017.2 Afina

[Corwin]

[20:01] <Kozzzz> Afina rests. Her sleep this day is deep and dreamless, until pounding. For a moment her submerged senses hear the pounding of diabolical hooves on the earth, slamming down, then awareness comes enough to hear the knocking on her door.
[20:05] <Afina> Waking up, Afina is almost fully dressed except for her hat, one of her blades in easy reach as the pixie rests under a cloak of invisibility on top of the closet rather than on the bed which is obviously the first place an assassin would attack. Manifesting into sight, she floats down to collect her hat from where it lays over a bedpost, fixing it on her head and waiting in the middle of
[20:05] <Afina> her room that remains as spartan and unadorned as when she moved in. "Yes?" she asks, her soft monotone carrying through the closed door.
[20:08] <Kozzzz> "Afina." It's Crystal's voice, the rapping ceasing, "I need to talk to you." Her voice is brisk and official, while a moment later, "Hey Afina," Elena's voice pipes up.
[20:11] <Afina> There's no real reason to talk in here, and she has nothing to offer them in her barren room. So pausing only to grab pixiestick and affix it around her waist, she goes to open the door and float into the corridor with fellow pixie and small blue elfin girl alike. "We can talk over breakfast if you want?" she offers, becoming somewhat more animated both from wakefulness and comfort around
[20:11] <Afina> these two.
[20:14] <Kozzzz> "As you wish," Crystal nods, flying along with Afina. It's a short trip to the cafeteria, noisy and boisterous. A pair of werewolves are eating what looks to be an entire roast ox, getting a crowd as they race through, devouring the thing. Crystal barely gives it a glance as she goes to an empty table, milk and honey appearing before her. "You're familiar with how those in tune with nature
[20:14] <Kozzzz> gain an animal guardian?"
[20:15] <Kozzzz> Elena follows along, sitting down, her attention drifting to the spectacle to the side. She watches a few moments, "They must be hungry!" she blurts. "Er, I mean, yes."
[20:18] <Afina> "We had many such primal guardins back home," Afina nods in observance. They're probably all dead or worse by now, so there's no need to say so.
[20:22] <Kozzzz> With a slight frown, "You may not know that paladins gain a mount fromt he heavens as well." She looks down at her food but doesn't eat, "For someone who follows both paths, you can combine the spiritual essences into one creature. A companion-mount from the endless nature of the heavens. A noble beast with incredible power, a mount without equal. I lost mine in the last battle of Lifasa.
[20:22] <Kozzzz> Deep in Hades, my prayers to nature and to my patrons fell on deaf ears. Now that I am free..." she looks to Afina, "I find my connection still inhibited. I have this feeling...a hunch, perhaps, or more to it, that I need to go to Arborea to mend this." Now looking at Afina, "I need the magic to travel to that realm and return here."
[20:26] <Afina> Afina's face reveals nothing of her displeasure, merely allowing, "We probably won't find any from Lifasa now, no. There might be a portal to Arborea near here but it would be much quicker to ask Jaela if she can plane shift you there."
[20:27] <Kozzzz> "I know." With a very slight sigh, "I had thought you would have that magic yourself. I gather you've traveled the planes?" Crystal's frown grows, "I would prefer nothing else than a mount from Lifasa, but I will take any that helps me strike back at the devil blight."
[20:30] <Afina> "Until I met Jaela I only used portals - it took me over a year to leave Gehenna, but once I started looking it went more quickly," Afina replies with a slight shake of her head. "As far as transportation goes my own magic doesn't go farther than half a mile or so."
[20:32] <Kozzzz> "Damnation." Crystal frowns more, "I can ask another, if I must." Though she now looks to Afina, right into her eye, "But I had hoped to have another from our court at my side."
[20:38] <Afina> There must be a reason she came to Afina and not Skye, and the dancer/assassin knows better than to pry. Responding to the need shown by her fellow pixie, she offers her companionship regardless. "We can ask Ithea or Jaela if there are any portals to Arborea near here. They seem to know a lot about that kind of thing."
[20:41] <Kozzzz> "Um," Elena speaks up, "I sort of cheated." She whistles and smiles sheepishly, "When I heard what Crystal was after, I had Galariel do me a favor and asked Tepen. THere's a portal within a day's journey."
