042 "Like, sure, that makes sense! Pegasuses!"

[Ebiris]

[19:02] <@Kotono> It's early October. Whimsical Sweets gathers amid the brisk fall wind, the seasons passing by. Inside and gathered 'round is everyone. Janson, Whurric, Orval, Silver, Sylvie and Yuria. Josa is before all of you, clearing his throat, "Ah, superb tidings this fair and bountiful day! Before I begin, are there any problems or issues to be addressed? Speak so, for we have a full slate of jobs prepared
[19:02] <@Kotono> and 'tis best if they are dutifully resolved with all haste and speed immediately."
[19:05] * @Janson mutely shakes his head, eager to see what jobs are on offer.
[19:05] <@Kotono> After a short silence Yuria speaks up, "I think that's a no?" she ventures, looking about.
[19:05] * Orval shakes his head. "Nay, I think we're ready to get to work."
[19:06] <@Kotono> "Ah, very well then," Josa says, stepping aside. The Job Board is full of new postings, "We have four, divide them up as you care to."
[19:08] <@Janson> "The Filazan job seems perfectly suited for me," Janson notes after a glance over them. "Anyone want to come camping in the woods?"
[19:09] <@Kotono> "I could...I could also try that dechipering?" Sylvie peers over Janson's shoulder, leaning into his back.
[19:09] <@Kotono> "First one sounds fun," Yuria adds, "The middle two sound boring, but the last one?" Her eyes light up, "Pegasuses are lovely! They're almost as lovely as unicorns!"
[19:10] <Orval> "Ah, Dacote! With a text! How delightful." Orval nods. "If you'd like to give it a try, Sylvie, go ahead. If you learn anything interesting, feel free to share it. Perhaps Janson would like company on his journey to the Barbarian Lands, brother? Have you traveled there before?"
[19:10] <@Whurric> "
[19:11] <@Whurric> "I'd be up for the first or last. I've had enough of books, I think, to want to bother with the second," Whurric comments as he reads the jobs.
[19:14] <@Janson> "If the third one's still up when I get back I could do it, but don't let that stop any of you from aiding Waukeen if you finish the other jobs first," Janson offers, waiting for Yuria and Whurric to decide whether to come with him or chase flying horses.
[19:14] <@Kotono> "I'll go after the horses," Yuria says brightly, "Anyone want to come, like, with me?"
[19:14] <@Janson> "You could probably do that too, if you crack the book quickly," he adds to Sylvie more quietly.
[19:15] <Orval> "Deciphering texts is not something to be rushed!" Orval protests.
[19:15] <@Kotono> "...gee, thanks," Sylvie mutters, whispering low to Janson, "Chasing pretty pegasi with Yuria. May as well get a pretty pink dress and do our hair and talk about boys while we're at it."
[19:16] <Orval> "The slightest misstep could result in disaster!"
[19:16] <@Janson> "Uh, I meant helping Waukeen," Janson clarifies. "Figured you'd be good at it, is all."
[19:16] <@Kotono> "Ah yes, truly so. When we had that cursed child's game from them, it was truly a matter of life and death," Josa rumbles. "It is indeed not something to be rushed."
[19:17] <@Kotono> "Oh, sure!" Smiling and then in a normal voice, "Well sorry, Yuria. I had to crack that book code then charm those Waukeenites."
[19:17] <@Kotono> To that Yuria just smiles, "Then I'll tag along with you and then we can find those pegasuses after!"
[19:17] <@Kotono> With a barely concealed twitch Sylvie puts on a brave smile, "Reaaaalllyyy? You mean the pegasi, right?"
[19:18] * @Janson reaches around to give Sylvie's hand a comforting squeeze out of Yuria's field of view. "So, Whurric? Wanted to go explore the mystical woods, right?"
[19:18] <@Kotono> "Oh no, I mean the pegasuses. I mean, what's a pegasi?" Yuria frowns, "It sounds sort of like a name for a leather handbag."
[19:18] * Orval snorts
[19:18] <@Kotono> "It's the plural for pegasus!" Sylvie says, smile cracking, "Grammar doesn't work like that!"
[19:18] <@Whurric> "Ah, sure, why not? Sounds the most fun of the bunch," Whurric answers with a nod to Janson.
[19:18] <@Kotono> "Well, if it's horses than means it's pegasuses, right?" Yuria thinks a moment, "Like, sure, that makes sense! Pegasuses!"
[19:19] <@Janson> "Okay, where's Filazan about, Josa?" Janson asks quickly, wanting to get away from the two blondes all of a sudden.
[19:19] <@Kotono> "At the Temple of Mystra," Josa makes shooing motions, "Go go, money is awasting!"
[19:20] <@Janson> "Time is money, right!" Janson turns and gives Sylvie a quick kiss. "Good luck on your jobs," he bids her before fleeing!
[19:20] <@Kotono> "That...I..." Sylvie facepalms, shoulders slumping as Yuria smiles and goes on as Sylvie's momentum stalls out, "I'd just love to fly around on a pegasus like a military commander!"
[19:21] * @Whurric claps his brother in the shoulder. "Take care, and don't be gettin' in any messes before I come back, brother!" he says as he gets ready to follow after Janson
[19:22] <@Whurric> ooc: scratch line*
[19:22] <@Kotono> Sylvie rubs her face, just sighing and grabbing Yuria's hand and dragging her along.
[19:22] * @Whurric just follows after Janson.
[19:23] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 79." [1d100=79]
[19:23] * Orval trundles along after the other men, shaking his head.
[19:25] <@Kotono> Thus the trio proceed along! Filazan is found in a tucked away office. It is full of papers, scrolls and parchments! Great stacks of them are about as he works at his desk! He's an older man, a long gray beard and robes. He leans forward as he writes with a feather quill, spectacles worn. "Who is it?" he asks without looking up, "Jai, I told you not to bother me again! I'm busy!"
[19:25] <@Janson> "No Jai here," Janson replies, "We're Whimsical Sweets, about the bodyguard job for your expedition to Merdlain?"
[19:27] <@Kotono> "You mean the Barbarian Lands, young whippersnapper?" He says, carefully and slowly putting his quill down. "A redhead and a pair of dwarves? How in Azuth's beard are dwarves and a redhead supposed to know thing one about the forest?!"
[19:28] <@Janson> "Call it the Barbarian Lands and you'll see how many secrets of it you'll find," Janson jests good naturedly. "I was born and raised in that forest you call full of barbarians, and you're looking at the two meanest, toughest, cunning-est dwarves to ever come marching out of the mountain!"
[19:29] * Orval nods proudly.
[19:30] * @Whurric snorts, amused. Looks like Josa has a rival for forked silver tongues!
[19:31] <@Kotono> "Uh huh." Stroking his beard as he eyes Orval and Whurric, "I do approve of your beards. Dwarves can grow them like nothing else." After a pause to smile to them and then give Janson a much mor echallenging look, "Where in the forest were you raised, young'in?"
[19:33] <@Janson> "Over a week east of Balmuria, little village called Aralla," Janson replies. "It's a small village, and it's easy enough for a bored boy to listen in on the lessons being given to future daughters of Jannath - when I wasn't wandering those woods myself, meeting fey and exploring gnomish ruins."
[19:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+14
[19:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31." [1d20=17]
[19:36] <@Kotono> "I've heard of it, of course," Nodding to him, "A commune of female dominate amazons that worship an aspect of Chauntea known as Jannath, yes. Hmph, you may be young but you talk a good game. Can you back it up?"
[19:38] <@Janson> "You wouldn't have come to Whimsical Sweets if you had any doubts about it, I'll bet," Janson retorts. "I might be young but almost every year except this last one I've lived out there in the wilds. And don't underestimate the subterranean perils my two associates have had to contend with before coming here."
[19:39] <@Kotono> "Really?" Crossing his arms and looking ot them, "What sorts of perils?"
[19:40] <@Whurric> "I've traveled outside before, this isn't my first time out in the human lands or between 'em. I may not be an expert in wilderness lore, but I've fought my share of bandits, wolves, and other things t'be found out in the world," Whurric chips in.
[19:45] <Orval> "I tend his wounds and keep him alive. I am a follower and cleric of Dumathoin." Orval says.
[19:46] <@Kotono> "Hmph." He considers a litle longer, "I suppose all of you will do." Waving a hand,  "We'll meet at Balmuria's southern gate tomorrow at an hour past dawn. If you're late you'll lose the job."
[19:49] * @Janson almost wants to say something smart in response to that, but professionalism wins out. "We'll be there. Standard rate is 25 marks a day, with danger pay on top of that if we end up having to fight something dangerous, ranging from 500 to 1,000 marks depending on how hard or often we have to fight."
[20:16] <@Kotono> "Fine," He nods, "Be ready."
[20:18] * @Janson then leaves with his two stout companions! "You two make sure to pick up plenty of rations and water before we leave," he suggests to the dwarves, not wanting a repeat of Wayland's ill preparedness for travelling. "Never hurts to pack extra in case our client forgets or something else happens."
[20:19] <@Whurric> "I'll pick up some stuff from that closet, or do you think you've grabbed enough already?" Whurric starts to say before turning to Janson with a question.
[20:20] <@Janson> "Never hurts to have healing nectars on hand," Janson nods, "Plus anything else there you think might come in handy."

[Ebiris]

