208.2 Demedais and the Temple of Uatu

[Corwin]

[01:24] <Kotono> -----
[01:24] <Kotono> ---Rabbit Ko goes here--
03[01:24] * Kotono sets mode: +o Demedais
[01:28] <Kotono> Thus Demedais summons his noble steed and arrainged for some time away.  He heads north to the Temple of Helm in Pilltain, riding Horse. The day pass in the trip, though Demedais makes better time than mundane travellers. As he goes...
[01:28] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[01:28] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 15."12 [1d100=15]
[01:31] <Kotono> It's a very peaceful trip. A warm, red cloak keeps him dry from the occasional rains and the ploughed fields are full of those who look at him with wide eyes. As the ground becomes hillier in the north, less people are seen. There is a solitude that enwraps Demedais as he travels. (More)
[01:35] <Kotono> The approach to the temple brings a misty fog around. The temple is wrapped in deep mist, obscured. The air is cold, but amazingly clear. It's like breathing in the most purified air you could imagine.
06[01:38] * Demedais inhales sharply, patting Horse's neck. "It expands this far...? Good. This is gladdening to see." With that, he continues to the edge of the temple, looking for a sign of life.
[01:42] <Kotono> As you ride forward, the mists wrap around you in a moment. The visibility is null now - all you can see are the mists.  Horse snorts softly and keeps going, however. As he does, you hear a distant song. It's words are inaudible, but it's tune echos in your mind. "Great Watcher, protect what must be protected! We shall enforce your will to protect what must be protected! Glory to your name and greatnness to the world once more!" This simple s
[01:43] <Kotono> Glory to your name and greatnness to the world once more!" This simple song echos and echos.
[01:47] <Demedais> "Heh. The Guardians of the Mist choose their songs wisely." Demedais murmurs, before beginning to softly sing as he follows the tune and the road.
[01:49] <Kotono> As you press forwards, the mist parts. From the sea of mist you can see the gateway to the Temple. Two men in full plate armor stand guard. Greatswords are in hand for each of them, and a voice challenges Demedais as he approaches, coming from them! "Demedais of Helm. What is your duty here?"
06[01:53] * Demedais raises one gauntlet as he approaches. "I have come to speak with your High Priest regarding possible assistance that I may provide over time, as well as to raise a concern of my own."
02[01:54] * Alicia (WinNT@user-5af031a1.wfd98.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (bedtime -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[01:57] <Kotono> "The High Priest shall see you," They intone. They do not move, yet the gate opens without a sound. Here Horse stops, not moving forward.
06[01:58] * Demedais dismounts, then, brushing Horse's mane once before dismissing him and heading in with a nod of thanks to the guards.
[02:00] <Kotono> The mists swallow up all behind him. As Demedais walks forward, it happens at once. The feeling of connection batters him like a physical feeling.  A feeling of closeness and peace, as if a new eye was opened to perceive this. As his spirit basks in this sensation, the entrance to the temple looms in the mist, the doors open.
[02:02] <Demedais> "Hi, Uatu." Demedais says under his breath, with some amusement, before focusing on the feeling as he moves into the temple.
[02:03] <Demedais> roll 1d20+2 woooom?
06[02:03] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+2 woooom? and gets 20."12 [1d20=18]
[02:03] <Kotono> roll 1d100
06[02:03] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d100 and gets 74."12 [1d100=74]
[02:07] <Kotono> The temple ahead is gone. You stand now in a realm of gleaming crystal and flawless mist. A flat room is here, dozens of transparent platforms and coffins. Here two dozen or so bodies rest, entombed. All are in full armor and finery, though many look old.
06[02:11] * Demedais pauses for just a second. "...Reaching even to Balmuria... let us keep you well protected, then." With that, he looks around slowly. "And you, the defenders..." A pause. "But he spoke as if the High Priest were here." With that, he moves in slowly, reverently, looking around for the High Priest or... well, someone.
[02:13] <Kotono> There is nary a footstep as the figure walks out. IT is a young man - perhaps only 21, in his full prime. He wears full armor save for a helmet that he carries in his hand, a greatsword on his back. Yet he is breattaking - he is transparent as the mist and shaded light blue. The eye of Helm is on his chest, open like an eternal vigil. "You've returned, Demedais," it speaks to him.
[02:18] <Demedais> "I have. Though I was not aware events here had progressed this far." Demedais shakes his head, a bit, eyes straying to the armor momentaraily. "To be to the point, the first thing I sought here was to inquire thus; what, if any, sort of assistance may I and my companions provide as we work? Is there any need of magical items to further assist in the defenses here?"
