attention turns to Demedais first. "Aaah. How quaint here. We worship all of the set that we represent." After a moment, "My, you're full of questions! Oh, very well No, I don't have a map on me, amazingly. Yes, we know of elves, dwarves, gnomes and others like that. Pallanth...no, doesn't ring a bell." After that, "Now then, would you answer my questions?"
[23:06] <Seira> "Shoot."
[23:06] * Seira hopes to learn more about their hosts from their questions, naturally.
[23:06] * Alicia looks thoughtful for a moment, biting on her lower lip as she wracks her brain for a moment over the lore she was given regarding the time of the gnomes. "What about Talinn the Seeker? Does that name mean anything to you?" she hazards, before nodding, "Oh, of course, ask away," she accedes.
[23:06] * Demedais idly raises an eyebrow, but says nothing else regarding his 'quaint' practices.
[23:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+11
[23:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{12}
[23:07] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I heard you caused a ruckus and you're part of why the castle's sealed up now." With a broad shouldered shrug, "Can't say as I do, ma'am."
[23:08] * Seira withdraws a scroll. "Mind if I cast something simple and harmless? Just a spell to represent the map of our land."
[23:08] <Alicia> "We disagreed with some of the more unruly guests," Alicia explains. "The actual sealing has more to do with magic found in the ballroom that I told Salath about, after noticing some strange details, there."
[23:10] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I do," With a bit of a smile that's not really a smile, "I'm not supposed to let you have a chance to do anything - just inc ase, you understand." After that little proclaimation, "Aaah, I see. Curious."
[23:11] * Seira moves to keep her back to the guards. "No one has to know, and as a cleric you can surely know what I'm casting and have it preempted with a sharp, pointy stick. What do you say?"
[23:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Sorry, I take my job seriously enough not to do things like that. Things that could have me hang if it turns out it's not a simple, harmless spell," Johansen shakse his head, as a muffled thump is heard. Not from the room, but from outside it. Thefloor quivers a little bit.
[23:12] <Demedais> "Or one of us could, you know. Draw a sketch." Demedais says, before pausing and turning. "What was that?"
[23:13] * Seira gives him the scroll. "Check it yourself."
[23:13] <Alicia> "What was that?" Alicia asks at the thump, quickly standing up.
[23:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The guards carefully rebalance, looking about. "I wish I knew," Johansen takes the scroll, but doesn't read it yet.  Nothign follows it, just relative peace and quiet here after.
[23:14] * Seira turns her attention to the guards. "Can one of you check outside, while the others spread out in case of a counter-attack?"
[23:14] <Alicia> "Maybe someone should check?" Alicia suggests.
[23:14] <Seira> "It's best to check in pairs, and yell at the first sign of trouble instead of backing away in a darkened corridor," Seira helpfully instructs.
[23:15] * Demedais sighs. "Yes, because it doesn't sound suspicious to have the oddball prisoners ask the dutiful guards to go check on something not them. Still, whatever that was... Not good."
[23:16] <Seira> "Oh come on, it doesn't matter if there's four, two or twenty guards here. I didn't make Captain by sleeping my way up, you know."
[23:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The inside guards open the door, speaking quickly with the outside ones. Meanwhile, Johansen looks over the scroll. He passes it back to Seira, "Just hold onto it for now," he says, as...thump. Another thump, this one followed by a few lesser thumps.
[23:17] <Alicia> "This isn't alarming you at all?" Alicia asks Johansen, tensing to the side of the doorway.
[23:17] * Demedais quickly sweeps out with detect chaos as far as he can, in the hopes of perhaps detecting something. Other than that, he stands stock still, waiting for some sort of news.
[23:18] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Oh, now this is," he says sharply, "By the Gods..." he breathes out, thinking a moment. "...stay here," he says, going to the door.
[23:18] <Demedais> "...Yes, sir." Demedais says, hands tensing a bit.
[23:18] <Seira> "It's foolish to go alone! Let us come, too!" Seira insists. "I can't stay here and let people die!"
[23:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As he goes, "Oh, I'm not going without guards," he calls, "Just stay here!"
[23:20] * Demedais closes his eyes and hisses quietly. "Not good."
[23:21] * Seira palms her forehead. And then takes out a piece of parchment, some ink, and begins to quickly make a draft of the oldest map of the world she knows. Once it is reasonably recognizeable, she shows it to a guard. "Where are we?" she asks simply.
[23:21] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The guard shakes his head, "Uh, I wasn't good at schooling, but that doesn't look like the map I remember..."
[23:22] * Seira holds out a fresh piece of parchment. "Can you draw yours, then? I'll be good!"
[23:22] * Demedais shakes his head in mute wonder.
[23:26] <Demedais> "Oh. It occurs to me, Alicia. Don't be afriad to sweep for evil; these have alignment properties. I caught an ambush partially in shadow Balmuria thanks to it."
[23:27] <Alicia> "Hm?" Alicia blinks. "Oh... I wasn't expecting that to work," she admits, before obligingly casting her gaze about for anything evil within the environs.
[23:28] <Demedais> "I admittedly treat everything as if it were real unless pointed out otherwise, since I've got no way of determining it otherwise. Helps in situations like these, doesn't help against traps." Demedais states a bit sheepishly.
[23:34] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The guard gets the paper and starts sketching.  MEanwhile, Alicia does not detect any evil in the room, but the walls are thick enough to stop her sensing there.
[23:35] <Alicia> "Nothing," Alicia pronounces, continuing to wait in tense readiness for the inevitable.
[23:35] * Demedais nods. "Same as I sensed."
[23:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> After a few moments, Seira gets the paper back. It's of a few medium sized continents, all connected by small oceans. It's not familiar to her on a glance
[23:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> .
[23:36] * Sierra_Dreaming is now known as Sierra_Mikain
[23:36] * Seira accepts the parchment with her thanks, and places both away. "So, you're peaceful, right? No wars or tensions with the neighbors?"
[23:38] <Tiny_Ko_Army> There's another rumble, this one closer or louder. It's enough to make it hard to stand up, followed by a few lesser thumps. After that, you can hear some  yelling - "Attack! It's overhead!"
[23:38] <Seira> "Fuck it, we're saving your asses," Seira curses. "Demedais, Alicia, let's go!"
[23:38] * Sierra_Mikain is now known as Sierra_RAGE
[23:39] * Alicia nods. "If you want to survive this, you'll follow our lead," she tells the guards. "We can help you."
[23:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The two guards in the room swallow heavily, "W-what's over head," the look out into the hall, "Um...I know there's orders and all, but uh..."
[23:40] <Seira> "Get your weapons while you can," Seira tells Alicia, casting Shield over herself.
[23:40] <Alicia> "I had to leave it outside, remember?" Alicia replies. "I'll handle it, don't worry," she assures Seira, casting Mirror Image as several Alicias suddenly spring into being around her.
[23:40] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[23:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=2 ]4,0{2}
[23:41] <Alicia> Except they don't. Muttering in disgust, she tries again.
[23:41] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[23:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=98 ]4,0{98}
[23:41] <Seira> "Got a spare sword?" Seira asks the guards.
[23:41] <Alicia> roll 1d4+3
[23:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d4+3 --> 6,0[ 1d4=2 ]4,0{5}
[23:41] * Seira casts Protection from Evil, and a Mirror Image spell of her own.
[23:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> One of the guards draws a longsword out, "Uh...here," he offers after some thought. "I think we should go help," the other says, as the two run out of the room.
[23:42] <Demedais> "Yes, Captain. Guards, you care to accompany us? That way you can ensure we're helping out." Demedais suggests as he unbinds his sword quickly and follows the two guards!
[23:42] <Seira> roll 1d4+3
[23:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d4+3 --> 6,0[ 1d4=3 ]4,0{6}
[23:42] <Alicia> "Thanks," Alicia accepts the longsword and heads out herself, quickly moving towards the sound of the ruckus.
[23:42] * Seira follows the guards, not getting them out of her sight.
[23:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Down the halls the party races! It takes about four minutes to get to the courtyard, battling past onrushing soldiers and epic confusion! IN the starry night sky, a large gold dragon flies! It's eyes gush black flames, like pinpoints into burning black oil. A figure rides it, but you cannot see it from here. The dance hall and much of the side halls are melted, burnt and crumping into ruin. Soldiers are littered around, some burnt beyon
[23:55] <Tiny_Ko_Army> some burnt beyond reconinition. "It's an attack! WE're under attack!" The cries are heard, chaos reigning!
[23:56] * Alicia looks back towards the ballroom on the off chance her sword is where she dropped it. This toothpick certainly won't do a thing against a dragon's hide.
[23:57] <Seira> "I'll take a look at the rider," Seira announces. "Can you use Message?"
[23:57] <Demedais> "No chance we know the dragon's real name, is there." Demedais sighs as he draws his sword.
[23:57] * Alicia distractedly nods to Seira and quickly links the trio with said spell.
[23:57] * Seira casts Fly about herself, followed by Invisibility, and soars into the skies as she approaches the dragon from its blind spot, careful not to get too close for its senses to detect her.
[23:57] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[23:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Amazingly, Alicia sees her sword still there. The dragon looks to be rearing up, perhaps five hundred feet in the sky, but it looks to be preparing a dive.
[23:57] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=75 ]4,0{75}
[23:58] * Alicia goes into a sprint, rushing to grab her sword after casting said spell, dropping her own loaner just before reaching it.
[23:58] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - For org, I'm going to have us all roll initiative now.
[23:58] * Demedais tries to determine where it's going to dive to...
[23:58] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[23:58] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{21}
[23:58] <Demedais> roll 1d20 argh laf
[23:58] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 1,0argh laf --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{10}
[23:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter
[23:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0nerveskitter --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{19}
Session Time: Wed Oct 03 00:00:00 2007
[00:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+4 dragon
[00:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+4 1,0dragon --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{16}
[00:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+5 ????
[00:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0???? --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{11}
[00:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+1 group initiative for guards, ect ect
[00:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0group initiative for guards, ect ect --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{3}
[00:02] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Alicia>Seira>Dragon>Rider>DemeUberMiko>Guards'n'shit'
[00:03] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Alicia.
[00:04] * Alicia grabs up her real sword and then casts Enlarge Person on herself!
[00:04] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[00:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=26 ]4,0{26}
[00:04] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Sei-ra.
[00:05] * Seira sneaks up on the dragon and its rider within reason.
[00:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - How far do you mvoe in a round with fly?
[00:06] <Seira> OOC: Speed of 60ft, so... x4 if I can use the run option? 120 if not?
[00:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira flies up! It's a good place to be, especially since the dragon's readying a dive downward! OOC - I'll PM you what you see, Seira. Deme, go.
[00:10] * Demedais looks around for Lord Stargazer, Selah, Johansen... anyone he recognizes. Working together at this point's better than not.
[00:11] <Tiny_Ko_Army> There are some men on the battlements - you see Johansen up there, kneelnig down to a downed soldier. No sign of Lord Stargazer yet, though, or Selah.
[00:12] * Demedais looks up at the diving dragon, trying to estimate where it's diving and moving to try and get people away from that area!
[00:13] * Demedais moves toward the castle, tracking its movements but taking no other major action, waiting till he can do something. Being on the ground against a flying dragon isn't really advantageous.
[00:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Meanwhile, the guards mill around! Some are readying bows, some are helping the wounded, some are running about! It's pretty chaotic right now. OOC - Alicia.
[00:15] <Seira> Seira's lips move silently, reporting the description of the rider to Alicia.
[00:15] * Alicia moves closer but not too close that she'd be below where the dragon's about to surely blast some unlucky people with its breath weapon, and readies an action to fire off some magic missiles at the dragon's rider as soon as he's within her not unimpressive range.
[00:16] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Okay. Seira.
[00:18] <Seira> A wand of scorching ray is produced, flames lashing out at the rider shortly thereafter, doing away with Seira's invisibility!
[00:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 ranged touch1
[00:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0ranged touch1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{21}
[00:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 ranged touch2
[00:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0ranged touch2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{28}
[00:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[00:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
[00:19] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[00:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{25}
[00:19] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Hit and damage on the second.
[00:19] <Seira> roll 4d6+2d6 (fire+SA)
[00:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 4d6+2d6 1,0(fire+SA) --> 6,0[ 4d6=16 2d6=4 ]4,0{20}
[00:20] <Seira> With that taken care of, Seira takes off in the opposite direction, all seven of her.
[00:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira aims well, firing off a ray above! While one fizzles out, the other pierces the rider! You hear her pretty voice call out, the dragon hesitating a few seconds...before it dives! As the dragon dives, the rider holds on and begins to cast!
[00:22] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+15 concentration check
[00:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0concentration check --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{32}
[00:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As the dragon dives down, a ball of fire erupts around Seira, all of her!
[00:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 10d6
[00:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 10d6 --> 6,0[ 10d6=33 ]4,0{33}
[00:23] <Seira> "That bitch!"
[00:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 33*1.5
[00:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 33*1.5 --> error: malformed expression
[00:23] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Ref save.
[00:25] <Seira> roll 1d20+12
[00:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{20}
[00:28] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira suffers in the fireball, but at least trades hits! As the dragonf alls, she sees that the woman wears an iron breastplate, a spear with support shaft attached to her saddle. But down the dragon goes, swooping to 100 feet above! It holds up there, as it gushes out flames all over the castle!
[00:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 10d10
[00:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 10d10 --> 6,0[ 10d10=49 ]4,0{49}
[00:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The castle's walls are burnt and charred, the dragon's breath doing considerable damage!
[00:30] <Alicia> As the dragon plummets into range, Alicia gestures upwards and sends five spiralling bolts of energy straight at the rider!
[00:30] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[00:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=56 ]4,0{56}
[00:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 SR check
[00:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0SR check --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{17}
[00:30] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Alicia>Seira>Dragon=Rider=Alicia>DemeUberMiko>Guards'n'shit'
[00:30] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Damage.
[00:30] <Alicia> roll 5d4+5
[00:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 5d4+5 --> 6,0[ 5d4=11 ]4,0{16}
[00:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The magic missiles fly, hitting the faraway riding girl! She's still up, though! OOC - Deme.
[00:31] * Tiny_Ko_Army changes topic to 'Seira>Dragon=Rider=Alicia>DemeUberMiko>Guards'n'shit'
[00:33] <Demedais> "...Helm protect us..." Demedais murmurs, before turning to Johansen and yelling again. "Get as many men as you can out of here! As far from the castle as possible!" With that, he looks up to Seira and asks, "You alright up there?"
[00:33] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Johansen looks down, "I'm healing the wounded," he cries back, as flames wrack the castle just ahead of him. "Worry about those who can't say that! If you're a paladin, help them!"
[00:34] <Seira> "I'm burning with the righeous anger of departed souls, ready to make good on their vengeance," Seira responds over the Message, smiling evilly.
[00:35] * Demedais hesitates a second before nodding to Johansen and moving to try and help in the castle! Of course, that presumes there's a safe entrance...
[00:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> There is a safe entrance. Demedais sees that people are running around, while wounded slump down. While a few are being mended by clerics, many are lying ther ein pain, some coming close to their end.
[00:36] * Seira tosses her useless bow down. "Use this to SHOOT THE BITCH," she calls to Demedais.
[00:37] * Demedais catches it, and runs full-on into mental debate for a second before quickly finding two arrows and launching them toward the rider!
[00:37] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 (no PA, my accuracy's bad enough with bows as is)
[00:37] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0(no PA, my accuracy's bad enough with bows as is) --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{9}
[00:37] <Demedais> roll 1d20+3 (no PA, my accuracy's bad enough with bows as is)
[00:37] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0(no PA, my accuracy's bad enough with bows as is) --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{15}
[00:38] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Demedais manages to catch the bow, but his arrows miss! OOC - Seira.
[00:39] <Seira> Another fiery duet of rays strikes at the rider's back!
[00:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+12 ranged touch
[00:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{20}
[00:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+12 ranged touch
[00:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{24}
[00:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - SR rolls.
[00:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 sr
[00:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0sr --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{15}
[00:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 sr
[00:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0sr --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
[00:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - First hits and does damage.
[00:39] <Seira> roll 4d6 fire
[00:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 4d6 1,0fire --> 6,0[ 4d6=10 ]4,0{10}
[00:40] * Seira gets some more distance between herself and the dragon, ascending straight up.
[00:40] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira continues her assault, hitting the rider! It makes her buckle in her saddle, making her begin to cast! OOC - Dragon, rider and 'licia are all up at once.
[00:40] * Alicia tosses up some more magic missiles before she darts towards the nearest cover she can find!
[00:40] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[00:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=84 ]4,0{84}
[00:40] <Alicia> roll 1d20+9 SR
[00:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0SR --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{23}
[00:40] <Alicia> roll 5d4+5
[00:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 5d4+5 --> 6,0[ 5d4=15 ]4,0{20}
[00:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As Alicia casts, the rider takes out a bottle and drinks!
[00:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 3d8+5
[00:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 3d8+5 --> 6,0[ 3d8=7 ]4,0{12}
[00:41] <Tiny_Ko_Army> As she does, arrows rock her! It's not enough, the arrows doing too much damage too fast! The rider slumps over, as the gold dragon begins to ascend up again, climbing!
[00:42] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Deme.
[00:43] <Seira> "Stop!" the Seira doubles call over to the dragon. "You follow the rules of law and decency, don't you?"
[00:43] <Demedais> OOC: Do I have a shot at hitting her still?
[00:43] <Seira> OOC: She's dead, Jim
[00:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - You could fire, sure.
[00:44] * Demedais pauses, seeing the dragon's rider move, but decides to shoot twice more and try to seal the deal.
[00:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 (-3 PA)
[00:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0(-3 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{10}
[00:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20 (3 PA)
[00:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 1,0(3 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{9}
[00:45] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Two arrows fly, but they're misaimed! They hit the gold dragon's side, bouncing off uselessly as it ascends up and away! It's going up at a good clip, above Seira now. OOC - Seira, you can act since you're the only reasonable one that can get in ragne to if you want.
[00:49] * Seira indeed tries to get in range, grabbing for the saddle even as an orb of acid gathers in her palm, which she discharges into the slumped rider.
[00:49] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 ranged touch
[00:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{20}
[00:49] <Seira> roll 2d8 acid
[00:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 2d8 1,0acid --> 6,0[ 2d8=8 ]4,0{8}
[00:49] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - Okay, if you're going to grab onto the saddle, that's going to be a standard action. You can't do that and also sling a spell and mvoe in range. That's insane.
[00:49] <Seira> OOC: Okay!
[00:49] <Seira> OOC: Tumble it is
[00:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+14
[00:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{26}
[00:50] * Seira indeed tries to get in range, grabbing for the saddle!
[00:51] * Sierra_RAGE is now known as Sierra_Devourer
[00:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> In the midair ascention, Seira catches up! With an epic movement she is able to grab onto the saddle, holding onto it with all her strength! The rider is slumped over and bleeding considerably, but yet shows some signs of life. (More)
[00:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Below, there is a ruckus as a man emerges. Selah comes out in a hurry, already hovering a bit off the ground. He looks around and curses, before starting to fly up as well. He barely even glances at Alicia or Demedais, taking to the skies. OOC - You guys below can act freely. Seira, go ahead andmake an action.
[00:53] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d100
[00:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=92 ]4,0{92}
[00:53] * Alicia looks around for further opposition, not believing that a single dragon and rider could have been responsible for all those strange thumps she heard earlier.
[00:54] * Demedais turns and moves to heal people as he can, using what he knows of healing to stabilize those in critical condition.
[00:54] * Seira kills the evil bitch with acid, as it eats through her flesh and whatever bindings might be keeping her to the saddle, thus deposing her violently towards the ground.
[00:54] <Seira> OOC: I already rolled, so that works?
[00:55] <Demedais> "Seira, Saleh's rising up toward you. Just so you know." Demedais says as he works.
[00:57] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira fires the orb of acid, which melts into her skin! The rider slumps over a little more, as the dragon continues to climb! The acid splashes the saddle, starting to damage it and hiss! Meanwhile, down below, Alicia sees no immediate opposition, while Demedais mends the wounded.
[00:59] * Alicia briefly glances up at Seira and the dragon, but seeing there's little she can do there, follows Demedais' example, using the barest touch of her healing powers to stabilise the worst wounded as she makes her way around the battlefield.
[01:00] * Seira attempts to communicate with the dragon once more. "Hello, I'm Seira. Do you speak my language?"
[01:00] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dragon roars, it's eyes still gushing black fire! It begins to whip around, sending the rider shaking! OOC - Do you have any ranks in ride?
[01:01] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Meanwhile, below, wounded men are mended. Johansen calls down, "Thank the Gods..." he looks upwards, "Good luck, Sir Saleh!" Meanwhile, the white bearded wizard zooms up.
[01:02] * Demedais looks up as well. "Sir Saleh! Seira's on the dragon! Please take care!"
[01:03] <Seira> "Saleh?" Seira calls out at that. "I've got things under control, I think." Then, she yells, "Look out, below!" and tries to free the dead rider from that which keeps her bound to the dragon.
[01:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[01:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{23}
[01:06] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira is able to hold on, but with her frayed gear, the rider isn't so lucky! She tumbles out to the side, plummeting down towards the castle! Meanwhile, Saleh continues to rise, as the dragon thrashes about!
[01:07] <Seira> "Stop trashing, please!" Seira calls out to it in Draconic. "Are you in pain? I can help you if you promise not to attack anyone."
[01:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dragon continues to rise! Seira is now several hundred feet up, the castle starting to become a toy in the middle of a snowfield below. A bit distant, you can see a few villages as well, if one were to look below. "Woman!" You can hear Saleh call back as he rises, shouting.
[01:09] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Meanwhile, the body of the rider makes a thick, meaty THUMP as it lands in the courtyard.
[01:09] * Alicia starts and looks over in alarm at the sudden drop, rushing over to see and hoping that wasn't Seira.
[01:10] * Seira attempts to cast Protection from Evil on the dragon, futile though it may be, while calling back, "What is it, Saleh? The name's Seira!"
[01:11] <Demedais> "What is it, Alicia?" Demedais asks, looking up from bandaging one man up.
[01:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> OOC - CAster level, SEira.
[01:12] <Seira> OOC: There's no SR
[01:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+16
[01:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Tiny_Ko_Army rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{24}
[01:13] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The dragon soars higher, the spell not seeming to work, the dragon resisting it as it continues to ascend, starting to head away from the castle! It's head slowly begins to turn around, black flames in it's eyes as it looks towards Seira!
[01:14] * Seira grabs the lance from the saddle, and with a friendly wave at the dragon... drops down suddenly.
[01:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> With the Seira gone, the dragon continues to fly off in the starry, moonless sky! To the north you can see snowy mountains, as the dragon heads to the peaks - which are strangely snowless.
[01:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Alicia comes over and sees that the faller was the rider. She's very very smashed and dead.
[01:15] <Alicia> "It's the dragon rider," Alicia tells Demedais, wincing a bit at the woman's state before deciding to leave her and resume her triage duties.
[01:16] * Seira takes this chance to commit the landscape to her memory, descending swiftly to rejoin her companions.
[01:16] * Demedais nods slightly. "Hopefully not breathing. She's caused enough damage here as is."
[01:16] <Alicia> "Oh, definitely not," Alicia assures him.
[01:17] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Seira sees it's...it's impossible to tell the cardination directions with an unfamiliar sky and no sun, but the mountains are past two villages and then a town near the foot of them. Meanwhile, Selah catches up, "My thanks," he breathes, "What happend to ..." A sigh as he shakes his head, "Come, we'll get you mended up."

[Corwin]

[20:07] <Seira> "I'm good," Seira responds, matching his altitude. "Were there more of them, or just the dragon?"
[20:14] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "There were some summoned creatures, but they're dealt with," Selah says tersely as begins to fly back. "By the time they were disposed of, the dragon attacks had begun in earnest."
[20:15] <Seira> "I expected the gnomes to attack, to be honest," Seira admits, floating down. "Strange. Do you know the woman that was controlling that dragon? Or the dragon's name, for that matter?"
[20:15] * Demedais exhales slightly, looking around to try and get a tally on the injured and dead.
[20:18] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The two return as Demedais gets a tally. At least a few dozen that he sees, soldiers and a couple of servants. "Not offfhand," Selah remarks, "But I can find out easily enough."
[20:18] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> As the ruckus begins to die down, soldiers man stations, as healers begin to work on the wounded.
[20:18] * Seira nods. "It's good to be prepared, she probably had friends."
[20:18] * Alicia has done what she can to stabilise the worst injured, and dispels her enlarge spell so she can resume normal size as she goes to meet Seira on her return.
[20:19] * Seira waves at Alicia as she touches down, still holding the lance. "How's the situation over here?"
[20:20] * Demedais looks around one last time before heading over to Alicia and Seira.
[20:20] <Alicia> "Lots of injured, but... well, anyone who survived isn't in any danger now, at least," she informs Seira, before gesturing over to the splattered corpse of the blue-haired woman. "Your handiwork, I take it?"
[20:21] * Seira smiles. "Ah, she made it down in one piece. Excellent!"
[20:21] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> Demedais and Seira have done well - several lives are saved or aided. Selah nods tersely, "The healers will take care fo the rest." Selah mutters a few words, looking over her. "Would you gather her things for me? They're enchanted."
[20:22] * Seira cancels her mirror images, before nodding. "Of course they are. She was a witch, after all."
[20:23] * Alicia belatedly cancels her own mirror image spell and casts detect magic so she can strip the corpse of its enchanted belongings.
[20:23] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=28 ]4,0{28}
[20:23] * Seira takes this opportunity to place her own amulet back on. Aside from sentimental value, if this place has dragon attacks its protection would come in handy.
[20:23] <Seira> roll 2d8+9
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 2d8+9 --> 6,0[ 2d8=13 ]4,0{22}
[20:23] * Demedais shakes his head slightly. "Mmm. Glad to see you're alright, Seira." After a second, he glances over to Selah slightly sheepishly. "We decided to follow the assigned guards out here. I do apologize."
[20:24] <Seira> "I take full responsibility," Seira adds with a shrug. "They can sue me if they wish."
[20:24] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> Alicia finds that the lance(Seira has it), a cracked ring, a dented breastplate, a scroll and a wand are magical. Selah shakes his head, "Under the circumstances, you helped us. The assault caught us completely off guard. There was no one to immediately counter the dragon."
[20:25] * Alicia casts mending on said ring to make it good as new!
[20:25] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=22 ]4,0{22}
[20:25] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The ring mends.
[20:25] <Alicia> "So... what now?" Alicia asks after gathering up all the items.
[20:25] <Seira> "Selah said he could find out the identity of our witch and dragon."
[20:26] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Come, his Majesty will wish to speak to you in time," Selah begins to walk back in, after a long look. "Head back to your rooms for now and rest.  If there is a delayed wave, I'll send someone for you. I have that and other matters to attend to."
[20:26] <Demedais> "Very well, sir. Thank you."
[20:26] <Seira> "Is it possible for us to meet a gnome while we wait?" Seira calls after Selah.
[20:27] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "...yes, I think I'll send my apprentence, he can identify the looted items while he's with you," he agrees, starting to hurry along. "If you excuse me now."
[20:27] <Seira> "Know thy enemy, check," Seira mutters quietly, heading back to the room assigned to them.
[20:28] * Alicia follows after Seira with loot firmly held. "I wonder what a real gnome will be like..." she murmurs thoughtfully.
