223.7 Alicia and the Sultan's Pride

[Corwin]

[20:22] <Kotono> ----
05[20:23] -atarians.dejatoons.net:@#evildunes- Alicia invited Hatbot into the channel.
03[20:23] * Hatbot (~Hatbot@cpe-66-68-88-203.austin.res.rr.com) has joined #evildunes
[20:23] <Kotono> Gathering the Demon Armor to the altar of Mystra one morning, Shankar looks it over. The helmet sits atop the breastplate, like a snarling demon's face froen into steel. "Are you prepared to begin this quest, Alicia?"
[20:24] <Alicia> "I am," Alicia affirms having left her trusty breastplate at home so she can encase herself in this particularly ugly tin-can. For her part, Marie just hovers nearby and looks distastefully at the plate-mail.
[20:28] <Kotono> With a grimace Shankar taps the helmet, "I will divine what must be done, for the sake of shattering the evil on this armor," he proclaims. This praying, the following words come from his mouth, "You must don this armor and travel west, west to Wetwind Harbor. You must slink and observe, for an evil lurks in the shadows of that port. However...the curse of the armor is not a light one. All who see you will see a demon once you don it, not a
[20:28] <Kotono> All who see you will see a demon once you don it, not a heroic champion."
[20:31] <Alicia> "As if wearing a roasting tin-can wasn't enough, I have to do so in the desert?" Alicia looks rather distressed at the prospect. "Very well... help me put it on?" she asks, starting to assemble the full plate.
[20:32] <Kotono> This is done so. The armor feels slimy and sickening to Alicia's touch. Wearing it is heavy and painful, the metal seeming to dig into her joints and burrow at her sides. It smells like sulphur and brimstone, suffocating and not letting in quite enough air.
[20:33] <Alicia> "You couldn't pay me to sit on your head, now," Marie comments as she flutters nearby.
06[20:34] * Alicia sighs, already feeling debilitated. "Just come on - I've never even been to Wetwind Harbour, so we're going to have a lot of travelling ahead."
[20:35] <Kotono> Marie can see a horrible, gnashing, loathesome demon, not Alicia. Shankar looks on carefully, "You mway want to teleport out of town. Invisibility may avail you as well. Going out like that would cause a panic."
[20:37] <Alicia> "Even if I was invisible people would hear me clanking a mile away," Alicia shakes her head. "I'll probably have to rely on Marie a lot... anyway, I can take us to the desert and hopefully with some altitude Marie can spot the coast for us."
[20:38] <Kotono> "Travel with Mystra," Shankar bids, "For your burden already weighs heavily on you." Alicia's voice sounds different - like a menancing snarl, only barely holding back from ripping something limb from limb.
[20:39] <Alicia> "Wow, you sound really scary, too. Maybe you can convince the bad guys you're on their side?" Marie wonders as she alights on Alicia's hand. With a grimace the paladin attempts to cast her teleport spell despite the constraints of her armour, aiming for the oasis in the Northern desert used as camp by the celestials during the campaign there.
[20:39] <Alicia> roll 1d100 spell failure
06[20:39] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 spell failure and gets 15." [1d100=15]
[20:40] <Alicia> OOC: strike, teleport is verbal only
[20:40] <Alicia> roll 1d100 studied carefully
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 studied carefully and gets 45." [1d100=45]
[20:42] <Kotono> Wooosh! You appear amid the sands. The heat isn't nearly as savage as it normally is, the summer winding down and plummeting to it's endless cold depths. Most of the remnants of the celestials look to be gone. A lake remains as Alicia remembers it. Various desert animals flock to it's beard of greenery, drinking and resting. Fruit trees also grow here, ripe and ready. Even without a sign of a tent, there is a faint feeling in the air, a fee
[20:42] <Kotono> Even without a sign of a tent, there is a faint feeling in the air, a feeling of peace.
[20:43] <Alicia> "Looks nice," Marie opines. "Nicer than you, anyway."
[20:43] <Alicia> "This is hard enough, Marie, please stow it," Alicia returns, pointing to the Northeast. "Wetwind Harbor should be that way - fly up to see if you can spot it, or at least the coast?"
[20:44] <Alicia> "Sure, sure," Marie waves cheerfully as she starts to ascend.
[20:47] <Kotono> Marie flies up! OOC - How far are you willing to fly up, Marie?
[20:49] <Alicia> OOC: About a mile, give or take
[20:55] <Kotono> Ascending quite high, Marie can eventually see the coastline. She flies up really, really high. The ground is like a sandbox below...
[20:55] <Alicia> Scanning the coastline from side to side, Marie tries to discern any sign of man-made structures or roads.
[21:00] <Kotono> Marie can juuuust make out some buildings to the east.
[21:00] <Alicia> Good enough. Now she drops back down - wheee! "Found it!" she exclaims after returning to Alicia, briefly recounting what exactly she saw.
[21:01] <Alicia> "Alright, I'll take us a few miles up the coast from it and we'll work from there," Alicia nods, once more teleporting the duo!
[21:01] <Alicia> roll 1d100 seen once
06[21:01] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 seen once and gets 35." [1d100=35]
[21:03] <Kotono> Woosh! The two appear! Immediately teh scent of the sea can be smelled! You stand on rising sea cliffs, the cliffs descending to the east in a natural sloping bay. It's al ittle more pleasant here, a breeze coming from the ocean. Far to the east, one can glimpse what is perhaps a town.
06[21:04] * Alicia starts to follow the coast towards the town, keeping a sharp eye out for anyone else wandering in the area as she doesn't particularly want to bump into anyone, and also looking for sea caves and the like that could make appropriate hiding places.
[21:08] <Kotono> OOC: How deeply are you going to be looking? Make a spot check, anyway.
