037.2 "Urgh... oh no, I'm in Hell! I should have listened to women more!"

[Corwin]

[22:18] <Kotono> ---
[22:20] <Kotono> Urgh...urgh...Janson stirs. Hot. Heat. He's sweating? Sweat. Alive. As his brain rejoins that of the aware world, Janson opens his eyes. He lays in a cavern, reddish light from the walls your only illumination. It's hot here, like a stuffy summer day, yet dry as a bone in humidity. About you lie the others - Branna, Noel, Wayland and Rubri'Granit.  No sign of Andrea or Aaeru.
[22:21] <Janson> "Urgh... oh no, I'm in Hell!" Janson groans. "That valkyrie was right! I should have listened to women more!"
[22:21] * Wayland slowly picks himself up off the floor, looking around. "Uhhh?"
[22:22] <Kotono> Branna lifts his head up, rubbing his face. "Now what?"
[22:23] <Janson> "Maybe we can... uh... I don't know actually. Where are the demons and devils?" Janson rubs his head as he picks himself up, rubbing his now sweat-stained palm on his pants. "I guess we were all evil... except for Andrea and Aaeru. What happened to you guys anyway? Branna and I were in this big colour thing and then it all blew up."
[22:24] <Wayland> "I'm not evil." Wayland shakes his head to clear it.
[22:24] <Wayland> "Aaeru hit the box until it exploded."
[22:24] <Janson> "Oh. Well, yeah, it must've killed us all in the explosion," Janson sighs dispiritedly. "Her and Andrea must be living it up in heaven, now."
[22:24] <Kotono> As Noel gets up and rubs his face as well, Rubri'Granit stirs. "Moradin..." he croaks, getting up slowly. He stands, "The box...it's gone?" He looks down to his hands, about and finally to the others, "You destroyed the box?"
[22:25] <Wayland> "Well, yeah. Aaeru did, at least. I just kinda stood there."
[22:27] <Kotono> "The box is...was...a cursed object from the Depths Below. Something I learned far too late, after I stumbled into it's clutches. Moradin's beard and Seira's snout," He rubs his face, "We're not dead. Moradin's not here for one thing, and I doubt you all would be with me if he was."
[22:28] <Wayland> "Well, where are we? 'Below' doesn't sound good."
[22:28] <Janson> "Well if the box is cursed from the Depths Below, it makes sense that it would send us all there when it blew?" Janson suggests. "So, we're in Hell. But we're not dead... yet."
[22:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[22:29] <Kotono> "Quite possibly one of the Hells," Rubri'Granit looks about, "This could be some of the criss-crossing caves below Avernus," He goes to the wall and touches it, jerking his hand back, "Or Dis from the heat. We won't have any real idea until we find the natives..." Taking a moment, "However, there is hope of getting out of here."
[22:30] <Janson> "Good, because I'm already feeling pretty woozy from the heat. How do we get out, then?" Janson asks, glad that Rubrigranit seems more together now.
[22:31] <Kotono> "Two ways. One, we find a portal. Two, I do have a spell that can take us home memorized." He pauses, "The problem? I don't have the material component for it, and it's a rare one. Either way, we solve nothing by standing here. We need to find a way out or water as soon as possible." He pauses a moment, peering ahead into red-tinted darkness as he starts to go, "Who the hell are all of you?
[22:31] <Kotono> I owe you for destroying that box...even if you did it in the most imbicilic way possible. That girl...where is she, anyway?"
[22:32] <Wayland> "Don't know. Probably back where we left."
[22:33] <Janson> "Well I guessed heaven, but maybe she dodged the explosion and is back at your crazy fortress? I'm Janson, we're from Whimsical Sweets! Ulian hired us to find you... but I feel bad charging you since we dragged you to hell..." Janson trails off uncomfortably. "Lets go exploring!" he quickly shrugs off the awkward moment and advances, untroubled by darkness!
[22:33] <Kotono> "Or dead, or blown to another place," Rubri'Granit scowls, "Moradin watch over that foolish human girl. WIth her methods, she'll need it." He grunts after, "Can all of you fight?...I presume so, yes. Most of my spells are exhausted, I'll need to conserve what I have."
[22:34] <Wayland> "Might as well. We're in Hell, we may as well enjoy it." Wayland says.
[22:34] <Janson> "For a certain value of fight..." Janson blushes, "Most of the others did the heavy lifting against your guardians. Especially Aaeru and Andrea, who we're now missing..."
[22:36] <Kotono> The cavern extends a ways, walking and walking and walking. About five minutes of walking, before you come to a sheer wall. It goes up fourty feet, a crevasse above allowing progress. From it weeps red-tinted liquid, trailing out of the crevasse like tears of the damned.
[22:37] <Janson> "How are you for climbing, Rubri-granit? I think the rest of us are good, anyway..." It was mostly Andrea who had trouble, he recalls, starting up the way and trying not to get too soiled in anguished tears.
[22:38] <Kotono> "I'm a dwarf," He spits into his hands, "Moradin would never allow me to live it down if some overheated walls stopped me underground."
[22:38] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18." [1d20=6]
[22:38] <Kotono> It's not a hard climb, the dwarf ascending with Janson! The crevasse goes ahead, a slowly growing river of red ahead. It stains your clothes where it touches, red splotches all over.
[22:40] * Janson waits on Wayland and the goons before going ahead, suffering the staining with a shrug. Probably get dirtier by far before they're out of here.
[22:40] * Wayland takes his time, picking his way up the cliff. OOC: Taking 10 for 15
[22:41] <Kotono> The two follow suit, climbing up and taking the rear! OOC: Taking ten each.
[22:42] <Janson> "Oh, by the way, this is yours," Janson hands the dwarf his giant wand. "We weren't sure if it was part of a puzzle or something." With everyone having climbed up, Janson approaches the river and looks for any bridges or passes down its length.
[22:43] <Kotono> "Mine...?" With a puzzled look and then a clack of his tongue, "It isn't mine. It's from the puzzle...it could make things appear, and it seemed to insist on treasure in the dungeon. What's it do?" The river proceeds ahead - the only way ahead is to wade in.
[22:45] <Wayland> "Well, that's good I suppose."
[22:45] <Janson> "Gives you some extra vitality, but it's only temporary," Janson replies, using the oversized wand to gauge the depth of the river by sticking it in past the bank.
[22:46] <Kotono> It's about two feet deep, perhaps three in the depths.
[22:46] <Wayland> "Are you sure that river's safe?"
[22:47] <Wayland> "There might be...things in it."
[22:47] <Janson> "Probably safe to wade through, but I'm not going to chance it in case there's a sudden flood or something," Janson offers the wand to the dwarf regardless since he's a wizard, climbing up the nearby cavern wall and crossing the river by crawling along the ceiling above.
[22:50] <Kotono> The dwarf takes the staff, shrugging and holding onto it. OOC: Hwo's the rest of the party advancing?
[22:55] * Wayland chooses to ford the river at the lowest point he can find!
[22:58] <Kotono> Branna and Noel follow, as well as Rubri'Granit! The river is warm, soaking into your legs. Mmmm, it's almost soothing, yet as you walk thirst is felt by all of you. Sweat trickles down your body as your throats go dry. For a good half hour of this you follow the river, until you come to a fork. The river continues, but there's a little passage to the side and slightly upraised over the
[22:58] <Kotono> fluid level. It's small, but you could go down it if you want, or keep following the river.
[23:00] <Janson> "Lets go this way?" Janson suggests as he spots the dry passage, alighting on the ground there and waiting on the others before advancing.
[23:00] <Wayland> "Sounds good."
[23:01] <Kotono> "Beter than all this...fuck, I'm thirsty," Branna says, licking his dry lips.
[23:01] <Wayland> "I probably wouldn't drink the water if I were you." Wayland says.
[23:01] * Janson takes out his waterskin, "Filled this up at that last stream we passed before the fortress, take a sip each but don't guzzle. We might have to make it last," he suggests, handing it to Branna.
[23:05] <Kotono> Branna takes a sip and passes it to Noel, who does the same and passes it to the dwarf. After that it's passed to the dwarf and then to Wayland. The water's warmer than it should be, but it feels so good, momentarily battling back the heat that suffuses the rocks around you.
[23:05] * Wayland takes a brief sip before passing it back to Janson.
[23:05] <Janson> Capping up the skin once everyone's had a sip, Janson secures it in his pack and leads the way onwards down the passage.
[21:08] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 19." [1d100=19]
[21:08] <@Kotono> The party continues down the passage for about five minutes, going on. As you do...OOC: Spot, all.
[21:09] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Noel
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Noel and gets 8." [1d20=2]
[21:09] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 and gets 24." [1d20=20]
[21:09] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Branna
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Branna and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[21:09] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Rubri
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Rubri and gets 7." [1d20=3]
[21:09] <@Janson> roll 1d20+9
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 and gets 21." [1d20=12]

[Corwin]

[19:49] <Kotono> As Wayland advances along, he happens to glance up. He can see some sort of spiky creature lurking in the shadows, clinging to the roof about 40 feet ahead. Janson can notice that behind a bit of broken rubble and stone he can see writhing, fleshly blobs of some sort.
[19:51] <Wayland> "Hey, whoa. There's something on the roof up ahead. See?" Wayland points up.
[19:51] <Kotono> Branna stops, hand on his sword as he nods, "Somethin' up there," he grunts.
[19:53] <Wayland> "It's got...spikes. I don't know much about the planes, I'm afraid. Anyone know what we could be up against down here?" Wayland asks.
[19:53] <Janson> "There's also something weird behind that rubble," Janson points it out as well before looking up for Wayland's spiky friend, "So best watch that as well."
[19:55] <Kotono> Before anyone else has a chance to react, the spiky figures let go of the roof! They come into sight, flying. They look like spike covered, small gargoyles. They have eyes overflowing with red malice, faces twisted into a hungry, leering smirk. There are two of them, and below two oozing piles of fles h slowly come out. Vaguely defined claws jut out, and a barely defined, agonized face shows
[19:55] <Kotono> at the top. Above the two call something...OOC: What languages do you two speak?
[19:56] <Wayland> OOC: COmmon, Elven
[19:57] <Janson> OOC: common, gnomis, sylvan
[19:57] <Kotono> The words are harsh and yet patterened, impossible to understand!
[19:59] <Janson> "Uh... not animals, I guess. Doesn't sound friendly, though!" Janson declares, bracing himself to quickly retaliate if they make any sudden moves.
[19:59] <Kotono> "Anyone understand that," Branna asks, as Noel and the dwarf shake their head. The latter does offer, "I'd bet good stone and gold that they're speaking Infernal."
[20:00] <Wayland> "If we really are in Hell, then I don't suppose anything we meet will be friendly." Wayland says. "Probably, Branna, but I don't understand it myself."
[20:00] <Kotono> As you discuss, you hear a demanding, cruel voice in your heads! 'Surrender your valuables and kneel before us, or perish in agony!'
[20:01] <Wayland> "Banditry in Hell?" Wayland looks moderately confused.
[20:02] <Janson> "Oh yeah? There's... five of us! And four of you!" Janson points at the presumed fiends. "So you surrender YOUR valuables, or you'll regret it!"
[20:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 18." [1d20=3]
[20:03] <Kotono> "Not all of Avernus is well controlled, due to the Blood War," Rubri'Granit speaks up, "Likely we're in some Moradin forsaken corner of it. Legends say that refugee devils and outcasts fester in these places."
[20:04] <Kotono> If the flying creatures understand your words, they do not reply in kind. Instead in your minds again, 'Speak with your minds, because your pitiful babblings mean nothing!'
[20:05] <Janson> 'You! Give! Us! Your! Valuables! Five! More! Than! Four!' Janson thinks indignantly, thinking with all his might!
[20:06] <Kotono> To this the two flying gargoyle-alikes laugh, pointing at the party! The two blobs ooze forward, while they swoop above at the roof of the cavern, spiky bodies dancing with flame! As they advance, "Spinagons," Rubri'Granit annoucnes in a grave voice, "Scouts, least baatezu. Nothing more than glorified lemures with a hint of intelligence." OOC: Init.
[20:07] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 14." [1d20=10]
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Noel
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Noel and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Branna
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Branna and gets 10." [1d20=1]
[20:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Rubri
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Rubri and gets 6." [1d20=4]
[20:08] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(23)>Janson(14)>Branna(10)>Rubri'Granit(6)'
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Spinagon 1
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Spinagon 1 and gets 13." [1d20=5]
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Spinagon 2
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Spinagon 2 and gets 27." [1d20=19]
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20 Lemure 1
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Lemure 1 and gets 17." [1d20=17]
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20 Lemure 2
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Lemure 2 and gets 8." [1d20=8]
[20:09] * Kotono changes topic to 'Spinagon 2(27)>Noel(23)>Lemure 1(17)>Janson(14)>Spinagon 1(13)>Branna(10)>Lemure 2(8)>Rubri'Granit(6)'
[20:20] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3
[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+3 and gets 11." [1d20=8]
[20:21] * Kotono changes topic to 'Spinagon 2(27)>Noel(23)>Lemure 1(17)>Janson(14)>Spinagon 1(13)>Wayland(11)>Branna(10)>Lemure 2(8)>Rubri'Granit(6)'
[20:22] <Kotono> The first spinagon flies directly overhead, 15 feet up! One hand rips off a spine from it's body, which bursts into flame! A split second later it hurls it down, right at Janson!
[20:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 AC (Flatfooed if it applies, forget if you have uncanny dodge)
[20:22] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 AC (Flatfooed if it applies, forget if you have uncanny dodge) and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 1d3+1d4+1d6 (d3 is physical, d4 is fire, d6 is skirmish.) and make a fort save.
[20:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3+1d4+1d6 (d3 is physical, d4 is fire, d6 is skirmish.) and make a fort save. and gets 7." [1d3=1][1d4=1][1d6=5]
[20:23] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[20:23] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 6." [1d20=2]
[20:24] <Kotono> The spine flies out, stabbing into Janson's shoulder! Agony flows into his body like a rich, dark wine as he staggers! The spine seems to burrow into his flesh in the most painful way possible, terribly distracting! OOC: -2 AC and -10ft movement speed for 1 minute due to pain. Noel's up.
[20:24] <Janson> "Owww!" Janson cries out, clutching at his wound in pain!
[20:25] <Kotono> "Get one of them down here," Noel cries, "Can't do shit while they're flying!" OOC: Holding for the moment, may move to defend against the lemures if they come. Lemure 1 is up.
[20:25] <Kotono> The first lemure oozes, a shapeless form of miserable flesh! It makes the closest approxmiation of a charge, meeting Noel as he moves to intercept it, the two clashing!
