221.3 Demedais and Mr. Tura

[Corwin]

[19:39] <Kotono> --------------(Sharran Anti-Ko goes here)--
[19:42] <Kotono> That evening, as the others prepare to go rock Kesse's world, or hopefully do so, Demedais meets with Commander Oberuth. Pollyanna is there as well. "Alright," Oberuth begins, drinking something warm and steaming from a heavy mug, "We haven't had any luck finding things outside of Balmuria. If they're lurking, they're hiding afarfield or using means to escape our detection. So we're going to be on the defensive tonight."
06[19:46] * Demedais nods to this. "Alright. I'll be on patrol, looking mainly at the Temple of Mystra. We've asked most the other temples to supply patrols in groups of two; the Temple of Helm will also be doing such patrols. About half the temple will be partaking as such, and will be able to quickly pass message along on news of any sightings."
[19:49] <Kotono> "Good," Commander OBeruth nods briefly. "We'll be augumenting with our own nighttime patrols. I have runners about the city to get you in case Nightwalkers or other shadows appear again."
06[19:52] * Demedais nods. "My own patrol route has been submitted; if I am not at the Temple of Mystra I will be either on the main road to the Temple of Helm or at the Temple, but neither of those will be often." A look to Pollyanna, then. "Your plans?"
[19:52] <Kotono> "Go with outlying patrols and keep busy," sh esays, "By your leave, sir?"
[19:53] <Kotono> "Both of those are fi-" Oberuth begins, but there is a knock on the door. "Sir?" A private calls, "Sir? Commander?"
06[19:54] * Demedais looks to Pollyanna with some concern, before turning as the private knocks on the door, glancing to Oberuth for permission before opening the door.
[19:55] <Kotono> Oberuth nods. Demedais opens the door, the private rather red faced. "Sirs," he says, "Sorry to be disturbing you, but there's a man here who insists on seeing you. He says it's about Colonel Seira."
[19:58] <Demedais> "His name?" Demedais asks, one eyebrow raised. "And what does he look like?"
[20:00] <Kotono> "A Mr. Tura." Answering that, "That's all he's given. He's very, uh, persasive, sir." Rubbing the back of his head and blushing, "Do you want me to bring him in or send him away?"
03[20:01] * Celenu (WinNT@user-514d7c9f.l2.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
06[20:01] * Demedais looks to Oberuth at this.
[20:03] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth frowns deeply, "Mr. Tura?" he takes a moment, "Give us a moment." Once the private leaves, "Do you know who Mr. Tura is?"
[20:04] <Demedais> "No. Thus my hesitation. It may be someone seeking to strike at you. Still, if this is the case, our best bet is to handle it and try to obtain more information, I suspect.
[20:05] <Kotono> "It's a Kolyarut, a creature from Mechanus. It's tried to kill Seira before." Taking a breath, "From what Countess Stronger said, it's a creature of cold logic and law."
[20:06] <Demedais> "Ah." Demedais replies, keeping tense."And what need would he have of us?"
[20:06] <Kotono> "I have no idea," Oberuth admits.
[20:07] <Kotono> "Well, if it's a hostile outsider, it'll die like the demons," Pollyanna says, almost brightly. "If need be."
06[20:07] * Demedais nods. "If need be. I'd rather not ire another faction at this point, but if need be, yes. Should I go bring him in?"
[20:08] <Kotono> "Have him brought in. Have the private do it - in case he tries something, we'll all be here," Oberuth says, going to sit back down.
06[20:08] * Demedais nods, calling to the private to bring Mr. Tura in.
[20:09] <Kotono> The private returns briefly, bringing in a sandy haired man. He smiles easily, wearing a breastplate, greaves, armguards an da traveller's gray cloak. His smile is engaging and easy as he nods to each person in the room in turn. "Commander Oberuth of the Guard. Captain Demedais," he says.
06[20:11] * Demedais nods to the man, himself prepared for hostile action but at ease nonetheless.
[20:11] <Kotono> "What do you want," Commander Oberuth leans back, his hands over his stomach. "You have assaulted one of our officers. That alone is a serious crime."
[20:13] <Kotono> "About that. I have an ultimatum for Seira." Resting just inside the doorway, "I have taken ten hostages from outlying villages in the Baronies. If Seira does not surrender herself to me, they will face punishment." After a moment, "I apologize for this having to degenerate so far, but Seira is a remarkably persistant adversary."
[20:15] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth's face turns to stone, rising up from his chair. "We will do no such thing. We have not bowed to devils or demons and we will not bow to a cold hearted piece of scrap iron and gears. As I see if, you've just confessed to multiple serious crimes."