[20:42] <Afina> "Ah, thank you Elena," Afina favours Aurora's spirit with one of her rare smiles, subtle as it may be. "I'm sure we can make it in half that time."
[20:43] <Kozzzz> Crystal starts to scowl at Elena, but quickly fades. Instead she tucks into her meal with an efficient abandon, "I can leave as soon as we eat, then."
[20:46] <Afina> "I'll need to pick up my other sword, but that won't even take a minute. Elena, can you let anyone who asks after us know where we're going?" Afina asks before similarly finishing her own butter and jam covered scone.
[20:51] <Kotono> "Sure," Elena calls, as soon enough you and Crystal depart out of Aurora! As you talk to to flight in the cold air of Ysgard, "Thank you," Crystal says.
[20:56] <Afina> "It's no trouble," Afina shakes her head. "Other than an animal, though, you really need better equipment. I can see about making you a better lance and sword once we get back to Aurora. I don't know if there's anyone good at making armour, though. I may try learning myself."
[21:00] <Kotono> "Yes. I can compensate somewhat with magic, but it's hardly the same as a good ensorcelled weapon," Crystal looks ahead as you fly, "I need to regain my edge, too."
[21:05] * Afina only nods, unable to imagine how her time as a prisoner of the yugoloths could have affected her. "Practice will help. Better not to risk a real fight without proper equipment if you can avoid it."
[21:12] <Kotono> All that gets is a nod, as the two travel along...
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 82." [1d100=82]
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 84." [1d100=84]
[21:15] <Kotono> Hours of travel pass. Over a rugged mountain you fly towards the portal - it shouldn't be all that much farther. As you fly along you can see someone flying ahead and towards you. A humanoid of some sort - too far away to see much detail, but she's coming in your general direction.
[21:18] <Afina> Can obviously tell it's a she to start with! Afina merely keeps going, perhaps they'll stop and exchange pleasantries or perhaps they'll pass without a word. Or perhaps they'll stop and try their very best to murder one another! No way to until it happens!
[21:22] <Kotono> Coming closer, you can see white angelic wings. She is indeed a woman - blonde hair that flows freely in the wind. Her features are elven, a halo above her head. She wears golden jewelry as well as rings, joined by a pale purple toga. As she gets closer yet she smiles, face young and full of open kindness. "Hello there," she slows as the duo approaches.
[21:25] <Afina> Pleasantries it is! "Hello," the pixie returns, slowing to an easy stop and hovering in the air. "Have you just come from the portal to Arborea?" she asks, since she might as well make sure they're going the right way.
[21:27] <Kotono> "No, I came from the Gates of the Moon," She replies warmly, "I'm studying dragons and trying to find some Ysgardian native dragons, but I've not had much luck so far."
[21:33] <Kotono> Crystal nods slightly, "I've not seen any Ysgardian dragons myself," she says, "Have you, Afina?"
[21:36] <Afina> "I didn't even know there were native dragons here," Afina admits. "It's been several weeks and I haven't seen or heard of even one. If you follow Selune perhaps you could visit Mistfall and ask his advice? He seems to know about Ysgard well enough," she suggests helpfully after a second of thought.
[21:40] <Kotono> "I don't actually follow Selune," With a pleasant smile, "I follow the Dragon Princess. I'm trying to expand my knowledge of dragons, but finding them can be tough." With a pleasant little frown, "Even the nicer ones tend to value privacy and protection against horde-stealers."
[21:43] <Afina> "Well, if they live on Ysgard they must enjoy a good fight, right?" Afina suggests reasonably. "Perhaps if you make a name for yourself and put the challenge out there, they'll come to you?"
[21:50] <Kotono> "That's not really my style," The young woman admits, "But maybe it'll work. Hm." Thinking a minute, "If you don't mind me asking, but speaking of Ysgard? What are you doing here? Pixies aren't native or of a suitable temperament for here."
[21:53] <Afina> Oddly Afina finds it quite agreeable to her temperament, for all that she dislikes outer realms on principle. "Our world was conquered by devils and we're recruiting for a crusade to retake it. If you keep going the way you're going you'll see our fortress soon."

[Corwin]

[19:48] <Kotono> "That's horrible!" Gasping and turning pale, "I..." She trails off a moment, "How bad was it? Very bad?"
