007. "I'm a healing and growing girl."

[Corwin]

[20:00] <Kotono> With a partially reinvigorated holy avenger and two new companions, the party gathers just outside the forgotten cathedral on the Astral. Annalise floats through the air, seeming to revel in every movement. Naliel is floating about, often hiding behind Jaela's body whenever Willim or Annalise looks at her. Adrian stands on the steps up to it, arms crossed as he stares at the Silver Sea ahead.
[20:01] <Afina> "So, keep going until we find a portal to the ethereal?" Afina suggests, letting someone more at home here take the lead.
[20:01] <Kotono> "That's the idea," Adrian says, lifting up off the ground, "With any luck we'll find one soon...as much as soon exists here."
[20:01] <Jaela> "That's the idea," Jaela agrees, setting off for a random direction. It hardly matters. All that does is her focusing on the deep ethereal.
[20:02] * Afina follows Jaela rather than doing any focusing of her own. Better to let the expert lead.
[20:03] <Kotono> Thus the party flies on to the silver sea ahead! (More)
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 63." [1d100=63]
[20:03] * Willim steadfastly follows the girls, his back bristling with sharp pointy things like the back of a nightmarish porcupine.
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 24." [1d100=24]
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 3." [1d100=3]
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 60." [1d100=60]
[20:06] <Kotono> After some time of flight, you come to a color pool. It is a deep, misty white, forever swirling and pooling into itsef. Lines of black run through it, pulsing gently.
[20:07] <Afina> "This it?" Afina asks. Seems like a good prospect to her!
[20:09] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 and gets 23." [1d20=4]
[20:10] <Jaela> "No diversions, at least," Jaela says, giving Adrian a pointed look. She takes a needless deep breath, and plunges through the pool!
[20:11] <Afina> Afina hesitates even as Jaela dives through. "Better eat something before going through or you'll be really hungry..." she trails off and pointedly looks at Annalise.
[20:11] <Kotono> Adrian just returns it stoically, following through the pool!
[20:11] <Kotono> Annalise bats her eyelashes at Afina, "Ah, it's been awhile, I almost forgot! Would someone care to volunteer?"
[20:12] * Willim blandly offers Annalise some raw meat.
[20:14] <Kotono> Annalise just as blandly shakes her head, "I need something fresher," she says, "Something warm, red and vital." Floating on over to Willim, "It'll feel good, I promise. Just close your eyes, big boy."
[20:15] <Afina> Afina looks intensely relieved as Annalise approaches Willim, having been about to volunteer herself after he didn't take the first hint. She waits to make sure nothing gets out of hand, anyway.
[20:15] * Willim munches on the meat, ignoring the woman as he drops into the pool, shimmying to squeeze the giant pile of weapons through.
[20:15] <Kotono> "Hmph," Annalise crosses her arms as Willim goes, turning back towards Afina. "Well then, I suppose you've just been volunteered."
[20:16] <Kotono> Naliel hurries through the portal, muttering of blasphemy.
[20:17] <Afina> "Oh..." Afina frowns as she's left alone, looking at the hungry vampire. "This is only so you don't go crazed on the other end," she says firmly, casting a spell to give herself more mass and therefore more blood. Appearing as a curvy blue-skinned humanoid woman, her clothes unfortunately falling off since they don't fit, she tilts her head to bare her neck. "Just a little bit," the pixie turned nereid insists through gritted teeth.
[20:19] <Kotono> "Transforming and giving me a clothes fall away show?" Coming closer in a warm, husky voice, "You're a good one." She comes up to Afina's neck, fangs extending out! There is a lancet of pain as Afina is penetrated, her neck throbbing thrice...then it fades. It fades into pleasure, lightheadedness whisking her away. What follows is a liquid bliss, like a hit of pure muscle melting physical joy.
[20:19] <Kotono> In her mind, through a sudden haze, 'Oh, you're so good. Fey blood is always so energized with nature! Let me drink a little more, I'm so thirsty!'
[20:21] <Afina> "N-no! Enough!" Afina tries to wriggle free despite the pleasure of having her life sucked away. Even transformed like this she has too little blood to spare!
[20:22] <Kotono> There's nor esistance as she breaks away! Her body feels cold, yet pleasure lingers. Annalise licks her lips long and slow, slurping up a bloody trail. "It's fine. If you liked that, I'll feed on you again tomorrow." OOC: 6 points of con damage and make a will save?
[20:23] <Kotono> OOC: Drain, excuse me, not damage.
[20:23] <Afina> roll 1d20+16
[20:23] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+16 and gets 21." [1d20=5]
[20:23] * Ithea frowns and shakes her head at the sight as she follows after the others. "See you on the other side," she says before she vanishes into the portal as well.
[20:24] <Kotono> Annalise smiles now, going to the portal, "Seek healing magic," she advises, "Restoration magics work particularly well."
[20:26] <Afina> "M-ma... no!" Afina's denial is as weak as her knees, the fey reverting to her natural form and quickly grabbing her clothes back on before she drags her belongings through the portal. If she hadn't let the vampire bite her she probably would have killed the troll or the angel first. She doubts any will appreciate her sacrifice as she dazedly travels through the pool.
[20:28] <Kotono> Beyond the portal, the party finds themselves in a misty white glade. Distant and hazy you can see what looks to be a pleasant glade, but it's far away and removed. You float lightly, as if gravity did not exist at all.
[20:29] <Jaela> "What took you so long?" Jaela asks, floating lazily in waiting.
[20:29] <Afina> "Not hungry this time?" Afina asks in surprise, remembering how famished everyone seemed when they arrived in Elysium. If she just did that for nothing...
[20:30] <Kotono> Annalise demurely licks her lips, smiling. After a few moments hunger begins to assail the party, as if they haven't eaten in a long time. Save for Willim, spared by his constant meatmunching.
[20:30] * Jaela grimaces. "And I was doing such a good job of forgetting it, too."
[20:32] <Afina> "Just think how our vampire would be acting right now if she wasn't fed first, then," the pale fairy replies bitterly. "I feel like I'm going to die..."
[20:32] * Willim eyes the little fairy, then the vampire. "What happen?"
[20:33] <Kotono> "If any of you can cast the spell known as Restoration, it would do Afina good," Annalise says, going to float and stretch about.
[20:33] <Jaela> "Need me to carry you-- no, that's stupid." Jaela frowns further, eyeing Annalise. "Is it really that bad? Did you have to go that far?"
[20:33] <Ithea> "Divine magic's not my area, unfortunately," Ithea says.
[20:34] <Afina> "She drank my blood you stupid overgrown demon!" Afina spits at the retarded troll. Well, considering how quickly he ran away when she implied drinking his, clearly said stupidity is just a ruse.
[20:35] <Kotono> "Oh, it's lovely. Wasn't it pleasurable, dear?" With a pleasant smile over towards Afina, "I did restrain myself, but it's been a long time since I last fed."
[20:35] * Willim frowns. "Not Willim's fault! You crazy enough to let her bite you! Willim not smart, but smarter than that!"
[20:35] <Jaela> "How much do you need to drink? Say daily?"
[20:36] * Ithea frowns. "I would hope not daily."
[20:37] <Afina> "If you want to drink all of his blood I won't complain," Afina tells Annalise hopefully, even if part of her wants to claim that pleasure all for herself.
[20:38] <Kotono> "The more the better," she smiles winsomely, "I'll need to find some more before the end of the day. Hopefully we'll chance on some beasts or something disposable to drain."
[20:38] <Jaela> "Close your mouth," Jaela tells the pixie, drawing a pinch of diamond dust from a hidden pouch and sprinkling it over Afina's head. She pats her shoulder lightly afterwards, carefully restoring her to perfect health and following it up with a Panacea for good measure.
[20:40] <Jaela> Once Afina seems better, she gives Annalise a flat stare. "If you ever can't find an enemy to feed on, come to me. I'll take responsibility for everything."
[20:40] * Willim shakes an overlarge clawed finger at Annalise. "You bite me, me bite back. You no like my bite." He bares yellowed, jagged teeth. "You go find cow or bandit or villager. No bite me."
[20:41] <Afina> Obediently closing her mouth, colour returns to Afina's cheeks after receiving the helpful spell. "Thank you," she nods gratefully to Jaela, taking a deep breath and trying to put this behind her. "Is the key leading us anywhere, now?"
[20:42] <Kotono> Annalise just smiles over to Jaela at that.
[20:42] <Jaela> Considering the matter closed, Jaela produces the Celestial Key with a flick of her wrist.
[20:47] <Kotono> With the key produced, Jaela feels a powerful pull away, towards the deeper mists!
[20:48] <Jaela> "Yo, Adrian, got another ration bar somewhere? We'll need to eat on the go," Jaela says, following the key's pull.
[20:49] <Afina> Likewise Afina digs into her bag, eating various nuts and raisins she's procured along her travels as she drifts after Jaela.
[20:50] <Kotono> Rations are passed out as the party begins to travel! (More)
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 36." [1d100=36]
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 56." [1d100=56]
[20:51] <Kotono> Several hours pass. Soon the glade is left behind - all around you is mist. Endless mist, a chill mist that is like a second skin. The light sources you provide are feeble, struggling to allow you to see in the haze. On and on you go as hunger returns again. Annalise floats on over towards Jaela, "Mmmm," she m urmurs, "I'm getting hungry."
[20:53] <Jaela> "Didn't you say you needed to eat once a day?"
[20:53] * Afina shivers and looks at Jaela with momentary expression of jealousy before she scowls and looks at Annalise. "It's a sad eternal life where you have to go to such huge trouble over eating and get hungry so often."
[20:54] * Willim nods, munching on a mouthful of meat.
[20:54] <Kotono> "I spent the last few millenia imprisoned and weakened." Annalise says with a light humor, "It-" A yawn causes her to stop and stretch, "Mmm. As I was saying, I'm a healing and growing girl. Now then, unless you'd like to donate again, Afina...?" A pause there, "Jaela, are you ready?"
[20:55] <Jaela> roll 1d20+18 sense motive!
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+18 sense motive! and gets 26." [1d20=8]
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: For what, precisely?
[20:55] <Jaela> OOC: Is she lying to me?
[20:56] * Jaela stops and removes her helm. A promise is a promise. "Go ahead."
[20:56] * Afina huffs and pointedly turns away.
[20:56] <Ithea> "Just so you know, if you get hungry later on, I'm not offering to feed you," Ithea notes.
[20:57] <Jaela> "Hmph. This is nothing, for my cause."
[20:57] * Willim sighs quietly to himself. He goes out of his way not to offend people by eating other pople, and his companions go and find someone to do that anyway.