[20:16] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 Kolyarut?
06[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 Kolyarut? and gets 16." [1d20=2]
06[20:16] * Demedais eyes the kolyarut rather harshly. "And what has she done to merit the pursuit of someone from Mechanus?"
[20:18] <Kotono> "She has broken and blatantly disregarded serious pacts.  Such wanton disregard for universal laws cannot be tolerated." Smoothly smiling even through this, "Can I take this as a no?"
[20:21] <Kotono> "We will find you, we will free your hostages in due time and we will crush you." Commander Oberuth's voice is like hardened, frozen steel. "You're a fool to have come here. Do you think we'll let you leave after confessing to all of this?"
03[20:27] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[20:27] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
[20:28] <Demedais> "Hmph. And the pact you refer to, I suspect, is with Gurlan of the Green Castle." Demedais shakes his head, with a slight prayer to Helm. "I suspect you lack a lot of details regarding the pact, if you so willingly hunt her down for it. And to endanger those outside your quarry? Helm, but I thought you things would be better than the rest."
[20:29] <Kotono> "The details are not relevant. Only the crime is. There are no excuses to the absolute law." Now Mr. Tura turns, as if to walk out of the room. "Are you going to try to stop me from leaving?"
[20:31] <Demedais> "Very well, then." With a grimace writ large upon his face, Demedais lunges forward! OOC: Initiative, I presume?
[20:32] <Kotono> Pollyanna grabs her bow out, reacting as well! OOc - Initiative, yes.
[20:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+5 Mr Tura
06[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+5 Mr Tura and gets 8." [1d20=3]
[20:32] <Demedais> roll 1d20+1
06[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+1 and gets 17." [1d20=16]
[20:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7 Pollyanna
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 Pollyanna and gets 25." [1d20=18]
[20:35] <Kotono> roll 1d20+6 Oberuth
06[20:35] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+6 Oberuth and gets 14." [1d20=8]
03[20:35] * Kotono changes topic to 'Pollyanna>Demedais>Oberuth>Mr. Tura'
[20:36] <Demedais> "Ensure he cannot cast anything!" Demedais bellows as he moves in.
[20:37] <Kotono> As Pollyanna fires off a triplet of arrows, "Guards," she calls deftly!
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 32." [1d20=20]
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 17." [1d20=5]
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 23." [1d20=16]
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d8+4+16
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+4+16 and gets 25." [1d8=5]
[20:37] <Kotono> roll 1d8+4+1d6
06[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d8+4+1d6 and gets 10." [1d8=2][1d6=4]
[20:40] <Kotono> The arrow hits the inevitable, but barely seems to phase it at all! OOC - Demedais.
06[20:41] * Demedais lunges in, deftly moving to skewer Mr. Tura! "Protecting a thread while the tapestry falls apart... Obsessing over a brick while the castle falls to ruin. This is why I despise outsiders." The blade zags downward for a second, before screaming upward in an attempt to split the being in half!
[20:43] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+2 Charge, +1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -5 PA)
06[20:43] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+2 Charge, +1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -5 PA) and gets 36." [1d20=17]
[20:43] <Kotono> OOC - Hit.
[20:44] <Demedais> roll 2d6+18 (Transmuting bypasses DR next round)
06[20:44] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 2d6+18 (Transmuting bypasses DR next round) and gets 27." [2d6=3, 6]
[20:50] <Kotono> Demedais has his sword dig into Mr. Tura's body! AS Commander Oberuth vaults his desk, running up and preparing his blade, "She has torn apart countless laws with her carelessness!" he retorts, "She has to be captured for the good of everyone! For my good!" Yet, as he begins to act, Commander Oberuth pounces!
[20:51] <Kotono> roll 1d20+22
06[20:51] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+22 and gets 35." [1d20=13]
[20:52] <Kotono> roll 2d8+22+3d6
06[20:52] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+22+3d6 and gets 44." [2d8=4, 6][3d6=3, 5, 4]
[20:52] <Demedais> "For your good? Kch. Worthless." Demedais scowls still further.
[20:56] <Kotono> The blow is incredibly skillfull, Commander Oberuth stabbing the construct and disrupting it's robotic concentration! It staggers, "Ktch!" A gearlike grinding comes from it, the robot off balanced! As guards are seen rushing to flank Mr. Tura, hustling and with longspears drawn, "Surrender or die," Pollyanna calls, firing three more arrows skillfully!
