B2 001

[Corwin]

<Seira> "I won't say stupid crap like 'I will become like him if I execute him here and now'," Seira responds. "I just want to see him tried, and we might need more information. Also, of the two, he is the more troublesome one to leave back here."
<Kotono> "Alright." Antenora agrees, "She'll need food and water left behind, though."
<Seira> "People don't die from not eating forty eight hours. I would know," Seira says darkly, expecting that to be the end of any argument.
<Kotono> "I know that too," Antenora looks down at her, "She's comtemptable and a damned fool...but...I've inflicted enough pain today in the name of Good. I won't leave her to suffer once she's surrendered, no matter how much she deserves it. She put ourselves and our mercy, and I'm going to be better than the Sharrans were."
03* Ebiris is now known as Alicia
<Seira> "We are," Seira grinds out. "That's why the scum isn't going to be kept where THEY kept their prisoners! No, that doesn't describe what they were to them at all...." Her hands form fists of their own accord. "Let her fast and reflect on gleefully volunteering to SACRIFICE HER BEST FRIEND TO SHAR!"
<Kotono> Very quietly, Celebrimbor steps forward. He puts a hand on Seira's shoulder. "Enough of this." His voice is like a whisper-knife, cutting and subtle. "This is not the time or the place for a morality debate. She can live well enough, our duty is to save ourselves, regroup and help find what happened to Alicia," The last is with a hooded look to Alicia.
<Kotono> *Antenora
<Kotono> Antenora's gaze narrows a little, but she curtly nods. "Alright," Without another word she picks up the female prisoner in her arms. "Where are we putting her, down the southern path?"
<Seira> "Donald can show you the place," Seira says, turning away.
<Kotono> Donald and Antenora take care of that. Whiel they're gone, "Are you going to be able to hold your composure," Celebrimbor enquires softly.
<Seira> "As long as we're not throwing galas to unrepentant Sharrans, I'll manage," Seira says, perhaps more snappishly than she intended because she lowers her eyes afterwards.
<Kotono> "You're right. I don't understand why you'd care that much about one." With a look to the southern passage a moment, "What a strange time for compassion."
<Seira> "I felt like crying, too, when they had me," Seira admits haltingly. "Or when I fled. It didn't mean I wanted to surrender to the other side and embrace Shar, and neither was that one sincere in any way. That she could be brainwashed otherwise... it's not fair. Not when there are people who made genuine missteps that need others to help them."
<Seira> She snorts. "But I guess it's not all that glamorous to do that, is it? Not many heroes jump at the chance."
<Kotono> Smiling a little, "Let's go,"he says, as Donald and Antenora return. "Everyone ready?"
06* Seira makes sure she has a good grasp on Armanda's corpse. "Oh yes."
<Kotono> With that, Celebrimbor casts the words of travel around the party and captive!
<Kotono> roll 1d100 studied carefully
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 studied carefully and gets 90."12 [1d100=90]
<Kotono> roll 1d100 studied carefully
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 studied carefully and gets 62."12 [1d100=62]
<Kotono> After a brief stop at the jungle temple, the party appears in Seira's inn!
<Seira> "Can I count on you to handle the prisoner?" Seira asks of Antenora. "Have him kept under heavy guard at all times, as well as bound and gagged. Unconscious, if he so much as twitches wrong. Donald, I'll need you to make arrangements for Armanda. Celebrimbor and myself will touch base with the Commander."
<Kotono> "I can," Antenora agrees, as the two go to do just that. As the two travel through the dark, well lit night, Celebrimbor pauses as you go down the hill. "Can you manage this," he asks, "All that magic casting at once took a higher toll on me than I like to let on."
<Seira> "Don't tell anyone," Seira whispers back quietly, "but I've been badly drained, myself. There have only been two times in my life where negative energy ate at me worse, and you would know of one of them."
<Kotono> A nod there, "Yes, this entire fiasco was far too draining," he agrees.
06* Seira snorts. "That's a very bad joke. If I didn't like you so much, I would hit you, foreign lord or not."
<Kotono> Smiling, "The mood needed lightening," With a weak cough after, the two proceed to meet Commander Oberuth. He's in his office, yawning and drinking a steaming mug of something that smells sharp. "Report," he says as thet wo come in.
<Seira> "The bad news, first," Seira says, brushing some soot off her cape. "Albert was not present at the temple, and while taking the portal to Shadow permanently out of commission, there was feedback.
<Seira> I believe Alicia has been cast off somewhere; a plane where she is prevented from receiving a Sending." Or dead, but Seira doesn't mention it. People are remarkable about latching on to excuses to give up, and even these exceptional ones might be tempted. She wouldn't risk it.
<Seira> "Of course, it could be that the area she found herself in was itself shielded, not the entire plane. We must attempt to contact her come morning."
<Kotono> "Wonderful," OBeruth scowls, "Yes, you must.  At least it was a victory." After that period of thought, "There was good news here. An inevitable after you was confronted and defeated; Demedais is going to resolve the last matter about it."
<Seira> "Score," Seira says, although her cheer is lacking. "Only that stupid balor and that stupid pit fiend can ruin my day at random, now. And Albert, but not Armanda or the rest of their group, because they're all dead except the one we took prisoner."
<Kotono> "There's more to it," Oberuth holds up a hand, "It was defeated, but from it's words it's quite possible it was forced into attacking us. It came to us openly and demanded you, or it would execute captured, innocent hostages. According to Elle, that's outside of it's programming and normal methods.
<Kotono> "
<Seira> "What."
<Kotono> With a twitch of a smile, "My words as well. From our best guesses, something may have forced it's hand. Demedais is gone right now to recover the hostages safely now that the kolyarut is dead."
<Seira> "Sir," Seira says quetly at length, "have I become a liability?"
<Kotono> Blinking there, "Seira?" He asks in surprise. "No. Where did that come from?"
06* Seira shakes her head. "Demons going around dragging our name through the mud, golems from other planes abducting our citizens. This mess? Even if I didn't start it, my actions couldn't have helped, and we haven't even gone into the reprecussions, both here and abroad."
<Kotono> "Seira, you're one of our greatest heroes. You're an asset, no matter what disagreeable fools come to dispute that," Leaning forward a little now, "You are not a liability in the least."
03* Taishyr is now known as Demedais
06* Seira inclines her head slightly. "With your permission, then, I will go and assist Demedais in what I can. Celebrimbor could fill you in on the rest of the details, as well as provide all the details necessary for what preparations must be made to assist Alicia as soon as possible."
<Kotono> "AS you wish." A nod, "He'll be checking houses on the bay coast."
<Seira> "Then I will join him there," Seira announces and walks outside steadily, not showing any sign of weakness.
<Kotono> OOC: I'll have you join #terror in a little.

[Corwin]

<Kotono> -----(Planar Ko)--
<Kotono> Giltaral gathers the group to hold hands, "Now...LEt the Golden Lady show us the path to profit and success!" His words echo int he party's mind as they are traveled between the planes! Platforms in the void...stairs connecting, probing into the hazy black sky that is close andfar away all at the same time. The air here is neither cool nor warm, simply air. It smells like nothing, scentless.
06* Demedais looks around with interest. "This is bizarre. At least it looks relatively tame... Marie, can you sense her?" he asks, looking up and down the stairs to see if he spots any movement.
<Kotono> Antenora looks about here and there, "Alicia," she tries calling, before starting to survey the stairs. OOC - Spot check if you like, Deme.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+25
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 and gets 34."12 [1d20=9]
<Kotono> Gilartal wears quite new and undamaged chainmail, clinking under his robes. He casts his eyes about, but mostly stays quiet for the moment.
<Seira> "Nice place," Seira admires. "Let's try and see if we can find out where the portal to Abyss is? It's as good a place to start as any."
01<Alicia> "No," Marie shakes her head sadly. "I'm just worried how she found out the portal led there... she didn't sound herself in those replies we got quoted."
<Kotono> "I know," Antenora says quietly, "I'm worried the chaos of the Abyss has hurt her. We need to try and find her as fast as possible."
06* Demedais shakes his head after a few moments, dazed. "This place is immense... Does it lead everywhere?" After a moment, he nods to Marie. "Let's start looking. Hopefully, by having a person in mind, we can navigate this place faster... maybe." Demedais shrugs. "I don't know anything about this place..."
01<Alicia> "The astral plane sort of works that way. Here..." Marie looks thoughtful...
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+17 planes
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 planes and gets 37."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> "It does," Antenora says to Demedais, "It's an infinite staircase in effect. Look at that," Pointing to one stair, upside down and twisting side to side, "There's no order to it."
01<Alicia> "No, not really," she shakes her head before carefully fluttering over to sit on Antenora's head. "Don't try to fly or teleport, by the way, you could end up anywhere if you do. Um... if we run into Lilends they could lead us to a particular doorway, but finding a person here would be a lot harder."
<Seira> "Let's try going down," Seira suggests. "As much as we can, anyway. I just visualize the Abyss being there, and we might come across someone soon enough."
<Demedais> "Lilends?" Demedais muses. "Well, let's begin looking. Down's as good as anywhere."
<Kotono> "Right," Antenora goes for a downward stair along with Seira, the party going down. Thus they beginto descend!
<Kotono> roll 4d12
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d12 and gets 31."12 [4d12=9, 4, 6, 12]
01<Alicia> "They're kinda like harpies with snake-tails instead of legs," Marie informs Demedais. "They're really nice, I'm sure they'd help us."
<Kotono> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 4."12 [1d100=4]
<Kotono> Seven hours of this have passed...climing and walking and going! OOC - Fort saves, all.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+ Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+ Antenora and gets Error: Check syntax."12 [1d20=3]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Gil
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Gil and gets 22."12 [1d20=14]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+18 kay
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 kay and gets 26."12 [1d20=8]
<Seira> roll 1d20+12
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+11
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+11 and gets 31."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> IT's tiring but the party is going on well enough. But the stairs continue to stretch on. Gilartal rubs his back and sighs, "I do wish that this had been anything but stairs," he says.
01<Alicia> "At least we have each other for company, Alicia doesn't even have that. Maybe we could sing while we walk to pass the time better?" Marie suggests brightly. "It might even attract some Lillends!"
<Demedais> "What are Lillends?" Demedais asks Marie directly at this point.
<Kotono> "Lucky us," Antenora glances at Marie.
<Seira> "Let's not sing. It might prove fatal for some of us."
06* Seira shivers, switching cloaks and wrapping herself in the familiar flaming-red one, taking comfort in the grinning, tastefully-drawn burning skull.
01<Alicia> "Harpies with snake tails?" Marie repeats. "They're chaotic good outsiders, like eladrin."
<Kotono> "We can perhaps simply bribe them if need be," Gil considers, "Expediency may be w orth good coin here."
<Demedais> "Ah." Demedais nods, before a shrug and a nod to Gil. "Assuming whatever here is interested in monetary and not other forms of wealth, yes."
01<Alicia> "They'd prefer a good song or story to any material wealth," Marie sounds quite sure of herself.
<Seira> "If they're bad, we'll fight them. If they're smart, we'll bribe or befriend them! And good, helpful travelers? I'm sure befriending will be on the agenda as well." Seira shrugs. "So how about a good story to pass the time, then? Maybe one of your home?"
01<Alicia> Marie regales everyone with the exciting tale of a Baernaloth who led a great army of Yugoloths to raze Elysium in ancient times, who was defeated in a fierce battle with Talsid the Lion, and who has been held bound in a secret citadel in Elysium to this day.
<Kotono> As the tale passes and a little more time goes...OOC - Deme, make a spot check.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+25
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+25 and gets 42."12 [1d20=17]
06* Demedais looks up, craning his head for a moment, before pointing to a spot in the sky. "Is that one of those Lillends?" he asks Marie quickly.
01<Alicia> Marie looks up in the same direction to look!
<Kotono> OOC: What's your spot mod, pixie-din?
01<Alicia> OOC: +6
<Kotono> Marie stares, but she can't make anything out!
<Seira> "What's the best way to lure them over, if it's them?"
<Demedais> "Should I yell to catch its attention?" Demedais asks.
01<Alicia> "Does it look like this?" Marie asks, conjuring up an illusion of a woman who looks a lot like Pollyanna except with a long snake's tail instead of legs, and a set of rainbow-coloured feathery wings. She's also twice Pollyanna's size.
<Kotono> "Something to get it's attention," Antenora begins, raising an eyebrow at Marie.
<Seira> "How loudly can you sing?"
<Demedais> "Yes." Demedais replies, before going back up about five steps and bellowing "MADAME LILLEND!" to the rather large extent of his lungs.
01<Alicia> Marie dismisses the illusion and resumes looking up. She can't really match that sort of volume.
<Kotono> Antenora looks at Demedais long, before just shrugging and shouting, "LILLEND! WE NEED YOUR HELP! AN INNOCENT COURRE ELADRIN NEEDS YOUR HELP!"
<Kotono> Gilartal stops walking, though he doesn't yell.
01<Alicia> "That didn't even rhyme," Marie pouts from atop Antenora's head.
<Demedais> And just in case, he repeats the bellow in Celestial.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+13
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 24."12 [1d20=11]
<Kotono> "Here's hoping she heard it anyway," Antenora says.
<Kotono> Demedais can see the creature stop and slow down, peering in your direction. It holds a harp in it's hands, and after several moments, beginst o fly your way. The party can begin to see the lillend approach!
06* Demedais waves to the lillend, before settling down a bit to wait for it.
<Kotono> It approcahes, strumming it's harm a few times. The notes are a pleasant break from the footstep noise of walking. In common, "Travelers, do you need aid?" she asks. "Whatever for?"
<Seira> "To help a friend who got sent here against her will. She's all alone, and we can't just let that pass."
<Demedais> "My apologies, but we are attempting to find a friend, who appears to be lost in this plane." Demedais replies in Common. "Is there any assistance you could provide us in trying to find her, or at least the door she seems to have come to here from?"
<Kotono> "It would depend on the door she came from," THe answer is musical, her voice singing, "Where did she come from?"
01<Alicia> "... the Abyss..." Marie replies, before blurting out, "She didn't mean to go there in the first place, though! And she might be hurt!"
<Seira> "She didn't sound quite alright when she said she managed to get here from the Abyss," Seira adds. "Can you help?"
<Kotono> The lillent's singing becomes stormy, harsh! "The Abyss?" Like a discordant note she looks on you, "Is she a demon or a demon worshipper?"
01<Alicia> "No!" Marie sounds offended. "She's a paladin of Mystra! A really good one, too!"
<Seira> "She was sealing a portal to an evil, vile place in the temple of Shar we attacked when there was backlash!" Seira exclaims. "Don't call her those things!"
<Kotono> roll 1d20+13
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 15."12 [1d20=2]
<Demedais> "No." Demedais replies calmly after Marie and Seira's outbursts. "She is a paladin, and was aiming to destroy a portal to the realm of Shadow. Her blow apparently went awry, and from what we got via Message, she was sent either here or the Abyss and wound up here."
<Kotono> OOC: One of you can make a diplo check. Your choice on who of those who lined.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+24
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+24 and gets 28."12 [1d20=4]
<Seira> roll 1d20+20 aid
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+20 aid and gets 35."12 [1d20=15]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+17 if support doesn't work, disregard
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+17 if support doesn't work, disregard and gets 28."12 [1d20=11]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+ makes it anyway
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+ makes it anyway and gets Error: Check syntax."12 [1d20=9]
<Kotono> Listening well and at last focusing on Marie, "I can help you with a trade." STrumming her harp, "These depths are so silent. Is there not a song or music that you have that can lighten them?"
01<Alicia> "I know a few songs, but Antenora here has the best singing voice of all of us," Marie replies slyly, patting the erinyes on the head.
<Seira> "Yes, many would pay to hear her sing," Seira agrees.
06* Demedais blinks at Marie and Seira, confused at this, before glancing to Antenora.
<Kotono> Antenora looks to all of them, turning as red as hellfire. "Um..." Before she quickly draws in a breath. "Very well then, I'll try."
06* Demedais nods, tapping Antenora on the shoulder with a smile. "I'm sure you'll do fine." OOC: Eagle's Splendor.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+9 (Thanks Deme)
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 (Thanks Deme) and gets 11."12 [1d20=2]
<Kotono> Antenora sings! It can be said that Hell has many a thing it perverts and yet presents as desirable. However, domination of a good singing voice wasn't one of Antenora's gifts, apparently. It's....not very good. She sings in Celestial, a song about angels at battle. However, her high notes are too high and her low notes hit more of a sultry, sexy deep voice instead of a real singing tune. The lillend's face turns from interested to bored, holdi
<Kotono> real singing tune. The lillend's face turns from interested to bored, holding up a hand halfway. "That's enough."
<Kotono> Looking to Marie first of all, then the others, "Sorry," Antenora says in a little voice, "Can anyone else try?"
<Seira> "You're a bit out of practice," Seira agrees. "I'm Seira. What was your name?"
06* Demedais glares at Marie and Seira both, a bit annoyed, before turning to Antenora. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
01<Alicia> Marie has the good grace to look embarrassed. "I'm sorry," she whispers to Antenora. "You do have a nice voice... it must just be nerves."
<Kotono> "Song of the Stars," She replies to Seira, "Can you sing, dragon-ling?"
<Seira> "How about you play something, and I'll try to improvise? If I can keep up, that's worth the trade. If not, I'll do something else. I'm not really one to give up at the first hurdle."
<Kotono> "Heh, why not?" Smiling a little at that and nodding, she begins to play a soft, introspective tune! OOC - Performcheck, +2 bonus. You nicely played on her chaotic nature there.
<Seira> OOC: Just as planned? With taking 10, that's 21
<Kotono> Seira sings! She makes it up as she goes along...but wow. Seira realy can sing! She's talented at it, not great, not a bard, but quite a competent songbird! The two make beautiful music together, the lillend smiling and then grinning as it goes on! When the song winds down, "Oh, you aren't bad at all. You'r ethe first singing dragon I've met besides that dragon bard."
06* Demedais idly makes a soft comment to Antenora in the back after Seira finishes, "I'm glad it didn't come down to me, I'm okay some days but most of the time it's a frog trapped under a warm rock croaking."
06* Seira grins back with genuine happiness. "I don't do it nowadays, but we used to sing a lot, me and Elfy!"
<Kotono> Antenora cracks a brief smile at that, "Then we'd have to hope Marie's on key today."
<Kotono> "Good. Very well then. What is the name of your friend? Her full name."
<Demedais> "Her ever being on key would take more miracles than any group of outsiders would ever manage."
<Seira> "Alicia Reynes, a knight of Mystra," Seira responds.
01<Alicia> "Hey, back in Dweomerheart I was renowned for my great performing skills," Marie whispers indignantly.
06* Demedais nods to Seira's comment, pointedly not responding to Marie.
<Kotono> "I do wonder what kind of performances." Antenora observes tartly, smiling back to Marie.
<Kotono> "Very well...Alicia Reynes..." There is long murmuring as she seems to cast a spell. Then..."This way. Follow me," she declares, starting to head down. "It will take time, but I will find her."
01<Alicia> "All kinds of things. Versatility is my watchword!" Marie insists.
<Kotono> "If you can't be good at one thing, you may as well be bad at all of them?" Antenora bats righ tback.
<Seira> "I love vesatility as well!" Seira agrees, before following the Song. "Great! I wouldn't want to keep her waiting. It's horrible, getting stuck all alone on a hostile plane."
06* Demedais nods. "Thank you, Song of the Stars." he says, following.
<Kotono> After about an hour of walking, Song of the Stars stops. "Something's ahppened. Your friend has left the Endless Stairway," she says.
06* Demedais stops and stares at Song of the Stars for a very, very long moment.
01<Alicia> "So she found a way home then?" Marie asks hopefully.
<Demedais> "What."
<Seira> "Is there a way of finding out her destination?" Seira asks far more realistically.
<Demedais> "We... let us very urgently hope that she did, Marie." Demedais grimaces. "Either that or she picked a door at random."
01<Alicia> "She wouldn't do that," Marie shakes her head, "Alicia hates randomness."
<Seira> "She didn't sound quite right, remember?"
01<Alicia> "She might've picked a wrong door out of ignorance, mind you..." the eladrin then concedes.
<Kotono> "That's possible. The Abyss might have her thinking that randomness is good now, too." Antenora sighs very long, "Dammit."
<Demedais> "It's possible something began attempting to pursue her, too." Demedais grunts. "I... we thank you, Song of the Stars, for what you've done for us; our apologies that your effort seems to have resulted in no end."
01<Alicia> "The Abyss really isn't a good example of how great chaos is," Marie mutters. "I think she could use a better inspiration for coming around to that."
<Kotono> "Limbo?" Antenora jabs as she looks to Demedais and Seira, "Now what? Return home and try another sending to find outwhere she is?"
<Demedais> "That'd probably be best." Demedais says, somewhat annoyed.
<Kotono> "I can't, my power only extends to this existance here," Song of Stars answers Seira.
06* Seira sighs. "Back to Sendings, then. Any chance you have one to spare, or a scroll, Gilartal?"
03* Haruka is now known as Sierra_Comatose
<Kotono> "I brought a scroll since I know how popular it is," Smiling thinly, "Shall I?"
<Seira> "Is it an arcane one?"
<Kotono> "Divine. Why would I have an arcane one?" Gilartal challenges. "I can cast it, unless your friend here wants to."
<Seira> "To sell it, of course!" Seira responds with a smirk. "And yes. Alicia might not be in the right frame of mind, unless she did manage to find the way home. Then, having someone closer to Alicia speak to her might be of great help. Just hearing a friend's voice when you're so--" Seira shakes her head. "We'll reimburse you, naturally."
<Kotono> "Alright, I'll add it to your loan payback," he says, passing the scroll to Seira.
06* Seira snorts. "I'm good for it, or I will be soon enough." Accepting the scroll, she offers it to Demedais. "First, encourage her. Tell her she's not alone. Then ask her where she is, if she can stay safe for a day, and to provide details for us. Works?"
06* Demedais nods slightly, accepting the scroll from Seira once it's handed to him. A slight pause. "It's been a while since I've done this..." With that, he begins trying to cast the spell written up, nodding to Seira at her words.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+6 here's hoping part 1
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+6 here's hoping part 1 and gets 22."12 [1d20=16]
<Kotono> OOC: roll a d100 for palanr failure chance.
<Kotono> OOC: Planar, even.
<Demedais> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d100 and gets 82."12 [1d100=82]
<Kotono> OOC: Success. Say your sending in here and I'll port it to #evil.
<Demedais> "We're coming, Alicia. Stay strong, you're not alone. Requesting current location, ability to stay there safe for a day, details. Will get there soon. Demedais."
<Kotono> Demedais gets the reply after, Alicia telling of her position in Mount Celestia.
<Demedais> "Base of Mount Celestia." Demedais exhales. "She's safe."
06* Seira nods. "We'll return, then. If she is not back or has not been in contact until noon tomorrow, we'll try again."
01<Alicia> "From the Abyss to Mount Celestia? She sure gets around, doesn't she?" Marie observes.
<Kotono> Antenora breaks into a relieved grin. "Oh...thank everything," she sighs in relief."
<Kotono> "Naturally she needed a ordered influence after her trip to the Abyss," Antenora says lightly.
<Seira> "As long as it's not Mechanus, I suppose...."
01<Alicia> "Celestia isn't so bad," Marie allows. "Some of my best friends are lantern archons!"

