011.1 Jaela

[Corwin]

[20:56] <Kotono> The next day Annalise and Jaela meet up with Adrian in the courtyard. A contingent of berserkers practice outside a ways away, adding a certain loudness to the affair. "Alright," Adrian begins, "The survivors are in an air bubble within Water. It's safe there as far as I know, but my portal probably won't be in the bubble. Jaela, can you breathe underwater or take care of that?"
[20:57] <Jaela> "Not really--" Jaela begins to say, before she pauses. "Huh. Take care of that, you say?"
[20:58] * Jaela nods firmly. "I can cover myself, I've got a spell for it. How about you, Annalise? Can you cast underwater to teleport us over?"
[21:01] <Kotono> "Of course I can," Annalise chuckles, staying close to the half celestial, "Water is no impediment to me."
[21:02] * Jaela snorts. "I'll cast Stone Body so I'll fight anything off if we show up in the middle of something nasty, but I'll also start sinking right away so don't let go of me and we'll all stay together. Adrian, describe the place? And hey, how many survivors are we talking about here?"
[21:07] <Kotono> "As many as could get through the portal. Elder Magi Tepen held out as long as he could, and longer...to his detriment." So he explains with a sigh, "It's a natural air bubble in water, wet stone full of moss and algae growing on it. Almost like grass. About a hundred to two hundred all told, though not all are combatants. Most of the serious warriors died letting them escape. But even the
[21:07] <Kotono> survivors have been tryign to learn and get by, and they can be useful. They need a home, too. A real home."
[21:08] <Jaela> "Should be just within limits, then. Barely, but still. We all ready?"
[21:12] <Kotono> "How many people can you shift back at once," Adrian asks, drawing Gaelach in the meanwhile.
[21:14] <Jaela> "Twenty four in a day." Jaela shrugs. "We'll just have to split it. Shift as many as we can over the week, and teleport the rest after passing through a rift."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Right," Adrian agrees, "That sounds good." With that he hacks his sword in the air, a rippling, oozing silver gash appearing! Water splashes out of the gash, as Adrian dives in!
[21:18] * Jaela becomes entombed in stone before she breaks out of it, a living statue! She takes Annalise's hand, and heads in after Adrian!
[21:21] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:21] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 8." [1d100=8]
[21:23] <Kotono> With a dive the three appear within Water! Water, water, water everywhere! Adrian grabs a hold of Jaela, around the waist, as she comes through! His voice is a burble as he speaks, all muffled, "Now cast teleport!" Around you is a pale light - it seems to come from everywhere and nowhere, but otherwise there is nothing but water.
[21:24] <Jaela> Nothing but water means the Stone Body was wasted, but Jaela doesn't begrudge the spent spell. She nods at Adrian, holding onto he and Annalise both, and waits expectantly.
[21:29] <Kotono> Annalise chants a word of power! Reality around you shifts and then....woosh! Water drips off you. Around you is open air - far far above you can see water, as if held back by the roof of a great, invisible dome. The ground is rocky and green colored, a layer of various growths all over them ground. Ahead are a few dozen crude structures, made of what looks to be driftwood, bits of stone and
[21:29] <Kotono> odds and ends.  Past them you see what looks to be fields of some sort, several people at work plowing. Adrian looks around and smiles a moment, "At last. Jaela, let me take the lead here," Adrian says.
[21:30] * Jaela gestures for Adrian to go ahead, shaking water off her rocky shell before she returns to her normal, mithral-clad self.
[21:33] <Kotono> Annalise just chuckles dryly and follows, smiling for no obvious reason at all. Meanwhile Adrian sets a pace that's rather fast, cupping his hands to his mouth, "Friends! Friends of Lifasa! I've returned with news of victory! Medicant is ours!"
[21:34] <Kotono> At this the fieldworkers stop, turning and running towards the trio! From the buildings men and women emerge, as well as several children! Dozens come out quickly, coming! A tide of words and shouts follow, "Medicant!" "Did you...!" "Where is it?" "Adrian, you're alive!"
[21:35] <Jaela> "You know, I never considered we would need to stay here for a week," Jaela admits quietly, keeping an eye on Adrian as she looks about. "No inns, I figure. Do we sleep on the ground or something?"
[21:39] <Kotono> "Yes. It's all we had here," he begins, before he's overwhelmed! He breaks into a smile at everything, "I'll explain everything...we're going to be taking everyone to Medicant - we call it Aurora now," With a bigger smile, "I need to see the Elder Magi! Please, take us to him!"
[21:41] <Jaela> Yes, it's not really the time to chat. Jaela just focuses on looking confident and competent while Adrian does his thing. "Yeah, take us to your leader," she can't help but add.
[21:44] <Kotono> The group leads you to one of the huts. It's dimly lit in here, a bed of rags supporting one man. He is old and weathered, a long white beard and soft white robe. He lies reclined back, eyes half open. With a bleary gaze he looks towards the party, "Adrian?" he asks, voice strained and tired. "Do you bring back hope?"
[21:45] <Kotono> Adrian approaches him and kneels, "I do, Elder Magi. With the help of other survivors, we have Medicant," he says, looking over his shoulder, "Jaela is from our world as well - from the land of the elves. Annalise is an...ally."
[21:46] <Kotono> With a cough before a smile, Elder Magi Tepen holds his hand up, "Jaela..." He murmurs it slowly, "A good name." He squints at you, "You are from our benighted world?"
[21:47] <Jaela> "Hey, old man!" Jaela greets him back. "So you're Tepen, huh? Adrian talks about you all the time." She shrugs at the question. "Not everyone died or ran away to the afterlife. Guess I'm one of those who went against the norm." She takes his hand, mindful of the man's apparent age and frailty, and tries a Heal to see if he feels any better afterwards.