[20:28] <Seira> "Short," Seira responds.
[20:30] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The party returns to quarters. They have some time as the castle bustles...OOC - You have a bit of time if you want to do anything, chat or hold.
[20:31] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> OOC - If you wanna just move along, by all means tell me so.
[20:32] <Alicia> OOC: skipping along works for me
[20:33] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The bulk of the cold night passes. The castle is quiet and agreeable, but eventually there is a knock on the door. A composed but merry voice calls, "Hello? Travellers, are you awake?"
[20:33] <Seira> "Yes, we have surpassed sleep," Seira responds.
[20:34] <Demedais> "Indeed. Please come in." Demedais replies, eyeing Seira with a slight grin.
[20:34] <Alicia> "Come in," Alicia calls back, not expecting any duplicity, all things considered. She does however decide to see if Mystra will identify the visitor as evil, not wanting to spend the time to draw her own conclusions in this sort of situation.
[20:35] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The door is opened. What comes in is a man with merry red cheeks and about three feet tall with some change. He's rather slender and with a good natured smile, wearing robust blue and purple robes. "Aaaah, so you're those travellers? Nice to meet you."
[20:36] <Demedais> "Indeed we are." Demedais says, blinking at the man a bit. This is the race that sired Daa-vid? "A pleasure to meet you, too."
[20:37] <Alicia> He looks like a child! Alicia can't really get over that initial assessment, and finds herself staring rudely for a moment before she comes to her senses and nods distractedly. "Ah, yes. A pleasure," she manages.
[20:38] <Seira> "If you're Selah's apprentice you know a lot, right?" Seira gets straight to the point. "Can you help me figure out if your magic follows the same rules as ours does?"
[20:40] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> He smiles nicely to them, a bow. "If you like - but first I was supposed to do some identifying?" He reaches into a pocket, taking out a beautiful pearl.
[20:41] * Alicia gestures to the lance, armour, ring, and wand, all of which are laid out on one of the beds.
[20:41] <Alicia> "All belonged to the dragon rider from earlier," she elaborates.
[20:46] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The gnome works dutifully, listing them off in order. WHen he finishes with the last, "Not bad," he observes, "That rider had good money or good support."
[20:47] <Alicia> "She was riding a gold dragon, she probably had access to its hoard," Alicia points out. "I thought they were supposed to be champions of good, anyway? Why would one attack here?"
[20:48] <Seira> "But stupid, I mean, Dispel Good? When does that ever helps?"
[20:49] * Demedais considers. "In much the same sort of situations we use Dispel Evil in?"
[20:49] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "If you're evil, I imagine a lot," The gnomish wizard chuckles to himself, "At least she has good taste in wands." Taking the wand in hand, "You can never have too many of these."
[20:49] <Seira> "Never used it," Seira admits.
[20:50] * Seira considers. "Can you tell me about your history? How this country was founded, for example?"
[20:52] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "History? I suppose," Going to sit down, "You came from fara way, yes?"
[20:52] <Seira> "So far we have no gnomes. Literally. None."
[20:55] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Huh. A real pity," Smiling at the adventurers with a relaxed air, "This castle and surroundings were dedicated about...300 years ago by settlers coming from the Rim of the Sea. It's now removed from the frontier and it's a freestanding kingdom."
[20:56] * Seira takes out the map her guard drew for her. "Can you show me where? Or let me borrow a better map?"
[20:58] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> Pointing to the largest continent, he points about a third into it. "We're about there. Give or take a bit."
[20:59] * Seira nods. "You were an offshot of another empire at the time?"
[21:01] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "The Estro Empire," Pointing to the nearest other continent, "Sent waves of settlers. They never managed to stay in control, however, and we've pretty much gone to our own devices."
[21:04] * Seira nods. "It was a diverse settler group, then? All races being represented?"
[21:06] * Demedais simply listens, trying to comprehend this and see if anything he's learned of Balmuria/Malmuth/the United Baronies matches up with this.
[21:06] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Yeah," A nod as he gestures, "There used to be individual elven kingdomsa round it, but they were eventually absorbed. Who absorbed who is still misty - it wasn't a war as much as they just became intertwined." A pause, then he goes back where you are now. "The frontier's ahead, but not that far ahead. The muontain ranges ahead slow things down too much." After a moment of pause, "What about your home/"
[21:08] <Seira> "Our home... well, the earliest mention of civilization we were able to discover is tied to a person going by Talinn the Seeker," Seira starts, observing him for any reaction.
[21:09] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The gnome doesn't even blink. "Talinn the Seeker? What sort of person was he?"
[21:10] <Seira> "He was rumored to be immortal, though that ended up being disproven. But the part about his great magical knowledge was true, at least. He either made or gathered artifacts of incredible power."
[21:12] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> Another nod, "Fascinating." A pause as he looks to each of them, "Did that factor in to how you arrived here?"
[21:13] <Seira> "We have ancient ruins in our country, and were exploring them to learn more about our history and the legacy of the empire that was there before us," Seira responds. "We also wanted the shiny things to be able to defend our land better, of course."
[21:15] <Demedais> "Speaking of which, you two... how much time has passed since we have come here, do you think? We don't exactly have unlimited time to dally around, as much as trying to figure out this mystery is important as well?" Demedais questions.
[21:16] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> A thoughtful nod to that, "Aah, of course. Ruins, the best treasures are found in the ashes of the past. Even if you have to make a few more things past tense to get them!" With a cheery smile at that, "Speaking of, do the three of you require rest? Lord Stargazer will want to se eyou sooner or later now."
[21:16] <Alicia> "Hasn't been more than a couple of hours, unless time moves differently outside," Alicia surmises. "But, yes, we should make sure to return before tomorrow."
[21:17] <Seira> "Tomorrow is actually better," Seira counters. "I can't take us back through the ocean today."
[21:17] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Aaah, can you just teleport home?" the gnome enquires agreeably to that. "A useful spell, that."
[21:17] * Demedais grunts and leans back. "Yes. We cannot afford to be gone long, in all hones- ...teach them how to do that!"
[21:17] * Demedais grumbles something about undead bee hives.
[21:17] <Seira> "The ruins are very well defended," Seira responds, unwilling to admit to their lacking magical skills.
[21:18] <Alicia> "Ahh, I'm afraid that spell remains beyond me," Alicia apologises awkwardly.
[21:19] <Seira> "What about the history of the original empire?" Seira inquires. "What is the earliest recorded event in the world?"
[21:20] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Ours...ooooh, the creation tale?" The gnome thinks, "Or do you mean more concrete history?"
[21:21] <Seira> "I'm naturally interested in both!"
[21:22] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> A slight nodding, "The Gods created the world from nothingness and gave birth to the races - human, elves, gnomes, and so on. But in time the great world was filled with oceans, seperating the worldand making it wild with monsters." After a pause, "Aaah, theology's not my best point. In essence, the Gods started things and let things go."
[21:23] <Seira> "Did they at any point stop being directly involved with the world?"
[21:25] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "How do you mean?" The gnome gives Seira  acurious look. "Stopping granted spells? No avatars?"
[21:27] <Demedais> "Can you please name some of your gods for me?" Demedais requests, intrigued by this more than the rest of the conversation.
[21:27] <Seira> "Where we're from, Helm and the others such as Cyric basically settled on a status quo. Neither intervenes directly in mortal affairs, though that definition is pushed considerably by some. The most visible effect is the lack of any spells of resurrections barring one, which works only seldomly. I have determined from ancient texts that this was not always the case."
[21:28] <Demedais> "And... wait, no avatars?" Demedais mused.
[21:30] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Lathander, Mystra, Bane and so on." Waving his hand, "I know who you're talking about with Helm. He Who Watches, I think? Or the Sick Man of Suffering? On oef the two." A pause, "Aaah. Ressurection is only by those skilled, but it happens. Why would the Gods stop granting that, though?"
[21:30] <Demedais> "The first one." Demedais growls, before thinking. "And in our world, there have been no avatars for a long time."
[21:31] <Seira> "Ah, that. There was a large-scale war resulting in the genocide of some races that the gods participated in, and that was the last of it." She shrugs. "It seems callous, but this was thousands of years ago."
[21:31] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Hum." The jolly gnome considers that, "Aaah. It must have been..." The gnome considers it, before shivering. "...Strange, I just felt like a goblin walked ove rmy grave."
[21:32] <Seira> "We don't have gnomes anymore," Seira confirms with a nod. "Goblins, though, they flourish. Go figure, right?"
[21:33] <Alicia> "I wouldn't say they 'flourish'," Alicia mutters, not really contributing much to the discussion. She's just not sure what to make of all this.
[21:33] <Seira> "They have land and everything, this situation is not natural," Seira complains.
[21:33] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> Making a nasty, ugly face, "Ugh. Well, I suppose even goblins have their day." Rising up after that, "But if that's the end of the questions, I really do have other things to attend to."
[21:35] <Seira> "Since we'll be going eventually, do you think you could have some books brought over to us?" Seira requests. "History, maps of the world, treaties on religion? Magical theory would also be appreciated. There is a handy, simple spell that could be used to copy the text, if you are not in possession of it."
[21:36] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "I can arrainge it. It may take a few hours, we're busy." With a pleasant nod, "Nice meeting you. Good luck, wherever you go."
[21:37] <Seira> "Since the duration on my spell of water breathing has run its course by now, divided as it was, we really should stay the night," Seira muses.
[21:38] <Alicia> "I suppose that's all we can do," Alicia shrugs. "Have a pleasant evening," she bids the gnome farewell.
[21:38] <Seira> "Do you think this is a one-time trip, or we would be able to return?" Seira asks.
[21:38] <Demedais> "Alright, then. Once we can, though, we should depart. Good evening, gnome." he nods to the departing visitor.
[21:39] <Alicia> "You know more about this place than I," Alicia shakes her head in reply to Seira. "If we can't leave, what will we do, then?"
[21:39] <Demedais> "I'm not placing any bets either way." Demedais shakes his head. "It comes down to what the nature of this puzzle is, in the end."
[21:41] <Seira> "Teleport. A plea to the gods, since they apparently listen, here--" Seira blinks, and then looks at Demedais. "You. Pray to Helm."
[21:42] * Alicia snorts at the abrupt order to perform religious devotion. Then again, doesn't Helm bless Demedais with visions even in the Gods-spurned reality they know?
[21:43] * Demedais blinks. "That... right. Wow, I'm a bit dense. If it's right, then..." With that, Demedais closes his eyes and focuses....
[21:44] * Seira gives it a try as well, the gold coin-shaped gem serving as her focus! If it really came from Waukeen, she's ready to tune in for any helpful instructions beyond the usual 'you do it, mortals, and we'll like you again'.
[21:46] <Alicia> Watching the pair with faint amusement, Alicia declines to partake in forced prayer. She'll perform her usual devotions before going to sleep, anyway, and it can wait till then.
[21:47] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The gem begins to feel warm in Seira's hand, while Demedais prays quietly.
[21:47] * Seira feels liked by Waukeen, and resolves to give the next demon that crosses her path a harder time at recruiting her.
[21:48] <Demedais> "...!" Demedais almost topples out of his seat in astonishment. "Ah... but it's different, too. Less... focused, perhaps? Have we really stumbled into another world?"
[21:49] <Seira> "Okay, I'm ready for my nap, now," Seira announces, leaving the guarding to people who can actually spot something coming at them.
[21:49] * Alicia raises an eyebrow. "It's really different? Maybe the Gods are humouring you for the purpose of this charade," she suggests.
[21:50] <Demedais> "...Perhaps, although I admit this raises a bit of envy either way." Demedais says, shaking his head a bit. "If you wish to sleep, I can keep guard for a while and wake you if anything untoward occurs."
[21:50] * Seira is already fast asleep!
[21:52] <Alicia> "I suppose I'll go to bed, since we've been given such nice appointments," Alicia nods, taking off her armour and setting it neatly with her other belongings to the side of one of the nearby beds before she kneels down and begins to make her nightly prayers to the Lady of Mysteries in silence.
[21:53] <Alicia> Feeling somewhat refreshed, Alicia climbs into bed and rests.
[21:53] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> The night passes. It's late morning when the party rouses, having been refreshed and fed. Lord Stargazer awaits, the party entering the throne room. He looks a tad haggard, but nods as you enter. "I thank you for your valor last night. You helped us in the face of a determined, sneaky attack on our soil."
[21:54] <Seira> "We are sadly accustomed to determined, sneaky attacks on _our_ soil, Your Lordship," Seira responds.
[21:55] <Alicia> "Begging your pardon, my Lord, but Dragons are not usually thought of as particularly sneaky," Alicia can't help but observe, playing along and showing proper manners now that she's a bit more settled in this scenario.
[21:55] <Seira> "There was apparentl mischief in preparation for the attack, some of which we witnessed ourselves," Seira comments.
[21:58] * Demedais bows a bit as well. "We did what we could, Lord Stargazer."
[21:59] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Yes. As far as we know, there was an attempt to subvert the ball with magic. When that failed - partly because of what you did, perhaps, we're still not sure there - a more direct attack was invoked." His face turns grim, "Even with a better outcome, a few of our wizards were slain as well as a segment of the knights. If you had not been here, the results could have been much, much worse. We thank you.":
[22:00] <Seira> "It's a shame we didn't get involved from the start," Seira laments. "But that's also in the past. Were you able to identify the attackers?"
[22:03] * Demedais shakes his head in sadness, letting Seira take the lead.
[22:03] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "The woman is Sha'ru of the Silverspire. As far as we can tell, she's not the sort to start flinging around evil - the Silverspire is an organization that works for good, not evil.
[22:03] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> OOC - Gah.
[22:04] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "The woman is Sha'ru of the Silverspire. As far as we can tell, she's not the sort to start flinging around evil - the Silverspire is an organization that works for good, not evil. The fact that she rode a golden dragon is another mystery, but one that points to control or possession gone tragically wrong."
[22:06] <Seira> "We have seen such cases," Seira agrees. "Especially possession by devils, though I saw no signs of it here. Perhaps it possessed the dragon and then controlled her, not the other way around...."
[22:07] <Seira> Then something in Lord Stargazer's words makes her pause. "Excuse me, My Lord. Did you mean to imply that there are numerous dragons here?"
[22:07] <Demedais> "Could it be the same sort of possessing demon you two saw back at home, perhaps? Would it be strong enough to control a dragon?" Demedais questions.
[22:08] <Seira> "It was a fairly young dragon, as dragons go. Nothing like Kondrux."
[22:08] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "They are known of, yes." With a light shrug, "There were red and black dragons in the nearby volcanic mountaisn until they were dealtw ith about a hundred years ago," Lord Stargazer says. "I've seen a silver dragon myself in flight. They're not terribly common, but no more rare than many other 'monsters'."
[22:08] <Seira> "Huh. We have maybe three in the entire world, all beings of legend and possessing incredible knowledge and powers."
[22:09] <Demedais> "Three, once four." Demedais mutters almost under his breath.
[22:11] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "Mmm." Lord Stargazer agrees to that, a nod, "I would like to ask of you a service, if you will."
[22:11] <Seira> "Yes, Sire?"
[22:13] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "I'd like to make you an offer. According to Saleh, the gold dragon fled to the mountains. If ya would go there and look into it, we'd be very grateful."
[22:14] <Seira> "Gold dragons are good, normally," Seira muses. "I don't think we should be hunting one down."
[22:15] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "If it can be saved, by all means save it." Lord Stargazer agrees to thsoe words, "But after that attack, we have little choice."
[22:15] <Demedais> "On the other hand, gold dragons with eyes of black fire probably shouldn't be trusted, yanno?" Demedais replies.
[22:16] <Alicia> "Do we have time to go traipsing all the way to the mountains?" Alicia whispers to the other two.
[22:17] <Seira> "I never met a golden dragon before," Seira says with a shrug. "Who are we to judge?" But Alicia clearly raises a point she hoped avoid making herself. "Do you have a fast, magical method of getting to the mountains and back, My Lord?" she asks. "I'm afraid that if I were to spend my spells on that, I would resign myself to the role of an observer."
[22:18] <Demedais> "That's what I'm wondering. I'm torn between accepting having to do whatever duties we have here as part of the test and returning to ensure that there have been no problems back home." Demedais replies.
[22:18] <Ko-Ratisamagicalgirl> "We can transport you to Darlian, the town at the base of the mountains. It's a large trading town and a good place to base an expidition in."
[22:19] <Seira> A dragon that can't be that old. A dragon cave. Dragon loot? If they managed to return with it....
[22:20] * Demedais closes his eyes for a second, seemingly lost in thought...
[22:21] * Alicia thinks they should go back, but leaves the decision in the captain's hands, having given her thoughts already.
[22:22] <Seira> "It could be worth a try," Seira says at last. "Would the large trading town in question be capable of sending us back? Does it have any scouts we could make use of? And how tall is the mountain our dragon fled to?"
[22:25] * Demedais opens his eyes, staring a bit off into the distance. "There are risks either way, Captain, Alicia, but... I think it is worth the risk to try this."
[22:26] <Seira> "I intend to have us attempt to return within twenty hours," Seira says. "If conditions are favorable, we could be done with this investigation by then. Since our primary mission here is to learn, I believe it worth our while to try within the time alloted."
[22:26] <Alicia> "I dislike the idea of leaving Balmuria even for a few days in the current climate, but I'm duty bound to follow you no matter what," Alicia shrugs. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested, I just worry as to what we could miss while we're gone."
[22:28] <Seira> "We haven't been gone for even a full day, so far. If time flows correspondingly, we will be gone less than fourty-eight hours, a time insufficient for a full-scale invasion. If it isn't... then we either return when we left, or it is far too late, by now."
[22:29] * Alicia nods. "The decision is yours, Captain - where you lead, I will follow," she affirms.
[22:31] <Demedais> "I am disinclined to believe this is completely coincidental. This is, I think, a test; we have started it, we should complete it." After that, he tilts his head toward Alicia in assent. "But as Alicia says - it is your initiative, here."
[22:31] <Seira> "That this could aid us in our secondary mission objective as well...." Seira seems amused now, since that objective has clearly been pitched as excessive looting to their superiors. "Let's give it a try. We might get a chance to build better relations with a potential ally that isn't too far by magical portal."
[22:32] <Demedais> "Although accessible to very few, comparatively." Demedais replies. "Unless we can reroute past Ajan."

[Corwin]

[19:15] <Kokokokokoko> Lord Stargazer patiently awaits, "Have you made up your minds yet, eh?"
[19:17] * Demedais gestures to Seira. "Captain?"
[19:17] <Seira> "I said we'll go for it, already," Seira responds with a shrug.
[19:18] <Kokokokokoko> "Then I'll have Saleh prepare teleportation right away," Lord Stargazer says, "When you're ready, head to the courtyard."
[19:19] <Alicia> "No time like the present," Alicia suggests, bowing to the lord and adding a "By your leave," before she departs.
[19:19] * Seira feels pretty ready.
[19:20] * Demedais bows and heads to the courtyard!
[19:22] <Kokokokokoko> The trip out is in to a bustling courtyard. Ahead, the dance hall is nothing but a collapsed ruin, full of rubble and mess. The debris are being begun to clear up, aided by robed men(Including your gnomish friend) commanding earth elementals. Selah is with them, turning to see you as the party comes out.
[19:23] * Demedais winces at the sight.
[19:23] * Alicia is somewhat surprised. She must have been really distracted last night not to have noticed the ballroom having been destroyed. Hopefully they got everyone out in all the fuss about the ensorcellment before that happened.
[19:25] * Seira feels secure in her decision to go ahead with adventuring, since the way home seems to have been blocked temporarily, anyway.
[19:26] * Demedais nods to Selah.
[19:29] <Kokokokokoko> Taking out a scroll, "When you need to return, give this to the city mayor. He'll take care of the return trip details. Then..." Selah approaches, starting to point his finger in a circular motion. With chants, a blazing, etherial circle is formed on the ground around the heroes. "I call on the immutable distances of our world to dissolve their iron grasp! Give way to true nature and power of things!"
[19:33] <Kokokokokoko> In a flash, the heroes vanish! A moment later, they stand just outside of a broad stone gate. Behind them lies a bustling, busy city, a horse and cart walking past them into it. They glance at the three, a wary look degenerating into a shrug.  Ahead of you are grand snowy mountains, the air crisply cold. Yet the tops are barren of snow, almost steamy.
[19:34] <Alicia> "So, shall we ask around the city first, or head straight up to the mountain?" Alicia asks. The heated peak makes it seem a pretty obvious habitat for a gigantic fire breathing lizard, at least.
[19:36] <Demedais> "Mmmm..." Demedais muses. "I dunno. Should we ask around to see if they know of the dragon that lives there, assuming it wasn't just fleeing to a random safe spot?"
[19:37] <Alicia> "Someone might have seen it flying overhead, last night, too," Alicia points out.
[19:38] <Demedais> "This is true." Demedais concedes. "Seira, any thoughts?"
[19:39] <Kokokokokoko> As the party waits, the horse and cart along with the rider head into the city. The air quite chilly, well below freezing. The sky is a clear, painful blue, too sharp in the frozen morning.  Yet a few clouds come from the east, slowly starting to dot the sky.
[19:41] <Seira> "Let's approach the mayor, and ask for a scout or some other kind of guide," Seira decides at last.
[19:41] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods.
[19:42] <Alicia> "Good idea," Alicia agrees, starting towards the city.
[19:42] * Alicia hugs her cloak around herself a bit to ward off the cold as she walks.
[19:43] <Kokokokokoko> The party enters the town. It's a sprawling place full of comings and goings, bands of shops and trading squares with a center conglomeration of them. Amid the calls for things from 'winter fruits' to 'new furs from Estro' to 'Magical potions of all types', the mayor's office sits. A four story house, big. It's wooden shutters emit soft firelight, clashing with the sunlight. A few guards are at front, awaiting. A few people come an dgo,
[19:45] <Kokokokokoko>  A few people come an dgo, usually just glanced at and little else by the guards.
[19:46] * Seira checks the scroll they're supposed to hand over to the Mayor before entering.
[19:47] <Kokokokokoko> 'Sir Gort: On the orders of His Lordship, the bearers of this scroll are to be teleported back to Lord Stargazer's castle on request. Please make the arraingements as needed. Selah.'
[19:47] * Seira heads inside, looking for Sir Gort.
[19:47] * Demedais gestures slightly to Seira, feeling the bite of the cold as well.
[19:49] <Kokokokokoko> Inside, fiery warmth fills your bodies. "Close the doors, you damned fools!" A few angry voices call as the heroes enter. It's a very large room, several desks and lots of paper about. It's wide open, people coming, going, doing business and so forth.  Lord Gort is found near the back, a hearty man, but very old. His face is lined, slightly pointed ears drooping.  "Good day, what can I do for you," he asks, looking up slowly.
[19:50] <Seira> "Lord Stargazer entrusted us to look into the matter of a golden dragon living in these parts," Seira tells him. "We were wondering whether it was possible to get a local guide to the area, to make things more efficient on our end."
[19:51] <Kokokokokoko> "That was fast," he observes, "I just heard reports of a dragon flying overtown last night from the Solstice revellers. I assume you have some manner of identification or confirmation?"
[19:52] * Seira shows him the scroll. "It's for when we're done, but it should serve in a pinch, I'd say."
[19:55] <Kokokokokoko> "Mmm-hmm." Looking it over once, "I understand completely." Looking the three over as he gets up, Lord Gort talks to  a nearby man, sending him off in a hurry. On returning, "Are you new to Lord Stargazer's service? You don't look like normal knights or men at arms."
[19:56] <Alicia> "You could call us freelancers," Alicia demurs. "We happened to be visiting the castle by coincidence, and after helping to repel the dragon's attack, Lord Stargazer asked us to look into the matter."
[19:58] <Kokokokokoko> "Hm." Lord Gort merely nods after it, "I'll send Cant with you. He knows the mountains fairly well and can hold his own."
[19:58] <Seira> "Is there anything you might be able to tell us about the surrounding area, or the dragon in question?"
[19:59] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[20:00] * Demedais (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Taishyr))
[20:00] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[20:00] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[20:00] * Demedais just stands there stoically, detachedly gazing around the room. At Lord Gort's offer, he merely nods in appreciation.
[20:00] <Kokokokokoko> "Cant can help you with the mountain. As for the dragon, no. We haven't had dragons here for about a century, and never a gold dragon." A wary look, "Ah, there he is. Cant, over here!"
[20:03] * Alicia turns to get a look at their guide.
[20:03] <Kokokokokoko> The man approaching is lean, like a readied whip. He has an unruly beard and train worn leathers, a longsword at his belt and a bow and arrow on his back. He grunts towards Lord Gort, "What is you want?"
[20:04] <Kokokokokoko> "They're going to look into those dragon sightings last night. Aid them along," Lord Gort instructs. "When are you three leaving?"
[20:04] <Alicia> "Now, preferably," Alicia replies. "We'd like to have this resolved swiftly."
[20:05] <Kokokokokoko> "Yeah, sure," Cant agrees, "I'm ready whenever then."
[20:05] * Seira nods. "We're as ready as we'll ever be, then. Thank you for your help."
[20:06] * Demedais nods to Cant. "Let's be off, then."
[20:07] <Kokokokokoko> So the party heads out! As you walk through the snow and out the gates, leaving the party behind, "Do any of you have mountain experience?" he asks, stopping and looking each over.
[20:08] <Seira> "This other dragon we hunted down lived there," Seira responds curtly.
[20:08] * Alicia nods. "Nasty shocker lizard infested mountains," she affirms.
[20:09] <Demedais> "Yeah." Demedais nods.
[20:10] <Kokokokokoko> "Those things are bastards. Lucky they don't live here,"  Cant agrees, "Then you know what's going to come. Most of it's upward paths for the first segment, then a mix of old cave passages, climbing and mountain paths. I know about the first 2/3s of the trip - the later parts have too many left over nasties still iving inside to venture in often."
[20:11] <Demedais> "Got it." Demedais nods. "You think the dragon will still be aggressive, Seira?"
[20:12] <Alicia> "Do you know why the peak of the mountain is so hot?" Alicia asks their guide.
[20:12] * Seira nods again. "Hey, this is off-topic, but do you know of Silverspire?" she asks Cant. At Demedais's question, she shrugs. "Let's hope not."
[20:12] <Kokokokokoko> "Yeah, there's some volcanic activity - no eruptions since the town's been made, but there's a lot of heat and steam." As he starts to walk, he glances back. "Eh, heard of 'em. They're some group or another, I think. Why? You from them?"
[20:14] <Seira> "No, just wondering where they're based, or what their deal is."
[20:15] <Kokokokokoko> Keeping his pace up, "Ask someone when you get back." he shrugs, "C'mon, let's get going before we waste what's left of the morning."
[20:16] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods as he follows Cant.
[20:16] * Alicia has no objection to that, setting off at a swift pace.
[20:19] <Kokokokokoko> Two hours pass as you travelo the base of the mountain. The trip is a snowy one as you begin to go up rocky paths, waiding through thick piles of white. It doesnt' really hellp your speed at all. Meanwhile, the sky above gets a little cloudier, puffy white clouds with dark undersides drifting along. (More)
[20:20] <Kokokokokoko> Eventually, you come to a path that starts to truly sacend up the mountain. It's about twenty feet wide and rocky, coated with snow and ice. "Go up this ways a couple hundred feet, then we'll come to the first cave cuthrough," Cant notes, leading the way.