[Corwin]

<Kotono> ----(Ko)--
<Kotono> roll 5d100
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d100 and gets 285."12 [5d100=58, 25, 56, 47, 99]
<Kotono> roll 1d98
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d98 and gets 90."12 [1d98=90]
<Kotono> roll 1d9
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 5."12 [1d9=5]
<Kotono> So casting Plane Shift, the party returns to the Prime! They appear in darkness, plains and the night sky around them. It's quiet, dark, warm. Looks peaceful enough here, though you seem to be in the middle of nowhere.
06* Demedais looks around. "Alright. Willing to take us back to Balmuria from here, Seira?"
<Kotono> "Nowhere in particular?" Antenora asks, glancing about. "Nothing close."
01<Alicia> "At least we're not surrounded by hundreds of shocker lizards?" Marie offers brightly.
<Seira> "I can try. I certainly know the destination, and the way plane shift works, we should be in range. Ready?"
<Demedais> "Indeed, Marie. Indeed." Demedais replies with a slight glance to the familiar, before nodding to Seira.
<Seira> roll 1d100 home
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 home and gets 88."12 [1d100=88]
<Kotono> Home! The party arrives in the back of Seira's inn. As he stretches his back wearily, "If we need to go to Mount CElestia, it'll have tow ait until at least the late morning. I need to rest, pray and so forth." Gilartal says bluntly.
<Seira> "I doubt Alicia would need our help to get back at this point, but it's always nice to be prepared," Seira agrees. "Thanks again for your help today!"
<Demedais> "Understood. Thank you for your time." Demedais says with a slight bow to Gilartal. "I would like to assist in the patrol in case Albert tries anything tonight, so waiting until then would work best."
01<Alicia> "Alicia can probably sweet-talk a friendly deva or someone into giving her a lift home before then, anyway," Marie opines with a confident nod.
06* Demedais then nods to Seira and Marie's comments.
<Seira> "So. Antenora, Demedais, fancy taking on a nasty shadow dragon?"
<Kotono> "When?" Antenora asks.
<Seira> "Pretty much now," Seira responds. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be, and all I've done today is walk for eight hours or so."
06* Demedais considers this, looking up at the night sky.
06* Demedais nods slightly. "If Alicia is safe... the odds of a strike after this point in the night is less likely, if they prepare to strike and retreat using the same spells. Thus dealing with the dragon now carries little risk and disarms one more road of attack Albert could use. I would support this line of logic, so long as Oberuth is notified that Alicia is safe and will either be retrieved or will be returning sometime later today or early tomorrow."
<Kotono> "Could you do that, Marie?" Antenora looks to the pixie-eladrin. "While we go fight the dragon then?"
01<Alicia> "Sure," Marie nods as she takes off from Antenora's head. "I'll look after things here in case Albert or those shadows do show up, so you guys go on and do your thing!"
<Demedais> "Alright. Thank you, Marie." Demedias says with a somewhat wry grin.
<Kotono> "The dragon's strong," Antenora continues on from there, "It resisted my best shots without too much trouble, so we'll need to hit it hard. Further, it can drain energy."
<Seira> "I had an idea about that, and I think that if we come in strength and spread out, it would have a harder time of focusing on someone in particular."
01<Alicia> "Remember, discretion is the better part of valour!" Marie carols as she flutters off towards the garrison.
<Seira> "If I didn't remember that, we wouldn't be standing here, discussing another go at it!"
<Kotono> "Good idea," Antenora says after a few more moments of thought. "We can always fall back as well if need be, it seems unable to escape the cavern below the temple."
06* Demedais nods to this. "Draining energy and high defenses... We'll have to go cautiously, but I have some abilities that might put us on even footing with it. Worst come to worst, we test your ideas, Seira, and then return with a full group to finish it off. Hopefully it lacks much capability to heal its wounds down there.
<Kotono> "We can hope," Antenora murmurs, "Are we ready then? I can't imagine Albert will leave it alone for long, with his power base damaged and siblings dying at a pleasantly agreeable clib."
<Kotono> *clip
<Demedais> "Indeed."
<Seira> Leading the way to Celebrimbor's room, Seira elaborates, "The idea is pretty simple. We treat it like a really large bull and spread out to strike at it. If the dragon focuses on one of us to the exclusion of everyone else, it will regret that. I have a few spells that might irritate it enough to come after me, too, and I'm the one who can get away from its clutches the easiest.
<Seira> As long as we remember that retreat is an option, this should work as a trial run."
<Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods. "And it may focus on me, which I'm prepared for so long as I can cast a few spells right before engaging it."
<Kotono> "If it goes well, we need not another run," Antenora says hopefully. Celebrimbor stays in a quiet room in Seira's inn, sitting on his bed currently, a book floating in the aira s he reads from him.
<Seira> "I'm thinking we should end that evil dragon's existence before Albert decides it's a good idea to free it in a burst of suicidal stupidity," Seira announces.
<Kotono> "Prudent." Gesturing so that the book falls to the bed with softness, "How is Alicia?"
<Demedais> "In Mount Celestia, after a few... apparent incidents." Demedais replies.
06* Seira nods. "She managed to make it over to safe haven, and her last response sounded much better."
<Kotono> "I see. Is she alive?" Looking at the two, "Your answer leaves in in doubt, considering her devotions."
<Seira> "Even mine?" Seira pouts. "She's alive, yes."
<Demedais> "She is." Demedais replies hastily, rubbing his head.
<Kotono> "At this juncture, I would not take anything for granted," With a slightly sardonic smile as he stands, "To Halla?"
<Seira> "To Halla."
<Seira> roll 1d20+19
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 and gets 26."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> Donald is quickly mustered, the party returning to Halla on the wings of Greater Teleport! It is deep night when they appear atop the crater's lips, looking down. It's quietly serene here on a glance, though it's a little cold. It's also very very dark, mostly a problem for Demedais.
06* Demedais grimaces. "Any objections if I provide some light?"
06* Seira picks up a small rock, using faerie light on it before handing it to Demedais.
<Demedais> "Or you could do it. Thanks." Demedais nods to Seira.
<Seira> "And it's very pretty," she comments, casting see invisibility and heroism.
<Kotono> roll 1d10+10
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+10 and gets 15."12 [1d10=5]
<Seira> roll 1d10+10
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d10+10 and gets 14."12 [1d10=4]
<Kotono> Celebrimbor casts various magics as well, weaving them around himself. As Antenora peers down, "There's something wrong deeper in the crater,"s he notes.
06* Seira follows Antenora's gaze.
<Demedais> "Tell me once we're within 120 feet of the entrance; I have a few short-term spells- ..." At this, Demedais attempts to peer down into the crater.
<Kotono> Seira can see well enough, though Demedais has a much harder time of it thanks to the darkness. Only a bit of faerie light plus his incredible vision allow himt o see as well. But below, the edges of the crater seem...shadowy. Dark. Incorpreal.
<Demedais> "... okay, that doesn't look like a good sign at all." Demedais comments.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+24
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 36."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> "Shadow-stuff again." Celebrimbor peers down, before he shakes his head slowly. "Such a dimensional disturbance may have longer lasting effects on this area."
<Seira> "Annoying," Seira mutters. "Think the protections snapped back after a day?"
<Kotono> "It's possible but unlikely. This could just be from yesterday s well. The entire area was drenched in material and energy from the Plane of Shadow." Celebrimbormurmurs a few words and gestures, before starting to fly down.
<Seira> roll 1d20+21
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+21 and gets 24."12 [1d20=3]
<Demedais> "...Possible, or something about the temple is spreading a plague." Demedais watches Celebrimbor fly down, before looking to Donald with a slight grin. "Guess I'm the only one without capability of flight here now, eh?"
<Seira> "If we can't just enter, I could try a short-ranged teleport to the room Albert was seemingly using to shadow walk into the temple," Seira suggests.
06* Demedais nods slightly. "That'd work too."
06* Seira intends to see Demedais head in first, before going in herself.
06* Demedais waits for the rest of the group to descend most of the way before slipping the ring of feather fall on and leaping into the middle of the crater, using the slow descent to steer his fall.
<Kotono> Thus the party goes down! As they fly or fall, they see that the way into the temple is clear besides some thin shadow-mist. Indeed, the falling Demedais passes through it without difficulty.
<Seira> "If taking out the dragon that bitch Shar left here won't help, we are filling this damned place with lava."
<Demedais> "What about filling it with lava anyway?" Demedais comments. "Still, should make sure the dragon's dead and gone first."
<Seira> "It serves better as a monument," Seira responds, leading the way towards the lift. "In any case, the trip is about twenty minutes. I timed it before, so I'll let you know when it's safe to prepare if things go according to plan."
<Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods.
<Kotono> The party descends down without incident. It's a lot of stair descending again, though hardly a patch on the marathon in the Endless Stairway. They reach the lift without incident.
<Seira> "Here goes nothing," Seira announces, giving the lever a nudge once everyone has piled on. If things do go as planned, she intends to cast shield upon herself a minute before they should reach their destination.
06* Demedais nods, using a rope to secure his grip with a wry grin and waiting until Seira begins casting to prepare his own spells.
06* Seira taps both Donald and Demedais after her shield spell, blurring their outlines slightly. "For luck," she explains with a shrug, ready to cast her stronger invisibility spell just as the lift should reach its destination.
<Kotono> Thus the party is prepared as they descend down! The elevator goes into the chasm! In the darkness of it, a pair of horrible eyes stare out from 50 feet away! There is a titanic, deafening roar! "YOU WILL NOT DEFY ME! THIS TIME YOU WILL PERISH!" OOC - Thsiis not a happy dragon. Let's roll initiative?
<Seira> roll 1d20+13 nerveskitter
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 nerveskitter and gets 25."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+10 dragon
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+10 dragon and gets 17."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Antenora and gets 11."12 [1d20=6]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Celebrimbor
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Celebrimbor and gets 17."12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Donald
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Donald and gets 4."12 [1d20=2]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+1 kay
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 kay and gets 6."12 [1d20=5]
03* Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Dragon=Celebrimbor>Antenora>Demedais>Donald'
<Kotono> OOC: You be up, Seira.
<Seira> "About that," Seira says steadily, drawing upon Waukeen's gift to move closer to the dragon as a fiery orb gathers in her hand, only to toss it at her enemy and move sharply off to the side, drawing the Resort.
<Seira> roll 1d20+19 touch
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 touch and gets 34."12 [1d20=15]
<Seira> roll 10d6+3d6+4d6
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 10d6+3d6+4d6 and gets 60."12 [10d6=3, 4, 2, 2, 3, 5, 4, 6, 6, 5][3d6=6, 1, 3][4d6=4, 1, 3, 2]
<Kotono> Acting quickly and under the shield of invisibility, Seira fires an orb of pure force at the dragon, trailing fire! It hits it right in the gullet, a direct hit before it can even act! OOC - Dragon and Celebrimbor.
<Kotono> Celebrimbor moves just as the dragon rears back to spew shadow all over the party! First a ball of acid bursts around the dragon and then a ball of fire!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14 CL 1
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 CL 1 and gets 28."12 [1d20=14]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14 CL 2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 CL 2 and gets 28."12 [1d20=14]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ref 1
<Kotono> roll 1d20+13 ref 2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 ref 1 and gets 30."12 [1d20=17]
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 ref 2 and gets 20."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> roll 10d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 and gets 31."12 [10d6=3, 5, 5, 5, 2, 2, 1, 6, 1, 1]
<Kotono> roll 31*1.5
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 31*1.5 and gets 46.5."12
<Kotono> As the breath spews out over everyone but Seira and Celebrimbor, the dragon is wracked by fireballs! The acidball only grazes it, but the mammoth fireball takes it right in the face! OO c- Forts aves, all but Seira/Celebrimbor.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Donald
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Donald and gets 11."12 [1d20=3]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+22 righty-o
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 righty-o and gets 42."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> roll 1d20 Antenora let's see if it's academic
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 Antenora let's see if it's academic and gets 20."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> OOC: Savers(Everyone but Donald) take 2 negative levels. Donald takes 5.
<Kotono> As Antenora is staggered by the breath, she pounces right into action, charging!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+29 (-2 negative levels, +2 FS 7/8, +2 charge, +1 flying, +6 smite 2/3 left)
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 (-2 negative levels, +2 FS 7/8, +2 charge, +1 flying, +6 smite 2/3 left) and gets 37."12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> Antenora's charge is a good one, but it hits a field near the dragon! Raw force armor blossoms around it's body, deflecting the blow! OOC Demedais.
06* Demedais grimaces and veers to the other side from Seira, trying to land a cut on the other side of the dragon with hasted feet!
<Kotono> OOC - Dragon has reach on you, Deme.
<Kotono> OOC: You okay with aoovile?
<Demedais> OOC: ...Worth a shot, I guess.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+32 bite
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+32 bite and gets 37."12 [1d20=5]
<Kotono> OOC - AC?
<Demedais> OOC: 35 since I hasted instead of used the Protection buff.
<Kotono> roll 2d8+7 and 1 negative level, Deme.
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+7 and 1 negative level, Deme. and gets 18."12 [2d8=3, 8]
<Kotono> OOC: Attack.
<Kotono> roll 1d100 oh yeah
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 oh yeah and gets 62."12 [1d100=62]
<Kotono> OOC: Carry on.
<Kotono> roll 1d4-1
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4-1 and gets 0."12 [1d4=1]
<Kotono> OOC - Forgot to resolve it's breath.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (-3 Negative Level, +3 Smite, +1 Prayer, +1 Haste, -9 CE at this point I'm in this for the flanking assist with Seira or something)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+12 (-3 Negative Level, +3 Smite, +1 Prayer, +1 Haste, -9 CE at this point I'm in this for the flanking assist with Seira or something) and gets 29."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> Demedais charges and swings, but the dragon's scales are way too hard to be penetrated! Donald staggers to the sides, body reduced and his hands shaking! Nonetheless he quickly traces arcane lines of fire to fly at the dragon!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+4 CL
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 CL and gets 15."12 [1d20=11]
<Kotono> But the fire fizzles againt the dragon's skin! OOC - Seira.
<Kotono> As he is surrounded, defending well, "The oblivion will consume all of you! You will not triumph!" it calls, "The only thing waiting for you is nothingness!
<Kotono> "
<Seira> "Celebrimbor, try dispelling the bastard!" Seira calls over the roar. "I'm going in!" And she is, but only after sending a fiery cone to engulf the dragon and Antenora both.
<Kotono> OOC: CL.
<Seira> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+14 and gets 21."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> The fires crackle and vanish around the dragon, doing nothing! It roars back as Celebrimbor casts dispellation on it, continuing to circle around it, "Your magics are useless, dragon!"
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 18."12 [1d20=4]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 15."12 [1d20=1]
<Kotono> The armor of force shatters around the dragon at that spell, as it rears back and catches Demedais and Antenora in the breath again! OOC - Fort.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 38."12 [1d20=13]
<Kotono> The armor of force shatters around the dragon at that spell, as it rears back and catches Demedais and Antenora in the breath again! It splits into two, engulfing both of themin quick, seperate streams!
<Kotono> OOC - I forgot the negative mods from the drain but it doesn't matter.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+20
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 and gets 35."12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> OOC: Two more each.
<Kotono> The two are racked by it, Antenora shaking in the blast! But both resist as best they can, even as the damage done is more severe! Antenora quickly amnages to fly back, before trying another desperate charge!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-4 NL, +2 charge, +2 FS, +1 flying, +7 smite excuse me, forgot flash)
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-4 NL, +2 charge, +2 FS, +1 flying, +7 smite excuse me, forgot flash) and gets 33."12 [1d20=5]
<Kotono> OOC +2 more flanking with Deme there.
<Kotono> roll 1d4-1 recharge
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d4-1 recharge and gets 0."12 [1d4=1]
<Kotono> roll 2d8+22+1d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+22+1d6 and gets 42."12 [2d8=6, 8][1d6=6]
<Kotono> This time she manages a blow, stabbing into the dragon's scales harshly! As he wings struggle to keep her alight, "Get it on the other end," sh ecalls to Demedais. OOC - Deme.
06* Demedais nods to this, adjusting the newly-felt weight of his armor as he quickly lays four blows into the dragon, attempting to carve into its flesh with the blessing of law's power!
<Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking, +6 Smite)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking, +6 Smite) and gets 43."12 [1d20=17]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking) and gets 35."12 [1d20=15]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+15 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking) and gets 27."12 [1d20=12]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+10 (-5 negative level, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, +1 Prayer, +2 Flanking) and gets 12."12 [1d20=2]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+26 crit check (rolling this since Antenora's roll hit it)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 crit check (rolling this since Antenora's roll hit it) and gets 38."12 [1d20=12]
<Demedais> roll 6d6+24
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 6d6+24 and gets 44."12 [6d6=1, 2, 6, 3, 3, 5]
<Kotono> OOC - Hit and a crit, yeah.
<Demedais> OOC: +1 smite damage! >_>
<Kotono> Under that assault, Demedais carves up the flank of the dragon like steak! It's already been burnt and scorched and stabbed, which makes this beating all the harder! It's weakening considerably as Donald flanks it further, shooting off another scorching ray!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 6."12 [1d20=2]
<Kotono> But this one is for naught as well! OOC - Seir.a
06* Seira smirks, channeling the arcane power of the Resort. It feels so good to be facing an evil dragon in melee when things are actually going their way!
<Seira> roll 1d20+27 (+1 fly, +2 heroism, +1 luck, +2 invis) smite
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 (+1 fly, +2 heroism, +1 luck, +2 invis) smite and gets 46."12 [1d20=19]
<Seira> roll 1d20+27 (+1 fly, +2 heroism, +1 luck, +2 invis) smite?
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 (+1 fly, +2 heroism, +1 luck, +2 invis) smite? and gets 33."12 [1d20=6]
<Kotono> OOC - Well, you got it. Crit.
<Seira> roll 1d20+22 fun!
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 fun! and gets 25."12 [1d20=3]
<Kotono> OOC: Whiff.
<Seira> roll 9d8+33+4d6+6d8
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 9d8+33+4d6+6d8 and gets 104."12 [9d8=3, 4, 5, 3, 7, 2, 3, 2, 5][4d6=5, 4, 5, 2][6d8=6, 6, 1, 3, 2, 3]
<Kotono> With a massive strike, Seira thrusts into the heart of the dark dragon! Blood gushes like a stream from the wound as it falls to the ground, "This...isn't...hahahahahahaaaa...the oblivion..." It's eyes close as it's body hits down hard! "Have mercy...Shar..."
06* Seira throws her head back and laughs. "Mercy? From Shar?!"
06* Demedais grins, wearily leaning on his sword. "Hmph. Any need for its heart, Seira?"
<Kotono> After that, it's body goes still, wisps of shadow escaping it's mouth. OOC - Free act.
06* Seira appears to sight, grinning. "That felt great!"
<Kotono> "It's done," Celebrimbor bows his head a moment, "A pity a noble beast such a dragon served Shar."
<Kotono> Antenora leans heavily on her spear, before staggering to Demedais and using him and his sword. "Those life drains are exhausting," she notes, "We need to get restorations as soon as possible."
<Seira> "Yeah well his loss," Seira says dismissively.
06* Seira nods. "Let's go up? I don't think teleporting from here is a good idea."
06* Seira does wonder whether even imprisoned dragons keep mementos, and takes a brief moment to check with detect magic.
<Kotono> There's no magic in the cavern. No horde, either - just a dead, imprisoned dragon.
<Seira> "Right! Let's go!"
<Demedais> "Alright. There were no more loose ends in this place?" Demedais asks.
<Kotono> OOC: Are you guys just going to go up and teleport back?
<Seira> OOC: Hahaha, I was waiting to see whether Anty remembered the imprisoned cultists. Sounds like not~
<Kotono> OOC: I was asking you guys if you had anything here but TPing back. Seriously, is ther eanything else you wanted to here, cultists aside since she was going to brin ghtat up?
<Seira> OOC: Nah, it's cool
<Demedais> OOC: I can't think of anything since this is my first time in the temple!
<Seira> "Going to bring the prisoner along?" Seira asks.
<Kotono> "We should," Antenora says as the party returns back up to the cathedral proper.
<Seira> "Any chance you can spare a flight spell for Demedais?" Seira asks Celebrimbor in the meantime. "I don't fancy teleporting from here, or him climbing out."
<Kotono> Going to the trapped room, Celebrimbor shakes his head, "I only m emorized one. I rely on this otherwise," he taps his cloak, "He can borrow it on the worst."
<Seira> "The hole is wide enough," Seira muses. "Donald and myself might be enough to merely carry Demedais outside. Let's give this a try, first?"
<Kotono> As they open the sealed door for the prisoner in the meanwhile, they find her still lying there. She's still unconcious, deeply asleep.
06* Demedais shrugs and nods, making sure the armor has been re-sent to Balmuria.
<Kotono> OOC: You used the calling property of your armor?
<Demedais> OOC: Uh, yes? Hell. >_>
<Demedais> OOC: Or at least I would have tried.
<Kotono> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 74."12 [1d100=74]
<Kotono> The armor vanishes without incident as normal.
<Kotono> Meanwhile, Antenora knees to check on the prisoner. After af ew checks, "She's breathing, but cold as ice." she calls back, "As well as asleep.:"
<Seira> "Once we get back, you can get a cleric to take a look at her," Seira calls over. "Let's go?"
<Kotono> Getting out of the crater takes time but goes without incident. Thereafter, Celebrimbor returns the party to Seira's backyard again! Once you're there, "Demedais and I should seek restoration," Antenora says, "The sooner the better. I can have her checked on as well."
06* Demedais nods to this. "That would probably be wise."
06* Seira nods. "She's your responsibility, with all that this implies."
06* Seira pats Donald on the shoulder. "Fun fight, right? You should go with them, too."
<Kotono> "Seira and I can handle any details with your Commander," As Donald quietly goes to join Demedias and Antenora. Celebrimbor speaks, before starting to walk away.
<Kotono> "Yeah, I know," he says quietly, "That fight was horrible. I feel horrible now."
06* Demedais nods. "Ditto. Let's get this fixed up..." he says with a note of exhaustion.
06* Seira is quite cheerful, herself. "All that's left is the lava~"
<Kotono> The report is mostly like the last - good news and a dragon dead, more to go. As that happens, all unknown to Alicia...she sits in her nightclothes, talking to Marie. From her room she can hear someone coming in. The clank of armor is heard as well.
01<Alicia> Marie wears a rather squicked out expression as she listens to Alicia relate events from Shendilvari, although both pause at the sound of someone entering. "Could be Antenora - lets find out how they did with that dragon?" the eladrin suggests, Alicia nodding and heading out into the hallway with her familiar.
<Kotono> Exiting out, the two find Antenora in the living room. She's slowly putting someone down on the couch - it's dark in here but it doesn't seem to bother Antenora at all, of course. Thereafter, she goes to sit next to that person, peering down at her silently.
01<Alicia> "Antenora?" Alicia asks as Marie helpfully tosses up some illumination for the non-outsider to see by.
03* Demedais is now known as tai-grum
<Kotono> "Alicia!" Antenora looks up quickly, as you can see the shadow-woman from the temple here. "You're back and safe! Where were you?" The questions come rapidly, thereafter looking down. "Don't worry, she's asleep and I don't plan to keep her here long. From what Shankar said, she'll be asleep a long while."
01<Alicia> "What happened to her?" Alicia dodges Antenora's question for the moment, peering at the figure she recalls from Halla.
<Kotono> "The shadows changed her as far as we can guess." Looking down, "I'm not sure she's been awake since she was infected." Then looking back up at Alicia, "What about you?"
06* Alicia sighs. "There was an unexpected reaction when I tried to seal the gate - I was just telling Marie about it," she gestures to her unhappy looking familiar. "Sent me straight to the Abyss."
<Kotono> Shivering at that, "I see..." Antenora stands up there, looking between the two, "Are you...alright?"
01<Alicia> "I'm alive and uninjured," Alicia manages gamely, though she wraps her arms tightly around herself in a manner that doesn't exactly hint at inner self confidence. "I almost lost my mind, though... and I picked up a new enemy who I think is probably on the same level as a duke of hell." She snorts, "The Queen of Succubi likes me, though."
<Kotono> Antenora's face twists and turns death pale, "Malcanthet?!" She chokes, "That...that...thing?!" AS she does, there is a knock on Alicia's front door.
01<Alicia> "Yes, I arrived right on her- oh. Popular tonight," she chuckles, tightening her robe to ensure she's decent before going to answer the door.
<Kotono> Going to open it, you find Seira is there, waiting.
06* Seira smiles as soon as she sees Alicia, grabbing her in a hug! "I came as soon as I heard you made it back!" she gushes happily. "Welcome back!"
06* Alicia returns the hug with a bit of trepidation, "It's good to be back," she replies earnestly. "Why don't you come in? Uh... Marie was saying you fought a dragon?"
<Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees, stepping inside. "It was a bad dragon. In fact, it was a bad Shar-following dragon that recruited Albert somehow from within the underground, warded temple."
01<Alicia> "I thought he built the temple?" Alicia asks in confusion, closing the door as they retire to her living room. "Well, it's dead now, at least? Were there any other problems at the temple after I was sent away?"
<Seira> "I think he was renovating it," Seira suggests. "And it's dead, and I pretty much combed the place and the only thing remaining is that sealed door with the shadows kept within. It can probably wait until we take Albert out, since I fortified it and grabbed the keys with me."
01<Alicia> "Has he caused any trouble here lately?" Alicia asks. No one mentioned it, so even if he did it can't have been anything major...
<Seira> "I'm sure I would've been told," Seira says honestly. "Unless he is going for subtlety, I doubt it. He's the only one left, right, and there must be the issue of succession to resolve. Albert probably doesn't have the time." She looks around the living room. "You know, I think this is the first time I'm visiting."
06* Alicia searches her memory and comes up blank. "I think you're right." That also brings up the issue of proper manners for a hostess, "Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" Hopefully not, it's way too late to make anything.
01<Alicia> Marie, as the one most likely to have to prepare said hospitality, also hopes not.
<Seira> "Umm." Seira considers. "Something to drink would be nice, I guess? I haven't really had any...." She pauses. "I think the last time was on another plane? Anything you have is fine!"
01<Alicia> "Alright, I'll just be a second. Antenora, Marie, do you two want anything?" Alicia asks, eliciting a surprised look from her familiar.
01<Alicia> "Ahh... not for me, thanks," Marie shakes her head.
<Kotono> "I'm fine," Antenora says, lying back on the couch. "But let me get it," Getting up, "Alicia, sit down."
06* Alicia blinks at Antenora's bouncy indecisiveness. "Alright..." she proceeds to sit down. "Sorry you had to go to all the trouble of looking for me on that staircase. I found some Mercane who sold me a scroll of dismissal I thought would get me home sooner, but it must have been defective."
<Seira> "Trouble?" Seira asks in surprise. "It's only... we had to go after you! Isn't that obvious? We would have followed you and had Marie teleport over with my ring after you disappeared from the staircase, too, if it were anywhere but a safe place." Seira looks embarrased. "To tell you the truth, I was a bit worried I made the wrong call in not doing that until I came over."
<Kotono> Antenora comes back with water. After giving it to Seira, "We were worried. Your replies sounded...distraught."
06* Seira drains it after a brief nod of thanks, her attention focused on Alicia.
01<Alicia> "Celestia was fine, I found a choir of Archons who were happy to send me home after I'd had a chance to rest," Alicia smiles a bit before her expression clouds over. "Malcanthet's realm wasn't kind to my mental well-being." She shudders, "If it weren't for Hell Striker, I'm not sure if I'd have made it out of there."
<Kotono> Antenora goes to linger behind Alicia, then to her side. "What happened," she asks quietly.
<Seira> "Hell Striker is a really good friend, then!" Seira exclaims. "You have to treasure him."
06* Alicia nods. "He helped me realise just how close I was to losing it," she agrees. Briefly she runs her hand through her hair as she considers, "That's the worst part - my own strengths were used against me. All the demons sent to kill me, I dispatched them with ease."
01<Alicia> "But each one I killed... it's like she got inside of me and..." she trails off, looking disgusted while her cheeks tinge crimson. "Apparently it was a sign of her favour, according to the very friendly succubus who helped me reach the staircase," she concludes without elaboration.
<Seira> "At... at least you found a friend there?" Seira stammers.
<Kotono> Antenora's face turns paler, her lips nearly sucked into her mouth. "The chaos and evil was lying to you," she says, a little harshly nd very sharp.
01<Alicia> "I know that," Alicia practically snaps at Antenora, before grimacing and looking away guiltily. "Sorry... but it... it felt so good I almost stopped caring. I can still feel it even now... like an itch that I have to scratch." Seemingly without noticing, she starts rubbing her thighs together while talking.
<Seira> "I... I think it's more the evil. Not the chaos. The lying part, I mean," Seira starts babbling. "And you made it back! No more evil like that here!"
<Kotono> Antenora looks away at the snapping, "Sorry," she says as well. Her eyes are cast down, though she puts a hand on Alicia's shoulder. "There's no evil here. Right Marie? Right Seira?"
01<Alicia> Marie nods energetically. "You're safe here," she affirms. "We wouldn't hurt you or take advantage of you like that."
06* Seira gives the couch a pointed glare. "None that could take advantage of you!" she swears to Alicia.
<Kotono> "She's only here temporarily. If she has problems, she'll go back to sleep harder," Antenora replies with a hint of cold iron in her voice, before she sighs. "Sorry."
06* Seira pats Alicia's hand awkwardly. "Speaking of temporary... uh... I'm sure that is, too. You're stronger than any loser demons and their influence!"
06* Alicia shrinks in on herself a little bit, but still nods. "It's something I can deal with. I know these feelings aren't real," she sighs heavily, "Spending some time in Celestia helped bring that into focus, but still... just knowing how close I came to throwing away everything I've ever believed in and fought for, for nothing more than... nice feelings!"
01<Alicia> Looking up to Seira seriously, "You can still count on me for when we go back to Kesse. I can hold myself together," she declares with a hint of desperation.
06* Seira returns the look. "Wouldn't have dreamt of doing it without you."
<Kotono> "Nice feelings..." Antenora considers the word with a snort, "It can enslave anyone as well as a soul pact. But you're stronger than that, and you're going to be with us, Alicia."
01<Alicia> "Good," Alicia manages a smile. "I think I'll take a break afterwards, but I can still get through this as long as I'm needed."
<Seira> "I've been thinking about one myself," Seira admits. "Umm. I was going to go on a trip with Amaryl since she wanted to try the adventuring life, but you're welcome to join us. I was planning on taking her far away from it all."
06* Alicia shakes her head, squeezing Seira's patting hand. "You two should enjoy yourself together. I was thinking of something more quiet and less adventuresome for myself, anyway."
<Kotono> "I can go with Alicia, then," Antenora says, "Both of you could use long rests after this and someone to make sure you're alright."
06* Seira nods. "I'm always just a sending away."
06* Alicia glances askance at Antenora before shrugging and nodding. "We have to deal with Kesse first, anyway. Since we've dealt with that temple and Armanda, we only have Albert left?"
<Kotono> "That's right. The dragon seemed like it was a trapped source of corruption, but..." With a light shrug of her shoulders, "The temple has been cleared. I would like to learn more from Albert, but the priority is stopping him cold."
<Seira> "I might remain for a bit of cleanup," Seira admits. "Seeing that vile woman made me realize... I don't want the whole lot of them to try this again. I'll whip the leadership into shape, or just take over if that fails."
01<Alicia> "Well, we have at least someone who can tell others about exactly what Albert and his siblings were all about," Alicia gestures briefly at the shadow-afflicted woman on her couch.
<Kotono> "The taint of Shar does have to be fully purified," Going to stand behind Alicia again, protectively around her, "Hopefully we've done more of it, but there could always be sleepers or contingencies."
<Kotono> "If she ever wakes up," Antenora goes to check her again, "Shankar said it appears that she'll be asleep for the immediate future."
<Seira> "We do have the other prisoner," Seira adds.
01<Alicia> "What about the ones she said were hiding in the caves?" Alicia asks.
<Seira> "They refused my generous offer of surrender."
06* Seira doesn't add anything to that.
06* Alicia nods understandingly. "I'm sure Shar will reward them as they deserve."
06* Seira snorts suddenly. "That dragon was crying out for Shar's mercy when he died!"
<Kotono> "Until tomorrow night, or will we go back there earlier?"
<Kotono> Antenora's lips turn up at that, "The creature was kind of pathetic. For all it's power, it was trapped in a cage and it's allies made no attempt to save it."
<Seira> "Allies of convenience, more like. I refuse to believe scum like that can truly understand what the word means."
01<Alicia> "It's allies probably didn't want it usurping their control," Alicia concludes. "Anyway, I'll have all my spells refreshed tomorrow so it only depends on when the rest of you can recover from battling that wyrm?"
<Seira> "By the evening, but I think we want to make a statement. Let's try teleporting the next day while there's light out. We'll find Albert, hopefully surrounded by his court, and execute him for all his crimes!"
<Kotono> "It'll be a battle," Antenora considers, "I don't believe that he'll make it easy. If he's a strong sorcerer as well as a skilled martial artist and devotee of Shar..." Thinking, "We can't let that stop us, though."
<Seira> "I think Demedais is right in that he might strike at us come nightfall. In that case, it only makes sense to greet his forces here with all of ours, before retaliating."
01<Alicia> "Kesse is several hours behind us, so night-time here might still be day-time there," Alicia notes. "But I'm not scared of Albert," she shakes her head. "He can't possibly stand against all of us."
<Kotono> "Yes. He reaped this whirlwind, it's time for him to harvest it." Antenora smiles just a little bit here, "He's finished."
<Seira> "We'll take him down, we'll take down those who continue to cling to him, and cow the others into reason," Seira declares. "And that would be the last time I ever visit that forsaken part of the world."
<Kotono> "Yes. But...we all need to rest, it's late at night." Antenora says this now, "If we're to go before dusk tomrorow we all need sleep."
<Seira> "Alright. I'll come visit again," Seira promises, and gives Alicia another hug, whispering, "Take care."
01<Alicia> "My door's always open," Alicia replies as she returns the hug with a bit less reserve than earlier. "Really, it's been nice having you over. Good night, Seira."
<Kotono> Once Seira leaves out the door, Antenora approaches Alicia, going to sit next to her. "Hey," she puts a small smile on her face. "We're all glad to have you back now.'
06* Alicia cocks her head and regards the erinyes. "I know that look," she comments dourly. "You don't need to worry so much - I'm going to be fine. They're not going to get the best of me."
<Kotono> "I know that." Antenora smiles a little more, "But I'm really worried, Alicia. I've never seen you like that before...except once. They really shook you. I know that you might not want to...but could you tell us about it? Let it out so it's not stewing up inside of you?"
01<Alicia> "I'll probably never get any peace unless I do?" Alicia concludes, rolling her head back against the rest of her chair. "Fine. So I landed in a beautiful hilly landscape of clear skies, verdant meadows, and crystal clear streams. You know, I actually thought I was in Bytopia or Arcadia?"
01<Alicia> "Bytopia has a mirror landscape in the sky," Marie points out needlessly, before looking abashed. "You know... for future reference."
<Kotono> "Just talk, Alicia." Antenora takes one of Alicia's hands, glancing at Marie.
01<Alicia> "Uh, yeah. Let it all out," Marie seconds, going to sit on Alicia's lap.
01<Alicia> "So I walked to the nearest village, finding it filled with beautiful and affectionate people, who naturally were thrilled to see me. One invited me into his home to tend to the wounds I incurred when the portal exploded around me," Alicia goes on, paying less attention to the two outsiders as she related her tale.
<Kotono> A squeeze of Alicia's hand, but Antneora otherwise listens.
06* Alicia continues on, relaying events up until Mikelcea revealed his intentions in his 'rape-room', except she spoilers future events by revealing at this point that he was actually Radiant Sister Ebony.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+17 planes, does Marie know this bitch?
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 planes, does Marie know this bitch? and gets 33."12 [1d20=16]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Antenora as well
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Antenora as well and gets 28."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> Antenora's face slips into anger several times, and one time a near fury. Nonetheless smiles at Alicia most of the time, staying right there. "That's another one we have to stop one day," Antenora says quietly, but otherwise doesn't interrupt.
01<Alicia> "I've heard of her..." Marie mutters. "She's supposed to be a psycho even by tanar'ri standards."
01<Alicia> "Yes well, personally I'm glad she was so blunt, it gave me the impetus to finally respond properly and fight back before trying to find my own way out instead of relying on fiendish mercy," Alicia shrugs. "I didn't waste time fighting in case reinforcements arrived, I just got out of there and made my way to the Puzzling Hedge."
<Kotono> "Small mercies," Antenora agrees, " Then what?"
06* Alicia continues on, outlining her intention to manipulate G'renna into helping her reach the centre of the maze, and then Malcanthet's 'touch' as she killed the glabrezu and blackguard sent after her by Ebony.
01<Alicia> She doesn't belabour the details too much, only that G'renna appeared an entirely forthright and reliable ally throughout the whole experience, admitting her preference for Alicia to enter Malcanthet's servitude but never forcing the issue despite her overall seductive manner, and avoiding several opportunities to take advantage of Alicia's ignorance or weakness.
01<Alicia> Things do become a bit disjointed as she struggles with the memories of that mind-numbling pleasure Malcanthet provided her with on each successful kill, reaching their conclusion at the centre of the maze when she admits to all but losing her mind and demanding Ebony appear so she could feel that pleasure from slaying the Radiant Sister.
01<Alicia> Hell Striker talked some sense into her enough for her to realise it was a bad idea, though pride compelled her to stay until after a minute when Ebony still hadn't arrived. So at that point she left and entered the Endless Stairway.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+17 has Marie heard of G'renna?
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 has Marie heard of G'renna? and gets 22."12 [1d20=5]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+16 Antenora as well
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 Antenora as well and gets 25."12 [1d20=9]

