D2 001

[Corwin]

[19:07] <Kotono> > After a few moments, a middle aged man in a tanned leather apron comes out. Wood chips and shards cling to his boots, callused hands with a few small cuts here and there. "Drenan," he nods to them. "What can I do for you, travelers?"
[19:07] <Kotono> <Seira> "Hi!" Seira smiles pleasantly. "We're actually friends of Jerek's, and he told us all about a special table of exceptional craftsmanship he commissioned from you. Could we impose on you just long enough to see the masterpiece for ourselves?"
[19:07] <Kotono> > Wiping his forehead with his forearm, "Yeah, sure, I guess. What's that old codger doing sending cute girls like you here, though?"
[19:07] <Kotono> * Seira giggles. "Oh, it just seemed like it would be a fun trip! Right, Amy?"
[19:07] <Kotono> > "Oh yes, Sarah!" Amaryl blushes lightly as she giggles back. "It's just about having fun!"
[19:07] <Kotono> * Seira smiles at her briefly.
[19:07] <Kotono> > "Whatever suits you." With an easy shrug, "C'mon this way." Drenan invites.
[19:07] <Kotono> <Seira> Taking Amaryl's hand, Seira is quick to follow!
[19:08] <Kotono> Once inside, the two women are taken to the back. Here a finished table lies. It is carved with the images of a falcon, a panther, a shocker lizard, a harpy, a dragon and a stereotyped demon or devil. It's made of a light wood, polished and shiny. "It's a piece of work, isn't it?"
01[19:12] <Seira> "Shocker lizards." Seira pouts. "Evil little things." She steps around the table in an attempt to briefly appraise it. Bullying craftsmen is one thing, but she prefers it when they actually deserve it.
01[19:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
06[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 13." [1d20=2]
[19:17] <Kotono> "Isn't it a beauty, though?" Drenan crosses his arms, "It's worth every bit of gold and sweat and wood I put into it.
[19:17] <Kotono> "
01[19:18] <Seira> "Why devils instead of angels?" Seira asks curiously, nodding at Drenan's appraisal.
[19:22] <Kotono> "I don't know. I just did the commission." Drenan says. "You'd have to ask Stubborn One-Eye."
01[19:27] <Seira> "I probably will," Seira agrees. "Stubborn, though? Jerek is always so pleasant and agreeable when he talks to us."
[19:30] <Kotono> "He's a stubborn son of a b-of a sword." Coughing there, "We've been arguing over the final price."
01[19:31] <Seira> "Awkward," Seira says sympathetically. "Didn't you agree on one ahead of time? You did mention it's a commission, after all."
[19:33] <Kotono> "We did, but it's since degenerated somewhat in principal." Scowling now, "So the table's sitting here."
01[19:36] <Seira> "Hey, I could buy it!" Seira offers with a smile. "What was the original price?"
[19:39] <Kotono> "A thousand. He's been trying to get it down to 500."
01[19:44] <Seira> "That's not very nice," Seira muses. "I certainly never heard that from him. Did Jerek give an actual reason besides... well, not wanting to pay the full amount?"
[19:49] <Kotono> "He threw around some crap about relative prices and how much it should be worth. But if you want to buy it..." Giving Seira a looking eye, "I could go as low as 800 to such a lovely lass as yourself."
01[19:53] <Seira> "It's a shame, but I don't have that kind of cash," Seira says with regret that isn't even feigned.
[19:55] <Kotono> "Ah well. Pity. Unless..." Looking Seira and Amaryl over, "ARe the two of you adventurers, by chance?"
01[19:56] <Seira> "That's how we know Jerek, actually," Seira agrees. "But it doesn't mean we carry hundreds in gold around, sadly, you know?"
[20:00] <Kotono> "Well...there is something I need done," Rubbing his chin thoughtfully now, "Maybe if you two do it for me I'll give you the table as a reward."
01[20:03] <Seira> "How about it?" Seira asks Amaryl, quite amused by this turn of events.
[20:04] <Kotono> "Why not?" With a half smile, and in a much lower voice, "Are we fetch servants now? This is the second time this has happened in an hour."
01[20:05] <Seira> "We're enjoying the randomness of life," Seira whispers back, smiling herself. To Drenan, she says, "So what's got you down? How could a pair of adventurers help you out?"
[20:10] <Kotono> "Well...several days to the west the Galkass mountains. There's a little grove of a unique tree I use for special projects there. It's a bit dangerous thanks to natural hazards, so I can't just send anyone and I haven't had time to go harvest some wood lately."
01[20:14] <Seira> "Shocker lizards," Seira says dourly. "Are you looking for wood from any particular tree, or any spot that you have in mind? Or is it more that general area?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "Okay, see...you have to travel to the edge of the mountains straight west, then find a small stream that's mostly stopped up by a big green, moss covered boulder. You go northwest of that for an hour and find a cave. Pass through that and you'll come into a small valley with the grove."
06[20:22] * Seira listens, mentally taking notes, and nods at the appropriate times.
[20:23] <Kotono> "That's not so hard at all. If it's just some lizards, it shouldn't be any problem," Amaryl smiles winsomely.
01[20:27] <Seira> "Lizards are dangerous," Seira says with a wince. "Alright, though. How much wood would you need?"
[20:29] <Kotono> "Take one tree's worth, that should be enough." A nod to that.
06[20:33] * Seira takes out an empty scroll and quickly notes down the terms of Drenan's agreement with the lovely two adventurers visiting him, accurately summarizing the deal. "When a written contract exists," she says, presenting it to the shopkeep, "people don't waste time jumping through hoops to avoid it later. Isn't that better?"
[20:43] <Kotono> "Sure," He reads it over and nods, "Wood in exchange for the table."
[20:43] <Kotono> OOVC - Gah.
[20:43] <Kotono> "Sure," He reads it over and nods, "Wood in exchange for the table." On finishing a slow reading scan of it, "No objections to it." He goes and gets a n inkpot and pen, signing it.
06[20:46] * Seira pockets the signed contract with another smile. "Then we'd best be on our way. Have a nice day!"
[20:47] <Kotono> Once you're outside, Amaryl stretches back. "I still feel like a page, but...it's rather fun. Go off into the unknown and brave danger to retreive an exotic good?"
01[20:54] <Seira> "And you never know what could happen!" Seira agrees. "Plus, there is a very key difference. We're choosing to do this, unlike pages who pretty much have to accept the task as part of their job. Not that there's anything wrong with that."
[20:57] <Kotono> "Someone has to do it." Looking up, "Maybe we can start in the morning with the trip? My feet are still sore. Seira, can we take the rest of the day off and rest in an inn? I'd love a bath right about now."
06[21:00] * Seira was about to suggest she teleport them over to their destination, but Amaryl's offer easily beats shocker lizards. "It's not even a contest," she mutters, and nods solemnly. "If that is the sacrifice we must make, I am willing to do so."
[21:07] <Kotono> OOC: Skip a long a bit then?
01[21:07] <Seira> OOC: Sure
01[21:08] <Seira> OOC: I have secure shelter, so we'll stay in cabins throughout!
[21:11] <Kotono> OOC: Link me in #elysium to tha treal quick? Just need to scan it.
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 80." [1d100=80]
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d100+20
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+20 and gets 81." [1d100=61]
[21:18] <Kotono> The trip begins uneventful. Each day the two travel long, resting each night in a secure shelter. This forms a comfortable pattern after a few days, the plains alternating with magical protections. On the fourth day, about halfway between noon and duskfall, you see dust on the southeastern horizon. At this distance and flat ground, it's easy to detect that something's coming for you. From the dust it's kicking up, it's likely mounted riders.
[21:18] <Kotono>  From the dust it's kicking up, it's likely mounted riders.
01[21:20] <Seira> "We'll have a difficult time of getting away if the riders are coming after us," Seira notes, "except for the use of the teleport ring. And I figure we could always use it in a pinch, later on. Let's prepare and see what these people want?"
[21:21] <Kotono> "Right," Amaryl takes a breath and checks over her bow. "Do you think they'll be friendly? They aren't human bandits, are they?"
01[21:24] <Seira> Heroism is cast without waiting for the riders to get any closer, although shield and draconic might would wait until later, to avoid being wasteful.
01[21:24] <Seira> "No idea, I'm afraid. We haven't heard any reports of bandits in these parts, but it's certainly possible." She tilts her head. "The way I see it, if these are bandits, it is a good thing they have decided to come after us, since we would make sure they won't have a chance to pray on helpless travelers ever again."
[21:34] <Kotono> As they gt closer, Amaryl peers ahead! OOC - Both of you make spot checks?
01[21:34] <Seira> roll 1d20+11
06[21:34] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+11 and gets 26." [1d20=15]
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 34." [1d20=20]
[21:37] <Kotono> Seira can see it's ten riders and horses. Scruffy men in light armor and with bows, arrows and longswords. Amaryl takes a step back, "Seira, they have weapons and they're ready to use them..." she says worriedly.
01[21:41] <Seira> "We're good," Seira assures her, putting a hand on Amaryl's shoulder as she turns halfway towards her to address her. And if that conceals her casting, that's just another bonus. "I have just the spell in mind. And one for you as well, just in case."
01[21:41] <Seira> Unlike her previous plan, Seira casts Draconic Might on Amaryl as a precaution, before giving the other girl a wink. "We won't attack first. We don't need to."
01[21:45] <Seira> roll 1d10+10
06[21:45] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d10+10 and gets 15." [1d10=5]
[21:48] <Kotono> As Amaryl's eyes go wide, "The power..." she whispers! Meanwhile the riders come closer! They're within 200 feet now! Seira can see that some of them indeed have bows and arrows readied! OOC - Goa head and react, yout wo?
01[21:51] <Seira> "You're a dragon, now!" Seira tells Amaryl, giving her a thumbs up, before turning to face the riders exuding confidence. "Hey there!" she calls over to them, waving. "What's the hurry?" And if the answer is not to her liking, well, those men are not the only ones who are ready, and her summoning spell would do a lot more harm to them than a few arrows to her, even should those find their marks.
[21:58] <Kotono> No reply! The nasty men are readying their bows and advancing! One does take the time to bark back, "Surrender or die!"
[22:03] <Kotono> The men wear generally mismatching armors and clothes. They don't fly any banner of note that SEira can see.
01[22:03] <Seira> "Hey, that's a good one!" Seira agrees, raising her hand to the skies, palm up, as midnight-black tentacles rise out of the very ground the riders are passing, ensnaring the helpless archers and the speaker. "How about mine? Surrender or be violated!"
01[22:03] <Seira> OOC: 20ft radius, let's grapple~
[22:07] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, we'll say you get five of them with it. Roll grapples.
01[22:07] <Seira> OOC: Cool. I'm favoring the archers
01[22:07] <Seira> roll 5#1d20+21
06[22:07] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 5#1d20+21 and gets 129." [5#1d20+21 = 22, 24, 26, 29, 28]
[22:10] <Kotono> roll 5#1d20+6
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5#1d20+6 and gets 89." [5#1d20+6 = 20, 20, 11, 17, 21]
01[22:10] <Seira> roll 5#1d20+21
06[22:10] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 5#1d20+21 and gets 164." [5#1d20+21 = 34, 37, 37, 22, 34]
[22:11] <Kotono> roll 5#1d20+9
06[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5#1d20+9 and gets 98." [5#1d20+9 = 11, 20, 16, 22, 29]
[22:11] <Kotono> The five riders find themselves pinned down, horses and all, utterly held by the black tentacles! With a scream, the other five riders promptly wheel and retreat! "It' sa fucking mage! RETREAAAAT!"
01[22:13] <Seira> "Hey, no fair running away!" Seira calls after them angrily. She gestures at the nearest escapee. "Let's shoot him and get the rest to surrender!"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Why? They're running away...no need to hurt one now," Amaryl says.
01[22:18] <Seira> Giving chase, Seira cuts off their escapse, conjuring up a wall of shifting darkness ahead of the riders remaining free, its very appearance inspiring fear within the mind of the common man! "Surrender at once, or the next attack is a lethal one!" she demands forcefully. "Immolation is a bad way to go!"
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 will saves
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 will saves and gets 15." [1d20=12]
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 will saves
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 will saves
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 will saves
[22:23] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3 will saves
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 will saves and gets 8." [1d20=5]
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 will saves and gets 14." [1d20=11]
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 will saves and gets 5." [1d20=2]
06[22:23] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 will saves and gets 18." [1d20=15]
[22:24] <Kotono> The other five horseriders stop cold at the wall of gloom! One of them screams in utter terror, while another turns back! "S-spare us!"
01[22:26] <Seira> "Throw your weapons away, dismount, lie on the ground!" Seira commands, intending on dismissing the spell holding the archers captive once the others have complied with her orders. "Follow my orders, and earn your lives back."
[22:27] <Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check? +6 circumstancial bonus.
01[22:27] <Seira> roll 1d20+32
06[22:27] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+32 and gets 43." [1d20=11]
03[22:27] * Sierra_DEAD is now known as Cidward
[22:28] <Kotono> This happens with remarkable speed! Weapons are thrown down, horses abandoned as they lie on the ground, "Don't send our souls to the Abyss," one man blubbers. "Have mercy on us, magus!"
06[22:30] * Seira waves Amaryl over once all ten of the men have surrendered and disarmed themselves. "You," she calls over to the one who demanded their surrender. "When I greeted you, the response I got was surrender or die. Explain what you meant by that to me, if you will. I am looking in truth, not pointless groveling."
[22:32] <Kotono> The man looks up, a week's worth of beard scraping against the ground. "You..." he gulps, "Looked like easy marks alone."
01[22:33] <Seira> "Well, that's clearly wrong," Seira states calmly. "What if we were, though, easy marks as you've suggested? What was to be our fate?"
[22:35] <Kotono> With a gulp, "Well...." He shivers all over, "Unmarked grave."
[22:36] <Kotono> Amaryl hangs back, her bow readied just in case.
01[22:36] <Seira> roll 1d20+7 let's practice sense motive
06[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+7 let's practice sense motive and gets 22." [1d20=15]
[22:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[22:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 19." [1d20=15]
01[22:38] <Seira> "I suppose that makes us lucky," Seira muses. "I've seen worse fates planned by bandits for innocent travelers. Now, then, would you mind enlightening Amy here as to what those of you not caught by my first spell would have done, if allowed to retreat in peace?"
[22:39] <Kotono> Shivering, "W-we'd have shot you full of arrows and taken anything valuable."  Looking to 'Amy', "S-sorry."
06[22:41] * Seira snorts. "I was thinking they would have preyed on other travelers less capable of defending themselves, not learning anything from this encounter," she muses out loud. "Turns out they've learnt even less." Seira glances at Amaryl. "Still, do you understand why I thought it was important to stop them in the here and now?"
[22:44] <Kotono> "I do," Amaryl nods very slowly, "What are we going to do with them, then?"
01[22:47] <Seira> "We're going to get this tree, right? Well, I figure our new friends would be happy to carry it back. Maybe we could even get several. As bandits go, they are actually rather nice, what with not intending to rape us to death." Seira begins the process of tying up her prisoners's arms behind their backs, as well as binding their ankles securely.
01[22:47] <Seira> "We'll sadly have to frogmarch them to our destination, but I don't think they would complain since it's legal to just execute them on the spot for what they tried to pull." This may well be false for Malmuth, but Seira doubts any of the dimwitted bandits is a barrister.
03[22:48] * Cidward is now known as Sierra_Blugh
[22:50] <Kotono> "No objection," Amaryl smiles a bit, "They can make our trip back a lot less bothersome. Do we have enough food to feed them, though?"
01[22:51] <Seira> "They had to have enough for a day or two, unless--" Seira pauses, and looks down at the talkative bandit once more. "Are there more of you? Or do you have... what do you call it, a secret lair?"
[22:51] <Kotono> With a slight sigh, "We have a lair with plenty of food."
01[22:53] <Seira> "Neat! Is it far? We're already taking a detour, we could do this. Oh, and Amy, darling, think you could get their horses to come along? No sense in just abandoning them in the middle of nowhere like that."

[Corwin]

[18:53] <Kotono> > "No objection," Amaryl smiles a bit, "They can make our trip back a lot less bothersome. Do we have enough food to feed them, though?"
[18:53] <Kotono> <Seira> "They had to have enough for a day or two, unless--" Seira pauses, and looks down at the talkative bandit once more. "Are there more of you? Or do you have... what do you call it, a secret lair?"
[18:53] <Kotono> > With a slight sigh, "We have a lair with plenty of food."
[18:53] <Kotono> <Seira> "Neat! Is it far? We're already taking a detour, we could do this. Oh, and Amy, darling, think you could get their horses to come along? No sense in just abandoning them in the middle of nowhere like that."
03[18:57] * taihover is now known as Demedais
[18:57] <Kotono> "Okay," Amaryl - Amy rounds up the horses in the meantime. Once that's done, bringing them over, "To that lair then? That's so exciting, it's like a storybook when the heroes defeat the horrible unwashed human bandits!"
06[19:01] * Seira laughs. "Isn't it? Yes, the lair it is!" The horrible, unwashed bandits will get tied on to another, which should make their escape even less likely.
[19:02] <Kotono> OOC: So you're gonna bind 'em all up and have them lead you back to their lair?
01[19:02] <Seira> OOC: Yep
[19:03] <Kotono> OOC: Make a use rope check?
01[19:03] <Seira> OOC: They're already tied individually, and sure
03[19:05] * Kobot (~dunefar@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[19:06] * Kotono sets mode: +v Kobot
[19:06] <Kotono> OOC: "You can take the ten or roll, whichever floats your boat now.
01[19:06] <Seira> OOC: 10's fine
[19:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[19:08] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=14 ]{16}
[19:08] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2
[19:08] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+2 --> [ 1d20=6 ]{8}
[19:09] <Kotono> The bandits march along largely without incident. A few struggle on occasion, but not much comes of it. You are lead to a dilapidated farmstead about ten miles away, tucked away in the open plains. To the old farmstead several creaky wooden shacks have been attached.
01[19:11] <Seira> "Any of your friends here?" Seira asks cheerfully.
[19:13] <Kotono> "Two wounded," One of the men answers. "They're in the main farmstead, first floor. One's got a bum leg and can't run, other's probably asleep."
06[19:15] * Seira nods. "Amy, want to watch this crowd while I get those two?"
[19:15] <Kotono> 'Amy' looks to them, "Okay, Se-Sarah." She has her bow at the ready, "Careful in case they turned into a devious trap to catch us."
01[19:16] <Seira> "Sure thing! As my own piece of advice, I offer this! It's okay to shoot bad people. As long as it's not in the head, I could patch them up later."
[19:17] <Kotono> "Or in the heart?" Keeping her gaze on them and swallowing, "Okay, Sarah. Got it."
01[19:17] <Seira> "Aim for the groin, then?" Seira offers with an amused snort, heading inside.
[19:21] <Kotono> "Aaaah!" A few of the bound men whimper aloud as Seira heads in! The old front room of the house is a wreck now, broken furniture and an intact but filthy couch noted. On the couch lies a man with bandages all over his elevated left leg. Lying against a dirty wooden wall is another bandit, this one with bandages wrapped around his head. He snores softly.
06[19:25] * Seira draws her silvered backup weapon, and taps the slumbering bandit on the head with the hilt lightly. "Hello!" she announces to the two. "I'm here to dispense justice! Please don't resist and bleed all over my nice boots!"
[19:25] <Kotono> "Ugh...fuck," the couch bound one grunts, unmoving. "Caught and I can't even fucking run or defend myself." The snoring ones tirs, blinking and rubbing his eyes. "The hell?"
01[19:27] <Seira> "Hello, Mister Unwashed Bandit," Seira greets him. "We've caught all your little friends, and now we've decided to collect the set! Please don't resist," she repeats. "It would end in tears."
[19:27] <Kotono> He gropes around, finding nothing useful like a weapon. Looking up at Seira's silvered sword, he sighs. "SHIT! Don't stab me, you got us."
01[19:28] <Seira> "Smart bandits, my favorite kind!" Seira pauses briefly, and peers down at him. "Well, actually, wealthy bandits are my favorite kind, but don't tell Amy. Is there a remote chance you bandits are wealthy, what with your ill-gotten gains and such?"
[19:33] <Kotono> Even as his eyes clear, "Will it do anything for me if I tell you where the loot is," the sleepy one asks quickly.
01[19:35] <Seira> "Sure," Seira agrees. "Your fate will be better than that of the others, if I have any say in it." She shrugs. "I'd wager I have plenty of say in it."
[19:36] <Kotono> "Second floor, master bedroom. Panels under the bed are fake." he says quickly, "That's where the good stuff is."
01[19:38] <Seira> "Nice!" Her mood even better than it had been, Seira uses this chance to tie the remaining two bandits up before ensuring they really don't have anything useful as a weapon nearby, and searching the house.
01[19:38] <Seira> roll 1d20+19 search traps on the master bedroom
[19:38] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+19 search traps on the master bedroom --> [ 1d20=14 ]{33}
01[19:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+19 search said bedroom
[19:39] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+19 search said bedroom --> [ 1d20=16 ]{35}
[19:40] <Kotono> They don't, really. Searching the bedroom, you find it's not trapped. Under a few false panels is a few bags of gold coins, small gemstones, and bits of jewelry. It's highly mismatched and assorted.
06[19:43] * Seira returns to Amaryl, pretty pleased with her findings. "So I'm thinking," she says, "that we'll get our friends to carry their wounded buddies along, get our tree -- or trees -- and head back. Unless you want to see what a bandit's hideout looks like? Excellent chance for that, if so!"
[19:51] <Kotono> "I'll pass. The smell's nasueating from here." Waving a hand in front of her face, "Why don't bandits bathe more regularly?"
01[19:54] <Seira> "It's an image thing. Hard to present yourself as menacing if your nails are perfectely tended to, and if you bath in scented water," Seira responds with a shrug. "Anyway, let's get going once these guys have grabbed the other two."
01[19:58] <Seira> roll 1d20+9 sure
[19:58] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+9 sure --> [ 1d20=5 ]{14}
[20:11] <Kotono> "They haven't dealt in politics then," Amaryl cracks a hesitant smile, as the bandits have themselves in order. With that, the party continues towards the mountains! OOC: Skip along?
01[20:12] <Seira> OOC: Sure!
[20:16] <Kotono> With these many trailers, travel slows down a bit. Still, days pass and you come closer to your destination. But one early morning, just after an hour's travel, youc ome to the edge of the mountains. The plains become rocky, the Galkass Mountains starting to infringe on the horizon.
01[20:19] <Seira> "Change of scenery!" Seira cheers, before asking Amaryl in a more quiet voice, "You're wearing the amulet, right?"
[20:24] <Kotono> "Yes," Amaryl whispers right back, "I've been wearing it"
01[20:25] <Seira> "Underestimating swarms of the nasty lizards that live here is always a bad idea," Seira tells her. "Alright. Might as well proceed. We're pretty close, I think."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Are we going to go alone and leave them? Our band of men isn't so merry, surely." A look back to them can show that the bandits are holding upw ell enough, though they certainly don't look happy. Oh now.
01[20:29] <Seira> "We'll take them along," Seira decides. "Just keep an eye on them. We're taking them back to the authorities once we return, so I don't want to risk any of the bandits running away."
[20:29] <Kotono> "Okay," Amaryl checks over her bow again, "We're supposed to find a stream with a mossy boulder in it now, I think?"
01[20:31] <Seira> "Think so," Seira agrees. "Then, a cave which we'll need to pass through. Worst case, I'll just fly around to scout."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Right." Thus, the two continue on! Finding said stream isn't too hard, then traveling northwest isn't killer, either. The mountain starts to rise, a small path leading up to a cave. It's a fairly small cave entrance, but goes farhter on than Seira cna see - it may be small, but it's deep.
06[20:39] * Seira can see in the dark! "I'll go first," she offers. "Want to round up the bandits and follow them in?"
[20:48] <Kotono> Amaryl does just that as Seira heads in! The cave is dark and fairly narrow. Only about ten feet across, staying roughly that way for 200 feet. Here the passage widens out a bit and twists to a slightly more westerly course.  OOC - Make a spot check, Seira?
01[20:48] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[20:48] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=9 ]{18}
01[20:51] <Seira> roll 1d10+10 FL
[20:51] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d10+10 FL --> [ 1d10=6 ]{16}
01[20:52] <Seira> One Seira becomes several, before all of her double's hands ignite!
01[20:52] <Seira> roll 1d4+4
[20:52] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d4+4 --> [ 1d4=2 ]{6}
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Burning hands? What are you firing at, some of the lizards you glimpsed?
01[20:55] <Seira> OOC: Yes, was just waiting to see if it's my go
01[20:57] <Seira> The cone of fire would be a pathetic one compared to what Seira could truly command, but it should be enough to sear a few of the closer lizards and get the rest of them to back off while she, Amaryl and their prisoners cross the tunnel.
[22:24] <Kotono> OOC: Rolld amage and goa head and resolve it.
01[22:25] <Seira> roll 5d4 FIRE
[22:25] <Kobot> Seira rolled 5d4 FIRE --> [ 5d4=12 ]{12}
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:25] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:26] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{7}
[22:26] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5
[22:26] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=2 ]{7}
[22:26] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+5 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{9}
[22:27] <Kotono> The fire hisses out into the tunnels as the lizards retreat! Three of them are badly burnt as they scurry away down them and out of sight! OOC - Go ahead and act for now.
01[22:28] <Seira> "Shoot a lizard if you see one," Seira calls back to Amaryl, proceeding at a quickened pace through the dark cave, her own eyes on the small tunnels to the sides.
[22:30] <Kotono> Amaryl does likewise! But the lizards seem to have given up the ghost! The party proceeds through a long passage about 600 feet long, sunlight at the end of it! Outside of it is a small valley, several tall, massive trees growing here. A few deer lie amid them, rabbits and birds about as well. There's a thin layer of grass, despite the relatively rocky ground.
06[22:32] * Seira eyes the trees, estimating how many she can get away with making the bandits carry in addition to already hauling their two wounded comrades along.
[22:33] <Kotono> A fair bit of it, certainly. The trees are rather big, though, so it's likely everyone would need to carry some unless you use alternate means. The prisoners look at the trees and the area, while Amaryl steps forward. "What huge trees! Beautiful."
01[22:35] <Seira> "It's a nice place," Seira agrees. "Would be a shame to take more than a couple."
[22:37] <Kotono> "He wanted just one, didn't he," Amaryl says, "It'll be a fair bit of work to cut it down and put it into pieces to carry."
01[22:39] <Seira> "Yeah, but it's a bit dangerous for a carpenter to travel through bandit and shocker lizard-infested land, so I figured I'd toss in a bit of service. Doesn't really cost us anything, does it?" She smiles. "And you could spend a bit more time here. One of the perks of adventuring!"
03[22:40] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[22:40] <Kotono> "That's true," With a pleasant smile, "Let's get to work then?"
01[22:44] <Seira> "I'll just let a few of our friends do the work," Seira muses. "It might not be very pleasant for them, still being tied at the ankles and all that, but that's certainly better than the alternative. I could watch them on my own, so if you want to look around, go ahead. Or you could just sit in the shade next to me. Whatever you prefer."
[22:45] <Kotono> "Let's sit. My feet are killing me," With a slight grimace, "All this walking is still giving me blisters."
01[22:49] <Seira> "We could ride on our way back? Going slowly enough to not push the bandits past their limits, it might even be pleasant," Seira offers, going to untie two of the bandits from the rest. "See that tree?" she asks them, pointing in the direction of the nearest one.
01[22:49] <Seira> "I need it cut down. But I don't need it so much I would hesitate setting it ablaze along with you two and the rest of your friends if you decide to get smart. Well, get stupid, really. Angering mages? Bad idea."
[22:49] <Kotono> OOC: MAke another intimidation check? +5 bonus since these poor saps have been worked over and scared by the scary mage.
01[22:50] <Seira> roll 1d20+29
[22:50] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+29 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{37}
[22:52] <Kotono> The bandits gulp and sweat, quickly getting to work! As Amaryl and Seira settle into watch, the held men doing a frantic job of chopping down the tree, "This isn't quite what I expected. I mean, I thought bandits and magical beasts would be more dangerous."
06[22:54] * Seira repeats the same instructions with another pair of bandits, and a second tree away from the first, before rejoining Amaryl. "Well, they are, but I'll admit that being alert makes a lot of difference. So is being with a really great mage! And I'm sure nastier critters and people will come across our path soon enough!"
[22:55] <Kotono> "Mmm." Leaning against Seira and yawning, "I'm okay with this for now...let's learn slowly and carefully. Besides, I'm really tired."
06[22:56] * Seira puts her arm around Amaryl. "It's a really nice spot for a rest. Go ahead, if you're tired. I'll watch over you."
[22:59] <Kotono> Amaryl falls asleep quickly. Her breathing is very quiet and regular, a faint little exhale and inhale of breath lost over the sounds of woodchopping. With a TIMBER! the tree goes over, then the bandits get to chopping it up. As they do...OOC: Seira, make a spot check.
01[23:00] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
[23:00] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=8 ]{17}
01[23:03] <Seira> Yawning herself, Seira uses her free hand to gesture at the cave, willing a fireball to explode within. Shocker lizards merely need reinforcement from time to time, that's all.
01[23:03] <Seira> roll 10d6 SP FIRE~
[23:03] <Kobot> Seira rolled 10d6 SP FIRE~ --> [ 10d6=33 ]{33}
[23:04] <Kotono> roll 25#1d20+5 this isn't really relevant
[23:04] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 25#1d20+5 this isn't really relevant --> [ 1d20=13 ]{18}, [ 1d20=7 ]{12}, [ 1d20=10 ]{15}, [ 1d20=12 ]{17}, [ 1d20=11 ]{16}, [ 1d20=6 ]{11}, [ 1d20=1 ]{6}, [ 1d20=12 ]{17}, [ 1d20=16 ]{21}, [ 1d20=5 ]{10}, [ 1d20=10 ]{15}, [ 1d20=15 ]{20}, [ 1d20=1 ]{6}, [ 1d20=11 ]{16}, [ 1d20=17 ]{22}, [ 1d20=6 ]{11}, [ 1d20=8 ]{13}, [ 1d20=12 ]{17}, [ 1d20=20 ]{25}, [ 1d20=13 ]{18}, [ 1d20=7 ]{12}, [ 1d20=6 ]{11}, [ 1d20=2 ]{7}, [ 1d20=9 ]{14},
[23:05] <Kotono> A flash of fire explodes inside of the cave! The scent of burnt lizard wafts out and a bit of black smoke follows! Amaryl doesn't stir, though the bandits stare and gape! The electric sparks seen in the cave seem to fall back again, out of sight.
06[23:06] * Seira presses her index finger to her lips to indicate to the bandits that they should stay silent. Or else, naturally.
[23:10] <Kotono> The bandits shiver and shudder and go back to work! Soon the wood is chopped upa nd put on the horses, the work done! Amaryl is still asleep on Seira's side. Nos ign of more shocker lizards, either.
06[23:13] * Seira leaves the less restricted bandits to tend to the loaded horses, and picks Amaryl quietly, trying not to wake her, gesturing for the bandits to proceed outside. She's certainly had plenty of time to study the area, and they can always visit it alone later on.
[23:17] <Kotono> Amaryl's still out. She's snoozing away very peacefully. Loading up the horses, the bandits and wood are ready to go on Seira's leave.
06[23:18] * Seira indicates for them to proceed. She still has plenty of fire and other options to deal with any lizards, should they show up, and that gets the majority of her attention. At least until they've left through the cave.
[23:19] <Kotono> OOC: Carrying her on foot or on a horse?
01[23:19] <Seira> OOC: On foot for now.
[23:23] <Kotono> Going back into the cave, you find many a charred shocker lizard corpse on the ground. The stench of cooked meat is in the air, fried scales blasted about. No sign of your electric friends at all...
06[23:24] * Seira shrugs lightly. Perhaps they've learnt their lesson for now. All that's left is to get out of the cave to not tempt the little fiends.
[23:25] <Kotono> roll 1d100+9
[23:25] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100+9 --> [ 1d100=93 ]{102}
[23:27] <Kotono> OOC: MAke a listen check?
01[23:28] <Seira> roll 1d20+1
[23:28] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=19 ]{20}
[23:29] <Kotono> Seira and company have traveled about halway down the shocker lizard tunnel infested part of the caverns. 300 feet down, 300 to go.
06[23:31] * Seira gestures for the bandits to pick up speed, watching out for any traces of electricity or movement and ready to teleport away in case of an attack.
[23:32] <Kotono> 200 feet! Still nothing! 150 feet! Nothing! But Seira can hear the sounds in the wall, growing ever louder! It's note ven easy to miss now - a steady, stone scratching, rapid fire sound. The bandits look about, "The damned hell, more of those stupid lizards?"
06[23:34] * Seira scowls, shifting Amaryl slightly to summon an opaque wall of darkness to cover the left wall. Even should the critters come out into the open, that should hopefully cut their numbers down in half.
[23:35] <Kotono> "Mmm...Seira?" Amaryl stirs at that shifting, as a Wall of Gloom appears! "What's going on...are we in the cave again?"
01[23:36] <Seira> "Unfortunately," Seira agrees, proceeding onwards. With the wall's appearance, she can focus more on the right, as well as glance behind her and upwards from time to time. "They're really stupid, and it stings when they swarm you, but we're almost out."
[23:39] <Kotono> 100 feet! The sound from the left wall goes quieter, as the right wall picks up noise! "Can we do that to the other wall?" Amaryl asks.
01[23:42] <Seira> "Not that effectively," Seira responds, though she reaches into her pocket for a copper coin. "I'll toss a globe of darkness at the lizards to disorient them, if I have to."
[23:43] <Kotono> "Right!" 50 feet! At this point, the tunnels start to glow electric blue! You can hear a crackling electric sound from within!
[23:44] <Kotono> *The right side tunnels.
[23:47] <Kotono> The bandits are just about out of the tunnels.
[23:48] <Kotono> *the shocker lizard tunnel part of the caves. Bleh.
06[23:48] * Seira waits for the bandits to fully leave! She can't teleport away before that happens, and when it comes to that, Seira believes in her chances. Not so much that she passes on a chance to imbue Amaryl with draconic might again.
[23:55] <Kotono> OOC: Not moving, just casting?
01[23:55] <Seira> OOC: I can do both!
[23:59] <Kotono> 20 feet away! As Amaryl is filled with Seira's dragon might, the tunnels on the right glow bright blue! The smell of ozone is drifting out of the tunnels!
Session Time: Sun Feb 15 00:00:00 2009
06[00:00] * Seira can travel faster than usual at certain times, and this seems like one such time. Given the alternative is being electrocuted, she picks up speed, intent on putting this tunnel behind her!
[00:01] <Kotono> Seira and Amaryl race out of the tunnel! As they escape, af ew moments later it is filled with lightning! The tunnels burst out with massive bursts of electricity, careening out and turning the corridor behind you into a deathtrap! But you're past it, safe and sound!
01[00:02] <Seira> "Nasty things," Seira remarks, looking back, and then down at Amaryl. "Comfortable?"
[00:04] <Kotono> Amarly looks behind her, "....I...I'm very glad we didn't try and stay behind," she manages.
01[00:06] <Seira> "I could probably avoid it," Seira muses, sending a fireball into the tunnel, specifically towards the wall uncovered by her shadowy spell. "Now you believe me that they're dangerous in swarms, right?"
01[00:06] <Seira> roll 10d6 burn~
[00:06] <Kobot> Seira rolled 10d6 burn~ --> [ 10d6=39 ]{39}
[00:09] <Kotono> A burst of fire hits as the lightning rain ends it's course! Afterwards, the tunnel is dark and quiet again. The walls are burnt, with cooked lizards on the far end where the grove is found.
06[00:10] * Seira shrugs, and makes way towards the bandits. "Well, let's get back, then."
[00:11] <Kotono> roll 1d100
[00:11] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=45 ]{45}
[00:11] <Kotono> roll 1d100-10
[00:11] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100-10 --> [ 1d100=11 ]{1}
[00:11] <Kotono> roll 1d100-10
[00:11] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100-10 --> [ 1d100=51 ]{41}
[00:12] <Kotono> The trip back is about a week but it's completely without incident. Perseph awaits you one afternoon, the bandits following along with you, quietly in line by Seira's mystic force.
06[00:13] * Seira decides to head to Jerek's home. The settled down adventurer should know where to find the local authorities, and might even turn the bandits in himself for her, if she asks really nicely.
[00:18] <Kotono> Jerek's home is still being built. Jerek is there, casting a long eye on the lot of them as they approach. Crossing his arms, "Bandits from the looks of it. Bandits and wood, why now?"
01[00:20] <Seira> "Now's as good a time as any," Seira says. "In any case, you said you were willing to pay five hundred gold for that table?"
[00:22] <Kotono> "
[00:23] <Kotono> "That's right," Jerek eyes the motley lot of bandits, "That was what I wanted to pay that stubborn old mule."
06[00:24] * Seira nods. "If you're still interested, I'll happily accept that fee of five hundred and bring you your table now."