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 (+2 charge) Lemure claw
[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 (+2 charge) Lemure claw and gets 13." [1d20=9]
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 sapping good times!
[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 sapping good times! and gets 14." [1d20=6]
[20:26] <Kotono> roll 1d6+2
[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6+2 and gets 6." [1d6=4]
[20:27] <Kotono> The two meet together, Noel dodging the claw and slamming his ap down hard into the fleshy mass! It recoils back, barely even leaving a mark! OOC: Janson.
[20:28] <Janson> Staggering and wincing in pain, Janson fires a retaliatory shot of eldritch fury at... the other spinagon! The one that hasn't hit him or moved at all and seems completely inoffensive! That one is so going down! He also flees back out of the way of further painful attacks.
[20:28] <Janson> roll 1d20+6
[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
[20:28] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 presuming SR applies
[20:28] <Kotono> OOC: That be a hit, captain.
[20:28] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 presuming SR applies and gets 13." [1d20=8]
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Yes, ti does, you beat it. I think, let me check.
[20:29] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6 if so
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: You did.
[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 if so and gets 27." [3d6=5, 6, 1][4d6=6, 3, 5, 1]
[20:29] * Kotono changes topic to 'Spinagon 2(27)>Noel(23)>Lemure 1(17)>Janson(14)>Wayland(11)>Branna(10)>Lemure 2(8)>Rubri'Granit(6)'
[20:30] <Kotono> Janson's shot is perfectly aimed as he dodges, going right through the chest of the unmoved spinagon! It falls to the ground in a broken heap, body melting down into a black ichor! The hot stones around you absorb it like a dying man absorbs water, gulping down the slain devil! OOC: WAyland.
[20:31] * Wayland moves to keep Noel from getting overwhelmed by the impressively ugly oozy things! "You alright there, Noel?" he says, striking out at the Lemure.
[20:31] <Janson> "Five to three!" Janson cries with a silly but pained grin, not caring if the remaining spiny devil can't understand.
[20:31] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24." [1d20=16]
[20:31] <Kotono> OOC: That be a hit. Do your attacks counta s good or silver?
[20:32] <Wayland> OOC: Never bothered to remove the silver-studded gloves, so yeah, silver & magic
[20:32] <Kotono> OOC: Damage.
[20:32] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6 elec
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 elec and gets 14." [1d8=6][1d6=5]
[20:33] * Kotono changes topic to 'Spinagon 2(27)>Noel(23)>Janson(14)>Wayland(11)>Branna(10)>Lemure 2(8)>Rubri'Granit(6)'
[20:33] <Kotono> With a powerful, silver laced strike, Wayland slams through the lemure! It melts down into a pile of loose fat all over. The face remains the longest - it turns into the face of a proud looking woman, sinking into the ground with the rest of the fat! She babbles alien words, a scream silenced as it slips into the ground! OOC: Branna.
[20:34] <Kotono> Branna has his blade at the ready, moving to go deal with the other lemure!
[20:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 (+2 charge)
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 (+2 charge) and gets 25." [1d20=15]
[20:34] <Kotono> roll 1d8+6+1d2+2d6-5
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+6+1d2+2d6-5 and gets 19." [1d8=6][1d2=1][2d6=6, 5]
[20:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Spinagon 2(27)>Noel(23)>Janson(14)>Wayland(11)>Branna(10)>Rubri'Granit(6)'
[20:39] <Kotono> Branna's frozen blade condenses in the air, leaving a trail of frost as it slices into the lemure's rubbery body! It's cut in twain! For a moment it starts to merge back together, but in doing so it's form becomes nothing but a runny blob! As the blob sinks into the ground, a voice screams in Elven, "LORD SEMYAZA, WHY DO YOU FORSAK-" The voice cuts off as the sizzling ground claims the
[20:39] <Kotono> lemure! OOC: Rubri'Granit.
[20:39] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit holds his position for now, "Finish them, I can't waste what magic I have left here!" OOC: Spinagon 2 is up.
[20:40] <Kotono> The second Spinagon's malice-filled eyes go wide as chakrams as it flies down to the ground! It goes before the party and bows, face down and groveling! In your minds you hear, 'Spare me! Spare me! You gain nothing from killing a pathetic worm such as myself!'
[20:41] <Janson> "Haha, that's more like it!" Janson advances onwards, working to pull out the spine in his shoulder. 'You didn't even have any valuables, did you?' he thinks accusingly.
[20:41] <Kotono> Noel holds a moment, turning but waiting on commands! OOC: Janson.
[20:44] <Kotono> Yanking the spine out hurts like all the hells, but it comes out! 'We have nothing! Nothing!' The spinagon pleads, 'Superior sir, let this worm live! It was a mistake! A terrible mistake that won't happen again!' OOC: Go ahead and free act for now, it's not attacking.
[20:44] <Wayland> "You're a demon," Wayland thinks. "why should we trust you?"
[20:44] <Janson> 'Darn right it won't! Okay, tell us where we are and the quickest way out of here.'
[20:47] <Kotono> At Wayland's thought the devil's head snaps up, a moment of utter, apocalyptic rage! It quickly hides it's head again, groveling yet more, 'I'll set you on the right path,' he says, 'If you spare me!'
[20:48] <Kotono> OOC: Yuth, could you use ' instead of " for telepathic thought? The distinction helps keep things sorted. Thanks.
[20:48] <Wayland> OOC: Sure
[20:48] <Janson> "I'll ask him the best way out of here," Janson says aloud for those who can't hear his thoughts. 'What's the best way out of here, then? Also where we are would be nice to know.'
[20:51] <Kotono> 'A-avernus,' it answers, 'Near the border between Avernus proper and the Realm of the Dark Dawn. The q-quickest way is to go to the Realm of the Dark Dawn and curry favor with the Dark Dreamer...' It's voice scrapes over this words, utter terror filling it! 'If not, then other way is to go through the territory of the Marauders.'
[20:53] <Janson> "Dark Dreamer or Maruders... which sounds better to you guys?" Janson asks his companions. "If the Dark Dreamer's asleep it sounds like a safe bet, but it could just be figurative..."
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 33." [1d20=18]
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Any of you can make K:P here.
[20:55] <Wayland> "I have no idea what this thing means by Marauders or Dark Dreamer." Wayland shakes his head.
[20:55] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit's face grows grim, "The Dark Dreamer is the title of Haagenti, the Arch-Devil of Dreams. An outcast devil honored by Asmodeus."
[20:56] <Wayland> "The Marauders?"
[20:57] <Janson> "Is that good or bad for us?" Janson asks, wishing he'd studied more of the diabolical stuff in his old gnomish books.
[20:58] <Kotono> "An Arch-Devil is akin to a diabolical demi-power, only a step under the Lords of the Nine," Rubri'Granit scowls, "That route is one to salvation through damnation if we are fortunate. If not..." The dwarf shudders, murmuring words in a tongue you don't understand. I would say the Marauders if we can handle them."
[21:00] * Janson decides to trust the wisdom of the crazy dwarf who's puzzle obsession got them here. 'Tell us about the Marauders, then?' he thinks really hard.
[21:01] <Kotono> 'The Marauders are the spawn of hell hounds and green dragon Rystaliatch. They control the only nearby path to the surface.'
[21:02] <Janson> 'What are they likely to ask for in exchange for passage?'
[21:04] <Kotono> 'Nothing. They don't grant passage to anyone. They live for battle,' With a whimper, 'Since they've set up, none of us have been easily able to get to the surface.'
[21:05] <Janson> 'Stick with us and we'll kick their asses and see the surface, then!' Janson encourages the spiny devil, letting bygones be bygones. 'Just lead the way!'
[21:07] <Kotono> With that the party continues on! You follow twisting paths and branches for a good hour, as thirst again torments you. It's like the water is leaving your body as fast as possible.
[21:08] * Janson partakes of his waterskin again, trying to ration it out and just have enough to take the edge off. "Do you guys have water of your own? We're not gonna get very far on just mine," he admits.
[21:12] <Wayland> "Unfortunately not. I had expected to be able to drink from the mountain creeks."
[21:14] <Janson> Noel and Branna get an especially hopeful look after that sad revelation!
[21:18] <Kotono> "I got a bit," Branna takes out a half full waterskin, taking a swig. Noel does the same, "Only about half full too."
[21:20] <Wayland> "Better than nothing, I suppose."
[21:20] <Janson> "We're probably gonna be in trouble unless we find more water soon if we're stuck here long," Janson worries, giving Rubri'granit some of his water and letting Wayland bum off his employees. "Hey, Spiny!" he addresses their guide, getting its attention before thinking with all his might, 'Know where to get decent water around here?'
[21:22] <Kotono> 'There isn't any 'cept for the River Styx,' It answers back, 'I can take you to an offshoot of it if you like.'
[21:23] <Janson> 'How far? And is it drinkable?'
[21:24] <Kotono> 'About a mile,' he says.
[21:24] <Wayland> 'Is it safe for us to drink from? Would YOU drink from it?'
[21:24] <Janson> roll 1d20+9 I *do* have sense motive enough to know if I'm being sold a bag of shit
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 I *do* have sense motive enough to know if I'm being sold a bag of shit and gets 17." [1d20=8]
[21:26] <Kotono> 'It's fine, it's the only water in Avernus.' The spinagon says. Sounds legit enough to Janson.
[21:27] <Janson> 'Wait, so that river back a ways just before we met you was the Styx? That wasn't any good for drinking,' Janson's face falls. 'Lets just go find the maurauders and get out of here instead.' "The only water around's like that river that made you thirsty just walking through it. Looks like we're out of luck."
[21:28] <Kotono> 'No, that wasn't it. That was the Weepings,' The spinagon says. 'The Styx is different!'
[21:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 19." [1d20=3]
[21:31] * Janson groans aloud, feeling like he's being strung along. "Wait, now he's saying it's different... even though he just said it was the *only* water around," he grumbles. "Do you guys wanna take a chance on the Styx actually being healthy for us or go straight for the Marauders?"
[21:31] <Kotono> At this Rubri'Granit snorts and shakes his head, "The Styx is a cursed river," he says in Common, "A drink will erase all your memories, turning you into a blank slate. What you were before will be gone forever, and if you survive long you'll become something abhorrent to what you were."
[21:32] <Wayland> After hearing what the dwarf has to say, Wayland says, "No."
[21:32] <Janson> "Oh, you little shit!" Janson glares at the devil, even though he can't understand. 'The Styx would take away our memories! You want me to blast you into goo like your buddy from earlier?'
[21:33] <Kotono> The spinagon's eyes widen again, before he prostrates himself before Janson! 'No, no, no! I'm sorry! I'm sorry superior sirs!' As it grovels...OOC: Make a spot check, all.
[21:33] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4 sopt
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 sopt and gets 8." [1d20=4]
[21:34] <Janson> roll 1d20+9
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 and gets 20." [1d20=11]
[21:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Noel
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Noel and gets 17." [1d20=11]
[21:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Branna
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Branna and gets 19." [1d20=11]
[21:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Rubri
[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Rubri and gets 21." [1d20=17]
[21:36] <Kotono> It's Rubri'Granit who looks up, "Ahead of us!" he points! Fifty feet ahead, around a corner, they come. They shed light - they are rust colored things, vaguely lizard like. They are five feet long and three wide, with long tails and four foot long antenne coming from around it's mouth. There are three of them, each one of them burning and crackling with fire! OOC: Doe sanyone have ranks in
[21:36] <Kotono> K:D?
[21:36] <Janson> OOC: I do
[21:36] <Janson> roll 1d20+5
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+5 and gets 8." [1d20=3]
[21:39] <Kotono> 'It's the Rust Nightmares!' The spinagon turns, flying straight up to the ceiling in a blur! 'Rust monsters on fire! They'll get your gear and burn you alive, you might want to run!'
[21:42] <Janson> "Might be worth using a spell to slow them down, Rubrigrant!" Janson suggests to their wizard, moving to scramble up the cavern wall himself and hopefully get out of reach before he bombards them with eldritch blasts!
[21:47] * Wayland checks himself. "I don't think I have anything that would rust...and I don't think silver rusts."
[21:49] <Janson> "Did you miss the part where they're on *fire*?" Janson calls down as he positions on the ceiling and readies to fire.
[19:50] <Wayland> "Oh...I may have missed that part." Wayland admits, moving toward cover.
[19:51] <@Kotono> OOC: Init.
[19:51] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3 init
[19:51] <@Janson> roll 1d20+4
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+3 init and gets 14." [1d20=11]
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 16." [1d20=12]
[19:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Noel
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Noel and gets 26." [1d20=19]
[19:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9 Branna
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 Branna and gets 14." [1d20=5]
[19:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Rubri
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Rubri and gets 19." [1d20=17]
[19:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 RN 1
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 RN 1 and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[19:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 RN 2
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 RN 2 and gets 18." [1d20=13]
[19:51] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 RN 3
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 RN 3 and gets 7." [1d20=2]
[19:52] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26)>Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14)>RN1(10)>RN3(7)'
[19:53] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 spinagon
[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 spinagon and gets 21." [1d20=13]
[19:53] * Quits: @Henrietta (corwin@bzq-79-183-9-20.red.bezeqint.net) (Ping timeout)
[19:53] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26)>Spinagon(21)>Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14)>RN1(10)>RN3(7)'
[19:53] <@Kotono> Noel falls back, going on the pure defensive! The spinagon menawhile soars ahead and away from the party, over the rust monsters and around the corner! OOC: Rubri'Granit.
[19:56] <@Kotono> Rubri'Granit steps back as well, starting to chant! "I'll give them something to distract them," he calls, "Buy me enough time to finish the incantation!" OOC: RN2.
[19:57] <@Kotono> roll 1d2
[19:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d2 and gets 2." [1d2=2]
[19:58] <@Kotono> One of the burning horrors advances with stunning agility, going right for Branna before anyone can react! It's antenne go for his chain shirt, trying to touch it!
[19:58] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 touch
[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 touch and gets 25." [1d20=17]
[19:58] <@Kotono> roll 1d6 fire damage to Branna
[19:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 fire damage to Branna and gets 6." [1d6=6]
[19:59] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 reflex
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 reflex and gets 18." [1d20=10]
[20:00] <@Kotono> With that touch, Branna's flesh burns as his chain shirt falls away! It crumbles into rusty chunks of metal, utterly ruined! Only quick movement puts out a fire on his shirt before it can begin, a shouted curse joining it! OOC: Janson.
[20:00] <@Janson> Janson retreats until he's over Rubri'granit, holding his fire until he sees any of the monsters trying to attack the dwarf!