[02:19] <Kotono> "There may come times we wish to call on that," The misty figure says. "Should any find of Uatu and wish to destroy him, the catastrophe would be phenominal. So Helm has revealed to His servants that have taken on his eternal vigil."
[02:23] <Demedais> "That was the impression I received, yes." Demedais nods once, glancing over the guardians momentaraily. "Akin to what happened in the south of the Desert Kingdoms... That truly cannot be permitted. If you have need thus, contact me and I will endeavor to assist as I can."
[02:24] <Kotono> "The revelation of Helm touched you here? Your heart is dedicated greatly to him," The young man smiles approvingly, letting it be heard in his voice. "Will you listen to the revelation Helm has given us, and permitted us to tell of you and the Crimson Guard?"
[02:26] <Demedais> "I... ah, thank you." Demedais nods once, gesturing to the young man. "I will listen, and convey to the Crimson Guard, as Helm wills it."
[02:28] <Kotono> "When you plunged into the gnomish city that once lay below this temple, there was a great mechanism in place to protect the Fifth Resort. Energy flowed from sources to the guardian, bathed in both the power sources and the vast ambient magic left behind."
[02:29] <Kotono> "However, the system was not designed to last for such a vast amount of time unchecked and undisturbed. The effects reached far and wide. The Pit Fiend Zquujaj grew even more powerful, yet his sanity was shattered by the endless torment of imprisonment inflicted onto him by the God King." (More)
[02:32] <Kotono> "The intermixing energies flowed in and out...and over those times, a forgotten relic rested. Uatu was simply a magical tool, meant to manipulate the etherial plane effectively. Left behind all that time and exposed to this potent energy, it changed. A mere hunk of crystalline quartz once before, now something that thought, yet not lived. IT thought in ways that are not thought, yet are intelligent as you or I." (More)
[02:33] <Kotono> "Yet, there was another factor. It's connection to the etherial...it was not cut off from the divine energies as the world was. It was not so isolated, it had a gasp of what was long denied the world. In this circumstance, it grew. When the golem was destroyed, the backlash of energy stirred it further. It stirred it's indescriable awareness, making it expand further."
06[02:38] * Demedais nods, slowly. "I recall the system used clearly. I... now think it wise, perhaps, that we chose to release Zquujaj instead of risking his escape in the future. Would he have affected Uatu, as well?" A pause. "And... so that is why he resonated with myself and with Shamal... I see, now."
[02:40] <Kotono> "Yes. Uatu has become a conduit of the divine. IN it's presence the former bonds are sundered and you are brought close to what has long been denied. In his mists, dimensions are no more than a step away, planes all able to be reached. Yet...the actions of the Crimson Guard were wise. They showed it mercy, they showed it compassion. In it's own way it began to understand, manipulating the world, drawing what comes beyond from it." (More)
[02:43] <Kotono> "It is like...an alien mind and a child at once. It manipulated and drew a vast carnival into this world, solely to deliver one scroll to the city of Balmuria. Such was it's expresison of grief when one it watched was destroyed, introducing it to the concept of loss. It is also why were stand guard here, for it's awareness still grows and develops, juvenline and uncaring, yet aping the humanity shown it. It may bring about a continent's ruin
[02:44] <Kotono> It may bring about a continent's ruin to save one person it liked. It has no sense of proportion."
[02:47] <Demedais> "...Oh. ...Oh, that's..." Demedais pauses. "Oh. Okay, that explains a fair bit... but I do not know as that Shamal would want to come back, now." A pause. "I am, honestly, surprised in part at this; not at its intelligence, as Shamal told me of this, but..."
[02:47] <Kotono> "But?" The young man inquires
[02:47] <Kotono> .
[02:50] <Demedais> "...ah." A slight pause, in which Demedais seems to reflect. "You speak of it as if it, too, is connected directly to the divine planes, or at least has some fair access to them; am I mistaken, here?"
[02:51] <Kotono> "It does. That is what I will speak of next. Uatu...it is fond of you, in it's way, or so Helm has revealed to me. Walk with me." He turns and begins to walk, stairs appearing out of the mist ahead. Sharp crystalline stairs, going downward.
06[02:52] * Demedais follows, letting the second half of what he wished to say rest, for now. He recognized these stairs, at least.
[02:54] <Kotono> As you step down them, the mists fade. Images assail you instantly, thousands of them! Bright places of glory, dead places, places of fire and hatred, places of flawless machines. Images of earthlike places, and places so alien your mind twists away from looking at them. "Uatu can allow one to pass to where they wish. Such must not be abused, for it's curiosity can draw things best never drawn in. However, when your duty requries it, Uatu can
[02:54] <Kotono> Uatu can transport you. It has done so already, has it not?"