[20:21] <Alicia> "Think we should go into the caves here or will we be better off getting higher up, first?" Alicia asks.
[20:22] <Kokokokokoko> "If skip the cave," Cant shivers a moment, "The path narrows awhile and gets rockier. I usually use the cave, especially in winter."
[20:23] * Demedais pulls out his climbing gear to use for some extra grip, not eager to fall down into the abyss.
[20:26] <Alicia> "Probably best to use the caves, since not all of us are skilled climbers," Alicia nods as they press on.
[20:26] <Seira> "Okay," Seira says as they follow Cant. "I've prepared for a defensive engagement on our side, with plenty of energy resistance and anti-falling down to one's death spells, so it'll be up to you two to kill the dragon if it's hostile. I still should have plenty of support left to back you up."
[20:26] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods.
[20:27] <Kokokokokoko> "Magic? Good to have you along, then," Cant glances back with an appreciative smile. "Don't get me wrong, though - if it turns ugly, I will withdraw. This is a job, not a suicide."
[20:27] <Seira> "No problem."
[20:27] <Alicia> "If we can catch it in an enclosed space we can probably manage, but if it's airborne we'll have trouble," Alicia notes, before glancing at Cant. "Don't worry about it, we wouldn't expect you to do anything stupid. We'll want a guide on the way down, too."
[20:28] <Kokokokokoko> "Good," Cant agrees as you climb onward. OOc - Would all of you make spot checks?
[20:28] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8
[20:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{15}
[20:28] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+11
[20:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{13}
[20:28] <Seira> roll 1d20+1 this never gets old!
[20:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0this never gets old! --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{15}
[20:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+1
[20:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{21}
[20:30] <Kokokokokoko> It's not terribly hard to see - at about two hundred feet up, you can distantly see a cave mouth as the path winds around. However, as you do, you see a large and tall creature with dull brown skin peering around, before heading back into the cave. It makes efforts to hdie, but really, it's rather feeble.
[20:30] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 nature
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0nature --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{27}
[20:30] * Demedais pauses, looking to the rest of the group. "You guys see that?"
[20:31] <Seira> "It's an ogre," Seira says with a frown. "They live here?"
[20:31] <Alicia> "Hard to miss," Alicia notes. "Looks like an ogre or hill giant," she surmises, drawing her sword as they approach.
[20:31] <Seira> "Nope, definitely an ogre."
[20:32] <Kokokokokoko> "It's not unheard of," Cant withdraws his bow. "I've seen them once in awhile, haven't had to deal with one in awhile."
[20:32] <Demedais> "Kay. Anything I should know about the usual 'cut it to many small pieces' tactic?"
[20:32] <Seira> "It hits a lot, hit it first, hit it hard."
[20:32] <Kokokokokoko> "No, that works pretty well," Cant adds after a moment.
[20:33] <Demedais> "Excellent." Demedais grins, gesturing ahead.
[20:34] <Kokokokokoko> It's another one hundred feet up as you climb. Soon you reach near the cave mouth. It's quite dark in there, so you can't really see much on a casual glance.  Ahead the path past the cave narrows, thick with snow.
[20:34] * Alicia takes the lead, making her way up to the cave entrance and keeping an eye out in case the ogre tries anything stupid.
[20:34] * Seira is always ready to shoot ogres full of holes.
[20:34] * Alicia casts light on a convenient rock and tosses it into the cave before heading in herself.
[20:34] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=9 ]4,0{9}
[20:35] * Demedais has his sword out for intimidation factor, and uses a sweep of detect chaos to try and determine its location.
[20:37] <Kokokokokoko> Light gushes into the cave! It's fairly wide at first, where you see three ogres with greatclubs lie in waiting! They roar at the light, one bellowing, "Cronk hate light! Aaaah!" About sixty feet back is another creature - like an ogre but a bit bigger. It's pale blue skin belies the greatsword in it's hand, as it stares ahead...OOC - The light completely surprised them, so you can get a surprise round.
[20:37] * Seira barely stopping herself from laughing at their plight, Seira shoots them full of holes, as planned!
[20:38] <Alicia> Since Seira's already shooting, Alicia casts shield on herself in readiness for the impending mayhem,
[20:38] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=11 ]4,0{11}
[20:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[20:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{13}
[20:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[20:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{31}
[20:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 confirm?!
[20:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0confirm?! --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{21}
[20:38] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Which one are you attacking, Seira?
[20:38] <Seira> OOC: Same ogre
[20:38] <Kokokokokoko> OOC: Right. One hit, but it's a crit.
[20:39] <Seira> roll 2d8+2+2d6
[20:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 2d8+2+2d6 --> 6,0[ 2d8=10 2d6=5 ]4,0{17}
[20:39] <Seira> OOC: +1, yeah
[20:39] <Kokokokokoko> The first ogre is caught off guard by Seira's arrows, riddling it with firepower and a wound in it's chest! Meanwhile, Cant takes the lead, firing off in much the same manner!
[20:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+13
[20:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{17}
[20:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[20:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{11}
[20:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d8+5
[20:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=1 ]4,0{6}
[20:40] <Kokokokokoko> The wounded ogre gets another arrow in it's body, sending it to the brink of death yet still up! OOC - 'licia and Deme.
[20:41] <Alicia> OOC: I already went. I cast shield.
[20:41] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Oh, dur. Deme.
[20:41] * Demedais charges in to the closest ogre Seira and Cant aren't shooting, and does as he said he would!
[20:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (-4 PA)
[20:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{16}
[20:41] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Barely hit.
[20:42] <Demedais> roll 2d6+15
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+15 --> 6,0[ 2d6=5 ]4,0{20}
[20:42] <Kokokokokoko> The ogre to the left of the arrowed one is hit, his stomach ripped open! "OW! CRONK NO LIKE!" It loudly protests! OOC - Initiative.
[20:42] <Demedais> roll 1d20 tough shit, Cronk
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 1,0tough shit, Cronk --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{1}
[20:42] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 death to Cronk!
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0death to Cronk! --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{19}
[20:42] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+4 blue
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+4 1,0blue --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{8}
[20:43] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20-1 O1
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20-1 1,0O1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{12}
[20:43] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20-1 O2
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20-1 1,0O2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{11}
[20:43] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20-1 O3
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20-1 1,0O3 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{16}
[20:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{6}
[20:44] * Kokokokokoko changes topic to 'Seira>Ogre 3>Ogre 1>Ogre 2>Blue Ogre>Alicia>DemeHino'
[20:44] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+3
[20:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+3 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{5}
[20:44] * Kokokokokoko changes topic to 'Seira>Ogre 3>Ogre 1>Ogre 2>Blue Ogre>Alicia>Cant>DemeHino'
[20:44] * Seira gleefully tries to put the arrow-riddled ogre down before seeking out other targets!
[20:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[20:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{21}
[20:44] <Seira> roll 1d8+2+2d6
[20:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+2+2d6 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 2d6=11 ]4,0{17}
[20:45] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Downed, if you want to attack naother with your FA. I'll describe it at the end.
[20:45] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 there's a third ogre somewhere
[20:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0there's a third ogre somewhere --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{29}
[20:45] <Seira> roll 1d8+2+2d6
[20:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+2+2d6 --> 6,0[ 1d8=7 2d6=2 ]4,0{11}
[20:46] <Kokokokokoko> Seira fires fast, deft arrows! One gets the eye of the wounded ogre, sending it to it's grave! As it keels over, Seira whirls and fires on the last unhurt ogre, penetrating it's arm! It roars and in return charges Demedais!
[20:46] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+10
[20:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{21}
[20:46] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - AC?
[20:46] * Kokokokokoko changes topic to 'Seira>Ogre 3>Ogre 2>Blue Ogre>Alicia>Cant>DemeHino'
[20:46] <Demedais> OOC: 24, counting the -2 charge bonus.
[20:46] <Kokokokokoko> But the greatclub only hits the ground next to him, slightly bruising mother earth! The second ogre also engages Demedais, striking back!
[20:46] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[20:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{17}
[20:47] <Kokokokokoko> But this blow is parried by the Fifth Resort, deflected skillfully! The blue ogre looks on, before seeming to melt into gas and flowing upward, into the ceiling.
[20:47] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Alicia.
[20:49] <Alicia> "Was this really necessary?" Alicia asks rather unhappily, rushing forward to try and down the already wounded ogre without killing him.
[20:49] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 charge -2 power attack nonlethal
[20:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0charge -2 power attack nonlethal --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{31}
[20:49] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 charge -2 power attack nonlethal crit check
[20:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0charge -2 power attack nonlethal crit check --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{17}
[20:50] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Crit.
[20:50] <Seira> "Come on, they're always evil," Seira complains.
[20:50] <Alicia> roll 2d8+28 nonlethal, please go to sleep
[20:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d8+28 1,0nonlethal, please go to sleep --> 6,0[ 2d8=8 ]4,0{36}
[20:50] <Kokokokokoko> The ogre so rushed is knocked out with a blow to it's head, collapsing! OOC - Deme.
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Er, Cant.
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> "Just finish the last one," Cant calls, readying his arrows. "Talk later!"
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+13
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{23}
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{14}
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d8+5
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=8 ]4,0{13}
[20:51] <Kokokokokoko> The last ogre keels over, slain by a flying arrow to it's neck! OOC - Battle appears to be over, you guys dominated. Free action.
[20:52] <Alicia> "They weren't doing any harm to anyone up here," Alicia comments unhappily, "And might have been able to tell us about the dragon they share this mountain with."
[20:53] <Seira> "Ask the next ogre, then. It'll be on your head if they're not particularly welcoming."
[20:54] * Demedais glances to Cant. "They usually agressive up here? I know I simply went based off the ones back home..."
[20:55] <Kokokokokoko> "I've had to deal with a few, but it varies," Cant slowly puts away his bow, going over to the one Alicia brained. "What do you want to do with the survivor?"
[20:55] <Seira> "Survivor? Didn't you say you wanted to question some, here you go."
[20:55] <Demedais> "Also, do the blue ones normally disappear?"
[20:56] <Alicia> "I doubt he'll be in a mood to talk after we just murdered his friends. Lets just get moving," Alicia scowls, picking up her glowing rock and looking to see if there's a path deeper into the caves.
[20:56] <Seira> "Yes, they're total cowards."
[20:57] <Kokokokokoko> The cave continues onward ahead. It's cold in here, the rock old and weathered. There are often cracks or even bits of ice on the walls, along with a few hardy lichens. The path of the cave is gradual but uphill.
[20:58] * Alicia still has her sword held ready in one hand as she holds up her light source and takes point, heading up through the passage.
[20:58] * Demedais shakes his head mutely and eyes the ogre. "If you're going to leave it alive, Alicia, should we at least bind its hand... kay." Demedais simply follows Alicia, not wanting some reprise of the dance problems.
[20:59] * Seira doesn't really care about evil ogres one way or the other, happy to continue.
[21:00] <Kokokokokoko> The cave goes on about ten minutes. Little of note can be found in the rest of it, until you come to a passage out. It rejoins the path, still a tad narrow and snowy, but not so bad. The sun above duels with dark bottomed clouds, light and shadows dancing in the cold air. Up ahead you can see another cave, and the path also continues past it.
[21:01] <Alicia> "Go into the next cave or past it?" Alicia asks their guide, also deciding it could be prudent to cast Message in case they get seperated or need to talk quietly.
[21:01] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[21:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=42 ]4,0{42}
[21:02] <Kokokokokoko> "The next cave is very long, and skips a large segment of path. It also goes by a half frozen lake," Cant observes as he looks up to the sky. "The path's not terrible ahead, but it is roundabout and long."
[21:03] <Alicia> "Probably be quicker to take the cave, then," Alicia nods. "Anything else we should be wary of in there?" she asks, setting out up the path towards said cavern.
[21:03] * Demedais keeps pace with Alicia, blade still out and at his side.
[21:06] <Kokokokokoko> "Ogres, large or dire wolverines, wolves, bears, trolls, the entire gamut if we're unlucky," With a shrug, Cant begins to lead the way in. The cave is quiet and dim, Alicia's light shedding a path ahead.  After about five minutes of walking, you begin to hear the rustling of moving water, carrying in the air.
[21:07] <Alicia> "Lake doesn't sound so frozen," Alicia can't help but observe as they press on.
[21:07] <Demedais> "Indeed..." Demedais murmurs, shaking his head.
[21:08] <Seira> "Our dragon can breathe fire, don't be so surprised."
[21:08] <Kokokokokoko> "...humph," Cant mutters, "You don't hear it from here except in the summer."
[21:10] <Kokokokokoko> As the party gets closer, another five minutes of walking, they note the temperature of the cave is rising notably. It's warmer now, no ice on the walls.
[21:10] <Demedais> "...perhaps the volcano is more active now?" Demedais asks Cant.
[21:11] <Kokokokokoko> Cant shakes his head, "If there's a dragon here and it's stirring up the volcano..."
[21:11] * Seira is pretty comfortable, but asks Demedais and Alicia to stand still for a moment, casting Fire Resistance on them both.
[21:12] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia nods in appreciation after Seira casts her spell, before continuing onwards, now somewhat wary that the dragon could be near.
[21:13] <Seira> "It might be a good time to prepare with Message," Seira muses. "And any other long-term spells you wished to cast ahead."
[21:13] <Alicia> "I cast it when we came out of the last cave," Alicia mouths without actually saying anything, letting the spell do the rest.
[21:14] <Seira> "So you did! We're good, then."
[21:15] <Kokokokokoko> After another five minutes of walking, you come to the lake. It's a natural dome in the cave, large and ample. Most of the ground ahead is a large, steaming hot lake. The surface lightly bubbles, as if on the verge of a boil. From above and the sides, little rills of water flow in the lake. To the right is the path onward past the lake, very narrow and only a couple of feet free of water. The room is steamy and dark, making visibility p
[21:16] <Kokokokokoko>  making visibility poor. (More)
[21:16] <Kokokokokoko> Cant looks about, a scowl, "
[21:16] <Kokokokokoko> Cant looks about, a scowl, "The water level's elevated," he notes, "Ice in the mountain must be melting." He waves his hand, battign away a little steam. "It's lik ea hot spring in here now."
[21:16] * Demedais (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:17] <Alicia> "It's roasting," Alicia agrees, tossing her light stone halfway along the path beside the lake and then starting to circle around herself, picking it up when she reaches it and then tossing it to the far end before continuing.
[21:18] <Seira> "Let's go say hi to our dragon," Seira mouths, following.
[21:18] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[21:18] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[21:18] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[21:19] <Kokokokokoko> Alicia finds the path is quite narrow and steamy. The light helps a bit, as you get to the narrow parts of the path, you find it's hard to see ten feet in front of yourselves.
[21:20] * Demedais keeps close to the source of light, trying to see what lies ahead in case of an ambush...
[21:20] * Alicia finds herself regretting the decision to not walk on the outside, but it's a bit late now. Hopefully the air will clear past the lake. With one hand on the rock face beside her, she continues carefully circling around the body of water.
[21:21] <Kokokokokoko> Cant grunts as he continues to walk along, "I can barely see ahead of myself," he says, "Are any of you doing better?"
[21:22] <Seira> "It's fine if we walk slowly," Seira reasons. "Visibility is decent for ten feet or so, which is plenty."
[21:22] <Demedais> "Not really." Demedais says, taking care to follow Alicia. After a second of thought, he sweeps out with detect chaos, trying to sense any waiting ogre ambushes.
[21:22] * Alicia nods. "We'll be fine once we're past the lake," she agrees.
[21:22] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8
[21:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{11}
[21:24] <Kokokokokoko> As the party walks along...SPLASH!  The water around them erupts, as sickening glaives strike out in moments of confusion! One is aimed at Alicia, another at Seira!
[21:24] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+9 Alicia
[21:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0Alicia --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{20}
[21:24] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+9 Seira
[21:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0Seira --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{22}
[21:24] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Flatfooted ACs?
[21:24] <Alicia> OOC: 17
[21:25] <Seira> OOC: Not that
[21:25] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d10+3 Alicia
[21:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d10+3 1,0Alicia --> 6,0[ 1d10=10 ]4,0{13}
[21:25] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d10+3 Seira
[21:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d10+3 1,0Seira --> 6,0[ 1d10=8 ]4,0{11}
[21:26] <Kokokokokoko> In the steamy chaos Alicia and Seira both receive horrible bleeding wounds! Wounds that seem to trickle blood without closing, draining their vitality! In the shadows, they can see half hidden figures, tall, nasty and holding horrible glaives in the steam and water! OOC - Initiative.
[21:27] <Demedais> roll 1d20 DIE uh whatever you things are.
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 1,0DIE uh whatever you things are. --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{17}
[21:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{15}
[21:27] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter time
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0nerveskitter time --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{17}
[21:27] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+6
[21:27] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+6
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{11}
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{7}
[21:27] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+3
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+3 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{21}
[21:28] * Kokokokokoko changes topic to 'Cant>Deme=Seira>Alicia>Creature 1>Creature 2'
[21:28] <Kokokokokoko> In the chaos Cant falls back, firing away arrows at the one that hit Alicia!
[21:28] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+13
[21:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{26}
[21:28] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[21:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{17}
[21:28] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d8+5
[21:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=2 ]4,0{7}
[21:29] <Kokokokokoko> One arrow flies, hitting the steam shrouded figure! OOC - Deme and Seira are up.
[21:29] * Demedais whirls with his blade and charges the one hit by Cant!
[21:29] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - That'll require going into the nearly boiling water. aRe you okay with that?
[21:30] <Seira> OOC: He has fire res 20, if that's just that
[21:30] <Demedais> OOC: ...right, boiling water. Fire res counter boiling water?
[21:30] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - It would.
[21:31] <Demedais> OOC: Then sure.
[21:31] <Kokokokokoko> OOC: Go for it.
[21:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (-4 PA)
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{13}
[21:31] <Kokokokokoko> Demedais charges intothe scalding water! It burns, struggling with his resistance! As Demedais grits his teeth, he swings and misses!
[21:31] <Kokokokokoko> roll 5d6 fire damage
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 5d6 1,0fire damage --> 6,0[ 5d6=12 ]4,0{12}
[21:33] * Seira considers taking out the losers to be the best, quickest form of action. And silver arrows should be more effective! A step back, a pair of arrows at the devil that dared to strike at her.
[21:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{17}
[21:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{22}
[21:33] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - One hit.
[21:34] <Seira> roll 1d8+11 silver
[21:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+11 1,0silver --> 6,0[ 1d8=5 ]4,0{16}
[21:35] <Kokokokokoko> The creature is striken by a silver arrows, staggered and wobbling in the mistiness! "What the hell are they?" Cant calls as he prepares more arrows. OOC - Alicia.
[21:35] <Seira> "If it looks like a devil and hits like a devil...."
[21:35] <Alicia> "Wretched thing! Die!" Alicia snaps in fury, lunging into the water and unleashing a pair of powerful swings with one end of her blade into the devil that attacked her!
[21:35] <Alicia> OOC: DC 18 will or shaken
[21:35] <Kokokokokoko> roll 5d6 fire damage, resolving this as well now
[21:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 -3 power attack
[21:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 5d6 1,0fire damage, resolving this as well now --> 6,0[ 5d6=21 ]4,0{21}
[21:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0-3 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{17}
[21:36] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 -3 power attack
[21:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0-3 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{25}
[21:36] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Second hits.
[21:36] <Alicia> roll 1d8+16
[21:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+16 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 ]4,0{20}
[21:36] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+5 will
[21:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0will --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{21}
[21:36] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+5 will
[21:36] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0will --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{17}
[21:37] <Kokokokokoko> Alicia ignores the scalding her legs get as she charges the vile creature, slashing into it! The one that hit Seira rears back at her in the fog! However, the one that stands firm attacks Alicia right back!
[21:38] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+9
[21:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{18}
[21:38] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+4
[21:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{14}
[21:39] <Alicia> OOC: AC 21
[21:39] <Kokokokokoko> The blows rain down, but Alicia parries them away! Meanwhile te second one climbs up out of the water! You can see it now - a vile devil, it's beard dripping water! It uses it's reach, slashing at Cant!
[21:39] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+9
[21:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{19}
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - 2 to it anyway.
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> But the attack is missed by the faintest hair, Cant managing to duck the vertical swipe! Cant in retalation fires two arrows at it!
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+13
[21:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{28}
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[21:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{10}
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d8+5
[21:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=8 ]4,0{13}
[21:40] <Kokokokokoko> The shot is excellent, half jutting out of the devil's stomach! OOC - Deme and Seira.
[21:41] * Seira shoots the stupid devil attacking Cant, for it dared to strike at her before!
[21:41] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[21:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{9}
[21:41] <Seira> roll 1d20+6 (5pa)
[21:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{25}
[21:41] <Seira> roll 1d8+11 silver, again
[21:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+11 1,0silver, again --> 6,0[ 1d8=8 ]4,0{19}
[21:41] * Demedais presses his assault on the one Cant hit earlier!
[21:41] <Kokokokokoko> The devil is arrowed, greviously wounded in it's eye, nearly dying!
[21:41] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (-2 PA)
[21:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(-2 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{14}
[21:42] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 (-2 PA)
[21:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0(-2 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{16}
[21:42] <Kokokokokoko> As Demedais continues his assault, the hot water sizzles at him!
[21:42] <Kokokokokoko> roll 5d7
[21:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 5d7 --> 6,0[ 5d7=13 ]4,0{13}
[21:42] <Kokokokokoko> roll 5d6
[21:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 5d6 --> 6,0[ 5d6=13 ]4,0{13}
[21:42] <Kokokokokoko> Despite the pain, Deme is unhurt! He continues his assaults, but cannot land a soild blow! OOC - Alicia.
[21:43] * Alicia snarls in rage at the devil that dared to strike her, pressing her vicious assault against it!
[21:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 -3 pa
[21:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0-3 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{25}
[21:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 -3 pa
[21:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0-3 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{14}
[21:43] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - First hits.
[21:43] <Alicia> roll 1d8+16
[21:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+16 --> 6,0[ 1d8=5 ]4,0{21}
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> Alicia tears into her foe, slicing it's side deeply! Despite resistance she keeps it up, as the beseiged devil assaults Alicia back!
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+9
[21:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+4
[21:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{6}
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> But both blows are pathetic, only kicking up boiling water!
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> roll 5d6 fire to Alicia
[21:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 5d6 1,0fire to Alicia --> 6,0[ 5d6=19 ]4,0{19}
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> Meanwhile, the shaken one rocks back, desperately attacking Demedais!
[21:44] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+7
[21:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+7 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{14}
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> But the blow just glances off his armor! Cant keeps his firing up, trying to finish it!
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+13
[21:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{25}
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d20+8
[21:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{24}
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> roll 2d8+10
[21:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 2d8+10 --> 6,0[ 2d8=9 ]4,0{19}
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Strike.
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d8+5
[21:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=5 ]4,0{10}
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> roll 1d8+5
[21:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=1 ]4,0{6}
[21:45] <Kokokokokoko> With twin arrows, the devil goes down, collapsing under it's wounds! OOC - Deme and Seira.
[21:46] * Seira fires at the remaining devil!
[21:46] <Seira> roll 1d20+2 (5pa)
[21:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+2 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{12}
[21:46] <Seira> roll 1d20+2 (5pa)
[21:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+2 1,0(5pa) --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{3}
[21:46] * Demedais moves to flank the remaining devil with Alicia, determined to do -something- useful today.
[21:46] <Kokokokokoko> roll 5d6 fire damage
[21:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kokokokokoko rolled :6,0 5d6 1,0fire damage --> 6,0[ 5d6=13 ]4,0{13}
[21:47] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (4 PA)
[21:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{13}
[21:47] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 (4 PA)
[21:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0(4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{22}
[21:47] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Second hits.
[21:47] <Demedais> roll 2d6+15
[21:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+15 --> 6,0[ 2d6=4 ]4,0{19}
[21:47] <Kokokokokoko> With a cleaving blow, Demedais whirls around and is able to down the last bearded devil! OOC - Combat's done, act.
[21:47] * Alicia clambers out of the water and quickly sets to healing her bleeding wound.
[21:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+2 cl check
[21:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+2 1,0cl check --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{5}
[21:48] <Seira> "This is quite profitable," Seira announces, regrouping with Alicia and Demedais.
[21:48] <Alicia> roll 1d20+2 cl check
[21:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+2 1,0cl check --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{15}
[21:48] * Demedais quickly gets out of the water. Despite the protection Seira gave, it's still nasty.
[21:48] <Kokokokokoko> "What the hell's going on,"C ant looks about, "What are devils doing here?"
[21:48] <Demedais> "Seira, you want that wound attended to?" Demedais asks. "And I've not the slightest, Cant."
[21:49] <Seira> "That's what we're here to investigate, it seems," Seira tells him, before nodding at Demedais.
[21:49] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 stabilizing wound with Heal skill (this can be done, correct?)
[21:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0stabilizing wound with Heal skill (this can be done, correct?) --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{28}
[21:50] * Demedais then proceeds to heal Seira back to health before glancing questioningly at Alicia.
[21:51] * Seira hands Demedais the wand of cure light wounds. "Here, use this, and save your power for later."
[21:51] * Demedais glances at it before handing it back and pulling out his own. "You people forget I've one of my own."
[21:51] <Alicia> "Probably they've been brought here by whomever corrupted the dragon," Alicia surmises. "I never knew they were aquatic, though... Lets move on before more appear?" she suggests, starting to move quickly back on the path around the lake.
[21:52] <Demedais> roll 2d8+2 Seira
[21:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d8+2 1,0Seira --> 6,0[ 2d8=11 ]4,0{13}
[21:53] <Seira> Now healed, Seira is only too happy to follow.
[21:53] * Demedais follows Alicia as well.
[21:53] <Kokokokokoko> The rest of the lake walk goes without incident. Another five minutes of walking leads you from heat to cold, an exit from the cave found. It's positively freezing out here, but it feels rather good, too.
[21:54] * Alicia does rather enjoy the bracing air. Briefly taking a moment to wave her wand over herself for further healing, she exits the cave and looks around.
[21:54] <Alicia> roll 2d8+2
[21:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d8+2 --> 6,0[ 2d8=4 ]4,0{6}
[21:54] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
[21:54] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=7 ]4,0{8}
[21:54] <Kokokokokoko> The party is several hundred feet up now, climbing up the mountains. The sky is cloudy, the path ahead leading onward up the mountain. A bone chilling breeze blows on occasion.
[21:55] * Alicia heads up the path!
[21:55] <Seira> "Dragons must brave the elements, dragons must brave the elements," Seira repeats to herself quietly as a mantra.
[21:57] * Demedais blinks at Seira a bit, having heard a bit over Message. Deciding not to comment, however, he simply follows Alicia up the path, trying to stay observant against the cold.
[21:57] <Kokokokokoko> Onward the party climbs. The path isn't very steep here, you only ascend another fifty feet, perhaps, over ten minutes. But the path stops at a steep slope, going up another sixty feet in a very short time. Itl ooks dangerous to cross, even with a lot of old, established holes in it. Cant points at those, "Grappling points for pylons," he notes, "Once we get over this we'll get getting fairly well and in."
[21:59] <Alicia> With the aid of her own climbing gear, Alicia is reasonably confident of getting over this obstacle. "Need any help, Seira?" she asks, recalling the wall in Valandia.
[21:59] * Demedais inhales. "Before I try this, I should probably doff my armor..."