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19." [1d20=7]
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 22." [1d20=10]
[20:56] <Kotono> roll 1d20+7
06[20:56] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+7 and gets 9." [1d20=2]
[20:56] <Kotono> She can't get a good shot on him, each on narrowly missing! OOC - Demedais.
06[21:05] * Demedais shakes his head and begins rending into the kolyarut, trying to eliminate the threat with haste!
[21:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA)
06[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA) and gets 30." [1d20=11]
[21:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA)
06[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+19 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA) and gets 29." [1d20=10]
[21:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+14 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA)
06[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+14 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA) and gets 26." [1d20=12]
[21:06] <Demedais> roll 1d20+9 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA)
06[21:06] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+9 (+1 Haste, +4 Law Devotion, -3 PA) and gets 15." [1d20=6]
[21:06] <Kotono> OOC - Two hits.
[21:07] <Demedais> roll 4d6+28 (Transmuting bypasses any DR)
06[21:07] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 4d6+28 (Transmuting bypasses any DR) and gets 41." [4d6=6, 1, 4, 2]
[21:14] <Kotono> The hail of blows staggers Tura again! It rocks back no it's heels, "Damaged...system..." his voice is more metallic now, grinding out! Oberuth is on him, ready to pounce! So surrounded, Mr. Tura tries to escape again!
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 1d20+24 (+2 flank) Oberuth
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+24 (+2 flank) Oberuth and gets 33." [1d20=9]
[21:14] <Kotono> roll 2d8+22+3d6
06[21:14] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d8+22+3d6 and gets 35." [2d8=4, 1][3d6=4, 3, 1]
[21:15] <Kotono> This time it's finally too much! Slamming Wrath of the Mundane through the inevitable's chest, golden and silver gears come tearing, metal flying out! "No...the law must....Did I...miscalcu...late..." It's body falls over, clattering! IT is now a metallic creature with a breastplate over it's gear body, lying heavily on the floor. "Misca...misca...cula...The law must...alw..." Then nothing.
06[21:17] * Demedais grimaces, eyeing the inevitable. "I feel bad admitting this, but he was even more annoying than a few devils I've met and I barely got to know him." he mutters, before looking over the breastplate for magic.
[21:19] <Kotono> "A metal man? A body?' Nudging it with the toe of his boot, Oberuth kneels down to look it over. "It's like a far grander version of the trinkets from the Temple of Gond."
[21:19] <Kotono> "The law's important, but not that important," Pollyanna says, a little sadness in her voice. "What's one law when you've done so much to help the others?"
[21:20] <Kotono> The breastplate is magical.
[21:20] <Kotono> Grunting as he picks up a bit of broken gold gear, "Maybe we can melt it down at worst and salvage something for compensation. Still, more importantly, he claimed to ahve hostages. Lovely."
[21:21] <Demedais> "Furthermore, ignoring the law to support the law..." Demedais shakes his head. "How annoying. The armor is enchanted, Seira would probably like a few of the gears or the face pieces, knowing her penchant for spiting those who hunt her. I'm going to the temple of Helm to pray for guidance in finding the hostages."
[21:24] <Demedais> "I will pay for identification of the armor; tell Elle to put it on my account and I will cover it once I get over there." A pause. "I'll catch up with you later, Pollyanna, Oberuth, but for now I feel that trying to locate the hostages comes first."
[21:25] <Kotono> "Go on, we'll handle the patrols and searching with you," Oberuth says, still examining the creature.
06[21:27] * Demedais nods and departs to the Temple of Helm.
[21:28] <Demedais> OOC: At the temple, Deme will cast Divination in an attempt to determine how to get to the hostages back safely.
[21:29] <Kotono> OOC: Link me to divination?
[21:32] <Demedais> OOC: Linked in chat.
[21:34] <Kotono> Casting divination, Demedais receives the following: The hostages lie within the view of the green foam.
06[21:34] * Demedais thinks on this. Does the sea around Balmuria tend to have green foam?
[21:37] <Kotono> The bay of sparkling stars has green water, so it's possible, yes.
06[21:38] * Demedais goes to the garrison again to look at maps. Any unused buildings within sight of the sea will need to be searched, and since manpower will be lacking come nightfall he would rather try to do the search there. If Oberuth or Pollyanna is still there, he'll pass on the message.
[21:40] <Kotono> Oberuth is there. As the two look over maps, "There's a fair bit of bay to cover. Hopefully they're not so bad off as that they'll die immediately without Tura." The body is gone, having been hauled off by soldiers, as the two look over maps. "I can muster up a bit more manpower to help you speed that up, Demedais."
