C 001

[Corwin]

[19:27] <Kotono> ---
[19:32] <Kotono> The sun is creeping into the sky as you return the consecrated lands of the angels. Here there is no morning loginess, instead, the party finds themselves aided and beset on by celestials. Healing touches and restorative spells flood them, banishing away sleepiness and wounds. The Bone Devil is given dozens of horrible, burning looks, but Latha's words keep divine justice at bay. Demedais drags the devil to a solid stone building, heavy doors
[19:32] <Kotono> but Latha's words keep divine justice at bay. Demedais drags the devil to a solid stone building, heavy doors closed behind as it's put in there.  (Your HP recovers to full, more.)
[19:34] <Kotono> Donald hefts the Hammer of the Shard, eyeing the unconcious devil. Demedais retires, whilst Antenora eyes it long, before settling into leaning on the wall, watching.
[19:39] <Alicia> With Hell Striker held loosely in one hand and ready to strike if it does something foolish, Alicia reaches out to rest a hand on the prone devil's head, bestowing just enough healing to wake it up.
[19:39] <Alicia> OOC: lay on hands until it's conscious but nothing more.
[19:39] <Kotono> OOC: How much do you have in pool?
[19:39] <Alicia> OOC: 15
[19:40] * Seira observes the proceedings calmly, coming to lean against a wall by Antenora.
[19:40] <Kotono> The devil stirs as the healing energy passes into it. It's body twists and writhes, seeming to come alive at once. It's eyes open as it takes in everything in an instant, a growl coming as it sees Alicia.
[19:42] <Alicia> "Please, don't do anything foolish," Alicia tells the devil, switching her grip so that her blade is held right before the devil's eyes. "Yet, anyway. You saw what we did to your leader, and you're in no shape to fight."
[19:46] <Kotono> It's voice is like cracking sinews of flesh stretched too far over sizzling coals. "What do you want, mortal? You presume to have the arrogance to command me?"
[19:48] <Alicia> "Yes. I do, actually," Alicia nods. "I'm going to ask you some questions - how you answer will determine what occurs once I have run out of questions." Hell Striker twitches slightly, though Alicia doesn't react, almost as if the blade has a will of its own to sever the fiend's neck.
[19:48] <Alicia> "Answer well, and I will use this holy blade to send you back to Baator. Likely you'll face demotion for your failure, but it is still truly your best option, nonetheless."
[19:50] <Kotono> Donald watches from just behind, breaking into a grin. He doesn't speak, though. Instead, "What do yo uhave that you think can strike fear into me?"
[19:50] <Kotono> OOC - Gah.
[19:51] <Kotono> Donald watches from just behind, breaking into a grin. He doesn't speak, though. Instead, "What do yo uhave that you think can strike fear into me?" It's eyes follow Hell Striker's blade, then up Alicia's arm to her face. "Do you think I'll cower in front of you?" It's voice is laden with contempt.
[19:53] * Alicia smiles thinly. "I'm so glad you asked. Do you see that hammer? Do you recognise it?" she steps aside so the Osyluth has a clear view of Donald. "It *eats* law. If it were to strike the final blow, instead of my blade... well, you wouldn't have to worry about the torments your superiors can dream up. You wouldn't have to worry about anything ever again," she concludes, her voice as sharp and final as the executioner's axe.
[19:54] <Kotono> Donald grins and hefts it, pointing it out. Close enough to come near the Bone Devil's face, but not quite. "I owe all of you quite a bit. I'll make sure it's a good revenge if I get to use this on you." OOC - Alicia, make a bluff check.
[19:55] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11
[19:55] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+11 and gets 12."12 [1d20=1]
[19:56] <Seira> "This devil is braver than Zguji," Seira muses, eyeing the bone devil curiously. "Even that guy was pretty terrified of the hammer." She tilts her head. "Maybe you're holding it wrong, Donald? Try to be more impressive, give it a few practice swings!"
[19:59] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:59] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 12."12 [1d20=1]
[20:04] <Kotono> The devil's laugh is mocking, though you do note a flicker in it's eyes as it sees the Hammer. "Do what you will. I have nothing fear from a few impertitent mortals."
[20:04] <Alicia> "Fine. I don't care enough to convince you, there are hundreds more of your kind out there," Alicia steps back. "Donald, kill it."
[20:05] * Seira snaps her fingers. "A moment, if you will."
[20:05] * Seira eyes the devil lazily. "You have nothing to fear from us, perhaps. So what do you fear? Agares's wrath?"
[20:06] * Alicia looks somewhat put out at the delay, as she sincerely doesn't want to waste time with an uncooperative fiend.
[20:20] <Kotono> Donald raises the hammer up, but hesitates at  Seira's words. He just waits, staring a hole in the vile creature. The devil stares back, "I fear only going along with you piteous, pathetic mortals."
[20:22] <Seira> "That's just sad. Demotion for failure is one thing, but to fail so completely against an underpowered group of piteous, pathetic mortals...." Seira shakes her head. "And to be swatted aside into unconsciousness, to be subdued so easily without even the dubious glory of death in battle. Is our Duke really that forgiving of such things?"
[20:25] <Kotono> "He would be even less forgiving if I sold myself into your bondage," With a look that is like creeping, poisonous bile, It's eyes look out, locking onto Antenora. With a grim little look, "Lord Agares has put death edicts out on all of you...except for you and the paladin. When you are taken down, you know what awaits you."
[20:25] <Seira> "Hey now, I do my part! I try! What would it take to receive this special treatment from the Hells, too?"
[20:34] <Alicia> "So I take it the offer of promotion to Pleasure Devil is no longer on the table?" Alicia asks dryly. "Enough of this farce, perhaps the next one we bring in will be more cooperative after we kill that warlock or a few Gelugons."
[20:34] * Seira blinks at Alicia. "You got offered that? Really?"
[20:36] <Kotono> Antenora stirs at all of this, eyeing the devil right back. "He can try. If you're all he's sending, he's not taking it very seriously."
[20:37] * Alicia shrugs. "Surprised me, too," she admits. "I suppose good servants are hard to come by in Baator, lately. Anyway, this creature is no further value. End its miserable existence, Donald."
[20:37] * Seira shrugs. "I'll find some other devil to humiliate, I suppose. A smarter one, preferably."
[20:38] <Kotono> 'Wait,' Antenora sends this message to both Seira and Alicia, one after another. 'I want to know if it knows about the situation on Avernus.'
[20:39] <Seira> 'Knock yourself out,' Seira thinks with a mental shrug.
[20:39] * Alicia glances at Antenora thoughtfully before nodding. "You've been granted a stay of execution, after all, Osyluth," she holds up a hand to stall Donald.
[20:40] <Kotono> Donald hefts the hammer high, about to slam it down - and hesitates just a moment, looking back to Antenora and then slows entirely. "Fine." he replies to Alicia.
[20:40] <Alicia> "Answer her questions," Alicia nods to Antenora, "They pertain nothing to your mission here, so you need not worry about facing retribution for betrayal. I will then ensure your wretched soul is sent screaming back to Baator instead of oblivion."
[20:45] <Kotono> The devil snarls at Seira, then, "Why should I tell you anything?"
[20:46] * Alicia sighs. "The choice I gave earlier, foolish fiend. Oblivion or Hell, it is yours to make. Please do not try my patience further - she merely wishes to know of the situation on Avernus."
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC: Eh, make another bluff check and see how you guys do.
[20:50] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11 i honestly don't care
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+11 i honestly don't care and gets 18."12 [1d20=7]
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 16."12 [1d20=1]
[20:52] * Taitoro{drwz} (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[20:55] <Kotono> The fiend seems to waver as the Hammer is raised and waiting, before at last, "Zquujaj faces legions of hell with legions of demons he has organized. Several of the exiled and banished dukes that reside in Avernus are whispered to have been slain, yet Bel stands strong."
[20:56] * Alicia glances at Antenora to see if there's anything in particular she wishes to ask.
[20:58] <Kotono> Antenora approaches a few steps, "I'm fine," she says at last. "That's what I wanted to know."
[20:58] <Seira> "You do realize that you've just betrayed your master and your mission by cooperating with us and giving us information, right?" Seira asks the fiend lazily. "Your fate for the next few millennia doesn't look that enticing, I must say. Still want to go back for all those horrible tortures, or have you gained new insights and would prefer a life as a flunky, out of Agares's reach?"
[21:01] <Alicia> "He'll spend a few centuries as a lemure," Alicia shrugs. "He's done it before, he can do it again. At least he can honestly say he never betrayed his mission. Any last words?" she asks as she raises her blade.
[21:02] <Seira> "Giving us aid is pretty much against that mission, I'd argue," Seira muses, ignoring the devil for now.
[21:02] <Kotono> OOC - Bluff check, Seira.
[21:02] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 21."12 [1d20=10]
[21:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[21:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+15 and gets 21."12 [1d20=6]
[21:04] <Kotono> Antenora just glares at him, shooting daggers...
[21:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+16 and gets 26."12 [1d20=10]
[21:09] <Kotono> "My last words are that we wont' serve you," You note a slight break in it's voice, "Rather 200 years as a lemure then..." You see it's facade crack, "...the pain devils are waiting for you. Lord Agares has personally petitioned The Great Lord Asmodeus for the authority to oversee your coming damnation, traitor."
[21:10] <Alicia> "Muzzle it," Alicia grumbles as her blade swings down to sever his neck.
[21:10] <Alicia> OOC: can I coup him or do I need to roll?
[21:37] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-70-112-23-198.austin.res.rr.com) Quit (Client exited)
[21:53] <Kotono> It's smile turns dark, shaking, "The cons-" It only gets that off before Alicia severs it's neck, it's body turning to black ash that sizzles away in white light instantly.
[21:55] <Alicia> "How entirely unpleasant," Alicia shakes the ichor off her blade before putting it away. "We may need to resort to tracking them if they're all so stubborn."
[21:56] <Seira> "Nothing lost but time, at least."

[Corwin]

[07:41] <Kotono> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[07:44] <Kotono> On return, celestials flock the war weary heroes. Healing magic and benevolent touches wash away pain, injury and fatigue. Only the strident words of Latha save the last member of the brigage - the bone devil taken into captivity. Into a sturdy stone building resting on the grassy sands here Demedais takes him, dropping him. As the others stay to get to work, Demedais departs. The morning is dawning, spreading it's light into the magnifient s
[07:44] <Kotono> into the magnifient sky this celestial zone possesses. (More)
[07:47] <Kotono> Despite the night's labors Demedais is entirely rested. About war bands head out and head back in - a slow flow of warriors. Around him the desert has been made alive, grasses growing in defiance. If one were to simply glance here, they would think they were in heaven.
[07:51] * Demedais looks around calmly, before trying to find a more or less isolated spot to run through the motions and practice, to try and focus his mind a bit better in this area.
[07:52] <Kotono> There's a few secluded areas - a few palm treets together with shade, a bit of a rocky uprising with waterfall(Though it's mostly blocked from view due an uprising hill). There's also celestials about, many doing martial games or practice.
[07:54] * Demedais heads to the area with the palm trees, vaguely wondering why they bothered with it as he begins practicing the movements Engan taught him.
[07:56] <Kotono> It's simple enough for Demedais to lose himself in the motions. The shade cools the area, a certain restful solitude here. With focus, one can home in and tune out distractions. The movements of the blade are all that matter, all consuming and perfect. A heavy slash uplifted into a deflection, a defensive sideswipe, a great sweeping leg cut. (More)
[07:59] <Kotono> IT comes into your vision naturally. It's presence is unseen at first, yet seen on a level that you can hear, touch, taste, feel. It is salient to you, vibrant. It stands a ways to the left, watching. IT is...it is like a child, yet clad in gleaming silver armor. A silver trumpet hangs from it's belt. It watches with rapt eyes, studying Demedais and his movements.
[08:01] * Demedais slows his movements after the current set, then stops, looking to the "child" with some curiousity. Interesting form for an angel... "May I help you?" he asks, politely.
[08:04] <Kotono> It is a boy, skin hinted with sea green. IT would be perhaps ten if it were a human child, yet it is built without flaw, without childlish imperfections. It's face radiates a captivating innocence. "Your swordsmanship is phenominal," he says. "May I watch further?"
[08:05] <Demedais> "Uh. Sure?" Demedais shrugs. "I'm hardly stellar, but my teacher has taught me well." With that, he goes back into the motions, perhaps a bit faster this time.
[08:07] <Kotono> "You are also modest," The beings face lights up, wings on it's back twitching slightly. He watches, completely rapt in it. "I heard the mortal heroes that came to our aide were each exceptional."
[08:09] <Demedais> "It's not modesty so much as the truth. His talent is... unbelievable. Also he works you like a sawhorse." Demedais grunts between swings. "I prefer perhaps a more defensive style than him; comes with my training as a servant of Helm."
[08:14] <Kotono> "A servant of the watcher? I heard you were a paladin from a Lantern friend." He continues to watch each swing, eyes lighting up at the more complicated parts. "My name is Justinicus. Your name is Demedais?"
[08:15] <Demedais> "Indeed. A pleasure to meet you, Justinicus." Demedais says with a nod, finishing up one of the movements.
[08:16] <Kotono> "How do you like this place?" he asks, as he follows. "We occasionally see living mortals in our realms, but it is not a common thing. This place is much like home."
[08:18] <Demedais> "In honesty? It makes me feel unnerved, somewhat." Demedais says, finishing the set and moving into an at ease position. "Though if this is much like your home, I can understand it."
[08:19] <Kotono> "Huh." A cock of the celestial being's head, curious. "The few mortals I have met all seem to be at great peace in our realms. Paladins, clerics of those who follow good, pious sorcerers...":
[08:23] <Demedais> "And there you have the thing. I follow Helm's word devotedly, willing to do his wishes in this world...no matter where that road may lead." Demedais nods once, before grinning. "Though I think the real reason this place makes me feel off is that the sense of peace blunts my more paranoid instincts. Defensive training does cause those, a bit."

