219.4 Seira in Balmuria #2

[Corwin]

[20:28] <Ko-Saulfangirl> ----(Ninja Ko)--
[20:29] <Ko-Saulfangirl> Finding Pollyanna and Eudard isn't hard. One's leading the Guard patrolling the outer boundaries of the city, the other is in the temple of Helm. On the three gathering, Pollyanna look st Seira, "Glad to see you made it back in one piece," she says, as the three stand in the temple of Helm. It's fairly busy here today, but not particularly packed.
01[20:31] <Seira> "Or as close to it as it gets," Seira responds. "Thanks. Can we appropriate a room for this? I doubt it would take long, but I'm not comfortable discussing it out here in the open."
[20:37] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Yes, certainly," Eudard and Pollyanna head back to a quiet, empty meditation room. A book of Helm's teachings rests on a slightly raised table, but otherwise the room is bare. Once inside, "Demedais was worried...I think we all were."
03[20:37] * Taishyr is now known as taifk
01[20:42] <Seira> "And some of that worry came from what you heard, no doubt," Seira says with a sigh. "Does such inconvenient timing really exist outside of divine providence? No matter. I'm here today to dispel any lingering doubts you might have had, rather than chance that fleeing succubus or others like her to have another try at their deceit."
[20:49] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "I was worried when that demon spoke your name. I did not think you to be the sort to cavort with demonkind." Eudard agrees, fiddling and flexing. The wings on his back are pinned down by his heavy armor, mostly unseen.
01[20:54] <Seira> "It wasn't cavorting," Seira responds. "I was brought before that balor, Gurlan, by a trap in Irenes's hideout. There, at his very home, surrounded by his servants, I offered myself up as payment if he allowed me to return long enough to kill that vile mage and free my father from his control.
01[20:54] <Seira> Given how close it went for us, I doubt Demedais, Claris and our guide Berjand would have returned if I weren't there as well, and my father was freed in the end, so I don't regret making that choice."
[20:56] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "That's so terribly risky..." Eudard mutters, "But as if I can say anything on that. I came close to the same prepice."
[20:57] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "What about now, though?" Pollyanna asks, "It's good to see you're back safely."
01[21:00] <Seira> "The way I saw it, my life was forfeit anyway. The same for my soul, given where I was and how I got there. The balor... cheated, however. I doubt that would come as a surprise. He slipped in a way to affect me, although it never got a chance to develop into outright control.
01[21:00] <Seira> The dragon we called upon from the afterlife managed to block that, and with my faculties firmly under my control once more, I sought out Waukeen's aid to break the deal altogether. So now? The worst I've had to deal with thus far as an inevitable sent after me for reneging on that deal, believe it or not."
[21:04] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "It's a crazy world," Trying not to smile and largely failing, Pollyanna laughs. "All these outsiders, running about for this and that. It's nice to know there's na afterlife for certain..." That gets Pollyanna to pause, eyes casting down very slightly, "But all these spirits are so horribly troublesome."
01[21:07] <Seira> "There's plenty of afterlives," Seira agrees. "Not all pleasant. Having seen them and made it back afterwards... that just serves as a reinforcement. Knowing I made the right call afterwards. It was very tempting to stay as I was instead of appealing to Waukeen."
[21:12] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Yes, I suppose," Eudard's brow furrows there, but he says no more.
[21:13] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Commander Oberuth said we need to be more on guard than usual in the coming days," Pollyanna picks up there, "That there may be an attack from a hostile kingdom with potent magic."
01[21:14] <Seira> "Yes, I'd expect you to understand more than most," Seira agrees. "I'm sorry if that brought up a bad memory." She nods at Pollyanna. "It's possible. Those crazy Sharran cultists... don't bother with capturing them. No amount of talking will bridge our differences."
[21:20] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "No problem there," Pollyanna smiles a bit, "If they're as deranged as I heard...that Erenholm massacre...no problems with that at all."
01[21:21] <Seira> "They are very deranged," Seira says seriously. "Don't take any chances, though. Above all else, don't allow yourself to fall captive."
[21:23] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "I heard about it secondhand," Eudard says grimly, "It was as gruesome as any demon's assault. Seira's correct there."
01[21:26] <Seira> "You can understand demons. They don't know any better, most times. It takes... well, it takes someone like Alicia on top of extreme circumstances to get a fiend to even consider a different life. But seeing people who chose this path willingly... that's something I can't understand. And it makes things worse."
[21:26] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "They had the will to turn away and kept right on going?" Pollyanna considerst his, "I think your'e right. That might just be worse. At least a demon does it because they're a demon."
