D-T2 001

[Corwin]

[18:23] <Blondezilla> * Demedais follows Pollyanna out, nodding to Lortimer once they've left.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> > Lortimer leads you along. As he does, along more perfectly measured halls, "How much does legal council cost?" she asks.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> * Demedais glances to Lortimer, interested in a reply though his suspicion is that it depends.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> > "It depends on the quality and sort of case." As you continue to be lead along, past a pair of Kolyaruts who barely glance at the trio, "The finest lawyers can be had for tens of thousands of gold. Having one guarantees success, unless your opponent has similar funds."
[18:23] <Blondezilla> <Demedais> "I see." Demedais nods slightly to this, a slight frown on his face as he thinks.
[18:23] <Blondezilla> > After another half hour of walking, you come to pillared doors leading you outside. Outside... a starry skyscape as far as you can see is seen. This building stands on a vast gear, the edges of it just visible on the horizon. Other buildings, perfectly symmetrical and pleasing to the eye, are about. "Order's Duty is 3.23 miles to the north-northwest," Pointing in that direction, deeper into the city of sorts, "There is a statue
[18:24] <Blondezilla> >  deeper into the city of sorts, "There is a statue of Helm outside of it, as well as clear street signs. It is on the Street of Everflow."
[18:24] <Blondezilla> <Demedais> "I see. Very well, then." Demedais nods slightly. "Thank you, Lortimer."
[18:24] <Blondezilla> "Demedais," As she starts to walk, "It's like those clockwork devices they sell at Gond's workshop. It really is. Or the Inevitables."
[18:25] <Demedais> "It is, yeah." Demedais nods, walking with Pollyanna.
[18:26] <Demedais> "It's... fascinating." he adds after a moment, glancing around.
[18:29] <Blondezilla> Around you the buildings rise. Metal predominates here, not a hint of stone or natural material.  A constant musical whirring of gears tickles the back of your senses, heard at all times and yet never the slightest bit noticable. There is a sense here, a sense of unity and one-ness that fills Demedais up. About on the streets, creatures of clockwork walk. There are others as well - you can see a blue skinned humanoid in rich robes
[18:29] <Blondezilla> There are others as well - you can see a blue skinned humanoid in rich robes, several humans following him.  Lumbering along, a giant clockwork creatures patrols the street. Despite it's size, it makes nary a sound.  "It's not our world. Everything so...well, in order. The buildings all look like perfect shapes. Everything does."
[18:32] <Demedais> "Indeed..." Demedais murmurs. "It's surprising to see, honestly."
[18:34] <Blondezilla> "I wonder what it means?" Turning back to Demedais as she walks, not looking where she's going at all, "From what I know, the Upper Planes look like our world but pristine. The Realms Below look like our nightmares. But what's this?"
[18:35] <Demedais> "...To be honest, I'm not sure, myself." Demedais says after a moment. "It doesn't match either of those two, certainly."
[18:36] <Blondezilla> "Mmm. I don't, either." Pollyanna stops now,  crossing her arms over her back as she has her eyes sweep over everything. "Maybe if I'd studied Helm's lessons better I might have an idea?"
[18:38] <Demedais> roll 1d20+15
06[18:38] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+15 and gets 35." [1d20=20]
06[18:46] * Demedais opens his mouth, before quickly pausing. "Effectively, the gist of what I remember from classes was that this place is like this because it was shaped to be so. Thusly, it is that it's the perfect reflection of rationality."
[18:57] <Blondezilla> "Hm. That makes a sort of sense," Going quiet as she walks along, Pollyanna looks to be content to think for the moment.
06[19:00] * Demedais is happy to just walk along with her until they reach the temple.
[19:03] <Blondezilla> As you walk about this city, you see many sighs. You see building named like 'Third National Mercane Union', 'Guaranteed Order Services' and other such names. Most of the buildings are labelled if Demedais cares to look. At one point, coming around a street corner, you come to a four chambered set of buildings, connected together. This one is named 'Incarceration Center'.
[19:03] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna keeps to herself as you walk, none of the buildings catching her attention.
06[19:05] * Demedais glances around a bit more at the names of buildings, but otherwise seems content enough to just make sure they get to the Temple.
[19:06] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100
06[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 and gets 50." [1d100=50]
[19:06] <Blondezilla> Eventually, you come to a single storied hall. In front of it is a statue of Helm the warrior, triumphant over a slain Marilith. The building beyond has Helm's gauntlet over the gateway to within.
[19:08] <Demedais> "Shall we?" Demedais says with a shrug, advancing into the temple.
[19:13] <Blondezilla> Inside, you see that the hall is a perfectly aligned rectangle. Four guardsmen stand just inside, in full plate and helmet. They raise swords to salute Demedais as he enters. Ahead you see decorations of battle, magical scenes of dozens of conflicts about. Past that is another statue of Helm. As you see this, a man in full plate and without a helmet steps into view. His skin has a hint of gold to it, noble features and long blonde
[19:13] <Blondezilla>  His skin has a hint of gold to it, noble features and long blonde hair trailing down to his midsection. His face is battlescared, one eye gone. In it's place is a gemstone, moving and looking like an eye. With his superior vision, Demedais can see tiny gears churning within the gemstone-eye. "Demedais of Balmuria. Pollyanna of Balmuria." He bows to both of them, "Our auguries from the Evervigliant spoke of your coming."
[19:14] <Blondezilla> "Our auguries from the Evervigliant spoke of your coming."
06[19:18] * Demedais bows in return to the man. "Thank you for your welcome. I take it, then, you know of our reason for coming?"
[19:19] <Blondezilla> "The auguries told us to welcome one favored by Helm. The details were not forthcoming beyond that." Offering a hand out now to Demedais, "Helm has spoken to us. You shall have what aid we are able, to the best of our capacity."
06[19:24] * Demedais shakes the man's hand at this, nodding. "The path that has lead us here is somewhat complex; we were in pursuit of an abombination, when it managed to escape here. We have been informed it has been granted asylum under the Caim-Septus treaty; we would seek to appeal this and have it mmoved to our custody for elimination."
[19:27] <Blondezilla> "Ah, devils." With a rich timbre in his voice, "Come with me." You are lead back to the statue of Helm in the back, triuphant over a balor this time, holding it's head in one gauntleted hand. "I am Naran," He offers as he kneels before the statue, into a position of prayer. "Let us give thanks to Helm for his viligance in ensuring that you arrived safely."
06[19:29] * Demedais nods, kneeling as well to Naran's side. "Indeed, and that all thus far has progressed smoothly."
[19:31] <Blondezilla> "Thank you, Lord Helm," Pollyanna joins them. After a moment Naran stands back up. "Caim-Septus, eh? That's devil alysum?"
[19:32] <Demedais> After a second, Demedais also stands and nods. "From my understanding, yes. Which I wonder if it even qualifies for... It's a hybrid monstrosity made by gnomes in our world, part hellcat and part ooze."
[19:33] <Blondezilla> "Well, if it's under Caim-Septus, it's being treated as a Baatezu or Baatezu equivalent." Stroking his chin now, "Are you familiar with the laws of Mechanus much?"
Session Close: Tue Jun 30 19:33:47 2009

Session Start: Tue Jun 30 19:33:47 2009
Session Ident: #terrorofdunes
02[19:33] * Disconnected
02[19:34] * Attempting to rejoin channel #terrorofdunes
03[19:34] * Rejoined channel #terrorofdunes
03[19:34] * Topic is 'Vine 2>Alicia>Vine 1'
03[19:34] * Set by Infinite_Ko_Loop on Wed Jun 17 19:40:22
03[19:36] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
02[19:39] * Shizuru (~corwin@bzq-79-179-135-140.red.bezeqint.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[19:42] <Blondezilla> "The Caim-Septus accords is a treaty made between Baator and Mechanus. It addresses the issues of devils seeking aid in Mechanus to return to Baator and the reciprical with Inevitables and other servants of Mechanus in Baator. Under it, a qualifying devil or devil-alike is granted protection and safe passage to Baator. However, it allows Mechanus to study any devils that use it and gives them certain other rights, such as seizing
[19:42] <Blondezilla> devils that use it and gives them certain other rights, such as seizing any contraband and persecuting them of any infractions to the Great Laws of Mechanus."
[19:43] <Demedais> "I see." Demedais frowns. "Forgive my ignorance, but are there any of the Great Laws which he might be in conflict with?"
[19:43] <Blondezilla> "So, stripped of all of that, it means that you give each other's soldiers back after you have a go at them for whatever you can get away with?"
[19:45] <Demedais> "Also, uh, it's likely never been to Baator. Ever. If that helps."
[19:46] <Blondezilla> Nodding to all of that, "You'll need a lawyer to help you with all of that. We can provide one if you like, we have contracts with several firms. There's countless firms native to Mechanus you can choose from, and we also have contacts with diabolical and archonic firms. Do you have any preferences?"
[19:49] <Demedais> "...non-diabolical, as much as the irony appeals; otherwise, not particularly. If there's someone who specializes in this sort of case, that would probably be optimal."
[19:49] <Blondezilla> "I have to admit, I'm tempted," Pollyanna cracks a smile, "If we did choose a diabolical lawyer, wouldn't he just betray us?"
[19:51] <Demedais> "I'd guess no, if he signed up for long-term job appeal here. Still, even the lowest of risks, I'd prefer to eliminate here."
[19:52] <Blondezilla> "That's forbidden. The laws regarding lawyers forbids it. You don't want to be disbarred in Mechanus, my friends. Now then, I believe I have just the lawyer. Come with me."
[19:53] <Demedais> "There's that, too." Demedais murmurs, following Naran.
[19:57] <Blondezilla> You are lead to a pleasant room in the back of the temple. Stuffed couches are here, green plants kept in pots and hanging vases. A long table has food and drink on it. "I'll have the laywer along briefly. There's been a meal prepared for you in the meantime."
[19:57] <Demedais> "Ah... thank you." Demedais nods gratefully, glancing to Pollyanna.
[19:58] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna goes to the food, making a plate up before sitting on the couch. She tears into her food. "I hadn't had much to eat today besides that water while we waited," She explains.
[20:00] <Demedais> "I realized that once he mentioned food, yes." Demedais rubs his head ashamedly. "I, ah, forget normal eating habits." Taking a mug of water, Demedais sits next to Pollyanna and sips at it as she eats.
[20:03] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna eats seconds and even thirds, wolfing down her food. Once done, she rests back on the couch. "If we have time durin gall of this,  I'd like to go sight-seeing. There has to be amazing things to be seen here."
[20:04] <Demedais> "There does, yes. Worst comes to worst, we can hire one, but... yes. It would be nice to explore here."
[20:05] <Blondezilla> "Better than those Slaadi you told me about." Putting her feet up and taking the bow off of her back, "Though I confess, I wouldn't mind a few to try this on. The practice I did with it was amazing. It was like I was firing those balls of force Seira can do. I blew part the targets with each shot and I never needed to draw more arrows. "
[20:07] <Demedais> "Good." Demedais grins. "It should stay quite solid from what I understand for a long while."
[20:09] <Blondezilla> "Or forever. I've never had a bow anything like this." Running her hands along it's jewelled surface, "My old bow wasn't even a shadow on this. One shot I got just right went through the target and through a four foot thick stone wall before it broke apart."
[20:11] <Demedais> "...We may need to find you a new practice zone." Demedais' grin grows wider at this.
[20:18] <Blondezilla> "Hehhehe," Laughing, the times are interrupted by a knock on the door.
[20:19] <Demedais> "Please come in." Demedais calls at this.
[20:23] <Blondezilla> "Good afternoon!" The man who enters has a cheerful smile, whistling along. He enters, going to the table and grabbing an apple off of it. After taking a big bite, he leans against the table. "So you have yourselves a devil you need to make sure doesn't return back to Hell?" He has curly black hair and fine features, split by an easygoing grin. "My speciality."
[20:24] <Demedais> "Pretty much, although I'm still marginally amused he qualifies as a devil-alike. Ah well." Demedais muses, before nodding. "Oh. I'm Demedais, this is Pollyanna."
[20:26] <Blondezilla> "The term have a certain leeway by design. Mechanus does like to study it's unusual specimens and add them to the great records." Taking another bite of his apple, "Esyer. I'll need you to start at the beginning and tell me anything relevant to this so I can figure out how I'm going to attack this.  From the sounds of it, it's not a pure blooded Baatezu?"
[20:32] <Demedais> "It is not. We encountered it inside a gnomish ruin, practically sealed away; it and its kin chose aggression immediately against us. We fought back while exploring; during one encounter, it warped out. However, one of my allies noticed a flareup of wild magic; we concluded that it had disappeared from the area entirely, and began trying to scry to track it down; that's what has lead us here."
[20:33] <Demedais> After a moment, Demedais pulls out the original copies of the gnomish notes. "I have here what information there is on their creation, though it's entirely in Gnomish. If they want information on unique specimens, I'd be willing to offer this if it'd assist our cause here."
[20:39] <Blondezilla> "I can get someone to translate these," With a glance to them, "It would be helpful, thanks." Finishing his apple and placing it down on the table, cored, "Putting that aside a moment, do you have any idea if this devil has any resources to hire good legal help, or if he's skilled himself?"
[20:41] <Demedais> "...I don't know. He seems somewhat intelligent, but this should be the first time he's been out of the laboratory. Ever. So I doubt he has resources of that sort, but... perhaps he is working with Baator in this? His very existance... well, let me put it this way. If the devils could figure out how to duplicate it, I would not like the legion of hellcats that they would then have. That might be price enough... if not
[20:42] <Demedais> "That might be price enough... if not, than I suspect no."
[20:59] <Blondezilla> "Mmmm." Crossing his legs, "In that case, I'm inclined to blitz him before he can get any better positioned. Let's not delay this. We start tomorrow and try to get this done. Alright then. Tell me everything, anything you think I need to know."
[21:02] <Demedais> "First, I might as well start with what issues we have to deal with. Our country is not only relatively new, it has been sealed off from the rest of existence for a rather large amount of time. I do not know if our world previously had dealings with Mechanus except for the gnomes, themselves; whil I would presume so, it is not something I have information on. As such, I have been lead to believe asking for a transfer
[21:02] <Demedais> "As such, I have been lead to believe asking for a transfer to Balmuria would be difficult, if not impossible." Demedais begins.
[21:09] <Demedais> "Aside from that... it is a gnomish construct, created by comission of the False God-King Daa-vid. It possesses various capabilities that mark it out even aside from its appearance, such as its acidic touch that drains agility with ease, and the immense difficulty in spotting it..." Demedais muses.
[21:12] <Blondezilla> "Mmmmm. Mmmm." LIstening to all of that. "I'll look into those. While ex post facto law is generally discouraged, signing a treaty with Mechanus before we go on could provide you with a little extra kick. But that aside, let's say you win. Then what? Going to attempt to wring it's devil neck?"
06[21:13] * Demedais shakes his head for a moment. "Aside from that...? Its residency in the gnomish ruin was meant to be permanent until slain, as the ruins themselves were guarded by a heavenly... being, a barrier against intrusion seemingly made of fire.... Oh. Honestly, we do aim for its death; we are well aware that that will send it back to Baator anyway, more likely than not. However, it puts a rest to the aberrative strain
[21:13] <Demedais> " However, it puts a rest to the aberrative strain that it possesses, which I have been lead to believe is desirable."
[21:18] <Blondezilla> "Mmm, mmm, mmm." Thinking a bit, "I have a plan of attack now. I'm going to argue it's against the natural order and an abomination. As such, it deserves no protection under the law. The desire of Mechanus to remove the unnatural from the world will be the follow up that will hit that magistrate like a herd of goristro."
[21:20] <Demedais> "Would there be any merit in pointing out that our intent to destroy it will also return it to Baator, simply in a more natural form?" Demedais inquires at this.
[21:22] <Blondezilla> "It may be. I'll see how the judge reacts. If I know how they think, though...it may, yes."
[21:23] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais says, leaning back and thinking, glancing to Pollyanna. "Any insight, dear?"
[21:24] <Blondezilla> "You know, if it's unnautral and taking it back to Baator in a bodybag will fix that, can we get Mechanus to do that?"
06[21:27] * Demedais muses, before shrugging. "That is also an option to propose, if Mechanus wishes to also remain in accord to its promise. This being said... it occurs to me that while I speculate it will revert to a normal state, and that said speculation makes sense, I have not confirmed it."
[21:28] <Demedais> "I had not thought to discern that, as the implication of the divination I received from Helm was that slaying it would work; it would also follow with why the ones in the ruins also had to fall. But... there is perhaps the chance that it would work differently here in Mechanus?"
[21:34] <Blondezilla> "Mmmm, yes. Perhaps we could argue for imprisonment or p urification instead. With these notes...hmmm." rubbing his chin, "That's another idea. If we can convince them that the devil is against the natural order and needs to be reverted to it's normal state..."
[21:36] <Demedais> "That could also work, yes. As far as I can discern, the greatest threat is that it is distinctly not what Hell designed, and that being released to Hell would have multiple negative impacts, especially toward the order of things, so to speak."
[21:37] <Demedais> "Thusly, there shouldn't be much issue if it is reverse-engineered back to a normal hellcat or some such. I can pray on this tonight, though, to confirm, but it sounds like another option."
[21:40] <Blondezilla> "It is. Alright. I need to get these notes checked up and do some fine tuning of the law review. We'll meet again here tomorrow morning?"
[21:41] <Demedais> "Alright. Thank you very much, Esyer." Demedais nods.
[21:52] <Blondezilla> Esyer leaves out. Once done, Pollyanna looks to Demedais. "Well then. Do you think he'll do well?"
[21:53] <Demedais> "...I can only hope he does, at this point." Demedais frowns. "I think he's right on one front; we've moved fast enough that I think the oozecat will be a few steps behind, but... hopefully that's enough. We have various options, as he's noted. Hopefully all will work."
[22:02] <Blondezilla> "What do we do until then?" Pollyanna asks after that's said, "We have a day."
06[22:07] * Demedais thinks. "We have a few options, it seems, since things do not start until tomorrow morning, and I can commence my prayers at nightfall while you rest, so... You said you wanted to look around?"
[22:09] <Blondezilla> "Yeah. There has to be something memorable around here to see," Pollyanna rises, "Let's find it?"
[22:10] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods.
[22:33] <Blondezilla> roll 1d100 see if something particularly odd happens
06[22:33] * Hatbot --> "Blondezilla rolls 1d100 see if something particularly odd happens and gets 29." [1d100=29]
[22:41] <Blondezilla> Thus, the two take to Mechanus. As you step outside of the Temple of Helm, you find a particular sight there. A fat, horribly tall creature with fire red skin waits outside. It's wings are cloaked around it's body like a grotesque cloak. It wears gold and jewels, whistling a merry tune. A pair of beautiful black winged women linger behind him, wearing silken gowns of immaculate beauty. Any others nearby give the creature a wide be
[22:41] <Blondezilla>  wearing silken gowns of immaculate beauty. Any others nearby give the creature a wide berth.
06[22:44] * Demedais blinks at it, somewhat amused as he guesses at the appearance of a devil. Still, since this is a territory where neutrality is desired... "Hm. Anything in particular catch your interest as we were walking here, dear?" Demedais asks Pollyanna.
[22:46] <Blondezilla> Pollyanna glances at the fat creature as well, but keeps her distance. "Something fun. Let's just explore and see what's out there, then?"
[22:47] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods politely to the being as the pass, before heading outward to see what can be found.
[22:50] <Blondezilla> "Ah sir! Good day, a good day to you!" THe fat fiend smiles to Demedais, teeth made of gold. "Profit on ya!" He continues walking along, the two gorgeous women following. Without any guide, the two happen to wander. (More)
[22:52] <Blondezilla> You find yourselfs drawn to a park of sorts.  In it, a gear about the size of a house turns in the air. It floats without any support. Around it sit sixteen Inevitables, chanting a song in perfect repeating harmony.  Just past them, several groups of beings of all sort talk, haggle, and argue.
[22:53] <Demedais> "Hm." Demedais says, watching the floating gear. "Interesting."
[22:57] <Blondezilla> Watching it as well, Pollyanna stays close to Demedais. AS they do, woman comes up to you. She has black hair and black eyes, tattered leather clothes with a few daggers here and there. Her feet make a strange clip-cloping sound. "Yo," she says, "Hi there. Humans?"
[22:58] <Demedais> "We are, yes." Demedais nods to the woman, a bit confused.