[Corwin]

[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> > Jerek's home is still being built. Jerek is there, casting a long eye on the lot of them as they approach. Crossing his arms, "Bandits from the looks of it. Bandits and wood, why now?"
[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> <Seira> "Now's as good a time as any," Seira says. "In any case, you said you were willing to pay five hundred gold for that table?"
[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> > "
[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> > "That's right," Jerek eyes the motley lot of bandits, "That was what I wanted to pay that stubborn old mule."
[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> * Seira nods. "If you're still interested, I'll happily accept that fee of five hundred and bring you your table now."
[19:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yeah," Going back to his tent and coming back with a bag of heavy coins, "That should do it. We'll talk when you bring the table back."
01[19:24] <Seira> "Sure thing," Seira agrees. "Oh. A few bad people tried to attack us and kill us and bury us in a shallow, unmarked grave. They seem to be bandits. What should I do with them?"
[19:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "There's a garrison outpost in Perseph. Take them to it, they'll deal with the rest," he jerks a thumb back in the direction of town.
01[19:25] <Seira> Then that's where Seira will go!
[19:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The garrison outpost has a few Malmuthian soldiers standing guard outside of it. It's a stone building, sturdy and time weathered, with a sprawling side yard and stables. The soldiers on duty eye the group as they approach, "Troublemakers? Bringing them in for a bounty?" one of them asks, "About a dozen?"
01[19:28] <Seira> "Amy and I would appreciate one," Seira agrees. "Bandits. Chose the wrong people to attack. Won't be making that mistake again any time soon, eh?"
[19:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> A soldier runs off, bringing back several more of his friends. They go to the bandits, cataloguing them and checking them over. "Come back tomorrow for the bounty, once we figure out what these ones have done. Anything special to say about any of them?"
01[19:36] <Seira> "Yes, actually! One of them cooperated." Seira points out the bandit with the bandaged head. "He seems smarter than the rest. Why, he'll probably tell you everything about his buddies if you treat his sentencing better than you do with the others."
[19:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> There's some quiet, deadly looks thrown at the bandaged bandit by the others, while the guards drag them along. "Alright. Thanks...oh yes, and your names?"
[19:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Amaryl, staying quiet and listening for the majority of this, "Sarah and Amy."
06[19:38] * Seira nods at Amaryl's words. "Sarah, here."
[19:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Sarah and Amy. Right." Going off,t he guards and soldiers haul these bandits off into captivity! Once they're gone, "I can be thankful that nothing bad happened," Amaryl says with a hesitant smile. "I don't know if I would have done so well if I'd been alone. Your magic's so strong, Sarah."
01[19:43] <Seira> "My magic, your archery. I'm sure that if they decided to fight despite the odds, those bandits would have realized that every mage's reserves are finite and they just need to outlast them. That's where you would come in to turn the tide back in our favor!"
[19:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Y-yes..." A fierce blush comes to her at that, "L-let's go get the table?"
01[19:48] <Seira> "A table will be gotten," Seira agrees, leading the way!
[19:53] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Getting table for trees goes without incident. On hauling it back to Jerek, his eyes light up. "Ah, you came through. Great, I figured you'd be a person of your word with all the fame you've gotten."
01[19:55] <Seira> "I believe in following though on deals," Seira agrees. "But even beyond that, if I can help and it doesn't take me too far out of my way, why not do it?"
[19:59] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Yeah, c'mon,"W ith a hearty nod at that, "Oen of you quit working and haul this table somewher einside," he bellows, as crafters come to his command. He leads Seira and Amaryl to his tent again, putting his feet up and drinking. Once comfortable, "Better than being a cut-purse who lies and runs. Had to deal with more than a few of those and they usually have sad, lonely ends. Anyway, you wanted information?"
01[20:00] <Seira> "Yes! But first, can I ask a question? Why demons and not angels?"
03[20:01] * Celenu (WinNT@user-514fa75d.l2.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[20:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "On the table? No real reason." As he drinks down, "I wanted something that looked impressive."
01[20:01] <Seira> "Fair enough."
[20:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Amaryl sits gently down on a chair, hands in her lap. "So you know most of Malmuth well?"
06[20:09] * Seira waits on Jerek's answer, curious to learn more.
[20:10] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I know these regions well, yes. I spent long enough travelling them," Drinking deeply, "I know a bit about Balmuria - I was in the area a few times in the rebellion, but I never got too invovled."
03[20:11] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:11] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
01[20:11] <Seira> "It's changed quite a bit since," Seira comments.
[20:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It has. You've turned that backland into a real power. Never would've believed it myself." Drinking down further, "It was that then the desert. Before it all got bad, who cared? It was Malmuth's little backyard."
01[20:23] <Seira> "We have some very talented, very determined people working on making life better for everyone," Seira responds with a smile. "It is my hope that Balmuria, nowadays, is a place where anyone would want to live."
[20:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Must be." Raising his mug to that, "Which means you're gonna go muck around Malmuth and Purinn?"
01[20:26] <Seira> "Please don't misunderstand," Seira insists. "If I'd had any desires whatsoever of ruling Malmuth, I would have given it a try long ago. I'm just hoping the two of us could give Queen Tant the help she can't officially ask for."
[20:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Aye. Hope that works out for you. So anyway, you wanted names and information to aid along on that?"
01[20:32] <Seira> "Pretty much!"
[20:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "So you need to see someone in Malmuth proper that can get you in touch with someone who can get Queen Tant's attention. There's a woman who can help you: Mariweather of Faran. She runs a quiet boarding house in Malmuth called the Silver Apple. She'll help you along."
01[20:44] <Seira> "If I might ask, do you know of her by reputation, or is it a personal acquaintance?"
[20:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I know her. I did a few jobs for her back in the past. She's reliable if you say that Jerek sent you."
01[20:47] <Seira> "That's reassuring," Seira tells him. "What about Purinn? Is there anything you've heard about the trouble rumor suggests is taking place there? If we can't really find anything out, I might be tempted to just seek out Queen Tant through an intermediary first."
[20:55] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Purinn's dealing with being the new Valandia," With his feat up and arms behind his head, "No matter how well you get along with your neighbor, your biggest city close to the border is gonna need fortifications and garrisons, just in case."
01[20:57] <Seira> "A healthy approach," Seira agrees. "But some of the incumbents didn't welcome a change to the status quo?"
[21:00] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "You're not going to please eveyrone all the time." Another shrug there, "Things are upset and people are unhappy, or dealing with what they didn't have before. So essentially yes."
01[21:02] <Seira> Not wishing to decide on her own, Seira glances in Amaryl's direction. "So should we go to Purinn, as was our original plan, or try the capital first?" she asks her. "Both approaches have merit."
[21:05] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I want to see the capital," Amaryl says after bowing her head, "If you don't mind, Seira."
01[21:06] <Seira> "Whatever makes you happy, I'm going along with," Seira says with another smile. "I thought we've established that already. Why would I possibly mind?"
[21:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Well..." Casting her eyes down and coloring brightly, "I didn't want to take you from what you wanted to do here, either..."
01[21:09] <Seira> "I'm sure we'll get our chance," Seira reassures her.
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Then...let's go in the morning and start to travel?" Amarly says, "We hav ea ways to go."
01[21:15] <Seira> "If it's the capital, I can actually take us by teleport," Seira muses, standing up. "But it's sensible to rest in advance. Jerek, it's been nice meeting you!"
[21:24] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Ready to hop along now? GImme a few to do a quick note review on the capital if your'e TPing htere.
01[21:25] <Seira> OOC: Sure. I'll teleport to that same out of the way alley I used for when we went to get Claris.
[21:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The next morning Seira and Amaryl rise. On getting their gear together, "We need to stop by the garrison first for that bounty," she says, "Then we can teleport quietly to Malmuth?"
01[21:39] <Seira> "We can teleport more quietly if we use invisibility," Seira responds. "I'll try to get us over there without issue, anyhow. We'll just need to leave the town normally on the way to Purinn to avoid unnecessary suspicion."
[21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Thus the two go to the garrison! They're taken inside to a man with a sack of coins in front of him. This older soldier is missing a leg, sitting heavily in his chair. "Sarah and Amy? The bandits you got had caused enough trouble to get a bounty. Since you captured the entire band of them, and they're 20 gold a head, that's 240 gold. If you'd sign your names here?" Sliding a sheet of parchment towards Seira, "You'll get your payment."
[21:45] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Seira, "You'll get your payment."
06[21:47] * Seira writes down her assumed name, using much of Elle's handwriting as basis.
[21:49] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Amaryl does the same, writing Amy down. The bag is passed over, "Queen Tant thanks you for your service to the Empire," he says, "Safe travel."
01[21:50] <Seira> "Thanks! Did the smarter one cooperate?"
[21:57] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He is. It won't be settled right away, but he is,
[21:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "He is. It won't be settled right away, but he is." Leaning back, "Be couple of days before it's dealt with."
01[22:00] <Seira> That's all she promised, really. To put in a good word and help with his fate. Considering the matter closed, Seira nods and glances at Amaryl. "Ready to get going, Amy?"
[22:07] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Right," Getting up and walking with Seira out of the garrison, "Lead on them, Sarah?"
01[22:08] <Seira> With a wave back at the soldier, Seira heads out of the garrison, intent on leaving town towards Purinn. Traveling for an hour's time should be enough to make sufficient distance from the town, before she could try to teleport into the capital.
01[22:11] <Seira> First, Seira imbues Amaryl with Heroism in case of a misdirected teleport into a battlefield, which seems to happen more often than one would think. Then, she makes the two of them invisible in quick succession, just to be on the safe side. And then, that alley beckons!
01[22:11] <Seira> roll 1d100
05[22:11] -sebben.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[22:11] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03[22:11] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[22:11] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[22:11] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 15." [1d100=15]
[22:20] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The city is bright with morning. IT is a massive city and massive alle you appear in! Walls six times as tall as Seira loom about her, endless expanses of stone buildings looming! You can see a gate ahead, large enough to pass a dragon through! Malmuthian soldiers and a mass of citizens and travelers pass through it, coming and going along in a large throng.
01[22:22] <Seira> "I'll drop the spell when we have a good chance of stepping outside without being noticed," Seira whispers to Amaryl, studying the crowd outside. It would not do to head into the main street only to get separated by the throng of travelers.
[22:32] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The crowd is pretty busy, but slackens off and has slow parts once in awhile. AS Seira watches, "So much stone...so many humans. The city is as tall and vast as the forest1"
02[22:35] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) Quit (Hatbot)
01[22:35] <Seira> "It's pretty nice," Seira agrees. "A difference kind of nice than the Citadel, but still...." She shakes her head. "Anyway, just remember not to gawk too much at the people. That would probably fare badly for our disguises. Let's just enjoy a tour of the city for no-- I think there's a lull right now, so we could blend in if we hurry!"
[22:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Let's," Amaryl gulps and nods, following SEira's lead! The two go out into the city! OOC - Are you going to do anything in particular or just take in the sights of MAlmuth?
01[22:43] <Seira> Since it's pretty early in the day, Seira is content with just walking around seemingly aimlessly, much like travelers from the country might, but not so much so that she and Amaryl would be picked up by the soldiers for loitering or something equally unsavory. They would surely find a decent tavern to have lunch at, and see how things are.

[Corwin]

[19:06] <Anastasia> <Seira> "It's pretty nice," Seira agrees. "A difference kind of nice than the Citadel, but still...." She shakes her head. "Anyway, just remember not to gawk too much at the people. That would probably fare badly for our disguises. Let's just enjoy a tour of the city for no-- I think there's a lull right now, so we could blend in if we hurry!"
[19:06] <Anastasia> > "Let's," Amaryl gulps and nods, following SEira's lead! The two go out into the city! OOC - Are you going to do anything in particular or just take in the sights of MAlmuth?
[19:06] <Anastasia> <Seira> Since it's pretty early in the day, Seira is content with just walking around seemingly aimlessly, much like travelers from the country might, but not so much so that she and Amaryl would be picked up by the soldiers for loitering or something equally unsavory. They would surely find a decent tavern to have lunch at, and see how things are.
[19:06] <Anastasia> Thus, the two take to wandering the city! Malmuth proper is warm today, not a cloud in the sky or  hint of the coming winter. Malmuth proper is largely composed of stone on stone on stone and in vast  quantities. The scale of the city is massive, yet with all the citizens, it barely seems like  enough. People fill every niche and hole, coming and going in waves and throngs.
[19:06] <Anastasia> Malmuthian soldiers, clad in blue and with armor and weapons well kept, are about. They keep things  moving, spread out and often standing out from the rest of the rabble. As the city folws under their  watchful gazes. The city is sprawling on an oversized scale. A typical street can take up to ten  minutes to walk. Street stalls are rare, everything taking place inside the stone buildings.
[19:06] <Anastasia> The first thing of note you pass is a park. It's well tended and kept, criss-crossed with paths.  Statues stand just off the paths, many of them covered by small domes. They all seem to be of old  Malmuthian rulers. You don't see one for Ferdi offhand.
[19:06] <Anastasia> You then wander into a vast building of stone. The entire interior is made of color glass, from  tables to chairs to wall pieces to windows. People wander it, mostly traveling types or children  with parents. Amaryl spends time staring and smiling at the glass, marveling. The main attraction is  of a glass reproduction of a man being crowned Emperor. Emperor Malmuth the First, according to the  plaque.
[19:06] <Anastasia> Moving on, the two pass through an inter-city gate, a gate dedicated to a long ago triumph. Sarah  and Amy wander into a quiet restaurant. It's here that the two break for lunch, sitting in a tucked  away courtyard and drinking sweet wines as you wait for you foot. Amaryl puts her feet on another  chair, "It's so huge, Sarah. Everything here is sized like the forest."
01[19:10] <Seira> "The people here really love stone," Seira comments, resting her elbows on the table, while her head finds purchase on her arms in turn. "It felt a bit strange at first, but now, I think I'm getting used to it. And having a fire-proof city of this size is a good idea, probably."
[19:16] <Anastasia> "A stone city lasts a lot longer than wood, doesn't it? Well, deadwood, anyway." Closing her eyes as she leans her head back, "I think we saw enough people to man an entire army. It was sobering, I've never so many living beings before. So many, completely countless."
01[19:18] <Seira> "It was a first for me as well, to see so many in one place like that," Seira agrees. "Just maintaining the peace must be a daunting task at times."
[19:22] <Anastasia> "I'm surprised they had the attention to look outside of their borders. Then again..." Thoughtfully drinking down her wine, "Maybe we're lucky that we were able to get an easy out of that war. I'd heard about the hordes of Malmuth, but this...this makes it reality."
06[19:25] * Seira lowers her voice. "The lucky ones are these people," she tells Amaryl. "Because no matter how many people they threw at us, the result would have been the same. We couldn't exactly negotiate when they sought our dissolution at best. In the end... in the end, all of us might have been forced to do terrible things."
[19:28] <Anastasia> "What if they'd broken through Balmuria, though?" Amaryl lowers her voice, "If you couldn't stop Ferdi or...nevermind, that's horrible to think about. No. I won't."
01[19:31] <Seira> "I remember being really angry those days. Frustrated, to be more exact. The situation seemed to be like you described, and all those in leadership positions seemed like zealots or fanatics." Seira sighs. "And at my back were the civilians I was sworn to protect. I don't think I would have remained in my post past the war, but until it was over... I don't know.
01[19:31] <Seira> I think I would've fought until the moral of the common soldier on the enemy side finally broke."
[19:37] <Anastasia> "Thank everything that is that it never went that far," Amaryl takes Seira's hand into her own. "I can't imagine how many would have died."
01[19:40] <Seira> "We were lucky that the tide turned, that someone like Queen Tant was around to negotiate with," Seira agrees. "But I don't want to rely on luck anymore. I think it's better to become more active, and to make sure conflicts of that scale are prevented before they can even truly start. When we return, I hope to convince Lord Salman of that."
[19:43] <Anastasia> As you talk, Amaryl doesn't reply. A woman comes with your food, fresh deer and salad. It's put down before she saunters off. "I hope you do. Even at best, another war would devastate Valandia and Purinn."
06[19:46] * Seira smiles. "Thanks." She starts with the salad.
[19:47] <Anastasia> It's pretty fresh and good for a salad. "I think I see now why you need to be so strong. If it's not devils or monsters, it's countless soldiers and a catastrophic war."
01[19:48] <Seira> "And I'd like to advance Waukeen's cause in this world and others I travel to, while I'm at it," Seira adds, her smile widening. "My schedule is quite booked."
[19:54] <Anastasia> The meal goes without incident. Thereafter Seira and Amaryl go to hunt up Jerek's friend. You find the Silver Apple partially because it's secludedly obvious, standing out in the shadows. It's down several side streets, a four story building with wooden shutters and painted to have a silvery sheen. This catches the sunlight, making the entire thing earn it's name. A sign of a well painted apple hangs over the door, which is sunken into the g
[19:54] <Anastasia> well painted apple hangs over the door, which is sunken into the ground and reached by a few steps.
06[19:55] * Seira heads inside ahead of Amaryl, intending to secure a room for them to stay in, first of all.
[20:00] <Anastasia> Inside you find that a women in a silk dress waits just inside. "Good afternoon. You two are here early," she raises an eyebrow. "What can I do for the two of you?" The insides of this room are lush, silks and softness everywhere. A fire burns in af ireplace, incense and vanilla filling your noses. "
01[20:01] <Seira> "Early?" Seira asks curiously. "Why do you figure that?"
03[20:01] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af26aea.tcl122.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:01] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:02] <Anastasia> The woman has blonde hair with af ew streaks of gray in it, tied back into a bun. Her nails are perfectly manicured. "We don't get most of our clients until the evening hours. You don't look like our normal clients...more like...adventurers. You look and smell like it, too."
03[20:04] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[20:04] <Seira> "Hey, we took a bath last night," Seira grumbles. "That smell remark really makes me sad."
[20:05] <Anastasia> Amaryl colors really brightly red  at that.
[20:05] <Anastasia> "Apologies. Now then, what are you here for," she continues.
01[20:08] <Seira> "First, a room," Seira announces, nodding at the apology. If only they weren't here on business, she'd tease Amaryl a bit, but it would really be counter-productive if this woman is Mariweather. "Let's make it two days, and see how it goes from there?"
[20:10] <Anastasia> With raising an eyebrow, "Well. Isn't that fascinating," With a droll smile as she nods, "20 gold for two days. Do you have any preferences about your service?"
01[20:12] <Seira> "Only an aversion to the cryptic and the vague," Seira responds, smiling back at her. "Wouldn't we first need to know about the available services before we could choose?"
[20:13] <Anastasia> With her own smile growing, "You don't know, do you? This is a pleasure house, girl. If you're merely looking for an inn room, you'd best come to another place."
[20:13] <Anastasia> Amaryl colors crimson, "Pleasure house. You mean...?!" A sputter follows this, "Seira, I thought this was just a boarding house!"
06[20:14] * Seira laughs. "It makes much more sense, now! Would you happen to be Mariweather?"
[20:14] <Anastasia> "The very same." She agrees to this, "I presume you have some manner of business for me?"
01[20:16] <Seira> "Oh yes," Seira agrees. "Jerek said that if we stopped by, you might be able to help us. He also said this was a boarding house. I bet he is laughing his ass off right now, that bastard."
[20:18] <Anastasia> "Oh yes. I thought it was something like that. I was going to have to charge you extra if it wasn't." Smiling smoothly now, "Come, sit down. Aribetha, come in here and bring us some refreshments." Raising her voice to call, "What did Jerek send you here for?"
[20:18] <Anastasia> Amaryl tries to speak a few times, but only blurbles of uncomposed words leak out.
06[20:19] * Seira loops her hand through Amaryl's, pulling her over to find a spot to sit down together. "Do you aprpeciate people who are direct? And sometimes blunt, but not really offensive in their own right?"
[20:21] <Anastasia> "There are times and places fo rit. In this sort of business, it's an asset. In my primary business, it's a liability." A pretty young teenage woman in a silken dress comes out, "Mother, guests," she comes, a tray of dainty, sweet finger foods and crystal clear purple wine presented.
[20:22] <Anastasia> "So since I presume this is my secondary business, be blunt, by all means. I don't expect subtlety from someone old Jerek sent anyway." Resting her hands into her lap now, a big gold and ruby ring standing out on her finger, "How is he doing? I heard he was going towards Purinn again last I saw him."
06[20:22] * Seira waves at Aribetha, smiling once more. "I suppose I could dance around this for a while. Diplomacy is not beyond me," she responds. "Jerek actually settled down in Perseph. Built a house there and everything."
[20:24] <Anastasia> "Hahahahah. I knew he was getting old, but I thought he was too stubborn to settle down." Taking a little sponge cake and nibbling on it, "Now then...Seira, was it? That's a fascinating name."
01[20:27] <Seira> "Isn't it? It's really a large part of the reason I think being straight and to the point would suit us both best, but the choice is, as always, the host's." Seira takes a similar cake, abstaining from the wine for now.
01[20:27] <Seira> "I wouldn't presume to deny you the pleasure of conversation about old friends, and I have quite a few travel stories to share. If you would prefer that option, then I must inform you that you heard it wrong. It's Sarah, which sounds a lot alike, I must admit, and surely was the reason for the confusion."
[20:28] <Anastasia> "OF course it was. My apologies, my ears aren't what they used to be. Age is something no one can outrun, sad as it is. So tell me about Jerek then." As Amaryl continues to not do much besides glow a merry red, your hostess focuses her gaze on SEira.
01[20:35] <Seira> "I wouldn't blame it on age," Seira responds, sounding reasonably honest. "Both you and your sister are still very young and beautiful. Jerek, then, was it? He's quite the amusing person. With all his wealth, he had decided to commission furniture suiting his new home, but refused to pay the full price once it was done.
01[20:35] <Seira> So he haggled and haggled for weeks over several hundred which must surely be small change for him. Not to mention that the table alone should be worth about as much as the house he built. It was very strange."
[20:37] <Anastasia> "Jerek is stubborn as the rocks are old. When his mind wraps on something he's unyielding as a dwarf. You did some service relating to him for it? Jerek so loved saving himself busy work when he could help it. Favors for favors."
01[20:39] <Seira> "It was a fun way to pass the time, and we discovered a very pretty, out of the way grove together in the process," Seira says, nudging Amaryl lightly. "We really should visit it again, don't you think?"
[20:40] <Anastasia> "Y-yes..." Amaryl gulps, grabbing a little glass of wine and swallowing most of it down.
01[20:42] <Seira> "That must have been quite the shock," Seira says, shaking her head. "Your family will hate me even more for this, won't they?"
[20:43] <Anastasia> "Marvelous fun. I remember Jerek's stories when hw as drunk. The ones that weren't all meaningless bloodshed were amazing." Nibbling again on a cake, your hostess doesn't press it.
[20:43] <Anastasia> "I-I'm not going to tell anyone that you took me to a pleasure house!" she yelpw, "I mean, it's a misunderstanding and it sounds so degenerately horrible and scandalous1"
06[20:44] * Seira laughs, disguising it as a cough as she turns away.
[20:44] <Anastasia> "Degenerate, Scandalous? This is a pleasure house, not a cheap whorehouse. There is quality, restraint and refinement here, young lady."
[20:44] <Anastasia> "Aah..." Another few sputters from Amaryl, "Sa-sarah, c-can't we just talk about what we came here for," she says, looking into her eyes. "PLEASE."
06[20:46] * Seira is still amused, but she's hardly cruel. She gives Amaryl a light nod, and then directs her attention back to Mariweather. "Jerek, drinking heavily? You'll be pleased to hear that it's one habit he hadn't parted with, then, since it does lead to quite a few amusing stories."
06[20:46] * Seira sighs theatrically. "I wish I could go into them, but perhaps another time. I can't really refuse a plea like that, can I?"
[20:48] <Anastasia> "That would be inhospitable of you. So tell me, what is your business here," Leaning forward now, "Looking for work?"
06[20:49] * Seira covers Amaryl's mouth in advance.
01[20:49] <Seira> "Tempting, but no. In fact, we would like to pay our respects to Queen Tant."
[20:54] <Anastasia> "Really now?" With a slight smile on her face, "Jerek sent you to me to guide you along, I presume?"
01[20:57] <Seira> "One would think so," Seira agrees. "I will be frank and admit that I don't know whether you have that much clout, or if you could merely point us in the right direction. Instead, I will add to my original request that I am very determined, and since I'm just seeking a brief off-the-record audience I believe my goal is within reason."
[20:58] <Anastasia> "I can arrainge that, given adequate time and compensation. Doing so requires certain wheels to be greased and favors to be called in."
01[21:01] <Seira> Thinking it safe by now, Seira removes her hand from Amaryl's mouth, brushing her fingertips against the elf's lips briefly before letting it settle on her shoulder. "With compensation, you would be seeking out something similar to Jerek? A favor in return?"
[21:03] <Anastasia> "Money or a favor, it depends on if I need a favor done. Hm..." Very thoughtfully looking the two over, "Are you two..." she twists two fingers around each other.
01[21:05] <Seira> "I suppose money is also an option," Seira agrees, choosing to answer that part of the question as she stalls, observing Amaryl. As red as she is, could she get away with pushing her a bit more?
[21:06] <Anastasia> Amaryl blushes even hotter at this, trying to speak and generally not succeeding at all.
[21:06] <Anastasia> "Money is an option. If it isn't, that means you aren't offering enough," With a narrow smile at that, "I was thinking...for this great service, 500 gold is sufficient."
01[21:07] <Seira> "I could cover it, if the favor you'll ask doesn't catch my fancy," Seira assures Mariweather. "This only leaves time, doesn't it?"
[21:10] <Anastasia> "Time is everything, isn' tit? You can never buy any more." Looking to Seira now, "As for the favor?"
01[21:11] <Seira> "Just so we're on the same page, is my request clear?" Seira asks in an attempt to clarify things. "We would like to meet with the Queen of Malmuth unofficially, but the entire point is that Queen Tant herself knows who is asking for this audience."
[21:13] <Anastasia> "I'll make sure it's understood crystal clear." A short nod to that.
01[21:13] <Seira> A matching nod is the response. "Then, the favor in question?"
[21:20] <Anastasia> "I need you to find someone. His name is G'lem. It's short for Gallem, Gallem Thurua. He got drunk and hurt one of my girls a few weeks ago and seems to have made a getaway. You understand that I can't allow that to happen to them and let him get away with it."
06[21:22] * Seira considers the request. "I will question him to get his side of the story. That said, however... would you like this man delivered to the garrison?"
[21:23] <Anastasia> "To me. Don't worry, I'm not going to kill him. I just want to pass him over to a particular official. It's cleaner that way."
03[21:24] * Demedais is now known as tai-study
01[21:26] <Seira> "I'll need a description and some background information, but that can probably wait for tomorrow," Seira tells Mariweather. "We were planning on spending the day on sight-seeing, since it's our first time in the capital. Speaking of that, do you think you could point us towards a few tourist spots?"
[21:31] <Anastasia> "Go to the Silver-Arch Masoleum. An old nobleman had his entire fortune spent on a resting place. It's breattaking to wander through. Oh yes, and one other matter. My business relies on a certain...discretion. I trust you understand that?"
01[21:32] <Seira> "Naturally," Seira agrees, standing up and offering her hand to Amaryl. "Thank you for your hospitality today."
[21:33] <Anastasia> Amaryl manages to rise, blush finally starting to retreat. "You're welcome. Enjoy Malmuth."
06[21:33] * Seira smiles. "We will."
[21:40] <Anastasia> Thus the two exit out! Amaryl is still tongued tied and faintly blushing when you come back outside into the sunshine.
06[21:42] * Seira finds the directions for the mausoleum while Amaryl regains her composure. Only once they're on their way does she ask, "Amaryl, would it have embarrassed you if I answered back there?"
02[21:44] * tai-study (~ferixstad@141.218.228.208) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:44] <Anastasia> Gulping down air, "I -I don't know. I was so embarrassed anyway. I can't believe he didn't tell us it was that sort of place! What was she thinking about us at first?!"
03[21:44] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@141.218.228.208) has joined #dunes
01[21:47] <Seira> "To be honest? Probably the same thing she was thinking about us as we left," Seira responds with a snort. "If it helps, the only time she was looking down on us was where she entertained the possibility that we just went there accidentally, instead of being set up. I doubt she seriously believed we were there for the services, or she wouldn't be smiling so much at the start."
[21:48] <Anastasia> "I hope so...just..." Sighing, "I'm so embarrassed, and shouldn't I have been composed instead?"
01[21:51] <Seira> "I think it's alright to be embarrassed in that situation," Seira tries to reassure her. "I'm just weird and nonconformist that way."
[21:55] <Anastasia> "Thanks.." Amaryl looks ahead, down the sunnys treet, "What was that tomb she mentioned gonig to visit?"
01[21:56] <Seira> "The Silver-Arch Mausoleum. Some nobles go for extravagant tombs to leave behind... a legacy, I suppose. It's worth a visit, even if we end up finding the thing in bad taste."
03[22:01] * Taishyr is now known as tai-test
[22:03] <Anastasia> OOC: Skip along to it?
01[22:03] <Seira> OOC: Okay
[22:10] <Anastasia> The Silver-Arch Mausoleum is massive! The silver arch that is the entrance towers over the buildings of it's area, as tall as any mage's tower. Beneath it is a pristine green lawn, a wide door big enough to fit thirty abreast leading into it.
06[22:11] * Seira raises an eyebrow. "I wonder if this noble was also a mage," she comments to Amaryl, her eyes trailing the arch.
[22:12] <Anastasia> The arch is made of what look sto be maintained, polished silver. "Oh wow..." Amaryl gasps, "He must have been to create that!"
01[22:12] <Seira> "Or hired one."
[22:14] <Anastasia> Starting to walk ahead, "This is just the outside, too. What's the insides of the tomb like?"
06[22:15] * Seira certainly hopes it's not a mummified corpse on grisly display, tagging along.
[22:20] <Anastasia> Walking into the inside, you find that the floors are expensive, polished white marble. The walls are veined with silver. It's massive here, stone pillars supporting the ceiling.  Fountains flow and statues of one man dominate. Dozens of them about, many cast i pure silver. People wander about, looking and gawking.
06[22:22] * Seira idly wonders how they keep the more unsavory types from stealing all the silver. "The fountains and the marble really contribute to the atmosphere," she chooses to say, finding the mausoleum a pleasant place.
[22:25] <Anastasia> There are soldiers about on watch here and there, casting a careful gaze over all of it. Amaryl slows down to admire a fountain, as Seira can see ahead. Stairs lead downward, stairs of marble as people climb up and down them. "The stonework is so nice. Is it dwarven? I think it might be."
01[22:32] <Seira> "I'd bet money on it," Seira affirms, before subtly pointing out a small group climbing up the stairs. "Let's follow them and see where it takes us?"
[22:35] <Anastasia> "Sure," Amaryl and Seira go up! The stairs are long and easy to climb, coming out in a grand room. Here a coffin sits in the far back, mounted on a pair of twin statues of angels. Everything here is gold, the walls written with a vast story on them. It looks to be a book's worth in this gigantic hall, starting on one end fo the wall and ending dead opposite it.  A few people are reading it, slowly walking along as they do.
06[22:36] * Seira chooses reading a story written in gold over glancing in a coffin!
[22:37] <Anastasia> *Silver, nto gold, oops. Had the wrong channel in mind for theme.
[22:41] <Anastasia> It's the story of a nobleman's life, told in rosy and complimenting tones. It tells of his battles, his riches, his loves and so on. Not a flaw to be seen in it, either.
01[22:43] <Seira> "Perfection lacks a certain... flavor, don't you think?" Seira asks Amaryl. "It's like salt. It can hurt like hell if it gets in a wound, and too much of it would ruin your entire meal. But without it, you just don't feel satisfied." Seira frowns ever-so-slightly. "I think this story lacks in salt."
[22:46] <Anastasia> "It's artificial...the writing glazes over any flaws. Still, it's impressive." It's taken some time to read it, slowly pacing the chamber. "The scale and overindulgence of it is enthralling."
01[22:47] <Seira> "I think I'd prefer a simple plaque of 'She saved the world a lot'," Seira mentions with a snort.
[22:50] <Anastasia> "Hehehehe. Have you truly saved the world before," Whispering now lower, "I mean from a complete apocalypse?"
06[22:53] * Seira considers. "Well, not single-handedly. But a duke of hell manifesting himself on our world definitely qualifies as an apocalyptic event, doesn't it?"
[22:55] <Anastasia> "Yes it would, I suppose," Amaryl brights again at that, "I think you told me that, now that I think about it."
01[22:58] <Seira> "I tell you most things," Seira affirms. "That time had a really dramatic and timely resolution. Nothing else I've faced so far was really as immediate a threat to the world, but I'm still pretty young. I'm sure it'll happen again."
[23:01] <Anastasia> "I hope not." Amaryl whispers, "One time was dangerous enough."
01[23:02] <Seira> "There would be at least one more time," Seira reminds her, her own voice kept suitably low. "You remember my ultimate obligation, don't you? It would make that failed apocalypse pale by any comparison."
[23:08] <Anastasia> "That bad? How bad do ou think it would be," Amaryl's color drains, "You always say it's so erious."
01[23:11] <Seira> "I could bend the truth a bit, if talking about it makes you uncomfortable," Seira says, shifting awkwardly. "I mean. It's serious, alright. But I wouldn't be pressing on forward if I thought it was hopeless, so I clearly have a chance to bet on. And hey, I take shocker lizards seriously, too!"