[18:22] <@Kotono> The next morning is a dull gray one. Thick clouds roll in from the bay, coupled with a cool fall breeze. Amid this brisk weather Filazan awaits by the southern gates for the party...OOC: Go ahead and set yourselves up real quick.
[18:23] * @Janson arrived early, having gotten up before dawn and had his maids pack up lots of tasty supplies for him before he set out, backpack securely fastened under his dappled green and brown cloak. "Morning," he nods to the aged scholar, looking him over to see how well he's prepared for braving the wilds.
[18:25] * Orval arrives, dressed in brown robes with stylized mountains stitched into the shoulders. His mattock secured at his side and a large, well-worn book under his left arm. He adjusts a pack slung over his shoulder and grins at Janson. "A good morning to ye, Janson!"
[18:26] <@Whurric> "Hullo!" Whurric calls out as he approaches the duo, following right behind his brother, hefting a backpack on one shoulder and wearing a dull and faded blue-grey cloak, that has obviously seen a lot of travel and weather. "Ready to go are we?"
[18:28] <@Kotono> "You're all on time," Filazan says, "Good. Let's go." He starts to travel at that, pace surprisingly spry.
[18:29] <@Janson> There are few as spry as Janson! Except for all the martial artists he knows... and Lyris... but he bets he can outpace some dwarves and an old man! "So what's your actual agenda once we're out there, Filazan?" he asks after returning the dwarven greetings.
[18:31] * @Whurric has no problems with the pace and cheerfully whistles as he keeps traveling on the left side of Filazan, matching his step for the most part.
[18:32] <@Kotono> "Study and observation, young man," He answers as you leave the city behind, "I wish to study the wild animals in their natural habitat, track the remaining uncompromised goblin ecosystems, analyse the movement of fey in the natural cycle and see if I see any signs of alpha predators moving in."
[18:34] * Orval tromps along as best he can on the right side of the group.
[18:35] * @Janson nods. "Alright, I'll keep an eye out for those indicators and keep us on the right track for your research. How long do you expect to take?"
[18:36] <@Kotono> "If all goes week, less than a week in the forest," Filazan replies, "Things rarely go well."
[18:36] <@Whurric> "You're wanting to involve goblins. Very low chance of things going well," Whurric agrees.
[18:37] * Orval nods. "We may need to kill them in their uncompromised ecosystems."
[18:37] <@Janson> "Well if things go wrong, you're paying us to fix it, so don't worry," Janson reassures him. "You have goblins underground, too?" he then asks Whurric curiously. "The ones out here have mostly been enslaved by... woah. Damn. You guys are cold!"
[18:39] <@Kotono> "It would not be agreeable to kill them except in self defense," Your client points out, "Most of them have been enslaved by the forest giant nation, the remainder that have freedom should be studied! Not slaughtered!"
[18:39] <Orval> "I don't know about up here, but underground, goblins are nasty little beasties." Orval says.
[18:41] <@Janson> "I kinda feel sorry for the ones up here - they just look so downtrodden when you even see them," Janson admits. "The giants really keep the boot down on them, we'll probably be lucky to see any that live free."
[18:42] <@Whurric> "Hrn...well, I'll hold my axe if I can. I trust you to know how to best handle things over in these lands after all," Whurric says at that with a slow nod.
[18:43] <@Janson> "Basically, don't attack anything unless it attacks us first," Janson summarises neatly.
[18:43] <Orval> "Mmm." Orval nods.
[18:45] <@Kotono> "That is preferred," Filazan says, "We are not barbarians!"
[18:49] <@Kotono> roll 4#1d100
[18:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4#1d100 and gets 227." [4#1d100 = 31, 95, 88, 13]
[18:49] <@Kotono> roll 2#1d100
[18:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2#1d100 and gets 113." [2#1d100 = 44, 69]
[18:53] <@Kotono> Three days of travel pass without incident. Throughout it Filazan is busy, catalouging this or spying on that. You find far more than you ever want to know about beavers, deer, ants, birds, wolves and other such things. On the night of the third day the party is around the campfire, eating and preparing for rest. The sun has set...yet all of a sudden, a warm golden radiance comes from the
[18:53] <@Kotono> northeast, piercing around the trees.
[18:53] <@Janson> "Huh?" Janson looks towards the light. "The light's off for a will-o-wisp..." he mutters, squinting to see if he can see through the glare and the foliage to identify the source.
[18:56] * Orval peers at the light. "Is this normal? It looks like sunlight."
[18:56] <@Whurric> "Something tells me we're going to be going closer to examine the source of that light, t'catalog it," Whurric notes as he turns to look at their employer for confirmation as he leans on his knee and pushes himself up into a standing position.
[18:56] <@Kotono> It's quite bright - you can't quite see, but you can hear happy laughter farhter along. Feminine laughter, bright and alluring.
[18:56] <@Kotono> Filazan rises, "An unexplained phenomenom!"
[18:57] <@Janson> "Could be pixies or some other fey, I'll bet," Janson stands up. "If we go to investigate, best behave ourselves. They're generally nice but you don't want to upset them," he cautions.
[18:59] * Orval stands, intrigued. "I've read much about the fey. They can be capricious and are prone to pranks, yes?"
[19:00] <@Janson> "Uh... well, most of Whimsical Sweets was recently murdered by a fey, so there's that," Janson's expression twists into a grimace. "But one of the people who got murdered was a fey herself, and then there's Silver. And I'm partly descended from them as well. So y'see they kinda run the gamut same as humans or dwarves do."
[19:02] <Orval> "Ah, I see. Everything I've read says that they tend toward being harmless, though I suppose evil and selfishness crop up everywhere." Orval nods.
[19:07] <@Kotono> "Well, no matter," Filazan rises and starts to go, "I wanted to document the fey and this is a perfect chance!"
[19:08] * @Janson moves forward a bit so he's walking just ahead of Filazan, ready to shield him from harm or stop him blundering into a trap.
[19:08] * Orval keeps pace!
[19:08] <@Whurric> "Alright, but let's make sure they're the friendly sort before we approach too close," Whurric says.
[19:10] <@Kotono> The party advances! Ahead there is a perfect, smooth clearing in the forest! It's mostly taken up by a crystal clear lake, where in they frolic. A few dozen of them - gorgeous women with elven features, absolutely breathtaking one and all! As if Sune herself blessed them! You find yourself transfixed at them, not a one wearing a single scrap of clothing! OOC: Will saves, all. Bonuses against
[19:10] <@Kotono> enchantment apply.
[19:10] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Filazan
[19:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Filazan and gets 13." [1d20=7]
[19:10] <@Janson> roll 1d20+10
[19:10] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 and gets 28." [1d20=18]
[19:12] <Orval> roll 1d20+9
[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9 and gets 13." [1d20=4]
[19:25] <@Whurric> roll d20+10
[19:25] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+10 and gets 25." [d20=15]
[19:26] <@Kotono> The image is incredibly alluring, heat spreading up and down your bodies! The glorious creatures laugh and play, splashing each other with water and giggling!  Filazan stares, before going at a hurried pace to go join them! His eyes are wide and hands out, as if to reach forward and take the image for his own!
[19:27] <@Janson> Janson reaches out quickly to grab Filazan's wrist and stall his momentum!
[19:27] <@Janson> OOC: will I need to grapple him?
[19:27] <@Whurric> "Hey now! Didn't I -just- say to let us make sure they're friendly first?" Whurric exclaims as he does the same as Janson.
[19:28] <@Kotono> OOC: Please, Janson.
[19:28] <@Janson> roll 1d20+6 CMB
[19:28] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 CMB and gets 11." [1d20=5]
[19:28] <@Kotono> OOC: WHurric too, feel free to make a grapple against him.
[19:28] <@Whurric> roll d20+11 CMB
[19:28] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+11 CMB and gets 16." [d20=5]
[19:29] * Orval mutely lurches forward, his eyes wide as he strides toward the lake! And the women!
[19:31] <@Kotono> Despite their best efforts, Filazan is just a hair too quick! He hurries along with Orval as they head towards thepool! The beautiful women notice and smile, coming forward to meet them! They're all over them in a moment, leaning and supporting and laughing. "Oh, you two are so cute! Come join us!"
[19:31] <@Kotono> "Hahaha, these bones still have it in them!" Filazan says, "Love to, ladies!"
[19:31] <@Whurric> "What the...don't tell me you've gone daft too, brother!" Whurric cries out in annoyance, and he starts scratching his head and he looks at Janson. "Please tell me they're the friendly sort and aren't about t'turn into some horrible monsters and devour 'em?"
[19:31] * @Janson just shakes his head, they at least do seem friendly... but memories of Senaril and that other nymph dog him. "My girlfriend would disapprove," he replies, hanging well back from the lake. "You're not going to hurt those two, are you?"
[19:32] <@Janson> roll 1d20+11 sensing of motives
[19:32] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 sensing of motives and gets 22." [1d20=11]
[19:32] <Orval> "Wheehee! Hello girls!" Orval grins.
[19:33] <@Kotono> The two are surrounded by nubile women now, leading them into the pool! Janson and Whurric can watch as they're lead on, surrounded by flawless feminine wiles.
[19:34] <@Janson> "Hey, why doesn't one of you come over and talk with me for a minute?" Janson kneels near the edge of the pool now, changing tack and focusing his attention on one of the nymphs at the edge of the group. They're not the only ones with charm...
[19:34] <@Janson> OOC: DC 16 charm monster
[19:34] <@Kotono> OOC: Caster level check.
[19:35] <@Janson> roll 1d20+7
[19:35] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+7 and gets 21." [1d20=14]
[19:35] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[19:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 22." [1d20=15]
[19:36] <@Kotono> The nymphe yes Janson and smiles, creeping on closer to him! "Hello there, big boy," she says, all blonde and busty, outdoing even Sylvie. Her voice is a husky whisper as she comes closer, reaching up for Janson's cheek, "Why don't you get out of those clothes and we go...play, hm?"
[19:36] <@Whurric> Well, Janson seems to not be too worried, so he just looks on with a frown. "What're you ladies, if I might ask?" the dwarf asks bluntly.
[19:36] <@Janson> roll 1d20+11 spot to see if I can see any flaws in her appearance up close
[19:36] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 spot to see if I can see any flaws in her appearance up close and gets 19." [1d20=8]
[19:38] * Orval splashes around with the girls, gleefully copping a feel every once in a while.
[19:38] <@Kotono> Meanwhile Filazan and Orval are lead into the pool, sat down and with women hanging off them! In the meanwhile the blonde looks up to Whurric, "Oh, don't distract them, they're busy with my sisters." With a coy smile, "It's the mating season for us," she says with a wink, "Why don't you come and help out?"
[19:38] <@Janson> "You lot seem awful friendly," in spite of himself, Janson *does* enjoy the view, but he takes care to have half an eye on his bewitched comrades. "It's a refreshing change from other nymphs I've met. Even moreso to see so many of you in one place together."
[19:39] <@Janson> roll 1d20+14
[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+14 and gets 23." [1d20=9]
[19:40] <@Kotono> "We like to have fun...." Trailing off and levelling smouldering blue eyes at both of them, "Join us."
[19:40] <@Janson> "Oh, didn't you know?" Janson blushes. "Dwarves can only mate before their beards grow in, and Filazan... he's been shooting blanks for years," he tells the nymph, observing her reaction closely.
[19:42] <@Whurric> "I'll pass, lass. Think my brother's having enough fun for all of us," Whurric drawls, looking over at his brother, looking embarrassed and he goes right along with Janson's lie. "I can't take him anywhere. Honestly...he's not a young one anymore, he's been bearded for at least a decade now!"
[19:44] <@Kotono> OOC: MAke a bluff check, Janson. WHurric, aid another him since you chimed in?
[19:45] <@Janson> roll 1d20+2 my cha is sad
[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 my cha is sad and gets 5." [1d20=3]
[19:45] <@Whurric> roll d20+1 aid!
[19:45] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+1 aid! and gets 4." [d20=3]
[19:46] <@Kotono> Meanwhile Filazan and Orval are occupied, all womaned up! To this the blonde just smiles, "Reaaally? They look like they're having fun, so I bet we can make something...happen." With a coy smile now, "We'll send them back in one piece if you just want to wait."
[19:48] <@Janson> "Uh... yeah, okay, right. Fine," Janson hangs his head in defeat. Then, leaning closer (and keeping his eyes above the neck for the most part), he whispers, "Listen, it's pretty obvious you're not really nymphs. You're acting way too friendly, and the mating season bit is just silly. So what's really going on here?"
[19:53] * @Whurric pauses at that and turns to look at Janson, not liking how she said that. While Janson talks to her, he starts concentrating as blue wisps of energy trail away from his hands and begin to shape around his feet.
[19:53] <@Whurric> OOC: using rapid meldshaping/full-round action to unshape lucky dice soulmeld and shape cerulean sandals. (allow me to walk on water as if using the water walk spell)
[19:58] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay Whurric.
[19:59] <@Kotono> The blonde smiles with a naughty smirk, "Wouldn't you like to know, big boy?"
[20:01] <@Janson> "Well yeah. I mean, you say 'back in one piece', but look - they're old!" he points over at the happy duo. "I don't think their hearts would take it even if you were just wanting some innocent impregnation!"
[20:03] <@Kotono> "Oh, they can take it," Chuckling at that, "I'm sure of it." OOC: Make a will save, Janson? Bonuses against enchantment apply.
[20:03] <@Janson> roll 1d20+10
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+10 and gets 14." [1d20=4]
[20:05] <@Janson> "Well... okay," Janson relents, smiling at her. "So long as you don't hurt them and they have fun, I guess I shouldn't complain. You must have your reasons."
