021.1 "We're off to the Abyss."

[Corwin]

#d, Ithea and Willim

[20:17] <Kotono> Thus Willim and Ithea get together, ready to enact plans and...
[20:20] <Willim> ...go see Tepen!
[20:23] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen is found out in the courtyard. He sits on a simple chair out there. Besides him is Kascha, chattering away. In front of them is Arrel, going on about something in a roaring, foreign language. Adrian lingers nearby, seeming to listen. OOC: Do either of you speak draconic?
[20:23] <Willim> OOC: common, abyssal
[20:25] <Kotono> OOC: Ithea?
[20:28] <Ithea> ooc: I speak draconic
[20:29] <Kotono> Arrel is going on about the proper ways to study draconic hide-carvings.
[20:32] <Ithea> "Hello, what's this about hide carvings?" Ithea asks.
[20:34] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen clears his throat, "I was about to correct Arrel on the proper diagramming of the fourth scale rune." Coughing into his hand after, "I've learned many things in my life...contradicting a dragon was one of the first. Perhaps the spectre of death frays at my common sense."
[20:35] <Kotono> Kascha laughs, a bright and tinkling sound. "You can't learn if you aren't corrected," she adds easily, "Oh, are you two Willim and Ithea? Kascha," she offers, "It's nice to meet you."
[20:36] <Kotono> Arrel glares down at the Elder Magi, before sniffing and letting out a caw. "Hmph. This is purely theoretical for me. Feathers aren't suitable for hide-carving runes in any eventuality."
[20:37] * Ithea joins in on the laughing. "Nice to meet you as well, Kascha," Ithea says, nodding at the mention of her name. "Anyway, sorry to interrupt your discussion, but Willim and I wanted to ask a favor from Tepen."
[20:39] * Willim nods. "Hello. Good to meet you." he nods at Ithea. "Yes, we were. Hoping that you would be able to contact my old master. Tannin believes he might still be alive."
[20:39] <Willim> Ooc: were hoping
[20:41] <Ithea> "Oh, he was actually your master? I thought he was just another monk in the same order," Ithea says with surprise briefly, before turning back to Tepen. "Anyway, yes, we were hoping to send a message to him and seeing if he's interested in joining since he's already got a reputation for dealing with cornugons."
[20:42] <Kotono> "If you need magic to do so, of course," Elder Magi Tepen, "A sending, I presume?"
[20:42] <Ithea> "You presume correctly, as usual," Ithea says with a grin.
[20:45] <Willim> "He was our teacher. He is very good. Hopefully we can get in contact with him."
[20:45] <Kotono> "Do you have a name or a title?" Elder Magi Tepen asks, "I need that to be able to contact him."
[20:46] <Kotono> "Another Willim?" Adrian comes on over at this, "Oh, you mentioned him before. Glad you're looking him up, we could use the help."
[20:47] <Ithea> "No name, unless Willim knows it, but he goes by 'Master of the Fists of War', I believe," Ithea offers.
[20:48] <Kotono> "Alright," Elder Magi Tepen nods, "What's the message? Sending is limited to 25 words, so choose carefully."
[20:48] * Willim nods at Adrian. "He taught me how to fight. I never learned his name, though. We all just called him 'Master.'"
[20:50] <Willim> "Hmm...well, I'd like to let him know that I'm alive, and that we're trying to retake Lifasa, and that we could use his help. We could issue it as a challenge!"
[20:51] <Willim> "You know, 'Meet the defenders of Lifasa here' or something?"
[20:55] <Ithea> "How about something like 'Master, this is Willim. Found survivors of Lifasa. Fighting alongside them in Aurora against devils. Where are you? Can you help with fighting? Bring meat.' The last part lets him know it really is you!" Ithea suggests.
[20:56] * Willim laughs. "Perfect."
[21:00] <Kotono> At that, Elder Magi Tepen nods and casts! He focuses as all around him go silent, the words to sending chanted over and over through its long casting! When at last the arcane energies are dispersed, "His reply is, 'I await in the Palace of 1001 Closets, where the Styx shatters. Come, student.'
[21:02] <Willim> "...where the hells is that?"
[21:02] <Ithea> roll d20+24 K:P
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+24 K:P and gets 32." [d20=8]
[21:05] * Ithea whistles. "Well he's in a fun place. That's an old name for Pazunia, the first layer of the Abyss," Ithea says.
[21:09] <Kotono> Adrian matches that whistle, "At least it's not Baator, but that's number two on my list of places I never want to be."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Why would your master be there?" Kascha asks, "Is he a bad man?"
[21:12] <Ithea> "I wasn't picturing him as one," Ithea replies. "If he's there, I would hope it's simply because he's tracking someone to fight or something..."
[21:12] * Willim shakes his head. "He's like the rest of us, and loves a fight. He may have allied with demons in order to fight the devils. Evil or not, it doesn't much matter to me."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Are you going to go after him?" Adrian asks again, and after a moment, he sighs, "Which means you're not going alone. Not to the Abyss."
[21:18] * Ithea grins. "Well, like you said, it -is- the Abyss. Would you really let poor Willim all alone and defenseless when he looks like this?" Ithea says while gesturing to the demonic looking troll.
[21:18] <Ithea> "Why you'd have to be a horrible man indeed to allow such a thing!" Ithea continues teasing.
[21:19] * Willim eyes Ithea. "I somehow doubt I'd have much trouble."
[21:19] <Kotono> "Hmph. For that, you should take Annalise with you instead," Adrian smirks.
[21:19] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen rests long in his chair before speaking, words a little less sharp than before, Going alone to the Abyss is not an idea I would support, Willim. At the least take Ithea with you, as well as someone who can manage the trip to and back efficiently."