[22:00] <Seira> "I'll play the helpless maiden role, sure," Seira agrees.
[22:00] * Demedais moves back down to just inside the entrance of the cave to ensure he has enough room to do that and stow his armor away before returning back up.
[22:00] <Kokokokokoko> Cant get sout rope and some metal pylons, "Give mea  moment and I'l set this up," he offers, "It's not that hard, I can help."
[22:00] * Alicia lets Cant do his work, first.
[22:01] * Demedais returns, armor bagged and climbing gear ready to try and not fall.
[22:02] <Kokokokokoko> This takes a moment, his breath steaming out in front of him. But soon a good network of support is in place. "Go ahead."
[22:02] * Seira watches over the others as they head up, bow ready!
[22:03] * Demedais glances at Alicia. "Should I move first?"
[22:03] <Alicia> "If you really want to," Alicia shrugs in reply to Demedais.
[22:04] * Demedais glances ahead to the setup distastefully. "Gonna have to sometime." With that, he moves to cross!
[22:04] <Kokokokokoko> OOC - Climbing chekc.
[22:07] * Alicia gives Demedais a boost!
[22:07] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 aid
[22:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0aid --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{29}
[22:08] <Demedais> roll 1d20+6 go go Alicia aid?
[22:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0go go Alicia aid? --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{25}
[22:08] <Kokokokokoko> With help, Demedais is able to get up without incident!
[22:08] * Alicia then offers Seira a leg up!
[22:08] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 aid
[22:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0aid --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{14}
[22:09] * Seira sighs, before nodding at Alicia and trying.
[22:09] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[22:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{17}
[22:09] <Kokokokokoko> Seira is able to get up without incident.
[22:10] * Alicia then climbs up herself!
[22:10] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
[22:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{18}
[22:10] <Seira> "Put on that armor of yours," Seira tells Demedais, now standing watch here.
[22:10] <Kokokokokoko> Alicia climbs up! Finally, Cant does the same carefully, seeming to know the path well and taking a converative, but successful method of doing so.
[22:11] <Kokokokokoko> Ahead likes a sharp upward path, long and winding.
[22:11] * Demedais nods slightly and dons it before continuing on.
[22:12] * Alicia takes point again along the path.
[22:13] <Kokokokokoko> TWo hours of climbing lead you to the afternoon. The sky is darkening now as you slog up this path, higher and higher up. The time climbing is tiring, but eventually you come to a cave mouth. The path goes no higher, ending here. "This is it for this path," he says, glancing up. The snowless peaks aren't all that much higher up. "Almost there."
[22:14] <Demedais> "So if there's a dragon, there's a dragon here?" Demedais inquires.
[22:15] * Seira snorts. "Well, only one way to find out." She pats Demedais and Alicia, causing them to blur. "Hopefully this'll help somewhat. Let's go?"
[22:15] <Kokokokokoko> Cant peers on, "I haven't been this way in a long time," he cautions. "From here we're largely going into where it's not worth going, between monsters and distance."
[22:16] * Alicia holds off on casting her spells for a bit longer until they get into the cave and find actual evidence of the dragon's presence, and on that note, she heads inside. Somewhat stealthily.
[22:16] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods, heading in behind Alicia with Detect Chaos in use!
[22:16] <Seira> "You could wait here for our return, then," Seira suggests, likewise heading inside.
[22:17] * Alicia also has her eyes peeled for evil!

[Corwin]

[19:19] <Blondezilla> Cant considers a few moments, before her tersely nods. "Call it keeping rearguard," he agrees, looking at the sky. "Good luck in there. If you aren't back in a day, I'll go down without you and pass on word that you never came back."
[19:20] * Seira thinks a day is a bit much, but chooses to nod.
[19:20] <Demedais> "Cheerful thoughts, but probably wise." Demedais comments wryly.
[19:21] * Alicia looks to see if there's enough light spilling into the cave to leave her glowing rock, since bringing it means there's little point in even attempting stealth.
[19:22] <Blondezilla> Ahead, the cave is dark. A logical thing, but worth repeating. It's chilly as you enter in, ice rimming the walls. The path rapidly looks to ascend up, lit by Alicia's rock.
[19:23] <Alicia> Oh, well, blunt and obvious approach it is. Glowing rock held up, Alicia heads into the cave, preparing to cast her defensive spells when it looks like they're approaching any sort of open space a dragon might use for a lair.
[19:23] <Alicia> roll 1d100 I can spare another cantrip
[19:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0I can spare another cantrip --> 6,0[ 1d100=1 ]4,0{1}
[19:24] <Alicia> roll 1d100 I can spare another cantrip or two
[19:24] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 1,0I can spare another cantrip or two --> 6,0[ 1d100=85 ]4,0{85}
[19:24] * Demedais follows close behind, keeping an eye out for any threats that may appear. Like those blasted devils.
[19:26] <Blondezilla> As Cant waves you farewell, you head into the cave! The first ten minutes is rugged uphill climbing, battling ice androcks. But soon the ice becomes wet, patches of chilly water replacing it. The air is slowly beginning to warm as you come to a small levelling off point. For about ten feet the path is straight ahead and level, the floor perfectly smooth, before regaining it's slope. Even the walls aren't jagged, but unnaturally smoothed.
[19:28] * Alicia idly runs a finger over the smooth cave surface as she passes. "It's like something tunneled through it," she muses quietly, continuing upwards.
[19:31] <Blondezilla> After another five minutes of walking, you come to an intrusion on your difficult path. As the air begins to approach cool and not cold, there is a glowing, translucent barrier obstructing the way. It glisten swith the light, like a glass window in the summer.
[19:31] * Alicia stands thirty five feet back and asks if anyone thinks tossing her glowing rock at the barrier would be a bad idea.
[19:32] * Demedais eyes the barrier warily. "Okay... this a bubble or something?" As Alicia moves back, Demedais does so as well, using Detect Chaos on the off chance it's. You know. A chaotic bubble.
[19:33] * Seira casts detect magic, before taking a glance.
[19:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+20
[19:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{38}
[19:34] <Seira> "It's evocation," Seira prounces. "Fun!"
[19:34] <Seira> *pronounces
[19:35] <Alicia> "Well, unless either of you can dig through solid rock, we're going to have to go through it, so I'll send this rock through as a test," Alicia suggests, hefting as if to throw it before adding, "You might want to stand back."
[19:35] * Seira gets a hundred feet away!
[19:36] <Demedais> "So, uh..." Demedais says, looking at it, "Yeah. Something else goes through first." With that, he holds onto the Fifth Resort as he steps back a fair bit, though not as far as Seira.
[19:36] * Alicia throws her rock!
[19:39] <Blondezilla> The rock is thrown...and hits the barrier, falling straight down and failing to penetrate it ata ll.
[19:40] * Alicia walks on over and picks the rock up, inspecting it for damage.
[19:40] <Blondezilla> The rock looks to be undamaged.
[19:40] * Alicia taps the barrier with her sword.
[19:40] <Blondezilla> The barrier does not give way in the least.
[19:41] <Demedais> "...well, that was anti-climatic." Demedais says, eyeing it as he advances forward. "So. It's a glass wall of magic. How... interesting."
[19:41] <Seira> "How about a magic missile?" Seira asks from her safety.
[19:42] <Alicia> "I'll give it a try," Alicia takes out the wand of same rather than wasting any of her spells, and fires a trio of bolts at the barrier.
[19:42] * Demedais moves back from the glass wall. "If you want to try it, I'm not going to stop you."
[19:43] <Blondezilla> The missiles hit the barrier. This does not seem to have fazed the barrier at all, nor did it let them past it.
[19:43] <Alicia> "I have no idea," Alicia shrugs apologetically, turning to the others. "I think we'll have to go back out and find another cave entrance."
[19:44] <Demedais> "Okay. Shall I try passing through it, now?" Demedais asks, moving toward the barrier again.
[19:44] <Alicia> "Maybe hit it with your artifact shield?" Alicia suggests hopefully, standing well back.
[19:45] * Demedais considers. "Let me try this first." Demedais then stands up against the barrier and pushes into it, trying to pass through.
[19:46] <Blondezilla> The barrier does not give way in the least. OOC - Seira, make a listening check, will you?
[19:47] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[19:47] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{14}
[19:47] <Demedais> "Mmmph. Fine. Be that way, barrier!" Demedais grunts, smacking it with his shield!
[19:48] <Blondezilla> The barrier is quite stout, still not giving way.
[19:49] * Seira signals to the others that they have company, and does her best to hide from sight, looking down the path they came from.
[19:49] <Blondezilla> OOC - Hid echeck then, Seira.
[19:50] * Alicia looks to see if there's any cover she can use to hide with.
[19:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[19:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{32}
[19:50] <Blondezilla> There's not much - a few rocks and the like and plenty of shadows.
[19:50] <Blondezilla> *but plenty
[19:50] <Demedais> "Well then. Were there an-" Demedais clamps shut as Seira signals, and... uh... stays silent, pressed against the wall as much as he can. Yeah.
[19:50] * Alicia puts her glowing rock in her backpack and quickly attempts to conceal herself as best she can with what little cover is on offer, away from the glowing barrier.
[19:51] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3
[19:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+3 --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{18}
[19:52] * Demedais moves away from the barrier as well; although hiding for him is a mockable concept, not giving them any advantages would be nice!
[19:53] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+2
[19:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{6}
[19:53] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+2
[19:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{15}
[19:53] * Seira keeps herself hidden, and immovable as a statue, waiting to catch the idiot ogres in a crossfire.
[19:53] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+10
[19:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{19}
[19:54] <Blondezilla> Seira hides well in the darkness! The ogres come past her, and as they do, the other two can see. A large ogre, muslced and nearly too big for the passage, leads the way. A more normal ogre is behind him, and the rear is brought up by the blue skinned one from the previous battle. As they pass Seira...OOC - ACting, Seira?
[19:58] * Seira counts silently down from three before happily shooting the blue-skinned ogre with a wand of scorching ray, revealing her position in a flash of fire!
[19:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 ranged touch
[19:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 ranged touch
[19:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{28}
[19:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{16}
[19:59] <Blondezilla> OOC - Two hits
[19:59] <Seira> roll 4d6+1+2d6 (fire+SA)
[19:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 4d6+1+2d6 1,0(fire+SA) --> 6,0[ 4d6=19 2d6=8 ]4,0{28}
[19:59] <Seira> roll 4d6+1+2d6 (fire+SA)
[19:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 4d6+1+2d6 1,0(fire+SA) --> 6,0[ 4d6=12 2d6=10 ]4,0{23}
[20:00] <Blondezilla> Before they have a chance to react, Seira pops out and ruins their rearguard! The blue ogre is cooked by two scorching rays, lit afire and collapsing in a burning, screaming heap! The other two ogres whirl around, seeing the game is afoot! OOC - Initiative.
[20:01] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{24}
[20:01] <Seira> roll 1d20+6
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{13}
[20:01] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20-1
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20-1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{18}
[20:01] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{10}
[20:01] <Demedais> roll 1d20
[20:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{20}
[20:01] * Blondezilla changes topic to 'Alicia>Demedais>Ogre>Seira>Big Ogre'
[20:02] <Alicia> OOC: Distance on the ogres?
[20:02] <Blondezilla> "You idiot!" The big ogre glares to the lesser one, "You too clumsy!"
[20:02] <Blondezilla> OOC - A bit past Seira, so 90 ft away, say, since she was 100 away.
[20:04] * Alicia moves forty feet closer and casts shield on herself!
[20:04] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=80 ]4,0{80}
[20:05] <Blondezilla> The smaller ogre growls and rushes Seira, greatclub coming down on her!
[20:05] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+8
[20:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{27}
[20:05] <Blondezilla> OOC - AC?
[20:05] <Blondezilla> OOC - Sorry, strike. I forgot Deme's next.
[20:07] * Demedais nods as he charges down past Alicia! OOC: I think I can move 4x my normal speed for a full-round action, so 80 ft?
[20:07] <Blondezilla> OOC - Yeah, you'll be right there with 'em then.
[20:10] <Blondezilla> As Demedais reaches the melee proper, the ogre in the rear brings it's Greatclub down on Seira! OOC - Did a 27 hit?
[20:10] <Demedais> OOC: Scratch that, it's move for 60. Gogo heavy armor.
[20:10] <Seira> OOC: 27 hits
[20:11] <Blondezilla> roll 2d8+7
[20:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 2d8+7 --> 6,0[ 2d8=4 ]4,0{11}
[20:11] <Blondezilla> The large ogre gets some measure of revenge for it's lost friend, clubbing Seira and knocking her back a few feet! OOC - Seira.
[20:13] <Seira> "Eat electric death!" Seira cries to the ogre, burying her fist in its gut before attempting to discharge the stored energy into its body!
[20:13] <Seira> roll 1d20-1 touch!
[20:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20-1 1,0touch! --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{12}
[20:13] <Blondezilla> OOC - Hit.
[20:13] <Seira> roll 5d6 die
[20:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 5d6 1,0die --> 6,0[ 5d6=15 ]4,0{15}
[20:14] <Blondezilla> Seira buries her hand into the ogre's stomach, shocking it profusely! The smell of zapped ogre fills the air, as it's staggered in return! The big ogre finishes the job, approaching Demedais and going to hit him as he screams! His body bulges, a cry of feral rage escaping it's mouth!
[20:15] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+16 (-4 PA)
[20:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+16 1,0(-4 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{28}
[20:15] <Blondezilla> OOC - AC, Deme?
[20:15] <Demedais> OOC: 24 thanks to the effective quick move.
[20:15] <Blondezilla> roll 2d8+19
[20:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 2d8+19 --> 6,0[ 2d8=11 ]4,0{30}
[20:16] <Blondezilla> Sometimes there's a lot to be said for raw, crushing might! In this case Demedais feels it head on! His noggin is treated like a baseball, the club nearly hitting a home run and making him see starts! OOC - Alicia.
[20:17] * Alicia rushes in to aid Demedais, tumbling past him and under the ogre's guard before rising up with a swift and vicious stab into the creature's thigh, hoping to tear out the femoral artery!
[20:17] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 DC 15 tumble to avoid AoO
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0DC 15 tumble to avoid AoO --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{24}
[20:18] <Alicia> OOC: DC 18 will for anything with less than 9 hd or shaken
[20:18] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 -5 power attack, charging
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0-5 power attack, charging --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{27}
[20:18] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+4 big ogre
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+4 1,0big ogre --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{17}
[20:18] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+1 ogre
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0ogre --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{5}
[20:18] <Alicia> roll 1d8+20
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+20 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 ]4,0{24}
[20:19] <Alicia> OOC: 1d6+4 round duration, but probably not worth rolling
[20:19] <Blondezilla> Alicia makes both of the ogres stare in fear as she tumbles, tearing into it's side! While she misses the artery, it's a respectable wound! OOC - Roll it anyway, and you're up, Dem.e
[20:19] <Alicia> roll 2#1d6+4
[20:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2#1d6+4 --> 6,0[ 1d6=4 ]4,0{8}, 6,0[ 1d6=6 ]4,0{10}
[20:21] * Demedais grunts and shakes his head, hefting his blade over himself as he steps in and lashes out twice at the ogre!
[20:21] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10
[20:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{15}
[20:21] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5
[20:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{8}
[20:22] <Blondezilla> Deme slugs it out with the big ogre, but it's not even phased by the attacks! Instead it blocks them, as the wounded ogre returns the favor on Seira again, the two going back and forth despite it's fear!
[20:22] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+6
[20:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{24}
[20:22] <Blondezilla> OOC - Ac, Seira?
[20:23] <Seira> OOC: That also hits
[20:23] <Blondezilla> roll 2d8+7
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 2d8+7 --> 6,0[ 2d8=14 ]4,0{21}
[20:24] <Blondezilla> Clunk! The battle continues to rage, as Seira gets a clubbing to the stomach and arm, two blows leaving nasty, bruising hits to her dragonish body1 OOC - Seira.
[20:25] <Seira> "Didn't I," Seira asks angrily, wiping out a trail of blood from her arm where the club broke through the skin, "command you to die?" Her other hand lashes out at the ogre, as she seeks to press her palm against its chest to dispatch the beast once and for all!
[20:25] <Seira> roll 1d20-1 touch
[20:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20-1 1,0touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{7}
[20:26] <Blondezilla> Seiar reaches out to touch the ogre, but just narrowly misses it's body! Meanwhile, the berserked ogre continues it's rampage on Demedais!
[20:26] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+14 (-2 PA)
[20:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0(-2 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{27}
[20:26] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+9 (-2 PA)
[20:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0(-2 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{27}
[20:27] <Seira> roll 5d6
[20:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 5d6 --> 6,0[ 5d6=18 ]4,0{18}
[20:27] <Blondezilla> Seira counters the miss and touches it again, this time sending that ogre to it's doom, as...
[20:28] <Blondezilla> roll 4d8+26
[20:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 4d8+26 --> 6,0[ 4d8=12 ]4,0{38}
[20:28] <Blondezilla> Demedais is further abused, clubbed around like a baby seal! At least he's tougher than one, still alive and up! OOC - Alicia.
[20:30] <Alicia> "Foul thing, die!" Alicia snarls, trying to take the pressure off Demedais by unleashing a flurry of attacks, starting low with a pair of slashes into the ogre's legs to tear out its ligaments, before following up with a long shallow cut up its chest, and then pivoting as she turns and stabs the other end of her sword straight at its throat!
[20:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 -1 pa
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0-1 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{16}
[20:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 -1 pa
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0-1 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{14}
[20:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 -1 pa
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0-1 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{23}
[20:30] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 -1 pa
[20:30] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0-1 pa --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{20}
[20:31] <Blondezilla> OOC - Last two hit. Go figure.
[20:31] * Blondezilla changes topic to 'Alicia>Demedais>Seira>Big Ogre'
[20:31] <Alicia> roll 2d8+16
[20:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 2d8+16 --> 6,0[ 2d8=11 ]4,0{27}
[20:32] <Blondezilla> Alicia's first efforts are blocked, but she is able to bring her double sword up and slash at it's upper body! It's chest takes considerable wounds, but it barely seems to react to them! OOC - Deme.
[20:33] * Demedais grimaces, shaking his head in anger, before lashing out with two blessed strokes at the creature's neck!
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (-3 PA -2 CE Smite)
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0(-3 PA -2 CE Smite) --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{30}
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+8 (-3 PA -2 CE Smite)
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+8 1,0(-3 PA -2 CE Smite) --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{10}
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (-3 PA -2 CE Smite, crit check)
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0(-3 PA -2 CE Smite, crit check) --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{24}
[20:34] <Blondezilla> OOC - One hit, but it's El Critto.
[20:35] <Demedais> roll 4d6+26
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 4d6+26 --> 6,0[ 4d6=16 ]4,0{42}
[20:36] <Blondezilla> With a desperate, massive blow, Demedais decapitates the ogre in one fell swoop! It falls over as dead as a doornail, slain in one last shot! OOC - Battle's over, act.
[20:37] <Demedais> "Bah." Demedais grunts, shaking his head before heading back up to see if the barrier's down.
[20:37] * Alicia takes out her wand and follows Demedais, waving it over him a few times.
[20:37] <Alicia> roll 5d8+5
[20:37] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 5d8+5 --> 6,0[ 5d8=18 ]4,0{23}
[20:38] * Seira glances over their fallen enemies with her still-active magical sight!
[20:38] <Alicia> "Captain, can you check if those ogres maybe had a key or something to bypass the barrier? It's unlikely they came here by coincidence," Alicia calls back as she heals Demedais.
[20:39] <Alicia> roll 3d8+3
[20:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 3d8+3 --> 6,0[ 3d8=12 ]4,0{15}
[20:39] * Demedais nods to Alicia in thanks. "Go see if Seira needs any healing, too."
[20:39] <Seira> "The club's magical, but I don't think that's it," Seira responds, checking the ogres for anything mundane that doesn't seem to belong with them.
[20:40] <Blondezilla> Besides arms and clothes, the ogres have a bit of leftover food, a pinecone, some scraps of meat, and a small metal key.
[20:40] * Seira takes the pinecone and the key, showing the latter to Alicia. "I don't quite think you've had this in mind, but it could come in handy."
[20:41] <Alicia> "We'll take what we can get. Not taking the club?" Alicia asks after she finishes healing Demedais. "And here, let me mend your wounds a bit," she adds, waving the wand over the captain.
[20:42] <Alicia> roll 5d8+5
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 5d8+5 --> 6,0[ 5d8=14 ]4,0{19}
[20:42] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
[20:42] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 ]4,0{5}
[20:42] <Seira> "Of course we'll take the club," Seira responds. "Waste not, want not."
[20:42] <Blondezilla> The barrier looks to still be intact.
[20:43] <Demedais> "Any votes for using their bodies as battering rams?" Demedais idly asks, leaning up against it to see if prolongued attempts work.
[20:43] <Blondezilla> The barrier is as solid as Deme's body. It's not moving.
[20:44] <Seira> "No, that's disgusting. Well, time to try that spell," Seira muses, taking out a scroll of dispel magic.
[20:44] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 targetted dispel go
[20:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0targetted dispel go --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{18}
[20:45] <Blondezilla> The barrier flares a moment before vanishing away.
[20:45] * Seira snaps her fingers. "Expensive, but serviceable. Let's go!"
[20:45] * Demedais falls through the barrier as it disappears, barely stopping himself from falling over. "Yes, let's do that."
[20:46] * Alicia dutifully leads the way, ready to cast more spells if she gets any hints of trouble.
[20:47] <Blondezilla> After about a minute of walking, you see a section of the wall that's ajar, left that way. A small segment of the wall seems expertly designed to swing out.
[20:48] <Alicia> Does the tunnel continue past said section?
[20:49] * Seira examines the trap door for... traps!
[20:49] <Seira> roll 1d20+10
[20:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{30}
[20:50] <Blondezilla> The door is untrapped.
[20:50] * Seira pokes the door open!
[20:50] <Blondezilla> The door opens. It goes forward a few feet, then curves into a small tunnel going back the way you came and downward.
[20:51] <Demedais> "Any bets the dragon's down there?" Demedais asks, looking over Seira's shoulder.
[20:51] <Alicia> "Hmm... it was hotter further down and now it's getting colder, so possibly," Alicia ventures.
[20:51] <Seira> "So there was probably no need to waste that spell," Seira muses. "Someone should stay here and keep watch, while two of us explore it for ten minutes or so before returning."
[20:53] <Demedais> "We should be able to keep in touch with Message, right? So..." Demedais shrugs. "I'd probably be best staying here. If the dragon's down there, you'll want stealth, which I, uh, don't have."
[20:54] <Alicia> "So long as we don't go too far," Alicia nods. "If we find anything we'll let you know and meet up again before comitting to anything." With that, she braves the passage, bringing along their only light source!
[20:54] <Seira> "I suspect it may actually be another path outside, but don't worry, we won't engage anything unless left without a choice. You too, get away if faced with overwhelming odds."
[20:54] <Alicia> OOC: the lower passage through the door, just so we're clear
[20:55] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods.
[20:55] <Blondezilla> The party heads into the passage, minus Demedais. It goes downward for about two minutes, before it curves downward even sharper, a little loop de loop for ten feet. Then it twists upward at a sharp but well smoothed slope, easy to walk up.
[20:56] * Seira doesn't intend to travel it much longer than it took them to reach the door from the other outside, following the main path.
[20:58] <Blondezilla> The path looks to go on a good ways up - you can't see the end of it immediately. If you go that way, it'll be going awhile, most likely.
[20:59] <Seira> If nothing changes for fifteen minutes at the utmost, Seira intends to return to gather Demedais, and check the original path for another fifteen minutes.
[21:00] <Blondezilla> After about five minutes, you come to a levelling of the path. A crude wooden door is here, with a dainty metal lock over it.
[21:00] * Alicia reminds Seira after five minutes that they planned to regroup within ten.
[21:00] * Seira has a key!
[21:01] * Seira asks Alicia via Message to peer through the lock, first, and listen whether anything is on the other side.
[21:02] * Demedais drowses a bit.
[21:02] * Alicia attempts to peer through the lock before tilting her head against the door without touching it and listening for a moment.
[21:02] * Seira checks for any magical signatures in the meanwhile.
[21:02] <Seira> roll 1d20+10 and traps!
[21:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0and traps! --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{24}
[21:04] <Seira> Does the lock seem to fit Seira's key?
[21:04] * Alicia mouths a warning to Seira. "There's a bearded devil and a wolverine in there."
[21:05] <Blondezilla> Seira thinks that it does.
[21:06] * Seira barely stops herself from snorting. "Collect Demedais while I take position a bit further down, in case our friends decide to leave," she requests of Alicia via Message, retreating almost a hundred feet and hiding herself.
[21:06] <Blondezilla> OOC - Hide check, for the record.
[21:06] * Alicia nods and heads back to collect said paladin!
[21:07] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[21:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{15}
[21:07] <Blondezilla> Alicia arrives back without incident, finding Demedais drowsing a little.
[21:08] * Demedais looks up as Alicia approaches. "Seira?
[21:08] <Alicia> "We've found a locked room with a bearded devil and a wolverine inside," Alicia explains without pre-amble. "The ogre's key looks like it'll open it, so we're going to go in and kill them."
[21:09] <Demedais> "Got it." Demedais says, gesturing for Alicia to lead the way.
[21:09] <Blondezilla> The trip back is without incident. Seira has nothing happen while she waits, the passage ahead ready.
[21:10] <Alicia> "So, what's the plan? Kick in the door and kill them both?" Alicia asks, her shield spell sadly having worn off during the return trip.
[21:10] <Seira> "I'll open the door, you'll kill the loser devil hiding inside. A simple plan, for a change," Seira agrees, seeming pleased. "Ready?"
[21:11] * Alicia nods and goes to take position by the door, waiting on Seira and dropping the glowing rock as she holds her blades ready.
[21:11] <Demedais> "Got it." Demedais nods, levelling his sword and preparing to charge in!
[21:11] * Seira slides the key in, turning it, before getting the door opened!
[21:13] <Blondezilla> The door opens! Inside you see a broad room that looks to have been both a living space - a large bed that's a bit beaten up, a nasty smell coming from it - and some sort of laboratory with tables, books, and other such things. But it's all a nasty mess now, as the door is opened! The bearded devil turns, a moment of suprise, the wolverine opening it's eyes! OOC - Go ahead and charge on in.
[21:13] <Seira> "Return to hell!" Seira calls at the devil, attacking!
[21:14] * Alicia targets the devil as the greater threat, though she doesn't charge completely, instead holding some effort to defence as she slides into the room and drifts to one side so that Demedais will hopefully flank on the other, lashing out with a horizontal cut as she positions herself!
[21:14] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[21:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{31}
[21:14] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[21:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{29}
[21:14] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 confirm
[21:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0confirm --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{25}
[21:14] <Blondezilla> OOC - hit and a crit, Seira.
[21:15] <Seira> roll 3d8+3+4d6 silver
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 3d8+3+4d6 1,0silver --> 6,0[ 3d8=15 4d6=14 ]4,0{32}
[21:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 -5 power attack
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0-5 power attack --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{28}
[21:15] <Blondezilla> OOC - Hit.
[21:15] <Alicia> roll 1d8+20
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+20 --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{26}
[21:15] <Seira> roll 1d8+1
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=2 ]4,0{3}
[21:16] <Blondezilla> In a hail of arrows and swordsman ship, Seira wounds the devil before Alicia tears it apart in one fell swoop! It barely even got a chance to raise it's weapon!