06[21:41] * Demedais nods. "That'd be appreciated. Thank you. Also spread out a notice anyone along the coast to keep a weather eye out for buildings that seem to have activity." Demedais shakes his head, cursing. "The arrogant bastard..."
[21:43] <Kotono> "I do wonder. I have Countess Stronger stop by while you were gone," Going tos it, "Something about this doesn't play. According to her, inevitables won't attack innocents...even if it causes a conflict in their orders."
[21:45] <Demedais> "And there was the line about 'for my good'. So it was probably corrupted or stuck in a bad deal itself." Demedais grimaces. "Still have no pity for the... thing."
[21:47] <Kotono> "I don't have much either. Still, if it's hand was forced, by whom?" Crossing his arms now, thoughtfully, "I had Countess Stronger go do some research on if this is completely true. IF it is, someone else is mucking around in this affair."
[21:50] <Demedais> "Gurlan and Esthan off the top of my head have the motivation, and Esthan's canny enough to pull this sort of thing." Demedais replies with a grimace. "Still, I don't know. I'll do my own investigation into it later. For now, I'll go commence the search; if you think of anything that matches the line 'The hostages lie within the view of the green foam', or can think of any conclusive leads behind this episode, please contact me."
[21:51] <Kotono> "I will. Go muster by the gate, I'll have the manpower meet you there." OBeruth nods.
06[21:51] * Demedais nods and heads off.
06[21:51] * Demedais salutes before he goes, of course.
[21:51] <Kotono> OOC - Skip ahead a litlte bit?
[21:52] <Demedais> OOC: Sure.
[21:52] <Kotono> OOC: It's going to be several hours of searching. Lemme pause you tsee how #dunes goes/resolve the active combat so I can focus better?
[21:53] <Demedais> OOC: Right.

[Corwin]

[22:15] <Kotono> ---
[22:15] <Kotono> The night passes on. Demedais checks many a shoreside house. It's past 3 AM when they come to another - a well built one story affair with a small barn. But when Demedais happens to check the barn while the soldiers sweep the house, he finds ten people in there! They are tied up and bound, sitting there. Some are asleep, some quint thier eyes towards Demedais.
06[22:17] * Demedais calls to his soldiers while entering. "I take it that some sort of construct put you all in here?" Demedais asks, sweeping quickly around for evil and chaos.
[22:18] <Kotono> No evil, no chaos. As the soldiers trot up, one woman calls, "A strange man that smelled like metal," she calls, "Thank Waukeen you're here!"
[22:18] <Kotono> Another man blinks his eyes open, an older man in peasant clothes, "You're not the bastard who kidnapped us?"
03[22:19] * Haruka (~Melanchth@pool-71-163-230-130.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #terrorofdunes
[22:20] <Demedais> "He is dead and gone." Demedais nods in affirmation, beginning to unbind the peasants. "He attempted to parley with the garrison after telling us he had you all as captives. Needless to say that went over poorly."
[22:20] <Kotono> "Good," A fat matronly woman says in relief, hugging Demedais once they're freed. "The strange speaking freak and his friend gave me chills."
06[22:21] * Demedais pauses immediately, turning toward the woman. "...Friend?" he asks slowly, eyes on the woman. "Can you describe this friend?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "Yeah," The first man stands up, "I heard 'em once, but they were talking in weird words."
[22:21] <Kotono> The woman smooths over her large dress, "I didn't understand it, either. I didn't see him - I only heard him talking to the other man."
[22:22] <Demedais> "Any chance you could repeat some of the sounds you heard?" Demedais looks to the two. "Any assistance you can provide in this would be vital."
[22:22] <Kotono> "It sounded threatening one time," A young boy speaks up, "Like the other one was being vicious."
[22:22] <Kotono> The woman manages a few words, as do the others. OOC: What languages do you speak?
[22:23] <Demedais> OOC: Celestial, Gnomish, Infernal, Draconic, Common.
[22:23] <Kotono> It's pretty butchered by them, but it's Infernal.
[22:24] <Kotono> "Sir, permission to search the rest of the house again," One soldier asks once the hostages are free.
06[22:25] * Demedais closes his eyes before nodding once. "Thank you. That is a great assistance... It's unlikely they'll make any attempt at any of you again. We can make sure you get home safe." Demedais says, freeing the last person. At the soldier's words, he pauses, before, "Very well. A contingent of four will stay with the people while I and the rest will sweep the house. If the friend is still present he is likely quite dangerous."