[20:06] <@Kotono> "Go on back to your campfire," she whispers, "They'll be back when we're done." Smiling nicely now, "Have some dinner and go to sleep. None of the forest denizens will harm you this night."
[20:06] <@Whurric> "Are you -sure-, lad?" Whurric asks, still frowning. He knows he said he'd follow Janson's lead in all this, but he's feeling mighty uncomfortable with the idea of letting his brother go off and have the fey ravish him. He doesn't -look- like he'd mind being violated, but it could be some of that fey magic! ...but he's not totally sure! What to do!
[20:07] <@Kotono> The lovely 'nymph' smiles at Whurric, giving him a look! OOC: Will, bonuses against enchantment apply.
[20:07] <@Janson> "Well I can talk to animals so they're normally nice to me, anyway," Janson grins, straightening up. "Have fun, you two!" he waves at Orval and Filazan, turning now to go back to their camp.
[20:07] <@Kotono> OOC: This one is also an SLA, unlike the previous thing, so the +2 applies.
[20:07] <@Whurric> roll d20+10
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+10 and gets 17." [d20=7]
[20:09] <@Whurric> ooc: oh, and missed the +2 thing, so it'd be 19
[20:09] <@Kotono> OOC: Still a fail.
[20:09] <@Whurric> ooc: *nods*
[20:13] * @Whurric finally nods, deciding to trust the lass that approached them. She seemed pretty nice and honest, and Janson was trusting her too! "Don't tire my brother too much, lass. We still have some ways to go in the morning," he says as he turns to follow after Janson.
[20:30] <@Kotono> Thus the two go off! This leaves Orval and Filzan to the nymphs! Oh, they're all around them, snuggling! Beautiful women in all directions! Before Orval is a fiery, red haired one with a hungry look in her eyes, "Mmm, let me kiss you," she whispers to Orval, "Close your eyes and let me."
[20:33] <Orval> "Okay!" Orval closes his eyes.
[20:35] <@Kotono> Softness touches Orval, as he feels a curious sleepiness overtake him! As if his vitality is leaving him, even as he hears her whisper, "Just let me kiss you again!" OOC: You have gained one negative level. Further, make a will save.
[20:36] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Filazan
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Filazan and gets 11." [1d20=6]
[20:37] <Orval> roll 1d20+9
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9 and gets 11." [1d20=2]
[20:38] <@Kotono> OOC: Y ou've been hit with a suggestion to kiss the nymph again.
[20:41] * Orval does so, though he looks a bit drowsy.
[20:42] <@Kotono> Oh, they're all on you! They're kissing you all over, event hrough your robes! It feels so good, so incredible! All these gorgeous women...."Just keep doing that," one insists! OOC: Another negative level and another will save.
[20:42] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+4 Filazan
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 Filazan and gets 20." [1d20=16]
[20:43] <Orval> roll 1d20+9
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9 and gets 18." [1d20=9]
[20:45] <@Kotono> Oh, it's so good...Orval feels sleepier yet, detatched, and yet on fire. The caresses of the nymphs bring plreasure throughout you, even as a langour deeply infests your conciousness!  OOC: Suggestioned again.
[20:49] * Orval keeps doing that then!
[20:49] <@Kotono> Oh, it's so good! He feels his ardor rising, as if a dozen beautiful dwarven lasses were reciting erotic dwarven blacksmithing poems! The thrills are incredible, even as dreaminess starts to impose on everything...OOC: Another negative level, make will.
[20:52] * Joins: Cidward (WinNT@pool-173-79-12-175.washdc.fios.verizon.net)
[20:54] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-3
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-3 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
[20:55] <@Kotono> Despite the terrible lethargy surrounding him, Orval's mind somehow breaks free! A suggestion falls on deaf ears as his mind is cleard! He's surrounded and hugged by beautiful women....yet their faces are terribly hungry, symphoning whispy white energy from each touch and kiss! OOC: You'r considered grappled by the succubi. Act, the charm is broken.
[20:57] <Orval> "Hey, get off! What are ye doing!? GET OFF ME!" Orval thunders.
[21:03] <@Kotono> The nymphs all laugh as they try and kiss Orval,
[21:03] <@Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[21:06] <@Kotono> The nymphs all laugh as they try and kiss Orval, "Why don't you just lie there and take it, loverboy?" They ask as one! OOC: Suggestion, will. Also Whurric and Janson into #evildunes.
[21:07] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-3
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-3 and gets 14." [1d20=8]
[21:08] <@Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and act on the suggestion they just hit you with. Namely lying there andtaking it.
[21:09] <Orval> "Err, ok." Orval visibly calms, relaxing. He leans back again.
[21:09] <@Kotono> More kisses all over him, ardor turning into an absolute bonfire of passion! Orval shudders as it rocks him, even as he feels yet sleepier! OOC: Another negative level anda nother will save.
[21:10] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-4
[21:10] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-4 and gets 21." [1d20=16]
[21:11] <@Kotono> Again this suggestion fails despite Orval's weakness! His mind clears despite being terribly hazy! Meanwhile Janson and Whurric follow, coming closer! The herd of nymphs are all around the two! Filazan is nothing but a mummified corpse now, ancient and withered! The rest of the nymphs are on Orval, kissing him all over, some of them even looking faintly ghostly! OOC: I'm going to call init here,
[21:11] <@Kotono> shit is getting serious.
[21:11] <@Janson> roll 1d20+4
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 14." [1d20=10]
[21:12] <Orval> roll 1d20+3
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+3 and gets 6." [1d20=3]
[21:12] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+1 is the plural for of succubi a slut of succubi? I don't know but I like to imagine it is.
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 is the plural for of succubi a slut of succubi? I don't know but I like to imagine it is. and gets 9." [1d20=8]
[21:13] * Kotono changes topic to 'Janson(14)>Nymphs(9)>Orval(6)'
[21:13] <@Whurric> roll d20+5
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+5 and gets 10." [d20=5]
[21:13] * Kotono changes topic to 'Janson(14)>Whurric(10)>Nymphs(9)>Orval(6)'
[21:13] <@Kotono> OOC: Open Janson.
[21:14] <@Janson> "Oh, shit... Hey!" Janson calls to the 'nymphs', deciding an attack against such numbers would be foolhardy, but not wanting to see more death from... what the hell are they doing? "Stop! What are you... you're killing him! And Filazan... you said they'd be back in one piece!"
[21:14] <@Kotono> From the horde the blonde one looks out, shrugging, "Ooops?"
[21:15] <@Janson> "No, really, please! Stop! Haven't you had enough?" Janson pleads, hoping he can get some sort of compromise from them.
[21:16] <@Kotono> All you hear is laughter, "You can't stop us, little man! His life and soul are ours!"
[21:17] <@Whurric> "Like hell they are! My brother stays with me!" Whurric exclaims. "And I'll slam my axe into the head of any of you that say otherwise!"
[21:18] <@Janson> Not wanting to try attacking such unreasonable numbers, Janson tries once more, "What about a trade or something? Can't you be convinced to let them go?"
[21:18] <@Kotono> OOC: Janson, if your'e going to do anything else go for it now.
[21:18] <@Janson> OOC: nope
[21:18] <@Whurric> roll d20+11 intimidate?
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+11 intimidate? and gets 26." [d20=15]
[21:18] <@Whurric> ooc: actually, do I need to target a specific one?
[21:19] <@Kotono> OOC: I'll let you try it on the harem if you like with a modifier bonus for them, or on one as normal.
[21:20] <@Whurric> ooc: I wasn't glaring at any particular one, so harem I guess.
[21:20] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (+4 group)
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 (+4 group) and gets 16." [1d20=4]
[21:21] <@Kotono> "Oooh, so big and scary!" The blonde purrs, as Orval is let go! The nymphs come closer to Whurric, "Oh, let us love you while you abuse us, big boy! Mmmm, how about a few of us make love to you while you break a few others on the rack?"
[21:23] <@Kotono> "Oh yes," The red headed one speaks up, "I've always wanted to have my arms and legs painfully ampuated while a real man takes care of me! What a perfect specimen!"
[21:24] * Orval scrambles back toward the boys quickly, ynking his holy symbol from under his robes and trying desperately to regain his focus.
[21:25] <@Kotono> OOC: Go Janson.
[21:26] <Orval> OOC: SCRATCH
[21:26] <Orval> OOC: Was trying to get away from the succubi
[21:26] * Orval scrambles back away from the nymphs quickly, yanking his holy symbol from under his robes and trying desperately to regain his focus.
[21:28] <@Kotono> OOC: Sure thing. Okay, Janson's up.
[21:28] <@Kotono> Orvla retreats away from the nymphs, getting distance as they focus on his brother!
[21:28] * @Whurric blinks at that, not sure how to react, and briefly turns back to Janson. "I'm beginning to see why they call this place the barbarian lands," he mutters with a shake of his head before turning back to the nymphs. "D'you girls -really- want me to cut you up?" he asks, looking somewhat confused. He's never faced such a reaction in all his years!
[21:28] <@Janson> Janson's eyes light up as the succubi move towards Whurric, reaching into a pocket in his cloak for an old scroll he's held onto for just such an occassion! "If you girls like the kinky stuff, try being tied up in yards of sticky webbing!" he proclaims, reading off the scroll which crumbles to ash in his hands as he reads aloud the arcane sylables! In a flash, masses of thick webbing appear all over the surface of the pond, anchoring on nearby trees to catch up the nymphs in their grasp!
[21:29] <@Janson> OOC: take 10 on UMD for 24, DC is 23. Web DC is 13 reflex, still entangled even if saves.
[21:29] <@Kotono> "Oh yes! Cut us up while you rape us! Force us to commit horrible atrocities! It makes us so wet!" They cry with starry eyes, focused entirely on Whurric! They don't seem to notice Janson at all, until webbing comes to entangle them! OOC: Ref for them.
[21:29] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 13." [1d20=7]
[21:30] <@Kotono> The nymphs are all entangled now, gooey white webbing holding them fast! OOC: Whurric.
[21:30] <@Janson> "Run!" Janson blurts out as soon as the web sticks!
[21:32] * @Whurric moves around the nymphs, trying to get to his brother, uncomfortable with going near those really strange nymphs. "I need to get my brother!" he answers Janson.
[21:32] * Orval wades around the nymphs as fast as he can!
[21:32] <@Kotono> OOC: ARe you guys just fleeing?
[21:33] <@Whurric> ooc: once I grab my brother and get him back on dry land, yes.
[21:33] <@Janson> OOC: I was planning to grab our client's body before fleeing and give the dwarves a head start.
[21:33] <@Janson> OOC: so it looks like we're all sticking around, yay
[21:33] <Orval> OOC: You bet. We can come back later or something and blast them with holy goodness.
[21:34] <@Whurric> ooc: I don't know. they kinda creep out Whurric. It's easy to react to anger or fear in the face of axe smashing. It's a little harder to react to lust!
[21:35] <Orval> OOC: Either way, four negative levels. Gotta go.
[21:46] <@Kotono> Grabbing Orval and Filazan, the party rushes away from the entangled nymphs! They run and run, no immediate pursuit as they retreat away! OOC: Go ahead and act, the nymphs seem tied up in the webbing.
[21:47] <@Janson> Once a hopefully safe distance away, Janson stops to lean against a tree. "Well, we sure fucked this job up," he sums up their situation ruefully.
[21:48] * @Whurric immediately smacks Orval hard up the back of the head. "I hope you had fun, you daft brother of mine!"
[21:48] * Orval shakes his head. "I don't know what came over me. It seemed like such a good idea..."
[21:49] <Orval> "I should have been suspicious from the start."
[21:50] <@Janson> "Pretty sure they enchanted us," Janson states, "I was suspicious, but I wanted to give them a chance... stupid of me," he looks down at the shrivelled corpse at his feet. "Listen, we can't go back to Balmuria with this guy dead, it'll ruin our reputation. But if we take him to my village, it *might* be possible to convince them to reincarnate him. That's going above and beyond, which is the sort of reputation we want, right?"
[21:51] <@Whurric> "Aye, I suppose we don't have much option. This is mighty embarrassing, I gotta say," Whurric says. "And no offense lad, but next time I see my brother doing something strange, I'm rushing in axe swinging instead of holding back."
[21:52] <Orval> "I...yes. He'd not bargained for what just happened. I wasn't properly prepared, either." Orval shakes his head. "Oh, aye brother, and you can give me a right smack while you're doing it, too."
[21:53] * @Whurric snorts. "You bet your beard I will!"
[21:54] <@Janson> "Yeah, I was too trusting," Janson hangs his head. "How about you two make up a stretcher or litter so we can carry Filazan, and I'll sneak back to our campsite to grab our supplies? Then we can head straight for Aralla."
[21:56] <@Whurric> "How well d'you remember what happened back there anyway, brother? Not saying we -should-, mostly cause I'm a crappy liar and all, but if y'don't exactly remember and we manage t'bring back Filazan, I wouldn't be entirely opposed to blaming him for rushing ahead after we told him to let us make sure it was safe first, even if it was no fault of his..."
[21:56] * Orval nods. "If you can grab the bedrolls, I can use a sheet to help support the stretcher."
[21:56] * @Whurric nods to Janson and helps his brother with building something to carry Filazan around on.
[21:57] * @Janson sneaks off while the dwarves practice arts and crafts.
[21:57] <@Janson> roll 1d20+15 hide/move silently in case anyone's near our campsite
[21:57] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+15 hide/move silently in case anyone's near our campsite and gets 29." [1d20=14]
[21:58] <Orval> "I remember feeling burning passion, lots of kisses, and being strangely tired. I still am. In fact...I can't seem to remember some of my spells. My mind's gone fuzzy."
[21:59] <@Whurric> "Aye, women will do that t'ya," Whurric says understandingly. "Specially the fey ones."