[Corwin]

<Kotono> Antenora smiles at the end, "No matter what they did, they couldn't quite break you. They tried, but you managed to turn away from it. That's hard to do, very hard. It hit you with something that was so incredibly difficult to resist and with doing something you're so good at."
01<Celenu> "She's right," Marie seconds. "Even if you feel bad now, you already overcame the worst of it, so things can only get better!"
#dunes You need voice (+v) (#dunes)
03* Celenu is now known as Alicia
03* ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
01<Alicia> "She's right," Marie seconds. "Even if you feel bad now, you already overcame the worst of it, so things can only get better!"
01<Alicia> "That's kind of both of you," Alicia nods to each. "But even so... part of me still wants to feel that again, even knowing it was a lie, even knowing it was forced on me by a demon. Words can't really do justice to how good it felt."
03* Taishyr is now known as Demedais
<Kotono> "It's something you'ven ot paid much attention do," A delicate cough follows here, "Alicia, it's something you're used to not feeling. I imagine that's why it hit you there."
06* Alicia frowns a bit. "I'm not some pure and chaste maiden, Antenora," she replies peevishly. "Even if I haven't done it a while, I'm quite familiar with a woman's pleasure. It's nice, but that demon-spurred feeling was... transcendant, is the only word I can use."
<Kotono> "Yes, but..." Antenora wavers a hand. "It's hard enough for someone satisfied to resist mere sexual pleasure. Something stronger and without being in practice? The point is that it hit you below the belt with it. From your descriptions, it was, ah, special. Very special feeling."
01<Alicia> "I suppose so..." Alicia concedes. "Is this where you tell me I need to get more of that kind of satisfaction so I won't be caught off guard next time?" she follows up challengingly.
01<Alicia> Marie blushes and looks away. "That's up to you..." she squeaks out.
<Kotono> Antenora smirks, "No. I think you can live richly without it. It's makes it all the more admirable that you survived."
<Kotono> After a moment, her smirk resettling down and Antenora's human mellowing, "It's also a lesson. The Abyss tried to pervert several good things into a miasma of corruption. In the Abyss, nothing is safe."
01<Alicia> "Oh, I won't argue that," Alicia replies emphatically. "It makes me wonder how anyone can possibly go there and hope to win any sort of victory."
<Kotono> "Hope?" Looking Alicia squarely in the eyes there, "And you won a victory there."
01<Alicia> "At best I'd call it a draw," Alicia shakes her head. "It's not like either side gained anything from it." Picking up Marie and setting her on the armrest of her chair, she gets up, "Anyway, it's late and I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed, now."
03* Sierra_Mikain_Mk2 (~Melanchth@pool-71-163-230-130.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
<Kotono> "Sleep well," Antenora stands up, going to embrace Alicia lightly. "I'm proud to know anyone that survived the Abyss. Even if they are still stinky from touching a succubus. I mean...ugh."
01<Alicia> "You think I smell now, you should've been around me right after I left," Alicia snorts after returning the hug. Choosing not to elaborate further, she heads up the stairs with a final, "Good night, you two."
<Kotono> Once Alicia's gone, 'Was she feeling any better at the end,' Marie hears in her mind.
01<Alicia> 'She was,' Marie replies. 'It seemed to cheer her up. Also, good job distracting her by getting her annoyed at the implication she was a blushing virgin. You'll probably be paying for it later but I think it did her some good!'
<Kotono> 'Heh, heh,' Antenora rubs the back of her head, like Donald. 'Just let's keep this in the 'family'? Especially the part about her and that succubus.' Her face darkening a little, 'I still remember our trip into the Storm of Talos. She's like a mother, a sister, a superior and a friend rolled into one. Calling her something so crude as...'
01<Alicia> 'Not bad for someone like a twentieth of your age,' Marie opines cheerily. 'Anyway, it's not like she actually had sex with the succubus or anything. But sure, I've got no reason to tell anyone about my master's private life.'
<Kotono> 'Good.' Antenora smiles there, then in a normal voice, "Good night, Marie. Tell me how she does over the next few days?"
01<Alicia> "I'll keep you posted," Marie affirms, floating the living room. "Go get some sleep yourself, I'll watch over your shady new friend."
<Kotono> "No. I'm going to take her to a cell. We don't have time to watch over her now." Going to pick her up, "They can watch her and make sure she's taken care of until she awakens, then we'll see if she's serious about changing."
01<Alicia> "Suit yourself. I'll be here anyway," Marie shrugs.

[Corwin]

<Ko-AlexisAkiko> --------(Teleport Ko)--
03* Ko-AlexisAkiko is now known as Kotono
<Kotono> As night approaches, the Crimson Guard and close allies gather in the garrison. Seira, Demedais, Alicia, Antenora, Donald and Celebrimbor are there. "Finally," Donald mutters too loudly under his breath.
<Kotono> OOC - Strike.
<Kotono> As night approaches, the Crimson Guard and close allies gather in the garrison. Seira, Demedais, Alicia, Antenora and Celebrimbor are there. "Let's go," Antenora says impatiently, lingering close to Ailcia allthe while.
<Seira> roll 1d10+10
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d10+10 and gets 11."12 [1d10=1]
01<Alicia> "First stop, the temple of Mystra in Kelara," Alicia announces, performing the requisite spell.
01<Alicia> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 45."12 [1d100=45]
<Kotono> The Temple of Mystra is quiet this dusk-creep, only a few priests going through prayers to sustain the Weave of magic during the coming night. However, the leader of them happens to be Taldeer.
<Kotono> roll 1d10+1
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10+1 and gets 9."12 [1d10=8]
<Kotono> OOC +9 more, so 18.
06* Alicia approaches said priests. "Dweomerkeeper?" she greets the middle-aged elf respectfully.
<Kotono> Taldeer pauses the ritual, "Alicia. Friends." She smiles briefly to them. "Have you come about the prisoners you liberated from Shar?"
06* Seira shies away from the mention of those prisoners, more than comfortable in letting someone else handle this part.
01<Alicia> "Actually we're about to make our strike against the last remaining orchestrator of their pain, which means we need to use the temple scrying mirror," Alicia begins. "But how are they doing, anyway?"
<Kotono> "It's going to be a long process." Taldeer's smile fades, "Not only are they maimed, but they have vast amounts of mental disturbances and damages."
06* Alicia nods understandingly. "The crimes of that group are almost beyond measure. Still, I can't think of a better place for them to convalesce. Speaking of recovery, though, how is Kelara doing of late?"
03* Alicia sets mode: +o Demedais
06* Demedais shakes his head with a grimace. "That... I wish I could say it was surprising, but from what I've seen of their cultists..."
<Seira> "You really should go and see them to have a hint of what they went through," Seira tells Demedais quietly.
<Demedais> "I will while the scrying is prepared." Demedais replies.
<Kotono> "Things are settling down, thank the Goddess." Taldeer lowers her voice, leading the party back away from this room. "Lord Roth has been making noise about re-representation but nothing has coalesced there yet."
01<Alicia> "I suppose it's only been a couple of weeks," Alicia admits. "Still, I hope it turns out to be more than just a lot of hot air."
<Kotono> "Politics move on," Taldeer says with her own knowing smile. "Your parents are jockeying for position as well after you were granted a title."
01<Alicia> "Well if they can manage it, more power to them. I'm not going to do any special favours," Alicia shrugs, reaching into a pouch in her belt and handing over a clump of hair that her familiar purloined from Albert's hairbrush to Seira.
<Kotono> "Right, scrying. Come this way..." Taldeer leads the party deeper in! OOC - Were any of you going to do anything besides diddle around for an hour?
01<Alicia> OOC: nothing here
<Demedais> OOC: Demedais would likely go to see if any of the three prisoners were awake, but it can be handwaved?
<Kotono> OOC: Okay then. PM a moment.
<Kotono> OOC: You guys were going to have Taldeer cast the scrying?
01<Alicia> OOC: Seira
<Seira> OOC: I'll try first. Then Cel-chan if I fail.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay.
<Kotono> An hour passes as Seira invokes and casts at the silver mirror! She invokes all the right names and calls on her vision to see Albert of Kesse! OOC - CL check.
<Seira> roll 1d20+13
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 28."12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+5 DC?
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 DC? and gets 21."12 [1d20=16]
<Seira> OOC: 23!
03* Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-223-229.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
<Kotono> It's fuzzy and flickering, the image pained to appear.  But nonetheless it does! Albert sits on the Throne of Kesse, surrounded at his flanks by two unnaturally tall men, and behind them four men in dark but plain clothes. A pair of soldiers kneel before him. "...Androth is going to fall by next noon, Sire," one of the kneeling soldiers says. "Sanaxt is in completely disarray."
03* Alicia sets mode: +o Taishyr
06* Alicia casts shield and resist energy (cold) on herself as Seira concludes the scrying spell.
<Seira> "Yes!" Seira cheers, casting heroism hurriedly. "He's in the throne room talking about the conquest of neighbors. Kesse is such a shithole the blatant assassination attempt on their king didn't set them straight."
02* Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-223-229.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Broken pipe)
03* Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-223-229.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
02* Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-169-22.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03* Taishyr is now known as Demedais
<Kotono> Albert has a familiar fiery staff in one hand, almost like a sceptre. A familiar ring of spellstoring is on his finger as well! As this happens, the party quickly casting...OOC - Another CL check, Seira.
03* Seira sets mode: +o Demedais
<Seira> roll 1d20+13
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 25."12 [1d20=12]
06* Demedais casts Magic Circle against Evil as the scrying spell concludes, waiting for any signal.
<Kotono> As they do,t aking the time to prepare, Celebrimbor weaving his own magics, an insignia of an eye begins to glow! OOC - Go ahead and act now, since you took a turn to buff.
<Seira> "Hold on," Seira tells them, focusing on her magic. "I'll try to anchor him as soon as I'm there, and then we'll take care of the small fry."
<Seira> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 75."12 [1d100=75]
<Kotono> Thus the party teleports! They reappear in the throne room to Kesse! Screams are just going up, calls of, "Magic in the Throne Room!" Guards holler! While the party appears close, the two tall men have surrounded the front and side of the throne, blocking it with their bodies! The black garbed men are preparinga s well! OOC - The eye means they aren't surprised, guys. I'm calling initiative here. You're 30ft away all.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+7
<Seira> roll 1d20+13
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21."12 [1d20=8]
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 and gets 19."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Antenora and gets 16."12 [1d20=11]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+1 woo, initiative
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 woo, initiative and gets 12."12 [1d20=11]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+2 Celebrimbor
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 Celebrimbor and gets 18."12 [1d20=16]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (Nerveskitter) Albert
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 (Nerveskitter) Albert and gets 20."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+6 tall man
<Kotono> roll 1d20+6 tall man 2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 tall man and gets 17."12 [1d20=11]
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 tall man 2 and gets 24."12 [1d20=18]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+2 gaggle of dark clothed men
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 gaggle of dark clothed men and gets 16."12 [1d20=14]
03* Kotono changes topic to 'Tall Man 2>Seira>Albert Kesse>Alicia>Celebrimbor>Tall Man>Antenora=Dark Clothed Men>Demedais'
<Kotono> "You've come!" Albert calls with a rakish grin on his face, wiping at his lips with the back of his hand. "You've signed your death sentence by opposing the King of Kesse!" As this happens, the second tall man opens his hand! From it, a great freezing gust of cold comes out toe nvelop the party! OOC - Ref saves, all.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+15 (+2 vs evil, thanks Deme)
<Seira> roll 1d20+27
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+15 (+2 vs evil, thanks Deme) and gets 18."12 [1d20=3]
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+27 and gets 44."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+8 Celebrimbor
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 Celebrimbor and gets 15."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+19 Antenora (Already has a resistance bonus to saves)
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 Antenora (Already has a resistance bonus to saves) and gets 36."12 [1d20=17]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+20 (definitely an AoE attack >_>)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 (definitely an AoE attack >_>) and gets 29."12 [1d20=9]
<Kotono> roll 15d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15d6 and gets 54."12 [15d6=3, 4, 1, 1, 6, 4, 1, 6, 5, 5, 5, 3, 3, 6, 1]
<Kotono> OOCV: All three PCs passed the save, as did Antenora.
<Kotono> roll 54-18
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 54-18 and gets 36."12
<Kotono> The burst of cold is chilling to the bone, as Celebrimbor blinks and vanishes, appearing at the other end of the throne room! A moment later, a miasma of darkness envelops the party as well! OOC - Also CL ing the cone of cold, forgot SR.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 and gets 35."12 [1d20=14]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 unholy blight
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 unholy blight and gets 38."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> OOC - Fort all.
<Seira> roll 1d20+19
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 and gets 29."12 [1d20=10]
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+21
<Kotono> roll 1d20+24
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+21 and gets 35."12 [1d20=14]
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 and gets 40."12 [1d20=16]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+20
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 and gets 25."12 [1d20=5]
<Kotono> roll 5d8 halve this and Deme quarters it.
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d8 halve this and Deme quarters it. and gets 19."12 [5d8=2, 7, 1, 8, 1]
<Kotono> roll 10d6 Antenora halves this
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 Antenora halves this and gets 32."12 [10d6=2, 6, 2, 3, 4, 4, 2, 3, 4, 2]
<Kotono> As the bursts of arcane power fill the throne room, the tall man who attacked speaks! "There is no hope for you. Beg for your oblivion to come quickly!" OOC - SEira.
<Seira> Calling upon Waukeen's divine gift, Seira takes off into the air to get a better look at Albert, using her scroll of dimensional anchor to ensure that he would remain there for the fight. His escape at this point would be unthinkable.
<Seira> roll 1d20+19 touch
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 touch and gets 33."12 [1d20=14]
<Kotono> OOC: Unsurprisingly, that's a hit. Caster level check.
<Seira> OOC: There's no CL
<Seira> "Death!" Seira calls out loudly. "Only death awaits betrayers and usurpers, False King Albert!"
<Kotono> The thin beam of dimensional power hits Albert, anchoring him down! OOC -Albert's up.
<Kotono> Albert stands where he is, looking up briefly to Seira! "Suffer for eternity in the darkness!" At that, a 20ft wide sphere of darkness engulfs her! The others can see something around his waist glowing with ahorrible, dark malevolence!
<Kotono> roll 4d6 and more in PM, Seira.
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d6 and more in PM, Seira. and gets 12."12 [4d6=3, 2, 2, 5]
<Kotono> Albert thereafter stays where he is, calling, "These are the revoluntionaries that wiped out Sanaxt!" he calls to the guards, "They seek to lay all of our sacred institutions low!" OOC - Alicia.
<Seira> "Kill you!" Seira screams. "Rip you to pieces! You'll die for this, Albert! Die!"
<Kotono> "They're..." One guard can be heard, staring, "You're the bastards that killed Prince Kort and His Majesty!"
01<Alicia> "Don't make me laugh you despicable Sharran!" Alicia snaps back. "People of Kesse, see for yourselves the horrors that Albert surrounds himself with!" she calls, dispelling the magic on one of the nightwalkers standing next to the king before moving towards Celebrimbor.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12 targetted dispel, lemme know if there's any other checks needed
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 targetted dispel, lemme know if there's any other checks needed and gets 20."12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> OOC - Two other checks, yeah.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26."12 [1d20=14]
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 23."12 [1d20=11]
<Demedais> "We're from a country you decided to attack with nightwalkers, Albert - or did you forget the distance between us?" Demedais retorts drolly, before glancing to the guard. "Kort of Shar killed your liege; we failed to stop that atrocity. I realize this may be very hard for you to believe, but please stand aside here; I'd rather not harm innocents."
<Kotono> The magic shatters around the tall man! While his form stays where it is, other magic is dispelled! OOC - Moving or is that it, Alicia?
01<Alicia> OOC: I moved 40 feet towards Cel
<Kotono> OOC: Right.
<Kotono> Celebrimbor staggers, staring at the throne and Albert! He doesn't reply, but instead weaves arcane words in an overwhelming blitz of fiery and acidic power, two fireballs bursting around the King and his servants protecting him!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14  and gets 34."12 [1d20=20]
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14  and gets 26."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> roll 10d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 and gets 32."12 [10d6=1, 6, 4, 1, 6, 6, 3, 1, 2, 2]
<Kotono> roll 32*1.5
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 32*1.5 and gets 48."12
<Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Albert 1
<Kotono> roll 1d20+15 Albert 2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 Albert 1 and gets 23."12 [1d20=8]
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 Albert 2 and gets 34."12 [1d20=19]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Tall Man 1
<Kotono> roll 1d20+11 Tall Man 2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Tall Man 1 and gets 17."12 [1d20=6]
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 Tall Man 2 and gets 24."12 [1d20=13]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+5 group saves for dark men
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 group saves for dark men and gets 13."12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+5 group saves for dark men 2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 group saves for dark men 2 and gets 18."12 [1d20=13]
03* Kotono changes topic to 'Tall Man 2>Seira>Albert Kesse>Alicia>Celebrimbor>Tall Man>Antenora>Demedais'
<Kotono> The various dark garbed men burst aflame and are acid-seared to the bone! They fall as one, obliterated! Albert backflips atop the throne, avoiding the acid-ball, then leaps high and lands as the massive fireball rocks around the throne, unhurt by it all! The tall men are both somewhat burna nd scorched by it, but the stronger fireball fizzled against them! OOC - Tall man 1.
<Kotono> The first tall man stays where he is as well! He gets Demedais and Antenora in a cone of cold, then sends an unholy blight at them!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 cone of cold CL
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 cone of cold CL and gets 22."12 [1d20=1]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 unholy blight CL
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 unholy blight CL and gets 37."12 [1d20=16]
<Kotono> OOC - Fort save only, Deme.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+20 fort check
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+20 fort check and gets 39."12 [1d20=19]
<Kotono> roll 5d8 quarter this
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d8 quarter this and gets 20."12 [5d8=5, 2, 8, 4, 1]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Antenora ref, forgot +1 extra due to flash
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 Antenora ref, forgot +1 extra due to flash and gets 32."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> roll 1d20 whatever, only fails on one for fort on unholy blight
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 whatever, only fails on one for fort on unholy blight and gets 7."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> roll 15d6 halve this for Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 15d6 halve this for Antenora and gets 61."12 [15d6=5, 4, 2, 4, 5, 4, 2, 2, 2, 6, 6, 6, 6, 2, 5]
<Kotono> roll 10d6 halve this for Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 halve this for Antenora and gets 40."12 [10d6=2, 5, 6, 6, 4, 2, 2, 1, 6, 6]
<Kotono> The barrage of spells does little to Demedais, the crackling cone of cold not touching him and the unholy blight having little power over him! Antenora is hit far worse, ice forming on her armor and body battered, bruised bythe blight! OOC - Antenora's up.
<Kotono> Antenora charges forward, pouncing the tall man that froze her so bad as holy fury mends her injuries! OOC - +10 HP Antenora, 8/9, keep forgetting Flash.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+25 (+2 charge, +1 flying, +7 smite 2/3 -5 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 (+2 charge, +1 flying, +7 smite 2/3 -5 PA) and gets 40."12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> roll 2d8+42
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+42 and gets 51."12 [2d8=4, 5]
<Kotono> Antenora stabs the tall man right in the stomach, before quickly jetting back and away 50 feet! OOC - Demedais.
06* Demedais grimaces before rushing in up close with the tall man Antenora struck at, hoping to act as a distraction for the attacks the two bodyguards are throwing out while wearing down the one who damaged Antenora so badly!
<Demedais> roll 1d20+21 (+6 Smite, +2 Charge, +1 Haste, -5 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+21 (+6 Smite, +2 Charge, +1 Haste, -5 PA) and gets 41."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> OOC - No crit on it, but hit.
<Demedais> roll 2d6+24 aw boo.
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+24 aw boo. and gets 26."12 [2d6=1, 1]
<Kotono> Demedais closes in, stabbing the tall man in the gut! It's not a deep wound, it's body resisting the stabbing! At this point the throne room is in panic! Guards are running about and preparing weapons, while others are stunned and af ew are frozen solid from the cones of cold going about! The doors of the throne room break open, more guards running in, six of them! OOC - Going to roll intiaitive for the misc horde here.
<Kotono> roll 1d20
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 and gets 3."12 [1d20=3]
03* Kotono changes topic to 'Tall Man 2>Seira>Albert Kesse>Alicia>Celebrimbor>Tall Man>Antenora>Demedais>Allt he rabble'
<Kotono> OOC - Tall man 2 is up.
<Kotono> Wounded by Demedais and Antenora, the tall man looks down at the paladin chopping at his body! With terrible words of unholy reverence, it says, "Crumble before me, magic!"
<Kotono> roll 1d20+20 what spells do you have active, Deme?
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 what spells do you have active, Deme? and gets 25."12 [1d20=5]
<Kotono> OOC: CL of them as well.
<Demedais> OOC: Uh, Magic Circle against Evil, caster level 6. >_>
<Kotono> OOC: Gone.
<Kotono> A moment later, as the Magic Circle crackles into oblivion, an unholy blight bursts around Demedais!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 CL
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 CL and gets 41."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> OOC - Fort.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+18 sure
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 sure and gets 23."12 [1d20=5]
<Kotono> roll 5d8 quarter this.
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d8 quarter this. and gets 13."12 [5d8=3, 2, 1, 3, 4]
<Kotono> Unholy darkness ravages Demedais, but doesn't get the worst of him, not by far! OOC - Seira. You're surrounded by darkness as said in PM.  You can't see anything.
06* Seira doesn't even vocalize entrusting Lagann with the silvered blade, but they've fought side by side enough a small part of her mind is confident that he would follow her lead. "You'll pay for what you put me through, you damned Shar-worshipping freak!" she screams, dropping blindly through the cloud with the Resort to zoom in on the last place she saw Albert at, adjusting herself mid-flight.
<Kotono> OOC - Will save.
<Demedais> "Uh huh." Demedais replies. "Stop wasting my time and fight."
<Seira> roll 1d20+24
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+24 and gets 44."12 [1d20=20]
<Kotono> Seira is able toe scape the tearing oblivion around her! She comes down out of the sphere, able to approach Albert with her swift action from above! OOC - Travel devotion is nice.
<Seira> OOC: Yes it is. Can Lagann help me flank him for this?
<Seira> roll 1d20+24 (+1 fly, +2 heroism) diving, spellruin
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+24 (+1 fly, +2 heroism) diving, spellruin and gets 25."12 [1d20=1]
<Kotono> OOC: He could, but it's utterly moot now. He'll roll to hope for alucky hit anyway.
<Kotono> roll 1d20+8
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19."12 [1d20=11]
<Seira> Cursing, Seira flips back and away.
<Seira> roll 1d20+18 tumble
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+18 tumble and gets 20."12 [1d20=2]
<Kotono> Seira dives and then falls back, Albert swiftly avoiding the strike as it goes errant! He braces on the throne, as a sphere of darkness envelops Alicia this time! Even as it does, "Worthless!" He snaps back, smirking, "You're as defenseless and stupid as last time!" OOC - Damage in here and something in PM, Alicia.
<Kotono> roll 4d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d6 and gets 17."12 [4d6=4, 6, 6, 1]
<Kotono> OOC: 17 damage and Alicia's up now. See PM, you're cloaked in darkness.
<Seira> "As the time you stabbed me in the back when I came to Kesse on a mission of peace?" Seira yells at Albert. "Or the time you attacked our defenseless citizens? Or in the Halla temple to Shar, where you sacrificed so many? Which is it, you scum?!"
<Kotono> "All of them." With a suave smile as he looks up at Alicia, "You're as worthless as gutter trash!"
01<Alicia> After having seen exactly what that 'impenetrable darkness' looked like from the outside when it hit Seira, Alicia isn't too bothered. Continuing on in the same direction she was headed, she approaches Celebrimbor, expecting to be free of the darkness quite quickly.
<Demedais> "I do hope everyone just heard Albert's little confession there." Demedais remarks drolly again, calling out to the soldiers behind him.
<Kotono> OOC - Wills ave, Alicia.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+22
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+22 and gets 35."12 [1d20=13]
<Seira> "What you did to your own sister's lovers will be nothing compared to your torment!" Seira vows. "And then... and then, when I allow you die... you'll face Shar's mercies for your failure! That's your damned future!"
<Kotono> Alicia is able to escape the clinging darkness and come closer to Celebrimbor! OOC - You're up with the rest of your turn, Alicia.
01<Alicia> After escaping she decides to try another dispel, this time on the other Nightwalker. "How many Nightwalkers has Shar given you, anyway? Doesn't she know when to give up on a lost cause?"
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12 assuming 3 again this time
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 assuming 3 again this time and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
<Kotono> OOC - 3 checks.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 14."12 [1d20=2]
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31."12 [1d20=19]
<Kotono> Only one spell crumbles around the Nightwalker, Alicia's magic only going so far! OOC - Celebrimbor is up.
<Kotono> A powerful Manyjaws springs into life, and a quick Sonorous Hum follows to maintain it, as the jaws strike at the wounded tall man!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 31."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> roll 10d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 and gets 37."12 [10d6=3, 6, 6, 3, 2, 5, 4, 5, 2, 1]
<Kotono> roll 37*1.5
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 37*1.5 and gets 55.5."12
<Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 12."12 [1d20=1]
<Kotono> The jaws painfully ravage the tall man, ripping into him like an elemental force! It's body is shredded severely, blood coming from a dozen force inflicted gnaws! OOC - Fresher tall man is up.
<Kotono> The other tall man fires off a quick pair of unholy blights - one at Demedais and one at Antenora!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 CL Deme
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 CL Deme and gets 40."12 [1d20=19]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 CL Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 CL Antenora and gets 36."12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> OOC - Fort saves.
<Kotono> roll 1d20 a lot
<Demedais> roll 1d20+18 sure
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20 a lot and gets 3."12 [1d20=3]
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 sure and gets 30."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> roll 5d8 quarter
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d8 quarter and gets 20."12 [5d8=3, 8, 1, 6, 2]
<Kotono> roll 10d6 halve
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 10d6 halve and gets 36."12 [10d6=6, 3, 5, 1, 6, 4, 6, 1, 2, 2]
<Kotono> Both are maimed by the darkness, but boht endure ! Demedais is in good shape, while Antenora sags int he air heavily! OOC - Antenora.
<Kotono> Quickly darting at the injured tall man, Antenora looks to finish him off!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+21 (Same mods as before, +10 HP 6/8, -9 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 (Same mods as before, +10 HP 6/8, -9 PA) and gets 38."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> roll 2d8+58
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+58 and gets 67."12 [2d8=6, 3]
03* Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Albert Kesse>Alicia>Celebrimbor>Tall Man>Antenora>Demedais>Allt he rabble'
<Kotono> Antenora's spear penetrates the unnaturally tall man deeply, making his body turn to a shadowy mist that fades away in the Throne Room's air! OOC - Demedais.
<Kotono> She also flies 50 feet back after with her boots.
<Demedais> "Oh hey look at that an undead monstrosity guarding Albert I wonder why?" Demedais quips, stepping over to quickly slice up the other tall man!
<Demedais> roll 1d20+24 (+6 Smite, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+24 (+6 Smite, +4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA) and gets 35."12 [1d20=11]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+18 (+4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 (+4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA) and gets 21."12 [1d20=3]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+13 (+4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+13 (+4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA) and gets 15."12 [1d20=2]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+8 (+4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+8 (+4 Law Devotion, +1 Haste, -4 PA) and gets 15."12 [1d20=7]
<Kotono> OOC: Isn't it three attacks and one at full attack due to haste? You did them all descending.
<Kotono> OOC: Oh wait, smite. Okay.
<Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
<Demedais> roll 4d6+38 aw boo.
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d6+38 aw boo. and gets 52."12 [4d6=4, 5, 3, 2]