[21:52] <Kotono> His grasp is soft and slack, though he smiles around another laugh. The heal hits him...and a darkness shrouds him at the same time! Elder Magi Tepen sits up and hacks violently, coughing for several moments! He then goes slack, the darkness fading from him, "No, child, no..." he mutters, voice farther away, "The pain in my soul resists succor...the touch of the tyrants of the pit do not fade."
[21:52] <Kotono> He coughs again after, a fleck of red staining his robe. "It's not a physical ailment...my soul bleeds and weeps."
[21:52] * Jaela glances sideways at Annalise. "Is there a spell for that?"
[21:55] <Kotono> Annalise shakes her head, "This isn't my strongest suit, but whatever he has would likely require divine intervention or magic beyond the ninth circle," she peers, "What sort of devil did this to you?"
[21:56] <Jaela> "Yeah," Jaela agrees, returning her attention to the ancient mage. "Cause we're gonna strike back. We got the Aurora, and we got ourselves a start on the army. We'll fix you up, too, while we're at it!"
[21:56] <Kotono> Licking his dry lips and looking up, "A tyrant of the pit. One of the vast red tyrants...a pit fiend." He says at last, "I feel his claws digging into me every day. I decay, only holding on...by my magic and will."
[21:57] <Jaela> "You just need to hold on a bit more. Don't worry about it and wait for us to work something out, alright?"
[21:58] <Kotono> Adrian looks him over, "Rest now, hold on," he agrees, "We're going to begin taking people to Medicant today."
[21:59] <Jaela> "Starting with Tepen, any elders and the families with children," Jaela adds. "How many does it make it, Adrian?"
[22:00] <Kotono> Softly Annalise whispers to you, her breath a chill tickle on your throat, "Mmmm. Even if he is healed, his body is ancient. His time is fading, as is the inevitable destiny of mortal beings. With that his magical knowledge fades..." Letting that trail off, "Say the word and I can grant him eternal life, a form that needs not fear age or the claws of Baator."
[22:01] <Jaela> "We lose more than we gain," Jaela whispers back. "Think about who we're trying to recruit and how we'll fail horribly if we start doing this."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Perhaps," Annalise admits, "But you lose much more than you think. You would have a wizard with power beyond his physical prime and the knowledge and skill of a lifetime. He would be an invaluable help that way. No longer would his age and fatigue hold his mastery of magics back."
[22:05] <Jaela> "Well, if logic fails there's also the part where it's wrong," Jaela tells her. "Come on, he's not a kid. He knows just right for himself how he can avoid death, so what do you think it means he never did anything about it? We can't go around forcing people."
[22:06] <Kotono> "What's to say he had the choice?" Annalise retorts, "He's been lying in this forgotten corner of Water since his injury, if I understand right. A broken shell who could only send out a champion to enact his dream."
[22:06] <Kotono> Meanwhile Adrian murmurs something to the Elder Magi, before rising. Turning back to the two of you, "I'm going to go start arrainging people to leave and getting a headcount."
[22:09] <Jaela> "Go for it," Jaela tells Adrian, while she considers Annalise's words. "Good point. I still think you're wrong, but not about that, at least."
[22:09] <Jaela> She peers down at the elderly mage, and finally voices, "Can I ask a personal quesiton?"
[22:10] <Kotono> Adrian nods and goes to do that. Annalise kneels besides Jaela, both before the Elder Magi. He looks up and nods, "You may. What time I have left I wish to use to the best of my ability."
[22:12] <Jaela> "It's kinda blunt but you'll get used to that if you stick around me. Basically, it's against my religion to become a lich. But I figure you'd still reject it even without that reason, so why's that?"
[22:13] <Kotono> "What...what do you speak of? Why do you speak of that profane rite and un-life?" He coughs after, "Why?"
[22:14] <Jaela> "I never really thought about it beyond the whole 'it's wrong' thing, but I figure there are plenty of reasons. I'd ask other archmages who are strong enough to get there, but they might get upset and attack me."
[22:15] <Kotono> "Why? What posssesses you to ask me of THAT now, of all times?" He peers, "You of celestial blood...why?"
[22:16] <Jaela> "Didn't you ever wonder why all sorts of rules were made?"
[22:18] * Jaela shrugs. "Anyway, I figure you have all sorts of great ideas. I've been trying to argue with Annalise but I don't think I'm doing too well, so any help's good."
[22:18] <Kotono> "Jaela, I am old and tired. The meaning of the rules holds little interest for me now. Still..." He sighs and coughs again. After that and licking his lips, "We live our lives and pass on when our time has come. There is no need to use Mystra's Weave to extend it. For life everlasting awaits us past this existance...I wait for the day that I see Dweomerheart with my own two eyes."
[22:19] * Jaela nods slowly. "So it's about the next great adventure, that sorta stuff?"
[22:19] <Kotono> Annalise chuckles, "A life forgotten of this one, at the whim of a power with little obligation to you." Licking her lips in turn with Tepen's, "Do not pretend you do not know how souls transmigrate."
[22:20] <Kotono> "I wait...for my happiness..." Elder Magi Tepen sighs long, then looks at Annalise. He looks at her with eyes wide open, "Mystra is a kind and wise Goddess. I do not fear that."
[22:21] <Jaela> "So it's what you want to do and a bit of faith thrown in?" Jaela nods again. "Sure, that makes sense. Sometimes it's the simplest reasons that work."
[22:21] <Kotono> "Of course you dont. You won't remember that you lost yourself, or anything you cared about." With another smile at that, "You won't even remember Lifasa or everyone you left behind, you won't care if they win or lose."
[22:24] <Kotono> There is no reply to Annalise. Instead Elder Magi Tepen looks right towards Jaela, "Celestial...what do you travel with? These questions and her...why is a creature such as her here?"