[02:57] <Demedais> "He has, when we needed it. I believe only twice, and not recently; Seira has acquired a form of teleportation of her own. However, the times it has been needed..." Demedais nods once.
[02:58] <Kotono> "Yes." HE stops down the stairs, no end in sight, just more stairs. "Do not use this lightly. This is not a place for mortals to be, it is more of the places and realms beyond than the reality you know. Our mortal bodies lie in rest here, for this is a place of the soul. WE are freed from them here to guard forever, at the Watcher's will. Uatu must be kept guarded and in the shadows."
[03:01] <Demedais> "I understand." Demedais says simply. "As the world begins to regain its magic... so can we repay the favors we've asked of it, and lessen our reliance, as well."
03[07:50] * Anastasia (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
03[07:50] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[07:50] <Demedais> [07:58] <@Kotono> "Yes." HE stops down the stairs, no end in sight, just more stairs. "Do not use this lightly. This is not a place for mortals to be, it is more of the places and realms beyond than the reality you know. Our mortal bodies lie in rest here, for this is a place of the soul. WE are freed from them here to guard forever, at the Watcher's will. Uatu must be kept guarded and in the shadows."
[07:50] <Demedais> [08:00] <@Demedais> "I understand." Demedais says simply. "As the world begins to regain its magic... so can we repay the favors we've asked of it, and lessen our reliance, as well."
[07:56] <Anastasia> "We were told to pass on the membership to the Crimson Guard to further these ends discussed," the spirit agrees. "Do you wish to see Uatu?"
06[08:00] * Demedais pauses for a moment. "It would be... mmm. One of the other reasons I have come is that, as of late, the Crimson Guard has faced numerous devils in their fights; ones that use vile magics to accomplish their ends. I have heard Alicia plans to try and redeem these items with Mystra's aid; my question is if there is any way I can assist in doing so, through Helm. ...If that makes sense."
[08:10] <Anastasia> "I don't know," It says, "Pray to Helm here, meditate on him and the way will be shown to his will."
[08:12] <Demedais> "Understood." Demedais grins a bit at this. "It is a bit of a shock to drop without preparation." After a moment, "And... well, I would not mind seeing Uatu, myself, but it is you who led me this far. I take it you had something you wanted me to see?"
[08:15] <Anastasia> "Not particularly," The spirit actually smiles, "Just that the view of images here is unlike anything else and is impressive. It made a good point."
06[08:24] * Demedais looks back to the images, a smile on his face himself. "Fair enough..." A glance toward the images, again. "... Is this all the realities? Or just the ones the gods preside over?"
[08:27] <Anastasia> "I don't know. I never see the same image twice, however." The spirit informs Demedais, "I've seen millions as I walk this path. I've seen things that chilled my very soul and things that have made my soul sing with light."
[08:30] <Demedais> "Amazing..." Demedais murmurs. "...Does Uatu respond to you directly, when - or if - you visit?"
[08:40] <Anastasia> "No. Not like you mean, I think. I think it knows I'm there, but it's...reserved and protected, as it should be."
06[08:40] * Demedais nods once. "Then... well, Helm can tell it I say 'Hi, keep well', then."

[17:29] <Demedais> [13:26] <@Anastasia> "I don't know. I never see the same image twice, however." The spirit informs Demedais, "I've seen millions as I walk this path. I've seen things that chilled my very soul and things that have made my soul sing with light."
[17:29] <Demedais> [13:29] <@Demedais> "Amazing..." Demedais murmurs. "...Does Uatu respond to you directly, when - or if - you visit?"
[17:29] <Demedais> [13:39] <@Anastasia> "No. Not like you mean, I think. I think it knows I'm there, but it's...reserved and protected, as it should be."
[17:29] <Demedais> [13:40] * @Demedais nods once. "Then... well, Helm can tell it I say 'Hi, keep well', then."
03[17:30] * Kowork is now known as Kotono
[17:34] <Kotono> "
[17:35] <Kotono> "Very well. Then what do you wish here now, Demedais?"
[17:35] <Demedais> A small pause. "For organization's sake... Where would you like me to send messengers to, if I feel I must contact you regarding a possible danger? Sending them straight here... seems to defeat the point of hiding Uatu, personally."
[17:40] <Kotono> "There is a village within a day's travel to the west. Send letters to Monta at the Enzo Inn there." The spirit replies. "He is in our understanding and will do what is needed."