[20:59] <Kotono> Annalise floats closer, fangs out! She wraps her arms around Jaela for support, fangs slinking into her neck! Pain and pleasure explode within Jaela's celestial form, giving way to pure bliss within her body! It's like tasting ambrosia but even more focused on her physical body, making her knees quake! It's a physical joy that could melt her body down, her entire form relaxing and rejecting the
[20:59] <Kotono> rigorous tiredness of travel. 'Let me keep drinking...it will let me go longer without feeding, and a restoration will cure it all no matter how much I take, as long as you live.' Annalise whispers into Jaela's mind.
[20:59] <Kotono> Adrian turns away, shaking his head.
[21:00] <Kotono> Naliel looks on, bursting with light! "How can you..." she whimpers, "Why?"
[21:01] * Afina peeks around jealously as the vampire feeds.
[21:02] <Jaela> 'Just... a little bit,' Jaela thinks back, finding it so hard to focus on anything.
[21:02] <Afina> "If she's as strong as you fear, we want her help in defeating the devils," the fairy tells Naliel, unable to tear her eyes away. "It'll be better when we can get her to eat them, anyway."
[21:03] <Ithea> "Hopefully we can find something she'll be happy to feed on other than us though," Ithea says. "Well, other than you two, rather, I suppose."
[21:03] <Kotono> Annalise keeps feeding! Jaela's mind is lost in a fog of pure blissful pleasure, unable to process anything else! At last she falls into a boneless heap, Annalise helping her float in the air, supporting her. "Shh," she murmurs, "Rest a moment, then focus enough to cast the restoration." OOC: 12 points of con drain and roll a will save, -4 modifier.
[21:03] <Jaela> OOC: Is it compulsion?
[21:03] <Kotono> OOC: No.
[21:04] <Jaela> roll 1d20+26 (-4 mod, +4 celestial key)
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+26 (-4 mod, +4 celestial key) and gets 41." [1d20=15]
[21:05] <Jaela> "Did you... have to take so much?" Jaela asks quietly, wrapping her own arms around Annalise to remain upright. "I'll feed you if I have to, so...."
[21:06] <Kotono> "It's a practical matter," Annalise says, "The more I take now, the less I need later. Since your magic will restore you utterly each casting, and it's an expensive spell? I tmakes sense to take as much as I can without killing you each time."
[21:07] <Kotono> Adrian glances over at Ithea, Creepy, isn't it, kitty," he mutters, shivering.
[21:07] * Willim moves to intervene when he sees Jaela collapse, but at hearing her words, he goggles for a bit before throwing his hands up in the air and looking at Ithea as if she'll be the next one to submit to the vampire. "And people call *Willim* a monster."
[21:07] * Jaela snorts weakly. "It's just money." But Annalise's words make sense, and she spends a bit more time resting before casting a Restoration once more, this time with herself as the designated target.
[21:08] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19 K:R
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 K:R and gets 35." [1d20=16]
[21:08] <Afina> "She's our monster," Afina shivers but masks it with a shrug as the show ends, getting ready to move on once more.
[21:09] * Ithea just shrugs back at Adrian and waits for Jaela to recover enough for them to continue moving on.
[21:09] <Kotono> As Jaela recovers, "Now didn't that feel good?" Annalise says in a husky voice, a mere whisper to Jaela. "It's about ten times better on my end of it, too. Just remember that, Jaela."
[21:10] * Jaela snorts again, her strength now regained. "Is that a come on?"
[21:11] <Kotono> "Do you want it to be?" Annalise says innocently, "I offered to give you strength and turn you. Propaganda," A disapproving look is shot at Naliel, "Paints vampires as hideous things. It's not nearly so bad, and is in fact a sublimely pleasurable existence, one of power and bliss."
[21:12] <Kotono> "You're an affront to life, nature and the Gods," Naliel returns, heatedly! As it bobs and flares in the air, "You leech from the living and corrupt the dead into eternal unlife, and don't even lie when you say it's a good way to exist!"
[21:12] <Jaela> "Thanks, I'll keep it in mind." Jaela takes a look about herself. "Ready to go?"
[21:13] <Afina> "Please," Afina nods.
[21:13] * Jaela leads, then!
[21:13] <Kotono> "Have you ever considered that the Good Gods are wrong?" Annalise shoots back lazily, "If your beloved world was defeated by Baator, where were they to stop what they call evil? The world is far from some black and white morality play, where heroes slay vampires and shoot off pithy quotes."
[21:15] <Willim> "You is saying that devils is good, and what they do is right?" Willim asks dangerously.
[21:15] <Ithea> "I'd like to point out, if you do get any of us to take your offer of eternal life, you're not going to have anyone to feed on. So probably not to your benefit to keep trying to convince us," Ithea says, trying to cut the debate so they can keep moving in peace.
[21:16] <Kotono> Oh, does that poor little lantern archon glow brighter, veins of red pulsing within it! Meanwhile Annalise laughs, "The Good Gods teach that devils, demons, undead, and everything like that is wrong. All I'm saying - if they were right, how could they have won? There are other things they're wrong about, too. The hazards and pitfalls of vampirism are far, far, far overstated."
[21:18] <Jaela> "They're not wrong, they're lazy. Simple, sad truth. And there's exceptions for everyone, so until I see otherwise I'm pretending you're a nice vampire--" she nods at Annalise, "--and you're a nice demon--" and at Willim, "--and that we're all in this to kill devils and reconquer Lifasa. How about that?"
[21:18] <Afina> "Your endless hunger seems drawback enough to me," Afina says. "I don't care though, if we can get you to eat a bunch of devils that's plenty."
[21:18] <Kotono> Annalise shoots a look at Afina, amused, and continues on.
[21:19] <Willim> "Willim is nice. And not demon. Not Willim's fault." Willim grumbles.
[21:20] * Jaela gives Willim a most doubtful look. "For real?"
[21:20] * Afina shudders and looks away. "Don't make yourself too troublesome to keep around," she tells Annalise, sadly not coming out as forcefully as she'd like.
[21:20] * Willim nods.
[21:21] <Jaela> "Oh, fine. I'm a catgirl, then." Shaking her head, Jaela focuses on the direction the key is feeding her.
[21:21] <Willim> "Willim is troll and demon in blood, is what matrons at orphanage tell Willim. Willim try not to hurt villagers and children, but Willim very strong, so Willim leave."
[21:24] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 38." [1d100=38]
[21:24] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:24] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 47." [1d100=47]
[21:25] <Kotono> You travel along for several more hours, into the misty sea. The party is beginning to get tired, "Dammit," Adrian says, "Whatever plane we go to next, can it be one that isn't endless expanses of mist and nothing? I miss natural landmarks and features."
[21:26] <Jaela> "I suggested Ysgard, so how about that?"
[21:26] <Afina> "We have to go back to the astral after we get the fortress, but after that... Ysgard's as good as any?"
[21:28] * Jaela nods. "It's pretty glorious. Haven't heard of anyone being bored on it so far."
[21:28] <Kotono> "Amen," Adrian says, "We should rest soon, doesn't look like Medicant is nearby."
[21:29] <Jaela> "Kid, do you sleep? Rest your eyes? Meditate?" Jaela asks the floating, somewhat traumatized ball of light accompanying her.
[21:36] <Kotono> "No, I don't," The lantern archon replies.
[21:37] <Jaela> "Wanna keep a lookout for us while we rest? And don't try to kill the vampire, you'll die. It'll be sad."
[21:38] <Kotono> "Okay." He says simply enough, "I know...if I could defeat the Whore, I would!" He sighs long again, it's entire body flickering. OOC: Going to rest then? How are you guys camping?
[21:38] <Afina> "Well, if we're going to sleep..." Afina turns invisible and drops her sack, drifting close to the group and closing her eyes...
[21:39] * Jaela stores the key away into her gauntlet and takes off her armor before deciding to use it as a pillow, her spare clothes serving as some padding between skin and mithral.
[21:40] <Kotono> Adrian curls up, using his cloak as a blanket. Annalise merely floats in the air, resting back comfortably.
[21:40] * Willim removes the extraordinarily large cache of weapons from his back and relaxes in midair. No need for a bedroll here!
[21:40] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. First of all, will you make a will save, Afina? -2 penalty.
[21:41] <Afina> roll 1d20+14
[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22." [1d20=8]
[21:41] * Ithea also just rests in midair, after removing her armor for the night.
[21:44] <Kotono> Afina closes her eyes and sleeps...dreams come. Dreams of pleasure, dreams that rock her. In her mind's eyes she sees and feels the feeding once more, reliving every moment of bliss in a hazy dream-feeling. Constantly it pulses within her, not a single drop of rest obtained. In her mind the desire thunders to feel it again, the need...oh, what a need! A magnificent need! Then..awake, awake!
[21:44] <Kotono> Afina sits upright from her slumber, as others sleep nearby. The dreams cling to her like a blood-red cloak, as the gentle breathing of her friends can be heard. The lantern archon floats about on a circular patrol around them, whilst Annalise is looking at her with an inviting smile.
[21:48] <Afina> "Don't," Afina's voice cracks with the effort of just that single word as she becomes visible facing Annalise, fighting with all her being to resist the horridly tempting compulsion. She's never wanted much in her life before Lifasa fell, but oh does she want to feel that again.
[21:50] <Kotono> In retort a single word echos in Afina's mind. 'Come.' She continues to smile most alluringly, 'There's nothing to be afraid of. I merely want to give you pleasure and the power you need to save your dear Lifasa. A fey vampire will have the might to restore the natural order and defy Baator, nor will the natural world of the sun spurn you. Let me give you the strength to make your dreams a
[21:50] <Kotono> reality, Afina. Let me repay a little of my debt for freeing me. Please.'
[21:52] <Afina> Even disoriented and needy, centuries of practice allow Afina to draw her sword in a smooth and easy motion from behind her back. "I said no," she grinds out. "I thought you could help, but you're acting more and more a hindrance!"
[21:54] <Kotono> Annalise makes a show of stretching and curling up to rest, eyes half closed. 'I am offering you great help, Afina. I have respected your will and merely offered you the pleasures and power you need. Answer me this one question: Does Lifasa deserve anything but the most power you can gather? Does Lifasa deserve you turning your back on a way to get mightier, so that you may free her sooner?'
[21:55] <Kotono> Meanwhile Naliel  continues to fly around, stopping abruptly! Flying over, "Is something wrong," She asks quickly.
[21:57] * Ithea gently snores while all this is going on.