[Corwin]

[20:14] <Tiny_Ko_Army> After the interrogation and later a spell mishap and read scroll, Seira finds herself at relative rest. Some is needed after these ordeals, a period of rest. So Seira rests in a silken tent, bathed in the warm scents of grass and fruits. As Seira finds herself losing awareness in this peaceable state, "Seira?" It's the voice of an angel, quite literally. Latha lingers just inside the tent.
[20:16] * Seira waves at the angel from her reclining position, before tossing up an apple playfully. "Want one?" she offers.
[20:20] <Tiny_Ko_Army> The apple is caught with an ease that speaks of superhuman reflexes as she comes near Seira, sitting. "Thank you." She takes a moment to take a small bite, before putting the food aside. "Denga talked about you, and the mortals often speak of the Crimson Guard. I heard of many second hand stories as I travelled to Balmuria."
[20:22] <Seira> "Come visit again," Seira extends the invitation automatically. "We like visitors, and happen to be quite friendly!"
[20:24] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I believe I will in time. With the deeds the Crimson Guard does, greater and greater beings walk amid mortalkind. It will not only be rampaging devils for long." Her smile is sincere, her face like a glorious beacon of light. "There will be a need for guidance as the world continues to change."
[20:26] <Seira> "All I can say is that it's about time," Seira agrees. "I've always thought the imbalance was annoying, sometimes to the point of feeling the gods blamed us for something our ancestors thousands of years removed did or didn't do, and ended up punishing us this way."
[20:29] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The Gods work in their own ways," Latha muses on that. "The situation here is quite unique as well. But..." Looking on, "You're also right. If we stand by, devils and demons will make this opening world their own. But..." She stops again, "You wished to ask things?"
[20:33] * Seira nods, lying back once more afterwards. "This would probably be my best chance in a while, so here goes. Remember those hellfire crossbows? It's hard for me to believe that you guys don't have something like that. If we could get a few of them to arm our defenders, the next devil invasion would go so much more smoothly.
[20:33] <Seira> Without a lucky break, and us stumbling on the devils at the very start as well as having the Shard, we might have been overrun. Regardless, our casualties among the population could have been heavy, and the devils would have a foothold into the world near the most important ruins remaining."
[20:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The power of Hellfire is a recent development," Latha begins once she listens. "This..." She pauses merely a moment, "This is not information meant to be told to many other mortals. But you are to receive our aide, so..." After another moment, "Within the last millenia, Hellfire has been developed. The source is somewhat unclear - we suspect Mephstopheles or Asmodeus has a hand in this matter. It is not often seen, used as a trump card
[20:36] <Tiny_Ko_Army> used as a trump card by Hell." (More)
[20:39] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "The fact that it is in play here speaks to the desire to which a powerful member of Hell supports this invasion." At that, Latha's words become stronger, a stirring of justice. "It's power is undeniable, as it is difficult to dodge and pierces even the most potent wards against fire.  Such things have existed before, such as Alicia's weapon. But to see it on such a scale is troubling and something we are grappling with as well."
[20:41] <Seira> "Hmm," Seira muses, pondering over this. "Well, if you don't actually have a way of matching the development, you could always try to tackle the issue from another angle. Something to defend against the hellfire, or negate some of its advantages, would also serve both our sides well."
[20:41] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-3e88ec46.tcl113.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[20:42] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:43] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "We are working on such." Latha smiles faintly, "If nothing has appeared so far it is likely difficult or prohibitively expensive or consuming. "Further...A millenia is no great period of time for us, even though it is beyond reckoning for most mortalkind."
[20:44] <Seira> "I'm... sure a thousand years worth of mortals would be grateful if you didn't take that long to catch up to the Hells," Seira says as delicately as she can.
[20:47] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:47] <Tiny_Ko_Army> Latha smiles to that, "I understand. But I mean it to the scale of the magic involved, and the power. It may have taken several millenia to make hellfire. It may take a like amount of time to effectively counter it. One cannot defeat the work of 10,000 years in a few years. If you can in your ambition?" At this, there is another pause, "On occasion, the scant time given to living mortals propels them to heights none could have imagined
[20:48] <Tiny_Ko_Army> imagined one would achiveve in a hundred lifetimes."
[20:49] <Seira> "The way I would go about it would be to research a spell, then teach it to someone and make shields and weapons with it," Seira responds, tugging at her shoulders. "Though a spell of divine origin would likely be more potent in this case, arcane magic is quite powerful when it needs to be."
[20:51] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yes...I tell you this because, even if your heart struggles in many dilemmas...the three of you have become chosen champions. You may ascend to deeds worthy of the greatest angel in your lives, and perhaps one of them will be what we speak of."
[20:55] <Seira> "At the moment I'm dilemma-free, actually," Seira comments, glancing sideways at Latha. "Happened as soon as I decided to stick closer to Waukeen, as it happens. But it could be just a phase, I'm often told that by important people and I pretend to listen and nod in all the right places." She reaches for an apple of her own, biting at it. "I suppose this answers my question about the weapons.
[20:55] <Seira> It would be nice to have you share what little practical information you can get away with, but that can surely wait for after sealing the portal." She frowns, then. "Speaking of portals, I have a strange question to ask. What happens to blink dogs when they die?"
[20:56] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "They're mortal beings, albiet of good. When they die, their souls move onto what calls them, or the realm of the God they worshipped and served." Latha raises an eyebrow, "A curious question. Why do you ask it?"
[21:02] <Seira> "There is a malfunctioning portal between our plane and the elemental plane of water," Seira elaborates. "Several ways exist of correcting the damage done to it -- you might have heard, we're trying to restore the world back to its former glory, and what better place to start with than home?
[21:02] <Seira> Well, the tamest ritual we have discovered to achieve this is a drop of essence of an outsider with ties to water, a stone of sedimentary rock brushed with a devil and angel's touch on the Astral Plane, and a... brew, I suppose.
[21:02] <Seira> It consists of the beak of a cockatrice, the eye of a blink dog and three scrapings of silver from a Githyanki Silver Sword, which we then have to bind magically. Since killing blink dogs is just plain wrong, and changing ingredients is dangerous and unpredictable, I was wondering if any blink dogs could be asked if they'd agree to help us, erm, post-humously."
[21:05] <Tiny_Ko_Army> There's a pause there, "You've come to the defense of your world and aided us nobily." Latha speaks as she thinks. "It may be possible to arrainge such a thing, or connect you to one who is willing to hear you out. If one bestows it on you willingly after their mortal shell passes...then perhaps that would be acceptable. I will inquire onto this."
[21:06] <Seira> "Yeah," Seira says in relief. "To be honest, I kinda gave up on the idea until just now. There was no way I would be hunting one down, since it's sentient and all, not to mention pretty much on our side. And there was never the opportunity to just ask them, before."
[21:08] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Yes, you may not even have ever met any in this world. I will ask on it - perhaps you will get one easily, or perhaps it will want some service or token to know that it's eye is going to a noble cause."
[21:10] <Seira> "The nobility of the cause may not be easily seen to everyone, but I firmly believe it will serve to advance the mortal world," Seira tells Latha, staring at the ceiling. "And if I see the gift being abused by greedy mortals, I'll close the gate myself."
[21:12] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "As long as evil exists, there will be greedy mortals. In fact..." Latha shakes her head, "Even metallic dragons, often paragons of good, feel the tugs of it. Vigilance is sometimes the only answer."
[21:13] <Seira> "Heh." Seira's mood lightens at that. "You know, I'm going to be meeting lots of red dragons soon enough. Think I've got a chance to get them see past their narrow nature?"
[21:15] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "May your Goddess walk with you, for you'll need all the luck and favor you can get to do that," is Latha's answer.
[21:18] <Seira> "That bad, huh?" Seira snorts. "Well, I still need to learn to swim in lava before I even consider traveling, so I've got time. And I did have one more thing to ask you. Donald almost died that time. You were there, I'm sure you've noticed. He DID die the other time I took him to fight some devils, because I miscalculated how their infernal wounds would affect him.
[21:18] <Seira> He got better, sure... but I don't want to see a repeat performance. Would there be anyone here with some better equipment to spare? Armor, perhaps a floating shield, a blessed amulet or two? I'll take full responsibility for the costs, even if the owners would prefer a favor instead of monetary value."
[21:27] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "I'll look into it. I agree completely..he is brave, but he lacks protection." Latha rises at that, "I'll look into something for him."
[21:29] <Seira> "Brave and foolish," Seira agrees. "I'll invest quite a lot to get him to a point where he'll no longer be brought to death this easily, though, be that funds or effort on my part!"
[21:31] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Then I'll let you know before we go to battle again," Latha promises, exiting out.

[Corwin]

[06:55] <Demedais> [14:21] <@Demedais> "And there you have the thing. I follow Helm's word devotedly, willing to do his wishes in this world...no matter where that road may lead." Demedais nods once, before grinning. "Though I think the real reason this place makes me feel off is that the sense of peace blunts my more paranoid instincts. Defensive training does cause those, a bit."
[06:59] <Kotono> "Your face says you've seen much battle in your years," the celestial states. "I see. I have heard of ones such as you, those that duty is all that matters. That the law by itself is supreme, irrelevant of what is right and wrong."
[07:02] * Kotono is now known as Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl
[07:05] <Demedais> "Law... not so much as duty." Demedais inclines his head. "I will do what Helm asks of me, as far as I am capable. Devoted - even fanatical? Maybe." A slight pause, before Demedais shakes his head a bit. "Heh. To you, this most likely sounds like supreme foolery, I'd imagine."
[07:09] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> "What's the point of Law without Good?" Cocking his head to the side again, the being gives you a wide, content smile. "It's like the earth without the sky. It's barren and meaningless without it. In fact..." A stern look crosses the angel's face, as he stands at attention. He paces a bit, "Even though it is not, it brings to mind the chains of iron law the devils use to ensnare themselves in darkness." He stops pacing at tha
[07:10] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl>  He stops pacing at that, (More)
[07:11] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> "Still..." His face lights up again, "You do not seem to be evil."
[07:17] <Demedais> "Heh. You see, this is why..." Demedais shakes his head. "Your confidence, your sureness that your road is the only one... I both respect such confidence and... abhor it. I could never take such a road, I do not feel. ...To watch over the people; that was part of my vow as a paladin of Helm. But many would take it as the ability to fix what they do wrong....I feel that must be learned themselves. The road for each soul is their own."
[07:19] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> "Of course it is!" With a smile that seems to banish any unhappiness to those that view it, the angel withdraws his trumpet. Like shimmering silver under the sun, it becomes a greatsword in his hands. He watches Demedais with keen eyes, starting to mimic his movements. "That's something that's very important. All my teachers tell me that - everyone must ultimately find their path, there is nothing good about forcing people to
[07:20] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl>  forcing people to our view. We're supposed to guide, not command in absolutes. Do you feel the same to that much?"
[07:22] <Demedais> "For the most part. But..." Demedais shakes his head again. "Ideally? To me, leave the planes to themselves. If this could be enforced upon the devils and demons - they only control what happens after death - would you agree to let go, as well?"
[07:37] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> The movements are agile. The archon's imitations are not half bad, though a certain hesitation to it as it works. "Removing those would be a great boon to all mortals. But..." The archon slows and finally stops, the tip of his sword driven into the ground. "I have been taught we are here to guide mortals and protect them. Don't you want our help?"
[07:41] * Demedais pauses for a moment, but keeps moving. "...Part of being mortal is the choices involved, I feel; letting... Letting creation - and each individual - find the roads for them. You are all immortal... the perspectives, far different from what we have. Perhaps that is the advantage we have?"
[07:48] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> The archon listens to all of this, looking at Demedais over the hilt of it's greatsword. It stirs a bit, but otherwise stays still. "Free will is important. Even those of us that turn away..." The archon's face darkens a moment, before it brightens. "Or your friend, the former Erinyes? But that's more reason to introduce gentle law."
[07:58] * Demedais finishes another manuever before looking to the archon, only now beginning to sweat in this quasi-paradise. He looks out over the field, before shaking his head a bit. "It is proof that beings can change. ... Seira. She has done some things I would call borderline mad, treaded the paths of both evil and good, and yet..." A slight exhalation. "Your kind would have condemned her for the act that made her evil. ...I chose instead to support her, and co
[07:58] <Demedais> "...I chose instead to support her, and convinced a servant of Lathander to stay his hand, for I knew why she had done it - to free her father, and to eliminate a wizard who had caused much havoc and pain."
[08:04] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> The being listens to the story, and once it is over, it's face shows childish curiosity. "What was her act of evil?"
[08:05] <Demedais> "She had to deal with a demon to escape a trapped door into the Abyss. Before you ask, she has already atoned for it - probaby so she can kick his ass more easily later."
[08:07] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> A worried frown passes over the archon's face like a cloud over the sun. He shifts restlessly, "I was taught that making a pact with a devil or a demon is one of the ultimate degredations one can do to their soul," It's voice loses it's childishness, instead becoming strong. It is loud, with a tone that draws attention to it. "But..also, as long as one lives, there is always the chance to repent and absolve oneself."
[08:07] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> (More)
[08:11] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> He thinks long - very long. He is silent, brooding on this. "Yet...." It goes silent, "Even if evil battles evil, it is still evil."
[08:14] <Demedais> "And what if good battles good? Or law, law?" Demedais asks in response, before shaking his head. "What strikes me as most abhorrent is that intent seems to be discarded by all four sides; we received assistance from the gold dragon summoned there only because I intervened and argued fairly strenuously for her. Else... she would have likely stayed much the same as she had been forced into by the demon, regardless of intent or desire, for nothing else came t
[08:16] <Demedais> "regardless of intent or desire... for nothing else came to intervene."
[08:21] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> "Good doe snot battle good!" That gets a sharp, wide eyed look from your new friend. "Even the wild Eladrin are our allies." It listens to the rest in something of a lather, "But if you make a pact with an evil creature as such, you willingly accept evil into your being..."
[08:22] <Demedais> "And if by making that deal, she managed to save ten thousand from the same fate? Your response?" Demedais inquires.
[08:24] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> "You have still consigned yourself to evil!" The archon shakes it's head at that. "That is never to be taken like that!"
[08:32] <Demedais> "And so it seems that while we agree on much..." Demedais shakes his head. "If Helm requested it of me, I would do it. Heh. I suppose I have confidence in him that it would not be wasted, but I would do it at his will; Seira would do it to protect and save those she cares for, I think... Alicia wouldn't, I feel - she likely agrees with you." A shrug. "I do not understand - the way any of this operates is foreign to me, and I can not comprehend your words -
[08:32] <Demedais> "...and I can not comprehend your words - if you knew it would save others, more than perhaps you would ever reach... It is why I stand with Helm. With the heavens unwilling to interfere in such cases unless they're practically called out on it and the devils acting of their own..."
[08:45] <Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl> "Life is a passing second of delusion, what lies beyond is eternity." The archon's face is bright at that, "That's something my teacher told me. It feels apt to say here. I admit, I do not fully understand, but...Death in this world is only a gateway into the next. Do you not wait to serve your God in his realm when you pass from this material world?"
[08:45] * Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl is now known as Kotono
[08:47] * Kotono is now known as Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl
[08:50] * Demedais (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
[08:50] * Taishyr (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[08:52] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[08:52] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[08:53] <Demedais> "If he'll take me, that'd be cool." Demedais says with a grin, before taking his sword and beginning his motions again. "Death here moves us elsewhere; this I understand, but for us... this is training and wisdom, whether we realize it or not. You all get most of it instinctually, one way or another; we have to work it out ourselves."
[08:53] * Hopeless_Nitori_Fangirl is now known as Hopeless_Acrina_Fangirl
[08:57] <Hopeless_Acrina_Fangirl> "The more reason for us to try and come here." Again the motions begin, as the archon begins to follow your movements with an earnest look of concentration, it's brow furrowed.
[08:59] <Demedais> "Do you plan to take a more earnest stance against the devils and demons in general, then?" Demedais asks at this.
[09:04] <Hopeless_Acrina_Fangirl> "I'd love to go fight them...but it's not my time yet. I'm still supposed to learn." The archon looks to Demedais, "I am here to watch the preparations as a squire."
[09:06] <Demedais> "Ah. The question was admittedly more directed to all of you as a whole." Demedais chuckles, twisting through one of the more difficult sets.
[09:09] <Hopeless_Acrina_Fangirl> "Oh. I don't honestly know. This world is special, I do know that," The swings continue as he smiles to Demedais. "But...can I keep practicing with you? I'm supposed to improve my swordsmanship."
[09:11] <Demedais> "Sure." Demedais nods once, continuing to practice as he makes a note to inquire about this - perhaps to their leader?