[Ebiris]

[18:15] <@Kotono> OOC: For the sake of argument I'm going ot say you're 1d3 days away from Aralla, since no particular direction or pace was indicated.
[18:18] <@Kotono> roll 1d3
[18:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d3 and gets 2." [1d3=2]
[18:18] <@Kotono> OOC: Make fort saves on the energy drains, Orval?
[18:19] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-4
[18:19] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-4 and gets 8." [1d20=3]
[18:19] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-4
[18:19] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-4 and gets 23." [1d20=18]
[18:19] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-4
[18:19] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-4 and gets 24." [1d20=19]
[18:19] <Orval> roll 1d20+9-4
[18:19] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+9-4 and gets 9." [1d20=4]
[18:20] <@Kotono> OOC: 2/4, so you have two sticking around and two gone. Could've been way worse with the DC.
[18:20] <@Kotono> OOC: More.
[18:20] <@Kotono> The rest of the night and the next day pass. You're within a day's journey of Aralla as you settle down for the night around the campfire. OOC: Go ahead and describe what you're doing?
[18:23] <@Janson> "So want me to take first watch tonight, guys?" Janson asks, stoking the flames of their campfire before filling the cookpot with tasty mushrooms and roots with some vegetable stock from back in Balmuria. "Then Whurric then Orval? We should get to my hometown tomorrow, sometime."
[18:23] <Orval> OOC: Burned a 2nd level spell slot for the previous day's allotment for Gentle Repose on the corpse.
[18:23] <@Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[18:23] <@Whurric> "So anything we should know about yer place, Janson?" Whurric asks as he pokes at the campfire with a stick, shifting some of the burning logs. "You said it's a day or so away now, right?"
[18:25] <@Janson> "Women are in charge, but they're generally friendly to outsider men so long as you're respectful to them and to nature," Janson tells them. "I dunno if many of them will have ever met a dwarf, so you might get a bit of curiousity from that. Also whether they agree to reincarnate Filazan... they might ask us to do something for them rather than just paying. Depends on how nice they're feeling, and which elder we speak to, really."
[18:27] * Orval nods. "Tonight's our last night on the road, watch isn't really necessary, if you'd all like to sleep."
[18:28] <@Kotono> "Aagh..." The voice is groaning and tired, coming from the stretcher that carries Filazan! Turning, you can see his body rising! It's flesh has turned ash white, face twisted into a grimace of agony! His fists ball up as he rushes at the party, screaming incoherent words! OOC: Init. It's not a subtle thing.
[18:28] * @Janson shakes his head to that. "We're still in the wilds, Orval. There are wolves and bears out here that could make a meal of us if they felt like it... oh shit, what?!"
[18:28] <@Janson> roll 1d20+4
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 13." [1d20=9]
[18:28] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 11." [1d20=6]
[18:28] <@Whurric> "What the devil!" Whurric exclaims in shock, as he stumbles backwards, dropping the stick he was poking at the campfire with.
[18:28] <@Whurric> roll d20+5
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+5 and gets 16." [d20=11]
[18:28] <Orval> roll 1d20+3
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+3 and gets 18." [1d20=15]
[18:29] * Kotono changes topic to 'Orval(18)Whurric(16)>Janson(13)>Filazan(11)'
[18:29] <@Kotono> OOC: Go Orval.
[18:31] <Orval> roll 1d20+13 K:R
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+13 K:R and gets 17." [1d20=4]
[18:32] <@Kotono> OOC: It doesn't matter the way the DC falls, but does that include the -2 for the two negative levels?
[18:32] * Orval surges to his feet, whipping out his holy symbol. "Undead! Get back, foul beast!" OOC: turn undead, 3d6-1d6 for 2 missing levels. Also, no.
[18:33] <Orval> roll 2d6 holy power!
[18:33] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 2d6 holy power! and gets 8." [2d6=2, 6]
[18:33] <@Kotono> OOC: Oaky, roll the damage and what's the save type and DC?
[18:34] <Orval> OOC: DC is 16 Will
[18:34] <Orval> OOC: Wait
[18:34] <Orval> OOC: 15 DC
[18:34] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[18:34] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 and gets 14." [1d20=9]
[18:35] <@Kotono> Pure holy power washes over the party and the horrible wight before you! Filazan recoils from it, skin blistering under exposure to pure life! OOC: Whurric.
[18:36] <@Whurric> "Undead?!? Thought he was a proper dead! Y'didn't check for this sort of thing before he makes m'heart pop out of it's chest?" Whurric admonishes his brother as he steps towards their undead employer, drawing his axe and swinging.
[18:36] <@Whurric> roll d20+10 (PA-4)
[18:36] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+10 (PA-4) and gets 26." [d20=16]
[18:36] <@Kotono> OOC: That be a hit.
[18:37] <@Whurric> roll d12+8+8
[18:37] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d12+8+8 and gets 27." [d12=11]
[18:37] <@Kotono> Whurric's blade slices deep into the former Filzan! It nearly cleaves his body apart above the hips! It holds together by blackened viserals and little strands of flesh! He falls to the ground, slamming his arms down hard once before going still! OOC: Free act.
[18:38] <@Whurric> "Wait a tic...s'this gonna make rezzin' him any harder?" he stops to ask as he just realized what he did. "I just reacted, didn't even stop t'think of that!"
[18:38] * @Whurric looks a tad worried
[18:38] <Orval> "He turned into a wight! I don't think it would much have mattered!" Orval shakes his head.
[18:39] <@Whurric> "So...-s'not- going to make it harder?"
[18:39] <@Janson> "Jannath..." Janson catches his breath, walking over to the re-deaded cadaver of their employer. "Imagine if he had done that if we'd all went to sleep!" Calming himself he looks at Whurric, "Nah, don't worry. The reincarnate spell creates a whole new body, so it'll work fine. Still..." he looks at Orval, "No chance of you going all growly like him too, right Orval?"
[18:39] <Orval> "Janson, you know the fey, yes? Maybe I have missed something, but do fey turn people into undead like this?" Orval asks.
[18:40] <Orval> "Nay, I feel fine, feeling better than before, that's for certain."
[18:40] <@Janson> "Uh..." Ordinarily Janson would have said no! Fey and undead are utterly inimical to each other! But Senaril readily puts lie to that. "Yeah, some do. The nymph who killed most of the old team did, in fact."
[18:42] * Orval frowns. "I'd not read that. I would expect such of a fell creature of the lower planes."
[18:43] <@Whurric> "Gotcha. Don't trust nymphs," Whurric says with a shudder. "They're damn strange, the lot of 'em. You saw how they were begging me to cut 'em up?"
[18:44] <Orval> "I did. That's why I'd rather not sleep under the stars if I can help it tonight. I have a spell, though I didn't believe I would need it the other night, and I am sorry I did not use it. Keep an eye out for ten minutes, I need to prepare a circle." Orval stands.
[18:45] <@Janson> "Yeah," Janson uses his foot to roll the parts of Filazan back onto the stretcher. "S'funny. Nymphs are supposed to be shy but really gentle and loving... I thought the Phoenix Keeper's playmate was just stupid and easily tricked. I thought Senaril was a freak. I thought those lot in the pond weren't even nymphs at all... just goes to show, you can't trust what you hear until you go out and see things yourself."
[18:46] <@Whurric> "Phoenix Keeper?" the dwarf asks curiously as he starts cleaning his axe. "Sounds like a good story there. Mind sharing? Or s'it a sad tale like that Senaril one?"
[18:47] * Orval clears a large space, drawing a circle in the earth with a fallen tree branch, chanting all the while.
[18:49] <@Janson> "Nah, it's a pretty funny one, actually," Janson starts to smile and takes a seat by the fire once more to watch his cooking. "Was this crazy elf who'd somehow both found a phoenix egg, and tricked a nymph into thinking he was really deep and in tune with nature. But all he really wanted was to hurt humans. So he hatches this plan to imprison the phoenix egg and siphon its powers of rebirth to turn humans into pixies and make some sort of tiny fey army under his control. We put a stop to that - the nymph even seemed to come around to our way and told the elf off right and proper afterwards."
[18:52] <@Whurric> "A...pixie army?" Whurric asks, disbelieving. "And he felt this would -work-?"
[18:54] <@Janson> "Pixies can turn invisible, fly really fast, they're great archers, even resistant to magic," Janson lists off. "Also remember every pixie he made was one less human in the world, so that by itself was probably good enough for him. And he had a *lot* of them. Honestly we'd have probably been killed if we had to fight them, but he was cocky and took us on himself... the nymph wasn't so obliging, but like I said, we talked her down."
[18:57] <@Whurric> "Hrm...okay, I suppose it's not good t'understimate them just cause they're tiny," the dwarf admits. "A little hard to believe, but you're right, the loss of human life to fuel his army probably did make things worse."
[19:01] * Orval completes the spell, a sturdy cottage builing itself out of nowhere. He dusts his hands off. "Gentlemen, your beds await." He gestures to the door.
[19:03] * @Whurric raises an eyebrow. "Y'damn show-off..." he says drily.
[19:03] * Orval grins.
[19:07] <@Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 10." [1d100=10]
[19:09] <@Kotono> Inside the secure shelter te night passes safely enough. You sleep away, rested and refreshed the next morning! A few hours of travel take you to a stop - for they step out on the path ahead of you. Six women, longbows drawn! They are lead by a woman with soft purple hair, curvy and with a hint of a point to her ears. Her violet eyes are cool and composed as she levels her longbow at the party.
[19:09] <@Kotono> "Identify yourselves," she demands, in particular eyeing Janson.
[19:11] * @Whurric lets Janson do the talking since he's supposed to know them and all!
[19:11] * Orval blinks.
[19:12] * @Janson looks momentarily pained as he meets the exotic looking woman's eyes. "Long time no see, Tessa," he waves lamely. "You don't really need to point that at me, do you?"
[19:13] <@Kotono> "...Janson." Her bow is lowered, arrow facing down towards the ground. With an imperious glare and toss of her hair, "What have you returned to Aralla for? Wights stalk the forest, to the horror of all."
[19:13] * @Whurric frowns at that. "Wights, y'say? We have a bit of a problem with that ourselves..." Whurric chimes in.
[19:13] <@Janson> "Yeah, well we can tell you all about that then," Janson says, "Considering we just came through a meeting with the wight-makers ourselves," he jerks a thumb at the corpse on the stretcher.
[19:14] <@Kotono> Tessa takes a glance over to it, before a curt nod to the other women. One goes over to the stretcher and inspects it, "Jannath's mercy! It is a wight! A slain one, but one of the walking dead!"
[19:14] <@Kotono> "Hmph." Tessa glowers, "Elder Vanessa will want to talk to you," She says, "All three of you, come with us."
[19:15] <@Janson> "Used to be our employer, too," Janson nods irreverently. "Till he took a dip with some suspicious acting 'nymphs' about two days Northwest of here. Sucked the life right out of him. We were hoping to see if he could be reincarnated with Jannath's mercy."
[19:15] * @Janson brightens, considering Vanessa is the elder who likes him.
[19:15] <@Whurric> "Lead the way!"
[19:16] <Orval> As they walk, Orval tugs on Janson's sleeve for his attention.
[19:17] * @Janson gives Orval his attention, wondering at the odd way of gathering it.
[19:18] * Orval leans up. "This is the first time I've ever seen human or elf with purple hair. Her ears are a bit pointy, but is this normal?" He says hushedly.
[19:19] <@Janson> "Does it matter?" Janson asks incredulously. "She's got fey blood, like me," he then elaborates with a shake of his head.
[19:19] <Orval> "Well I don't know that either, now do I?"
[19:20] <@Janson> "Remember what I said earlier about being respectful," Janson reiterates, hoping it forstalls any more inane and potentially personal questions.
[19:21] * Orval nods.
[19:22] * @Whurric laughs and pats Orval in the back. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. Probably best if we just let Janson here do most of the talking though..."
[19:22] <Orval> "Yes, most likely."
[19:22] <@Kotono> With that, the party is escorted to Aralla. Within you are taken into a tree-building, upstairs. Here awaits one. A gorgeous amber-haired woman, tall, busty and beautiful. She wears a short skirt and armless shirt, a scimitar attached to her belt. "You're returned again," Vanessa greets Janson, "Dwarves? A curious thing to see in the forests of Merdlain."
[19:24] <@Janson> "They're new recruits to Whimsical Sweets," Janson explains. "Orval and Whurric. And the wight is Filazan, who we were hired to guide on a scholarly expedition into the forests... that ended when he took a swim with some really suspicious looking nymphs that sucked the life out of him. And from what Tessa says, they've had lots of other meals besides just him?" Then belatedly, "Oh, guys, this is Elder Vanessa."
[19:25] * @Whurric gives a polite nod of the head. "Pleased to meet you, madam."
[19:25] * Orval bows. "A pleasure, madam."
[19:27] <@Kotono> With a polite smile that turns into a grave look as Janson goes on, "We've been wondering on the source of those wights. Tell us more."
[19:29] <@Janson> "It's about two days Northwest, we were just setting dowm to camp when we saw this light through the trees - not like will o wisps, it was more... well radiant and nice? Anyway, we went to it and saw this pond with about three dozen nymphs all frolicking about. Orval and Filazan both dived right in... Orval, want to share what happened to you there?" Janson gives the dwarf a chance to share his side of the story.
[19:33] <Orval> "Well, I felt very warm, and looked like everyone was having great fun, so I joined in. Janson and my brother Whurric here headed off around then, I think. I don't know what they were after, but at some point one of them told me to kiss her. Not being able to resist, I did so, and almost immediately felt...lighter. More tired, I think. Dreamy, perhaps. Another nymph asked me to kiss her, and
[19:33] <Orval> again I found it irresistable. It happened a few more times before I was able to get my faculties together and alert Janson and Whurric that something was amiss. When they arrived, they got strange. Brother, what did they say to you? I was distracted with trying to get away."
[19:34] * @Janson is confident that a woman of a world like Vanessa doesn't have ears too delicate to hear the sordid tale of Whurric's interaction with the nymphs!
[19:34] <@Whurric> ooc: wrong dwarf
[19:35] <@Whurric> ooc: okay, not the wrong dwarf. I thought Janson meant Orval's little orgy.
[19:36] <@Whurric> "They wanted me to cut 'em up and torture them and do unspeakable things to them!" is all Whurric has to say on the matter.
[19:37] <@Kotono> Elder Vanessa nods once, face utterly solemn. "This confirms my worst fears. Children, those were no nymphs, but horrible things from beyond our world. They are unnatural blights known as succubi! They are the seducers of legend, taking the guise of fair fey to allure prey to them."
[19:37] <@Janson> "While they were 'distracted' talking about that, I caught them in a web spell then grabbed Filazan's body so we could run," Janson picks up. "Considering how powerful one nymph is, I didn't want to risk tangling with thirty-odd, even if they were suspicious fake nymphs."
[19:37] <@Janson> "Oh, really?" Janson brightens. "Are succubi weaker than nymphs?"
[19:39] * Orval slaps his fist into his palm. "Damn, I should have known!"
[19:39] <@Kotono> OOC: Any of you with K:P can make a check on them, if you care to.
[19:39] <@Whurric> "They had powerful mind magic to so easily snare my brother and our employer, and they later managed to briefly turn Janson and I away from their feeding...that'll be hard to get past," Whurric comments.
[19:40] <@Kotono> "They are powerful, but not warriors. This fits with what we know. They retreat from struggle using teleportation and avoid any sort of confrontation," Elder Vanessa says, "Thank you, this information confirms our fears. We'll have to devote a mission to ending them."
[19:40] <@Whurric> roll d20+2 K:P
[19:40] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+2 K:P and gets 4." [d20=2]
[19:42] <@Janson> "If we helped with that mission, do you think it would be possible to ask Jannath to intercede on Filazan's behalf for a reincarnation?" Janson asks hopefully. "I'm sure he died happily, but he's still our client and we were hired to keep him safe..."
[19:44] <@Kotono> Smiling with a pleasant indulgence, "It's a brave offer of you, but men are ill suited to confront those temptresses. Your nature is too easily clouded with lust. Allow women to deal with it, for we can withstand their bewitching magics."
[19:45] <@Janson> "Oh... hey!" Janson frowns and crosses his arms, "Me and Whurric didn't go jumping into that pool - and you can bet they asked, really persuasively! We're not that simple!" he protests with wounded dignity.
[19:45] * @Whurric frowns a bit, wondering if he should be offended, or see it as just her agreeing with his earlier observation. He decides to stay silent on that, and instead asks, "Anything we can do to help, or is it possible to see our employer reincarnated despite that?"
[19:50] <@Kotono> "Child," With a gentle smile at that, "It's both magic and your nature. The risk of one of you aiding the succubi instead offighting them is too great to consider. To help..." Tapping her lips a moment with a finger, "Yes, there may be something."
[19:50] * Orval nods. Surely the women will be immune to the succubi's womenly charms.
[19:50] <@Janson> "Okay... let me just try something," Janson meets Vanessa's eyes and sees if she's as immune to temptation as she claims. Not that he'd do anything untoward if it works, it's merely to prove a point!
[19:50] <@Janson> OOC: DC 15 will vs charm
[19:51] <@Janson> OOC: 16, sorry
[19:52] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Yes, she is a high level druid. You can imagine how this is going to go.
[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Yes, she is a high level druid. You can imagine how this is going to go. and gets 22." [1d20=6]
[19:52] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+25 spellcraft
[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 spellcraft and gets 39." [1d20=14]
[19:52] <@Janson> "Okay, that never works..." Janson sighs immediately afterwards.
[19:54] <@Kotono> With a smile that loses it's warmth in a split-second, "I am not so easily muddled as a man." Her gaze bores into Janson, "Were you a woman, perhaps this conversation would be different."
[19:55] <@Janson> "Sorry, Elder, I didn't mean to offend. But it's the same sort of magic, so I guess I was hoping it might not be so different," Janson lowers his head. "If there's any way we can help without risking our sisters, we surely will."
[19:56] <@Whurric> "Agreed. I'll help with what I can, though I'd still like to return to the issue of Filazan? Is there anything we can do for him?"
[19:57] <Orval> "Indeed." Orval nods.
[19:57] <@Kotono> "While dealing with the succubi, our normal scouts and defenses regarding the giants are slack." Elder Vanessa continues, "Serving as defenders and watchers there will be sufficient."
[19:58] <@Janson> "Can do that just as well," Janson perks up, glad to be considered trustworthy for a still important task.
[19:59] <@Whurric> "They're a problem? Had gotten the impression that outside of enslaving goblins, which Janson said weren't as bad as the vermin back home, they were pretty benign..." Whurric asks with a slight tilt of the head.
[19:59] <@Janson> "They run hot and cold," Janson explains. "It's best for us not to appear weak."
[20:00] <@Kotono> "Exactly. There have been skirmishes and battles, as well as the..." A moment's pause, "I believe the city humans call it the War of the Leaves?"
[20:00] <Orval> roll 1d20+12 knowledge: history
[20:00] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+12 knowledge: history and gets 15." [1d20=3]
[20:03] <@Whurric> "Madam, a question...these succubi, do they only prey on humans and dwarves? Any chance of them plaguing these giants and their slaves as well?" he asks, as a though occurs to him: Undead goblins. Brrr! How disgusting!
[20:04] <@Kotono> "'tis possible," Vanessa agrees, "Though our sources with the giants have said nothing about undead problems in their part of the forest."
[20:05] <@Janson> "They live more to the Southeast, so it's a bit out of their way in comparison," Janson adds helpfully.
[20:05] <@Whurric> "Hrm, here's hoping things stay such, while your warriors deal with the source of the problem," Whurric says.
[20:06] <Orval> "Let's hope we don't start another war between the giants and Balmuria again, then." Orval nods.
[20:07] <@Kotono> "Yes." Vanessa nods, "How long has it been since this man died?"
[20:08] <@Whurric> "A little under two days," Whurric answers.
[20:09] <@Whurric> roll d20+5 K:L
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+5 K:L and gets 16." [d20=11]
[20:09] <@Janson> "So he should still be in the Well of Souls? I think he worshipped Mystra," Janson fills in.
[20:09] * Whurric is now known as Merc
[20:09] * Quits: Merc-laptop (~k@c-98-197-243-233.hsd1.tx.comcast.net) (Quit: )
[20:09] <@Kotono> "I will attempt reincarnation tomorrow at dawn," Elder Vanessa says, "Afterwords he will be kept here to adapt to a possible new form, assuming he returns with the call. Once we know his fate, you will be taken to your post."
[20:10] <@Kotono> Nodding to that, "He should be, though nothing is ever certain with resurrection," Elder Vanessa says.
[20:11] <@Janson> "He was out here to learn about nature so he should be fine in Aralla for a few days while all this settles down," Janson nods happily.
[20:13] <@Janson> "And I'll give the best directions I can to whoever leads the attack on the succubi, but we left pretty clear tracks with the stretcher anyway so it shouldn't be hard to find them," he adds.
[20:20] <@Kotono> While the dwarves prepare, Janson heads home! Ah, it's just how he left it. Mother and his sister are both inside, talking casually as they eat lunch. "Who is it?" Mom calls out with a glance, "Come in, we're having lun-Janson?"
[20:22] <@Janson> "Hi Mom, hi Holly," Janson waves to the pair, going over for the requisite hugs and kisses. "Was in the woods so figured I'd drop in. How you both doing?"
[20:26] * Joins: Whurric (~k@70-139-7-123.lightspeed.rsbgtx.sbcglobal.net)
[20:28] <@Kotono> Janson gets them in short order, "Jannath, you're gaining a bit of weight?" Mom says, giving you a critical eye. "Have you been eating that city food?"
[20:28] <@Kotono> Meanwhile Holly smiles, "We're doing well. What about you? I didn't think you were coming back anytime soon!"
[20:30] <@Janson> "It.. it's muscle!" Janson insists defensively to his mother, before smiling at his sister. "Had a job guiding a scholar about the woods... only he got a bad case of the being dead after taking a bath with some friendly nymphs who turned out to be not so friendly succubi. It was only two days away so we ended up coming here."
[20:32] <@Kotono> "Terrible," Holly reddens, "Are they the ones behind the undead in the forest?"
[20:34] <@Janson> "Yeah, Elder Vanessa's putting together a war party to go kill them all, so me and the other Whimsical Sweets guys will be sticking around a few days handling the patrols and stuff in case of giants," Janson nods. "Think you'll be getting called up, Holly?"
[20:35] <@Kotono> "I may be," she says, "It depends on the size of the warband, but I hope so!"
[20:35] <@Kotono> Mom just smiles mildly to that, "Did you bring your friends to Aralla again?"
[20:37] <@Janson> "Well..." Janson takes a seat, sobering. "I brought friends, yeah... but not ones you know. Remember the lot that came by last time? Aaeru, Andrea, Wayland, Simmer? Well we had a run in with a psychotic Shar worshipping nymph that wanted to wipe out Balmuria - Aaeru's the only one still around from that group, and she's off visiting her family in Erenholm right now."
[20:38] <@Kotono> "Jannath rest those brave women," Mom bows her head, "You're safe and sound, at least?"
[20:40] <@Janson> "Wayland's with Ilmater, too," Janson feels compelled to add for the male gender. "And yeah, it was a really terrible battle but we killed the nymph in the end. Since then I've moved out of the little cottage I had before - I've got a really nice big house now, with a huge garden - has its own hedge maze and swimming pool and everything," he smiles wanly, the creature comforts shallow compared to the death of his friends. "I'm living with this girl, Sylvie. You two should meet her sometime, I'm sure you'd like her."
[20:41] <@Kotono> "Oh, a woman made you hers!" Mother claps her hands together, "That's wonderful, Janson! What's she like?"
[20:41] <@Kotono> Holly giggles, "Ooooh! Janson has a girlfriend!"
[20:45] * @Janson gives the younger redhead a momentary but unheated glare. "She's really smart, and tough too - she was there when we fought that nymph, and she's been through lots of other harsh jobs with us too. She loves to read, but since that last fight she's been training to fight a lot more. She has a little boy called Calley... to be honest, her mother mostly looks after him, though," he admits that last part with a shrug, "They're both living with us, and I'm trying to help with that, too."
[20:45] <@Kotono> "Well, that's normal. A woman has to take care of things," Mother says, "Especially a warrior woman like her. Bring her to meet us!"
[20:49] <@Janson> "I will if we get a chance to come over this way," Janson caves easily under pressure. "But don't you two be shy about dropping in if you're ever out by the city. We're off in the Western Reaches outside of town proper, the mansion's called House Moutan. It'd be nice to have either of you over," he offers in return.
[20:52] <@Kotono> "We'll see," Mom says after some thought, getting a bowl for Janson. Putting it in front of him, "You have to tell usa ll about what's happened!" OOC: Good to hop along for now there? If you wanna tal to them more after the patrol thing feel free, I just don't want the others hanging forever on this.
[20:53] <@Janson> "Before that, you probably will get called up Holly - there's like thirty succubi so they'll need a lot of warriors. So take this," Janson hands her a cherry bomb. "It's candy, but not the kind you eat. You see a lot of succubi close together, throw it at them and it'll explode and burn them all horribly!"
[20:54] <@Kotono> Holly sniffs it, "It smells nice, brother. It can really burn them all?"
[20:55] <@Janson> "It's basically a fireball spell in a piece of candy," Janson nods. "Whimsical Sweets isn't just a name," he grins.