[21:16] * Demedais charges in, quickly stepping to the other side of the demon as Alicia flanks it... only to see the thing die to Alicia's blade! Nodding, he turns and slashes at the wolverine!
[21:16] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (-3 PA)
[21:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0(-3 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{32}
[21:17] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (-3 PA, going to presume a crit check)
[21:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0(-3 PA, going to presume a crit check) --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{31}
[21:18] <Demedais> roll 4d6+20 assumed hit!
[21:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 4d6+20 1,0assumed hit! --> 6,0[ 4d6=14 ]4,0{34}
[21:19] <Blondezilla> A moment later, Demedais charges in and slaughters the wolverine wholesale!
[21:19] <Seira> "I get the devil, but why a wolverine?" Seira asks now that they've triumphed over their enemies.
[21:19] <Demedais> "Okay. That was quick."
[21:20] <Alicia> "Well..." Alicia pulls back her sword from the cooling corpse of the devil. "That was satisfying."
[21:20] <Demedais> "I dunno. Perhaps as food?"
[21:20] <Seira> "Anything magical here, Alicia?"
[21:21] <Alicia> "Maybe it was a guard animal?" Alicia guesses before casting detect magic and looking about.
[21:21] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[21:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=17 ]4,0{17}
[21:22] <Demedais> "A guard animal for who?" Demedais shakes his head. "This whole thing is confusing me."
[21:22] <Blondezilla> The room has no other doors coming into it - there's some faint magic around the laboratory area.
[21:22] * Seira tries to make sense of what the laboratory was intended for.
[21:23] <Alicia> "There's some magic over here," Alicia goes to examine the laboratory.
[21:23] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 spellcraft
[21:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0spellcraft --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{17}
[21:23] <Blondezilla> OOC - Knowledge: Arcana.
[21:23] <Seira> OOC: Can I take 10 for 25?
[21:24] <Blondezilla> OOC - If you like.
[21:24] <Seira> OOC: I like
[21:26] <Seira> "Well, something wrecked it a month ago, so that might be the time our investigation should focus on," Seira comments. "But I think we should keep on moving, unless something here can be sold to promote Balmuria's cause."
[21:28] <Alicia> "The table is magic. I have no idea why," Alicia replies flatly. "Lets move on."
[21:28] * Demedais eyes the table. "Zuh? Why would a table be magical? More food on it or something?"
[21:29] <Seira> "Better potion-making, for all I know," Seira responds, picking up the devil's glaive.
[21:29] <Blondezilla> OOC - Where are you guys going now?
[21:30] <Seira> OOC: Back down the main path onwards
[21:30] * Alicia has nothing more to do here, and starts heading back to the unexplored passage upwards.
[21:32] <Blondezilla> The trip back is without incident. On beginning to climb the path again, twenty minutes pass. The cold beginst o vanish, the air going from cool to neutral to warm. Sweat can begin to be felt on your brows as you press onward. Ahead of you can see the passage expanding vastly. Heat radiates from this room, the air wavy. It's sloped upward and you're below as you climb up, so you can't actually see in.
[21:33] * Seira isn't really bothered by the heat and can probably sneak the best of them, and thus takes the lead.
[21:33] * Alicia begins to make an effort at stealth, crouching fairly low and creeping upwards. This is a likely place for a dragon to lair, surely?
[21:33] <Alicia> But she lets Seira take the lead!
[21:34] <Blondezilla> OOC - Go ahead and roll move silently and hides if you guys are sneaking.
[21:34] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 hide
[21:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0hide --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{16}
[21:34] <Seira> roll 1d20+18 move silently
[21:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+18 1,0move silently --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{30}
[21:34] <Seira> OOC: I'll be about 30ft ahead
[21:34] * Demedais hangs back about thirty or fourty feet from Alicia, waiting to figure out what they see before clanking ahead.
[21:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3 hide
[21:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0hide --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{21}
[21:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+3 move silently
[21:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+3 1,0move silently --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{18}
[21:38] <Blondezilla> So Seira approaches first! She is able to see up as she climbs! The warmth continues to rise rapidly! Ahead is a wide open room. After twenty feet most of the floor falls away, leaving a pitfall, save for a twenty foot wide path over. From below that you see a red glow. Past that is a great circular crater, snow raining down on it, the roof opening up.  Said snow hisses and vanishes as it gets close, for what lies there is a pool of molt
[21:38] <Blondezilla>  for what lies there is a pool of molten magma. Lying in that pool is the golden dragon!
[21:38] <Seira> Is it... sleeping?
[21:39] <Blondezilla> The dragon is lying there for now. It's eyes are mostly closed.
[21:40] <Blondezilla> Seira can't really see the eyes well from here, not enough to see if what little is open burns black.
[21:43] * Seira considers. "Want to try and reason with it?" she asks Alicia via Message.
[21:44] <Alicia> "The terrain here is terribly favourable for it... I don't think we can realistically fight it," Alicia laments, looking to see how big the dragon is compared with the passage they emerged from.
[21:44] <Blondezilla> It's bigger than the passage on a glance. Hard to be sure, but the dragon is huge.
[21:45] <Alicia> "If worst comes to worst, we can run down the passage and it can't pursue. Lets try and reason with it, and if retreat if we have to?" Alicia suggests.
[21:48] <Seira> So decided, Seira calls down in Draconic, "Do you mind if we talk? We come in peace!"
[21:48] * Alicia follows after Seira, but moves off to the side so it'd be harder to catch them both in the same cone of burning fiery death.
[21:49] <Demedais> "We come killing devils!" Demedais adds under his breath.
[21:49] * Alicia wands Seira before they go!
[21:49] <Alicia> roll 1d8+1
[21:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=3 ]4,0{4}
[21:49] <Blondezilla> The words echo down the hot chamber! The echos ask the question several times, the dragon's head lifting up. As they approach the mouth further, they note it's really damned hot in there. Going in past the mouth of the cave would not be safe without protection, clearly. (More)
[21:50] * Alicia lingers near the cave mouth then, not keen on burning to death or collapsing from heat exhaustion.
[21:51] <Blondezilla> The dragon opens it's eyes! They are dully black, "Mortals..." It's voice isn't booming, but more of a wet, oozing hiss. Lava splashes as the dragon stirs, splattering around the crater in a hissing cresendo! (More)
[21:52] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+17
[21:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+17 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{22}
[21:53] <Blondezilla> "..tsk." Another voice sounds, frmo behind the dragon. It walks forward - a beautiful woman, unclad and unarmed. Yet bat like wings clad her back, idly stirring the air. "You're the..." she begins, but looks very long and hard forward, squinting.
[21:54] <Seira> "Yeah, I don't know who you are, either," Seira tells the beautiful fiend. "But that doesn't mean we can't discuss like civilized beings!"
[21:55] * Alicia would far rather kill the demon, but since there's a lot of lava between them she has to sadly restrain herself.
[21:55] <Blondezilla> "What?" she takes a step back, "Your names, tell me them!"
[21:55] <Seira> "Yes, that will work," Seira tells her, rolling her eyes. "It is customary to introduce yourself, first."
[21:56] * Demedais walks up to Seira and Alicia, standing on Seira's other side and using detect chaos as he does so.
[21:58] <Blondezilla> "Your names! Demedais? Seira? Alicia?" The woman calls out, "Are those your names?!"
[21:58] <Seira> "Not saying! You go first!"
[22:02] <Blondezilla> "Urgh! Kill them!" The creature points at them, calling to the dragon, "They're the ones that freed Zquujaj! Kill them now!"
[22:03] <Seira> "Who?"
[22:03] <Demedais> "Hi, dragon." Demedais speaks up. "This woman controlling you? You want us to eliminate her?"
[22:04] <Seira> "Hey, hey, who did we free, again?"
[22:04] <Demedais> "Or is she a friend?"
[22:05] <Blondezilla> At those words, the golden dragon flaps it's wings, standing up! It's huge, overshadowing the mere medium sized woman! It begins to lumber forward! OOC - I'm calling initiative here, for the sake of organization.
[22:05] * Seira snaps her fingers. "Oh! Now I remember!" She laughs. "I would be kinda sorry, but heh, we're all enemies."
[22:05] <Alicia> roll 1d20+4
[22:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{20}
[22:06] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter
[22:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0nerveskitter --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{25}
[22:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20 k
[22:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20 1,0k --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{15}
[22:06] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+5
[22:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{15}
[22:06] <Blondezilla> roll 1d20+4
[22:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Blondezilla rolled :6,0 1d20+4 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{14}
[22:06] * Blondezilla changes topic to 'Seira>Alicia>Deme=Woman>Dragon'
[22:07] <Alicia> "I have no idea what any of this means," Alicia complains bitterly, tensing as she prepares to duck and cover.
[22:07] * Seira gestures at the dragon and the demon, summoning a massive storm of ice and fury over the pair!
[22:08] <Blondezilla> OOC - Caster level, Seira.
[22:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[22:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{16}
[22:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[22:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{18}
[22:09] <Demedais> "The Zquujaj thing... uh. Essentially, he was a pit fiend." Demedais Messages to Alicia, backing away from el dragon.
[22:09] <Blondezilla> The ice falls rapidly, steaming in the air! But it doesn't seem to quite work on them, an ice storm that sends down hail in a firestorm! OOC - Alicia.
[22:10] <Seira> Not really glancing at the results, Seira retreats from the edge, drawing her bow.
[22:10] <Alicia> "You released a...!" Alicia begins in stark indignation before squelching it down. "No. Not the time," she seethes, retreating back into the cavern and casting shield on herself after obtaining some cover against any blasts of fire that might come rushing in.
[22:10] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[22:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=28 ]4,0{28}
[22:11] <Seira> "We didn't release it as much as sent it back home so it wouldn't menace our plane," Seira happily informs Alicia. "It seems it was wrecking havoc there and not here after all. Just as planned!"
[22:12] <Blondezilla> So Alicia chants herself! The woman in question backs off a little more, "Show them no mercy! They're dangerous! They've even come this far to stop me! BURN THEM ALIVE!" The creature shouts at the top of her lungs, pointing.
[22:12] <Demedais> "Okay, I think we need to kill that woman." Demedais notes. "As quickly as possible."
[22:16] <Demedais> "Also, yeah. The thing was sealed in a gnomish ruin, and if the binding on it was ever broken... the destruction would've been endless. Better to banish it back to its own plane permanently than leave it there." With that, Demedais continues to back off, Fifth Resort in hand. Not much he can do from here...
[22:16] <Blondezilla> OOC - Dragon's up, but pause here. Feelf ree to banter a bit more if you like, 'licia and company.
[22:16] <Alicia> "Less explaining, more dealing with current problem!" Alicia snaps back, hunkering down under what cover she can obtain.
[22:17] <Seira> "Here's the plan," Seira details silently via the Message spell. "I have a spell of flight and a spell of slowed fall. One of you will get to fly over the dragon and kill the naked chick until she dies from it, while the rest of us try to hold it off. Who's up for volunteering?"
[22:18] <Alicia> "I'll do it!" Alicia raises a hand and waves towards Seira. Killing a demon sounds like great fun. Moreso than fighting a dragon, certainly.

[Corwin]

[17:47] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the dragon strides forth! The ground underneath it's feet rocks as it walks on the currently solid land, coming close to the far edge of the prepice, the single path over looking woefully unable to support it's bulk! It's eyes begin to burn black, it's roar deafening and making the snowy skies shake! OOC - Seira.
[17:48] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[17:48] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[17:48] * Seira gives Alicia the ability of flight, and then retreats as far as she can to open up the distance between herself and Demedais, trying to make certain the dragon would have to choose which of them to go after.
[17:49] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[17:49] <Kotono> With flight cast on Alicia, Seira scoots back towards Demedais! OOC - Alicia, you're up and capable of airborne shenanigans now.
[17:50] <Kotono> *SCoots away from Demedais.
[17:50] * Alicia takes to the wing! Even if she lacks said limbs, she jets out of the tunnel and arcs upwards, using the sight of falling snow turning into steam as a guide for the height she should try to keep above while soaring over the lava as she flies past the dragon and after the hot naked chick with the wings!
[17:50] <Kotono> OOC - What's your fly speed, 'licia?
[17:50] <Alicia> OOC: 60
[17:51] <Kotono> OOC: Total movement on a full move?
[17:51] <Alicia> OOC: 120ft since I can't run
[17:51] <Alicia> OOC: I'll hit the ground running for speed of 160ft once I get over the lava
[17:52] <Kotono> Going up fourty feet is enough to feel melting snow on Alicia's brow, then she flies forward! Amid dying snow and clashing heat, racing onward towards dragon and devil! Another round of fully moving should get her near or at the far edge of the lava pit. OOC - Deme.
[17:52] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[17:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=52 ]4,0{52}
[17:53] <Kotono> The woman falls back a little more, gesturing! "I summon you! Protect me me from THEM!" With a hiss she falls back further, glaring at Alicia as she takes to the sky! But despite her power, nothing at all happens to compliment her words!
[17:53] * Demedais holds onto the Fifth Resort, trying to keep the dragon's attention divided between Seira and himself! "Dragon! Why're you listening to her, if I may ask?" Hey, diplomacy hasn't worked well thus far, but it's worth a shot...
[17:57] <Kotono> Demedais calls to the dragon, but it does not seem to hear! The dragon stares ahead, before flapping it's wings and starting to fly over the lava pit! It lands on the other side's edge, balancing carefully! Soon the cave mouth will shrink as it approaches, not much farther for it to go before it is stopped, but well in range to assault! OOC - Seira.
[17:59] <Seira> "The time for talking things over is... over." Seira blinks. "I really would've liked to say something more impressive, but I'll go with, 'Get the dragon, Demedais! You can take him!'"
[18:00] <Seira> And then she flings an orb of acid at the dragon and falls back.
[18:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+12 touch
[18:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{26}
[18:00] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[18:00] <Seira> roll 5d8 acid
[18:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 5d8 1,0acid --> 6,0[ 5d8=25 ]4,0{25}
[18:02] <Kotono> The orb of sizzling acid splashes on it's magnificent, gem studded golden hide! The great dragon barely seems to feel it, even it's relatively youthful stage enough to make a maiming wound to a humanoid barely a speck on it's body! OOC - Alicia.
[18:03] * Alicia continues flying after the demon, descending once she's over the lava and hitting the ground running as she starts pursuit!
[18:04] * Nerem (~Neko@pool-71-244-18-19.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
[18:04] <Kotono> Alicia feels heat licking her feet as she crosses the big pit of lava! She reaches the other side! It's still damnably hot as she lands, however! Staying here long won't be good, and it's going to be warmer near the lava crater! OOC - Deme and Demon.
[18:04] * Alicia isn't going to stay long, anyway!
[18:06] <Kotono> The unclad, devilish woman seems to wait for Alicia to approach, scowling in concentration! "Oh no, I know how you're going to do this..." she mutters, tense.
[18:06] * Demedais eyes Seira vaguely. "Aren't gold dragon's... good? And the demon the corrupting agent?" Demedais asks, before shrugging. "If this doesn't work, try wateeeeer!" An impromptu battle charge, but it'll do as Demedais moves in to keep the dragon occupied with his blade!
[18:07] * Carthrat is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[18:08] <Seira> "Sentient creatures can afford to go against the norm," Seira responds with a shrug.
[18:08] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (-3 CE, what the hell)
[18:08] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0(-3 CE, what the hell) --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{27}
[18:08] <Kotono> OOC - ...hit.
[18:09] <Demedais> roll 2d6+7 I didn't expect to hit, and I don't expect this to do much. I'm bait here.
[18:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+7 1,0I didn't expect to hit, and I don't expect this to do much. I'm bait here. --> 6,0[ 2d6=5 ]4,0{12}
[18:11] <Kotono> Demedais charges, finding a weak point in it's golden body and opening a shallow gash! A successful strike, taking all he has to land a blow! The dragon rears it's head back, flames starting to form around it's mouth! Fire bubbling up like the inferno's embrace! It's head leans forward, a great cone of fire engulfing Demedais! OOc - Ref save.
[18:11] <Kotono> roll 1d4+1
[18:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d4+1 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 ]4,0{2}
[18:12] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11 (using the Fifth Resort's bonus)
[18:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0(using the Fifth Resort's bonus) --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{22}
[18:12] <Kotono> roll 10d10
[18:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 10d10 --> 6,0[ 10d10=72 ]4,0{72}
[18:14] <Kotono> Demedais is engulfed in flames, his body burning like a torch! Despite sizzling in the hot air, he somehow stands up, a human firebug clinging to life! OOC - Seira.
[18:16] <Seira> "I think this is a good time to run away," Seira tells Demedais. "Up to it, or would your paladinly morals get in the way?"
[18:18] * Demedais begins moving back, shaking his head. Apparently the heat fused his lips together?
[18:18] <Kotono> OOC - Alicia.
[18:18] <Seira> A handy rock becomes shrouded in darkness, and Seira flings it at the dragon, retreating.
[18:19] <Kotono> A rock falls, shrounded in darkness! IT lands near the dragon, darkening the area.
[18:19] <Alicia> OOC: how far is the demon?
[18:19] <Kotono> OOC - Say 40 ft away now.
[18:21] <Alicia> "Then you shouldn't be surprised by this!" Alicia spits at the demon as she hits the ground running and charges straight at her, sword shimmering with holy power as she stabs it powerfully into the winged woman's gut!
[18:21] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14 -7 power attack smite charge
[18:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0-7 power attack smite charge --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{27}
[18:22] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[18:22] <Alicia> roll 1d8+26
[18:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+26 --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{32}
[18:24] <Kotono> With a powerful blow as the air around Alicia boils, the noble paladin strides forth! With a strong charge she slams her sword's blade into the stomach of the winged woman! She screams in pain, one eye closing in discomfort!  "You..." she hisses, eye to eye with Alicia. "Why are you ruining everything?" OOC - Deme and Demon are up.
[18:25] * Demedais does not hesitate in shufflerunning away as quickly as he can!
[18:26] <Kotono> Still eye to eye, the female creature summons in her power! From her a greasy cloud of darkness comes, enveloping Alicia! "Die..." she breathes out, as Alicia feels her very soul twisting in this miasma! OOC - Will save.
[18:26] <Alicia> roll 1d20+14
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+14 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{15}
[18:27] <Kotono> Meanwhile, Demedais falls back into the cave mouth and beyond, stumbling like a punch drunk boxer and clinging to life, past where the dragon can reach!
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 5d8
[18:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 5d8 --> 6,0[ 5d8=23 ]4,0{23}
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 1d4
[18:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d4 --> 6,0[ 1d4=1 ]4,0{1}
[18:29] <Kotono> The fog makes Alicia sick and pained, seeming to sap the life right out of her! She feels her hands shake, a sudden chill wracking her body!
[18:29] <Kotono> The dragon approaches a little more, but can't get in range! INstead it snaps it's maw, sparks trickling down from it's mouth as it stares at the two retreating heroes! OOC - Seira.
[18:32] * Seira has another orb of acid for the dragon, just so it won't get bored and go after Alicia, and then summarily retreats away from any retaliation!
[18:33] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[18:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{30}
[18:33] <Seira> roll 5d8 acid
[18:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 5d8 1,0acid --> 6,0[ 5d8=26 ]4,0{26}
[18:33] <Kotono> The dragon is splashed with acid on it's face and neck, making it struggle against the cave mouth! A few stones rain down from the vibration and force, but the old earthen passage isn't giving! OOC - Alicia.
[18:35] <Alicia> "Urgh... you sicken me!" Alicia snarls, unleashing a flurry of attacks against the bareskinned fiend!
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{23}
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{18}
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{13}
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{24}
[18:35] <Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d8+7
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+7 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 ]4,0{11}
[18:35] <Alicia> roll 1d8+7
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d8+7 --> 6,0[ 1d8=3 ]4,0{10}
[18:36] <Kotono> Tearing into the flesh of the fiend despite being sickened, you can see it's eyes close in pain! OOC - Deme and Demon are up.
[18:37] <Kotono> "S-stop," she suddenly pleads, staggering back and holding her stomach's bleeding wound. "I'll stop......if you do..."
[18:37] <Alicia> "Release your control over the dragon! Now!" Alicia barks, levelling her blade at the demon, not making any deals.
[18:38] * Demedais backs up a fair bit more, giving Seira a bit more room to toy with it, before forcibly pulling his lips apart! "Ooooo..." After a moan of pain, Demedais uses his healing energy to recover!
[18:38] <Kotono> "You...promise me, give me your word...and I'll free the dragon. Promise me that you'll spare me from your wrath...and the dragon's." The creature eyes Alicia! Meanwhile, Deme falls back and mends his blasted, burnt flesh!
[18:40] * Alicia glances back at the dragon, seeing that Demedais and Seira are having little luck with it. Torn, she turns her attention back to the fiend. "I won't kill you - but no tricks! You free the dragon now, and if I get even a whiff of treachery, I won't hesitate!" she replies stridently, blade still held poised to strike.
[18:41] <Kotono> "Damn..." The fiend seems to concentrate, as she whispers, "I release the compulsion." The dragon suddenly stops, it's eyes turning into pools of gold. Seira and Demedais see that am oment, before the dragon shudders andf alls down, dazed.
[18:42] <Demedais> "Yay, unp-OW!" Demedais half cheers before realizing he probably shouldn't raise his arms yet.
[18:42] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and free act at the moment.
[18:42] <Alicia> Seeing the dragon collapse, Alicia seems somewhat satisfied. "Good," she doesn't take her attention off the fiend. "Now start talking - what are you and what are you doing here?"
[18:43] * Seira looks for a way to get down to where Alicia is currently at. As long as it doesn't lead through actual lava, the path is okay!
[18:43] * Demedais quickly restores himself with his wand of CLW before trying to follow Seira and Alicia.
[18:44] <Demedais> roll 8#1d8+1
[18:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 8#1d8+1 --> 6,0[ 1d8=4 ]4,0{5}, 6,0[ 1d8=3 ]4,0{4}, 6,0[ 1d8=1 ]4,0{2}, 6,0[ 1d8=5 ]4,0{6}, 6,0[ 1d8=3 ]4,0{4}, 6,0[ 1d8=5 ]4,0{6}, 6,0[ 1d8=1 ]4,0{2}, 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{7}
[18:44] <Kotono> "I fled from the chaotic hell that Zquujaj has turned our lands into," she glares at Alicia with anger and pain, "He has the powers of an ancient pit fiend fuelled on by insanity. He's more like an out of control demon now."
[18:45] <Kotono> That would require going past the dragon, which is starting to stir already, but if you do, that path over lava should still be there.
[18:45] * Seira will chance it!
[18:45] * Seira will become invisible as she does, but she'll chance it!
[18:46] * Demedais grimaces and heals himself just a bit more.
[18:46] <Kotono> The golden dragon stirs and coughts, more like a shaking of it's body. "GUh..." it breathes out, making it's eyes open. It looks on, at Demedais as the wand heals it. "...what have I been doing?" it asks to itself.
[18:46] <Demedais> roll 5d8+5
[18:46] <Alicia> "You mentioned that, and they," she briefly cocks her head back in the direction Seira and Demedais are in, "Apparently released it. But how did you know my name?" she presses.
[18:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 5d8+5 --> 6,0[ 5d8=25 ]4,0{30}
[18:47] <Demedais> "I had to attack you. My apologies. You were possessed, presumably by a devil; but if you're not possessed now, the threat's contained, so please relax, sir dragon." Demedais says, feeling goood!
[18:47] <Kotono> "I heard stories from a group that went with Lord Kurlacck," she answers bluntly, eyeing Alicia outright. "How even with a free, forgotten path into the Prime a few humans still stopped an entire invading sally."
[18:48] <Kotono> As Seira goes past the dragon, the creature begins to stand. "I thank you...but that devil..." It turns and looks around, and when it sees Alicia and it, it quickly takes to the sky.
[18:48] * Demedais walks up to the Dragon a bit now, more confident now that the eyes aren't all black and firey and painful. "And I do admit, yo- uh...?"
[18:49] <Kotono> Quickly starting to take to the air, "You will suffer for your evil!" it cries aloud.
[18:49] <Demedais> "Uh, you guys? Devil dead or just under control? Sir dragon! Please stop for a second!"
[18:49] <Alicia> "So you thought you'd try your luck?" Alicia asks, before hearing the dragon's cry, and quickly raising a hand towards it without taking her eyes off the fiend. "Stop, dragon! The fiend is under control, and has answers she must give us!" she yells.
[18:50] <Kotono> "I fled," The creature begins, before looking to the dragon with a mix of fear and disdain.
[18:52] <Kotono> Meanwhile, Seira approaches the long walkway and begins to cross, Alicia's words meanwhile heard by the dragon. It looks down in rage as it flies over, peering at Alicia long and hard, "You would spare this creature?" it asks, openly.
[18:52] <Alicia> "I gave my word in order to free *you*," Alicia seethes, her words carrying a sharp accusation towards the dragon.
[18:53] <Kotono> The dragon approaches Alicia, looming over her. It looks down at her, gold eyes meeting Alicia's. "...ugh." it mutters, "For the moment, then."
[18:54] * Demedais moves toward the events as well, staying silent for now.
[18:54] <Kotono> The naked woman takes a few steps away, looking on as she continues to hold her wounds.
[18:55] * Alicia nods stiffly and resumes questioning/browbeating the devil woman. "So, you fled. And ever slave to your nature, you could not resist causing havoc no matter where you went?" she asks coldly. A sharp glance follows at the backstepping, followed by a threatening gesture with her still raised blade.
[18:56] <Kotono> "I stumbled on the wizardess here," she returns, "And then using her, I got the dragon. I was going to carve out my own human kingdom here."
[18:57] <Alicia> "Her death is on your head, then," Alicia glares at the devil. "How did you get here, anyway?"
[18:58] <Kotono> "A powerful devil owed me a favor," she shoots back, returning the glare. She's unbowed, even if hurt and cornerered. "I asked him to send me to a place where not even Zquujaj would find me. Yet somehow you three did."
[18:58] <Alicia> "You should have been more specific as to whom you wished to avoid, then... Do you even know where it is you have been sent?" Alicia asks, probing despite her scathing words.
[19:00] <Kotono> "The Prime, far away." She retorts, "A place a step away from your place, from what I understand." Her voice becomes huffy, irritated, "If you're so good as to track me here..." she begins, just glaring. "I never thought mortals would be able to do this - send us into disaster then snipe at us."
[19:03] <Kotono> The dragon looms over Alicia and the devil, glowering as it's sharp teeth are shown at her. The female devil slinks back a little bit, but her eyes stay strong.
[19:03] <Alicia> "Fools," Alicia shakes her head in disgust. "You think yourselves so superior, when all that you are is merely the evil and hate of mortal souls given form and consciousness. You're the *dregs* of us, despite your presumptions and your vaunted powers."
[19:03] <Demedais> "We're, ah, good like that." Demedais says, leaning on his sword and looking at the demon for a bit before shaking his head.
[19:03] <Seira> "I don't really care about a devil's suffering," Seira mouths to the others, taking position a short distance behind the devil. "Any reason she shouldn't die right now?"
[19:05] * Alicia shakes her head ever so slightly, mouthing two words. "My word."
[19:05] * Seira gave no such word herself, and is all too happy to shoot a pair of arrows into the fiend's back.