[Corwin]

[21:16] <Kotono> ---
[21:21] <Kotono> Alicia finds herself wandering after the bowmanship practice. The entire thing turned into a strange, pleasant haze to her mind. She remembers it, but in the way one remembers something done in the light of the morning sun, soaked in the bubbles of alcohol. A sense of contentment and rightness fills her as she walks, driving away worry and the pains of trials before. One could lose themself in it, but Alicia instead feels drawn. (More)
[21:25] <Kotono> She climbs atop a sandy hill. Here you see a magnificent view of a pool of water and a small waterfall. The silvery, sun drenched sky above is luminous, perfect. Here one awaits - he is a simple man, looking like a human wearing non descript clothes. However, a small crystal prism hangs on a leather loop on his neck, seven stars dancing inside. His eyes are of liquid gold and blue, blue sea water. He smiles as Alicia approaches, gesturing for
[21:26] <Kotono> gesturing for her to sit.
[21:27] <Alicia> Naturally, Alicia recognises the symbol of her Goddess. Approaching, she nods respectfully and gives the traditional, "Blessings of the Weave upon you," before sitting as requested.
[21:28] <Kotono> "The Lady will watch over you and bestow her blessings," he answers, before sitting next to Alicia. "How do you feel? Such a place often has a direct effect on those that come to it."
[21:31] <Alicia> "Very peaceful," Alicia smiles, leaning back a little bit. "I suppose it's just like home for the servants of the Heavens... though I haven't seen any of the others declaring alleigance as you are," she glances at the symbol of Mystra he wears around his neck.
[21:33] <Kotono> "You're reacting to it. The feelings of bliss and peace are your spirit finding solace amid it's long journey from birth to death. A taste of what awaits, if you will." Hesmiles as he looks down to his prism, taking it in his hand. "I come on request of Her."
[21:35] <Alicia> "Well, I'm not ready to take up permanent residence in the upper planes just yet, so I'll simply enjoy the taster," Alicia replies dryly, before cocking her head. "She sent you, specifically?" she asks, waiting for elaboration.
[21:40] <Kotono> "Yes. The Crimson Guard has obtained a third Resort?" It's really not a question, no matter how he frames it up. He doesn't wait for any answer, letting his prism fall back to his neck. "Soon another seal will be opened. Are you ready for what will happen when you do?"
[21:45] <Alicia> "There will be another pulse, like the last two?" Alicia asks. "Daa-vid will stretch closer to release, while the Gods will draw nearer, magic will grow stronger, and other long slumbering and forgotten creatures will return to the world?" she elaborates, before shaking her head slightly. "It's hard to imagine - even now the world feels so different to how it did a year ago, and we're not even halfway done, are we?"
[21:48] <Kotono> The man very solemnly smiles at that. "That's right. We'll begin to act as well, more and more. You saw the beginnings in Arad, a small segment of a battle between our two forces."
[21:51] * Alicia frowns. "I dislike my world becoming a proxy battleground for the Outer Planes to war over," she admits plainly. "Not that I'm ungrateful for what's occured here to contain the devil's invasion, but I wish it wasn't necessary. Celestials holding back fiends is one thing, but how long before the Blood War spills over here?"
[21:53] <Kotono> The waterfall is looked to. "Do you see that there? The onrushing water crashing into the ground, eroding it away. It is savage and uncaring to anything but it's goal. Evil is that waterfall. WE are the air, the friction, the still water. Everything that resists the waterfall. Our goal is not to always battle evil, but to guide as well. Even as the Lower Planes work to denigrate, we seek to elevate."
[21:56] <Alicia> "Mmmhmm," Alicia hums slowly. "Well, I doubt many people would object to more of a heavenly presence in the world," she allows.
[21:59] <Kotono> "Yes. But...as long as evil exists within the world, devils and demons will come. Not like this," A wave of his hand towards the north, "Where a forgotten portal gives them an open door to muster. But soul tempters, fiends and those who seek to prey on the dark nature of mortal kind will come. Thus, so we will. To aide, to protect, to nourish...to fight when we must."
[22:00] <Alicia> "Believe me, I've had plenty of experience with the more subtle kind of fiend," Alicia shakes her head, sighing softly.
[22:04] <Kotono> He reaches out, a light touch to Alicia's shoulder. "There's no helping it. As long as evil lives within mortal kind, such is how it will always be. Thus we live lives of warfare, givne bodies of warriors instead of bodies of peace and rest. You have done well in your own crusade against it, Alicia. You've faced the worst and dragged yourself from loss to splendor. You've even taken part in great, glorious things."
[22:05] * Alicia bows her head graciously. "That's kind of you to say, ah... you never mentioned your name, actually," she trails off expectantly.
[22:07] <Kotono> He smiles just a little at that, "Goldemyst.:
[22:08] <Alicia> "Goldemyst," Alicia repeats, nodding. "Pleased to meet you, then."
[22:10] <Kotono> Goldemyst turns the other way, looking down to the encampment. One can see the celestials about - including Antenora. While she walks slow and watches, she seems strangely torn. At times a smile ghosts onto her lips, but at others she looks...off. Anxious, her hands balling up. "What do you think of your own work?"
[22:13] <Alicia> "She's come a long way," Alicia turns to look over towards Antenora. "I'm rather proud of her," she admits freely. "Even if she's still adjusting, I can no longer doubt her commitment."
[22:15] <Kotono> "It's so rare." Goldemyst smiles as he watches, "It's been tried many a time. Rarely does it happen, even with the most patient and radiant souls. No matter how hard you push them, they have to want it in some way, as much as they can as a fiend. But when it does..." He looks on, "To see one of them walking with us instead of fading back to the black miasma which they came...the work of a millenia feels justified."
[22:18] <Alicia> "I suppose it was made easier by the fact that she was effectively a renegade even from the moment I met her, but I hope she's not a one off. She's said she'd like to lead other erinyes out from under the shadow of the Baatezu," Alicia explains. "At least she's got an eternity to try, if she's careful."
[22:19] <Kotono> "It's..just rare." Goldemyst stops here, "Sometimes it happens with work, sometimes it happens by a fluke, and sometimes...it just does. On occasion there have been been celestials begged by a fiend for help. If she can even pull one away with her, then her existance was more than justified."
[22:21] * Alicia nods, falling silent for a moment before she glances at Goldemyst. "So... you never actually said why Mystra sent you," she observes curiously.
[22:26] <Kotono> "You'll be coming to her soon when the third of the resorts is placed," He continue son. "She cannot directly manifest to you, such as the world is. She must use intermediaries and mortals, and occasionally visions and voices." (More)
[22:30] <Kotono> "Mortals of faith take great difficulties in this age. For two thousand years they have been distant from what they revere, strangled by this. Only the most devout can preservere, and even then those may find difficulty. In this you have nurtured your own faith...Thank you. Your road ahead is rocky and full of pain, yet you stare on with dedication. Even if She can rarely show her warmth to you, thank you."
[22:33] <Alicia> "Awww..." Alicia blushes, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise. "She has been free enough with her blessings towards me, though. Thanks are not necessary... though they are appreciated," she smiles warmly.
[22:40] <Kotono> He is silent for a short time, "It makes the three of you more compelling," he muses, "For all of you preservere even with your Gods being distant."
[22:44] <Alicia> "Mmm... Demedais speaks of receiving visions from Helm quite often," Alicia notes. "And Seira doesn't strike me as particularly pious... though I suppose she reflects on Waukeen, regardless," she muses thoughtfully. "And as I said, Mystra has been quite free with her gifts towards me. I don't think we're especially neglected."
[22:47] <Kotono> Alicia's shoulder is patted again, a gentle thing of warmth. "Good. Many who begin this path end up veering away, feeling neglected and forgotten. Some turn against the Gods entirely, others fall into despair. Such it has been for 2,000 years..."
[22:52] <Alicia> "There's enough in this world to despair over without worrying about the relative absence of the Gods," Alicia replies, biting her lower lip for a moment as bad memories swell upwards, before she sighs and dismisses them. "But for the most part, we've done well enough these past few millenia."
[22:54] <Kotono> His voice is kind - entirely so, in a way most mortals couldn't do. "I know." He looks over to Alicia's face, "You've seen too much of that, too close. Still...one day, perhaps a world where loved ones need not be seperated by savagery can be had again?"
[22:55] * Alicia sits up straight and brings her hands forward in order to crack her knuckles. "It's what I fight for every day," she replies.
[22:57] <Kotono> The being's face splits into a bigger smile at that, "Good. As long as you don't forget that...you've done it a few times already."
[22:57] <Kotono> OOC - STrike, sounded wrong.
[22:57] <Kotono> The being's face splits into a bigger smile at that, "Good. As long as you don't forget that...you've saved a few from that fate already."
[22:58] <Alicia> "I should hope so," the paladin retorts. "This all being a waste... that's something that would truly inspire despair."
[22:59] <Kotono> "A good act is never a waste. Never, no matter how it might appear. For even in failure, good seeds further crusaders to come forth, even from the pits of tragedy and loss."
[23:00] <Alicia> "That's what I'd hope," Alicia agrees, turning and cocking her head quizzically towards Goldemyst. "You were really sent here just to give me a pep talk?" she then asks in amused disbelief.
[23:02] <Kotono> "Not every sign must be a great, streaking bolt in the sky," he admits as he starts to laugh. "With this expidition and two of the seals down, my coming here was possible. We are not born only to fight, Alicia. I cherish soothing a soul as much as the most strident battle against a fiend."
[23:05] <Alicia> "Some of us are better at one than the other," Alicia admits with a self deprecating smile, before going on, "Though, surely there are souls in need of soothing far more then mine, though?"
[23:06] <Kotono> "There are. I hope to one day soon be able to do much to that." He looks onward to the skies, "Still...simply enjoy it, Alicia.  There is always someone needier, but do not let that brush away what you deserve, either."
[23:10] <Alicia> "I suppose so..." Alicia acquieses, falling silent for a moment before she decides to ask a question. "What's Dweomerheart like?" Of course its mentioned in numerous holy texts, but a firsthand account of her eventual afterlife (assuming she doesn't get trapped in some diabolical torture chamber for eternity) would be nice.
[23:15] <Kotono> "Imagine a glittering city of magical energy atop a great plateau. As you stare at it, you see details. Great realms and palaces, libraries and auditoriums. It is not a place of stone or metal, but of raw magical construction. Celestials walk here at Mystra's will, as do those who have worshipped her. Here the greatest of magics are pursued for eternity in the light, under Her watchful gaze."
[23:17] <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia looks thoughtful for a moment. "I hadn't really thought about it, but magical research has been a bit stifled on the Prime, compared to what we hear of the time before Daa-vid. But in Mystra's realm it could only have advanced further since then, with nothing to ever impede it, no?"
[23:20] <Kotono> "Yes. The greatest magics, the ninth circle, are well known there. What lies beyond is pure magical theory and adaptation, often taking centuries to perfect an aspect of a spell using that. On that level, one works with the very essense of creation. Only those that have fully mastered magic can hope to understand and craft it." The being's face becomes brooding, "Daa-vid's Heresies are examples of the greatest things that could be done with m
[23:21] <Kotono> done with magic."
[23:22] <Alicia> "Have defences been developed against the powers he wielded?" Alicia asks interestedly. "I have heard tales of previous battles, and to be bluntly honest, they do not speak well at all for our chances of besting him once the last seal is broken."

[Corwin]

[20:11] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Have defences been developed against the powers he wielded?" Alicia asks interestedly. "I have heard tales of previous battles, and to be bluntly honest, they do not speak well at all for our chances of besting him once the last seal is broken."
[20:19] <Kotono> "When the time comes, the Goddess will reveal." He smiles at that, but holds up a hand in defense. "I know that's not the answer you want to hear, but Mystra instructed me that these matters are not for me to divulge. Your fate lies waiting, I am not the one to illuminate it."
[20:22] * Alicia doesn't look entirely convinced, but doesn't overly protest. "I suppose if it's only going to be relevant for facing Daa-vid himself then I can live without it for now," she acquieses.
[20:24] <Kotono> "Focus on the immediate future. As for now, the devils are the far more salient threat. The Goddess told me of your group's efforts against them. Releasing Zquujaj, repulsing an invasion, Antenora, defeating several attempts on your life, saving your sister. Alicia...do you have any long term plans against them, or are you only reacting?"
[20:29] <Alicia> "Quite frankly we're too weak to do much else," Alicia replies. "Conventa may have been easily dispatched, but there's a world of difference between him and Agares. And what gulf between a duke and one of the Lords of the Nine?" the paladin shrugs, before going on,
[20:29] <Alicia> "Such as it is, my plan is simply to become stronger so that I can realistically challenge such greater fiends, and inflict upon them such crushing defeats that they will not dare show their faces here, again." She then smiles ruefully, "Naturally I'd have to do the same to the forces of the Abyss, lest they gain an advantage from the weakening of their foes in the Blood War."
[20:46] <Kotono> "Of course. But..." Goldemyst looks on and downward, as you can see Seira wandering the camp. "Even if you kill a Lord of the Nine, another rises. Even the second greatest, Mephistopheles, could be destroyed and another would rise in his place. Throughout the eons, we have killed Lords of the Nine before. The battles still rage. There's only one that could possibly end the battle..." Thoughtful as he looks downward, Goldemyst smiles faintly.
[20:47] <Kotono> "How much do you know of the lores of Hell?"
[20:47] <Alicia> "Not much, but I've got an excellent first-hand source," Alicia gestures in Antenora's direction. "So probably more than most mortals, all told."
[20:50] <Kotono> "There's many legends around the first, the ruler of the Ninth, the controller of all of Hell. Asmodeus is unquestionably the true commander of all that is vile and infernal, even able to put the other eight lords in their place." With a long, faraway look, "Some devils consider him the creator of the universe deposed. Others whisper that he is an incarnation of a great God cast down by jealous peers. The truth is...few know. Only the Gods, p
[20:50] <Kotono> Only the Gods, perhaps, and even then I wonder. No one knows exactly how strong he is, but as long as he lives, Hell flourishes."
[20:56] * Alicia shrugs. "I'm not one of those addle-headed believers in 'cosmic balance' that think good and evil can and should co-exist, but I don't think killing even Asmodeus would really change anything. Another will take his place, just as every other deposed fiend has been replaced, surely?" she reasons.
[20:56] <Alicia> "It's perhaps less glamorous and exciting, but I think the only sure-fire way to diminish the power of the Lower Planes would be to change the hearts of mortals. Fallen angels aside, every other fiend can eventually be traced back to a dark-hearted man or woman. Cut off the supply of souls to replenish their numbers, and..." she trails off, shaking her head.
[20:56] <Alicia> "At least, that's the understanding I've developed."
[20:59] <Kotono> Goldemyst smiles. His smile is bright and happy, his touch on Alicia'ss houlder. "You have spoken very wisely and understood. No matter how many fiends are killed, as long as evil lives in the hearts of mortals, devils, demons and others will spawn. While this is a battle that -must and shall- be done," He gestures with his hand to the north, "But it is a symptom, not the illness tiself."
[21:00] * Kotono is now known as Anastasia
[21:04] <Alicia> "A symptom that helps spread the infection, to continue with your analogy," Alicia surmises. "Will you be taking part in the battles ahead, Goldemyst?"
[21:09] <Anastasia> "I may yet. My main mission was to come to talk to you, but I will not turn down a chance to push these devils back. What of you, Alicia? You have many more battles ahead, yes?"
[21:11] <Alicia> "Yes, the plan is to thin out the ranks of their leadership - Conventa was a good start, but the erinyes warlock is not someone I'd like hitting our flanks when we attack their base, plus there's a few gelugons. Removing them should let the final assault proceed more smoothly," Alicia explains.
[21:19] <Anastasia> "Mmm." Goldemyst looks downward again, "Be well in the battles ahead. Hell will not relent easily." H e stands at this.
[21:20] * Alicia stands up as well. "Same to you. It was a pleasure talking to you, Goldemyst," she offers her hand.
[21:22] <Anastasia> The hand is taken. As you stand, you can see Donald being dragged by little pixie like creatures into a tent, while Antenora is beginning to talk to few angels, and Seira's in conversation with a different bunch of them. "Blessings of Mystra protect you an illuminate you with wisdom."
[21:23] <Alicia> "May the Weave guide you," Alicia returns, cracking a smile at Donald's plight and wondering if he'll be forced into dancing for their amusement. Giving Goldemyst a little wave, she wanders off in search of something to eat.