[21:08] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 A
06[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 A and gets 22." [1d20=15]
[21:08] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 M
06[21:08] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 M and gets 24." [1d20=18]
[21:09] <Alicia> OOC: just basically keeping an eye out as we walk, failing caves I'll settle for inlets with high ridges around them
[21:11] <Kotono> Marie has some luck! While you don't come on much of anyone out here, she does happen to glimpse something. 10 feet down from the cliffs, above the ocean's waters, is a natural sea cave. With a bit of flying or climbing it would be simple to gon in. It's a few miles from town still.
[21:13] <Alicia> Marie points it out and Alicia has a look to mark the location before continuing on. It'd be preferable to find a spot even closer to town but this might be all they can get.
[21:14] <Kotono> There's one othe rplace, a mile an da half from town. It's a deep ridge, where the cliffs and sand make a bit ofa natural hiding spot. This could service as well, albiet more exposed than the cave.
[21:16] <Alicia> "Okay, I'll have to wait here for now," Alicia tells Marie. "So I want you to scout out the town and then report back - just get the lay of the land, we'll do the actual investigation tonight after dark when hopefully I can sneak in unseen."
[21:17] <Alicia> "Okay. Try not to get killed by any misguided heroes!" Marie salutes cheerfully before zipping off towards the town at full speed in her incorporeal form.
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: Going to hide and keep watch while Marie does her rhing, Alicia?
[21:30] <Alicia> OOC: pretty much
[21:35] <Kotono> Marie flies towards town! She approaches a short western wall to the city. Sand is piled high against the composite stone, bits of shell and fossils seen in the crude rocks. Inside the city, she can see a large dock and a medium sized city.
[21:36] <Alicia> Doing her best to avoid undue notice, Marie flits into the city and proceeds to explore, keeping an eye out for evil as she does so.
[21:39] <Kotono> The city is sandy and busy. Dusky skinned men load cargo and prepare caravans. Ships are loaded and prepared, while others are rested. Off duty sailors carouse and sing around. The town's essentially an overgrown square, with roads leading in straight lines up and down it's length. There's the occasional evil person, but nothing beyond faint evil on a basic scan of the city.
[21:41] <Alicia> Nothing too gripping, but she at least has the layout so Alicia should be able to teleport anywhere here with ease. Since she wants to be helpful, she spends an hour or so eavesdropping on various conversations around the docks, mostly just trying to get an idea of what's on the rumour mill around here.
[21:42] <Kotono> OOC: Make a GI check, +2 bonus?
[21:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+12
06[21:42] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+12 and gets 28." [1d20=16]
[21:43] <Kotono> Eavesdropping, Marie hears the following:
[21:44] <Kotono> - With the seasons changing, this is one of the relatively tolerable periods of weather. People are talkinga bout it and enjoying it, instead of freezing cold or blistering heat. (More)
[21:45] <Kotono> - There's a story still being batted around, of a destroyed ship with only a few survivors. Wild stories surround it about Bey Onur, a dragon, a hero from the Crimson Guard and more. The stories are quite a mish-mash even now. everyone seems to know someone who knew a survivor on thes hip. (More)
[21:48] <Kotono> - There's a few trade groups quibbling for supremecy with what shipping is left after what the Pasha demands.  One, the Whirling Sand Group, focuses more on caravans but is expanding. Another, the Green Stars, is doing the opposite. It's leading to a nasty littel rivalry focused in Wetwind Harbor.(More)
[21:50] <Kotono> - Lady Nuriska, a rich woman who lives in town, has recently been taken away by her husband for various crimes. Whispers says she was involved with both male and female servants, with each teller saying one, the other, or both. It's made quite the rumor mill story. (More)
[21:50] <Kotono> - A ship from the United Baronies recently docked. One person complains that it got better treatment than a foreign ship should deserve, really.
[21:53] <Alicia> Marie feels bad for Lady Nuriska, if all she was doing was spreading the love, but there's not really any indications of hidden lurking evil from all of that. Perhaps why it's hidden? Regardless she has little else to do, so she has another quick scoot around for notable evil auras before zipping back to Alicia.
[21:55] <Kotono> This goes without incident. Returning to Alicia also goes without incident, finding her in the ridge, waiting.
[21:57] <Alicia> After Marie relays her findings Alicia agrees that there isn't much to go on, and so the two wait until nightfall, occupying themselves with an impromptu chess tournament.
[21:58] <Kotono> Nightfall comes pleasantly enough. Well, as pleasantly as it can for Alicia. The temperature drops rapidly, warmth becoming chill with a startling speed.
06[22:00] * Alicia pulls her cloak in, for all the good it does when she has this wretched tin-can covering her, and waits another hour or so before declaring that it's time and starting to head towards the city.
[22:08] <Kotono> The two rise at this point and head towards the city. The western wall, with it's stacke dup sand, awaits them. It's quiet now, the night pierced by several lights within Wetwind Harbor.
[22:10] <Alicia> As they near the wall, Alicia sends Marie to look over the other side to make sure no one's in the immediate vicinity.
[22:11] <Kotono> The area by the wall is quiet. No real guard patrol, just a quiet, dark residentials treet.
[22:12] <Alicia> Marie returns and reports an all clear. Since the armour would prove a severe detriment to climbing, Alicia instead just casts Fly. As well as Message to allow quiet communication between her and her familiar.
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 fly spell failure
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 fly spell failure and gets 100." [1d100=100]
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 message spell failure
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 message spell failure and gets 48." [1d100=48]
[22:13] <Kotono> Casting successfully, Alicia ascends over thew all without incident!
[22:13] <Alicia> Both done, she flies over the wall and into the city. Following Marie's directions, she starts to head towards the docks, sticking to quiet alleys where possible and doing her best to avoid notice.