[Corwin]

<Kolunch> Demedais grapples and stabs into the tall man, meeting him head on! He cuts deeply into the creature's strange flesh, unnatural wounds parting before his enhanced blade! As this happens, the crowd of soldiers are in confusion! The words of both the party and Prince Albert echo around as the battle rages! OOC - Could one of you three here make a diploc heck? Only one. I'm going to have one of you and Albert make opposed rolls here to see how th
<Kolunch> I'm going to have one of you and Albert make opposed rolls here to see how the guards are taking all of this. The other two will be assumed to be aiding another for a +4 modifier to the diplo'ers roll.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+33
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+33 and gets 37."12 [1d20=4]
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+29
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+29 and gets 48."12 [1d20=19]
<Kolunch> The guards, by and large, side with Prince Albert! Two sprint in front of him, spears brandished with quaking hands. "S-stay away from his M-majesty!" OOC - Deme, they had to pass close to you to protect Albert. You can AoO one if you want.
<Demedais> "As I said, I don't want to hurt any of you..." Demedais grimaces, before lashing out at the spear of one of them in an attempt to sunder it!
<Kolunch> OOC: Opposed attack rolls. You get a +4 bonus since you have a two handed weapon.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+26 (+4 Law Devotion, +4 Two-handed weapon, +1 Haste; presuming Haste/LD apply)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 (+4 Law Devotion, +4 Two-handed weapon, +1 Haste; presuming Haste/LD apply) and gets 43."12 [1d20=17]
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+8 (+4 two handed weapon for him, too.)
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 (+4 two handed weapon for him, too.) and gets 27."12 [1d20=19]
<Kolunch> OOC: Damage.
<Demedais> roll 2d6+8
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+8 and gets 15."12 [2d6=5, 2]
<Kolunch> CRACK! With all the force he can muster, Demedais just barely manages to sever the wooden haft of the spear! It's now two neatly parted hunks of wood on the ground! Meanwhile, a pair of soldiers charge at Celebrimbor from the sides!
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+6 (+2 charging)
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+6 (+2 charging) and gets 24."12 [1d20=18]
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+6 (+2 charging)
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+6 (+2 charging) and gets 16."12 [1d20=10]
<Kolunch> roll 1d8+1
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d8+1 and gets 2."12 [1d8=1]
<Kolunch> One of the soldiers manages a scraping wound as Celebrimbor staggers forward closer to Alicia! He glances back at them, "Stand down unless you wish for your life to burn away here!"
<Kolunch> Meanwhile, the other four rushing guards go around the side, two going to engage Alicia and two at Antenora! "Surrender! We won't give up like those Sanaxian fools!"
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+6 Alicia
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+6 Alicia
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+6 Alicia and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+6 Alicia and gets 15."12 [1d20=9]
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+6 Antenora
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+6 Antenora
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+6 Antenora and gets 22."12 [1d20=16]
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+6 Antenora and gets 17."12 [1d20=11]
<Demedais> "Focus on the followers of Shar!" Demedais bellows back. "I'll aim to disarm the soldiers!"
<Kolunch> They jab and thrust at the two women, but neither scores anything on them! OOC - Seira.
<Seira> "The lives of those protecting this murderous usurper are forfeit!" Seira declares, gaining altitude again and incidentally getting a better view of the chamber. "Sanaxt fools? Albert's agent Yann is the one who got them killed on his orders. You are the fools. And if you continue staying by his side, you will die with him."
<Seira> An orb of force gathers in Seira's hand, and she reminds to Albert where to focus his attention.
<Seira> roll 1d20+19 touch
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+19 touch and gets 26."12 [1d20=7]
<Seira> roll 10d6
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 10d6 and gets 30."12 [10d6=5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 5, 2, 1, 1, 2]
<Kolunch> OOC - Hit.
<Kolunch> An orb of force flies out, htiting Albert right int he arm! His flesh breaks at that, a nontrivial wound as he grimaces! Yet more darkness blossoms around, this time engulfing Antenora! Then Albert leaps back past the throne, falling back to the other end of the throne room!
<Kolunch> roll 4d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 4d6 and gets 16."12 [4d6=5, 5, 4, 2]
<Kolunch> Antenora is encased in darkness, as...OOc - Alicia.
06* Alicia ducks and weaves away from the two men attacking her and approaches Celebrimbor, channeling a burst of healing spellfire into his body. "Lord Drake, it would please me greatly if you were to remove that eyesore of a Nightwalker from this throneroom," she requests politely.
01<Alicia> roll 11d4+11
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 11d4+11 and gets 34."12 [11d4=4, 3, 3, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3]
<Kolunch> OOC: You'll get an AoO from the spearmen since you're coming within their range. You okay with that?
01<Alicia> OOC: tumble
<Kolunch> OOC: Okay.
<Kolunch> Celebrimbor perks up instantly, "I will endevor to end it's existance," he says calmly, concentrating! The empowered manyjaws continue to tear first!
<Kolunch> roll 10d6
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 10d6 and gets 45."12 [10d6=3, 4, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 4, 1, 6]
<Kolunch> roll 45*1.5
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 45*1.5 and gets 67.5."12
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+11
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+11 and gets 25."12 [1d20=14]
<Kolunch> roll 67/2
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 67/2 and gets 33.5."12
<Kolunch> Thereafter, a great acid fireball bursts around the nightwalker, shaping so that it only damages it! There is a flow during it, it's power increasing massively!
<Kolunch> OOC: Sudden maximize used.
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+11
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+11 and gets 22."12 [1d20=11]
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+14 SR
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+14 SR and gets 15."12 [1d20=1]
<Kolunch> The fireball bursts with pure acid, but fizzles against the nightwalker! OOC - Tall man is up.
<Kolunch> Focusing on Demedais, the tall man gazes at him with horrible eyes, before an unholy blight rips into him again! OOC - Unholy blight makes a fort save, but Deme's immune to the fear gaze. Fort Deme.
<Demedais> roll 1d20+18 hehehe demestalllll
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 hehehe demestalllll and gets 24."12 [1d20=6]
<Kolunch> roll 5d8 quarter this
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 5d8 quarter this and gets 18."12 [5d8=3, 5, 3, 3, 4]
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+21 SR first too
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+21 SR first too and gets 25."12 [1d20=4]
<Kolunch> OOC: No damage.
<Kolunch> Demedais simply resists the spell, blotting it out as if it had never been cast! OOC - Antenora.
<Demedais> "Hmph, pathetic!" Demedais growls at the tall man.
<Kolunch> Still sagging in the air, Antenora charges forward to the tlal man! She throws alls he has into this, spear throbbing with white light!
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+20 (+2 charge, +1 fly, +2 FS 6/9 heh, +7 smite 0/3 left, -12 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+20 (+2 charge, +1 fly, +2 FS 6/9 heh, +7 smite 0/3 left, -12 PA) and gets 25."12 [1d20=5]
<Kolunch> roll 2d8+1d6+70
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 2d8+1d6+70 and gets 85."12 [2d8=7, 2][1d6=6]
03* Kolunch changes topic to 'Seira>Albert Kesse>Alicia>Celebrimbor>Antenora>Demedais>Allt he rabble'
<Kolunch> As weak screamse echo from the darkness Antenora escapes, she stabs the nightwalker in the head! It's body rippled before falling apart, into shadowystuff and then oblivion! OOC - Deme.
<Seira> "And then, there was one!"
<Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais replies to Seira, before quickly aiming to sunder the other guard's spear!
<Demedais> OOC: Accepting AoO attempt.
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+4
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+4 and gets 5."12 [1d20=1]
<Kolunch> OOC - Caryr on. Opposed attack rolls.
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+8
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 and gets 16."12 [1d20=8]
<Demedais> roll 1d20+22 (+4 Law Devotion, +4 Two-handed weapon, +1 Haste, -4 PA)
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 (+4 Law Devotion, +4 Two-handed weapon, +1 Haste, -4 PA) and gets 38."12 [1d20=16]
<Demedais> roll 2d6+16
06* Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+16 and gets 22."12 [2d6=3, 3]
<Kolunch> CRACK! This spear is obliterated as well, shattered! As this ripples through...OOC - Make another set of diplo checks? One of you make a check with a +4 for aiding and an additional +2 untyped bonus.
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+29
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+29 and gets 38."12 [1d20=9]
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+35
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+35 and gets 49."12 [1d20=14]
<Demedais> "Listen well, those who would guard this corrupt king." Demedais calls out in his sword-swing. "We must perform our duty. What Seira says is true; men of your own king struck Sanaxt down. We have come to end this plague upon your land."
<Kolunch> At this, with magic and darkness and power being thrown around the throne room like nothing at all, the guards break! Several of them turn and fall back, while others freeze up! One even turns to Albert, "It can't be true, the rumor..." OOC - Guards aren't doing anything effective this round, they aren't hindering you. You're up, Seira.
06* Seira dives at Albert across the throne room, wings folded behind her for better gliding as she races alongside Lagann's blade to put everything she has into this one strike and make it count!
<Seira> roll 1d20+26 (+1 fly, +2 heroism, +2 charge) diving, smite
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+26 (+1 fly, +2 heroism, +2 charge) diving, smite and gets 34."12 [1d20=8]
<Kolunch> OOC - Hit.
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+8 Lagann
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+8 Lagann and gets 12."12 [1d20=4]
<Seira> roll 6d8+22+6d8
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 6d8+22+6d8 and gets 65."12 [6d8=4, 8, 2, 2, 1, 7][6d8=3, 1, 5, 4, 4, 2]
06* Seira flips back afterwards. "Even your own men are deserting you, Albert! Your vile reign has come to an end!"
<Kolunch> Seira manages to cut into his stomach, a serious wound on the King! Despite that he spreads his arms wide and smiles, blood staining his clothes! "Then so be it! Let everything fall into oblivion! But now..." His gaze travels through the room, settling on Alicia! He rushes forward with inhuman speed, running into her with fists blazing with arcane power. "You, in the name of Shar, DIE!"
<Kolunch> roll 1d20+25 (+2 charge, +6 level six spell sacced(2 6th, 3 4th)
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 1d20+25 (+2 charge, +6 level six spell sacced(2 6th, 3 4th) and gets 40."12 [1d20=15]
<Kolunch> 2d8+6+24d4
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 2d8+6+24d4 and gets 79."12 [2d8=7, 5][24d4=1, 2, 3, 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 2, 3, 1, 4, 4]
<Kolunch> OOC: +1 vile as well.
01<Alicia> OOC: see #e
<Kolunch> OOC: Strike that action then.
<Kolunch> Seira manages to cut into his stomach, a serious wound on the King! Despite that he spreads his arms wide and smiles, blood staining his clothes! "Then so be it! Let everything fall into oblivion! It's too late to stop it! This entire region will break into war!" A moment later he makes arcane words, vanishing from sight!
<Kolunch> OOC: Alicia.
<Seira> "Get the doors!" Seira screams. "He can't be allowed to escape!"
01<Alicia> "Lord Drake, if you would cover the rear exit?" Alicia asks, taking out a freshly purchased scroll and casting from it to erect an invisible wall of force over the currently open main door. Anyone running into that will be in for a rude surprise.
<Kolunch> Holding one of her ravaged arms briefly, "You're mad," Antenora calls, "You have a life anyone else in the kingdom would dream of! Why Shar? Why bring so much suffering? You had a choice!"
<Kolunch> Celebrimbor does likewise, invisible walls of force springing over each doorway and sealing them! OOC - Deme.
06* Demedais grimaces at this. "You've heard his words, guardsmen of Kesse." he tosses out to the guards. "He himself wishes for this entire region to fall into chaos - is that who you want to serve?" OOC: Holding for now, can't do much.
06* Seira springs into the air once more, getting fifteen feet up for a better vantage point before calling upon the magic to break through Albert's attempts at evading a tortured death.
<Kolunch> The guards are rattled, some turning to listen to Demedais with apined, shocked faces! Other stare at where Albert vanished! OOC - PM Seira.
06* Seira flies ten feet closer to the wall, gesturing with the Resort at the invisible would-be king of Kesse. "He cowers piteously here," Seira proclaims. "Demedais, cut off his escape with your wall of fire. Let's smoke him out like a wild animal!"
<Demedais> "I know it's not easy to believe or imagine, but...!" Demedais turns at this! "Very well!" At the area Seira points at, Demedais erects a half-circle of broiling water in that section of the room, forcing all the heat inward like an oven!
<Kolunch> OOC: roll a d100? 51-100 means youa ctually get him in the wall,s ince you're somewhat guessing here with invis.
<Kolunch> OOC: Otherwise it'll just be the 2d4 for within 10ft damage.
<Demedais> OOC: He can take the 2d4, I'm more interested in pinning him in.
<Kolunch> roll 2d4
06* Hatbot --> "Kolunch rolls 2d4 and gets 4."12 [2d4=3, 1]
<Demedais> "Oh, and... stay away from that wall, you guys, it hurts." Demedais notes to the guards, his attention toward the wall fading almost instantly.
03* Kolunch changes topic to 'Seira>Demedais>Albert Kesse>Alicia>Celebrimbor>Antenora>Allt he rabble'
<Kolunch> The wall forms around Albert, heat boiling him inside of it, glimpsed! Albert holds his stomach, arcane energies whirling as his wounds rejuvenate slightly! OOC - Alicia and Celebrimbor are up again.
06* Alicia pulls down her blindfold of blindsight and starts walking towards the large wall of boiling water.
<Kolunch> Alicia approaches close to it, not quite in range! Celebrimbor holds his magic for the moment as well! Antenora mends her wounds in the meantime! OOC: +10 HP 5/9. Rabble is up.
<Kolunch> "What's goin gon," One of the disarmed guards gawks at the wall of water, as others are transfixed and scared! OOC - Seira, you're up.
01<Alicia> "Kort killed Denegren with a pillow. I killed Kort with a stick. Now we see whether Albert gets boiled to death or jumps onto Seira's sword," Alicia helpfully informs the guards.
06* Seira dives at Albert again!
<Seira> roll 1d20+26
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+26 and gets 31."12 [1d20=5]
<Kolunch> OOC - Hit.
<Seira> roll 6d8+22
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 6d8+22 and gets 48."12 [6d8=1, 1, 8, 6, 5, 5]
<Seira> "I am merciful, aren't I?" Seira asks Albert, twisting the blade in his gut. "I am. I won't let you say I'm not, because I'm killing you quickly instead of the years of torture you deserve. This is my mercy."
06* Seira steps back afterwards, looking at Albert with an eerie smile.
<Kolunch> Diving forward, Seira splashes through the wall! AS she does, her invisibility seeing eyes let her see Albert see the look ofs hock on his face as the Second Resort goes deep into his gut! One of his hands goes up to it, motes of arcane fire forming and fizzling! "Guh...No..regrets...brother...sister..." His eyes look at Seira, unfocused and shutting. "You think...you've..." Then his words cease, blood flowing out of his wounds as he goes stil
<Kolunch> hen his words cease, blood flowing out of his wounds as he goes still. OOC - Free act.
<Seira> "Won?" Seira asks, throwing her head back and laughing. "Yes! The Sharran leaders are all dead!"
<Kolunch> Antenora sags at that, leaning on her spear as she sighs deeply. "Ugh." Supporting herself up and looking around at the stunned guards, she goes to walk towards Alicia.
01<Alicia> Hearing Albert's death rattle, Alicia pushes her blindfold back up so she can see normally. "Well, this didn't go at all according to plan, but we've achieved or original aims," she remarks. As Antenora approachs, Alicia channels some spellfire into her wounded frame.
01<Alicia> roll 11d4+11
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 11d4+11 and gets 34."12 [11d4=4, 2, 1, 3, 1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1]
06* Demedais bows his head for a moment at this, before turning to the guards. "There is, so far as our knowledge goes, no other Sharran support in the castle. At the very least, I will be back to explain the full story, as far as I know it."
<Seira> "You!" Seira calls out to no single guard in particular, merely resting her eyes on all those nearby in turn. "Bring the captain of the guard here, and any army generals you have in the capital!"
<Demedais> "Seira, he has the ring?" Demedais inquires.
06* Seira calls upon Lagann to seek out all that which was taken from her by force and deceit that Albert's corspe might have in response to Demedais's query, her glare daring any of the gathered Kessians to disagree with her voiced orders.
<Kolunch> A few of the guards flee out at that, the Throne Room mostly empty. The party has a few moments. On searching him, Seira finds her ring of spellstoring as well as Seira's staff. He also has an amulet around his neck, a black belt around his waist under his clothes and a ring with the insignia of KEsse on his other hand.
06* Alicia drops the wall of force after a few guards bump into it, proceeding to channel a voice of the archon spell into hell striker and approach Seira. "This'll help you negotiate," she tells her before bopping the half-dragon lightly.
<Kolunch> He also has the Elven Ring of Teleportation in his pocket.
01<Alicia> After improving Seira's people skills, Alicia goes to see if any of those felled by the wild attacks of Albert and the Nightwalkers still breathe, asking Antenora to do the same.
06* Demedais assists Alicia and Antenora.
06* Seira dips her head in a curt nod. "Thanks. This war was never against Kesse's people, and I'll try to make them see reason." Taking the elven ring, she approaches Celebrimbor, straining to keep a neutral expression. "We finally got it back."
<Kolunch> The three search and look! The ones caught in it are blighted into obivion or frozen solid, save one. One was grazed by an unholy blight, still breathing.
<Kolunch> "At last," Celebrimbor sighs in relief. "Once this matter is soon resolved, I can settle this affair with King Lorthan.
<Kolunch> "
06* Alicia gets him back on his feet with her Mystra granted healing ability.
<Seira> "I'll come with you," Seira promises. "I won't let you shield me from my mistakes. Think... think he might like something from the dragon we slew? Shadow dragons are rare here, aren't they?"
<Kolunch> "It would be a good offering," A short nod ot SEira, as the others get the man helped up! He grimaces and looks about, dazed still. As he does, a man comes striding in. He wears a well polished breastplate and a plumed helmet made of adamantine. He has a fierce, bushy beard and mustache, a saber at his hip. "What in the name of Kelemvor is going on here?" he asks.
<Seira> "Who might you be?" Seira asks, striding over to meet him.
01<Alicia> "Fight's over, relax," Alicia tells the wounded man gently before she goes over to stand near Seira with all the imposing presence she can muster.
<Kolunch> "General Andram," he says sharply, "Where is HIs Majesty?"
<Seira> "I am Seira, Colonel in the Crimson Guard of the United Baronies," she announces, ignoring that question for the time being. "Albert Kesse and his siblings, Kort Kesse and Armanda Kesse, committed numerous acts of war against our nation and its citizens. Our attempts to resolve this diplomatically failed when I was attacked on a peaceful mission to your land a few days ago. Now, we've returned.
<Seira> I ask of you, General Andram, is this aggression an indication that Kesse itself intends to fight the Baronies to the bitter end, much like Albert's aggression against the royal house of Sanaxt?"
<Kolunch> "What are the Baronies?" He asks as he listens, puzzlement in his voice. "We have a war against Sanaxt, but that has nothing to do with..." He starts and then pales, "What? Albert did that?"
<Kolunch> Antenora hovers back as all this happens, staying close to Alicia stilll.
<Seira> "All that and more, General," Seira tells him. "Underneath Halla there is a vile temple to Shar where unspeakable tortures and sacrifices to that dark goddess were being committed by those three and their followers for years." She can't restrain the shudder that goes through her at that. "Albert, being the ringleader, sent agents to many countries both near and far. One of them was the United Baronies."
<Kolunch> "Why?" He asks, dazed as he stares baout the damaged, iced, darkened and boiled throne room. "Princ...King...Albert ordered us to secure the border and attack Sanaxt while it was in disarray, but I never imagined he had anything to do with that. IT was just good tactical sense..."
<Seira> "We in the Baronies are of the opinion that when the crown prince smothers his ailing father with a pillow, neither he nor his co-conspirators can rightfully enjoy the ensuing benefits," Seira tells him matter-of-factly. "Therefore, we are inclined not to see him as Kesse's monarch and thus not have his acts represent Kesse."
01<Alicia> "I understand the leadership of Sanaxt was frozen by arcane cold?" Alicia speaks up, glancing meaningfully at the iced over corpses of Kesse's guards. "Albert's two oddly tall guards are responsible for all the ice you see here, and likely did the same thing in Sanaxt."
<Kolunch> "That was the rumo..." he begins, before looking ot the ice and paling. "Oh KElemvor..." he mutters, "Did you say Shar?" The Black Bitch?"
<Seira> "Tactical sense," Seira muses, seemingly to herself. "The last time we were attacked in such a base way, we waged war alongside our allied nation of Pallanth. The barony of Valandia joined us as a result, and Malmuth was in need of new leadership. Here, we won't even need to lift a finger beyond providing proof to Sanaxt of who is truly responsible. Proof we hold."
<Kolunch> "I see..." Looking to Seira, "You said you're willing to consider these actions the actions of a man that did not represent Kesse?"
<Seira> "We are willing to go one step farther," Seira tells him, returning the look evenly. "We can work towards settling the war with Sanaxt before further bloodshed takes place. We can also work closely with you to hunt down the rest of Albert's agents, sleepers and other worshippers."
01<Alicia> "At the time we were first attacked, King Denegren ruled Kesse," Alicia interjects. "Kort's murder of his father proves that the ruler of Kesse at the time was not involved with the conspirators."
06* Seira nods at that. "Alicia is right. Albert's short reign could be overlooked, which is my intention if these negotiations succeed."
<Kolunch> "There is much to do, but..." General Andram looks to all the destruction, "There's no helping it then, is there? Princess Giselle is in her room...in this crisis, she may have to become Queen."
<Seira> "She has been wronged by her siblings," Seira says neutrally. "If she can overcome that, then her allegience, at least, is not in doubt."
06* Demedais nods as well, looking over the men. "That is likely, but it is possible that she will need counseling; the effects of her siblings on her, from our understanding, is... harsh."
<Seira> "It is not something we should discuss in detail under this setting."
06* Alicia nods in agreement with Seira.
06* Demedais nods silently, stepping back.
<Kolunch> With a slight darkening of his face, "There is much to do, but..." he nods. "Until that time, I will take control. I will send orders to have the army pull back and cease the attacks."
<Seira> "If you draft an offer of a cease fire, I will ensure that the current Sanaxt leadership gets it," Seira tells him. "Also, cold as that might sound, we want to keep an eye on things. Not all of the sleeper agents have been ferreted out just yet, and one would be enough to wreck things yet again. Since we took an active role, we'll keep at it until things have been resolved to our satisfaction."
02* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-25-141-28.austin.res.rr.com) Quit (Client exited)
<Kolunch> "Very well," The general nods. Soon matters progress that evening, and as night passes into it's short summer dance, the party goes to Giselle's quarters. Seira and Alicia enter, Antenora trailing behind her. Giselle sits on her bed, wearing a simple nightgown of silk. Her gaze is downward, to the ground.
<Kolunch> A set of guards come with them, as well as General Andram.
<Seira> "Your Highness," Seira greets her with a nod.
01<Alicia> "Majesty," Alicia corrects in a whispered aside, since she just got promoted from princess to queen.
<Kolunch> "What is all this," she asks quietly, "General? What is going on?"
06* Seira hopes this visit to a Kesse princess goes better than the previous one. "There is no way to sugarcoat it, Highness. Shar ordered your siblings to strike at us, and while taking quite a toll from us, we endured and retaliated."
<Kolunch> "Princess Giselle." Taking a moment to come forward and kneel before her, "Your brother, Prince Albert...is dead. In this time of crisis, you are the only surviving royal who can immediately take the throne. Under these circumstances, a Queen is acceptable."
<Kolunch> Giselle half listens to the general, eyes jerking up as Shar is mentioned. Her face smiles at that, "Oh, did she?" she asks, "And Albert is dead?" Her voice is...disinterested. Deathly calm.
<Seira> "We have also freed your consorts from his grasp," Seira proceeds. "They are alive, though a full recovery will take a long time."
01<Alicia> "As is Armanda," Alicia adds, eyeing Giselle and recalling Marie's description of the sisterly abuse she doled out on Giselle.
<Seira> At the mention of Armanda, Seira can't conceal a scowl.
<Kolunch> "Heh...Albert is dead..." Laugher goes through her, a dead, cold freezing laugh. "Hahahahahahguh!" Her laughter chokes at that, a sharp look at Seira. "...what?" Her face starts to twitch, "T...I was never to see them again! Where are they? WHERE ARE THEY?" Abrupty Giselle springs up,grabbing Seira by the arm. "Kort...no..." her voice coldens again, "You won't make me cry this time. Not again. I know this is a trick. I know this is a trick. I
<Kolunch> I know this is a trick. I know this is a trick. I know this is a trick." Letting Seira's arm go, Giselle starts to rock back and forth. "I'll feel alive again, brother. I willl. I will."
01<Alicia> "No," Alicia goes and puts her hand on Giselle's shoulder. "Kort's gone. You're safe - none of them can ever hurt you again," she tries to encourage the poor woman.
06* Seira looks at Alicia. "Could you take us to the temple of Mystra in Kelara along with Princess Giselle and several of her bodyguards?" she asks. "It might be the only way."
<Kolunch> "No...Kort is never gone! They're always here!" Whirling onto Alicia, giggling ferciously like she can't stop, "I know this is a trick, brother! You're making me see all of this! I won't let you see me cry again!"
06* Seira adds for General Andram's benefit, "Even under those inhumane conditions, they only thought of the Princess and wished for her health. If seeing them alive could help both sides on the way to recovery, we have to try it."
<Kolunch> General Andram stands, looking at Giselle with a long, contained sigh. "Princess..." he says, "It may be best, yes.We have little choice under these exceptional circumstances."
06* Seira takes a step to hold her arms around Giselle, not thinking about what is appropriate at the moment. "We understand," she whispers to her. "Just a little bit, perhaps, but we understand. Find within yourself to trust another just one more time."
01<Alicia> "They may be alive, but they're hardly well," Alicia notes in a worried whisper before returning her attention to the new queen. "Giselle?" she speaks in a motherly tone, stroking the distraught woman's hair, "Please, it's alright. I'm going to take you to see them. It's a safe place, you'll be alright coming with us."
<Seira> "They need hope above all else," Seira tells Alicia, though her words are intended for everyone. "Only Princess Giselle can give it to them right now. Not us, and not the priests."
<Kolunch> Giselle twitches, "Prove it," she says sharply, "I command it! Prove it!" she shakes.
<Seira> With the rings of teleportation, Seira could get them back on course in the rare chance of an accident. However, she only has one reliable charge in them, and defers to Alicia. "Five people, which means two guards, correct?"
01<Alicia> "Come with us and I will," Alicia tells her, not being able to teleport an unwilling subject. "Just relax and trust me, please." Glancing back at Seira she nods briefly. "You, me, Giselle, the general, and one of his men?"
06* Seira stills holds onto Giselle, and pulls her head back just enough to give the princess a tentative smile. "You've made the right choice. Decent people really do exist. It's alright to trust; we'll prove it to you right now."