[21:21] <Willim> "I wouldn't go alone. I wouldn't want to deprive my companions here the joy of seeing the planes."
[21:24] <Kotono> "Riiiight," Adrian drawls, "So who all are you taking with you?"
[21:25] * Willim shrugs. "Anyone who wants to go, I suppose."
[21:26] <Ithea> "Well, I'll go, I wouldn't mind breaking in the upgrades to my armor," Ithea says. "As to who else, as long as we have someone who can get us back to Aurora, don't really care who wants to come. Even Annalise...well, as long as she knows she's not getting anywhere near my neck," Ithea says.
[21:26] <Kotono> Elder Magi Tepen grunts ever so slightly, "It pains me, but she knows both teleportation and plane shifting magic to the greater incantations. She would be your best ally for fast and safe travel."
[21:27] <Ithea> "I'll ask, then. Anybody else here, or back to the rousing discussion of hide-carvings?"
[21:27] <Kotono> Adrian frowns, "Regardless of that, I'm going. I can get you out of there in an emergency, though precision isn't mys trong suit."
[21:28] <Willim> "As long as we wind up somewhere we can breathe, I'm sure we'll be fine."
[21:29] <Ithea> Not getting any other offers besides Adrian's, Ithea gets ready to move. "Okay, let's go find Annalise then. Thanks again for the help, Tepen. Let the others know where we're at if they come back before we do, will you?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "That I shall," he promises,as the trio goes to find Annalise. She's found in the library, reading. A trio of dire wolves rest besides her, surrounding the tucked away chair she's claimed. She turns a page as you approach, "Hm?" she looks up, all smiles, "Coming for a social call?"
[21:32] <Willim> "We were just talking about the abyss, and your name came up."
[21:32] <Ithea> "Not quite," Ithea says, raising an eyebrow at the wolves. "...they know not to mark anything in the library, right?" she says before she can stop herself, shaking her head and going back to the subject at hand. "Actually, like Willim said, we're off to the Abyss, to meet up with one of Willim's old friends, wanted to see if you wanted to join us."
[21:47] <Kotono> "They wouldn't dream of it," Annalise reaches down to pet one, a pony sized wolf acting utterly docile. "Ah, the Abyss! Certainly, it's always a riveting diversion. When shall be we off?"
[21:49] * Willim nods.
[21:50] <Ithea> "Now works for us, but if you need time to go eat something to keep your spirits up for the trip..."
[21:51] <Kotono> "I'll meet you in the courtyard in 15 minutes," Annalise rises, "My, this'll be interesting."
[21:53] * Ithea nods. "See you then," Ithea says, moving away from the library. "Anything either of you need to do before we leave?" Ithea asks the other two. "Want to try and pick up anybody else for the trip, or no problems with just the four of us?"
[21:56] <Willim> "...should probably ask Dana." Willim mutters, wandering off.
[22:01] <Kotono> Finding Dana takes some timea nd considerable effort. You find her on the roof of Aurora itself. She stands atop one of the roof, surrounded. Lief, Misalea, a handful of pixies, a giant and several students of the Graceful Blow surround her! They leap about, testing defenses and exchanging mock blows, before retreating back. Sometimes it is one or two, other times they all try to overwhelm her.
[22:01] <Kotono> As you arrive up, flying, Willim get sight of this.
[22:02] * Willim blinks, then shouts, "Hey! We're going to the Abyss! Who wants to go?"
[22:04] <Kotono> "Hey Wil-" Dana begins before she raises her sheield to parry a blow from a pixie, the clang of steel cutting her words off! A moment later she's performing a counter and then leaping back, dodging a sideswipe by Misalea a second later! "What was tha-" she calls, as Misalea pursues, followed by Lief! She raises her shield straight up, blocking a pair of airborne pixies, whilst trying to fend
[22:04] <Kotono> off two opponents with a wooden rapier.
[22:07] <Ithea> "We're off to the Abyss," Ithea repeats. "Can't promise you it'll be more fun than what you're having right now, but c'mon, it's the Abyss, what's the chance of it being a nice peaceful journey?"
[22:07] * Willim just looks on with consternation for a moment.
[22:09] <Kotono> The start of an answer is cut off as three screaming pixies dart ahead past Misalea and Lief, making Dana duck behind a steeple! Rolling out from it and bringing her sheild up, "You fuckers, shut up so I can listen!" she shouts, the battle slowing and ceasing. Once done she rises up, "What was that about the Abyss now?"
[22:10] <Ithea> "We're off to find Willim's teacher, we'll probably have to kick his butt and drag him here, fighting hoards of demons along the way. Interested? It's just us two, Adrian and Annalise so far."
[22:11] <Willim> "Me go to Abyss. Beat up demons. You come?" Willim deadpans.
[22:14] <Kotono> "Do I come from going to the Abyss? PRobably, since I hear they hit hard," Dana shrugs, "Anyway, I'll come along." She trots over and taps Misalea on the shoulder, "You're it. Good luck!"
[22:17] <Kotono> As Misalea's face shifts from shock to disgust to terror, Dana hops along and with you! It's soon that you meet Annalise, "So then, are we ready? Where precisely in the Abyss are we going?" she asks, "Form ac ircle, holding hands."
[22:19] * Ithea nods, grabbing Dana's and Adrian's hands.
[22:20] * Willim takes his place between Dana and Annalise!
[22:22] <Kotono> Once a circle is formed, "Well?" she asks, looking to them. At last Adrian answers, "Pazunia, I know that much. Do we know anything more than grotesque mountain, kitty? That ring any bells?"
[22:26] <Ithea> "All I know is what he sent back in that sending message. Like you said, the Styx shattered where some ancient fight took place," she says with a shrug. Pausing, she passes on the message verbatim for Dana and Annalise's sake. "You know anything more to help us find the guy, Annalise?"