[Corwin]

[19:51] <Kowork> Dawn. It's far too early for most to be up, but you brave it and rise. Lying on a pile of wood sticks is Filazan, annointed with holy and herbs all about. Elder Vanessa is there, chanting strange words of the forest and calling to Jannath...
[19:52] <Janson> All the holy herbs in the world can't mask the terrifying undead grimace worn by the cadaver, nor its partially dismembered state. Still, it's a chance to see Jannath perform a miracle, and thus Janson finds himself a prime spot nearby where he can observe fully without actually getting in the way of any more important women.
[19:54] * Whurric simply observes, standing near his brother. Hopefully next time their ex-boss rises, it won't be trying to chew their heads off.
[19:54] * Orval sets himself up near Janson, occasionally looking up from a sheet of scroll paper he is scribbling on.
[19:56] <Kowork> With that the chanting grows! Higher and higher it reaches, Vanessa opening her arms up to the sky! "Earth Mother Jannath! We ask you for a miracle this day! Intercede on behalf of Filazan, so that he may return to the realm of the living!" At that last word the dawn breaks all at once, light flooding through the trees!
[19:56] <Kowork> roll 1d100 1-50
[19:56] * Hatbot --> "Kowork rolls 1d100 1-50 and gets 80." [1d100=80]
[19:58] <Kowork> For a moment your eyes are dazzled, making you blink and rub away the light. When it clears, you see Filazan still lies on the pile of wooden sticks, bloated and forsaking rebirth. Elder Vanessa looks on a moment, "So be it, Earth Mother. We cannot expect a man to have the strength to make the trip back to the world of the living easily. We now only ask that he rejoins the cycle of nature with your wisdom."
[19:59] <Janson> "Ah well," Janson emerges from the shadows rapidly evaporating under dawn's light. "We can honestly say that he met his death happily and willingly. Can't ask for more than that." Bowing his head to the amber haired woman, "Thank you for trying, Elder."
[20:03] * Orval makes a few more scribbles and waves the sheet to dry it. "Fascinating. Does Jannath prefer females in all things, then?"
[20:05] <Whurric> "S'saddening we won't have a chance to correct our mistake, but that's how life goes sometimes," Whurric notes with a sigh. "But yes, I agree and thank you for trying."
[20:05] <Kowork> "Jannath can only open the way forward. A male's spirit can only go so far." Elder Vanessa shakes her head, "Females are closer to the earth, closer to Jannath. Such is the way of nature."
[20:06] <Janson> "I'm sure Mystra will welcome him with open arms, at least," Janson shrugs. "We should get the body covered up, since we'll need to take him back to Balmuria after we're done here. Is the nymph hunting party heading out soon, Elder?"
[20:08] <Kotono> "This very day," Elder Vanessa says, "In the meanwhile, a forest ranger is awaiting to take you and show you the basics of patrolling the border."
[20:09] * Orval nods. "Aye, we'd best get moving then."
[20:10] <Janson> "I did enough snooping around when I was younger that I can probably handle it if you'd rather get that ranger in the fight against the nymphs rather than babysitting us, but if you think it's necessary," Janson offers without pushing it.
[20:14] <Kotono> "She's on homeguard after this, in case the demons strike against us directly, so it's fine," Vanessa says, "Milla awaits. Come." You are lead to the outskirts of the village. HEre there is a woman with fiery red hair, shoulder length. She is tanned and muscular, wearing leathers and with a longbow on her back. She carries a pair of daggers on her belt and a longsword as well. "Dwarves?" she
[20:14] <Kotono> blink-blinks, taking a good look at the two, "I thought you never came out from below!"
[20:15] * Janson is relieved since he'd half-worried it might have been Tessa. "Hey Milla," he waves to the ranger. "You actually see a few dwarves around Balmuria. Not as many as elves but still... This is Whurric and Orval."
[20:16] * Orval grins cheerfully. "We're just passing through, lass. Pay us no mind, and if we leave ye some giant corpses to deal with, all the better, yes?"
[20:16] * Janson twitches. "They're very bloodthirsty," he admits embarrassedly.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Hmph," Janson gets a lofty, distant look. "All the better, yes. Come on, I'll lead you two on." With a distant gaze at Janson, just a moment, "See if you can keep up, male."
[20:19] * Orval gives Janson a sidelong look as he follows.
[20:21] <Janson> "Oh, come on," Janson gives Milla an unhappy look. "I should be asking that of you, y'know," he remarks, setting off into the foliage bordering the village and moving through and around it with a simple economy of motion that doesn't even break his stride despite the undergrowth and uneven ground.
[20:23] * Orval carefully picks his way through the undergrowth behind them.
[20:24] <Kotono> Milla stops right there and crosses her arms, "You'd do better to remember your place, man. You should be warming bedchambers and preparing dinner. You're fortunate to even be out here." The undergrowth isn't too bad with Milla's help, at least.
[20:27] <Janson> "Yeah, well after I'm done here I'll go back home to warm my lovely girlfriend's bed and enjoy a meal cooked by my helpful servants," Janson calls back, taking advantage of Orval's slowness to hide himself amidst the undergrowth and creep along while still being able to match their pace. Better to patrol unseen until needed, after all. "I grew up in these woods in case you've already forgotten
[20:27] <Janson> me. You seem to have forgotten my name, at least."
[20:27] <Orval> "Janson, what'd ya do to this girl to get her so angry at you?" Orval grunts.
[20:28] <Whurric> "I'm sure it's not his fault, brother, he's been pretty decent company all things considered, right? Can't have changed that much since he left home way back!"
[20:29] <Kotono> "Hmph." Milla glowers, leading you along. She goes silent at that, simmering but doing her job.
[20:30] <Orval> "I'd say so." Orval turns to Milla. "So come off it. What's up your backside about our man here? You're the first one to treat him so since we arrived."
[20:30] <Janson> "Best I don't say," Janson murmurs out of the shadows near Orval rather than re-open the argument since Milla's finally shut up.
[20:31] <Kotono> Simmering further, nad at Orval's words, "He's a simmering heretic who insulted several women and then ran off! He dabbles in matters no man should!"
[20:34] <Orval> "Because the lad dabbles in magic? Lass, you need to get out more. Out of your village, at least. Magic doesn't care who or what uses it, so long as they have the mind and the will for it. As for insulting people, well I'm sure he had a good reason. He hasn't struck me as impulsive or rude."
[20:35] <Janson> Poking his head out of some bushes, "Actually I was exceedingly polite back when I lived here. I mean, if she'd talked this way to me before I'd have ducked my head and thanked her for her consideration. But yeah, broadened my horizons and all that."
[20:36] * Whurric just shakes his head and claps Janson in the back, encouragingly. "I'm sure we'll find something to fight soon enough to distract 'em both?"
[20:38] * Orval mouths JAnson's last words to himself with an incredulous look on his face, but stays silent.
[20:39] <Kotono> Milla's fists ball up, her mouth clenched. She closes her eyes tightly and walks, saying not a word again.
[20:41] * Janson melds back into hiding amidst the undergrowth himself as they press on in hopeful silence.
[20:52] <Kotono> You travel for several hours. Until at last you come to a thick wall of trees, slow going as you slip through. Scratched up(save for Janson) and dirty, you emerge out into a perfect clearing! As if the trees here simply vanished, enough space for a small hut. "This is the base we use when we're scouting the giant border. It's safe and secure, rest here each night. It's stocked with food and has
[20:52] <Kotono> a well."
[20:54] <Janson> Emerging out from behind a tree, Janson speaks up and hopes keeping it professional won't set off Milla further. "Which way are we going to patrol out on?"
[20:57] <Kotono> "Ahead," Gesturing, "For several miles ahead in a fan formation. You make the sweep twice a day."
[20:58] <Janson> "Alright," Janson nods, turning to the dwarves. "You guys wanna take a break for lunch and then head out?"
[21:00] <Orval> "Sounds good." Orval says, sitting down and brushing off his robes.
[21:00] <Whurric> "Might as well," Whurric agrees.
[21:02] * Janson therefore goes into the hut to grab some food and water to dish out for himself and the others before they start patrolling.