[22:15] <Alicia> Both she, Marie, and Hell Striker remain alert for any signs of evil as they move about.
[22:17] <Kotono> Slinking along, the two clear a good distance towards the docks. However, as she comes out of an alley, she can glimpse a tavern. It's wide open, manyp eople in the street outside of it. They're laughinga nd singing and boasting, ale flowing by the flagon. Only one radiates any evil(Faint), but many of them are about. A few dozen ahead.
06[22:18] * Alicia backtracks a bit so she can find a crossing where they're less likely to be spotted.
[22:22] <Kotono> Sneaking back and around goes without incident. Luck is with Alicia and Marie, reaching the docks from there is mercifully without incident. The docks are fairly quiet now, wound down and ships at anchor. Not too much isg oing on, though a few ship holds and windows do have lights on.
[22:24] <Alicia> Marie wonders exactly what they're doing, to which Alicia explains that they're 'slinking and observing'. With that cleared up, the two loiter around the docks for a bit then start to meander back through the city, mostly just keeping an eye and an ear out for trouble.
[22:29] <Kotono> As you loiter in the shadows, eyeing the dock grounds...OOC: Make a listen check, both of you?
[22:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 A
06[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 A and gets 15." [1d20=9]
[22:29] <Alicia> roll 1d20+6 M
06[22:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+6 M and gets 26." [1d20=20]
[22:33] <Alicia> "Someone's coming!" Marie hisses through the message spell. "Hide!" As Alicia presses herself against the wall, Marie throws up the illusion of a pile of crates stacked up to conceal the fiendish looking paladin, and hides herself up by the surrounding rooftops of the alley.
[22:44] <Kotono> Coming into view is a man in a dark cloak. He walks by, sniffing the air. "Ugh...smells horrible." Looking about, "Damned dirty idiots." Hurrying along, he doesn't linger.
[22:44] <Alicia> Is he evil?
[22:46] <Kotono> The man radiates moderate evil.
[22:47] <Alicia> That's the likliest contender they've had so far. Waiting until he's left the alley, Alicia and Marie reconvene and agree that they should follow him, Alicia doing her best to stay quiet in spite of the armour and keeping their distance to the maximum extent possible while just keeping him in range of their magical detection. Speaking of that, Marie checks him over for magical auras.
[22:51] <Kotono> He is wearing some sort of magic clothing or armor under his cloak, for there is a magical aura.
[22:51] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 18." [1d20=11]

[Corwin]

[20:07] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Someone's coming!" Marie hisses through the message spell. "Hide!" As Alicia presses herself against the wall, Marie throws up the illusion of a pile of crates stacked up to conceal the fiendish looking paladin, and hides herself up by the surrounding rooftops of the alley.
[20:07] <Kotono> > Coming into view is a man in a dark cloak. He walks by, sniffing the air. "Ugh...smells horrible." Looking about, "Damned dirty idiots." Hurrying along, he doesn't linger.
[20:07] <Kotono> <Alicia> Is he evil?
[20:07] <Kotono> > The man radiates moderate evil.
[20:07] <Kotono> <Alicia> That's the likliest contender they've had so far. Waiting until he's left the alley, Alicia and Marie reconvene and agree that they should follow him, Alicia doing her best to stay quiet in spite of the armour and keeping their distance to the maximum extent possible while just keeping him in range of their magical detection. Speaking of that, Marie checks him over for magical auras.
[20:07] <Kotono> > He is wearing some sort of magic clothing or armor under his cloak, for there is a magical aura.
[20:07] <Kotono> <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
[20:07] <Kotono> * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 18." [1d20=11]
06[20:08] * Alicia also quickly realises that sneaking after someone in full plate just won't work. "Marie, you follow him and I'll wait here," she tells her familiar, since she really has no way to be stealthy with this ridiculous tin-can getup.
[20:12] <Kotono> Thus Marie follows! The man hurries through the alleys, moving at a fast clip.  The dry, slightly sandy ground leaves decent tracks, though he's doing an okay job at not leaving too many. AFter af ew minutes and several twisting turns, he comes into the back of ab uilding. He takes a key out, unlocking a backdoor and going inside.
[20:13] <Alicia> While Alicia hides on the neighbouring rooftop of the alleyway she was left at, Marie phases in through the wall to continue her pursuit. She idly wonders if other familiars have to work nearly as hard as she does.
[20:19] <Kotono> It's the backroom of somewhere. From the muffled noises ahead, past a heavy wooden door, it might be a tavern or some sort of festhall. There's a table and several plain chairs here. The black cloaked man is the only one in here. He pushes back his hood. He's of normal dusky skin, with a shaved head. He grins and goes to sit at the table, putting his feet up.
[20:20] <Alicia> Keeping herself well hidden, Marie has a look for any evil auras showing from the next room. Hopefully this man will do something incriminating shortly to justify her going to this trouble.
[20:23] <Kotono> Not much from the next room offhand that she can detect from here. The man yawns and waits. He takes out a few copper coins, spinning them on the table. After a minute of this, leaning forward, "Pah, bastard's late." Sighing deeply and deeper, "Damned wastrel."
[20:24] <Alicia> Yes, keep talking to yourself! Everything you say incriminates you even more! Just don't commit patricide/regicide and we'll be fine, so thinks the eladrin as she maintains her vigil.
[20:26] <Kotono> The man sighs and spins the coins again and again! AFter about five minutes, there's a soft noise at the bacvk door. Scooping up his coin with one deft move, a hand goes inside of his cloak.
[20:26] <Alicia> The plot thickens!