[Corwin]

[19:21] <Kotono> <Seira> "I tell you most things," Seira affirms. "That time had a really dramatic and timely resolution. Nothing else I've faced so far was really as immediate a threat to the world, but I'm still pretty young. I'm sure it'll happen again."
[19:21] <Kotono> > "I hope not." Amaryl whispers, "One time was dangerous enough."
[19:21] <Kotono> <Seira> "There would be at least one more time," Seira reminds her, her own voice kept suitably low. "You remember my ultimate obligation, don't you? It would make that failed apocalypse pale by any comparison."
[19:21] <Kotono> > "That bad? How bad do ou think it would be," Amaryl's color drains, "You always say it's so erious."
[19:21] <Kotono> <Seira> "I could bend the truth a bit, if talking about it makes you uncomfortable," Seira says, shifting awkwardly. "I mean. It's serious, alright. But I wouldn't be pressing on forward if I thought it was hopeless, so I clearly have a chance to bet on. And hey, I take shocker lizards seriously, too!"
[19:29] <Kotono> "Heh..." Blushing now, "I heard Scion Celebrimbor cursing them in passing recently. Apparently they have something of a reputation for being bothersome."
01[19:30] <Seira> "They cheat! With... with their hordes, and their twitchy noses, and the lightning!"
[19:36] <Kotono> Giggling at that, "They're quite dangerous then,a ren't they?"
01[19:37] <Seira> "It boggles the mind, but enough of those pests could rival a dragon's breath," Seira mutters.
[19:39] <Kotono> "They live in the Galkass Mountains? Are they any sort of danger to Balmuria and the BAronies?" Keeping her voice low in the tomb, "I mean, we ran into them, didn't we, but they weren't a serious problem then."
01[19:42] <Seira> "Well, we've encountered them elsewhere as well, but that's probably the closest to home," Seira responds, thinking about it. "There was a time in my life where I just wanted to destroy them all, but I'm over that now."
[19:43] <Kotono> "Why do you hate them so much?" Amaryl glances bakc, seeing no one that close to the two of you. "They are just lizards, even electric, aren't they?"
01[19:46] <Seira> "They killed one of my few friends," Seira tells her quietly. "We thought they were just lizards, too."
[19:47] <Kotono> "Oh." Amaryl bows her head, "Sorry."
01[19:51] <Seira> "The smallest, most insignificant-seeming thing could be deadly," Seira says. She nudges Amaryl's shoulder. "So that's why we're not taking any risks while traveling all over, alright?"
[20:00] <Kotono> "I get it. Nothing can be overlooked, since one mistake can do it?" Amaryl looks around, "I don't want to have anyone worry about building something like this for me any time soon"
06[20:03] * Seira won't let Amaryl die. It's as simple as that. "Want to go look at the palace before we'll find us an inn for the night?" Seira asks her, changing the subject.
03[20:04] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5af124c2.wfd104.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:04] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:11] <Kotono> "Okay," Amaryl smiles. OOC - Move along?
01[20:12] <Seira> OOC: Sure
03[20:18] * tai-wenchiestcornerofmysoul is now known as tai-jwrgoiwe
[20:18] <Kotono> There's no luck on going into the palace. No tours are available today, they seem to do them once every couple of days. By the time you find that out and get out, dusk is slinking along and it's time to rest. OOC - Going to go rest or do anything else before you go see Mariwether again
[20:18] <Kotono> There's no luck on going into the palace. No tours are available today, they seem to do them once every couple of days. By the time you find that out and get out, dusk is slinking along and it's time to rest. OOC - Going to go rest or do anything else before you go see Mariwether again?
01[20:19] <Seira> OOC: We'll try meeting her next morning
03[20:22] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[20:22] <Kotono> After another night's rest, you return to the Silver Apple. Sitting down with Mariwether again, "Ah, so how did you like the Masoleum?"
01[20:24] <Seira> "It was very ostentatious," Seira responds. "But well worth the visit! You seem to know some nice dating spots, so we'll probably stop by for more advice again, if that's alright."
[20:25] <Kotono> "Ah, of course." Smiling at this as her hands rest in her lap, "Now then, to business at hand?"
01[20:26] <Seira> "Sure thing."
[20:29] <Kotono> "You need information on Gallem Thurua. Tall man, a little over six feet tall. No distinguishing characteristics. Brown hair, brown eyes. He's like a hundred other people in any given town, it's made finding him bothersome by mundane means."
01[20:30] <Seira> "What about personal connections?" Seira questions. "Family, friends, workplace?"
[20:34] <Kotono> "None in the area. He has some money of his own and is a traveler by all accounts. He was canny enough to get away before he was captured, too." Folding her hands together, "I'm hoping that you'll be able to warm up the cold trail he's left. I do know one thing: He likes the Rising Cockatrice bar."
01[20:38] <Seira> "Since I know nothing about him, the best way would be to try learning as much as possible about this man before attempting a scrying," Seira muses, although a frown develops almost instantly. "However, I am not in the habit of traveling with prohibitively expensive mirrors, access to which I would need to cast that spell."
01[20:38] <Seira> She briefly details the requirements for such a mirror, before asking, "Would it be possible to gain access to one for an hour? That should be enough."
[20:41] <Kotono> "Magic isn't my forte. I can look into finding someone who can perhaps be convinced to loan you one. It'll take a few hours to make the needed contacts."
01[20:44] <Seira> "It would be for the best. Should my scrying attempt succeed, I could either retrieve him in a flash, which would be... flashy, pun unintended, or have the means of tracking this Gallem down without anyone being the wiser," Seira informs her.
01[20:44] <Seira> "It's hardly my only option, however, merely the fastest one. We could also check out that bar while you see about the mirror, instead of committing to a single course of action just yet."
[20:45] <Kotono> "That's agreeable to me," she says, rising then. "Come back here after lunch."
06[20:48] * Seira nods, standing up herself. "You seem to be getting used to it," she whispers to Amaryl on the way out. "Since you're overcome this hurdle, want to try going to a seedy bar with me next? I bet the Rising Cockatrice is one!"
[20:52] <Kotono> "Seedy bar?" As her blushes return in full force, "It must be seedy to be open this early in the day, but..."
01[20:54] <Seira> "I won't force you if you don't want to go. You know that, right?"
[20:56] <Kotono> Coloring even more, "I don't want to hold you back, either," she whispers back. "I...I...what do you think I should do, Sarah?"
01[20:59] <Seira> "I've been hoping you'd come to the same realization I did, but maybe it's a bit mean of me?" Seira muses. "Amy, it's not like there's anything wrong in going to places like that, is there? The stigma is from some of the things that might be going on in such places, but as long as it's not what you're there for, what's the problem?"
06[20:59] * Seira winks. "Weren't you the one who said your family's opinion didn't matter? It's the same thing. As long as you're not doing anything wrong, does it really matter what people might think?"
[21:01] <Kotono> "Well...yes, ?I suppose...that does make sense." Amaryl's words are soft and for Seira only, as your hostess cracks a little smile and scoots back and away. "But there's really nothing wrong with going there?"
01[21:04] <Seira> "You just need to be prepared so no one gets the jump on you or steals from you. Happened to me once." Seira snorts. "Amateurs."
[21:08] <Kotono> "Did you catch them?" Now straightening herself up, "What happened/"
06[21:12] * Seira laughs. "It was in Arad. So they ran, right? I caught them with that spell I used on the bandits. Then I got them to become acolytes to atone for their actions. We could actually visit them later and see how they've been progressing in their training."
01[21:12] <Seira> Looking amused, Seira adds, "I was a bit angry at the time and used all sorts of fire spells to intimidate that pair. The guards heard the witnesses's accounts and were on guard combing the city for a demon. It was pretty funny and we all had a laugh about it after I sorted things out."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Oh. Yes, I suppose magic makes it easy," Amaryl agrees, before nodding, "Okay then, I think I can do it. When you put it all lik ethat..."
01[21:15] <Seira> "Magic also put the entire city on guard, since they already had a curfew at the time, so we'll try to avoid it this time," Seira mutters. "Just keep your eyes open and stay alert? It's the same as hunting, really, from what you've taught me."
[21:15] <Kotono> "On target and focused. I'll do that," Amaryl stands up now, "I won't let anyone slip one past me."
01[21:17] <Seira> With Amaryl onboard, all that's left is getting decent directions and they can proceed to that wretched hive of villanry!
[21:20] <Kotono> The Rising Cockatrice is the third floor of a huge stone building. On enterin ginside, you find the ceiling has several 'cockatrices' hanging from it. The scent of beer and booze fills your nose, only one or two people here right now, as well as a barkeep and barwench.
01[21:23] <Seira> The counter is where Seira leads them, ordering a drink. It never seems right to try and gain information in a bar or tavern without sponsoring the establishment.
[21:24] <Kotono> The coins are taken and a mug is put in front of Sarah and Amy. "New 'round here? You're not regulars, and w eonly get regulars at this hour," the barkeep, an ancient man with a slow limp, presents the drink.
06[21:25] * Seira makes a show of glancing around the bar, in part to make certain no one fitting Gallem's description is present.
[21:25] <Kotono> Nope. One of the barflies is too old, and another is a man without an arm and quite the gut. Neither fits.
[21:26] <Kotono> Amaryl keeps her eyes moving methodically, on each one a few seconds intently.
02[21:26] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af124c2.wfd104.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Ping timeout)
02[21:27] * NeremWorld (~AriD@pool-72-64-83-206.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
01[21:28] <Seira> "We're new, alright," Seira agrees with a pleasant smile. "When does it start to fill up, then?"
03[21:29] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af124c2.wfd104.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[21:29] * NeremWorld (~AriD@pool-72-64-83-206.dllstx.fios.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
03[21:29] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[21:30] <Kotono> "Near dusk, after everyone gets off work or duties," A shrug there, "Like every other bar in the city."
02[21:30] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af124c2.wfd104.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Killed (scifi-classics.dejatoons.net (Nick Collision)))
03[21:31] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af124c2.wfd104.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[21:31] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
01[21:34] <Seira> Figures, really. And it might be for the best that they're starting small; it should be easier on Amaryl to adjust. "Makes sense," Seira agrees, drinking from the mug. "But at least the regulars are around," she comments. "Most of them, anyway."
[21:38] <Kotono> "Not really. This is just the few who aren't at work or don't have anything to do." The barkeep coughs, turning his head away. "WE get a few more during lunch, and then not much until everything ends."
01[21:43] <Seira> "That would make even more sense," Seira comments, before deciding a reasonably straight-forward approach might be sufficient for her task. "I must admit I am particularly interested in a certain mutual regular, and came here in hopes of chancing upon him."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Got a name?" The barkeep asks. "I know most of 'em."
01[21:52] <Seira> "Gallem Thurua," Seira supplies, her smile growing as she continues to speak. "A mutual regular, as I've said. It would make me extremely happy if I could get in touch with him."
[21:53] <Kotono> The barkeep starts to polish the bar. "Good luck. He skipped town. I don't knwo where, sorry."
01[21:54] <Seira> roll 1d20+5 orly?
05[21:54] -atarians.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[21:54] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03[21:54] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[21:54] <Seira> roll 1d20+5
06[21:54] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21." [1d20=16]
[21:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6
06[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 and gets 13." [1d20=7]
01[21:57] <Seira> "That's very unfortunate." Seira's smile drops somewhat, even as she discreetly checks whether anyone is listening in, or in range to overhear them.
[21:59] <Kotono> No one seems to be in range besides the bar wench, who lingers by the bar and yawns. She looks quite bored.
01[22:00] <Seira> "You don't mind if I talk to myself, do you?" Seira asks the barkeep. "I do that sometimes when I drink."
[22:01] <Kotono> The barkeep shrugs. "I don't mind." He leans back and sits down on a stool nearby, rubbing his lower back.
01[22:04] <Seira> "I hear all sorts of things," she says, drinking from the mug again. "Things about Gallem, and how he is a rowdy, violent sort. How he crossed the wrong kind of people." Seira waits for some sort of reaction from the man, but if he doesn't take the bait, she'll just keep on talking to herself.
[22:07] <Kotono> The barkeep keeps his gaze on anything but Seira. He plays with the hem of his shirt and nods a few times withou tlooking.
01[22:07] <Seira> "I hear about how there are two ways that sort of thing can play out. Nicely, where everyone gets along, and where loyalty to the right people would be remembered." She returns her mug to the counter with a bit more strength than necessary, the suddenness of the act designed to startle him more than the dull thump. "Or not so nicely. That would be unfortunate indeed."
[22:08] <Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check? +2.
01[22:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+26
06[22:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+26 and gets 44." [1d20=18]
[22:10] <Kotono> The barkeep's gaze whips to the slammed down mug, his eyes widening as he tears them away to look at Seira! Amaryl jumps at the noise, a soft, "eeep!" coming from her lips.
[22:11] <Kotono> "Oh...well...in that case..." Licking his lips, "I mean that...well...He really did split town. He got in some trouble with a rented girl."
01[22:13] <Seira> "So he did," Seira agrees. "And that trouble will only keep on growing, I'm afraid, and getting all his acquaintences involved in that unfortunate mess. Really, the best for everyone involved is for Gallem to come in... or for someone to find him."
[22:16] <Kotono> "I really don't much. All I know is that he talked about going north. He was pretty rattled." Looking away now, "He wouldn't tell me where, I even asked. Said it would be stupid to tell someone stayind behind."
01[22:18] <Seira> "I suppose so." Seira nods. "Did he leave on his own, then? And is there anything up north he might have? An old girlfriend, a family?"
[22:19] <Kotono> "I don't know. He never talked about himself much." With a cautious look to Seira, "Never had anything but rented girls. Always had money, though."
01[22:20] <Seira> "That's strange, see," Seira muses, tracing a circle on the bar lazily with her index finger. "If you don't know anything, and Gallem just up and left, then why all the worry earlier?"
[22:23] <Kotono> "Had a bad run in with a bounty hunter who thought I was holding out. But look, I'm not holding out anything! I told you everything. Just...go. Don't even worry about anything else here. Just go!"
01[22:26] <Seira> roll 1d20+5
06[22:26] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+5 and gets 21." [1d20=16]
01[22:32] <Seira> "There's no need for that," Seira tells him, her smile appearing once more. "That bounty hunter you mentioned? If he or someone like him ever has a... bad run with you, let's say, look me up. I think you'll know where to go to leave me a message. Like I said, certain things are remembered."
[22:33] <Kotono> Amaryl stands up, "Sorry," she murmurs to him, half bowing. The barkeep just shakes his head, hands shaking as well. "I have an idea."
06[22:34] * Seira finishes her drink, returning it to the bar with a gentle tap, and starts heading outside.
[22:36] <Kotono> "Wow," Amaryl follows Seira out, "You made him shake with fear just like that!"
01[22:37] <Seira> "It's really because he didn't know I wasn't going to follow up on the threat," Seira responds once they are outside and well out of hearing range. "Sorry about not warning you in advance."
[22:38] <Kotono> "Is that how you deal with people like that? Scare them into cooperating?" Amaryl blinks in the watery sunshine, the fall change of weather gradually filtering down.
01[22:40] <Seira> "There are really only three main approaches, here," Seira muses. "Intimidation, bribery, and stealth. Magic could be used to cheat as well, of course. I don't always know just what I'll use until I am in a certain situation. I feel it's best to leave things open to be able to adapt."

[Corwin]