[Corwin]

#d, Ithea and Willim

[20:19] <Kotono> "Oh, that old thing? It's lovely to visit this time of year. A hellish armada traveling the Styx made it all the way to Pazunia. When they were surrounded and destroyed, the broken ships and surviving devils were transformed into a towering, mountainous reef. The view up top is spectacular."
[20:22] <Ithea> "Well, guess we'll get to see if the view is still spectacular. That's around where we want to start searching for Willim's old master," Ithea says.
[20:22] <Willim> "He said to meet him there. He'll be there." Willim nods.
[20:23] <Kotono> "We'll have to teleport a little bit away from the base of the reef and the Styx banks. The entire area is so flooded with magic and energy that teleportation is hopelessly scrambled, as is plane shifting," Annalise warns, "It won't work going in, and doing it going out will result in you being cast randomly about. Of course, part of the charm is climbing or flying up and slaughtering all the
[20:23] <Kotono> demons who oppose you."
[20:24] <Ithea> "That's fine, as close as you can is good enough, really," Ithea says, not having any problems with the slaughtering of demons part of that.
[20:25] <Kotono> "Oh, killing some demons? Alright!" A grin shows on Dana's face, "I'm ready!"
[20:25] * Willim shrugs. "We're not going for a vacation, after all."
[20:29] <Kotono> Annalise intones a few words of power! Around you a withering white light surrounds you! What comes after is silence. A dead, dull silence. The sky above you is a colorless grey that fades into a formless haze. About you is plain, dead brown earth. The air smells of nothing yet seems not enough, as if you were high up on the mountains. The brown earth sags under your feet, small craters made as
[20:29] <Kotono> cracks run along it. A deep sleepiness is immediately felt, offering no comfort. It is a sleepiness that brings a matching terror, an instinctual horror that makes you want to wake up - and yet, despite your heart starting to race, no relief from the sleepiness comes.
[20:30] * Willim grunts and twists, cracking his back as he looks about, searching for potential threats.
[20:31] <Ithea> "As lovely place as I expected," Ithea says with a frown, looking around, getting familiar with the territory and also looking for anything immediately dangerous nearby.
[20:31] <Kotono> Nothing at all - only endless expanses of grey and brown.
[20:32] <Kotono> Adrian smothers a yawn, "I expected something more violent," He draws Gaelach and looks about, "Damn, why am I so tired?"
[20:33] * Willim snorts, settling down. "It's the Abyss."
[20:35] <Ithea> "You're tired already? We just arrived here!" Ithea says, doing her best to ignore any sleepiness of her own. Certainly not the place for it! "Which way would we have to go, Annalise? You know this place best."
[20:36] <Kotono> "I'm not sure." Annalise admits that with a frown, "Tsk, this isn't right. This isn't right at all. Pazunia may change, but not like this. Not this fast."
[20:38] <Willim> "What's different?"
[20:41] <Kotono> "Pazunia is windswept and jagged, full of chasms and with a bitter, dark sky. There are landmarks - demonic cities, Blood War battles, iron fortresses in use and long forgotten, ancient battlefields. This is just empty." Annalise replies, sweeping her eyes about.
[20:45] * Willim frowns. "Where do we go then?"
[20:49] <Kotono> Before an answer comes, a ripple plays through the air. It is a powerful murmur, a strange word...OOC: Will saves, all. This is a mind affecting, compulsion enchantment and sleep effect. Roll if you're not immune to one of those.
[20:51] <Willim> roll 1d20+25
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+25 and gets 41." [1d20=16]
[20:52] <Ithea> roll d20+20 will
[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+20 will and gets 22." [d20=2]
[20:52] <Ithea> ooc: yay, off to a good start~ *stabs hatebot*
[20:55] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19 Adrian
[20:55] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+19 Adrian and gets 36." [1d20=17]
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+21 Dana
[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+21 Dana and gets 28." [1d20=7]
[20:57] <Kotono> A deep lethargy comes with those words! Willim fights it off, driving it away! Adrian shakes his head and looks around, while Dana scowls around a deep yawn! However Ithea wobbles a moment before going limp and faceplanting down, dead asleep.
[20:58] * Willim eyes Ithea briefly before grabbing her around the waist and hoisting her over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. He looks...resigned.

[Corwin]

#t, Ithea

[21:04] <Kotono> Darkness. Ithea is curled up in the darkness. She can't remember anything...how did she get here? Where is she? It's cold and lonely - no one is around, she knows that. A thrill of despair flares up in it, in this empty place.
[21:06] * Ithea looks around, calling out, "...Hello? Anybody out here?" and wondering why she can't see anything. Is this some sort of magical darkness to block off her senses so much?
[21:13] <Kotono> Memory comes back - the sleepiness. A flash of images - the feeling of her heart stopping, body growing cold as she fell. The momentary, star-like agony of leaving her body behind, flying towards the hideous THING before her. The agony. The cold, lonely agony of being within it, alone, forgotten, cold. An irrational terror flows into Ithea like this, as if the darkness were all a waterfall
[21:13] <Kotono> to pour it into her heart, body and soul.
[21:15] * Ithea shivers as she uses detect magic, hoping that combined with what flashes she recalls, might give her some more insight into what happened and how to get out of wherever 'here' is.
[21:20] <Kotono> OOC: Make spellcraft.
[21:20] <Ithea> roll d20+16
[21:28] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+16 and gets 31." [d20=15]
[21:29] <Kotono> The magic around Ithea is that of nightmares. Nightmares to bring fear into her, to shatter her under a nightmare of absolute terror. This knowledge doesn't stop the waves of fear, pounding into her.
[21:31] * Ithea pinches herself on the arm, even though she doubts that will work to wake her up, but it's worth a shot, even as she thinks of a way to get out... (ooc: any relevant knowledge/spellcraft/whatever check to figure out how to get free, or just trial and error stuff?)
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: Make a will save again.
[21:33] <Ithea> roll d20+20
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+20 and gets 35." [d20=15]
[21:35] <Kotono> The pain sends flares up and down Ithea's body, as abruptly this terror shatters around her!

[Corwin]