[20:28] <Kotono> The door opens! A short, stumpy man waddles in! He's almost short enough to be a dwarf, with an impressive gut that juts out a foot away from him. With a big, wide grin full of white teeth, "Ah, so sorry I'm late. Dinner was long," Patting that stomach of his as he goes to a chair, nearly tipping over as he walks, "Let's get to business."
[20:31] <Kotono> "Yeah, of course," Leaning back in his chair, "Everything's going fine. There hasn't been any serious change since yesterday's report. Here." Taking a pouch out and tossing it to the fat man, "It's a hair under 200 gold. Not the day's best take, but we've had far worse."
[20:32] <Alicia> Is the newcomer evil?
[20:32] <Kotono> Taking the pouch and tipping it upwards, a rain of gold and silver coins comes out, as well as a few more exotic ones. "Not bad, not bad. 200 after wages isn't terrible at all."
[20:32] <Kotono> The new comer radiates strong evil.
[20:33] <Alicia> A new contender! Marie might need to follow this one afterwards, but lets hear what they have to say, first...
[20:34] <Kotono> "Of course not, sir," the dark man agrees, "I gave Nala a 5 gold bonus like you approved. She's been working harder and setting a good example after that mess with Emel."
[20:35] <Kotono> Laughign so much that his gut shakes like a hurricane, "Good, good! Keep them happy. Yildiz got his quarter cut already?"
[20:35] <Kotono> "Yes. No complaints this time, either. Will that be all, sir?" The cloaked man starts to stand up.
[20:37] <Kotono> "Yes, yes, go ahead." Waving a hand and,a fter a moment, the fat man flips a gold coin to the dark cloaked man. "An extra tip. I'm appreciating your work here so far. Continue to satisify me and you'll be quite rich."
[20:37] <Alicia> Fat man is probably the kingpin, so Marie elects to stick around and see where he goes rather than pursue the underling.
[20:38] <Kotono> Grabbing the coin out of the air, "Thanks, sir," he says, pulling his hood back up. "Oh. I'll be a little late to work tomorrow. I have to take care of a bit of business."
[20:38] <Kotono> "Yes, yes," Waving his hand as he starts to count the gold carefully, "Go."
[20:39] <Kotono> The man does just that, hood up as he exits out of the room, closing the door behind him.
[20:40] <Alicia> Marie checks over the fat man for magic as she waits on him to make his next move.
[20:40] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 15." [1d20=8]
[20:42] <Kotono> He puts his face down itno the money, giggling. "Ah money. Money, money, moneeeeey." He then starts to put it back ito the bag, which then goes into his overstretched tunic. He stands up then, going to the door.
[20:45] <Alicia> Must be funny... it's a rich man's world. Marie only thinks it, she doesn't sing it out loud, though. Stealth is paramount, as she proves by sneakily following after her oversized quarry.
[20:45] <Kotono> Once outside, the man looks about briefly! He nods slightly and then vanishes from sight abruptly!
[20:46] <Alicia> Do his auras remain?
[20:46] <Kotono> The auras remain, yes. They're traveling down the alley at a good, speedy clip.
[20:49] <Alicia> Marie doesn't need a stupid invisibility spell to stay hidden, as she deftly flits from cover to cover in hot pursuit. She wonders if he ate one of those gnomish gems or whether he invested in metamagic training to cast that spell without any components, though.
[20:53] <Kotono> The man goes to the eastern part of town. He goes into a nicer place, a pleasant two story almost-mansion ahead. In  the sahdows just before it he reappears, waddling over to it. It's painted white and with a watered, kept lawn on it, standing out from the desert all around the city. He unlocks the front door with a key, waddling on in.
[20:53] <Alicia> After a moment, Marie follows him inside!
[20:55] <Kotono> Inside is a richly, though not overwhelming richly, decorated mansion. The man goes to the second floor, into a rather small bedroom. It's mostly taken up by a bed with a silk canopy. It's very dark in here, only a few candles lit. There's the shadows of someone lying in the bed proper. "I'm hooome," he calls.
[20:56] <Alicia> Being an outsider, Marie can see perfectly well in the dark. Okay, it's monochrome, but even so the shadows offer no respite from her gaze.
[20:58] <Kotono> He can see the fat man take off his tunic and clothes, a sight best unseen. He wobbles over to the canopy, "Go ahead and sleep. I'mg oing to bathe tonight and do other things."
[20:58] <Kotono> A woman's voice comes out, "Yes, master," she says agreeably. "Anything you wish, master."
[20:59] <Kotono> Giggling at that, "Oh yes, servant. Keep talking like that for tomorrow."
[20:59] <Alicia> Is the woman evil? Or magical?
[21:00] <Kotono> No evil or magic comes from the woman behind the silks.
[21:02] <Alicia> While his bathing is a prospect best left uncontemplated, Marie does wonder about these 'other things'. The best thing for now is to go collect Alicia so she can wait near the house while Marie spies on him (hopefully after he's had his bath), so she goes off to find said paladin.
[21:02] <Kotono> Alicia is found waiting without incident. Well, as much as there can be no incidient when her master is cosplaying a demon, anyway.
[21:04] <Alicia> Reunited at last, the fun-loving duo make their way towards the fat man's house, with Alicia finding a convenient hiding spot nearby while Marie goes in to resume her scrutiny.
[21:05] <Kotono> The fat man is found wearing a silk robe, sitting in an office room. He looks to be scribing a letter when Marie finds him again.
[21:06] <Alicia> Marie tries to find a nice hiding place above and behind him where she might be able to catch a glimpse of what he's writing.
[21:10] <Kotono> Thsi isn't too hard. He's writing in Common, a letter to a 'Sir Allister.' He's talking about a joint venture in the field of female entertainment and how it would be highly profitable for both of them.