[Corwin]

[20:29] <Kotono> You set out just past dawn the next day. The desert winds blow in a rustling, gritty breeze. The sky is overcast with thin, crusty clouds that offer no promise of rain. This lends a certain overcast to the desert sands as you travel, face wrappings and gritty coughs netted because of the lightly stirring winds. (More)
[20:29] <Kotono> roll 1d100+20
[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+20 and gets 54."12 [1d100=34]
[20:30] <Kotono> Past noon nothing of note has occured. After a brierf meal on the go, everyone returns to work. Deeper in to the desert you push!
[20:30] <Kotono> roll 1d100+25
[20:30] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+25 and gets 124."12 [1d100=99]
[20:31] <Kotono> OOC - Anyone with a spot modifier of +8 or higher, please make a spot check.
[20:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 17."12 [1d20=10]
[20:32] <Kotono> OOC - 27, left off 10.
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+23
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+23 and gets 36."12 [1d20=13]
[20:38] <Kotono> 'There's something on the horizon,' Antenora sends to everyone in order, peering. 'It looks like a cloud of dust or a sandstorm.'
[20:39] <Seira> "Aratons, again?" Seira muses, deciding to cast a spell in preparation.
[20:41] <Kotono> 'Bigger,' Antenora says as she peers ahead, 'It's like a moving wall of a sandstorm.'
[20:42] <Seira> "Can we go around it?" Seira asks, peering ahead.
[21:14] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11
[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+11 and gets 18."12 [1d20=7]
[21:16] <Kotono> "It's at least a few hundred feet wide and reaches a few hundred up,' Antenora reports. "I can't see into it."
[21:17] <Seira> "And how long before it gets here?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "It's moving fairly fast - it'll come on us soon." Antenora reports, "If we're going to fall back we need to do it now, or prepare for it."
[21:19] <Demedais> "Could it be Aratons?" Demedais asks the obvious questions.
[21:19] <Seira> "Let's fall back, moving closer to the other group as we do," Seira decides. "I don't want the sandstorm to split us apart."
[21:19] * Demedais nods.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Right," The party begins to fall back. AS they do, the rear group can see the front group doing just that, beginning to come into vision. The front group can see the whipping, sand-flaying windstorm, like a solid wall approaching.
[21:22] * Seira tries to move them enough to the side to get out of the way, and see whether the sandstorm alters course.
[21:23] <Alicia> "Didn't they say that one of the araton can create massive sandstorms... just like that one?" Alicia asks Donald, glancing up at Latha to see how she's reacting.
[21:23] <Kotono> "I think so," Donald nods, "Just our luck.
[21:23] <Kotono> "
[21:24] <Kotono> Latha is peering ahead, and then as she looks down, "Sandstorm," she reports back.
[21:25] <Kotono> Seira goes to the side! The sandstorm seems to slowly adjust.
[21:25] <Alicia> "Think it's a natural one, and can we avoid it?" Alicia calls back upwards.
[21:26] <Seira> "Alright," Seira tells the others. "We'll try to draw it after us, and let Alicia's group a chance to strike at whomever's controlling it. Once they go for it, we'll support them as well. The sandstorm may not be able to adjust quickly enough to our actions."
[21:27] * Demedais nods to this as well. "Alright."
[21:27] * Seira leads them farther to the side to execute the plan, then.
[21:29] <Kotono> The sandstorm appears to be roughly a 200x200 foot cube that also reaches 200 ft into the air. As Seira heads to the west it begins to follow, the raging sands considerable! Seira's group can only see the sandy, obscured front. Alicia's group can see the side they're on a bit, but not behind it.
[21:30] <Alicia> "It's too intense and too localised... and it seems to be following Antenora and the others. It must be the Araton," Alicia surmises, casting shield on herself. "Latha, lets try and flank them - got anything you can throw into the storm that doesn't need an accurate target?"
[21:31] <Seira> "Can you fly higher and see if there's anything behind it?" Seira requests, while retreating.
[21:31] <Kotono> Antenora does just that, flying high into the sky!
[21:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[21:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 37."12 [1d20=20]
[21:31] <Kotono> Calling back down, "I can see...something a ways behind it! There's a couple of Erinyes, a gelugon and...someone in a shroud."
[21:32] <Kotono> "No. I need to see my targets for Holy Smite or get close for Holy Word," Latha shakes her head.
[21:33] * Seira nods curtly. "Let's prepare. As soon as Alicia's group strikes, we'll follow through from own end," she tells Antenora and Demedais. "Is it possible to fly over the entire thing, you believe?"
[21:33] <Alicia> "Lets move in, then - you can use holy word once we get in close without actually entering the maelstrom," Alicia suggests, casting Fly on herself and Donald, and mirror image on herself. "This way we can move faster if we do get caught in the storm," she tells Donald, taking to the air and starting to fly towards the far side of the storm from the one pursuing the other group.
[21:33] <Alicia> roll 1d4+3
[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4+3 and gets 5."12 [1d4=2]
[21:34] <Kotono> "Yeah, but we'll have to go high," Antenora replies intensely, peerin gahead. "It'll take some time to."
[21:35] <Kotono> OOC - I'm going to move Alicia's group into #evil for sorting ease.
[21:35] * Xellos is now known as Olorin
[21:37] * Seira nods once more. "Do it. You and Demedais." She casts the spell of flight on the paladin. "I'll continue to draw it away until it is time."
[21:40] <Kotono> "Right," Antenora briefly nods to her before facing ahead. "Ready, Demedais?"
[21:40] * Seira prepares herself, with Shield and Mirror Image, since it appears their course is set.
[21:40] <Seira> roll 1d4+3
[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4+3 and gets 5."12 [1d4=2]
[21:40] <Demedais> me nods once in confirmation, sword out.
[21:41] <Seira> "How long should I wait before making a move?"
[21:41] <Kotono> "Let's go," Antenora is already starting to fly, ascending straight up.
[21:47] * Demedais nods, following! "If you see the second group engage, follow in; otherwise, wait a minute?" he suggests to Seira as he begins to leave.
[21:48] <Kotono> OOC - Terror, Seira.
[21:49] <Kotono> Thus the two ascend into the air! They begin to fly up, and as they do, 'Hurry up. If we get there fast enough it should be something to turn the tide. Hopefully.'
[21:50] <Demedais> "What, did they already engage?" Demedais asks, blinking to Antenora as he tries to see what's going on.
[21:52] <Kotono> As you get up you can begin to see it. Past the moving sandstorm you can see afew Erinyes, a horrid ice devil and...something humanoid...wearing a shroud. Alicia and company are about 100 feet away, just starting to engage. It's 200 feet to fly over the sandstorm, then a little more to get in down and in fighting range.
[21:53] <Demedais> "...shit. Seira, if you can hear this, don't bother with the retreat, just move in. Apparently Alicia's group has already engaged." Demedais mutters. "No chance you can throw up a flare? If not, we get to hope Donald remembers to..."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Then we need to hurry," Antenora replies tightly.
[21:58] <Demedais> "O
[21:59] <Demedais> "I'm going as fast as the magic allows me to go. If you can go faster than me, go; any attacks drawn toward me are attacks not against you guys as you pierce in." Demedains nods, moving as quickly as he can!
[22:15] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the two get closer, rushing on! Alicia has gone to engage the now unshrouded man in the back, Latha in the air and Donald attacking!
[22:34] <Kotono> As the two fly, a sight appears as you get close to the end of the sandstorm! The robed man explodes - into a giant dragon!
[22:34] * Kotono is now known as Tiny_Ko_Army
[22:35] <Tiny_Ko_Army> "Oh....shit." Antenora breathes, before redoubing her approach! A hissing snarl escapes her lips, drawing on her given sacred power!

[Corwin]