[17:41] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods once, noting this mentally. "And... awkward moment; I do not know your name."

[Corwin]

[06:35] <Demedais> [22:34] <@Kotono> "Very well. Then what do you wish here now, Demedais?"
[06:35] <Demedais> [22:35] <@Demedais> A small pause. "For organization's sake... Where would you like me to send messengers to, if I feel I must contact you regarding a possible danger? Sending them straight here... seems to defeat the point of hiding Uatu, personally."
[06:35] <Demedais> [22:39] <@Kotono> "There is a village within a day's travel to the west. Send letters to Monta at the Enzo Inn there." The spirit replies. "He is in our understanding and will do what is needed."
[06:35] <Demedais> [22:40] <@Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods once, noting this mentally. "And... awkward moment; I do not know your name."
[06:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "My earthly name is of no meaning now," The guardian speaks, "The name Guardian will suffice."
[06:39] <Demedais> "Even for a Sending, Guardian...?" Demedais asks curiously.
[06:42] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "It shall suffice. That I am certain of," the guardian says firmly.
06[06:42] * Demedais nods once. "Very well. Then I cannot think of anything further. Thank you for your time; I will notify the Crimson Guard of what you have told me."
[06:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Helm walk and watch with you," He bows his head to Demedais.
[06:45] <Demedais> "And may your vigilance never end." Demedais returns a bit awkwardly, bowing. "Helm with you, Guardian."
06[06:46] * Demedais then turns to leave, lost in thought.
[06:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> ----
[06:58] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Balmuria continues to grow. In some ways this is unseen. As Demedais finishes his morning practice at the garrison, he can feel the eyes on him before he even looks up. Engan's unrelenting look, studying his form.
06[06:59] * Demedais slowly stands straight, looking back at Engan solemnly.
[07:02] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Engan wears a simple breastplate and cloak, his arms crossed over his chest as he returns the stare. A few nearby soldiers look back and forth, sneaking looks.
06[07:03] * Demedais continues to look straight at Engan while focusing on listening to what's going on around him. Knowing his luck, Engan's decided to give the paladins-in-training some practice by attempting to catch him flatfooted or some such.
[07:06] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Engan continues the look, as...OOC - Listening check.
[07:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+13 righty-o
06[07:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+13 righty-o and gets 32."12 [1d20=19]
[07:09] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Engan continues to stare, unblinking and steady.
06[07:10] * Demedais returns the gaze, one eyebrow very slightly raised.
[07:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The look continues, unblinking indeed! The concentration needed is immense! OOC - MAke a concentration check?
[07:11] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 gotcha. >_>
06[07:11] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 gotcha. >_> and gets 39."12 [1d20=20]
[07:11] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+16 wow.
06[07:11] * Hatbot --> "Infinite_Ko_Loop rolls 1d20+16 wow. and gets 33."12 [1d20=17]
[07:14] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The staring goes on for minutes! Unblinking, ungiving currents runb ack between them! Sweat forms on both men's heads, the gazes nearly tearing the ground apart! But at very last Engan blinks and looks away, before ruefully alughign.
06[07:14] * Demedais pauses. "I think I only won that because I forgot how to blink."
[07:15] <Demedais> "So, was there a notable mistake in my form I failed to correct or something, there?"
[07:25] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Aaah." Engan grins as he approaches, "That was excellent. Your form's improving in leaps and bounds. It's surprising how fast you're learning the concepts."
06[07:27] * Demedais grins, shaking his head a bit. "Took me long enough to figure out how to get the backswing off in those final motions; it's pretty good defensively but the way you want to move, your muscles lock up, making it worthless."
[07:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> As the common soldiers half watch and half practice, "You've had a lot of hard knocks and practice to drill it into you. The best way to learn if you can stand it."
06[07:32] * Demedais nods a bit wearily. "Yeah. Fortunately things seem to be calmer for now, and will likely stay that way for a bit more time. Further exploration's waiting until the new class graduates... how are they doing, idly? I haven't spoken to them since I left for the desert drama."
[07:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "They're going to be solid. They're still not tested, but nothing but time and blood will do that," Engan glances towards the garrison. "I'm sure they'll get it sooner or later. Your commander's talking about using them to clean up goblin and troll problems to that end."
[07:37] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Since," A pause, with a bit of alook, "The full Crimson Guard has things far beyond common goblins to be occupied with. Or so I hear."
[07:41] <Demedais> "...You know..." Demedais says, looking up at the sky with a stony expression on his face. "Are you planning on doing any training today?"