[Corwin]

[18:39] <Kotono> * Demedais blinks at it, somewhat amused as he guesses at the appearance of a devil. Still, since this is a territory where neutrality is desired... "Hm. Anything in particular catch your interest as we were walking here, dear?" Demedais asks Pollyanna.
[18:39] <Kotono> > Pollyanna glances at the fat creature as well, but keeps her distance. "Something fun. Let's just explore and see what's out there, then?"
[18:39] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais nods politely to the being as the pass, before heading outward to see what can be found.
[18:39] <Kotono> > "Ah sir! Good day, a good day to you!" THe fat fiend smiles to Demedais, teeth made of gold. "Profit on ya!" He continues walking along, the two gorgeous women following. Without any guide, the two happen to wander. (More)
[18:39] <Kotono> > You find yourselfs drawn to a park of sorts.  In it, a gear about the size of a house turns in the air. It floats without any support. Around it sit sixteen Inevitables, chanting a song in perfect repeating harmony.  Just past them, several groups of beings of all sort talk, haggle, and argue.
[18:39] <Kotono> <Demedais> "Hm." Demedais says, watching the floating gear. "Interesting."
[18:39] <Kotono> > Watching it as well, Pollyanna stays close to Demedais. AS they do, woman comes up to you. She has black hair and black eyes, tattered leather clothes with a few daggers here and there. Her feet make a strange clip-cloping sound. "Yo," she says, "Hi there. Humans?"
[18:39] <Kotono> <Demedais> "We are, yes." Demedais nods to the woman, a bit confused.
[18:39] <Kotono> "Ah good. Tired of talking to clockwork-heads," With a sloppy grin she offers a hand out to Demedais, "So what kind of deal are you here for?"
[18:42] <Demedais> "Actually, we're here to try and get a foe we were chasing down dealt with." Demedais replies, accepting the handshake while glancing the woman over for chaos casually. "Wasn't honestly expecting to see all too many other mortals here in general."
[18:45] <Kotono> "Oh. Bounty hunters?" The woman's aura radiates faint chaos. "Yeah, there's some. Deals this or deals that. Local talk says this place is blessed for making precise contracts."
[18:45] <Kotono> Pollyanna smiles every so politely, "Ah."
[18:48] <Demedais> "Not... exactly bounty hunters, no. Though I suppose it's not inaccurate, either, all things considered." Demedais shakes his head. "But yes, the contracts make for reliable working through the system. Even if the... brevity... of the inevitables causes frustration, too."
[18:49] <Kotono> "Yeah. They're all business," Shaking her head, "I came to see things around here, but it's been a damned waste of time. Had a relative who cottoned to this sorta thing, but I don't see it."
06[18:50] * Demedais looks around. "I suppose it agrees with our taste more, but multiple friends of mine also express disinterest in this sort of thing." A musing, then; "I've heard some of Elysium; it might be more appealing to you, if this isn't your idea of a good time."
[18:53] <Kotono> "Eh." With a shrug, "Either way, this place bores me." Stretching as she starts to walk, "A few gears away from are a few portals, or so I hear. Think I'm gonna make a break for the Astral and see where it takes me."
[18:54] <Demedais> "Then, good luck to you. May Helm watch over you." Demedais nods.
[18:57] <Kotono> With a snort to that, "Yeah, something like that. Tempus in your eye." With that she wanders off.
[18:57] <Demedais> "Tempus in your eye? Heh." Demedais shakes his head. "Sorry for that, dear. Shall we?"
[19:01] <Kotono> "Let's," Pollyanna and Demedais continue along...
[19:01] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[19:01] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 49." [1d100=49]
[19:02] <Kotono> Strange and curious things are seen, but fatigue catches up to the two. They go back to the Temple of Helm and rest for the night...OOC: Is there anything you wanted to do bfeore the next morning, Deme?
[19:03] <Demedais> OOC: Yeah. Divination to confirm that letting Mechanus dissemble the oozecat will be acceptable for Helm's purposes, so long as it dies before returning to Hell.
[19:05] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. I'll roll it.
[19:07] <Kotono> "In the victory of order, the individual is subsumed and corrected."
[19:08] <Demedais> "So, yes." Demedais nods, before beginning to stand watch again, planning to fall asleep just two hours before "dawn" here.
[19:12] <Kotono> The next morning, Demedais and Pollyanna meet with Esyer. He offers a hand to them as they gather together inside of the temple, "I read those notes last night," he begins, "Fascinating stuff."
[19:13] <Demedais> "Anything in there of use in this scenario?" Demedais nods. "But yes, the situation was... interesting. The last pages mention a Winterwight, which we'll have to contain or destroy somehow... but I digress."
[19:15] <Kotono> "That creature," Whistling low, "I had someone check up on it for me. There isn't much, but apparently a Winterwight is bad news. A 'The End' sort of creature. You know, the sort that apears in a bard's tale, and within a few more words the bard says 'The End'? It ain't a happy ending, either."
[19:17] <Demedais> "Yeah, it's yet another excuse for me to continue my work back on that world in punting the gnomes. Hard. It's sealed... for now. I'd like to ask my companions there to continue to lock it down until we can assuredly kill it, or get the Elemental Plane of Fire to assist us in destroying it."
[19:19] <Kotono> "Good luck. For what it's worth, the reference said it's the 'children of Auril and Shar', for whatever that's worth." Now tapping his knee, "But to our main business. So let's review our plan here. We want to blitz this, do the hearing as fast as possible and try not to let them delay, and get Mechanus to rule it as an unlawful abomination?"
[19:22] <Demedais> "That would be ideal, I think. Helm himself has told me that if it dies, it will revert to a hellcat in Hell, without the aberrative form it possesses now. Thusly, I must believe it's the wisest course of action to take here." Demedais nods.
[19:25] <Kotono> "Excellent.  Any questions at all before we go?" Turning ot the door, "The sooner the better then."
[19:26] <Demedais> "None that I can think of." Demedais shakes his head, looking to Pollyanna.
[19:27] <Kotono> Pollyanna shakes her head as well. "I'm ready. Let's go and hope we get this Hellcat sent right to Hell?"
[19:28] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods.
03[19:35] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5444c68b.lns1-c11.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:41] <Kotono> You head to Magistrate Xesen's quarters with Esyer. On being admitted, "Magistrate," Esyer bows to him, "I will be honored to be in your court. I have taken on this Caim-Septus hearing on behalf of Demedais and Pollyanna of the Prime Material nation of the United Baronies."
[19:41] <Kotono> "You're acceptable," With a curt nod, the Magistrate standing, "Is this your chosen counsil?" He looks to Demedais at this.
[19:41] <Demedais> "He is." Demedais confirms, also standing.
[19:43] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Bowing to him again, "We would like to request all expediency in this case. The sooner this manner can be lawfully resolved, the greater the benefit to Mechanus."
06[19:46] * Demedais nods slightly to this, intent on letting the man skilled in these situations handle it without interference."
[19:47] <Kotono> "As pursuiant to sub-clause 49-FT of Caim Septus?" Magistrate Xesen nods, "Very well. We shall have the hearing for it immediately. Lortimer the sixteenth will escort you to the Courtrooms."
03[19:48] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:48] <Demedais> "Thank you, Magistrate." Demedais bows slightly, glancing to Esyer.
[19:49] <Kotono> Once lead out of the room, Lortimer the 16th leading you along, "The first hearing is for expediency. Fortunately, by law, this hearing has to be done as soon as possible. On the downside, if we lose this hearing, we can be delayed for quite some time if they want to play stalling."
[19:50] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods slightly. "This makes sense."
[19:50] <Kotono> "So we won't lose it then." Pollyanna adds a warm smile to her face, "Right?"
[19:51] <Demedais> "Heh. Right." Demedais nods slightly. "What will you want me to do, Esyer?"
[19:53] <Kotono> "I'll handle most of this for now. Just pay attention and get a grasp of how things move and work here." Hands in his pockets as he walks forward, "If nothing else, learn from this. Better to have a client with an idea of what's going on than some yolkel who has none."
[19:54] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais chuckles.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Understood." Pollyanna adds then. "...We don't soun dthat out of place, do we?"
[19:55] <Kotono> "You sound like you're from the Prime," With a light, easy grin to that, "It's charming."
[19:56] <Demedais> "'Charming'." Demedais repeats, with a grin on his face. "Alright, then."
[20:03] <Kotono> You head to a grand, severe pillared set of rooms. You are guided into to it. Here, woodwork and stone dominate. Everything is perfectly angled, gold clad inevitables in ceremonial armor standing at proper points. Sitting behind a tall, towering judge's bench is Magistrate Xesen.  Two benches are a little back and away from the judge's bench. Heading to the left side one, "Looks like the defense isn't hear yet." Behind the benches are
[20:03] <Kotono> Heading to the left side one, "Looks like the defense isn't hear yet." Behind the benches are several rows of chairs. "Go ahead and sit in the first row, you two?"
06[20:04] * Demedais nods and sits there, leaving room for Pollyanna next to him.
[20:20] <Kotono> Pollyanna sits next to Demedais. About five minutes pass in quiet before other senter! The oozecat is first, looking around the room! It's gaze is on Demedais, hostile and cold. Behind him is a fat, familiar devil, teeth of gold and with it's wings wrappeda round it's body. "Good day, Magistrate, good day!" He chortles, belly wobbling. "Ah, Esyer." Going over and shaking Esyer's hand, "An honor. I made a point of at least seeing your c
[20:20] <Kotono> "Ah, Esyer." Going over and shaking Esyer's hand, "An honor. I made a point of at least seeing your client in passing yesterday." Smiling towards Demedais, "Yene of Minaros." Offering one plump hand out to Demedais, "An honor, sir."
06[20:23] * Demedais is not exactly fond of shaking hands with a devil, but does so anyway for a brief moment, eyes looking to the oozecat briefly as well.
[20:23] <Kotono> Pollyanna stays back and away, a polite, frozen glare at Yene.
[20:24] <Kotono> "We may do battle as enemies here, but we can be civil about it," He withdraws his hand after, "I declare that I'm ready, Your Honor. Let's get this going, by your leave?"
[20:27] <Kotono> A gavel slams down, "So be it. This hearing under sub-clause 49-FT of the Caim-Septus Accords is in order. Council," A look to Esyer, "As it's your request, you may address the court first."
03[20:27] * Alicia is now known as Ebiris
[20:30] <Kotono> "Thank you, Your Honor," Standing up and starting to walk, "The essence of Mechanus is fairness under the law. What fairness is there when requests can be stalled out to outlast those of mortalkind, whom we presume to judge? While the machines of Mechanus and those beyond the mortal realm have time eternal, others do not. My clients are such mortals, who have lives that must be lived fully. To have them waste parts of in waiting folly
[20:30] <Kotono> who have lives that must be lived fully. To have them waste parts of in waiting folly is both cruel and against the intent of the laws of this great plane." (More)
[20:34] <Kotono> "Further, the fairness and application of just law has a second fork that must be considered here, Your Honor." Taking a scroll out, "I have a legal brief here that explains in detail that the creature here," Pointing at the oozecat head on, "Is an abomination against Law itself. It is a chaotic individual, forsaking it's uniformity for a wild transformation! This horrible abberation must not be allowed to spread! In light of this, I a
[20:34] <Kotono> This horrible abberation must not be allowed to spread! In light of this, I am also requesting copies of all the research done to this creature under the purview of the Caim-Septus Accords."
[20:35] <Kotono> Meanwhile, the oozecat growls at Esyer and Demedais, while Yene buffs his nail-claws on his wings. The Magistrate takes the scroll, "Very well. Rebuttal, Counselor?"
[20:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 diplo for Esyer
06[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 diplo for Esyer and gets 32." [1d20=7]
[20:39] <Kotono> "Thank you, Your Honor," Standing up and stretching before he walks, "That was a good opening speech, opposing council," With a tip of a nonexistant cap to Esyer, "But it's also a great big pile of lemure shit, if I may be so bold to say. First and foremost, there is no provision entitling disclosure of Caim-Septus results to anyone beyond the records of Mechanus. While it is an acceptable request, there is no weight of law behind it.
[20:39] <Kotono> While it is an acceptable request, there is no weight of law behind it. Your Honor must and shall be aware of this important point." (More)
[20:42] <Kotono> "Moving on," Passing by Demedais and Pollyanna with a smooth, seamless smirk, "Mortal lives are finite, yes. But Your Honor, what is a month? A year? A mere tiny fragment of even the fleetingest mortal life! Is not truth and proper preparation under the law more vital? To move this forward in such a way would be a fundamental and chaotic disruption of my client's rights under the absolute laws of Mechanus!" Sauntering over to in front
[20:43] <Kotono> client's rights under the absolute laws of Mechanus!" Sauntering over to in front of the judge, "While I have no brief prepared on the accusations of opposing council at this time, is not my client a creature of fundamental, diabolical order? Yes sir, he is!" (More)
[20:44] <Kotono> Pointing right at the oozecat, "It is irrelevant if he has a unique form! For in his heart beats order! Even if he is an abomination, it is an abomination friendly to Mechanus and this court! Like any other creature, he deserves his due rights and time! To deprive a lawful creature of this is blasphemy against Mechanus itself!" Swishing his arm back, a hint of sulphur and brimstone tickling Demedais' nose, "Therefore, I must oppose thi
[20:44] <Kotono> a hint of sulphur and brimstone tickling Demedais' nose, "Therefore, I must oppose this motion for expediency."
[20:45] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[20:45] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 32." [1d20=7]
[20:45] <Kotono> "Thank you, Council," As Yene goes to sit down again, "Do you wish to rebut his statement, Council?" A look to Esyer at that. Esyer stands and begins again! As he does, he looks to Demedais and Pollyanna.
[20:45] <Kotono> "Don't worry," he murmurs.
06[20:46] * Demedais nods slightly to Esyer.
[20:49] <Kotono> "The laws of Mechanus allow for such expediency. This point, written in the very core of Caim-Septus, is not disputed." Esyer begins, walking slow and confidently. "Creature of order driven to a chaotic form, perhaps? But that is ultimately i rrelevant to the basic point. You cannot deny the needs of my clients and it is so written into the law. Your Honor, I can only ask that the rightful laws of Mechanus be followed. These proceeding
[20:49] <Kotono> Your Honor, I can only ask that the rightful laws of Mechanus be followed. These proceedings must be hurried along in with all due haste."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Thank you." Magistrate Xesen looks to Demedais, "Do you have anything to say for this motion, petitioner Demedais?"
[20:56] <Demedais> "There is one thing, that in truth, was just brought to my attention." Demedais rises at this. "I have just received a Sending from an ally in the Prime Material. A nemesis of ours still there may be acting soon. I will be sending Pollyanna-" A look and a nod to her, "- back as soon as I can arrange it. As for myself, I have committed to seeing this through as best as I can." (More)
[20:56] <Kotono> "Very well. Opposing Council," The Magistrate looks to him, "Do you object to this or wish to protest it?"
[20:57] <Kotono> OOC: Sorry, I did a boneheader.
[20:57] <Demedais> "However, once finished here, my presence is needed on the Prime Material to aid in this matter as well, if at all possible." Demedais nods to the court. "Thusly, I also must request expediency in this matter."
[20:58] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check, Deme?
[20:58] <Demedais> roll 1d20+18 ahaha, I hope this is just aid another or something
06[20:58] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+18 ahaha, I hope this is just aid another or something and gets 21." [1d20=3]
[20:58] <Kotono> With a look to Pollyanna, "Your Honor," Drawling forth with ease as he stands, "We have no objection to Pollyanna leaving, as long as the main petitioner stays and no secondary petitioners are added at a later date."
[21:00] <Kotono> "So be it. Transport for the secondary petitioner will be settled on our adjournment. Petitioner," A look to the oozecat, "Do you wish to add anything to this motion?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Standing now, Yene clears his throat loudly, a wet, thick sound. "It is best to note that my client does not possess the normal verbal skills of a sentinent creature. He speaks in telepathy."
[21:01] <Kotono> "I see." A short, brisk nod to that, "Go on, Council."