[22:25] * Jaela gives Annalise another glance. "Think I could chat with the old man alone for a bit?" Playing mediator isn't really her style, and probably won't do any good here anyway.
[22:26] <Kotono> "Certainly," Annalise says, "As long as I havea  chance to talk to him privately myself."
[22:27] * Jaela shrugs. "Up to Tepen and all."

[Corwin]

[18:58] <Kotono> "I will talk to you," Elder Magi Tepen looks to Jaela.
[19:00] <Jaela> "Thanks." Jaela squeezes Annalise's hand, and then takes a moment to sit herself more comfortably. Kneeling in full plate for a discussion isn't quite her idea of fun.
[19:02] <Kotono> Annalise smiles and departs, giving the two of you privacy. Elder Magi Tepen looks up to Jaela, "Tell me then...though I fear I know the answer." His voice wheezes, the last of it ending in a cough. His face contorts into a grimace, "You're willing to strike deals with many and any thing for the power to save Lifasa?"
[19:07] <Jaela> "Not any," Jaela responds. "But you're pretty close. Adrian recruited this demon troll from Lifasa at the onset. And he tried to killed me when he stabbed me in the back during a fight! Because he said I was mean! The fuck's up with that?" Jaela looks quite indignant. "So yeah, we're not running an exclusive club there. But without him and Annalise, I dunno if we could get the Aurora. We already had casualties on the way as it is. Maybe we would've had more." She grows silent. "Look, I was serious about wanting your help. I've been trying to convince Annalise that the way she goes about things is wrong, but I guess I'm too young for that so I keep on losing. I figured I'd ask you, but you didn't really react like I thought you would. See? I really need the advice. I want to set her straight, but I can't do it on my own, the way I'm now."
[19:10] <Kotono> Coughing before a reply, "My body is withering away. The help I can give is sadly limited." He half closes his eyes, "She's arguing you towards evil?"
[19:12] <Jaela> "Not... well... not really." Jaela sighs. "It's more, she sounds lonely and like she tried everything and failed and got rejected all the time, so now she doesn't even think about trying. So it's always with her about how things are futile and about how taking her offer is the only way. And all I have is my faith, which is okay but not rock solid. I can't sway her with just that. I can tell her that if she tries her best the Seldarine would understand and accept it, but then she just goes about how it didn't work in the past with another deity and really what do you say to that?"
[19:16] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen laughs for a moment, licking his lips after. He takes a few long, wheezing breaths in, "Jaela, she is correct. As long as she embraces the profanity of the living dead, none of the righteous shall accept her. You are still young..." Slowly he manages to sit up, reaching out. His old, weathered hand reaches out to one of Jaela's wings, "You love her, don't you?" he asks after.
[19:16] <Kotono> "She tears you between what is right and what stays in your heart."
[19:22] <Jaela> "What I'm feeling's tearing at me, alright," Jaela grumbles. "It's always been that what you do and who you are is what matters, not what you are. That's why I can fight with all sorts, those I'd never associate with on my own. That's why, if I see a trapped demon that's suffering in a punishment that really doesn't fit the crime, what I should do is free it and take it as my responsibility. And if it stays decent, I have to give it a chance in case it's really turning away from how it used to be. You know? That's how it's all supposed to be." Looking downright petulant, Jaela asks the elder magi, "If it were some vrock that said he'd follow us and help us defeat the devils on Lifasa and didn't do a single bad thing from the moment he joined us, wouldn't the Seldarine give him a chance? And she's not made of literal evil and hate and betrayal."
[19:26] <Kotono> "A demon might...such is the hate of demons and devils. It is not against their nature to do that." Pausing as he considers it long, "Will she renounce what she is and seek to be put to rest or restored to life?"
[19:28] <Jaela> "What, right now? No," Jaela responds bluntly. "But maybe I could show her a better way. I mean, I want to. If it's about being immortal, I know other ways for it. Still, it's not like anyone changes overnight, do they?"
[19:32] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen coughs into his hand this time, "If I am correct, she is a lich or a vampire?" he asks then, "You spoke of liches, but she does not quite strike me as one."
[19:34] <Jaela> "I mentioned liches because it's something a mage could do on his own. If he wanted to and was creepy like that. And I didn't want her to misunderstand and get false hopes about how she's convincing me. She's a really strong vampire."
[19:38] <Kotono> "As I feared. I felt her force of will." Elder Magi Tepen closes his eyes, "Vampires are seducers and corruptors, much like succubi. She will whisper the sweetest words and chip away at your bastion of morals. I fear for you. Perhaps, just perhaps she is telling the truth and the cold nothingness, negation and evil of undeath has slackened its grip on her. Yet more likely she manipulates you, seducing your heart and overcoming your logic." Here he rests, "Is this woman worth risking your life, your status and your soul for? Is she that essential to the salvation of Lifasa...and your own heart?"
[19:44] <Jaela> "I can't be manipulated with magic," Jaela states firmly. "So if someone really does mess with my head one day, it's because I'm being a moron. And I decided to give her a chance before I even liked her." She colors in frustration, but continues nonetheless. "I know it's risky and I'm an idiot for even trying, but I can't. I just don't want to hate someone for what they are. I'm already doing it with devils, and I can't help it. If I don't stop this somewhere, I'll just turn into a zealot before I know it. Is that what the Seldarine want? To have me smite everything in my path, as long as it glows?"
[19:47] <Kotono> "The path of a paladin is fraught with peril." Tepen murmurs, "Does she want to turn you?"
[19:49] * Jaela snorts. "She wants to turn everyone. But she's not forcing anyone, either. I really... I want her to understand she shouldn't do that. You know, offer. Even if it were ever a good idea, she'd never get accepted with the others then. I don't want that."