[21:59] <Afina> "Nothing," the fairy replies curtly to the lantern, still focusing on Annalise. "For over three centuries I've murdered at my Queen's command. I've never wanted anything, never cared for the distractions of pleasure others indulge in." Knuckles turning white around the hilt of her sword, she looks nearly feral. "You breed weakness in me Annalise, and I don't care for it."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Weakness?" With a lazy flicker of her eyelid, showing a golden iris once more and now speaking aloud, if softly, "I am at the weakest I have been in millenia, barely even able to cast the 8th circle. I do not breed weakness, oh no. Vampirism is many things; seductive, sexual, tempting, dominating, controlling...but it is not weak. Oh no, it is mighty, mighty beyond your grasp of it now. Even
[22:03] <Kotono> as a newborn vampire, you would be superior to yourself as you stand now."
[22:06] <Afina> "And you would love to control me, wouldn't you?" Afina challenges back, forcing down a shiver at the thought that's still tempting. "Leave me alone, Annalise, or you'll see just what this inferior fey is capable of."
[22:07] <Kotono> "Hardly. I wouldn't dream of making a thrall of a friend. I would let you rise as a free willed vampire. Of that, you have my word, and I don't break my word." Annalise closes her eye once more, as if going to sleep. "Such a reputation! Naliel, what tall tales HAVE your kind been teling of us, hm?"
[22:07] <Kotono> Naliel floats there, right in front of Annalise's face. "Now don't you dare start that again! You won't make any other vampires while I'm here, I swear it!"
[22:08] <Jaela> "Shut up and go to sleep," Jaela mutters, turning over.
[22:08] <Afina> "No. She won't," Afina agrees, drifting back and sheathing her sword. Considering the discussion closed, she rolls over in the ether and tries to go back to sleep.
[22:10] <Kotono> The rest of the night passes without incident. On awakening, the party finds a pot floating in the mists. Annalise is at it, a lovely, meaty-warm smell coming from it as she hums away to herself, stirring it. Naliel floats nearby, watching her like a globe of light/hawk.
[22:11] <Jaela> The first thing she does upon waking up fully and washing her face with some handily-conjured up water is put her armor back on. Once finished, Jaela joins Annalise and Naliel by the pot.
[22:12] * Ithea blinks as she wakes up and takes in the sight. "You cook?" Ithea asks the vampire with surprise.
[22:13] * Willim is awoken by his nose, the smell of MEAT in the air. "What is cooking?" He blinks.
[22:13] <Kotono> "Breakfast is ready," Annalise announces, "I am a woman of myriad talents and ancient. One has to fill the centuries with hobbies." With a smile, "My mother taught me as a child."
[22:13] <Afina> Afina has to make do with a mere prestidigitation to clean herself of any sweat accrued over the night. It's not really enough, even if nothing lingers she still doesn't feel clean. Not caring for meat she dines on more nuts and raisins from her supplies, following Annalise out the corner of her eye.
[22:14] <Jaela> "Then it's got nothing to do with your age, does it?" Jaela asks with a roll of her eyes. "You're not like normal vampires, are you? You're fine in the sunlight?"
[22:14] <Kotono> Adrian stretches and scratches his stomach, "It does smell good," He admits, "A vampire cook. I really have seen it all on the Planes now, haven't I?"
[22:14] <Jaela> "Have you seen a slaad philosopher?"
[22:14] <Ithea> "Huh. Well, thanks," Ithea says as she goes to eat. She can put on her armor back on after eating.
[22:15] <Kotono> "I learned the art from my mother, I perfected it over the centuries." Annalise retorts. The food is surprisingly good, warming and meaty. Some sort of stew, one that fills you with energy and heat from head to toe.
[22:16] <Jaela> "So what weaknesses should we watch out for?" Jaela presses on, undeterred by the apparent dismissal. "If I channel holy energy all around me, do you get hurt? I'll assume you won't get slain since you were still undead when we found you."
[22:18] <Kotono> "You'll find I'm quite enduring," Annalise says as she sits back, watching Ithea eat. "There's no point hiding it - death is something lesser creatures worry about. All they were able to do was to bind me." With a shake of a finger towards Naliel, "That was terribly rude, you know. I gave him everything he wanted, and he got cold feet. I'd hate to see how you Tormites handle a divorce, if that's
[22:18] <Kotono> how a mere breakup is."
[22:18] <Jaela> "I figure you guys tried just about everything," Jaela says, now speaking to Naliel. "So what is she weak against but too proud to mention?"
[22:19] * Willim has no problems eating the meat dish, and doesn't even care where she got the meat, since he hasn't seen any animals around.
[22:20] <Kotono> "Um..." Naliel hovers in the air, "She won't die, we tried everything. She just regrows." With a long sigh, "Holy water burns her, she doesn't like garlic at all. A holy, silver weapon can wound her, like a devil." That gets the feeling that Nailiel is distinctly glaring at Annalise, "Sunlight doesn't even faze her! She yawns but not much else. Running water doesn't do anything, either!"
[22:20] * Jaela nods. "Good to know. And holy light?"
[22:20] <Kotono> With a distinct snort, "I happen to like bathing. It would be intolerable if that limitation applied to me, so I set it aside. Really now. Do you expect me to smell like musty crypts for my entire existence?"
[22:20] <Jaela> "Prestidigitation."
[22:21] <Kotono> "Please, there's nothing so good as a long, hot soak." Annalise snorts.
[22:21] <Jaela> "Can't argue with that."
[22:22] <Kotono> "Holy power damages her, but again, it can't kill her. We tried, we really did." Naliel sighs deeply. "The more exotic and rare vampire counters didn't work, either. Wolfsbane and white roses are ineffective, and she barely minds fire. She's even resistant to it!"
[22:22] * Jaela gestures towards Willim with her chin. "So's he. Small world, eh?"
[22:23] <Kotono> "I like roses," Annalise shrugs with a light smile, "Fire is hugely overrated. Use it on plants like treants, not on undead."
[22:23] * Willim shrugs.
[22:24] * Jaela decides to finally try the stew. "Say, what happens if you go hungry for too long? Do you fly into some frenzy like a beast, or it's more like a person and you don't have the strength to move?"
[22:24] <Kotono> "My lineage is a strong, primal one," Annalise rises, floating in the air, "Allow this to explain why I claim turning you will give you great strength. I am a first generation vampire, directly turned from the Lord of All Vampires."
[22:25] * Jaela claps politely, even as she waits on her answer.
[22:25] <Kotono> Adrian has some stew, sitting next to Ithea. In a low voice, "You happen to have any garlic on you," he murmurs in a whisper, "Just in case."
[22:26] <Afina> "I expected a frenzy when we got here if she hadn't eaten... I guess I could've avoided her if we let that happen, though," Afina muses thoughtfully as she casts her morning spells of protection.
[22:26] * Ithea raises eyebrow and stares at Adrian. "Why on earth would I carry that around with me?"
[22:27] <Kotono> "Oh, it won't be so good at all. I can control myself, but I'd be far less useful to you that way," Annalise explains, "The more blood I drink, the faster I'll regain my powers and the more I can aid you. Mastery of the 9th circle will come back swiftly enough, then the true sorceries."
[22:27] <Kotono> Keeping his voice down, "You like garlic?" he counters, voice droll. "It's not like I just asked you for rat poison!"
[22:28] <Jaela> "Nice to hear," Jaela says, focusing on her food. This means that if Annalise actually bites someone out of hunger, she can't lie about not being able to control herself. Once her food is done with, she enchants her spear and armor in preparation of resuming their journey, and retrieves the Celestial Key once more. "Here's to hoping we make it over today?"
[22:29] <Afina> "We might even get attacked by a stupid blood-filled monster!" Afina chirps with put-on cheer.
[22:29] * Jaela snorts. "I'll do my best to steer us that way."
[22:31] <Ithea> "Do -you- carry any with you?" Ithea asks with a snort. "It's not something people carry normally, so it's kind of a dumb question, don't you think?"
[22:31] <Kotono> "Ah yes," Annalise rises, "There is one more question. Should one of you happen to fall in battle, may it not happen, a timely bite on your still warm corpse will allow you to rise as a vampire. Would any of you like to have me do that, should the worst happen, so that you can continue to fight for fair Lifasa beyond death?"
[22:31] <Kotono> "I just use trail bars," Adrian retorts, "How am I supposed to know what an overgrown cat likes besides fish!"
[22:32] <Jaela> "There's nothing better than dying in battle against a worthy foe for me," Jaela responds serenely. "But feel free to if a lemure ever gets a drop on me."
[22:32] <Afina> "No," Afina replies with complete conviction. "I remain part of the cycle, death is no end for me."
[22:33] <Ithea> "You really want me to drop something else on you, don't you? Just because I look catlike doesn't make me cat," Ithea says, shaking her head at Adrian.
[22:33] <Kotono> Adrian cracks a grin at that, "C'mon, kitty. You could at least banter back."
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 49." [1d100=49]
[22:36] <Afina> roll 1d20+16 this is getting tiresome
[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+16 this is getting tiresome and gets 32." [1d20=16]
[22:37] <Jaela> OOC: Key's out! +4 resistance!
[22:37] <Afina> OOC: 34 then
[22:37] * Ithea just rolls her eyes and goes for her armor. "If you actually had some witty material, I'd give it some thought, but if you can't branch out from kitty jokes, clearly you're not worth the effort."
[22:38] <Kotono> You travel on. Adrian seems in a sour humor after that last retort, the group traveling onwards. Lunch passes without incident, until...ahead, in the haze, the party can see something shimmering.
[22:39] <Jaela> "Food or fortress? What do you say, key?" Jaela wonders out loud, glancing at the artifact in her hand.
[22:39] <Afina> That prompts Afina to cast heroism on herself in readiness for something interesting.
[22:42] * Jaela turns to stone, briefly wondering whether Annalise would break a tooth on her if she tries to grab a quick bite within the next quarter hour.
[22:42] <Kotono> Annalise floats on, looking on with a casual boredom. Meanwhile the key propels you ahead, but at the same time, Jaela gets the impression it isn't Medicant.
[22:42] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Are either of yout wo going to do anything or cast a buff or anything, Ithea/Willim?
[22:42] <Jaela> "Seems like you're in luck! It's probably food," she announces for everyone's benefit.
[22:42] <Kotono> Adrian readies his sword, just in case. "Any idea what the locals are like here?"
[22:43] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19 do I?
[22:43] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 do I? and gets 34." [1d20=15]
[22:43] <Willim> OOC: Cast...? No. I'm ready to hit things, just need to drop the sack if necessary.
