17: Religion really gets my goat

[Ebiris]

[15:39] <@Ebiris> After hearing Trucy's report, Henrietta goes to gather up the rest of Lavinia's henchmen in order to cover what's been learned about the Cobra Fangs and establish how they can best put such information to use. Said gathering isn't hard, since everyone meets for lunch at a nice cafe not far from the Vanderboren estate in the Merchant District every day, and soon enough the whole group has been filled in, along with their stomachs. All that remains is to put things into practice...
[15:40] <@Rudy> "It feel very strange, to have a proper plan that looks like it may even work," notes Rudy, sipping at some coffee.
[15:41] <@Glenn> "Oh, I'm sure it'll go wrong somewhere and we'll have to improvise something," Glenn reassures Rudy.
[15:41] <@Henrietta> "It should work. Probably," Henrietta says slightly defensively. "The Cobras might be very kind people, truly!"
[15:42] <@Ebiris> "I liked them!" Trucy pipes up brightly. "I mean, they're not as nice as you people, but they're not bad. I could see myself in a gang like that."
[15:43] <@Henrietta> "But you like it more here, don't you?"
[15:43] <@Ebiris> "Oh yeah," Trucy nods, "The work's easy and the pay's good. Plus, y'know, it means I don't have to live in Shadowshore."
[15:44] * @Henrietta nods back, sipping her tea.
[15:45] <@Miranda_Altair> "Hopefully, all wil go smoothly and we won't actually have to do too much fighting." Miranda says, chewing on some meat.
[15:45] <@Rudy> "Let's aim for the golden number, here? And don't encourage Myra," mutters Rudy. "She wants to fight, I swear."
[15:46] <@Henrietta> "The golden number? What might that be?" Henrietta asks curiously, glancing at Rudy.
[15:47] <@Miranda_Altair> "Zero, I should hope."
[15:47] <@Henrietta> "Why is it golden? It sounds like a very poor number indeed."
[15:47] <@Ebiris> "If we're talking gold a high number is best, isn't it?" Trucy agrees.
[15:48] <@Rudy> "Quite- it's just a figure of speech, you know. It indicates the number's desirability, and in this case, we want to do zero fighting! Hence, less is more!"
[15:49] <@Henrietta> "It is a very strange figure of speech," Henrietta mutters. She dabs at her lips with a handkerchief. "Shall we be off, then? And Myra could stay behind, if she wants to fight so badly. There is no need to add to her temptation."
[15:50] <@Rudy> "Yes, I'd thought of doing that this time." Rudy rubs his head. "I really must figure out what she actually is one of these days."
[15:50] <@Ebiris> "Maybe she's the ghost of a past lover who clawed her way from the Underworld out of desire to be with you again?" Trucy opines with a mischevious smirk.
[15:51] <@Henrietta> "Myra isn't undead!" Henrietta quickly says with a bit more force than she needed to.
[15:51] <@Miranda_Altair> "Just a sec," Miranda quickly shovels her remaining food into her mouth and nods around it. "Mrrph!"
[15:52] * @Henrietta finds Glenn fascinating as Miranda eats in her unique way.
[15:52] <@Rudy> Rudy shudders. "I truly hope that isn't the case! She's not... you know, we couldn't ever... There are physiological issues that would only lead to disappointment for the both of us..."
[15:53] <@Henrietta> "Please, stop talking."
[15:54] <@Ebiris> "It would be pretty disgusting, yeah..." Trucy admits with a shiver. "Still, no one ever said Hades lets them out without a price to pay."
[15:54] <@Henrietta> "There is no such place as Hades," Henrietta primly says, standing up. "Let us be off, then?"
[15:54] <@Glenn> "You guys like your metaphors too much," Glenn comments amusedly.
[15:54] <@Rudy> Rudy shakes his head, and waves a hand, prompting Myra to pop out of existence with a sucking whirl. "Let's focus on work, since my appetite is beyond salvation."
[15:56] * Joins: Cidward (~Melanchth@pool-71-178-101-137.washdc.east.verizon.net)
[15:56] <@Ebiris> Settling their tab and being seen off with a smile by the now familiar waitstaff, the four heroes plus Trucy set off across the nearest bridge into the Cudgel district, gondoliers plying the canal beneath them.
[15:56] <@Ebiris> Walking through Cudgel District en route to the sinister slums of Shadowshore, the party can see some sort of hubbub up ahead along Cereal Street. Colourful banners and bunting hang between buildings over the paved road, people thronging throughout amid tables and tents placed all along the road. Golden and green kites float in the air even higher, some tethered to buildings while others are under the control of revellers, seeming to make a contest of aerial acrobatics as they loop and soar. In contrast to the usual staid aura of this part of Salerno, an atmosphere of merriment and exuberant excess hangs over the neighbourhood ahead.
[15:57] <@Rudy> "A festival! What are they celebrating?" wonders Rudy, glancing at Trucy.
[15:58] <@Ebiris> "Well, this is near the temple of Demeter. I guess it's some sort of harvest or fertility thing?" Trucy shrugs. "Don't normally spend much time in this part of town... looks fun, though!"
[16:00] <@Rudy> "It's not a bad attempt at making agriculture seem exciting."
[16:00] <@Henrietta> "We could look around for a while?" Henrietta asks, drawn to the flying kites.