[19:51] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Elder Magi Tepen shakes his head. "If you try...perhaps you will triumph. Far more likely is that you will have to choose between her and damnation, and yourself and salvation." A pause to cough even longer again, "An offer not easily refused." He sighs long, "I heard her whispers, my ears aren't dead yet. A seductive promise, release from my misery and a chance to devote myself to revenge against Abigor."
[19:58] <Jaela> "I'm sorry you did," Jaela apologizes, in a rare moment of genuine contriteness. "I don't want her to do that. I just know that whenever she does, it makes a bad impression and just sours it all up with people." She sighs. "Her offer aside, I do have one of my own. I can think of three quick ways to help you. We've made some friends in Ysgard and Elysium--" Jaela can't help her grimace at the latter, but it won't be the first time she returns there against her will, "--and I'm talking about pretty high placed celestials. They might fix you or help with your pain. Then, there's always the House of the Triad. It's where Ilmater's staying now, innit? I've been meaning to go there next anyway, and we don't even need any friends there. I hear anyone in his realm stops suffering since he's suffering in their stead or somesuch. And then, there's Astral. I guess you'd still be in pain there, but at least you'd give us time to find some way to break that asshole pit fiend's poison somehow. I'm sure we will, so it's just about holding on long enough. And I'm not doing it since you're useful or anything, but I can't deny you are. Would be. Whatever. What do you think? It's not like you can't go to Mystra after anyway."
[20:04] <Kotono> "It's worth trying," he says at last, "Ilmater's realm would make the most sense."
[20:06] * Jaela looks pleased. "You're alright, old man!" she cheers, about to clap him on the shoulder and reconsidering at the last moment at his appearance. "I wasn't sure if you gave up already, but you're a fighter through and through! Alright. Once we send two groups through, I'll bring you across myself."
[20:25] <Kotono> "Alright," Tepen agrees, closing his eyes.
[20:27] <Jaela> "You know, we really are doing okay," Jaela feels obliged to say. "We got the Aurora, and we got a start on an army, and we got a few artifacts to our name. And I hired a few guys to investigate things for us. The weaknesses of our enemies, or any survivors of Lifasa who still want to fight. Got anyone like that you want me to look into?"
[20:29] <Kotono> There's no reply from Tepen - his breathing slows a little bit, as if he's slipped into sleep.
[20:30] <Jaela> "Guess it can wait," Jaela says, standing up. Especially if the plan to help him works. She waits a little more to ensure it's just sleep and Tepen is not slipping away, before heading outside.
[20:31] <Kotono> Annalise is awaiting, licking her lips, "Ah, how was it?" she inquires sweetly, "Incidentally, I'm getting rather hungry."
[20:33] <Jaela> "Well enough, I think," Jaela responds with a shrug, before leaning closer in. "Can you go to Ilmater's realm, or is that pretty bad for you?"
[20:44] <Kotono> "Let's see," Annalise considers, "The Triad imprisoned me for a very long time."
[20:46] * Jaela can't help but laugh. "I guess I really am an idiot when you're concerned. Good to know. I can help with your hunger after we catch up with Adrian and find out how many people he has here. I'm down to my last diamond, though."

[Corwin]

[18:53] <Kotono> "We'll have to go shopping," Annalise murmurs, "Or we can make this the last diamond you'll ever need." With a slow, sensual smile as she takes Jaela's hand in her own, "If you believe that what I am doesn't mean I'm beyond hope, why reject my gift?"
[19:02] <Jaela> Jaela squeezes that hand, sighing. "It's not what you are. It's who you are, okay? I'm not trusting a vampire. I'm trusting you, Annalise, and you, yeah, you happen to be a vampire. I don't wanna be one. If I'm honest, I don't want you to be one either. But I'm not gonna try and force you into anything or badger you and such. If you spend time with us and decide to do something about it, I'll help you out. But I'm just not gonna ask you every day if you feel like changing what you are. Can't you do the same?" Going about this logically failed, but perhaps it was meant to. But just the same, Jaela desperately wants Annalise to understand her. "We won't abandon you. You don't have to do anything for us, or give us gifts or riches or any of that. We won't betray you either, if like Helm shows up and offers us an army in exchange for you. You don't have to-- to, I don't know, think you need more vampires around to keep you safe. I promise that I'll do that for you."
[19:05] <Kotono> "Ah, I understand." Annalise smiles slightly again, "You trust me, Jaela. Rest your will just a moment, allow me to show you something."
[19:07] * Jaela allows herself a slight grin in response. "S'long as it's not about how good it is to be a vampire?"
[19:11] <Kotono> "Why," Annalise says with a bigger smile back, "I'm going to show you what it's like to be one. What is more true than memories? How can you say you don't want to be one ifyou don't understand what being one is?"
[19:15] <Jaela> "Because it's not rational. You know, you got the upper hand on the old man. Hands down, you're right about how him going to Mystra means we lose an archmage and he'll be skipped around as a courre or whichever and wouldn't give a shit about our problems or Lifasa. But still, you know something? I believe in choice. Even if he's making a choice that leaves us worse off or outright dumb, not that I'm saying that but you know, let's pretend, it's still his choice to make. He's doing it cause he likes it and wants it and feels content with it. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm fine with what I am. I'd probably never get hurt if I became like Afina, and I bet it'd make freeing Lifasa easier overall, but I'm just not into that sorta stuff."
[19:18] <Kotono> "Of course," Annalise says, "But making a choice involves information. If you make a choice with incorrect or limited information, how can you know you made the right choice and the choice that is true to yourself?" She smiles still in spite of all of this, patting Jaela's hand again, "What's rational about making a choice without all the information possible? Besides, if you're happy with
[19:18] <Kotono> yourself, what do you have to fear from some information and understanding?"
[19:20] <Jaela> "Like I said, it's not. It's not rational. I just like it." Jaela shrugs. "Look, if it matters that much to you, you can show me. And when I tell you after I still like what I am, will that convince you for good?"