#d, Willim

[21:02] <Kotono> "Hmph." Annalise scowls as she looks about. Meanwhile it steps out towards you. It is a thing - a wolf headed creature with a snake's head jutting out from its neck. It wears armor and carries an axe. However, itis entirely made of painful to the eyes white and black colors, utterly unreal to see. Its body is withered and old, flesh half rotten and putrid-looking. Its wolfhead says nothing, as
[21:02] <Kotono> the snakehead hisses and speaks in a rasping, silibant tone, "Your thralls don't know what's good for them. The nightmare in my sleep is far better than the one for those who stay awake."
[21:05] * Willim gives the thing a very flat look. "You can either go away, or we can beat you to death right here."
[21:05] <Willim> roll 1d20+18 YEAH INTIMIDATE CHECK
[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+18 YEAH INTIMIDATE CHECK and gets 36." [1d20=18]
[21:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+36 no really, that just happens to be its total intimidate check.
[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 no really, that just happens to be its total intimidate check.  and gets 39." [1d20=3]
[21:09] <Kotono> "Of course." Annalise smiles now, a cold chuckle coming from her throat. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to one of the tamed dogs of Orcus, one of his personal molydeus slaves. Are you still going by the name of The Sleepless, or have Orcus grown tired of that name?"
[21:10] <Kotono> Around another yawn, "Sounds like something that needs killing," Dana cheerfully pipes up.
[21:10] * Willim shrugs and flexes his hands. Willim knows precisely jack about Orcus, and thus is entirely unimpressed.
[21:15] <Willim> "Is Orcus important?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "Impudent," The snake's head hisses, rotting, drippy tongue darting out. It drips a painfully white liquid, searing your eyes to look at. Thei mage of it lingers in them, as if they were burned into your vision. "The Lord of all Undeath demands your fealty. The First no longer walks this miserable Creation. It is time you learned your place."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Not in particular," Turning back to Willim, "He likes to pretend he's the father of all undead, but it's mostly propaganda. No no, this Archduke of Undeath we're going to deal with soon is a little closer to that, but it's really nothing but pretentious posturing. " With a downright sunny smile, "Come now, you know one dog of Orcus is hardly enough to slow me down. Run along and you'll only
[21:17] <Kotono> face your Master's wrath."
[21:20] <Kotono> Hefting Gaelach, "It's 4 on 1 in any case," Adrian observes, "Hardly a fair fight for you."
[21:27] <Kotono> "It isn't. Now then," Cocking her head to the side, all smiles, "Will you retreat, or shall you feed my hunger this day?" At the same moment Willim hears a voice in his head, 'Do kindly look all intimidating and terrifying for me now, would you?' Annalise asks.
[21:30] * Willim kindly obliges, sliding Ithea off to the side and leaning forward, turning his arms inward to show off his massive muscles. The red glow if his eyes bores straight ahead into the beast as he breathes steadily, showing not an ounce of fear, his hooves set solidly into the defiled earth they stand on.
[21:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+42
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+42 and gets 59." [1d20=17]
[21:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+36
[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+36 and gets 51." [1d20=15]
[21:32] <Kotono> At this The Sleepless hisses, all while Annalise looks happily amused. It looks at Willim, Annalise and then Willim again. "You fools!" The snake's voice hisses, "The wrath of Orcus is eternal and unescapable!"
[21:33] * Willim stares placidly back in response. "Are you going to fight about it, so we can kill you yet?"

[Corwin]