[16:01] <@Rudy> "Let's take an hour to relax," agrees Rudy, looking out for any games of skill or chance!
[16:02] * @Glenn shrugs. "Sure why not. Not like we have a hard deadline or anything, after all."
[16:03] * @Miranda_Altair grins and nods, looking around.
[16:04] <@Ebiris> Rudy's in luck right away it seems, as drawing closer to the festival he can see a stall set out near the kite-fliers where people are throwing hoops over rungs, several shelves of seeming prizes put up ranging from simple straw hats to stuffed toys of farmyard animals, and even more ornate hats with decorative cornucopias set into them. Opposite stands a long grill where people are feeding themselves from all sorts of meats being cooked openly, a smoky and spicy aroma permeating. All around revellers go here and there, most carrying flagons of drink and having a good time.
[16:06] <@Rudy> Rudy targets the hats, seeking out the most decorated, the most ostentatious- indeed, the most flamboyant hat he can find!
[16:06] * @Miranda_Altair looks for a pointy hat!
[16:08] * @Henrietta gravitates towards the stall with the hats, observing them all with a critical eye. "Do you see anything that fits you well?" she asks Trucy.
[16:09] <@Ebiris> He can see on the top shelf a massive sombrero at least three feet wide, stacked tall like a mountain with fruits and wheats overflowing out the top and filling up all the sides before it curves up to hold its bounty in a moat of agricultural goodness! Miranda can't see any real quality witch hats, but on the lower shelf are several wide pointed straw hats. "Uh... I, well... they don't look like they're my right size," Trucy blushes at Henrietta's question. Catching Rudy's gaze, the young and florid-faced man running the stall grins, "Got your eye on the grand prize, eh? You'll need to put all five rings over a hoop to win that one, sir! Think you're game?"
[16:10] <@Rudy> "I'll take a crack at the hat," replies Rudy, grinning back. "Let's see if I can't work some magic, eh?"
[16:11] <@Ebiris> "One copper per ring," the man returns, and assuming Rudy doesn't mind parting with such a paltry sum. the handful of painted wooden circles are handed over!
[16:11] <@Ebiris> OOC: just make 5 ranged attacks in one go to resolve it
[16:11] <@Rudy> roll 5#1d20+6
[16:11] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 5#1d20+6 and gets 70." [5#1d20+6 = 13, 22, 8, 10, 17]
[16:13] <@Ebiris> Rudy isn't having much luck, however, only managing to put two rings over a rung, the rest bouncing off the backboard and down onto the ground. "Two isn't bad, not bad at all!" the young man smiles at Rudy. "With that you can take one of the hats from the bottom shelf, or do you want to buy some more hoops?"
[16:14] <@Henrietta> "Might I help here?" Henrietta asks, ready to finance Rudy's continuing exploits.
[16:15] <@Rudy> "Oh, I'll take a hat. There's no grace in trying forever until you win... I think?" asks Rudy, blinking at Henrietta.
[16:15] <@Henrietta> "It is alright to try at least once more, I believe."
[16:15] <@Rudy> "Well, I can't say no to that!"
[16:16] * @Henrietta hands over a silver coin!
[16:16] <@Ebiris> "It's all good to me!" the stall-runner laughs, giving Rudy another ten hoops to play with in exchange for a silver coin. "Good luck in impressing the beautiful maiden, sir!"
[16:17] <@Henrietta> "Good luck!" Henrietta wishes with barely-restrained excitement, keeping her eyes on the prize.
[16:17] <@Rudy> "You'll ruin me, being so blunt, sir!" replies Rudy, tossing one hoop after another at the rings in quick succession!
[16:17] <@Rudy> roll 5#1d20+6
[16:17] <@Rudy> roll 5#1d20+6
[16:17] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 5#1d20+6 and gets 100." [5#1d20+6 = 24, 15, 17, 24, 20]
[16:17] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 5#1d20+6 and gets 49." [5#1d20+6 = 11, 9, 9, 10, 10]
[16:20] <@Ebiris> The fates smile kindly upon Rudy, his first five throws all putting a hoop on the same rung in rapid-fire! His subsequent throws are irrelevant, made clear by how lazily he lets them fly for them all to miss, but it doesn't matter for the prize has been won! "You've got an excellent arm there!" the man enthuses as he tip-toes up to take the massive hat down, its edges straining under the fruity burden it bears. It actually all seems to be real fruit too, Rudy discovers as it's handed over. Smells quite tasty!
[16:21] <@Miranda_Altair> Looking over at the hat, Miranda grins. "Nice hat, Rudy!"
[16:21] * @Henrietta claps excitedly, before she notices her actions and her clapping grows polite and subdued.
[16:22] <@Rudy> "How can one fail when a lady puts her trust in you?" asks Rudy, straining to try and take the hat. "My, thank you. Now... who wants to wear it?"
[16:22] <@Ebiris> Trucy hides behind Henrietta's back.
[16:23] <@Henrietta> "Of course you will wear it," Henrietta states instantly. "You won it, after all."
[16:23] <@Miranda_Altair> "Well, I thought you were going to wear it!" Miranda says.
[16:24] * @Glenn laughs. "You can always give it to Myra as a gift instead."
[16:24] <@Rudy> "It's a gift, of course. One doesn't win things for themselves. Everyone knows that!" Rudy pauses. "Myra would eat the hat."