[22:44] * Ithea casts greater magic weapon on her glaive and also offers the others if they're interested.
[22:44] <Jaela> "Copies, sorta," Jaela responds to Adrian. "Like there could be a shadow of you around, or some weird creature that got here by accident."
[22:44] <Afina> "Thank you," Afina smiles at this uncommon show of generosity, holding her silvery blade out towards Ithea.
[22:45] * Willim offers his hands to Ithea, not sure if she can bless his fists.
[22:45] <Ithea> "No problem," Ithea says, not really having a problem with sharing magic with the others. They've all certainly helped each other out enough to warrant that sort of offer.
[22:46] <Kotono> As you prepare it comes closer! It looks to be a sphere of pure mists, perhaps 20 feet in diameter. Two tendrils droop from its bottom, trailing long behind it. It is approaching the party steadily and swiftly.
[22:46] * Ithea does give it a try for Willim after enchanting Afina's blade, though she's fairly sure it'd not work on trollish-demon fists.
[22:47] <Kotono> OOC: Monk weapons count as manufactured and can be targeted with that as normal.
[22:47] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19
[22:47] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 and gets 20." [1d20=1]
[22:47] <Ithea> ooc: guess it works then!
[22:47] <Willim> OOC: Whee!
[22:48] <Afina> "Don't think it has blood inside it," Afina notes in disappointment, though she's sure it'll die regardless.
[22:48] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19 devotion
[22:48] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 devotion and gets 25." [1d20=6]
[22:48] <Kotono> "Are we going to fight it?" Adrian asks as it comes closer.
[22:48] * Jaela shrugs. "You never know till you try, right?"
[22:49] <Kotono> "It doesn't," Annalise announces, "I don't smell blood."
[22:49] <Jaela> "I guess we do," Jaela amends in mild dejection.
[22:50] <Kotono> "If we must, allow me," Annalise says, "I can dispatch it in a single attack. There is no need for all fo you to expend yourselves."
[22:50] <Afina> Well, if Annalise wants to show off... Afina relaxes a bit, even if she's disappointed.
[22:52] <Kotono> As it approaches, Annalise gestures! Three motes of electricity appear over her head, swooping to her hands! The twist and curl into a ray, streaking from her finger towards the target! Halfway there it splits into two rays, both of them seeking the orb!
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 32." [1d20=16]
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 23." [1d20=7]
[22:53] <Kotono> roll 21d6+2d6+3d6+21d6+2d6+3d6
[22:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 21d6+2d6+3d6+21d6+2d6+3d6 and gets 176." [21d6=3, 3, 1, 2, 1, 6, 1, 1, 2, 6, 1, 4, 2, 6, 1, 4, 2, 4, 2, 4, 4][2d6=3, 4][3d6=5, 2, 3][21d6=6, 6, 1, 6, 3, 3, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 4, 3, 4, 6, 6, 1, 3, 3, 3, 4][2d6=6, 1][3d6=5, 6, 6]
[22:54] <Kotono> The two rays hit the orb dead on! Electricity explodes out from it in a nearly deafening detonation! The mist is utterly burned away and consumed, only a few blackened bits remaining, floating in the air and crackling with ozone! Lowering her finger with an annoyed look, "Such horrible rust," she declares a a sharp tone, "But it'll fix itself in time. Shall we continue?"
[22:56] <Jaela> "Sparkly," Jaela comments, indeed continuing. "You know, feel free to claim the fight before everyone casts all sorts of now-useless spells next time?"
[22:56] <Afina> "Still impressive," Afina concedes, even though she wishes she had a chance to do something. "Maybe something else will appear before the other spells wear off?" she shrugs, drifting onwards again.
[22:57] <Jaela> "Hey, I'll do my best but I can't work miracles."
[22:57] * Willim looks mildly disturbed, but shrugs it off.

[Corwin]

[20:00] <Kotono> The party continues to fly on. About an hour and a half passes without incident until the mists grow thicker! So thick as to nearly blind you, soaking you in chilling moisture!
[20:00] <Jaela> "It's times like these that I wish I knew Prestidigitation," Jaela mutters in dismay. "Key, are we there yet?"
[20:01] <Afina> Thanks to habitually casting endure elements, Afina isn't particularly chilled. The thick mist is a bit annoying though, and she drifts in closer to the rest of the group. "Is this what they mean by deep ethereal?"
[20:01] * Willim grimaces in discomfort, swiping at the moisture on his skin.
[20:01] <Jaela> "We've actually been in the deep etheral from the start," Jaela responds, shaking her head. "I think it means something weird's happening."
[20:02] <Kotono> "Must be," Adrian grunts as he makes his way forward. As you begin to advance, "TURN BACK." The voice booms before you, a titanic blast of sound!
[20:02] <Jaela> "No!"
[20:03] * Afina winces and rubs her sensitive pointy ears in response to that unpleasant noise, drawing her sword afterwards.
[20:03] <Willim> "Arg!"
[20:04] <Kotono> In retort to your defiance, a horrible icy wind whips out, as if to flay the flesh from your frozen bones! "BEGONE FROM THIS PLACE! ONLY RUIN AWAITS!"
[20:04] <Ithea> "We're supposed to go this way!" Ithea yells back, though she pauses to look at Jaela and the key and adds, "...I think!"
[20:04] <Kotono> Annalise looks unperterbed by the cold blast, just chuckling to herself.
[20:05] <Jaela> "Who died and made you boss?" Jaela calls back. "Our new home's just beyond there!" She holds her key up in an attempt to drive the mists back.
[20:05] * Afina casts a spell to resist the cold and a haste spell over the entire party simultaneously. "We won't be stopped, not now!" she calls, pushing through the wind defiantly.
[20:05] <Kotono> Adrian's blade is drawn in a rustle of steel, "Like hell it does! We've come too far to be stopped!"
[20:07] <Kotono> "SO BE IT." Ahead of you the mists all swirl and gather, forming together! What forms is the size of the cathedral that held Annalise, a great dragon of solid mist! It towers over you with a roar that would deafen the Gods themselves, "I SHALL SLAY YOU AND FORGET YOU LIKE THE FOOLS YOU ARE!" OOC: Initiative, you have a problem, fellas.

[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Adrian
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Adrian and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 8." [1d20=5]
[20:08] <Jaela> roll 1d20+6
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12." [1d20=6]
[20:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 Annalise
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 Annalise and gets 25." [1d20=15]
[20:08] <Willim> roll 1d20+8
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+8 and gets 20." [1d20=12]
[20:08] <Afina> roll 1d20+19
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+19 and gets 32." [1d20=13]
[20:08] <Ithea> roll d20+7
[20:08] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+7 and gets 10." [d20=3]
[20:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14 dragon+nerveskitter
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 dragon+nerveskitter and gets 22." [1d20=8]
[20:10] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(32)>Annalise(25)>Mist Dragon(22)>Willim=Adrian(20)>Jaela(12)>Ithea(10)>Naliel(8)'
[20:10] <Kotono> OOC: Open, Afina.
[20:11] <Kotono> OOC: For reference, the dragon is about 50ft ahead of you guys.
[20:11] <Afina> Hostilities are declared and Afina doesn't hesitate in the least. Having already cast haste over everyone, she surges forward in a blur through the mist, her tiny blade gleaming as it punctures through draconic fog-scales before the fairy ends up behind it, having moved 100 feet in total.
[20:11] <Afina> roll 1d20+35 5th level arcane strike
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+35 5th level arcane strike and gets 51." [1d20=16]
[20:11] <Afina> roll 1d20+30 5th level arcane strike
[20:11] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+30 5th level arcane strike and gets 45." [1d20=15]
[20:12] <Afina> OOC: is it evil or crittable?
[20:12] <Kotono> OOC: No and yes.
[20:12] <Afina> OOC: hits?
[20:13] <Kotono> OOC: Yes.
[20:13] <Afina> roll 1d4+12+4d6+1d6
[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+12+4d6+1d6 and gets 27." [1d4=1][4d6=2, 4, 1, 4][1d6=3]
[20:13] <Afina> roll 1d4+12+4d6+1d6
[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+12+4d6+1d6 and gets 30." [1d4=1][4d6=5, 3, 5, 3][1d6=1]
[20:13] <Afina> roll 10d4 as well
[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 10d4 as well and gets 25." [10d4=3, 1, 1, 1, 3, 4, 1, 3, 4, 4]
[20:15] <Kotono> Afina rushes forward, blade carving into the mist! She manages to cut into it, like strangely giving and yet resilient flesh! Annalise shakes her head, "A dragon? It that it?" She makes a show of yawning, three motes of light appearing above her! She points as they form into a ray, firing out! Again the ray splits into two, slamming towards the mist dragon!
[20:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+1 haste, sudden empower)
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 (+1 haste, sudden empower) and gets 29." [1d20=12]
[20:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17 (+1 haste, sudden empower)
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 (+1 haste, sudden empower) and gets 21." [1d20=4]
[20:16] <Kotono> roll (42d6*1.5)+3d6+2d6
[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls (42d6*1.5)+3d6+2d6 and gets 221."][3d6=2, 4, 4][2d6=3, 4]
[20:18] <Kotono> The onslaught of rays cut into the dragon like a stroke from Talos himself! Themists ripple with electricity, as Annalise frowns! In a split second she draws another diagram in the air, as a corsucating beam of black follows!
[20:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 32." [1d20=15]
[20:18] <Kotono> roll 1d4
[20:18] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 and gets 4." [1d4=4]
[20:18] <Kotono> The black beam hits the dragon dead on, making the mists shrink slightly! OOC: Mist Dragon is up.
[20:20] <Kotono> Despite the plummeling it's taken so far, the misty dragon does not relent! Instead it roars, as great mists spread all about, blocking all vision completely! OOC: The entire area all around the party in all directions is solid fogged. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/solidFog.htm Go Willim and Adrian.
[20:21] <Kotono> Unseen by the others in the fog, Adrian advances forward slightly! OOC: Wililm.
[20:24] <Willim> Rushing forward, Willim nevertheless does not get very far! OOC: full move, so 5th
[20:24] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Jaela.
[20:25] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19 devotion/arcana
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 devotion/arcana and gets 38." [1d20=19]
[20:27] <Jaela> Entering a truly fearless state with the aid of magic, Jaela embraces her training and follows the key's pull as the mists part before her. The dragon was straight ahead last time she saw it, and it is as good a direction to take as any. As she travels, spear drawn, a multitude of its replicas surround her from all over in a perfect ring, ready to defend their master at a moment's notice.
[20:28] <Jaela> OOC: Greater Heroism, Divine Retaliation/swift, Travel domain power, moving 40ft ahead with haste as if under freedom of movement?