[19:26] <Kotono> "It will be an important step," Annalise replies. "You may want to close your eyes for this - it doesn't matter, but I've heard it makes it easier."
[19:27] <Jaela> "I'll try," Jaela says, cupping Annalise's cheek with her hand and leaning in for a quick kiss. "I trust you. And I want you to trust me. If that's what it takes, then that's what it takes." She closes her eyes afterwards.
[19:35] <Kotono> It's everything. It's the pleasure of the hunt. A thrill that burns in Jaela's veins, moving about the dark forest. The darkness holds no secrets to her, every aspect of the forest known to her. The wolves and bats follow her, each primitive mind paying her unthinking devotion. The battle...everything feels more real. Each movement you make is faster and brings you an adrenaline rush. Your
[19:35] <Kotono> opponent is mighty, but you are mightier yet. The intoxication of victory follows, then the feast. You feel your fains slip into his throat...the pleasure blows being drained away. You feel his life, rushing into you. Each moment of it is like sexual release but ten times greater, leaving you unable to do anything but bask in the sensations. Then you stand amid a ball - the humans stare at you
[19:35] <Kotono> in awe and in open admiration. You can smell the respect, awe, fear and outright love they feel for you. The sensation of those feelings makes a powerful wave of superiority swell within your heart. Then studying. The studying of the ages. Watching decades pass as you learn more...such secrets you grasp for a moment, knowledge that brings you a smug sense of superiority again, secrets that can
[19:35] <Kotono> change the world. Above all, the knowledge and feeling you have transcended them and all others. A sense of overwhelming rightness to it, as if you have claimed a place long laid aside fo ryou.
[19:40] <Jaela> The sensations are overwhelming, and the only thing rising above that maelstrom is a deep sense of shock.
[19:42] <Kotono> "Do you see now? Don't be afraid. I want to give you that for every day of eternity after you accept, Jaela." Annalise whispers into your ear, "That was just the taste of a single day of my life - not even a particularly good one."
[19:45] <Jaela> "I can't... give you an answer now," Jaela forces herself to say, shaking her head. "It's... not fair. I don't understand. I--" She blinks, opening her eyes through force of will. "I need to help Adrian move people. I'll be back."
[19:47] <Kotono> "I know." Annalise replies with a gentle grace, smiling a little more. Something about her smile is more seductive, watching you go. "Don't be afraid, Jaela. The gift awaits you. There's no shame in accepting it - only the jealousy and hypocracy of those who would deny you the chance for a superior existance."
[19:48] * Jaela wants to scream that what she felt can't be true, but she holds herself together. Focusing on the plight of others, those less fortunate, makes suppressing things easily and she stalks off to find Adrian.
[19:52] <Kotono> Adrian is around several dozen people. They are laughing and talking, a general air of celebration to it. Adrian turns, smiling hugely. "Jaela!" he calls, "Meet one of the heroic survivors, everyone!" Mugs are raised up, "Three cheers for Jaela!" A loud chorus follows.
[19:54] * Jaela almost glares at him. The one she wants to direct that glare towards isn't here, however, and she settles for closing her eye, taking a deep breath and then striding forward with determination. "Adrian," she responds to his greeting. "I talked to the old man. We have a plan to save him and tend to his needs. I'd be down with a celebration, but with the pain he's in, that would just feel like shit when I can do something about it. You did a head count?"
[19:56] <Kotono> "Yes. 74 survivors. We've lost some due to age, heartbreak and disease." Shaking his head, "About 40 of them have been training in combat and the other 30 are non-combatants, farmers and children. That's not counting Tepen, so with him it's 75. What's your idea to help him?"
[19:59] <Jaela> "The three of us will go pay a personal visit to the Triad. If the House of Suffering can't heal him, they sure as hell can tell us where to go next." Jaela does a quick count, grimacing as the estimates are brought down. "Alright, here goes. I'm gonna send sixteen children and their immediate family to the Aurora's courtyard, straight past the gates." She raises her voice, addressing the crowd. "Once you're there, just shout together for Elena. Got it? Elena. She's blue and friendly and she'll take it from there. Tell her I said hi."
[20:03] <Kotono> The people gather as instructed, nods and words of agreement given.
[20:05] <Jaela> Jaela nods curtly. She is about to start, but then pauses and says, "We're bringing you all home. Down to the last." She nods to herself once more, and then invokes her strongest dimensional travel spell twice on the gathered noncombatants. She watches them disappear, and then returns her attention to Adrian. "Ready to take old man Tepen to a better place?"
[20:08] <Kotono> "Yeah," Adrian turns, "Let's get this done."
[20:09] * Jaela leads the way back.
[20:12] <Kotono> You find Annalise awaiting just outside, smiling pleasantly as you approach. She just smiles at Jaela, saying nothing.
[20:14] <Jaela> "I'll be back tomorrow," Jaela says, averting her eye. "First this in the morning, if I can make it." She shuffles in place awkwardly, before blurting out, "Wait for me!" and quickly heading inside without waiting for an answer.
[20:15] <Kotono> Adrian follows, his smile rather gone as you enter. In a quiet voice as he follows, "What the hellw as that about?"
[20:17] <Jaela> "Shut up!" Jaela hisses, coming to kneel by Tepen. "Hey, old man. Still asleep? We're gonna go now."
[20:19] <Kotono> Tepen indeed looks to be asleep. Adrian gives Jaela a distinctly unimpressed and annoyed look, but holds his tongue.
[20:21] * Jaela picks up the elderely mage, looking disgruntled herself. "This is gonna be a blind plane shift, just like with your rifts. But those things are monitored, so once they see why we're coming we might get redirected to the right place," she tells Adrian. "Hold on and I'll take us across."