[16:24] <@Henrietta> "We cannot have that."
[16:24] * @Miranda_Altair shakes her head.
[16:24] <@Ebiris> "Can we at least eat the fruit off the hat?" Trucy asks, peeking out from behind Henrietta now that the danger seems passed.
[16:25] <@Henrietta> "An excellent idea!" Henrietta says, seizing upon the suggestion. "And then Glenn can wear the hat."
[16:25] <@Rudy> "By all means, help yourselves. Let's find a place to sit down with it, perhaps?"
[16:25] <@Glenn> "I'll pass. I'd rather win my own hat," Glenn says.
[16:26] <@Rudy> "Oh, you're all such spoilsports," grouses Rudy, relenting and placing it on his own head.
[16:26] * @Henrietta claps once more!
[16:26] <@Ebiris> It's quite heavy, Rudy discovers!
[16:26] * @Miranda_Altair grabs a piece of fruit from the hat!
[16:27] <@Ebiris> The red grapes are exceedingly succulent and juicy, Miranda discovers!
[16:28] <@Miranda_Altair> "It's pretty good!" Miranda chirps, grabbing another piece.
[16:28] <@Ebiris> A sliced chunk of apple is next in Miranda's gaping maw, despite being cut open and exposed for who knows how long it's as crisp and fresh as if it was just sliced after falling from the tree a moment ago.
[16:29] * @Henrietta plucks several grapes as well, offering one to Rudy.
[16:30] <@Rudy> "Oh, thanks! I can't reach the fruit on this thing," replies Rudy, accepting the grapes and eating them one at a time.
[16:31] <@Henrietta> "Not a problem!"
[16:32] <@Ebiris> Trucy tip-toes up herself to grab some peach, sharing with Rudy as a whimpering girl walks by, clutching a squealing pig to her chest.
[16:33] * @Miranda_Altair reaches out and taps the girl on the shoulder as she walks by.
[16:34] <@Ebiris> The girl stops and turns to Miranda, flinching and stepping back as she gets a look while the pig squirms and struggles in her arms. "Wh-what is it?" she sniffles, eyes red and face pale.
[16:34] <@Miranda_Altair> "What's the matter? You look like you're having some trouble." Miranda says.
[16:36] <@Ebiris> She looks a bit older than Trucy, with long brown hair, wearing a nice green and white dress that's currently getting scuffed up by pig-trotters. "This is my boyfriend," she replies, squeezing the pig which prompts it's eyes to bug out and emit a loud "Bweeee!" "Th-there's a woman up there," she tilts her head up ahead amidst the festival, some ways distant you can just make out a figure standing amidst a veritable barnyard of animals and being given a somewhat wary distance by others. "She's inviting people to drink H-Hecate's brew. My boyfriend tried it, but h-he wasn't w-w-worthy enough!" she breaks down into more sniffles.
[16:37] <@Rudy> Rudy starts to cough heavily, and turns away from the distraught young woman.
[16:39] <@Henrietta> Taking the tale seriously, Henrietta invokes Detect Magic and takes a look at the girl and her pet pig!
[16:39] <@Miranda_Altair> "Well, let's have a look here then." Miranda says, leaning down and eyeing the pig critically, invoking Detect Magic.
[16:39] <@Ebiris> The girl holds still as the girls works their magic... OOC: spellcraft, you two
[16:40] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+7
[16:40] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+7 and gets 8." [1d20=1]
[16:40] <@Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+11
[16:40] * +Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16." [1d20=5]
[16:40] <@Rudy> "That's, uh, terrible! Is she allowed to do that?" asks Rudy, keeping his face pointed away from the girl.
[16:40] -> *Henrietta* It's magic but you'll be damned if you know more than that.
[16:40] -> *Miranda_Altair* It's some sort of transmutation effect, but you can't be more specific than that.
[16:41] <@Ebiris> "No one's stopping her, anyway," the girl sniffles. "We both saw all the others who'd tried already, but Jonas already had a few drinks and... and I think he was trying to show off."
[16:41] <@Henrietta> "I don't think so..." Henrietta says slowly. "This is the part where the heroes triumph over the evil witch and rescue her victims. We must be those heroes!"
[16:41] <@Ebiris> The pig "Bweees!" indignantly.
[16:42] <@Miranda_Altair> "Well, looks like magic alright, though it's a bit beyond me. He's been changed into a pig. A good spell should probably turn him back." Miranda nods. "What do you mean by 'unworthy?'"
[16:42] <@Rudy> "We must?" asks Rudy, eyeing the pig. "Must we? I mean, the guard isn't doing anything, so why should we?"
[16:43] * @Henrietta whispers to Trucy, "It is against the law, isn't it?"
[16:44] <@Ebiris> "I don't know," the girl whimpers. "Maybe because he's not a witch? It's up to Hecate who she likes?"
[16:44] <@Ebiris> Trucy covers her mouth with her hand to try and mask a strained giggle. "I dunno, maybe she has a permit or something?"
[16:44] * @Henrietta shakes her head at Rudy. "It is never the guard who saves the weak and triumphs over evil witches. They are entirely frozen in indecision, while a band of heroes does the triumphing. I can't believe you did not know that."
[16:45] <@Miranda_Altair> "Hey, not all of us are evil!" Miranda cries indignantly.