[19:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[19:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{22}
[19:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+13
[19:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{33}
[19:05] <Seira> roll 1d20+13 laf
[19:05] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0laf --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{18}
[19:06] <Kotono> OOC - Hit and a crit.
[19:07] <Seira> roll 1d8+2+2d6
[19:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d8+2+2d6 --> 6,0[ 1d8=1 2d6=5 ]4,0{8}
[19:07] <Seira> roll 3d8+6+2d6
[19:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 3d8+6+2d6 --> 6,0[ 3d8=15 2d6=9 ]4,0{30}
[19:09] * Demedais (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:10] <Kotono> The woman is stricken with two arrows in the back, getting her to scream as she falls to her knees! Her back and wings are bathed in blood, one arrow making a horrible gashing wound, "You..." she hisses in agony, "Liar..hahah..." OOC - Go ahead and make minor reactions, we'll go into initiative in a moment if this spurs a full on fight.
[19:11] <Seira> "I don't remember lying," Seira tells the fiend. "Hey, what's your name? I'll need something to put on the headstone."
[19:12] <Alicia> Alicia's eyes widen, "Seira!" she gasps. "Does my word mean nothing to you?!"
[19:13] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[19:13] <Seira> "What word?" Seira looks genuinely confused. "Did you actually make a deal with the devils that are attacking our land and this one?"
[19:13] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[19:13] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:20] * Demedais stares at Seira for a moment. And then a moment longer. And then decides to just keep staring.
[19:20] <Kotono> The dragon watches on, eyeing the wounded creature and then Seira. "Guh..." it says at last, looking at Alicia.
[19:21] * Seira stares back. "What? You want to bring it with you? Don't we have enough girls for you back home?"
[19:21] <Alicia> "You damn well heard every word I said!" Alicia snaps back furiously. "Have you no concept of chivalry? Fiend or not, I accepted her surrender, and that makes me responsible for her well being!"
[19:22] <Kotono> The devil looks on at Alicia, starting to crawl away from Seira, guard up, making distance as fast as it can.
[19:22] <Seira> "I damn well was too far to hear any words you said," Seira snaps back just as furiously. "And you must be out of your mind to make deals with fiends! Where is your common sense? Where is-- hell, can your goddess even condone this?!"
[19:23] <Demedais> "Seira. Quite frankly, I'm not pissed about the devil right now." Demedais says slowly, eyes narrowed almost to slits. "What I am angry about... is how you so cheerfully and blatantly ignore anything and everything your sub-officers state and request so that you can do as you will, free of bloody charge. And as for her common sense?! For all she knew, the dragon was going to kill us! It damn near well killed ME!"
[19:24] <Alicia> "Oh, you seemed to make enough use of my Message cantrip when you were asking me what was stopping you from killing it," Alicia seethes, before pointing her sword at the crawling fiend. "Stay right where you are - we're not finished!" she adds as an aside to the devil.
[19:24] <Seira> "Oh have a big old cry about it," Seira tells Demedais. "We were clearly the delaying tactic while Alicia killed the devil, and now that it's not dead yet someone has to do it."
[19:26] <Kotono> The devil stops, bleeding and looking on at Seira with raw, pained hatred.
[19:27] <Demedais> "...and yet the dragon is free of the damn curse right now, thus completing our mission. You know..." Demedais growls, hands gripped on his sword, "...you hardly complained this much when we chose to let the pit fiend go back to his bloody realm. Why so concerned about such a lesser devil?"
[19:27] <Seira> "We could send it back and make sure it stayed there. I can't send this one back. Can you?"
[19:28] * Seira sighs. "If there was a way to kick her out permanently, I suppose I could live with that."
[19:28] <Alicia> "Yes, about that - don't you dare lecture me on making deals with devils when you've got that one hanging over you," Alicia adds in irately. Turning back to the crawling devil, she barks out, "Stand up!"
[19:28] <Kotono> The wounded devil needs a few moments, but manages to do so.
[19:28] <Seira> "Waukeen is surprisingly lax about these things," Seira responds, shrugging.
[19:29] <Demedais> "No, but it's just as easy to force it to do nothing until it's called back or can find its own way back, and then forbid it from returning. Just have to use that intellect you had back at the pit devil. Hope you still have it." Demedais shakes his head in irritation and turns away from Seira, walking away.
[19:29] <Alicia> "Give me your name," Alicia demands. "Your *true* name."
[19:30] <Kotono> "...Drana." she answers, as meanwhile the dragon finally shakes it's head.
[19:30] <Seira> "When did we start running a fiend shelter?" Seira laments to the heavens.
[19:32] <Alicia> "By the power of your true name, I banish you!" Alicia speaks up, her words hopefully having some eldritch power backing them if the devil didn't lie. "DRANA! Return back to the pit that spawned you!"
[19:34] <Kotono> Drana looks on...and shakes her head. "I would if I could," she says with a light shrug of her shoulders, before starting to laugh a little. "If I could just will myself away, do you think I'd have surrendered?" A pained laugh, but one nonetheless.
[19:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 arcana what can I use a truename for, then? Banishment is meant to be a classic!
[19:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0arcana what can I use a truename for, then? Banishment is meant to be a classic! --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{15}
[19:35] <Seira> "So you're not just biding your time until you kill us or escape and start carving out your little kingdom?" Seira asks in disdain.
[19:36] <Kotono> "No..." Raggedly breathing, "I trained myself to be superb at control and charming, but I was never very good at teleportation. I had to get someone to send me here in the first place."
[19:37] <Seira> "Ah, yes. Now I see. Let's take the fiend that specializes in tricking others and controlling them effectively with us. We have her word, this cannot backfire!"
[19:38] <Kotono> Looking to Alicia, "If you know us, you know if we have to give our word," she speaks quickly, "That we will not break it lightly. It's against our very nature. I'll give you my word that I won't, then."
[19:38] <Alicia> "Considering what you said you were escaping, you may have though us a lesser risk," Alicia points out. "Alright. You're coming with us, then - Lordgazer can deal with you." Reaching in her pack, she tosses a blanket at the devil, "And cover yourself up for Mystra's sake."
[19:38] <Alicia> Lord Stargazer*
[19:39] * Seira rolls her eyes. "Even if this succeeds, she'll be back, naturally. For revenge, if nothing else. And she'll know more about our abilities and tactics, and she'll kill a few innocents along the way, like she manipulated the dragon to do back at Stargazer's castle. But I guess we are doing the 'right thing'." Seira adds little quotation marks with her hands.
[19:39] <Kotono> As the devil does so, the dragon glares at it once more. "Mortals.." And a long look at Seira, the half red dragon. "I thank you for freeing me, regardless."
[19:40] * Alicia gives Seira a long look, then without even looking at the devil, she says. "By the power of your truename I command you. Drana, stand on your head." A somewhat gauche demonstration, but hopefully it will suffice.
[19:40] <Seira> "Ah, yes, we now taunt it more to nurture the hate."
[19:40] <Kotono> The devil glares at Alicia, but drops the blanket and attempts to stand on it's head!
[19:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 dex check why not
[19:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0dex check why not --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{11}
[19:40] * Seira nods. "I'm sure this is the way to friendship."
[19:41] <Kotono> It does so with some effort. Gravity becomes it's wicked mistress.
[19:41] <Alicia> "That will do," Alicia waves at the devil. "A demonstration. You told me what you did to that dragon with its true name - if Drana here causes trouble for us, she cannot resist any command invoked by her true name."
[19:42] <Kotono> The devil gets back up, covering itself with it's blanket again.
[19:42] <Seira> "She killed people. She is a bad demon/devil thing. She came here to rule the humans. She-- I give up." Seira snorts. "Drana, I command you to not flash people. Ever."
[19:43] <Alicia> "You don't make friends with fiends, Seira. But I gave my word not to kill her, and I intend to keep that word so long as she does not cause any trouble - until then, she's my responsibility."
[19:43] <Kotono> The devil merely glares at Seira, wordless.
[19:44] <Seira> "So you get to choose when to break your word. Sure thing." Seira considers. "Drana, tell me everything about your plans here. Any remaining accomplices, human or otherwise?"
[19:44] <Kotono> Drana speaks after a moment, "I had brought a few bearded devils with me, 3 in total. I had also enlisted a few creatures native - some ogres."
[19:45] <Kotono> "I controlled the wizard woman and the dragon and meant to try to enrapture an entire ball to eliminate the leadership of this kingdom. When that failed, I ordered a direct attack," she speaks crisply, eyes burning at Seira, her blanket bloodstained.
[19:45] <Seira> "Ah, yes. Some of us wanted to make friends with them." Seira nods. "Life's been pretty harsh in hell, right? I take full credit!"
[19:45] <Alicia> "... I can't believe I never saw how ignorant and rude you were up until now. I won't be breaking my word because my word is entirely contingent upon her good behaviour - those were the terms of the deal. Now if you're done being snippish, we'll be leaving." Gesturing brusquely with her sword at the passage they entered via, "Get moving," she adds to the devil.
[19:46] <Kotono> The dragon looks at the motley crew of mortals, "...wait," it speaks up.
[19:46] <Alicia> "Yes?" Alicia asks the dragon somewhat tiredly.
[19:47] <Kotono> "This place is a long trip for you. I owe you a debt, so I will at least offer to fly you down from here."
[19:48] <Demedais> "Can we pick up someone on the way?" Demedais speaks up again.
[19:48] <Alicia> "We left a guide at the entrance to these caves," Alicia agrees.
[19:49] <Kotono> "It is little trouble," the dragon agrees, kneeling down. "Climb on."
[19:49] <Demedais> "Thank you. Uh. What can we call you, sir dragon?" Demedais asks before getting on.
[19:49] * Alicia nudges the fiend with her sword, letting her get on first and then climbing on behind her, sword poised for any mischief.
[19:50] <Seira> "Do you have any tips on how to become a great dragon?" Seira asks him, likewise climbing on.
[19:50] * Demedais gets on last, trying to control a twitch in his left eye.
[19:50] <Kotono> "My name to humans is Dawnbreak," As Seira and Demedais get on, the devil turns to Alicia. For just a moment, she's beautiful, alluring as the most honeyed darkness, "Thank you," she murmurs to her, a smile before she flaps her wins and gets on.
[19:51] <Kotono> "...you are a half red dragon?" Dawnbreak inquires of Seira.
[19:51] <Demedais> "Thank you, sir Dawnbreak. " Demedais says, before falling silent for a little while.
[19:52] <Seira> "Sort of. I think they're supposed to be evil, but I didn't like that part much. Other than that, though...."
[19:52] * Alicia scowls at the demon. "Don't thank me, fiend. I'd just as soon gut you if it weren't for my honour."
[19:52] <Kotono> "A red dragon's very nature is evil," Dawnbreak begins to lecture as the party gets on. "Do not forget that - a dragon is not like a human or a dwarf or an elf. We are primal."
[19:53] <Kotono> The demon smiles back like exotic silks dancing to Alicia, "Oh, I understand..." she murmurs. "The pain of keeping your word when you have no choice?"
[19:53] * Seira nods. "But we met this one red dragon that didn't seem too evil. Ajan, do you know of him?"
[19:54] <Alicia> "Don't presume anything. We are nothing alike," Alicia replies frostily.
[19:55] <Kotono> Once on, the dragon flaps it's wings and ascends! Into the snowy sky, out of the caves! Cold embraces you, a snowy sunset all around you, only a few flecks of the sky glanced. The rest is covered with snowclouds, billowing down pure white. "The name is not known to me."
[19:55] <Kotono> Drana's smile is dark, even in the snowfall, "No, I know...you'd just as rather kill me than keep your word, but you just can't..." she prods back.
[19:56] <Seira> "Yes, I suppose it's a bit like some human were to ask about another by name. My bad. Any other tips? I know about the hoarding of treasure, but I think it's a bit early to start."
[19:56] <Demedais> "Drana, under your true name I command you to speak only when spoken to, as well as to not use any of your magical abilities unless commanded. This is to be obeyed in conjunction with all other commands you have received under your true name." Demedais says languidly. "Hope you don't mind, Alicia, but she's irritating."
[19:57] <Kotono> The dragon looks about, starting to fly downward. He seemst o spot something quickly, beginning to descend. Soon, you can see Cant staring upward, as the dragon approaches the cave mouth. "Think well on your path," the dragon allows, as Cantstares openly and gets on board. "...Success?" he asks at last.
[19:58] <Alicia> "Don't test me, fiend," Alicia warns. "I choose to follow the code of chivalry, but I could just as eas... oh," she sighs, before nodding at Demedais, not talking to the fiend further so that she can't use that as an excuse for backtalk.
[19:58] <Kotono> The fiend glares at Demedais, but says nothing else. "Do you wish to go to the city at the base of the moutnain," Dawnbreak asks.
[19:59] <Seira> "Can we trouble you to take us to the castle, or is that too far?" Seira asks.
[19:59] <Kotono> "It is no trouble," the dragon agres as he flies, "Just point me onward."
[19:59] <Demedais> "Yeah, we all survived and the dragon's unpossessed, so it's fine." Demedais nods. "This is Drana, please do not talk to her. And let's go to the town, we don't want Dawnbreak to get shot at... as mildly ineffectual as it may be."
[20:00] * Seira shrugs, and directs the dragon to the edge of town.
[20:00] <Kotono> The dragon descents to the edge of town without incident. Here in the cold evening only torche son the walls light the way, snow continuing to fall. "I wish all of you well. Will you be staying in this kingdom? Is it your home?"
[20:01] <Seira> "No, it lies elsewhere. But we'll come visit, if we can!"
[20:01] <Alicia> "We're from a different Prime. Apparently," Alicia replies, nudging the captive devil to get off first and then following.
[20:02] <Kotono> Oncethe party is off, Dawnbreak flaps it's wings and takes to the air. "Then I thank you," he replies, "I owe of you a debt. Should you ever need a matter of aid...I will keep a presence in the mountains here, I think, so that none other can use it as the devil did."
[20:02] * Seira waves at the dragon cheerfully as it flies away.
[20:02] <Demedais> "Indeed. Thank you." Demedais says, waiting for the others to dismount before he himself does so and waving to the dragon, his twitch subsided.
[20:03] <Kotono> Cant gets off, "Pleasure working with you," he agrees, looking at the captured devil. "Strange business."
[20:03] <Alicia> "You don't know the half of it," Alicia sighs. "Come on, lets see about getting sent back to Lord Stargazer's castle."
[20:04] <Demedais> "Yes." Demedais nods.
[20:04] <Kotono> Once in town, the mayor is woken. Magical transport back is provided by a middle aged, balding wizard who chuckles too much, zapping them back to the throne room! Here you find guards awaiting, bowing. "You're back. We'll let Lord Stargazer know right away!"
[20:05] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods in thanks to them.
[20:06] * Alicia remains warily watching over the fiend, her swordgrip not loosened at all.
[20:06] <Kotono> Soon the throne room has filled up. Along with guards, Lord Stargazer sits on his throne, Selah the White besides him. "That creature," Lord Stargazer looks to the devil, "Is the source of this, ya? Is the dragon neutralized?"
[20:06] <Seira> "The dragon is friendly once more!"
[20:06] <Kotono> The devil just watches, shuffling and keeping her head down.
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{18}
[20:07] <Kotono> Selah keeps quiet for af ew moments, "A devil?" he inquires, "Or a demon?"
[20:07] * Demedais uses detect chaos on a whim, hand on his sword.
[20:07] <Alicia> "She enchanted both the dragon and the rider from last night. She is under my control, for now," Alicia affirms. "In exchange for her peaceful surrender, would it be possible for you to banish her back to Baator?"
[20:08] <Seira> "Or you could, I dunno, have her killed for murdering all those guards and other people."
[20:08] <Kotono> "I could look into it - such a spell isn't too hard to learn or procure, even if I don't know it offhand," Selah agrees to those words. Lord Stargazer looks hard at her, "Why banish her back? Seira raises a very good point."
[20:09] <Seira> "Her peaceful surrender came after she sent a dragon after us to kill us all, and we outsmarted and cornered her," Seira adds.
[20:10] * Alicia looks rather torn. "I swore to do her no harm if she complied with my commands," she admits. "Even if she is a fiend, I am uncomfortable with handing her over to someone who will harm her, even though it is well deserved."
[20:11] <Seira> "What was the exact wording, there?" Seira asks curiously.
[20:12] <Kotono> Lord Stargazer considers this very long, "...hm. Well, she can sit in a guarded cell with wards while we decide this, then. Selah, do so." The white bearded wizard bows quickly, going over to the creature. "Anything I should know about her state?" he asks.
[20:12] <Alicia> "Does it matter?" Alicia asks wearily. "I am no fiend myself, apt to twist the wording of any agreement I make. It is the spirit that I follow."
[20:13] <Seira> "It kind of does, I think," Seira states. "This is their world. You can choose to act on your own all you'd like, but are you really qualified to decide for the people living here how those who wronged against them should be punished?"
[20:15] <Alicia> "She's badly wounded, but has an uncanny skill with charms and compulsions - take great care if you intend to hold her for long," Alicia warns Selah. "I know, Captain, and her fate is up to Lord Stargazer, now. I have simply made my wishes known. I can do no less and still call myself a knight."
[20:15] <Seira> "Drana, want to be my pet if they can't find a way to send you away?" Seira asks the fiend pleasantly.
[20:16] * Demedais snorts softly and turns away.
[20:16] * Alicia glares at Seira.
[20:16] * Seira cheerfully ignores any inappropriate signs of disdain.
[20:16] <Kotono> As the devil is lead off, Seira gets a nasty look from her. Once gone, "We can decide this matter on the morrow. It is late and you look travel worn and battle drained. There are rooms prepared for you."
[20:17] <Seira> "I'm sorry, Lord Stargazer, but we should be getting back. We'll try to return within a week, but our home cannot be left unguarded for much longer."
[20:18] <Alicia> "Assuming the way we came in also functions as an exit," Alicia mutters.
[20:18] <Kotono> "If your haste is that great, then so be it." Lord Stargazer agrees, "How will you leave?"
[20:18] <Seira> "Assuming that! We might as well check now."
[20:19] <Alicia> "We entered via the ballroom... which I note has fallen down. I suppose we'll have to look, there," Alicia agrees.
[20:19] <Seira> "I plan on examining the vicinity of the ballroom. If the portal still exists, we should be able to find it."
[20:19] <Kotono> Coming out into the courtyard, the party finds the ballrooms till a mess. Some of it has been cleaned up, but it's still largely caved in and quite the mess.
[20:20] <Kotono> A few guards come with you, "If you need anything, let us know," one offers.
[20:20] * Seira casts Detect Magic, glancing around at the ruins. She focuses on the area she entered the room from the ruins at.
[20:21] <Kotono> There's no magic of note on the ruins at all.
[20:22] * Seira attempts to summon a horse from their world, checking to see whether the portal works in any way like the one to the plane of water.
[20:23] <Kotono> A horse appears, but the only magic Seira detects is from her spell.
[20:24] * Seira tilts her head. "Annoying." She takes out her golden coin and focuses on that, curious as to whether divine providence would guide her hand.
[20:26] <Seira> "Oh." Seira sighs suddenly. "Something wasn't resolved. I bet it was the devil thing. So I guess we're stuck here until someone resolves her."
[20:28] <Demedais> "So either banishment or death." Demedais says. "You must decide at this point what your vow can and cannot accept, Alicia."
[20:28] <Alicia> "Well, lets just rest and see what tomorrow brings?" Alicia suggests tiredly, this whole saga becoming very raw on her nerves. "It is up to Lord Stargazer, after all."
[20:28] <Seira> "Anyone she kills from this point on is on your hands, as far as I'm concerned," Seira declares, heading back to the rooms assigned to them.
[20:29] * Alicia hopes she has a seperate room, this time.
[20:29] * Demedais nods to Alicia. "Very well, then."
[20:30] <Kotono> The night passes. But come early dawn, Alicia's door is disturbed by knocking.
[20:31] * Alicia gets up and idly casts prestidigitation, using the magic to make herself presentable while calling, "In a minute!" as she tosses her clothes on before opening the door.
[20:32] <Kotono> Selah awaits, looking rather tired. "Apologies at the early hour. May I come in?"
[20:32] <Alicia> "Of course," Alicia gestures him inside and steps back. "What can I help you with?"
[20:33] <Kotono> He goes in and sits, "I spent the evening warding and eventually figuring out how to communicate with our prisoner. The intent of getting information of her was a lot more time consuming when I had to deduce she was forbidden from speaking, but not from writing." He smothers a yawn after.
[20:35] <Alicia> "Odd, I was sure the wording allowed her to speak if she was spoken to," Alicia shrugs. "It was Demedais who placed that restriction on her, not me. I'm sorry if it inconvenienced you," she apologises on his behalf. She's the one responsible for the situation in general, anyway.
[20:35] <Kotono> He yawns and stretches, "It might have been a misunderstanding, regardless, or the wards," Waving it aside, "Regardless, she's repeatly requested to speak with you this morning. She says it's important."
[20:36] * Demedais (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[20:37] * Alicia sighs. "Very well, I'll humour her. Just a moment, please," she asks, going to don her armour and then slinging her sword onto her back. "Okay, I'm ready."
[20:38] <Kotono> Selah leads you out, down to a secluded stairway and into the bowels of the castle. It's dark and moist down here, the doors thick wood and iron. In a particuarly dark spot of it is a door with painted symbols all over it, pulsing as Selah opens thedoor. "She should be harmless all things considered. Still, caution."
[20:38] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[20:38] <Alicia> "Why do you think I made sure to bring this?" Alicia reaches back to pat her sword, smiling grimly before she steps inside, making sure not to tread on any runes or wardings that may be on the floor.
[20:39] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[20:39] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[20:39] <Kotono> Inside, Drana lies on a matted bed of hay. A bloodied blanket is over her, as she loosk up expectantly at Alicia.
[20:41] * Alicia stares at the devil for a moment in silence before speaking, "You may have noticed yesterday, but I'm not fully knowledgable on all the power a true name provides. I don't know if I can overrule an order given by someone else, but - Drana, by your truename I command, you may speak," she tries.
[20:43] <Kotono> Drana licks her lips, before nodding once. "I'll begin this by saying I don't have any choice. I deeply do not wish to go home and I don't want to be executed. I offer you myself and my service - you know my true name, and I will give my word. I'll serve you as long as you wish, if you take me with you and protect me."
[20:45] * Alicia stares at the fiend for a long moment. "You realise if you come with me, within a couple of days there won't be a person in the land that doesn't know your true name - you'll be a toy or amusement for anyone with the wits to string two words together," she begins flatly.
[20:47] <Kotono> She licks her lips again, breathing out harshly. "I'll ask that you keep it private save for those that must know, and that in return I will serve you loyally. You're a woman of battles, and I have strength to aid you and your allies."
[20:47] * Alicia shakes her head. "Even if I were to hold my tongue, do you really think Seira would? She'd be one of the first seeking to degrade you with that power," she points out.
[20:48] <Kotono> "I know, but I have no choice. Besides," she acts quickly, "Aren't some crusders those who seek to change the darkness instead of slay it?" she presses onward. "Isn't it your duty tod o that as well?"
[20:50] * Alicia suddenly laughs, quite sharply and unpleasantly. "You want me to redeem you?" she asks in sickened amusement. "I have heard that some devils are fallen angels - I even killed a few with that Kurlaak devil you mentioned earlier. Would you then hope to rise up from your base nature, hmm?"
[20:52] <Kotono> Looking on at Alicia, "Do I have a choice? I know at least I can trust your word if you give it, and..." THe devil seems torn a moment, "You're right. Then if some have fallen, it goes both ways. Surely your Gods would be pleased if you ascended a devil?"
[20:56] <Alicia> "Ahh, my sister could learn from your honeyed tongue, fiend," Alicia mocks unkindly. "Hmph," she snorts, shaking her head, "The trouble honour causes... Very well, I will offer this solution to Lord Stargazer. But I promise you that if you seek to deceive me then no power in heaven or hell will stay my hand, are we clear?" she asks coldly.
[20:57] <Kotono> Her eyes light up, "Yes, yes, I so vow!" she agrees within ainstant, "I'm perfectly clear!"
[20:59] * Alicia nods. "Stay there, fiend. We'll see if Lord Stargazer is willing to forgive your crimes." And with that she turns and steps out.
[20:59] <Kotono> Selah waits outside, "What did it want?" he inquires to her.
[21:00] <Alicia> "It offered to bind itself in my service rather than being sent home or killed," Alicia replies, sighing and shaking her head. "I will ask Lord Stargazer to consider it... such a mess I've gotten myself into."
[21:01] <Kotono> "...." Selah stares, before shaking his head. "You are a paladin, correct? Using a creature of evil like that?"
[21:03] <Alicia> "I have no intention of using it," Alicia replies quickly. "But, it is my responsibility, so I will not dodge it." She sighs and shakes her head, "Perhaps I am making a mistake, but I intend to take precautions."
[21:04] <Kotono> Selah shakes his head once, but goes quiet. After that, "Are you going back to your room now?"
[21:04] <Alicia> "I suppose so," Alicia nods wearily. "Let me know when I can speak with Lord Stargazer?"
[21:05] <Kotono> "Very well," Selah says, as Alicia heads back to her room...OOC - Do you guys want to chat privately first, or skip ahead to Lord Stargazer?
[21:07] <Alicia> OOC: Sure, they can browbeat me a bit more
[21:07] <Kotono> OOC - Sure to which?
[21:07] <Alicia> OOC: chatting privately. Unless the others are cool with skipping
[21:08] <Seira> OOC: Only Alicia knows this happened, so it's Alicia's ball
[21:08] <Kotono> So the party meets in Seira's room after breakfast, Lord Stargazer needing a little more time...
[21:09] <Alicia> "So the devil offered to bind herself to my service rather than be sent back to hell or killed, this morning," Alicia decides to just get it right out in the open.
[21:10] * Seira nods as Alicia speaks. "Are you sure it's okay for you? Having a devil as a pet while you try to redeem it?"
[21:10] * Demedais opens his eyes from his position against the wall. "And your response was...?"
[21:12] <Alicia> "I said I'd ask Lord Stargazer. After all, what does having a physical manifestation of pure evil following me around matter when I already have a murderous assassin for a sister?" Alicia snorts, feeling a bit trapped by her morals.
[21:14] <Seira> "Best of luck, then," Seira tells her. "It's admirable that you are taking personal responsibility for this devil. I must adjust my opinion of you."
[21:16] <Alicia> "Oh, I'm nothing if not responsible," Alicia sighs. "I think it probably hopes to corrupt me, perhaps more insidiously than it did the dragon and that poor woman from the other day... Regardless, I've got myself in this mess, so I'll deal with it. I'll make sure she isn't a danger to anyone else."
[21:16] <Seira> "Just as long as you don't take off my command for it to keep decent, there's no problem."
[21:17] <Demedais> "...all I can say is that while I approve of you holding forth on your vow, please do not expect me to work with it. At all. Period." Demedais says, looking Alicia straight in the eye. "And know I will not hesitate to command it if I feel it to be a threat. I will not permit it to interfere in our duty."
[21:18] <Alicia> "Have no fear of that. Bad enough with those wings, but having it wander around everywhere naked would get no end of bad attention," Alicia affirms. Nodding to Demedais, "Don't worry, it won't interfere with our duties, and I won't hold it against you to act as you see fit in that regard."
[21:18] * Seira considers devil bartenders briefly, but reasons that she's not running a whore house, and things are bound to degenerate.