[19:18] <Kotono> <Seira> "There's no need for that," Seira tells him, her smile appearing once more. "That bounty hunter you mentioned? If he or someone like him ever has a... bad run with you, let's say, look me up. I think you'll know where to go to leave me a message. Like I said, certain things are remembered."
[19:18] <Kotono> > Amaryl stands up, "Sorry," she murmurs to him, half bowing. The barkeep just shakes his head, hands shaking as well. "I have an idea."
[19:18] <Kotono> * Seira finishes her drink, returning it to the bar with a gentle tap, and starts heading outside.
[19:18] <Kotono> > "Wow," Amaryl follows Seira out, "You made him shake with fear just like that!"
[19:18] <Kotono> <Seira> "It's really because he didn't know I wasn't going to follow up on the threat," Seira responds once they are outside and well out of hearing range. "Sorry about not warning you in advance."
[19:18] <Kotono> > "Is that how you deal with people like that? Scare them into cooperating?" Amaryl blinks in the watery sunshine, the fall change of weather gradually filtering down.
[19:18] <Kotono> <Seira> "There are really only three main approaches, here," Seira muses. "Intimidation, bribery, and stealth. Magic could be used to cheat as well, of course. I don't always know just what I'll use until I am in a certain situation. I feel it's best to leave things open to be able to adapt."
[19:20] <Kotono> "So you can adapt?" Amaryl nods as the air of the outside buffets you. Coming down and out, she looks around. "So now what do we do?"
01[19:25] <Seira> "Yeah, it was really his fault for being so shifty," Seira confirms. "If we had more time to set things up, or he seemed greedy, we could've tried something else. As for what now, how about checking with the guards at the northern gate? Maybe we could find out if he was seen leaving, and if so, whether he was traveling alone."
[19:29] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, just go ahead and make a gather info check for this next part then. It's pretty simplistic.
01[19:30] <Seira> OOC: There is no bot! But I'll take 10 for 21 if I can?
[19:32] <Kotono> OOC: Your call either way, though I'm about to spawn my bot.
01[19:33] <Seira> OOC: Sure, fire up the bot, and I'll go with 21 for now
03[19:34] * Kobot (~dunefar@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[19:34] * Seira sets mode: +v Kobot
03[19:34] * Retrieving #dunes modes...
[19:35] <Kotono> Chatting up the guards doesn't turn up much at all. They see hundreds of people every day, and even if someone sticks out, it's hard to remember them in the throngs.
01[19:36] <Seira> It's unfortunate, but far too common. After touring the city for a bit more, Seira decides to check back in at the Silver Apple and see if the easy magical option has become available to them or not.
[19:40] <Kotono> Returning to the Silver Apple, you find that a mirror has been procured. It stands in the front room, polished and impeccably shiny. "It's done." MAriwether says. "It's here for the next day or two."
01[19:43] <Seira> "Unless some deity decides to shield that sap from me, I doubt we'll need it for that long," Seira says with a snort. "And getting a suitable mirror on such a short notice is quite the feat. I know I asked for one, but I'm still impressed." She circles it, admiring the silver. "I don't suppose there would be an item belonging to Gallem, such as a shirt or a piece of one?"
[19:44] <Kotono> "No, Idon't think so. He left a scrap of shirt but that got thrown away the night that it happened," A shake of her head.
06[19:46] * Seira shrugs. "It's not strictly needed for the spell," she says, placing her spellbook on a table and beginning to flip through it to the right spot. "I will require about eighty minutes overall, since this magic takes a great deal of preparations."
[19:50] <Kotono> OOC: Okay, casting? He gets a +5 modifier since you've only heard of him secondhand. Anything else relevant you can bring to the table for this, and what's your DC?
01[19:51] <Seira> OOC: DC is 21. If he rolls high, I'll just spend the rest of the day looking for his stuff to get a boost of my own for next time.
[19:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[19:52] <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+9 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{19}
03[20:01] * Tai-XFelius is now known as taifk
[20:02] <Kotono> The mirror flickers to life at Seira's command! She can see an open field - the subject wears a traveling cloak agaisnt the wind, hiding his face. He's riding a horse off the beaten path, traveling at a steady, ground eating speed. It's pretty plain around him - looks like a typical bit of Malmuthian plains.
03[20:03] * Celenu (WinNT@user-514f9d6b.l1.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
01[20:09] <Seira> "He's riding away," Seira tells Amaryl, not looking away from the mirror. "Since he has a horse, we can't really track him down inconspicuously." She frowns. "I don't really have much in way of subdual spells on me, so I'm thinking, we use invisibility and teleport over to snag him with the bandit-stopping spell?"
[20:11] <Kotono> "Sure," Amaryl agrees, "If that doesn't work, maybe just shoot his horse?"
01[20:12] <Seira> "Works for me. Do we bother with invisibility, then?"
[20:14] <Kotono> "Well...shouldn't we be safer than sorry?" After considering that, "Since if you make one mistake you can get in trouble?"
01[20:16] <Seira> "Safer it is!" With that decision made, all that's left is to cast a few spells, and then teleport to a spot several feet behind Gallem and off to the side.
01[20:17] <Seira> OOC: Cat's Grace on Amaryl, Invis x2 using the wand, teleport~
01[20:18] <Seira> roll 1d100
[20:18] <Kobot> Seira rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=32 ]{32}
02[20:18] * Kobot (~dunefar@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (I SUCK)
05[20:19] -sebben.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Kotono invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:19] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03[20:19] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:31] <Kotono> Woosh! The two appear in the sunlit plains! It's just past noon with plenty of sunlight, only a few slow moving clouds breaking it up. The grasses are up to your knees as you look about! Your quarry is about 50 feet away now and moving at a good speed, on horseback. OOC - Go ahead and act? He has no way of knowing that two invisible women just appeared.
03[20:32] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:32] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
06[20:34] * Seira calls upon Glitterdust in an attempt to paintlessly stop their runaway, advancing once she becomes visible with the casting of the spell.
[20:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 17." [1d20=13]
[20:35] <Kotono> OOC: DC?
01[20:36] <Seira> OOC: Oh, sorry, 19
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+2 horse
06[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+2 horse and gets 11." [1d20=9]
[20:46] <Kotono> Golden dust rains down, the horse thrashing and the man crying out! "My eyeees! What the fuck isg oing on?!" Meanwhile, Amaryl aims her bow and shoots for the horse!
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 15." [1d20=6]
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 19." [1d20=10]
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 12." [1d20=3]
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 14." [1d20=5]
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 6." [1d20=2]
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 10." [1d20=6]
[20:47] <Kotono> roll 2d8+2
06[20:47] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+2 and gets 12." [2d8=6, 4]
[20:48] <Kotono> roll 1d8+1 oops, thre hits
06[20:48] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+1 oops, thre hits and gets 4." [1d8=3]
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 2d8+2 more, Cor pointed out it's blinded and loses a bit more AC
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+2 more, Cor pointed out it's blinded and loses a bit more AC and gets 13." [2d8=5, 6]
[20:51] <Kotono> As the horse thrashes, a storm of arrows comes for it! The three arrows impale the horse in various spots, making it shake badly from the impacts and keels over! The rider tumbles down hard onto the ground!
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d6
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 2." [1d6=2]
06[20:52] * Seira looks to see whether there's anyone else nearby before she would approach Gallem.
[20:53] <Kotono> It's open plains. No one seems to be about, save for a few birds flying well overhead.
[20:53] <Kotono> Amaryl appears, nodding, "Not bad...I didn't even get close enough to be precise and I took the horse down."
06[20:55] * Seira gives her a thumbs up, getting close enough to Gallem to whisper, "Didn't anyone tell you that abusing people was bad?"
[20:56] <Kotono> "Guuuuuuh!" Gallen gasps and sucks in air as he rubs his eyes. "What the fuck? Where are you? Who areyou? What are you?!?"
[20:56] <Kotono> *gallem
06[20:57] * Seira presses his head to the ground with the sole of her boot. "The important question is, why did you do it?"
[20:58] <Kotono> "Do what?" Struggling under the boot as watery tears gush from his giltterdusted eyes, he coughs on the dirt his mouth is forced down onto!
01[21:01] <Seira> "Come on," Seira says scornfully. "What was it? The girl wanted too much of your hard-earned gold? Being angry I understand. Taking it out on someone you've hired for the evening, though? That's just in bad taste."
[21:03] <Kotono> The man goes still as a frozen lake at midnight. "Tsh! So what are you gonna do?" Amaryl meanwhile comes closer as your stunned captive speaks, bow drawn. She nudges the horse with her foot, then rubs the tip of it to get off the blood. "Horse is quite dead."
01[21:05] <Seira> "This one is still alive," Seira says brightly. "But he's really pushing it by not telling me what the entire thing was all about. It really would be too much of a hassle to lug him all the way back, wouldn't it?"
[21:07] <Kotono> "Ugh!" Rubbing his eyes again, prying his hands under his ground driven face under Seira's boot, "Things went wrong, but what the fuck do you care? Aren't you just a bounty hunter?"
01[21:09] <Seira> "What, we can't be allowed to care?" Seira asks him. "It's been pretty damn tedious tracking you down, so hearing a good story to help me make sense of things is only in your benefit, I'm thinking." And just so that he would think so as well, Seira presses his mouth into the dirt for a few moments before easing up.
[21:11] <Kotono> Coughing and sputtering from his dirty faceful, "Shit, just don't kill me. Fine! We didn't get along and things got out of hand, alright?"
01[21:12] <Seira> "Oh well." Seira sighs theatrically, moving to bind Gallem's hands behind his back. "It is unfortunate, Amy, but things really were as straight-forward as we were told."
[21:15] <Kotono> Keeping an arrow nocked and ready, "Did you think there was something more to it, Sarah?"
01[21:17] <Seira> "Sometimes there is," Seira responds, searching the man for any weapons before hoisiting him up and bindng his ankles together to keep him from doing something stupid like run away. A blindfold would finish the job.
01[21:17] <Seira> "It's one thing to take on a job, and quite another to do it mechanically without trying to determine all the facts. It's not like we know Mariweather enough to simply take her at her word just yet, do we?"
[21:20] <Kotono> He has a shortsword, a dagger, and a long rope that could be used as a lasso. "Ugh..." Gallam grunts as he's tied up, but isn't able to resist as his blindness wears off, only to be replaced with a blindfold. "So you keep questioning things, then? The overlying story isn't always the whole story? It's something that Sir Ambrose taught me about politics. This keeps reminding me of it. You're making sure it's all there is and not the tip of somet
[21:20] <Kotono>  You're making sure it's all there is and not the tip of something bigger."
01[21:21] <Seira> "For the most part," Seira agrees, dismissing Gallem from her mind as inconsequential now that he is properly restrained. "Of course, this could've just been a dispute between them, and not some grand conspiracy. That might've changed my mind about bringing him in as well. You never know."
[21:22] <Kotono> Lowering her bow now and checking her arrows in the horse, "Are we going to teleport back as well now?"
01[21:23] <Seira> "Actually, we'll need to wait until morning. Midnight, technically, but there is no rush, is there?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "Okay. We can camp out here then?" Amaryl says, "There's plenty of light, I can hunt something for dinner?"
01[21:28] <Seira> "A bit away from the horse, but yes," Seira agrees once more. "And off the road, so we don't bother anyone."
[21:29] <Kotono> OOC: Good with skipping along a bit? Also, make a use rope check?
01[21:29] <Seira> roll 1d20+8
06[21:29] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+8 and gets 14." [1d20=6]
01[21:29] <Seira> OOC: Sure. I've got nothing to do but watch this idiot.
[21:32] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[21:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 48." [1d100=48]
[21:32] <Kotono> OOC: Going to basically keep an eye onhim?
01[21:32] <Seira> OOC: Yes
[21:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 12." [1d20=8]
[21:37] <Kotono> Your captive quarry struggles with his ropes occasionally. Nothing much comes of it, he's well enough tied up. Sunset and dinner comes, Amaryl bringing back a few small game animals to eat. As night settles in, Gallam looks to be asleep. Sitting near a campfire as a chilly wind starts to blow in, "This is so nice," Amaryl says, warming her hands in front of it. "No worries, just the open air and nature."
[21:37] <Kotono> "No worries, just the open air and nature."
01[21:39] <Seira> "It is, isn't it?" Seira says, curling up comfortably by the fire. "Far too often, when I travel, it's pretty inhospital. Sometimes to the point where secure shelter or even an extradimensional hideaway are better than just camping under the stars. But not in this case."
[21:40] <Kotono> "That must be fun at least at first." Smiling as she inches closer to the fire, "Seira, do you get homesick often? For Balmuria, when you're gone like this?"
01[21:42] <Seira> "Not often," Seira admits. "It's weird. Balmuria is home in all that matters, but at the same time, I don't feel this strong need to return there. I've only really felt homesick once, I think."
[21:43] <Kotono> "I don't really feel homesick. In fact...sometimes I don't want to go back." Looking into the fire, "I like this. I can run around and not worry about anything. Can Balmuria be like that as well, SEira?"
01[21:46] <Seira> "I guess, though the only times I don't want to go back are when I'm with you," Seira says, prefering to stare up at the skies. "The rest of it, I don't have much of a preference besides wanting to explore and see new things, meet new people, help... help everyone I can, whether it's a person at a time or an entire country in need."
[21:48] <Kotono> "Seeing new things. Seira, how far does the world go?" Amaryl looks up to her, "I've been reading and listening to your stories. You saw the eastern mountains in Chillander's realm, and you've been far west. Does it just keep going? Does it come to an edge and everything falls off?"
01[21:49] <Seira> "I don't think that would make much sense," Seira admits, "but I don't have a better explanation, myself. One day, I'll find out, and if there is an edge to the world, I'll take you there to see it."
[21:50] <Kotono> "I'd like that. I'd like to keep traveling as far as we can go," Amaryl's face breaks into a grin, "Forget Pallanth. I want to see how far everything can go."
01[21:52] <Seira> "Maybe if Malmuth doesn't pan out, we could keep on traveling south, as far as we could get?" Seira offers. "I can summon horses that might well tread on air, and we'll get farther than anyone from either Pallanth or the Baronies had ever gone in our lifetimes!"
[21:53] <Kotono> "You'd need them. There's ocean to the south and wastes to the west," Amaryl adds. "Though you've managed the wastes one before."
06[21:54] * Seira smiles. "And I can manage the ocean as well. It might well depend on Queen Tant, and how things go with her."
[21:59] <Kotono> "I can't wait!" Amaryl says quickly, "We just have to return him back..." OOC - Ready to hop along?
01[21:59] <Seira> OOC: Actually, I'd like to chat a bit, if that's cool
[21:59] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[22:00] <Kotono> OOC: Go for it.
01[22:00] <Seira> "This is probably a strange question," Seira asks suddenly, after a quick glance to make sure Gallem is still asleep, "but what does Sir Ambrose think of me?"
[22:01] <Kotono> With a moment to blush, "Seira!" Amaryl laughs, "I don't really want to betray Sir Ambrose's trust in me. Though he's been more restrained about talking about you since I mentioned we were spending more time together."
01[22:04] <Seira> "It's just... it seems like every time he has a chance to learn more about me, I show him this ugly side I have." Seira sounds frustrated. "There's more about me than that, but I never get a chance to display it. And, well, and he's important to you. I can't just come up to him and ask him if he can see past my few mistakes, though, can I?"
[22:05] <Kotono> Now Amaryl really blushes. "Seira, well...don't worry about Sir Ambrose for a while, alright? It's not like we're going back to Pallanth any time soon."
01[22:11] <Seira> "Oh, this is different. I'm not worrying. I mean, I don't think I am." Seira finds herself pretty confused, either way. "But... why do you keep on telling me not to worry about him? Does it mean he actually hates me? Then I'll apologize. But if he doesn't, then I'll just make a fool of myself if I do that."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Well..." Amaryl's eyes escape to look downward, "It's just that...well...Don't worry about it. He asked me to keep certain things private. I'm not even supposed to tell you that." With redness creeping down her neck and up to her forehead, "So don't worry about Sir Ambrose and what he might think. He's off in Pallanth and we're here."
01[22:18] <Seira> This just isn't right and she's totally going to investigate this further on her next visit. "I understand about the need to keep some things private," Seira says. "Though they're usually official, political things that I'm regrettably forbidden from saying. For what it's worth, there's not much of them and they aren't harmful to you or anything."
01[22:18] <Seira> And that's as much as she'd say on that subject, so it's time for a new one. "Do you have other friends?" Seira asks instead. "Besides the person I shouldn't talk about?"
[22:22] <Kotono> "Oh." Looking back into the fire, "Not many. I had a few other noble family friends, but being Scion of the family? I haven't seen them in years. It's not long compared to how humans measure time, but I feel like I've lost touch with them. My life's so different."
01[22:23] <Seira> "I understand. I really do. Want to pay them a visit after we get in touch with my own absent childhood friend?"
[22:24] <Kotono> "Not right now. They're in Pallanth. I want to see what lies beyond the ocean, not go back there," Amaryl says, "I'm sure they're fine."
01[22:30] <Seira> "You don't have to go back. If you don't want to. Even after we go to the ocean, I mean," Seira finds herself offering. "It's like you said, right? I'm rich? You wouldn't lack a thing. Or you could keep on traveling with me. I'm sure it would work out!"
[22:36] <Kotono> "I'd love that," Amaryl looks right to SEira, "Thank you, Seira." Her face creases into a smile as she scoots over, going to rest against her shoulder. "Let's see how far the world goes, together."
[22:48] <Kotono> Morning blossoms bright and cheery. Gallam is awake and quiet, bound up securely still. Looking up over at the dawn after stretching, "Are we ready now?" Amaryl asks.
06[22:50] * Seira nods, gathering the last of her possessions. "A teleport straight to the boarding house. Let's try that." She deigns to treat Gallem with a glance. "There are two ways you could come along, willingly or beaten into unconsciousness. Please choose now."
[22:51] <Kotono> "I'm tied up and blindfolded. Like I can doanything," he snaps.
01[22:51] <Seira> "You could resist pointless and make us angry," Seira points out, but then grabs him by the arm and extends the other to Amaryl. "Let's go."
01[22:51] <Seira> roll 1d100 teleport spell
06[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 teleport spell and gets 69." [1d100=69]
[22:58] <Kotono> The teleport is quick and accurate! The two appear in the front room. Mariwether is there, her daughter following her directions as she cleans up, wearing maid's clothes. "Ah!" With a bit of a start, "Ah, that looks like him! Gallam you little prick," Smirking as she comes over, "Thank you for this, Sarah. It's such a bad example to let his sort get away with what he does."
01[23:00] <Seira> "It is, isn't it?" Seira agrees, smiling in approval over the way the maid outfit fits Mariweather's daughter. "He is not a nice man, so please show him the error of his ways."
[23:02] <Kotono> "Oh yes. Daughter, would you go summon the proper authorities for this," she says, and once she's hurried out, "That was fast, impressive work. We'll get you that audiance as soon as possible."
01[23:05] <Seira> "I'm afraid I rushed through it," Seira admits, "but there seemed to be little need for finesse. Still, there you go." She drops Gallem into a nearby chair and ties him to it for good measure. "We could stay out of your way and tour the capital a bit more while you work on that audience you've mentioned. Got any more suggestions for places we could visit?"
[23:07] <Kotono> "Don't. It won't take that long," Smiling with frost to your captive, "You didn't keep me waiting long, so I'll return the favor."
01[23:10] <Seira> "That's even better," Seira responds, looking for an out of the way spot she and Amaryl could spend waiting for Mariweather to come through.
[23:11] <Kotono> There's a few chairs in quieter parts of the room that could work for that.
06[23:12] * Seira utilizes one to memorize Voice of the Dragon in the time they have to wait.
[23:16] <Kotono> In 5 minutes, a pair of burly soldiers come and drag your captive off. In an hour Mariwether returns, "It's ready. There's a man waiting outside for you, he'll take you into the palace. Best behavior now, he's not just a normal page."
06[23:18] * Seira nods, and casts the spell on herself. "Naturally," she says, her voice carrying a slight, almost undetectable resonance. "Is this man in the know about us, or just here to deliver us to our destination?"
[23:19] <Kotono> "He knows," Mariwether answers, "His name is Cendi."
01[23:20] <Seira> "Thank you." Seira stands up, smiling, and extends a hand to Amaryl. "We'd best be on our way, then."
03[23:29] * taifk is now known as tai-bangbangbangbang
[23:40] <Kotono> Going outside, the two find someone waiting for them. He wears plain clothes, a middle aged man with a wooden cane. He has a neatly trimmed beard and short white hair.
06[23:41] * Seira gives him a smile. "Hello," she says. "Would you be Cendi?"
[23:42] <Kotono> "I would be," Presenting a smooth hand out to Seira, "You would be Seira? You would be Amaryl as well," he then turns his attention to Seira's girlfriend.
06[23:44] * Seira takes the offered hand, shaking it without squeezing it overly. "It is a pleasure," she responds, leaving it to Amaryl to greet Queen Tant's messenger if she so chooses.
[23:50] <Kotono> Amaryl repeats this, adding a bow to him. Once that's done, "Likewise. Queen Tant is expecting you in about an hour. If you'd come with me then?"
01[23:53] <Seira> "Of course," Seira agrees, more than willing to follow. Still having her teleportation ring in reserve does wonders to calm her in preparation of meeting another royal far away from home, as does going to see her with Amaryl by her side.

[Corwin]

[16:53] <Kotono> > Going outside, the two find someone waiting for them. He wears plain clothes, a middle aged man with a wooden cane. He has a neatly trimmed beard and short white hair.
[16:53] <Kotono> * Seira gives him a smile. "Hello," she says. "Would you be Cendi?"
[16:53] <Kotono> > "I would be," Presenting a smooth hand out to Seira, "You would be Seira? You would be Amaryl as well," he then turns his attention to Seira's girlfriend.
[16:53] <Kotono> * Seira takes the offered hand, shaking it without squeezing it overly. "It is a pleasure," she responds, leaving it to Amaryl to greet Queen Tant's messenger if she so chooses.
[16:53] <Kotono> > Amaryl repeats this, adding a bow to him. Once that's done, "Likewise. Queen Tant is expecting you in about an hour. If you'd come with me then?"
[16:53] <Kotono> <Seira> "Of course," Seira agrees, more than willing to follow. Still having her teleportation ring in reserve does wonders to calm her in preparation of meeting another royal far away from home, as does going to see her with Amaryl by her side.
[16:54] <Kotono> The trip through Malmut is a quiet one. Surprisingly, you don't go for the palace at all. You stop well before it, going into a plain stone building's rear, a stairway leading into a basement. "This way. Don't be alarmed, we're taking an indirect route."
06[16:56] * Seira is not one to be alarmed so easily, merely nodding at this. She'd really prefer to cast a spell or two going in, but that would surely be in bad form.
[16:59] <Kotono> The stairway is fairly long, leading to a heavy door that is opened as you approach. Inside this basement are a six set of guards, as well as a heavy metal door on another wall. It's opened as you approach, showing a torch lined and soldier manned tunnel. "All things told, it's an honor to meet you face to face. The stories are often so distorted or exaggerated."
01[17:02] <Seira> "So I've learned," Seira agrees with a crooked smile. "It seems some people both praise and blame me for things that happened before I was even born at times. That gets a bit awkward."
[17:08] <Kotono> "Oh yes. Unless you're far more than human, then it's merely damning by faint praise." Guards salute as you pass into the tunnel, the smell of dry earth strong. "Queen Tant speaks well of you."
06[17:10] * Seira nods at the guards as she passes them by. "Really?" she asks. "I've been wondering about that. For our part, we see the Queen in very high regard back home."
[17:13] <Kotono> "Ah yes, it's good we have agreement on that matter. Our recent relations under past rulers have been turbulent. Such high opinions will do much to calm it."
01[17:17] <Seira> "I sometimes wonder whether there's anything we could do aside from leading by example, here," Seira muses. "Some of the problems are so daunting it's easy to give up and wait on a new generation to come, which won't have the same prejudices."
[17:22] <Kotono> "There's no guarantee of that," Cendi remarks as you travel along, Amaryl examining the corridor as you pass down it. "Grudges can foster and grow in the dark places of the heart, and transfer down the generations."
01[17:26] <Seira> "True enough. Maybe, though, we'll find a way to change this. If Queen Tant has some ideas she would like to try, I could easily see myself going along with them."
[17:30] <Kotono> "We'll see soon enough. Come." Cendi leads you along the tunnel. It's a fairly long walk. Twenty minutes, perhaps? It's a little hard to tell underground. At last you come to a stairway leading up, into an empty, large stone room. Guards stand aplenty here, some with weapons out. They salute Cendi and allow you to pass, down into a dim, sparsely lit corridor. "This way."
01[17:32] <Seira> There's hardly a need for this many guards, but Seira does not comment on that, content to follow Cendi to their destination, whatever it might be. At least the darkness is hardly a disadvantage for either she or Amaryl.
[17:37] <Kotono> You travel down several corridors, taking many a split path and hurrying along. This part of the palace is dark and quiet, little of note about it or much splendor.  Eventually you come to a simple, unobtrusive door. The only thing th at makes it stand out at all is two guards in heavy golden armor and with enough muscles to wrestle a vrock. Cendi stops here, "Queen Tant will see you inside. Shall we?"
01[17:38] <Seira> "Certainly," Seira agrees, letting him open the door, as she is but a guest here.
[17:38] <Kotono> Amaryl quickly checks herself over, "I wish we'd though to clean ourselves up before this," she murmurs to Seira.
01[17:39] <Seira> "We could," Seira voices. "If that would be alright with our hosts, a simple spell takes care of that."
[17:40] <Kotono> "By all means," Cendi agrees, waiting. "Go on."
01[17:40] <Seira> Prestidigitation is a very handy spell, and as such, Seira has it ready!
[17:42] <Kotono> Using this magic, Amaryl and Seira are cleaned up. As it finishes, "Are the two of your eady now?"
01[17:42] <Seira> "Sorry for the wait!"
[17:56] <Kotono> "Come." Cendi opens the door! Inside, you see a short hall, perhaps fourty feet long. It is decorated well and richly, lit by two braziers int he rear, on either side of a throne. Here the ruler of Malmuth sits. Her face is round and weathered, her hair a bunned up mass of black and gray.  She wears a noblewoman's rich clothes. "Seira of the United Baronies." Her voice lacks the defining, enthralling timbre of her predecessor. It's an old woman
[17:56] <Kotono>  enthralling timbre of her predecessor. It's an old woman's voice, delicate and precise.
01[17:59] <Seira> "Your Majesty," Seira says, approaching the throne, dropping into a curtsey an appropriate distance from it. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice."
[18:00] <Kotono> Amaryl follows and does the same as Seira. "I thank you for this honor, Majesty."
[18:04] <Kotono> "You did Malmuth a service in stopping Ferdi's mad ambition. Rise." Queen Tant commands. "You wished a private, discrete audience with me. You have it."
02[18:05] * xorntoro (~ferixstad@141.218.228.98) Quit (And now I get to go for a thirty-minute walk in a blizzard.)
01[18:07] <Seira> "A situation most Malmuthians sadly don't see that way, Your Highness," Seira responds, straightening up. "It is encouraging to hear you say it."
[18:11] <Kotono> "Most don't understand anything beyond the simple desire to return to what was. The dual losses pained Malmuth, both seemingly against a foe that should have been easily crushed. By the numbers, the Baronies are hardly a match, and few can see past that."
06[18:16] * Seira can't really argue with that. "And because the current leaders are cut from a different cloth, they can see past that, as you have said, Majesty." She pauses briefly. "What I would like to learn is whether the most our countries could ever be is uneasy neighbors locked into a perpetual state of armistice, and nothing further."
[18:20] <Kotono> "Right now...It is difficult to say. Many view the loss of Valandia as a crippling blow that must be remedied. Old guards from Ferdi's regime that still have power, nationalists, or those who simply resent the loss or have suffered from it. My view is that the main healing factor will be time and patience, augumented at the right time by actions."
01[18:23] <Seira> "That would probably be right, in the absense of a common enemy to unite against, and I wouldn't wish such a so-called solution on anyone, Majesty," Seira agrees. "It is my hope, however, that lines of communication could be opened with this visit.
01[18:23] <Seira> Time, patience and education are important; actions made at the right time, however, may not go far if they are not coordinated or reciprocated on the other side."
[18:31] <Kotono> "Yes, I have no objection to this. One of the few successes of Ferdi's reign was the Kondrux affair and it's quick resolution." A nod to Seira there, "Contact would best established in Valandia for mundane matters, obviously."
01[18:35] <Seira> "Claris is a good choice for that, yes," Seira agrees once more. "And unless I am mistaken, our trade took a serious hit shortly before the war, and never truly recovered. Valandia's temple to Waukeen should be nearing construction soon, however, and would respond most favorably to any attempts to revitalize this avenue."
[18:38] <Kotono> "This is agreeable. Prosperity brings peace in it's own time," Tant does stop here, looking to Seira. "What of your own realms? I hear that Balmuria prospers."
01[18:42] <Seira> "It does, as a result of advances in trade, magic and better relations with our neighbors," Seira responds honestly. "It is my hope that one day we might recapture the glories of the past without the accompanying arrogance that lead to our ancestors' downfall, and then, surpass them altogether."
03[19:07] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-223-71.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[19:11] <Kotono> "It is a dream that Ferdi had in his own twisted way. With the right touch, it is a good dream to have."
01[19:20] <Seira> "I believe there are plenty of wonders to be discovered," Seira comments. "Certainly enough for everyone, without having to fight over them."
[19:20] <Kotono> "
[19:20] <Kotono> "Agreed," Amaryl speaks up here, "King Lorthan shares the same view."
[19:22] <Kotono> "This is a wise stance to take. It's quite markedly opposite Ferdi's, so that's usually true." With the faintest, regal smile crossing her face, "Do you have any specific s to that, or merely sentiment now?"
01[19:23] <Seira> "I do, Your Majesty," Seira responds. "But first, might I inquire as to how Malmuth is adjusting to the somewhat-recent influx of magic in the world? The wards holding us isolated from the other planes are slowly coming undone, and the first time it has happened wasn't pleasant to either of our countries."
[19:26] <Kotono> "We are doing well enough with it. There are...disturbances. A necromancer arose far in the south, only put down with concentrated effort. There have been hints of deviltry as well. There are also religious movements forming, scattered here and there."
01[19:33] <Seira> "Much like in our lands, except for the necromancy." Seira nods. "There are many things I wish to see, but without a focus, none is likely to be realized. So what I would like to offer is to work together on restoring the lands that had been ruined by the carnage of the gnomish war.
01[19:33] <Seira> We have already made some headway into studying the wastes past the Desert Fiefdoms, and the once-impenetrable jungle bordering on Kelara had finally been traversed. But that is only a beginning, and our efforts might benefit from a fresh perspective and from capable mages and researchers alike."
[19:35] <Kotono> "To the west, as the Galkass Mountains end, is the waste as well. Over the years various souls have tried to survive it, but none have survived. A solution to it would be a bounty to all our nations."
03[19:37] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
01[19:38] <Seira> "Since we have been working on this for a while, we managed to make headway. But the progress is just too slow for my tastes, and even should we succeed, I fear we will have to start all over again for each damaged spot on this world. Having more effort put into solving this problem will surely be a step in the right direction."
06[19:38] * Seira gives Amaryl a brief smile, before returning her attention to Queen Tant. "Besides, we want to see what lies past the edge of the world. Wouldn't you, Your Majesty?"
[19:40] <Kotono> "Perhaps. Malmuth is kingdom enough for me." To that she smiles faintly, "There is enough land in it for me to worry about every day."
01[19:44] <Seira> "We happen to be on vacation right now, Your Highness," Seira says lightly. "If there is a particularly troublesome spot where it would be inadvisable for the Crown to exercise its influence due to the circumstances on the ground, we might just pass through it. Accidentally, of course."
[19:46] <Kotono> "Of course." With the faintest smile again, "There is not at the moment, though I will keep your offer in mind in the coming weeks. Well no...actually, there might be one." Stopping there, "There might just be one."
06[19:47] * Seira waits patiently, projecting an image of casual curiousity.
[19:51] <Kotono> "Far to the east of Tauret, in the Enaldis Mountains, is a small town, Catamact. There's been reports and hints of a religion taking shape there, but finding out which is proving elusive."
[19:51] <Kotono> "If it's an innocent religion, I would rather not antagonize them by direct action if avoidable. If they're not...well..."
01[19:54] <Seira> "Yes," Seira says, her demeanor changing in an instant. "If they're following one of the evil gods, that is something that needs to be nipped in the bud."
[19:56] <Kotono> Amaryl nods as well, "That's close enough to the Barbarian Lands to be a concern for Pallanth as well."
[19:59] <Kotono> "Then go and see." Tant says, "Carefully. If they are foul and evil, it will not be an easy task."
06[20:01] * Seira bows. "And yet, a task that must be completed, lest evil have a chance to grow and fester." She straightens up. "It is my hope, of course, that the religion is innocuous, but we've been burnt with such things far too much to merely let it go without an investigation."
[20:04] <Kotono> "Yes. I'm glad to see you understand this," Tant says.
01[20:06] <Seira> "And speaking of evil...." Seira doesn't really want to go into this, but Queen Tant did mention devils earlier. "There is a devil going by the name of Esthan, seemingly helping people out of the goodness of his heart. Knowing what we do of devils, things are not as they seem.
01[20:06] <Seira> Though we've yet to determine his goal, we do know that he seeds discord subtly wherever he goes, and that he is the most powerful mage on our world, without question."
[20:12] <Kotono> "I see. I know nothing of this devil or that name, but...It must be remembered then," she says, "Has he been in Malmuth?"
01[20:13] <Seira> "I don't have knowledge of Esthan appearing outside of Pallanth, although a devil of that caliber and magical know-how would be able to appear anywhere he wished. If we manage to discover more specific information pertaining to him, it will be shared via a Sending spell straight away."
[20:17] <Kotono> "That would be appreciated, thank you," Queen Tant nods to that.
06[20:20] * Seira nods herself. "I believe it is time for us to proceed with our vacation, then, Your Majesty," she says, glancing at Amaryl briefly. "I've always wanted to visit Tauret, after all."
[20:25] <Kotono> "You're dismissed. Enjoy Tauret." As Queen Tant says this, Amaryl bows again. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your time and graciousness."
01[20:26] <Seira> This time, it is Seira who follows Amaryl's lead.
[20:26] <Kotono> Thereafter, the door leading in here opens. "This way," Cendi can be heard.
06[20:27] * Seira backs away from the throne, before turning towards the sound of Cendi's voice, ready to be led outside.
[20:28] <Kotono> Once outside, "I'll take you back. Any questions before that?" Cendi asks.
[20:28] <Kotono> Amaryl breathes out a sigh, and quietly to SEira, "That went well."
01[20:30] <Seira> "Far better than my expectations, though I've learnt to keep those low," Seira responds quietly, before raising her voice. "Just one, I suppose. Would we follow the same protocol if we were to return, say after our vacation to Catamact?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Contact Meriwether, she can pass ont he approriate signs," he agrees, "We'll be expecting you in due time."
01[20:32] <Seira> "Have you been to Tauret?" Seira asks Amaryl. "I haven't, so it would be a long trip. Although I suppose I could get us part of the way over."
[20:33] <Kotono> "I've never been," Amaryl agrees to that with a shake of her head, "Should we leave in the morning then?"
01[20:35] <Seira> "I could take us as far as the Gulnan Basin," Seira suggests. "It should be far closer. If you'd like to spend another night here, we can wait until morning. It doesn't really matter either way."
[20:37] <Kotono> "Let's just get an inn room and rest? It feels strange to leave late in the day," Amaryl admits, "A day of rest before travel would be pleasant, too."
01[20:42] <Seira> To be perfectly honest, Seira is not very eager to return to the spot where she was demeaned shortly after escaping from hell, quite literally at that, and the prospect of coming against an evil cult is likewise offputting. Spending the day with Amaryl in their inn room, once suggested, quickly takes precedence, and she finds herself nodding to the suggestion. "Sure thing. We can afford it."
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20-9
05[20:52] -sebben.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Kotono invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:52] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03[20:52] * Kotono sets mode: +v Hatbot
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 1d20-9
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20-9 and gets -4." [1d20=5]
[20:55] <Kotono> That night, sleep has come. As Seira rests in her bed, there is a very soft knock on her inn room door.
01[20:56] <Seira> People waking her up in the night, never a good sign. Seira comes over to the door, asking quietly, "Who is it?" so as to not wake Amaryl.
[20:57] <Kotono> AMaryl is quite fast asleep. In a very quiet voice, "Celebrimbor. Come out, we need to talk."
01[20:58] <Seira> Seira's eyebrows climb all the way into her hair, it seems. She grabs the Resort, and only then opens the door, slipping outside.
[20:59] <Kotono> Celebrimbor is in the dark hall, wearing a hood that he pushes back as Seira opens the door. His face is quite composed, not a hint of a smile on his face at all.
01[21:00] <Seira> "I would say it's a very pleasant surprise, but you don't look happy to see me," Seira says, leaning against the door. "What's wrong?"
[21:01] <Kotono> "We need to talk about Amaryl. Come with me," he says, starting to walk down the hall.
01[21:02] <Seira> "Let's talk here, then," Seira tells him. "She's asleep, and you know where we are. I can't just leave her like this."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Fine." Going to rest against the opposite wall from Seira. "Was it her idea or your idea for her to abandon Pallanth and her family?"
01[21:05] <Seira> "What do you mean by that?" Seira asks in surprise. "The council is on a break. We're just using that chance to go and see the world."
[21:05] <Kotono> "It was hers," he nods, "Are you familiar with the note she left behind when the two of you left the Citadel?"
01[21:08] <Seira> "I told her to write one," Seira says. "Her family... is there a problem with them? They always seemed so nasty to her, so leaving without saying goodbye in person seemed like the right thing to do." She frowns. "In fact, I was going to try and see you soon, perhaps by using a Sending to invite you over.
01[21:08] <Seira> Celebrimbor, just how badly is Amaryl treated back home? Whenever we talk about it, she just looks away and tells me not to mention it."
[21:11] <Kotono> "By any normal standard, she's treated well. She's rich and the head of a noble family. She has an apex of power at a very young age. If you're thinking outright abuse in that manner, no." Quietly now, "Does Amaryl talk about her family much to you?"
01[21:13] <Seira> "No. In fact, she claims everything is fine. But I... I don't know, I don't buy it. The way she looks those times makes me uneasy. And then, there is Sir Ambrose. She thinks the world of him, but at the same time, wouldn't talk about him either. Is there some grand secret I'm being kept from? Should I push? Should I back off? I just don't know. But you can help me make sense of things, can't you?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "This is more or less accurate, with gaps filled in by my listening and ob servation. But have you ever wondered how Amaryl became scion of the family when she's obviously so ill suited for it?"
01[21:15] <Seira> "They wanted to control her. It's either that, or there is some subtlety of Pallanth law that made her the only possible applicant."
[21:20] <Kotono> "Well, no. Lavandear Gaial, the last Scion, died unexpectedly and swiftly. The family was ill prepared for it, with no clear successor. The summary of the entire affair is that through a lot of internal struggling, Amaryl became scion. It was partly a compromise and partly an accident."
01[21:21] <Seira> "Sucks to be all those schemers," Seira says, not particularly caring. "Except they made her life crap, and I take it Amaryl decided to just run away from it all?"
[21:26] <Kotono> "I think the blame lies solely on Lavandear's untimely death. In better circumstances this would not have happened the way it did. But yes, I suspect that's the ultimate result of the situation. As for Ambrose?" Stopping now, "It's easy to tell that Amaryl thinks the world of her. But...you needen't worry. From what he's said to me, he thinks of her as a daughter to nurture."
[21:28] <Kotono> *world of him
01[21:28] <Seira> "I only worried for her," Seira admits. "Well. After the first time she told me not to worry about him. Amaryl was very convincing. Umm. But that doesn't really matter." She shakes her head. "Anyway, it's a huge relief that the man she practically worships isn't mistreating her. Really. Huge. Enormous! I was really worried, because I like him. Not as much as I like you! But--"
06[21:28] * Seira stops herself a second time, taking a deep breath. "Let's start over. So the problem is solely with Amaryl's family, and nothing further? There are no wider issues with the Council or King Lorthan?"
[21:31] <Kotono> "Not that I'm aware of. She's only ever been polite to me. Until very recently and your influence, she's been so soft spoken that it's difficult to imagine her provoking anyone like that, or being provoked." Stopping here, "However, the family is a concern. Her note was well meaning and very polite, but various members have gone form reading between the lines, to inventing entire stories of subtext based on nothing."
01[21:31] <Seira> "I think I will need to ask you to tell me what the note says, first, Celebrimbor."
[21:40] <Kotono> Reaching into his robes, a sheet of paper is flicked towards Seira.
06[21:42] * Seira unrolls it, giving the paper a glance.
[21:46] <Kotono> It reads the following: 'Dearest Family Gaial: 14 years ago I became the scion of this house. It is a great honor...but not one I can live to. My heart yearns to go where it feels love and where I can feel alive. I am going with my closest friend, one who will keep me safe from all harm. I am sorry if my recent trainings or this leave has offended any of you. But...I will follow the path that I wish to with all my heart, not the path that I mus
[21:47] <Kotono> not the path that I must.'
01[21:48] <Seira> "This reads like she's abdicating," Seira notes in surprise, her eyes rising to meet Celebrimbor's.
[21:48] <Kotono> "It doesn't say so in so many words, but it does, doesn't it? It leaves a lot to be inferred."
01[21:50] <Seira> "This is too much to deal with on such short notice," Seira mutters. "Especially with Amaryl not present for it. Which brings us to my next question. If this is contained to Amaryl's family, why did you come instead?" She frowns. "In fact, and please don't take this the wrong way, but what is the purpose of this visit? To inform us of the problem, or to try and take her back against her will?"
[21:51] <Kotono> "I wouldn't dream of it. It's really not my business." With the faintest smile, "I'm being a meddling old elf. I caught wind of this and gathered the needed information. I had a suspicion that you m ight be at least partly in the dark."
06[21:53] * Seira snorts. "You really are a great friend. I'm sorry I doubted that for even the briefest of moments." She smiles wryly. "I'm afraid that any subtext Amaryl's nasty family is reading into is probably true, as long as it doesn't involve me using my magic on her or anything likewise distasteful."
[21:56] <Kotono> "It's your business. For my two coppers, it's to be expected. I'm glad this rebellion is only this and not something self destructive. However, while they owuldn't do something so odious as hurting you or Amaryl...they might send someone to find her by various means, or even deal with you if they suspected foul play. Scion or not, if they suspect someone's possibly kidnapped a member of the Gaial family, they won't let that go unopposed."
[21:56] <Kotono>  they won't let that go unopposed."
01[21:58] <Seira> "Do you think we can take this indoors?" Seira asks. "Much as it pains me to disturb her rest, I would like to... oh, I don't know what I'd like, but it involves talking. And a tiny bit of annoyance for not relying on me enough to tell me about her problems."
[22:04] <Kotono> "You can. I'd rather keep my role in this affair between you and me." With a nod of his head, "While I can handle it, being accursed of meddling in a private family affair will needlessly antagonize whomever takes the Gaial position in the Council."
01[22:05] <Seira> "It might help if she thought she could have support," Seira argues. "You know. From you, and from others. It doesn't have to go beyond that room."
[22:06] <Kotono> "She needs your support, not mine." Shaking his head now, "Be there for here, if she matters that much to you. That will mean mroe to her than anything I could ever do."
06[22:07] * Seira nods. "It might well be that I'll need your help, then. Are you staying at this inn as well?"
[22:08] <Kotono> "No. I'm planning to return to Pallanth as soon as this is done," he replies, "I can return if you'll need me, as long as it's kept quiet."
01[22:10] <Seira> "I think I might," Seira says, sighing. "This would be simple if it only involved me. I would instantly know what to do, I feel it! But in this situation...." She shakes her head. "So I think I might need to rely on you, discreetly. If you can't wait while I talk things over with Amaryl, do you think you could return tomorrow?"
[22:11] <Kotono> "I can. Scrying on Amaryl is simple enough," he says, "Evne if you're not here."
01[22:12] <Seira> "Ah. About that. Please, erm, don't scry on us," Seira requests, sounding embarrassed all of a sudden. "A Sending is fine. We'll be here for the next day."
[22:13] <Kotono> "Ah, of course. I had no easier way to find you." Smiling at that, "Good luck."
06[22:14] * Seira rolls her eyes. "Thanks. I mean it. This way, we have a chance of doing something about the problem, rather than have it come after us when we least expect it." She turns around, opening the door to their room, and steps inside.
[22:14] <Kotono> Amaryl looks to be still asleep. She's wrapped up in blankets and quite comfortable looking.
06[22:16] * Seira was comfortable, too, and there's no way she can fall asleep now. An application of faerie lights illuminates the room, and then Seira shakes Amaryl awake, leaving the Resort on the nightstand.
[22:23] <Kotono> "Hm?" Amaryl sits up easily, "What is it, Seira?"
01[22:25] <Seira> "I'm going to be talking about things you don't like me to broach, so I'd like to apologize in advance and tell you that I love you," Seira says bluntly, sitting down on the bed next to Amaryl. "Just remember that, alright?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "Huh?" As she blinks and stares, "W-what's going on now? Did something happen?"
01[22:30] <Seira> "It seems your family believes that you abdicated and then eloped with me, although some of them feel that I've kidnapped you and might be sending people after us to bring you back," Seira says, although her speech begins resembling a rant as she rambles on.
01[22:30] <Seira> "That would be bad. But I'm also troubled that you didn't tell me just how bad things were. And while we're on the subject of things troubling me, wouldn't I qualify as more than a friend, however close or special? I thought it was a necessity of your post to be vague about that, since we're not married and all that, but if you're giving up your old life like that, does that really matter?"
[22:38] <Kotono> "Seira...how..." she begins, before coloring and looking away. "I...I didn'tw ant to think about any of that. I just wanted to go. I wanted to go with you and forget all about Pallanth."
01[22:41] <Seira> "Of course--" Seira rubs her forehead. "Of course you can go anywhere you want. And I'll be there with you. But it won't be very pleasant if a bunch of bounty hunters are tracking us down, would it?" She sighs. "And you can't run away from your problems. Forgetting about them? That never works. What you can do is put them behind you, one way or the other.
01[22:41] <Seira> Do you know what you want, beyond all doubt? If so, let's go and make them all understand! I'll be right by your side the entire time, I promise."
[22:45] <Kotono> "Seira..." Sniffling now, "I wnat to keep going with you. I know that. I've known that since I started. I don't have to worry about anything like what I had to when I was there in Pallanth."
01[22:49] <Seira> "So the hardest part is over," Seira tells her with a smile, putting her arm around Amaryl's shoulders. "I want to be with you, too. But are you certain that you want to leave your home country altogether? If you want me to, I could move in with you, and no one would bother you again.
01[22:49] <Seira> Even if you don't want to serve as a Scion anymore, do you want to turn your back on Pallanth itself? It's... it's not a simple choice between merely existing back home and abandoning everything to live with me. There are a lot of ways to have the latter without cutting all ties with your past."