[21:04] <Kotono> OOC:What languages do you all speak?
[21:05] <Orval> OOC: Common, Dwarven, Draconic, Terran, Infernal, Celestial
[21:05] <Janson> OOC: common, sylvan, gnomish
[21:06] <Whurric> ooc: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Celestial

[21:08] <Kotono> After a quick tour Milla departs. It's patrolling several miles of forest, uninteresting enough once you get used to forest chic. Three days of this pass. On the fourth day you are doing your morning sweep, through a downward sloped gully. As you proceed down, you can hear it ahead. Grunts and a sharp word none of you understand, somewhere ahead in the foliage.
[21:09] * Orval whispers, "Janson, you're quiet and hide well. Go look up ahead."
[21:09] * Janson appears out of the foliage next to the dwarves. "Was just about to suggest that. If he's trouble I'll flush him your way," he whispers before melding into the undergrowth once more and advancing towards the noise.
[21:09] <Janson> roll 1d20+15 hide/move silently
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+15 hide/move silently and gets 31." [1d20=16]
[21:10] * Whurric holds ready for whatever Janson finds and does!
[21:12] <Kotono> Janson sneaks ahead! About 40 feet ahead he gets through another level of brush, able to get a look. Four of them. Green skinned and small, goblins. They were somewhat tattered clothes, one of them kneeling and rubbing a swollowen ankle. They converse in words you don't understand. One points at the ankle and shakes his head, while another waves a hand and jumps up and down, louder.
[21:14] <Janson> He's seen rangers do this often enough, though usually they favour visible backup, nonetheless Janson emerges out from the brush a few feet from the goblins - better to spook them that way - and speaks up, "You wander close to Aralla, goblins. What brings you here?" he demands. In common. It's called that for a reason!
[21:21] <Kotono> The goblins start, a moment of utter shock passing! After one of them clears it's throat and replies in Common, "We're lost and trying to get as far away from the giants as possible. We just want to get away."
[21:22] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 they have motives and I will sense them
[21:22] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 they have motives and I will sense them and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[21:23] <Janson> That draws a nod from Janson. "I can respect that." Turning his head back, "Orval, Whurric! Get up here!" he calls.
[21:23] * Orval tromps through the brush and frowns. "What's all this?"
[21:25] <Janson> "These goblins are escaping their slavery. Aralla won't take them but I figure I can give them directions. Think you could heal that injured one?" he indicates the goblin with the sprained ankle.
[21:25] * Whurric follows at the call, coming from the bush as well, and lowering his axe when seeing that Janson's not in danger, though he frowns at the sight of goblins.
[21:25] * Orval eyes the goblins. "Ye're sure they're not out to cause trouble?"
[21:26] <Whurric> "He did say they're not the same as the type we've had to deal with, though I'm mostly concerned with them runnin' afoul of the undead and those succubi," Whurric notes. "Where can y'even send them right now?"
[21:28] <Orval> "If they're not out to cause trouble, I'm betting they'll have luck in Balmuria, eh? They seem to take all types over there, don't they?" Orval says, kneeling down to examine the injured goblin.
[21:28] <Janson> "C'mon, just look at them," Janson points out their bedraggled state. "Anyway, you want to get away from the giants? You're best off heading North a ways and then West towards the coast. The giants tend to live further inland, and if you wanted to chance your luck you could follow the coast down to Balmuria."
[21:29] <Kotono> The dwarves gets looks back, as Orval see his ankle is obviously sprained with the swelling. "Thank you," the Common speaking one says, a pause, "...grandmother told me a story that dwarves hate goblins. Is that true?"
[21:31] <Orval> "Dwarves and goblins tend to fight to the death within the mountain...but everyone I have spoken to says that surface goblins are differemt, so I think we will give you a chance." Orval says before closing his eyes in prayer, his hands resting on the injured goblin's leg. OOC: CLW, CL 5th
[21:31] <Orval> roll 1d8+5
[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d8+5 and gets 9." [1d8=4]
[21:32] <Whurric> "Hrnnn...well, they probably wouldn't run afoul of our earlier problem going that way," Whurric mutters before frowning at the goblin's question, and goes with his brother's answer. "Only about s'much as your kind hate us, so as long as you're not trying to kill me and my friends, I can extend the same courtesy."
[21:34] * Janson points North since they seemed lost. "Head up that way for a couple of hours, you'll hit a river and you can just follow it downstream all the way to the coast. Not the quickest way, but you shouldn't get lost at least."
[21:35] <Whurric> "And stay away from mountains if you can. Unlikely you'll meet any other dwarves that'll bother giving any chances t'say you're not trouble if they see you around those parts," Whurric suggests.
[21:35] <Kotono> The ankle heals, the swelling gone! The wounded one looks up with a hesitant smile of thanks, while the talking one merely exhales. "Thank you." After a moment, "The Giants may have followed us once they realized we escaped. Please, be aware and be careful."
[21:36] * Whurric nods at the warning. "G'luck to you, I suppose. Perhaps we'll meet again in Balmuria," the dwarf offers.
[21:38] <Janson> "They should know better than to come into Jannath's territory," Janson says with more confidence than he actually feels. "Get moving and good luck."
[21:41] <Kotono> With that the goblins depart away, hurrying along!
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d100+25
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+25 and gets 27." [1d100=2]
[21:43] <Kotono> roll 1d100+25
[21:43] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+25 and gets 87." [1d100=62]
[21:43] <Kotono> Another day passes. It's the afternoon's patrol, slipping through forest. As you wander you comet o it - a cross section, stomped over ground. Huge footprints can be seen, the foliage beneath trampled.
[21:44] <Janson> roll 1d20+13 survival to find stuff out about the obvious tracks!
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 survival to find stuff out about the obvious tracks! and gets 22." [1d20=9]
[21:45] <Kotono> It doesn't take a woodcrafting degree to realize there are a giant's footprints. They're fresh - withint he last hour.
[21:46] <Janson> OOC: any idea how many, speed of travel, that sort of stuff?
[21:46] <Kotono> OOC: Just one, traveling at a slow, careful pace.
[21:47] <Whurric> "Hunting for lost goblins? Or different group perhaps?" Whurric muses.
[21:48] <Janson> "It's just the one, he's moving slow as if he's looking for tracks or moving stealthily... uh, as much as a giant can. Come on, slow or not he's got a lead on us, so lets hustle and catch up before he causes any mischief," Janson urges the dwarves to hurry as he starts following the tracks. A slow giant still beats a normal paced dwarf, after all.
[21:48] * Orval nods.
[21:49] <Whurric> "A mischievous giant, that'll be a sight to behold..."
[21:51] <Kotono> OOC: Going to try and flank or go past the giant as you trail him or...?
[21:52] <Janson> OOC: catch up and then tail him stealthily (as much as possible with the dwarves) to get an idea of what he's doing before confronting him
[21:54] <Kotono> OOC: Make hide checks, all?
[21:55] <Janson> roll 1d20+15
[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+15 and gets 17." [1d20=2]
[21:55] <Whurric> roll d20+0
[21:55] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+0 and gets 6." [d20=6]
[21:56] <Orval> roll 1d20+3
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+3 and gets 13." [1d20=10]
[21:58] <Kotono> You travel for an hour or so. Ahead you can see it - a giant rests against a tree. He's a good dozena nd change feet tall, wearing hides that cover his muscled body. He has a fierce green beard and hair, flowing loose behind him. A spear is held in one hand, butt on the ground and end pointing up. He's drinking from a waterskin almost as big as Orval or Whurric.
[22:00] <Janson> "Why don't you two do the talking?" Janson suggests to the dwarves, "If he's hunting the goblins say you killed them - play up how much dwarves and goblins hate each other. I'll keep myself hidden nearby for a surprise if he wants to pick a fight over it."
[22:01] * Orval gives the giant a look. "Alright then."
[22:02] <Whurric> "I suppose so," Whurric agrees as he looks the giant over, and turns to his brother. "Let's find out what he's doing then, brother."
[22:03] * Orval nods and steps out of the brush.
[22:03] * Whurric follows right after, and loudly greets the giant. "Hello there!" he bellows as he waves.
[22:05] <Kotono> The giant looks over from his drink, closing the cap and wiping his mouth. He puts the waterskin back on his belt, spear gripped. In Common he calls back, "Dwarves?"
[22:07] <Orval> "Aye, that's us!" Orval nods.
[22:08] <Whurric> "We're doing a favor for some lasses from Aralla. What about yourself, if I might inquire?" Whurric comments, following his brother's reply of agreement.
[22:14] <Kotono> "Hunting," he answers, "Got an escaped servant who ran off with some valuables." He gives the two a look, "See 'em?"
[22:15] <Orval> "What'd they look like?" asks Orval.
[22:16] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 I want to sense his motives, too!
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 I want to sense his motives, too! and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[22:17] <Kotono> "Goblins. Small, green, smelly," he gestures at that last, waving a big hand in front of a large nose.
[22:21] <Orval> "We came across a few goblins yesterday, Didn't we? They ran off screaming when they saw us. Lucky them, we'd have killed them if they hadn't. If they've stolen something of yours, they were headed west, I think." Orval grunts.
[22:22] <Kotono> "Makes sense," The giant grunts, "West is the coast and Balmuria. More thought than I'd give 'em, but it makes sense."
[22:23] <Kotono> OOC: Also make a bluff check, Orval.
[22:24] <Orval> roll 1d20+1 erg
[22:24] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+1 erg and gets 4." [1d20=3]
[22:26] <Kotono> OOC: Go ahead and reply as normal.
[22:27] <Orval> "Course, they could have turned any direction after that." Orval palms a few gold coins from his pouch. "They dropped these, threw their hands in the air, and ran off screaming. I assume they took these from you?" OOC: got 5gp there
[22:33] <Kotono> OOC: Giving them to him?
[22:35] <Orval> OOC: If he wants them. MAYBE HE WILL GO AWAY.
[22:35] * Whurric just watches as Orval spins his tale, and stays quiet for now, just watching how the giant chooses to react.
[22:36] * Janson facepalms as quietly as he can and prepares to intercede if the giant reacts at all sensibly.
[22:38] <Kotono> The giant looks on and throws it's head back! He bellows out a laugh, stepping back, "You want to bribe me with five tiny HUMAN coins!?"
[22:39] <Janson> Putting a charm on the giant while he laughs, Janson emerges out of the undergrowth. "Forgive my friends here, they're new to the forest and don't understand its ways," he offers placatingly.
[22:39] <Janson> OOC: DC 16 charm monster
[22:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[22:40] * Orval looks at the giant, looks at the coins, then shrugs. "It was worth a try"
[22:41] <Whurric> "He has a point about the coins though, brother," Whurric notes, not having expected much else, though he's starting to get bothered by getting lumped in with his brother's antics.
[22:41] <Whurric> See if he tries siding with Janson next time one of his village women start treating him like crap!
[22:42] * Orval eyes Whurric. "I didn't hear you coming up with a better idea."
[22:42] <Whurric> "I didn't want to interrupt and make things worse!"
[22:42] <Kotono> The giant laughs further, slapping his knee. "Alright," The giant says, "Tell me why you're trying to protect some goblins. You got guts, and if you don't try and sell me a load of dragon shite, we won't have a problem."
[22:44] <Janson> "We challenged the goblins for coming too close to Aralla - normally they scatter straight away, but these ones stood their ground. Out of respect for their bravery we directed them safely through the forest," Janson explains straight forwardly, confident the giant should be amenable now. "Jannath respects those with the strength to cast off their chains and face the wilds without flinching."

[Corwin]