[21:01] <Kotono> "I wish to speak on his behalf then, so that his words may be fairly heard by all," Yene nods, "With your leave, Your Honor."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Objection!!" Esyer stands up then, "Your Honor, Council is an accomplished litigator and wordsmith! This would give him an undue benefit to allow Yene to speak for him directly on his behalf!"
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 31." [1d20=6]
[21:02] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Not Yene
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Not Yene and gets 32." [1d20=7]
06[21:02] * Demedais glances to Esyer on this, slightly nodding
[21:03] <Kotono> "Agreed." With a curt, brief nod, "Baliff, bring forth an impartial aid for this?"
[21:04] <Kotono> One of the gold armored Inevitables bows deep and leaves the courtroom. At this, Esyer sighs in relief, going back to sit and turning to Demedais. "Nice move there," he says with a smile, "Hopefully that'll tip the scales for us."
[21:05] <Kotono> "I hope so," Taking a long breath out, "It's far more developed than at home. There's so many laws being cited and so many words. Both of you are very good at it."
[21:05] <Kotono> Pollyanna smiles to this nonetheless, "But I feel like you got the better of him there, both of you."
06[21:06] * Demedais nods slightly. "I'll hope so. All things considered, I'd really like this done fast now. The threat is... well." An exhale. "I get to hope that all of you will be able to deal with it." Demedais nods to Pollyanna, before removing his ring and shield and handing them to Pollyanna. "Take these with you. I won't need them."
[21:06] <Kotono> Yene is currently huddling heads with the oozecat, though neither says a word. The oozecat occasionally looks out to glare at Demedais.
[21:07] <Kotono> "The Resorts?" With wide eyes, "Are you usre? What if something happens here?" In a low whisper, "They're devils, you know! I wouldn't put anything past them!
[21:07] <Kotono> "
06[21:07] * Demedais doesn't bother reciprocating the looks, simply glancing over out of the corner of his eye before glancing to Pollyanna. "Then I'll trust in Mechanus' laws and systems to protect me. Trust me. You'll want these."
[21:07] <Kotono> "...okay." Pollyanna takes both, "At least keep my lesser shield?" She passes it over to Demedais, "Just in case."
[21:08] <Demedais> "Thank you." Demedais nods at this. "Lend use of the Resorts to the others if they're going to take a more offensive position. ...damn, I wish I could go back to assist, but my duty is here right now."
[21:09] <Kotono> "You'll be fine," With a game smile, Esyer reaches out. "Knock your foe dead and to whatever hole it crawled out of."
[21:09] <Demedais> "Second verse, same as the first." Demedais mumbles. "I'll explain it later, Esyer."
[21:10] <Kotono> As this happens, a plain woman with intricately braided hair wrapping all over her head and face enters. She wears a spotless gray robe, bowing deep to the Magistrate. "Aid, please hear the words of the petitioner there," Gesturing to the oozecat, "And relay them to us. You'll be doing the same in further hearings regarding him."
[21:11] <Kotono> Clearing her throat, as the oozecat glares at her, "Your Honor, am I not a living being? To deny my rights over another is the pinnacle of self centered chaos. I only request the time I deserve under the laws of Mechanus."
[21:11] <Kotono> roll 1d20+9
06[21:11] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 26." [1d20=17]
[21:11] <Kotono> "Thank you. We're in adjournment until my ruling. Bailffs, please arrainge for transport back to the Prime Material Plane for Pollyanna." A gavel slams down again, the Magistrate standing.
[21:12] <Kotono> Yene stands, going over to Demedais and Esyer. "Nicely argued," He smirks, "You're in prime form today, Esyer."
[21:12] <Kotono> "Spare the words," With his own polite smile, "If you'd excuse us, we have matters to deal with."
06[21:13] * Demedais stands as well, somewhat annoyed at the implication of the oozecat but not letting it show as he nods to Yene slightly, before following Esyer out.
[21:13] <Kotono> "I'll be in touch," With a friendly call, the three head out! Lortimer is waiting outside, "Pollyanna, you're going back to the Prime? I'll escort you."
[21:14] <Kotono> Turning to Demedais, "Careful," Going to hug him tightly, "Dont' let any of the bastards get a drop on you! We'll have good news for when you get home, so make sure you have the same!"
[21:15] <Demedais> "Take care, Pollyanna. And be very careful. It's... Esthan." Demedais says the name in a whisper once sure he's out of earshot of the two devils.
[21:28] <Kotono> Pollyanna nods, takes a breath and smiles, before following Lortimer away. Once that's done, "Let's go have at alk somewhere," Esyer says cheerfully.
[21:29] <Demedais> "Yes. First, I need to apologize to you; wasn't aware that was their lawyer." Demedais grimaces, following Esyer.
[21:31] <Kotono> "Oh, Esyer's not bad. He's very damned good, but he's not bad." Whistling as he walks along, "It tells us something anyway. That damned cat has someone with money trying to bail his ass straight back to Hell. Yene doesn't work cheap."
[21:34] <Kotono> *Yene
[21:35] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods slightly. "I guessed, based on appearance."
[21:37] <Kotono> Walking down a hallway as they chat, "If his benefactor isn't that serious, but just owes that cat a favor, it'll be good but straightforward. If his benefactor is serious..hm. It's possible they may propose arbitration instead. Boiled down, that's them trying to legally pay you off to drop your claim. So..got anyone you know or love stuck in Hell? Several thousand gold in debt? Need a favor from Baator? They'll offer stuff like that i
[21:38] <Kotono>  gold in debt? Need a favor from Baator? They'll offer stuff like that if they're that serious about it."
[21:40] <Demedais> "... If it weren't Esthan that was the threat down in the Prime Material, I'd consider for information on him. However, I have my duty here, and it's possible Esthan will be defeated before any information becomes relevant. So I can't honestly say I'm inclined to accept."
[21:42] <Kotono> "It's your choice," Leading you to a small room with a few tables and chairs and going to sit, "For what it's worth, the contracts are done under Mechanus law as they're all resolved here. They might try to get you to agree to come to Baator to do a contract. Don't. As long as you aren't that stupid, you should be okay and the contract should ultimately do what you negotiate it to, as long as you have someone triplecheck it."
[21:42] <Kotono> ultimately do what you negotiate it to, as long as you have someone triplecheck it."
[21:43] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods. "I confess that I've little interest in going to Baator anyway, so."
[21:44] <Kotono> "I went once. I wish I hadn't. Dis is terrible." With a look of faint queasiness, "For now, all we can do is wait for the ruling then."
[21:44] <Demedais> "And... hm. So how likely, in arbitration, do you think it would be that I could obtain the objective?" Demedais asks at this, before nodding to Esyer.
[21:45] <Kotono> "Zero. Assuming they try to bribe you, they'll want the cat bad enough to do so in the first place. It'll be a matter of getting an offer that's worth the loss." With a little shrug there, "That's all."
06[21:46] * Demedais grimaces. "I confess that's really not an appealing concept. Any route around it, then?"
[21:46] <Kotono> "We don't agree to arbitration. Simple enough." Folding his hands together, "We don't have to go along with it."
[21:47] <Demedais> "Then... that would be preferred." Demedais nods. "Will that be an issue on your end?"
[21:48] <Kotono> "Well, they can't force arbitration. It has to be voluntary by both sides. So no, not really."
[21:49] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods, head bowed slightly in thought. "I take it I should speak primarily when offered to by the magistrate, and restrain myself otherwise?"
[21:49] <Kotono> "As a rule, yes. There are times where speaking out may be wise, but-" A stop here, as the door is knocked on. "Hold that thought a moment. Yes?"
06[21:50] * Demedais nods, glancing to the door as well.
[21:51] <Kotono> The door opens, Yene sauntering inside. He fans himself with an ornimental fan laden with jewels, "Ah, it's always too hot in here," he complains, wiping his brow, "I do reckon I'll sit down so we can talk like civilized people." Going to the nearest chair and plopping down on it, his bulk making it shake and quiver beneath him, "Let's talk turkey here, gentlemen."
06[21:52] * Demedais glances to Esyer with an expression as close to amusement as he can get while still looking stone-faced.
[21:53] <Kotono> Hiding a smile with a hand, "So you really don't want me to tell you to go away?" Esyer glares despite it, "Is that desperation I smell already?"
[21:54] <Kotono> "Pfah. Nonsense!" Fanning himself vigorously, a spicy, fiery scent fililng the air, "I just reckon that a more agreeable method to resolving our dispute may be in order. Demedais, has Esyer told you about arbitration yet, or has he been too busy snowing you under about your chances?"
[21:54] <Kotono> or has he been too busy snowing you under about your chances?"
[21:56] <Demedais> "I'm well aware of arbitration, and I'm afraid it holds no interest for me." Demedais shakes his head.
[21:57] <Kotono> "Truly?" Picking up his fanning a few notches, "The being paying my bills would prefer if my client gets back to Baator in one piece. He or she is very willing to dedicate resources to making this happen. How does 100,000 gold coins sound, just as a starting offer?"
[21:58] <Kotono> Whistling, "So which member of the nobility has an interest in an overgrown slime, Yene? Just between us, before you trot out with how he'd prefer to remain anonymous."
[21:58] <Demedais> "No." Demedais says politely, if a bit bluntly.
06[21:59] * Demedais then shuts up, letting Yene and Esyer talk a bit.
[22:01] <Kotono> "I could tell you as part of a settlement," With a cheeky grin to both of them, "But yes, as normal, my benefactor wishes to remain unspoken of. Standard protocol and all that." Waving his fan about, "Souls, magical resources, favors, whatever. Need a wish granted, free of charge or damnation? Need an irritant oh so very dead?"
[22:02] <Kotono> "It's his choice, not mine," Esyer leans back, "I'm on contract anyway." He hooks his arms behind his head, leaning back. "I think that you know your'e going to lose the motion and you're worried that you're going to lose, which will surely make your benefactor put you in shit column for a few thousand years?"
[22:03] <Demedais> "Again, I pass." Demedais shakes his head at this.
[22:04] <Kotono> "Nonsense!" Snorting as he puts his fan dodwn, "Let me tell you about back when I was a little imp. Oh, it was a miserable time! I trawled all corners of creation for souls! But the worst time? I had whispered into his cleric's ear for years and gotten him to forsake Mystra for Mephstopheles! Beautiful work! Some of my best ever! But I get called away for a week and you know what happens? Pure, dumb fucking luck! He runs into a SOLAR.
[22:04] <Kotono> and you know what happens? Pure, dumb fucking luck! He runs into a SOLAR. A fucking solar! All my work goes up in smoke and I end up staying an imp for a few more millenia!" Starting to fan himself again, "Even good work goes sour sometimes, so let's just take out the risk." On hearing what Demedais offers, "Well, you keep that in mind for now."
[22:06] <Kotono> "That story gets more lurid every time you tell ilt. Last time, it was a planetar," Now actually laughing, "You heard him. Don't waste your breath. Also, remind your benefactor that intimidation or other shenanigans get looked on very poorly by magistrates, be it here or on another plane to his friends and family."
[22:07] <Kotono> "I never!" Standing up now, "To think I would sully the laws of great Mechanus in a way that would have me be caught? Absurd!" Stomping off, "Just keep it in mind, Demedais."
[22:08] <Demedais> "So you'd sully them in ways that wouldn't get you caught, Yene? Not the sort of way I'd expect a lawyer to act..." Demedais muses. "Would expect more respect for the law of any place, at least."
[22:09] <Kotono> Yene laughs and grins at Demedais, "Ah, I'm just playing to type. If you excuse me..." With that he steps out of the room, closing the door behind him.
[22:09] <Kotono> "You do that," Going back under control, "Tell your benefactor that he can go suck on an pit fiend's flaming devilhood, too!" Once he's out of the room and the door's closed, "For a devil, he's entertaining enough. At least this trial won't be too boring."
[22:10] <Demedais> "...To be fair to him, it was amusing, yes." Demedais nods. "I wouldn't mind boring if the result was what was desired, but..."
[22:11] <Kotono> "Still, yes. Don't underestimate him. He's won far more cases than he's lost." Sitting back now, "Anyway, to what we were talking about, don't speak up unless it's worth disrupting things and immediatley useful. Doing it too much will also likely irritate the magistrate, who could have you removed from the courtroom."
[22:13] <Demedais> "Understood." Demedais nods. "You know the points I'd likely want to bring up, such as with him speaking for the hellcat - I had no interest in letting that fly."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Good move. Yene can make a baby's burbles sound convincing." Now as he waits, "Hopefully the magistrate won't take forever on ruling. Just go ahead and get comfortable?"
06[22:16] * Demedais rubs his head. "I confess being a bit nerve-wracked, and a bit annoyed on top of it by the hellcat's words. But you're right - worrying about this won't change anything at this point, anyways."
[22:16] <Kotono> "You don't strain a muscle, but these trials tire you out anyway. Tak ea nap if you need one."
[22:17] <Demedais> "I barely sleep." Demedais shakes his head with a slight smile. "I may meditate, though."
[22:18] <Kotono> About four hours pass before there is a knock on the door. Lortimer is there, "Magistrate Xesen is ready to rule. Please follow me."
[22:20] <Demedais> "Very well. Thank you. Pollyanna has been taken back to Balmuria, then?" Demedais nods, standing.
[22:21] <Kotono> "She has," Lortimer leads the two back. Yene and the oozecat have beaten them back. Once everyone is in position, "I'm ready to rule," Magistrate Xesen declares.
06[22:21] * Demedais nods slightly at this, waiting for Xesen's verdict.
[22:24] <Kotono> "The question of time is a difficult one. Both sides have presented pertinent arguments. However, the fundamental fairness of having time to prepare a proper defense is paramount, so that the correct, lawful conclusion can be reached. In light of this fact, I must partially decline the request. However, it is not unreasonable to insist that expediency relative to the mortal lifespan is observed. Therefore, I award one week of time for
[22:25] <Kotono> to the mortal lifespan is observed. Therefore, I award one week of time for preparation and further motions to the defending petitioner. We're adjourned until then." A slamo f his gavel, "Court dismissed."
06[22:26] * Demedais nods slightly at this, appearing unworried about the verdict.
[22:26] <Kotono> "Thank you, Your Honor," standing up, Yene smiles serenely to Demedais and Esyer. Esyer merely inclines his head to the Magistrate, before turning ot Demedais and starting to walk out.
06[22:27] * Demedais nods and follows Esyer out at this.
[22:28] <Kotono> Once outsider, Esyer curses darkly. "Damn. I really thought we were going to win that motion," he mutters, "Looks like we won't be able to full on rush things tyen."
06[22:30] * Demedais shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. Let's focus instead on using the time we've got wisely, then. Since Pollyanna isn't here, I can devote my time to studying the laws on the off-chance it will assist any arguments I will make?"
[22:32] <Kotono> "Right. Let's get to it then?" OOC: You're going to want to hit the book shard for a week?
[22:33] <Demedais> OOC: Pretty much! I don't eat, sleep only for two hours, and have minimal other needs, so I get to devote a lot of time to it!
[22:34] <Kotono> OOC: Make an int check? You have extra time to apply to it, so I'll give you a +3 bonus to the roll.
[22:34] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5 righty-o.
06[22:34] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 righty-o. and gets 24." [1d20=19]
[22:36] <Kotono> Demedais hits the books hard! He reads and reads and reads and reads! Mechanus has more laws than he could hope to learn in a dozen lifetimes! Narrowing it down to relevant things here is like turning the eastern elven mountains into merely the Galkass mountains. Still rugged and high, but a little less overwhelming. By the end of his time studying, his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having 1
[22:36] <Kotono> his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having 1 rank in profession(lawyer) until you leave Mechanus. You gain a +4 bonus to all diplomacy checks relating to hearings and legal arguments here.
[22:43] <Kotono> The 'morning' of the day the hearing begins again, Esyer meets with you at the Temple of Helm. "Well then. How'd the books go?" He asks, as the two fo you begin to walk towards the court.
[22:45] <Demedais> "I... think it went well." Demedais says hesitantly. "While I'm still not fully versed in the format, I think I can outtalk the cat's form, at least."
[22:47] <Kotono> "Assuming he hasn't taken means to improve or a way to get his message out." As yo uwalk along, "Yene might've had him do something like what you did or set something else up to help."
[22:48] <Demedais> "It's possible, yes. We shall see, I suppose? Hopefully the testing the cat's going through took up some time - unless that got put on hold..."
[22:50] <Kotono> "I haven't heard that, but..." As you walk, "We'll find out?"
[22:51] <Demedais> "We will, I suppose." Demedais nods. "As before, I will follow your lead."