[Corwin]

[18:58] <Kotono> -------------------(Bazooka Ko!)--
[18:59] <Kotono> <Seira> Do you know what you want, beyond all doubt? If so, let's go and make them all understand! I'll be right by your side the entire time, I promise."
[18:59] <Kotono> > "Seira..." Sniffling now, "I wnat to keep going with you. I know that. I've known that since I started. I don't have to worry about anything like what I had to when I was there in Pallanth."
[18:59] <Kotono> <Seira> "So the hardest part is over," Seira tells her with a smile, putting her arm around Amaryl's shoulders. "I want to be with you, too. But are you certain that you want to leave your home country altogether? If you want me to, I could move in with you, and no one would bother you again.
[18:59] <Kotono> <Seira> Even if you don't want to serve as a Scion anymore, do you want to turn your back on Pallanth itself? It's... it's not a simple choice between merely existing back home and abandoning everything to live with me. There are a lot of ways to have the latter without cutting all ties with your past."
Session Close: Mon Feb 23 19:07:05 2009

Session Start: Mon Feb 23 19:07:05 2009
Session Ident: #dunes
02[19:07] * Disconnected
02[19:07] * Attempting to rejoin channel #dunes
03[19:07] * Rejoined channel #dunes
03[19:07] * Topic is 'Jessica>Balor>Pollyanna>Donald>Antenora>Oberuth'
03[19:07] * Set by Kolunch on Thu Feb 19 20:38:31
03[19:07] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Seira
[19:07] <Kotono> "I thought about this a long time after I visited you in Balmuria," Amaryl begins, "Seira, Balmuria and the outside world was alive. There wasn't the same routine and same endless obligations just beceause of who I was. PAllanth is like a suffocating cage. I don't want to be caged in there anymore. Let someone who wants and appreciates the power have it."
01[19:14] <Seira> "You are in a position to change it," Seira says, after a brief pause. "If you wish it, it should be possible to leave and explore the outside world. To learn from it. And to return one day, even if it's years later, to break the cage for everyone who couldn't get away."
06[19:14] * Seira sighs. Is it wrong to see Amaryl's move as right and applaudable, and still expect more from her? It is one question Seira doesn't know the answer to.
01[19:15] <Seira> "At first I thought you were giving up, but that's not it, is it? You're leaving everything behind, and it's a very brave choice. I'm sorry I didn't see it right away. But what if you'll be strong enough to challenge Pallanth's ways one day in the not-too-distant future, but won't be able to make a difference, as you'll have become an outsider?
01[19:15] <Seira> What if your family uses this chance to put another innocent girl as the new head of family?"
[19:19] <Kotono> "That won't happen." Amaryl murmurs, "I can't imagine it will again. But...I don't want to change PAllanth, Seira. I just want to get away from it. I know I can't change Pallanth."
06[19:24] * Seira sighs again. "I can't blame you. I did the same thing myself, after all." When she was much younger. "Alright. Alright. Balmuria would love having you, and you already know my friends there. They like you, too. It would work."
[19:29] <Kotono> "Thank you," Amaryl sighs as well, relief filling her face. "I just..." she hesitates here, then embraces Seira without another word.
06[19:31] * Seira laughs, though it comes off forced. "Don't thank me yet," she tells her, letting her chin drop lightly on Amaryl's shoulder. "We have to return immediately. Unless we leave Pallanth properly, making a clear cut with your past, it will always keep on haunting us. We can't let that happen, Amaryl."
[19:36] <Kotono> No reply at first, Amaryl resting against Seira. "What about Queen Tant's request?"
01[19:39] <Seira> "Teleport. If I bug Celebrimbor about it, he might help us get to our destination even faster than I could take us. Unofficially and all that." She smiles crookedly. "I'm glad you're going along with this. The next plan best thing to a plan the Guard has is another try at the elven wards holding Pallanth's Resort. Taking you along on that without settling things properly... heh, awkward's too tame."
[19:51] <Kotono> "Well..." Blushing hotly at that, "When will that be?"
01[19:53] <Seira> "There were... problems. With our last campaign." Seira shudders in Amaryl's grasp. "Probably a few weeks at the earliest. Possibly several months still."
[19:54] <Kotono> "..S-Seira?" At those shudderings, "Seira? What's wrong?" Holding her, "You're shaking!"
01[19:56] <Seira> "Badness. Let's deal with the badness ahead of us, first." Seira closes her eyes. "Can you promise me that you won't regret it? Going with me?"
[19:59] <Kotono> "Yes," Amaryl says instantly, "I can. I don't regret it and I won't."
01[20:02] <Seira> Elves live pretty long lives, but Seira decides to trust in that promise. "We'll leave with first light," she says, brushing her hand through Amaryl's hair. "We'll put things in order, and then we'll be free to go on wherever we choose."
[20:06] <Kotono> "Alright," Amaryl says, resting against Seira. "Until the morning...?"
[20:14] <Kotono> Night passes in a restful sleep thereafter. Amaryl falls asleep against Seira. With morning's light the day returns...OOC - Ball's in your court at the moment.
06[20:15] * Seira will memorize the teleport spell and a few others that should help them afterwards, before stirring Amaryl from sleep.
[20:17] <Kotono> Amaryl gets up and puts her gear on. She looks about the room, shifting and quiet as SEira prepares.
01[20:18] <Seira> "Are there any precedents for what you're about to do?" Seira asks her, done with her own preparations. "Do we go to the crown? Or is it settled more privately?"
[20:23] <Kotono> "It's a family matter, but I..." Amaryl looks down, hand held at her chest. "King Lorthan has domain over all. Perhaps...perhaps he could help too."
01[20:25] <Seira> "I'll get us to the Citadel. Then, how about we seek out Sir Ambrose?" Seira proposes. "If we approach the King with him, it might be the best possible solution, and any spies your family might have in place would be fooled and caught off guard, too, unable to meddle effectively."
[20:27] <Kotono> Blushing at that, "Ah...Sir Ambrose..." Gulping down, "O-Okay."
01[20:29] <Seira> "Hey," Seira says, catching her attention. "You've made a difficult choice, and now you're struggling to make it work. I'm sure he will understand and support you, Amaryl."
[20:30] <Kotono> "Okay." Breathing in and out for several breaths, she look sto Seira. Her smile wavers and shakes, "I can do it. WE can do it. Okay?"
06[20:30] * Seira smiles at her. "Right!"
03[20:34] * Celenu (WinNT@user-5af08953.wfd103.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
01[20:34] <Seira> roll 1d100 Cel
05[20:35] -betamax.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:35] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03[20:35] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[20:35] <Seira> roll 1d100 Cel
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 Cel and gets 49." [1d100=49]
03[20:38] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:38] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:48] <Kotono> Woosh! Celebrimbor's estate is quiet irght now, appearing in his rear gardens. Not an elf is to be seen, only well kept and weaved nature.
01[20:49] <Seira> "Let's sneak outside," Seira whispers, perhaps needlessly. "We can pay him a visit when we're not pressed for time. You'll need to lead the way."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Okay..." Amaryl pulls the hood of her cloak up, hiding her face and keeping her head bowed. "This way, Seira."
06[20:52] * Seira follows, herself adjusting her features to appear yet another elf. Her human disguise might not fit so well here, after all.
[20:54] <Kotono> The Citadel of Light is a peaceful place, a chilly breeze rustling through the leaves and buildings. Winter's breath comes closer and closer to the forest as the two approach the abod eof the Highsun family. It is a large building in the shape of a disk, golden as the sun itself at it's zenith. Amaryl lead syou to the entrance, pulling up her hood as you knock on the door. To the servant there, she says, "Could you inform Sir Ambrose that Amary
[20:55] <Kotono> she says, "Could you inform Sir Ambrose that Amaryl Gaial is here to see him? Quietly."
06[20:56] * Seira studies the location quietly while Amaryl handles this part. It seems like her old place would not be quite so hospitable to her appearing there in the future.
[20:58] <Kotono> The grounds around it are denuded of trees, tall grasses growing. It lets the sun's watery fall light shine right on the golden building. The servant bows, "Ah, Sir Ambrose left instructions if you came. This way, please," the elf bows deeply.
06[20:59] * Seira gestures for Amaryl to step ahead, following her after resetting her disguise to what it normally is, her preferred form of dealing with people she is not particularly close to.
[21:05] <Kotono> The mansion has a theme of noon and the sun. The floors are often engraved with the sun's light, sunroof windows letting plenty of it in. You are lead down halls towards the center of the building. Hoewver, midway down one bright hall, Ambrose comes out of a door. He nearly double-takes, before approaching. "Ah, Amaryl! Seira of the Baronies as well?"
01[21:06] <Seira> "It is nice to see you again," Seira responds, nodding in greeting, "though I wish this could have happened under better circumstances."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Yes," Meanwhile the servant bows and departs, Ambrose locking eyes with Amaryl. "Amaryl, your family depended on you. Why then? Why run off like that?"
06[21:13] * Seira will let Amaryl answer that. As long as she doesn't falter or rely on Seira of her own initiative, Seira is content with letting her see her decision through.
[21:14] <Kotono> "Sir Ambrose..." Looking down and away again, holding her hands to her chest, "I...I'm sorry. You'll say that I let my family down and you're right. But...my family let me down. Scion? Me? You know how bad an idea that was!"
01[21:15] <Seira> "I don't know the full story yet," Seira adds. "But Sir Ambrose, if I might ask, what sort of family would drive Amaryl away from her birth country altogether? This is hardly some whim of hers."
[21:22] <Kotono> Ambrose Highsun listens to this, then, "Amaryl, you have the potential to be a fine Scion. You've been showing it as you've begun to take your first steps to maturity. You've always had the talent in you, just not the confidence to use it. Lavandear spoke well of you many a time before he passed from this world." (More)
[21:28] <Kotono> "Amaryl, I taught you that strength comes from in there," Pointing to her heart, "Nothing truly forces you save your own heart. It is a stout heart of a brave woman. Is running away truly the wish of your own heart, or of your fears?"
[21:30] <Kotono> Looking down further, "Maybe if this hadn't happened, you'd be right someday. Maybe you even are anyway. But...I don't care anymore. I don't care if it means I'm a coward or weak. I want to run away. My family can have the power and authority and influence."
01[21:32] <Seira> "I offered to find some way and make this work," Seira voices. "Like... like moving in, or finding a regent or something, if that's possible, while taking a long vacation to make up her mind." She shrugs. "But I believe in Amaryl, and I know she'll shine just fine wherever she chooses to be. Since she's so intent on making a life for her in Balmuria with me, could you support her?"
[21:32] <Kotono> "What about the rest of your family? Another struggle for succession will erupt, and this one will play on the fractures you know exist within your family. It could take centuries for those cracks to repair, in which time your family's power will be steadily eroded." He stops here, an unreadable look to Seira. "Amaryl...is that what you truly want, no matter the consequences?"
01[21:34] <Seira> Nice family. It takes quite an effort for Seira not to voice her thoughts.
[21:36] <Kotono> "I..." Here she stops. She looks down at the floor, hanging her head. "Si-....Se....yes." she says in a little, tiny voice. She whispers it a few times, looking up. Raw fear is on her face, fear and utter, stark terror. "I'm so sorry I let you down."
06[21:38] * Seira takes Amaryl's hand, giving it a squeeze.
[21:41] <Kotono> "In a way, you've made a mature choice by choosing to follow your heart. If ou've chosen to run, then why are you back in Pallanth?"
01[21:43] <Seira> "Seems like we've made a mess of things the way we left." Seira gives him a wry smile. "While I wouldn't mind starting a war over Amaryl, Commander Oberuth back home would yell at me for it. Not to mention that any unpleasantness could be averted by returning and setting things straight.
01[21:43] <Seira> After all, I would never try to influence Amaryl's decision unfairly, even if I happen to disagree with her, as you can see."
[22:00] <Kotono> "I need to talk to King Lorthan at least...and I wanted to say how sorry I am to you, Sir Ambrose." Clearing her throat now, "Seira's right, I need to at least settle this."
01[22:07] <Seira> "The people who love you won't be disappointed in you," Seira whispers to Amaryl. "You don't need to worry about that. Because it's a choice you made yourself, they will be proud."
[22:11] <Kotono> "I'll make the arraingements," Ambrose says after a short pause. "Discreetly."
06[22:12] * Seira looks uncertain. "Should I be there with you? Can I even be there with you?" she asks Amaryl.
[22:14] <Kotono> "I'd like you there," Amaryl says back. Ambrose simply agrees to that. "Yes, I don't see it being any more of a problem."
01[22:15] <Seira> "Great!" Seira exclaims, feeling relief.
[22:22] <Kotono> The two of you ar eescored to a quiet room to wait briefly. This goes without incident, giving you af ew minutes to rest or do anything if you wish. OOC: Doing or want ot say anything, or skip along?
01[22:24] <Seira> "Even if we settle everything, Amaryl," Seira tells her quietly, "we still won't be coming back for a while. Do you need anything picked up from your old home?" She winks. "We too can be discreet when necessary."
[22:25] <Kotono> "No. I took all I wanted to," Amaryl answers, shaking her head. "I already made my peace with that place."
01[22:26] <Seira> "I always got the sense that your maids liked you," Seira voices. "I mean, they always played along when I wanted to surprise you, and were nice to me. And they spoke well of you. Unless you think they were only pretending?"
[22:29] <Kotono> "They were nice, but I left them a note, too. Privately." Smiling ever so little at that, "As well as a secret pension for the services they gave me."
06[22:31] * Seira laughs. "Let's leave them another note. In about three weeks a Baronies ship is scheduled to arrive at Elfsander. It's chartered by the temple of Waukeen, and anyone looking for fun, gainful employment could be given free passage upon it."
[22:41] <Kotono> "O-okay," Amaryl nods that slowly. "You want them?"
06[22:43] * Seira laughs harder at the question. "Not the way you make it sound, but yes. It'll be great fun for all involved!"

[Corwin]

[19:27] <Kotono> > "No. I took all I wanted to," Amaryl answers, shaking her head. "I already made my peace with that place."
[19:27] <Kotono> <Seira> "I always got the sense that your maids liked you," Seira voices. "I mean, they always played along when I wanted to surprise you, and were nice to me. And they spoke well of you. Unless you think they were only pretending?"
[19:27] <Kotono> > "They were nice, but I left them a note, too. Privately." Smiling ever so little at that, "As well as a secret pension for the services they gave me."
[19:27] <Kotono> * Seira laughs. "Let's leave them another note. In about three weeks a Baronies ship is scheduled to arrive at Elfsander. It's chartered by the temple of Waukeen, and anyone looking for fun, gainful employment could be given free passage upon it."
[19:27] <Kotono> > "O-okay," Amaryl nods that slowly. "You want them?"
[19:27] <Kotono> * Seira laughs harder at the question. "Not the way you make it sound, but yes. It'll be great fun for all involved!"
[19:29] <Kotono> OOC: Skipping ahead, yes? Right.
[19:35] <Kotono> The three of you take a quiet, back route into the palace. Here you wait for King Lorthan to admit you into the throne room. Nervousness settles in as you wait, but at last...Your names are called as you enter the seat of elven power, finding the King sitting on his throne. Seira and Amaryl approach...
06[19:36] * Seira curtsies respectfully, staying slightly behind Amaryl. She can't help but reflect on how much this mirrors the visit they paid to Queen Tant, down to the swapping of their respective roles.
[19:38] <Kotono> Amaryl bows deeply to the King. There is a pause before she speaks. "Your Majesty," she begins, "I...I trust you have heard of my recent actions?"
[19:39] <Kotono> "I have," he speaks now, the hall quiet of the normal council members, voices echoing lightly. "I bade you to explain yourself."
01[19:41] <Seira> As with Ambrose, Seira only intends to intervene to support Amaryl or directly in response to the King, should he choose to address her. A part of her hopes that Amaryl manages to get through this trial on her own.
[19:43] <Kotono> "Your Majesty, I...I cannot fulfill the role my family has taken for me. I wish to step aside and allow another to take this power. King Lorthan, I know that you know the events of my ascendance to this position and the death of Lavandear Gaial. My appointment was a fluke of circumstance that must be corrected."
[19:46] <Kotono> "Amaryl, you will leave your family in turmoil, and part of Pallanth in turmoil as well." King Lorthan is reserved as he speaks. "As long as you understand the consequences, I will make no move to interfere in this business of the Gaial family." (More)
[19:48] <Kotono> His attention then shifts to Seira, "One does not travel lightly with a scion or former scion of Pallanth. Considering your position as well, it would be devastating if tragedy befell Amaryl under your guidance. Many of the Gaial clan would see you as little better than a reckless murderer. Do you understand your responsibility here as well, Seira?"
[19:48] <Kotono> "I have thought of them and had them shown to me," Amaryl bows again, "Your Majesty, my mind is determined."
01[19:50] <Seira> "I won't say something corny like 'I'd die for her', Sire," Seira responds, bowing herself. "Instead, I'll repeat something I've told Amaryl once. Those who wish to come against us better not even bother without an army."
[19:54] <Kotono> "You have proved resilient, even when you lose something valuable," His Majesty merely addresses that point. "Pallanth wishes you no ill will at all, Seira. It only asks you to protect it's wayward child as she goes out into the world."
06[19:56] * Seira smiles genuinely. "It heartens me to hear you say that, Your Majesty. Please rest assured that there won't be a moment where Amaryl and her safety would escape my thoughts, even if this over-protectiveness embarrasses her to no end."
[19:57] <Kotono> "Thank you," Amaryl bows again.
[19:58] <Kotono> "Seira..." she breathes a moment after, coloring.
01[19:58] <Seira> "Like now!" Seira adds brightly, smiling even wider.
[20:00] <Kotono> "Go then," King Lorthan says, "Be safe in your travels."
01[20:02] <Seira> "Thank you, Your Majesty," Seira repeats after Amaryl. "And for what it's worth, I disagree with Amaryl. I think she was a good Scion, and would only have gotten better with time. It just wasn't in the cards."
03[20:07] * Celenu (WinNT@user-54461c6e.lns1-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:13] * Taishyr is now known as asdgsdfasdflkjgkjhlkjh
03[20:32] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:32] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:32] <Kotono> "It is my opinion that this may have been so, or not. But it's irrelevant now," King Lorthan says, "Go, and travel with the grace of Pallanth on you."
01[20:35] <Seira> That certainly went better than she expected, and Seira decides to quit while she's ahead, completing the ritual by a respectful curtsy and a retreat from the throne. Once far enough that she can get away with it, she takes Amaryl's hand and smiles at her. "This is it," she says quietly. "We're really leaving."
[20:40] <Kotono> Taking Seira's hand at the same time, "Say the words and take us away from here," Amaryl says. "Let's go and see the world!"
01[20:44] <Seira> "The word will have to wait until we're out of the palace," Seira returns, smiling at her. "It's bad form to teleport on the grounds."
[20:45] <Kotono> "Seira...this one, the hell with it," Amaryl says, "Please, let's just go!"
06[20:46] * Seira snaps her fingers, thinking of her inn! And really hoping she doesn't run into an ancient defense system that horribly disfigures them in the process.
01[20:46] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[20:46] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 7." [1d100=7]
[20:51] <Kotono> Wooooosh! The two appear in Seira's backyard, just as planned!
01[20:52] <Seira> "We didn't die horribly," Seira says cheerfully. "I think that calls for a celebration!"
[20:54] <Kotono> Looking around, "Yes," Amaryl agrees, sighing deeply, "Let's celebrate today!"
01[20:56] <Seira> "I'm tapped out as far as teleports go, anyway, so just let me leave a few instructions for Donald to set things up and we'll go invite Elle?" Seira suggests.
[20:59] <Kotono> OOC: You wanna chat with Elle, basically?
01[21:00] <Seira> OOC: Yes!
[21:01] <Kotono> Elle is found in her shop as usual. Alice is manning the desk as Elle is in conversation with a dashing elf. The two are whispering back and forth to each other, secluded away, half hidden by a standing suit of magical armor.
06[21:02] * Seira decides to approach Alice instead, in this case. "Hi!" she says, trying not to raise her voice so much that she would interrupt Elle's fun. "Who's Elle's friend?"
[21:03] <Kotono> With a faint smile, "A messenger from the elven mission. They seem to be getting along well. Can I do anything for you today, Seira?"
01[21:05] <Seira> "Sure! Just help me with a couple transactions while Elle does her getting along well thing? I have a cloak I've outgrown and a Mystra-blessed sword that stabbed many a Sharran!"
[21:07] <Kotono> "Certainly," As this goes down, Amaryl looks about. She raises an eyebrow, scooting closer to Seira. She doesn't speak yet, however. "How exactly do they work? Have they been previous identified?"
01[21:09] <Seira> "Oh yes! Elle made me the cloak, and I simply fell in love with the simple effectiveness of it, but now I believe that I am ready for something new." Seira grabs a hold of the cloak she wears and shows it to Alice. "So I've tried out this purchase, and it fits me well. I don't really feel too guilty about switching one of her works for another, so...."
01[21:09] <Seira> Rather than trailing off at that point, Seira lists the properties of the cloak, before laying the silvered holy longsword on the counter. "And I realized I didn't really need two backup melee weapons, either."