[21:11] <Alicia> Yuck. Marie is tempted to magic missile him for his objectification, but resigns herself to her information-gathering only role.
[21:13] <Kotono> Another page. He talks about how the laws on the subject are generally agreeable, but someone in the Pasha's service would smooth over many difficulties. He would be very grateful for any and all help on the matter. He ends it by signing 'Mr. Radafi.'
[21:14] <Alicia> Alicia was right about these desert people being perverted.
[21:16] <Kotono> Sprinkling sand on the pages of the still wet letters, Mr. Radafi gets up and stretches. He goes to a bookshelf and takes down a book, opening it from a bookmark and taking back to the desk.
[21:17] <Alicia> Marie takes a look to see what he's reading.
[21:19] <Kotono> It looks to be a book of laws. There's scribblings in the margins and notes, making some as he goes. Mostly tlittle things, like question marks, exclaimation marks or ilttle comments, like 'Easy loophole to exploit' or 'Problematic' or 'Research further'. The laws he's studying seem to be about trade, businesses and taxes.
[21:24] <Alicia> Marie just settles in to wait and observe...
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: How long will Marie wait and watch?
[21:39] <Alicia> OOC: lets say half an hour if nothing happens
[21:42] <Kotono> He's at it for a half of an hour without stoppage.
[21:43] <Alicia> Marie gets bored and goes to explore the house for anything incriminating or otherwise exciting.
[21:48] <Kotono> The first floor is all various living quarters. The second floor...now the second floor is more interesting. Besides the bedroom and the study, there's a lush room full of silk drapes and soft couches. It smells faintly of incense. The walls are richly decorated with expensive paintings and tapestries. There's another room that has a set of plain wooden chests inside, each one obviously and heavily locked.
[21:48] <Kotono>  each one obviously and heavily locked.
[21:48] <Alicia> Locks can't stop Marie from simply phasing directly into them. Which she does.
[21:49] <Kotono> The first one is filled with gold bullion. The second is full of finely layered silks, packed tightly as they can go. The third holds a black binded book and nothing else.
[21:50] <Alicia> Is the book magic? Or is there any other magic in this last chest?
[21:51] <Kotono> The book isn't magical, but the chest and it's lock is.
[21:52] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 spellcraft
06[21:52] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+7 spellcraft and gets 17." [1d20=10]
[21:53] <Alicia> Marie figures whatever magic it is must be a trap that'll go off if someone tries to open the chest. If she's already inside it, though... She chances assuming corporeal form within the chest.
[21:54] <Kotono> Nothing happens as far as Marie can tell. She's now deep in this chest.
[21:55] <Alicia> Wanting to be careful, she turns incorporeal once more and leaves, sneaking back to the study to make sure Mr Radafi is still where she left him.
[21:56] <Kotono> Mr. Radafi is where Marie left him. He's working away at his book, chuckling to himself on occasion.
[21:57] <Alicia> Okay, time to go back into the chest so she can read the secret locked away book!
[22:00] <Kotono> Going back, Marie opens the book! She finds it's written in Infernal! It looks to be a tretise written by Scax, Duke of Riches. It describes the procurement, adoration and worship of wealth. It discusses how to accure wealth on the back sof others, and how to ruin those that stand in your way, all while staying pristine.
[22:01] <Alicia> Yep, that's pretty incriminating.
[22:01] <Alicia> roll 1d20+17 Scax? (planes)
06[22:01] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+17 Scax? (planes) and gets 36." [1d20=19]
[22:04] <Alicia> Okay, now to finish her search of the house - she also checks for secret passages by phasing through the walls/floor/ceiling here and there in case there's any hidden rooms filled with more incriminating things.
[22:06] <Kotono> There's a hidden compartment in the floor of his bedroom. It has a bag of jewels in it. Otherwise, the house is fairly straightforward.
[22:07] <Alicia> Time to go report her findings to Alicia!
[22:08] <Kotono> Alicia is found in her hiding spot without incident, thankfully.
[22:11] <Alicia> After hearing all that, Alicia's convinced that they've found their hidden evil. So now it's time to prepare before making their move - she casts Shield on herself and Voice of the Archon on both her and Marie, then attempts to approach the house without being seen.
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 shield
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 shield and gets 20." [1d100=20]
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 voice 1
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 voice 1 and gets 1." [1d100=1]
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 voice 1 #2
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 voice 1 #2 and gets 2." [1d100=2]
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 voice 1 #3
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 voice 1 #3 and gets 17." [1d100=17]
[22:12] <Alicia> roll 1d100 voice 2
06[22:12] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 voice 2 and gets 59." [1d100=59]
[22:12] <Kotono> It's well into the night now. The house and surroundings are quiet. No lights are on inside or around. No sign of people, Alicia's approach to the mansion without incident.
[22:13] <Alicia> Okay, first things first is for Marie to phase in and unlock the door for Alicia, then she'll sneak up to keep an eye on Mr Radafi while Alicia follows at her own slower and more obvious pace.
[22:14] <Kotono> The door is easy enough to unlock! Alicia comes inside without incident again. Marie zips up, finding Mr. Radafi still at his bookwork! Alicia slowly climbs the stairs in the meantime. OOC: Are you trying to stay quiet at all, Alicia?
[22:15] <Alicia> OOC: sure, I'll make an effort
[22:15] <Alicia> roll 1d20 move silently
06[22:15] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20 move silently and gets 17." [1d20=17]
[22:16] <Kotono> roll 1d20+14
06[22:16] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+14 and gets 15." [1d20=1]
[22:16] <Kotono> Alicia ascends the stairs and makes it ot the second floor without incident, then to in front of the door to the study! Despite her heavy, creaking armor, she somehow manages to do it with relative quiet!