[21:19] <Demedais> "Very well, then. You're either optimistic, crazy, courageous or all of the three to take this on. Be careful."
[21:20] <Seira> "Well, I'll make a plea to Lord Stargazer myself," Seira decides. "That's all you really expected in way of support, right?"
[21:21] <Alicia> "I couldn't ask for anything else," Alicia shakes her head. "I made this mess, after all."
[21:21] <Seira> "We all contributed, all things considered." Seira shrugs. "In any case, we did get both weapons and money to support Balmuria. That would do."
[21:22] <Demedais> "... That we did." Demedais says, closing his eyes tightly for a moment.
[21:23] <Kotono> Within the hour, Lord Stargazer summons the party. The throne room is much as it was last night, "I trust you rested well," he asks politely first.
[21:24] <Alicia> "My Lord's hospitality was most excellent," Alicia replies with just as much politeness.
[21:24] <Seira> "Yes, Sire," Seira responds. "Have you heard of Alicia's wish to rehabilitate the devil that caused us all trouble?"
[21:25] * Demedais nods politely "Yes, Lord Stargazer." Beyond that, he refuses to say anything. This is all Alicia, and Seira if she chooses to speak up.
[21:25] <Kotono> A nod back, "Well then, the matter of the fiend behind this pla-" Lord Stargazer stops, looking at Seira. "What? What are ya talking about there?"
[21:25] * Seira blinks, turning to look at Alicia. "Didn't you ask already?"
[21:26] * Alicia represses a sigh. "My Lord, I am willing to take responsibility for the fiend and remove it from here. It will not trouble your lands again," she assures him, not replying to Seira for the moment.
[21:26] * Seira nods. "Yes, she'll take care of it if you're willing to let her go. We'll take full responsibility."
[21:27] <Kotono> A murmur escapes many of the gathered people here, Lord Stargazer's mouth agape a few seconds. ""You wish to take possession of a DEVIL? A hellspawn cursed by all the Gods of light?"
[21:28] <Seira> "We dealt with a lot of them before, and apparently Alicia thinks she can make it rise. Everyone deserves a project, I firmly believe."
[21:28] * Alicia stands up to her full height and nods stiffly. "I will take full responsibility for its conduct," she affirms.
[21:28] <Kotono> Selah stares at Alicia in dismay, but seems to keep his mouth shut.
[21:29] <Kotono> Lord Stargazer looks on long and hard at Alicia, "...hmph," he says at last, "Bring the Erinyes here. I want to hear it from her own mouth AND I want you to get casters that can prepare divinitations to ensure there isn't magic at play here, and that the truth is being spoken."
[21:29] <Kotono> A few guards bow, with a quiet, "Sir!" before they head out of the room.
[21:31] * Seira gives Saleh a wave as she waits.
[21:31] * Alicia could be carved out of stone for as rigidly as she stands while waiting.
[21:32] <Kotono> About ten minutes pass. Men in church vestiments enter, Lord Stargazer speaking. "First, make sure that Alicia is of her right mind," he instructs briefly. The man, whom wears a sun and hammer on his chest, bows and casts a single spell, "Protection from Evil. Do not resist, please."
[21:33] * Alicia nods and does not resist.
[21:33] <Kotono> The spell is cast! "Now, tell me that again if your own free will," Lord Stargazer commands.
[21:34] <Alicia> "I will take responsibility for the devil and remove her from here," Alicia repeats. "If she shows any signs of deceit or malice, I will not hesitate to slay her."
[21:35] <Kotono> A few more spells are cast, and then, "Bring in the devil," Lord Stargazer speaks, andthe doors to the throne room open! The devil still wears a simple blanket, lead inside by six guards.
[21:36] <Kotono> "Devil!" Lord Stargazer speaks harshly, "Do you wish to change yourself? Do you avow never to bring yourself to this kingdom, or cast a shadow on our realm? Will you say this willingly and truthfully?"
[21:37] <Kotono> Dranaraises her head and nods, "I gave my word and I made my choice," she speaks, clear enough to carry. "I submit myself to Alicia."
[21:38] * Seira raises an eyebrow.
[21:38] <Kotono> Lord Stargazer scowls deeply, "Then....Are thethree of you and your kingdom willing to take this on? This is something all of you do of your free will?"
[21:38] <Seira> "I believe in cleaning up after ourselves, Sire," Seira speaks. "If it means taking the devil in as a pet to make sure it won't harm anyone else, then that's what we'll do."
[21:39] <Alicia> "How our own Lord will react remains to be seen," Alicia admits. "However, as I said, I take full responsibility for this matter, come what may."
[21:39] <Kotono> " A devil is not a pet," Selah adds gravely, "A devil is an abomination by the heart of all evil intent. A dog is a pet, not a lower creature."
[21:40] <Alicia> "On that we are in full agreement," Alicia nods to Selah.
[21:40] <Kotono> "I gave my word - A devil is as lawful as a paladin," A look of faint distaste, "We we give our word, we do not neglect it. Otherwise, we would be no better than....Demons." A look of pure disgust crosses her face.
[21:40] <Seira> "You know what I'd rather do with her," Seira responds with a shrug. "But maybe this will actually work. Only one way to find out!"
[21:41] <Kotono> Lord Stargazer sighs once more, "What of you, Demedais?" he asks, looking at him intensely.
[21:45] <Seira> "Would anyone like to come and visit our home?" Seira asks suddenly, glancing at Selah and Lord Stargazer. "To check up on the devil, or just to see our side of the pond."
[21:46] * Demedais (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:46] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[21:48] * Alicia sets mode: +o Taishyr
[21:48] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[21:48] * Demedais raises an eyebrow at Lord Stargazer's question. "Alicia knows full well my stance on the situation. I am perhaps more aligned with you than with my two companions on this, but I know Alicia to be honorable-" this said with slight dryness, "-and from what I know of her own life... if there are any capable of accomplishing this, Alicia numbers amongst them. Besides. Converting a devil to the side of Good... a testament to those who died, more than
[21:49] <Demedais> "And if the experiment is a failure, then you will have the blood, just not here." Demedais shrugs. "I will not hesitate if I see any tries at betrayal."
[21:49] <Demedais> "a testament to those who died, more than any more blood could be."
[21:50] <Kotono> Lord Stargazer looks upward for a few moments, then at each of the party. "Then take her and ensure she is never seen in this land again."
[21:51] <Kotono> After a moment, "Diplomatic relations, Seira?" Lord Stargazer is quiet, "Allow me to consider it."
[21:51] <Alicia> "You are most gracious," Alicia bows, before straightening and looking over at the Erinyes. "Come with me, fiend," she instructs coldly. Hmm... she's going to have to soften her approach if she's to have any chance of really getting through to the thing. Dammit, such a mess.
[21:52] * Seira nods. "You are more advanced than us, it seems, due to an event in our distant past we are only now recovering from. Yet our ruins hold artifact-level magic, no less, so it would even things up. There is much we can learn from each other, I feel."
[21:52] <Kotono> Drana nods and approaches. Lord Stargazer nods once, "Very well, you're free to leave now. Frankly, I need some time to think and set up the damned...hm? Well yeah, that would be of interest. Artifacts are worth a kingdom." Lord Stargazer stops and nods, "Then I have way too much to ponder, eh?"
[21:53] * Demedais nods slightly. "Oh, and... would they be coming through the ruins, Seira, or can we set up another way?"
[21:54] <Seira> "There are various Gate spells that should be more common, here. Any of them should do, all they would need is an anchor on the other side. We ourselves would do, I feel. Is that correct, Selah?"
[21:54] <Kotono> "I'll need to look into it," he promises, "Gates are mighty magic of the highest orders."
[21:55] <Kotono> "Now then," Lord Stargazer stands, "If you would," he says pointedly.
[21:55] * Seira offers a sling. "A good friend made this one. It is unique, and originated from our city."
[21:55] <Kotono> Selah approaches and takes it. "Very well," he agrees, "Magical?"
[21:55] * Seira nods.
[21:56] <Alicia> "By your leave, my Lord," Alicia bows once more, before gesturing for Drana to get moving as they head back to the ruined ballroom, and hopefully a portal home.
[21:56] <Kotono> "I'll hold onto it and use it if it helps," he promises.
[21:56] <Seira> "We'll be waiting, then," Seira responds, and bows to Selah and Lord Stargazer. "Thank you for your hospitality, and for indugling us on this other matter."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Be well, and fortune on your kingdom. You may need it," Lord Stargazer observes.
[21:57] * Seira nods, and follows the others.
[21:59] * Demedais watches the three leaves before sighing. "I would have preferred banishment to this, but... my own situation is tenuous. Thank you, Lord Stargazer, for this. And I assure you it will not live long if its surrender is not honest." With that he leaves as well, tired and ready to be home.
[22:00] <Kotono> As the party passes through the door out of the throneroom, there is a slight moving sensation. It's smooth this time, flowing. Yous tand in a small square room of marble and support pillars. There is a door to the north and a door to the south, one ajar. In there you can see the portal from this section back to Ajan, still waiting. The other door is closed. The three are here, along with a single Erinyes, looking about in confusion a moment.
[22:01] <Seira> "Welcome to our world!" Seira tells Drana happily. "Now, let's get going?"
[22:02] * Seira walks towards Ajan without waiting for an answer.
[22:02] * Alicia nods. "Yes, lets, she agrees, gesturing for Drana to get going and heading off herself.
[22:02] * Demedais stays back, following the group out.
[22:02] <Kotono> Drana is quiet for the moment, as...OOC - Are you going to be up much longer, Tai?
[22:03] <Demedais> OOC: Uhm. I dunno. 30 minutes work well?
[22:03] <Kotono> OOC - Sure
[22:04] <Kotono> The party returns to Ajan! Drana stays quiet as she sees the dragon, a noticiable shiver going through her! THe dragon perks up as the three heroes enter, "You have return," he observes, then looks dead on at Drana, intense.
[22:04] <Kotono> *returned
[22:04] <Alicia> "With a guest," Alicia notes dryly.
[22:04] <Seira> "Yes," Seira responds. "Ajan, I remember you mentioning that you can explain to us any tests we have passed, right?"
[22:05] <Kotono> Ajan rears up, scales bristling. Just for a moment, but he then slowly relaxes. "...hah. Your Goddess has faith in you, Alicia."
[22:06] * Demedais stands FAR AWAY fron Drana... until he hears Ajan speak again, at which point he snaps his fingers ever so quietly.
[22:06] * Alicia perks up a bit. "That's a relief to hear. I hope I can justify it."
[22:06] <Seira> "What about Waukeen? We don't talk much, I'm afraid."
[22:08] <Kotono> "Therefor, you may pass." He speaks to Drana, "I have no interest in your squabbles of morality, but one of the Gods has intervened to let you live longer." After a moment and relaxing further, "This test took you to a place, a place where you could find strength and some of what you wished, for what ends only those that sponser you may know."
[22:08] * Seira nods. "And that room with the giant clock figure?"
[22:09] <Alicia> "Giant clock?" Alicia doesn't remember that.
[22:09] <Demedais> "A different test we encountered earlier." Demedais clarifies.
[22:10] <Seira> "We might as well resolve our earlier argument," Seira tells Alicia.
[22:12] <Alicia> "Which... oh, clock. You still think time travel could really happen?" Alicia asks, blinking.
[22:12] * Seira nods.
[22:12] <Kotono> "Time is time is time - fragments of what may be or what has been," Ajan speaks, "There are many reasons the gnomes were stricken down. Heresy knows many shapes and bounds."
[22:13] <Seira> "So is it effectively time travel, even if you travel to the future and then try to change it so it never comes to pass?"
[22:14] * Alicia listens with interest, trying to wrap her head around the concept.
[22:14] <Kotono> "Time Travel... is not a matter to think of," Ajan's voice becomes stern, "Were time malleable freely, reality would change every second. This is a path not to be trifled with."
[22:15] <Kotono> Drana keeps quiet, clinging to her blanket and seeming to have the sense to be very small and very unoticiable.
[22:15] * Seira blinks. "I'm sorry if I'm offending you with all these questions, but what you're saying is that the gnomes did it and it was bad, we got to see it in action, and we shouldn't try to repeat it?"
[22:16] <Kotono> "Let time travel lie. What happens in these ruins is to make you stronger. Beyond them, let such a spectre fade from your minds." So Ajan warns once more.
[22:16] * Demedais just goes with what Ajan says in this instance, since he seems to be a spokesperson for the gods.
[22:16] <Seira> "Okay!"
[22:17] <Seira> "Umm. We're still a bit at a loss of how to free you. Any leads we should pursue?"
[22:17] * Alicia nods. It hurts her head to think about, anyway.
[22:17] <Demedais> "One of those gate things?" Demedais says. "Shouldn't that work, if we make it big enough?"

[Corwin]

[19:25] <Kotono> So the motley, travel worn heroes swim out and return to the Baronies! It's a too cloudy day, the sun a memory this morning as you trek towards the city. No rain falls, however, just a pleasant sea breeze ruffling in contrast to the gloomy sky. As you approach Demedais begs off a few moments, taking a different path. So with an Erinyes and blanket in tow, the two approach the city gates, still well manned...
[19:26] * Alicia had given the Erinyes a spare set of clothes earlier (slashed at the back to accomodate wings), and asked her to wrap her wings around herself like a cloak and then wear the blanket on top to conceal them. And also asked her name at some point.
[19:26] * Seira doesn't really care about the devil one way or the other, figuring that if it came to an epic battle to the death it would be Alicia's problem, surely.
[19:27] <Kotono> So garbed, the Erinyes is quiet for now. "Call me..." she considers a moment, "Antenora."
[19:27] <Seira> "That's long and I shorten names. How about Anty?"
[19:28] <Alicia> "You hesitated," Alicia observes, ignoring Seira's suggestion. "That's not what your fellow devils called you, is it?"
[19:28] <Seira> "Anthy is fine, too," Seira adds thoughtfully.
[19:30] <Kotono> Seira gets a rather pointed look back, the devil taking just a moment before she smiles. It's a nice, polite smile, but still the smile of a devil, no matter how charming she wishes to be? "Do you wish to call me Della the Bloodflier, then, Mistress?"
[19:30] <Alicia> "Della is fine," Alicia snorts in reply. "But if you really want a new name for a fresh start, I don't mind Antenora if that's what you prefer."
[19:31] <Kotono> "Antenora is fine," Drana replies after amoment, as the skies stay dark. Balmuria still awaits, the scent of the fresh sea tingling your noses.
[19:31] <Alicia> "Antenora it is, then," Alicia agrees as they head towards the gates.
[19:32] * Seira is eager to sell all sorts of ancient junk for things she can actually use, and her spirits are lifted by the city!
[19:33] <Kotono> Thus, Seira, Alicia and Antenora head along to the gates. Biggs and Wedge are there, correct salutes. "Sirs," Biggs grins as they approach. He glances at Antenora, his smile increasing. "Welcome back, and welcome to your companion?"
[19:34] <Seira> "Say hi to Anthy," Seira tells them. "Is anyone expecting us?"
[19:34] * Alicia resists the urge to roll her eyes. Somehow. "Yes, I'm sure she's very happy to be here," she deadpans.
[19:34] <Kotono> "Commander Oberuth is, sirs," Wedge cuts in quickly, clearing his throat and overriding Biggs' voice.
[19:35] * Seira proceeds with a salute!
[19:35] <Alicia> "Come on, Antenora, lets introduce you to the brass," Alicia urges the fiend along, giving a distracted salute to the guards.
[19:36] <Seira> "Just as long as you don't get too attached. Alicia seems like the jealous type," Seira comments to the devil.
[19:37] <Kotono> The city is still bustling even under the gray sky. Antenora stays quiet for now, not commenting as you go through the streets. On reaching the garrison, you get plenty of salutes from soldiers and even a few lesser officers on the way to the Commander's office. On arrival, you find him going over a large map of the area from Balmuria to Valandia, occasionally making slender pencil ticks on the oversized parchment.
[19:38] <Seira> "We have achieved our objectives, Sir," Seira reports in, saluting him quite a bit sharper than to any other soldiers or officers.
[19:39] * Alicia likewise salutes but lets Seira give the report on their mission. She can explain the matter regarding the fiend afterwards.
[19:40] <Kotono> Idly returning the salute before sitting down, "Go ahead, rest," he begins, glancing up at the party. When he sees Antenora, there is a frozen moment, his hand deftly and subtly going to his swordbelt. "You brought back company?" he asks, voice quite level.
[19:40] <Seira> "Sir, we have secured several tools quite useful to our defense of Balmuria and have gained valuable experience in combat and by working as a team, by discovering each other's strengths and weaknesses," Seira tells him dutifully. "We have also brought back a nudist devil."
[19:41] <Kotono> Antenora is quiet, standing at Alicia's side for now. "Why?" he asks, flat. "What posssessed you to bring a devil here?"
[19:42] <Seira> "I'll let Alicia explain because she seems antsy whenever I try to, Sir."
[19:47] * Alicia smiles coldly. "Good eye, sir," she notes approvingly. "This is Antenora, a Baatezu who we encountered on our mission and surrendered to me, indicating a desire for redemption. Whether those were just pretty words meant to save her pretty neck remain to be seen, but I have decided to give her a chance."
[19:47] <Alicia> Glancing at the devil for a moment before returning her attention to the Commander, "Should she ever betray the chance I have given her, her True Name is Drana, which can be used to command her. If you ever see her outside of my presence, you can safely assume betrayal has occured, but otherwise she will remain with me and I will be responsible for her conduct."
[19:47] <Alicia> She takes a deep breath, "I realise this is worrisome, but I believe Mystra herself has faith in the possibility of redemption... and considering my sister, I think I should, as well. Please, sir, give her a chance? Even if she does prove untrustworthy, knowledge of her true name should limit any harm she can do."
[19:48] <Seira> "The big dragon that talks to the Gods a lot gave her a free pass, Sir," Seira adds with a shrug.
[19:50] <Seira> "In the off chance you're actually serious about whitewashing your soul and all that," Seira then address the devil, "I assume you know that using your exciting evil powers of blight and devil summons only serve to set you further back on that path?"
[19:51] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth meets Antenora's eyes, before scowling. "The last time I saw a face like that..." he begins, but suddenly stops himself. He leans forward, "..I don't think this is my choice to make. Housing a devil in Balmuria, for whatever reasons, should go to Lord Salman directly."
[19:51] <Alicia> "Demedais sealed her supernatural abilities anyway, so she couldn't use them even if she wanted to... right?" Alicia gives Antenora a probing look.
[19:51] <Seira> "So she _says_."
[19:52] <Kotono> Antenora keeps her head down, "I wished to talk with you about that later, Mistress," she's polite and correct about it, letting her words linger on the last.
[19:52] * Seira shrugs. "If I can think up half a dozen ways to avoid your conditions so far, I'm sure she can. Unless she's a stupid devil."
[19:53] <Alicia> "Then please, do illuminate us so we can close these loopholes?" Alicia asks in exasparation.
[19:53] <Seira> "I'll talk to you later in private, when you feed and water your devil, okay?"
[19:54] <Kotono> Looking up with a too charming smile, Antenora begins. "I would recommend giving me one complete order to encompass everything."
[19:54] <Alicia> "Fine," Alicia sighs. "Now, Antenora, anything you wanted to say later you can say now," she instructs the fiend.
[19:55] <Kotono> "To be the most use to you, Mistress, one concrete and encompassing order would be best, that covers everything you wish. Being bound by the orders of several is too cumbersome and conflicting."
[19:56] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth listens for the moment, watching.
[19:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[19:57] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af2371c.tcl111.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[19:57] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[19:57] <Seira> "This works by putting all eggs in one basket, sadly. How about two people giving the very same command, one essentially repeating after the other?"
[19:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[19:57] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+3 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{12}
[19:57] <Alicia> "I'll take it under advisement," Alicia replies irritably. "Anyway, about the rest of our mission?" she tries to get back on the original subject.
[19:58] <Seira> "We came, we conquered... we made peaceful contact with a friendly, magically-superior civilization. I think Lord Salman would be very pleased!"
[19:59] <Kotono> Finally looking away from Antenora, "What? Did you find a civilization in the ruins?
[19:59] <Kotono> "
[19:59] * Seira considers. "We can also return to the ruins for more, since Balmuria is in possession of another key, but I believe that can wait until we have a clearer picture of the situation with Malmuth."
[20:00] * Seira shakes her head at the question. "We found a working portal to one, and left directions for them to find us."
[20:01] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth grunts to that, "Alright. Now then..." A long look at the devil, before he starts walking. "Lord Salman awaits."
[20:01] * Seira follows.
[20:02] <Alicia> "Come along, then," Alicia ushers Antenora onwards.
[20:03] <Kotono> So Antenora follows along like a domesticated cat. The four of you make good time to where Lord Salman is, gonig over maps with a few other officers. As you enter the officers salute - including captains and commanders, before Lord Salman speaks. "We'll resume this later," he says, "Dismissed for now." On those words the officers file out of the room dutifully.
[20:04] <Kotono> Lord Salman looks a tiny bit tired, "We welcome you back. How was your expidition," Lord Salman asks, to the point.
[20:05] * Seira repeats everything she had just reported to the Commander!
[20:05] <Alicia> "Captain, perhaps you should give the overview again before we get distracted?" Alicia suggests with a meaningful glance at the resident fiend.
[20:06] <Kotono> Lord Salman listens dutifully, his expression dark and somber as the subject of the devil comes up. Once Alicia finishes, "...Alicia," Lord Salman begins, "Are you serious in your intentions?"
[20:08] <Alicia> "I am, my Lord," Alicia replies dutifully. "Should Antenora prove duplicitious, I have already made it very clear to her that her life is forfeit. Until then, I am willing to give her a chance." Looking up to meet his eyes, "You may remember I spoke a great deal of redemption when we first met. I perhaps did not understand my own words at the time, but I believe I am starting to."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Alicia, we have studied the Baaztu since they were stopped by the Crimson Guard," Lord Salman's voice is commanding and yet heavy, "All writing say that devils are composed of the very primorial essense of evil. To change one would to be to change the very nature of evil, would it not?"
[20:11] <Kotono> *primordial
[20:12] <Alicia> "By the same token, would that not mean that angels are infallibly good?" Alicia counters. "The very existence of fallen angels among the ranks of the Baatezu shows that such concepts are not immutable." Shaking her head, "I admit, it is a far harder thing to rise than to fall, and I have yet to be convinced of her sincerity, but if Mystra herself has sanctioned this, I must have faith."
[20:13] <Seira> "Sir, what's the worst that can happen?" Seira asks reasonably. "Alicia took care of several such devils on her own. If she can't handle this one when it shows its true colors-- well, aren't you looking down on her and her abilities? My Lord."
[20:14] <Kotono> "Do you feel that you can change the nature of a devil?" Lord Salman inquires, "We welcome your confidence, yet we are deeply concerned." Raising a hand after Seira speaks, "Yet we would be fools not to consider a devil in our own mists a threat that must be analysed, regardless of the skill of Alicia."
[20:15] <Seira> "She has accepted responsibility for Anthy, Sir, and will not keep her out of her sight. I feel this is enough, if my opinion matters here."
[20:16] <Alicia> "I understand your concern, my Lord," Alicia replies respectfully, "But, between my own proven ability to best such fiends in combat, and the fact that with her true name she can be commanded by anyone who can simply string a sentence together, I believe that the risk is minimal."
[20:16] <Alicia> Turning to give the devil a hard look, she aims this statement right at Antenora, "Quite simply, she needs the protection I can give, for without my guardianship, she would be dead or enslaved by the first person to run up and say her true name - a name that is hardly hidden, now."
[20:17] <Kotono> Lord Salman considers, "Then, what is her true name?" he asks.
[20:18] <Alicia> "Drana," Alicia tells him. "I ask that it not be used trivially, for it should not be needed to command her so long as she stays true to her word."
[20:19] <Kotono> "Very well. A name we will not forget," Lord Salman agrees to that, then after a long strech of silence. "Seira and Alicia, we entrust much into your cares, and the care of the Crimson Guard. We are not entirely satisfied with this latest development, but our trust in you is sufficient to allow you this. But should your devil be found in any way against our lands, she will be ordered to execution forthwith.
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[20:20] <Kotono> "Drana," Looking to the devil,  "Do you understand this?"
[20:20] <Kotono> Drana nods. "I do," she answers simply.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Then...We pray that the Gods walk with you, for we have no doubt that you will need all the aid in  heaven and in earth that you can obtain." Lord Salman finishes.
[20:23] <Seira> "Have there been any new developments with Malmuth, Sirs?" Seira asks.
[20:24] * Taishyr (ferixstade@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[20:24] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[20:24] <Kotono> "Nay, we have been crafting diplomatic matters relating to our new agreement of a summit and preparing. Time yet must still pass, but not much more," Lord  Salman is agreeable to that. "Soon though...:"
[20:26] * Seira nods. "What are the security arrangements being made for both sides?"
[20:28] <Kotono> "We will bring small but capable delegations, as well as 50 soldierso n each side for security and symbolism. I have sent a missive to the elves requesting that they prepare as well." After a moment, "I am going to request that one member of the Crimson Guard stays here; however, the rest shall come with me. While there is need for power and security, we must not neglect our own home in this time. I have heard too many reports brought from yo
[20:30] <Kotono> reports brought from you and allies speaking of Valandia in these past days."
[20:30] <Alicia> "That would be prudent. I still believe they are preparing for war," Alicia agrees.
[20:31] <Kotono> "We will leave it up to the Crimson Guard to decide on who shall stay and who shall go. We are also requesting certain magical provisions from the elves in good standing, for the sake of peace in our lands."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Now then...dismissed," Lord Salman says, everyone breaking up...OOC- Alicia in here, Seira in #evil?
[20:40] <Kotono> OOC - What's your agenda, 'licia?
[20:41] <Alicia> OOC: Stop by Elle's to give her my wish list, buy some clothes for the devil, then have a heart to heart talk with her.
[20:42] <Kotono> Stopping by Elle Stronger's shop is pleasant enough. You find her there mixing two potions and humming to herself, "Oh yes, Alicia, come in," she says, sounding distracted.
[20:44] <Alicia> "Hello, Elle," Alicia replies in greeting as she and her ward enter. "You'll be pleased to know that I have money and things I want you to make for me in exchange for said money."
[20:45] <Kotono> "Mmmm," Elle swishes the mixed potion together, watching it hiss and bubble. The smell of fried cinnamon and wood fills the room as she does so. "Oh, good news!" She perks up, "Oh, and who's your friend, another shopper? Oh well, let me see what youw ant."
[20:47] <Alicia> "Meet Antenora, formerly of... hmm, which layer of Baator did you come from, anyway?" Alicia asks the devil.
[20:53] <Kotono> "Cania, on the banks of the River Styx," Antenora answers with a slight smile up to Elle.
[20:54] <Kotono> Countess Stronger stops her potion swishing, giving Antenora a hard, long look. "What in the name of MYSTRA is that thing doing here?" she squawks, quickly starting to chant!
[20:55] <Alicia> "It's alright, don't worry!" Alicia speaks up quickly. "She won't do anything while I'm around!" she tries to reassure the redhead.
[20:56] <Kotono> Nonetheless, Elle finishes her spell, wrapping energy around herself. "You're a paladin of Mystra," Elle goes on, "Why are you with a devil?:
[20:59] <Alicia> "Because she surrendered and because I know her true name," Alicia begins. "Also, she begged to swear herself to me rather than be sent back to Hell, and seemed to at least acknowledge the possibility that she could learn to change her moral outlook."