[20:28] <Kotono> Jaela can dimly see the dragon ahead as she protects herself, looming vastly huge! OOC: Ithea.
[20:29] <Jaela> OOC: I can fly up to 70ft. Does it put me closer to it?
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Yeah, you can reach it.
[20:29] <Jaela> OOC: Cool, I will
[20:29] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. You'llg et AoOed, bear in mind.
[20:30] <Jaela> OOC: Okay
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 1d20+43
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 and gets 61." [1d20=18]
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 4d10+13
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d10+13 and gets 23." [4d10=1, 3, 4, 2]
[20:30] <Kotono> OOC: Bypasses your DR.
[20:31] <Jaela> roll 1d20+22 retaliation?
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+22 retaliation? and gets 39." [1d20=17]
[20:31] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:31] <Jaela> roll 1d8+13
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d8+13 and gets 16." [1d8=3]
[20:32] <Kotono> Jaela and the dragon exchange blows, a bite and a recriprocal stab! Neither are serious wounds, the two fencing back and Jaela swooping out of its maw! OOC: Ithea.
[20:33] <Jaela> "You should've just let us pass!" Jaela calls, utterly fearless even if it is the first time she fights something the size of a building.
[20:34] * Ithea attempts to bypass the fog by using a quickly casted teleport to what she thinks would put her in melee range of the dragon based on it's position before the fog made things hard to see. (OOC: quick cast/dimension hop. If I'm in melee range, will full attack, if not, will try to get into melee range)
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC: It hasn't moved.
[20:37] <Ithea> Seeing the body in range, Ithea launches a flurry of attacks with her glaive, channeling arcane magic into her jabs with the polearm. (OOC: arcane strike, 4th level spell & channeling vampiric touch)
[20:37] <Kotono> OOC: Go for it.
[20:38] <Ithea> roll d20+19 (PA -6)
[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 (PA -6) and gets 21." [d20=2]
[20:38] <Ithea> roll d20+19 (PA -6)
[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 (PA -6) and gets 24." [d20=5]
[20:38] <Ithea> roll d20+14 (PA -6)
[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+14 (PA -6) and gets 15." [d20=1]
[20:38] <Kotono> OOC: Two hits.
[20:38] <Ithea> roll d20+9 (PA -6)
[20:38] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+9 (PA -6) and gets 13." [d20=4]
[20:38] <Kotono> OOC: Just two.
[20:38] <Ithea> ooc: I hate hatbot
[20:39] <Ithea> roll d10+22+4d4
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d10+22+4d4 and gets 38." [d10=5][4d4=4, 2, 4, 1]
[20:39] <Ithea> roll d20+13 CL
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+13 CL and gets 20." [d20=7]
[20:39] <Kotono> OOC: No SR.
[20:39] <Ithea> roll 6d6 vampiric touch
[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 6d6 vampiric touch and gets 15." [6d6=1, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2]
[20:40] <Kotono> Ithea blinks and is in a moment on her foe! Her glaive slahses and hacks, claiming two large hits as life-energy i sstolen and floods into her body!
[20:40] <Kotono> What Naliel does is lost in the mists, hiding him from sight! OOC: Afina.
[20:41] <Ithea> roll d10+22+4d4 (I rolled for one hit, sorry)
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d10+22+4d4 (I rolled for one hit, sorry) and gets 41." [d10=10][4d4=2, 2, 1, 4]
[20:41] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:42] <Afina> Feeling the fog constrain her movements, Afina suddenly feels at a distinct disadvantage. Deciding to wait for a better opportunity, she teleports herself to safety!
[20:42] <Afina> OOC: autopass concentration for dimension door, teleporting 100 feet straight down.
[20:43] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:43] <Kotono> Afina finds herself out of the fog, just out of it! It extends in a great sphere all around, the closest part of it mere feet from her face! OOC: Annalise.
[20:44] <Kotono> If Annalise does something, it's lost in the cloying fog! A split second later the mists burst around the party, becoming bitterly cold! OOC: Reflex saves for everyone but Afina.
[20:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 Adrian (+1 haste, evasion)
[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 Adrian (+1 haste, evasion) and gets 19." [1d20=7]
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Naliel (+1 haste)
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Naliel (+1 haste) and gets 15." [1d20=4]
[20:45] <Jaela> roll 1d20+30 +4 resistance to anyone within 20ft of me
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+30 +4 resistance to anyone within 20ft of me and gets 40." [1d20=10]
[20:45] <Ithea> roll d20+16 (+1 haste, evasion)
[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+16 (+1 haste, evasion) and gets 34." [d20=18]
[20:46] <Willim> roll 1d20+12
[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+12 and gets 18." [1d20=6]
[20:46] <Willim> ooc: +1 haste lol
[20:46] <Jaela> OOC: My bad! The bonus is against evil.
[20:47] <Willim> ooc: improved evasinon too. lawl. more if I'm still by Naliel.
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 18d8 full Adrian, Naliel; half Jaela, Willim; none Ithea and Annalise is immune anyway. This is cold damage, take into account resistance as normal thanks to Afina's mass resist energy.
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 18d8 full Adrian, Naliel; half Jaela, Willim; none Ithea and Annalise is immune anyway. This is cold damage, take into account resistance as normal thanks to Afina's mass resist energy. and gets 99." [18d8=5, 7, 8, 1, 3, 4, 4, 8, 8, 3, 8, 4, 8, 5, 5, 7, 4, 7]
[20:49] <Afina> OOC: not mass resist energy! That was just for me!
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: Oh, okay.
[20:53] <Kotono> The frosty blast clears away the mist, revealing things once more! Everything is empty here, all the mists gone save for a few hunks of mist hanging about like thick blocks! Naliel is as well, an ice-entombed lantern archon floating in the air helplessly! Adrian is painfully frozen and shuddering, whilst Annalise looks once again unperterbed. A second later, one of the thick blocks of mist
[20:53] <Kotono> shifts! It changes into the shape of an hooded warrior with a barbed knife in hand, slinking towards Ithea and flanking her with the dragon! OOC: He'll tumble to try and avoid the reach of your glaive. CMD?
[20:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(32)>Annalise(25)>Mist Dragon=Mist Rogue(22)>Willim=Adrian(20)>Jaela(12)>Ithea(10)>Naliel(8)'
[20:54] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18 tumble
[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 tumble and gets 22." [1d20=4]
[20:55] <Kotono> OOC: That's not going to beat your CMD. AoO.
[20:58] <Ithea> roll d20+19 (PA-6, arcane strike)
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 (PA-6, arcane strike) and gets 32." [d20=13]
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: Hit.
[20:58] <Ithea> roll d10+22+4d4
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d10+22+4d4 and gets 36." [d10=4][4d4=2, 2, 3, 3]
[20:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 22." [1d20=4]
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[20:58] <Ithea> ooc: 26
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: +2 flanking but that probably won't help enough.
[20:59] <Kotono> The misty rogue tumbles in, catching a glaive in the stomach for the troubles! At the same time its knife comes up, dodged by an inch as Ithea is pressed back against the mist-dragon! OOC: Wililm'n'Adrian, go.
[20:59] <Ithea> ooc: and apprently arcane channeling also applies for full round, so I get vampiric touch in there too
[20:59] <Ithea> roll 6d6
[20:59] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 6d6 and gets 26." [6d6=6, 2, 5, 6, 5, 2]
[21:02] <Kotono> "Urgh!" Adrian shudders, "Jaela, I'll need some h-help!" he grunts, holding for the moment as his body looks flashfrozen! OOC: Holding, not going to charge a dragon when a bite AoO could kill him.
[21:02] <Jaela> "Get way back, then!" Jaela calls in response, already resigning herself to not getting any help from him. "Avoid the damn breath!"
[21:04] * Willim surges forward, charging down at the dragon! ooc: charging
[21:05] <Kotono> OOC: You'll provoke an AoO. you okay with that?
[21:05] <Willim> roll 1d20+26 yup
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+26 yup and gets 43." [1d20=17]
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+43 I'llr esolve the AoO first.
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+43 I'llr esolve the AoO first. and gets 61." [1d20=18]
[21:05] <Kotono> roll 4d10+13
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d10+13 and gets 45." [4d10=10, 8, 4, 10]
[21:06] <Willim> roll 1d10+10
[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d10+10 and gets 11." [1d10=1]
[21:07] <Kotono> Willim charges in, fist slamming into the mists as his shoulder is terribly bitten! At the same time Adrian curses darkly, "Dammit all!" he swears, falling back, "I'll make this up to you," he vows, flying down and back! OOC: Jaela.
[21:07] <Jaela> Letting the Key float by her side for a moment, Jaela seizes Gae Bolg with both hands and launches into one fierce jab after another!
[21:08] <Jaela> roll 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:08] <Jaela> roll 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 30." [1d20=12]
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 20." [1d20=2]
[21:08] <Jaela> roll 1d20+26-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+26-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 22." [1d20=9]
[21:08] <Jaela> roll 1d20+21-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+21-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 13." [1d20=5]
[21:08] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.
[21:08] <Jaela> roll 3#1d8+12+5+26+9
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 3#1d8+12+5+26+9 and gets 168." [3#1d8+12+5+26+9 = 57, 56, 55]
[21:09] <Jaela> Meanwhile, ghostly images of her spear continue circling her!
[21:09] <Jaela> OOC: Another swift on divine retaliation
[21:10] <Kotono> Jaela's fury manifests as a flurry of successful strikes, one slamming in after the other and the other! The mists are rent and torn, but yet the titanic dragon endures! OOC: Ithea.
[21:10] * Kotono changes topic to 'Afina(32)>Annalise(25)>Mist Dragon=Mist Rogue(22)>Willim=Adrian(20)>Jaela(12)>Ithea(10)'
[21:11] * Jaela scowls at the titanic monster, calling, "Had enough? Want some more?"
[21:11] <Kotono> "TURN AWAY!" The dragon roars back again, furious screaming back!
[21:11] <Jaela> "Fuck you and die!"
[21:12] * Ithea takes a step away from the rogue, flashing out a jab at his chest before focusing the rest of her attacks on the dragon, continuing the rest of her assault there. (OOC: same as last time, PA-6, vampiric touch, arcane strike 4th level)
[21:12] <Ithea> roll d20+19 rogue
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 rogue and gets 38." [d20=19]
[21:12] <Ithea> roll d20+19 dragon
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+19 dragon and gets 35." [d20=16]
[21:12] <Ithea> roll d20+14 dragon
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+14 dragon and gets 30." [d20=16]
[21:12] <Ithea> roll d20+9 dragon
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+9 dragon and gets 17." [d20=8]
[21:12] <Kotono> OOC: All hits but that last attack.