[07:43] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Unless it starts raining hellfire, yes." Engan looks at Demedais, his smile falling away. "Why?"
06[07:45] * Demedais nods once. "Just thinking that story - and the related ones - are things I'd rather tell with ale readily available, if not stronger."
[07:46] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Alright," Engan shakes his head, "Lead on then. You saying that's enough to make me smell brimstone in the clouds."
06[07:47] * Demedais raises an eyebrow, before shrugging. "I imagine it'd be better if you didn't have the stuff in your system before a training session. We can go now anyway or after you're done for the day. Pollyanna's out with her squad on a practice run until the evening anyway, so."
[07:48] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "I've had worse in me and practiced." Engan shrugs lightly at that, "Ale, poison, arrows, stingers, things like that."
[07:49] <Demedais> "Fair enough." Demedais grins. "Let's go, then."
[07:52] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Seira's inn bustles. As the two get seated, they get a view of what's going on. While Seira's not here at the moment, Donald's keeping an eye on things. A group of spectacled men are in one corner table, going over thick scrolls and arguing with themselves. Engan glances around before sitting, "So?" he asks.
[07:56] <Demedais> A nod once to Donald before sitting, Demedais closes his eyes for a moment before shaking his head. "Effectively, you heard correctly. Lord Salman is effectively giving us permission to go where we feel we need. In return, they know how to contact us, and Seira has a method to get us back in a emergency. After the devil report, I can't really blame them for this. I don't believe it much, myself."
02[08:03] * Infinite_Ko_Loop (~dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (Hint #43: The clock tower at 3 AM has a secret power. -=SysReset 2.55=-)
[08:03] <Demedais> (More)
[08:07] <Demedais> "But... Seira and Alicia have taken this to heart, it seems, and... heh. Well, I know the duty given to me by Helm, and that I am seriously unlikely to see it done alone, though I will do all I can no matter what. But... with how they run off... some times, I worry that... well. With the way the devils seem focused on Alicia, Seira, and I guess myself as well..."
[08:11] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> As you can dimly hear the men in the corner arguing amid themselves, Engan listens.
[08:11] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> OOC - Gah.
[08:11] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> As you can dimly hear the men in the corner arguing amid themselves, Engan listens. "You're worried that if you keep running off they'll divine and conquer," Engan says, as a server brings a few mugs of ale over.
[08:14] <Demedais> "My worries are... manifold." Demedais says with a wry grin. "What if they die in their explorations of this world, even as it changes? What if the devils manage to infiltrate while we are gone? What if ... what if what if what if, and the more powerful they get the more willing they are to take these risks. Not my sort of mindset, and frankly I can't find it in myself to do the work for the bloody angelic host."
[08:17] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> Engan takes a draught from his mug, "Well," he looks to Demedais, "That's why you have to protect everyone." He shrugs wide at it, "Besides, you and risks? They go hand in hand." Thinking on that as he looks to Demedais thoughtfully, as people come in and stop to examine the draconic entrance to the inn, "I'm not sure what you're really getting at. If Hell's your enemy, go thump 'em again and again and again. If your friends need h
[08:18] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> If your friends need help, go with 'em."
06[08:22] * Demedais exhales. "I know I need to protect them in such things, but... I suppose I am worried about the longterm, mostly. That and one part of me is still wondering what the hell I'm doing fighting all these blasted things. It's only been... what, a year and a half, maybe, since I joined the Guard? And since then everything's been just... I've seen things I'd never even want to have imagined, and while part of me's adjusted... part, frankly, hasn't."
[08:30] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> "Oooooh." Engan blinks before taking another gulp from his mug. With a grin, "It means your mind hasn't caught up to the fact that your balls have dropped? No, no..." he holds up a hand in protest there, "The stories I hear are that insane, I get that. I suppose that's good - the opposite is to let it go to your head, then...you might end up a King with delusions of grandeur."
[08:35] <Demedais> "Kh-" Demedais chokes on his drink, before glaring at Engan. "More like I had inticipated the entirety of my life would be guarding the temple as much as I could, perhaps participating with Oberuth in a second war to secure Balmuria or not, at Helm's will. Now? War had a dragon dropped on it. Devils have soul stealing devices, nasty swords of death and all seek to interfere in a duty that they by rights shouldn't have many if any objections to. Too many god
[08:36] <Demedais> "Too many goddamn dragons. TOO MANY-" Demedais stops himself and takes a swig from his own mug. "...Reality and planning are two far different things, and the long-term side of me still has not reconciled this fully."