[19:39] <Seira> [20:24] <Seira> "Sure thing."
[19:39] <Seira> [20:25] <Demedais> "I'm just here to make sure Seira doesn't fall into the obvious traps, since those are the ones she usually gets nailed by." Demedais shrugs.
[19:40] <Koaway> OOC: Okay, to refresh,  you guys are taking to the air to ditch the Aratons and fleeing?
[19:40] <Demedais> OOC: So far as I know, yes. Unless there was more that could/will be done?
[19:42] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-70-112-23-198.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
[19:42] * Alicia sets mode: +v Hatbot
[19:43] <Alicia> OOC: see #elysium for my cunning plan
[19:43] <Demedais> OOC: Okay, plan is to fly away for 5 mins/we're not being pursued actively, set fire as stalling, continue moving. Objections?
[19:47] <Koaway> The party flees on the wings of the sky, hurrying away from the swarm of lesser devils. Five minutes pass as they book away, hurrying southward and out of the immediate sight of the devils. OOC - If you guys have your plan, run with it here and set it up.
[19:48] <Demedais> "Alright. Any plans to stall the lesser devils in their pursuit?" Demedais inquires after a bit.
[19:50] * Alicia stops in flight for a moment. "It's not the lesser devils I'm worried about, it's their friends," she notes, before using her survival pouch to throw out several small items to the ground below which then spring up into a campfire, a pair of tents, and two donkeys. She leaves one donkey to 'man' the camp while she then gives the other a slap to send it running about 60 degrees off from their actual course.
[19:50] <Alicia> "That should confuse them enough to buy us some time - come on, lets cover as much ground as we can while we're still airborne." At that, she continues zooming off in the direction of their base.
[19:50] <Koaway> The desert stretches around you, the gentle slopes and falls of sand dunes. The endless, thirsty sands lightly crinkle if you step on them, the air chill. Antenora turns back to look north, eyes sweeping.
[19:51] * Demedais looks over the situation for a moment. "Similar to the last ambush. Good enough for now, I suppose. Let's hope they don't have any magical way of tracking us."
[19:51] <Demedais> "Seira, any additions or comments?"
[19:52] <Seira> "If they manage to catch up, our only options are taking down the chasers or teleporting back near the camp," Seira says, after thinking it over. "Other than that, not really."
[19:53] * Demedais pauses there for a second. "Right, we do have the teleport option. I keep forgetting that. Well, Alicia's already moving on, so..." With that, he shrugs, before following Alicia.
[20:00] * Devourlord_Sierra (~Melanchth@pool-71-178-103-43.washdc.east.verizon.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[20:02] * Demedais ensures that the tracks are obscured as they go by whatever means possible; probably just a heavy cloth weighted to ensure it's covering the tracks properly.
[20:05] <Koaway> The party begins to travel away, Demedais erasing any tracks once they get on the ground. Antenora and Latha keep a flying vigil up, though the latter pauses once you reach the ground. "Here," she walks amid the party, looking them over. Healing touches come, touches the banish pain and sooth torn flesh.
[20:05] <Koaway> roll 1d8+5 Alicia
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+5 Alicia and gets 7."12 [1d8=2]
[20:05] <Koaway> roll 1d8+5 Alicia
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+5 Alicia and gets 7."12 [1d8=2]
[20:05] <Koaway> roll 1d8+5 Demedais
[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+5 Demedais and gets 13."12 [1d8=8]
[20:06] <Koaway> roll 1d8+5 Demedais
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Koaway rolls 1d8+5 Demedais and gets 11."12 [1d8=6]
[20:06] * Koaway is now known as Kotono
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d8+5 Anty
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+5 Anty and gets 10."12 [1d8=5]
[20:06] <Kotono> roll 1d8+5 Anty
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+5 Anty and gets 10."12 [1d8=5]
[20:07] <Alicia> "Thanks," Alicia gives Latha a smile as they march through the desert sands. "Taunting aside, that dragon's fire hit pretty hard."
[20:08] <Kotono> "We're fortunate." Latha finishes and takes to the air. "That creature was perhaps more powerful than even the gelugon."
[20:08] <Demedais> "Some dragons are annoying that way, yes." Demedais grunts, scanning the horizon with some exhaustion as he looks around.
[20:08] <Seira> "What do you mean 'perhaps'?" Seira asks. "Give credit where credit is due!"
[20:08] <Kotono> OOC: Anyone who wants to can make a spot check as you go. Feel free to roll it now.
[20:09] <Kotono> "It hit as hard as one," Antenora rubs a still bruised arm, "But if Agares is calling in such forces, he's staking an absurd amount on this campaign."
[20:09] <Alicia> "Well, it's dead now... though I wonder how many other surprises they have in store - none of the other groups reported encountering it previously, did they?"
[20:10] <Kotono> "No." Latha floats just a bit above the sandy ground as the party treks up a sand dune. "Either we ran into it first or they're especially after this group."
[20:10] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11 spot check?
[20:10] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+11 spot check? and gets 29."12 [1d20=18]
[20:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:10] <Demedais> "Bets on the latter, idly." Demedais notes.
[20:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 35."12 [1d20=18]
[20:13] <Kotono> "It would fit," Antenora agrees to that, letting her gaze sweep along as you travel. After a moment, "...Then we'll just have to kill more of them. The Hells are irritatingly persistant and grudge holding."
[20:14] * Demedais bites his tongue at this, looking to Seira for a moment.
[20:14] <Seira> "Hmm?"
[20:14] <Alicia> "Rather sad, really. The devils fighting us in hopes of being promoted out of their current miserable existence is one thing, but that dragon was in it solely for money," Alicia shakes her head in disgust.
[20:15] <Demedais> "...Nothing. I just... nothing." Demedais shakes his head for a moment, before muttering, "Eye for an eye..." under his breath.
[20:15] <Kotono> "The Hells are sad place. It's..." Antenora keeps her eyes moving, her voice very thoughtful nonetheless. It's heavy, "Pathetic, isn't it?"
[20:16] <Demedais> "...Pathetic... works, yes."
[20:16] <Kotono> "What do you mean?" Latha curiously hovers down, eyeing Demedais.
[20:17] <Demedais> "I'd call it epic stupidity, myself." Demedais says after a slight pause.
[20:18] * Seira looks at Demedais askance.
[20:19] <Alicia> "Success is the only way they can validate their horrific mindset, and we're denying them even that," Alicia smiles grimly. "Somehow I can't bring myself to feel regret."
[20:21] <Kotono> "Then let's keep denying them that," Antenora takes to the air fully now, "No need to let them catch us."
[20:21] * Demedais pauses for a moment, before shaking his head and continuing on.
[20:23] <Kotono> A half hour of travel passes. You're in a relatve flat between two sand dunes, the one behind about 200 feet behind and the one ahead about 150 feet away. At this moment...(More in relevant PMs.)
[20:25] * Demedais turns quickly, looking toward the rushing burrowing... thing. "Okay, well, then. We've got something coming. If it's evil, Latha, blast it from here? Or should we just get out of here somehow? Do we want an engagement now?"
[20:27] <Seira> "In that case, I'll just stay out of sight for now," Seira mentions, going invisible.
[20:27] <Alicia> "Wormsign," Alicia alerts the others from Antenora's message, looking to the east and casting shield before she draws Hell Striker and checks for any sign of evil among what's approaching.
[20:27] <Kotono> Latha makes a simple gesture, peering ahead. "No evil," she reports. "I see it now, it's coming and..." Indeed, the party can see the sand to the east being displaced - for something about fifteen feet wide, burrowing just beneath the surface. It's quite long as well.
[20:28] <Kotono> The worm is now 120 feet away, burrowing at a speed that is breattaking.
[20:28] <Kotono> OOC - Strike.
[20:28] <Kotono> The creature is now 120 feet away, burrowing at a speed that is breattaking.
[20:29] <Alicia> "If anyone can summon something for a diversion, I used up all mine, earlier," Alicia asks the others. "Fighting one of these is a bad idea."
[20:30] <Kotono> "The lava one was bad enough," Antenora agrees, hovering downward enough to be in loud talking range.
[20:30] <Seira> "I'll send one to the left, we'll go right?" Seira offers, as a horse appears on the creature's path, before following her instructions.
[20:30] * Alicia waits to see if the bait is taken before she breaks to the right.
[20:38] <Kotono> So summoned, a light horse appears! The burrowing creature comes closer, fifty feet away when the worm gets to it! It comes out from under it - a reddish brown thing, with long, segmented body parts like a chain linked snake. It's mouth is not a mouth, but a front opening of flaps and dozens of sharp, chewing teeth! It's body is covered in little spikes as it leaps sixty feet straight up, the horse vanishing down it's gullet! It's at least si
[20:38] <Kotono> the horse vanishing down it's gullet! It's at least sixty feet long, it's 'face' swooping and looking about.
[20:39] <Kotono> It's not fully out of the sand, more of it still beneath.
[20:39] * Alicia breaks into a run to the right as soon as it goes in the direction of the horse, even before it gets to eating its meal!
[20:40] * Seira likewise moving according to the plan. Besides, being invisible might hold an advantage when it comes to stupid beasts!
[20:40] <Demedais> "...Seira, be a dear and tell me that ring still works out here in the desert." Demedais grimaces as he too moves away from the worm, for once not stressed about armor weight!
[20:41] <Kotono> As it stands in the cold air it's body begins to stream and hiss, waves of warmth coming from it's body. Antenora and Latha flee in the air, following the party. Right now the worm isn't moving, seeming to be assessing the situation.
[20:41] * Seira doesn't want to direct the thing towards her by speaking, so she would just have to enlighten Demedais later!
[20:41] <Kotono> *Steam
[20:42] * Demedais shrugs at this, before continuing to run!
[20:44] <Kotono> The thrashing of sand is great as the massive sand worm retracts into the ground! Steam comes out even as it sinks beneath the sands once more, burrowing down! It's still coming the party's way, however, making a beeline towards them!
[20:45] <Seira> "Demedais, raise a wall of water behind us to lure it over," Seira tells the paladin, not breaking stride.
[20:46] * Demedais does so with a quick gesture, placing it between them and the worm, before eyeing the spot Seira's voice came from. "Answer my question!"
[20:46] <Seira> "We are not teleporting away from a worm."
[20:47] <Demedais> "We could, however, teleport away from the worm and ensure that the tracks that I can't cover any longer don't give away the location of the base." Demedais grunts.
[20:47] <Kotono> The wall of boiling water springs to life! The desert sands around it turn dark with moisture as the wall steams in the cold air! The worm erupts out around it as the party continues to run, gulping down water and seeming to revel in it! Both steam in the chilly desert winter air, but it's not pursuing now.
[20:48] <Demedais> "And there's that. Well, let's hope no one spots the worm carousing in magic, since that makes this too obvious." Demedais growls.
[20:49] <Alicia> "The worm will handle whatever's following us, just keep moving!" Alicia calls back in response to the griping as she runs over the sands and away from both the fierce desert predator and whatever's behind them.
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[20:49] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+17 and gets 24."12 [1d20=7]
[20:49] <Seira> "You know I can't bring everyone back in a teleport, which would leave those behind unable to handle any devils. The teleport is for emergencies only."
[20:50] * Demedais follows, frowning. "Whatever? Not if? Oh, how cheerful. Antenora or Latha spotted something, then?" Demedais says, before blinking and nodding to Seira irritably. "Confessionally, I forgot how many you can teleport. My apologies. That plan doesn't work then, sadly.
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:50] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 and gets 31."12 [1d20=9]
[20:51] <Kotono> "They're coming, too!" Latha calls down, "Araton and an on foot Erinyes, as well as a gelugon!" She picks up her pace, hustling in the sky.
[20:51] <Alicia> "Kill the wall once they're closer to the worm than we are?" Alicia suggests, not slacking her pace one bit.
[20:52] <Kotono> The sandworm stays where it is a moment, 'head' peering around as it froclis in the wall of boiling water. It turns away from the party, and instead whence it came, to where Latha is peering.
[20:53] <Demedais> "I'm not even bothering to focus on it." Demedais growls. "It'll drop as soon as the duration is over. I'm too busy running, damnit!" A quick look behind, and then, "Is it attacking them?"
[20:54] <Kotono> Thereafter, as the party continues to retreat, the worm turns and hustles in that direction! It ripples in the sand, erupting out at the edge of your vision! The party can distantly see some faint figures as the worm erupts out, a few reddish Araton being swallowed as it surges up!
[20:55] <Demedais> "Ah, and the circle of life continues."
[20:55] * Alicia glances back at the ruckus and can't help but smile, before she resumes her focus on running to get as much distance as possible from their foes, hoping they'll wear themselves out on each other.
[20:56] <Kotono> As the party gets out of sight, they can hear a bit. A few faraway shouts, and as you get out of range entirely, "By Elysium..." Latha stops in the air, gawking a moment, before hurrying. "It has a the same breath as a dragon?"
[20:57] <Alicia> "So glad we didn't stop to play with it," Alicia breathes as she hustles along.
[20:57] <Demedais> "Irony, thy name is the desert." Demedais smirks.
[20:57] <Seira> "This is one of those times you hope for both sides to lose."
[20:57] <Demedais> "You kidding me? Worm, all the way. So long as we're long gone by the time it's done."
[20:58] <Seira> "That's a pretty hefty condition."
[20:58] <Demedais> "Well, it's a pretty big worm."
[20:58] * Seira snorts, continuing the retreat. "At least we learned how to distract them on our last trip."
[21:00] <Demedais> "By Helm, indeed." Demedais nods, keeping up the pace. "Hopefully they can't keep following after the worm's done with 'em.
[21:00] <Kotono> The party flees. After about ten minutes you can see there is no sign of worm or devils. Just the quiet, breezy, gritting silence of the sands.
[21:01] <Seira> "It would be the height of amusement if they thought we had summoned the worm to deal with them," Seira muses.
[21:01] <Alicia> "It seems fortune favours us," Alicia relaxes a bit once it's clear no more trouble is forthcoming. "Still, I won't feel entirely safe until we're back at our camp."
[21:02] <Demedais> "Worms on devils, dragons on kings. What do we do for aspiring dragon empresses?" Demedais asks Seira.
[21:03] <Seira> "Let me know if you spot one, and I'll figure it out."
[21:04] <Demedais> "I'll let you know when it's relevant." Demedais says after a long moment.
[21:04] <Seira> "Sure thing," she responds with a nod.
[21:06] <Kotono> Thus the party reaches base without incident. On reaching this healing and restorations are given freely, as the battle worn group is escorted to the main building. Here the Throne Archon that leads awaits, a few chairs having been placed. "Your efforts bore fruit again?" He asks, his face bright and gloriously painful to look at, in tandem with a voice that is like a purifying wind.
[21:08] <Demedais> "Less so than the first one, but a helldragon of some sort is dead so we'll take it. 'course, they're being more cautious, more's the pity." Demedais bows, keeping his head respectfully inclined so he doesn't have to look at the archon's face.
[21:08] <Alicia> "It was a pyroclastic dragon named Gronastyx," Alicia chimes in, not seeming overly bothered by gazing on the archon. "Very dead, now, for its trouble."
[21:09] <Kotono> "We were victorious! A foul dragon from the depths of the Nine Hells was brought to it's judgment at our hands, and another band of deviles has been devastated." Latha bows a moment to the radiant figure in front of you.
[21:09] <Kotono> roll 1d20+29
[21:09] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 and gets 32."12 [1d20=3]
[21:10] <Seira> "Yes, about this. Do you know what you can make from a dragon like that, incidentally?"
[21:10] <Kotono> "A Pyroclastic Dragon! Hell is not holding anything back," The Throne Archon's voice is full of hope and vigor, "All the reports from this day are reporting encounters deeper within and with less numbers. You have indeeded helped turn the scales to our favor."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Such scales would be tainted with evil. There is little us eto them unless they are purified, but dragon's scales are mighty." The THrone Archon answers a moment, looking to Seira with that terrible, joyous gaze.
[21:13] <Demedais> "One would think the basic flavors of dragon would be enough, but of course Hell has their own brand." A pause. "Do the Heavenly forces?"
[21:14] <Seira> "Any chance someone here could purify the ones I brought back? They're a gift, so I'd prefer it to be less on the evil and more on the useful magical components value."
[21:18] <Kotono> "It is possible," The Throne Archon agrees a moment, "However, for the moment, all reports are that Hell is on the defensive. We will be launching new campaigns while you rest - if this momentum continues, we hope to soon be at their gates."
[21:20] <Alicia> "Then lets rest up and launch another sortie tomorrow?" Alicia suggests, glad to be off the subject of what to do with evil dragon scales.
[21:20] <Seira> "Do let us know if new information appears about their remaining leaders," Seira comments.
[21:21] <Demedais> "Very well. Thank you, and be careful yourself. No doubt they'r-... Does your sword give you endless energy, Alicia?" Demedais asks after a pause.
[21:21] * Alicia blinks and turns to Demedais. "No, it actually makes me very tired..." she replies hesitantly.
[21:22] <Demedais> "Oh." Demedais says, looking at her carefully. "Then ignore my comment, and I'll keep that in mind."
[21:22] <Seira> "Do you want me to leave the evil scales somewhere for safekeeping?" Seira asks the archon.
[21:27] * Alicia gives Demedais a somewhat dubious nod. "Okay... well, I'm going to get something to eat, if anyone wants to join me?" she offers, heading out.
[21:28] <Seira> "Sure," Seira agrees, catching up to her.
[21:28] <Demedais> "Eh, sure." Demedais shrugs after a moment.

[Corwin]