#d, Ithea and Willim

[21:35] <Kotono> Abruptly Ithea's head shoots up, awareness returning to her!
[21:37] * Ithea groans, and shakes her head. "Okay, who the hell did that?" she growls as she groggily stands up, shivering just a tad as she looks around.
[21:38] * Willim motions with his head at the demon-thing.
[21:41] <Kotono> "The little dog that's about to die," Annalise virtually chirps, looking right at The Sleepless. "See how quickly one of my thralls shattered your control, little dog? I'll have to chastise her for failing at all, but of course she's still new at this. As it stands she could shred apart a balor. You don't want to see what Willim here," Reaching out to pat his arm, "Can do. His troll father raped
[21:41] <Kotono> that poor succubus and made her bear him. Adrian there? Gaelach used to belong to a Shard of Selune." Chuckling again at that, "It's too bad we had to take it from him after defeating him. Dana? She wasn't forced a step back from an entire charge of cornugons." Now looking back at The Sleepless once more, "Oh, and of course these are only a few of my thralls. When I go back to Medicant," a slight
[21:41] <Kotono> emphasis on that word, "I have dozens of others just like them. Thralls, would you kindly see this dog to oblivion if he doesn't run with his tail tucked between his legs in the next three seconds?"
[21:43] * Ithea feels a little offended at being described as one of Annalise's thralls, but decides not to object on principle when she's the one apparently on familiar ground here. Though like hell she's going to let the vampire 'chastise' her!
[21:44] <Ithea> "I think that's something I could easily work on doing," Ithea mutters, replying to Annalise's kind request.
[21:47] <Kotono> Adriand oesn't say anything, just keeping Gaelach up and ready, as if to strike the demon down.
[21:47] <Kotono> Dana shrugs, "What the fuck ever. As long as it bleeds," she adds, drawing her rapier!
[21:47] <Willim> "Any time you're ready, demon." Willim says.
[21:48] <Kotono> Then...it stops. Sleepiness leaves you. You stand on cracked ground, the scent of oily blight and rot in your nose. The sky above is a bright purple, throbbing with occasional gouts of fire. Here and there jagged, rocky mounts rise dozens of feet in the air.
[21:49] <Kotono> "Is it gone, Mistress?" Adrian drawls the last word out, rolling his eyes, "I'm not your thrall, you know."
[21:50] <Willim> "It was big, annoying, and a waste of time." Willim says, looking off into the distance. "We have better things to do. Better things to fight."
[21:50] <Kotono> "Ah yes, the interdiction is gone. The Sleepless has gone back to its master." An airy snort as Annalise raises her chin up, posture regal, "Perhaps Orcus knows of my condition, or perhaps that Sleepless was overly ambitious. Naturally we could have slain it, but The Sleepless are quite powerful. It would have been bothersome."
[21:51] <Ithea> "...you'll have to tell me the details when we're back on Aurora, but Willim's right, let's get moving," Ithea says with a frown.
[21:59] <Ithea> "Also, since that...thing...well, since that's not the last monster we'll have to deal with, and I doubt most are going to slink off with their tails under their legs, I'm going to cast a few spells on us," Ithea adds, turning to Willim, Dana and Adrian. "Bring your weapons closer? It'll let me save up on spells."
[22:00] <Kotono> Dana and Adrian do so without incident. The latter remarks, "Ensorcelling the blades?"
[22:03] * Willim holds out his hands.
[22:03] <Ithea> "Yeah...though wait, your blade probably won't benefit any from what I was going to cast." Ithea asks after looking at Gaelach. "I was going to cast greater magic weapon, and I think the enchantment on your blade is already better than what I can give."
[22:05] * Ithea casts the spell only on Dana's weapon and her own, along with Willim's arms with a pass of her hand over them.
[22:07] <Kotono> Once done, the party takes off for their destination! OOC: More
[22:07] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 26." [1d100=26]
[22:07] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 94." [1d100=94]
[22:08] <Kotono> For a short time you travel, until you see it. It comes up abruptly, as if you somehow didn't notice it by now. A great brown and red mountain, looming up and high. There is a strangely airy look to it, as if it has many holes. The color is painfully vibrant to look at, as Annalise pauses, "Ah, we're still a ways away, but that is our destination. 'twould be best if we take to flight, I think.
[22:08] <Kotono> Assuming we can manage it," she glances over the party. "Can we all manage flight?"
[22:09] <Ithea> "I use Willim as my trusty steed when it comes to flight," Ithea says.
[22:09] * Willim nods.
[22:09] <Willim> "I can carry Dana too."
[22:13] <Kotono> "Well then, I'll just carry Adrian," Annalise says brightly, going over to him. Adrian starts to protest as she slings the warrior over her shoulder, starting to fly.
[22:13] * Willim very carefully does not laugh uproariously at Adrian. It must be someone else making all that noise.
[22:14] <Ithea> "Well, that'll make an interesting story to share with the resident bard once we get back to Aurora," Ithea notes.
[22:14] * Willim picks up the girls and plants them on opposite shoulders before taking off into the sky!
[22:17] <Kotono> It must be someone besides Adrian giving Willim an entirely rude gesture. Indeed, you take to the air, flying on and up and up! About ten minutes of this, the mountain getting closer and closer as you go forward and higher. The ground below is lost in a haze of thin mist and clouds as you ascend! AS you go Annalise keeps looking about, a frown coming at this point, "Curious, no demons," she
[22:17] <Kotono> observes, "Usually there's resistance and demons wanting to fight anyone who comes close. They're rather fond of the mountain, especially those who participate greatly in the Blood War."
[22:19] <Ithea> "Might have to do with Willim's friend. He might be killing any that approach," Ithea says, though luck being what it is, it's probably something bad in actuality.
[22:19] * Willim gives an eager grin to Adrian with ohgodsomanyteeth. "Either something's here to scare them off, or...well. This fight should be good."
[22:21] <Kotono> "If Willim is correct, on guard. Something strong enough to scare off demons is not a foe to be taken lightly," Annalise speaks up as you fly! On and on you go - for the rest of the hour. The air grows no thinner, the mountain rising. Until at last you can see a top. A jagged top, shrouded in mist. As you begin to approach, the mist slowly begins to disperse.
[22:27] <Kotono> Dana peers up, "See anything?" she calls, holding on tight to Willim.
[22:28] <Ithea> roll d20+23 spot
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Ithea rolls d20+23 spot and gets 38." [d20=15]
[22:28] <Willim> roll 1d20+14
[22:28] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+14 and gets 23." [1d20=9]
[22:29] <Kotono> Amid the mists, Ithea can see a humanoid figure standing. It's too hazy to tell anything more than that.
[22:30] <Ithea> "There, one figure. Hopefully your master?" Ithea says, pointing out the hazy figure to the others.
[22:31] <Willim> "Probably." Willim heads over!
[22:34] <Kotono> Flying up, the mists fade! Atop the mountain, a wooden deck can be seen. As if the deck of a ship somehow became the peak of this mountain, a broken flag mast at the end of it. It's about 30ft long and 15ft wide. Standing at the perfect middle is but a single man. He is bald, youthful without youth, old without age. A timelessness is to him. His skin is lightly tanned and full of trimmed, compact
[22:34] <Kotono> muscle without being too muscular. He is shirtless, his right shoulder, chest and arm sporting a tattoo of a great, twisting wyrm. He wears black pants beyond that and no shoes. His eyes are grey and golden, pure color. He looks out over the approaching group, nodding gravely to Willim. In a softly confident voice, "The trials of war have been good to you."
[22:36] * Willim sets down his passengers. "I have heard much of you as well, Master. It is good to see you again."
[22:38] <Kotono> "What happened to you since the day of the sundering of Lifasa?" He asks back, "I had thought none other survived."
[22:39] <Ithea> "Hello, Master of the Fists of War. I'm Ithea, one of Willim's companions. Most of us are survivors of Lifasa in actuality," Ithea introduces herself, giving a quick half bow. "Might I ask your name? We've only ever heard of you by titles."
[22:40] <Kotono> "My name died with Lifasa." His tone doesn't change, "I live only for the art of the fist and war now." His posture is loose, easy and unconcerned. "If you must call me anything, call me Warmaster, for I have earned that title."
[22:42] <Willim> "Well, I fought my way to a portal until everything went crazy and I would up on the astral plane. Did odd jobs for some people, and beat up a few devils before the cat here," he points at Ithea, "and a pixie and some sort of angel half-breed met me in a bar fight, and we went and found some floating fortress called Medicant. Now I'm working with several more survivors and a few hundred refugees
[22:42] <Willim> from Lifasa. We're working to retake it someday soon."
[22:43] <Willim> "I contacted you because I wanted to know if you would like to join us. I had hoped to re-found the temple and help teach the refugees how to fight. Your aid would be very helpful, and you'd be able to hit the devils where it really hurts."
[22:44] <Ithea> "I see. That's a simple enough reques..." Ithea starts to say, before growling at Willim, and punching his arm. "No cat jokes! I barely tolerate them from Adrian, and only barely because his brain would lock up if he didn't have an easy outlet like that!"
[22:47] <Kotono> Adrian gives Ithea a look, "Not now!" he shoots that look right at her.
[22:48] <Kotono> "Willim." The Master speaks at that, "I want to see how war has treated you. Come at me with all you have," he invites. "Let me see how far you've progressed."
[22:51] <Willim> Having expected this, Willim nods and sets himself, hooves planted firmly before racing at the old master! He gives a bestial roar as fire and rage fill his soul! OOC: Raaage. Charging. go go go