[19:53] <Kotono> "Beyond the pale," Crystal's voice is calmly commanding, not looking away. "Total defeat at the hands of Duke Abigor. The ancient wilds were destroyed, the reign of kings and emperors shattered, the world from ice to jungle forced to bow to the diabolical banner."
[19:54] <Afina> "When Abigor set foot on Lifasa, every plant from the smallest blade of grass to the mightiest oak died in an instant," Afina replies, closing her eyes as she remembers that striking moment where the primeval forest that had survived from Lifasa's own birth shrivelled and died in seconds... just before the portals went wild and she was swept away. "I was swept through a portal that went wild
[19:54] <Afina> at that moment, banished to Gehenna. I was one of the lucky ones."
[19:59] <Kotono> "You were." The angelic woman looks down for a few moments, "If you don't mind me prying, what are you doing out here?"
[20:00] * Afina stays silent, it was Crystal's idea to go to Arborea so she can explain.
[20:02] <Kotono> "I am a holy warrior," Crystal floats forward, "I was recently liberated from yugoloth captivity and seek to recover my celestial steed; the normal summoning rituals have unanticipatedly failed. A trip to Arborea may help resolve this, we're heading for a portal there now."
[20:07] <Kotono> "I wish you well at that," The angelic woman nods slightly, and after a moment, "Would you two like some company?"
[20:10] <Afina> While Afina's nature suggests refusal, that same nature would have had her ignore Adrian and the others back at that astral tavern... perhaps this angel could prove to be a similarly helpful ally. "If you'd rather come with us than investigate Ysgardian dragons... unless we find one guarding the portal so both can be satisfied," she smiles slightly at the thought of such serendipity. "I am
[20:10] <Afina> Afina."
[20:15] <Kotono> "Crystal," Crystal introduces herself with a slight nod of her head.
[20:16] <Kotono> "Kascha," The angel introduces herself, "I'm not that lucky, usually. Besides, Seira teaches us not to turn away from people in need. I may be able to help with your mount. My dragon studies can wait."
[20:19] <Afina> "A strong mount that helps Crystal will help all of us," Afina allows, not pushing too strongly to recruit Kascha just yet. "Come on then, the sooner we reach Arborea the sooner we can return... while not on Ysgard, we have dragons of our own to hunt."
[20:22] <Kotono> "Oh, a dragon hunt?" Kascha asks with a curious little look, lips pursing together, "What kind of dragon hunt?"
[20:24] <Afina> "The leader of one of Ysgard's armys - Gisfal - has promised to join our Crusade if we bring him the heart of a green dragon," Afina explains as she starts to fly along. Recalling the paranoia of their chosen green dragon she chooses not to mention him at all, nor the blue dragon he's asked that they slay.
[20:28] <Kotono> "Ooooooh." With that you take flight. It's not far - the portal is an etched, whirling pattern in the side of a sheer mountain rise, thousands of feet above ground level. A wind blows, bits of ice and snow carried in it. Interestingly, you see no guardian immediately about.
[20:31] <Afina> Elena didn't describe it, but the direction and distance fit so Afina is happy enough. "This must be it," she remarks, giving Crystal a cautionary glance. "Arborea looks a lot like home, but it's not home," she reminds before plunging through.
[20:39] <Kotono> The other two follow - and Afina is lost. Lost in a haze of green. A feeling of rightness fills her, a feeling of being home. It aches in her, lingering as her vision clears. The trio stands in a pond clearing. The pond is not a pond, but the whirling portal behind them. Around them, the great sylvan forest spreads in all directions. Here Crystal stops, looking around before taking a long
[20:39] <Kotono> breath. "...yes, it does look like home, doesn't it?"
[20:44] <Afina> "It doesn't feel the same, though... it pulls at you, doesn't it? Like being a fly trapped in honey... Lets find your animal and be gone quickly from here," Afina suggests briskly, her mind overlaying visions of nightmarish dying forests over the healthy trees around them unwanted.
[20:47] <Kotono> Kascha pauses to breath in and out, "It's not quite like that. It's more like that your soul instinctively yearns for everything here if it's where your deeds would send you. It completes you."
[20:48] <Kotono> "It's...different," Crystal murmurs, alighting on the ground. "Now that we're here, I need to meditate and pray."