[16:45] <@Henrietta> "Evil witches. Witches who are evil."
[16:45] <@Miranda_Altair> "Oh. Right."
[16:45] * @Henrietta coughs into a fist. "Shall we proceed to the rescuing part, now?"
[16:46] <@Rudy> "It depends. Is she the old crone sort of witch, or the ravishing temptress kind?"
[16:46] <@Miranda_Altair> "Either way, your charms are sure to woo her, Rudy." Miranda nods quickly.
[16:47] <@Henrietta> "We can ask her. There is no rule about attacking her without first hearing the witch's part of the story."
[16:48] <@Rudy> "We aren't *attacking* anyone!" complains Rudy, starting to walk towards the barnyard. "If people want to risk turn into pigs, it's their own damn fault! What next? A ban on poker, because a few poor saps go destitute?"
[16:48] <@Rudy> '
[16:48] <@Rudy> "Besides, the price of bacon's been going down lately," he adds. "Is that a trend we really want to stop?"
[16:48] <@Miranda_Altair> "We're not attacking anyone yet. We haven't even spoken to the woman."
[16:49] * @Henrietta muses about the evils of poker, before shrugging slightly. "Poker is probably alright. I cannot think of a glorious tale involving it."
[16:49] <@Ebiris> The girl looks a bit concerned but trails after the party nonetheless through the happy throngs...
[16:49] <@Ebiris> Surrounded by several irritable looking farm animals with a perimeter of concerned looking figures somewhat cutting her off from the overall festivities stands a woman over a vat full of bubbling purple liquid, occassionally stirring it with a ladle. She's tall and statuesque, wearing flowing black robes that pool like liquid obsidian around her feet and offer tantalising hints of a voluptuously feminine figure beneath where the fabric catches and hangs on her curves. Her porcelain skin covers a warm and sensual smile, decadently red lips pursed and tantalising while dark purple eyes shine with promise. Her hair is long and black, gleaming with a radiant shine... and split by two thick and curved ram's horns that adorn the side of her head, marring her otherwise perfect beauty. "Come, come!" she calls in a daring purr, "Do any think themselves worthy to receive the blessings of Hecate? The risks are many, but the rewards are profound!"
[16:50] <@Glenn> "How many people have received blessings so far?" Glenn asks.
[16:51] <@Henrietta> "She appears to be the ravishing temptress kind," Henrietta comments to Rudy after glancing down the witch's figure. "Does this change anything?"
[16:51] <@Miranda_Altair> "She's also horny." Miranda remarks.
[16:51] <@Rudy> "Yes. I'll stick around to watch," replies Rudy, removing another grape. "But as far as blessings go, I think I like Demeter's more."
[16:51] <@Henrietta> "Ah, umm, you can tell that?" Henrietta asks Miranda, suddenly subdued.
[16:52] <@Ebiris> She turns her attention to Glenn and offers a charming smile, "I confess that there have been many unworthy ones so far... but the day is yet young! And perhaps there might be one among your group whom the dark goddess will smile upon?"
[16:52] * @Miranda_Altair taps her head and gives Henrietta an incredulous look.
[16:52] <@Ebiris> Besides her a donkey brays angrily and clomps the ground.
[16:53] <@Henrietta> "Oh. Oh!"
[16:53] * @Miranda_Altair nods.
[16:53] * @Henrietta coughs, turning away.
[16:53] <@Rudy> "What about you?" asks Rudy, glancing at the woman. "Have you been blessed by Hecate?"
[16:54] <@Ebiris> "Oh, immeasurably so," the woman smiles at Rudy, giving him a wink. "Care to try yourself?" she stirs her ladle about, "Even if you're unworthy, the taste is perhaps reward enough..."
[16:54] <@Glenn> "How long do the blessings or inner animal bouts last? I'd imagine neither is permanent, just some good fun, either of the embarrassing or pleasant nature?" Glenn asks.
[16:55] <@Ebiris> "The unworthy ones will find themselves restored with the coming dawn," she replies, smiling genially at a chicken flapping about her feet. "The blessings... well, Hecate is a fickle goddess. Some may last a lifetime, others merely until you need them the most."
[16:56] <@Rudy> Rudy claps Glenn on the back. "You drink a lot of weird crap! You should have a go."
[16:57] <@Henrietta> Looking suspiciously at the witch, Henrietta can only nod in agreement with Rudy.
[16:57] <@Ebiris> "It's not worth it," a fearful looking man opines from the crowd. "'Ow do we know she's not lying? She might be wanting us all turned into food for her supper pot!"
[16:58] <@Glenn> "Well, if you don't mind being delayed even more with our job, I actually don't mind giving it a shot," Glenn says in amusement.
[16:58] <@Glenn> "It'd be amusing to see what animal I'd turn into if it failed, and I'm also curious as to what a blessing would do."
[16:58] <@Rudy> "You heard the man! Give us a pint of Hecate's best!"
[16:59] <@Henrietta> "You are drinking it, too?" Henrietta whispers to Rudy.
[16:59] <@Ebiris> "Oh, lovely! I adore a brave man!" the raven-haired woman smiles ravishingly at Glenn, pouring out a ladle of the fizzing purple liquid into a cup which she offers out with a dainty hand. "Show the dark goddess what you're made of, darling!"