[08:38] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> "Well...Look at it this way. Helm willed for you to have an interesting life?" Engan raises his mug to Demedais in salute, chuckling. "Since from all I've heard from you Helm seems to be wrapped up in this...enjoy the ride? You're not meant to sit around and guard a temple all your life."
[08:42] <Demedais> "May you have an interesting life... wasn't that a Malmuthian curse?" Demedais shakes his head, a wry grin. "I've just got to figure out how to adjust, and I know this. ...But with all those two rush into... well. I'm fully convinced Helm, as well as whichever gods he's working with, have a magnificent sense of humor. I just wish I could ignore the laughing more often."
[08:44] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> "Laugh with them..." Engan begins, though he suddenly glances behind him. "Hm. Or perhaps not. What I'm trying to say is that all I've heard about your life screams that you're caught up in amazing things now. Accept it and start acting like it. Or are you saying tha tyou know better than what Helm planned for you?" He says this last with a slight raise of his eyebrow, a bit of an amused look hidden by a drink taken.
[08:46] <Demedais> "Hardly." Demedais doesn't hide his amusement at this. "It's just... getting used to the ride, primarily. The fact that even some people in Kelara had heard of me threw me for the biggest loop, honestly."
[08:48] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> "Well, when you kill dragons, beat up devils and depose kings in fell swoops, you get stories. If you were a less chaste man, you'd have a woman on each arm without trying. You could probably get people to pay for your drinks with barely an effort."
03[08:50] * Taishyr (Taishyr@58.194.238.102) has joined #dunes
[08:50] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> "Well, when you kill dragons, beat up devils and depose kings in fell swoops, you get stories. If you were a less chaste man, you'd have a woman on each arm without trying. You could probably get people to pay for your drinks with barely an effort."
[08:54] <Demedais> "I'm fine with one, thanks." Demedais says ambiguously, shaking his head before glancing at whatever Engan glanced at, himself.
[08:55] <Cute_Ghost_Kochan> Engan glances behind him, nothing of note is there. "How's Pollyanna about all this, then?"
[08:58] <Demedais> "I don't know on how she feels about the famous part... she doesn't much like me risking myself out there, but I suppose that's to be expected."
[08:59] <Demedais> "Not sure what I can do about that, either, is the irritating part."

[Corwin]

[17:09] <Demedais> [13:54] <@Demedais> "I'm fine with one, thanks." Demedais says ambiguously, shaking his head before glancing at whatever Engan glanced at, himself.
[17:09] <Demedais> [13:55] <@Cute_Ghost_Kochan> Engan glances behind him, nothing of note is there. "How's Pollyanna about all this, then?"
[17:09] <Demedais> [13:57] <@Demedais> "I don't know on how she feels about the famous part... she doesn't much like me risking myself out there, but I suppose that's to be expected."
[17:09] <Demedais> [13:58] <@Demedais> "Not sure what I can do about that, either, is the irritating part."
[17:11] <Ko-NitorisMagicalDungeon> "Women worry," Engan notes sagely, "She has some skill with the bow, at least? At least she's not so clingy as to want to come with you all the time." He sips again, before thinking, "Unless you'd prefer that? Still, there isn't much you can do about that except trying to keep her from getting too wound up."
03[17:11] * Ko-NitorisMagicalDungeon is now known as Kotono
[17:13] <Demedais> "I would not object, but I didn't invite her along with the devils for the simple fact that I was not sure her arrows would even harm them. It seems to take specific enchantments to manage it." Demedais shakes his head. "But yes. All I can do in that is to do what I can... and I think she knows this, and accepts it. Most of the time. I hope." A shake of his head at that.
03[17:14] * CC is now known as Seira
[17:15] <Kotono> "You hope. Women are strange creatures," Engan goes on with an understanding look. "That does make me consider the fact that the Guard has quite a few notable women in that. Now that...I wouldn't have expected in the roles they are. You..you're the sort I'd see in this. The other two...not so much."
[17:18] <Demedais> "Due to working with them, I long ago learned to not trust my expectations." Demedais grins. "If Helm's willing to give them a seal of approval... well."
[17:21] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Drinking a little more as the inn buzzes with life, "You live in interesting times, yes. But getting back to the point, you're still not believing it?"
[17:23] <Demedais> "Frankly? No." Demedais takes another swig before shaking his head. "...I couldn't tell you why that other part of me - why I - can't seem to get over all this, but it's just not clicking with it thus far that all the plans that it had, as nice as they were... aren't going to go anywhere, can't really go anywhere."