[20:51] <Afina> "Perhaps it feels like that, Kascha, but it still would take one from the Cycle of death and rebirth," Afina shakes her head, flying over to sit on a rock while Crystal performs her meditations. "For fey there is no reward but another chance at life."
[20:53] <Kotono> Crystal kneels and bows her head, as Kascha goes to sit nearby Afina. Lowering her voice, "The Cycle can also be left, should a fey strive to." Looking ouat the expanse before her, "For instance, Sune has a bevy of nymphs who serve her forever, never knowing death or rebirth."
[20:57] <Afina> "I saw some pixies in Elysium like that," Afina admits. "But fey are supposed to be tied to the natural world. The Great Wheel is strengthened and the Cycle is diminished by such choices. Tragedies such as Lifasa are the result."
[21:00] <Kotono> "Mmm. My opinion is that the natural world is just preparation for the afterlife," She looks about, "The Cycle is not the end all and be all to it. It's..." She gestures with a hand a moment, "At the end, this is where we all go. Nothing of the mortal world lasts forever. Even the Cycle will break one day."
[21:07] <Afina> "Then what will be left?" Afina asks. "The greatest criticism the Unseelie hold for the Seelie is that an abundance of life eventually chokes itself to death. A fruitful land can be ravaged by a population explosion that consumes everything until there's nothing left and a mass die off follows. In the same fashion these Outer Realms feed on the fruits of the World Tree, the Cycle - what
[21:07] <Afina> happens when there is nothing left to feed on?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "No one knows. Most likely the final battles between good, evil, law and chaos." Kascha hums a bit.
[21:22] <Afina> "And what happens after that? Would the winner savour their empty and desolate eternity? Or would they have enough power to restart the Cycle for another go?" Afina shrugs. "I would fight to ensure Hell lost such a war, for what they did to my home. But I'd far rather fight for my home - a flawed reality is better than one person's dreaming ideal."
[21:27] <Kotono> "Empty and desolate?" Kascha turns with a smile, a wide eyed look, "...no, it's never desolate. I..." Turning back to Crystal, "For millenia I was one with Arborea. Empty and desolate are the last two words I'd use to describe an eternity of Arborea. If this realm won, there would be happiness that you could not even begin to dream of."
[21:29] * Afina cocks her head and then looks around, "You don't think that even in victory this realm might find itself ruined and spent? Certainly some wars are easy, but I wouldn't think a final one with nothing held back would be so."
[21:39] <Kotono> "The Outer Realms are infinite," Kascha retorts, "And..." A pause as Crystal rises, starting to walk out into the forest without a word.
[21:43] <Afina> "Then how could any one defeat another?" Afina asks reasonably. "They couldn't. But worlds like Lifasa can be smashed quite easily." Getting up now and electing to use her feet for once, she starts to walk after Crystal. "It took less than a day for a thriving and vibrant world to be rent asunder. But even if Hell is infinite, we'll make them hurt for it," she swears the last softly.
[21:58] <Kotono> On you travel, Crystal leading the way without aword. She barely even looks back, simply leading you on into the forest.
[22:00] * Afina isn't really familiar with meditation other than what she does for her spells, it could just be she's in a trance, or perhaps being pulled towards some inhabitant of this place. For her own part she's happy to follow along and mark the way back to the portal or keep an eye out for trouble.
[22:10] <Kotono> You walk together for a time - an hour or two, perhaps? On you walk, until Crystal stops. SHe kneels at the ground again, studying it there.
[22:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19
[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 and gets 29." [1d20=10]
[22:11] <Kotono> "This way," she murmurs, taking a right and continuing on.
[22:13] * Afina pauses to look where Crystal was examining the ground, wondering if it might be a clue to whatever animal she's tracking.
[22:13] <Kotono> OOC: Make a survival check?
[22:14] <Afina> roll 1d20+21
[22:14] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+21 and gets 40." [1d20=19]
[22:18] <Kotono> It's a hoof print - the print of a fairy dragon, Afina thinks.
[22:21] <Afina> Dragons with hooves! It's an apt choice though, and Afina pads along after Crystal once she's had a look. "We're tracking a fairy dragon," she tells Kascha quietly.
[22:22] <Kotono> "Oh!" Kascha smiles, "I've never met a fairy dragon. This is a chance!"
[22:28] <Afina> "There were a few back home. I think Crystal had one before..." Afina murmurs ever so softly.