[Corwin]

<Kotono> "You two," General Andram gestures to two guards, "Go with her."
<Kotono> With a cracking smile, "Okay. But I'll find a way to get you when it's a lie, Kort!"
01<Alicia> "Antenora, stay with Lord Drake and Demedais until we get back?" Alicia asks the erinyes before having everyone join hands. She's somewhat worried that seeing the state of her former paramours won't really help Giselle, but maybe she's wrong. "We're going to the temple of Mystra in Kelara. It's the safest place in the world from Shar's influence." At that, she whisks them all away!
01<Alicia> roll 1d100
05-atarians.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
03* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-25-141-28.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03* Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
01<Alicia> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 83."12 [1d100=83]
<Kotono> The Temple of Mystra's main altar room is quiet. The night has passed over Kelara deeply, the silences of rest muting everything. It is so quiet that you can hear your own breathing, not a soul immediately around you.
01<Alicia> "Come with me," Alicia instructs, heading to the quarters that Taldeer earlier mentioned the maimed victims of Shar were staying in while they did their scrying.
06* Seira hovers close to Giselle, ready to support her should the need arise.
<Kotono> It's deep and in the back of thet emple. The hallways are dim, only a few light sorces that shed eternal light adding any illumination. The guards follow dutifully, casting little gazes about when they have chances. Giselle walks along upright.  They are in three seperate rooms next to each other, each one with a closed door. A scroll nailed to the door says, 'Do not disturb without permission of the Dweomerkeeper!'.
06* Alicia thinks these are special circumstances, and she doesn't really want to wake Taldeer for this. On the other hand, she's an elf and doesn't even sleep - she probably won't trance until well after midnight. "Just a moment and I'll get Dweomerkeeper Taldeer," she says. She's pretty sure Giselle was never involved with the dwarf and doesn't want to disturb him with this...
<Kotono> Thus the tohers wait. As Alicia goes, Giselle looks aroudn imperiously. "I'm not going to break down while you make me wait," she says aloud.
<Kotono> Meanwhile, Alicia hurried to get Taldeer. She's in her chambers, roused from reading and coming to meet Alicia. "What do you need at this late hour," she asks.
06* Seira can't really say anything to that.
01<Alicia> "We've almost concluded our business in Kesse," Alicia begins. "The new Queen knew some of the Sharran victims and wanted to see them. Firstly do you mind us disturbing them, and secondly which ones are in which rooms?"
<Kotono> "I see. You have permission; there are acolytes in there with them constantly. Knock on the doors. The dwarf is in the leftmost and the humans are in the other two."
01<Alicia> "Got it, thank you," Alicia nods. "I'll catch up with you later?" After that she returns to the Kessian contingent and delicately raps her knuckles on the middle door.
06* Seira steels herself for coming face to face with the rescued prisoners once more.
<Kotono> "Yes," A woman's voice calls gently from the room. "Who is it?"
01<Alicia> "It's Alicia," Alicia begins. "I have Princess Giselle with me to see our guest." She really wishes she'd had time to get their names.
<Kotono> "Oh, honored champion of Mystra. The dweomerkeeper said you might come. Please, enter." the woman calls back.
03* taizombie is now known as taicls
06* Seira glances at Giselle. "As Alicia said, it won't be easy. But there's nothing that can't be overcome."
06* Alicia blushes a bit. "No need to lay it on so thick," she demurs, nonetheless opening the door and stepping inwards, holding it open for Giselle.
<Kotono> The door is opened! Giselle merely glances at Seira, "Such l-" she begins, her gaze taking in the room! A large window shows night, a bed laying besides it. Here the armless and legless man lies, covered save for his face. His eyesockets have a gentle white cloth put over them, blindfolded. Giselle stares for several long seconds, frozen in place.
01<Alicia> "Do you recognise him?" Alicia asks in a gentle whisper.
06* Seira forces herself to step inside the room, waiting on further reaction from Giselle.
<Kotono> "Hah...hah...hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhaahahahahahaaaahaaahaaaaaaaaaaaahahhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Giselle doubles over, laughing! Roaring with it she turns to Seira and Alicia, "YOU BASTARDS! IT WASN'T ENOUGH, WAS IT? IT'S NEVER ENOUGH FOR YOU!" Her voice turns into a scream, as a broad smile cracks her face open. "NEVER ENOUGH! YOU CAN DO YOUR WORST! RIP MY WOMB OUT, ALBERT! I'LL FIND A WAY TO FEEL ALIVE! YOU WON'T FOOL ME!"
01<Alicia> Vindication, it is such a sad thing. "It wasn't us!" Alicia insists, grabbing Giselle's arms. "Albert is dead! So are Kort and Armanda! We killed them!"
<Kotono> The guards shrink back at this, staring with mouths agape.
<Seira> "Can you only think of yourself when someone who needs your help lies here?" Seira asks her, taking Giselle's head and forcing her to look at the bed. "Yes, they were scum, and what they did to you was inhuman. But like Alicia said, they're dead now! If you don't get past that, you're just letting them win in the end!"
<Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, -20?
<Seira> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+14 and gets 26."12 [1d20=12]
<Kotono> GIselle whirls onto Seira, "You're lying to me," she snaps! "ALWAYS LYING!"
<Kotono> "Ugh...Gi..selle..." The maimed man murmurs now, "Giselle...?"
<Seira> "So this is a lie?" Seira asks her, gesturing at the bed. "A lie?! The only lies being told here are those you use for yourself, to protect herself. But a queen doesn't have the luxury of retreating into a safe little world in her head. And neither does a woman who has people she loves, which need her help right now to get better."
<Kotono> "Everything is a lie!" Grimacing at those words, looking between the man and Seira, going back and forth, Giselle shudders.
<Seira> "Go on, then," Seira says, gesturing at the bed once more. "If it's just a lie made to torment you, and not the reality you run away from, kill the man lying there with your own two hands!"
01<Alicia> "It's not," Alicia speaks up simply, adopting a more gentle tack. "This is reality. It hurts, it's unfair, and you wish you could have something better... but this is what we have to live with."
<Kotono> "Giselle...oh...please, let that be you, Giselle? Do you remember?" The man's voice is horribly raspy, the female acolyte going to get a bit of water for him. "Please, Giselle, let me feel your hand on my chest again! Let me smell you! Please! Please don't be another dream!"
<Seira> "You know this is not a lie, Giselle," Seira says quietly, laying her hands on the princess's shoulders and leaning forward to rest her forehead against the older woman's. "Teleportation magic only works on the willing. Back in Kesse, you agreed to trust us. You realized the truth. You're just... you're just scared to accept it, but you don't have to be alone for that."
<Kotono> "No!"Snapping as she turns away from Seira and Alicia, tears starting to come, "You're dead..you have to be dead and gone. They wouldn't..." She shakes all over again, "Grantire..."
01<Alicia> "Please, Giselle. Just talk to him?" Alicia asks softly. "Listen to what he has to say? Let him hear your voice?"
<Kotono> "Giselle...PLEASE!" The maimed man pleads. OOC - Make your own diplo check, Alicia. -17 mod.
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+12 should've cast voice of the archon on myself
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 should've cast voice of the archon on myself and gets 20."12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> Giselle wavers long, listening, looking back and forth. For several moments she's paralysed, shaking like a leaf. Then, with nary a sound, runs outof the room.
06* Alicia sighs. "These things take time..." Looking towards the maimed man. "I'm sorry... Grantire? Her siblings hurt her deeply, it may be a while before she's ready to see you again."
<Kotono> Grantire leans forward, as if seeing with his lost eyes, "That was her? Was it really her?"
06* Seira doesn't need another excuse to leave the room, running after Giselle.
<Kotono> The guards follow suit after Giselle, as the female acolyte goes to him. "It's alright," she soothes him quickly, while glancing at Alicia.
01<Alicia> "It was," Alicia nods, letting Seira handle Giselle rather than crowding her. "She's the Queen, now. But after what she's been put through I'm not sure she's ready for the role..." Shaking her head she approaches the limbless figure on the bed. "I'm sorry your reunion went like this."
<Kotono> OOC: #evil, Seira.
<Kotono> "What happened to her," he asks in a cracking voice. "She was the brightest person I know. That was her voice...but itw asn't her."
01<Alicia> "Kort, Albert, and Armanda... they could torture you as they pleased. But they couldn't harm their sister, at least not in any way that could be seen..." Alicia pulls up a chair opposite the one used by the acolyte. "So instead they tried to break her mind."
<Kotono> "Oh Gods..." Grantire whimpers with his entire body, "They'd do that, too. "
06* Alicia reaches over to pat his shoulder. "They can't hurt her or anyone else ever again. But... they still cast long shadows even when gone."
<Kotono> "They're dead...thank you for that, at least." Turning towards Alicia, "You have a kind voice. Promise me something...I'm a ruined shell of a man. I don't want to live any longer..I'm so tired. Could you...make sure Giselle is taken care of?"
01<Alicia> "I'll do what I can for her, but I promise you I'll find a way to heal the three of you," Alicia tells him seriously. "Please, hang on until then?" she clasps his shoulder tightly.
<Kotono> "Alright," he says, "I've waited so long...but if you fail...set me free," he asks, "Of this ruined body.:"
01<Alicia> "Please don't ask that," Alicia's voice catches a little. "I won't fail, though. Even if there's no one in the world who can cast the spell to regenerate your body, I've been to others."
<Kotono> Paling as she makes the crippled man drink water, the acolyte smiles to Alicia.
<Kotono> "Go then adn try," he says, after sipping water.
06* Alicia lets out a long breath. "I will," she affirms, briefly returning the acolyte's smile before getting up. "Once Giselle feels better, we'll bring her to visit again," she promises before heading out and closing the door behind her.
<Kotono> OOC: Going to wait or find Seira or...?
01<Alicia> OOC: I'll go look for Seira and Giselle, but once I find them I'll just stand back and let them hug it out

[Corwin]

<Kobrb> As Alicia, Demedais and Antenora travel in the city itself, they see that it' returning to normal. There are still some signs and posters up - warning of attacks and proclaiming the rule of King Albert. The air buzzes with rumors and gossips, electric as people try to live their lives. Going to the merc's hideaway, they find the door quietly shut as usual. Despite teh hustle in the rest of the city, this street is as quiet as ever.
06* Alicia knocks on the door!
<Kobrb> There's a long pause, before from the other side, "Yeah?" J's voice is ever so tense while being friendly enough. "Who is it?"
01<Alicia> "Alicia. And friends," Alicia answers.
<Kobrb> Seira is also along, hanging back and being quiet. Thoughtful even, with the burden of all that's gone on lingering to her.
<Kobrb> The door opens after a few clacks of locks giving way. J ist here, looking them over. "Hey...Seira." Sighing in relief, "You're in one piece. You gave us a helluva scare when you vanished and then Alicia showed up. Come in." Stepping aside, "What the hell is happening in the castle? Albert's king and now rumors are flying and no one seems quite sure yet of what's going on."
<Demedais> "Hopefully things start settling down now.
01<Alicia> "Albert's dead," Alicia nods quickfire as she steps in. "Sorry we never really had much chance to work with you guys on all this, but having my familiar catch Kort in the act of smothering his father really upset our timetable."
<Kobrb> "I was worried about that, too," Rods says. He's sitting on one of the plain cots, buffing his armor and barechested. "Damn. This was supposed to be long and careful, but nothing works out when it happens."
<Kobrb> "Good," J sighs again, "Freak can go bug Shar himself. Who's in charge now?"
01<Alicia> "Queen Giselle, officially," Alicia considers. "Although she's not really fit to lead at the moment... her siblings did their very best to ruin her, after all. For the time being it looks like General Andram is holding things together."
<Kobrb> No sign of Serge offhand, as Rods puts his armor aside and sticks a hand out. "Still, thanks. At least this thing blew over. We missed a chance, but I wasn't o hot on fighting the entire fucking kingdom."
<Kobrb> "Hah," J smirk at that, "QUEEN Giselle? That's still a nice change, no matter how dented up she is."
06* Demedais shakes Rods' hand, before leaning against the wall. "Let's hope it stays a nice change."
06* Alicia briefly clasps Rods' hand. "As far as the United Baronies are concerned this effectively ends our hostilities. Whether Sanaxt will be so quick to accept peace still remains to be seen - the general is sending a recall order to the army Albert sent against them, but whether that'll be enough to satisfy your neighbours I couldn't say."
<Kobrb> "Yeah, well..." Rods shrugs, "Shit's going down up north from all the word. A war means easy work for us, as hired soldiers or as filling in gaps opened up by the war. Knowing Sanaxt I'd call it a coinflip at best. Knowing what happened with the royals there, according to the rumor, makes it a roulette."
01<Alicia> "Killed by Albert's undead minions," Alicia confirms. "If I never see another Nightwalker again it'll be too soon..." she adds with a disgusted shake of her head.
<Kobrb> "Even if peace is gotten, no one's going to forget Kesse attacking when they were down." J observes as she goes to get a small keg, working on getting it open. "Probably have the next war sooner than later."
<Kobrb> "Nightwalker? What's that?" Rods asks, "One of those -gon devil things you talked about? Sounds about part...though those aren't undead, are they?"
<Kobrb> Antenora smiles a little, "It's an undead horror from the Plane of Shadow, not a devil. All the ones we found are obliterated."
01<Alicia> "Huge shadowy monsters. Shar seemed to have a revolving door of them being spat out for Albert and his siblings to play with," Alicia elaborates irritably.
<Kobrb> "Aaah, a revolving door and a woman. Isn't that familiar?" Smirking as he goes to join J at the keg, the latter hits his shoulder lightly before getting a bunch mugs. "Shut up, you big jerk. Who' thirsty?"
<Demedais> "I'll take one." Demedais nods politely.
01<Alicia> "Thanks, but I don't drink," Alicia shakes her head. "To be honest though, once things settle down you might find work becoming more scarce - what we got out of Armanda and Kort seemed to imply that they deliberately kept Kesse and its surroundings unstable so that mercenaries would be too busy with various crisises to look too closely at the royal family."
<Kobrb> As Rods brings Demedais a drink and takes one of his own, "So the entire cult's wiped out? Damn. We didn't have an idea until we heard from you guys. Then again, Serge says that Shar's abouts ecrets and darkness and shit and we should expect a lot of surprises."
<Kobrb> "I'm fine," Antenora stays close to Alicia, behind her politely.
<Kobrb> "Ah shit," J scowls, then shrugs. "Eh, we'll find something. We have some capital still for saving up for the jungle trip back in Balmuria. Plus if border relations go down again...sooner or alter there will be another war, and that'll fix it."
06* Demedais nods in thanks, drinking a bit of it before thinking. "On a side note, do either of you know of a Sa'grim Rockstall?"
01<Alicia> "Well," Alicia demurs. "We destroyed their temple. Very thoroughly. And the leadership is dead. But they had various roving agents out and about - we'll be doing our best to hunt them down before they can cause more trouble, though." Pausing she adds, "Speaking of Serge, where is he? Haven't seen him either time I've visited."
<Kobrb> "I do," J speaks up a bit, "He's not really local, but he's a purchaser of certain arcane items on occasion. Very low key, buys third and fourthhand discreetly. I've had to track down a few things through him."
06* Demedais nods at this. "We're likely going to need to talk with him at some point fairly soon."
<Kobrb> "Right now, he's been snooping to find all he can out about what's happening. He doesn't like sitting on his hands much when he has something on his mind." A shrug there, Rods drinking deeply. "He gets likethat sometimes."
<Kobrb> "I can work on that," J says, "You'l need to head west, though. He'd a dwarf and likes the mountains."
<Demedais> "I guessed from the name." Demedais replies before taking another drink. "Does he have a spot he usually meets with people?"
<Kobrb> "Yeah. He has the money and connections with the right people to make you have to travel to him." Sipping again, "It's about a week west, give or take a few days depending on the weather. 'course, teleporting around in the blink of an eye makes it easier for you guys."
<Demedais> "Ideally, we'd teleport right to the area." Demedais replies with a grin. "Could you describe the area in as best detail as you can manage?"
<Kobrb> "Did you guys get that fancy teleportation ring back? I can teleport and send magic word to him much quicker if you do. Once you get there, the spot's easy to memorize. He has a taste for style."
06* Demedais nods. "That'd probably be better. We have the ring back, but... do we need its charge for anything?" Demedais asks Seira, looking for just a yes or a no.
<Kobrb> Seira nods.
06* Demedais nods.
<Demedais> "Alright. That'll work, then." Demedais replies.
<Kobrb> "We can go whenever you want then," J agrees. "Just be on your best behavior and don't piss him off."
<Demedais> "Understood." Demedais nods.
<Kobrb> ---
<Kobrb> It is a quiet room that serves as the resting place for Albert Kesse. He rests in a simple pine box for now, arms crossed over his chest. He looks oddly serene now, peaceful. J peers down at him, "Jerk looks like h'es taking a nap."
<Kobrb> The cleric of Kelemvor, Garag, nods briefly. "Are you familiar with how this spell works?" he asks.
<Kobrb> Antenora hangs back again, staying near Alicia.
06* Demedais looks at J with a odd cross between sternness and amusement, before nodding to Garag. "We are. While you prepare the spell, we will write the first four questions; the fifth will likely be dependent upon the first four. Is this acceptable?"
01<Alicia> "He looks a lot better than Kort and Armanda," Alicia notes before nodding to the cleric. "Yes, we've employed it before quite recently. I understand he's likely to resist unless it's cast by one who shares his moral laxity - with J and his belt we should be able to fake it enough for the spell to run smoothly."
<Kobrb> With thin white lips purses together, the cleric nods. "I understand. Prepare the proper questions and magic then? This spell takes a little time to invoke."
01<Alicia> "J, do your bit," Alicia instructs the wizard before doing as Demedais says and writing down her first four questions.
<Kobrb> J nods, getting with the spellcasting! SHe weaves Misdirection around Garag, leaning against the side wall after. "Magic or not,t his spell makes my skin crawl."
01<Alicia> She then passes over a piece of paper with the following. 1: What happened to Giselle's children? 2: What other assassinations were you plotting that had yet to come to fruition? 3: What did you do with Seira's belongings that were not given away or split between you and your siblings? 4: What was your relationship with a devil called the Walker?
01<Alicia> "I think it's more the belt than the spell," Alicia tells J. "I don't know what it does, but it can't be anything good."
<Kobrb> "Very well." With that, the magic is cast! Calling on Kelemvor, Albert sits up in his coffin! Garag looks at him, "Rise from your judgment in front of Kelemvor and speak the truth in my name! What happened to Giselle's children?"
<Kobrb> Albert smiles, "Enlightenment as demanded by the true faith."
<Demedais> "Well isn't that mighty cryptic of him." Demedais mutters.
<Kobrb> "That's normal," Garag adds, "Some answers are cryptic or only make sense to the departed. It takes time and wisdom to p uzzle out those meanings."
01<Alicia> "We can ask for clarification with the last question," Alicia shrugs. "Keep going."
06* Demedais nods to Garag. "Well aware. Just mildly annoyed."
<Kobrb> "What other assassinations wer eyou plotting that had yet to come to fruitition?" The question is asked, the second one fired. In reply, "Evrai...shatter them into sacred hopelessness!"
<Demedais> "A message to Evrai may be in order." Demedais nods at this.
01<Alicia> "Or we could ask for clarification on that one - it may be more urgent," Alicia mutters.
<Kobrb> The third is then asked, Garag's face turning pallid. "The sacrifices...to ruin what is beautiful to an enemy is a great worship!"
06* Alicia sighs. "Seira won't be pleased by that."
<Demedais> "Understatement writ large. Though he may just mean Seira's familiar... we can hope." Demedais replies. "Not that that isn't bad enough."
<Kobrb> "That's a large loss." Frowning, "I can surrender my share of the loot. With those losses she'll need it to recover." Antenora speaks up here.
01<Alicia> "A familiar isn't really a belonging," Alicia shakes her head. Glancing back at Antenora, "Although that might cheer her up some."
<Demedais> "We'll decide on that when we get there. No reason to rush that just yet."
<Kobrb> The fourth is then asked! Albert looks to Garag head on, "The Walker came to us as a friend. He understood."
01<Alicia> "That wasn't very helpful. Alright, the situation with Evrai seems most urgent. Unless anyone has any better ideas, we ask who the target is in Evrai and who the assassin is?"
06* Demedais nods. "Sounds ideal."
01<Alicia> "Alright," Alicia nods before reciting her question to the priest. "Ask this: Who did you send to Evrai on your mission of murder and who was their target?"
<Kobrb> "Right." With that, Garag asks jus tthat question! "The time had not yet been right, almost, but not yet. The target was those that would lead them and resist the coming of Shar."
06* Alicia cocks an eyebrow. "To me that sounds like the plot was merely theoretical. I don't think anything had been put into practice before he died."
<Kobrb> At this, Albert falls back into his coffin. Garag looks on, before murmuring words to Kemelvor. "Such horrible words and horrible Goddess invoked. There is no oblivion to fear..." he sighs. "You fool."
01<Alicia> "And how many years did he and his siblings perform their foul worship without anyone catching on?" Alicia asks pointedly. "A warning to Evrai is probably still in order, even if nothing had actually been set in motion. No sense taking chances. Beyond that... think Helm could offer insight, Demedais?" Alicia relaxes slightly into a smile, "I understand He has a soft spot for children."
06* Demedais nods slightly, before shaking his head. "It's still probably a good idea to warn them.
06* Demedais nods. "I will inquire to him regarding the state of Giselle's children."
01<Alicia> "Alright, I think we're done here. You've both been very helpful and earned your pay," Alicia nods to J and Garag in turn.
<Kobrb> "Thanks," J straightens up, "I promise I won't blow all the money on drink and men. Just some of it."
<Demedais> After Demedais has found a quiet room to phrase his spell, he falls into a trance to Helm, before requesting, "Helm, I ask your assistance in resolving this matter; what is the fate, and if possible, the location of Giselle's children?"
03* Kobrb is now known as Kotono
<Kotono> OOC: CL?
<Demedais> OOC: 8.
<Demedais> "..................." Demedais stands and looks to Alicia. "That belt. We. are. BREAKING IT."
<Kotono> Antenora eyes Demedais, "The belt?" she asks quietly. "You mean that...?"
01<Alicia> She still has the belt in her pack from when J used it as a spell prop. "Never really liked it anyway," she affirms, taking it out of her pack without asking further questions.
<Kotono> The belt feels unclean to Alicia's touch. Not even in a dirty-sorta tempting good way like Malcanthet's realm, but a horrible unclean. Like she'll wash her hands forever and never be clean.
<Demedais> "Their souls are trapped within." Demedais states, voice edged. "It isn't possible to break it right now - not in any way that will save them, from what I understand. I will remain vigilant for this. But the belt will not be sold or given away, nor will there be any attempts to purify it. They will be released from there."
01<Alicia> "Breaking it won't release them?" Alicia's eyes widen. "But... what will, then?"
06* Demedais feels his shoulders slump. "I... don't know yet. But I feel I will when I see it."
06* Alicia shudders and puts the belt away. "Gods, I didn't think they could get any more vile... We can't tell Giselle this."
<Kotono> "Absolutely," Antenora agrees. "They're dead. It doesn't make up for what they did, but at least no one can be hurt by them any more. It's a good consolation."
<Demedais> "Agreed." Demedais' voice is almost supremely calm now. "It will not assist the situation."
01<Alicia> "Since... Helm sounds like He has a plan for this, do you want to hold onto the belt?" Alicia offers. She really doesn't like touching it, herself.
<Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods, taking the belt and placing it into his bag.