[17:00] <Ko-ShaleisMaryJane> -----------
[17:00] * Ko-ShaleisMaryJane is now known as Kotono
[17:03] <Kotono> Sleep and rest come easily, a tired party resting it's bodies in heavenly peace. On gathering together the next day under palms trees and bushes heavy with berries, amid the celestial camp, "All reports say that the devils are hanging back. When we go out this time, it'll likely be for overnight." Latha explains.
[17:04] <Kotono> Donald sits under one of the trees, taking great bites from an apple as he listens. "You mean that we'll have to go farther in since we beat them up twice now?"
[17:05] <Alicia> "They're probably expecting an attack, pulling back their forces so they can quickly respond if the gate is threatened," Alicia reasons, crossing her arms. "Except that we still don't know where the gate is."
[17:05] * Demedais (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[17:06] <Kotono> "We believe it's further back," Latha responds to that with a slight, oddly predatory smile. On her face it looks like a noble eagle's visage as it plummets down for prey. "Our attempts haven't found it yet, so we have further to go."
[17:09] * Taishyr (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[17:09] <Seira> "Let's get to it, then," Seira says.
[17:09] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[17:09] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[17:15] * Taishyr (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[17:16] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[17:16] * Demedais (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) Quit (Ping timeout)
[17:16] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[17:17] * Demedais nods slightly. "Very well. Any other news for us?"
[17:21] <Kotono> "Right now, no. Let's go and try to bring an end to this invasion," Latha states very firmly.
[17:21] * Demedais considers for a long moment, before nodding once.
[17:28] <Kotono> Thus the journey out begins at a glorious sunrise. Once out of the camp you find it's a windy, gusty day. It's not a real sandstorm, but covered mouths and careful going are the order of things. The sky is painfully blue and clear despite this wind current, like the ocean above meeting the sandy beach below. Lunch comes without incident, the sandy ways quiet. By afternoon the wind has slackened ever so slightly, the travel continuing on...
[17:28] <Kotono> roll 1d100-5
[17:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100-5 --> 6,0[ 1d100=49 ]4,0{44}
[17:31] <Kotono> The afternoon passes. Come the first hints of evening, "Nothing yet," Latha stops and descends to the ground. "Not a sign of them - they must be prepared and patrolling further back."
[17:32] <Seira> "Well, then. We can rest safely in rope trick and continue," Seira offers.
[17:33] <Alicia> "Which means when we do encounter them, they won't be far from any reinforcements... and we'll have a long way to go if we need to retreat," Alicia concludes grimly. "Considering how their night vision is far better than most of ours, it might be a good idea to stop until morning," she then nods to Seira, glancing up at the darkening sky.
[17:33] * Demedais nods once to this. "Best to not be stumbled on here, far from support and at a time disadvantageous to most of us, yes."
[17:34] <Seira> "Well, when the truly frightening reinforcements are a teleport away, I don't think there'd be much of a difference."
[17:36] * Seira recasts the spells upon her, before creating the extradimensional space that would keep them safe.
[17:38] <Kotono> "Still..." Donald looks around, "It'll be hard sleeping here."
[17:38] * Demedais looks to Latha for a second, before nodding to Seira. "Remember what we did with the ambush, first time? Same trick can be used for a safe place to sleep."
[17:39] <Kotono> "Well yeah, but...' Waving a hand about, "There's devils out there. Like hell I -want- to sleep where they roam."
[17:39] <Seira> "Rope trick. They can't come in. And even if by some miracle they do, they can only do it one at a time."
[17:40] <Demedais> "Which means that you get to play whack-a-devil with that hammer of yours." Demedais says, before pausing and shaking his head.
[17:40] <Alicia> "Technically we're an entire plane away from them once we're inside the rope trick," Alicia brightly reassures Donald. "It's hard to get much further away than that."
[17:42] <Kotono> "Yeah." Donald still shrugs anyway. "It won't help me sleep much better, though."
[17:43] <Alicia> "Well, I'm probably safer from assassin devils in there than I'd be in my own bed, so you'll hear no complaints from me," Alicia states, climbing up the rope once it's ready.
[17:44] * Demedais waits for everyone else to go up before going himself.
[17:45] <Kotono> Antenora snorts at Alicia's words, but does not comment. Thus the party gets into the rope trick! OOC - Is anyone peering outside?
[17:45] <Kotono> OOC - For the night watch.
[17:46] <Alicia> OOC: Latha doesn't sleep, and Deme and Anty only need 2 hours. They can do it.
[17:46] <Demedais> OOC: See Alicia.
[17:47] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[17:48] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[17:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=71 ]4,0{71}
[17:56] <Kotono> As the night passes, Demedais and the two outsiders can see the following when they watch: Twice the ground lightly shakes, as if a small earthquake is passing. Another time, faraway, Latha swears she saw the same burrowing as your last trip out, as if another worm is pulsing through the sands. Yet in this case it was far wider. At the deepest part of the night, the moon vanishes for a good hour, as if consumed in an inky fists embrace, blott
[17:56] <Kotono> as if consumed in an inky fists embrace, blotted out. But the dawn comes, a merciful end to this unnatural night.
[17:57] <Demedais> "What could cause such an effect to happen to the moon? Is it a result of approaching their base?" Demedais muses as the group awakens.
[17:57] <Seira> "A sign of our friend's arrival onto this plane?" Seira ventures, shrugging. "Nothing good, probably."
[17:59] <Kotono> "Yes, nothing good," Antenora agrees to that, stretching and standing.  "At best, I hope that the portal is 'merely' having effects on the nearby area."
[17:59] <Alicia> "I don't imagine so, no," Alicia nods. "The sooner we can shut down that gate the better... hopefully we'll make some progress, today."
[18:02] * Demedais inhales slowly. "Latha... no clue what could cause such an event? Last night... Well, hopefully we got the worms against the devils, or something, what with the outburst of activity amongst them lately."
[18:03] <Alicia> "Don't be so sure," Alicia glances sidelong at Antenora. "An enterprising devil might have turned a sandworm into a servant, by now, after all."
[18:04] <Demedais> "That'd be all we need." Demedais grumbles.
[18:04] <Seira> "We just need to be able to fly away."
[18:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+19
[18:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{29}
[18:05] <Kotono> "It could be many things, none of them good. Regretably, there's no way to immediately tell what infernal act or being caused that reaction." Latha explains. "Doubtless they'll end up dust on our righteous wrath before the times here end."
[18:06] <Alicia> "That's the spirit," Alicia grins at the deva, starting to strike off into the desert. "Anyway, we're not doing much standing here, lets get moving."
[18:07] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais says after a moment, scanning the horizon for a moment before following Alicia.
[18:10] <Kotono> roll 1d100+15
[18:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100+15 --> 6,0[ 1d100=15 ]4,0{30}
[18:12] <Kotono> The wind picks for your first two hours of travel on the dawn. As the sun begins to rise into the sky, you find no immediate problems. However, as you crest a tall sand dune? You come to a small 'valley' of sand nestled between several sand dunes. It looks as if the sandy ground has half collasped - but then was flash fried, turned into a jagged, rough, interjection of rock like glass.
[18:13] <Seira> roll 1d20+19
[18:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+19 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{21}
[18:13] <Alicia> Whatever did that was probably powerful magic, and might still linger. Alicia casts detect magic as well as looking to see if it was an evil spell as she surveys the formation.
[18:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
[18:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0spellcraft --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{24}
[18:15] <Kotono> Donald peers at it, squinting and shielding his view with one metal clad hand. "What the hell? Glass?"
[18:15] <Seira> "Something to do with sand worms, maybe?" Seira suggests, glancing at Alicia.
[18:16] <Alicia> "Be careful," Alicia holds up a hand to forestall the others. "Powerful evil magic still clings to the area. Transmutation, though I can't identify the spell. We should keep our distance."
[18:16] <Kotono> "They did look to be rather warm," Donald muses aloud, "It would take a hell of a l...lot of fire...oh yes, devils. Hell. Fire. Whichever."
[18:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{31}
[18:17] * Demedais raises just one eyebrow. "We are likely on the right road, at least...."
[18:18] <Kotono> "Yes. I'm not sure what it is, but if it radiates evil, it's been devil touched in some way." PEering down, "At the least we should avoid it."
[18:18] <Kotono> Antenora says after a short pause. "It could also be bait to lure in curious angels or opposition, or simply a leftover."
[18:18] <Seira> "Right!" Seira heads away from it. "No reason to get too curious."
[18:19] * Demedais idly checks it with Detect Chaos, just for-
[18:19] <Alicia> "It's still magically active, so I'm certain its dangerous... Latha, can you dispel evil? Leaving it will almost certainly corrupt anything that comes into contact with it," Alicia asks.
[18:19] * Demedais stops suddenly and looks to Seira. "Wait, repeat that again."
[18:20] <Seira> "Evil worms don't interest me."
[18:21] <Kotono> "I shall try," Latha closes her eyes a moment, a white nimbus flaring to life around her. She gently takes to the skies, starting to fly towards the closest edge of the glass.
[18:21] <Demedais> "Worms?" Demedais frowns, looking back to the transmutated glass. "I.. see. Still. Seira, not curious about something. Hm."
[18:22] * Seira stands well back from both glass and Latha's attempts at dispelling it.
[18:26] <Kotono> Latha hovers just off the ground near the closest edge of the glass, about twenty five feet away. She reaches out, the white aura concentrating around her hand. "Be rested and ruined, darkness beyond," she whispers. For a moment the white aura does nothing...but then, the glass seems to erupt! Not quite bursting - certainly, it shatters apart, but in an organized way! Great lances of it soar out at Latha, amid the shifting, breaking storm!
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{29}
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{20}
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{16}
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{27}
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{29}
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[18:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{33}
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 2d12+12+2
[18:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d12+12+2 --> 6,0[ 2d12=7 ]4,0{21}
[18:28] <Kotono> OOC - Strike, sorry, three hit her.
[18:29] <Kotono> roll 1d12+6+1
[18:29] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d12+6+1 --> 6,0[ 1d12=9 ]4,0{16}
[18:30] <Kotono> Amid the glass storm, one lance rips into  Latha's arm! The gash glows a soft red, like an infected wound!  Latha cries out, as...(More)
[18:31] <Kotono> The glass seems to focus back into itself, flowing towards it's center point at the bottom of the gash! You cans ee some of the covered ground now, seared sand and broken rock beneath. The center is obscured by the whirling, moving glass, however. OOC - Let's roll initaitive here.
[18:31] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
[18:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{11}
[18:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[18:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{12}
[18:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
[18:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+6 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{13}
[18:31] <Kotono> OOC - *15
[18:31] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 oh hell
[18:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0oh hell --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{4}
[18:31] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter
[18:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0nerveskitter --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{28}
[18:31] <Kotono> roll 1d20+1
[18:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+1 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{4}
[18:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Donald
[18:32] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0Donald --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{26}
[18:33] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>Latha>Antenora>Alicia>Deme=Glass Storm'
[18:33] <Kotono> The glass is all gathering in the center, an inmpeterable mass of it! OOC - Seira, you're up.
[18:34] * Seira decides to cast Heroism, still hanging way back from the vicious glass.
[18:36] <Kotono> As heroic power surges into Seira...Donald decides to hang back for the moment, watching as he withdraws his hammer. "Cute," he grunts, "You alright, Latha?" he calls.
[18:38] <Kotono> Latha stumbles back, her eyes alight with righteous fury! A hand holds her reddened gash, "Perish!" she calls, as a burst of white strikes in the glass storm!
[18:38] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[18:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{23}
[18:38] <Kotono> roll 5d8
[18:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 5d8 --> 6,0[ 5d8=28 ]4,0{28}
[18:39] <Kotono> A burst of white light explodes in the glass storm, knocking away a few bits, but not stopping it! Meanwhile, Antenora hovers slightly, "Any ideas on how to do anything without getting shredded by glass?" OOC - Alicia.
[18:39] <Alicia> "Damn!" Alicia curses at the display, regretting what she asked of Latha. Extending a hand towards the maelstrom, she incants a spell, "Mother of Mysteries, I beseech you, becalm the weave and end this dweomer that taints your gift!"
[18:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 dispel
[18:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0dispel --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{30}
[18:42] <Kotono> The glass freezes in it's movements! For a moment it resembles nothing more than a snowstorm made into solids, then it collapses down! The rain of glass is like a thousand windows breaking apart! When it finishes, you can see the very bottom of the pit has...something in it. You can't tell what, but there is a faint black glow around a deeper indentation into the ground. OOC - Deme.
[18:42] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>Latha>Antenora>Alicia>Deme=????'
[18:43] * Demedais peers down closely, still holding his position. "Well. That seems to have worked. But what the hell is down there now?"
[18:43] <Kotono> OOC - Spot check, Deme.
[18:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20+11
[18:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{17}
[18:45] <Demedais> "Mrf. Can't see past that black glow." Demedais grunts. "Latha, do you need aid?"
[18:48] * Demedais murmurs, under his breath, "Ars Arcanix.", calling forth his armor to aid him.
[18:50] <Kotono> OOC - Seira.
[18:52] <Seira> "How deep is the pit?"
[18:54] <Demedais> "Not very, but the black glow hinders." Demedais curses.
[18:54] * Seira casts detect magic, looking at the black glow!
[18:55] <Seira> roll 1d20+22
[18:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{30}
[18:56] <Seira> "Transmutation it is. Do we dispel it or break it, now that we're involved?"
[18:56] <Kotono> Donald continues to hold and wait, squinting at it...
[18:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10
[18:56] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+10 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{24}
[18:56] <Kotono> "Oh yeah, there's something in there," he says. "I saw something small moving."
[18:57] <Demedais> "Small?" Demedais frowns. "Alicia, reading anything from Detect Evil, or same as before?"
[18:59] <Alicia> "No change," Alicia reports, eyeing the black glow.
[19:00] <Kotono> Latha hangs back, looking...
[19:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[19:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{41}
[19:00] <Kotono> "I see it," she says, " A small, crawling thing in that hole. Be purified!" With that, a burst of white engulfs the little black glow!
[19:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[19:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{15}
[19:01] <Kotono> But nothing seems to happen.
[19:01] <Seira> "Can you point it out for the rest of us so they can join with the smiting of evil?"
[19:01] <Kotono> roll 1d20+17
[19:01] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+17 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{26}
[19:02] <Kotono> "There," Antenora points at the darkness, at a point just below the top of the black glow. "I'd rather not get close, though. Not if it gets that glass going again." OOC - Antenora's holding for the moment. Alicia, you're up.
[19:03] <Alicia> Following Antenora's directions, Alicia swiftly flexes her fingers in an arcane pattern before whipping her hand towards that direction, a flurry of glowing blue bolts of energy lancing out to unerringly strike the thing in the darkness!
[19:03] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 SR?
[19:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0SR? --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{13}
[19:04] * Laggy (~Laggy@adsl-68-126-179-221.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) has joined #dunes
[19:04] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Laggy
[19:04] <Kotono> The bolts fire...but nothing happens with them. No effect from the magic can be seen. OOC - Deme.
[19:07] * Demedais unlimbers his bow, but pauses for a moment. "Anyone want to try anything else before I try hitting it with something more solid?" he asks, looking to the group. OOC: Holding for now.
[19:07] <Seira> "I can try something," Seira volunteers.
[19:09] <Kotono> OOC: Go, Seira.
[19:09] * Seira extends her arm and aims at the critter, before an orb of acid does its very best to destroy it!
[19:09] <Seira> roll 1d20+12 ranged touch
[19:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0ranged touch --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{28}
[19:09] <Seira> roll 5d8
[19:09] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 5d8 --> 6,0[ 5d8=12 ]4,0{12}
[19:10] <Kotono> The...thing...that rests in the shadowy sinkhole is shot with an orb of acid! The hissing acid lets foul steam escape from the black glow, the entire thing letting off a horrible stench!
[19:11] <Kotono> Donald waves a hand, "Ugh. Bad enough they smell like that..." he grouses, as Latha lets another Holy Smite envelop it!
[19:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[19:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{28}
[19:11] <Kotono> roll 5d8
[19:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 5d8 --> 6,0[ 5d8=24 ]4,0{24}
[19:11] <Demedais> "That worked, it seems." Demedais says cheerfully.
[19:12] <Seira> "And I can try it again, too!"
[19:12] <Kotono> This flash of white makes the entire black glow flicker twice before vanishing! The melted glass-rock shimmers, before turning into a sandy ooze that slowly returns to it's natural state - except to be coal black sands.
[19:13] <Seira> "Well, we defeated... whatever it was."