[22:31] <Kotono> At this you travel on. Crystal leads on until you reach a small, babbling brook. A small footpath is besides it, leading along upstream. Crystal stops here, "Afina," she says, "Thank you. It may seem that you haven't done much, but you have. This next part is something I have to do alone."
[22:33] <Afina> Presuming Crystal's referring more to events in Hades than Arborea, the green-haired fairy merely nods. "We'll wait for you here, Crystal."
[22:35] <Kotono> With that Crystal goes upstream and out of sight. "You have to be able to stand on your own." Going to kneel and drink from the stream, "Oh say. Do you pay homage to the Court of Stars at all?"
[22:38] * Afina shakes her head. "I've only heard of it. It's like a fey court but not, isn't it?"
[22:40] <Kotono> "Yes. It's the Court of Queen Morwel of the eladrin." Taking another doublehandfull of water and drinking down, wiping her face clean after, "They're not so far removed from the fey; it's fairly common knowledge there that the eladrin and fey are distantly related."
[22:45] <Afina> "They're natural allies of the Seelie Court, but don't fall under it in the same way the Spring and Summer Courts do, yes," Afina agrees. "I never knew Crystal held allegiance to them... probably many of Lifasa's fey did, but our home has always been far more conservative."
[22:48] <Kotono> "There are many fey in the Court of the Stars. Some of them become eladrin," She murmurs this, "Some say it's part of the Cycle, too."
[22:51] <Afina> "If I die I'll be reborn, just as I have been so many times before. What happens when an eladrin dies?"
[22:53] <Kotono> "It depends. First of all, eladrin are immortal. They never die of natural consequences." Sitting at the stream now, patting the ground next to her, "If they're killed outside of Arborea, they reform in Arborea in due time. If they die in Arborea, they merge with the plane itself."
[22:58] <Afina> Strolling over and sitting down with her legs splayed out and hands supporting her in the mossy earth behind her rear, Afina looks up at Kascha under the floppy tip of her hat, "It's static. Merging with the plane is poetic, one can be comforted in knowing a part of them will remain for as long as Arborea does. But what does that really mean? What difference does one so merged make to an
[22:58] <Afina> already infinite realm? What can such a merged mind comprehend or create?"
[22:59] <Kotono> "Nothing that I can explain to you in these words," Kascha pauses long and looks into the stream, "It's a cheap answer, but it really is transcendant. It's not an experience I can put into any words and meaningfully express it. The closest words are akin to a candle before the entire plane of Fire."
[23:02] * Afina pauses, only now remembering that Kascha said she'd been so merged for so long. "Ahh, you came back from it, didn't you?" Looking into the stream herself now, "Perhaps there's merit in it. The old ways didn't save Lifasa any, but they still die hard in my heart."
[23:08] <Kotono> "Yes. The old ways..." Kascha smiles now, "Amid spirits, I'm a blessed one, for I remember my mortal life and then my time as part of Arborea. I have an unusual perspective as far as it goes."
[23:15] <Afina> "A fey able to recall all of their lives might be similarly blessed," Afina considers it in terms she's more familiar with. "Though they would lose the innocence of youth in any subsequent incarnations. Your example has a more pleasing continuom to it..." Smiling faintly and looking up again, "Though for all your accumulated time and perspective, you've yet to meet a fairy dragon?"
[23:18] <Kotono> "For actual in a body age? I'm hardly even 40. I died young," Her eyes go distant a moment, "I was resurrected about 20 years ago by a Goddess. I know OF fairy dragons, but I've not met one, no."
[23:20] <Afina> There's no point offering condolences to a person over their own death, so Afina doesn't bother. "It's a good thing, to still have new and pleasant experiences and things to learn despite it all."
[23:26] <Kotono> "Yeah," Kascha's answer is thoughtful, as from upstream you hear a roar! It's a light right, almost like a child trying to make the noise.
[23:29] * Afina smiles slightly at the noise from ahead. "I think the dragon just found Crystal."
[23:34] <Kotono> "I think so too," Kascha looks upstream, "Shouldn't be long now."
[23:35] * Afina lapses into silence, content to wait on her fellow pixie's return... unless she hears horrible pained screaming or anything like that.