[17:28] <Kotono> "...Mmmmm." Engan drinks again, deeper this time. "Y'know. One day I swore I was going to build a perfect manor house and find some pretty little thing to play house with me. Oh, I planned it, though I was never sure it was going to happen. Then the United Baronies won, the King died and everything went to shit." He takes a pause, finishing off his drink now. "There's another saying a friend of mine had, rest his soul: Shit happens, so get sh
[17:28] <Kotono> Shit happens, so get shoveling."
[17:29] <Demedais> "Kyah, sounds about right." Demedais smirks. "And now you're here... with multiple options before you. You considered what you plan on doing from here?
[17:33] <Kotono> "Not really. There's a national holiday for you guys coming up, a rather bitter one for me. Your succession day, so it's a good enough excuse to have an incredibly awkward day of leisure. Past that? Not really." Putting his mug aside, "I want to keep training you, but you're going to outpace me."
[17:34] <Demedais> "..." Demedais takes another drink. "What makes you so sure of that? I still feel like I can't keep pace with you in practice. Took me this bloody long to get that backswing..."
[17:36] <Kotono> "Oh, I'm better at practice." Engan waves a waiter over, as the far corner continues to make noise. "Water," he orders absently, "I've had a lot longer than you. But you have experience that I've never had and you're assimiliating it."
[17:38] <Demedais> "..." Demedais stays silent, raising the mug to his lips before realizing it's empty. "Ng." Putting the mug aside, he shakes his head once. "The option is available for you to come along as well, if this hasn't been clear.
[17:41] <Kotono> "Aaah." Engan shakes his head. "I might, if there's a need. Speaking of...Claris tried to get me to come to Valandia with him," he adds on, looking up a moment as his water comes. "I turned him down for the same reason I'm going to shake my head at your offer. I'm not sure yet. I suppose I could do that, or go and play nice with Queen Tant, or stay here, or even try and mimic Demedais the dragonslayer. But..."
06[17:43] * Demedais chokes. "You are reminding me of why I'm allergic to fame. While it has its uses, I'd rather it be 'the man of Helm and dragonslayer' if you have to drop out the contribution everyone else made, too, instead of using my name directly."
[17:44] <Kotono> "This is why you'll never have a bevy of willing mistresses. You're too meek," Chuckling at that and drinking his water, "That does remind me. Do you listen to the tales the common people tell often? The stories are often remarkable, regardless of if they're true, false or somewhere in the m iddle."
[17:46] <Demedais> "Too busy keeping Seira, Alicia and company safe - or trying to, at least - to bother. ... By Helm, what do they say?" Demedais rubs his head. "And... meek? More like I just actively dislike being well-known."
[17:49] <Kotono> "Let's see..." Engan leans back, resting his head against the wooden back of the chair. "About you? Let's see...Demedais the Dragonslayer's popular enough in tales. Killing Kondrux made a helluva imprint with the bards, but they always love a good dragonslaying, right next to a good maiden deflowering." As he starts to smile, "That you're the match of a full regiment of Malmuthian soldiers and make their calvary flee in terror. That your swor
[17:49] <Kotono> That your sword cut through a foot of dragonscale to stab out the black heart of Kondrux is another good one. The time you saved Colonel Seira from a ravaging troll and the two of you lost yourselves looking into each others eyes..." He waits a few moments, before, "Alright, the last part of that's made up. There are even grander ones - that you rode a pegasus into the sky and slew lighting itself after Kondrux, say. Those are the ones that c
[17:49] <Kotono> Kondrux, say. Those are the ones that come out after too much ale and not enough common sense."
06[17:51] * Demedais chokes, listening in silence before Engan ends. "...You're joking. Right?"
[17:55] <Kotono> "Except for taht one part, no I'm not. Seira has a bevy of them as well. That she's a dragon in human form who's treasure horde is worth more than Malmuth all together. That she can command a thousand elves to do her bidding as a might Dutchess of the forest. Then Alicia...well, you get the idea."
[17:56] <Demedais> "... Engan?" Demedais asks after a long moment.
[17:56] <Kotono> "
[17:56] <Kotono> "Yeah?" He looks back to Demedais, waiting.
[17:57] <Demedais> "This conversation a serious attempt to drive me back to alcohol again, or is it just coincidental?" Demedais grumbles, looking at the empty mug with some irritation.
[17:58] <Kotono> "Hm?" Engan raises an eyebrow, "It really does bother you? Allt he stories about being a hero, that is?"
[18:00] <Demedais> "...Worries me, is more like it. For a few different reasons. ...Not much I can do, though, short of chopping off baby heads and eating them." Demedais says, attempting to force humor back into his voice.