[22:16] <Kotono> Mr. Radafi doesn't even look up, absorbed into his work.
[22:19] <Alicia> With Marie prepared to interrupt any spells he might cast, Alicia walks brazenly into the room. "Good evening, Mr Radafi," she begins, resigned to her guttural demonic voice so she might as well get some use out of it.
[22:29] <Kotono> The door is opened! The man drops his book, eyes wide! "What the hell do you want," he sputters as he wobble to standing up!
[22:30] <Alicia> "To talk... for now," Alicia replies with a hint of menace. Said hint surely magnified considerably by her current voice and appearance. "Please, sit."
[22:32] <Kotono> He stands instead, "I don't know you," he hisses, "What the hell are you? Who the hell areyou?" he stands up, "I'm not going to be intimidated."
[22:35] <Alicia> Clearly she's not scary enough even like this. "All you need to know is that I'm a being with certain... philosophical, differences with your allies. And I'd like you to tell me about them." She steps closer, "Certainly you can choose to resist. I'm sure that would make things far more entertaining."
[22:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+28 intimidate
06[22:35] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+28 intimidate and gets 46." [1d20=18]
[22:36] <Kotono> roll 1d20+11 moot
06[22:36] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+11 moot and gets 25." [1d20=14]
[22:37] <Kotono> Instantly the man is on his hands and knees in front of Alicia! "Of course, master," he says quickly, "What is it you need, sir?"
[22:39] <Alicia> That was quick. "You follow the teachings of that baatezu Scax, don't you?" Alicia asks. "Tell me, how were you introduced to those foolish methods?"
[22:41] <Kotono> Groveling with his face down at Alicia's feet, "I was originally in Mammon's service. I find his service the most pleasurable, despite my transfers, sir!"
[22:44] <Alicia> Wait a minute... he's a disguised devil, not a mortal dupe! That makes his grovelling before an apparent demon seem all the more pathetic. "I see... now, I want to know what your goals are in this city."
[22:45] <Kotono> "I'm just making a living, sir! I'm working in the human society to become rich!" He looks up with wet, sniveling eyes, "Human women in this realm are pliant and accepting. Services involving them are tolerated and there is easy money to be made."
[22:47] <Alicia> "And what do you do with your wealth?" Alicia presses disgustedly. "How do you advance the cause of the Nine Hells?"
[22:48] <Kotono> "I'm enriching myself, sir!" Looking up again, "I was broken away from my superiors in a battle I had to re-withdraw from, and I have been given leave to establish a base here, sir!"
[22:49] <Alicia> "How have they been keeping in contact with you, worm?"
[22:49] <Kotono> "I-I can make contact with them weekly!" He blurts out, "They deemed this sufficient for now!"
[22:52] <Alicia> "How do you make contact?" Alicia presses. "Do they not send others to keep tabs on you?"
[22:53] <Kotono> "Well...my previous masters are indisposed now," Whimpering even lower, "I've found my old master i-in Minarous are accepting of my situation and helping me, sir!"
[22:54] <Alicia> "So you haven't encountered any other baatezu here? You've only been dealing with mortals?"
[22:54] <Kotono> "Y-yes sir!" He says quickly, "Our r-regiment was wiped out by mortal heroes and celestials, sir!"
[22:56] <Alicia> "Very well. Tell me what sort of base you've built up here and what resources you have on hand," Alicia nods.
[22:56] <Kotono> "I-I've done well. I'm running a shop and bar using women to allure and attract customers with their bare skin." Answering his as he continues to grvel hard, "I've made several thousand gold as the human males love it."
[22:57] <Alicia> "They are simple-minded fools..." Alicia is forced to lament. "Tell me about this shop."
[22:59] <Kotono> "It is called the S-sultan's pride. Women dance and serve there in silk or in little to nothing, for the more well paying men. W-we treat the men well and they pay much gold, sir!" A pause here as he wipes his dripping nose, "Many of the richer merchants have come to favor it."
06[23:01] * Alicia will have to shut that place down. "What of your underlings? Tell me of those you've convinced to serve you in this place."
[23:03] <Kotono> "Many women...paying poor women fair coin is more than enough to have them work obdiently, sir! My troublefixer is named Malim, he knows the city well and is loyal for money. Yildiz is my front man so I can stay ou tof the spotlight. The rest are worthless servants, sir!"

[Corwin]

[20:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> <Alicia> "They are simple-minded fools..." Alicia is forced to lament. "Tell me about this shop."
[20:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> > "It is called the S-sultan's pride. Women dance and serve there in silk or in little to nothing, for the more well paying men. W-we treat the men well and they pay much gold, sir!" A pause here as he wipes his dripping nose, "Many of the richer merchants have come to favor it."
[20:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> * Alicia will have to shut that place down. "What of your underlings? Tell me of those you've convinced to serve you in this place."
[20:13] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> > "Many women...paying poor women fair coin is more than enough to have them work obdiently, sir! My troublefixer is named Malim, he knows the city well and is loyal for money. Yildiz is my front man so I can stay ou tof the spotlight. The rest are worthless servants, sir!"
[20:15] <Alicia> "Have you made any contracts with any mortals residing here?" Alicia then asks.
03[20:15] * Rei-chan (Rei-chan@user-5af0e4f7.wfd96.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
[20:17] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "N-no sir!" LIcking at Alicia's armored boot, "I've just been making monneeeeeeeeeey!"
[20:20] <Alicia> "Out of human misery and desperation," Alicia pulls her foot back contemptously. "Are any here aware of your true nature?"
[20:21] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Noooo sir!" Looking up with pleading eyes, "I'll give you a quarter of the profits, sir!...wait, what?" He stops and blinks ahrd at that, "Out of human misery and desperation? What's wrong with that?"