[Corwin]

[20:00] <Kolunch> <Seira> "Oh yes! Elle made me the cloak, and I simply fell in love with the simple effectiveness of it, but now I believe that I am ready for something new." Seira grabs a hold of the cloak she wears and shows it to Alice. "So I've tried out this purchase, and it fits me well. I don't really feel too guilty about switching one of her works for another, so...."
[20:00] <Kolunch> <Seira> Rather than trailing off at that point, Seira lists the properties of the cloak, before laying the silvered holy longsword on the counter. "And I realized I didn't really need two backup melee weapons, either."
[20:01] <Kolunch> "Ah." Taking them and giving them a brief once over, "What's the other end of the transaction?"
01[20:03] <Seira> "I can't quite replace my old diadem just yet, but I have enough for a reduced version," Seira responds. "Then, there are those boots I talked to Elle about before. And finally, I've actually been wondering...." Seira takes off her shades, placing them on the counter before Alice. "How hard do you think it would be to let me see bad people with those?"
[20:06] <Kolunch> "Bad people?" Alice raises an eyebrow as she takes the shades and looks at them.  Meanwhile Elle's laughter is heard tinkling out, Amaryl craning her neck to get a good view of the elf with her.
06[20:06] * Seira nods. "The world's full of them!"
[20:08] <Kolunch> "Do you mean evil?" Alice holds the shades up to the light, peering at them.
01[20:10] <Seira> "Pretty much," Seira agrees. "If it's possible, I might have another request further down the line, but this is really the crucial point. Because they can appear nice and then they stab you in the back, so it's always good to be prepared."
[20:15] <Kolunch> "Mmm. I'll talk to Elle about it," she promises, discreetly looking over. After a moment, "Countess, there's business here for you," she calls.
06[20:16] * Seira glances over at that, curious whether the elf is the same one she had seen with Elle before.
[20:17] <Kolunch> He looks familiar, yes. Elle looks up and nods, whispering something to the elf before coming over. "Alice, why don't you go take a break?" she says sweetly to her, then turning to Seira. "So Seira! Here on business today?"
01[20:18] <Seira> "Business and pleasure, as it so happens. How have you been?"
[20:20] <Kolunch> "Oh, very very good. Money keeps coming and coming. Oh, and you brought Amaryl today? What's the occasion?"
06[20:21] * Seira glances at Amaryl, before smiling tentatively at Elle. "She's going to be living with me from now on. We're actually kinda here to invite you to her welcoming party."
03[20:26] * Celenu (WinNT@user-5442398a.l6.c1.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:31] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:31] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:31] <Kolunch> "Oh!" A moment of surprise passes over her openly, "Oh. Oh yes, certainly. I'll be over there in a little bit. I'll need to deal with Alice first."
01[20:33] <Seira> "We can invite her, too!" Seira offers. "It's not like we're snubbing her or anything, we just came to see you first."
[20:35] <Kolunch> "We'll see." With a too broad smile, "I'll see you over there? We can talk about the business later?"
01[20:37] <Seira> "Yeah, most of it wasn't too serious, so I just gave Alice the details. I'll leave everything here, and we can sort it all out afterwards." Seira shifts, before hugging Elle briefly. "Thank you for letting me stay till now."
[20:38] <Kolunch> "It's fine. I think Donald's lonely, he's been spending a lot of time here helping out lately." Smiling to that now, "He probably  misses you."
06[20:39] * Seira laughs, rubbing the back of her head. "I think I can deal with him better, now, and he surely learned something. Maybe? Ah well, one out of two ain't so bad...."
[20:42] <Kolunch> "Well..." Elle laughs as well. "Maybe one day?"
01[20:43] <Seira> "Maybe," Seira agrees, smiling. "So who else is in town? You were our first stop and all."
[20:51] <Kolunch> "Alicia's been in and out. I think she's out right now, off challenging Hell. Demedais has been busy...Donald's around, I ran into Pollyanna a few days ago..." Ticking off her fingers, "That's about it offhand,b ut people can leave in such a hurry now that teleportation is becoming more common among us."
01[20:55] <Seira> "True enough," Seira agrees. "I think I saw Donald briefly, but it wasn't the right time to talk to him yet." Pretty much because he's bound to find some way to insult or embarrass Amaryl and her own visitors-filled inn is the worst possible place for that. "We'll hit the temples and see if the Commander is around, then. Hope you'll be free by the time we're done!"
[20:57] <Kolunch> "Right." A short nod there, "See you then!" Amaryl smiles as well at this.
[21:16] <Kolunch> OOC: SKipping along right.
01[21:17] <Seira> OOC: Yep
[21:19] <Kolunch> Seira's inn is bustling this evening! Gathering her friends there: herself, Amaryl, Mia, Donald, Gilartal, Jessica, Commander Oberuth all show up. There's some others as well, mixing and chatting. Mia and Donald are chatting away about something - alchemy and weapons comes up a lot. Jessica's laughing, on the arm of a familiar young man to Seira. Roald, she believes, memories of at ime long ago coming to mind.
01[21:23] <Seira> Feeling nostalgic, Seira leads Amaryl over to those two. "It is a pleasure to have you here, today," she says, smiling pleasantly. "Amaryl, you've met Jessica briefly before, I believe, but not Roald, right?"
[21:24] <Kolunch> There's something about Jessica. A radiance, an appeal. It makes Seira blink and look twice at her. "Thanks," Roald grins, "Seira, how have you been? It's been ages! You should drop by more often...you know your money's no good at our bakery."
[21:24] <Kolunch> Amaryl smiles politely. "It's an honor," she says.
01[21:27] <Seira> "I should, but like Elle says, once you have the teleport spell it's hard to stay in one place for long," Seira agrees, before studying Jessica openly. She mulls it over before stating bluntly, "You look very radiant and overall prettier than usual." She eyes the two of them. "Are congratulations in order?"
[21:30] <Kolunch> A hot blush goes to both their cheeks! "Aaah!" Jessica waves her hands, "N-no! I mean..." As she sputters, Roald tries to say something amid his redness. "She went b-beyond the w-world...I mean..." The two look to each other.
01[21:31] <Seira> Must be the sex, then. "Okay. I won't allude to what we're all thinking," Seira offers magnanimously. "How are your families, then?"
[21:33] <Kolunch> ""SEIRA!" JEssica blushes even hotter.
06[21:34] * Seira is the very image of innocence!
[21:34] <Kolunch> "Oh...well..." scratching the back of his head now, "Mom and my brother are doing well. The bakery's doing so well with more people in Balmuria."
01[21:34] <Seira> "You're keeping up with all the demand with no problem?" Seira asks Roald curiously.
[21:36] <Kolunch> "Well, we sometimes go short of flour or grain, but the Baronies make so much food that it's never a long shortage. Plus we usually sell out these days. There's almost no waste. We've hired a few more helpers and may even buy the building next to us."
01[21:37] <Seira> "How about opening another store altogether?" Seira wonders out loud. "Like in Valandia or the capital? Today, the Baronies. Tomorrow, the world!"
[21:40] <Kolunch> Clinging closer to Roald, "MAaaybe." She smiles at that, "Roald's taught me how to bake well too. Maybe we'll open a shop together some day?"
[21:41] <Kolunch> Roald laughs and blushes hotter, "W-we'll see..."
01[21:42] <Seira> "If starting capital is ever a problem, Waukeen will guide your way!" Seira says brightly. "Don't forget that!"
[21:43] <Kolunch> Roald smiles at that. "I'll remember that. Say, Seira," With a murmur of something to Jessica, "Can we talk a moment?"
06[21:44] * Seira frowns. "We are talking. But. Do you mean the two of us, in private, kind of talking? We can do that, too."
[21:44] <Kolunch> Blushing a little more, "Yes. Why don't your friend and Jessica get to know each other?"
01[21:45] <Seira> "Okay! Amaryl, I'll be back before you know it!"
[21:47] <Kolunch> As you go you can hear Amaryl say, "He looks so enthralled with you!" to Jessica, as the two go a bit away, to aquiet corner. Once there, "Seira, I wanted to ask you. How much money can the temple loan out at once? Is 500 gold too much?"
01[21:49] <Seira> "There are special rules for me," Seira tells him. "It's because I can cover much greater sums even if my entire investment tanks. Even a couple thousand would not be a problem with my recommendation, and you'll get a very reasonable rate."
[21:49] <Kolunch> "Oh, thank you. I...need a bit of money to buy something soon." Smiling now, "If it's not too much trouble, could I get that recommendation?"
01[21:51] <Seira> "Sure. I'll stop by next morning and come along with you, or drop off a note, depending on the situation," Seira offers. "Got anything special in mind?" She can guess, but it's more effective to just ask.
[21:53] <Kolunch> Another blush comes, "Well...it's a secret, but...I want to make Jessica an honest woman," he says.
01[21:55] <Seira> "Good luck!" Seira pats Roald on the shoulder to congratulate him. "I favor the so-called living in sin approach myself, but I've been told I have some strange views at times."
[21:58] <Kolunch> As his blush mellows down and out, "Just don't tell anyone. I want to surprise her, and I'll bet Jess will want to surprise her sister and friends."
01[22:00] <Seira> "I deal with secrets regularly, I'm sure I'll manage," Seira tries to reassure him. "Now, let's get back before they think something fishy's going on?"
03[22:02] * Kolunch is now known as Kotono
[22:02] <Kotono> As you return, you find Amaryl and Jessica laughing. "Oh, Roald, there are you are!" Going back to his arm, "Let's go get some wine and mingle?"
01[22:04] <Seira> "And we should say hi to the Commander," Seira adds, offering her arm to Amaryl in a similar fashion. "Did I ever tell you how I first met him?"
[22:05] <Kotono> "How," Amaryl gently holds onto Seira. "He's such a big man too. He's kind of intimidating."
01[22:07] <Seira> "He saved me from bandits," Seira whispers to her, leaning over slightly. "I know, I know. Hard to believe, right? But I was really just a kid back then. All I had was this acid spell and a crappy dagger that was more dangerous to me than anyone around me."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Oh." As you approach, Amaryl whispers back, "He could certainly scare off and rout bandits from the looks of him. But yes, hard to believe."
01[22:13] <Seira> "He is incredibly manly," Seira agrees, before waving happily. "Hi! Commander! Are you having fun? Do you need anything? A drink? A better drink?"
[22:18] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth is standing ab it apart from everyone else, drinking a mug of ale. "I'm fine, Seira. Lady Gaial," he lifts his mug to Amaryl. "Welcome to Balmuria again."
01[22:21] <Seira> "Yes!" Seira exclaims. "Welcome, Amaryl! Because it's your welcoming party!"
[22:35] <Kotono> "Thank you," Amaryl laughs as she colors red, "Thank you, Commander."
[22:36] <Kotono> "Enjoy it. If you have any problems, come to Seira o rmyself." he says before he drinks again.
06[22:39] * Seira is both amused and touched by the offer, but embarrassment over her behavior takes precedence and she scrambles to change the topic. "How has Balmuria been?" she asks. "It feels that even when I am around lately, most of the time is taken with preparations for all sorts of trouble abroad that have to be dealt with. I didn't even have much time to drop in on the recruits to the Guard, sadly."
[22:42] <Kotono> "Relatively peaceful. Relatively." Jerking a thumb at Mia and Donald, "Ask Mia about exploding alchemical weapons sometime."
06[22:43] * Seira laughs at that. "Sounds like a fun story! I'll be sure to do that later today. So just the usual suspects stirring up trouble, then?"
[22:46] <Kotono> "For now," Oberuth agrees. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
01[22:49] <Seira> "You know me," Seira says, smiling broadly. "Peace is not my thing. Just gets me to travel." A contemplative expression comes over her. "Speaking of traveling, I would like to finally visit our capital. It has to be the only one I've never been to, strange as it sounds. But if I happened to come by, and Lord Salman happened to be present, just what is the procedure one might follow to secure an audience?"

[Corwin]

[19:54] <Kotono> * Seira is both amused and touched by the offer, but embarrassment over her behavior takes precedence and she scrambles to change the topic. "How has Balmuria been?" she asks. "It feels that even when I am around lately, most of the time is taken with preparations for all sorts of trouble abroad that have to be dealt with. I didn't even have much time to drop in on the recruits to the Guard, sadly."
[19:54] <Kotono> > "Relatively peaceful. Relatively." Jerking a thumb at Mia and Donald, "Ask Mia about exploding alchemical weapons sometime."
[19:54] <Kotono> * Seira laughs at that. "Sounds like a fun story! I'll be sure to do that later today. So just the usual suspects stirring up trouble, then?"
[19:54] <Kotono> > "For now," Oberuth agrees. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
[19:54] <Kotono> <Seira> "You know me," Seira says, smiling broadly. "Peace is not my thing. Just gets me to travel." A contemplative expression comes over her. "Speaking of traveling, I would like to finally visit our capital. It has to be the only one I've never been to, strange as it sounds. But if I happened to come by, and Lord Salman happened to be present, just what is the procedure one might follow to secure an audience?"
[19:57] <Kotono> "Go to Lord Salman's offices and request one. Your presence alone should do so," Commander Oberuth says, "Without any problem at all."
01[19:59] <Seira> "I sometimes like to do things the normal way," Seira responds. "Keeps my head from the clouds, I think. I'd hate to become really conceited and take shortcuts wherever I go."
03[20:00] * Celenu (WinNT@user-54426731.l6.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:02] * Retrieving #dunes modes...
[20:05] <Kotono> Laughing now, "Be that as it may, you're one of the greatest heroes out country has. Getting an audience should be the height of simplicity."
01[20:07] <Seira> "It's settled, then. I'll stop by when I get a chance."
[20:07] <Kotono> Amaryl whispers at that, "You're held in that high a regard, Seira? I mean even with your King, lik ea member of the Elven Council?"
03[20:09] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:09] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
01[20:09] <Seira> "I guess, if the Commander says so," Seira whispers back, frowning. "I really should check on the rumors they have about me. Most of it is bound to be pointless hero worship, which is a bit sad. It would be far better if people just listened closer to what Waukeen is trying to teach them instead."
[20:17] <Kotono> "Well..." Blushing at this, "If they'd ever seen you, I could s-see why?"
01[20:18] <Seira> "That's... very sweet of you." Seira can't help but color a bit as well at the compliment.
[20:19] <Kotono> Giggling at that, "Isn't that true, though?"
01[20:22] <Seira> "I suppose I try to be memorable for the people I fight with," Seira allows, giggling herself. "Want to say hi to Mia? I think you know her best here, and it sounds like she's got a funny story to tell."
[20:25] <Kotono> "Sure," Amaryl says as the two go over to Mia. Her and Donald are chatting as they approach, "...It cost enough to make in the end." Mia sighs. "It's totally unbelievable that it workedo ut that way, yes."
01[20:28] <Seira> "What's totally unbelievable?" Seira asks loudly, standing behind Mia.
[20:32] <Kotono> "Oh, Seira!" Donald and Mia speak at the same time, voices overlapping. Then Mia scowls, "Oh, just some unfortunate business over in the temple of Gond. Tell me, how useful does this sound: A weapon that has a hidden compartment fo ra payload of alchemical material?"
06[20:33] * Seira smiles at the two. "I'll ask how much you're willing to pay for one."
[20:36] <Kotono> "
[20:36] <Kotono> "Hey, Seira," Donald smiles, "Hi Amaryl."
[20:36] <Kotono> "Well, it depen...wait, what? What do you mean by that?" Mia looks righ tto SEira, "Did you beat me to it?!"
06[20:38] * Seira laughs in amusement. "Tempting as that is, I'm afraid not. Think about this. Your product must cost less to make than people would be willing to pay for having it, right? Everything is possible, and I have two ideas already of how to accomplish such a weapon, but their actual implementation depends on the restrictions we're working with concerning pricing."
[20:44] <Kotono> "Well, I tried once. It didn't go so well," Mia sighs, "The explosion was rather magnificent for a failure."
01[20:47] <Seira> "Did you try to use magic?" Seira queries. "I suppose we could make it the hard way, but if what you're going for is a... half an enchantment, I suppose, then we could cook something up quite easily."
[20:50] <Kotono> "Well, no. I was going for something more mundane at first," Going on at this, "That idea was to make it so that it could be done and done cheaper than magic. Undercut the market, you know?"
01[20:54] <Seira> "There are quite a few mages still in their infancy as far as their power and skill is concerned, yet that would be able to craft a device suitable to your needs," Seira points out. "And the designs would not be easily copied like with a mundane sword, unless no one you sell it to would ever lose it in combat. Still, I must return us to the question at hand. How much do you intend to charge?"
[20:55] <Kotono> "I was hoping for a few hundred gold," Going on, "Something affordable compared to amagical weapon."
03[20:56] * tai-evilmaylurkandsodoi is now known as tai-offtomemorial
06[20:56] * Seira frowns. "That's flat out impossible. Don't forget that any weapon made with a shred of skill already costs a few hundred gold. You would want to at least double that and aim for a range of six, seven hundred."
[20:58] <Kotono> "Yes well...I'm getting that idea." Mia sighs, "I'm still working on various prototypes anyway. There's a lot of money to be found in this if it works out1"
[20:58] <Kotono> Donald smiles a little as he listens, "Oh hey, Elle..." he murmurs, promptly going straight for the front door.
01[21:00] <Seira> "I'm serious. You don't want to be working at cost, do you?" Seira asks, not really paying attention to Donald as he leaves due to the interesting discussion. "And don't forget that alchemical substances take a really long time to make, and have a non-trivial price as well. Unless you intend to do all the work yourself, materials and work hours will have to be financed somehow."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Yes, yes, I've been looking at that," Mia rubs her temples, "I'm starting to wonder if this is even going to work out as a return on the seed money. It seemed like a good idea at the start."
01[21:08] <Seira> "It actually is," Seira tells her. "Your bottleneck is actually the ammunition. Unless you can mass-produce cheap alchemical...." She trails off, blinking. "Maybe you could get the goblins to do it for you? If you order in bulk, it might work."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Goblins?" Blinking again, "Why goblins...oh yeah, goblin alchemy!" Snapping her fingers, "What a perfect stupid labor market!"
01[21:11] <Seira> "I heard there's been some changes in leadership, so that might work in your favor if you bargain smart," Seira adds. "In any case, I have access to the most brilliant metal crafter in existence. Or, at the very least, on our world. Come get me tomorrow morning, and we'll take a look at your sword designs? If there's a nonmagical trick to this, he'll find it."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Sure," Mia smiles brightly at that, "Thanks Seira!"
01[21:12] <Seira> "No problem! Ten percent consulting fee is fine, right?" Seira's smile is even brighter, if that were possible.
[21:14] <Kotono> Mia's smile turns into a whimper as she slumps. "Aw damn! I guess I can't fualt that, though. How about 5%?"
01[21:15] <Seira> "It's really in your best interests to have me as a junior partner," Seira tells her casually, her own smile staying on. "I travel past the borders of the known world, and I meet influential people at every point. Marketing is what you really need to get things off the ground, isn't it?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "Well, that's true. When you put it that way..." Mia then smiles once more, "10% it is. You weren't going to take any less anyway, where you?"
[21:17] <Kotono> Meanwhile, one can notice a few more people entering. Elle is there, Donald coming to 'escort' her in. Alicia's following not far behind. The inn's party continues onward, epople drinking and talking. Manly bardsong fills the air in the background.
01[21:18] <Seira> "Not really," Seira admits. "But I might have helped for free. It really depends on my whims. But don't feel too bad! With that ten percent, you get my commitment to the project, which alone should worth it!"
[21:18] <Kotono> "True. Okay, work it out tomorrow...oh, I wanted to catch some other people and the Commander. If I can get the garrison interested as well...!" Looking about and seeing Commander Oberuth, "SEe you, Seira!"
06[21:19] * Seira waves happily, before her eyes widen. "Hey, Alicia's here after all, Amaryl!" she exclaims. "Let's go say hi!"
[21:20] <Alicia> Having heard Seira was back in town, Alicia made her way to the inn to catch up with the colonel. Briefly looking around it takes her a moment to spot her currently disguised superior, but she approaches soon enough. "Hello, Seira, nice to see you again," she greets the half-dragon with a smile, before curtseying to Amaryl. "Lady Gaial, also a pleasure."
[21:20] <Kotono> Amaryl, having been quiet and watching, "Certainly," she says, "That Mia...she's so excitable. Money keeps her running around like a hummingbird."
[21:21] <Kotono> "Oh, Alicia," Smiling to her, "It's nice to see you again.:
[21:21] <Kotono> "
01[21:22] <Seira> "Excitable and funny, yes!" Seira agrees, smiling at Alicia's greeting. "It's great that you could be here today for Amaryl's welcoming party. I didn't think your schedule would allow it, so the surprise is really pleasant!"
[21:22] <Kotono> "Thanks, Donald," Turning away from him, "Oh, glad I finally made it," Elle says, "The two of you look so happy together."
01[21:23] <Seira> "It's because so many people came to celebrate with us!"
[21:23] <Alicia> "Well, I heard you were in town and it's been a while," Alicia begins before her eyebrows head upwards. "Welcoming?" She wonders if that's some elven euphemism Taldeer never shared...
[21:24] <Kotono> "I'll be around more now," As her cheeks color, Amaryl smiles winsomely as she clings close to Seira. "Thank you for coming. All of you seem so kind and interested. I keep finding that humans arne't what many elves thought they were at all."
[21:26] <Kotono> "But..." Elle looks around, "I'll talk later, I'm going to get a drink first. You know," With a chuckle, "Before devils and horrors come calling. Speaking of, how was your trip, Alicia?"
[21:26] <Alicia> Seeing the way Amaryl clings to Seira seems to bear out Alicia's suspicion. "Well, we do try," Alicia demurs in response to what's probably a compliment. "So, you two are making it official? Congratulations, then," she gives them both a quick hug before turning to Elle. "Nothing bad happened, but nothing good either - we can talk about it some other time, though, rather than spoil the mood."
06[21:27] * Seira startles. "We have devils coming? Are there devils coming? Why, why are the devils coming?!"
[21:27] <Alicia> "There aren't any, no," Alicia quickly shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, really."
[21:28] <Kotono> "Don't worry about it," Elle echos, "I'll explain what I meant later."
[21:28] <Kotono> Amaryl frowns, before she laughs a little. "Oh, that was an attempt at humor, was it not?"
[21:29] <Kotono> "Oh, sister!" Jessica calls from over at the bar, "You're here!"
06[21:29] * Seira laughs herself.
[21:31] <Alicia> "Hello, Jessica," Alicia waves over to her sister, then adding, "Hello, Roald," to her companion. "I heard Seira was back in town so I thought I'd catch up - I didn't know there was a special occassion, though."
[21:32] <Kotono> Going over and getting a glass of wine, Elle departs for a bit. Amaryl looks to Alicia, "You look so radiant as always.  Your sister looks well also."
01[21:32] <Seira> "I just had this thought," Seira admits. "Of Demedais and Pollyanna exchanging vows, as a devil teleports in to wreck the ceremony. And with the guest list they'll have, being blown to little, tiny bits. I bet those two would be annoyed at first, but it'll become a funny memory before long."
[21:32] <Kotono> Roald grins, the two lovebirds sharing a glass of wine, occasionally having the other sip from it. They're blushing and laughing, giggling away.
06[21:33] * Seira pauses at Amaryl's words, and looks closer at Alicia, examining her from several angles.
[21:33] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia beams at Amaryl, "Actually we really do look a lot better than normal," she leans closer, "Have you ever heard of Evergold?"
05[21:35] -batcave.dejatoons.net:@#dunes- Seira invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[21:35] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #dunes
03[21:35] * Seira sets mode: +v Hatbot
01[21:35] <Seira> roll 1d20+9
06[21:35] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+9 and gets 19." [1d20=10]
01[21:37] <Seira> "Evergold?"
[21:39] <Alicia> "It's a sacred spring in Brightwater where goddesses such as Sune, Liera, Sharess, and sometimes Hanali," she nods to Amaryl while mentioning the elven goddess of beauty, "All bathe. We visited it a few days ago." She then adds, "Before you ask, we never actually met any goddesses."
01[21:41] <Seira> "That might have been awkward," Seira agrees. "Are you supposed to stay in the water if a goddess decides to show up?"
[21:42] <Alicia> "I imagine if they didn't want you to stay you wouldn't have much choice in the matter," Alicia decides after a moment thinking about it.
01[21:42] <Seira> "True enough. So in essense, you bathed and got radiant? I cannot describe in mere words how utterly cool that is!"
06[21:44] * Alicia smiles. "It felt wonderful beyond words - and it healed all my scars as well!" She tugs down the shoulder of her dress to show off her left bicep, "Look - I used to have a really long one up here from a barbazu's glaive, but now it's as smooth as the day I was born!"
06[21:45] * Seira reaches out, stopping herself at the last moment with a questioning glance, seeking permission.
[21:45] <Kotono> Amaryl looks, "Oh, that's lovely. That's so smooth and soft looking, your skin, that is."
[21:45] <Alicia> "Go ahead," Alicia nods, not minding. It's just her arm not someplace intimate, after all, even if she does almost show off some other areas by pulling down her garment in this fashion.
06[21:46] * Seira runs her finger down, not feeling any scars marring the skin. "It must have been wonderful, yes."
[21:48] <Alicia> It's soft skin, although the hardness of dense muscle packed beneath shows very little give to Seira's finger. "It was. And better yet, as lovely as it was for us, I understand it would be extremely hazardous to devils - so I've got two barrels of water from it in the house," Alicia goes on, refixing her attire afterwards.
[21:49] <Kotono> "Oh, that's just a superb bonus," Elle says as she comes back, a glass of wine in hand. "What a lovely spring."
06[21:49] * Seira perks up. "Do you think it could--" She stops briefly, debating it, before asking, "Do you think it could be used to speed up regeneration, too?"
[21:51] <Alicia> "Well, it would probably work for cosmetic issues certainly. I'm not sure if it would heal a true maiming, though," Alicia hazards. "On that note, I actually picked up some scrolls of powerful regeneration magic from Dweomerheart, so those men we rescued from Halla have all been healed, now."
06[21:52] * Seira clasps her hands impulsively. "That's great news, Alicia!"
[21:53] <Alicia> "They were all happy - although how the two lovers of Giselle are doing in competing for her affections now, I wouldn't speculate..."
[21:53] <Kotono> "Two of them?!" AMaryl colors at that hotly, "That sound so scandalous!"
[21:54] <Kotono> "Well, isn't she a Princess?" Drinking her wine down, Elle smiles lopsidedly, "Princesses have the authority."
01[21:54] <Seira> "I don't see a problem," Seira says instantly. "It's not my thing, but consent is all that matters here."
06[21:54] * Seira does wonder whether Giselle is at a stage where she can give it, however.
[21:55] <Alicia> "Queen now," Alicia corrects. "Considering how many kings have mistresses I suppose it's a royal perogative. Whether the men can stand sharing, though..."
01[21:56] <Seira> "I could understand them," Seira muses. "I'm not big on sharing, either. But they all know what they'll be getting into from the start, so...."
[21:56] <Kotono> "If it's good for the goose, it's good for the gander," Elle concludes. "Oh, I'm going to go mingle. This will be so much fun. Oh, there's that stuffy head of Waukeen's church. He wanted to buy some talismans, too."
06[21:57] * Seira laughs. "Gilartal would only be stuffy next to Elle, I swear."
[21:58] <Alicia> "Anyway," Alicia speaks up, "What about you two? What have you been up to this past while - I heard you were either in Pallanth or Malmuth, but no one was sure."
01[21:59] <Seira> "Well, we clearly started in Pallanth, and then we went to Malmuth to mingle and travel and sightsee. We also got an audience with Queen Tant at the end, before we had to return in a hurry."
[21:59] <Kotono> Amaryl blushes here, though holds her peace.
[22:00] <Alicia> "Why'd you have to return in a hurry?" Alicia asks, deciding that's probably more pressing than what the audience entailed.
06[22:01] * Seira looks around to ensure that no one is close by aside from Alicia, first. "Well, in a way, you could say we had to receive King Lorthan's blessing."
[22:03] <Kotono> Amaryl blushes even more, staying close to Seira.
[22:04] <Alicia> "Oh?" Alicia looks between the two of them, deciding it must be some formality of the elven feudal system. "That'd make it official, I suppose," she nods. "I'm not that up on elven culture, so sorry if this is a stupid question, but will one of you be taking the other's name?"
[22:04] <Alicia> As far as she knows Gaial is the more important family, but Seira's father isn't a nobody, either, and there could be all sorts of intricacies she's missing.
[22:05] <Kotono> Amaryl turns even brighter at that, sputtering a few times. "U...uh...uh...A-Alicia..."
01[22:06] <Seira> "Do you want to?" Seira asks Amaryl, turning towards her.
[22:06] <Alicia> Ooops, she just commited a faux pas! "Er, sorry, was that impolite? The only elf I really know well is something of an oddball..." she tries to explain her transgression, blushing herself.
[22:07] <Kotono> "Um..." As red as a fire unchecked, Amaryl tries to speak a few times. "I mean...just...um....it was about...I think what you mean isn't entirely what...it was about family matters..."
06[22:08] * Seira looks a bit upset at that. "Yes, that's one family that won't be throwing any parties. Some of them had this crazy idea I abducted Amaryl against her will!"
[22:09] <Alicia> "It... wasn't?" Alicia becomes even more embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I think I may have misunderstood..."
[22:10] <Kotono> "What did you..." Amaryl begins to ask, "I...kind of...wlel...ran away from my duties at first."
[22:12] <Alicia> "Nevermind what I thought," Alicia shakes her head, smiling pleasantly. "So, you ran away from your duties so King Lorthan approved you leaving the council and now we're welcoming you because you'll be living in Balmuria?" she neatly summarises her new understanding of things. And wonders if it still merits congratulations.
[22:12] <Kotono> "More or less," Amaryl now smiles a little, "I think that covers the general idea of it."
03[22:13] * tai-offtomemorial is now known as tai-blaum
01[22:14] <Seira> "He approved of you living with me, didn't he?" Seira asks, frowning again. "Because if I misunderstood that part, I'll have to return and just ask him directly."
06[22:15] * Seira crosses her hands in front of her chest. "He told me to care for you and never hurt you and everything! Did I really misunderstand?"
[22:16] <Alicia> This looks like a good time to discreetly leave them to it. "Oh, I think my sister needs me - I'll talk to you both later?" Alicia offers before retreating.
[22:16] <Kotono> Now blushing again, hotly, "Seira...um...I think I meant....Just..." Taking her arm, "Let's go have ad rink and see what's going on? I didn't mean ti like that, jut that..."
06[22:21] * Seira breathes out. "Alright. It's probably some pointless misunderstanding, again. But just so the most important person doesn't misunderstand, I'll say it as clearly as I can.
01[22:21] <Seira> Amaryl, I want you to stay here with me, and not because I want to hire your maids. I want you to travel the world with me until we both get tired of it and find another occupation. If you want to do the name-changing ceremony, I'll get a last name just for that. Alright? Was that clear enough, just now?"
[22:25] <Kotono> "I know," Smiling a little, "I get the idea, Seira. It's very clear."
06[22:26] * Seira looks a little embarrassed. "That's great, then. Let's catch up to Alicia so she doesn't have to feel awkward anymore at the party?"
[22:27] <Alicia> Alicia is currently learning all about how to bake bread! So much she never knew...
01[22:29] <Seira> "I think we worked out the misunderstanding," Seira brightly announces, whispering to Alicia as she comes closer, "You no longer have to seek refuge in bread and its intricacies."
06[22:32] * Alicia decides to move along rather than draw further attention to her faux pas, "It's actually interesting. I used to do a little bit of baking myself, but it was always so plain compared to what Roald here can do," she smiles. "So, what was that you were saying earlier about visiting Queen Tant?"
[22:33] <Kotono> Roald and Jessica are laughing as they chat with Alicia, drinking up. "Oh Alicia, it's like you never seem to see him," Giggling, Jessica touches her sister's arm. "Roald, you should make sure Alicia gets more of your bread. It really is good."
01[22:34] <Seira> "She is a very kind person," Seira is happy to inform her. "The Queen is also very practical, and seems to hold both peaceful coexistence and us in high regard. She thanked us for dealing with her predecessor, and I got the feeling it wasn't just because it landed her the job."
01[22:35] <Seira> "I have discussed greater cooperation with Queen Tant. Any cooperation, to be honest, as well as opening up communication channels to Malmuth. We haven't had that avenue ever since Claris joined us."
[22:36] <Alicia> "Well for some reason we always have so much bread in the house that I never need to go shopping for it..." Alicia remarks innocently, before nodding to Seira and feeling a bit awkward at the two conversations at once. "Well, it's good to know she's reasonable. Not been much of that going around in royalty we've encountered lately."
06[22:38] * Seira nods briefly. "Yes, sadly." She leans closer still, whispering, "Any chance I could talk to you in private before I leave tomorrow morning?"
[22:39] <Alicia> "You're leaving? Well, sure - where do you want to meet up?" Alicia asks, likewise lowering her voice.
01[22:39] <Seira> "It wouldn't take long, I think. Whenever and wherever is convenient to you."
[22:41] <Alicia> "I can come by after dawn?" Alicia offers, wondering what this could be about.
[22:44] <Alicia> The next day, Alicia arrives at the inn bright and early, currently all geared up since she intends to go and see how badly the guards have slacked off without her regular training sessions after this. For now, however, she's all Seira's...
06[22:46] * Seira leads Alicia to the backyard, which is suitably out of the way and private for her needs. "It is a bit embarrassing, but I need some advice. I don't really know who to ask. I mean, I can't ask Dad! And I don't have any other family...." She trails off helplessly.
[22:47] <Alicia> "If it's anything I can help with, I'll do what I can," Alicia replies with an encouraging smile. "Is it about Lady Gaial?"
01[22:48] <Seira> "Yes. Umm. You don't have to call her that if you don't want to. I'm sure she would like more people to treat her closer, like a friend." She sighs suddenly. "See? It's even things like that. She sometimes sounded sad when she talks about not being allowed to have friends, but does it mean she actually wants more people to treat her normally and call her Amaryl like I do?"
[22:51] <Alicia> "Well, if you think she'd prefer informality - I suppose since she's left her family... have they formally disowned her? Actually, wasn't she the head of the family, so can they even do that?" Alicia asks, puzzling it over. "From what you were saying last night, it sounds like there's some bad blood in there."
01[22:54] <Seira> "Yes. Her family doesn't like me. I'm fairly certain they don't really like her, either. Would you try to run away from a place you were loved? From your own family?" Seira scowls.
01[22:54] <Seira> "The only thing the King took from her was the position and title of Scion, so at least they won't be able to hurt her again the way you suggested. And even that... there seem to be all sorts of status even for ex Scions... and we're getting off topic. Anyway. I don't understand Amaryl sometimes. Maybe if I did, she wouldn't feel like her only option was to run away with me."
[23:01] <Alicia> "Well, you know her better than I do - the most time I've spent with her was actually when we first met, the first time in Pallanth," Alicia begins. "The impression I got was that she's rather impressionable - she seemed to be taking all her cues from Lord Highsun, but was also very receptive to what I said, even if it was mostly diplomatic niceties."
[23:01] <Alicia> "I don't doubt that she's also very attentive towards everything you do, Seira, and is using you as an example of someone who lives their life on their own terms and comes out better for everything she does." She leans against the wall surrounding the inn's garden, "Have you actually advised her on how she should handle her problems or is she just copying you out of instinct?"
06[23:05] * Seira snorts. "She handled it differently than how I would, even after I voiced my contradicting opinion. Or both Lord Highsun and King Lorthan. Amaryl's changed quite a bit, and I'm very proud of the way she's standing up for herself. We'll just have to work on the blushing part next." The amusement does not last long.
01[23:05] <Seira> "But leaving your home is painful, and I feel that it's my fault. I wasn't observant enough, I didn't see how bad things were for her. What if I make that mistake again?"
[23:10] <Alicia> "Well, realistically Seira - how much did you actually see?" Alicia asks. "She lived on the other side of the continent and you only ever had quick visits - that's a world away from being with someone day in day out. Any time you appeared would've been a break in her natural routine, giving you a far different picture than you'd get if your presence was taken for granted."
01[23:12] <Seira> "I suppose I'll see her more, now," Seira allows slowly. "She-- it wouldn't be a problem if Amaryl came along sometimes, would it? Training only gets you so far, and I would be really worried about her adventuring alone."
06[23:14] * Alicia blinks, the thought of Amaryl fighting and killing horrific monsters really not meshing with her image of the girl from previous encounters. "She actually wants to do that?"
01[23:15] <Seira> "She actually wants to do that," Seira confirms. "She's been working really hard, too."
[23:20] <Alicia> "I see... well, if you think she's up to it," Alicia replies slowly. "That's surely a big if, though. I mean, the sort of things we face these days can kill an unprepared foe with horrifying ease. I'd want to see for sure where she stands before going along with something like that."
[23:20] <Alicia> She takes a breath, "Anyway, that's a tangent, we were talking about her decision to run away. Did you ever have much interaction with her family yourself?"
01[23:23] <Seira> "They always looked at me like I was beneath them, and Amaryl was always very tired after 'talking' with them," Seira says, making air quotes. "And a bit down, too. But she would always tell me it's nothing and not to worry about it. Even this time...." Seira looks upset. "I think I'm a shallow, selfish person. In the end, there is something that bothers me even more, and it's all centered on me."
01[23:30] <Seira> "Amaryl told her family that she wanted to live with someone she loved. And she called me a friend in the same breath. It's like... it's always like this. I should just be happy to have her, but sometimes I wonder if there's a part of her that's embarrassed about being with me. I don't know what to do about this! I feel bad just for thinking about it!"
[23:34] <Alicia> "It does sound like perhaps you should have pressed on the subject of her family," Alicia admits. "Instead of confronting her problems she saw you as representing an escape which she's eagerly leapt upon." Pushing off the wall, she puts a hand on Seira's shoulder, "But it's obvious you care about her a lot, and she cares about you - I saw how she was hanging off you last night."
[23:34] <Alicia> "Even if her words and blushes convey uncertainty, her other gestures show a lot of comfort in your presence. I don't know her well enough to really speculate on her motivations and feelings, but there's definitely something there. Have you asked her directly? How - forgive the bluntness - how intimate have you gotten?"
03[23:40] * Carthrat (Mokou@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) has joined #dunes
06[23:43] * Seira colors at that. "I really, really shouldn't worry about how she feels. I should know that. It's just... when we're not in private...." Seira pauses. "I know I didn't misunderstand, back in Pallanth, and neither did she. Should I propose? Is that what people do? Is she waiting on me to?"
02[23:45] * Nao (Mokou@c122-107-246-130.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au) Quit (Ping timeout)
[23:46] <Alicia> That sounds like confirmation, so Alicia accepts it as such. "That depends on how serious you are - do you see yourself spending the rest of your life with her?" she asks firstly.
[23:46] <Alicia> "But in my opinion you should hold off on something like that until she's truly comfortable - if she has issues with having your relationship 'on display' as it were she's probably going to get cold feet over something so formal."
01[23:51] <Seira> "Maybe that's it," Seira agrees, mulling it over. "I-- it's not like I want to display anything." She looks away. "But the denials hurt, even if they're softly-worded and roundabout. She keeps on telling me that... and that she's sure. And that I shouldn't worry. And I try not to, most of the time. But the few times I do, it's really lonely because I don't know what to do, or who to ask for advice."
[23:53] <Alicia> "I'm here for you," Alicia offers with a smile. "You could try asking Marie as well since she has more experience with these kinds of relationships than I do, but personally I'd take it with a large grain of salt. Although..." she hums for a moment,
[23:53] <Alicia> "It sounds like she's denying there's any problem between you in the same way she used to deny there was any problem with her family - does that sound right?"
01[23:55] <Seira> "Without the tired and upset part," Seira says hesitantly. "I'm really not forcing her into being a person she doesn't want to be, into doing what she doesn't want to, like they had for fourteen years, at least, and who knows how long before."
Session Time: Fri Feb 27 00:00:00 2009
06[00:00] * Alicia nods. "Okay," she accepts that. "I think next time you talk about why she's so hesitant in front of others you really need to force the issue and not let her give you a vague or non-answer. Until she clears things up you're just going to be fumbling in the dark."
[00:00] <Alicia> "It could be she's just not used to these kinds of relationships, or it could be she's looking for something different than you are - but it's no good guessing."
01[00:03] <Seira> "I'm... not used to it, either," Seira admits. "Or at all. And I don't have the heart to force it. Every time I tried, I just couldn't."
[00:08] <Alicia> "You really have to," Alicia suggests, adopting a more instructional approach since Seira could perhaps benefit from it. "It might even lead to a fight, and that's fine - I know when you're young it's easy to think a fight can doom a romance because everything has to be perfect, but nothing could be further from the truth."
[00:08] <Alicia> "Love requires work, and sometimes it hurts, but in the long run it's necessary - think of it like pulling out a splinter. Sure it's a sharp shock, but if you don't then problems can fester and grow far out of proportion."
06[00:11] * Seira nods seriously. "I'll have to do it. I'll need to ask Amaryl again." With a pleading look, she adds suddenly, "But you don't really think she wants something else, do you?"
[00:12] <Alicia> "I'm sorry, Seira, I really don't know her well enough," Alicia shakes her head apologetically. "Certainly she seems to enjoy your company a great deal, that much is plain to see."
01[00:17] <Seira> Seira's expression is unreadable for a few moments, before she says, "I hope that when we'll return from the second trip to Malmuth, you could congratulate us again, and this time, Amaryl would accept that with a smile. At least with you. With my closest friends. At least there I want her to be confortable enough with this."
[00:19] <Alicia> "I hope so too," Alicia gives Seira a hug, although her armour makes it less enjoyable than it might otherwise be. "Good luck, Seira."
06[00:25] * Seira returns it. "Thanks, Alicia. I'll trust in Amaryl's words to me. And I won't forget this."