[16:59] <@Rudy> "Hahaha are you nuts," whispers Rudy.
[17:00] <@Miranda_Altair> "I promise not to cook you two if you turn into pigs." Miranda smiles.
[17:00] * @Henrietta nods, and keeps her magical sight fixed upon Glenn. Perhaps she could tell what is happening as she watches the spell in action.
[17:00] <@Glenn> "A toast to Hecate!" Glenn says before lifting the cup in respect towards the witch and getting ready to down it. "Bottoms up!"
[17:00] * @Glenn drinks!
[17:00] <@Ebiris> OOC: make a will save, Glenn
[17:01] <@Glenn> roll d20+3 (doubt it applies, but +2 vs poisons/drugs)
[17:01] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+3 (doubt it applies, but +2 vs poisons/drugs) and gets 8." [d20=5]
[17:01] <@Ebiris> OOC: roll a d100
[17:01] <@Glenn> roll d100
[17:01] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d100 and gets 58." [d100=58]
[17:05] <@Ebiris> Glenn downs the drink, finding it to taste like strong wine. The fizz on his tongue is new, however, but not unappealling, and he finds himself downing almost the entire drink in one go, and still feeling thirsty for more! But even as it flows down into his stomach, he finds himself hunching forward onto all fours, his clothes and gear merging into his skin... skin that's swiftly becoming covered in coarse white wool. His fingers and toes merge, becoming hard hooves, and when he tries to speak only a loud bleating noise comes forth! Everyone else can see that Glenn now makes a particularly fine goat, proud long and curved horns from his head, and dark circles around the eyes much like his glasses.
[17:05] -> *Glenn* You're a goat now. You get +2 str and +2 natural armour, you can't use any of your gear or talk. You have a gore attack that does 1d6 plus 1.5 str damage, and your speed is 40
[17:06] * @Henrietta blinks.
[17:06] <@Ebiris> Trucy covers her mouth in a vain attempt to conceal her laughter. The girl relying on you all for help just sobs and turns away.
[17:06] <@Ebiris> OOC: spellcraft for the DM girls
[17:06] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+7
[17:06] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+7 and gets 25." [1d20=18]
[17:07] <@Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+11
[17:07] * +Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+11 and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[17:07] * @Rudy doesn't even bother concealing his mirth. "You're a real man, Glenn! A real man," he repeats, shaking his head.
[17:07] <@Glenn> "Baaaah!" Glenn says, strutting around, looking actually kind of amused.
[17:07] -> *Henrietta* It appears to be a variant of Baleful Polymorph. You think the duration is tied to the time of day as the woman said, and shouldn't last beyond tomorrow.
[17:07] -> *Miranda_Altair* It appears to be a variant of Baleful Polymorph. You think the duration is tied to the time of day as the woman said, and shouldn't last beyond tomorrow.
[17:08] <@Miranda_Altair> "Well, that looks about right." Miranda turns to the girl with the pig. "From what I can tell, she's telling the truth. Just wait until tomorrow and your boyfriend should be no worse for wear."
[17:08] <@Henrietta> Unwilling to look at Glenn anymore in that form, Henrietta makes her way to the sobbing girl. "It would seem that the duration would not outlast the day, from what I can see. It may be for the best for you to take your boyfriend somewhere safe and keep him there overnight."
[17:08] <@Rudy> "First class, lady. You do this every year? This ain't an act I could get tired of," continues Rudy, glancing at the ravishing witch.
[17:09] <@Ebiris> "A shame, I did so admire his bravery," the black-robed woman laments, patting Glenn's wooly rump. "Does anyone else feel Hecate smiling upon them?" Lowering her voice and looking to Rudy, "This is the first year I've come here, but it's been such a success so far I do believe I'll make it a regular thing," she grins, baring pearly white teeth.
[17:10] <@Ebiris> The pig in the girls arms squeals indignantly as she pats its head and hushes it. "But what if I lose him and he runs into a butchershop or something?"
[17:10] <@Miranda_Altair> "You should probably take him home then."
[17:11] <@Henrietta> "I think what you need here is a collar," Henrietta responds.
[17:11] <@Miranda_Altair> "Or that."
[17:11] <@Ebiris> "I think I will," the girl sniffles. "Mother always said he was a pig, too..." she mutters, prompting more loud bweeing and squirming from her polymorphed love.
[17:12] <@Henrietta> "I can take you to look for one, if you would like?" Henrietta offers. "There does not seem to be a better way. Even a very powerful evil witch cannot possibly have many spells to undo all of her magic, so waiting things out seems best."
[17:12] <@Ebiris> "I'll just go home and wait it out," she sighs. "I don't feel much like having fun anyway, now." She turns and sends a half-hearted glare at the ravishing witch who seems entirely unconcerned.
[17:13] <@Rudy> "This ain't evil! It's good fun!" replies Rudy, grinning. "I could stay here all day."
[17:13] * @Glenn baaahs again in agreement with Rudy.
[17:13] * @Miranda_Altair nods. "I don't see any harm being done here. It's not like she's tricking people into this."
[17:13] <@Henrietta> "It is a little bit evil," Henrietta protests.
[17:14] <@Rudy> "Eh, life would be boring if everyone was all goodly all the time," replies Rudy.