[20:24] <Alicia> "You idiot, haven't you figured it out?" Alicia asks as she draws Hell Striker, not really having much left to ask anyway. "When you get to Hell, tell them Alicia Reynes sent you."
[20:26] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "What, what?" He looks up with quailing fear, "That n-name! I've heard of it! You're one of the C-C-Crimson G-g-guard! Please, spare me!"
[20:28] <Alicia> "By your own admission you're an advance scout for the Hells, bent on corrupting mortals and solidifying a base of operations for other fiends to use here. What possible reason could I have for sparing you?" Alicia asks indulgently.
[20:29] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Moneeeeey!" He looks up, "I'll give you half the profits! No, 60% of them!" Pawing at Alicia's boot, "The women are better off with al ittle money now! All they have is their bodies anyway!" Sniffling now, and with wide eyes, "I'll make you riiiich, so please spare me! I'm jus ta pathetic imp! I'll get turned back into a lemure if I fail!"
[20:31] <Alicia> "They're better off learning proper trades than degenerating themselves, anyway," Alicia returns. "If it makes you feel any better, though, fiends far greater than yourself have fallen at my blade. Perhaps they'll take that into consideration when demoting you."
[20:33] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "Pleaaaaase! You d-d-don't need ot kill me! I'll do a-a-anything! You want the money, I'll give it to you! You want any of my servants, they're y-y-yours! I can get you things! I can be useful!"
[20:34] <Alicia> Well, she gave him plenty of opportunities, but he failed to say anything to capture her interest. "No sale," she concludes, her sword arcing down!
[20:34] <Alicia> OOC: init or just attack?
[20:35] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC" Initiative.
[20:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 A
[20:35] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d20+7 A --> [ 1d20=4 ]{11}
[20:35] <Alicia> roll 1d20+7 M
[20:35] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d20+7 M --> [ 1d20=9 ]{16}
[20:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+10
[20:36] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{15}
03[20:36] * Infinite_Ko_Loop changes topic to 'Marie>Mr. Radafi>Alicia'
[20:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Go Marie.
[20:36] <Alicia> Marie remains hidden, prepared to shoot the fat man if he tries to use any magic before Alicia can perform her execution.
[20:38] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Alicia is a hair too slow, as the fat man gathers in power! OOC: Marie.
[20:39] <Alicia> roll 1d20+22
[20:39] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d20+22 --> [ 1d20=18 ]{40}
[20:39] <Alicia> roll 1d4+3+3d6+3 devil-slaying bow finally has a chance to shine
[20:39] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d4+3+3d6+3 devil-slaying bow finally has a chance to shine --> [ 1d4=1 3d6=7 ]{14}
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> roll 1d20+10
[20:41] <Rei-chan> Infinite_Ko_Loop rolled : 1d20+10 --> [ 1d20=5 ]{15}
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> An arrow flies out, disrupting the man's concentration by arrow to the backside! He howls out in pain, "N-n-nooooooooooooooo!"
[20:41] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Alicia.
[20:42] <Alicia> Before Marie can chastise her for being too slow, Alicia brings Hell Striker down! Hopefully one strike is all it will take...
[20:42] <Alicia> roll 1d20+16 knowledge devotion
[20:42] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d20+16 knowledge devotion --> [ 1d20=15 ]{31}
[20:43] <Alicia> roll 1d20+24 -12pa, divine might, 3rd level channel, smite
[20:43] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d20+24 -12pa, divine might, 3rd level channel, smite --> [ 1d20=14 ]{38}
[20:43] <Alicia> roll 1d8+42+1d6+2d6+3d4
[20:43] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d8+42+1d6+2d6+3d4 --> [ 1d8=8 1d6=6 2d6=6 3d4=8 ]{70}
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Cathering in her arcane and holy power, Alicia cleaves through the fat man! Horrible green gasses escape his body as he deflates, withering away into scorched sand and dust! All that's left is said sand and dust, and a torn silken robe. Oh, and the horrible, horrible stentch in the air.
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> OOC: Free act
[20:44] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> .
[20:48] <Alicia> "Thanks, Marie," Alicia nods to her familiar. "We're going to have to shut down that shop of his, or at least change the management. For now, though, we want to ensure none of his underlings can benefit from his wealth."
[20:48] <Alicia> "So we're cleaning the place out?" the eladrin asks as she floats down from her hiding spot.
[20:51] <Alicia> "Precisely," Alicia nods. "First of all you'd better grab those hidden jewels you talked about, then I'll teleport us along with those three chests back to Balmuria. Hopefully we'll have satisfied the requirements for this armour as well, since if I keep looking like this things'll be hard..."
[20:51] <Alicia> So Marie dutifully goes to recover the bag of gems while Alicia goes to the treasure room.
[20:54] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> All of this goes without incident, Marie bringing the gems back to Alicia.
06[20:55] * Alicia then teleports herself, familiar, and all three chests to her study.
[20:55] <Alicia> roll 1d100
[20:55] <Rei-chan> Alicia rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=39 ]{39}
[20:56] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Woosh! Alicia and her large chests return home safely! It's dark though, nothing going on in the night.
06[20:57] * Alicia starts to head out, half-expecting to be accosted by Antenora. Hopefully Marie will smooth things over, unless the erinyes' recently trained mindsight allows her to see past vulgar appearances.
[21:01] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora is standing just out of the room, arms crossed. "Hello Ali-!" She blinks hard, "Marie, what's going on here?"
[21:02] <Alicia> "Demon armour," Alicia explains. "It looks even worse when you wear it, hard as that may be to believe."
[21:02] <Alicia> "I tried sitting on her head earlier and I got a rash!" Marie wails for effect.