[Corwin]

[19:15] <Kotono> > Demedais hits the books hard! He reads and reads and reads and reads! Mechanus has more laws than he could hope to learn in a dozen lifetimes! Narrowing it down to relevant things here is like turning the eastern elven mountains into merely the Galkass mountains. Still rugged and high, but a little less overwhelming. By the end of his time studying, his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having
[19:15] <Kotono> > his head overflows and burbles with information! OOC: You're being treated as having 1 rank in profession(lawyer) until you leave Mechanus. You gain a +4 bonus to all diplomacy checks relating to hearings and legal arguments here.
[19:15] <Kotono> > The 'morning' of the day the hearing begins again, Esyer meets with you at the Temple of Helm. "Well then. How'd the books go?" He asks, as the two fo you begin to walk towards the court.
[19:15] <Kotono> <Demedais> "I... think it went well." Demedais says hesitantly. "While I'm still not fully versed in the format, I think I can outtalk the cat's form, at least."
[19:15] <Kotono> > "Assuming he hasn't taken means to improve or a way to get his message out." As yo uwalk along, "Yene might've had him do something like what you did or set something else up to help."
[19:15] <Kotono> <Demedais> "It's possible, yes. We shall see, I suppose? Hopefully the testing the cat's going through took up some time - unless that got put on hold..."
[19:15] <Kotono> > "I haven't heard that, but..." As you walk, "We'll find out?"
[19:15] <Kotono> <Demedais> "We will, I suppose." Demedais nods. "As before, I will follow your lead."
[19:17] <Kotono> Thus, the two head to court! This time, several white robed clockwork Inevitables sit or stand in the back gallery, watching the proceedings. The oozecat and Yene have beaten you here this time, as things settle in. With a slam of his gavel, "Order! We're coming to order now!" Xesen calls.
06[19:19] * Demedais moves into position, waiting for the proceedings to begin.
[19:20] <Kotono> "We will now hear motions by the defending petitioner," Xesen announces, "Council?"
[19:23] <Kotono> "Ah, thank you, Your Honor," Rising up with a flourish of his wings, before they return into being a cloak around him, "I do declare that I have a goodly bushel of them! If it pleases the court, I would at this time wish to inform the counter-suit that under the Laws of Mechanus, I wish to petition against Demedais for his part in subverting the natural order of the Planes. In this motion, I will that he is the one to be disrupting the
[19:23] <Kotono> In this motion, I will that he is the one to be disrupting the right and lawful order."
[19:24] <Kotono> "How does this relate directly to Caim-Septus?" Xesen asks, while Esyer throws a casual, curious glance back at Demedais.
06[19:24] * Demedais raises one eyebrow at this, refusing to say anything verbally but making it clear that he's pretty much completely clueless as to what Yene's babbling about.
[19:26] <Kotono> "I confess, it is tangential, as the matter in question does not apply directly." Patting his stomach as he looks out to the gallery, "However, his role in this shows guilt and casts doubts on this character and motivations. Your honor, this is not the first time Demedais has had a role in subverting the established order of an aligned outsider. Such a person cannot be allowed to do the same again!"
[19:26] <Kotono>  Such a person cannot be allowed to do the same again!"
[19:28] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Esyer rises, "I object! This is completely irrelevant to the proceedings and nothing more than an attempt by the defending council to muddy the waters and further delay this proceeding!"
[19:29] <Kotono> Slamming his gavel down twice, "Silence, both of you!" Xesen raises his voice, "Petitioner Demedais, rise."
[19:29] <Demedais> The eyebrows level as Demedais catches on to the reference to Alicia, before rising at Xesen's command. "If I may speak regarding this, despite its irrelevancy to the current case, Magistrate?"
[19:30] <Kotono> "You may do so," Magistrate Xesen instructs, "I would like to hear these charges answered."
[19:35] <Demedais> "The incident he speaks of is of an erinyes encountered by my group at one point, who surrendered and asked for redemption from the party's other paladin, Alicia. Firstly, I would like to note this; the erinyes' explicit surrender and request for reformation. Said outsider has remained a paragon of law in this transformation, with the guidance of the other paladin, Alicia. Thusly, the overall strength of order has not be weakened here. Secondly...
03[19:38] * Ebiris (WinNT@user-5445be48.lns2-c13.telh.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:40] <Demedais> "There is the very fact that she requested this redemption herself. Imagine the reprecussions if she had come to this conclusion in Baator itself! The very order in Baator would have been upheaved as she struggled and lashed out with these aspects. Indeed, her very presence in Baator would have caused a disruption to the order there; Alicia took it upon herself to ensure that could not act as an agent of upheaval in any plane, ensuring that her de
[19:40] <Demedais> "Alicia took it upon herself to ensure that could not act as an agent of upheaval in any plane, ensuring that her devotion to Law stayed as firm as ever." (More)
[19:46] <Demedais> "Finally, I must confess that my own involvment into ensuring that the erinyes did not cause a disturbance on any micro- or macro-scale of Law was making sure the peace was kept in all regards involving this erinyes. As such, I'm afraid that I do not deserve the thanks that you should give for extracting such a disturbance. I will, however, inform Alicia of them, since that is honestly the only reason I could think that you'd bring this up, Yene..
[19:47] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo check? I'll give you another +4 on top of your other +4 since that was really well written out.
[19:47] <Demedais> roll 1d20+26 righty-o
06[19:47] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+26 righty-o and gets 44." [1d20=18]
03[19:48] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[19:50] <Kotono> "Your honor, I be objectin'!" Yene clears his throat now, "Baator has an eternal record of being able to deal with internal dissent with lawful precision! The lawful reign of Asmodeus and the Lords of the Nine stretches endlessly! To suggest that BAator is unable to defend itself against this is downright absurd! "
[19:51] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Esyer stands then, "If I may cut to the heart of this matter? If we use divination to assert that the accursed has maintained a lawful and proper perspective, then it is merely a question of Good vs Evil. Such a quesiton is immaterial to the proceedings of Mechanus!"
[19:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 38." [1d20=13]
[19:53] <Kotono> With another slam of his gavel, "Enough. Demedais, you describe what has happened in an eminately ordered fashion. While there is some disruption by any such change, it appears that you indeed acted with the best interests of law in order. However, divination would be proper to cut ot the heart of this. Defending Council, if divination says otherwise, your motion may have legs to stand on."
06[19:55] * Demedais nods slightly, stepping back again.
[19:57] <Kotono> WIth a third slam of his gavel, "Baliff, send a request for a diviner to my chambers. We are in recess until this is resolved. I expect it to take four hours."
[19:57] <Kotono> Esyer rises, going over to Demedais. "Really?" He raises an eyebrow, "That bit with the othe rpaladin and erinyes is all true?"
[19:58] <Demedais> "Yeah, but I didn't expect it to at all be brought up." Demedais rubs his head. "Let's talk in another room?"
[20:00] <Kotono> As you do so, Yene saunters over. He offers a hand out, "I feel like I should shake your hand, I reckon. Got a tongue a Brachina would maim herself for, and so does that other paladin. Once this is all said and done, either of you looking for some freelance work? I have plenty of superb uses for such skilled folks."
06[20:02] * Demedais shakes his head. "Pass, thanks. I try to stay out of places where the gut impulse of most would be to turn me into a mindless wretch or lemure, but I appreciate the offer anyway."
[20:06] <Kotono> "Oh no, it's nothing to do with that. Just freelancing." With an aminable smile, "Remember, we can still arbitrate..." With that he wanders off and away.
[20:06] <Kotono> Esyer shakes his head, "I was about ot say. Let's just go and talk once we get somewhere comfortable."
[20:06] <Demedais> "Alright." Demedais shrugs.
[20:10] <Kotono> Going into a quiet meeting room, Esyer sits down heavily. "As I was going to say, it's fairly transparent that he's going to try to force you to arbitrate now. He's not being very subtle, is he?"
[20:10] <Demedais> "No. And... force me to arbitrate?" Demedais raises an eyebrow.
[20:13] <Kotono> "Make it muddy, make you trya nd come to the bargaining table. Hardball." As he settles back into his chair, placing his hands over his face, "The baatezu perspective. Try to politely bully you into quitting. After all, if he can get you in trouble with Mechanus or use the threat to break your nerve?"
06[20:15] * Demedais exhales. "Right. That's... joyous, though Helm help me, I can't think of too much more he can bring against me in any real way."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Yes. But seriously, you got an erinyes to change her stripes?" Raising an eyebrow himself, "Good story?"
[20:17] <Demedais> "Alicia did, yes. I mainly stood by telling her that any attempts at betrayal would not be tolerated. And then she saved me ass." Demedais finishes with a lopsided grin.
[20:19] <Kotono> "I've heard of that happening once or twice, but it's usually angels falling, not the other way around." Starting to grin himself, "Was it worth it, or is she just a typical erinyes working for the other team now?"
[20:21] <Demedais> "Good arguments that she could handily beat me in a fight, for one. I'd call it worth it, but." Demedais shrugs.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Tell me about it while we wait for the Magistrate to finish divining?" Leaning back, "It's a pretty good story, I bet." OOC: Skip along a bit if you like?
[20:22] <Demedais> OOC: Sure.
[20:24] <Kotono> At four hours on the dot, Lortimer escorts you back to court. The Magistrate is back, Yene and the oozecat coming in a little after you. Slamming his gavel down, "Order!"
06[20:24] * Demedais is in position, waiting for confirmation.
[20:25] <Kotono> "I have consulted an oracle on this matter. There is little doubt that the subject Antenora has maintained her lawful mindset in good and in evil. As the quibble between Baator and the Heavnes is immaterial to this case beyond that, I find there no grounds for this motion. The motion is denied." Another slam of his gavel, "Are ther eany others, council?"
[20:32] <Kotono> "I certainly do, Your Honor." Yene rises, stretching before sauntering about the court. "I move for a change of venue. This matter is fundamentally a matter of Baator and should be decided by Baatorian justice. They can assess the state of my client the best of all the realms above and below. Such expertise should not be squandered in making an assessment, Your Honor."
06[20:33] * Demedais raises one eyebrow again.
[20:34] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Standing now with a weary sigh, "Be that as it may, I contend that Mechanus is more than suited to handle such disputes. This is a thinly veiled attempt to get the oozecat back to Baator and circumvent the entire point of the proceedings!"