[17:14] <@Ebiris> "I'm glad some are able to take this in the spirit it's meant," the woman winks at Rudy and pats Glenn. "But surely *someone* has to be worthy? The more who dare then the better the odds of Hecate finally smiling upon us, and wouldn't that be lovely?"
[17:14] <@Miranda_Altair> "Mischevious, yes. She's not hurting anyone."
[17:15] <@Henrietta> "The premise is utterly foolish, too," Henrietta mutters. "There is no such thing as dark goddesses, and so they certainly would not be smiling down on anyone."
[17:15] <@Ebiris> The woman *gasps* "You would doubt Hecate's power even after all of this?" she looks at Henrietta in disbelief.
[17:15] <@Rudy> "Well, hey, lady, I'd take you up on it, but I'll trade Hecate's blessing for an evening with you, y'know? Oh, really, Henri! Get into the spirit of it, would you?"
[17:15] * @Glenn butts his head at Henrietta's side lightly and snorts, again agreeing with Rudy.
[17:16] <@Henrietta> "It is most certainly mortal magic!" Henrietta protests.
[17:16] <@Ebiris> "There is nothing mortal about it, from start to finish!" she fires back indignantly, ignoring Rudy now as she glares at Henrietta, her eyes flashing visibly.
[17:17] <@Miranda_Altair> "Hey now, let's not fight over this."
[17:18] * @Henrietta crosses her arms over her chest petulantly.
[17:18] <@Rudy> "Hey, Henri, you're a witch, right?"
[17:18] * Joins: CataclysmicTurtle (~Dis@c-71-194-208-215.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
[17:18] <@Ebiris> "If you believe yourself above Hecate, then I dare you to sup at her table yourself!" the woman challenges, pointing a sharp-nailed finger at the redhead. "One way or another, you'll learn for yourself!"
[17:19] * @Glenn laughs as best as a goat can, and pokes Henrietta, trying to encourage her to down it too.
[17:19] <@Henrietta> "A sorceress," Henrietta responds to Rudy, before considering the table in question. "But there is no merit in it."
[17:19] <@Rudy> "A sorceress! What's the difference? I mean it's all mortal magic, right?"
[17:20] <@Henrietta> "My power does not come from anywhere but me!"
[17:20] * CataclysmicTurtle is now known as Miranda_
[17:20] <@Ebiris> "Hah! Clearly you're afraid of having the Dark Goddess make herself known to you," the woman crows. "If you have no conviction in what you say then begone from my sight."
[17:20] * Quits: @Miranda_Altair (~Dis@c-71-194-208-215.hsd1.il.comcast.net) (Ping timeout)
[17:20] <@Rudy> "Ok! So, like, can you make some of that potion? I mean, if y'can make stuff that does the same stuff..."
[17:20] * Miranda_ is now known as Miranda_Altair
[17:21] <@Henrietta> "I know she is egging me on, but it still irritates me," Henrietta mutters at the crowing.
[17:22] <@Ebiris> "I bet she'd shut up if you drank her brew and nothing happened," Trucy suggests. "Do you have any magic that'd outfox her?"
[17:22] <@Henrietta> "Maybe."
[17:23] * @Henrietta frowns. "If I prove to you that this is superstitious nonsense, would you undo the spell on Glenn?" she asks of the horned witch. "He is the goat."
[17:24] <@Rudy> Rudy removes another peach from his hat, and lazily begins chewing away. "Hey, Miranda, do dark goddesses exist?" he whispers. 
[17:26] <@Ebiris> "It is not my place to undo Hecate's punishments," the woman shakes her head. "But I would be interested to hear your proof nonetheless," she steps forward brazenly, long robes sweeping about her legs. "Impress me, good lady! This is the crossroads at which our beliefs will be tested!"
[17:26] <@Ebiris> OOC: perception check
[17:26] <@Ebiris> OOC: for anyone looking at her
[17:26] <@Rudy> roll 1d20 of course I am
[17:26] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20 of course I am and gets 19." [1d20=19]
[17:26] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+2 naturally
[17:26] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+2 naturally and gets 14." [1d20=12]
[17:26] <@Glenn> roll d20+8
[17:26] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+8 and gets 10." [d20=2]
[17:27] <Miranda_Altair> "I know for a fact that my power does not come from me alone. From where, I don't really know."
[17:27] * Miranda_Altair is looking at Rudy!
[17:27] <@Ebiris> OOC: carry on
[17:27] <@Rudy> "That makes two of us, huh?"
[17:28] <Miranda_Altair> "I've communed with another being beyond myself, the one that I get my power from...whether it's a god or not I don't know."
[17:29] <@Rudy> "Hey, I know how that feels. Maybe it's the same jokester who gave me Myra." Rudy shudders. "Never gonna get used to that."
[17:30] <@Henrietta> "It is a well-known fact that the so-called outsiders are merely so crafted by a summoning and are not actually drawn from another realm," Henrietta primly responds, not backing down from the challenge. "Any interviews of such creatures have turned out inconsistent, even with those professing to serve the same greater power. If these beings, commonly accepted and seen as the servants of such
[17:30] <@Henrietta> powers, are in fact magical constructs, it only stands to reason that the same is true for the planes they supposedly hail from."
[17:31] <@Rudy> "Oh, hey, that's a good idea! I should just interview her about what her deal is!"