01[21:30] <Seira> "It took me a while to understand, but it's as simple as that," Seira affirms. "That's what they are. In all but the exceptional case, they are incapable of moving past the limits set on them at birth."
[21:37] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Almost entirely. There are cases..." Eudard again looks down, "Catastrophic cases, of fallen angels and worse. Still far too common, exceptional or no."
[21:38] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "It makes sense. Balmuria attracts strange things, opwer and flukes like nothing else," Pollyanna nods and even smiles, "So while there's even an exception to that, it's rare. They are what they are...it's like hating a dog for licking itself."
01[21:40] <Seira> "Yes, it must be because we make it our goal to learn about such cases, if not draw them to us," Seira agrees. "Alright. I won't take up more of your time with philosophical debates. I do have an unrelated request, however. Would you have an idea where I could find a sword that fits my method of fighting for the time being?"
06[21:40] * Seira holds up the Resort replica. "Something along these lines, or even a shorter blade, say."
[21:44] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "A long or a shortsword?" Eudard asks for clarity.
06[21:46] * Seira nods. "I can use a dagger as well, although I don't want to meet these freaks at knife range. A few other weapons would do in a pinch, though nothing that would require both hands to wield."
[21:52] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Mmmm." Rubbing his chin, "Do you mean a magic sword, or merely a well made one?"
01[21:55] <Seira> "A sword with an enchantment to aid me," Seira elaborates. "I know the spell to temporarily boost a weapon properties. Alicia uses it, I believe. But something to strike well against an enemy this vile, or even my favorite fire to harass them with... even a keen rapier would make a difference, especially when boosted by the magic weapon spell afterwards."
[21:57] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "The best place is Countess STronger's shop. While the Temple of Mystra is making inroads, they don't sell magical weapons much yet. The Temple of Gond, though...perhaps. They do wonderful forge-work and I do believe I heard them selling a few enhanced swords."
01[21:59] <Seira> "Elle sadly doesn't have anything I can use well at this time," Seira says. "Even a loan would be fine, but-- yes, trying at the various temples is a good idea. If you hear about an opportunity for either borrowing or outright buying a suitable weapon within the near future, point me towards it?"
[22:01] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "I will," Eudard says agreeably, "I'll see if I can hear anything in the temple."
01[22:01] <Seira> "You know where to find me--" Seira stops herself. "Actually. You can find me at Elle's. But you know what I meant, and you have my thanks."
[22:05] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Careful," Pollyanna smiles a little, "Take care of yourself, alright?"
01[22:07] <Seira> "Like I told Elle, I won't be taken alive again," Seira responds, nodding.
[22:12] <Ko-Saulfangirl> Thereafter, Seira makes various inquiries in the temples around the city. The Temple of Mystra is the one that has something to her tastes. In conversation with Shankar, "Oh, I understand completely," he says, keeping his voice low. "With all the challenges the city has had and the work Alicia has done, much of our direction has gone towards weapons effective against fiends. Would a silver longsword blessed with Mystra's sacred powe
[22:12] <Ko-Saulfangirl> Would a silver longsword blessed with Mystra's sacred power suit your needs?"
01[22:15] <Seira> "I'm sure my enemies would love the idea of receiving Mystra's blessing in this manner," Seira agrees with a savage smile, though her voice is low as well. "Would you happen to have anything else for me to use against the servants of Shar, both mortal and undead?"
[22:18] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "There is holy water," Shankar says, "As well as scrolls of magic circle against evil. Protections against negative energy may be wise, such as Death Ward."
01[22:20] <Seira> "Death Ward?" Seira asks in surprise. "I didn't know it could come in potion form."
[22:38] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Potion form? I don't believe so. Where in did youg et that idea?"
01[22:39] <Seira> "Well." Seira looks a bit embarrassed, though confusion certainly dominates. "It wouldn't be easy for me to cast it from a scroll. Did you mean you had it in an amulet to sell?"
[22:42] <Ko-Saulfangirl> "Oh, sorry, mistaken words," Shankar apologizes, "No."
06[22:44] * Seira looks disappointed. "Well, my allies might be able to use it, so having a few scrolls might help. What about something like a ring of protection? Those never fail to help in most situations."

[Corwin]

[20:39] <Kotono> It's night. Seira is resting, time passing by well enough in her land of dreams, Elle's house quiet. What wakes her is a loud, rapid pounding on her door! "Colonel! Colonel!"
01[20:40] <Seira> Did they come?! Calling for a Shield to aid her, Seira rushes to the door.
[20:42] <Kotono> A soldier, out of breath and huffing, "Temple of Mystra. Horrible dark creatures, attacking. Need immediate support, Colonel!"
01[20:44] <Seira> "Inform the Countess of the situation, and ask her to be prepared in case it's a diversion," Seira commands him. "Stay here to provide support. I'm on my way." And she is, once she has cast Protection from Evil upon herself.
[20:45] <Kotono> OOC - Merge into #evil.