[19:50] <Kotono> Scratching as his chin as he listens, "Yeah. Alright." Pausing to think, "Fine. You stay out of my way from here on out, I'll get going on chasing them and stop wasting time here."
[19:51] <Orval> "Err," Orval says quietly to Janson. "Aren't we supposed to be keeping the giants out of the area, not staying out of their way?"
[19:54] <Janson> "Oh, yes, I would have forgotten otherwise," Janson deadpans before addressing the giant. "You know you're already dangerously close to Aralla. Leave the Daughters of Jannath's territory by going South from here and circle around if you wish to pursue, we won't interfere. But you're not permitted to use our lands for your hunt."
[19:55] <Kotono> OOC: Charisma check, Janson.
[19:55] <Janson> roll 1d20+2 obstinate dude
[19:55] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 obstinate dude and gets 8." [1d20=6]
[19:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[19:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 and gets 15." [1d20=14]
[19:56] <Whurric> "Hate to be those goblins if they're working hard to escape and end up finding themselves running right into his waiting hands just cause he circled around," Whurric notes, trying to help Janson's idea of circling around stick.
[19:59] <Kotono> "Mmm." Giving Janson a long leer, "...he has a point," he says, glancing over at Whurric. He nods once and starts to go, heading south.
[20:00] * Whurric glances at the giant depart quietly. Once the towering being is far away from his sight, he shakes his head. "Well, I was expectin' that to go sour."
[20:00] * Janson watches the giant go. "Lets give him a head start then follow to make sure he really does leave," he murmurs to the dwarves, before looking askance at Whurric. "Is five gold a lot where you guys come from? There's taverns in Balmuria where it wouldn't even get you enough booze for a hangover."
[20:02] * Whurric grins. "Remember when I said my brother didn't get out much from home except when he was on some holy mission of some sort?" Whurric asks in lieu of answering.
[20:03] * Orval hmphs. "How should I know how much goblins are worth?"
[20:03] <Janson> "Gotcha," Janson nods, looking back at the other dwarf. "Hopefully earning real money will help you figure this stuff out, even though we're not gonna make a single copper off this job. First one that's went so sour, though, so we should do better with our next one."
[20:04] * Whurric claps his brother in the back. "S'okay, we coulda taken him if he decided to start trouble after your bold story, brother!"
[20:05] <Janson> "I figure we could've, yeah," Janson agrees with that appraisal, "But it's best for everyone around here if there's no bloodshed. He'd have a family, after all. Anyway, he's getting a bit of a lead, lets start tailing him? 'Bout an hour South of here should be far enough at his pace."
[20:06] <Kotono> OOC: Make a survival check? Honestly trailing him should be child's play,b ut make one for reference anyway.
[20:07] <Janson> roll 1d20+13
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21." [1d20=8]
[20:07] * Whurric nods, not disagreeing with Janson. "Alright. Didn't seem like he was gonna blow off the idea at least, but would hate to get you in trouble for doing a 'half-assed' job according to those girls back at your home..."
[20:08] <Yuthirin> "Aye, we could'a taken him, that's for sure, and I'm sorry about this job, Janson. If I hadn't fallen under their sway, we'd never have had so much trouble with those succubi." Orval says.
[20:08] <Whurric> "I get the feeling they'd know -exactly- what we get up to while we're running around this place."
[20:09] <Janson> "Don't worry about it, Orval, they fooled me and Whurric, too," Janson consoles, starting to sedately follow the giant. "I dunno if I'd go that far, Whurric, but yeah, they have their ways."
[20:11] <Kotono> An hour of traveling show sthat the giant's path is taking the hoped for loop around - no signs of divergence at all.
[20:13] <Janson> Satisfied by that, Janson leads off back on their fan-shaped patrol route North-east before eventually sweeping back in to the base hut.
[20:14] <Whurric> "How many days were we supposed to do this again, by the by, Janson? Just until they sent word that those succubi were taken care of, or did they give us a specific time period?" Whurric asks once they're back at the hut, having forgotten if that had been said before.
[20:20] <Kotono> Four more days pass. At teh start of the fifth, your early m orning awakening is aided by three knocks on the door, before it opens. In strides Tessa, a reserved and superior look on her face. "You are to be relieved," she announces. "You may return to Aralla and then to whence you came."
[20:22] <Janson> "Kill a few succubi, then?" Janson asks, curiousity overwhelming the uncomfortableness he feels around the ranger.
[20:22] <Kotono> "No." Her reply is short, though after a moment's awkward silence she elaborates, "A different plan is needed."
[20:22] <Janson> "What?" Janson replies flatly. "You mean they're still out there?"
[20:22] <Whurric> "Well hello to you too, lass, it's a pleasure t'see you this fine morning," Whurric replies pleasantly, and not entirely unsubtly at her demeanor, though he frowns a bit at her answer to Janson. "Ah, well, we'd best get moving back to the village then."
[20:23] <Orval> "Aye, tis a lovely morn." Orval says, "Ye didn't get the demons, then?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "They seem to have some manner of selectivity and defenses." Tessa's voice is fairly flat, "Ask Elder Vanessa if you want to know more."
[20:25] <Janson> "Oh... oh," Janson starts to nod, a dawning smile. "You mean you need men after all? Even if just as bait to get them out into the open?"
[20:26] <Whurric> "I think I shall ask your elder...I don't feel like I could return t'Balmuria without knowing our dead companion's been avenged..." Whurric comments as he gets all his stuff ready to go.
[20:27] <Kotono> Tessa's look is flat to Janson, "...perhaps."
[20:28] <Janson> "Well, lets go back to Aralla and see from there," Janson goes to get his pack, forgoing breakfast. He pauses just a second as he walks past the purple haired amazon out the door. "It was good seeing you again, Tessa," he says before continuing out.
[20:30] * Orval nods and gathers his things, heading after Janson, his face halfway into a large book as he walks.
[20:30] <Kotono> Tessa just closes her eyes and shakes her head, "I heard you have another." she mutters, "Take good care of her."
[20:34] <Kotono> On returning ot Aralla you find Elder Vanessa. She's sitting upstairs, scribbing at a scroll with a distracted look. On your return, "Yes?" she asks.
[20:35] <Orval> "Hello!" Orval rumbles cheerfully.
[20:35] <Janson> "We didn't have any trouble out on patrol, Elder," Janson offers even though it wasn't asked. "But we heard there were problems with the succubi?"
[20:37] <Whurric> "Indeed, we'd like to know if things have changed and we can help with that issue," Whurric adds with a nod.
[20:42] <Kotono> "We need bait," With solemn agreement to that, "Our plan is simple. Men distract them, and you keep them busy long enough so that we can unload enough magic to reduce them to compost. I don't think I need to tell you the dangers invovled in dealing with the succubi."
[20:43] <Whurric> "You have something t'keep us from attacking your group if they get in our heads?" Whurric asks.
[20:44] <Janson> "We're quite experienced in those dangers, Elder," Janson assures her, fighting not to allow an unseemly smirk. A man did die! "Isn't your brother a wizard and a priest, Whurric?" he then feels compelled to add. Show some initiative and self reliance dwarves!
[20:45] <Orval> "Indeed, I can protect us from their evil long enough for them to get in position."
[20:45] <Whurric> "S'long as you're sure your magic will hold," Whurric shrugs.
[20:46] <Janson> "And we can no doubt do some damage ourselves once in their midst," Janson smiles at Orval's offer. "The only problem I see is that they know us and might not believe we're *that* desperate as to come back. I can disguise myself, but I dunno how easy that is for you two... unless you want to come back as the flaying and dismembering conquerer that they crave, Whurric?"
[20:46] <Orval> "It will." Orval nods, his face set grimly. "I won't be fooled again."
[20:46] <Kotono> "Protection from Evil should be enough for the charms," Elder Vanessa says, "As for that, as long as you get their attention we don't really care now."
[20:47] <Janson> "As soon as you want to send out another hunting party, we'll be ready Elder," Janson swears earnestly.
[20:48] <Whurric> "Well...not particularly, but it might be easier t'distract 'em if they already want to be hurt," Whurric grimaces at the idea. "And since we do want them distracted, it might be for the best..."
[21:00] <Orval> "I can keep us all sane and clearheaded for a good while if we all stay close, but if ye want to charge in, Whurric, ye'll only have about seven minutes of guaranteed clarity." Orval says.
[21:01] <Janson> "Filazan was dead in less than half that time. I think it'll be enough to get them distracted," Janson asserts confidently.
[21:03] <Kotono> OOC: Got your spells prepped and ready to movea long?
[21:03] <Orval> OOC: yup
[21:06] <Kotono> That late afternoon, you are called back. Elder Vanessa stands with a half dozen other women, each of them stunningly beautiful and young. Each gives the party a look, as Elder Vanessa nods once to them. "Good, good. Remember - just stay calm, keep them occupied and be patient. We'll trail after you as you travel and set up a little aways away from your camp. We'll wander for several days or
[21:06] <Kotono> until we find them. Questions?"
[21:07] <Janson> "Is this everyone that's coming?" Janson asks, looking over the six women. "Not to disparage any of you ladies, but I wasn't exaggarating when I said there were more than thirty succubi out there."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Child, child, child," Elder Vanessa chuckles, "Each one of us is a druid of high rank. We need no more than this to utterly ruin those blights, should we get a chance to strike."
[21:12] <Whurric> "If you say so. Just hope they haven't feasted on any other travelers and then forcing us to deal with some undead on top of things."
[21:12] <Janson> "Okay, if you're that confident I won't tell you your business," Janson gives an apologetic smile to the group. "But if Jannath has blessed any of you with the ability to take the form of an animal, having one of you with us would be a good way to quickly get word to the rest if we find ourselves unable to call on you once in their midst."
[21:13] <Kotono> With a wordless smile, Elder Vanessa shifts! A small black cat is now there, hopping up onto Janson's shoulders.
[21:14] <Whurric> "Convinient!" Whurric laughs. "Well, shall we go then?"
[21:14] * Janson valiantly fights down the urge to do something unseemly like pet the elder, but he does smile a bit stupidly. "We'll head straight back to where we found them last. Sooner we end them the better for the whole forest."
[21:18] <Kotono> With that, the party travels! OOC: More.
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 94." [1d100=94]
[21:18] <Kotono> roll 1d100 subtables
[21:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 subtables and gets 88." [1d100=88]
[21:22] <Kotono> Camp. Vanessa is currently resting in Whurric's lap, as the party eats dinner around the campfire. Night has fallen, as...soft light comes in from the west! Just like last time, appearing like lcockwork!
[21:23] <Whurric> "Well that didn't take long..."
[21:24] <Orval> "Like the time Whurric was caught dating the Hylfjar sisters at the same time!" Orval grins, then looks to the west. "Oh, that was quick."
[21:24] <Janson> "That's it," Janson whispers, leaning towards the disguised druid, "You should fetch the others, Elder. We'll go in now and get their attention."
[21:24] <Kotono> Whurric abruptly feels claws digging into his leg.
[21:26] <Whurric> "Hey now! Watch the claws, madam!" Whurric mutters as he throws Orval a glare. He should know better than telling such stories around women, especially ones resting on said story's subject's legs!
[21:26] * Orval just smiles innocently in return.
[21:28] <Janson> "That light, it's the same as before!" Janson speaks more loudly, "Oh, thank the Goddess, we have another chance to witness such beauty!" Since it's a way to explain their return despite the badness of last time he plays up his desperation, waiting a moment for Orval to cast any spells before advancing eagerly!
[21:29] <Whurric> "At least I've -had- dates with non-soul sucking females..." Whurric mutters as he gets up once Vanessa's finally gotten off his lap.
[21:30] * Orval quietly cast Magic Circle against Evil upon himself and stands up. "Ready." He whispers.
[21:31] <Janson> Plastering a big eager and somewhat lecherous grin on his face, Janson advances now towards the light!
[21:33] <Kotono> The party advances on, feline with them! It's exactly the same as before - gorgeous women, looking on with wide eyes and gloriously naked forms! "You're back!" one laughs, "Oooooooooh! How about you get outta those clothes and joy us, big boys?"
[21:34] <Whurric> "Sorry lass, we're here for the -other- offer that night," Whurric answers as he raises his axe. "Y'all remember the one?"
[21:35] <Janson> "I couldn't resist, you've haunted my dreams every night since that time..." Janson admits with haggard breath, eyes seeking out the blonde one he actually talked to and hands going to unclasp his cloak. "I might not be as violent as Whurric, but I long to hear you scream!"
[21:36] <Orval> "But brother, surely you wouldn't despoil such beauty? Look at them! They deserve to be worshipped, not tortured!" Orval cries.
[21:36] <Whurric> "Uh, aye, rend you limb from limb and stuff..." Whurric adds lamely after Janson's declaration.
[21:38] <Kotono> OOC: Diplo, Whurric? Treat Orval andJanson as aiding another attempts.
[21:38] <Janson> roll 1d20+2 aidan, he should really be intimidating
[21:38] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+2 aidan, he should really be intimidating and gets 17." [1d20=15]
[21:40] <Orval> roll 1d20+1 intimidate aid
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+1 intimidate aid and gets 9." [1d20=8]
[21:44] <Whurric> roll d20+3
[21:44] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+3 and gets 14." [d20=11]
[21:46] <Kotono> "Ooooh, so romantic!" A redhead purrs, "I knew a molydeus who loved to torture me before hours of unholy rape! You remind me of him!" she saunters over, going to embrace Whurric.
[21:46] <Kotono> Another comes over, a blonde who glomps onto Janson, "Wanna damn your soul to the Abyss together?"
[21:47] <Kotono> A third, a pretty girl with liquid-pink colored hair, slides up to Orval, "Ooooh, I bet you have a big strong, rock hard...axe somewhere, don't you?"
[21:49] <Janson> "Oh, goddess, you make it sound so hot!" Janson gasps, setting an arm around the fiend's hip and praying those druids show up fast. "If you can be in the Abyss with me it sounds fantastic! Tell me what we can do there?" he urges, better to keep her talking than doing... other things with that sinful mouth.
[21:50] <Whurric> "Alright, how does this get started? Do I just hack you up and you scream, do we fight it out or what? I've never had a victim actually wantin' this!" Whurric asks the redhead with a frown as he pushes her away, though doesn't attack.
[21:51] <Kotono> "We can go make out while another one of us pours burning magma into your body," She purrs, as meanwhile another one jions the one on Whurric, "Oh, you have to make it erotic! You have to savor it, enjoy it! Make us screaaaaaaaaaam!"
[21:52] <Orval> "My axe? Darling, I've got no axe, just me mattock." Orval says, playing dumb.
[21:52] <Whurric> "So...cut your feet off first so you can only crawl away sound like a good start and then move on from there?" Whurric asks, trying desperately not to look as uncomfortable as he feels.
[21:53] <Janson> "Really hot..." Janson mutters. Simmer would've actually enjoyed that, he finds himself thinking. "Damn, I just can't believe my luck finding you not just once but twice, y'know?" he smiles widely at the demonic blonde pressed up against him in the form of an equally frightening nymph. "Most men go their whole lives never having this much luck. How'd that work, anyway? You all escape from some
[21:53] <Janson> wizard's harem?"
[21:54] <Kotono> OOC: Make a bluff check here, all. +10 bonus since you're playing right to them.
[21:54] <Janson> roll 1d20+12
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18." [1d20=6]
[21:54] <Orval> roll 1d20+11
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+11 and gets 21." [1d20=10]
[21:54] <Whurric> roll d20+11
[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+11 and gets 15." [d20=4]
[21:57] <Kotono> The succubi are all over you, cooing and purring, as..."DUCK!" A single word is shouted, as abruptly lightning begins to dance from the skies! Bursts of flame spread everywhere, razor leaves flying about! The ground comes alive, great smashing fists of stone striking about wildly!
[21:58] * Janson tries to let go of his clingy friend from the netherworld and hits the deck, hands going to cover his head!
[21:58] <Kotono> OOC: CMB cehck tos ee if you geta way from her or if she's stuck going down with you, Janson.
[21:59] * Whurric also hits the ground. "I think this is the part where you all scream," he adds helpfully.
[21:59] <Kotono> OOC: You too Whurric, since you have a duo on you.
[21:59] <Whurric> roll d20+11
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+11 and gets 23." [d20=12]
[21:59] <Janson> roll 1d20+6
[21:59] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 and gets 23." [1d20=17]
[22:00] * Orval pushes away the pinkette that is pressed against him!
[22:00] <Orval> roll 1d20+5
[22:00] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+5 and gets 12." [1d20=7]
[22:02] <Kotono> OOC: You can either stay up or duck and take her with you, Orval. Your call, she's got a good grip on you.
[22:03] <Orval> OOC: Staying up, I suppose.
[22:03] <Kotono> OOC: Make a reflex save then.
[22:03] <Orval> roll 1d20+5
[22:03] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+5 and gets 14." [1d20=9]
[22:04] <Kotono> roll 12d6 full to Orval, owwies.
[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 12d6 full to Orval, owwies. and gets 33." [12d6=5, 1, 3, 6, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 6]
[22:05] <Kotono> Horrid fire and elemental fury bursts around everyone! Janson and Whurric get down and out of grasp, avoiding the carnage! Orval stays up with the pinkette in arms, both savaged by flames, lightning, leaves and more!  It is a chaotic zone as several succubi go down, yet some manage to stay up, horrifically wounded but alive! OOC: Init all.