[Corwin]

[19:34] <Kotono> -------
[19:34] <Kotono> OOC: What were your plans for th enext morning? Go over Gulnan via TP or something else?
03[19:34] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
01[19:36] <Seira> OOC: If it's alright, I'd like to have a couple scenes in Balmuria before going there. We can leave just fine around ten or so, I think. The temple part can surely be handwaved, but I'd like to try and help Mia with Lagann's designs, and ask Abby how are things.
01[19:36] <Seira> OOC: The purchases are also settled, right?
[19:39] <Kotono> OOC: Yes. Temple stuff is without incident. What are you going to do with Lagann, just try and use it's powers to help Mia?
01[19:39] <Seira> OOC: Sure, it doesn't really need a scene if it's a matter of a roll
[19:40] <Kotono> OOC: Goa head and make an int check?
01[19:42] <Seira> roll 1d20+10
06[19:42] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10 and gets 26." [1d20=16]
[19:45] <Kotono> It takes some time of working with Lagann, but soon a prototype is made. It's made of iron and adamantine in theory, looking pretty good if you resolve about two dozen 'quirks' Lagann added. Mia is quite pleased.
01[19:46] <Seira> "It's good to have quirks, actually," Seira comments. "Makes it harder to copy the design if you're not in the know."
[19:51] <Kotono> Mia beams, holding the prototype, "Well, yes, once it's tandardized, but thank you!"
01[19:52] <Seira> "Lagann is great at what he does!" Seira responds, giving credit where it is due. "He is an amazing partner!"
[19:54] <Kotono> "Isn't he? Say..Seira..." Eyeing Lagann openly, "Does it have a brother? Or a sister, or whatever?"
01[19:57] <Seira> "No, but if one of my projects goes through, we'll have something even better in the end," Seira answers rather mysteriously. "I'll be leaving again, now, so hold down the fort in the meanwhile? If there's something, use a Sending to get in touch with me!"
03[19:57] * Celenu (WinNT@user-5443d10e.lns6-c8.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
[19:57] <Kotono> "I will." Mia smiles broadly. "Until then!"
01[19:58] <Seira> Giving her a parting wave, Seira decides to touch base with Abagail. It's a precious chance that won't repeat for another few weeks, and she'd been neglecting the girl as it is.
[19:59] <Kotono> Abagail is found to the west of Balmuria. Just outside the city gates a building is being constructed. Several men are working on it, Abagail keeping an eye on them and hleping out with a few cantrips here and there.
01[20:02] <Seira> "I'm sorry we didn't have much of a chance to speak lately," Seira apologizes as she comes closer. "Things kept on happening one after another. I'm here now, however."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Oh!" Turning around in a little bit of surprise, a hand ot her chest, "You startled me!" With sharp tones, "I was concentrating, I didn't even notice you come up."
01[20:06] <Seira> "Don't feel too bad, I'm very sneaky!" Seira says, winking at her. "How are we doing?"
[20:07] <Kotono> "Second house of the month." Looking them over again as they work, men slowly erecting the framework for a simple enough home, "It varies a lot. Some take to the work and the nature of it, but some are irredeemable curs who try to sneak away or cause trouble. This group right here is the best group we have so far. They're fairly reliable as they go and do decent work."
06[20:10] * Seira nods. "That much is to be expected," she muses, sighing. "Even if it's regrettable. Aside from congratulating you on a work well done, of which I had no doubt, I've also come to consult with you on a few matters. Abagail, do you think some of those in our program would prefer a military life? I'm thinking more of manning remote outposts than doing parades, naturally."
[20:13] <Kotono> "Most of these...mph. Some might. Some are bandits or brigands who had a order of sorts in there. Plus a few are interested in a fresh start away from everything. How remote are you thinking about?"
01[20:15] <Seira> "Very remote. And very confidential, at least right now." Seira's voice lowers accordingly. "I've yet to approach Lord Salman with the idea, but I would like to create a special branch in our military forces. One that would alert us to threats to our peaceful coexistence far in advance, and from which we could draw upon to fight them, if necessary. (more)
01[20:16] <Seira> I feel so strongly about this that if I don't secure that approval, I will likely proceed with it on my own by forming it as a mercenary army."
[20:19] <Kotono> "That important?" With a long look, "I do declare that you look entirely serious on this matter. Most of them aren't that trustworthy for it, but there are a few who may fit that mold."
01[20:21] <Seira> "I'll likely require the signing of a magically-binding contract for those who would like to volunteer, to ensure that they are on the level. They won't be forced into it, after all." Seira shrugs. "But I realize how hard it must be for those who have been convicted of a crime to receive recognition and a second chance. This might offer them a second start, far away from here, while still doing good."
[20:22] <Kotono> "I'll start to gauge them for those who would be receptive. How long would it be before you start to muster them?"
01[20:25] <Seira> "No sooner than a month, but soon after that. I'll need as much for further preparations on my end," Seira informs Abagail. "At the same time, though it might be a bit taxing, do you have enough confidence in this program to take it out of the experimental stage? It benefitted Balmuria, and there is no reason to think Valandia would not fair as well. And then, it might spread throughout the Baronies!"
[20:29] <Kotono> "I think the fundamentals are good enough. It would be a matter of training people to handle them. It does need a fair bit of labor and attention to work," Abagail considers, "They are simple ruffians at first, remember."
01[20:31] <Seira> "I do," Seira agrees. "Are any of the graduating class, so to speak, motivated enough to be educated as additional trainers?"
[20:36] <Kotono> "Mmmm. Maaaybe," Wavering a hand back and forth, "I'm not sure yet."
01[20:38] <Seira> "This is where we should be prudent and wait until you're absolutely confident," Seira agrees. "I'll see if I can also find someone who could assist you."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Thanks," Smiling a little, "That's downright noble of you."
01[20:41] <Seira> "In a year, I hope that everyone in the Baronies knows of your work," Seira says sincerely. "What you're doing here, it's not only very important, it's downright revolutionary!"
[20:43] <Kotono> "Such hopefulness...hopefully these ruffians can be reached and made into respectable sorts." Looking at the house being built now, "That would be pleasant."
01[20:45] <Seira> "It would be," Seira agrees, and reaches in her bandoleer, retrieving a scroll case. "It's nothing fancy, but I just wanted to leave you with something. A personal, short-term goal, in a way." She hands it over. "We were talking about having a place to stay while traveling, remember? This is no mansion, but the spell creates a very comfortable dwelling for the night, and adequately warded, too.
01[20:45] <Seira> I hope you can master it quickly."
[20:47] <Kotono> "Oh, thank you!" Looking the scroll over and smiling, "Oh yes, it will be something to work towards. Handy for the next time I must travel, too."
01[20:48] <Seira> "Pretty much," Seira agrees with a smile of her own. "Once you can cast this freely, you are just one step away from being one of the top mages in the world."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Heh, heh," Blushing at that, "One day!"
[20:54] <Kotono> ---
[20:55] <Kotono> Amaryl is found preparing in the morning. She eats a late breakfast of porridge and cream, her quiver of arrows lying on the floor against her chair. "Good morning!" she says agreeably enough, "Are you back now, Seira?"
01[20:58] <Seira> "Yes," Seira calls back, finding it strange to be leaving her eyes uncovered after wearing her shades for so long. She closes the door behind her, moving another chair to be opposite Amaryl before taking a seat. "It seems that those I'm sponsoring are doing well with themselves. It's always pleasant to see. I hope they'll go far."
[20:59] <Kotono> Wiping a little cream off her upper lip, "Good. That's what you were going to see? I think you menionted it, but last night is a bit of a blur now."
01[21:00] <Seira> "I made an appointment with Mia, there was a slight business with Roald -- wish him the best, really, and then I visited Abby. I never got a chance to talk to her last night, and I couldn't just leave again without that."
[21:05] <Kotono> "Oh." Smiling a littl enow, "Will be leaving soon now that those matters are done, Seira? We're still going back to Malmuth, aren't we?"
01[21:09] <Seira> "We are," Seira confirms. "I'll take us to Gulnan, and then I'll summon steeds to take us even further. If there's trouble of some sort, we'll still have a teleport left in reserve." She barely avoids wincing, taking a deep breath instead. "But first, can we talk a bit? I tried to understand on my own, but I can't, so I need to ask you something."
[21:11] <Kotono> "Oh?" Putting aside her breakfast bowl, "What is it, Seira?"
01[21:13] <Seira> "It's really difficult for me to ask, but I'll try." Seira wrings out her hands, before noticing what she's doing and placing them firmly on the table before her. "I told you last night what it is that I want. Even if it's mostly a blur, you remember that part, don't you?"
[21:16] <Kotono> "I think so?" Amaryl says afte ra moment, "I drank a bit of wine and that made everything get blurry."
06[21:22] * Seira blanches. Does she really have to say all that again? The very thought is mortifying. "I told you," she forces herself to say, "that I wanted to be with you. Not as friends. As... a couple." Color returns to Seira's face, until she's blushing. "It's really unfair that you're making me repeat it, Amaryl! Do you... do you want the same?"
[21:24] <Kotono> Amaryl blushes, "Seira, I...after what we did...is there any doubt?" Turning redder and redder, "I won't do that with just anyone!"
01[21:28] <Seira> "It's not like I, either--!" Seira exclaims. "Amaryl. If it's like that, then why does it feel like we have to pretend in front of our friends? I don't care about the people we come across, people we don't even know, but are you embarrassed if our closest friends know?"
[21:29] <Kotono> "No!" Blushing even more, "No...just...it's not proper to advertise a relationship that openly!
[21:29] <Kotono> "
01[21:31] <Seira> "Even to people closer to us than family?" Seira asks in surprise. "In some ways... they're really my family."
[21:34] <Kotono> "Seira, it's just..." Fumbling for words, "Relationships are between two people. Not...not between two people and the rest of the world."
01[21:39] <Seira> "I understand! I understand," Seira repeats. "But when Celebrimbor came across me, after I escaped from a really horrible place...." She lays her head on her hands, observing the table's surface aimlessly.
01[21:39] <Seira> "A part of me was happy that you weren't worried, but there was also a selfish part that really wanted to hear from you. To know that you thought of me. If he knew, maybe he would have told you. Maybe you would've come along. It was difficult, being on my own. To the point I asked Elle to let me stay."
[21:42] <Kotono> "Oh..." Looking down at the table, studying smooth wood with an almost religious ferver, "Seira, I...That's why I wanted to go with you, too. You've always been running of to the next insane danger."
06[21:43] * Seira laughs suddenly. "Would you believe I wasn't even looking for trouble that one time?"
[21:44] <Kotono> "I think you said that," Amaryl blushes a little more now, "...I'm sorry. I upset you, didn't I?"
01[21:46] <Seira> "I'm really happy to hear that you want to keep me safe," Seira says. "It's not something I really hear. People either fight alongside me, or look towards me for protection. It's a really nice feeling, hearing that."
[21:48] <Kotono> "....thanks..." Coloring once more, "Seira, I..." Getting up and goign to Seira, red-hot as she wraps around her in a hug. "Don't be mad at me. I don't want you to be mad at me."
06[21:53] * Seira leans into Amaryl's hands. "If I'm mad, it's at myself. I knew you had problems back when you used in Pallanth, but I would always back off on questioning you about them, even though I knew I really should. I just don't want to make that mistake again. I never want you to be uncomfortable, or feel you have to hide anything from me. I never want to see you troubled again, assuring me that you're fine."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Oh..." Hugging Seira tightly, "Thank you, Seira..."
03[22:01] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[22:01] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
01[22:03] <Seira> -------
01[22:04] <Seira> Once their preparations are over, and Donald receives his instructions for the next few weeks, as well as a promise to take him along on the next trip Seira intends to take, she adjusts her disguise to what it was in Malmuth, takes Amaryl's hand and concentrates on the road sign she had seen on her way back to Balmuria after appearing in the basin.
01[22:04] <Seira> roll 1d100 seen once?
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 seen once? and gets 4." [1d100=4]
[22:07] <Kotono> Woosh! The two appear at the sign! It's raining this morning, heavy raindrops splattering the two adventurers instantly. Amaryl holds her arm just above her eyes, "Rainstorm? What horrible luck!
[22:07] <Kotono> "
06[22:08] * Seira laughs. "We're right where we are, which is more than I can say for the last time I appeared in these parts. The bottom of the basin, if you're wondering." She smiles crookedly. "The rain won't stop me from providing horses for us, and once we're out of it, I'll dry us up, alright?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "How?" Amaryl looks long at Seira. "And certainly. WE're traveling to the east, towards Tauret and past it?"
01[22:13] <Seira> "I was escaping Pandemonium," Seira responds, getting ready to conjure up the first Phantom Steed. "Trust me, the bottom of the Gulnan Basin was a step up. And that's pretty much right. On our trip back, we can finally stop by Purinn. As you can see, it's less than a day's ride from here."
[22:25] <Kotono> ""Ah," Nodding in the rain, "Let's go then?"
06[22:30] * Seira leaves their generic map of the area in Amaryl's hands, given her own cursed handicap with geography, and once both horses have been conjured is more than ready to proceed towards their destination!
[22:31] <Kotono> roll 1d100 for random possibilites
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 for random possibilites and gets 82." [1d100=82]
[22:31] <Kotono> roll 1d100 borderline reroll
06[22:31] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 borderline reroll and gets 69." [1d100=69]
[22:37] <Kotono> Thus the trip begins. An few hours into it the two stop for lunch. This ends up being a very long, interesting lunch for both of them., one thing leading to another. It's quite the enjoyable encounter, but ultimately the two continue their trip. Slowing down at one point in the midafternoon, low mountans and hills all about, "SEira," Peering at the map, "I'm having to do a lot of guesswork here since we're moving so fast, but I think we're goin
[22:37] <Kotono> "I'm having to do a lot of guesswork here since we're moving so fast, but I think we're going to reach there tomorrow or late tonight?"
01[22:39] <Seira> "Late tonight would be ideal," Seira responds, quickly calculating the time she has on the conjured mounts. "It would allow us to arrive under cover of darkness, without too many observers, and also let me conserve my spells for tomorrow. Let's aim for that?"

[Corwin]

[19:30] <Kotono> Thus the two continue on! Amid the hills of the Enaldis Mountains the two come to Catamact several hours past sundown. A chilly wind is blowing as they approach it. It is a cluster of buildings tucked in between a few hills, unremarkable to an eye that look sat it at night and briefly.
01[19:32] <Seira> Time to see if the cluster of buildings contains an inn, Seira decides, dismounting. Once Amaryl has followed suit, it would be simple to dismiss the steeds. Should they need a swift escape, the ring of teleportation exists for that.
[19:43] <Kotono> Dismounting and joining Seira, "An inn?" she asks, "Will we sleep and work in the morning or...?"
01[19:45] <Seira> "We'll try to find a place to stay, and see how things go," Seira responds, dismissing their mounts. "If news of the cult have reached the capital, they must not be particularly secretive, and likely try to recruit travelers." And doesn't that sound disturbingly close to the Kesse approach? Seira decides not to judge before seeing the cult for herself, however.
[19:50] <Kotono> Thus the two head into the town! Only a few buildings have lights on. One does look to be an inn - one big room, a small communal inn. Several cots and beds are about, a single woman waiting in here. She's ancient, old and toothless as she rises up with her cane. "Aaah, evening, evening travelers! What brings you into here so late in the night?"
01[19:53] <Seira> "We misjudged the distance," Seira responds, shrugging. "And you know how hard it is sometimes to give up with the goal just ahead? A night's sleep in an actual bed over a bedroll by the side of the roll sounds so much better!"
[19:59] <Kotono> "Well, come in dearies," Smiling with black gums and no teeth, a deep lisp in her voice, "The inn's free, take a bed and rest well."
01[20:00] <Seira> "Free?" Seira asks in surprise, even as she steps inside and unfastens her cloak. "Does it run on donations?"
[20:02] <Kotono> "No, it's ran by the community." Smiling again now, "Anyone out this far deserves a place to rest. You can donate a coin to running it if you want, but there's no requirement."
01[20:05] <Seira> "I think I will," Seira muses, draping her cloak over the nearest bed, while mentally asking Lagann whether it senses anything resembling weapons or spring-based traps nearby. "Sounds like a great community, doesn't it, Amy? It's a friendly approach many others should well pick up on."
[20:11] <Kotono> Lagann doesn't detect anything beyond some metal in a bag a ways away. Coins. "It's so nice. Most communities aren't so open," seh gushes.
01[20:14] <Seira> Lagann can keep watch overnight, just to be on the safe side. With that taken care of, Seira gestures at the next bed. "Let's rest up?" she suggests with a smile. "Pleasant though it is to hear about this, the community will still be here in the morning."
[20:24] <Kotono> Thus sleep comes...(More)
[20:30] <Kotono> It's raining coins. Gold coins? Yes, gold coins and silver coins and copper coins and platinum coins. Coins and coins and coins and coins! There are coins falling alla round Seira, like free money from the skies. She stands outside in an open field, as money showers her from the clear blue sky.
06[20:33] * Seira is taken aback. The symbolism is plain to her, but why now? Does Waukeen wish something of her? Did she do something wrong and needs to be shown back on the right path?
[20:39] <Kotono> The coins continue to fall! Seira is up to her hips in them! Her shoulders! Her facE! She's finding herself drowning in coins...no, in water. IN cool water. She's in the ocean now, laughing. Uatu is laughing with her about s omething. She's not sure what, but she knows it was funny. Otherwise, why would she be laughing?
[20:42] <Kotono> OOC - Oolu. Go me.
01[20:43] <Seira> It's probably something perverted, knowing that lech, but Seira can play along just fine! Besides, he's funny and harmless, and she can appreciate that.
[20:47] <Kotono> "Now," Oolu goes on, "What about you?"
01[20:49] <Seira> "If you think that's funny, I've got a better one right here for you," Seira responds, smiling. She can breathe just fine in the water, likely due to her ability to breathe water, and merely floats in it, relaxing. "I traveled through time, twice. Once to the future, and once to the past. You could call them prophetic dreams if you'd like, but each helped me immensely in its own way.
01[20:49] <Seira> And now, it's happening again. How cool is that?"
[20:56] <Kotono> Amaryl giggles and blushes, neck deep in the bathwater as she splashes Seira. "That was cool. But what about that?" she says, pointing at the large troll right besides Seira.
01[20:58] <Seira> "A minor inconvenience," Seira responds, calling upon a cone of fire to smite it.
[21:01] <Kotono> As the troll burns..."Seira?" Amaryl says. Seira sits up in her bed, a bit of smoke and heat around her face. Her shoulder is being shaken. "Seira, wake up!"
01[21:02] <Seira> Seira's eyes snap open, as she instantly takes stock of the situation! Heat doesn't bother her, but there shouldn't be any!
[21:07] <Kotono> She's lying in her bed. There's a bit of smoke in the air! "Seira, you were talking in your sleep and then breathed a bit of fire. Are you alright? Bad dream?" Amaryl says all in a rush.
01[21:11] <Seira> "A strange, lucid... dream?" Seira doesn't sound certain as she says that part, calling upon the Detect Magic cantrip before looking at herself. Could a Nightmare had been cast on her, or a similar effect? She refuses to believe that she simply lost control like that without outside interference.
[21:12] <Kotono> There's no unusual magic around. Sunlight is coming in from windows, watery sunlight. There's a bowl of porridge besides Seira's bed. That's about it. No magic, nothing unusual.
01[21:13] <Seira> "This is impossible," Seira insists. "I have never lost control like this. Never."
[21:17] <Kotono> "What's impossible," Amaryl blinks at Seira. "OVersleeping?"
06[21:18] * Seira blinks. "That too. But the breathing of fire, weird dream combination. You were also in it."
[21:23] <Kotono> "How odd," Amaryl says carefully, "Maybe it was the late night's fault?"
01[21:24] <Seira> "I guess we'll see when we stay here again," Seira muses, batting at the smoke to disperse it. "Where's our host?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "She brought that porridge and went to bed. No one's here right now," Amaryl answers, "It's closer to lunch than breakfast, though."
01[21:57] <Seira> "Let's take a look around once I've eaten?" Seira suggests, a mischievous smile appearing. "I don't have a problem reheating it, after all."
[22:01] <Kotono> Laughing at that, "I'm glad no one was around ot be surprised by that."
[22:05] <Kotono> Breakfast goes without incident. After, "Let's look around town," Amaryl suggests, "Anything in particular?"
01[22:07] <Seira> "How the people here are treating the kids," Seira muses. "You can often tell by that. Plus, they hear more than we think, and don't have much of a problem with sharing it."
[22:12] <Kotono> "Aw," Amaryl smiles a little, "LEt's go see the children then?"
06[22:12] * Seira smiles back. "Let's!"
[22:15] <Kotono> Looking about, you find the children laughing and playing in the fields. About a dozen of them, running about happily enough.
01[22:18] <Seira> "Hey!" Seira calls over to the kids, catching up. "What'cha playing? Can I join, too?"