[20:00] <@Janson> OOC: readied action to attack if anything goes near Rubri
[20:00] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay. Branna and Wayland. Go Wayland.
[20:03] <Wayland> "Be careful, Branna!" Wayland circles around the thing and goes to smash it!
[20:03] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19." [1d20=11]
[20:05] <@Kotono> Wayland swiftly moves in around it, striking like lightning...but it's just too fast, flowing like liquid flame roaring towards the heavens! A second later Branna takes advantage, flanking it and trying to slice it apart!
[20:05] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 16." [1d20=8]
[20:06] <@Kotono> But he can't land a solid blow, his blade glancing off it's flaming, tough skin! OOC: RN1.
[20:08] <@Kotono> The first one advances with speed, going for the closest target with metal - Wayland! An antenna goes right for his hand, seeking the silver there!
[20:08] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 11." [1d20=3]
[20:08] <@Kotono> OOC: Touch AC?
[20:10] <Wayland> OOC: 19
[20:11] <@Kotono> With airy agility Wayland leaps onto the air, a twirl in the air before he lands properly adjusted on the ground! The antenna misses, evaded! OOC: RN3.
[20:11] <@Kotono> The third one creeps ahead down the hall, going past Wayland in it's hurry! OOC: It'll provoke an AoO, it's going for a bigger score.
[20:12] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8 AoO
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 AoO and gets 22." [1d20=14]
[20:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:12] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 13." [1d8=4][1d6=6]
[20:12] <@Kotono> OOC: Refresh me, what do your strikes count as to bypass DR?
[20:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay you have ki strike, nevermind.
[20:14] <@Kotono> As it zips by Wayland lashes out, an open palmed blow into the side of the beast! Much of it's side is lined with cracks, steaming blood leaking! Despite the solid hit it continues on, going for Branna's sword!
[20:14] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[20:14] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8 magic weapons get a save.
[20:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 magic weapons get a save. and gets 10." [1d20=2]
[20:15] <@Kotono> roll 1d6 fire damage and he needs a second reflex save for the burn
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 fire damage and he needs a second reflex save for the burn and gets 1." [1d6=1]
[20:15] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 28." [1d20=20]
[20:15] <@Kotono> OOC: Mocking Hatbot.
[20:16] <@Kotono> Branna is a few seconds too slow, the antenna wrapping around Frozen Oath! For a moment it gently pulses with white, before the blade rusts up! Cracks run up and down the magical sword, before it crumbles into worthless metal waste! "FUCK!" Branna swears, jerking his burnt hand back! OOC: Noel.
[20:17] * Merc is now known as Merc-school
[20:17] <@Kotono> Noel hesitates a moment, "I thought we were falling back!"
[20:18] <Wayland> "Little late for that now!"
[20:19] <@Kotono> "Fuck it!" Noel grumps, grabbing his sap and taking a charge at the third rust monster, feasting on the leftovers of Frozen Oath!
[20:19] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 (+2 charge)
[20:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 (+2 charge) and gets 20." [1d20=10]
[20:19] <@Kotono> But by a bare inch he can't connect, the beast pushing him back with a dangerous flick of it's antenna! OOC: Spinagon is out of sight. Rubri'Granit.
[20:21] <@Kotono> "Beasts of Elysium, come forth!" Rubri'Granit demands, finishing his spell!
[20:21] <@Kotono> roll 1d3
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3 and gets 3." [1d3=3]
[20:21] <@Kotono> Appearing behind the lines are three great bison, glowing golden! They let forth a moo as one, before charging the second rust monster's flank!
[20:24] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14)>RN1(10)>RN3(7)'
[20:24] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 smite bison 1
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 smite bison 1 and gets 15." [1d20=5]
[20:24] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 smite bison 2
[20:24] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+10 smite bison 3
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 smite bison 2 and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[20:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 smite bison 3 and gets 18." [1d20=8]

[Corwin]

[20:33] <Kolunch> The three bison charge in unison, yet each one is stopped cold in defense! The Rust Nightmare jukes to the side, antenne wranging a set of horns away! The second Rust Nightmare meanwhile turns as it gluts on Branna's chain shirt, deciding a followup order is called for and going for Noel's chain shirt!
[20:33] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+8
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 and gets 27." [1d20=19]
[20:33] <Kolunch> roll 1d6 fire and ref for Noel
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d6 fire and ref for Noel and gets 1." [1d6=1]
[20:34] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+7
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[20:34] * Kolunch changes topic to 'Noel(26; on fucking fire)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14)>RN1(10)>RN3(7)'
[20:34] <Kolunch> Noel is hit right int he chest! His chain shirt rusts away into ruin, his clothes catching aflame! "Fuuuuck! Shit!" He screams, patting at his chest desperately! OOC: Janson.
[20:36] <Janson> "Hello? Hello?" Janson says seemingly out of the blue, staring into nothing. He then mutters a curse and quickly shakes his head, firing a negligent eldritch blast into the thronging Rust Nightmares! "I think those devils can pretend to be someone else when they talk in your head, I thought I heard Josa just now."
[20:36] <Janson> roll 1d20+2 boo crowded melee
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 boo crowded melee and gets 3." [1d20=1]
[20:37] <Wayland> "Josa? Really?" Wayland wonders. "That would be welcome right now."
[20:38] <Kolunch> Janson fires from his safe perch, but misses and hits the ground instead! A small spray of rocks go all over! OOC: Branna'n'Wayland, go.
[20:42] * Wayland throws a quick series of strikes at the creature that tried to munch his gloves!
[20:42] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[20:42] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 and gets 17." [1d20=10]
[20:43] <Kolunch> Branna draws his sap like lightning, going to brain the second Rust Nightmare! Meanwhile Wayland sends a flurry out, but the beast is too fast, and the blow that does hit recoils off it's iron-hard skin!
[20:43] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+8
[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 and gets 22." [1d20=14]
[20:44] <Kolunch> roll 1d6+2+2d6
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d6+2+2d6 and gets 17." [1d6=6][2d6=3, 6]
[20:45] <Kolunch> With graceful and careful aim Branna clubs the beast upside the head! It wobbles in place, it's antenna thrashing as it takes a near-braining blow! Meanwhile the first one tries again, trying to get Wayland's gloves and set him ablaze!
[20:45] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+8 touch AC?
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 touch AC? and gets 14." [1d20=6]
[20:46] <Kolunch> But Wayland blurs, there and not there at the same time! All that the antenna hit is an afterimage! The third Rust Nightmare looks about, homing in on WAyland and going for his gloves as well!
[20:46] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+8
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 and gets 24." [1d20=16]
[20:47] <Wayland> OOC: 19
[20:47] <Kolunch> roll 1d6 fire damage and make a reflex save.
[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d6 fire damage and make a reflex save. and gets 2." [1d6=2]
[20:48] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 and gets 13." [1d20=5]
[20:49] <Kolunch> As Wayland recovers from his fast move, the other one's antenna are on him! They wrap around his glove, shiny silver turning to corroded waste! His hand and arm are burnt, fire spreading up! His clothes catch ablaze, he's on fire! OOC: You're on fire, you may want to do something about that next turn. Noel's up an in the same boat.
[20:49] * Kolunch changes topic to 'Noel(26; on fucking fire)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14; on fucking fire)>RN1(10)>RN3(7)'
[20:50] <Kolunch> With either common sense or cowardace Noel screams! He pats down his clothes, throwing himself down to roll and put out the flames! OOC:Spinagon's up and out of sight. Bison'n'dwarf.
[20:51] <Kolunch> With a dire curse in Dwarven, Rubri'Granit looks about, "Hell conspires against us to send such abominations," he growls low in his throat, "But nothing will defeat a dwarf and his allies beneath the soil! Moradin, hear my prayer!" OOC: PRayer on everyone. Bison are up. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/prayer.htm
[20:51] <Kolunch> The three bison press, trying to overwhelm the second Rust Nightmare with a pure flurry of hooves and horns!
[20:52] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+9 (+1 prayer)
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+9 (+1 prayer) and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[20:52] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+9 (+1 prayer)
[20:52] <Kolunch> roll 1d20+9 (+1 prayer)
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+9 (+1 prayer) and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+9 (+1 prayer) and gets 12." [1d20=3]
[20:52] * Kolunch is now known as Kotono
[20:53] * Wayland quickly starts to pat himself out!
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Noel reflex, +4 for rolling
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Noel reflex, +4 for rolling and gets 14." [1d20=3]
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 1d6 fire damage to Noel and his clothes, fail.
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 fire damage to Noel and his clothes, fail. and gets 1." [1d6=1]
[20:56] <Kotono> Meanwhile Noel continues to burn, the fires not going out!
[20:57] <Kotono> The bison strike as one...and as one they all somehow miss! As this happens, the second nightmare turns about, antenna at Wayland!
[20:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8 just trying to burn you now.
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 just trying to burn you now. and gets 23." [1d20=15]
[20:57] <Kotono> roll 1d6 fire, rest is irrelevant since you're already ablaze
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 fire, rest is irrelevant since you're already ablaze and gets 2." [1d6=2]
[20:57] <Kotono> WAyland's other arm gets touched, burns spreading up and down it from the flaming, rusting contact! OOC: Janson, also forgot the -1 on it's roll. Oh well, still hits.
[20:59] <Janson> "I wish they'd hold still a minute..." Janson grumbles bitterly, retreating away from the melee and firing a blast at the monster that sated itself on Frozen Oath!
[20:59] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 and gets 15." [1d20=13]
[20:59] * Wayland curses and flinches back from the antennae.
[20:59] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[21:00] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 3d6+4d6 and gets 17." [3d6=3, 4, 3][4d6=2, 1, 2, 2]
[21:00] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26; on fucking fire)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14; on fucking fire)>RN1(10)>'
[21:01] <Kotono> Janson positions just right, firing a blast off! It catches the nightmare right in the center of it's head, going straight onthrough! IT crumples to the ground, limp and with it's brains leaking out! OOC: Branna'n'Wayland, go.
[21:01] <Kotono> Still on the second one and swearing up a storm, "You worthless fucking bug, that sword was one of a kind!" His sap comes down, "That's the most money I've ever held in my hadn and you fucking ATE it!"
[21:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 15." [1d20=6]
[21:02] <Kotono> But this time Branna's anger clouds his blows, the rust nightmare nimbly evading to the side! OOC: Wayland. You're still on fire, feel free to try and put it out and make that ref save.
[21:03] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8 reflex
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 reflex and gets 11." [1d20=3]
[21:04] <Kotono> roll 1d6 continued fire damage since man.
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 continued fire damage since man. and gets 1." [1d6=1]
[21:04] <Kotono> Wayland desperately tries to put out the fires across his body, but they burn with more passion and anger! They refuse to go out, spreading and charring his clothes! OOC: RN1.
[21:04] <Kotono> The first rust nightmare continues it's assault on Wayland!
[21:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d6 fre
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 fre and gets 5." [1d6=5]
[21:05] <Kotono> Wayland gets another up close and personal touch, his midsection burning up! The touch is like liquid agony, flames all over his body now! OOC: Noel.
[21:05] <Kotono> Noel continues to try and put out the flames on him, screaming!
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+1 prayer)
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 (+1 prayer) and gets 19." [1d20=7]
[21:06] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>RN2(18)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14; on fucking fire)>RN1(10)>'
[21:06] <Kotono> Rolling about Noel is able to put out the flames, his clothing damaged but not entirely incinerated! Barely. OOC: Spinagon is still gone. Bison roll call.
[21:06] <Kotono> The three bison continue to press the assault on the second rust nightmare, mooing shamefully!
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 10." [1d20=1]
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 18." [1d20=9]
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 24." [1d20=15]
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d8+10
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+10 and gets 16." [1d8=6]
[21:07] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14; on fucking fire)>RN1(10)>'
[21:07] <Kotono> At last one of the rust nightmares catches a horn in the back! It goes down in a heap, leaving just one fighting! Rubri'Granit holds for the moment, as...OOC: Janson.
[21:09] * Janson moves back into the fray! Or safely above the fray, which is as much as he is willing to commit, and fires a ball of orange light down at the last intact nightmare!
[21:09] <Janson> roll 1d20+3 forgot prayer last time
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+3 forgot prayer last time and gets 5." [1d20=2]
[21:10] <Kotono> Janson angles well and aims, but his hand slips! His blast goes to the side, buzzing by Wayland's head by a millimeter! It eventually ends up hitting th ewall, doing little damage! OOC: Branna'n'Wayland.
[21:11] <Janson> "Oops!" Janson flinches. Well, Wayland probably didn't even notice, being more occupied by being on fire...?
[21:11] <Kotono> Branna turns, desperately gunning for the last one!
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 18." [1d20=9]
[21:12] <Kotono> But he can't land a decisive blow, slipping past the others as he misses and hits only air!
[21:12] * Wayland rolls backward along the ground, attempting to put out the fire! OOC: Tumbling backward to avoid AoO and attempting to smother at the same time
[21:12] <Kotono> OOC: Sure, go fo rit.
[21:12] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+6 and gets 26." [1d20=20]
[21:13] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8 reflex
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 reflex and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[21:13] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(26)>Spinagon(21)>Celestial Bisonsx3=Rubri'Granit(19)>Janson(16)>Branna=Wayland(14)>RN1(10)>'
[21:17] <Kotono> Rolling back Wayland smothers the flames, sparing his scorched clothes and blistered body any more pain! The first rust monster turns, taking a swing at Branna!
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19." [1d20=11]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d6 and ref
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and ref and gets 1." [1d6=1]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 20." [1d20=11]
[21:18] <Kotono> Branna gets grazed across the arm! It's a painful fire-welt but nothing more! At this Noel shudders and takes his sap, charging the last one in a desperate, half burned daze!
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 (+2 charge, +1 prayer)
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 (+2 charge, +1 prayer) and gets 20." [1d20=9]
[21:19] <Kotono> But he can't quite connect, hitting it's side where the sap simply rolls off! OOC: Bison.
[21:19] <Kotono> As one the three bison charge, trying to surround and eliminate the last one!
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 24." [1d20=15]
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 22." [1d20=13]
[21:20] <Kotono> roll 2d8+20
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+20 and gets 27." [2d8=6, 1]
[21:20] <Kotono> Under that divine mooing assault, the last one is trampled into a mangled corpse! OOC: Free act.
[21:21] * Janson scrambles back down onto the ground. "I doubt we'd get any water from those things," he sighs, toeing one of the fiery rusting corpses.
[21:22] <Kotono> Branna shudders and falls to one knee, huffing for air, "Just fire." He hits the ground with a hand.