[Corwin]

[19:52] <Shao_Koahn> Soon enough the silence is broken! The sound of rushing follows, and bursting out, flying in the air? A great smiling beast, perhaps the size of a pony. It is a shimmering blue and covered in supple scales, fairy-wings flapping as it flies along. Crystal rides along, a fierce, tight smile on her face! "Hope!" she calls, "Down!" At this the fairy-dragon descends down, landing before Afina
[19:52] <Shao_Koahn> and Kascha.
[19:53] <Afina> "Hello," Afina slowly stands up, still having to look up at the small dragon. "Hope is your name? It sounds fitting."
[19:57] <Shao_Koahn> Kascha rises and smiles, "Hello there," she greets, and in Draconic, "I extend my greetings, blue-scaled dragon."
[19:58] <Shao_Koahn> It's grin is full of sharp little teeth, a tongue running over them. "Hello there!" It speaks in Common, "It is. I serve the Lady Crystal now. Please take good care of me."
[20:01] <Afina> "We'll have to go to dangerous places and face frightening enemies. But you're one of us, now, and that means we'll take care of and help you any way you need," Afina promises just the same as she would for any who'd fight for Lifasa.
[20:03] <Shao_Koahn> Crystal reaches out and pats Hope's neck, hopping off. She leans in and whispers, "I'll call you as soon as I get back to Aurora," she murmurs. Once done she turns, "We can leave now."
[20:04] <Shao_Koahn> "As long as the cause is just, I will be there," Hope promises back, all unmoving smiles. "Crystal's strength is my strength."
[20:05] <Afina> "Will he be able to find his own way?" Afina asks since Crystal doesn't seem to be taking her new dragon along with her.
[20:09] <Shao_Koahn> "When I call him, he'll be there. The bond between us transcends planes now," Patting her mount's neck once more, "It's better if I call him once I'm out of Arborea. It has to do with how the magic works."
[20:10] * Afina nods, accepting the explanation without further question. "Then lets return to Aurora, much remains to be done." Turning her head up towards Kascha, "Will you travel with us back to Ysgard, now?"
[20:15] <Shao_Koahn> With a lingering glance at Hope, "No." She lingers and pauses, "I should return to The Cauldron now, I think."
[20:17] <Afina> "Alright then," Afina floats into the air now, ready to fly quickly back to the portal after having walked here. "You were pleasant company, Kascha. Farewell."
[20:18] <Shao_Koahn> Crystal nods as well, the two departing company. Once they're flying back, "Did she mention anything worthwhile when you were talking to her?" she asks, "Do you think she could be drawn to our crusade?"
[20:21] <Afina> "She struck me as a peaceful soul, I don't think she has any interest in battle," Afina shakes her head. "We mostly discussed philosophy."
[20:22] <Shao_Koahn> "Hmph. Even the most peaceful ghaele is equal to a cleric of high training and potential," Crystal retorts, "Too bad."
[20:28] <Afina> "A pity, but there will be others," Afina says without regret. "If one impresses me in battle and seems in need of direction, I have no qualms about conscripting them as we did with the giants. Perhaps Kascha will do more good in spreading word of our Crusade to those who burn to see devils broken before them."
[20:31] <Shao_Koahn> "Yes. Let us head home," Crystal says, as...OOC: Good with skipping along?
[20:31] <Afina> OOC: yep
[20:33] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 37." [1d100=37]
[20:33] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 91." [1d100=91]
[20:33] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[20:33] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 100." [1d100=100]
[20:39] <Shao_Koahn> On passing through the portal to Ysgard, you are momentarily dazzled. It passes as snow and wind blows into your face, clearing away the cobwebs. As you look about...OOC: Make will, Afina?
[20:40] <Afina> roll 1d20+17
[20:41] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+17 and gets 33." [1d20=16]
[20:44] <Shao_Koahn> For a moment you feel an utterly miserable wrench within you, nearly enough to make you twist and vomit! But you bring it under control - a horrible, filthy feeling permeats your body, but your mind remains clear!
[20:46] * Afina looks worriedly at Crystal to see if she's been afflicted by the same, then looks over her surroundings!
[20:48] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Spot and any special perceptions/
[20:48] <Afina> OOC: blindsense 30, low-light vision
[20:48] <Afina> roll 1d20+23
[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+23 and gets 25." [1d20=2]
[20:49] <Shao_Koahn> 25ft above you, you can sense something above you with your blindsense.