[Corwin]

[19:18] <Kotono> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[19:19] <Kotono> <Seira> "I guess we'll see when we stay here again," Seira muses, batting at the smoke to disperse it. "Where's our host?"
[19:19] <Kotono> > "She brought that porridge and went to bed. No one's here right now," Amaryl answers, "It's closer to lunch than breakfast, though."
[19:19] <Kotono> <Seira> "Let's take a look around once I've eaten?" Seira suggests, a mischievous smile appearing. "I don't have a problem reheating it, after all."
[19:19] <Kotono> > Laughing at that, "I'm glad no one was around ot be surprised by that."
[19:19] <Kotono> > Breakfast goes without incident. After, "Let's look around town," Amaryl suggests, "Anything in particular?"
[19:19] <Kotono> <Seira> "How the people here are treating the kids," Seira muses. "You can often tell by that. Plus, they hear more than we think, and don't have much of a problem with sharing it."
[19:19] <Kotono> > "Aw," Amaryl smiles a little, "LEt's go see the children then?"
[19:19] <Kotono> * Seira smiles back. "Let's!"
[19:19] <Kotono> > Looking about, you find the children laughing and playing in the fields. About a dozen of them, running about happily enough.
[19:19] <Kotono> <Seira> "Hey!" Seira calls over to the kids, catching up. "What'cha playing? Can I join, too?"
[19:21] <Kotono> OOC: You're in a human disguise, yes?
01[19:21] <Seira> OOC: Yep!
[19:25] <Kotono> The children run around Seira and Amaryl. Grassy dust is kicked up in the cool air as they do. "Oh, new people!" One of them sings. "New people, new people! We're playing tag!"
01[19:27] <Seira> "I wanna play!" Seira insists, and glances at Amaryl. "How about you? It will be fun!"
[19:28] <Kotono> "Oh...it would be fun, wouldn't it?" Amaryl smiles kindly down to the children, "Can you show us how to play?"
06[19:28] * Seira winks at the kids, before tapping Amaryl on her nose. "You're it!"
[19:30] <Kotono> "H-hey!" Amaryl sputters as the children laugh and run off in all directions! "You can't catch us...!"
06[19:31] * Seira gives her a mischievous smile, and skips back, arms held innocently behind her, before taking off after the kids!
[19:37] <Kotono> The children are laughing and running as Amaryl starts for another few seconds, before she takes off following! She gives hot pursuit to the children and Seira, but has no luck immediately! It takes her a good couple of minutes to get anyone, finally getting a larger boy who is out of breath, tagging off onhim.
06[19:39] * Seira takes it as her cue to appear behind Amaryl and tap her shoulder. "Wouldn't be standing here if I were you," she suggests helpfully. "Out of breath or not," Seira continues in sing-song, "you're still within easy reach!"
[19:52] <Kotono> CAtching her breath for just a moment, "Yes, yes," she eyes Seira with a little smile, "Why me first?"
06[19:53] * Seira matches the smile. "You asked for it. Literally." Taking Amaryl's hand, she runs off with her before the boy Amaryl had tagged is ready to proceed.
[19:56] <Kotono> The two run off! The game continues! The children tend to go after Seira and Amaryl somewhat, but it's not too hard to avoid them. After awhile the children slow down and slacken, breath caught and the game waning. The big boy puts his hand son his hps, "Hey now, now what? Let's play something different!"
01[19:58] <Seira> "Do you have a ball?" Seira asks, squatting down. "I know some great games for that!"
[20:00] <Kotono> "I can get one," A little girl smiles at that, hands on her knees. "You're fun!"
01[20:01] <Seira> "I don't get to play often," Seira laments, before adding sagely, "You must never miss a chance to do it!"
[20:03] <Kotono> The girl runs off at this, "I'll get it!" she carols, as the big boy looks up at Seira. "Where are you from?"
03[20:04] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-544690da.lns5-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:04] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
01[20:05] <Seira> "Well, we started in Valandia, but we've traveled all over since that time," Seira responds. "We even went to the capital! It's really, really huge!" She gestures with her arms, leaping a foot. "The walls are five times higher than that, and there are lots and lots of people!"
[20:05] <Kotono> "Woooooooow!" The children's eyes go large at this. "Really?!"
06[20:08] * Seira nods enthusiastically. "There was also this really large house, where everything was made of silver! It had flowing fountains and crystal and marble, and everything there was shiny."
[20:09] <Kotono> "It was really pretty. You could see your reflection ine verything," Amaryl smiles widely.
[20:10] <Kotono> "Cooooool!" One of the kids gushes!
01[20:10] <Seira> "It's our goal to travel everywhere and see everything," Seira declares proudly, straightening up.
[20:16] <Kotono> "Cool!" The kid repeats, "Even here?"
03[20:17] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[20:17] <Seira> "Even here!" Seira echoes him. "Hey, hey, what should I see here?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "You mean like showy things, big things," The big boy scratche sths die of his head, as the other kids flock around. "Ooooh!" one calls, "Go see the broken hill!
[20:21] <Kotono> "
06[20:22] * Seira tilts her head. "Broken hill? What's that? Where's that? Why is it cool?"
[20:23] <Kotono> "It's several miles away. We're not supposed to go there except one the grown-ups take us. It's like the hill got broken into two!"
01[20:26] <Seira> "It must be okay for us to go, then," Seira says with a shrug. "Where's away?" She points to her left. "That way?"
[20:29] <Kotono> Pointing to the northeast, "That way. Follow the stream ahead, it passes by it."
01[20:31] <Seira> "Great! Sounds like a nice place to take a walk to in the afternoon," Seira muses. "We won't get in the way, would we?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "Get in the way of what?" One child asks, as Amaryl looks that way, peering ahead.
01[20:32] <Seira> "Other people sight-seeing," Seira explains. "You said your parents take you there sometimes, right? We're guests, so we should be polite and stuff!"
[20:33] <Kotono> "Oh no. No one's going there I think?" Frowning, "We usually only go rarely! It's supposed to be dangerous for kids!"
01[20:34] <Seira> "Dangerous places are even better!" Seira exclaims. "We visited this really beautiful place with trees and shade, and there was all the wildlife... but it had shocker lizard so we had to run away!" Seira laughs. "But it was still fun!"
[20:36] <Kotono> "Shocker lizards?" One child asks, "What are those? Are they scary?"
01[20:38] <Seira> "They're lizards who are mean and shock you!" Seira tells them, gesticulating. "If it's one, it's like prickling your finger. But if there's more, you have to run away or they'll keep on shocking you! They're like the bandits of wildlife!"
[20:39] <Kotono> One child whimpers at that, while the big one puts his hand sonhis hips. "That doesn't sound that scary!"
01[20:40] <Seira> "Oh?" Seira smiles smugly. "How about bees? Have you ever seen those?"
[20:42] <Kotono> "Yes..." The child says.
01[20:44] <Seira> "It hurts when one stings you, right? But the pain goes away. But if a hundred bees chase you together, all wanting to sting you, you'll run away, won't you?"
[20:47] <Kotono> "...oh." Shivering, the big kid looks disgusted. "EW!"
01[20:48] <Seira> "It's okay! They're bad at tag, so I think all you guys will be alright!"
[20:54] <Kotono> The children all look creeped out at this. "Really...?"
[20:54] <Kotono> Amaryl smiles to them, "Really. Don't worry, aren't we going to see the broken hill, Sarah?"
01[20:57] <Seira> "Oh? Ah!" Seira nods a few times. "It's not all monsters, out there, so once I'm back we can talk some more, okay? I can tell you the story of the dreaded djinni pirate who was on fire!"
[21:00] <Kotono> "Yay!" The children look interested at that, "A pirate is cool!"
01[21:01] <Seira> "Great!" And maybe they'll play with that ball, too, once she and Amaryl are back. A few miles shouldn't take them more than a couple hours of travel at most.
[21:02] <Kotono> Once the two take off from the children, Amarylt urns to Seira. "You really like children?"
01[21:02] <Seira> "Kids are great," Seira responds. "Because they're honest, and they have all this energy and potential before them."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Humans have so many at once. It must be so hard to keep track of them. But then again, they reach maturity so fast," Marveling at this, Amaryl smiles to Seira. "Did you have a good childhood?"
01[21:06] <Seira> "There was that elf family I came across that had three kids. I guess it takes all kinds?" Seira muses. "As for me? It's really a mixed bag. The parts spent training with the Guard were more fun than most moments at the seminary. It was pretty diverse, you could say."
[21:07] <Kotono> "That a lot," Amaryl marvels, "That mother must have been blessed with fertilty. Oh." At that Amaryl continues on, finding a stream and starting to follow it. "Mmm. Do you thinkt his broken hill is it?"
01[21:08] <Seira> "It might be something worth seeing. Or it might have monsters we could deal with. Or something new entirely! It's fun to be surprised!"
[21:12] <Kotono> Thus the two travel along! The Broken Hill is reached after an hour and a half o walking! It's a steep hill with a deep collapsed center, in the shape of mor eor less of a line. Like the cut a sword would make, almost, only on a vast, huge scale. The hill is barren and rocky, quite steep.
06[21:13] * Seira takes a few moments to observe the landscape, wondering whether it was a natural formation or the cut of a sword is an apt euphemism after all.
[21:14] <Kotono> OOC: What knowledges do you have, SEira?
01[21:14] <Seira> OOC: I could... roll architecture or nature or arcane if you'd like?
[21:14] <Kotono> OOC: Nature's fine. SEc.
01[21:15] <Seira> OOC: 10 for 25?
[21:29] <Kotono> The gash isn't really normal. A normal hill shouldn't crumble like that. There could be a natural cave under it, it could be an odd fissure line or sinkhole, or there could be an outside, non-natural explanation.
01[21:30] <Seira> "Maybe there was an exciting battle here?" Seira asks, sounding eager. "Let's go take a closer look!"
[21:40] <Kotono> "Lead on," Amaryl says, starting to walk around the long way of the hill, going to the bottom of the gash. "Maybe you should goa head, since you can fly?"
06[21:42] * Seira tilts her head. "Sure thing." She casts Voice of the Dragon upon herself, and afterwards switches rings, giving the one capable of teleporting to Amaryl. "Don't hesitate to use it to get away if you need to, alright?"
[21:43] <Kotono> "Okay," Amaryl takes the ring, putting it on. "Careful in there. I can fire arrows if you need to get away from something, remember."
01[21:44] <Seira> "Sure!" And with that, she takes off into the air! It must seem weird to see Seira fly without wings, the motion slightly awkward in comparison to magical flight and bound to confuse those who are both observant and familiar with it.
[21:53] <Kotono> Flying up, Seira takes off into the air! The gash goes very deep into the hill. Much of the hill looks hollow, weathered out. She can't see the bottom very well, though she can make out that there's a ton of rubble and the like there.
01[21:55] <Seira> With an application of Shield and Mirror Image, Seira descends below. Ten minutes or so should give her ample time to look through the area, after all.
01[21:56] <Seira> roll 1d4+4
06[21:56] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d4+4 and gets 6." [1d4=2]
[21:57] <Kotono> Descending down, Seira can see that the bottom is about 100 feet downf rom the gash. The ground is covered with tons of heavy rock, shattered and laying a thick bed and dead end here. The rock under the gash is a little more weathered, more pebbly and wet. The rock to the sides are bigger, more uniform.
01[22:00] <Seira> How odd, Seira decides, tossing an empty scroll case down.
[22:01] <Kotono> The scroll case lands at the bottom! It hits the rocks, bounces lightly once, and settles.
06[22:02] * Seira shrugs, and goes to pick it up. Perhaps actually walking about the area would give Seira a fresh perspective. And if not, she can spare the time to look around for anything unusual.
[22:08] <Kotono> OOC: Make a search check?
01[22:08] <Seira> roll 1d20+21
06[22:08] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+21 and gets 26." [1d20=5]
[22:10] <Kotono> Looking about, Seira fidns a few things. First off, the bottom rock tends towards a dark gray. The rock of the walls is a lighter gray. However, at a few points just at the rockline, Seira can notice something. The edge of what looks to be burn and sear marks, darkening the gray stone.
06[22:10] * Seira checks whether it's recent, as this catches her attention. Enough to call upon the stored spell of Heroism to gain a temporary boost!
[22:14] <Kotono> It does not look recent at all. It looks ancient, so deeply burnt into the rock as to turn the outer layer of it to a scorched stone. Terrible heat did this.
01[22:15] <Seira> Very impressive. "I think it's safe to come closer!" Seira calls over to Amaryl, flying up to the top once more.
01[22:18] <Seira> roll 1d20+22
06[22:18] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+22 and gets 38." [1d20=16]
[22:23] <Kotono> Amaryl slowly comes to the bottom of the gash, peering down into it. "Any idea what it is?" she asks.
01[22:24] <Seira> "A sword of fire," Seira says with a shrug. "Really hot, too! One day I might be able to do that. Want to see it for yourself?"
[22:28] <Kotono> "If it's safe, sure?" Amaryl peers down again, "The ground looks solid, I think?"
01[22:30] <Seira> "I touched it," Seira says, frowning. "Let's try to hover down, and I'll teleport us back if I missed something." She extends her hand. "Hold on?"
[22:31] <Kotono> Amaryl takes Seira's hand and holds on!
06[22:32] * Seira can hardly fly in this state, but she can try a controlled glide to the bottom.
[22:43] <Kotono> This goes well enough. Seira aligns down with Amaryl safely. "Rocky," Amaryl observes.

[Corwin]

[19:26] <Kotono> > Amaryl slowly comes to the bottom of the gash, peering down into it. "Any idea what it is?" she asks.
[19:26] <Kotono> <Seira> "A sword of fire," Seira says with a shrug. "Really hot, too! One day I might be able to do that. Want to see it for yourself?"
[19:26] <Kotono> > "If it's safe, sure?" Amaryl peers down again, "The ground looks solid, I think?"
[19:26] <Kotono> <Seira> "I touched it," Seira says, frowning. "Let's try to hover down, and I'll teleport us back if I missed something." She extends her hand. "Hold on?"
[19:26] <Kotono> > Amaryl takes Seira's hand and holds on1
[19:26] <Kotono> * Seira can hardly fly in this state, but she can try a controlled glide to the bottom.
[19:26] <Kotono> > This goes well enough. Seira aligns down with Amaryl safely. "Rocky,"A maryl observes.
01[19:28] <Seira> "That's what I thought," Seira agrees. "I don't know. Besides being impressive, I'm not really seeing anything. But I haven't really poked around, either. Want to spend the time looking this place over thoroughly?"
[19:29] <Kotono> "If you think it's a good idea," Amaryl says, "Do you think anything will come of it?"
01[19:30] <Seira> "Wasted time might come out of it," Seira responds with a shrug. "But I don't have any pressing engagements lined up for me today."
[19:31] <Kotono> "Let's look then," Amaryl smiles bac to SEira, "Where do you want to start?"
01[19:33] <Seira> "Here, at the edge, where the rock goes between shades of gray...."
[19:35] <Kotono> Thus the two search! They take an hour checking every single bit of stone over carefully, leaving no angle unchecked! At first it looks like this isn't going to yield fruit. However, near the end of the search, Seira finds a few loose rocks between two bigger ones. What's interesting is that there is still faint, faint, faint lines on them. Like some part of a drawing, perhaps? It's only a handful of rocks the size of gumballs, giving only the
[19:35] <Kotono> It's only a handful of rocks the size of gumballs, giving only the faintest hint of what might be.
01[19:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+20
06[19:39] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+20 and gets 34." [1d20=14]
06[19:42] * Seira makes a note of their findings, and collects the rocks in question. Even if she can't make heads or tails of them here, there's always her laboratory back in Balmuria, and Elle, her Dad or Celebrimbor might have a clue as well.
[19:44] <Kotono> "Just some rocks...I feel like a dwarf now," Amaryl stretches back, "Going to go digging for rocks next, Seira?"
01[19:45] <Seira> "Why not?" Seira answers with a shrug. "Hey, Lagann, anything digging-worthy around here?"
[19:46] <Kotono> There is metal a bit to the off-center and deep in, just at the edge of Lagann's senses. It's not too much metal. There's also a few smaller bits scattered here and there.
01[19:47] <Seira> "Doesn't look like they have gold or mithril here, so let's not waste our time," Seira voices. She places her arm around Amaryl's waist, asking her, "Ready to return?"
[19:48] <Kotono> OOC: Going to return to town now?
06[19:49] * Seira intends to use Dimension Door to get them back on the trail, as far as she can make it. The rest would be a pleasant walk back, with a brief half hour pause to memorize the spells she had not replaced yet.
[19:52] <Kotono> It's well into the afternoon when SEira and AMaryl reach Catamact again. The town is bustling down, the sunset coming earlier in a day. A cold wind blows in, winter just around the corner. OOC: Ball's in your court to do whatever you like.
01[19:54] <Seira> It seems like Seira can afford to unwind a bit, and spend the rest of the day playing with the kids for a bit before they have to return, and then rest up and wait for a brand new day. If she and Amaryl remain in the town for that long, perhaps their very presence would draw attention or even an attempt at recruitment.
03[20:01] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-544705e9.wfd82a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #dunes
03[20:01] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Ebiris Ebiris
[20:03] <Kotono> The day passes well enough. That evening, the toothless woman brings Seira and Amaryl dinner. It's wild deer meet and bread, nothing too fancy. "Eat up and enjoy," she smiles that toothless grin at them, "Did you have a fine day around? I hear you played with the children."
03[20:03] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
01[20:04] <Seira> "That and we did a bit of sight-seeing," Seira responds. "I'd say it was definitely a fine day, yes."
[20:10] <Kotono> I see, I see," She turns away. "Children are very pleasant. They are young and full of new life."
01[20:11] <Seira> "They are!" Seira agrees. "It's always fun to find time to spend around them!"
[20:14] <Kotono> "Will you remember them, though, in a few weeks?" Asking this as she starts to linger, "Memories fade easily."
[20:15] <Kotono> Amaryl tucks into her food, looking up only at that. "I'm s ure I will when I think about my journies. They were very lively and cute"
01[20:16] <Seira> "What Amy said! And my memory is pretty great normally, so I bet I would." Seira laughs. "I think a better question is whether we'll be remembered by them once we're gone."
[20:17] <Kotono> "I'm sure you will," The toothless woman says easily, slipping back and away now. "Enjoy your dinner."
06[20:18] * Seira sees no reason to, wondering as she eats whether the weird dream last night was just a fluke, or something exists about this place to cause it.
[20:21] <Kotono> The night slips by. Seira wakens just at dawnbreak from the grips of a forgotten dream. The remnants of it are unknown, but her heart beats like a drum in overdrive. Sweat dots her face and body, a cold sweat that leaves her shivering under her blankets. She can't remember a thing about it...except a flash of a hand going for her face.
01[20:23] <Seira> 'Alright, this is an important question,' Seira thinks, doing her best to regulate her breathing. 'Lagann, did you hear or sense anyone come near me during the night?'
[20:25] <Kotono> 'No,' Lagann says, 'Metal, want metallllll.'
01[20:28] <Seira> "Ah, this is such a pain," Seira mutters, looking around for Amaryl.
[20:29] <Kotono> Amaryl is at the next cot. She's drinking some water and looking at Seira. "Oh, you're upe arly too. Mroning," she smiles over the water. "What's a pain?"
01[20:30] <Seira> "Weird dreams, second night in a row. How about you?"
[20:31] <Kotono> "No problems. You looked dead asleep last time I saw you, about five minutes ago, before I went to get water?" Amaryl sips at her water, "Want some?"
01[20:34] <Seira> "I'm good, thanks," Seira tells her. "Do you have any plans for today? I'm thinking of cheating, but that's me."
[20:36] <Kotono> Blinking hard a tthat, "S-s-seira?" she says in a small little voice, "What do you mean by that?"
06[20:37] * Seira frowns, before leaning closer and whispering, "Remember what I told you in the capital? About ways of approaching a problem?"
[20:37] <Kotono> "Oh! Amaryl gasps, "OH! Yes, yes, you mean magic then?"
01[20:37] <Seira> "Yes, I mean that thing I didn't want to name in case there is an actual problem here and someone might be listening in," Seira confirms quietly, nodding.
[20:39] <Kotono> "What are you going to do then," Amaryl whispers right back.
01[20:40] <Seira> "Nothing nasty. Just the usual, sneaky stuff," Seira muses. "Let's go take a walk and see the area some more. I'll pick the right tools, and then we could check and see what the adults are doing with their time, here. And, as always, I'm open to suggestions."
[20:41] <Kotono> "I think we need to get a good breakfast and then try to find someone that'll talk," Amaryl says, "The longer we stay here the more attention we'll get. IF they're hostile, it's best to end it on our terms and not theirs, right?"
01[20:43] <Seira> "I've been kind of hoping they aren't," Seira says with a sigh. "It would be depressing. And also, I think I need to fast. My paranoid side is rearing its head, so going without breakfast to calm it is the least I could do."
[20:44] <Kotono> Breakfast is porridge with a bit of cream. IT's simple enough, dawn past and the early morning bright as the two prepare to go out...OOC: Just going to go walk and mingle nad see the town?
01[20:44] <Seira> OOC: And switch my spells somewhere a bit out of town
[20:45] <Kotono> OOC: Edit your spells and let me know when that's done?
[20:51] <Kotono> The town is lively this morning. A group of hunters looks to be departing town just now, women are going to the wells for water, farmers are dealing with animals, and so on. Pretty routine on aglance.
01[20:52] <Seira> Finding a bit of cover, Seira casts a spell to be able to hear the surface thoughts of the townspeople. Her first priority, however, is to see whether an intelligence beyond what one expects to find in such a town is present.
[20:53] <Kotono> OOC: What's your DC on it, just for reference? But right now you're just skimming for smart people?
01[20:55] <Seira> OOC: Yes. DC is 21.
[20:56] <Kotono> Most of the people are average, around 8 to 12 intelligence. There's a few outliers of note. One fieldhand, smiling and whistling as he works, has an intelligence of 6. One of the women getting water from a well has an intelligence of 15. An older man, sitting on his porch and watching the day go by, has an intelligence of 16.
06[20:57] * Seira is fairly curious about their generous host as well!
[20:59] <Kotono> The toothless woman is found just going to bed, passed by as she leaves the inn for some water. She has intelligence 12.
01[21:04] <Seira> "Do you need help with that?" Seira offers, feeling a slightly bit guilty for using magic to glance into the thoughts of people who have been nothing but kind to her. But so was Armanda, she reminds herself, until-- "It's the least I could do while taking advantage of your hospitality!"
[21:06] <Kotono> Holding out the bucket of water, "How kind of you," she smiles,s lurring the words, "Thank you."
[21:07] <Kotono> roll 1d20+4
06[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22." [1d20=18]
06[21:08] * Seira takes it from the woman's grasp, adjusting her strength to what merely a very fit human her age might have. "That's alright! People here help you all the time, don't they? We should all do our part whenever we can."
[21:11] <Kotono> Falling ins tep with Seira and Amaryl, "Thank you still. You're an outsider to this town, there was no obligation to help an old townswoman." Smiling at that as you head down thes treet, "So I thank you."
01[21:12] <Seira> "I guess there is a selfish motive!" Seira pipes up. "Everyone wants to be remembered, don't they?" She smiles. "What better way to do it, then?"
[21:14] <Kotono> "Death does come to everyone. No one wants to be forgotten here," she says to that, "Bein gan old woman gives you an added perspective to that."
01[21:15] <Seira> "Dragons escape it," Seira muses, setting the bucket down safely. "Unless they become a menace and heroes gather to kill them and take their things."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Dragons?!" With a shocked look, "I suppose they do, but even dragons die eventually from force of arms, do they not? The last dragon I heard of, Kondrux, died in a neighboring country."
01[21:18] <Seira> "I heard the story, too! Maybe I should tell it to the kids before I go?" Seira looks uncertain. "Then again, it might be a bit scary for them."
[21:19] <Kotono> "It's been told," she says as they reach a small cottage. "I can take it from here. Thank you so much, both of you."
01[21:21] <Seira> "Don't mention it!" Seira tells her in parting, before going to find another person to chat with. The old man she passed by earlier doesn't seem like he's busy, so she decides to try talking to him next.
[21:30] <Kotono> The older man has a white stubble of whiskers and drinks from an old bottle. His feet are up on a chair, his smile genial. "Oh, you're those adventurers I heard wre in town." he says, "I heard you were playing with the children."
01[21:31] <Seira> "It seems we're easy targets for gossip," Seira agrees, smiling at him. "Although it beats me what people are saying about us." And to be fair, she is a bit curious.
[21:32] <Kotono> "Oh, nothing too important. Just that you like to play with teh children and went off to Broken Hill." he sa ys, drinking from his bottle.
[21:33] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[21:33] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 10." [1d20=7]
01[21:34] <Seira> "You know, that place is pretty impressive!" Seira exclaims. "It's like some really powerful magic struck from the heavens and split it in two!"
[21:36] <Kotono> "I always figured it was a odd sinkhole," He shrugs as he drinks again, "That or a sign of a God's wrath."
01[21:37] <Seira> "Oh, no! No, no, no!" Seira insists. "It's not a sinkhole! I study nature as a hobby, and that's definitely not a natural formation! No chance of it!"
[21:37] <Kotono> "Really?" Raising an eyebrow now, "It does look odd, now that you mention it."
06[21:40] * Seira nods enthusiastically. "All over the world, places exist just like it," she confides in the man. "Some are really obvious, like the wastes. Others are downright eerie -- I heard tales of a forest where a wind doesn't blow, and time itself has stopped for its inhabitants. And this hill you people have... whatever made it was hotter than a dragon's flame. It was definitely powerful magic.
01[21:40] <Seira> Maybe even divine magic, like you suggested!"
01[21:40] <Seira> It's not, not really. At least Seira doubts it. But the story does sound better this way.
[21:42] <Kotono> "I've heard of the wastes," he allows, "I wonder sometimes, though..oh yes! Ages ago a wizard passed through the town and looked at the Broken Hill. Nothing came of it, I think. At least I remember him leaving town looking dissapointed."
06[21:44] * Seira looks disappointed herself, as if she were trying to hide it but not too successfully. "Oh, is that so?" she asks. "Well, that's a wizard. They don't always specialize in the right things, preferring to, you know--" Seira throws her hands up, "--boom! And there was lots of fire."
[21:45] <Kotono> "Oh, I wouldn't know. But still..." A long shrug again, "Have you ever met any wizards?"
01[21:48] <Seira> "Of course!" Seira straightens up, showing pride in her accomplishments. "Several! Fireball is a really strong spell, and it's pretty impressive up close. Well, not too up close. But reasonably, within half a mile, up close."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Ah." He nods a little at that, "It must be amazing to see them in action. I've never had the chance."
01[21:49] <Seira> "The wizard who came through never did anything?" Seira asks sympathetically. "That's just cold of him."
[21:50] <Kotono> "He was pretty focused on that hill once he caught wind of it," he shrugs, "That's what I remember. Not the most social fellow."
[21:53] <Kotono> Amaryl keeps a more polite distance, "I hear most wizards are old men who stay in cobwebbed old towers," Amaryl adds.
01[21:54] <Seira> "Well, they can't all be that or we would never come across them," Seira reasons logically. "Besides, one wizard I met was an older woman. She fought with a dog. Used all sorts of spells to make it really strong and invicincible, from what I got told. Really cute dog, otherwise, so I couldn't really tell."
[21:55] <Kotono> "How curious. A dog..." A long shrug there, "Ah well. I've seens tranger."
01[21:56] <Seira> "I actually asked. I mean, why dog?" Seira shrugs. "The answer really made sense, too. Think about the reaction if she traveled with a huge tiger. Bad, right? And staying at inns is really nice. Much better than camping out!"
[21:57] <Kotono> "Oh, I suppose....What's a tiger?" He asks after, "Couldn't a wizard just make them go along with it, though," He waves a hand.
01[21:58] <Seira> "A really large cat with really large teeth," Seira responds, before tilting her head. "Huh. Never thought of that. I suppose a wizard could. I mean, wizard, right? Anything's possible."
[22:00] <Kotono> "I suppose," he says again, drinking long from his bottle.
06[22:06] * Seira maintains small talk until it is polite to excuse herself, deciding to call it a day. "I think we've seen all we could here," she tells Amaryl. "Let's set off tomorrow morning, with the whole day open before us?"
[22:06] <Kotono> "What's going on," Amaryl asks as theyw alk away, "Did you get something useful from him?"
01[22:09] <Seira> "We were suspicious, but I think we've managed to alleviate his concerns," Seira fills her in quietly. "Given the way gossip about us made the rounds, it's likely so will the contents of our conversation here. However, he had a stray thought about some new church that sprung up here, and how he hoped we wouldn't get involved or it might lead to trouble." She shrugs.
01[22:09] <Seira> "It doesn't even have to mean what it suggests, but we should leave formally and consider our next move. Scrying might do, and barring that, sneaking back in with magic to cover our tracks."
[22:10] <Kotono> "Ah, okay," Amaryl says agreeably tot hat, "Let's get out of here and then set up camp a ways from here?"
06[22:11] * Seira frowns. "I was thinking of pretending to sleep and see just what's been bothering me the past two nights, but I won't gamble with your safety. Are you that set on leaving without staying another night?"
[22:13] <Kotono> "Oh. No, I thought you meant we'd leve right now. Sorry." Amaryl smiles, "Let's do that then?"
01[22:14] <Seira> "Sure," Seira agrees. "Just remember to never take off that ring." She pretends to recall something just then. "Oh, and that man thought you were really pretty. What a nice, honest person!"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Oh!" Turning red at that, "Um...um...."
[22:17] <Kotono> Night comes along! Seira lies down in bed, pretending to be asleep while not! The evening slips by slowly...and slowly...and slowly...A bit past midnight she feels sleepy, bu tnothing out of the ordinary has happened yet.
01[22:18] <Seira> Given the way spells of this nature would fail to affect her, only divine magic or her own weakness would make her submit to slumber. And Seira can surely wait just long enough to make it to the morning, where they'll leave town and teleport to a safe haven.
[22:19] <Kotono> The night passes. Come dawn Seira is outright tired, but nothing unusual has happened. Amaryl is up on her bed, waiting. OOC: You're fatigued, Seira.
01[22:22] <Seira> Even without illusion magic, Seira can appear cheerful and avoid strenuous activity to pass as having rested. "Let's leave all our silver coins as donations?" Seira suggests to Amaryl. "Before we leave."
[22:29] <Kotono> "Sure," she says, "When do youw ant to go?"
01[22:30] <Seira> "As soon as you can get ready? We'll just say goodbye to our host and leave."
[22:30] <Kotono> Getting ready to go goes without incident. Your hostess smiles to the two, "Leaving Catamact now?" she asks.
01[22:32] <Seira> "Yeah," Seira agrees. "Two-three days is plenty to see a place, don't you think? It is when your life's one big adventure, anyway." She laughs a bit. "We met the people, made friends with some great kids and saw the local sights. That's pretty much it, wouldn't you say?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "It is," she agrees, "Travel safely, the both of you."
01[22:35] <Seira> "Thanks!" Seira gives her a little wave. "Maybe we'll come again some time!"
[22:36] <Kotono> "Thank you for being so generous," Amaryl bows slightly, "May your town prosper and grow."
01[22:40] <Seira> Seira's plan is simple enough. Leave town. Travel at a relaxed pace for an hour or two, and if there's no indication that they're being pursued, to teleport back to her inn with the teleport spell.
[22:41] <Kotono> This goes without incident, two hours passing with no signs of pursuit!
[22:42] <Kotono> OOC: Roll tP?
01[22:42] <Seira> roll 1d100
06[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 and gets 3." [1d100=3]
[22:43] <Kotono> Woosh! The two appear safely back in Seira's backyard!
01[22:45] <Seira> Tired. Tired, tired, tired. "I'll just drop the exciting rocks we found with Elle and get some sleep, alright?" Seira tells Amaryl. "I think trying to scry on the townspeople at night would give us the best result. There's clearly a church, so once we see why it has to be secretive, we'll be one step closer to solving our riddle."
[22:46] <Kotono> "I can take them over," Amaryl offers, patting Seira on the shoulder, "Go get some sleep?"
01[22:48] <Seira> "Thanks, you're a lifesaver," Seira says, smiling despite her fatigue. "See if you can borrow Elle's mirror while you're at it? I swear I'll get one of my own some day, with the use the scrying spell's been getting. Maybe something more portable...." Seira trails off, yawning.
[22:48] <Kotono> OOC: Skip along?
01[22:51] <Seira> OOC: Yeah. I'll get Scrying for all my lvl4 spells, keep lvl5 blank and fill lvl1 with equal parts message and detect magic. lvl2-3 is as posted.
[22:51] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Want Amaryl there with you?
01[22:52] <Seira> OOC: Yep
01[22:53] <Seira> OOC: I know them but that's it, so it'd be dc23
[22:53] <Kotono> The two gather in Seira's bedroom, a silver, polished mirror in front of them! OOC: Ball's in your court here, Seira. Declare who you're scrying?
01[22:55] <Seira> "Let's see if we can scry on that old man?" Seira suggests. "My weaker spell worked on him, which gives me hope for this one, and he certainly knew of the church we are to investigate."
[22:57] <Kotono> Thus Seira casts!
[22:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+3
06[22:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+3 and gets 22." [1d20=19]
[22:57] <Kotono> OOC: DC 23, that means I need to actually check if any of the mods apply.
01[22:58] <Seira> OOC: Unless there are special mods, like I said, it's 0
01[22:58] <Seira> OOC: If their church is on another plane, I will laugh
[22:59] <Kotono> Seira sees the old man! He's lying in a rocking chair in front of a warm fire, a blanket over him. He's asleep, chin resting on his chest.
01[23:01] <Seira> Unfortunate and annoying. But Seira will keep on watching until the spell runs out, if only for the chance that someone might show up. She also takes this chance to examine the man's surroundings, in case anything of interest can be spotted within the range of her sensor.
01[23:01] <Seira> roll 1d100 casting DM
06[23:01] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 casting DM and gets 99." [1d100=99]
[23:02] <Kotono> Detect magic fails through the scrying sensor.
[23:03] <Kotono> Nothing seems to be happening at all, besides an old man sleeping in front of the fire.
06[23:05] * Seira decides to try scrying on the dimwitted fieldhand next. If she were recruiting for a cult, that would be just the sort of man she would want for it as muscle. If she were recruiting and evil, that is.
[23:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20-1
06[23:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20-1 and gets 18." [1d20=19]
[23:05] <Kotono> The fieldhand is currently carrying a backpack, walking in the night. He's whistling to himself.
01[23:06] <Seira> That looks like she's getting somewhere! Seira keeps at it, casting Message and Detect Magic through the link in succession.
01[23:06] <Seira> roll 1d100 Message
06[23:06] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 Message and gets 40." [1d100=40]
01[23:07] <Seira> roll 1d100 DM
06[23:07] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d100 DM and gets 63." [1d100=63]
[23:07] <Kotono> No magic on the man at all as he advances on. He goes into a normal looking farmhouse of stone. Inside the lights are on, a few men and women there. A bunch of scrolls, ink pots, and odd vials are about. "Here you go," he says cheerfully!
06[23:08] * Seira looks on cheerfully! If the vials are nonmagical, then the scrolls would get her attention, as well as the faces of the people and the location of the farmhouse. Worst case, she struck out again and would have to try her luck elsewhere.