[21:13] <Ithea> roll d10+22+4d4+6d6 rogue
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d10+22+4d4+6d6 rogue and gets 51." [d10=8][4d4=2, 2, 1, 4][6d6=1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2]
[21:13] <Ithea> roll 2d10+44+8d4+6d6 dragon
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 2d10+44+8d4+6d6 dragon and gets 91." [2d10=8, 9][8d4=2, 2, 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2][6d6=1, 4, 2, 1, 3, 4]
[21:14] <Kotono> Assaulting both, Ithea finds that ripping into them is effective - but yet both are still fighting, despite being maimed and stabbed harshly with arcane flames! OOC: Afina.
[21:15] <Afina> With the path cleared, Afina zips back into the fray, looping up towards its head and driving in a stab towards its ear to make up for the small size of her weapon compared with the giant's prodigious proportions!
[21:15] <Afina> roll 1d20+34 4th level arcane strike
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+34 4th level arcane strike and gets 49." [1d20=15]
[21:15] <Afina> roll 1d20+29 4th level arcane strike
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+29 4th level arcane strike and gets 31." [1d20=2]
[21:15] <Kotono> OOC: Two hits.
[21:15] <Afina> roll 1d4+12+4d6+1d6+4d4
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+12+4d6+1d6+4d4 and gets 42." [1d4=4][4d6=4, 1, 6, 2][1d6=4][4d4=4, 2, 1, 2]
[21:15] <Afina> roll 1d4+12+4d6+1d6+4d4
[21:15] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+12+4d6+1d6+4d4 and gets 33." [1d4=3][4d6=2, 1, 2, 1][1d6=2][4d4=4, 1, 4, 1]
[21:16] <Kotono> Again and again Afina strikes, the mists starting to at last flicker a bit! But there's still so much of it, as a moment later Annalise follows up! This time another corsucating ray comes, turning dark and splitting into two!
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 33." [1d20=16]
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 35." [1d20=18]
[21:16] <Kotono> roll 2d4
[21:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d4 and gets 6." [2d4=3, 3]
[21:17] <Kotono> A moment later a third follows, Annalise concentrating and drawing the sigil again!
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 28." [1d20=11]
[21:17] <Kotono> roll 1d4
[21:17] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4 and gets 1." [1d4=1]
[21:18] <Kotono> The dragon withers more and more as each ray hits it, the mists retreating back under the assault! Even as it does, the mists around the area intensify! It's back to how it was when the dragon first talked to you, cold, clammy and heavy, but not a true Solid Fog!  At the same time the dragon's fury mounts, as it's misty tail swipes all around it in one grand assault!
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 1d20+26 (-10 PA, - a bunch negative levels) everyone in melee range of the dragon, let me know your AC.
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+26 (-10 PA, - a bunch negative levels) everyone in melee range of the dragon, let me know your AC. and gets 42." [1d20=16]
[21:19] <Ithea> ooc: not that
[21:19] <Jaela> OOC: AC23, and I'll retaliate!
[21:19] <Kotono> roll 3d6+23
[21:19] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d6+23 and gets 37." [3d6=5, 4, 5]
[21:20] <Afina> OOC: 44
[21:20] <Jaela> roll 1d20+22
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+22 and gets 32." [1d20=10]
[21:20] <Jaela> roll 1d8+13 force
[21:20] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d8+13 force and gets 15." [1d8=2]
[21:21] <Kotono> The tail's fury batters everyone nearby, slamming into them hard! As they reel the mist rogue's knife comes up, trying to carve Ithea up into kibble!
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 (+2 flank)
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 (+2 flank) and gets 35." [1d20=15]
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 23." [1d20=8]
[21:21] <Kotono> OOC: AC, Ithea?
[21:21] <Ithea> ooc: 26
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d4+5+5d6
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4+5+5d6 and gets 24." [1d4=1][5d6=6, 1, 3, 5, 3]
[21:22] <Kotono> Ithea gets a dagger in the kidney for her troubles, pain making her vision flash white and then a dull red! OOC: Ow.  Willim'n'Adrian.
[21:23] <Ithea> "...gah," Ithea mutters as she grits her teeth, tightening her grip on her glaive.
[21:24] <Willim> Willim winds back and delivers a punishing series of kicks and punches to the chest of the beast, following up with a savage bite!
[21:25] <Willim> roll 1d20+24
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+24 and gets 27." [1d20=3]
[21:25] <Willim> roll 1d20+24
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+24 and gets 35." [1d20=11]
[21:25] <Willim> roll 1d20+19
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+19 and gets 20." [1d20=1]
[21:25] <Willim> roll 1d20+14
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22." [1d20=8]
[21:25] <Willim> roll 1d20+19 bite
[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+19 bite and gets 30." [1d20=11]
[21:26] <Kotono> OOC: All but the natural 1 hit.
[21:27] <Willim> roll 3d10+30+1d6+10
[21:27] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 3d10+30+1d6+10 and gets 64." [3d10=6, 9, 4][1d6=5]
[21:27] <Kotono> Willim's biting and punching flurry is titanic as Adrian retreats back further! The dragon is rocked once more, but does not relent! Instead...OOC: Jaela, go.
[21:29] <Jaela> "Fall, dammit!" Jaela screams, her hair flying wildly all around her. Blood drips down her forehead, and her left hand refuses to work properly from the freezing earlier. Two of her ribs are surely cracked from that last attack, and she knows retreat at this point would be impossible. She's not so much as thinking about it, however! "Fall! Fall! Fall!" As far as she looks into any direction, the mist dragon's neck stretches out, imposing and impossibly long. And it is into that neck that she buries Gae Bolg with a zeal unmatched by any other!
[21:29] <Jaela> roll 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:29] <Jaela> roll 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 30." [1d20=12]
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+31-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 34." [1d20=16]
[21:29] <Jaela> roll 1d20+26-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+26-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 20." [1d20=7]
[21:29] <Jaela> roll 1d20+21-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might)
[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+21-13 (13pa, haste, greater heroism, devotion, divine might) and gets 11." [1d20=3]
[21:29] <Kotono> OOC: Three hits.
[21:30] <Jaela> roll 3#1d8+12+5+26+9
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 3#1d8+12+5+26+9 and gets 172." [3#1d8+12+5+26+9 = 59, 54, 59]
[21:30] <Jaela> Meanwhile, her wounds mend slightly....
[21:30] <Jaela> roll 1d4+5
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d4+5 and gets 7." [1d4=2]
[21:31] <Kotono> Under that desparate, overwhelming assault Jaela strikes and strikes and strikes! The fury rips its neck open, mists escaping out! For a moment all the mists seem to thicken, before fading away! The mistl evel returns to normal, dragon and rogue gone! All that's left is a small cube of what looks to be pure white mist, hardening into stone as you watch it form. OOC: Free act.

[21:32] <Kotono> Annalise flies forward, "Ah, it's dead. Troublesome thing, wasn't it?"
[21:32] <Jaela> "That thing!" Jaela snaps, breathing heavily. She stabs at the dissipating mists violently.
[21:32] <Afina> "Very," Afina agrees curtly, floating down to join the others, looking over at the icy tomb of Naliel.
[21:33] * Willim heads over to examine the small cube of mist!
[21:33] <Ithea> "It really was," Ithea agrees with the vampire as she lets loose a sigh of relief while putting away her weapon and moving closer to the cube to examine it.
[21:33] <Kotono> "No wonder no one comes here," Adrian floats back up, still shivering, coming over to Naliel. He shakes his head once, bowing it after. He murmurs something quietly before he looks up, "He gave his life for a good cause. Those he serves will exult him, I'm sure."
[21:34] <Kotono> Willim and Ithea approach the cube. It's a small cube of solified mist.  Ice forms on the surface as you watch it, little patches of the stuff.
[21:34] <Jaela> With a burst of holy light that washes away all of Jaela's visible wounds, she is restored!
[21:35] * Willim picks it up and examines it. "Is ice cube?"
[21:35] <Jaela> roll 1d20+19 and that was Heal
[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+19 and that was Heal and gets 32." [1d20=13]
[21:35] * Ithea casts detect magic and examines the item in more detail, as best she can while the troll handles it anyway, wondering how it's connected to both the rogue and the dragon.
[21:35] <Kotono> The cube is cold in Willim's hand. OOC: PM.
[21:36] <Kotono> OOC: K:A, Ithea.
[21:36] <Afina> "A shame he came with us, but he was already dead," Afina nods in response to the archon's fate. Looking over at Annalise, "A shame it has no blood, you did more than any of us to win this fight."
[21:36] <Kotono> OOC: It does radiate moderate magic, too.
[21:36] <Ithea> roll d20+20
[21:36] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+20 and gets 28." [d20=8]
[21:37] <Kotono> "It's the very least I can do, Afina," Annalise smiles with a faintly pleased look.
[21:37] <Willim> "Is dragon cube." Willim remarks.
[21:37] * Jaela grabs the Key and drifts back towards Adrian and Naliel.
[21:39] <Afina> Drifting closer to the vampire, not wanting to be overheard, Afina speaks softly. "I'm sorry for last night. The weakness is my own, and I shouldn't blame you for it."
[21:39] <Jaela> "You did good, Kid," she says, patting the iced over archon. "First one of you I ever saw standing up to something overwhelming like that. If you feel like it, look us up once you get reformed. I'll save you a room at the fortress."
[21:41] <Kotono> "I'm sorry too," Annalise says, voice kept very quiet. After a moment she shifts into Afina's mind, 'I just want to help you grow stronger and eliminate those weaknesses. I know your upbringing taught you one way, but I am no monster against nature. If you want my help eliminating your weakness, come to me. I'll be glad to help you.'
[21:41] * Jaela salutes with her spear, and then taps Adrian's shoulder to restore him to top condition. "Let's get going again?"
[21:42] <Kotono> "Thanks," Adrian sighs in relief, "What's that...dragon cube? Is it worth anything?"
[21:42] <Ithea> "It is," Ithea says at Adrian's question. "It's what's left of the dragon's power, someone could eat it and gain that leftover power, I think."
[21:42] <Afina> The fairy shakes her head. "Not what I meant, and you don't understand what I'd be giving up if I became as you are. We shall speak no more of it," she says, considering the matter closed and floating over to join the others.
[21:43] * Jaela shrugs. "Don't care. Grab it if you want, but I'm going on." And true to her words, she reaches into her connection with the Celestial Key and follows it.