[22:51] <Willim> roll 1d20+32-10+2 PA, Charge
[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+32-10+2 PA, Charge and gets 30." [1d20=6]
[22:51] <Kotono> OOC: Miss, more.
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-5 reverse fist counter, stunning fist), AC Willim?
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-5 reverse fist counter, stunning fist), AC Willim? and gets 38." [1d20=10]
[22:52] <Willim> OOC: Not that!
[22:52] <Kotono> roll 4d8+11 and fort
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8+11 and fort and gets 34." [4d8=8, 4, 3, 8]
[22:52] <Kotono> OOC: Nonlethal damage.
[22:52] <Willim> roll 1d20+26 no autofail on 1
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+26 no autofail on 1 and gets 28." [1d20=2]
[22:53] <Kotono> Willim charges ahead with pure wrath, striking out...and the Master is gone. He flows like air, body moving as his elbow casually grazes Willim's chin. A moment later Willim is knocked down hard, stomach in turmoil and seeing stars! OOC: Stunned for 1 round and then nauseated for 1 round. Go ahead and RP it out since we're not technicallyi n init.
[22:54] <Ithea> "Looks like the master is still the master and the student is still the student..." Ithea comments.
[22:55] <Kotono> Looking down at the stunned Willim, "You've improved," he notes with calm, confident composure. "Quite a bit."
[22:55] * Willim lies there on the ground, babbling nonsense.
[22:55] <Kotono> Adrian whistles low, while Dana looks over to Willim, "Hurt much?"
[22:57] <Willim> "Not...so much hard...as 'well'." he says, shaking his head before retching all over the ground.
[22:58] * Willim pushes himself to his feet and wipes his face. "Again?"
[22:59] <Kotono> "I have been tasked by Tempus to master every fighting style I can. This task was sealed with a droplet of his blood. I have mastered the arts of the monk, learned the steps of the battle dances. I fight without thought and without restraint, faster than thought can come. Those that attack me attack themselves." With the slighest smile he nods, "Again," he says solemnly, "Once more."
[23:01] <Willim> "And here I've only been fighting devils and dragons!" Willim shouts, moving forward again, though more carefully.
[23:01] <Willim> roll 1d20+32 no charge, single attack, non-lethal, moving to melee range, fingers crossed
[23:01] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+32 no charge, single attack, non-lethal, moving to melee range, fingers crossed and gets 35." [1d20=3]
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-5 reverse fist counter, stunning fist), AC Willim and yes, that was a miss. Hatebottin'.
[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-5 reverse fist counter, stunning fist), AC Willim and yes, that was a miss. Hatebottin'. and gets 35." [1d20=7]
[23:02] <Willim> OOC: AC 33
[23:02] <Kotono> roll 4d8+11 and fortitude again.
[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8+11 and fortitude again. and gets 27." [4d8=3, 7, 5, 1]
[23:02] <Kotono> OOC: Again nothlethal.
[23:02] <Willim> roll 1d20+29 fort
[23:02] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+29 fort and gets 44." [1d20=15]
[23:02] <Ithea> "He fights a lot like that arcanaloth..." Ithea notes quietly to Annalise and Adrian.
[23:03] <Kotono> "My yes, the style has some of the same elements," Annalise replies just as quietly, "He'll be useful."
[23:04] <Kotono> This time Willim charges in, only for the Master to step aside! His leg darts out, grazing Willim's knee! Amoment later it feels as if a boulder slammed into it, agony exploding out! "You stayed up this time," The Master observes, as his own fists blur into action!
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-5 PA)
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-5 PA)
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-5 PA)
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-5 PA) and gets 32." [1d20=4]
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-5 PA) and gets 48." [1d20=20]
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-5 PA) and gets 44." [1d20=16]
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+28 (-5 PA) crit?
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+28 (-5 PA) crit? and gets 34." [1d20=6]
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 34." [1d20=11]
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+18 and gets 24." [1d20=6]
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[23:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21." [1d20=8]
[23:04] <Kotono> OOC: AC?
[23:04] <Willim> OOC: Still 33
[23:05] <Kotono> roll 4d8+16+8d8+32+4d8+16 nonlethal
[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 4d8+16+8d8+32+4d8+16 nonlethal and gets 142." [4d8=2, 4, 1, 8][8d8=4, 6, 1, 8, 8, 8, 7, 4][4d8=4, 3, 5, 5]
[23:06] <Kotono> What the Master does seems more akin to casual touches or movements. Little blows over Willim's body, but each one makes the half-troll rock as if a giant slammed Tinia's Regret into him! "Hm, you're still up? Good." A nod to the troll, "Show me your best combination now."
[23:09] <Willim> In spite of the pain, Willim actually begins to laugh! "This is just like my first year at the temple!" He comes back at the man with a flying combo of fists and hooves!
[23:09] <Willim> roll 1d20+32
[23:09] <Willim> roll 1d20+32
[23:09] <Willim> roll 1d20+32
[23:09] <Willim> roll 1d20+27
[23:09] <Willim> roll 1d20+22
[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+32 and gets 35." [1d20=3]
[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+32 and gets 39." [1d20=7]
[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+32 and gets 39." [1d20=7]
[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+27 and gets 45." [1d20=18]
[23:09] * Hatbot --> "Willim rolls 1d20+22 and gets 26." [1d20=4]
[23:09] <Kotono> "Mystra's tits," Dana murmurs, "How the fuck does he hit that hard, like that?"
23:11] <Kotono> Yet each blow comes too late. Every time he's not there. Sometimes it looks like he should be, only to not be! Other times he seems to know precisely how to dodge, or the angle to parry at. Not a blow lands on him, "Enough. Another flurry will knock you out," He holds. To the others, "Are any of the rest of you warriors of renoun, who would wish a lesson?"

[23:11] * Willim nods and steps back.
[23:11] <Willim> "If you had not improved, I'd like to believe that I could have maybe touched you. As it is, I am impressed. As always." Willim says.
[23:14] <Kotono> At this the Master sits indian style, hands resting on his knees. "Revenge and victory will come to darken the devil's doorsteps." He asserts calmly, "I would be content to join your army, on one condition."
[23:15] <Willim> "What's that?"
[23:16] <Kotono> "I wish to teach, not to wage war." His answer comes, "Not yet, not until the worthiest opponents reveal themselves. We are the last of our Order. Let us not make the two of us its death knell."
[23:16] <Willim> "I can agree to that without complaint." Willim nods.
[23:18] <Ithea> "Teachers are as welcome as warriors, Warmaster," Ithea says. "By chance, do you know anything of the Graceful Blow school, out of curiosity? If you do, I can very much assure you would find students with us."
[23:18] <Kotono> Rising back up, "Then I will teach any anda ll that come my arts," So he rises as well, "An art that will benefit us and those who wield magic as well."
[23:19] <Kotono> "I have not. Are they of renoun?" The MAster asks.
[23:21] <Ithea> "Some, I suppose. Their school joined us in our quest, but their teacher fell in a fight with a paeliryon. They know enough to try and teach themselves and keep the school alive at least," Ithea explains. "I somewhat hoped you knew of it so you could help them, but I'm sure you'll still find students amongst our warriors."