[21:22] * Wayland pats himself down quickly, checking for flames.
[21:23] <Kotono> "Indeed not," Rubri'Granit growls, "The first plan was a sound one. Engaging them was a mistake," he observes, the bison vanishing as he waves a hand. Meanwhile Wayland finds no more flames on his body, just burns.
[21:24] <Janson> "We're probably better off without that little bastard, Spiny, but I think from here on out we should try and proceed with some stealth. If we have to fight something it's better to do it from surprise, but considering we don't have any healing, it's best if we can sneak around any nightmares or marauders," Janson suggests. "None of us have heavy armour... or much armour at all by now," he
[21:24] <Janson> concludes with a look at the rust fragments that were once chain shirts.
[21:29] <Kotono> "Msot of us are pretty damn good at sneaking, 'least," Noel grumbles, "So now what? Keep on going and be quiet about it?"
[21:30] * Wayland nods. "Good idea, Janson."
[21:31] <Janson> "Figure that's the best thing. We'll just keep following the caves up, we're bound to reach the surface sooner or later... preferably sooner, considering the water issue," Janson nods. "Anyway, yeah, lets shut up and try to be quiet and unseen as we go from now on." With that he zips his mouth shut and continues onwards, staying close to the cavern wall in hopes of employing cover if anything gets close enough to see without having already heard them.
[21:37] <Kotono> Janson goes 'round the corner. No sign of the spinagon or anything else, just more angry red rocks and a path to follow.
[21:37] <Janson> Good riddance, Janson isn't about to go looking for the little ratbag. He'll keep following the passage, and in the event of branches follow whichever one seems to be going upwards.
[21:40] <Kotono> Two hours of this pass. Your water goes, goes and is just about go ne. You're still thirsty as you continue onward, the passages elegant patterns and yet endless knots. You gradually go upward all you can, trying to go and go and go.  (More)
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 31." [1d20=16]
[21:41] <Kotono> OOC: Branna and Janson, make hide checks? The others can't beat that.
[21:41] <Janson> roll 1d20+12
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18." [1d20=6]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 30." [1d20=19]
[21:42] <Wayland> roll 1d20+5
[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23." [1d20=18]
[21:43] <Kotono> You come to a three way intersection. Several boulders dot about the large place, the ceiling rising fourty feet up in a natural dome. Stalagmites hang from the ceiling and raise from the ground, like angry fangs. As you look about, a rasping, soft voice whispers from the shadows, "Need a friend?"
[21:45] <Janson> Talking is better than rampaging around eating swords and armour, so Janson decides it's worth taking a chance - with the way this place saps at their bodies they'll die of thirst before the end of tomorrow, and there hasn't been any sign of usable moisture in their travels. He looks around the shadows for the source of the voice... since shadows don't exist within 60 feet for him anyway.
[21:46] <Janson> roll 1d20+9 spot if needed
[21:46] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 spot if needed and gets 28." [1d20=19]
[21:48] <Kotono> It leans against a stalagmite, it's body wrapped in chains. Dozens of chains, of varying lengths and thickness. A cloak of silent chains hangs from it's back, reaching down to it's feet. It's entire body is hidden save for af ew strips of flesh. Each strip shows tattoos beneath, images glimpsed. Images that make Janson feels strangely sleepy, almost like closing his eyes. In fact, the
[21:48] <Kotono> creature's eyes are shut, as if it is in it's own deep, dreaming reverie. "I can help you and save you from dehydration. You won't last long here otherwise."
[21:50] <Janson> "We mostly want to get out of here, but we'll take what we can get," Janson steps out openly towards the chained figure, blinking to try and avoid drowsing which could prove fatal down here.
[21:50] <Kotono> "The fuck?" Noel says, looking about and following Janson's gaze
[21:50] <Kotono> .
[21:51] * Wayland looks at JAnson incredulously. "Do you trust everything here?"
[21:52] <Kotono> "I extend an invitation from my master." He reaches into his chains, withdrawing a heavy waterskin. You can hear the sloshing of fluid within, calling to your parched throats. "My master would be honored to entertain you within his domain. He can help you return to whence you came."
[21:53] * Janson palms the side of his head, not wanting to cover his face and risk being stabbed for his inattention. "Consider our situation for a minute, will you?" he sighs. "I don't know about genasi, but humans need water. We'll be dead by the end of tomorrow unless we either find safe water or a way out of hell... that doesn't put us in a desert."
[21:54] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-24-28-0-36.austin.res.rr.com) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:55] <Kotono> "Water, food, rest and protection are all within my master's realm," The creature continues to speak, his voice becoming peaceful. Drowsing. Mmmm. You feel as if you could close your eyes and dream, dream away into visions of..."This waterskin is a friendly gesture from my master," He tosses it towards Janson.
[21:56] * Janson reflexively catches it, turning partially back to Rubri'grant, "Don't suppose you know a way to test for Styx water, do you? Besides the obvious, I mean."
[21:57] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit blinks and rubs his eyes clear, "No, if it's not black..." he says, "An opportunist, with treasure and words of comfort...ugh." he shakes his head back and forth.
[21:58] * Janson decides to risk it, uncapping the skin and taking a sip...
[22:00] <Kotono> Cold. Cold water. It's the best sip of water Janson's ever had! It soothes his throat, like an icy balm!
[22:01] * Janson smacks his lips and thinks a moment. "Don't think I've forgotten anything... but if I forgot it would I even remember knowing it to realise I'd forgotten?" he seems quite stumped by this conundrum all of a sudden.
[22:01] <Wayland> "Where are you from?"
[22:02] <Kotono> "I am from the realm of dreams," The chained creature relies in it's soothing, lulling voice. "My master is the lord of dreams."
[22:04] <Wayland> "Not you!"
[22:04] <Janson> "The Dark Dreamer? I thought we were going away from that direction," Janson puts aside his wonderings, handing the water to Rubri'grant if he wants to risk it. "So okay, your master can get us out of here, what's he want in return? Some demon rats in his basement need killing or what?"
[22:05] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit shakes his head, passing the water back. "Ah, you know of my master." The creature's voice rises slightly, "The Dark Dreamer enjoys mortal company and mortal dreams. He demands no service of you."
[22:06] <Janson> The water is then held over for Wayland's goons to try if they feel adventurous. "Sounds kind of sordid... and besides, we already figured we'd take our chances with the marauders instead. What do you guys think?"
[22:07] <Kotono> Noel doesn't hesitate, taking a long drink. He smiles after, passing it to Branna, who hesitates and looks to Wayland. "Boss?" he murmurs, questioningly.
[22:08] * Wayland frowns.
[22:08] <Kotono> Softly, "Lies and bullshit," Rubri'Granit murmurs back, "The question is, do we risk this arch devil or do we risk Avernus?"
[22:08] <Kotono> Branna refrains then, passing the water back to Janson.
[22:08] <Wayland> "I'm...not sure. We did agree to give the Marauders a try, but this thing may be telling the truth."
[22:09] <Janson> "Well," Janson takes a deep breath. "Here's what I figure. We go down to the Dark Dreamer, he makes nice and tells us we'll go home, then we have a lovely dream of being home and everything being fantastic, while we sleep in his realm and whither into dust and he eats our souls." He then shrugs. "It's just a theory, but I mean, c'mon. Think about it."
[22:10] <Wayland> "That's more terrifying than what I was thinking, but yes."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Quite likely," Rubri'Granit agrees after a little bit of thought, "Moradin's shield and Alicia's blade, our options are tainted. I say we stand or fall on our own merits, and not that or a diabolical patron."
[22:16] <Janson> "Yeah, probably the best thing. I mean, the other option is he keeps us around for a little while in the throes of hellish nightmares before dumping us back home as empty shattered husks of the people we once were. He's not the Happy Dreamer after all." He gives the chain devil an apologetic look, "Sorry, but we'll take our chances. Thanks for thinking of us, though!"
[22:18] <Kotono> "A pity...and a pity I must quench your dreams and hopes here." The chains of the devil's body begin to crackle about, becoming sharp, edged horrors! OOC: Init, it's not going to just let you walk away.
[22:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[22:18] <Janson> roll 1d20+4 you dick!
[22:18] <Kotono> OOC: Rei-chan us?
[22:18] * Rei-chan (~mars@95.146.2.19) has joined #evildunes
[22:19] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+4 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{19}
[22:19] <Kotono> OOC: For reference he's about 30ft away from the party. There's al otta stalagmites and such around for cover.
[22:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{21}
[22:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Noel
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7 Noel --> [ 1d20=18 ]{25}
[22:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Branna
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+7 Branna --> [ 1d20=18 ]{25}
[22:19] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3
[22:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Rubri'granit
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+3 --> [ 1d20=1 ]{4}
[22:19] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+2 Rubri'granit --> [ 1d20=17 ]{19}
[22:20] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel=Branna(25)>Chained Devil(21)>Rubri'Granit=Janson(19)>MikoMikoWayland(4)'
[22:20] <Kotono> "Boss," Branna asks quickly, "Goa nd hit it or what?"
[22:22] <Wayland> "Uh, yeah. Hit it until it stops moving." Wayland nods.
[22:22] <Kotono> "Right!" As one the two move, going to pounce on it!
[22:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Noel charge
[22:22] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 Noel charge --> [ 1d20=2 ]{12}
[22:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Branna charge
[22:22] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+10 Branna charge --> [ 1d20=15 ]{25}
[22:22] <Kotono> roll 1d6+2+2d6-5
[22:22] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d6+2+2d6-5 --> [ 1d6=1 2d6=7 ]{5}
[22:23] <Kotono> Noel is swift and able to charge in, Branna doing the same! While Noel slips and misses, Branna manages a light blow across the creature's shoulder! In retort it's chains dance, going to tear and rip into him, growing longer and longer!
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:23] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{31}
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:23] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{26}
[22:24] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{22}
[22:24] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{28}
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3
[22:25] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3 --> [ 2d4=6 2d4=3 2d4=3 2d4=6 ]{30}
[22:26] <Kotono> The chains work a grisly dance, ripping into Branna! He manages a gurgling cry as his throat is torn away, his body going limp as flesh flies freely! Blood flows like a waterfall as he goes limp, collapsing to the ground wiht a heavy, final thump! Meanwhile...
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 will Noel
[22:26] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+2 will Noel --> [ 1d20=4 ]{6}
[22:26] <Wayland> "Branna!" Wayland cries!
[22:27] <Kotono> Noel stares not at Branna but that creatur'es face! His color drains, before he screams at the top of his lungs! OOC: -2 to attacks for 1d3 rounds for him. Rubri and Janson are up.
[22:27] <Kotono> roll 1d3
[22:27] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d3 --> [ 1d3=2 ]{2}
[22:27] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(-2 attacks)(25)>Chained Devil(21)>Rubri'Granit=Janson(19)>MikoMikoWayland(4)'
[22:28] <Janson> "Jannath... you bastard!" Janson hurls an eldritch blast across the distance between him and the devil before scrambling up the nearest tall stalagmite to hopefully be out of chain reach. "We didn't do anything to you!"
[22:28] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[22:28] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{17}
[22:28] <Kotono> OOC: Hit, SR check. EB triggers that, I think?
[22:29] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 forgot about that
[22:29] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+5 forgot about that --> [ 1d20=16 ]{21}
[22:29] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[22:29] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 3d6+4d6 --> [ 3d6=6 4d6=12 ]{18}
[22:31] <Kotono> The eldritch blast fires quick and hard, slamming right into the stomach of the chained devil! It pitches back with it, coughing up black gunk! Meanwhile Rubri'Granit's face turns serenely angry, going to touch Wayland's shoulder! OOC: Bear's Endurance, +4 enhancement to con. Go Wayland.
[22:34] <Wayland> Feeling a massive surge of energy, Wayland goes to deliver a powerful series of blows the the chain-wielding monster!
[22:34] <Kotono> OOC: You'll need a tumble to avoid AoO times.
[22:34] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[22:34] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{20}
[22:34] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7
[22:34] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+7 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{13}
[22:36] <Wayland> OOC: Strike that
[22:37] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6 tumble
[22:37] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+6 tumble --> [ 1d20=16 ]{22}
[22:37] <Kotono> OOC: Success and you hit him. Damage.
[22:38] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[22:38] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d8+3+1d6 --> [ 1d8=4 1d6=2 ]{9}
[22:39] <Kotono> Wayland charges in and dodges a lashing chain, slamming the devil in the face! It's a hard blow, one that struggles to crack it's hardened skin! But it does draw blood, his knuckles hurting from it! At this...OOC: You're in it's gaze attack now. Will save.
[22:39] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(-2 attacks; 2 rounds)(25)>Chained Devil(21)>Rubri'Granit=Janson(19)>MikoMikoWayland(4)'
[22:51] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 will
[22:51] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+7 will --> [ 1d20=10 ]{17}
[22:52] <Kotono> For a few moments Wayland can swear he sees images in the devil's face, familiar ones...but they pass! At the same time Noel screams incoherently, desperately striking out!
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 (-2 gaze)
[22:52] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+6 (-2 gaze) --> [ 1d20=7 ]{13}
[22:52] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel(-2 attacks; 1 rounds)(25)>Chained Devil(21)>Rubri'Granit=Janson(19)>MikoMikoWayland(4)'
[22:52] <Kotono> But his blows are wild and desperate, not a single one connecting for a true strike! OOC: Chained Devil is up.
[22:53] <Kotono> The chained devil ignores Noel's feeble attacks, turning his attention to Wayland! He seems to dream away, despite the pain, "Say goodbye to your dreams, hopes and awareness. The black tides of eternity will wash it all away...!"
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him
[22:53] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him --> [ 1d20=6 ]{18}
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him
[22:53] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him --> [ 1d20=6 ]{18}
[22:53] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him --> [ 1d20=11 ]{23}
[22:53] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 All on Wayland, he hit him --> [ 1d20=19 ]{31}
[22:53] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[22:53] <Wayland> OOC 19
[22:54] <Kotono> roll 2d4+3+2d4+3
[22:54] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d4+3+2d4+3 --> [ 2d4=5 2d4=7 ]{18}
[22:54] * Andria is now known as Merc-school
[22:54] <Kotono> Chains flail and whip Wayland all over, opening up half a dozen bloody gashes and bruised welts! He manages to dodge some strokes, enduring with a deep, painful wince! OOC: Rubri'Granit and Janson. Go Janson.
[22:55] * Janson scampers back down the stalagmite, putting momentum behind him and getting a better shot lined up as he hurls another eldritch blast into the fray!