[22:25] <Kotono> "Sir," The soldiers salute as Demedais goes to the house. As this happens, Seira approaches. She can see Demedais and the soldiers at this house.
06[22:27] * Demedais looks to Seira, before nodding once. "Good to see you are well. Mr. Tura was killed, but he had an accomplice, according to the people. He spoke Infernal." he says in quick Celestial, to avoid panic at the last part. "I will be sweeping the house with guards. Do you wish to come along or keep an eye on the people?"
06[22:28] * Seira catches up to Demedais at a trot. "Sounds great all across the board. How about the freed hostages sticking around so that we can respond swiftly if there is anything? I'd love to comb the house with you."
[22:29] <Demedais> "That was my inclination." Demedais replies, before turning to two of the soldiers. "You two, keep an eye out here as well. Keep the people behind you and stay spread out over this area." he instructs, before motioning Seira in to begin searching the house.
06[22:30] * Seira defers to Demedais in the search, intent on providing support.
03[22:30] * Haruka is now known as Sierra_Semilife
[22:30] <Kotono> OOC: Going to take 10/20 on any search?
06[22:32] * Demedais allows Seira to examine the area primarily, acting as intermediary and commander for the soldiers so that Seira can focus on the search.
[22:35] <Kotono> OOC: Taking 20 it is.
01[22:35] <Seira> OOC: 36 at present for me, if a couple soldiers help we'll push it to 40?
[22:36] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[22:37] <Kotono> The house is searched! It's spartan and impeccably clean. In the bedroom is a heavy wooden chest. Inside of it is coins - mostly gold and platinum coins from various regions all over, a lot of them. There is also a silken bag stitched with gold threat, with a softly glowing powder inside. There are also a few small statues made of metal gears about, whirrling endlessly and smoothly, often made of precious silver.
06[22:37] * Demedais checks the entirety for magic so as not to distract Seira's search unless it's needed.
[22:37] <Kotono> The statues are faintly magical.
[22:38] <Kotono> As Demedais does this, Seira checks the rest of the house. In a small den there is a desk with several papers on it. They are all written in precise languages of law and legalese. Even in common, they are difficult to parse and will take effort to fully comprehend.
01[22:39] <Seira> OOC: Decypher script?  >_>
[22:39] <Kotono> OOC: Roll it.
03[22:39] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-25-141-28.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #terrorofdunes
01[22:39] <Seira> roll 1d20+12
06[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+12 and gets 16." [1d20=4]
06[22:40] * Demedais notifies Seira of the magical auras once she's done searching.
[22:40] <Kotono> Seira spends a few minutes before getting a massive headache. She can make these out in time - it's not an all or nothing thing like most of these, just very difficult to parse.
01[22:41] <Seira> "These are resistant to speed-reading," Seira mutters, clutching her head. "Magical auras, then?"
06[22:41] * Demedais nods, tapping Seira on the shoulder to restore some of her lost strength.
[22:41] <Demedais> roll 1d4
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d4 and gets 4." [1d4=4]
01[22:43] <Seira> "Which school?"
[22:45] <Demedais> roll 1d20+5
06[22:45] * Hatbot --> "Demedais rolls 1d20+5 and gets 23." [1d20=18]
[22:45] <Demedais> "Transmutation." Demedais replies after a moment of thought.
01[22:46] <Seira> roll 1d20+15 K:A on mystery powder
06[22:46] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+15 K:A on mystery powder and gets 30." [1d20=15]
[22:47] <Demedais> "Which... would make it something that... grants or changes a person, correct?" Demedais continues after a moment before shaking his head. "I honestly don't know how you keep track of all that info."
06[22:47] * Seira nods. "Could be what's shrinking them. An off chance of a spying spell, after a fashion, but I doubt this one."
[22:48] <Demedais> "Right." Demedais nods. "We'll look into it, then. For now, just get the people home?"
01[22:48] <Seira> "Yes," Seira agrees. "And you should have Elle check the statues as soon as possible. The last thing we would want is bring several Tura clones back with us."
[22:49] <Demedais> "Right. I'll deliver the statues to her, then, while you handle getting the citizens home?" Demedais proposes. "And get some healing, you look exhausted. ...Did Alicia head in the other direction looking for me?"
01[22:50] <Seira> "Ah, that's one way of putting it...."
06[22:50] * Demedais pauses at this. "And what's another?"
06[22:50] * Demedais then shakes his head, interrupting whatever Seira would say.
[22:51] <Demedais> "It's not relevant right now, never mind. I'm sure you'll brief me on it later. First, get them to safety and get yourself healed."