[Corwin]

#d, Ithea and Willim

[20:06] <Kotono> "I can help them." The Master speaks with composed conviction, "All schools spring from the same ultimate wellspring. It is how we learn and apply them that matters."
[20:08] * Willim nods. "They've seemed lost and a little sad without her, it will be good for them to see dedicated teaching again."
[20:11] <Kotono> "They will learn," he says, "Howlong a journey is it to this fortress?"
[20:12] * Willim looks to Annalise!
[20:17] <Ithea> "We need to go to a different plane to reach it, though we have means of getting there quickly, thankfully," Ithea says, also glancing towards Annalise. "Is getting out of here any simpler than getting in, or do we need to move away from this area, Annalise?" Ithea also asks the vampire.
[20:17] <Kotono> "It's best if we head off this mountain first," she says, taking Adrian and slinging him over her shoulder as she does this, ignoring his squack and protest. "Come along."
[20:18] * Willim looks at the other monk. "Can you fly, master?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "I don't need to," he chuckles, leaping off the side of the ruined deck! He hops on down in twenty and thirty foot leaps, rebounding off the next bit of ground and continuing down.
[20:22] * Willim shrugs, scooping up the girls and floating on down the mountain.
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 48." [1d100=48]
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[20:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 65." [1d100=65]
[20:31] <Kotono> The trip down is likewise without incident. On reaching the bottom, however? A humanoid figure wrapped in a purple cloak and hood awaits. Its figure is completely obscured, face lost in shadows even as she looks up as you descend. As the party reaches the ground, a genderless voice is heard from her, "Be wise when the Returned Queen meets the Last Master."
[20:34] * Willim looks at Ithea. "You understand that crazy stuff that 27 says. Can you understand what this thing is on about?"
[20:37] <Ithea> "I don't understand either of them, 27 least of all," Ithea says. Focusing on the cloaked figure, she calls out, "Who are you, cloaked stranger?"
[20:40] <Kotono> "A student of the murmurings of prophecy." The robed creature speaks, "A monumentous time approaches, where the order of Baator will be shattered. You may call me the Seer of Chaos."
[20:41] <Kotono> "Charming," Dana drawls, "I can just hear the uppercase letters and self important twattish backpatting in every word."
[20:41] * Willim nods at Dana. "They sound important."
[20:45] <Kotono> "That's how seers often are. After all, they think they're important because they have the dubious gift of prophecy." Annalise puts Adrian down in the meanwhile, "You think you know the future in a few cryptic words and you're suddenly better than everyoen else, hm?"
[20:48] <Ithea> "Alright, enough harrassing of the seer. I'm a bit curious about this shattering of Baator, honestly," Ithea says, as she looks at the figure, waiting for it to say more.
[20:50] <Kotono> "One with the blood of Chaos should know well of the speaking of the potentials," The genderless voice says, a hint of dry amusement there. "I come with a warning, nothing else. Good cannot win your battles, for it is not a battle against evil, truly. It is a battle of law against chaos. Seek the power of chaos to triumph and you will rend Abigor and Bel asunder."
[20:52] <Willim> "Law against chaos?" Willim looks at Ithea. "What's that mean?"
[20:53] <Ithea> "That might be, but there's no denying that those of Baator are an evil force, that makes this a fight against evil too. We'll keep your warning in mind, though," Ithea says, ignoring Willim for now.
[20:57] <Kotono> "Understand well," The voice chides, the robed figure turning away. It pauses a moment, "You already begin to understand with the Returned Queen. Let all those of chaos serve and aid you." With that the figure resumes walking away.
[20:58] <Ithea> "Wait! Who is this Returned Queen?" Ithea asks, moving after the figure.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Hmph." Annalise snorts at that, "Really, there is only one of truly noble bearing and bloodline here."
[21:00] <Kotono> As you walk ahead to chase, the figure grows hazy and fades away, like the last after-images of bright light burned into your eyes. Bright for a moment, then fading dots before you that you can only glimpse.
[21:01] <Ithea> "...wait, what, princess here?" Ithea asks at Annalise's reply, stopping to look towards Dana and missing the vanishing figure.
[21:02] <Kotono> "The message has been given," The Master speaks up, "Meditate on it in safer grounds."
[21:02] <Kotono> Dana shrugs, "Well, I am the only Princess here I know of, and I do plan to go coup Daddy's ass sometime or another, so that's a return."
[21:03] <Kotono> "You're merely a human Princess," Annalise shakes her head, "I am a Queen by all proper bloodlines that matter, and I have just returned to activity. Clearly he meant myself."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Adding arrogant bitch to your list of defects?" Dana retorts, "The titles don't count if you just like to pretend you're a Queen." Crossing her arms, "This must mean that meeting the Master there was important for me, if it's part of a prophecy."
[21:07] <Ithea> "Eh, I like the idea of it being Dana more," Ithea says with a shrug. "But like Willim's master has said, let's meditate on it in safer grounds. Let's keep moving."
[21:07] <Willim> "...I could be a princess too." Willim protests quietly.
[21:07] <Willim> "What's a princess, anyway?"
[21:08] <Ithea> "Something you can't be unless you decide to get in touch with your feminine side, Willim."
[21:08] <Kotono> "Hardly," Annalise smiles like a cat, all hunting malice and lithe grace, "Form a circle," she instructs, offering her hands out, "Queen of the Northlands, Empress of the Green Reaches, Baroness of the Blackstone Spire, Countess of Cristobal..." Trailing off, looking at Willim with an entirely more amused smile, "A Princess is the female child of a Queen. Ah, if you want to be one, there is that
[21:08] <Kotono> girdle."
[21:09] * Willim looks uncomfortable at the mention of the girdle.
[21:09] <Willim> "No."
[21:10] <Ithea> "Don't want to leave Adrian horribly outnumbered? That's okay," Ithea says in understanding as she grabs Dana and Adrian's hands again for the circle.
[21:10] * Willim grasps whatever hands are left over!
[21:11] <Kotono> At this, the group is teleported back! The Master takes but a single glance around,
[21:11] <Kotono> At this, the group is teleported back! The Master takes but a single glance around, "Willim, is there a chapel to the Father of War here?"
[21:12] * Willim blinks. "I never thought to build one."
[21:14] <Ithea> "I don't think anybody has really built any such things, those of us that pray do so in the privacy of our rooms or with friends, I suppose," Ithea admits.
[21:17] <Willim> "...we should build the first." Willim nods. "the god of war and battle would find good company with the men and women fighting to free Lifasa. I'm sure he smiled on us when we fought those devils and their minions when we went to kill that dragon."
[21:17] <Kotono> "A mistake," The Master says, "You would go to war and not ask the blessings of Tempus, he who holds dominion over all wars?" With a look askance at Ithea and Willim.
[21:19] <Willim> "I will build the temple myself as an apology!" Willim says, full of conviction. "We must find stone. And wood. And someone who knows of building."
[21:20] <Kotono> "A simple one, with no need for wealth or splendor," The Master continues, "AS near as to the gate out as can be done. Let it be beaten, sweaty and worn - the look of any true warrior at war. There is no need of a grand cathedral or temple."
[21:22] <Ithea> "...OR! Or we could just check in and ask Galariel to make it for us. Remember, Aurora is somewhat mutable, Willim," Ithea suggests at Willim's excited suggestions.
[21:22] <Willim> "...I had forgotten." Willim admits.
[21:24] <Kotono> "Make it so," The Master nods, looking about. On seeing the giants and Galuh, "In the meanwhile, I shall make the first recruitment for our school by making ane xample of those giants. Excuse me," At that, the Master steps away, heading towards them.
[21:25] * Ithea heads towards one of the portals, off to ask Galariel the latest request, leaving Willim and his master to play with the giants.
[21:25] <Kotono> Adrian watches him go, "Hell, can't say he doesn't know what he wants," he adds, "Hey kitty..hold on!" Adrian goes to follow Ithea.Annalise merely watches and walks off, while Dana lingers a moment.
[21:26] * Willim looks at Dana as he moves to follow the old master. "I have to talk to the Jarl as well. Coming?"
[21:37] <Kotono> "It might be best to wait a moment," Dana murmurs, "Don't you get what he's about to do?"