[20:37] <Kotono> "In that case, I would like to call expert witnesses to testify on this matter," Yene says with booming generousity.
06[20:39] * Demedais restrains the impulse to comment, simply eyeing Yene and Esyer with the slight impulse to speak up on this.
[20:39] <Kotono> Esyer looks to Demedais and nods, "Your Honor, I believe my client wishes to address the proceedings now."
[20:40] <Kotono> "Very well," Magistrate Xesen agrees. "Speak."
06[20:45] * Demedais nods slightly, standing and nodding to the court. "Your Honor, I cannot but question what help bringing expert witnesses in will do for these proceedings. The matter is a simple one; the defendant is currently under Mechanus' purview and thus governed by Mechanus law. Furthermore, if anything this is also an impartial venue for the case, rather than Baator which would be favorably inclined, or, if I wished to contend the same, Arcadia, whe
[20:45] <Demedais> "... or, if I wished to contend the same, Arcadia, where it would be infavorably inclined toward the defendant. Thusly, this is the fairest possible venue to hold the proceedings in."
[20:54] <Kotono> OOC: Make diplo again? Sorry, was dealing with combat
[20:54] <Kotono> .
[20:54] <Demedais> OOC: No +4 for argument here, correct? Just the innate +4?
[20:54] <Demedais> roll 1d20+22
06[20:54] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+22 and gets 38." [1d20=16]
[20:57] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 33." [1d20=8]
[20:57] <Kotono> "Agreed," Slamming his gavel down, "I see no need for this motion. Mechanus is the final arbiter of law and order. Motion denied."
06[21:00] * Demedais moves back to his former position.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Your Honor," Esyer rises, "In light of this, I motion that we begin the hearing immediately. Further motions are surely as irrelevant as this one. Due process and haste must be observed!"
[21:12] <Kotono> "Your Honor!" rising up himself, "That is preposterous! Council is trying to rush us ahead!" Yene glowers, "To deprive us of our needed time is an absurdity!"
06[21:14] * Demedais lets Esyer handle this one, personally of the opinion that they've gotten all the time they needed.
[21:29] <Kotono> "Now then," Starting to reply, "To continue to delay is meaningless. Is not Mechanus' justice eternal? Is not it's lawsw perfect? What good will further time due? You speak as if it is possible that the laws of Mechanus are mutable and falliable! I appeal to you, Your Honor! Let the ineffable, perfect rules of Mechanus be appiled without delay!"
06[21:36] * Demedais waits for the ruling at this, still not sure what sort of time Yene could need for anything other than frustration.
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 and gets 35." [1d20=10]
[21:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[21:41] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 34." [1d20=9]
[21:41] <Kotono> "So agreed. Let this hearing begin!" Slamming the gavel down, "Council," With a look to Esyer, "Begin."
06[21:47] * Demedais nods to Esyer, confident in his own lawyer to handle this, for the most part.
[21:48] <Kotono> "Thank you." Esyer rises, "Now then. The simpliest claim is the best. This abomination!" A point right at the oozecat, "Is an unlawful, gross alteration to the form of the Hellcat. The results of the testing will bear this out! This abomination must be purged of it's taint so that the perfect order of Mechanus and Baator is maintained!"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Thank you." With this Esyer sits, "Rebuttal to the point, Council," The magistrate instructs.
[21:54] <Kotono> "I reckon I will!" Puffing his chest out as he rises, "The simple point here, unlike my opposing council reckons, is that my client deserves not to be punished for what he is! His very essence is lawful! Are not changes acceptable! Are not Erinyes acceptable to change at the hands of the opposing petitioner and friends? My client's very same change has been handled likewise, with orderly precision and a maintaining of his lawful center
[21:54] <Kotono>  with orderly precision and a maintaining of his lawful center! Your Honor, if you accept the basic tenet that the conversion of the erinyes is lawful, then you must rule this conversion is lawful as well and reject this petition!"
[21:56] <Kotono> Yene whirls to the gallery, "Are we all not lawful here? Are we all not perfected creatures who reject chaos and embrace order? To exclude order from order is to regress to random chaos! We cannot pick and parcel which order is acceptable and which is to be purged! We must embrace all order!"
[21:57] <Kotono> "Very well," The Magistrate nods slightly, "Do you wish to rebut that statement, Counselor?"
06[21:58] * Demedais glances to Esyer at this, content to let him rebut it with what he told him of the creation of the oozecat, as well as the notes. There doesn't yet seem to be a pressing need to speak up directly, so.
[21:59] <Kotono> As Yene goes to plop down on his heavy chair, Esyer rises. He leans against the table, head bowed. "Your Honor, it's something like this. Celestia and Baator bicker endlessly, but both hold law sacred. Yet both of them lack the purity of law that Mechanus holds. To compare them to those," He gestures to the gallery, "Is like comparing the morning's first feeble light to the radiant noon's sunrays!" (More)
[21:59] <Kotono> light to the radiant noon's sunrays!" (More)
[22:03] <Kotono> "Even in light of that, the creation of this creature was a heresy!" Pointing again to the oozecat, "Your Honor, I submit the information on it's creation to you." He goes to the table, getting a few papers. "Created in heresy, forbidden. What right doe ssuch a creature have? Petition those of the ultimate law, of the Eternal Vigilant or of Kelemvor, judge of the dead! They will tell you the same thing!"
[22:03] <Kotono>  They will tell you the same thing!"
[22:04] <Kotono> "Thank you." Taking the notes and looking over them for a time....
[22:04] <Kotono> roll 1d20+25 Yene
06[22:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+25 Yene and gets 29." [1d20=4]
[22:05] <Kotono> roll 1d20+29 (+4 from notes) Esyer
06[22:05] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+29 (+4 from notes) Esyer and gets 30." [1d20=1]
[22:07] <Kotono> After a few moments, "I've heard enough," Xesen announces, "I find this petition to be lawful and proper. The petition is approved." He slams his gavel, "Baliffs, take it away!" He points at the oozecat! At once, five golden armored baliffs are moving towards the oozecat! Yene quickly steps away, reaching over to pat the oozecat on the back. "Rotten luck, kid," he says lightly. "Better luck back in Baator."
[22:07] <Kotono> "Rotten luck, kid," he says lightly. "Better luck back in Baator."
06[22:07] * Demedais nods slightly at this, glad the entire thing's over. Mostly.
[22:09] <Kotono> The oozecat hisses, but the Baliffs are quick! They surround him, then all six are gone! As Esyer grins and takes Demedais's hand in his own, shaking it, "Ah, I declare, well done," Yene nods to both, "I couldn't catch a stroke of fortune."
06[22:13] * Demedais also shakes Esyer's hand, before nodding to Yene. "Perhaps."
[22:14] <Kotono> "Still, I'm not a sore loser." Chuckling so that his belly shakes like jelly, "I'll treat both of you to drinks on me."
06[22:15] * Demedais glances to Esyer, not inclined to get stuck alone with Yene out of personal disinterest.
[22:17] <Kotono> Esyer shrugs. "I've done it a time or two and I still have my soul. Up to you."
[22:18] <Demedais> "Wasn't my concern, there. Sure."
[22:21] <Kotono> The three of you are taken out. Under the starry sky you go to a building in the perfect shape of a pentagram. Here beautiful erinyes stand aside as you enter, wearing leather armor. You head into a comfortable lounge, chairs of leather so soft and firm that it must cost a fortune. A crackling fire burns in a fireplace, music sounding from nowhere and everywhere, soft and soothing. A beautiful erinyes-like creature wears tight black ro
[22:23] <Kotono>  soft and soothing. A beautiful erinyes-like creature wears tight black robes, bringing drinks around. Rich paintings hang about, scenes of the various lawful planes displayed. Yene sits into a deeply stuffed chair, putting his feet up before raising his glass. "Make yourself comfortable. That's a helluva performance - pun intended - you put on, son." Sipping his drink, "So I did some homework on your case. That erinyes bit, that's rea
[22:23] <Kotono> "So I did some homework on your case. That erinyes bit, that's really true? All my reports seem to think so."
06[22:24] * Demedais sits at the edge of his chair, loosely cautious and wondering why in Arcadia he bothered to agree other than politeness. "So you went with that without even confirming it? Huh."
[22:27] <Kotono> "No time." With a shrug, "My resources in your world are almost non existant. I had to try and buy up the information third and fourth hand. Shitty way to do business." The erinyes brings drinks to Demedais and Esyer as well, who sits and sips. "Anyway, were you curious who put up the money to save that freak of a bezekira?"
[22:29] <Demedais> "Slightly, though it's more likely than not I won't know the name and thus it'll be useless." Demedais shrugs.
[22:29] <Kotono> "Probably. It was a fourth party underling that couldn't tell you who was behind it anyway," Shrugging, "He didn't even find all the loopholes in the contract I gave him. Oh, there was money behind it, but it got delegated down the chain, too."
[22:30] <Kotono> Taking a deeper sip, as the server goes to sit on his lap and curl up onto his chest, "It's typical devil politics. I'm not sure who in that chain is going to be demoted for it, but they can deal with it themselves. I get paid either way."
06[22:31] * Demedais shrugs. "Sounds about right, all things considered. You've pretty much taken up permanent residence here as a litigator, then?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "Yes. I've been here..." Ticking off on his fingers, then using the fingers of his lap buddy, "About four thousand years now. Give or take a century."
[22:34] <Demedais> "Ah." Demedais falls silent at this for a bit, letting Esyer or Yene initiate the next part.
[22:36] <Kotono> "Now then," Draining down his drink, "I'll be honest with you. I don't really give two shits about Baator's agenda. I get left alone because I'm rich and very well connected in Mechanus. They can't touch me." He leans forward with a smile full of gold, "Even pulled one off on ol' Scax and got away with it. So really, I'm not looking to take your soul or damn you to Baator. Leave that to the rest of Hell. You see, I could use a contact
[22:36] <Kotono> Leave that to the rest of Hell. You see, I could use a contact on your world. You'll be handsomely compensated for it, of course."
[22:40] <Demedais> "I will be honest in return; I have... issues... dealing with devils at this point. This is more a matter of those that arrived in your world. This being said..." Demedais muses. "I may very well have someone else come to talk to you about that; I'll see how they feel on the issue. She's more the type to make business deals, anyway, so you'd probably find that deal more sastifactory."
[22:44] <Kotono> "Ah, excellent." Nodding to that, "Direct them onto me and I'll see what we can work out."
[22:45] <Demedais> "There will only be one issue with that, something I hope to address before I depart back home. Other than that, I'll pass the message on and see what can be done from there." Demedais nods.

[Corwin]