[20:24] <Kotono> There is a sensation of rushing, rushing ahead into the light! Rest. You feel rested and free of pain, lying against the sides of a steep mountain. You feel better than you have in a long time. Above you in the brillantly clear sky the mountain rises even higher and higher. The air is clear and pure, sweeping into your lungs like a welcome balm.
[20:25] * Jaela closes her eye and allows her body to sag. "This place is nice," she tells Adrian, simply content to stay where she is for a moment.
[20:27] <Kotono> Adrian lies back as well, staring up at the sky. "It's like I'm back home, before all this. I'm lying in bed, oversleeping on a sunny morning." His eyes are shut, "Yes, let's rest here for awhile."
[20:28] <Jaela> "Was home, uh, nice?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Sometimes. Mostly when Mother wasn't around." Reaching out to hold his amulet as you talk, "Mother lived where there wasnt much sunshine, but every so often we'd get a day just like this. Those are the days she'd usually be gone - she always knew they were coming and avoided them."
[20:32] <Jaela> "Mind a blunt question?" And true to her nature, Jaela asks it without waiting on a confirmation. "Your dad knew what she was, right? Why did he still get together with her?"
[20:35] <Kotono> "Love. Maybe it was lust at first, but I know that he loved her despite herself." Adrian continues looking up at the sky, "Mother never deserved him. She railed against him to me at times, saying that his love is why I do not appear as a proper hag. Hah." Rubbing his chin as a smile grows on his face, "I owe my father for that."
[20:36] * Jaela snorts. "I can get that." Deeming her rest over, she climbs to her feet and takes a proper look around. "Old man, feeling any better yet?"
[20:37] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen is still asleep. His sleep looks unpained, his face having slacked into restfulness as he lies there. At this Adrian slowly rises as well, "I can carry him if it comes to that."
[20:38] * Jaela considers, before passing him on. "Yeah, I think it's best. Hold onto him for a sec, while I fly up and see just where we are." Once Adrian takes Tepen into his arms, Jaela takes off to get a proper vantage point!
[20:40] <Kotono> Mountain above and below can be seen - check that. Several angels are flying from above down your way, lead by one with long white hair. She's a ways away, but points right at Jaela.
[20:42] * Jaela raises her hand at the angel in a salute, and then flies up to meet them halfway.
[20:45] <Kotono> As you approach the one in the lead points, "That's Jaela," she instructs. There are about a dozen angels, each one clad in silver armor and carrying swords ablaze with flame. "Jaela!" Raising her voice to carry, "Naliel. You've survived your quest to find Medicant?"
[20:48] * Jaela furrows her brows at the casual name-dropping, shifting mid-air. "Kid? That you? You, uh, have limbs. And you're a chick. Huh."
[20:49] <Kotono> Naliel doesn't smile at it, "I was promoted for my long service and bravery." Naliel replies, "Jaela, I request that you come with me. The others with you will be taken care of."
[20:50] <Jaela> "Alright," Jaela agrees. "The old man, Tepen, he got a pit fiend's claw in him or something. Old war wound. Eats at his soul. You'll make sure he's treated?"
[20:52] <Kotono> "He will be." Naliel says, "Fly with us, Jaela." At this the angels begin to fly ahead - half in front of Jaela and half behind.
[20:54] <Jaela> "I figured you'd be promoted," Jaela muses, flying next to her. "So, it's Naliel? You never did tell us your name. You did real good on the quest. I was gonna look for you, now that I'm here, ask you if you want to come back. We got the fortress, alright. I saved you a room next to mine."
[20:57] <Kotono> Naliel doesn't smile as you fly, "We'll talk later, once we're home," she replies without much emotion in it. Your flight path is heading away from the mountain - as you fly, below you can begin to see a tower vaster than any other you have seen before. It floats high above a deep valley and city below, reaching up to the heavens and beyond. It a stone that shines with a faint light, hundreds
[20:57] <Kotono> of angels patrolling around it, each one glad in gleaming silver like Naliel and her friends. "Ahead is Everwatch, the abode of the Vigilant One."
[20:58] <Jaela> "Look, I'm not an idiot," Jaela finally snaps. "Do I get to defend myself before a court, or are we skipping straight to sentencing?"
[20:59] <Kotono> Naliel sighs, "You're going to have your day in court, of course! You will be presented to one of the High Magistrates of Helm and allowed a chance to defend yourself."
[21:00] <Jaela> "That's something, at least. For the record, responsibility's all mine. Leave Adrian out of it."
[21:00] <Kotono> Naliel nods once to that, "As you wish."
[21:06] <Kotono> Into the fortress you go! Past seemingly thousands of battlements and defenders, past great halls of warriors who await any and all who dare to invade. Past celestials instructing mortals in the way of Good and Law, past eternal watchman singing praises to Helm as they never once relax their duty. In time Naliel escorts you to a chamber. This chamber is a courtroom, all wood and rich stone. A
[21:06] <Kotono> hard wooden chair is there, before where a celestial sits. He sits at a grand desk, glad in heavy looking iron armor with a gauntlet engraved into the breastplate. His face is severe and lined, as if carrying years no celestial should. To the side a few dozen other angels sit in solemn silence, while the doors that you pass through to enter have two angels of utter, nearly blinding light guarding
[21:06] <Kotono> it. In the back the wall is but a tablet, writing in what looks to be celestial covering it. Once you enter Naliel kneels a moment, "High Magistrate, I present Jaela to you."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Jaela of the Seladrine," He greets her on entering, "Please sit before me."
[21:09] * Jaela approaches, bowing as best as she can in her armor. She is a guest, and if she acts too rude they might refuse Tepen. "Hello," she says neutrally, taking the seat indicated and laying her hands on it armrests.
[21:10] <Kotono> Once you sit, "In the name of He Who Watches," The High Magistrate declares, "I declare this court in order." His voice booms like the sound of a gavel hitting wood hard, "We shall go right to the truth of this matter. Jaela, is it true you have freed the vampire that calls herself Annalise?"