[22:55] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[22:55] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=11 ]{13}
[22:56] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 sr if hits
[22:56] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+5 sr if hits --> [ 1d20=8 ]{13}
[22:57] <Kotono> Janson is quicka nd fires, but the beam splits apart around the devil, wasting away into nothingness! Rubri'Granit scowls, "Get back here, I can help you," He cries to Wayland, "Before it's too late!" OOC: Wayland, go.
[22:59] <Wayland> Not needing to be told twice, Wayland flips backward and away from the devil!
[22:59] <Wayland> roll 1d20++ tumble
[22:59] <Kotono> OOC: Tumble to avoid AoO.
[22:59] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20++ tumble --> error: malformed expression
[23:00] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6 tumble
[23:00] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+6 tumble --> [ 1d20=20 ]{26}
[23:01] <Kotono> Once he reaches back safely, dodging chains, "Oh Moradin! Hear me and restore the lost flesh! Knit the bone, restore what is right!" He calls, his hand exploding into a burst of golden warmth as it touches Wayland's back! Immediately his wounds reverse, vitality coming back to his body! Even his thrist is gone for the moment! Under his breath, "Make it count, that was by far the strongest
[23:01] <Kotono> spell I had left," he whispers to Wayland! OOC: Heal, HP and status restored.  Noel's up.
[23:01] <Kotono> Noel continues to blindly fight, screaming at the top of his lungs!
[23:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[23:01] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+6 --> [ 1d20=7 ]{13}
[23:01] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel((25)>Chained Devil(21)>Rubri'Granit=Janson(19)>MikoMikoWayland(4)'
[23:02] <Kotono> But again Noel can't hit anything! Instead the chained devil turns on him, letting his deadly chains say all that needs to be said!
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[23:02] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{17}
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[23:02] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{16}
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[23:02] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{25}
[23:02] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+12 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{24}
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3
[23:02] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3+2d4+3 --> [ 2d4=6 2d4=8 2d4=2 2d4=5 ]{33}
[23:03] <Kotono> Noel is flayed, his chest and shirt mostly gone! He bleeds massively, screams growing louder as the chain devil does it's grisly work! Yet somehow he seems to resist the siren call of oblivion, no matter how greviously he bleeds! OOC: Janson, go.
[23:03] <Janson> "Noel, run! You can't do any good there!" Janson yells. Besides, it'll give him a clear shot!
[23:03] * Kotono changes topic to 'Noel((25)>Chained Devil(21)>Janson(19)>MikoMikoWayland=Rubri'Granit(4)'
[23:03] <Janson> With nothing for it, he fires nonetheless and flees up the same stalagmite as before!
[23:03] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[23:03] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{22}
[23:03] <Janson> roll 1d20+2 crit check
[23:03] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+2 crit check --> [ 1d20=2 ]{4}
[23:03] <Janson> roll 1d20+5 sr
[23:03] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 1d20+5 sr --> [ 1d20=20 ]{25}
[23:04] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[23:04] <Kotono> OOC: Normal hit. Hatbot.
[23:04] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 3d6+4d6 --> [ 3d6=4 4d6=12 ]{16}
[23:04] <Kotono> Firing again, Janson catches the chain devil right in the throat! It gasps as it's windpipe is half crushed, staggering mightily with the blow! OOC: Wayland, go.
[23:07] <Wayland> Having been healed, Wayland charges back into the fray!
[23:07] <Kotono> OOC: Tumble to avoid AoO.
[23:07] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8+2 chargingggggg
[23:07] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+8+2 chargingggggg --> [ 1d20=20 ]{30}
[23:07] <Wayland> roll 1d20+10 confirm
[23:07] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+10 confirm --> [ 1d20=13 ]{23}
[23:07] <Kotono> OOC: That be a crit.
[23:07] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6  tumble
[23:07] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 1d20+6 tumble --> [ 1d20=15 ]{21}
[23:08] <Kotono> OOC: Damage.
[23:08] <Wayland> roll 2d8+6+2d6
[23:08] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 2d8+6+2d6 --> [ 2d8=5 2d6=7 ]{18}
[23:08] <Kotono> OOC: Extra damage dice like from lightning don't multiply on a crit, remember.
[23:08] <Wayland> roll 2d8+6+1d6
[23:08] <Rei-chan> Wayland rolled : 2d8+6+1d6 --> [ 2d8=11 1d6=5 ]{22}
[23:08] <Wayland> OOC: OKAY!
[23:09] <Kotono> The chain devil wobbles on it's feet with the blow, before falling back! It collapses, down and dazed! It tries to stir, but in vain! OOC: Free act.
[23:09] * Janson clambers back down and seeing fitful attempts of stirring drills another eldritch blast into the back of its head!
[23:10] <Janson> roll 3d6+4d6
[23:10] <Rei-chan> Janson rolled : 3d6+4d6 --> [ 3d6=11 4d6=14 ]{25}
[23:10] <Kotono> The blast blows out much of it's brains, but it continues to struggle! It's feebler now but it seems to live, slowly and oh so slowly reforming!
[23:11] <Janson> "It's like a troll..." Janson frowns in disgust, but he recalls a method for dealing with such when fire and acid are unavailable. Grabbing the chained form, he sits it up against a stalagmite and tips the head back. Then He places the 'gifted' waterskin in the devil's mouth to drain down the throat and hopefully drown it before it can regenerate the means to move.
[23:13] <Kotono> Holding it down and choking it takes some time! At first it struggles and struggles...until it slackens, lessens and stops. It's body melts away into the ground, leaving behind four bloodied chains, another two waterskins and it's cloak of chains.
[23:13] <Kotono> Meanwhile Rubri'Granit goes to Noel and lessens his screams, intoning for mercy from Moradin!
[23:13] <Kotono> roll 1d8+5 healing
[23:13] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d8+5 healing --> [ 1d8=2 ]{7}
[23:14] <Janson> "Those chains might work as weapons to make up for what the rust nightmares did... and for you since you haven't any at all, Rubri'granit." Janson has a pale and hollow look, trying to avoid staring at Branna's corpse. "We should... try and scavenge everything we can and move on. We can't afford to stick around here."
[23:15] * Wayland looks down sadly at Branna's corpse.
[23:16] <Wayland> "If this really is Hell, then we can't just leave Branna here without doing something. His soul could be stuck here forever, and I don't think he deserves that."
[23:16] <Kotono> Noel's body manages to partially reform from the healing. As it does...you see a ghostly hand! It rises up from the ground besides Branna! From far away you hear a scream of utter agony, and one word amid it, "HELP!"
[23:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Rubri'Granit K:R for next time
[23:18] <Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+15 Rubri'Granit K:R for next time --> [ 1d20=8 ]{23}
[23:20] <Wayland> "No way!" Wayland lunges at the hand!

[Corwin]

[19:44] <Kotono> "Baator is trying to steal his soul!" Rubri'Granit exclaims, all whilst Wayland lunges! Branna's ghostly hand is mostly not there, only a faint solidness amid airy nothingness. "Quickly, all of you, don't let them drag him down! Moradin, hear this prayer," he chants!
[19:45] * Wayland grasps anyhow!
[19:46] <Janson> Janson has no clue how this works, but decides to trust the crazy dwarf and hope it's not a life-sucking ghost instead, lunging over alongside Wayland to try and grab the spectral limb!
[19:48] <Kotono> Noel follows suit, pulling Branna up! A ghostly body slowly emerges up to it's legs, diabolical hands sprouting up to grasp his ankles and attempt to pull him back down! As this happens Rubri'Granit chants, calling on the Dwarf-father! OOC: Str check.Two of you assist whoever has the highest score, those two aret reated as aiding another.
[19:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 aiding another on Wayland's str check.
[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 aiding another on Wayland's str check. and gets 6." [1d20=4]
[19:49] <Janson> roll 1d20+1 aiding
[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+1 aiding and gets 19." [1d20=18]
[19:49] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3 str
[19:49] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+3 str and gets 15." [1d20=12]
[19:51] <Kotono> It's a desperate tug o' war! The two sides go at it, Branna's soul screaming! With all the might in his body Wayland focuses as Janson yanks up! It's just enough, the devil-hands slipping away! For a moment the image of Branna glows brighter, before it peacefully fades away. "...thanks, boss..." Is heard, fading away with the rest of him.
[19:52] * Janson falls back onto his rear as the spectre fades. "Damn... well..." he glances at the mangled corpse, "We know he's in a better place than we are now, I guess."
[19:53] <Wayland> "Yeah." Wayland says, wide-eyed. He shakes himself quickly. "We've got to get out of here as quickly as possible, I think."
[19:53] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit takes a long breath, "Where ever his soul is bound to go, it will go there and not be bound in this infernal realm." Wiping his brow clean, "We can't die here, or we'll regret it forever." He goes over and nudges the two waterskins that fell from the chain devil, "Water, hopefully. Do we have any use for the leftover chains or that chain cloak?"
[19:54] * Wayland quickly strips the remains of the chain-wielding devil. "Maybe. We should take everything we can, just in case it's helpful later. I don't trust this place."
[19:55] * Janson grabs the remaining water. "Chains can work as a weapon if nothing else is around," he suggests, given that Rubri'Granit lacks one. "This water'll stretch us out another day... maybe two," he amends, factoring in that Branna won't be drinking anymore.
[19:56] <Kotono> Noel goes besides Branna's earthly remains, bowing his head a moment before taking his sap and checking his pockets. "I'm taking his sap as a backup," he says, "Anyone want his money? He has a bunch of marks on him."
[19:57] <Wayland> "He won't be needing it anymore, Noel. Go ahead and hold onto it for him." Wayland nods.
[19:59] <Kotono> Noel does that, the party preparing! "So which way now? Just guess?"
[19:59] <Janson> "Same as before, keep going up," Janson replies as if nothing has changed, trusting his instincts and sense of direction to choose the best path whenever options are presented.
[20:00] <Wayland> "This place has layers, right? If we go up high enough, we'll wind up in, what, heaven?"
[20:01] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit shakes his head, "No. We're on the uppermost layer of Baator as it is. The Heavens are their own planes," Rubri'Granit says, "In short, we need to find a portal or a tuning fork so I can cast plane shift."
[20:01] <Janson> "I doubt getting from hell to heaven is as easy as walking, but we're more likely to find a way out on the surface, or at least sustenance."
[20:02] <Wayland> "Oh. I don't know much about planar...stuff." Wayland shakes his head.
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 36." [1d100=36]
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 3." [1d100=3]
[20:05] <Kotono> OOC: Oh yes, still traveling quietly/on the hide?
[20:06] <Wayland> OOC: Yes, I would assume so
[20:06] <Janson> OOC: yeah, hopefully the kyton was a fluke
[20:07] <Kotono> Hours pass. Hours of feverishly exploring diabolical caverns, where the heat radiates like a miasmic poison. You go through the water faster than anticipated, needing more. Despite your best efforts to ration it, one waterskin is empty and another is 3/4ths full several hours later. You wander up another gently rising and sloping passage, going up and down, up and down like a wave. OOC: Each of you make spot checks?
[20:07] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4 spot
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 spot and gets 8." [1d20=4]
[20:08] <Janson> roll 1d20+9
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Branna
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Branna and gets 7." [1d20=1]
[20:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Rubri
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Rubri and gets 24." [1d20=19]
[20:11] <Kotono> As you walk down another slope, Rubri'Granit whispers to the others, "It's behind us," he says, "Hiding to the shadows. Some sort of green canine."
[20:11] * Janson slows a little to draw alongside the dwarf, "A Marauder, sounds like. Following us?" he clarifies, whispering in case they just passed it without it noticing.
[20:12] <Kotono> "Think so," his voice is just barely audible, "Looks like a big dog, like a hunter."
[20:13] <Wayland> "Great," Wayland sighs quietly. "Does it look agressive?"
[20:13] <Wayland> "Wait, nevermind, we're in Hell. Of course it's agressive."
[20:13] <Janson> "Should attack now before its friends show up. Take positions?" Janson suggests, starting to slowly and carefully climb up the wall for a safe vantage to fire from.
[20:15] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit advances forward a bit, getting behind Noel and Wayland.
[20:18] <Kotono> Noel positions casually as well, a hand on his sap. OOC: Go ahead and position Wayland?
[20:22] * Wayland sets himself carefully, focusing himself. A shimmering field of force surrounding him briefly before fading out of visibility.
[20:24] <Kotono> At the party positioning, it emerges out! It's the size of doberman and yet bigger, body bulging with muscles! Green tinted fur grows over patches of green scale, it's mouth one big, giant, fire and acid dripping nightmare! It's eyes blaze with fiery contempt, 20 feet away and ten above you on the upper slope!  It snarls, wafts of acidic vapors erupting from it's mouth! OOC: It doesn't look
[20:24] <Kotono> friendly at all. You aren't surprised, so go into init since you took positions?
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Noel
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Noel and gets 9." [1d20=2]
[20:25] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 18." [1d20=14]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 dwarf
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 dwarf and gets 17." [1d20=15]
[20:25] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+3 and gets 22." [1d20=19]
[20:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 marauder
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 marauder and gets 16." [1d20=11]
[20:26] * Kotono changes topic to 'Wayland(22)>Janson(18)>Noel(17)>Marauder(16)>Noel(9)'
[20:26] <Kotono> OOC: Open, Wayland.
[20:29] * Wayland wastes no time, charging down at the beast!
[20:29] <Wayland> roll 1d20+6 tumble check
[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+6 tumble check and gets 26." [1d20=20]
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Carry on. Tumble wasn't needed, it lacks reach. Attack roll
[20:29] <Kotono> .
[20:30] <Wayland> OOC: then at least I made it look pretty!
[20:30] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8+2
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8+2 and gets 22." [1d20=12]
[20:30] <Kotono> OOC: That be a hit.
[20:31] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 11." [1d8=3][1d6=5]
[20:32] <Kotono> With a nimble charge Wayland pounces in, fist slamming into the spine of the hell-hound! It's hit square on by it, staggering painfully! OOC: Janson.
[20:33] <Janson> "Hello? Hello? Jannath, why do they always... oh shit," Janson mumbles distractedly and then curses when he realises Wayland's already up in the dog's face, blocking his shot. Clambering further up the cavern to cling from the ceiling, he tries his best to shoot past the genasai at the marauder!
[20:33] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 and gets 3." [1d20=1]
[20:34] <Kotono> Indeed, with the genasi in the way, all Janson can do is guess! It's a terrible guess, soaring to the side and scraping the wall instead of Marauder flesh! At this Noel charges as well, going up to take a sapping at the hound's side!