[18:45] <Kotono> OOC: What did you have left to wish to accomplish in MEchansu?
[18:46] <Demedais> OOC: Consult Esyer one more time regarding what to do with Seira's position and how to arrange a political agreement between Mechanus and the Baronies.
[18:48] <Kotono> The next morning, Esyer meets with Demedais at the temple. With his feet up, "So now that the case is over...you said you had a friend in trouble with Mechaus?"
[18:48] <Kotono> *Mechanus
[18:50] <Demedais> "I believe so, yes. She had a kolyarut after her for excessive oathbreaking, though at least one of said oaths was made under great duress." Demedais nods. "And while not lawful in the sense of Mechanus, she does repay her debts and is loyal to friends. She's requested that I assist her in reconciliation; I wanted to know how to approach this, and what her options likely are."
[18:51] <Kotono> "When you get an Inevitable after you, it means you've violated the laws to the point that Mechanus wishes to remove you to protect them. " Esyer steeples his fingers together, "She could get council to represent her and try and resolve the charges here in Mechanus."
[18:54] <Demedais> "There... is one other issue." Demedais says reluctantly. "I believe that the Inevitable pursuing her was being influenced by another force that wanted to see Seira removed from the picture. The Inevitable... took prisoners in an attempt to extort Seira into surrendering."
[19:01] <Kotono> "Hmmm." Now leaning back, "That throws a wrench into things. It doesn't mitigate the initial problem, but it does complicate it. This isn't my area of expertise, but if Mechanus was in error with it's punishment, it may help slightly for leinency."
06[19:03] * Demedais nods. "Alright. Do you feel you could aid in this? It isn't a matter regarding the Temple of Helm, so I will cover the costs for it myself."
[19:06] <Kotono> "I can, but what she'll want is a specialist in that field. I could do alright in it, but someone who specialized in Inevitable affairs would be better. Have her send a message and I can have a representative meet her to help her find good council without stepping foot into Mechanus. You don't need to cover the cost: She's the client, unless you want to pay for her anyway."
06[19:09] * Demedais nods. "Alright. That'd be best, then, yes." A pause, then, "I suppose I have two other matters before I head back, one business and one political. Firstly, where would I go to have a diplomat sent to the Baronies to establish treaties with the government there?"
[19:11] <Kotono> "The Planar Affairs Office. Once you hack through the red tape, you'll get a represenative sent. If you want, I can set that in motion for you. It's not hard, just time consuming to do all the needed work."
[19:12] <Demedais> "If you're willing, I would be grateful for that." Demedais nods. "Then, only one other matter remains. Is there a large shop that sells arcane scrolls here, or a store that might have a scroll of Teleportation Circle?"
[19:16] <Kotono> "Yes, there's some markets. To buy upper levle magic like that you need a permit; anything above the fourth circle is regulated." With a faintly amused look, "I can get you one if you want. I'll have to give to you outside of Mechanus, though, for legal reasons."
[19:18] <Demedais> "...heh. I really don't want you to feel like an errand boy, here." Demedais rubs his head in embarrassment. "But thanks, it's greatly appreciated." Taking out the pouch containing the remainder of the government funds, Demedais hands it over to Esyer. "This should cover most, if not all of it. I'll pick up any remaining fees on it. Thanks again."
[19:19] <Kotono> OOC: How much is that?
[19:19] <Demedais> OOC: 5000 gold.
[19:20] <Kotono> OOC: It does, with 175 GP to spare.
[19:21] <Demedais> OOC: Alright.
[19:23] <Kotono> Later that day, Demedais is at rest. He feels a strange compulsion overtaking him. A desire to meditate and pray, coming from deep within him.
06[19:23] * Demedais nods slightly and goes back to the Temple of Helm, praying at the altar there to resolve this compulsion.
[19:25] <Kotono> Demedais silps into a trance, the world of law and gears fading to disinterest. He feels removed, far away, with a deep serenity welling from within him. He feels the cool, clammy touch of mist on his arms and legs, like a living thing.
06[19:27] * Demedais lets the mist take him, focusing solely on the feeling to meditate and pray.
[19:30] <Kotono> You stand within the deep mists. You stand on the sharp, crystalline floors. Ahead of you, floating in the misty ether, is Uatu. An older, vigilant man in full armor stands for you, extending a gauntlet clad hand out. "Blessed be you taken here by the will of Helm."
06[19:32] * Demedais stands at this, unsurprised at the results of this as he accepts the hand. "Blessed be the guardians of this place and of Uatu, under Helm's evervigilance."
[19:33] <Kotono> "Well met." The hands are clasped together, a faint rattle of steel lost in the mists all around you. "Helm has taken you here today for a sacred duty."
[19:34] <Demedais> "I am willing to perform his will as it is assigned to me." Demedais says calmly.
[19:35] <Kotono> "The will of Helm has been made manifest to me. In His wisdom he has granted you clarity beyond the mortal mind, able to divine and see what lies ahead. In your wisdom, you have chosen to explore and follow this path."
06[19:37] * Demedais nods to this. "I have undergone study to train myself to accept His messages and visions as they have been directed to me. What task does He wish me to perform with what He has granted me?"
[19:38] <Kotono> "Uatu waits ahead. It is a being that understands little but sees all. By the will of Helm, when you lay your hands on it, you will see all. For you, the vessel shall be Uatu, and the gift shall be prophecy."
06[19:41] * Demedais is admittedly a bit surprised by this, but maintains his expression. "I understand. Then, by Helm's will, I shall perform this duty." With that, he removes his gauntlets, mind clearing itself in preparation for this.
[19:43] <Kotono> "For a time, you shall stay here in prophecy. Your loved ones are safe under the watchful gaze of Helm." As the man steps aside, crystalline steps begin to rise out of the mist, forming a path to Uatu, ending a few feet from  him. "When you are ready, go forward."
06[19:45] * Demedais nods silently, inhaling once before advancing to Uatu and reverently raising his hands up to the being of prophecy.
[19:47] <Kotono> Each step forward leaves everything behind but mist. Ahead, Uatu floats in the air. It glows every so faintly, a cloak of mist over it's body. As you get closer, you can see images dancing in the corners of your eyes. Images of exalted heights and infernal pits, of perfect order and absolute chaos. You can see the fury of the elemental quadruple, clashing into frenzied borders. You can see images of the world, of Balmuria, of Pallanth,
[19:47] <Kotono> clashing into frenzied borders. You can see images of the world, of Balmuria, of Pallanth, of the Desert, of Kesse, of so much more as you step close to Uatu.
06[19:49] * Demedais slowly lets his eyes follow the images as he continues to advance, slowly moving his hands through the cloak of mist to touch Uatu once he reaches him. "Helm..."
[19:51] <Kotono> Stop. Demedais simply stops, as images flow into him. His senses dim as he sees everything...so much, by Helm...everything...

[Corwin]

[19:45] <Kotono> ------------------------
[19:45] <Kotono> OOC: Tai, how were you going to ge tin touch with Dad?
03[19:45] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54449ccd.lns5-c10.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[19:45] * Taishyr is now known as Demedais
[19:48] <Demedais> Prepare a Sending to clear our arrival, prepare Plane Shift once and go in the early morning Balmuria time, so that I can pray for the second Plane Shift once I get there. This of course might backfire horribly, but.
[19:49] <Kotono> Okay.
[19:50] <Kotono> Go ahead and tell me the contents of the sending real quick?
[19:53] <Demedais> "Dad - was hoping you would have time for a visit. Wish to bring someone to meet you. Will be arriving early our time. Demedais"
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d100 chances of interplanar sending for failure
03[19:53] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:53] <Kotono> roll 1d100 chances of interplanar sending for failure
06[19:53] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 chances of interplanar sending for failure and gets 47." [1d100=47]
[19:54] <Kotono> You receive an answer, 'You are welcome to come here, Demedais.'
[19:54] <Kotono> Who's going with you, Polly?
[19:54] <Demedais> Yeah.
[19:56] <Kotono> Okay. I'll start you off right after planeshifting. Go your spells lined up/
[19:56] <Demedais> Kay, give me a sec.
[19:57] <Kotono> Sure.
[20:02] <Kotono> roll 5d100
06[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d100 and gets 346." [5d100=52, 57, 84, 73, 80]
[20:06] <Kotono> You stand on a rocky, jagged slope that rises upward and upwards. Martyrdom stretches ahead of you, the path ahead one of constant climbing and difficulty. Yet it is one without pain. Aches are gone, little discomforts banished away.
[20:06] <Kotono> Pollyanna holds a hand to her chest, "Mmmm..."S he closes her eyes and bows her head. "It's so very peaceful here."
[20:09] <Demedais> "It is." Demedais nods simply. "Our destination is up at the top. Shall we?"
[20:11] <Kotono> Pollyanna begins to walk. She walks with her eyes half shut, "I...I feel as if Helm is close. This is part of the House of the Triad?"
[20:12] <Demedais> "It is. We ascend now to Ilmater, who, though his servant, saved my father's life." Demedais nods slightly.
[20:16] <Kotono> Thus you ascend. It is not a difficult trip, the climb up overcome as you apply effort to it. (More)
[20:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 22." [1d100=22]
[20:17] <Kotono> Is it not a long trip. You find yourself entering the great open air temple quickly, the two at it before they even realize it. Floating in the air and approaching Demedais is a Lantern Archon. It bobs in the air once towards each of them. "Honored guests from Balmuria, Demedais and Pollyanna?"
06[20:18] * Demedais nods. "Yes."
06[20:22] * Demedais nods. "Yes." A slight pause, before glancing to the Lantern Archon in brief confusion, letting it continue.
[20:30] <Kotono> "Would you please come with me?" Another bob in the air, "I'm tol ead you to your father.'
[20:39] <Demedais> "Ah, certainly." Demedais nods, confusion dispelled. "Thank you."
[20:40] <Kotono> The two of you are lead along. The sick are healed here, celestials in palaver with various sorts. Clerics of Ilmater rest and talk here, worship services constant.  Demedais feels soothed to the marrow of his bones, pains and worries lifted away. Pollyanna smiles, head bowed and eyes closed. An innocent, restful smile blooms on her face as she keeps the pace up.
06[20:44] * Demedais looks around carefully, but continues to follow the lantern archon back and in.
[20:51] <Kotono> You come to a simple golden tent. It's large enough to fit several people in comfortably. It's flap is open, the Lantern Archon standing aside.
[20:54] <Demedais> "...Thank you." Demedais says, silently curious as to the reason behind the tent but not questioning directly as he enters slowly.
[20:59] <Kotono> Demedais' father sits inside of the tent. It's large as a hall, far larger than it should be. He sits on the ground, waiting. A book rests in his lap. His face is full of energy, his eyes shining. His frame has gained some muscle mass, his movement to stand up one single, fluid motion. He wears plain gray robes, a red ribbon dangling down his neck.
[20:59] <Kotono> "Demedais." With a huge smile to him, "My son."
06[21:01] * Demedais smiles broadly at the sight of his father's renewed health. "Father. It is good to see you so well." A slight glance behind to Pollyanna, before nodding. "Pollyanna, this is my father, Croger. Father... this is my fiancee."
[21:02] <Kotono> Croger advances to her, offering a hand. Pollyanna shakes it, eyes widening. "It's good to meet you in earnest, Sir." She then makes a curtesy to him, "You look as if this blessed realm has agreed with you."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Absolutely. Lord Ilmater's energies have reinvigorated my tired body and soothed my weary spirit, blessed be to him." Croger smiles and winks to Pollyanna, "Demedais, you look very well."
[21:04] <Demedais> "I am. We are currently resting and planning our next actions down there." Demedais nods at this.
[21:10] <Kotono> "I've been here, instructed in Lord Ilmater's teachings. The world will need Ilmater's shielding hand and back in the coming years. As long as my body lasts, I aim to go and ensure that his word spreads, so that Ilmater's aid can come freely. Esthan was only a symptom of the disease, a sign of the struggles mighty and mundane that are to come."
06[21:11] * Demedais nods to this, unsurprised by the road Croger's followed. "I would be hard-pressed to disagree, from what I have seen and heard of places beyond Balmuria."
[21:12] <Kotono> "In the ruins of evil's depredations, a new flower grows. An apt maxim." Croger says, "I owe this chance to you. You bent heaven and earth to ensure that I lived despite Esthan's every effort."
[21:17] <Demedais> "I... did what I could, there; it was not of any interest to me even beforehand to let any of Esthan's schemes succeed if I could help it." Demedais shakes his head, before suddenly nodding. "This reminds me. Esthan has been imprisoned in Celestia, never to see freedom again."
[21:18] <Kotono> "Triumphant." With a singular, short nod, "Then I can return to our world straight away."
[21:20] <Demedais> "When you are prepared, I can come to bring you back, or you may have your own route." Demedais replies, a bit lost in thought. "Do you have a plan of action once you get there?"
[21:22] <Kotono> "Yes. I wish to spend a little time in Balmuria. I suspect I will not need to stay long. Ilmater's gifts are needed elseware. Balmuria is a place of light and peace. But realms beyond Balmuria's reaches may need Ilmater's aid far more."
06[21:23] * Demedais nods. "Then we can arrange this. There is room at the Temple, I am sure."
[21:26] <Kotono> "Let's return then," Croger says, "Right now. The sooner I get there, the sooner Ilmater's words can benefit the helpless."
06[21:29] * Demedais nods slightly. "I need time to prepare my spells, but other than that, we should be able to do this easily. Give me a moment."
[21:31] <Kotono> OOC: You can assume this goes without incident. Go ahead and line again. Sec.
[21:33] <Demedais> OOC: Deme just had sudden "...Wait." revelation. Quickly switching out Dispel Magic x2 and Invis Purge for Water Walk x3, everything else is the same.
06[21:36] * Demedais nods, finishing his prayers and standing. "Alright. Shall we?"
[21:40] <Kotono> "Certainly," Croger stands.
06[21:40] * Demedais nods, and invokes the prayer for Plane Shift upon the three!
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 5d100
06[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 5d100 and gets 301." [5d100=71, 93, 61, 8, 68]
[21:40] <Kotono> roll 1d9
06[21:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 7." [1d9=7]
[21:44] <Kotono> You appear in deep grassy fields. Ahead of you, you can see several empty farm fields. Scarecrows are about, warm farmhouses shuttered against the chilly rasp of winter's breath.
[21:46] <Kotono> Pollyanna looks around, "Well, we're in the Baronies...or maybe Malmuth?" She shivers and rubs her arms, "We should be able to find out as soon as we reach a farmhouse or town."
06[21:53] * Demedais nods slightly. "Yes. Should be easy enough, then."
[21:55] <Kotono> Thus, the party walks to the nearby farmhouse. As you get closer, Pollyanna eyes Demedais, "Want to do it or should I?"
[22:00] <Demedais> "You'd... probably be best doing it, as I seem to be conspicuous." Demedais notably keeps his armor off, at least.
[22:03] <Kotono> Pollyanna goes to the front door! She knocks twice, a young woman wrapped in a warm shawl answering. The two talk low for a few moments. She then returns, "We're about three hundred miles west of Balmuria, give or take. On the better side, I got her to tell us where we could buy some horses nearby. So let's get going?"
[22:09] <Demedais> "Certainly. That'd be best." Demedais nods. "Horse could probably support two of us, but not three."
[22:09] <Kotono> "Horse?" Croger look sto Demedais now.
[22:12] <Demedais> "Uh... the paladin mount I was granted." Demedais says, embarrassed. "I wasn't precisely the most creative at that time."
[22:13] <Kotono> "He also names his chairs Chair and his bed Bed." Smiling just a little bit, "But I love him anyway."
06[22:14] * Demedais rubs his head, seemingly too embarrassed to correct this.
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 83." [1d100=83]
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d100+20
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100+20 and gets 21." [1d100=1]
[22:21] <Kotono> A few days later, you are passing through a small village. It's peaceful and sleepy with the winter, only a few people out. One of them, a man with a shock of black hair and a twitch in his shoulders, stares. Abruptly, "Sir! Sir!" He calls, approaching.
06[22:22] * Demedais blinks at this, turning. "Yes? Can I help you?" A glance to Croger and Pollyanna, as he turns his horse.
[22:24] <Kotono> The man twitches and bows before him. "Captain Demedais of the Crimson Guard?"  he asks, respect filling his words.
[22:26] <Demedais> "Ah, yes." Demedais says, in bemusement. "How may I aid you?"
[22:34] <Kotono> "I'm honored." He blurts out, "I served in the army a little while, but I never got to meet anyone like you."
[22:35] <Kotono> Pollyanna starts to smile, but keeps her peace.
[22:36] <Demedais> "Ah." Demedais nods slightly. "Thank you for the services you rendered, then, sir."
[22:40] <Kotono> "Thank you." Her eturns, standing back. "It's an honor, sir!"
[22:47] <Demedais> "And to you. Farewell." Demedais nods with a smile, before leading the group on.
[22:51] <Kotono> The rest of the trip to Balmuria passes without incident. You come into sight of the west gate of the city, your trip home finished. OOC: Deme, do you wan tto follow up on any of this immediately?
[22:53] <Demedais> OOC: Uh... not that I know of? I'd probably want to get Dad up to speed on what I know of the regions around Balmuria, probably mentioning Kesse but also warning that I've no clue how well anything can be done there.
[22:54] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. We'll cut you here for the moment then. Let me focus on finishing up Seira/Alicia.

[Corwin]

[23:00] <Kotono> ----
[23:00] <Kotono> OOC: Deme, what's your MO going to be here. J ust a GI check or more or what?
03[23:00] * Alicia (WinNT@user-54476e41.wfd88a.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #terrorofdunes
03[23:03] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@24.174.51.230) has joined #terrorofdunes
[23:04] <Demedais> OOC: Frankly I'd rather rely on trying to hear something useful, at least for the first hour or so. If nothing catches Deme's attention enough to merit further investigation... probably look for someone selling religious texts of Helm and ask through them.
[23:05] <Demedais> OOC: Deme's other questions would probably relate to the existence of other interplanar groups.
[23:05] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. What defines 'interesting and useful' for you?
[23:07] <Demedais> OOC: Aside from the Green Castle, any non-C, non-E talking about demons or the Abyss, anyone talking about other interplanar groups, or any talk of Helm or Torm.
[23:09] <Kotono> After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
03[23:10] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has left #terrorofdunes
03[23:10] * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[23:10] <Kotono> After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
06[23:11] * Demedais glances over to them, checking for evil or chaos before glancing to Pollyanna. 'Anyone know anything on a Graazt?" Demedais inquires through the link.
[23:15] <Kotono> OOC: One radiates chaos and one radiates eivl, both moderate.
[23:15] <Alicia> 'He's a Demon Lord, one of the big ones,' Alicia telepathically supplies. 'Big rival of Demogorgon's, who happens to be Gurlan's backer, so it might be worth checking out if you have a lead.'