[Corwin]

<Kotono> --------(Dwarf Ko!)------
<Kotono> OOC: Who all is going with J's teleport? Alicia, Deme and...Seira suggested Celebrimbor for easier teleport access later.
01<Alicia> OOC: I can teleport fine, but if Cel wants to come along more power to him
01<Alicia> OOC: I'm really just along for the ride on this one
<Kotono> The three meet with J at the Merc's safehouse. "Alright, I did what needed to be done. But remember - mind your manners. If you offend him this won't go anywhere," she warns. "It'll reflect bad on me too and I'll be in deep trying to fix it up."
03* Alicia sets mode: +o Demedais
<Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods.
01<Alicia> "Aren't we planning on forcing him to hand over a probably expensive magic item that he probably paid money for?" Alicia clarifies.
06* Demedais looks to Alicia with a somewhat baffled expression. "First, we have no proof of any wrongdoing, so force shouldn't be a factor at this point. Second, if he did in fact pay money to get this, as is quite likely the case, we may need to enter into a deal between him and the State to get him recompense for the amount he paid."
<Kotono> "Then bring your sweet tongue and words," J says shortly. "Just don't turn this into a fight."
01<Alicia> "Okay," Alicia shrugs, deciding not to mention Seira's comments about dwarf-punching.
<Kotono> "Now then..." Invoking the ring of teleportation, the four are whisked away!
<Kotono> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 52."12 [1d100=52]
<Kotono> The four-some appears atop a rocky vista. You are high up - the air is coola nd thin. Not nearly as bad as the eastern tundra mountains are, but noticable. Ahead of you is a magnificent view of a valley far below, the sun sinking into the horizon. Amid this spray of red and gold, a carved, raised bit of stone is patterned like a table, ancient and weathered. Surrounding it are seven statues of humanoids holding offerings of gold and leaves to t
<Kotono> Surrounding it are seven statues of humanoids holding offerings of gold and leaves to the heavens. Sitting in a wooden chair at this 'table', waiting patiently, is a dwarf. (More)
<Kotono> He sips a shot glass full of a brown-gold liqiud that shimmers in the sunset's rays. He is well built, like a tiny house layered with muscles. He wears earthen colored clothes and a wide brimmed hat. Behind him stand two burly dwarves in full armor, greataxes at their sides.
<Kotono> "Sa'grim?" J steps forward, tones kept respectful as she nods deeply to the dwarf. "Thanks for seeing us on this short notice."
06* Demedais glances to Alicia briefly, before nodding to the dwarf as well.
01<Alicia> Content to let Demedais and J handle the negotiations, Alicia merely checks for evil auras in the vicinity. Can't be too careful with someone that Albert and company felt like dealing with on friendly terms, after all.
<Kotono> He drains his glass in one slow, extended sip, before putting it down with a clatter. "Always good to see you on business, J. How's Serge?"
<Kotono> "Busy." With a momentary flicker of a smile, "This Dem-" she begins.
<Kotono> "Demedais, Alicia, Celebrimbor," he says. "I'm familiar with them."
03* Cidward is now known as Sierra_Naptime
06* Alicia raises an eyebrow. Hearing of her and Demedais is one thing - the Kessian royal family surely blabbed something. But Celebrimbor? He should surely be unknown here. "You're very well informed," she compliments cautiously.
06* Demedais raises an eyebrow slightly, but has a small little patient smile affixed. With a slight nod to Alicia, "Indeed. To have heard of us is something I hadn't been expecting this far away from our home."
<Kotono> "I try. Being caught unawares ruins business opportunities." Gesturing, he motions to other seats at the crude table. "Now then, what matter of business do you want with me? I assume J's just the contact in this case?"
06* Alicia silently takes a seat towards the side.
<Kotono> Celebrimbor watches the dwarf, electing to stay standing, leaning on his magical rod.
<Demedais> "I'm afriad so. We retrieved your name from a source and were thus led to believe you could help us, sir." Demedais confirms respectfully, also taking a seat.
<Kotono> "Yeah," J goes to sit down, "Demedais and Alicia are the ones that want to see you."
<Kotono> "How can I help you, then?" Going on with that, looking at Demedais as he strokes a long, black beard he maintains.
<Demedais> "Some items were taken from a friend of ours - currently unable to be present, sadly." Demedais says simply, looking him over for chaos as he speaks. "We are seeking their retrieval, and believe you have come into possession of at least one of them."
<Kotono> "It is entirely possible," he agrees, "If you have descriptions of them...?"
06* Demedais nods slightly, first describing Seira's pendant, mainly describing the basic function while avoiding getting into its sentimental worth.
<Kotono> "I may have possession of that, yes," he nods slowly.
06* Demedais nods slightly. "As an aside, you are aware of who sold it to you, I presume?"
<Kotono> "I bought it from a trusted source. Who he may have purchased it from, or that person purchased it from is not something I ask," he says quite blandly, as if talking about the weather with his dry words.
06* Alicia starts looking vaguely irritated at all this double-speak, but remains silent and lets Demedais handle things.
06* Demedais inclines his head slightly. "Very well, we shall leave it at that, then. How much did you purchase it for?"
<Kotono> "I purchased it as part of a larger lot of magical items. We traded in both coin and other goods and services. An approximate price would be...25,000 gold."
06* Demedais nods slightly after a few moments. "I see. Of the larger lot of magical items, could you please inform me what was present there?"
<Kotono> "A slightly used wand of invisibility, a vest that auguments precise strikes and stealth, a blessed spellbook, the amulet, and an enchanted bow." Looking up to them at this, "Are you interested in the entire lot?"
06* Demedais inclines his head, a slight musing. "How much was the entire lot purchased for?" he asks after a moment. "I confess that I am not sure that these are all hers, but."
01<Alicia> "Sounds like it, depending on what sort of enchantment is on that bow," Alicia notes quietly.
<Kotono> "Approximately 90,000 gold." Now smiling a little, "If you're interested, yes, perhaps we can come to some sort of arraingment regarding them. I could be willing to sell them at cost."
<Kotono> "That's enough to buy yourself a life and a life for your kid's grandkids." J whistles.
06* Demedais tilts his head slightly. "I am glad to hear that you are willing to sell them at cost. However, the actual discussion of fund transfer may need to occur with two other people present... Still, I am pleased to hear that you would be willing to make this deal. What is the arrangement you are thinking of?"
<Kotono> "Buying them all as one lot." he answers to that, "But tell me, whoa re the other interested paraties?"
<Kotono> *parties.
<Demedais> "The person whom they were stolen from and a party who will be handling payments, either to us in repayment or to you." Demedais replies.
<Kotono> "I have no objections. Bring them here tomorrow at this time and we can begin the relevant details in earnest." Standing at this as the sun sinks into the horizon, night creeping over the view like a cloak, "Good evening to all of you."
06* Demedais nods slightly at this. "I would request at least the bow and amulet be brought; the bow for verification that it is hers, the amulet for verification of ownership. Past that, we shall endeavor to bring both at this time." Demedais stands and bows slightly. "Thank you for your time."
06* Alicia likewise gets up, ready to teleport everyone back to J's safehouse when she's ready.
<Kotono> As the party gets up, returning to each other, "That went well," Jm urmurs. "Who's booting the bill?"
01<Alicia> "Kesse is. They can try asking Albert's corpse what he did with the first 90,000, I suppose," Alicia shrugs. "Everyone ready?"
<Demedais> "Given who stole the equipment? Likely the government, based on what details I heard." Demedais replies. "Seira may be willing to make a deal with them, and worst comes to worst I'll cover most of it and get payment for it later."
<Kotono> "We'll have to talk Andram into it," Celebrimbor murmurs, "If anyone can approve it now, it's him." Meanwhile, J teleports the party back!
<Kotono> roll1 d100
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls d100 and gets 1."12 [d100=1]
<Kotono> roll1 d100 making sure it read that right
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls d100 making sure it read that right and gets 43."12 [d100=43]
<Kotono> OOC: Strike, hurdur. Roll Alicia? Let's goa head and get this moving.
01<Alicia> roll 1d100 seen casually?
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 seen casually? and gets 52."12 [1d100=52]
01<Alicia> roll 1d20+29
06* Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+29 and gets 48."12 [1d20=19]
<Kotono> OOC: How much are you offering to cover, Deme?
<Demedais> OOC: Hold on a sec.
<Kotono> OOC: Sure.
<Demedais> OOC: Put bluntly, how much will they cover?
<Kotono> OOC: The government can cover up to 50k without a huge problem - they have some gold reserves. Any more than that and it's a matter of it cutting into needed funds. War springing up+royal turnovers are a bit costly.
<Demedais> OOC: Demedais will agree to cover the rest, but will subtly make the point that he may be requesting favors at a later point, since it's lower than he had hoped.
<Kotono> OOC: They're happy to exchange coin for favors, yes. Okay then. Do you want Anty or Donald to contribute at all as well? They're willing to take some of the strain off of you.
<Demedais> OOC: Nah, let them use their loot to focus on upgrading their own skills. Better tradeoff.
<Kotono> OOC: Okay. This goes without incident. Deme covers 40k then and also goes GRIMDARK. Loot otpic post coming.

[Corwin]

<Kotono> -------(NINJA SUPER KO 9000 OH YES)--
<Kotono> As events wind down, there are still a few that require Seira's attention. One such is several days after hostilities come to a screetching halt. In a quiet, well decorated meeting room in the castle, representatives from Sanaxt arrive. (More)
<Kotono> General Andran and a few aides sit on one side of the table, along with Seira. A guard comes in and announces, "Storm Leader Greelay has arrived," he calls. Who follows his is a wiry, whipslender man with an obvious limp. He uses a cane to help himself, a wooden clatter as he walks forward. A few men in breastplates styled black and green follow him in, one going to pull out a chair for him.
<Kotono> "General," he says as he goes to sit, "Speak. What are your terms and reasons for this?"
<Seira> "I believe that would be my cue?" Seira asks Andram.
<Kotono> "How is your foot, Storm Leader?" With the faintest hint of a barbed smile, "There are more...details to be elaborated on, but in essence this current war was a mistake that needs to be stopped."
<Kotono> With a look to Seira, before a curt look back, "Go on," he says to both of them.
<Seira> "I don't think a mistake is quite the right term to use, here," Seira comments, looking at the Storm Leader as she speaks. "Albert was quite specific about his wishes, both in arranging for his undead followers to slay the leadership of Sanaxt and in trying to utilize that by sending the Kesse army after you.
<Seira> Unfortunately, that doesn't cover all the facts, such as allies of his in that cabal smothering their own father to seize power in Kesse by fell means. It was my hope that by explaining the situation, a more lasting solution than a temporary truce could be found."
<Kotono> Greelay's face turns to utter stone at those words. "A peace can be arrainged. We seek a status quo peace, with return to our previous borders. Under the circumstances we can pretend this never happened."
<Kotono> "We have no objection to this," Andram says with his own control in effect, words as polished and lifeless as a stone. "If we agree on the fundamentals, the rest is simple enough."
06* Seira shrugs. "The public face put on the resolution is out of my hands. But I did want to add that Albert considered Sanaxt, Evrai and the Baronies, a farther land which is I come from, to be filled with heretics in need of domination or eradication.
<Seira> The reason for that was that he had deals formal and under the table with the others. Now that the extent of his vileness had been revealed, it is my hope that those he thought an anathema to his way of life would band together."
<Kotono> With a slight nod to Seira there, "I thank you for your services in eradicating Albert." Storm Leader Greelay says, hands resting on the top of his cane resting before him. "Then if a neutral peace is desired, our scribes and aides can draw one up. The swifter one is established, the better."
03* Sierra_Comatose is now known as Stealth_Sierra
06* Seira nods. "Any chance you would know of this Yann character? Might go under a different name, though I doubt he would bother changing his features as well. Creepy Sharran spy, though I bet he'd keep that hidden, too," Seira asks, giving a description of the man she had received from their captive.
<Kotono> With a slight nod, "The matter will be resolved in due time. I may have an inkling..." Drumming his fingers together, "Are there any other matters to attend to with this?"
<Seira> "I would be a bad servant of Waukeen if I didn't casually extoll the benefits of trade towards building better relations between people and countries atop of the usual pluses," Seira says happily to that opening, "so how about setting up a promenade on a section of your mutual border? Complete with temple, an enormous marketplace, the works.
<Seira> Someone or something has to work on rebuilding the trust of the common man, and who better than Waukeen?"
<Kotono> "No point to it. It'll just be destroyed at the next war." Storm Leader Greelay smiles thinly, "I won't say no if you want to spent the money on it."
<Seira> "Why should there be a next war with one's natural ally? That always surprises me in humans."
<Kotono> "Ally?" Standing up now, "Andram, idealism doesn't suit you or your friends." Storm Leader Greelay begins to walk away. "Educate her, the comedy is not well received."
06* Seira tilts her head. "Is this a bit about only respecting strength? Cause that I can display."
<Kotono> "Don't," Andram speaks up here to Seira. Then to Greelay as he continues to walk, "I assume you have the authority to sign the treaty? We'll do it as soon as one is written out."
06* Seira defers to him, wanting to ask the general a few things in a more private setting.
<Kotono> Once Greelay is gone, "You mean well," he begins, "But we've had dozens of wars over the centuries. You may as well ask angels and demons to lair together."
<Seira> "Hmph. You think where we come from it's all sun and roses? We made it past that... hell, the elves came out of their self-imposed isolation. If they can break millennia-long habits, the human nations could make an attempt, too, can't they?"
<Kotono> Taking a long breath, "By our own admission, our royal family slaughtered theirs and started this war. I'm thankful that he's even taking the peace after that - and I bet the only reason is because that they're in turmoil and discord because of those murders."
<Seira> "And because the more belligerent side will get on my bad side," Seira adds bluntly. "If he has access to halfway decent spies, that might be part of the reason. But it doesn't matter, since I've found what I want to do. Are you particularly attached to the strip of land that constitutes your border with Sanaxt?"
<Kotono> "If you want to establish that temple, you're welcome to." He nods curtly to that, "Reinforcing our defenses to go around south of that part shouldn't be too terribly disruptive, and the trade roads are harder to defend in any event. They're a natural pathway for armies."
<Seira> "I'm thinking of taking it one step farther and establishing an official presence there. On top of providing some very real security, I would like to think it gives Sanaxt pause if to make war with you, they first have to go through us."
<Kotono> "How...large a presence?"
<Seira> "A small garrison. What matters is which flag it would fly, and not its actual strength, after all. Since if it were to fall to an invasion, our response would not be late in coming, and would, of course, be quite overwhelming and disproportionate."
<Kotono> "It won't stop them," he says, "Even at worst, they'll just go around the garrison. The flag of a country that they've never heard of won't cool a head down."
<Seira> "Oh, I'm not naive enough to think there won't be a first attempt. I just have the confidence to state that it would not be followed up on. As for the matter of land to cover, several such small garrisons could be placed across the borders, and a mutual defense pact between our countries would be in place to specify how they would be activated."
<Kotono> "Even if so, can you really man a garrison this far from your kingdom? Are you planning to use mercenaries?"
<Seira> "Mercenaries and a special force that will be created for this purpose," Seira responds. "That we can do so is manifestably true. It would be no different from your farther patrols, except magic would replace horses for troop circulation and carrier pigeons for communication. Establishing the framework on the ground would take time, and that time would be well-used on our side."
<Kotono> "I will consider it," Andram says at last, after a silence of quite a long time. "Such a decision needs not to be made immediately, not before P-Queen Giselle is installed and the situation has solidified."
06* Seira nods. "It would make me pretty happy if you did build a promenade to Waukeen, though. Perhaps even two." She presents him with a handwritten list. "I wish I could call this a bill but that's mean and unhelpful. What it is is a list of my belongings that are still missing, and since Albert might have given some away, I would appreciate your help with recovering those.
<Seira> I didn't write down a total because that always made me sad when I sad down to do it, but even a simple glance should show why I really need that bit of sunshine and happiness I asked for."
<Kotono> "I see," Scanning the list, "From what I recall about magic prices, that is quite a fortune."
<Seira> "I helpfully included the prices, except for that one amulet that was never appraised and, being unique, is likely pricess anyway."
<Kotono> "I'll see what we can do," Andram nods.
<Kotono> -----(Insane Ko!---
<Kotono> Princess Giselle can be found in her room. She sits on her bed plainly, a quiet maid brushing and then braiding her hair. A pair of guards stand just inside the room, which is otherwise quiet as Seira is allowed to enter.
06* Seira waits to be noticed, observing Giselle. She could appear perfectly normal even previously, so the real test might be when she spots Seira.
<Kotono> Giselle's gaze is downward, as if studying the floor as her hair is worked. Her apperance is withdrawn, quiet, regally reserved.
06* Seira takes the first move, then. "I could brush your hair for you, if you'd like," she offers, coming closer.
<Kotono> Giselle looks up at that, "There is no need. Cerella is sufficient." Said maid continues to work, binding her hair up into a manageable set of braids.
<Seira> "It's probably a good call," Seira notes, crossing her hands in front of her chest. "I'm not really versed in the local fashions."
<Kotono> "I hear I am to become Queen," Giselle says after, going to look back down as the maid finishes.
<Seira> "If you want to," Seira agrees. "No one will force you. Leadership is something people should seek rather than being granted, I feel. Do you want to become queen?"
<Kotono> There isn't ar eply immediately. Instead, the maid finishes with her hair and stands, then bows to the Princess before departing. Once she is gone, "I will do what must be done."
<Seira> "This is where I normally would joke," Seira mutters. "Great, and I mean it. I don't think you would be saying it like that unless you've made up your own mind instead of having others's wishes just piled on to you and accepting passively. Do you need anything from me to make things easier?"
<Kotono> "I will be alive," Giselle murmurs. "I will be alive...that is enough."
<Seira> Disturbing, but not overwhelmingly so. Seira chooses to nod curtly. "I've made my proposal to General Andram which I'm hoping would help. Once things calm down enough to properly study it, I'm confident it will get the proper consideration it deserves, since it wasn't made lightly.
<Seira> But that's state business. If you need anything I could help you with, perhaps not now but later down the line, call me. I'll leave an easy way for it, so don't be shy or hold it in when you have someone to talk to. Someone who could come to your aid, and not because you're the queen of a country."
<Kotono> Another small nod there, "I will remember it, Seira."
06* Seira gives Giselle a small smile that isn't forced this time around. "I have to go home, but since you are in charge, I will be back again. I really want to see the country someone who wants to help others from the very bottom of her soul would make."
<Kotono> "I will," Giselle looks up. "Shar won't get me...I have to believe that."
<Seira> "She gave it her best shot, and she failed. Now that you're free and amongst friends who would help you oppose her? Not a chance!"
<Kotono> "Shar won't get me...Shar won't get me," Giselle breathes, one of the guards coming up to Seira. In a whisper, "General Andram requests that you not linger if The Princess gets excited again," he says. "Her composure is critical."
06* Seira nods to him lightly, and heads out of the room, pausing at the doorway to wave at Giselle before leaving.