[21:11] <Jaela> "I have."
[21:12] <Kotono> A nod to that, "Was this done of your own free will, barring any compulsions, charms or magic that would compromise your free will?"
[21:13] <Jaela> "For completeness's sake, I didn't know she was a vampire or what her name was at the time," Jaela responds, deciding to elaborate at this time. "But yes. Whenever I am faced with someone facing an unreasonable punishment that does not fit the crime, it is my duty to intervene. I freed her of my own free will."
[21:14] <Kotono> Again he nods, expression unchanging, "Have you given her safe harbor and continue to give her safe harbor, as well as allowing her to feed on the living?"
[21:17] <Jaela> "I only allow her to feed on myself. I freed her, and so she is my responsibility. You call it a safe harbor, but if she were really evil, would it have been better to send her away? In case my judgement had been wrong, I was prepared to make amends and stop her from commiting any atrocities. However, it appears I didn't make the wrong call." She finally shows emotion by scowling. "So by a dry factual account, yes. But only if you ignore what really happened."
[21:21] <Kotono> Again he listens, "Jaela," He speaks now, "You have confessed to the crime of freeing the evil known as Annalise. You have done so of your own free will and continued to ensure her freedom. Annalise was Torm's duty before his fall," All the angels here bow their heads a moment at those words, a second of silence before resuming, "The Lord Helm sees Torm's duties as his own now, and finding out
[21:21] <Kotono> that Annalise lives in the world is unacceptable. She is a corruptor and destroyer, an abomination against all life and goodness. Yet your heart is not dark, I would not willingly convict you if there is still a chance for atonement." Focusing his gaze on Jaela, "Will you cooperate with us in her capture and returning her to imprisonment?"
[21:28] <Jaela> "Tell me," Jaela asks rather than respond to that. "Pick the most evil being you can think of. Pick Torm if you want to. If you could trap him in eternal suffering, would you believe it to be right?" Jaela curses herself for wavering at this point, but it's only within. She would never let it show on her face. "I'm gonna save her!" she declares. "If gods can fall, if fiends can rise, then I can bring her back! There's a chance, and I'm putting my soul on the damn line here!" She presses a hand against her chest. "I'm not so naive I'd think the Seldarine are cheering me on. But they didn't gave up on me, either! They're still giving me a chance to prove myself! You're saying Helm's different? The same sword that held Annalise prisoner works for me! That tells me more than anything else!"
[21:32] <Kotono> To this the High Magistrate shakes his head, "Jaela, you have willingly unleashed a horror into this world. You are guilty of a grevious crime against the church of Helm. I am within my rights to sentence you to eternal imprisonment. Your soul will be torn from your mortal vessel and imprisoned within a gem. You will spend from now until the End within that gem, repenting your sins." Now looking
[21:32] <Kotono> straight at her, "Perhaps the Seladrine has faith in you, but you have broken the holy laws. I have no choice under those laws but to declare you guilty. Can you present any evidence that you have changed her? Any evidence at all that you are not a misled fool?"
[21:43] <Jaela> Jaela can't help but smile. "I gave her true freedom, and she committed no evil acts. She didn't corrupt anyone, or murder anyone, or secretly go and brainwash or drain anyone. I'm showing her trust, and she's starting to show it back. But you'll just say it's all part of a crazy long-term plan, would you? Nothing would convince you. And maybe it is. But I'm gonna do my best to show her a better way, and who knows? Maybe I'll get to her, because I don't think anyone ever really tried." She firms her resolve. "If Helm does not acknowledge the sacred laws of the Seldarine, then I am under no obligation to do the same. I followed my code and helped a being in pain. I took away her suffering. I'm safeguarding the world from her just as well as it would be if she were still imprisoned, and with me by her side, I believe I can turn her around completely. You are going to break my mind and spirit for doing the right thing, because it's inconvenient who I did the right thing for." Jaela shakes her head. "If you are to try and trap my soul in this manner, I will have no other option but to make a personal appeal to the Seldarine against this injustice. I may not escape from here, but my soul still can."
[21:45] <Kotono> "You would end your life?" The High Magistrate asks, still impassive.
[21:48] <Jaela> Jaela snorts. "I always thought the devils would do it for me. I'm fighting for our world, you know? Lifasa. Abigor. Bel. Now there's abominations against life and goodness. I still dream of the world just coming to a stop and dying. Do you know what that's like? Your entire world just picking a moment to shrivel and die." She clenches her fists. "What do you want me to do? Do you want me to beg? To cry? If you'll spare her long enough to give me a fighting chance, I will. But not because it's amusing. If you won't listen, I don't have any choice, do I? Maybe Corellon's court would understand I'm not some delusional kid."
[21:52] <Jaela> Jaela looks up suddenly. "I really do have something. She showed me what it's like to be her. Do you know what that means? I'm the only one alive who actually understands her. She thought it might make me-- I don't know." She shakes her head again. "But that's not what happened. I know what makes her tick. I can show her how shallow all that crap she's proud about is! I'm the only one who can!"
[21:52] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, +10 bonus?
[21:53] <Jaela> roll 1d20+30
[21:53] * Hatbot --> "Jaela rolls 1d20+30 and gets 43." [1d20=13]
[21:59] <Kotono> The High Magistrate begins to speak, but stops! Instead he abruptly rises and kneels, all the other angels doing the same. A hairsbreath later you feel the presence. The presence is unlike anything you have felt before. It overwhelms and humbles Jaela, eyes watering and wavering. There is a profoundness to this feeling that shocks her to the core of her being, even as the figure appears. He is
[21:59] <Kotono> clad in armor from head to toe, sitting in the judge's chair. His armor is battle-dented and worn, yet unbroken. There is a solemn air to him, bringing to mind the regal authority of a king. His sense of being is unmistakeable to Jaela - she knows who He is. Before you is Helm, one of the Triad.