[Corwin]

[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> > After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has left #terrorofdunes
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> * Demedais (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-182-35.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> > After about a half hour, you come across a pair of armored men sitting around a campfire near one of the edges of the platform. They eat a roasted chicken and are chatting. As Demedais listens, "...then the hezrou and Graazt's goons got into it..." One of them says.
[19:17] <Infinite_Ko_Army> * Demedais glances over to them, checking for evil or chaos before glancing to Pollyanna. 'Anyone know anything on a Graazt?" Demedais inquires through the link.
[19:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> > OOC: One radiates chaos and one radiates eivl, both moderate.
[19:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> <Alicia> 'He's a Demon Lord, one of the big ones,' Alicia telepathically supplies. 'Big rival of Demogorgon's, who happens to be Gurlan's backer, so it might be worth checking out if you have a lead.'
[19:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yeah." The other grunts, "Ol' Six Fingers sent 'em? Least it wasn't anything worse."
[19:22] <Demedais> 'And Six Fingers...' Demedais murmurs telepathically. 'Probably a reference to Graazt, from context. Give me a sec.' With that, he slowly approaches, nodding politely to the two men. "I hate to interrupt you, gentlemen..."
[19:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Both turn to Demedais, looking at him coldly. "Well well," One smirks, "Got ourselves a rich fightin' man here?"
[19:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Pollyanna stays behind, face mute and calm for the moment.
[19:23] <Alicia> 'Grazzt has six fingers, yes,' Alicia supplies.
[19:23] <Demedais> OOC: As a note, the armor is glamer'd. But the ring probably wouldn't help.
[19:27] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: Yeah, but shield. Either way, go ahead and line and we can talk about it in #elysium.
[19:29] <Demedais> "Rich? Probably not by standard definitions. What I have has been won in battle." Demedais replies coolly. "Perhaps says more to what I've had to fight, but. You were speaking of a fight with Graazt?"
[19:30] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "So you were overhearing, eh?" The merc, a burly man with scarred armor and a callous look, "What's it to you?"
06[19:35] * Demedais gives the man an even look at this. "How much do you know of Graazt's servants?"
[19:37] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The other one bites through a drumstick of chicken, tossing the bone down into the blackness. "I hear someone asking a lotta questions. Do we look like a charity, rich boy?"
[19:37] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Pollyanna's face starts to twist into a scowl.
06[19:46] * Demedais puts a hand on Pollyanna's shoulder with a slight smile, before kneeling down in the full plate to look at them evenly. "Hardly; nor do you look in need of charity yourselves. I will pay for whatever info is actually of interest to me."
[19:46] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The two exchange a look, the burly one just shrugging. "You're speaking wiser now. Let's here what you're lookin' for, then."
[19:52] <Demedais> "A few acquaintances of mine have heard of a place in the Abyss, called Greenrot. Being the sort to wish to explore anywhere that strikes their fancy - you know the type, I presume? - they've got no small interest in visiting. Myself, I know enough of the place to know that they'll probably get disgusted with it within ten, twenty seconds at best." (More)
[19:55] <Demedais> "This aside, I do not think I'll hear the end of it until they actually see the place. As such, I'm looking to entertain this interest by getting them in and out as quietly, quickly and painlessly as possible."
[19:57] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "...mmm." The two exchange another look, "We might know a way, and the tricks to get through it alive. Ain't easy, but you can." The other speaks, a little more slender and harsher gazed than the other.
[19:58] <Demedais> OOC: Which one is that? The one that pinged E, or C?
[19:58] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: C. The burly one is E.
[20:02] <Demedais> "If I thought it would be easy, I'd have just sent them to go by themselves. Frustratingly, the opposite's the case." Demedais replies with a slight nod, before pulling out a small sack and pulling out two gemstones, holding them out some for both to see. "Adequate?"
[20:03] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Lemme see 'em," The slender, chaotic one says.
06[20:04] * Demedais considers, before taking one into his left hand and passing it over. "The other's of the same quality. I'll pass that over once I have the information."
[20:05] <Infinite_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+10 appraisal PM me the value, Deme?
06[20:05] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+10 appraisal PM me the value, Deme? and gets 11." [1d20=1]
[20:14] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hmph." After a minute, "Yeah, alright. I bet you know more than you're tellin' us, but it ain't any skin off our nose if Greenrot has problems."
[20:16] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The burly one takes a sizzling chicken wing and bites through it,s wallowing it bones and all. Wiping his mouth off and flicking grease down into the blackness, "So you wanna get to Greenrot, eh?"
[20:17] <Demedais> "Effectively." Demedais nods, kneeling at this.
[20:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "There's a stairway goin' up - funny, ain't it, the path to Greenrot mostly ascends. Fuckin' hilarious - and you know to take the right stairs and paths, you'll find a door to Greenrot 'ventually. It's damned dangerous. Ever killed a vrock?"
[20:19] <Demedais> "A few." Demedais nods. "They have a tendency to show up just to annoy me, I've become convinced. I take it they guard the door?"
[20:20] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Oh yeah. Nasty old ones that are covered in a poisonous green mold. They're not as tough as vrocks but they're feistier. Oh yeah, you know how vrocks have spores? They have mold instead and it'll eat away at you like poison. Gotta cure the spores before you can get better, but the same tricks to get rid of vrock spores does it."
[20:21] <Demedais> "How charming. Maybe that'll be enough of Greenrot for them, though I honestly doubt it." Demedais mutters.
[20:24] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yeah, sure it will. You got paladin written all over you." Crossing his arms, "Go give 'em smiting hell. It's your soul." The lean one eyes Demedais, "Anyway, you'll start seeing the mold growing on the stairs, too. Try to avoid it, it's poisonus as all Hell."
[20:26] <Demedais> "Paladin, though I perhaps lean less virtuous than you think I do." Demedais grunts, before nodding to the lean one quietly.
[20:28] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Oh-ho," With a smirk now, "Interestin'. Anyway, there's one big platform not far from the door. See, it's set up to be like a poison forest. Ever burned down some treants? Watch out, got an entire fake forest of 'em and they're dangerous. You can burn 'em up and it'll work great, but they're so fulla poison that toxic smoke will spread like death. Breath that in too long and it's like a wizard sicced the yellow vapors on you
[20:28] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Breath that in too long and it's like a wizard sicced the yellow vapors on you."
[20:32] <Demedais> "...Right. So, effectively, I'm leading them on a picnic tour through the moldy woods from out of a bloody nightmare." Demedais says after a moment.
[20:33] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yes..." A pause here as darkness falls ove ryou. "The fuck?!" The man grunts, as all the stairs going in the various insane directions glitter like stars! A white starlight covers things, casting a different, strange light on everything around you.
[20:34] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Eh." The burly one just shrugs and goes for more chicken, "Some mage throwin' around power or some outsider. Go on, idiot."
[20:35] <Demedais> "..." Demedais remains quiet, though his right eye begins twitching. "I'd bet both at once, but on this sort of thing I seem to have a knack for guessing right. Anyway, go on."
[20:36] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Outsider mage?" The burly one groans, "Fuck, that's like a walking disaster."
[20:36] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hehehe." Chuckling at that, "Anyway, if you can get past that, the door's up there. Stories have it that you need a rotting key or some shit, but I'm not too clear on that. 'sides, it's just a door. Magic it or break it down."
[20:40] <Demedais> "'Walking disaster'... not a term I'd use, but considering what just happened, possibly apropos. Will need to investigate later." Demedais growls softly, before nodding. "I've heard of the door, yes, and the rotting key. Can't particularly say I trust magic or physical force on it, considering how much poison leads up to it from your accounts, but."
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Yeah. Got a friendly fiend, use 'em. They don't blink at poison." The burly one says.
[20:43] <Demedais> "I tend to avoid befriending outsiders in general. Most manage only to annoy me to no end." Demedais replies. "There have been exceptions, but most manage to pull it off with an ease that belies their stated attention. This being said I might just throw one of the vrocks at the door like a battering ram, presuming the people with me haven't gotten sick of the place by then."
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Vrock toss." The slender one laughs and slaps his knee, "Nice one."
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "'course, if you still wanna go on, good luck. Greenrot's nasty. Don't know so much about it, but I do no one thing. Your arms turn green, start thinking about chopping 'em off. Trust me."
[20:48] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Why?" Pollyanna looks a little green herself, "That's a horrible thing to do!"
[20:48] <Demedais> "They look aerodynamic enough, if you just bind those damned wings together..." Demedais muses, before glancing to the burly man. "That was the impression I got as well, from what I've heard... Hopefully we do not stay that long, though I won't be holding my breath for that. For other reasons, maybe, but."
06[20:48] * Demedais then glances to Pollyanna. "Better than the rot taking your entire body, I suspect."
[20:49] <Demedais> "Sounds like it's capable enough to do that, at least."
[20:49] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hehehee." The burly one just grins, mouth full of perfect, white teeth. "Nope, cause you'll watch your own arms beat you to death, that's why."
[20:50] <Demedais> "... ...I would say more except that, for one member of our caravan, that would actually quite possibly be more amusing and useful than anything else I'd get to see him do." Demedais says after a very long moment.
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Hah!" The slender, chaotic one laughs again.
[20:52] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Anyway, hand the other one over," The burly, evil man insists. "The gem."
[20:56] <Demedais> "Of course." Demedais nods, passing it over before standing. "I shall not keep you any longer, then. My apologies for the intrusion."
[20:56] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "It paid good." With a shrug, "Good luck not dying."
[21:01] <Demedais> "My luck runs hot and cold - recently, too cold." Demedais mutters. "I'll take informed action any day." With that, he stands and walks back into the crowd of the platform - but attempts, once there as he looks around for a food stand, to catch what the conversation of the two turns toward. OOC: 40 feet in, trying to ranged eavesdrop to make sure they don't start wondering how much they can cash us in for.
[21:04] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: Make a listen check?
[21:05] <Demedais> roll 1d20+27
06[21:05] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+27 and gets 35." [1d20=8]
[21:13] <Infinite_Ko_Army> As you find a stall selling fresh vegetables, you overhear, "I just know they're looking to go fiendhunting," The burly one says, "Got the look of 'em."
06[21:14] * Demedais keeps listening, while, "Something two can split and eat?" he asks the stall owner.
[21:14] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The slender one murmurs back, "Think it's related to the Athux fiasco?"
[21:15] <Infinite_Ko_Army> You get a pair of apples as the merchant stares up at the sky.
[21:15] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Dunno. Six fingers has more plots than fingers, after all." The burly one grunts.
[21:15] <Demedais> 'Anyone know who Athux is?' Demedais asks through the telepathic link, still listening as he accepts the apples and hands one over to Pollyanna, standing away a bit so that he can listen without interrupting the stall owner.
[21:17] <Alicia> 'Grazzt's son,' Alicia provides. 'Don't know much more than that.'
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Pollyanna nibbles away. "Be funny if it Greenrot turns into an all out war." With that, "C'mon, we've ate. Let's get our asses moving."
[21:18] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The burly one grunts, "Yeah, let's. Spend the loot after?"
[21:20] <Demedais> 'Give me a minute more, Pollyanna. I'm listening to their conversation to make sure they aren't going to actively betray us, though it sounds like they might.' Demedais replies through the link, glancing over to see if they're moving.
[21:20] <Infinite_Ko_Army> They're moving. They're heading away from you, back into the tent city.
06[21:23] * Demedais grimaces. 'Damnit, they're moving. Let's follow.' With that, Demedais moves forward at a discreet pace, keeping one eye on them while making sure to stay well back, relying on his eyes to keep track of them.
[21:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: Make spot?
[21:23] <Demedais> roll 1d20+@7
06[21:23] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+@7 and gets Error: Numeric values only." [1d20=16]
[21:23] <Demedais> OOC: +27, so 43.
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+8
06[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19." [1d20=11]
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Army> roll 1d20+3
06[21:25] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Army rolls 1d20+3 and gets 16." [1d20=13]
[21:25] <Infinite_Ko_Army> You are able to follow them. They head into a simple, large canvas tent, closing the flap behind them.
06[21:26] * Demedais looks around for someone good-natured in appearance that doesn't radiate chaos or evil - preferably a storekeep near the tent.
[21:27] <Infinite_Ko_Army> There's a nonchaotic/evil Mercane man standing a few tents away, arms crossed but humming ot himself as he waits.
06[21:28] * Demedais approaches the man. "Could I ask a quick question of you, sir? What's that tent over there?" He gestures to the tent in question, keeping one eye on it still.
[21:34] <Infinite_Ko_Army> He eyes Demedais, "It's a new one. Guild member's staying there, though it doesn't sound ilke he's staying long."
[21:36] <Demedais> "I see. It's a Mercane tent, then?"
[21:37] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "No. Planeswalker's guild. It's a humanoid with some earth in his blood." Retorting back, "I haven't caught his name."
[21:39] <Demedais> "Ah. Apologies." Demedais demurs, curiousity sated for the moment. "Thank you." With that, he circles around the entrance to the tent until he's on the other side and about forty feet away, looking around at the stalls again as he waits to see what the men come out with.
[21:40] <Infinite_Ko_Army> The men come out a few minutes later, coming out with no one. They're making a good pace now.
[21:42] <Demedais> 'Goddamnit. Was hoping that wouldn't blow cover, but they seemed like the best bet to ask from.' Demedais growls mentally, looking to see where they're heading.
[21:43] <Infinite_Ko_Army> They're heading towards the edge of the city in another direction - near one of the glittering stairs, leading into the void.
06[21:45] * Demedais follows them visually to see if they go down into the void or stay here.
[21:46] <Infinite_Ko_Army> They go to the stairs and climb them, starting to leave the tent city behind.
06[21:49] * Demedais looks around for another somewhat friendly face, meeting the same requisites as before - or a shopkeep, if one's nearby.
[21:50] <Infinite_Ko_Army> There's a small shopkeep, barely more than anything than a bundle of hair and fur. He sells glass figurines of all types, meeting Deme's requisites.
[21:51] <Demedais> 'Obtained information on the road to Greenrot. Unsure if the informants will seek to tell Greenrot's owners - estimate 25% chance, they seemed disinclined toward Graazt. Got no info on the key or inside Greenrot.' he messages the rest of the group, before approaching the shopkeep with a smile. "Hi. I've a question - where does that stair go?"
[21:53] <Infinite_Ko_Army> Without missing a beat, "Sir, let me tell you about it! See this figurine here?" He picks up a glassy shadow, "Beautiful and only 25 gold coins to purchase. That's where it goes, sir, right into the realms and Plane of Shadow. But if you skip that first landing, well, there's more to see? One stairway there takes you to beauty," Hetakes out a glass lantern archon, "Celestia! The other?" He picks up a glass sphere, rolilng it
[21:53] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Celestia! The other?" He picks up a glass sphere, rolilng it about, "The Prime. Sir, I'll have you know you can own one of these for just around 20 gold. It's a steal that would make Waukeen blush like a virgin on her wedding night. If you're interested, I'll give a 10% discount if you buy three or more!"
[21:55] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "It is a bit pretty," Pollyanna's gaze travels to the shadow, "The real deal's a nightmare, though."
[21:56] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Oh, that's not a nightmare! This is, ma'am!" Ducking down, he comes up with a large glass nightmare statue, about as large as a pumpkin. It's ornate and beautiful, even hints of glassy smoke coming from it's nostrils.
[21:57] <Demedais> "...That's impressive." Demedais murmurs with a grin, looking it over. "I'll take three of the spheres, however - though I may refer a friend down here, this is her sort of design."
[21:59] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Why thank you sir," Three spheres appear, wrapped in a soft cotton cloth and put in a sturdy small box. "That's 54 gold coins. But you know what? I like you. This nightmare normally goes for 150 gold coins, but I'll let you have for 100! Your friend would love it as a gift and it's so much quality you could even enchant it if you wanted!"
[22:00] <Demedais> "...Hold on a moment." Demedais says, before asking Seira, 'Any interest in a pretty impressive statue? Might make a good decoration for your inn, though I don't know how you'd get it back at this time.'
[22:01] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "It is pretty," Pollyanna marvels, "Do you have any of pixies?" With a twinkle in her eye, "Or courre eladrin would be close enough."
[22:03] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Of course, sir," Spinning back to Pollyanna, "Why, of course I do, m'dear. Let me show you this!" With a sweep of his hand he brings up a pair of glass pixies(Or courre, perhaps), "Twenty gold each, thirty as a pair," he offers, "Oh, they're so pretty together, aren't they? They'll liven up any mantle."
01[22:05] <Seira> 'Would it fit in Alicia's storage?' Seira thinks back. 'I'm always interested in decorations.'
[22:05] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "They are," Pollyanna leans down. Smiling up at Demedais, "Aren't they nice, dear?"
[22:05] <Alicia> 'Unless its bigger than a troll, it'd fit,' Alicia offers.
[22:09] <Demedais> 'It's not too big. He's got more, but I'll let you come down and see it for yourself, Seira.' Demedais notes, glancing to Polly unreadably for a moment before, "I'm not terribly fond of sleeping on the stone floor, so. This all totals up to about 200, right?" Pulling out the named amount of coins, Demedais passes it over as he accepts the first box and puts it into his pack.
[22:10] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Thank you, dear," Pollyanna leans into Demedai's shoulder, watching them.
[22:11] <Infinite_Ko_Army> "Thank you very much, sir! You have a fine eye for goods, and send your friend right along, I'll give them a good deal for your sake."
[22:13] <Demedais> "I will. She'll tell you that the cranky paladin sent her down, most likely." Demedais assents with a slight grin, accepting the rest. "Have a good day, sir." With that, he heads away a bit, before asking Polly mentally, 'So, do you want to hand Donald two of these balls and tell him he obviously needs them, or should we leave it to Seira?'
06[22:19] * Demedais then asks Alicia, 'Where should we meet you so I can drop this off for storage?'
[22:19] <Infinite_Ko_Army> 'That's cruel. It'll be funny, but cruel.' Pollyanna smiles as you start to walk away.
[22:21] <Demedais> 'Niceness has never been a prerogative between me and Donald.' Demedais replies. 'I've tried to change that - repeatedly - but he gets his jollies from mocking me. I figure that I may as well keep the field even.'
06[22:22] * Alicia suggests one of the larger plazas with a few hopefully recognisable tents around it that they can reconvene at later. 'What about your potential informants?' she then asks.
[22:23] <Infinite_Ko_Army> 'He knows how to carry a grudge...or perhaps you just naturally don't get along,' Pollyanna looks up to the glittering sky, 'It's pretty here. I really like it...everyone looks different and interesting. But at the same time, it's tiring. Everything feels like it'll blow away overnight.'
[22:23] <Demedais> 'I confess annoyance with Alicia, if only because of what you just mentioned - on some of these steps, I imagine it would not have been hard for someone to slip.' Demedais notes calmly.
[22:27] <Alicia> 'Things are still fairly well lit,' Alicia retorts defensively. 'And almost everyone here can see in the dark, even if it was pitch black.'
[22:28] <Demedais> 'I shall take your blessed vision capabilities at face value, then.' Demedais notes with a slight bit of embarrassment. 'It took a second for the lights to begin shining, but very well.'
[22:31] <Alicia> 'Anyway, leaving that aside, what about the two informants you suspect might give us away?' Alicia then asks.
[22:33] <Demedais> 'They're either returning to their home on the Material Plane from here, or going to the Plane of Shadow - I strongly suspect the former. As a result, I don't think there's much of a risk from them. Gave them enough money to sate them, I hope, at least. Either way, they were quite detailed as to the dangers - something they didn't need to do if they did intend to.' Demedais replies.
06[22:45] * Demedais continues walking toward the plaza described, keeping an eye out for it.
[22:46] <Infinite_Ko_Army> OOC: I'll shunt yo uinto #dunes shortly, Deme.