[21:43] <Afina> "Adrian should eat it," Afina suggests, considering him most in need of getting more power. Otherwise uninterested, she follows Jaela.
[21:44] <Ithea> "If we let you have it, think you'd be more help next time a fight breaks out, Adrian?" Ithea jokes, almost at the same time as the pixie suggests him.
[21:44] * Willim eyes Adrian, then the cube rolling around in his hands.
[21:46] <Jaela> "Ever fight anything as strong?" Jaela asks suddenly, finding herself curious. "Or that huge, for that matter?"
[21:47] * Ithea tries out that trick she picked up during the trials and heals herself. She'd considered healing the troll, but he looked healthy enough, and they were supposed to be able to heal themselves anyway, right?
[21:47] <Ithea> roll 4d8+13
[21:47] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls 4d8+13 and gets 26." [4d8=7, 3, 2, 1]
[21:47] <Afina> "Nothing so big, no," Afina shakes her head. "I normally murdered fey nobles, powerful but also subtle beings."
[21:48] <Kotono> "Alright," Adrian says, reaching for the cube, "Every little bit,e ven if it's eating a dragon."
[21:48] <Jaela> "Me neither. I wonder if I got stronger. Maybe we can come across a pit fiend and I'll see for myself."
[21:49] <Kotono> "I've been involved with fighting a Tarrasque," Annalise says absently, "It wasn't really my battle, though. I had considered turning it, but such proved impractical at best."
[21:50] <Jaela> "Let me guess. I'll ask how it went and how you were so strong, you'll offer to turn me, I'll say no and we go over justifications for half an hour?"
[21:50] * Willim tosses the cube at Adrian and shrugs. "Is mist, not meat."
[21:50] <Afina> "Something so huge with your appetite would surely depopulate a world in short order, anyway," Afina nods.
[21:50] * Ithea doesn't bother replying to the question as she waits for Adrian to consume the cube, curious to see what he gains out of it exactly.
[21:50] <Willim> He turns and follows after the others, hoping to be able to take this big pile of weapons off his back soon.
[21:52] <Kotono> "That was the main problem. Frankly, I considered keeping it turned and in some sort of status, as an ultimate last resort. Completely impossible, Tarrasques are resistant to most magics like that and I'm not sure I could even turn it if I tried." She laughs after that, "Alas."
[21:52] <Kotono> Adrian shrugs and pops the cube into his mouth! He grunts harshly after, hitting his chest!
[21:53] <Jaela> "Made me think. That dragon was probably just some reflection of a real one. And shadows are weaker than the original, so it must've been pretty hardcore. Makes you want to track him down and fight him, doesn't it?"
[21:54] <Afina> "Not unless he's working for devils," Afina replies blandly.
[21:54] * Ithea nods agreement with Afina.
[21:56] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 55." [1d100=55]
[21:56] <Kotono> You travel deeper in the deep ethereal. Again sleepiness begins to tug at the party, the inexorable need to make camp and rest presenting itself.
[21:58] * Jaela sighs and decides to pause for the day. Or what passes for one. "Still fine?" she asks Annalise. And they came across two enemies, too!
[21:58] <Kotono> "I am rather hungry now," Annalise admits, licking her lips as she looks towards Jaela's neck.
[21:59] * Jaela rolls her eye and sets about removing her armor, first. It would only hold her back once she's weakened, anyway. "Go ahead," she says once she is done.
[21:59] <Afina> "I wish that key would hurry up and lead us to the fortress. How long are we going to have to cross this realm of empty mist?" Afina asks, covering her nagging desire to be bitten with impatience over the journey. Not wanting to be tempted she moves away and turns her back, pulling her own meal out of her sack.
[22:00] <Kotono> "Just relax and let me drink my fill. I know how to control myself, I can take you to the brink and leave enough for you to cast restoration." Annalise says, fangs out as she comes closer, "Just rest and savor the pleasure."
[22:02] * Jaela shivers despite herself, frowning soon after. "I like you," she tells Annalise quietly, moving her hair out of the way. "Don't do anything that stops me liking you. We clear?"
[22:03] <Ithea> "So how do you feel after eating that cube, Adrian?" Ithea asks, focusing on the warrior, not having any desire to watch the vampire eat.
[22:04] <Kotono> "Yes," Annalise says, biting down! The pain is lesser this time, the pleasure greater! Jaela is lost in a universe of joy as Annalise drinks and drinks and drinks! She grows so cold, but it only serves to highlight the pure estascy that flows in her veins instead of blood! OOC: Will save, -4, Jaela.
[22:04] <Kotono> "Stronger," He flexes an arm, "Quite literally stronger. You know how you feel when you're under a Bull's Strength spell? I feel like that."
[22:04] <Jaela> roll 1d20+26 (+4 key, -4 mod)
[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+26 (+4 key, -4 mod) and gets 27." [1d20=1]
[22:06] <Ithea> "Hrm, well that's useful, I guess. Would have been nicer if you'd gotten quicker reflexes, I imagine, but not like a beast that size worries about that sort of thing, admittedly," Ithea notes.
[22:07] <Kotono> Jaela draws pale and cold, held in Annalise's arms! At last she looks up, licking her lips. In a gentle voice and supporting her, "Now. Cast restoration, focus," she says, despite the sleepiness that assails the paladin! OOC: Con is 1. Doing something about that is advised.
[22:07] * Willim frowns at Adrian's words, feeling a pang of jealousy. He shakes his head and prepares for bed.
[22:09] <Jaela> "You are... like death," Jaela whispers dreamily, cupping Annalise's cheek.
[22:09] <Kotono> "I'll take what I can get. The last few battles I've been in have been my worst since I was a noviate," Adrian shakes his head backa nd forth, "Stuck behind the rest of you, pinned under a tree or flash-frozen and told to retreat. Ugh."
[22:10] <Kotono> "Shh," Annalise gently holds Jaela, "Cast restoration now. It's the pleasure talking. Unless you'd like to embrace my offer, cast."
[22:10] * Ithea grins. "Don't worry, I'm sure no nasty trees will fall on you ever again."
[22:11] <Kotono> That gets a steady look from Adrian, "You know, you're cute when you smile like that, but when you're dropping trees on me..."
[22:12] * Jaela smiles warmly, before her hand drops to her pouch of diamond dust, prepared ahead of schedule. She's cast this spell so much she can go through the motions even when brought down to the brink.
[22:12] <Ithea> "...I'm positively gorgeous then? I'm sure," Ithea finishes for Adrian cheerfully.
[22:12] <Kotono> Adrian sighs long and shakes his head. "...sure, why not?"
[22:12] * Ithea beams at Adrian.
[22:13] <Kotono> Jaela is restored, as meanwhile Willim lies down for bed. Her vitality returns, restored back!
[22:14] <Kotono> Taking off his cloak and using it as a blanket as he curls up in the nothingness, "Night, Ithea." He smiles to her a moment despite it, getting ready to sleep.
[22:14] <Jaela> "Tomorrow... for sure," Jaela declares, her sight clearing. "Tomorrow we find Medicant. Tomorrow."
[22:15] <Kotono> Annalise parts from Jaela now once she's up and restored, "I'll keep a watch," she announces, "Just inc ase we have a visitor."
[22:15] <Afina> "Better," Afina mutters, finishing her sparse meal and turning invisible so she can rest in peace.
[22:16] <Jaela> "Okay," Jaela agrees, not bothering to float away from where her armor makes a decent pillow for her.
[22:16] <Ithea> "Night," Ithea says in return, before pausing at Annalise's declaration. Finally, she shrugs, and figures the vampire probably ate enough to resist turning them while they slept...okay, she probably wasn't going to sleep well tonight now. Still, Ithea gives it her best shot once she gets in a comfortable position.
[22:18] <Kotono> Sleep comes well...save for Ithea, who tosses and turns. Also for Jaela...she is lost. Losti n dreams of pleasure, her mind's eye feeilng the drain again. Again and again, craving it like nothing else. She can feel Annalise's teeth on her neck, wishing so hard for them to go in...she awakens with a start, finding Annalise floating about the camp, a pulsing moment's desire to be drained. Meanwhile
[22:18] <Kotono> Ithea tosses and turns yet again, stirring from sleep as uneasiness continues to rouse her.
[22:20] * Jaela takes a few deep breaths to calm herself. Then, she can just go back to sleep-- oh who is she kidding? With a sigh, she props herself up as best as she can in the surroudning mists and waves Annalise over.
[22:21] <Kotono> Annalise floats over, "Can't sleep," she offers with a slight smile, going to hover just before her. Her smile is mysterious and teasing, meeting Jaela'se yes with her own.
[22:22] <Jaela> "Can't sleep," Jaela affirms. She pats the perfectly serviceable spot by her, adding, "Don't be a tease. Come here."
[22:23] <Kotono> Annalise does just that, sitting next to Jaela. "Want something?" she asks, ever so amused.
[22:23] <Jaela> "Just your company," Jaela lies. "You're not sleeping anyway, are you? Might as well help each other pass the time."
[22:24] <Kotono> "Of course," Annalise says, "Sleep is something lesser creatures worry about. Oh, I can if I want to pretend, but it's hardly required. You're a half blood if you have to sleep, aren't you?"
[22:25] <Ithea> At the sounds of conversation, Ithea briefly calms, feeling a bit more comfortable knowing someone else is awake. She vaguely listens in, though not having any desire to join in conversation or announce that she's awake.
[22:26] <Jaela> "First I'm a fallen, then I'm a half-blood." Jaela rolls her eye. "If you're curious, I have... what's the term, a diverse heritage." She snorts. "You've seen me fight today. Do you think I can take on a pit fiend? One on one?"
[22:28] <Kotono> "Frankly, I couldn't imagine a full celestial freeing me." Annalise laughs lightly again at that eye-roll, "Hmmm. One on one...your magic and a pit fiend's magic essentially cancel out, assuming you can avoid blasphemy or being stunned. If you can, you could stand a chance in melee if it goes your way. Of course, you never fight a pit fiend alone. So...no."S he finally admits. "A cornugon, yes.
[22:28] <Kotono> A gelugon, certainly. A pit fiend is beyond you as of now. Most likely you'll end up overwhelmed by blasphemy, stunned and gutted, or ripped apart and burned to a husk."
[22:30] * Willim says something to the tune of "SNRRRRRRRRRK-hnnnnnn."
[22:31] * Jaela nods. "That's about what I come to. I give it a chance, but not a high one. Damn." She eyes Annalise, keeping silent for a bit.
[22:31] <Jaela> "I want you more than anything in the world," Jaela finally admits. "I bet you hear that all the time."