[Corwin]

<Seira> "I finally met my match and almost died, although they clearly failed in that," Seira responds, allowing herself to be easily led to the couch. "I got some time off as a result. A lot of time off. Pretty much indefinitely, in the absense of a major cataclysm back home."
03* Ebiris is now known as Alicia
<Kotono> Sitting down next to her, "I'm glad you're safe." Looking Seira over before blushing a little, "
<Kotono> OOC - GAaaaah.
<Kotono> Sitting down next to her, "I'm glad you're safe." Looking Seira over before blushing a little, "Are you going on your vacation now?"
<Seira> "That really depends on you," Seira responds with a shrug. "I remember how you wanted to go out into the world, and mentioned having some downtime yourself. Going somewhere far away would be nice. Staying here and annoying your relatives by existing also has certain merit, though not nearly as much."
<Kotono> "If you're ready..." Smiling now, smiling even as her hands shake, "Let's go. I can be ready by the morning."
<Seira> "If we sneak out before dawn, we could even achieve both goals," Seira suggests with a smile of her own. "You could leave a note?"
03* Sierra_Mikain (~Melanchth@pool-96-231-69-168.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
<Kotono> "Maybe...maybe." Amaryl squeezes Seira's hand. "I've been training fairly hard like you asked." Her eyes darken a little, "It's hard work even when you get better at it. There hasn't been a point where it breaks and becomes simple, but I'ms till making progress."
<Seira> "Things would get boring if such a point existed. Plus, it doesn't feel right, not working for one's reward." She smiles brighter. "Progress is good, though! We'll probably even put it to the test, since there are lots and lots of bad people and they are overwhelmingly stupid! A mere warning is rarely ever effective."
<Kotono> "Does that mean killing people," Amaryl asks, looking Seira in the eye. "I know there are times when it's acceptable to kill, but sometimes I wonder if I can do it when I need to."
<Seira> "In a war, yes," Seira responds, returning the look. "When negotiations fail, you can't wage war by being nice to the other side. In fact, the best thing to do is end it as swiftly as possible, and that's just not something you can do without striking at the enemy's leaders.
<Seira> With fiendish invasions, the choice is even easier. And with law enforcement... there, it becomes a more difficult choice that depends on the circumstances. It is my belief that if we can contain the criminals by other means, we should try to do so.
<Seira> If not, if we lack these means, then should they escape, their future victims's blood will be on our hands, and we should not allow those people to survive."
<Kotono> "Yes. That sounds like the arguments my philosphy instructor would give me," With a faint smile to that, "There are times when you have to kill, like war. Those rare creatures of pure evil...there's no other choice. But...what is it like to do that, Seira? Does ite ver bother you to have taken another's life?"
<Seira> "There was one time, and though I didn't strike the blow, I share the responsibility fully," Seira responds slowly. "We had several sources all suggesting an inevitable attack on our population by a crazy, reclusive mage. That he was crazy and reclusive was true enough, but the attack was actually planned against a would-be Malmuthian invasion.
<Seira> It would have likely endangered our own forces as well, but still, it bothers me that things went down that way." She frowns. "But inaction in that situation was unacceptable, and I don't believe I was ever involved in another deadly fight that didn't involve a person who truly deserved to die."
<Kotono> "I'm glad," Amaryl murmurs, squeezing Seira's hand again. "Even if it's needed, I don't like having to have blood on anyone's hands."
<Seira> "There are times," Seira tells her quietly, "where people exist that not only deserve to die, but you wish you could have killed them yourself. Or more than once. Terrible people. I hope you'll never come across them."
<Kotono> "Like King Ferdi or his henchmen?" Amaryl says that as she looks up at Seira. "Those sort of horrible people?"
<Seira> "He was plenty horrible, but the only hench -- more of an ally, really -- he had that warranted that was Irenes," Seira says with a grimace. "There're... the omnicidal maniacs that need to be put down like rabid dogs, and then, there are those who go farther, much farther. If you ever have the misfortune of coming across such monsters, you'll know instantly."
<Kotono> A slight nod, Amaryl licking her lips, "You have?" she asks softly. "
<Kotono> A slight nod, Amaryl licking her lips, "You have?" she asks softly. "I hear that demons are like that."
<Seira> "I've yet to see a fiend as vile as some very special mortals, though I'm sure they exist somewhere," Seira says, sounding subdued. "It's... probably a bad topic." She smiles suddenly. "We really should be talking about lighter things, like how I missed you, or how I could visit more often or just stay in touch now that I have both teleportation and sending as part of my usual magical repertoire!"
<Kotono> "That would be nice...though if we're going off on a vacation, we don't need to worry about that right now," Amaryl promises. "You're growing in skill. TEleportation is difficult magic, from what Scion Celebrimbor has said."
<Seira> "One day I'll even manage it without the occasional mistake!" Seira boasts, before coughing. "I mean. Without the occasional diversion Waukeen sends me on."
<Kotono> With a warm laugh, "Is that common for mistakes to happen? Still, if you can travel hundreds of miles in a few seconds...that has to be more than worth it?"
<Seira> "Only happened twice, I swear! You're totally safe traveling with me!"
06* Seira coughs again. "And it's over a thousand miles, now."
<Kotono> "That's even more impressive! Speaking of, that reminds me of what I heard of your victory in the frozen reaches of Lord Kortan's domain. Did you truly defeat a dragon twice, back to back?"
<Seira> "Well, I guess I kinda defeated it once, but really, the honors fall on the others. I did bring down another dragon recently, though! It was very bad and had to die." Seira suddenly seems very shifty. "Celebrimbor was bringing it back as a sort of gift. Any chance you know how that went? I've been kinda worried."
<Kotono> "Oh yes, that." Nodding, "I wasn't there but the Council was discussing it later.  King Lorthan says it's a gift for the entire incident with the ring...well, no, but that's what Lord Ambrose said is the case when you read between the lines."
<Seira> "It's not like I needed the subterfuge!" Seira protests. "But Celebrimbor was also involved, and I just had to leave the handling up to him-- and did you just say entire incident with the ring?"
<Kotono> A nod there, "It came out in council while Celebrimbor was gone. There was some discussion about it, but the ring was returned soon after, so it went nowhere."
<Seira> "Umm. What exactly came out?"
<Kotono> "That the ring was lost, but it was recovered, so it's okay." Amaryl says slowly. "Lord Chillander and myself both said it would be fine. Scion Silverleaf was more caustic, but..."
<Seira> "I'm really sorry about that," Seira says sadly. "It's like that saying, no good deed goes unpunished. I only wanted to help a few stranded people...."
<Kotono> "It's fine." Taking Seira's hand again, "You proved myself and Lord Chillander right, so there wasn't any harm."
<Seira> There was plenty of harm, but she's not particularly keen of going there. "If a dragon-shaped apology is enough to smooth everything over, then it's alright. I've been worried about this, and about a lot of other things. That was not a good week for me."
<Kotono> "It was fine. The Council didn't make a big deal about it and King Lorthan looked happy at the end of it."
<Seira> "There is something else you should know," Seira all but blurts out. "There are demons going around spreading lies about me. Like how I'm sending them out or commanding them. The only truth in that is that I once bargained with a balor so I could live long enough to escape him and save my father. Waukeen helped me in the aftermath, but it sounds like he wasn't too pleased about that...."
<Kotono> Blink-blink. Amaryl stops there at the abrupt change of supbject, "Oh. Well. Um." Biting down on her lip, "If we see any demons we can set them straight about it?"
<Seira> "I don't want you to think that I'm... well... someone who sends demons to kill people." Seira shifts, looking uncomfortable. "I was pretty... well, upset wouldn't begin to cover it. And we had the Malmuthian war to worry about. So I didn't really advertise it.
<Seira> But in the end, some of my friends ended up hearing about this from the demons who put their spin on things. And when I think that you might end up finding out like that... I don't want that."
<Kotono> "Seira, I don't think you'd summon demons." Putting her hands on her hips, "That's just...stupid and silly!"
<Seira> "I... I guess it is, isn't it? I could, you know! But I won't."
<Kotono> "Alright." Smiling now, "That's like the equivalent of malicious gossip and ruining your reputation on a grand scale, isn't it? Nothing else?"
<Seira> "That's what it seems," Seira agrees. "It was timed for when I mysteriously disappeared, and I can't help but wonder if that was planned. Probably not, and just bad luck overall. I always thought it would take something pretty powerful or a numerous force to really bring me down, and I still do. That sort of demons wouldn't be able to achieve it."
<Kotono> "Good!" Brightening with a smile, "Seira, were are we going exactly?"
<Seira> "You're going to decide." Seira smiles back fondly. "But I was going to propose Malmuth for a start. Things are still bad there, and there would be plenty of chances to right wrongs and help out. At the same time, we could see for ourselves if Queen Tant is managing it well, or if she's getting overwhelmed by the treasonous elements within. And I've been meaning to travel more through that land.
<Seira> After that? Demedais and I have been wishing to visit our capital at last for... has it been months, already? We might do that, too."
<Kotono> "Those are fine!" Amaryl smiles warmly there, "I'm more than happy to follow you there."
<Seira> "They seem to really hate me in those parts, so I'll use these full time," Seira says, tapping her right earring. "People expect to see the dragon me, so even though I look pretty much the same where it counts, no one really connects the two appearances. Kinda weird, but I guess that's how people are."
<Kotono> "People expect tos ee a well dressed elf surrounded by wealth and honor when they think of Lady Gaial, not a woman travelling in human lands..." Amaryl murmurs. "That's how it'll go as well, won't it?"
<Seira> "Probably," Seira agrees. "We could masquerade as humans, if you want to. You would make a pretty human woman and no amount of cheap clothing is going to hide that, though."
<Kotono> Another blush colors Amaryl's cheeks, "Thank you," she says.
<Seira> "For saying the truth? Any time!"
<Kotono> Reaching over to hug Seira, "We'll see the world, have adventures and come home safely in the end?" she asks, whispering to her.
03* emotoro-WAHLOOKATME-slp is now known as emotoroWAHLOOKATMEblah
<Seira> "That's the plan," Seira says, easing into the hug with a contented sigh. "There's a lot of the world to see, Amaryl, much more than any of us ever expected. And I want to see it all with you one day."
03* emotoroWAHLOOKATMEblah is now known as TOROTOROTOROKO
<Kotono> "I can't wait," Amaryl says fondly. OOC - Seira, are you good with skipping ahead now? Also, if so, was there anything you wanted to do in Pallanth before you guys leave in the morning?
<Seira> OOC: Nothing I need to do IC. I assume she's on break, basically?
<Kotono> OOC: Basically.
<Seira> OOC: Let's go, then. Human template go?
<Kotono> OOC: Okay.

[Corwin]

<Kotono> --------------------(Arrow Ko)--
<Kotono> The next morning starts early, well before dawn. The two meet under the cover of night, the Gaial estate nearly silent. Amaryl stands before Seira, wearing a finely polished chain shirt, a quiver of bows on her back and a longbow over them. A plain gray cloak covers her shoulders as she shifts, the clink of glass bottles coming from a bag tied to her side. "So...how do I look?"
<Seira> "I was right. You still look pretty," Seira returns, eyeing the chainshirt appreciatively. "But I think it's missing something." She fishes around her pack, before offering an amulet to Amaryl. "Our, well, our family is pretty young since Dad's an orphan and everything, but if we had stuff like heirlooms, this would be it. I think it'd look great on you. If you want it. It's okay if you don't."
<Kotono> Looking over the amulet, Amaryl takes it in her hand. "I like it...is it magic?" Peering down at it, "What does it do?"
<Seira> "It uses the power of bad dragons to keep you safe! There was that one that used all sorts of shadowy stuff, and one that really liked lightning... and now, so could you! But in a good way."
<Kotono> Slowly draping it around her neck, "Thank you, Seira," she embraces her briefly, "I'll tell you how much I like it once we're gone from the Citadel. How fast and quietly can be leave here?"
<Seira> "Unless your house recently acquired wards against dimensional travel, and I mean within the last few hours, we can leave right now. My ring should take us far enough, and it's pretty quiet!"
<Kotono> "Let's go," Taking Seira's hand quickly, "Let's go far away and not worry about anything in Pallanth, Seira."
06* Seira adjusts her disguise to appear as she would have, having been born a human, and thinks about Valandia, the next best thing to Malmuth. "One day you'll trust me enough to share those worries," she says, activating the ring.
<Seira> roll 1d100
05-betamax.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
03* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03* Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
<Seira> roll 1d100
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 26."12 [1d100=26]
<Kotono> OOC: Where in Valandia?
06* Seira pictures an area next to the summer home Claris promised for her.
<Kotono> Under the blanket of late night, Seira and Amaryl appear! Ferdi's palace in Valandia is quiet - a few guards are about at the door in the distance, but nothing is awry otherwise. To a glance in the darkness, this part of Valandia is asleep until dawn's first light.
<Seira> "I don't believe the Waukeen temple here is anywhere near completion," Seira says sadly, "but there are caravans going to and from Malmuth all the time. We could just join one of them. Want to go look around as the city wakes up in the meantime?"
<Kotono> "Sure," Amaryl says cheerfully, taking Seira's hand in her own still. "Can you show me aroudn the city...it's so different from the Citadel or other elven cities. It looks different, smells different...there's so few trees, just like Balmuria."
<Seira> "Of course I can!" Seira agrees readily. She had been there before, which is as good as knowing all the good spots to visit. "Let's start with a tour to the temple of Lathander, because they'll be the first ones up, and given Claris goes there it's the most impressive temple here. Until ours gets built!"
<Kotono> Valandia is well patrolled, that much is obvious. Regiments of guards walk the streets, though Seira's words and identity are enough to deflect any stoppages. You reach the Temple of Lathander just before dawn. It's doors are closed for now, two white robed priests standing and peering at the horizon intently, waiting.
<Seira> "Let's wait and see what happens?" Seira suggests to Amaryl. "I've never actually seen it for myself before."
<Kotono> As the two hang back, the two robed priests wait. As the night begins to fade, they stare ever more intently at the horizon! As dawn approaches, they abruptly move! With swift actions they open the door to the temple! It's timed flawlessly, opening just as a ray of sunshine peeks up over the night sky's end. The light spills into the temple inside, a large, golden sun engraved into the floor. It catches the light there, glowing like a secondary
<Kotono>  It catches the light there, glowing like a secondary sun coming to life. Music begins to play from within, a melody of awakening and growth from a flute.
<Kotono> Amaryl watches it raptly, smiling by the end. "How pretty!" she stares at the sun coming to life.
<Seira> "Very nice," Seira agrees. "They should charge admission."
<Kotono> One of the door openers smiles, a young man who sighs as the sunlight becomes to rise from the night. "That would be heresy. Lathander gives his gifts of renewal to all that ask. Dawnbringer Claris will be intoning the morning sermon, if you'd like to attend."
06* Seira glances at Amaryl. "He's pretty cool. Wanna come in and take a look?"
<Kotono> "Yes! It sounds fun." Amaryl looks inside, peering. You can see stained glass windows of fine construction, showing scenes of the sun rising and a youthful man holding a baby in his hands up to the sun's light.
<Seira> "Then it's settled!" Seira agrees. "Maybe Claris would point us in the right direction afterwards, too, so we'll have time to tour the rest of the city without worrying about a caravan contract."
<Kotono> Thus the two come inside. Inside has no pews or chairs or anything. It's all open space around the sun and a single altar of wood, the scent of the morning air ciruclating in. Within minutes the room is as well lit as noon, people starting to file in. Mostly lay people, some waiting, while others are talking amid themselves. A pair are even discussing something and signing some papers.
06* Seira finds a spot in what passes for the first row. It has to have the best view!
<Kotono> Within ten minutes the church is filled. Coming from the back is Claris, wearing robes of white and gold, carrying a single vibrantly red rose in one hand and a holy symbol of Lathander in another. He places both down on the altar and clears his throat. Silence sweeps over the hall as he looks about, gaze lingering on Seira for a little time.
06* Seira gives him a little nod when he looks her way, smiling.
<Kotono> "Another day has come, the promise of renewal realised for all. Today, I'd like to talk about the renewal of Valandia. It has been some time since the end of the war." There's some light murmurs there, an undercurrent that drowns back down once Claris pauses a few moments. "When things look the darkest, like the time just before the dawn, it is easy to lose hope. Valandia had lost much at the end of the war. Many of our friends gave their lives
<Kotono> Valandia had lost much at the end of the war. Many of our friends gave their lives in defense of the city, or in the seige aftewards with the loyalist forces of General Olburt." (More)
<Kotono> "It was a time when many despaired, when the dawn looked as if it would never come." He pause shere, looking over the gathered worshippers. "Yet today, I bring this to you - Valandia has reached that dawn. The scars of war have begin to heal and vanish. Prosperity has begun to return, trade and bounty restoring what was lost. The walls are repaired, the buildings restored. While nothing can bring back those who have left our company, new lives
<Kotono> While nothing can bring back those who have left our company, new lives are born every day in Valandia." (More)
<Kotono> "In this morning light, I ask you to ponder and see how our fair city rebuilds and is rewened. In this promise the light of Lanthander willl eternally blossom. No matter the darkness that comes over us, there will always be another dawn. So it is written by the hand of Lathander and so it shall be forever more." After, there is clapping from the assembled.
06* Seira claps herself in approval. "I've been worrying about this," she whispers to Amaryl. "If Valandia was going to recover any time soon. Hearing Claris talk, it sounds like we're on the right track."
<Kotono> "It was uplifting," Amaryl whispers back as she joins in the clapping. Claris steps away from the altar, a short nod to Seira as he approaches. "It's good to see you. We can talk in length within the hour in private quarters, but for now, my duties call to the faithful."
<Seira> "Sure thing," Seira agrees, keeping her voice low. "I'll stop by in an hour or so, then? We can do introductions properly then, too."
<Kotono> "You can stay here if you want, I won't be on official duties until af ew hours into the morning," he says back. "Meet me here and ask one of the priests to take you back, or meet me at work."
06* Seira nods, turning towards Amaryl as Claris moves on to the faithful. "Back when Valandia joined the Baronies, there was a lot of bad blood towards us. But the worst part were the lies and rumors, most of them having to do with King Ferdi. You sometimes have to fight fire with fire, so I arranged for our own propaganda to counter theirs.
<Seira> It isn't too early in the morning to go and check up on that, if you'd like."
<Kotono> "It's not open yet," Glancing back, "It doesn't open for an hour or two, but I can have that waived if you'd like a tour." Claris says. "You'll have it all to yourselves.":
<Seira> "How about it?" Seira suggests. "A private tour sounds fun, too!"
<Kotono> "Sure," Amaryl smiles a little to Claris, "Thank you very much."
<Seira> "Thanks!" Seira echoes her.
<Kotono> "Let's go then," Amaryl says brightly, "I want to see what this is now."
06* Seira is quite excited herself to see the show!
<Kotono> The trip in the early morning is without incident. People are rising and going to work in Valandia, a backdrop as they arrive at Ferdi's old palace. M uch of the damage has been restored. at least from the outside. A set of guards stay at the front door, parting to let the two in. One eyes Seira long, "The bulk of it's up the stairs and in the repaired room. I think you know the way."
06* Seira does, as a matter of fact. She nods in thanks, and leads the way up. It's strange, but she hadn't been back ever since that day. And she didn't think herself especially prone to nostalgia, too.
<Kotono> The door inside lead to the front stair. The side passages are cordoned off with rope, making it essentially a one way path. An engraved plaque has been placed on a small stone pedestool next to the stairs.
<Seira> That certainly looks like a nice touch. Seira pauses before the plaque to read it.
<Kotono> In Common it reads the following: Ahead lies the pride of one man and the ruination of a country. Ponder well the follies of pride and the downfalls it leads even mighty men to.
06* Seira reads it aloud, finding herself nodding to the words. "I do hope it doesn't make me a hypocrite to agree," she mentions to Amaryl, "since I'm not quite at that stage I'm willing to let go of my own pride. But hey, it hasn't lead my nation to ruin yet, right?"
<Kotono> "Right," Amaryl smiles to Seira, starting to walk up the stairs, "I gathered this is where you defeated King Ferdi?"
<Seira> "His final moments were pretty funny," Seira responds with a smile of her own. "But still, what a waste. We all went out of our way to accomodate him, and he just struck at us for no reason that could be considered good. If we hadn't done this, how many soldiers would have lost their lives? And how many of our citizens, from their idiotic firebombing runs?
<Seira> And the Valandia siege... we caved in again to outside pressure, because Queen Tant wanted to make a point. I wonder how many could've been saved had we just taken down Olburt ourselves."
<Kotono> "There's a saying Lord Ambrose taught me...that politics are about compromising while still doing what's right," Amaryl murmurs as they crest the top of the stairs, the door leading into Ferdi's old improptu throne room ahead.
<Kotono> "I don't know how true it is, but...which is more important? That sounds llike what you're getting at."
<Seira> "I think that's true," Seira agrees. "And it certainly gives us a good result in the end. But sometimes, I wonder. What if things could be different? Better? I think... I think that one day, I will be powerful enough to see if I could make a change in the entire way this game of politics is played."
<Kotono> "I don't know..." Amaryl murmurs, "That's a lot to do. Lord Silverleaf...he didn't say it to me, but it stuck anyway. 'Politics only reinforces our base nature.' Can that really be changed?"
<Seira> "I think it can be," Seira states with the utmost conviction. "That's what I'm trying to do when I'm spreading Waukeen's word. If one's nature could not be changed, then I'm plainly wasting my time. But I've seen too much to believe that. Plus... we're all given a choice the outsiders lack, aren't we?
<Seira> The ability to decide right from wrong, to choose our path in life? We're not devils, or angels, or animated clockwork golems from Mechanus. We have our will. If that's so, it's just a matter of showing people a better way of life."
<Kotono> Amaryl nods you come up to the door. She's quiet for a little while, then, "The ones that choose not to listen...they're the enemies and the horrible men?"
<Seira> "The ones who choose not to listen are the stupid ones, really," Seira responds. "It's those that weigh everything and choose the wrong path that are inevitably our enemies, more often than not."
<Kotono> "Yes." Amaryl merely nods to that, then, "Shall we go in?"
<Seira> With a curt nod, Seira pushes the door open.
<Kotono> As you enter inside, magic is woven! Images form in the air! Here you can see King Ferdi, General Olburt, Alicia, Seira, Claris and Demedais! It's more or less like that confrontation is unfolding again, albiet with slightly exagerrated lines.
<Seira> Ferdi's guard was clearly edited out to refocus the scene into what must amount to a battle of ideas between their sides, with Ferdi's fate being sealed in the end. Seira approves of the change, observing the reenactment and Amaryl's reaction to it.
<Kotono> Everyone is quite wordy - it's a descontrution of Ferdi's ideas, with the king's arguments being rebutted with good arguments. As it unfolds, "You look so majestic..." Amaryl gushes.
06* Seira barely stops herself from laughing. But cheesy or not, this had to have been effective in helping turn the mood of the populace and, perhaps, even trickled back to Malmuth proper to counter the old guard's lies. She has trouble believing Claris would've allowed it to proceed otherwise.
03* taisick is now known as taisicker
<Kotono> Then the battle begins! It's an epic one, with Ferdi and Olburt slowly losing! They're outmatched but fight hard, until at a dramatic point, the dragon comes! The ceiling seems to vanish, the vast golden wyrm seen above! It roars as it passed judgment on the corrupt regime!
06* Seira cheers!
<Kotono> Amaryl watches as the dragon obliterates Ferdi into ash! As it finishes, "How lovely! It was like watching a real event!"
<Seira> "Yes! The dragon was the best part!" she comments brightly. "He was a bit longwinded and stuffy, but that's okay because he set Ferdi on fire until he died from it!"
<Kotono> As the images fade, you see that there are several plaques on the throne and walls now. Amaryl steps forward, "It must have been a difficult battle."
<Seira> "And as all truly difficult battles, it was very brief," Seira murmurs, going to the plaque on the wall to her right, intending on circling the room to read them all in order. "Ferdi cheated. You don't really see it here, but in a single move he took most of us out before we even had a chance to strike.
<Seira> He wasn't very thorough, however, and even while not in our right minds, we were capable of bringing him down. That was his mistake, I suppose."
<Kotono> "You were still impressive," Amaryl says as her face splits with a smile, "It was inspired to make that. Surely it's shown many about the truth of the matter?"
<Seira> "I hope so!" Seira agrees, smiling back. "It's a step in the right direction."
<Kotono> "Shall we go see Claris now?" Amaryl asks, "He seemed like a nice man. You fought with him here?"
<Seira> "Yes," Seira affirms, starting to head back downstairs. "It made him question his faith, facing a man he thought highly of, a monarch he once swore allegience to. We fought together in the desert wasteland, too, against demons and the forces of Irenes. Claris is one of a select few I trust without question."
<Kotono> The plaques have more details and lessons about King Ferdi's crimes. Interesting stuff, though Seira's familiar with it on a firsthand basis already.
06* Seira is curious whether there is a journal of some sort where the visitors could leave their impressions. If certain questions, doubts or counter-claims exist, it might be prudent to adjust the presentation to address them.
<Kotono> No such luck there, as far as Siera can see.
<Seira> Then that would have to be her suggestion for improvement, when she sees Claris. And Seira sees no reason to delay the reunion any further.