[22:02] <Jaela> Her hands are sweaty and shivering and Jaela knows instinctively that this time there is nothing she can do. It might be breaking protocol for all she knows, but she, too, rises from the chair and kneels before the deity judging her.
[22:05] <Kotono> His voice speaks into Jaela's mind, soundless. There is no sound to it, no tone...and yet it gives you a shiver, fear and awe and reverence warring within you into a stew of feelings. "Your devotion to what you believe your duty has earned my attention. Before you stands a judgment of damnation or suicide, your heart and soul resonate with your determination."
[22:15] <Jaela> He doesn't need to tell her that. Jaela never wanted to live past Lifasa's sacking, but taking her own life was always something she forbade herself from even thinking about. Does that make this the most extreme situation she had been in ever since the invasion?
[22:15] <Jaela> "I believe," Jaela speaks up, trying and quickly giving up on keeping her voice steady, "that your duty is not something you do only when convenient. I believe that if you have a code that tells you to serve the cause of freedom and to stop injustice, then you do it, whoever it is you free and whatever it is the injustice is towards. If you see a demon in pointless torment that asks for a chance, then you give him the chance. Then he's your responsibility. That's just how it works. We're not supposed to detect evil before doing what's right." That concerns her crime. The law was definitely broken, and she can't do anything about it. But doesn't it even matter if it was broken for the right reasons? "And I know Annalise must've done pretty bad things in the past." If it were anyone but Helm, she would make a blind joke. "But you don't try to, uh, redeem good people." She never liked that damn word. "I can't even guarantee results. But I'm willing to put everything on the line. Everything. Just for the chance to turn her around, because I think there's one. Does none of this really matter?"
[22:22] <Kotono> "You have spoken well." Helm's reply bores into your mind, as you simply know. He knows everything about you - you have a dead certainty he has seen through you to the last memory and sensation, absorbing it all with compariable ease to you moving a finger. Helm holds his hand out, within it all the stars of the night sky swirling in it. Within that you see them form a scale, both sides teetering
[22:22] <Kotono> up and down, up and down. At last...they stop, the one on the right upwards. "You have been weighed in the balance and found worthy. Your sense of duty is worthy, mortal. What Annalise has showed you is lies, delusion and propaganda. She has slowly defeated your logic and tempted you towards embracing her nature. A nature you will find to be an eternity of misery and cold oblivion as her companion
[22:22] <Kotono> and toy." In an instant your mind is over-full - memories. Dozens of them, dozens of lifetimes. Each one is different - man, woman, young, old, brave, meek, slow, fast, human, demihuman, other...but one thing is always in common. Annalise is there. With sweet words she seduces - words you have seen well. Words she has spoken to you. Words that lure her closer and closer and into damnation. Again
[22:23] <Kotono> the images Annalise showed you appear in your mind, but this time they are empty, barren, beaten. Nothing but a horrid coldness and malice is felt, as unbidden bile rises up your throat. "See the truth." Helm says, "See the truth past the sweet lies Annalise poisons you with."
[22:28] <Jaela> "I was never tempted. Not by vampirism," Jaela says weakly, aghast at the visions shown to her. "Then... then... since I'm not, can't I do anything? I-- that's horrible. I can't save her from that? No matter what?"
[22:32] <Kotono> "You cannot save someone who does not want to be saved," Helm replies gravely, his voice again within your mind. "You want to believe she can be saved, to make it your duty. You are not the first, and if you went back to her and disregarded this, you would not be the last. Mortal, I offer you a chance to set right what you put wrong. Annalise must be imprisoned again so that others do not suffer
[22:32] <Kotono> from her. Will you stand at her side, even knowing what she is?"
[22:38] <Jaela> "What do you do when a god tells you you're wrong?" Jaela asks in defeat. "Even now, after what you showed me. With what I understand now. If she tempts people away from what's right, can't she be tempted the same way?" she pleads. "And you're telling me to attack her? To break my promise? I'm damned whatever I do."
[22:41] <Kotono> "The choice is yours. Accept your judgment here and be sealed. Commit suicide by your own hand and seek the judgment of the Seladrine. Accept and help seal her once more." At this Helm's gaze - unseen but burning, burning like all the fires ever made, a pressure strong enough to crack diamond on Jaela, "In my name, choose for your duty. In the name of the Loyal Fury, choose to what is right in
[22:41] <Kotono> your heart. In your name, choose what is true to yourself."
[22:55] <Jaela> "I...." Jaela trails off helplessly. What can she say? "Lord Helm, I can't accept the judgement of this court, whatever else. If you approve of my duty, then what I did was right. If what I did was right, but I deserve to be in a soul gem for eternity, then that sentence is wrong. I can't live with it, and I have to appeal it." That's one thing down. Somehow, it becomes easier to speak as she starts going. "I ask the court to commute my sentence before I appeal to Corellon's own. Let me watch over Annalise. Send however many angels you need to be satisfied with guarding her. The moment she steps out of line, I'll lead them in stopping her, and submit to be sealed away after. And if you get tired of waiting for results, you can just seal me then at any point. I won't contest it." She shakily rises to her feet. "If I'm being all uppity, then please kill me where I stand. I can't break the code that you just praised so easily, not when there's another, more just way that can keep everyone safe from Annalise."
[23:14] <Kotono> "So be it. I shall grant you that much." There is a lightness as Jaela floats up, insubstantial and wispy. "You shall have 21 hours before your soul returns to your body. Listen to your instincts and fly towards your reward. There shall you speak with Corellon. Speak to him in that time and resolve yourself."
[23:15] * Jaela never thought she would bow respectfully before the one who took her life, but she does so now before following her newfound instincts. There is no time to waste!