[18:02] <Kotono> "That would be that friend of Alicia's. For a paladin, she certainly attracts people who aren't quite...agreeable," he decides on that word at last. But after that, "Well, you are now and you'res tuck with it. What are you going to do then?"
[18:05] <Demedais> "Wear a hooded cloak more often." Demedais says after a moment. "Aside from that... continue progressing toward the goal Helm's set before me."
[18:10] <Kotono> "Cheers to that," Engan raises his mug. "Oh yes. Question. What is like fighting devils and dragons, anyway?"
[18:14] <Demedais> "Devils are annoying, arrogant pricks with a short temper, no good sense of humor and little to redeem them, a passing knowledge of tactics and annoying magic aside." Demedais growls. "Meanwhile, dragons are intelligent, competent, and dangerous, but lack the numbers of devils. Helm watch over us, may that stay the case. Even Kondrux was dangerous enough... ch. And then the dragon skeleton. At least there are friendly dragons."
[18:16] <Kotono> "Like Seira?" Engan asks with a bit of a smile.
[18:17] <Demedais> "Yes." Demedais nods. "There are others, too, though. Kondrux apparently belonged to one of the less... amendable... branches."
[18:18] <Kotono> "Hmm." Kicking back in his chair again, as you can - OW! That was the distinct feeling of something hard hitting Demedais' head.
06[18:19] * Demedais barely flinches, raising one eyebrow as he slowly turns to look behind him.
[18:41] <Kotono> A serving girl turns, a wooden tray in hand. "Ah, sorry," she apologies, a quick bow - before she blushes. "OH!" When she sees Demedais, the color on her cheeks flares. "I'm so sorry!" she blushes and hurries off.
[18:48] <Demedais> "It's fine, it's fine." Demedais says, blinking as he watches the serving girl leave. "... How do nine-tenths of these people know my face? From the stories apparently spread, you'd think they'd expect me to be solid iron or something else unrecognizable."
[18:54] <Kotono> "You draw attention to yourself. All of you have an amazing presence," Observing this as he drinks a bit more water, "You're merely captivating. Alicia and Seira...damn. Sometimes I can't stop thinking about them hours after I see them. The presence is palpable at times."
[18:55] <Demedais> "Captivating?" Demedais raises an eyebrow to Engan.
[18:56] <Kotono> "Not like that." Engan rolls his eyes. "It's just...you're...charismatic," he decides on the word. "All three of you are. You have a force about you."
[19:04] <Demedais> "I... see." Demedais says, musing on this for a moment. "I just try to talk to people. Tends to get less problematic results than fighting if it can be done, and risks less danger to the usual mission of survive and make sure everyone else you're guarding does."
[19:08] <Kotono> "Mmm." Listening to that and with a nod, "Reminds me of how Ferdi affected people. Most people he was able to bend into working for him. But if not...smash."
06[19:11] * Demedais is silent at this for a moment. "It's a sound tactical decision if nothing else, most of the time."
[19:12] <Kotono> "Yeah. But then you get those hardheads who won't listen," Engan smiles at that, nearly into a grin. "Anyway, do you have much luck with it?"
[19:14] <Demedais> "Not as much as I'd like, the hardheads are far too common." Demedais replies with a grin, knocking on his own skull. "Though... the worst out there tend to be the devils and all those outsiders. Everything mortal... is more easily reasoned with, thankfully."
[19:15] <Kotono> "Isn't there something to that about the outsiders?" Engan asks, but nods otherwise. "Good."
[19:16] <Demedais> "Possibly? All I know is that it frustrates me to no end." Demedais shakes his head. "Helm help me avoid most of them in the afterlife..."
[19:18] <Kotono> "Mmm." Engan nods to that, "Well, at least it sounds like you know now.
[19:18] <Kotono> "
[19:23] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais nods. "Hopefully I don't get dragged out to some sort of festival party on that succession day. Managed to avoid it most of the time up till now..."
[19:24] <Kotono> "Mmm." Engan doesn't comment to that, but he does nod. "I should get to practice," he says finally.
[19:26] <Demedais> "Very well. My apologies for taking up so much time with all this nonsense." Demedais shakes his head, a self-deprecating grin on his face.
[19:29] <Kotono> "Enjoy it," Engan grins a bit himself, turning away and heading out. "Good luck with it."
[19:30] <Demedais> "Thank you. ...If you need to talk about something yourself, you know where to find me." Demedais says, before putting down coins as payment for the ale.