[22:33] <Afina> Her pointy ears twitching at the sounds of conversation, Afina stirs. Unlike what Jaela did last night, she doesn't moan for people to go back to sleep, instead paying attention. As Jaela talks about fighting various devils she's about to volunteer her own expertise, but the confession of naked want, so similar to her own shameful weakness, keeps her silent and unseen.
[22:34] * Ithea colors under her cloak at Jaela's declaration, and suddenly really wishes she was asleep.
[22:35] <Kotono> "I know." Annalise admits, "It's a gift vampires possess." With a slightly dirty look to Jaela, licking her lips, "There's nothing wrong with it, Jaela. I can grant you pleasure unmatched by anything - even lovemaking. If you want that, you only have to ask. There's no weakness in it, no sin. I'm sure the Heavens would shout at you that it's a sin, but it's really not. There's nothing sinful
[22:35] <Kotono> about pleasure."
[22:38] <Jaela> "I know," Jaela says. "It's just-- I freed you. And I didn't free you because of that, or for that. I've got my code, and I follow that. Keeping someone captive like that just ain't right, not the way it was done." She runs a hand through her hair. "It's wrong to even ask, because you're all grateful for that. Just stay with me? I don't think I can sleep any more tonight."
[22:40] <Kotono> "It's never wrong to ask me to do that," Annalise murmurs, "It recovers my might faster so that I may aid all of you, and it gives you great pleasure. I'll be glad to stay with you." Turning to her, "You're the best, most open minded paladin I've ever met. Any other would have left me be or attacked me once they realised what I was. Why are you different, to risk your exalted status and favor
[22:40] <Kotono> of your deities for me?"
[22:43] <Jaela> "Hmph. I'm no one's puppet. My Code, it says freedom's the best thing in the world. It's what you take up arms to protect. They don't get to write that only to start making exceptions when it's convenient, do they?" She snorts. "Besides, if Torm really thought you deserved to die, back when he was sane, he would've given them a miracle and arranged for that. Just means he left you there to get rescued by us, so you could help us get Lifasa back. It makes sense when you think about it that way, doesn't it?"
[22:44] <Kotono> "Certainly." Annalise is all smiles at that, "But I've found the powers of Good can be rather hypocritical on some points, when it matters to cavorting with something as loathed as I am. If they reject you and call you fallen, come to me. There are others who are more open minded, who will respect your code and enable you to follow it to its fullest measure."
[22:49] <Jaela> "You know, I think I kinda lied just then. If they reject me for doing the right thing, I'll be pretty hurt over the whole thing. It's not like switching a suit of armor. I won't be looking for any other patrons." Jaela closes her eye and leans slightly to rest her head on Annalise's shoulder. "I have more than one trick up my sleeve. I won't keep everyone back, don't worry."
[22:51] <Kotono> Annalise puts an arm around Jaela, "If they reject you for doing what's right, then you had the wrong patrons all along. There's nothing wrong with seeking another who fits you." A long sigh, "You understand, don't you? I just want to see all of you succeed, to pay back what I owe you. 'twould be simple to grant it by turning you, but old prejudices die hard."
[22:51] <Jaela> "I don't want anything that makes me immortal. It's as simple as that, even... if it feels good. Even then. I just can't, I'm sorry."
[22:52] <Kotono> "Why not? Is life such a burden for you," Annalise whispers gently, "Do you wish to leave your mortal coil so much?"
[22:53] <Jaela> "You weren't there, so even if you lived for thousands of years you can't understand."
[22:53] <Kotono> "Try me," Annalise says with a little smile, "I've seen very much in my existence."
[22:55] <Kotono> Adrian stirs at all this, blinking and rubbing his eyes. He stirs and rubs his eyes, rolling over in the air and trying to get back to sleep. "Q'et down..." he mutters.
[22:55] <Jaela> "You heard him," Jaela says quietly, sounding uncomfortable. "We're bothering others. Let's just... stay quiet."
[22:56] <Kotono> 'We can stay silent,' Annalise speaks in a soothing, gentle voice, 'I'm your friend, aren't I? You can tell me. You accepted me, I'll accept you, no matter what you say.'
[22:57] * Willim grumbles in his sleep, something about spiders.
[22:58] <Jaela> "It's like being an orphan," Jaela says quietly with a sigh. "Except it's not just your parents. Or your friends. Or your city. Or your nation. Everyone. You lost everyone, and you'll never even meet them again because their souls are tree ornaments. And no one did a thing. Not a single thing. So tell me, do you want to live in a world like that?"
[23:00] <Kotono> "No, of course not." Annalise says, sighing, "That's why I want to turn you," she admits, "If you stay alone without people you care about, eternity grows cold and empty. Instead, you bring friends to yourself and work towards making the world what you want it to be. Isn't that exactly what you're doing with your life, too?"
[23:02] <Jaela> "I'm just spreading freedom and fighting devils where I can," Jaela responds. "Get stronger to be better at both. That's really it. I don't even know if this thing will work, but at least we have a chance to kill a whole lot of devils with that fortress, so I went with the flow. I'll leave the world-making to the others."
[23:04] <Kotono> "You're making a mistake," Annalise says, "If you want a better world, a world where your friends aren't tree ornaments and you've freed them from Baator? Involve yourself. Take the power I offer, take charge of your destiny. I can help you so much, so that you can forgive yourself. You deserve that, Jaela, as do your friends and Lifasa."
[23:06] <Jaela> If she agrees, she'll never have Annalise drink her blood again, will she? In the end, that petty, selfish desire she would never voice is what helps decide things for her. "I know best just what I deserve. Thanks, Annalise... but I can't."
[23:08] <Kotono> "Jaela, you deserve better," Annalise pushes ever so gently, "You deserve pleasure every time you drink blood. You deserve the power to free Lifasa and your friends. You deserve the power to prove to others that I bring help and good tidings, not damnation and misery. Just think about that...you gain everything by my offer."
[23:10] <Jaela> A sudden burst of panic and a strong desire not to alienate her causes Jaela to cough uncomfortably. "I'll think about it," she lies to the best of her meager ability.
[23:12] <Kotono> "Don't worry, I won't force you," Annalise says, "But understand that I only want to elevate you. Just like Afina, I made her the same offer. She's scared of losing what she has, but she has so much more to gain. Just like you, Jaela. When your hypocritical Gods reject you and cast you from grace, remember me."
[23:13] <Jaela> It's not like that is a done deal! Although she did kill an important angel at Elysium so maybe that would do it....
[23:13] <Afina> Finally compelled to speak after listening for so long, Afina becomes visible and rolls in the ether to face the pair. "Annalise, you don't bring damnation and misery. You bring consumption and waste. When you feed, it takes away something incredibly precious and difficult if not impossible to regain... the pleasure you bring is like the supposed fruits of civilisation even as it devours the
[23:13] <Afina> resources it sits upon until nothing is left. You're not like a devil, or an angel, or a demon, not even an unseelie. There's no creature in all of creation so human as a vampire."
[23:14] * Jaela studiously refuses to open her eye and look, even as her face rapidly starts matching the color of her hair.
[23:15] <Kotono> Annalise raises an eyebrow to that, "Good evening, Afina. Care to join us?" After that, "You speak of humanity as if they are demons themselves."
[23:18] <Afina> "I've never known a demon... except for that one," a faint twitch of her head towards the slumbering troll. "But the civilised races were always the biggest threat to my way of life, and none so successful as humanity. Until the devils came, anyway."
[23:20] <Kotono> "Your way of life is not the only way, Afina. I have offered you another valid way of life. Your old way of life is dead, unable to have saved itself agaisnt the devils. What I offer is superior, able to withstand them." Cocking her head to the side, "Your fey powers were as limpid as the gods of Good in stopping Baator. Why cling to them and the old ways when they failed you to the last?"
[23:23] <Jaela> "Oh come on," Jaela says in disapproval, sitting up straight and finally taking a look. She might still be red in the face, but she covers her embarrassment with annoyance. "You were taken down by just mortals, right? Humans and the like? And only a holy avenger? At least we were brought down by a duke of Hell. So let's stop comparing it all pointlessly."
[23:24] <Afina> "There were undead on Lifasa too," Afina responds. "Not in the Gloaming Forest, but I'd heard of them. Arch-liches and spirits that watched over dynasties and important locations... wouldn't surprise me if there were vampires living among the great cities where their food would be plentiful." Letting that and the implication of what happened to them hang, she continues, "Everything is a cycle.
[23:24] <Afina> Spring and Summer lasted thousands of years on Lifasa, Autumn was but a brief flash, and now deepest Winter chills its core. We fey accept this, and Spring will return one day."
[23:26] <Kotono> "I'm just making a point," Annalise goes on. "That's all." Annalise sits up straight as well, "Mmm, we have been talking a time. We really should ensure we're rested for the morning."
[23:27] <Jaela> "It's a lost cause," Jaela declares in dismay. "I'll have to rely on a restoration."
[23:27] <Kotono> "If you're going to do that..." Annalise licks her lips.
[23:30] * Jaela stands up suddenly, missing the offer. "Afina, you want to make better time just like I do, right?" she asks. "Let's get everyone awake. A lesser restoration and we don't need to rest until we get to the fortress."
[23:31] <Afina> "That means we won't spend time sitting around while Annalise gets hungrier? I approve," Afina nods, straightening up and going to nudge Ithea and then Adrian awake.
[23:32] <Jaela> "I'm sure we'll get there by the end of the day," Jaela tells Annalise in the meanwhile, starting to put her armor back on. "When we get there, I can-- I mean, you can-- okay?"
[23:32] <Kotono> "We'll worry about it then," Annalise says quite cheerfully, "Shallw e continue on?
[23:33] * Ithea sighs as she's nudged by Afina. "I'm up..." she says.
[23:33] <Kotono> "I'm up," Adrian echos, muttering and rubbing his eyes. He puts his cloak back on, "Something coming?"
[23:33] <Ithea> "No, they just want to get off to an early start," Ithea replies for them.
[23:34] <Jaela> "Yeah," Jaela agrees, using the first restoration upon herself. She covers the others next, starting with Adrian. "I don't travel in groups... much at all, really. Or when it's time-critical. So I forgot this was an option till now."
[23:34] <Jaela> OOC: 6 lesser restorations total
[23:35] <Afina> Perking up energetically, Afina grabs her sack. "Lets go?"
[23:36] * Willim snores his way through all the commotion.
[23:36] <Kotono> With a rub of his head, "Willim, wake up," he calls, keeping a certain distance fromt he half-troll.