[20:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10  and gets 18." [1d20=8]
[20:35] <Kotono> But the hound is too fast for it, whirling around and back! IT roars as it's mouth opens, a horrible torrent of acid erupting out in a cone as it carefully hops back! A cone of acid erupts out over Noel and Wayland, stinking and horrible! OOC: REf you two.
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Noel
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Noel and gets 11." [1d20=4]
[20:37] <Wayland> roll 1d20+8
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+8 and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 6d8 Noel full, Wayland none thanks to evasion.
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 6d8 Noel full, Wayland none thanks to evasion. and gets 28." [6d8=2, 4, 8, 7, 3, 4]
[20:39] <Kotono> Wayland is like lightning! He leaps up faster than the eye can see, hanging to the ceiling for desperate seconds! The acid flows over where he was...while Noel isn't nearly so lucky! He's caught on the recovery, acid washing over him like water! Like dirt freed from a soiled shirt his flesh falls away, a scream dying away as his vocal cords dissolve! Blood leaks and bone can be seen, half
[20:39] <Kotono> dissolving as all of what Noel was falls into a messy, acid soaked heap! OOC: Rubri'.
[20:39] * Kotono changes topic to 'Wayland(22)>Janson(18)>Marauder(16)>Rubri'Granit(9)'
[20:40] * Janson emits a strangled scream at seeing such a grisly death occur, choking down his bile. That's no way to die.
[20:40] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit winces, holding for the moment! "Moradin," he begins to chant, "Help this soul as well, in the name of the eternal forge!" OOC: Wayland, go.
[20:42] <Wayland> "Noel! Dammit! I hate this place!" Wayland snarls, pummelling the beast!
[20:42] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 flurry
[20:42] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 flurry
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 flurry and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 flurry and gets 17." [1d20=10]
[20:44] <Kotono> Wayland's furious, desparing blows rain for naught, the hound already on the evasive! OOC: Janson.
[20:46] <Janson> Crawling along the ceiling like a spider, Janson gets closer to the melee and fires almost straight down at the green hell hound! "Die you piece of dogshit!"
[20:46] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 and gets 7." [1d20=5]
[20:48] <Kotono> Getting closwer, Janson closes in and fires off his blast! But he still can't land a solid shot, whizzing by both parties again! At this the hound snaps and steps forward, going to chomp down on Wayland's throat! It's forepaws rise, horrible claws emerging to slash at him as well!
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 bite
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 bite and gets 25." [1d20=15]
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 claw 1
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 claw 1 and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 claw 2
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 claw 2 and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[20:48] <Kotono> OOC: AC when you get back.
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d8+5+1d6 I'm pretty sure 17 misses you with inertial armor, so only the bite hits.
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+5+1d6 I'm pretty sure 17 misses you with inertial armor, so only the bite hits. and gets 15." [1d8=6][1d6=4]
[20:52] <Kotono> While Wayland is able to parry the claws, the bite gets him on the shoulder! Flesh is savagely torn away, fire bursting in the wound to char and cauterize it! Wayland ignores the agony with a growingly-familiarity with infernal pain, focusing ahead! "Blessings of Moradin," Rubri'Granit continues to chant away, "Finish it, I'm trying to save his soul!" OOC: Wayland, go.
[20:52] <Janson> "Wayland! Step back between your punches so I can get a clear shot!" Janson calls down, endlessly frustrated by having his aim stymied so pointlessly.
[20:55] <Wayland> "Alright, Janson!" Wayland slams the beast again!
[20:55] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 flurry
[20:55] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 flurry
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 flurry and gets 16." [1d20=9]
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 flurry and gets 13." [1d20=6]
[20:55] <Kotono> Slam after slam impacts around the beast, but Wayland has to step back without landing another blow! OOC: Janson, go
[20:55] <Kotono> .
[20:55] <Wayland> Having taken his shots, Wayland flips backward!
[20:57] <Janson> Gritting his teeth, Janson hurls his arm downwards to drill a bolt of orange fey energy right into the monster's head, before quickly crawling along the roof past it so it's stuck between him and Wayland and won't be able to target both with its breath weapon.
[20:57] <Janson> roll 1d20+6
[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 and gets 10." [1d20=4]
[21:00] <Kotono> Janson's haste is just a little too much, drilling the ground besides it instead! At this the Marauder matches Wayland's slight flip back, closing in to try and maim him once more!
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 bite
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 bite and gets 19." [1d20=9]
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 17." [1d20=12]
[21:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 9." [1d20=4]
[21:00] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[21:01] <Wayland> OOC: 24
[21:01] <Wayland> OOC: 23
[21:01] <Wayland> OOC: yeah
[21:02] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit continues to chant as Wayland evades, blocking the claws with shielding arms!  At this Rubri'Grnait's chants continue, a ghostly hand reaching up out of the ground besides Noel's corpse! OOC: Wayland, go.
[21:04] <Wayland> "Hey! The hand! Get the hand!" Wayland lunges back at the beast!
[21:04] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 flurry
[21:04] <Wayland> roll 1d20+7 flurry
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 flurry and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+7 flurry and gets 10." [1d20=3]
[21:16] <Kotono> OOC: One hit.
[21:16] <Wayland> roll 1d8+3+1d6
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d8+3+1d6 and gets 9." [1d8=4][1d6=2]
[21:18] <Kotono> This time Wayland is able to press his advantage and land a sharp blow to the face of the beast! Teeth crack as it shudders with the blow! Meanwhile Noel's hand desperately reaches up, an agonized scream following! OOC: Janson.
[21:19] <Janson> "Jannath, dammit!" Janson curses, giving up his shot and rather wishing he hadn't moved to flank the beast, Dropping down to the ground, he tries to absorb his landing safely and then run past the melee, going into a diving roll to avoid any snapping jaws as he beelines straight for Noel's hand in a diving skid to grab hold!
[21:20] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 tumble to treat fall 10 feet less than it is, DC 15
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 tumble to treat fall 10 feet less than it is, DC 15 and gets 18." [1d20=7]
[21:20] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 tumble to get past without provoking AoO, DC 15
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 tumble to get past without provoking AoO, DC 15 and gets 28." [1d20=17]
[21:20] <Janson> roll 1d20+1 strength check
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+1 strength check and gets 3." [1d20=2]
[21:22] <Kotono> Janson grabs a hold of the hand and pulls, but can't budge it at all! Meanwhile the snarling hellhound steps back, retreating back with a quick, wounded lope! It's over the top of the wave and out of sight, retreating! OOC: Free act, both of you.
[21:23] <Wayland> Not giving chase, Wayland rushes to help Janson!
[21:23] <Janson> "He's stuck, I need help!" Janson yells hoarsely, pushing his kneels up from under him to gain more leverage.
[21:23] <Wayland> roll 1d20+3
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+3 and gets 8." [1d20=5]
[21:23] <Kotono> OOC: You get one more str check, J anson. Go for it, good luck.
[21:24] <Janson> roll 1d20+1
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+1 and gets 16." [1d20=15]
[21:26] <Kotono> No! Noel's hand starts to slip away, but WAyland's tug gives Janson one last cahnce to flex his muscles! He feels his body scream as he throws everything he has on it! It's one desperate tug, but it's enough! Noel comes ripping out of the ground, floating for amoment, "Sorry boss...thanks..." He fades, as does his voice, leaving behind only a melted puddle of flesh, bone and acid.
[21:27] * Janson once more overbalances and falls back on his ass from the effort. But he doesn't linger, quickly scrambling upright and turning to watch the passage the monster fled down. "They know they can whittle us down one by one this way, that's why it didn't stand and fight." He turns and looks grimly at the other two, "Whichever one of us dies last won't have a chance of escaping Hell."
[21:27] * Wayland sighs. "So long, boys."
[21:28] <Wayland> "Which is why we need to get out of here right now."
[21:29] <Janson> Not sticking his hand in the pile of acid and ichor that used to be Noel to rummage for money or supplies, Janson nods, joining Rubri-Granit. "Stealth isn't really working for us, the creatures down here are too sensitive. There's no point uselessly slowing ourselves down, so we should just get moving as quick as we can so we're at least a moving target."
[21:29] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit kneels besides the ruined mess, "I know not where you go, but let it be where your deeds took you. Not where the chains of Hell claim dominion," he says, rising. "We're not going to die here. When I do die, it will be Moradin's will that I do, not the will of outcast devil trash!" He glowers, "Wayland is exactly right. We are going to march ahead, get out and survive!"
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: So going to go move along and hurry along as fast as possible?
[21:33] <Janson> OOC: well, normal walking pace. Running will presumably make us thirstier.
[21:36] <Wayland> OOC: And obviouser
[21:39] <Kotono> You wander for a time more. Water continues to be drank, only a little left now...as you come to it. An open air place, the scent of sulphur rising. You can see it - 90 feet up, a domed roof. There's a crack in the roof, showing infernal red light, different from the glowing light of the rocks! All about here is rubble and ruin, no obvious way to reach the crack above.
[21:40] <Wayland> "Is that it?"
[21:42] <Janson> "I can climb up there. It'd be tough but I could carry you guys up one at a time if we don't have rope, but we'll be split up quite dangerously," Janson suggests. "How about I go take a look and see if it looks clear up there first while you two keep watch down here?"
[21:43] <Wayland> "Okay. I can live with that."
[21:44] <Janson> "Uh... wait, maybe not," Janson winces, "I remember after that werewolf now, you're too heavy for me, Wayland. Unless we have any strength boosting magic, it won't work."
[21:46] <Wayland> "I can levitate up, it's no worry."
[21:47] <Janson> "Still leaves Rubri'Granit, though. Can you carry him while levitating?"
[21:48] <Wayland> "Possibly, I've never tried carrying anyone but myself."
[21:49] <Janson> "Give it a shot? If that doesn't work we'll have to figure some other way out," Janson suggests, waiting to see if it works before he begins climbing.
[21:51] <Wayland> "Alright." Wayland nods. "You ready?" he asks Rubri'granit.
[21:56] <Kotono> "I am," Rubri'Grnait agrees. OOC: Goa head and set it up, will need a sec in here to deal with #dunes.
[21:56] * Janson can simply scale the wall with spider agility and climb onto the roof of the dome from there, and will do so if Wayland and Rubri'granit are capable of levitating together.
[21:57] * Wayland grabs Rubri'granit around the waist and focuses, willing himself upward!
[22:03] <Kotono> Climbing up is easy enough, as is levitating! Reaching the top is blessedly without incident, as Rubri'Granit isn't quite heavy enough to weigh Wayland down!
[22:04] * Janson enjoys the view over the blasted hellscape from the new vantage above ground!
[22:05] <Kotono> All about you is a bloody red sky, burning. The air is acrid and tangy, fould beyond measure. The landscape is blasted, pockmarked and burnt. Far on the horizon mountains loom, like talons scraping at the sky. Occasionally great balls of fire explore in the air, as if the heat became too much to endure unpraised.
[22:06] <Janson> "Urgh... so any clue which way is the best way out of here?" Janson asks their resident expert on all things Hellish.
[22:07] <Wayland> "This...is not a whole lot better, I admit."
[22:07] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit shakes his head, "We explore, and pray to Moradin we find a portal or aid," he says grimly. "Or at least water."
[22:09] <Janson> "This almost makes me want to go back into the caves," Janson admits, desperately scanning from horizon to horizon for any sort of landmark that isn't 'deadly claw shaped mountain' or 'blasted parched wasteland stretching into infinity'.
[22:11] <Kotono> OOC: Make a spot check.
[22:11] <Janson> roll 1d20+9
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 and gets 25." [1d20=16]
[22:12] <Wayland> roll 1d20+4 spot!
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+4 spot! and gets 6." [1d20=2]
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 12." [1d20=7]
[22:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 65." [1d100=65]
[22:14] <Kotono> Janson can see something on the horizon - it look faintly shiny, like it's catching the infernal light.
[22:15] <Janson> "I see something there, might be a lake... or maybe metal, hard to tell from so far," Janson squints as he points out something on the horizon. "I figure it's a better bet than 'scary mountains' or 'nothing', so how about going that way?"
[22:16] <Wayland> "I agree!" Wayland nods. "If it is water, we really could use a refill for our flasks."
[22:17] <Janson> "Unless it's evil water. But... hey, maybe it's a portal, actually!" Janson brightens, impulsively starting down the dome in that direction, encouraged by the thought.
[22:18] <Wayland> "I'm sold. Do portals shine like metal or water?" Wayland keeps step with Janson.
[22:19] <Kotono> "They can. They appear as colored pools usually, though always on the Astral," Rubri'Granit says as you walk, "Here it may be as that, or almost anything that one could think a portal is. As you get closer you can see it. It looks to be a heavy sword, easily a greatsword, embedded into the ground ahead. It's about halfway in, catching the light. It seems to glower with the reddish light, a
[22:19] <Kotono> few red ribbon strands flapping in the air.
[22:19] * Janson shrugs. "The ones in Waukeen's temple don't look like anything at all... hey, that wasn't far at all! The light must be playing tricks on us," Janson frowns, nonetheless taking a moment to examine the sword.
[22:20] <Janson> roll 1d20+12 spellcraft, detect magic
[22:20] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+12 spellcraft, detect magic and gets 15." [1d20=3]
[22:21] * Wayland leans down to examine the sword.
[22:21] * Janson grabs the sword by the hilt and hauls it out of the blasted earth!
[22:21] * Wayland dodges out of the way!
[22:22] <Kotono> OOC: Make a cha check, Janson.
[22:23] <Janson> roll 1d20+2
[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 and gets 4." [1d20=2]
[22:24] <Kotono> Janson yanks on the word, but nothing happens. He feels unworthy, pathetic, scorned. He can almost hear laughter...
[22:26] <Janson> "Uhh... I don't like this," Janson cringes for a moment before he shakes his head. "Wait a minute... you stupid sword! Who the hell do you think you're dealing with? I'll show you!" he glares and tries to unravel its secrets and unlock the power it is surely concealing!
[22:26] <Janson> roll 1d20+10 UMD, activate blindly, DC 25
[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 UMD, activate blindly, DC 25 and gets 12." [1d20=2]
[22:27] <Kotono> Janson grasps the blade and attempts to use it...nothing happens for a moment, before the flapping ribbons go taunt! They lace around his wrist abruptly! OOC: Fort.
[22:27] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22." [1d20=18]

[Corwin]

[21:11] <Kotono> Janson manages to withstand the feeling, a feeling of ribbons spreading into his body! It lessens and ceases, leaving his heart racing!
[21:12] <Janson> "Aaah!" Janson freaks out for a moment, abruptly throwing the sword far away! "Swords like you are for people who're insecure about their bodies, anyway!" he calls after it petulantly.
[21:12] <Kotono> As the sword is buried in the ground, throwing it is highly ineffective.