[17:32] <@Henrietta> "Might I be present at the time?" Henrietta asks, distracted by this.
[17:33] <@Ebiris> That earns Henrietta a truly hateful look from the horned woman. "That is not a well known fact at all! Your argument is an appeal to authority that doesn't even exist!" she spits. "Even if we did accept it, ask a man from Isernia and a man from Jovar about their world and you'll get two different answers. Give me proof, woman!" she shows her teeth in an almost snarl, looking somewhat sharper than they did when she was smiling so sensually before.
[17:34] <@Henrietta> "Hmph. I reject the existence of these gods that no one has ever seen or been able to observe in some other way. It is you who should first prove conclusively that such beings exist!"
[17:37] <@Ebiris> "Look around, if you have eyes to see," she sniffs, gesturing at the barnyard animals surrounding her. "Look even further, if you care to - the sun, the moons, the stars. The mountains and the valleys, the seas and the deserts. What but Gods could have crafted such infinite creation?"
[17:37] -> *Rudy* As she's gesticulating, you can't help but notice while sneaking a look at her bottom that her robes seem to be moving as if something were shifting underneath them, but her legs are still.
[17:37] * Miranda_Altair quietly palms her face.
[17:38] <@Rudy> "Oh, god! There's something wrong with your legs!" exclaims Rudy, pointing at the woman's torso.
[17:38] * @Henrietta quite openly looks at the barnyard animals in attendance. "I think this makes my case, as matter of fact," she responds, standing up just a bit taller. "What I see are the results of a potion made with the Baleful Polymorph spell. Mortal magic, however you look at it! If you take it as a sign of divine influenc-- what?"
[17:38] <@Ebiris> She flinches at Rudy's interjection and the movement he spotted goes still. "I am sure you are mistaken, my good man," she smiles at him, albeit a little bit more stressed than earlier.
[17:39] <@Rudy> "No, that's not natural! We've got to get you out of those robes right away, so I can see what the problem is."
[17:39] <@Henrietta> "We do?"
[17:39] <@Rudy> "We do. She might die if we don't!"
[17:39] * Miranda_Altair gives Rudy a Look.
[17:39] <@Ebiris> "Yeah!" one of the men watching agrees eagerly.
[17:39] <@Henrietta> "Oh. Well. I suppose-- are you sure?" Henrietta asks, turning towards Rudy.
[17:40] <@Rudy> "Yes, very sure. I think we're all going to be shocked and alarmed."
[17:40] <@Ebiris> "Hold on a moment!" the horned woman waves her almost talon-like hands placatingly, "My clothes are just fine the way they are! These are vestments that show my devotion to Hecate herself!"
[17:40] <@Henrietta> "In... that case, I suppose I would not stop you. Even if it looks terribly... wrong."
[17:41] <@Henrietta> Struggling with herself, Henrietta just resolves to wait and see how Rudy means to help the obviously insane woman.
[17:42] * Koaway is now known as Snow_Ko
[17:43] <@Rudy> "I couldn't. It would be unseemly for a man to take to a woman like that," confides Rudy.
[17:43] <@Ebiris> "Not even just a little bit?" the same cat-calling member of the crowd asks disappointedly.
[17:44] <@Ebiris> "Go find one of Aphrodite's temple whores if that's what you want!" the witch snaps crossly. "We're trying to have a debate, here!"
[17:44] <@Henrietta> "This... actually makes sense," Henrietta slowly agrees, stepping closer to the other woman. "What is wrong with your legs? Can you show me? Maybe that is what is making you sound so deluded."
[17:46] <@Ebiris> The witch steps back and gives Henrietta a cold look. "So any who disagree with your own outlandish proposals are deluded? Tell me, how many outsiders have you personally talked to?"
[17:46] <@Rudy> "I could whip one up right now, if you want! Maybe she could settle the debate?"
[17:48] <@Henrietta> "How many have you?" Henrietta fires back. "Your arguments are deeply flawed! You are taking things that exist in the world and are trying to claim credit for them on behalf of your Hecate. But ask any other priest, and they would swear their own deity had been the one responsible! How do you settle all these different, competing and ultimately mutually exclusive claims?!"
[17:48] <@Glenn> "Baaaaah!" Glenn exclaims, as he gets between Henrietta and the witch and baahs again, stamping his foot on the ground, looking annoyed as he stares at both girls.
[17:49] * @Henrietta ignores the barnyard animals as she glares at the witch.
[17:51] <@Ebiris> "I am not!" she retorts immediately. "Hecate holds dominion over magic and witches and crossroads. The world was Gaia's own creation... maybe some others try to claim credit for it, but they would be mistaken. Some might simply be speaking of Gaia by another name, perhaps - such common legends across Pranneria are what gave rise to the Olympian names we use for them today. How could such tales have been told all over before tribes even came into contact if there weren't truth in it?"
[17:56] <@Henrietta> "Simple!" Henrietta scoffs. "We all see the same nature around us, so of course many of us would use the same ways to describe it. You look at the world, and you deny the Nature Worship as being wrong or misguided, by breaking up the greater whole into smaller parts, each represented by one of the deities in your pantheon. How is this any different than my rejection of all concepts of religion
[17:56] <@Henrietta> equally?"
[18:00] * Miranda_Altair just shakes her head and stays out of this argument.