[Corwin]

#d, Willim

[21:38] <Willim> "Likely beat one or all of them into unconsciousness." Willim says, before thinking. "...yeah, maybe an hour or so would be a good idea."
[21:43] <Kotono> "C'mon," Dana says, "Let's get something to drink and come back after."
[21:43] * Willim nods, turning toward the dining hall instead.
[21:49] <Kotono> An hour later and a few drinks later, the mood has improved. Dana and Willim return. Here you find the giants sitting and watching, the Galuh board silent. Meanwhile, a few dozen soldiers are going through basic martial stances, the Master guiding them.
[21:52] * Willim nods at the sight, pleased. "He really will be a big help to us all. He is a good teacher."
[22:13] <Kotono> "He is good," Dana agrees, stretching and heading towards the JArl.
[22:15] * Willim nods, heading for the Jarl as well.
[22:20] <Kotono> The Jarl is watching, arms crossed all the while. His lips twitch, pique evident across his face.
[22:21] <Willim> Willim stands next to the Jarl, watchign as well. "You look unhappy."
[22:25] <Kotono> "Getting defeated by a group of you is one thing,"He begins without fanfare, "But that human defeated all of us at once, by himself! We're giants, not goblins!"
[22:26] <Kotono> "Here here!" The other giants seconds.
[22:26] <Willim> "He is the master of the school that taught me how to fight. I can't even touch him." Willim says. "He mentioned that he had been blessed by Tempus himself, as well."
[22:38] <Willim> "I actually came to talk to you, however." He says to the Jarl. "I wanted to discuss something with you."
[22:38] <Kotono> "Yeah, what is it," With a scowl as he rubs his head, "I think we're taking a break from Galuh until he's done."
[22:43] * Willim pulls the oversized hammer off of his back. "I can't give this weapon the honor it deserves anymore. I find I'm not using it at all, and I know that it would find better use among you and your men."
[22:45] <Kotono> "Tinia's Regret? I heard how you won it," The Jarl holds his hand out, "I'll be glad to wield it if you can't."
[22:47] * Willim nods, placing it in the Jarl's hands. "I've become good with my fists, so much so that I'm neglecting the weapon. I thought you would be able to use it well."
[22:48] <Kotono> "Thank you," His smile returns at that, hefting the hammer, "We'll use it to brain some devils!"
[22:50] * Willim nods. "And please don't judge the master too harshly. I brought him here so that he could train the men and make better warriors of them."

[Corwin]

#t, Ithea

[21:42] <Kotono> As Ithea hurries off, Adrian catches up. "You know, I'd been meaning to ask and that reminded me. Do you have any idea what 27 is or about yet?" Around you are the Medicant Golems, standing silent watch over the walk to the portals.
[21:46] <Ithea> "Besides the fact that he's some sort of mutant slaad with cryptic prophetic warnings... no idea at all!" Ithea replies back with a shrug. "I don't really think too much about it, though I do wonder about his fear of Tannin."
[21:47] <Kotono> "It doesn't really make any sense to me," Adrian admits, rubbing his chin, "His eyes could creep someone out, maybe? They change colors periodically. Chaos-blood. I don't see why that would scare a slaad, though."
[21:49] * Ithea shrugs again. "He seems more of an overgrown mutant puppy than a mutant slaad to me, honestly, and he doesn't even look like either, so who knows?"
[21:52] <Kotono> As you walk, Elena appears before you. "Oh Ithea, you're back! Perfect timing," she chirps, "Adrian too! Could you two come to the meeting room? Elder Magi Tepen is there, we got a message from Baleruk."
[21:55] * Ithea raises an eyebrow, and nods. The new chapel can wait, she decides, as she follows Elena.
[22:15] <Kotono> In the meeting room you find Tepen, rubbing his forehead. "Ah, you've returned," he greets.
[22:16] <Ithea> "Indeed. Things went far smoother than I figured they might in that place," Ithea agrees. "I take it Afina and Jaela haven't popped back yet?"
[22:24] <Kotono> "Not yet," Tepen replies, "Baleruk just sent a message back. To pare it down to the point, apparently he can tell that Arandalhaz is dead and urges us to returnwith the essence."
[22:26] * Ithea nods. "Elena told us, and we figured as much. Until Jaela returns, we can't exactly do much though, honestly," Ithea says, ending the last part with a shrug.
[22:41] <Kotono> "Indeed," Elder Magi Tepen agrees, "That's all, just passing that along."
[22:46] <Ithea> "Ah, he wasn't waiting for a reply? That's good, I guess. Thanks for passing the message though," Ithea comments. "Anyway, we managed to find Willim's master, thanks again for sending that message to him. He's currently out in the courtyard if you're interested in meeting him."