[21:12] * Wayland blinks. "Uhh...Janson?"
[21:12] * Janson lets go of it and kicks it in that case.
[21:13] <Kotono> The sword is kicked. Janson's toe is slightly sore after that, with no obvious effect on the blade.
[21:14] <Janson> "Bah, lets just leave the stupid thing. Not like it's any good to us," Janson huffs, looking around again in case he spots any better destination than the terrifying claw mountains.
[21:14] <Kotono> Nothing else seems to be immediately around.
[21:14] <Wayland> "What happened?"
[21:15] <Janson> "The sword tried to make me feel bad about myself - hah," Janson barks out a short laugh, "Thing obviously never met my mother or it would know it'd have to try much harder than that! Then it tried to put those freaky ribbons inside of me."
[21:16] <Kotono> "Leave it be," Rubri'Granit agrees, "If there's nothing else, let's travel and find somthing. Anything, we have to keep hoping."
[21:17] * Wayland sighs. "I really hate this place. Let's keep moveing then."
[21:17] <Janson> "The mountains are the only landmark around, so I guess we're best off going that way. Maybe a portal someplace nice is more likely to be high up?" Janson shrugs, it's a scant hope with evil looking mountains like that, but there's nothing else for it.
[21:17] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit nods as he starts to walk, "...Is this the worst mess you youngsters have been in," he asks as you start to trudge ahead.
[21:18] <Janson> "Wayland got killed by a werewolf once," Janson shrugs, "This is probably worse than that, though, yeah."
[21:19] * Wayland nods. "I got better."
[21:19] <Kotono> "I've seen worse, and it wasn't even in the Hells," Rubri'Granit's face darkens, "We can still walk, we have our limbs, our hope and our eyes. As long as we do, we can save ourselves."
[21:20] <Janson> "And just think of all the free drinks we'll be able to get by telling this story in taverns," Janson grins as they set off for the mountains in the distance.
[21:21] <Kotono> OOC: Ready to move along?
[21:21] <Wayland> OOC: Yup
[21:22] <Janson> OOC: ditto
[21:23] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 14." [1d100=14]
[21:23] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 54." [1d100=54]
[21:29] <Kotono> Hours pass. Your water is soon exhausted, each step forward one of agony. You cross cracked lands, avoid ponds of lava, sidestep crevasses. It's then that...OOC: More to someone in PM.
[21:34] * Janson looks up and groans slightly, his impression of angelic beings irrevocably tainted by the vicious valkyrie. "Someone's spying on us, she looks like the valkyrie but with less armour," he mutters to his companions. "Considering how we're doing, I figure we should try talking rather than ignoring her or attacking, what do you two think?"
[22:16] <Wayland> "I'm...not sure. Aren't they from one of the celestial realms? What would one be doing here?"
[22:18] <Janson> "Probably to torment us?" Janson scowls, before shrugging and looking up, forcing a smile as he waves at their observer. "Hello!"
[22:26] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit peers up, "If I can see it, I can tell you," he says, "But perhaps mercy has found us!"
[22:26] <Janson> Rubri'Granit clearly is unfamiliar with valkyries, for all his supposed expertise.
[22:28] <Kotono> The observer raises her hand in greeting, descending down to the party! So she appears to the other two: She wears tight leathers, porcelin skin and long, deep brown hair of otherworldly quality. She has black wings, her entire form possessing an awe-striking beauty. "A good day to you," she says, speaking perfect Common. "I am Maracha."
[22:28] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 16." [1d20=1]
[22:28] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit's face is cold and suspcious, but his eyes soften.
[22:29] <Janson> "Hi, Maracha," Janson replies easily. "I'm Janson. Didn't expect to see much of anyone out here considering how desolate the place is. You just passing by or what?"
[22:29] * Wayland looks at Rubri'Granit. "Well?"
[22:30] <Kotono> "I'm not sure," he finally admits, looking back to Wayland.
[22:32] <Kotono> "I'm traveling on behalf of my master," she says easily, a bow to Janson, "He would like to apologize for chain devil Fazabel's reckless actions and aggression. It was my mistake, thinking he could be trusted with such a mission."
[22:33] <Janson> "Oh, you're from that Dark Dreamer," Janson sighs, "I figured you were a valkyrie... can't decide if this is better or worse. An apology is fine but are you gonna try and kill us like he did when we try to go on our way?"
[22:33] <Wayland> "He killed my friend!"
[22:34] <Kotono> "For that you have my sincere apology," she says without missing a beat, "What's done is done, but as an apology I can escort you to a safe place, where food and water can be procured."
[22:34] <Janson> roll 1d20+9 how's my sense motive doing?
[22:34] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+9 how's my sense motive doing? and gets 29." [1d20=20]
[22:38] <Janson> "Hmm... we'd really rather just get out rather than stick around here any longer, no matter how safe the place is. Any chance you can help with that instead?" Janson asks. "I mean, I figure your master's all about killing people with heinous nightmares or letting them waste away into nothing while cavorting in happy dreams so he can eat their souls. It's just the sort of name you want to
[22:38] <Janson> run away from rather than something nice like Earth Mother," he tries to sound somewhat concillatory but he's just not that good at being diplomatic and naturally tends to plainness.
[22:40] <Kotono> At that Maracha throws back her head and laughs! It's a long laugh, the angelic creature wiping her eyes, "Oh, how you misunderstand! My master unlocks creativity and fosters dreams! He seeks to unlock the potential within creatures, not drag them into nightmares!"
[22:41] <Wayland> "We'd very much like to go home. We're here by accident, you see. If you would be so kind as to maybe show us the way out...?" Wayland asks.
[22:42] <Janson> "Yeah, he should probably pick a better name for himself..." Janson looks around, "And a better neighbourhood. Anyway, like Wayland says, we don't really want to get comfortable here, we just want to get out," he shrugs apologetically. "You seem nice and all, but hell's for devils and we're not devils, so..."
[22:42] <Kotono> "I do know of a portal," she continues, "There is one in Darkspine, though it's not always active. But once there, you can find safety and supplies until it is. It's within travel distance from here, I can take you." she offers, "Do you have enough water to continue?"
[22:44] <Janson> "Depends how far, to be honest, we're pretty much out. Could probably make an hour before we get into trouble from it," Janson then adds. "This place is just murder on the body, y'know?"
[22:45] <Kotono> "I can supply you with water as we travel," Maracha smiles now, a smile that makes your heart skip several beats as you're lured into her eyes. "Give me your empty water vessels."
[22:45] * Janson hands over the two waterskins he's been carrying around without any qualms.
[22:46] <Kotono> To each she utters a few arcane syllables and waves her hand over them! When she passes them back, they're heavy with fluid!
[22:47] * Janson hands one of them off to Rubri'Granit and naively takes a swig from the other.
[22:48] <Kotono> IT's cool, clean water. It's wonderful to drink, banishing the miserable, gnawing sense of thirst you have.
[22:49] <Janson> "Mmm, thanks," Janson smiles, capping it and fixing it to his belt. "So what do you do around here when you're not working, Maracha?" he decides to make conversation and learn a bit about their guide since they have a bit of a trek to go.

[Corwin]

[20:04] <Kotono> The water is drank by the dwarf as well, his eyes studying the winged woman as he passes it o Wayland.
[20:05] * Wayland eyes the water warily for a moment before taking a swig.
[20:06] <Kotono> "I study dreams." Her pace keeps with yours as she leads you along, towards those horrid mountains. The heat seems to bother her not, hair perfect and not a droplet of sweat to be seen. "Be it devil, angel, mortal, fey, animal, all have dreams. It is a constant of all Creation, to dream of what you desire. The road to making those dreams manifest...the secret to traveling those roads is
[20:06] <Kotono> worth more gold all of Mammon's treasuries."
[20:06] <Kotono> The water is pleasantly cool, slaking Wayland's growing thirst.
[20:09] <Janson> "My dreams are pretty weird, but sometimes it's nice when I get one that sort of makes sense after I wake up - like watching a play being put on just for you, with props and acting that's as good as the real thing," Janson chuckles, wiping more moisture from his brow, his own appearance utterly wretched and bedraggled, soaked in clammy sweat, in contrast to hers. "Or just getting to do things
[20:09] <Janson> that can't happen in the real world."
[20:12] <Kotono> "Dreams can be tamed, so that one can understand and control them," Maracha continues, "It is known as lucid dreaming, and there is a school of magic around it, known as Oneiromancy." A beat, "But those are not the only dreams. The dreams of triumph, of power, of success. The dreams that all have, desiring more and better for themselves. What of those dreams?"
[20:14] <Janson> "They're not really the same thing, though, are they? I guess they're both called dreams, but jumbled nonsense in your head when you sleep and real ambitions don't have much in common I'd figure. Do you study them both equally?"
[20:14] <Kotono> "That's true enough," Rubri'Granit says, "Dreams sustained me in my worst days." He wipes his brow, hair matted and posture slumped as he forges ahead in the wastelands.
[20:14] <Wayland> "Those sound more like desires to me, not dreams." Wayland muses.
[20:16] <Kotono> "I do," she says, "My talent lies in Oneiromancy, but my master is the unquestioned lord of both schools in all creation." She pauses to smile, "What are dreams, but the thoughts, desires and feelings of your mind allowed to run manifest? Dreams are not some random thing, but thoughts of their own, full of logic."
[20:18] <Wayland> "...I dream mostly of air." Wayland says, looking confused.
[20:18] <Janson> "So how does Oneiromancy work? Is it like enchantment or does it have any effect outside of people's minds?" Janson asks, deciding to focus on that than semantics. At least she seems cheerfully talkative, which to his reckoning makes her less likely to be plotting an imminent betrayal.
[20:20] <Kotono> "You desire your birthright. If I'm not mistaken, you're an air genasi?" Maracha answers, "You desire to attune to your element. That one's easy...most half and quarter bloods like you have those dreams. Blood calls to blood." A slight smile to him as she continues, "It's a very complicated art, but it allows the analysis, control and understanding of dreams. Some wizardly magic touches on
[20:20] <Kotono> this, but it lacks finesse and understanding."
[20:23] <Janson> "I suppose if you can understand a person's dreams you might be able to understand them better than they understand themselves?" Janson surmises, taking another drink even though he knows he shouldn't. Rationing water is outright impossible here.
[20:25] <Kotono> "Yes," Maracha comes over, murmuring words yet again. Waterskins refill as you continue to trudge along. "The genasi may desire and dream of his birthright, but what of you," he asks, "What are your dreams?"
[20:27] * Wayland nods along with what the woman says. It seems to make sense.
[20:30] * Janson wonders if her interest is more than just scholarly in light of what he just said, but she's so nice and helpful - and he's not unaffected by her pretty face - that he doesn't find sufficient justification to clam up. "Respect, wealth, love, family... I guess I have some interest in my own birthright, too," he lists off. "Probably sounds pretty mundane to you, though, really."
[20:32] <Kotono> "A secret that few want to admit is that across Creation, all creatures have fundamentally the same dreams, the same desires, the same wants. They express them differently, but in the end, it comes down to those things." As she walks, "My master is more than willing to help creatures reach those goals."
[20:33] <Wayland> "That sounds nice of him...but we're in Hell, right? What's the catch?" Wayland says.
[20:33] <Kotono> "Do they?" Rubri'Granit glowers at that, "Perhaps the same sense of desire comes, but the dreams of some are abominations," His voice deepens into a growl.
[20:33] * Janson grins, that sentiment striking a chord, "We're all animals when you get right down to it," he nods agreeably.
[20:37] <Kotono> "You serve him after death, of course," Her smile is completely charming. "To further the understanding of dreams. As you further this and serve him, you help fulfill his own dream - to continue to master dreams in all forms." She continues to walk, gesturing about, "My master's realm is not some horrid lavascape, but a realm of sleeping shadows and dream-imagery. It is far from the torment
[20:37] <Kotono> that others in Baator indulge in. Many wonder if my master is a true devil, if he only seeks to unlock potential. It is true that the other Peers of Perdition shun and fear him, for dreams do not agree with their tyranny. Even the Lord of the Ninth has honored him and leaves him to his own devices."
[20:38] <Wayland> "Well, I'm not so sure I can do that. I already owe my life and soul to Ilmater."
[20:40] * Janson shrugs, being a worshipper of Jannath out of habit rather than fervour, but nonetheless he doesn't find serving a dream devil a captivating fate for eternity. "So you ended up working for him out of shared intrerest, then, Maracha? Or did you only study dreams afterwards?"
[20:43] <Kotono> "I was once an outcast from Dis," she begins, "I dreamt of power and a proper place, such that I attracted the attention of my master. My dreams have been fulfilled with his guidance." She looks to them, "SHould your lives come to a place where you need to reach your potential, where you need aid realizing your dreams, pray to Haagenti and sleep. He will visit you in your dreams and instruct
[20:43] <Kotono> you."
[20:44] <Janson> "I'll keep it in mind," Janson nods. It sounds pretty sketchy, but who knows when he'd prefer the lesser of two evils?
[20:47] <Kotono> "It's all I ask," she smiles winsomely now, "Remember Haagenti in your times of troubles, when your dreams must be realized." With that she look shead, "Shall we? It's still several hours to Darkspine."
[20:49] * Janson isn't slowing down, but he doesn't plan to pass the journey in sullen silence! "Oh, I also wanted to ask - what's the secret to your hair?" he peers at her gorgeous otherworldly brown tresses, "I get that you don't sweat like we do, but I figured this climate would still give you all kinds of split ends and frizziness. I know people who would kill to have it looking like yours."
[20:59] <Kotono> Hours and hours pass. Fatigue leaps on all of you like a mosh pit, trampeling you into sleepiness. But you're lead on, just a little more ahead and ahead and ahead. In the shadow of the mountains lies a town of ruin. A broken town, as if it was a corpse left to rot. Maracha wrinkles her nose as you proceed in, "There's a single inn kept functional here," she says, "The Pig and the Poke. It's
[20:59] <Kotono> expensive, but you can get what you need there in relative safety, as well as find out when the portal opens next."
[21:01] <Janson> "It's not like they have competition to worry about," Janson snorts. "Where does the portal lead to, anyway?"
[21:02] <Kotono> "The Astral Plane," Maracha replies, "Which is safe enough."
[21:04] <Janson> "Any place is better than here... no offence, Maracha, since you've been great," Janson gives her a momentary smile. "Will you be going back home, now?"
[21:06] <Wayland> "Why is there an Inn in Hell, anyhow?" asks Wayland. "Do your kind get together for drinks too?"