[19:13] <Demedais> "Indeed. That was weird."
[19:14] <Kotono> "A devil's lackey," Latha says, as she puts a hand to her wound, a moment of concentration. "Let us continue on if it's slain."
[19:14] <Kotono> roll 1d8+5
[19:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d8+5 --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{11}
[19:14] <Kotono> The wound on her arm largely closes, but however, the red, throbbing color of it does not change. Latha visibly winces even after the healing magic.
[19:14] <Alicia> "That did it," Alicia sighs in relief, starting to approach where the angel hovers. "I'm sorry, Latha, I should have just dispelled it myself from the start, but at least it won't trouble anyone else," she reasons, sounding a bit guilty. Seeing Latha's state, she then frowns and studies the wound.
[19:14] <Alicia> OOC: any magic or evil?
[19:15] * Seira glances at Latha. "Was that diseased?"
[19:15] * Demedais approaches as well, concerned.
[19:16] <Kotono> "No...I believe it may be vile power. Such won't heal except by magic in a hallowed ground," Latha lets her hand fall away from the injury. "We've had reports of it."
[19:16] <Alicia> "The wound radiates foulness," Alicia frowns deeply, "But not magic... it may take stronger measures than we have to remove. Weren't we warned of injuries that could only be healed on consecrated ground?"
[19:17] <Demedais> "Blast. That's frustrating." Demedais curses.
[19:17] <Kotono> "I will bear it and bring the wrath it fills me with to lay the evil low," Latha vows, "It will not stop me, let us continue now."
[19:17] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
[19:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{18}
[19:17] * Alicia nods, respecting Latha's determination. "We will lay low many more fiends before returning to have you tended to," she affirms.
[19:18] <Demedais> Demedais remains calm-faced, looking to Seira. "Anything else of note down there, or should we continue on?"
[19:18] <Seira> "Yeah, we could do that. Or we could have me cast remove curse and see if that works," Seira mentions. "Just because some wounds can only be healed on holy ground doesn't mean this is one."
[19:19] <Seira> "Oh, and nothing of note down there, Demedais."
[19:19] * Seira decides to try this on Latha!
[19:20] <Kotono> The magic is so cast! Latha's wound is still red after, throbbing like an infected boil. No change. With a shake of her head, "I thank you for the effort, Seira."
[19:21] <Seira> "I'll only press on if you swear you'll let us know as soon as there's any change in your condition."
[19:22] <Kotono> "If there is, I'll speak up,"  Latha promises, "But...let's go." She begins to take to the sky, "My pain is endurable if we push the devils further back."
[19:22] * Seira nods, and heads on!
[19:23] <Kotono> roll 1d100+25
[19:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100+25 --> 6,0[ 1d100=6 ]4,0{31}
[19:24] <Kotono> A few more hours pass. It's now about an hour until noon. As you crest another sand dune, you come to see something ahead. A ruined corpse - but not a human. Instead it lies on the sand like a giant squid, long, sand colored tentacles.  It looks very parched, dozens of dried wounds over it's remnants. The wounds of claws and bites, as if it was half torn apart and half eaten, then left to simmer in the heat. A foul smell radiates from it.
[19:26] * Alicia wrinkles her nose in disgust, the rank odour easily penetrating the flimsy cloth she wears to guard against sand and grit. "Seems like the devils won this encounter."
[19:26] * Demedais shakes his head. "Indeed. Let's hope it did some damage."
[19:27] <Seira> "It seems the smell is not why they're sought after magical components," Seira muses, not particularly bothered.
[19:30] <Kotono> "Ugh!" Donald waves his hand, "Is there a Protection from Smell spell that you know of, anyone?"
[19:30] <Seira> "I have a spell that can make you deaf or blind, I don't see why not."
[19:30] <Kotono> "Let's just keep going. Let the dead rest," Latha agrees, hurrying her self along in the air.
[19:31] * Demedais bites his tongue, but grins at Seira's comment as he follows Latha.
[19:31] * Alicia is only too glad to quicken her pace and escape the assault on her nose.
[19:32] <Kotono> roll 1d100+40
[19:32] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100+40 --> 6,0[ 1d100=41 ]4,0{81}
[19:32] <Kotono> It is just past noon when it happens. In the light wind, sounds sometimes carry far. As you climb up a sand dune, the air brings forth this noise. The sounds of howls, several of them, a dire, heart chilling dirge.
[19:33] <Alicia> "Hell Hounds?" Alicia looks towards Antenora in case she recognises the noise.
[19:34] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[19:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{19}
[19:34] <Kotono> "....yes," Antenora says very slowly, taking her spear out. "The sound of hell hounds."
[19:35] <Demedais> "How perfectly delightful. The big ones we heard of, or the smaller ones?" Demedais grunts. "Or can they not be distinguished?"
[19:35] * Seira takes out her sword, asking, "How far do you figure they are?"
[19:36] <Alicia> "Donald, you might want to ward yourself against fire," Alicia suggests, taking out a scroll from her pack and reading off of it to provide similar protection for herself. "Can either of you see them?" she asks the two fliers.
[19:36] <Kotono> "I know how they sound, but I'm not well versed with them," Antenora's spear is ready as sh elooks up, "But they're probably not that far unless it's a trick of the wind."
[19:37] <Seira> "Isn't it grand that I happened to memorize web?" Seira asks. "And glitterdust, at that? I'll try to hit the largest grouping of them to immobilize."
[19:37] * Seira decides to cast Shield in advance, just in case.
[19:38] <Demedais> "Excellent." Demedais nods once, calling his armor forth in preparation.
[19:39] * Seira decides to go with mirror image as well. Worst case, she loses the spell.
[19:39] <Seira> roll 1d4+3
[19:39] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d4+3 --> 6,0[ 1d4=2 ]4,0{5}
[19:40] * Alicia holds off on her shorter duration spells until Latha or Antenora report seeing them. They should provide enough warning that she has time, but she'd prefer to avoid casting her spells too early if she can avoid it.
[19:40] <Seira> OOC: Only shield after all, it seems
[19:45] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[19:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d100 --> 6,0[ 1d100=26 ]4,0{26}
[19:46] <Kotono> Donald wards himself against fire as Latha and Antenora take to the air! 'They're charging up the hill!' Antenore echos into Alicia's mind, as, 'They're coming up the sand dune, about a dozen of them. A small pack.' Latha reports mentally to Demedais.
[19:47] <Alicia> At Antenora's warning, Alicia casts enlarge person, promptly doubling in size as she readies her sword!
[19:48] * Demedais nods. "About a dozen... cheerful. Okay. Everyone ready? They're coming over the hill now."
[19:48] <Alicia> "Here they come," Alicia verbally reports for the benefit of the others.
[19:48] * Seira goes with Mirror Image!
[19:49] <Seira> "Try not to charge them before I can hit some of their numbers?" Seira requests, readying.
[19:49] <Demedais> "Got it."
[19:50] <Kotono> So the party braces! Atop the hill they come in a wave, gushing over! A charge of large, dog like creatures! They are a rusty brown with red eyes, fire trickling out like drool from their lips! Black tongues loll to the sides as they continue on!  OOC - I'm going to call initiative here.
[19:50] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5
[19:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{19}
[19:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+11 nerveskitter x2
[19:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0nerveskitter x2 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{27}
[19:51] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1 I summon the power of the mighty Hatboticus?
[19:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+1 1,0I summon the power of the mighty Hatboticus? --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{14}
[19:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Antenora
[19:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0Antenora --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{7}
[19:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Donald (Has ER 10 fire up, remember Dune.0
[19:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0Donald (Has ER 10 fire up, remember Dune.0 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{26}
[19:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
[19:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+8 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{21}
[19:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Hell hound pack
[19:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0Hell hound pack --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{19}
[19:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[19:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{23}
[19:53] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[19:59] <Seira> Glitterdust, one of a wizard's best friends. Now, those hellhounds can get acquainted with it as well!
[20:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{29}
[20:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
[20:00] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:00] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{16}
[20:00] * Seira does have her sword out, in case some actually make it over and past her defenses.
[20:02] <Kotono> The front three are covered in glittering, golden dust! Two of the hounds yip in confusion, b ut the lead one isn't blinded! It instead keeps up it's frantic pace, baying and leading the other hounds on! You notice that three of them, scattered about the pack of about 12, wear what looks to be some sort of chain barding. Donald readies the hammer, murmuring a few words. OOC - ???? is up.
[20:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{20}
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 1d20+18
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+18 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{35}
[20:03] <Kotono> OOC - -2 to that roll, but it hardly matters.
[20:03] <Kotono> roll 5d6
[20:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 5d6 --> 6,0[ 5d6=25 ]4,0{25}
[20:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11
[20:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+11 --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{14}
[20:05] <Kotono> From a point in the clear sky a crackling beam comes, from far away and past the dune! This beam slams into Antenora's shoulder, making her nearly spin in the air! OOC - Latha is up.
[20:08] <Kotono> Latha sees the situation and descends around the party. "Be warded!" She calls, as white energy flows into the five! OOC - Hounds are up.
[20:10] <Kotono> Like a tide of darkness the Hell Hounds come racing down! The two that are blinded hang back a bit, but three come at Demedais full bore!
[20:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{39}
[20:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{42}
[20:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 crit?
[20:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 1,0crit? --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{26}
[20:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{23}
[20:10] <Kotono> OOC - AC, Deme?
[20:11] <Demedais> OOC: 32.
[20:11] <Kotono> roll 4d6+24 (Omitting fire damage since Deme has resistance 10 to it and it's only a d8.)
[20:11] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 4d6+24 1,0(Omitting fire damage since Deme has resistance 10 to it and it's only a d8.) --> 6,0[ 4d6=21 ]4,0{45}
[20:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[20:13] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[20:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{15}
[20:13] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{32}
[20:14] <Kotono> Demedais is chomped into and half surrounded, his flesh torn in the infernal mouths! However, one of the hellhounds yelps in agony, it's eyes turning to milky white, blinded orbs!  Meanwhile, two charge Seira, with a third wrapping around and breathing a cone of fire at her! (8 acted total, 4 to go.)
[20:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 AC, Seira and other relevant things?
[20:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 1,0AC, Seira and other relevant things? --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{25}
[20:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 AC, Seira and other relevant things?
[20:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 1,0AC, Seira and other relevant things? --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{32}
[20:15] <Seira> OOC: 5 images so 6 of us, AC is 31
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d6 on attack 1
[20:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d6 1,0on attack 1 --> 6,0[ 1d6=3 ]4,0{3}
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d5 on attack 2
[20:16] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d5 1,0on attack 2 --> 6,0[ 1d5=5 ]4,0{5}
[20:16] <Seira> OOC: Fire res, still 10
[20:16] <Kotono> Two images are pounced on, as a gout of flaming breath erupts around Seira! OOC - REf save.
[20:17] <Seira> OOC: I have the same res as Deme, no? 10?
[20:17] <Seira> roll 1d20+22 sure
[20:17] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+22 1,0sure --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{38}
[20:18] <Kotono> Weaving about, Seira avoids the burning flames! Meanwhile, two hounds charge Alicia, looking to tear into her tender flesh!
[20:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{40}
[20:18] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:18] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{24}
[20:19] <Alicia> OOC: AC 26, I'll AoO one of them, though
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC - That's right you enlarged. Okay.
[20:19] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16
[20:19] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{32}
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC - No wait, they have 10 ft reach, too.
[20:20] <Alicia> OOC: huh, weird. Most 4 legged large stuff doesn't get reach. Damn.
[20:20] <Kotono> roll 2d6+12
[20:20] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d6+12 --> 6,0[ 2d6=7 ]4,0{19}
[20:22] <Kotono> Alicia manges to fend one off with a dodge, it's teeth scraping her shin guards! However, theo ther chomps into her arm, blood coming into it's mouth from Alicia's veins! Meanwhile, the last two come at Donald!
[20:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[20:22] <Alicia> OOC: DC 23 blindness save, remember
[20:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{32}
[20:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{29}
[20:22] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:22] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{36}
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 4d6+24 (Omitting fire damage since Deme has resistance 10 to it and it's only a d8.)
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 4d6+24 1,0(Omitting fire damage since Deme has resistance 10 to it and it's only a d8.) --> 6,0[ 4d6=15 ]4,0{39}
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[20:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{30}
[20:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{14}
[20:25] <Kotono> Donald is used as a chew toy, leg and waist ripped and bitten! Despite his wounds, Donald stays up! Indeed, one of the hounds goes white eyed, blinded by the wrath of the heavens! OOC - Alicia.
[20:26] <Alicia> While the invisible creature attacking warrants concern, the fact is that these dogs are tearing hell out of the group, and their ranks need to be thinned down before she can worry about other threats. "Have I mentioned before that I hate dogs?" the paladin remarks, casting a spell that makes her blades as tangible as mist, yet no less deadly as she hacks viciously into the one that bit her!
[20:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+11 -7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed fire
[20:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+11 1,0-7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed fire --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{25}
[20:27] <Kotono> "Ugh!" Donald sidesteps out of the bite, leg staining the sand nearby red, "I just hate all of these damned devils," he snarls.
[20:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10 -7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed holy
[20:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0-7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed holy --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{11}
[20:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 -7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed fire
[20:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+6 1,0-7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed fire --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{8}
[20:27] <Alicia> roll 1d20+5 -7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed holy shit why
[20:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0-7 power attack, wraithstrike, 1st level slot sacrificed holy shit why --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{19}
[20:28] <Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
[20:28] <Alicia> roll 4d6+31+2d6+1d6+2d4
[20:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 4d6+31+2d6+1d6+2d4 --> 6,0[ 4d6=17 2d6=6 1d6=4 2d4=6 ]4,0{64}
[20:29] <Kotono> The hell hound is ripped up like tissue paper, flesh and sinews torn in a grisly celebration! Oh, it still lives thanks to the unholy vitality in it's veins, but said veins are pumping more blood into the air than into it's body! OOC - Demedais.
[20:31] <Kotono> OOC: For clariciation, the 3 that wear chain barding are on Demedais, Alicia and Donald, respectively.
[20:33] <Demedais> "You haven't. Myself, I find most dogs generally agreeable." Demedais growls. "These mutts, however... hmph. Rain your blows against me, dogs, you'll find no solace here!" With this, he unleashes a barrage of quick, defensive strikes against the non-blinded dog that hit him last time, seeking to weaken it!
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (+1 Haste -7 CE haet dogs)
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0(+1 Haste -7 CE haet dogs) --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{20}
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+10 (+1 Haste -7 CE haet dogs)
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0(+1 Haste -7 CE haet dogs) --> 6,0[ 1d20=3 ]4,0{13}
[20:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 (+1 Haste -7 CE haet dogs)
[20:34] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0(+1 Haste -7 CE haet dogs) --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{22}
[20:34] <Kotono> OOC - First and third hit. Is'nt the second a crit threat with keen?
[20:35] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 crit check
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0crit check --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{9}
[20:35] <Demedais> OOC: Not anymore.
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC - Two normal hits of ow.
[20:35] <Demedais> roll 4d6+16+4d6 down, boy!
[20:35] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 4d6+16+4d6 1,0down, boy! --> 6,0[ 4d6=14 4d6=15 ]4,0{45}
[20:37] <Kotono> Demedais gashes the hellhound open, scoring two considerable hits! Not fatal ones, but ones that spill ample, vile blood nonetheless!  Meanwhile, while Antenora winces from the crackling beam that struck her, she looks downward and charges down, plummeting with her spear going for the wounded Hellhound attacking Alicia!
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 (-5 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 6/7 FS left)