[20:50] <Shao_Koahn> Crystal looks unaffected, about to fly off.
[20:51] <Afina> "Wait, Crystal," Afina cautions, immediately casting haste so she can proceed to murder... or possibly just maim so she can get some answers, the thing that's hiding above her!
[20:52] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Roll init then. Whatever it is isn't idle.

[20:52] <Afina> roll 1d20+19
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+19 and gets 27." [1d20=8]
[20:53] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+8 Crystal
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+8 Crystal and gets 12." [1d20=4]
[20:53] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+9 ???
[20:53] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+9 ??? and gets 24." [1d20=15]
[20:53] * Shao_Koahn changes topic to 'Afina(27)>????(24)>Crystal(12)'
[20:53] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Go Afian.
[20:55] <Afina> Suitably hasted, Afina casts see invisibility and looks at the thing above her. If it's a devil spy she won't let it escape like the one that got into Aurora did.
[20:55] <Afina> OOC: see invis cast, readied action to attack if it casts anything
[20:57] <Shao_Koahn> The thing above you is humanoid. Is is a shortish man in full plate armor, hovering in the air. The armor gleams dark, a deep, rich darkness. He wears his brown hair tied back into a ponytail. In one hand is a mace, the other is free. His face has a distinctly annoyed look on it, plain otherwise.
[20:57] <Afina> OOC: readied action stands
[20:58] <Shao_Koahn> A moment later he gestures down, uttering not a word as...OOC: Go Afina.
[21:00] <Afina> Afina is far too fast for that, a barely seen blur as she zips up to stab into him twice with pixiestick before coming to rest directly above him!
[21:00] <Afina> roll 1d20+35 6th level arcane strike. Is he evil?
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+35 6th level arcane strike. Is he evil?  and gets 36." [1d20=1]
[21:00] <Afina> roll 1d20+30 6th level arcane strike
[21:00] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+30 6th level arcane strike and gets 43." [1d20=13]
[21:00] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Hit and yes.
[21:01] <Afina> roll 1d4+12+5d6+1d6+2d6+6d4
[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+12+5d6+1d6+2d6+6d4 and gets 69." [1d4=3][5d6=4, 3, 6, 2, 5][1d6=1][2d6=6, 6][6d4=4, 4, 1, 4, 4, 4]
[21:03] <Shao_Koahn> With admirable speed Afina rips into the man's side, tearing off a great welling of blood! He grunts in pain as blood falls, "Where?" Crystal cries, even as she begins to dart up! Images of her explode into life around her, as...OOC: MI first.
[21:03] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d4+4
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d4+4 and gets 6." [1d4=2]
[21:03] <Afina> "Directly below me, dwarf sized!"
[21:04] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+31 (+7 smite evil)
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+31 (+7 smite evil) and gets 49." [1d20=18]
[21:04] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 50." [1d100=50]
[21:05] * Shao_Koahn changes topic to 'Afina(27)=????(24)>Crystal(12)'
[21:05] <Shao_Koahn> Crystal comes up and swings, but narrowly misses! She's close, damned close, but her blade is errant! OOC: AFina and ??? are up.
[21:06] <Afina> The pixie's lips move but her spell is a barely heard blur of words, the silver blade in her hands glowing momentarily with ribbons of yellow and black before she drives it into her target and then flies back up another twenty feet!
[21:07] <Afina> roll 1d20+31 flanking, holy surge, toxic weapon (DC 25 fort)
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+31 flanking, holy surge, toxic weapon (DC 25 fort) and gets 42." [1d20=11]
[21:07] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: That be a hit.
[21:07] <Afina> roll 1d4+12+5d6+1d6+5d6
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d4+12+5d6+1d6+5d6 and gets 56." [1d4=3][5d6=3, 3, 5, 5, 3][1d6=4][5d6=1, 5, 2, 4, 6]
[21:07] <Afina> roll 1d20+25 tumble to avoid AoO
[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+25 tumble to avoid AoO and gets 28." [1d20=3]
[21:08] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: No lvoe on tumble.
[21:08] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+23
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+23 and gets 42." [1d20=19]
[21:08] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+23 crit chance if that 42 hit
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+23 crit chance if that 42 hit and gets 42." [1d20=19]
[21:08] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: AC?