[Corwin]

[20:12] <Alicia> <Alicia> But worse than that is confronting the utterly horrific extent of Shar's petty vileness - even in a time when the Gods were all but absent from their world, she took the time to destroy the life of someone who might as well have been an apostate from Mystra's church anyway? How could any being possibly be so perverse?
[20:12] <Alicia> <Kotono> "Shar is afraid of you...afraid of the Crimson Guard and Balmuria. In all of you, she sees hope. Like Baator, she cannot withstand hope. Mystra's plan for you..." Hans holds Alicia tighter, "It was not yet time, not until the God-King was settled. But you have come now."
[20:12] <Alicia> <Alicia> "What?" Alicia looks at her dead husband with a pleading expression as she compartmentalizes the raging need for vengeance, not wanting it to consume her right now, "It's been *ten years* Hans. Why, after all this time?"
[20:12] <Alicia> <Kotono> "It is a very long story." Hans says gently, "Listen to me now, my love."
[20:16] <Kotono> "When I died, I found myself in oblivion. I screamed in fear, calling for you. But no one answered..until I called Mystra's name in desperation. She was there, a clash between her and another before she took me away. Mystra spoke to me - Shar's goal was to break the potential inside of you. The potential to become what you have and make you into a warrior bowing to her, without a shred of hope in your heart."
[20:19] <Alicia> Does everyone her see her that way? 'Oh, yeah, she looks pretty tough, lets break her into our service!' Still, this is far more personal than Hell's threats or Malcanthet's flirtations. She remains silent for Hans to continue.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Mystra saved us from Shar. She put us aside so that we could watch and wait for you. When the time was right, you would come to Dweomerheart and have the chance to undo what Shar did."
[20:23] <Alicia> "Undo it?" Alicia repeats heavily. "You mean like the Magus of Time offered? Go back so it never happened and make meaningless everything I've done since?"
[20:28] <Kotono> "No." Hans shakes his head, "So that we could be together again, if we wished. So that your heart would not be lonely. What happened to our family was not right."
06[20:34] * Alicia feels horribly trapped. What can she say to her husband, a man who's spent a decade devotedly waiting for her while she's been running around trying to make a new life with no room for him and spreading her legs for casual flings with devas? "Why do this?" she asks in a small voice.
[20:34] <Alicia> "I begged for Mystra, or any God, to return you both, but no one listened... and eventually I stopped hoping. I couldn't live in the past any longer, Hans."
[20:36] <Kotono> "The world wasn't right yet." Hans holds Alicia. "It also wasn't time for this, but events have spiralled out of control. Alicia...I don't blame you. I saw your tears, your heartache and your lonely life for so long. You have a family, friends and have salved the lonliness in you. When I died...I thought only of you. My heart was broken, but..."
[20:41] <Alicia> "I'm sorry, Hans," Alicia struggles to force the words out, knowing how horribly cruel they are. "You've been watching me for ten years... I don't know if you liked all of what you saw, but I suppose you wouldn't be here otherwise. But for me," she sighs wistfully and cradles his chin, "You're a memory."
[20:42] <Kotono> "I know." Hans stares into Alicia's eyes. "But now...I've been able to accept it. I can move onto what lies beyond in peace. Alicia..." he holds her close to him, "I love and always will. As long as you are happy, my blessings are on you."
[20:46] <Alicia> "Don't be so noble," Alicia chides him, her eyes glistening wetly, unable to articulate how screwed up this situation is, feeling she deserves his condemnation for being unable to wait and simultaneously feeling defensive at never having been given any clue there was something worth waiting for.
[20:48] <Kotono> "I can't be. I had you to watch to learn it from." Going to kiss her gently and wipe her tears away, "Don't cry. I'm happy we been given this chance to say goodbye. Alicia...will you dance with me? A parting dance?"
[20:50] <Alicia> "You deserved better," Alicia tells him, no doubt at all in her voice there as she accepts his hand and places the other on his shoulder. A dance is the least she can do, but she couldn't live a lie.
[20:52] <Kotono> Thus the two dance! They sweep across th edance floor, Hans staring into Alicia's eyes. He smiles to her as they go, "You made me happy. I've watched all of them - Antenora, Seira, Latha, Marie, Hugo, Jessica, Demedais, Dawnhope. Be happy with them. You are surrounded by light and love. As long as you guard your happiness and keep hope, you avenge my death against Shar.
[20:52] <Kotono> "
[20:55] <Alicia> "We could have done so much more... I'll avenge you, my husband, I promise you that," Alicia swears vehemently. Shar will learn regret if it's the last thing she does.
[20:58] <Kotono> Thus the two of you dance. "My love...there is also Felix." HE whispers to her.
[21:01] <Alicia> "I've missed out on so much..." Alicia laments guiltily. He must have grown up so much these past ten years, never knowing his mother except whatever images of a terrifying warrior woman he might have been shown here. "Take good care of him, please."
[21:02] <Kotono> "I can if you like." Dancing along, "Or...would you like to see him and perhaps take him back with you?"
06[21:04] * Alicia stops dead, their simple dance skidding to an abrupt halt. "Take him back? Just like that?" she asks, wide-eyed. "Why... why couldn't this have been done earlier? Why didn't anyone ever tell me?"
[21:05] <Kotono> "If we could have gone back before, we would have. But with the world in the state it was in, resurrection was near impossible." So answering, "But you have flung the gates of the world open as you undo the seals."
[21:09] <Alicia> It sounds like a weak excuse to Alicia. "I've got no right to split you apart," she shakes her head bitterly. "It should be Felix's choice. A mother who's a stranger, or the father he's always known... and he'd want to know why we can't all be together. Why does this have to be so cruel? There's no happy ending, not for us."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Shar." With a smile to Alicia, "After what she did...she's tried so hard to crush you."
[21:12] <Alicia> "I'd gotten better, but this is like re-opening all the old wounds," Alicia looks away shamefully. "Except it feels like I'm killing you myself, this time."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Alicia." Whispering to her, "Let me give you a gift of my love before you go. I will protect you."
[21:18] <Alicia> "Even after all this you're still looking out for me?" Alicia whispers back, voice choked.
[21:23] <Kotono> "I love you." Hans answers, taking her chin and bringing her up to meet his eyes.
[21:25] <Alicia> "I know," Alicia replies sadly, wishing she could return his feelings but unable to. Not after so long.
[21:27] <Kotono> Alicia feels his warmth all over her, like a shawl of protection.
06[21:30] * Alicia wraps her arms around Hans and closes her eyes, knowing this really is goodbye... and a better goodbye than she was given the chance for ten years ago. "We should've grown old together," she murmurs.
[21:32] <Kotono> "We should have." Hans agrees to this, "Alicia, be happy in life. Love, friendship, family...I want you to have them all again."
[21:34] <Alicia> "I will," Alicia promises. "And I want you to be happy too, Hans. You've got your own eternity ahead, now."
[21:35] <Kotono> "I will be. Felix will be, too." Stepping back, Hans begins to shimmer like starlight twinkling away. "Be well."
06[21:36] * Alicia feels an urge boiling up inside of her to stop him, if only for Felix. But she resists it - she has no right to take him, no after all this time. "Don't just be well," she raises her hand in a timorous wave, "Be happy."
[21:37] <Kotono> "I will. Forever. You will be too." With that Hans is gone, twinkling light into nothing at all. "I love...you...Alicia..."
06[21:39] * Alicia lies. "I love you too," she replies in a weak and raw voice. She did... she loved him more than she's ever loved anyone. But that's a past that can never be recaptured. A future that was stolen from her not by the greed and malice of man, but by the sinister machinations of Shar. Tomorrow there will be a reckoning. But today... today she grieves anew.
[21:42] <Kotono> For a time Alicia stands there. The hand on her shoulder is one of calming warmth. She feels it, Her presence made clear.
06[21:47] * Alicia wants to ask Mystra why she would do such a thing and then keep it secret, leading to inevitable heartbreak. Such a desire wars with her sense of proprietry and faith. In the end she decides it will only fester if she keeps it quiet. "Why was this kept from me?" she asks quietly, not turning to look at her Goddess.
[21:49] <Kotono> "When it was time to take you away from the world, I had planned to walk the earth with you. We would have visited the sites of your earthly deeds and finished at the grave of your family. There I would have offered you the chance to be with them again, for your long years of faithful service." Mystra's voice is overwhelming, yet held in check. "Celestia chose to disrupt this... a workaround, no less."
[21:51] <Alicia> "It wouldn't have helped," Alicia shakes her head morosely. "What if by then I had taken a new husband, started another family? With every year since they died, this outcome grew more and more likely."
[21:52] <Kotono> "Then they would have passed." Mystra answers. "This was not meant to as so. I apologize, Alicia."
06[21:56] * Alicia takes a deep breath, momentarily thrown by the sheer oddity of a deity - *her* deity - apologising to her. "You heard my prayers, didn't you? After I'd barely breathed your name in over a year, I begged you to give them back to me. You or anyone who would listen... had Shar offered in those dark moments, I have no doubt I would have sworn myself to her in gratitude."
[21:57] <Kotono> "If I could have, I would have. The world would not permit it at the time." Mystra's voice is kind, "We do not watch those who die cruelly and care nothing. Our hands are often bound."
[22:00] <Alicia> "I know," Alicia nods a bit too quickly. "And as my grief faded, I found comfort in the knowledge they had moved on - that they were facing their new lives on the planes with no regrets or worries from the past. The courre you sent to be my familiar, she's always been a very comforting example of that. It's why I've never prayed for death to be undone ever since."
[22:01] <Kotono> Mystra is silent as Alicia goe son. "Marielle has served you with excellence. Alicia, they have been reborn now into th ecycle they were delayed from."
[22:04] <Alicia> "As it should have been all along," Alicia concludes sollemnly.
[22:05] <Kotono> After a few silent moments, "With Hanss love, ou will be able to spread his protection to three others," Mystra intones. "Choose them wisely."
06[22:09] * Alicia cocks her head. That came out of nowhere. "I feel uncomfortable bestowing such a thing on those who have never met him, without knowing how he feels... felt, about any of them. Who would he have chosen?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "Those you care for and love." Mystra so answers.
[22:11] <Alicia> "Would it be exactly the same protection?" Alicia asks, spending a moment trying to quantify the shroud he placed over her and feeling somewhat ill at ease with the depth of feeling she gets from it being felt by those who never even knew him.
[22:12] <Kotono> "It would be protective energy," Mystra answers, "He asked me for a gift to give to you. They will not feel his love, only his protection."
[22:19] <Alicia> "Antenora, Seira, and Amaryl," Alicia decides after a moment, deciding those three would receive the most benefit and finding it somewhat fitting to protect those newly finding their own loves.
[22:22] <Kotono> "So be it." With that, Mystra is gone. You stand in front of Jessica and Roald's shop, Dweomerheart moving around you again.
[22:24] <Alicia> Taking a deep breath to centre herself, Alicia heads inside to spend some quality time with her sister and soon to be brother.