[22:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1 succubi horde
[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 succubi horde and gets 13." [1d20=12]
[22:06] <Janson> roll 1d20+4
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+4 and gets 24." [1d20=20]
[22:06] <Whurric> roll d20+5
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+5 and gets 22." [d20=17]
[22:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4 druids
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 druids and gets 19." [1d20=15]
[22:06] <Orval> roll 1d20+3
[22:06] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+3 and gets 18." [1d20=15]
[22:06] * Kotono changes topic to 'Janson(24)>Whurric(22)>Druids(19)>Orval(18)>Bitches(13)'
[22:06] <Kotono> OOC: Doing anything or staying low, Janson?
[22:09] <Janson> Staying low, Janson nonetheless helps out the elders by quickly scanning what he can see nearby and then calling forth a hand of earth to rise out of the rock and grab one of the succubi still standing! They probably won't even notice it's him doing it in the heat of battle, since it looks like a lot of other druidic spells flying around right now.
[22:09] <Janson> roll 1d20+11 CMB
[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+11 CMB and gets 18." [1d20=7]
[22:09] <Kotono> OOC: Success.
[22:09] <Janson> roll 1d20+6 CMB to pin
[22:09] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+6 CMB to pin and gets 21." [1d20=15]
[22:10] <Janson> roll 1d6+4 damage probably doesn't beat DR but who cares
[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d6+4 damage probably doesn't beat DR but who cares and gets 6." [1d6=2]
[22:10] <Kotono> OOC: Pinned.
[22:10] <Kotono> Janson's hand grabs a succubi, pinning it down in the carnage! Meanwhile...OOC: Whurric.
[22:12] <Whurric> Very briefly, Whurric ponders staying down and out of the massacre, but that not being his style, he awkwardly swings his axe at the legs of the redheaded succubus from his position on the ground.
[22:12] <Whurric> roll d20+10 (14-4 for prone)
[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d20+10 (14-4 for prone) and gets 20." [d20=10]
[22:12] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[22:13] <Whurric> roll d12+8
[22:13] * Hatbot --> "Whurric rolls d12+8 and gets 9." [d12=1]
[22:13] <Kotono> WIth a quick chop Whurric finishes another up, as elemental hell rocks around you again and above...and including the still standing Orval! OOC: Ref, Orvla.
[22:14] <Orval> roll 1d20+5
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 1d20+5 and gets 22." [1d20=17]
[22:15] <Kotono> roll 12d6 halve this, you may have gotten away with it.
[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 12d6 halve this, you may have gotten away with it. and gets 43." [12d6=3, 1, 4, 4, 1, 2, 4, 2, 5, 5, 6, 6]
[22:16] <Kotono> In the second salvo all goes quiet! The succubi are routed and chopped apart, fading into blackness and various remnants. It is quiet now...save for Orval, who bleeds, is burnd, shocked and generally worked over! He falls over, face down! OOC: Free act. This is why you duck in a live magic fire zone. <_<

[22:16] * Janson pushes himself to his feet. "Oh, crap - Orval!" he quickly snags his wand out from his belt and kneels over the dwarf, waving the magic wand to bestow its healing powers upon him.
[22:16] <Janson> OOC: DC 20, taking 10 for 23
[22:16] <Janson> roll 1d8+1
[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d8+1 and gets 2." [1d8=1]
[22:17] <Kotono> The healing minorly mends Orval, who stirs between wakefulness and the welcoming embrace of oblivion! OOC: You're concious now, Orval.
[22:17] <Kotono> Meanwhile the black cat shifts, becoming Vanessa once more! With a rushed snarl, "Whatw as he thinking!?" she says, hurrying ove rand intoning a healing spell!
[22:18] <Kotono> roll 3d8+15
[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8+15 and gets 28." [3d8=4, 5, 4]
[22:18] * Orval blinks his eyes open and sits up gingerly. "I was thinkin that ye wouldn'a blast me halfway to the halls o' the Mountain King!"
[22:19] <Kotono> Facepalming all the while, "When druids decide to unleash tne full fury of nature and you're told to duck, by Jannath's mercy DUCK!"
[22:19] <Whurric> "They told us to duck for a reason, brother!" Whurric says though he frowns at the druid elder. "Though I certainly would have thought they'd have some mind to watch and see if we were -able- to duck or not. What if they'd held us up as shields or somethin'?"
[22:20] <Orval> "Well maybe I'd never met a druid!" Orval says. "Maybe I didn't know what was coming!"
[22:20] <Janson> "Then we'd be shitty bait," Janson sticks up for the elder in response to that. "Come on, we knew full well what was coming, no sense acting surprised now."
[22:21] * Whurric groans, but nods. "I suppose, though I think you had just too much faith in my brother's common sense..."
[22:21] <Kotono> "LIve and learn, at least," Elder Vanessa says, "By Jannath's own luck you survived, I was certain you would be in line for reincarnation after that."
[22:22] * Orval sighs and intones a healing prayer to Dumathoin. OOC: Cure Serious
[22:22] <Orval> roll 3d8+7
[22:22] * Hatbot --> "Orval rolls 3d8+7 and gets 15." [3d8=4, 3, 1]
[22:22] <Janson> "Guess a little charm slipped through after all," Janson smiles only slightly as he looks at Orval's singed but healing form. "Wonder if there's anything around here that'd explain how they got here, though?" he decides to take a few minutes to search the area around the pond for any sorts of clues or evidence of the succubi's presence.
[22:22] <Kotono> More wounds heal, the savagery undone! "Orval," Vanessa says, "I had no plans to bury a brave ally this day. Only by luck did those plans stay true. Please, be more cautious."
[22:22] <Janson> roll 1d20+12 search
[22:22] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+12 search and gets 26." [1d20=14]
[22:24] * Orval eyes the woman critically. "Indeed. I expected swords and holy power and animals and such...not elemental destruction. I'd underestimated you and your companions."
[22:24] <Whurric> "And now you know better!"
[22:25] <Orval> "Life is a series of lessons, Whurric. I grow wiser every day. Sometimes the lessons are in text, and sometimes they are object."
[22:27] * Orval brushes soot and singed cloth off. "Surviving the object lessons makes us much, much smarter. When a woman tells you to duck, you duck."
[22:28] <Whurric> "Aye, just remember the other part of that lesson: When a woman tells you to jump into the lake and she's naked, you run."
[22:30] * Orval looks at Whurric strangely. "What would she be doing in a lake with all her clothes on?"
[22:31] <Whurric> "Never met one I could ask that."
[22:32] <Kotono> Janson searches around! At the bottom of the pool he finds something smooth - it looks like there is a gemstone embedded into the bottom. A fairly big one, too!
[22:32] <Janson> Hopefully by now the ambient fading magic has settled after the barrage, so Janson checks to see if the gem is magic.
[22:33] <Janson> roll 1d20+14 spellcraft if it is
[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+14 spellcraft if it is and gets 31." [1d20=17]
[22:38] <Janson> "Ah, that explains the light-show," Janson reaches down, submerging himself for a moment before he yanks the gem out and wades back onto the shore. "You or any of the other daughters want a magic light for your house, Elder Vanessa? That's about all this is good for," he sets the stone down beside himself and sits down to take off his boots and drain them.
[22:39] <Kotono> Vanessa comes froward, murmuring a few magic words herself. She gives it a look before she nods, "I'll take it," she says, "In addition to ensuring it's only a minor magic gem."
[22:41] * Janson nods and puts his boots back on, then starts looking around the perimeter of the clearing for any tracks consistent with the mass migration of a large number of humanoid females that could account for where the succubi came from.
[22:41] <Janson> roll 1d20+15 survival
[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+15 survival and gets 20." [1d20=5]
[22:42] <Kotono> No sign of tracks at all - it's as if they appeared by magic.
[22:43] <Janson> "I can't see any tracks, Elder. It could be they've just been here that long, or they teleported," Janson dutifully reports to Vanessa after his scouting.
[22:45] <Orval> "Hmm...let me have a look." Orval says, taking some candles out of his pack. "If ye don't mind waiting a few minutes, I can ask for a divination from Dumathoin."
[22:45] <Kotono> "As I expected," she says, "Go ahead, it wouldn't hurt," she says, "If that turns up nothing, we'll return to Aralla for the night."
[22:46] * Orval nods and closes his eyes in prayer.
[22:46] <Janson> "It'll take us two days to get back there anyway," Janson notes, before sighing. "Then we'll have to take Filazan back to Balmuria..."
[22:49] <Orval> After finishing his prayer, Orval stands. "No luck. Whatever brought them here, it is closed to me."
[22:50] <Janson> "A pity... but I guess whoever was behind it will think twice about trying again after what just happened?"
[22:51] <Whurric> "You never know, they just might try with something other than succubi next time," Whurric says with a frown.

[Corwin]

[20:03] <Kotono> Your return to Aralla is a peaceful one. A night's rest leaves you refreshed, meeting with Elder Vanessa after. She comes forward, "I wanted to thank each of you for your bravery. A threat to Jannath's natural order has been stopped in part due to your valor."
[20:04] <Janson> "Really, all we did was stand there and get hugged by supernaturally beautiful demons while you and the other elders blew them to bits, it wasn't anything special on our part," Janson demurs modestly, a blush dusting his cheeks.
[20:06] * Orval smooths his beard and shakes his head. "It was necessary, we couldn't let evil like that roam free."
[20:07] <Whurric> "Wish we could have done more besides serve as bait, but I'll take what small victories we can get in all this."
[20:08] <Kotono> With a long look to Orval, "I daresay you showed the dangers involved." Janson gets something pressed into his hand - it looks like green leaves bound together, forming one sheet. In a lower voice, "For all your sakes for bravery."
[20:10] <Janson> "Oh, thank you, Elder," Janson replies instinctively, looking down and trying to figure out what it is he's been given...
[20:10] <Kotono> Written on the leaves are words of the divine, phrases of great power. OOC: Make spellcraft to ID it?
[20:11] <Janson> roll 1d20+14 +16 if it's a scroll
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Janson rolls 1d20+14 +16 if it's a scroll and gets 32." [1d20=18]
[20:13] <Janson> "Ahh!" Janson's eyes widen for a moment as he registers the details, and bows his head low to the amber-haired woman. "Really, thank you! In our business this is a treasure beyond words, Elder Vanessa!"
[20:13] <Whurric> "Oh?" Whurric asks curiously.
[20:14] * Orval leans over and has a look. "Whatcha got there?"
[20:16] <Kotono> With a ghost of a smile, "I pray to Jannath that you do not need it, yet I sense your deep fall and dark winters may come sooner than any wish.'
[20:16] <Janson> "The same thing that was attempted for Filazan," Janson replies as he straightens up. "A pity it's too late for Andrea, Simmer, or Wayland... but if anything happens to one of us, we have a chance, goddess willing."
[20:18] <Whurric> "Ah, convinient," Whurric agrees, as he turns to bow to the elder. "A very kind gift indeed."
[20:18] <Kotono> "Travel safe," Vanessa says after a nod, "May Jannath guide you."
[20:19] <Janson> "And may she watch over the village," Janson returns. "Stop by if you're ever in Balmuria?" he then offers with a smile, taking his leave to go and collect Filazan's body for the long walk back home.
[20:19] <Whurric> "And you as well, madam. It was a pleasure to meet you," Whurric returns the offer.
[20:21] <Kotono> roll 3#1d100
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3#1d100 and gets 130." [3#1d100 = 49, 31, 50]
[20:26] <Kotono> It's a rainy fall day, a chill in the air. Your bones are chill and tired from the road trip, but you head to Mystra's temple. On asking around you're escorted to an older man, severe and with a long white beard. His hand is wrapped around a small wand-baton, murmuring occasional arcane words. He rests in a deep backed, plush chair, a book on his lap. "I hear you bring news of Filazan?"
[20:28] * Janson looks significantly to the cloth wrapped human sized bundle on their litter. "We had an unfortunate run in with some - actually a lot, like three dozen, succubi disguised as nymphs out in the forest. He, well... there's no easy way to say this. He died happy, at least."
[20:30] <Kotono> The old man's eyes close as he murmurs a few words of prayer. After, "He'll need to be purified for burial, servants will come for that." With a long exhale, "His grandchildren will be crushed."
[20:32] <Janson> "How old are they?" Janson asks, "I mean, if they're really young... probably better to lie. But if they're grown up then they can be sort of proud?" He rubs the back of his head embarrassedly. "We took him to Aralla where Elder Vanessa pleaded with Jannath to reincarnate him, but I guess he didn't want to come back, so they can take comfort from that as well?"
[20:33] <Kotono> "Nine, seven, six, three and one." He answers back, sounding tired. His eyes narrow, "Yes, I daresay that Filazan choosing not to come back to them will be a marvelous balm when I tell them that grandaddy's not coming to visit anymore." Taking a long breath, "I though you were supposed to be bodyguards!"
[20:34] <Janson> "We were!" Janson retorts, "But it's hard to guard someone when he's shouting 'These bones have still got it!' and diving into a pond to be cuddled by a horde of friendly nymphs!"
[20:34] * Whurric winces, not really having much to say there and Janson's already put it pretty...bluntly.
[20:35] * Orval looks at the older man, shaking his head. "There was naught we could do for him. He was under their sway, and there truly were three dozen of the beasts."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Now his grandchildren suffer that, no matter who's fault it was," Rising, "Go. Filzan was a fond part of our temple. Leave us to greive."
[20:39] * Whurric just nods as he takes his leave, waiting outside for the other two if they choose to speak some more.
[20:40] <Janson> "We're really sorry," Janson sounds chastened as he starts to back out. "But he turned into a wight and tried to eat us, so we did work hard to bring him back so you can at least have something," he adds, not really sure why it would at all be a good idea to tell someone who's grieving but at least it affirms that they didn't have an easy ride just watching the old guy die. But that's probably
[20:40] <Janson> enough damage so he hastily departs after that. Of course Josa will whine even more because they never got paid...
[20:42] * Orval departs without saying anything more.
[20:43] <Kotono> The party departs out after that, not another word said!