[Corwin]

<Kotono> <Seira> Then that would have to be her suggestion for improvement, when she sees Claris. And Seira sees no reason to delay the reunion any further.
<Kotono> Atop the third floor of the Temple of Lathander, there is a wide open glass view to the east and west. It lets in the gushing morning sunlight over a personal office. Here Claris sits at a table near the window, eating breakfast and looking out as the sun begins to ascend into the sky.
<Seira> "We're back!" Seira announces brightly, stepping over to Claris's table. "Thanks for the pass, having the place for ourselves was great!"
<Kotono> "Help yourself to the morning bread if you're hungry," Claris gestures easily as Amaryl follows Seira. "I'mg lad you liked it. Opinions on it vary quite sharply."
<Seira> "It's a bit overdone, to be honest," Seira admits, waiting for Amaryl to sit down before taking a seat next to her. "But it's a really good step in the right direction. In fact, I was thinking we should keep a scribe to note down all those opinions so that we could improve the presentation even further."
<Kotono> "We erred on the side of being direct," Claris agrees as he eats his breakfast. "In all truth, it may win the undecides, but the true loyalists aren't going to be budged. At least the openly militant ones have nearly ran their course."
<Kotono> Smiling as she takes a few small tears of bread, "I heard there were quiet problems with partisans on occasion?"
<Seira> "It was never really going to erode the loyalists, but it might make them quieter and less effective if their arguments could be countered by everyone," Seira notes.
<Kotono> "They whisper it's lies and propaganda. But yes, there were partisan problems but they're fading. There's no evidence of Malmuth supporting them that we've found, which is a blessing unto itself."
<Seira> "They probably don't want to give us another barony," Seira states rather bluntly. "That aside!" She turns towards Amaryl. "I don't believe you've ever been formally introduced, right?"
<Kotono> Rising up, "Dawnbringer, I am Amaryl Gaial, of House Gaial," she makes a delicate curtesy, "I'm honored to meet you."
<Kotono> Claris smiles, "Claris, govenor of the Barony of Valandia," He nods back to her, "That's enough formality."
<Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees. "Claris is a really great priest. He kicks much evil ass."
<Kotono> "That's...a way of putting it. Though I punish paperworks and governing more now," As he eats a bit of buttered bread, "How has your end of things been, Seira?"
<Seira> "Pretty horrible. Thus my vacation." Seira frowns. "Although that's not quite right, either. I was going to go on vacation anyway."
<Kotono> "I've heard murmurings here and there about problems with outsiders and devils. Nothing concrete...I don't get all that much gossip from Balmuria." With a certain wry amusement as he eats, "At least not about those matters."
<Seira> "If you really want to stay up to date on the gossip, I could arrange it," Seira offers. "If you mean you're actually not getting informed on our moves, then that's pretty horrible and you can be damn sure I'll arrange for a change in policy."
<Kotono> "It's fine." Claris shakes his head, "Between my duties here and Valandia, I hardly hav etime to invest myself in Balmuria's going ons. But do go on if you wish."
<Seira> "Since some of our actions must affect Valandia, I'll work on this once I return," Seira promises. "Hell, we're even informing our allies! It's downright uncivil to keep a governor on our Malmuthian border in the dark."
<Kotono> With an ever so slight smile, "If you're bend on it, a few quiet word to my aides would be most effective, I think. They're admirably dedicated to their duty, to the point of being cloying in certain matters, such as this."
06* Seira blinks. "They're fat?"
<Kotono> Claris simply blinks at that. "What?"
<Seira> "Cloying, you said?"
<Kotono> "Nevermind," Claris shakes his head. "So you're going to vacation? Where are you going?"
<Seira> "Malmuth," Seira responds with a glance at Amaryl. "We're sorta going in disguise. What do you think? Is it a good disguise?"
<Kotono> "Good enough. Can you adjust it in case someone makes a connection or gets lucky?" Pushing away his cleaned plate now, "Even if Queen Tant is friendly, I doubt all of Malmuth will be."
<Seira> "Do we need papers to go there? Legally, I mean?"
<Kotono> "No. I can arrainge for an easier border crossing, though. You shouldn't have any problems with that."
<Kotono> As Amaryl nibbles on bread, "I-I have a question about this," she murmurs.
06* Seira pauses as she's about to thank Claris. "What is it?" she asks, giving Amaryl her attention.
<Kotono> "I heard all about how humans are too barbaric to unite as one race. Well, in my studies as a child, that is." Putting aside the little nibbles of bread, "You two talk about it like it's accepted and normal in your eyes. Borders, papers, wars...why? All of the humans I've met here or in Balmuria don't seem barbaric in word."
<Seira> "We have good rulers. Some of this is due to leading by example, some of that trickling down," Seira responds. "I'm not really sure why it's barbaric to have borders. It's the same thing as how our baronies are banded together under a single banner, but are pretty autonomous in most things, just on a bigger scale."
06* Seira considers the situation in Pallanth, which might be easier for Amaryl to understand, before adding, "You have land, right? Lots of it? And you respect Sir Ambrose, agreeing with him on many things. But does it mean you would hand over your land to him if he asked?"
<Kotono> "No, but he's not the King. I understand the point, still," Smiling a little to Seira, "I think I do."
06* Seira smiles back. "It's just one answer! I bet others would have their own. Maybe we could ask as we travel?"
<Kotono> "That would be fun to find out," Amaryl smiles right back, thinking. "I'd love to find out."
<Kotono> OOC: Skip ahead?
<Seira> OOC: Sure
<Kotono> OOC: How far ahead do you wanan go?
<Seira> OOC: We would like to go with some caravan to the nearest Malmuthian town, so until something happens. Something doesn't have to mean combat, either.
02* Seira (~corwin@bzq-79-183-113-254.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
03* Seira (~corwin@bzq-79-183-113-254.red.bezeqint.net) has joined #dunes
03* ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
03* taisick is now known as tai-cls-woomphwoomphwoomph
<Kotono> The trip to the Malmuthian border is without incident. The countryside is quiet and normal enough in the cooling fall breeze. Without much in the way of the ocean to moderate it, it feels chillier down here, winds from the northeast bringing light shivers. Nonetheless you travel on. The caravan you go with is pretty unremarkable - a bunch of traders stationed in Valandia, who go as far as Purinn to Arad depending on how business takes them. The
<Kotono> who go as far as Purinn to Arad depending on how business takes them. They're not much for talking, though. (More)
<Kotono> On the third night travelling, as the caravan breaks for the night, "Seira," Amaryl slides close to her, "I think some game would compliment the trail rations tonight, don't you think so?"
06* Seira freezes. "Well... yes," she agrees with a wince. "Umm. Remember how I'm bad with letters and stuff? I'm also kinda bad with games like that, so you'll have to teach me."
<Kotono> "You don't know how to hunt?" Amaryl blinks. "Oh, well, I suppose it's easy when you can just magic up food."
<Seira> "Oh!" Seira exclaims. "That sort of game!" She looks abashed. "And actually, no, I don't really know how to do that, either. I'm pretty horrible at the whole survivalist deal. Hence me always traveling with a group or a guide?"
<Kotono> "What did you think I meant, then?"A maryl blushes at that, "But..um...I can teach you! You know how to shoot a bow and have a lot of experience fighting, don't you?"
<Seira> "I'm out of practice but I don't have to keep on practicing to put an arrow through game," Seira confirms, nodding. "And I was thinking... you know, games? Campfire stories? Ghost stories? Dancing, maybe?" She looks uncomfortable. "See, I read about this stuff! But I never got to do it. I don't know how normal people travel and keep entertained."
<Kotono> "Maybe after we have dinner?" Amaryl suggests, "That's what bards are for, but maybe we can wing it?"
<Seira> "I can fake being a bard," Seira agrees. "I spend enough time around one and everything."
<Kotono> "Really? Can you sing?" Amaryl asks, blushing a little, "Can you?"
<Seira> "I'm somewhat proud of my voice," Seira confides in her. "But it feels like people in my position aren't expected to do that, so I don't, usually."
<Kotono> Taking Seira's hand as he cheeks color darkly in the fading sunlight, "Why don't you sing as we go out to find some game, then?"
06* Seira can't help but think it incredibly cute, and finds her resistance crumbling. "Well, alright," she concedes, ducking her head. "An elven song is alright, isn't it?" Without waiting for an answer, Seira begins singing the lyrics to Whisper of a Flower.
<Kotono> OOC: Make a performance(singing) check?
<Seira> OOC: I'm fine with 10 for 20? I rarely go out of my way on skills.
<Kotono> As you walk into the fading day, Seira's song fills the air! Amaryl listens ot it and by the end claps. "Oh, that's good," she says, "You have a good voice, Seira! You should've become a bard!"
<Seira> "It's really the song, not me," Seira responds. "It's melancholic, but strangely uplifting at the same time. And it's quiet, but without lulling you to sleep. Something about it draws you out."
<Kotono> "I really liked it. Do you know any others like that?" As dusk falls on the plains, Amaryl's eyes are sweeping about.
05-atarians.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03* Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03* Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
<Seira> "I know all sorts, but I've only ever really sang children's songs before, so it might not be the same without some practice," Seira admits. "I do know of a song with a more powerful impact! It feels like it drives you onwards-- I think that without the accompanying music it won't really be the same, but there's only one way to find out."
<Seira> And no better time to do that than now!
<Seira> roll 1d20+10
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10 and gets 30."12 [1d20=20]
<Seira> roll 3d6
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 3d6 and gets 15."12 [3d6=6, 4, 5]
<Kotono> This time Seira hits it way out of the park! She sings like she's never sung before! Amaryl stops and listens, her scanning for possible prey coming to an abrupt stop! "Oh...oh..."
<Seira> "It's, well, it's about a chance meeting turning into destiny," Seira starts to babble as soon as the song fades away. "And gazing, and letting go if I have to, but really wanting to hold someone with both hands, and a loneliness otherwise, and about dreams...."
<Kotono> "Oh..." Amaryl's eyes sparkle as she stares right ahead at Seira. "That was so gorgeous...I..."
<Seira> "You're the inspiration," Seira blurts out. "Because it was for you."
<Kotono> Glomp. Seira finds Amaryl hugging her tightly, wordless but pressed against her.
<Seira> That means she liked it, Seira thinks, but finds herself at a loss for words. Maybe singing more often would be a good idea.
<Kotono> She stays this way for a little while, before turning fire red and breaking away. "Oh! I nearly forgot about hunting!"
<Seira> "It was worth it," Seira voices.
<Kotono> "Yes..." Blushing hotter again, "That song was so...so...Seira." Taking a moment, "Do you know any romantic songs at all?"
<Seira> "Not from start to finish," Seira says regretfully. "I mean. Not something bards would call a romantic ballad. I know a few verses here and there. But I could learn, if you'd like."
<Kotono> "That would be...good." Her blush turns hotter, and abruptly Amaryl turns away. "Yes...yes...but let's fine some game a-already?"
<Seira> "Let's," Seira agrees, drawing her bow. "It's your show from here, Amaryl," she says warmly.
<Kotono> OOC - Spot checks both of you then?
<Seira> roll 1d20+9
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 and gets 12."12 [1d20=3]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 30."12 [1d20=16]
<Kotono> Seira has no luck, but after about ten minutes Amaryl stops. "Shhh, there's a few rabbits low onthe ground, about 70 feet away," she whispers, "A pair or three of them would suffice."
06* Seira has no problems whatsoever with following Amaryl's lead, waiting for her to point them out clearly and prepare herself. Surely, her eyes would not fail her then!
<Kotono> OOC: Move silent checks, both of you?
<Kotono> roll 1d20+20
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+20 and gets 35."12 [1d20=15]
<Seira> roll 1d20+24
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+24 and gets 41."12 [1d20=17]
<Kotono> The two creep forward with ease, a clutch of four rabbits within sight! Amaryl carefully draws her bow! "Ready?"
<Seira> Her bow already drawn, all that's left is for Seira to notch an arrow and give Amaryl a cocky grin and a nod.
<Kotono> "On three...one...two...three!" Amaryl quickly fires an arrow that splits into two!
<Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 19."12 [1d20=8]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+11
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 and gets 30."12 [1d20=19]
<Kotono> roll 2d8+2
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+2 and gets 9."12 [2d8=4, 3]
<Seira> roll 1d20+16 whee~
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+16 whee~ and gets 25."12 [1d20=9]
<Seira> roll 1d8+1+5d6 splat
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d8+1+5d6 splat and gets 24."12 [1d8=7][5d6=4, 3, 2, 1, 6]
<Kotono> Two rabibts are impaled by arrows! Both are slain instantly, the other twor unning off. "That should be enough," Amaryl murmurs, and then, "See? It's simple enough. Rabbits are a small target but if you catch them by surprise they're easy prey."
06* Seira nods. "I would've just used magic on them, which is overkill. This was more fun!"
<Kotono> Hurrying over, "I practiced on rabbits when I was training." Going to check thet wo over, "They're good practice."
06* Seira catches up at a more sedate pace, stowing the bow away. "Did you have to practice on your own, or you managed to find some help?"
<Kotono> "I found some help," Kneeling as she starts to work the rabbits, "I was able to get some and spend plenty of time with him...Sir Ambrose helped me." A faint pause here, Amaryl looking down at them. "It worked out okay."
<Seira> Ambrose seemed like a pretty okay guy but Seira can't help but hate him a little. "You know how you can have two conflicting emotions at the same time?" Seira says, kneeling by Amaryl to help out however she can. "I'm really happy for you, but I'm also pretty jealous. The worst part is that it's not really rational at all, too, and I know it."
<Kotono> "Really?" Amaryl blinks there, "...oh, you mean...?"
<Seira> "He's pretty great all around, and you spend most of your time with him," Seira says with a shrug. "You know? That's really the worst part. I sometimes wish I had some reason to dislike him!"
<Kotono> "Oh." AMaryl turns really bright, "Seira, I...don't worry about Sir Ambrose, alright? I mean, just....Well...I'm here with you. I don't want to go back to Pallanth anytime soon. Let's not worry about any of that."
<Seira> "I'm running out of things to worry about," Seira grumbles good-naturedly. "Okay. I just. There are things, not a lot of things, but there are things I lack confidence in. That's all. But the longer I'm with you, the less I let them bother me." She throws her hands up in annoyance. "Oh, I must be explaining it badly!"

[Corwin]

<Kotono> <Seira> "I'm running out of things to worry about," Seira grumbles good-naturedly. "Okay. I just. There are things, not a lot of things, but there are things I lack confidence in. That's all. But the longer I'm with you, the less I let them bother me." She throws her hands up in annoyance. "Oh, I must be explaining it badly!"
<Kotono> "A-a little," Still colored q uite red, "L-let's just take these back to camp now? I'm getting hungry."
<Seira> "A camp is good," Seira agrees, accepting the change of topic. It's the best she can do until she can find the right words to express herself, anyway. "So how is it so far, just traveling like that?"
<Kotono> "My feet hurt," Amaryl gathers up the rabbits, "All the walking and riding leaves me sore." Making a face at that, "I didn't imagine that part at all."
<Seira> "I can help with that!" Seira offers. "Even without magic! This happens to be one of my skills."
<Kotono> "Can you?" As you start to walk back into the dawning night, "I'm getting blisters on my feet."
06* Seira grins. "Sure! That's a promise."
<Kotono> Thus the night and then the next day continues on. Soon the Malmuthian border is passed without incident, the caravan being waved through without any overt difficulties. Once you pass through, Amaryl lingers towards Seira. "You wanted to visit the first town past the border, didn'tyou?"
<Seira> "See the mood, check if there's anything they need, learn more about what's going on in the rest of the country," Seira agrees. "These things always take time, unless you take unethical shortcuts, since you can't just show up in Queen Tant's throne room and demand to know what plagues her country."
<Kotono> "I heard there was one a few hours from here. The caravan master said it's called Perseph. Shall we," Starting to continue along, "We'll make it there by noon hopefully."
06* Seira nods. "I've never been there, so it sounds perfect. I do hope they treat random visitors better than they did me last time I was in Malmuth, though."
<Kotono> "Really? What happened?" As you travel under the cloudy sky, a chilly wind gusting in from the northeast, Amaryl shivers.
03* Ebiris is now known as Alicia
06* Seira comes a bit closer, sharing her cloak with Amaryl. "I came across two soldiers who were extremely rude, and I was... in a really bad state. They were lucky that I kept my cool, and the sad part is that they did not even realize it until I've left.
<Seira> I really hope my troops aren't like that when I'm out of earshot, all filled with anger to the point it blinds them to their duties and the best interests of their country."
<Kotono> Huddling into the cloak for warmth, "Did you do anything to anger them, or was it because of the war?"
<Seira> "The war, really," Seira says, frowning, "but it seems the anger was there even before it. It's funny, how I came to represent the secession of the Baronies from the Empire, even though I was nowhere near the human lands at that time."
<Kotono> "Maybe you're just covinent, being a big symbol of the Baronies in the last war?" Amaryl hazards, "It's not really fair."
<Seira> "Better me than someone else, then," Seira says with a shrug. "But just for a while, I'm taking a vacation from that me."
<Kotono> With that, the two continue on! Perseph is a moderately sized village clustered around a small lake and hill. Trade roads connect to it, caravans passing through on the way to Purinn or perhaps taking the long way towards Tauret. The buildings are sturdy ones, many of them looking older.
<Seira> Purinn, Tauret... Seira doesn't really have a preference for their next destination, and decides to just see where the road takes them. "We could try to find an inn and listen to all sorts of exciting rumors before staying for the night," she offers. "Sounds good?"
<Kotono> "Okay," Amaryl agrees to that. Your travels take you to a well kept - if run down anyway - inn called the Silver Foolsmith. OOC - Do you want to try to seek out info with RP or roll a gather info check, Seira?
<Seira> roll 1d20+11 this time
06* Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 this time and gets 29."12 [1d20=18]
<Kotono> roll 1d20+1 trying to aid
06* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+1 trying to aid and gets 16."12 [1d20=15]
<Kotono> Seira finds out the following:
<Kotono> Armas the leatherworker died last week in a drowning accident in the lake. Services were today and the entire town is still reflecting on the misfortune. (More)
<Kotono> The town is becoming prosperous lately. Being near the new border and the changes it engenders means more traffic passes through this town. A few new merchant shops are looking to open within a few weeks.  (More)
<Kotono> Jerek One-Eye recently came into a considerable sum of gold as a result of finding a large cache of treasure. An old adventurer who's lingered around Purinn and Malmuth for ten years, he's looking to settle down in this town. This ties in really well to the prosperity thing, adding even more money into the town as he has a dream house/fortress constructed a few miles away. (More)
<Kotono> A few townspeople wish and reflect that the rest of Malmuth - one says ALL of Malmuth, with a dirty look northward - was doing so well. Queen Tant's been consolidating power and slowly starting to pare back the military because of all the expenses. (More)
<Kotono> The latest rumor from Purinn says that Queen Tant's doing as huffle of town and city govenors and military generals. Less charitable folks say it's a purge, but only in soft whispers.
<Seira> "Purinn it is, then," Seira tells Amaryl quietly in their room at the end of a day spent listening in and chatting up people for the latest news from Malmuth. "Where there's a purge, there are lots of disgruntled people plotting to rebel and all that nasty stuff. I don't know if we could be there at the right time, but we'll certainly be going to the right place."
<Kotono> Amaryl lies in the bed, her armor, bow and arrows put carefully down ont he floor. She lies in a soft green tunic and long skirt, eyes half closed. "Purge is such an ugly word. We would never do it like that in Pallanth." After a pause to yawn, "It reminded me of the Council. No one really agrees with each other, but the Queen does what she wants after listening to them. Except, it's being played out over an entire country instead of over a few
<Kotono> played out over an entire country instead of over a few scions."
<Seira> "We don't really have purges, either," Seira agrees. For her part, she's by the window staring outside, her cloak keeping her warm. Once in a while, her gaze travels over to Amaryl.
<Seira> "But there's no sense in sugarcoating the truth, here. Sometimes, bad people seize power. Corrupt people. And they become so entrenched they are a phenomenon the rulers have to deal with, and no longer just a bad seed or two."
<Kotono> "Human kingdoms are so strange at times." Amaryl marvels, "How can someone become entrenched in such a short period of time. Even a long serving human would not go more than thirty years, and that would be a rare one?"
<Seira> "Easily. Think in terms of dynasties."
<Kotono> "Mmm." Amaryl isn't noisy for a little bit as she considers that. "You mean that corruption begets more corruption?"
<Seira> "The children of the corrupt, raised in that atmosphere and never knowing any better? Witnessing first hand how genuine reform is punished?" She closes the window, making her way to the bed to sit upon it. "It's all too easy to see how this might happen."
<Kotono> Craning her neck to look to Seira as she does, "Oh?"
<Seira> "Most of us have role models," Seira elaborates. "But not all role models are good ones, and children are very impressionable."
<Kotono> "So you blame it on customs and parents?"
03* Taishyr (~ferixstad@pix050-144.pix.wmich.edu) has joined #dunes
<Seira> "Teachers. Older siblings. When everyone around you is like that, pretty soon...." Seira pauses. "Power has a lure as well, and unless your upbringing teaches you proper values it would be pretty easy to just give in."
<Kotono> "Mmmmm. I wonder..is that why I have so many teachers and so many lessons?" Amaryl ponders.
<Seira> "It's probably because you're really, really rich," Seira tells her with an amused smile. "But it might account for the quality of your teachers!"
03* Taishyr is now known as Demedais
<Kotono> Smiling at that a little, "I suppose it might...say Seira. You've never talked about how you grew up. There was the business with Filetta and SAul, but...what was your childhood like?"
03* Sierra_Dreaming is now known as Devourlord_Sierra
<Seira> "What little I can remember was okay, with Dad teaching me little things. A bit of magic, a few tricks like that? Nothing fancy." She settles more comfortably on the bed. "Then he was tricked by Irenes and I was shuffled off to this boarding school, sort of. Once Filetta took over and stole Dad's cash, life got pretty damn bad and eventually I ran off to look for Dad."
06* Seira frowns. "It was pretty upsetting to learn that he didn't have a real reason to not check in on me."
<Kotono> "From all I know, your Dad seems to care about you. Why didn't he checkin on you, then?" Turning so she can easily look to Seira, "In the first place I mean."
<Seira> "Oversight?" Seira sighs. "The smartest of people can make the stupidest mistakes. He claimed he didn't want to get me involved in danger, and I get that. I would try to keep you safe from the worst parts, too, but cutting someone you love off like that? It feels wrong. Maybe... maybe Mom's death affected him a lot, and he didn't know how to deal with me?"
<Kotono> "Maybe." Amaryl considers that, "Maybe he did just make a mistake. Sorry."
<Seira> "You... really don't have anything to apologize for, believe me." Seira shakes her head. "And that school wasn't too bad. I even had friends! Though only one stayed that once I didn't have money anymore."
<Kotono> "She's a true friend?" Amaryl smiles a little there, "And you're fabously rich now, too."
<Seira> "I'm pretty rich now, yes," Seira agrees with a little smile of her own. "And she's a good friend, yes. But I didn't hear back from her despite writing, so I'm a bit worried. Maybe it's because I'm bad at writing letters?"
<Kotono> "Say...where does she live?" Amaryl asks.
<Seira> "Elfsander. Maybe we could stop by for a brief visit later?" Seira offers.
<Kotono> "We can go check on her." Amaryl agrees with a smile, on ethat splits into a yawn. "Tired...traveling leaves me wanting to sleep like a log."
<Seira> "There's that," Seira agrees. "Hey, if you'd like, I could conjure up comfortable cabins for us to rest in for the rest of our trip."
<Kotono> OOC: Okay. You're going to be travelling towards Purinn?
<Seira> OOC: I was thinking it might be fun to talk to that Jerek guy, but after that, pretty much. Does this work?
<Kotono> OOC: Sure.
<Kotono> The next morning you go hunt around. A few miles out of town a large stone fortress and house combination is being build. Workers lug heavy stones into place and polish them, the start of a home in progress. Overseeing them is a man with grey-white hair, arms crossed and wearing well worn leather armor. "Yeah?" He asks with a glance back as Seira and Amaryl approach.
06* Seira checks whether this man has only one eye!
<Kotono> He indeed only has one eye! He has an eyepatch over his left eye and a wicked scar running down from his hairline to the top of his neck.
<Seira> "I hope you don't mind," Seira tells him, smiling pleasantly. "We've been passing through Perseph and heard that an admirable adventurer decided to settle here, and it seemed like a good idea to pay our respects."
<Kotono> "You two in the business? You look it," Eyeing both of them intently, "Only way two women travel alone like this is if they can take care of themselves."
<Seira> "You could say that!" Seira agrees. "So are we in the way? If not, it would be nice to hear a story or two!"
<Kotono> "Eh, why not?" He looks the two over, "Jerek One-Eye. Lost it at the hands of a really pissed off troll." Sticking his hand out to Seira, "You two are?"
<Seira> "Trolls are nasty," Seira agrees with a sympathetic wince. Losing an eye leads to bad thoughts, and she hurriedly introduces herself as she takes his hand. "Seira and Amaryl! We're traveling to Purinn together."
<Kotono> "Seira, eh?" Taking the hand and shaking it with a firm grip, "Far from Balmuria, aren't you?"
<Seira> "Can never be too far with teleport," she responds. "Maybe I should introduce myself under an assumed name, since I'm on vacation. Am I really the only Seira in the world?" She glances at Amaryl. "It never seemed like that unique a name."
<Kotono> "Yeah. Lotta people I know wouldn't spit on you to put you out if you were on fire." With a cracked smile, "Well, you're famous around here. When at raveller named Seira is mentioned, you were the first thing I thought of."
06* Seira frowns. "I'm actually fireproof, but that's not a nice thing to hear. I like Malmuth, at that, so it's pretty sad."
<Kotono> "Yeah, well..." He rubs his face, "Ah hell, I'm not up to talkinga bout this without something to drink. C'mon, tents are on the other side. We'll sit downa dn talk there." Starting to walk, "Your last name isn't Gaial, is it?" he asks Amaryl.
<Seira> "Assumed names, or the vacation won't get anywhere," Seira mutters.
<Kotono> "...yes." Amaryl blushes hotly, "You know about us? I've gotten the impression most humans don't."
<Kotono> "I survived this long because I made a point of knowing as much as I could," You go around the construction site. IN back are several tents, large and spaciously spread out on the plains. Going into one, you find a bed and table there, as well as af ew casks in the back.
<Seira> "I got the impression most elves didn't," Seira says in surprise, opting to stand as she looks around the tent. "Judging by Celebrimbor, anyway."
<Kotono> It's pretty plain, though a few sets of clothes are also about. "It's good ale, if that's good enough for a hero and a noble elf." Tapping one of the casks and pouring a glass, "Either of you want?"
<Seira> "Sure," Seira agrees, extending a hand.
<Kotono> "I'm alright," Amaryl demurs, as two mugs are poured. Going to sit down at the table, "But yeah. You got the people who hate you because you killed King Ferdi, then you got the people who hate you because you and your Baronies tore Valandia away as war booty. Oh,a nd there are those that hate anything from the Baronies for breaking away from the first place.
<Kotono> "
<Seira> "It was not just spoils of war," Seira says, accepting the mug. "Before all else, it was designed to send a message to the Olburts of the world. He sent what amounted to demands for our surrender even as the rightful monarch, Queen Tant, was demanding his." Seira snorts, trying the ale.
<Seira> "It was a bad idea, and we got a buffer zone in case of another surprise attack as a result. I suppose it is a bit complicated to just spread around as the official version, though."
<Kotono> It's pretty goods tuff, though very mild. "I'd say it was a good idea. You won, you made sure they'll have a harder time of it next time around." Drinking his own, "Just that you're on the Empire's shit list now, no matter how many soothing noises Queen Tant makes."
<Seira> "So you know all sorts of things, right?" Seira says. "How is the Queen, really? I've never got a chance to meet her, since emergencies kept on popping up, but maybe I will have the chance on this trip. Is she one of those who'd rather set me on fire and watch me burn, too?"
<Kotono> "Nah. She's pretty even keeled from what I've heard. Talked to a few people who have met her. Really doesn't like Ferdi and wants to pull things back together. She's also smart as a whip."
<Seira> "I suppose she didn't like him having purges through his own family, yeah," Seira mutters, drinking more of the ale. "Unpleasant business, that. Still. Even though we're not here in any official capacity and all that, if there's anything we could do for the Malmuthians while just passing through...."
<Kotono> "Suit yourselves. You're right, don't go blathering your identity to every and anyone. Some peasants might not get it, but anyone smart enough to be dangerous will. There are some people in Malmuth who would be happy to see your head on a pike, Seira." Drinking down more ale, "Which would be a shame for the both of you, you're both young and pretty."
<Seira> "They will find that to be very difficult and leading to tears," Seira says with confidence. "I've recently acquired a vengeful streak and an almost paranoid caution against ambushes." She glances at Amaryl again. "Say, you look like an Amy to me. What do you think?"
<Kotono> With a faint blush and smile, "Amy? That would be acceptable."
<Seira> "You can name me if you'd like!"
<Kotono> After a few moments of thought, "I have two ideas. Xerandalla or Sarah."
<Seira> "An easy choice. Xer-something or other it is!"
<Kotono> "Xerandalla," Amaryl smiles, "It's such a pretty name!"
06* Seira doesn't want to admit she was kidding, in case Amaryl is actually serious. "On second thought, I've never heard a human called like that, which is bad for my disguise. I will have to reluctantly settle for Sarah."