[20:37] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+16 1,0(-5 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 6/7 FS left) --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{22}
[20:38] <Kotono> roll 2d8+38+1d6
[20:38] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d8+38+1d6 --> 6,0[ 2d8=2 1d6=2 ]4,0{42}
[20:39] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(11 left, 4 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[20:39] <Kotono> The hound nary has a chance to do anything as Antenora's spear severs it's spine! IT collapses and melts into a pool of burning blood, slain! OOC - Seira.
[20:40] * Seira doesn't really wish to fight alone against a pair of hellmutts, but joining forces with Demedais seems like a decent enough option. She positions herself carefully....
[20:40] <Seira> roll 1d20+14 tumble
[20:40] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0tumble --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{29}
[20:41] <Seira> ...and then stabs at the beast, arcane magics channeled into the blade!
[20:41] <Seira> roll 1d20+14 (lvl2 spell)
[20:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0(lvl2 spell) --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{31}
[20:41] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[20:41] <Seira> roll 3d8+4+4d6+2d4
[20:41] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 3d8+4+4d6+2d4 --> 6,0[ 3d8=13 4d6=8 2d4=3 ]4,0{28}
[20:42] <Kotono> Stabbed from behind, the hell hound's flank is torn open! Despite its' bleeding it hangs onto dear life a littlelonger! Meanwhile, Donald turns to the non blinded one, hammer so enchanged. Despite his pain, he manages a menacing grin at it!
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 1d20+27 (True strike and -8 PA smash)
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+27 1,0(True strike and -8 PA smash) --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{36}
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 1d8+15
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d8+15 --> 6,0[ 1d8=3 ]4,0{18}
[20:43] <Kotono> roll 1d4+1
[20:43] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d4+1 --> 6,0[ 1d4=4 ]4,0{5}
[20:44] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
[20:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{38}
[20:44] <Kotono> roll 1d8+15
[20:44] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d8+15 --> 6,0[ 1d8=6 ]4,0{21}
[20:44] <Kotono> OOC - Strike, I forgot to subtract the True Struke +20. That would be a...18, which hits now anyway.
[20:45] <Kotono> Smashed twice by the Hammer of the Shard, the hell hound twists into thousands of chaotic shapes! It's body is battered and disrupted, a baying whimper coming from it! Meanwhile, another beam fires - this time at Seira!
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[20:45] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=13 ]4,0{28}
[20:46] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16
[20:46] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+16 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{18}
[20:46] <Kotono> OOC - Touch AC, Seira?
[20:46] <Seira> OOC: 21
[20:46] <Kotono> The beam comes from the clear sky at least a hundred feet away, a different position than last time! But somehow SEira sees it in time, ducking and nimbly avoiding the crackling, roiling blast of hatred! OOC - Latha.
[20:48] <Kotono> Looking downward, Latha eyes the two dogs attacking Donald! "Be penitent of your evil!" She cries, as a white blast levels both of them!
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 10d6
[20:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 10d6 --> 6,0[ 10d6=39 ]4,0{39}
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=2 ]4,0{11}
[20:48] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{14}
[20:49] <Kotono> Both hounds are blasted and battered, the other temporarily blinded as well by the light! However, the pack isn't out yet! The two that are not blinded on Demedais attempt to bring him low still!
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[20:49] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[20:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{30}
[20:49] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{31}
[20:49] <Kotono> OOC:A C?
[20:49] <Demedais> OOC: Unless I'm mistaking stacking bonuses? ...39.
[20:50] <Kotono> OOC: If it's from CE, dodge bonuses stack.
[20:50] <Kotono> Despite the blows, Demedais weaves and dodges in his heavy armor! Bites deflect off his taken royal armor and the Fifth Resort! Meanwhile, the three that were on Seira follow - two go at her, while the third goes to flank Demedais from behind!
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Seira
[20:50] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Seira
[20:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0Seira --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{21}
[20:50] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0Seira --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{36}
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d4
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d4 --> 6,0[ 1d4=2 ]4,0{2}
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Deme hit
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0Deme hit --> 6,0[ 1d20=20 ]4,0{40}
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Deme hit crit?
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0Deme hit crit? --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{28}
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 2d6+12
[20:51] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d6+12 --> 6,0[ 2d6=11 ]4,0{23}
[20:52] <Kotono> As Seira loses another image, savagely bitten into nothingness, Demedais feels the back of his calf bitten and ripped! Meanwhile, however, the two on Alicia keep it up on her!
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[20:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{21}
[20:52] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{29}
[20:53] <Kotono> roll 1d20+13 Deme dog
[20:53] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+13 1,0Deme dog --> 6,0[ 1d20=7 ]4,0{20}
[20:53] <Alicia> OOC: wasn't there just one on me after Anty killed the other one?
[20:53] <Kotono> OOC: And you're right, strike the second roll. Sorry.
[20:54] <Kotono> The dog that bit Demedais whimpers after it goes blind, the pack battered by this! Meanwhile, one on Donald is blind and falls back, whimpering, while the other growls and snaps at Donald!
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC - Strike.
[20:54] <Kotono> The dog that bit Demedais whimpers after it goes blind, the pack battered by this! Meanwhile, one on Donald is blind and falls back, whimpering, while the other one holds, shaking it's head from the Holy Smite's blindness! OOC - Alicia.
[20:54] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(11 left, 5 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[20:55] * Alicia tries to cast Fly without dropping her guard against the dog before she takes to the air!
[20:55] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12 DC 18 concentration
[20:55] <Rei-chan> 6,0Alicia rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0DC 18 concentration --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{17}
[20:55] <Alicia> OOC: such hate
[20:56] <Kotono> Despite her concentration, the threat of the dogs is too much! Alicia can't pull off her spell, losing her concentration! OOC - Deme.
[20:56] <Alicia> Since she fumbled her spellcasting, she contents with backing off so she can cast unimpeded next time.
[20:57] * Demedais growls, but seeing the dog that got a bite off blinded, he contents himself with finishing the job on the first dog!
[20:57] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste +2 Flank -5 CE)
[20:57] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0(+1 Haste +2 Flank -5 CE) --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{18}
[20:57] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste +2 Flank -5 CE)
[20:57] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0(+1 Haste +2 Flank -5 CE) --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{15}
[20:58] <Demedais> roll 1d20+9 (+1 Haste +2 Flank -5 CE)
[20:58] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+9 1,0(+1 Haste +2 Flank -5 CE) --> 6,0[ 1d20=6 ]4,0{15}
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC - One hit. That was impressive hate, REi.
[20:58] <Demedais> roll 2d6+8+2d6 wait, I actually hit one? Miracle of miracles.
[20:58] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+8+2d6 1,0wait, I actually hit one? Miracle of miracles. --> 6,0[ 2d6=12 2d6=7 ]4,0{27}
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: Cleave.
[20:58] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(10 left, 5 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[20:59] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 .... cleaving into the other non-blind one. No Flanking bonus.
[20:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0.... cleaving into the other non-blind one. No Flanking bonus. --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{29}
[20:59] <Kotono> OOC - Hit and threat.
[20:59] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 .... crit check?
[20:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0.... crit check? --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{17}
[20:59] <Kotono> OOC - Normal hit.
[20:59] <Demedais> roll 2d6+8+2d6 bah!
[20:59] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+8+2d6 1,0bah! --> 6,0[ 2d6=9 2d6=9 ]4,0{26}
[21:01] <Kotono> Demedais finishes off the wounded Hell Hound, it's body crackling into electric oblivion! The backswing even tears into the hound that's chewing his sides! OOC - Antenora.
[21:02] <Kotono> Taking this chance, Antenora charges through the air, going after the hound the lead hound Demedais just stabbed!
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+16 (-5 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 5/7)
[21:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+16 1,0(-5 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 5/7) --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{31}
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 2d8+38+1d6
[21:02] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d8+38+1d6 --> 6,0[ 2d8=4 1d6=5 ]4,0{47}
[21:03] <Kotono> The charge plunges the Black Horn Spear into the hound's side, ribs popping like popcorn as the spear is torn out! OOC - Seira.
[21:03] * Seira maneuvers into position once more, determined to get a stab in on the puppy next to Donald before it recovers from Latha's smite!
[21:03] <Seira> roll 1d20+14 tumble
[21:03] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+14 1,0tumble --> 6,0[ 1d20=10 ]4,0{24}
[21:04] <Seira> roll 1d20+12
[21:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+12 --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{23}
[21:04] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[21:04] <Seira> roll 3d8+4+4d6
[21:04] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 3d8+4+4d6 --> 6,0[ 3d8=12 4d6=18 ]4,0{34}
[21:04] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(9 left, 5 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[21:05] <Kotono> Seira tumbles and brings the artifact sword won from Ferdi up, tearing the back leg off this hell hound! This one merely vanishes, leaving behind a black, scorched shadow on the sands! OOC - Donald.
[21:05] <Kotono> Turning to the other one that bit him, blind and defenseless, "Thanks, Seira," he breathes, before swinging the hammer again!
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12 (-3 PA)
[21:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(-3 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=18 ]4,0{30}
[21:06] * Seira gives Donald a friendly wave when she's done. "No problem, happy to assist!"
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 (-3 PA)
[21:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0(-3 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=17 ]4,0{24}
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 2d8+20
[21:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d8+20 --> 6,0[ 2d8=8 ]4,0{28}
[21:06] <Kotono> roll 1d4+1 owwies of owow.
[21:06] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d4+1 1,0owwies of owow. --> 6,0[ 1d4=4 ]4,0{5}
[21:07] <Kotono> The second victim of the Hammer of the Shard shakes like it's entire body is in a tremor, it's eyes turning to multicolored, blinded shades! As this happens, another beam is fired from afar, a third position! This time it comes at Alicia!
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15
[21:07] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 --> 6,0[ 1d20=1 ]4,0{16}
[21:08] <Kotono> But the crackling beam crumbles around the holy light that suffuses the Paladin and Sorcerer of Mystra! OOC - Latha is up.
[21:10] <Kotono> Latha turns to the Hellhound tormenting Alicia, letting her holy radiance blast this one to back whence it came!
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 10d6
[21:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 10d6 --> 6,0[ 10d6=37 ]4,0{37}
[21:10] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[21:10] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+9 --> 6,0[ 1d20=8 ]4,0{17}
[21:11] <Kotono> The hound is blasted directly by the holy smite, eyes clouded completely! "Keep fighting! WE're winning," Latha calls in a victorious voice, one that makes the pain seem more manageable. OOC - Pack is up.
[21:12] * Seira can't really object to any part of it.
[21:12] <Kotono> The two blinded by glitterdust have fallen back, behind the top of the sand dune and out of immediate visual range. The one wounded by Antenora and Demedais goes for the former, standing on it's hind legs to snap at the airboren Erinyes!
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20
[21:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 --> 6,0[ 1d20=9 ]4,0{29}
[21:12] <Kotono> roll 2d6+12
[21:12] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d6+12 --> 6,0[ 2d6=5 ]4,0{17}
[21:14] <Kotono> Antenora's foot is nearly bitten in half, feet bones munched on! The two still unblinded and in the area of Demedais and Antenora split - one follows Seira, while the other chomps on Demedais again!
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+20 Deme biter
[21:14] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+20 1,0Deme biter --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{31}
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 Seira biter chaaaarge
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 1,0Seira biter chaaaarge --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{41}
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22 Seira biter chaaaarge crit threat
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+22 1,0Seira biter chaaaarge crit threat --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{41}
[21:15] <Kotono> roll 1d3
[21:15] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d3 --> 6,0[ 1d3=2 ]4,0{2}
[21:16] <Seira> "Donald, if you could hit that one for me, that would be grand," Seira calls over to him.
[21:17] <Kotono> The Hellhound leaps up and bites Seira's head off! However, it's only one of the remaining images, leaving just two targets now! Meanwhile, the last two are blinded! OOC - Alicia.
[21:19] <Alicia> Unimpeded, now, Alicia casts Fly and levitates up 15 feet!
[21:19] <Kotono> Alicia is airborne! OOC - Deme.
[21:21] * Demedais turns next to the one that attacked him, slashing three times at this beast as well, attempting to slash the jaw muscles and disable the beast!
[21:21] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (+1 Haste -5 CE)
[21:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(+1 Haste -5 CE) --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{16}
[21:21] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 (+1 Haste -5 CE)
[21:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0(+1 Haste -5 CE) --> 6,0[ 1d20=12 ]4,0{24}
[21:21] <Demedais> roll 1d20+7 (+1 Haste -5 CE)
[21:21] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+7 1,0(+1 Haste -5 CE) --> 6,0[ 1d20=4 ]4,0{11}
[21:22] <Demedais> OOC: Clarification: the one that attacked me, that I hit with the cleave.
[21:23] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. One hit.
[21:23] <Demedais> roll 2d6+8+2d6
[21:23] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+8+2d6 --> 6,0[ 2d6=3 2d6=4 ]4,0{15}
[21:24] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(8 left, 5 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[21:24] <Kotono> Demedais rips into this one as well - only the second hit lands, but it severs it's neck in half! It burns away into nothingness, four of the horrible hellhounds defeated! OOC - Antenora.
[21:25] <Kotono> OOC - Cleave first, Deme, you can pick on one of the blinded ones nearby if you want.
[21:25] <Demedais> OOC: Not the other one that attacked me... reach, right? Okay.
[21:25] <Demedais> roll 1d20+12 start the slaughter, then.
[21:25] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 1d20+12 1,0start the slaughter, then. --> 6,0[ 1d20=15 ]4,0{27}
[21:26] <Demedais> roll 2d6+8+2d6
[21:26] <Rei-chan> 6,0Demedais rolled :6,0 2d6+8+2d6 --> 6,0[ 2d6=9 2d6=9 ]4,0{26}
[21:26] <Kotono> Ripping into the blinded hound nearby, Deme tears it's leg open! As blood spills, the pack seems to be reduced to whimpering and dodging, blinded! OOC - Antenora.
[21:27] <Kotono> Antenora continues her airborne exploits, this time charging the one that's back attacking Seira!
[21:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15 (-6 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 4/7)
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0(-6 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 4/7) --> 6,0[ 1d20=19 ]4,0{34}
[21:27] <Kotono> roll 1d20+15 (-6 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 4/7) crit threat ow
[21:27] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0(-6 PA, +2 charge, +2 FS 4/7) crit threat ow --> 6,0[ 1d20=5 ]4,0{20}
[21:28] <Kotono> roll 4d8+84+1d6
[21:28] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 4d8+84+1d6 --> 6,0[ 4d8=19 1d6=2 ]4,0{105}
[21:28] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(7 left, 5 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[21:30] <Kotono> The charge is lined up perfectly, the spear going through the skull off the hell hound! It turns to stone instantly, pink brains leaking out of the side! Antenora rips the Black Horn Spear out, flimpsy stone scattering. OOC - Seira.
[21:30] * Seira salutes Antenora with her sword, before moving back to assault Demedais's target!
[21:31] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 (3rd lvl channel)
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 1d20+15 1,0(3rd lvl channel) --> 6,0[ 1d20=14 ]4,0{29}
[21:31] <Seira> roll 3d8+4+4d6+3d4
[21:31] <Rei-chan> 6,0Seira rolled :6,0 3d8+4+4d6+3d4 --> 6,0[ 3d8=7 4d6=14 3d4=8 ]4,0{33}
[21:32] <Kotono> Seira easily slides past the snapping Hell hound teeth that still threaten, before thrusting into the back of his hound! The blow is a solid one, it's blood coming down like a thunderstorm's rapid rainfall! OOC - Donald is up.
[21:33] <Kotono> "Oh well, beat me to it," He nods to Antenora, before turning onto the hammered, dazed, blinded hellhound still near!
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+10 (-5 PA)
[21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+10 1,0(-5 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=11 ]4,0{21}
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 (-5 PA)
[21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 1d20+5 1,0(-5 PA) --> 6,0[ 1d20=16 ]4,0{21}
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 2d8+24
[21:33] <Rei-chan> 6,0Kotono rolled :6,0 2d8+24 --> 6,0[ 2d8=11 ]4,0{35}
[21:34] * Kotono changes topic to 'Seira>Donald>????>Latha>Hell Hound pack(6 left, 4 blind)=Alicia>Demedais>Antenora Hino'
[21:35] <Kotono> This hound breaks apart into a million discordant shapes, fizzling away spectacularly from the Hammer to it's canine ja