[20:59] <Alicia> She gives the Erinyes a somewhat flat look, "Naturally I'm a bit dubious, but with Mystra's blessing, I've decided to give her a chance. And that's why I'm here - because I'm not stupid and want to take precautions."
[21:00] <Kotono> "...uh...huh." Elle shakes her head at that, "Well, at least it'll make me money," she answers dubiously, giving Alicia a sideways glance. "What is it you need."
[21:02] <Alicia> "First of all, I'd like some sort of item to disguise her appearance, since she'll be accompanying me wherever I go, and the blanket might slip. I heard stories about a demon tiger running around town and I'd rather not cause a similar scene," Alicia begins. "Secondly, while I need to sleep, she does not. So I'd like something to alert me if she decides to go for a walk while I'm sleeping - like an inverted alarm spell, I suppose."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Yes, Shamal lead a dire tiger downt he streets of Balmuria," Elle smiles with the memory, "I can work something like the second out, but it'll take a bit of time and money. But I can do both well enough."
[21:05] <Alicia> "Money I have," Alicia nods, before sparing a wistful glance at her sword, "Though I was hoping to spend it on something else, I suppose that will have to wait."
[21:08] <Kotono> "I suppose expenses come up..." Countess Stronger voice is solid and light, as she goes and starts scribbling on a piece of paper. "I'll be here when you want your sword improved regardless."
[21:09] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia nods. "If you could work on the alarm thing first of all, since I'll probably be going without sleep until it's ready... do you have any timescale for this sort of thing?"
[21:10] <Kotono> "I can rush it; a few days?" Elle asks, "I just got through with af ew things for the city and Mihail, respectively," Elle agrees, "All this border talk is goodf or business."
[21:11] <Alicia> "It's got people worried," Alicia agrees. "What's Mihail been asking for? Or is that under customer confidence?" she probes gently.
[21:12] <Kotono> "Eh, it's nothing special. Just a few extra scrolls of Protection from Energy," Elle answers, "It wasn't anything earth shattering."
[21:14] <Alicia> "Hope he doesn't wind up burning down his neighbourhood," Alicia mutters. "Anyway, I'll be back the day after tomorrow?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "Until then," Elle gives Antenora another guarded look at that, "Good luckw ith...that."
[21:17] <Alicia> "I'll probably need it," Alicia agrees, giving Elle a wave and departing. "Okay, next we need to buy you some clothes, and then we can sit down and talk," she tells her diabolic ward.
[21:18] <Kotono> Antenora is cooperative enough...OOC - What clothes rae you buying her?
[21:19] <Alicia> OOC: simple and sturdy travelling clothes. She's not a barbie doll.
[21:20] <Kotono> OOC: You'll get those without inciden.t Where are you taking her to talk?
[21:21] <Alicia> OOC: and a poncho to make up for the blanket. We'll go to my quarters at the garrison.
[21:21] <Kotono> Alicia's quarters at the garrison are tidy and waiting, but are still garrison quarters. Very simplistic. Antenora looks around idly.
[21:23] <Alicia> "So..." Alicia begins leadingly as she sits down and gestures for Antenora to do the same. "Just what is your agenda, hmm? I admit, I've had a few ideas, but I think I'd like to hear it from you, first."
[21:24] <Kotono> Antenora sits, "I told you, I'd serve you, Mistress." She sits quite demure and waiting, hands folded in her lap and posture correct.
[21:25] <Alicia> "Of course," Alicia smiles coldly. "So... you're immortal, right? How long you been alive for?"
[21:26] <Kotono> Quite nicely she smiles back, "About six hundred of your years? I was born near the River Styx, in the freezing cold and glaciers."
[21:29] <Alicia> "I suppose, I considered that. At best I'm not going to have more than fifty or so years left even if I'm very lucky, so you could just be patient and play nice until I happen to die, after which the world is your oyster, right? A few decades must just be a drop in the bucket for you," Alicia observes, voice somewhat smug, as if she's figured it all out.
[21:31] <Kotono> Smiling back and her voice quite smug as well, "Mistress, I gave you my service freely. I know full well how powerful you are, but why worry about such when you've promised to change me. Are you saying that you've given up already and are merely preparing for when you die?"
[21:33] <Alicia> "Of course not," Alicia retorts, "I just think your own words about the possibility for change were merely a desperate gamble - or do you truly believe that the moral code you've followed these past six centuries is anything other than perfect?"
[21:36] <Kotono> "Well then, you'll find out?" Antenora smiles right back, voice smooth and charming. There's something nearly perfect about it, like the alluring voice of a siren. "If you're so capable as to defeat our forces and release a sea powerful to hold off a powerful pit fiend, then perhaps your strength comes from somewhere worth seeing?"
[21:39] <Alicia> "Good answer," Alicia commends approvingly. "Because I was thinking you might have gotten it into your head that you could corrupt the sanctimonious paladin and show her that your way has advantages. I suppose my soul can rest easy, then?"
[21:42] <Kotono> Antenora smiles, so sweet that one oculd almost see honey dripping from her mouth. "Are you worried, Mistress?"
[21:42] <Alicia> "Should I be?" Alicia returns levelly, not buying the 'butter wouldn't melt' act for one second.
[21:44] <Kotono> Antenora smiles right back, "Erinyes are not only devils of destruction and vengence," she chides, "We have softer sides as well. Pleasure devils and even being mothers. Perhaps you worry in vain."
[21:48] <Alicia> "Softer and more insidious, yes," Alicia snorts. "But... motherhood?" she sounds a bit surprised, and admits such. "I'm surprised... I had thought you emerged squawling and fully formed from the deritrus of rotten souls that wind their way through the lower planes. What do you know of a mother's love, then?" There's a certain tenseness in Alicia's questioning now, interest bubbling up through her wariness.
[21:51] <Kotono> Antenora smiles, with a note of strength in her voice. "A common devil may. We are superior to them. Female Erinyes breed true - Erinyes are born from Erinyes. Deep in secluded places, hidden away from other devils. The other Erinyes will fight to the death to protect a nest."
[21:51] <Kotono> OOc - Gah
[21:53] <Kotono> Antenora smiles, with a note of strength in her voice. "A common devil may. We are superior to them. Female Erinyes breed true - Erinyes are born from Erinyes. Deep in secluded places, hidden away from other devils. The other Erinyes will fight to the death to protect a nest." Antenora pauses to match her smile to Alicia's face, "This is where we are born and grow."
[21:57] <Alicia> "I see..." Alicia looks somewhat torn for a moment, the fiend's words about fighting to the death stabbing at a deep and only scabbed over wound inside her. "And you, Antenora?" she asks after a long moment. "Do you have children?"
[22:03] <Kotono> "No, not yet," Antenora replies after amoment, "The situation has never been correct."
[22:04] <Kotono> After apause and a deeper, more alluring smile, "What of yourself, Alicia?"
[22:07] <Alicia> That question makes Alicia draw in on herself. She certainly won't bare her soul to a fiend! "That is not a conversation I wish to indulge in," she replies stiffly. "Instead, let us establish some rules for your presence, here," she goes on, deciding to end the chit chat and get to the meat of the matter.
[22:08] <Kotono> "Yes," Antenora's expression stays as it is, "What is your desire on this, Mistress?"
[22:14] <Alicia> "Firstly," Alicia gets up and begins pacing as she speaks, "You are not my servant - I neither want nor require your assistance, and as such you are to carry out no action on my behalf - I realise you are already bound against using your magical abilities, but nor are you to attempt to 'assist' me in any other way."
[22:14] <Alicia> "I will accept your counsel, but nothing past that unless I specifically request you to take a particular course of action. Is this clear, so far?" she asks.
[22:16] <Kotono> Antenora bows her head into a nod, "Of course, Mistress."
[22:18] * Alicia nods. "Second, you are to remain in my presence at all times - you already know from my earlier discussion with Commander Obureth and Lord Salman what you risk by failing in this, but as you are a creature of rules, I wanted to make this explicitly clear," she goes on.
[22:18] <Kotono> "Yes, Mistress," Antenora agrees to those words secondly, without pause.
[22:21] <Alicia> "Thirdly, you are not to commit violence upon any living being - even in self defence," Alicia explains firmly, stopping her pacing and turning to face the devil. "This will prevent any misunderstandings - if you remain by my side, you should not have to worry about this, for I will protect you against any who would do you harm, so long as you comply with the first two rules."
[22:22] <Kotono> Antenora nods once more, her light words of, "Yes Mistress." her reply.
[22:24] <Alicia> "That is all. Three simple rules, so there should be no confusion," Alicia nods in satisfaction. "Any questions?"

[Corwin]

[19:45] <Kotono> Antenora pauses a moment, before noddnig once more. "I understand, Mistress," she says, voice silken purrs.
[19:48] <Alicia> "I must say, you're taking this awfully well," Alicia can't help but observe as she goes back to sitting down. "Is the prospect of returning to Cania so unappealing to you?"
[19:53] <Kotono> "Cania is a land of eternal glaciers and snow. If you fail, you become entombed within them by a greater demon or even a demon lord." Antenora's own smile drifts into a frigidness, that seems to bring the chill of winter home. "With Zquujaj running berserk and bringing chaos to Hell, many find themselves in danger of being thrown in to a glacier simply on suspicion. Further, more seek to flee, even to the Prime. Those that fight him...the sto
[19:54] <Kotono> Those that fight him...the stories are of an elemenetal force akin to a chaotic demon lord."
[19:57] <Alicia> "And so a Pit Fiend has fallen from the path of law and embraced the wild impulses of the Tanar'ri?" Alicia notes without a trace of irony. "My, it certainly does make you think, doesn't it?"
[19:59] <Kotono> "Naturally, I heard he's insane from some sort of imprisonment, that a few humans freed him from," Antenora smiles and returns a gaze to Alicia, enough to make a tang of glacial air almost be palpable against her skin "Your names are reviled in Cania and throughout our realms for this."
[20:01] <Alicia> "I had nothing to do with that," Alicia frowns in reply. "The devils that came with that Kurlacck fiend were the first ones I ever encountered... speaking of which, I don't recall leaving any survivors, so just how did my name come to be whispered on the lips of Baator's residents?"
[20:02] <Kotono> "Do you think Lord Kurlacck would be so remiss as to not send back information, especially to win favor by finding out about those who released Zquujaj?"
[20:07] <Alicia> "Always the assiduous planners you are, I suppose," Alicia admits. "Kurlacck knew my name before I even spoke it, which was especially irritating," Alicia drums her fingers by her side. "I suppose I might find it flattering that the very legions of Hell curse my name, if nothing else. I wonder what they would think of you swearing you allegiance to me, though?"
[20:11] <Kotono> Antenora's smile doesn't really budge, "That with a source of counter intelligence they have even less chances of success on this closed playing field?"
[20:13] <Alicia> "So, they would call you a traitor, then?" Alicia asks, her own expression neutral and guarded to contrast Antenora's sinister cheer.
[20:16] <Kotono> "Perhaps so," Antenora returns, her cheer slightly degenerating, a dent in it. "But, if you are to reform me," she picks it right back up, "That should hardly be of note, only an natural reality of the situation?"
[20:20] <Alicia> "I'm certain the heavens would gladly welcome you, were we to find some spark of decency in your heart and ignite it," Alicia assures her.
[20:20] <Alicia> "Speaking of that... I did not expect Ajan to react to your presence in such a way - I had assumed you would be safe simply by being with me, but it seems only the direct intervention of Mystra herself stayed his hand... or claw, as the case may be. How does that make you feel?" she asks, leaning forward with some curiousity. Mystra has ever been silent to Alicia, despite her freely given blessings, so such intervention thrills her, in a way.
[20:35] <Kotono> "I suppose your Goddess would have faith in you, if you're part of a group that's struck such a blow against us. Wouldn't any Goddess that supports a paladin do as such?" Antenora agrees with that offhandedly,
[20:40] <Alicia> "The Gods are not inclined to interfere directly in the world... but then again, fiends never used to invade, either. I suppose the world is changing... whether it is for the better remains to be seen," Alicia muses. "Have you ever left Baator before this time?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "Once, on a trip to the Astral Plane," Antenora answers after just a moment.
[20:49] <Alicia> "Well, that's something, at least," Alicia seems faintly relieved. "No history of carnage on the Prime to worry about. What summoned you to the Astral Plane, though? I thought it was just a medium for travel and not a destination in itself."
[20:50] <Kotono> "The Astral sometimes obstains...pieces of other places. I was sent with others to recover something on one of those." Antenora is charming enough about it, voice rather quiet despite it, however. "Have you ever been off your world, Mistress?"
[20:50] <Kotono> *obtains
[20:53] <Alicia> "Aside from when I met you? No," Alicia shakes her head. "It seems my life was positively mundane compared to the other members of the Crimson Guard, when I hear about the places they've been and things they've done. Though they still manage to surprise me, as was the case with your insane Pit Fiend." She represses a sigh at that last part.
[20:55] <Kotono> "Do you disapprove, Mistress?" Antenora asks, letting just the faintest note of surpise in, "My, do you wish for further exploits as other members have had?"
[20:59] * Alicia shakes her head. "I was content before with stopping the depredations of criminals and the occassional savage monster, but now that I've seen the face of true evil..." she gives Antenora a long and meaningful look, "I must rise to the challenge, if that is how I can do the most good in the world."
[21:00] <Kotono> Antenora returns it, her eyes sparkling dark. "Why yes, Mistress. Are paladins not the most inspired champions of Good? To become mighty enough to strike down the greatest evils?"
[21:03] <Alicia> "Hmph, what do you think? If your Lord Zquujaj were to appear here right now, do you think I could strike him down?" Alicia asks flatly.
[21:05] <Kotono> Antenora's smile becomes understanding, "Mistress, if youa re powerful enough to defeat Zquujaj in single combat, you would have no rival in this world. Another lord of the pit challenged him and was torn asunder."
[21:09] <Alicia> "And likely I would fare no better," Alicia nods, letting that sink in for a long moment before adding, "For now. But when I first encountered the rank and file forces of Hell, I was hard pressed - one of those glaive wielding bearded devils gave me a difficult fight, I only barely survived against those invisible hellcats both times, and when I battled one of your fellow Erinyes, little more than luck seperated us."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Yes, we are fearsome," Antenora agrees plainly, a smile on her face. "...Mistress..." she ponders long, "Perhaps you would appreciate an offer?"
[21:11] <Alicia> "A deal with a devil?" Alicia replies sarcastically. "Likely not, but make it anyway and we'll see."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Sword training, or archery if it suits you better. Nothing evil about it, but we are possessed with good skill at combat." Antenora's smile is alluring and seductive, "A chance to study the fighting skills of one of your foes in a much more controlled setting?"
[21:19] <Alicia> "Bit by bit, by such little things are the best of us undone..." Alicia shakes her head. "I will decline, Antenora. Perhaps one day, when I have more faith in you, we might spar. For now, your charming presence is all I require," she concludes, smiling thinly in reply to the fiend's own seductive look.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Aaaaah," Antenora merely leans back a little, "May you continue to live well until that day..." she murmus through half lidded eyes. "For I think the situation dictates that there will almost surely be more battles with devils in your future."
[21:24] <Alicia> "Most certainly," Alicia nods. "And so I will continue to pray, and hone my body, so that I can rise to whatever challenges your fellow Baatezu may offer. Or, perhaps, their enemies - if Baator is taking an interest in our world, it's only a matter of time until the Abyss does likewise, don't you think?"
[21:26] <Kotono> "Perhaps, in it's own chaotic and formless way," Antenora answers this with a perfect look of disdain, "Some within may stir."
[21:29] <Alicia> "Don't think much of them, do you?" Alicia asks idly. "I must confess, I mistook you for a Succubus when we first met. Made the presence of those bearded devils very confusing," she adds, discreetly studying the devil's reaction to see if that gets a rise out of her.
[21:31] <Kotono> The devil's brow ever so lightly tenses, but her smile grows. "Oh Mistress..." she purrs, "Calling an Erinyes like myself a succumbus would get you gutted in Hell, your body mounted on a pike in the vast, endless court of Lord Asmodeus. We are NOTHING like those undisciplined, chaotic pleasure demons."
[21:31] <Kotono> After a momentary pause, "It is good you are not in Hell then, yes?"
[21:33] <Alicia> "I should say so," Alicia agrees dryly. "Odd that you say that, though, considering what you earlier said about Erinyes serving as pleasure devils, is it not?"
[21:38] <Kotono> The air seems to turn icy, frozen between Antenora and Alicia. "Clearly, you have never seen a succubus."
[21:42] <Alicia> "Guilty," Alicia acknowledges easily, seeming somewhat pleased by the change in the devil's tone. "But the stories tend to describe them as impossibly beautiful women with bat-like wings. Surely you can understand my confusion?"
[21:44] <Kotono> "If you had ever seen one, you would know they are nothing but shallow shells. They are like glass beads before our diamonds," Antenora's irritation rises quickly, eyes flashing. Quite literally in this case, blackness swelling within. "Only a mortal that has never seen true beauty would think so."
[21:46] <Alicia> "True beauty?" Alicia raises an eyebrow as she goads Antenora. "And what does a denizen of the Nine Hells know of that?"
[21:48] <Kotono> With a haughty look at Alicia, Antenora looks at herself. "Can any mortal being match this beauty," she asks, "This flawlessness?"
[21:53] <Alicia> "Such beauty is naught but a facade," Alicia counters, slowly rising to her feet and beginning to circle the fiend. "Such perfect, unblemished skin... delicate hands that look as if they've never seen a day's toil... an exquisite form, supple and toned, yet possessing of curves to make men swoon?" concluding as she completes her circle and leans over Antenora from the front.
[21:53] <Alicia> "All lies," the paladin states flatly, her expression severe. "I can see your soul, Della the Bloodflier. And it is a wicked, ugly, thing."
[21:57] <Kotono> "It's as real as the blood in your veins," Della retorts, standing up herself. But then her smile reappears, a wickedly tempting thing. After a breath, "Aaah yes, do go on," she invites, calming.
[22:01] <Alicia> "Do go on?" Alicia replies, seeming amused at the brief flare of temper. "Would you like me to lavish praise upon your physical presence, or does your fiendish heart race when I reaffirm the strength of your... moral, commitment?" she asks, putting sarcastic emphasis on the second last word.
[22:02] <Kotono> "Oh no, don't let me interrupt the preaching you've been building up to," Antenora makes a light curtesy, before going back to sitting down.
[22:05] <Alicia> "No, I think I'm done," Alicia waves her off, sounding rather disappointed. "The point has been made, I believe."
[22:09] <Kotono> Antenora smiles slightly, "Very well, Mistress," Antenora considers, "I do have a question, however."
[22:10] <Alicia> "By all means, never be afraid to ask," Alicia invites her, primly resuming her seat. Well, so long as she doesn't ask about *that* topic.

[Corwin]

[18:57] <Kotono> "These are your quarters," she asks, looking about. "I had expected someone of your stature to have something....grander. Or is this grand to you?"
[19:03] * Alicia shakes her head. "Not grand at all, though I suppose it's better than the average soldier might get," she admits. "I... only intended my stay in Balmuria for a short while, although given how things have turned out, my stay may well be extended indefinitely. On that note, I actually just started thinking of buying a house, today."
[19:07] <Kotono> "Aaah, Mistress," Antenora smiles slightly at that, "Something far more suitable than a soldier's abode?"
[19:08] <Alicia> "Hoping for a taste of the high life, yourself?" Alicia asks dryly. "Don't raise your hopes too high - I've never been one for ostentatious living."
[19:10] <Kotono> "Ooooooh..." The Erinyes purrs as she sits back down, "What good is spartan living? It's so boring if you can do better."
[19:13] <Alicia> "There are more important things to spend my money on," Alicia counters. "Keeping my equipment up to standard for fending off the next and inevitably more powerful wave of fiends to go on a rampage, for one."
[19:14] <Kotono> "Mmmmmm..." Antenora smothers a chuckle as she stretches back, taking her time. "Yes, I suppose you have a point, Mistress."
[19:21] <Alicia> "I think so, yes... hmm, speaking of that, I'll need to get someone to have a look at my sword," she briefly hefts the functional but somewhat rust-pitted blade. "I'm not sure whether it was a demon or a devil I have to thank for that, but you might - looked like an elf with sharper ears, and its eyes were solid and shifted between violet and crimson. Ring any bells?"
[19:24] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[19:25] <Kotono> OOC - Rouse Rei?
[19:25] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-514d007a.l3.c1.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[19:25] * Alicia sets mode: +v Rei-chan
[19:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[19:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{14}
[19:27] <Kotono> Antenora smiles and considers, "No, I've never heard of a devil like that. It may have been a fiendish mortal, or some sort of demon." Her smile does vanish on that last word, souring.
[19:30] <Alicia> "Mmm... thinking about it, I think Demedais said it was made of pure chaos, so probably a demon or... half-fiend," Alicia briefly shudders as she considers the mechanics of such a conception. "Oh, well, I think I'll go visit the smithy to see if anything can be done with this, and buy some backup weapons. Come on," she stands up and slings her sword onto her back. "Lets go for another walk."
[19:50] <Kotono> ---
[19:52] <Kotono> As the city prepares, Alicia is busy with other things in the late afternoons. Her house is pleasant enough, a stout building in the front and a long expanse of green field behind it. Alicia and her new constant companion happen to be watching big men haul in the first load of furniture. Even at this time, the city's life lives on..."Mmm," Antenora watches, a vaguely bored expression on her face. "They remind me of lemures..." she happens to
[19:53] <Kotono> "They remind me of lemures..." she happens to muse aloud, in a vioce too loud not to be heard by you, but too quiet to carry at all.
[19:54] <Alicia> "Taller, less fat, skin doesn't appear to be melted, and... oh, they're wearing clothes," Alicia replies, ticking off points on her fingers. "Really not seeing the resemblance."
[19:56] <Kotono> "Useful but ultimately faceless beasts of burden?" Antenora counters back, raising an eyebrow. "Serving their betters, after all."
[19:59] <Alicia> "They don't seem especially tortured by their servitude, and I'm paying them quite well for their time," Alicia shrugs. "I don't really think there's an appropriate fiendish analogy you can make."
[20:02] <Kotono> AS the men continue their heavy work, "They are just servants," Antenora muses, "I would think that Good would find some way to do such difficult work out of magic and rainbows instead of having servants."
[20:04] <Alicia> "And then what would those servants do with themselves?" Alicia asks. "Idle hands are the devil's playthings, or didn't you know?" she goes on, smiling indulgently.
[20:07] <Kotono> Antenora returns with an ever so lightly cross look, "Idle hands are a waste of time." She continues to watch them for the moment. "Soldiers, perhaps?"
[20:10] * Alicia shakes her head. "The point of the phrase is that if people are left with no productive manner to spend their time, they will turn to unproductive means. And bored soldiers can be among the most dangerous of all..." her expression twists, recalling the incident that led to her departure from Valandia.
[20:16] <Kotono> "Keep them busy so they can't ponder why they shouldn't be the ones in the beautiful homes and not on the outside lookin gin," Antenora's face turns into a smile, "Keep them invested into the short term instead?"
[20:22] <Alicia> "Considering how dangerous my lifestyle is, I'd say they have better long term planning," Alicia replies, eyeing the devil. "I'd comment on how cynical you are, but it seems rather redundant. Anyway, the point is that if everyone is gainfully employed, then they all have a stake in the smooth running of society."
[20:22] <Alicia> "If someone left on the outside, they're far more likely to turn to crime, either for the potential rewards, or simply the thrill - and that is what I'd call short term thinking."
[20:26] <Kotono> "..mmph. It's a good answer," Antenora says with a traceo f amusement, "The smooth, well ordered running of society is important." She watches on a little while, seeming to think.
[20:28] * Alicia doesn't push the point, letting Antenora mull things over while she waits on the movers to complete her work before she gets in and starts rearranging the furnishings to her taste and unpacking.
[20:35] <Kotono> As Alicia moves the tables and chairs about in a womanly ritual as old as the concept of house and home is, "So..." she begins, "How often do you go and smite evil, asit is?"
[20:41] <Alicia> "I'd say every few weeks..." Alicia replies as she stocks up the kitchen with crockery and cutlery, jarred out of pleasant memories of the last place she called home. "A lot of time I spent travelling, looking for trouble but only rarely finding it. Some times I'd go months without needing to draw my blade, other times I'd be forced to battle and hunt for days straight with no respite."
[20:43] <Kotono> "Hmph," Muttering something under her breath, "Somehow I expected your life to be more...exciting."
[20:47] <Alicia> "I've seen more battle than most, and lived to tell about it," Alicia returns as she straightens up. "But this world isn't so vile that a knight must shed blood on a daily basis - the vast majority of people I've met on my travels have been entirely decent and peaceful."
[20:54] <Kotono> Starting to pace as Alicia works, "I expected something more lively. I had figured you would be legendary heroes and sorts, not...housekeepers." THe last word gets a curious look on her face.
[21:00] <Alicia> "I believe if you were to ask around Balmuria, you would hear lots of glowing descriptions of legendary deeds accomplished by Demedais and Seira. As for myself? I prefer not to boast, and have not been in the city long enough for people to form much of an opinion regarding me," Alicia shrugs, her expression becoming wistful, "And don't underestimate the appeal of a happy home."
[21:03] <Kotono> "...mmm." Antenora presses on, voice becoming soft, alluring, "The appeals of a happy home? What do you speak of, Mistress?"
[21:08] <Alicia> Antenora's tone is sufficient to jar Alicia into some semblance of wariness, causing her to straighten up and walk over to the dining room door. "This," she raps her knuckles on the doorframe, "Is a house. It is merely a place to rest, regardless of how well furnished it may be. But a home? Home is filled with warmth and love... the happiness that comes from a family."
[21:08] <Alicia> Cocking her head at the devil, "Did you not tell me earlier that even an Erinyes understood such things?"
[21:12] <Kotono> "For a family takes a mate and child, does it not? I was not under the impression you had one, Mistress," Antenora's smile is almost innocent, as much as the look of a devil can be. "I see no other human spawn, or a mate."
[21:18] <Alicia> "No," Alicia's words are cold. "And that is why I fight. To prevent others from suffering loss, and to take vengeance for those whom it is too late."
[21:20] <Kotono> Antenora begins to smile at that, watching Alicia. It's not a nice smile, a feralness to it that would be offsetting to most. "Yes, to take vengence..." she murmurs.
[21:23] <Alicia> Alicia's expression remains frigid. "How fortunate for you that my desire for vengeance is tempered by mercy. I can only hope that those you killed will not hate me for my indulgence, Antenora."
[21:26] <Kotono> "I wonder...would a human hate an Erinyes that killed the one that attacked their lair?" Idly strumming over those words, "Or does it even matter? They gave away their lives when they did that. Or would you give that person..mercy?"
[21:30] <Alicia> "If Asmodeus himself got on his knees and begged for mercy, I would be obliged to give it," Alicia replies firmly. "I may curse myself for it, but if one does not have mercy for her worst enemies, one quite simply does not have mercy. It is not a thing to be chosen according to preference and ease."
[21:36] <Kotono> Antenora merely nods to that, seeming to keep her smile on as she absorbs that.
[21:39] * Alicia stares at Antenora for a long moment before allowing herself to calm down. "Perhaps one day you will understand. For now, it is sufficient that you merely listen and accept my words," she allows.