[21:09] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+15 fort
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+15 fort and gets 16." [1d20=1]
[21:09] <Afina> OOC: 44
[21:09] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Damage from toxic weapon?
[21:09] <Afina> roll 1d10 con damage
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d10 con damage and gets 8." [1d10=8]
[21:10] <Shao_Koahn> The poisoned blade sinks into the man's shoulder! He grows pale and limp, bleeding profusely! At the same time he manages a single gesture, waves of fire and pain exploding o ut from him! OOC: Fortitude you two.
[21:11] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+20
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+20 and gets 30." [1d20=10]
[21:11] <Afina> roll 1d20+12
[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Afina rolls 1d20+12 and gets 30." [1d20=18]
[21:12] <Shao_Koahn> roll 5d10 halve this
[21:12] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 5d10 halve this and gets 27." [5d10=8, 3, 8, 4, 4]
[21:12] <Shao_Koahn> Buffeting waves of agony fire explode out from him, but both pixies endure the wave as best they can! Moments later Lady Crystal is on him, blade gleaming with holy energy as she attempts to end it!
[21:12] <Afina> OOC: using a 3rd level spell as a swift to negate 15 damage
[21:13] <Shao_Koahn> OOC: Okay.
[21:13] <Afina> OOC: immediate, even
[21:13] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+31 (+7 smite evil)
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+31 (+7 smite evil) and gets 42." [1d20=11]
[21:13] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+19
[21:13] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+14
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+19 and gets 22." [1d20=3]
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+14 and gets 22." [1d20=8]
[21:13] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d100
[21:13] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d100 and gets 45." [1d100=45]
[21:13] <Shao_Koahn> But again she can't land a blow, hisa rmor proof against herunguided swings! OOC: Afina, go.


[21:14] <Shao_Koahn> As the man grunts, "Enough! I'll yield," he gasps, "Mercy!"
[21:16] <Afina> "The poison in your blood will kill you in seconds no matter what we do," Afina informs him curtly as she flies back towards him, blade still ready. "Tell me your purpose and I won't throw you through the portal so that you can't be resurrected."
[21:18] <Shao_Koahn> Coughing as he bleeds, "I was hired by Xantara, a..." Coughs again as he holds his side and winces, "A powerful devil, a paeliryon. Didn't think I'd find you so fast or stumble on one of you like this. Thought it was perfect." Coughing, blood staining his lips, "She wants you dead rather urgently."
[21:20] <Afina> "I think that was your hostess, Crystal," Afina glances at her fellow pixie. "She never gave her name, but the devil type fits. This is useful. How were you to contact her after killing us to get your reward?"
[21:22] <Shao_Koahn> Crystal's eyes narrow, but says nothing as Afina interrogates.
[21:23] <Shao_Koahn> "Sending magic," He replies, and after a beat, "The code word is 'Linzorat'."
[21:24] <Afina> "Useful," Afina repeats approvingly. "Are there others?"
[21:27] <Shao_Koahn> "I don't know," He grunts, "Didn't ask, she didn't tell."
[21:29] <Afina> Nodding, Afina conjures what seems to be a frozen crystalline disc, faintly bowl-shaped and glowing in the air where it floats. "Get on, when you die I don't want to carry you. We'll hold you in our dungeon until we have something prepared for Xantara - if it works out, you'll be free to go."
[21:30] <Shao_Koahn> roll 1d20+11
[21:30] * Hatbot --> "Shao_Koahn rolls 1d20+11 and gets 31." [1d20=20]
[21:30] <Shao_Koahn> Staggering on and collapsing onto the crystal disk, your captive does exactly that.
[21:30] <Shao_Koahn> Save for dying, that is.
[21:33] <Afina> "Persistent. Ysgard will have you somewhat healthy in a few minutes since you survived. I wouldn't try anything, though," she cautions, sending the disc floating ahead of her and following after so she can keep an eye on him. "What was she paying for us, anyway?"
[21:34] <Shao_Koahn> "25,000 gold and 25 souls," he answers back, "Assuming simple souls, roughly 50,000 market value." Indeed, his wounds are already mending, Ysgard fixing them.
[21:36] <Afina> "You were tricked," Afina notes derisively as they push along.
[21:37] <Shao_Koahn> "I had that impression,"  He mutters darkly, as...