[21:06] <Kotono> "An eccentric harvester devil maintains it," she shrugs her shoulders lightly, "It's tolerated, so someone has to authorize it."
[21:07] <Wayland> "Oh. Weird."
[21:09] <Janson> "Everyone likes a drink - it's like we were talking about earlier how everyone has the same sorts of dreams," Janson gives a tired chuckle.
[21:45] <Kotono> "Especially here," Maracha points ahead, "You'llk now the Pig and the Poke when yous ee it. Go ahead and go in."
[21:48] <Janson> "Well, I guess this is it. Thanks for helping us get this far, Maracha - even if that chain devil was a dick, you've more than made up for it," he smiles at her before starting to pull away and head into the town. "Good luck with your studies."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Good fortune to you," she bids, turning around and leaving the party to head along.
[21:51] * Wayland waves, then says to Janson when they're out of earshot, "She was nice, for a demon."
[21:52] <Janson> "She was really nice," Janson agrees. "They must not all be so bad, although I still don't really trust her boss. Still, she helped us out, so gotta respect that," he nods, following the main thoroughfare into town.
[21:53] <Kotono> "Far better than Sharrans," Rubri'Granit mutters, "Though one wonders if it's a poisonous viper hiding behind pleasantry."
[21:54] <Kotono> All the buildings are ruined, save one. It's a plain enough looking place, red paint(?) on the doo rsaying PIG AND THE POKE.
[21:54] <Wayland> "Well, she's gone now, so it doesn't really matter anymore."
[21:54] <Janson> "I'll just enjoy the pleasantry while it lasts in that case," Janson declares, pushing the door open to go inside.
[21:57] <Wayland> "Probably for the best. At least she didn't try to kill us!"
[22:00] <Kotono> Inside you can see an immaculate bar! It darkly paneled with wood, everything smelling of polish and ale. It's empty, save for a horned man with light yellow skin at the bar. He has a million-gold smile, gesturing, "Come in, come in! Sit down and have a few, put your feet up!"
[22:01] <Wayland> "Are you the harvester guy that owns the place then?" Wayalnd asks, taking a seat.
[22:01] <Janson> "How long have you been standing there waiting for a customer to show up?" Janson asks in faint amusement at him being picture perfect and ready despite the emptiness and desolation all around.
[22:03] <Kotono> "I am. Jacoban at your service," he bows smoothly, "'tis my duty and my livelihood, I tell you! You look like you crawled out of a war zone. Bad day?"
[22:05] <Janson> "Oh, you don't know the half of it," Janson approaches the bar. "Normally I'd just order a drink and worry about the bill later, but considering where we are, you got a price list first?"
[22:06] <Kotono> "Certainly," He withdraws a sleek looking menu, passing it over to Janson. Rubri'Granit just gets to a bar, resting quietly.
[22:07] * Janson takes a look to ensure there won't be any price gouging or unfortunate surprises with the bill.
[22:09] <Kotono> A drink of water is 5 gold coins, with food, booze and the like ranging from 10 to 20 gold coins. A room for the night is 15, but it's 'guaranteed safe'. In small text ont he bottom, 'Ask about our payment plans and negotiations!'
[22:12] * Janson has some cash, Maracha kept them well supplied with water, and he still has some trail bars, nuts, and mushrooms in his pack for eating, so he goes straight for the booze, ordering three mugs of something in the mid-price range. "I'm Janson, by the way," he adds after ordering. "We heard there was a portal to the astral plane around here."
[22:13] <Kotono> That comes to a total of 36 gold coins! Three cold, frothy classes are produced, "Ah yes, there is. Are you interested in traveling to the Astral Plane?"
[22:14] <Janson> "Yep," Janson figures he can't take cash with him if they die here anyway, but he always likes a drink, and making sure his companions are suitably fortified, he holds up a hand to the bartender a moment and raises his glass. "To Noel and Branna. May they have better luck in the next life than they had in this one," he declares before taking a healthy swig.
[22:15] * Wayland frowns, looking sad and nodding.
[22:17] <Janson> "Anyway," he turns back to Jacoban, "Yeah, we're looking to make a call on the Astral Plane, and we heard you'd be able to help with that."
[22:19] <Kotono> Classes are raised to that, drinking down. "Ah yes, for a reasonable fee you can buy transit rights the next time the portal opens," he says.
[22:20] <Wayland> "How reasonable?"
[22:20] <Janson> "And when's the next time it opens?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "In about six days," He says, "The fee is 200 gold coins per head. For parties of nine or larger, we have group rates."
[22:24] <Janson> 'You absolute fucker,' is what Janson thinks as his face falls before he forces a smile, "That sounds reasonable," he lies, "I just need to discuss a few things with my friends here..." and then he tries to get Rubri and Wayland away from the bar to quietly discuss their financial situation.
[22:24] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit scowls and comes along with Janson.
[22:25] * Wayland nods placidly along and turns to follow.
[22:26] * Janson hunches towards them and lowers his voice, "Listen, I've got about four hundred and eighty gold on me. How much've you got, Wayland?"
[22:27] <Wayland> "I've got just over one fifty, I spent most of what I had on my bracers. before we left for the mountains."
[22:28] <Kotono> "That's over six hundred," Rubri'Granit says after a moment, "That's enough to at least pay for the portal, but we'll need to buy water and other things while we wait."
[22:29] <Janson> "We're fucked, then. That's just barely enough to pay for passage, but we can't afford rooms or food while we wait," Janson nods grimly. "And I bet if we try to camp outside, we'll find out exactly why safety is only guaranteed in the rooms."
[22:30] <Wayland> Wayland turns and says, "Hey, barkeep! I don't you'd be perhaps interested in purchasing some things we've come across while we were here?"
[22:30] <Wayland> OOC: Don't suppose you'd
[22:31] <Kotono> The barkeep folds his hands together, "Good sirs, I never pass up a good opportunity! Now what have you procured on your journies so far?"
[22:33] * Wayland walks back to the bar. "We recently met an unruly chain-covered fellow, and he had a few things on him. Interested in his cloak, or perhaps his weapon?"
[22:34] <Kotono> "Allow me to see them and I'll decide that," he says crisply as he claps his hands together.
[22:35] <Wayland> From his pack, Wayland pulls first the chain, then the cloak, and sets them on the counter.
[22:35] <Kotono> The barkeep looks at the chains briefly, uninterested. Then the cloak...which he studies a time...
[22:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 spellcraft
[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 spellcraft and gets 21." [1d20=9]
[22:35] <Kotono> "Hm...hm...hm..." he taps his chin with a finger, "This cloak has some small value. I'll give you two hundred gold for it."
[22:35] <Janson> roll 1d20+12 hey I want in on that too I never knew it was magic
[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+12 hey I want in on that too I never knew it was magic and gets 26." [1d20=14]
[22:39] <Janson> "Hah, are you joking?" Janson approaches and thumps his palm down on the bar. "Don't you know, these belonged to the elite chain devil Fazabel! The devourer of dreams! The slaughterer of slumber! The nightmare of... the night!" he pauses a moment, realising that last one was terrible. "This puissant artifact of diabolical arcana could buy out your whole establishment!"
[22:39] <Wayland> "...yeah!"
[22:40] <Kotono> Settling in now, folding his hands as he meets Janson's eyes, "I think not. It's of some small value, but surely not what you think. Though just so I know, how much do you want for it?"
[22:40] <Janson> "Three thousand gold pieces," Janson replies without missing a beat.
[22:41] <Kotono> "Absurd!" Throwing his hands up into the air, "I daresay the heat has made ou loopy! I would consider parting with four hundred gold coins at the most, the absolute most.
[22:43] <Janson> "Do you realise that if I wore this cloak," Janson taps his hand on the chains soundlessly, "I could sneak around your whole bar without anyone having a clue? I could filch away every bit of currency and food you've got stocked up in here while you furrowed your brow in confusion, that's how powerful it is! I'm doing you a vast service by actually selling it instead of using it as its former
[22:43] <Janson> owner would intend - two thousand two hundred!" he exclaims. He rather enjoys a good haggle.
[22:46] * Wayland leans over to Janson. "Wait, it does what now?"
[22:47] * Janson turns to Wayland with a look of blazing determination. "It empowers you beyond the dreams of ordinary men, and realises your every darkest dream is what it does!"
[22:48] * Wayland shrinks back a bit. "Whoa, whoa, okay. Easy."
[22:53] <Kotono> Rubri'Granit raises an eyebrow, as meanwhile Jacoban shakes his head, "I could perhaps reconsider and go up to 650 gold coins, perhaps," he says at last, "'twould be overbuying, surely!"
[22:54] <Janson> "I can see why you live out here in the hicks rather than in Dis, you've obviously got no eye for quality. One eight hundred is the sort of bargain even an immortal devil will only see once in a lifetime," Janson declares grandly.
[22:56] <Kotono> "Such robbery!" Throwing up his hands again, "If I paid that much for it, I'd be in the debt prison twice over before breaking even! Absolutely impossible! Perhaps, just barely perhap 800, and even that is a gross distortion!"
[22:59] <Janson> "That's a mere fraction of it's true worth and you know it right in your gut," Janson shakes his head. "You're not just buying quality here, you're buying *history*. Fazabel the dark devourer of dreams wore this same cloak when he slew the holy paladin Vanessa. He hid for nine days and nine nights in her own fortress while wearing it, and not once was seen until she breathed her last! Think
[22:59] <Janson> of how other devils will see you with increased esteem when they see you proudly displaying this piece! Think how the fallen angels will fawn and compete for the attentions of such a shrewd and discerning fiend! One and half thousand, my friend, you know you want it - it calls to you!" he rattles the chains temptingly.

[Corwin]

[19:53] <Kotono> "Truly a tempting offer," The harvester devil retorts, "But let us be realistic, my friend! I simply cannot survive on such robbery! I can go as high as nine hundred and no higher! If you must," he gestures grandly, "Feel free to go out and try and find another buyer within Avernus!"
[19:58] <Janson> "We both know it's worth far more than that, but my friends and I aren't unsympathetic to your plight as a humble businessman," Janson allows magnaminously. "So, how about we make a deal? You get this fine piece of diabolical arcana, and my friends and I don't have to pay for food, drink, or lodgings for our stay here, nor pay the transit fee for your portal?"
[19:59] <Kotono> "By your friends, you mean the three of you and no more?" He clarifies immediately.
[20:01] <Janson> "Just us three," Janson nods agreeably. "We get all the services we require from your establishment, you get a wondrous magical artifact and conversation piece. No need for any coin to change hands."
[20:05] <Wayland> "Why do you ask? Are there others down here?"
[20:06] <Kotono> "As long as you don't attempt...excessive usage, I can accept that deal," Jacoban says at last. Smoothly not missing a beat, "Clarity is quite good, so that there are no...surprises."
[20:11] <Janson> "Three square meals a day, each, lets say up to four alcoholic drinks each a day, free use of your rooms, and unlimited water, up until the portal opens and we can use it to leave?" Janson offers. "You have baths here, by the way?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "We do," he agrees, considering the terms. "Free use of the rooms does not include property damage, using them in arcane rituals or summonings, or any other unusual acts which the management may deem to be unacceptable." he adds.
[20:17] <Janson> "That's all fair, we just want somewhere safe and comfortable to rest," Janson nods, "Since our safety in the rooms is guaranteed, is there any standard compensation we're injured or robbed through no fault of our own while staying?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "Revenge on the robbers through the full measure of Lord Bel's law," Jacoban says, offering a hadn out, "Are we agreed?"
[20:21] <Janson> "We're good," Janson shakes the fiend's hand with a smile. "Now, I dunno about you guys, but dinner followed by a bath and then sleep sounds just great to me."
[20:52] <Kotono> Three days have passed. Days of rest, recovery and water. Especially water. Glorious water, clean water! Your health has improved, the trials so far dimming slightly. Jacoban is a pleasant enough host, serving you meals and keeping up chat. Over dinner and drinks one day he lingers a moment, "Ah yes, I had meant to ask," he says, "From wherein do you hail from? You are obviously not locals."
[20:54] <Janson> "I'm from Merdlain on Earth," Janson offers, not really seeing it as prudent to give his current or previous address, but the woods in general is generic enough. "Think a lot of you guys used to hang out with the gnomes there a few thousand years ago."
[20:55] * Wayland gives Janson a strange look for a moment, before nodding to himself. "I'm from the Southern Wastes, myself."
[20:56] <Janson> It's all Janson can do not to nod in approval at Wayland's mastery of subtlety.
[20:58] <Kotono> "Sulatholm," Is what Rubri'Granit volunteers, as Jacoban smiles, "Ah, I see, I see. Have any of you visited the city of Balmuria? I've heard of it before, you see."
[20:59] <Wayland> "I've passed through there, yes."
[20:59] <Janson> "It's pretty famous, what with the Crimson Guard and all," Janson agrees.
[21:00] <Kotono> "I have considered visiting," He nods, "But our kind is not welcome, or so the stories go. Ah yes, the Crimson Guard..." A faint smile shows on his face, "I have heard of them a time or two as well. Are the stories as grand as they are claimed to be?"
[21:01] <Wayland> "It's a bit crowded, to be honest. I didn't stay long."
[21:02] <Kotono> "I prefer smaller cities belowground," Rubri'Granit glowers, "I did pass through at ime or two, but never for long. Human cities are deathtraps with the level of construction they possess!"
[21:02] <Janson> "There are lots of stories about the ones that became deities twenty odd years ago, don't really hear much about anyone else in it," Janson adds what he knows.
[21:04] <Kotono> "That's fine," Jacoban says, "Why don't you tell me about those stories?"
[21:06] <Janson> "Uh..." Janson unfortunately didn't pay a massive amount of attention, he just knows that stories are 'out there'. "They fought a dragon," he nods, almost certain on that. Then he blinks, "Wait, wasn't one of them a dragon? Does that work?"
[21:07] <Wayland> "I have no idea."
[21:08] <Kotono> "One was a dragon," Rubri'Granit bows his head, "I'll not say their names here, they deserve better than to be uttered in this pit."
[21:09] <Kotono> Jacoban's smile doesn't break in the least, "Ah, well then, I'll leave you to your meals," he rises, going off and leaving the party to their own devices.
[21:09] <Janson> "I guess if humans can fight humans then dragons can fight dragons," Janson shrugs with equanimity.
[21:12] <Kotono> Once gone, "Whew," Rubri'Granit scowls, shaking his head.
[21:13] * Janson just shrugs, thinking it'd be silly to seem overly relieved at the end of that mostly harmless conversation. Jacoban surely has good ears, anyway.
[21:14] * Wayland returns to idling in the bar, looking about as he sips water.