[18:01] <@Rudy> Rudy presses his hands together and closes his eyes, mumbling the strange words he mumbles when he needs to pull Myra back into the world in a hurry (since she normally just shows up by herself, sooner or later...)
[18:02] <@Ebiris> "I believe because Hecate speaks to me - not in words, but in faith. The feeling I get whenever I cast a spell, the questions in my heart that her teachings answer," the woman retorts, a hand over her impressive bosom. "That is what faith is, how we perceive the world, how we believe everything comes together. It is not about some tangible thing, Zeus coming down to lay with a swan before your very eyes before you can accept it." She steps close to Henrietta, barely looming over her, "I accept those other faiths you speak of, even if they mean nothing to me. You besmirch all equally, pridefully or ignorantly declaring yourself beyond the need for guidance or inspiration. You are a pitiable woman who believes in nothing but herself."
[18:05] * @Glenn just sighs and steps closer to Miranda, and baahs at her before motioning his head towards the two quarreling ladies and then just shaking his head.
[18:05] <@Ebiris> Indeed, many other people are starting to drift away, weary of the debate ensuing.
[18:06] * Miranda_Altair nods and pats Glen on the head.
[18:06] <@Henrietta> "I believe in myself, yes. And what is the shame in that?" Henrietta asks, offended. "You claim to accept your faith and to be secure in it, yet a simple dismissal of it from a person you have never laid eyes upon until this day has driven you into an all-consuming rage! Before you challenge others are ignorant and pitiable, perhaps you should look deep inside at the insecurity you must constantly
[18:06] <@Henrietta> be feeling?"
[18:09] <@Ebiris> "Churlishness is not an endearing quality and must be stamped upon whenever one encounters it! You could have simply ignored all of this and moved on - a sad reaction from a sorceress who enjoys Hecate's blessing, but still one I would not begrudge. Instead you chose to decry it, and rather than test your convictions with a sip of her brew, you goaded me into this unseemly argument!" she retorts, stamping her foot with a loud clomp on the paving below. "You bring low this entire festival with your presence!"
[18:10] <@Henrietta> "So I just have to drink it, is that all?!"
[18:11] <@Ebiris> "Yes!" she nods smugly, "If you can still tell me that Hecate is nothing but my delusional ravings after that, I will concede you this victory!"
[18:11] <@Henrietta> "Fine, then! I shall!"
[18:11] <@Ebiris> With an entirely triumphant look, a ladle is poured into a cup and proffered eagerly to Henrietta!
[18:12] * @Henrietta glares daggers at her, snatching the cup from her hands and drinking the potion within!
[18:13] <@Ebiris> OOC: make a will save, +4 bonus
[18:13] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+5+4+8 HERO
[18:13] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+5+4+8 HERO and gets 19." [1d20=2]
[18:16] <@Ebiris> Henrietta drinks the liquid down, its bubbling fizz heady and aromatic as it goes down like ambrosia or its nearest secular equivalent! The redhead's eyes close as a shadow passes over her, everything falling unnaturally quiet for a moment...
[18:16] -> *Henrietta* You feel a surge of something welling inside of you, it feels familiar and alien all at once. A primal part of yourself ascending or some dark other presence descending, you could not say, but you are certainly changed for the experience. You gain +2 to the mental ability score of your choice and the following special ability:
[18:20] <@Henrietta> "I-- I don't believe it!" Henrietta says accusingly, pointing at the witch. "We'll call it a tie for now!"
[18:20] <@Ebiris> Balling up her fists, the witch steps back. "Hecate is mocking me today, I just know it," she grinds her teeth.
[18:21] * @Glenn starts laughing at the result, which sounds rather odd coming from a goat. He turns to look at Miranda again and baahs again.
[18:21] * Miranda_Altair looks down at Glenn. "What?"
[18:22] <@Rudy> With a sudden bamf, Myra spontaneously appears in between the two women, splattering the ground with oil! "Okay! What should we ask her first?" asks Rudy, opening his eyes.
[18:22] * @Henrietta gets herself under control as much as she can, after fuming for several moments in silence. "I am Henrietta Ul Copt, a sorceress!" she announces herself afterwards. "You are my rival, until the time you concede defeat!"
[18:22] * @Glenn motions towards the two other girls and baahs again, shaking his head.
[18:23] <Miranda_Altair> "Wait, what?" Miranda looks at Henrietta.
[18:23] <@Henrietta> "I have given out my name," Henrietta says primly, not taking her eyes off the foolish Hecate follower. "What is yours?"
[18:23] <@Rudy> "Er..."
[18:24] <@Ebiris> "I am Vriskna, disciple of the crossroads," the witch returns to Henrietta with a hooded gaze. "You have a very interesting destiny ahead of you, Henrietta Ul Copt. I shall enjoy seeing where it takes you." She then covers her mouth with the back of her hand and laughs gaily, albeit somewhat forced.
[18:24] <Miranda_Altair> "I'm confused. Are they friends now? What just happened?" Miranda looks at Rudy.
[18:25] <@Rudy> "Eat more fruit. Fruit's good for you. And delicious."
[18:25] * @Henrietta returns the hooded gaze in spades!
[18:25] <Miranda_Altair> "Okay." Miranda grabs two pieces of fruit, eating one and holding the other out for Glenn.