[21:03] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Antenora snickers loudly at that, "Oh Marie. Done with it yet? IT looks and smells ghastly. Oh..." A pause after, "Wheneve ryou get out of it, go see Jessica. She's waiting for you to get back."
[21:05] <Alicia> "We'll be going back to clean up a few things, but that'll be tomorrow since I'm out of teleports. Hopefully I'm done with this wretched tin-can, at least... oh, and don't touch the chests in there, they're all trapped," Alicia nods as she heads out,
[21:05] <Alicia> intending to slip in the rear entrance to the temple neighbouring her house rather than head out onto the main street and through the public entrance.
[21:08] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Fortunately, it's nighttime and the city is quiet. Slipping into the temple is easy enough as well. However, in the main altarroom, are a group of robed young people, chatting and talking by the altar, with a few books between them. No sign of Shankar at all.
[21:09] <Alicia> "Marie, go ahead and warn them," Alicia hisses.
[21:09] <Alicia> Dutifully Marie flies ahead to meet her fellow followers of Mystra. "Hi!" she calls cheerfully, fluttering amidst the group. "What's everyone up to, here?"
[21:12] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> One young woman looks up, faint memories of acne still on her face. "Oh, I've heard about you! Your'e the eladrin in the service of Mrs. Reynes! We're studying and trading cantrips!"
[21:15] <Alicia> "Oooh, sounds fun," Marie grins. "Actually, Mrs Reynes is just outside, but she's feeling shy," she flutters a bit closer and lowers her voice, "She actually looks really ugly right now because of some nasty magic armour she tried on - doesn't flatter her figure at all, and you wouldn't believe the smell!"
[21:15] <Alicia> "Anyway, she wanted me to come and warn you so you wouldn't get surprised by her appearance - but if you're all good I bet she'll give you a few hints with your studies!"
[21:16] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> A young man with a smirk nods, "Oh, okay! WE won't freak out then."
[21:17] <Alicia> "Good! Just remember, her current hideous and wretched appearance, not to mention the utterly vile odour, are all signs of her devotion to Mystra. So don't make fun, either!" Marie adds before calling over. "You can come in now, Alicia!" which prompts a rather embarrassed looking demonic figure to creep inside.
[21:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The young ones stare. "Wooooooow," The girl drawls, "You're really devote dot Mystra, aren't you?"
[21:22] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> "No kidding," A second young teenage boy says, "That's really intense!"
[21:23] <Alicia> "Sometimes you have to wear unpleasant disguises, though in this case it's nothing but a handicap," Alicia admits as she approaches the altar, hoping that imp was the hidden evil she had to root out as she places her gauntleted hand atop the stone.
[21:28] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> Light comes from above! The demon armor glows white, white hot! Alicia's skin should burn away, yet her flesh is not even singed byt he heat! The armor seems to melt down in the light, swirling into a garb of flowing metal around Alicia! It solidifies into the roaring shape of Leonal when it's done, gleaming golden instead of dark.
[21:30] <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia steps back and studies herself a moment. "Still too heavy, but certainly a vast improvement. What do you all think?" she turns to the youngsters, mood considerably brightened.
[21:36] <Infinite_Ko_Loop> The girl claps, "Oh, that looks so regal now! You look like a she-lion!"
[21:38] <Alicia> "Much better than that smelly ugly demon look you were sporting before," Marie agrees.
[21:39] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia smiles as she approaches the group. "So, what was that I heard about you all studying cantrips? Which ones are you working on, now?"

[Corwin]

[20:24] <Kotono> > Light comes from above! The demon armor glows white, white hot! Alicia's skin should burn away, yet her flesh is not even singed byt he heat! The armor seems to melt down in the light, swirling into a garb of flowing metal around Alicia! It solidifies into the roaring shape of Leonal when it's done, gleaming golden instead of dark.
[20:24] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Hmm..." Alicia steps back and studies herself a moment. "Still too heavy, but certainly a vast improvement. What do you all think?" she turns to the youngsters, mood considerably brightened.
[20:24] <Kotono> > The girl claps, "Oh, that looks so regal now! You look like a she-lion!"
[20:24] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Much better than that smelly ugly demon look you were sporting before," Marie agrees.
[20:24] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia smiles as she approaches the group. "So, what was that I heard about you all studying cantrips? Which ones are you working on, now?"
[20:25] <Kotono> "Light!" One says, as Alicia's pains and burdens leave. Another stares at Alicia for severla seconds.
[20:26] <Alicia> "Always handy when you don't have a torch," Alicia agrees easily. "So how's it going for you all?"
[20:29] <Kotono> "Well, I came here to study," One woman says, and another man nods. "It's hard to choose with all the magic temples and schools starting up. I've met more mages in a month than I did in my entire life before."
[20:32] <Alicia> "So you're all practicing the scholarly art of the wizard?" Alicia clarifies with a smile.
[20:32] <Alicia> "I might not be too helpful since the sorcerous discipline has some important differences, but the important spell components are typically the same - I've had to work especially hard on perfecting somatic components myself since armour tends to make such subtle movements tricky, so if you need help with those I'm your woman."
[20:33] <Kotono> "Oh..." One of the staring men blushes at that, "Thank you, ma'am!"
06[20:40] * Alicia smiles indulgently as she begins to lecture. "So, light... unlike the dancing lights spell that my familiar favours, it relies on having an object to become the source of the light rather than simply springing up in thin air. A lot of wizards rely on finding convenient pebbles, but I find a coin is the best thing to use."
[20:40] <Alicia> She fishes a silver coin from her pouch, her gauntleted hands begining to perform the fairly simple gestures this cantrip involves. "Hidden mysteries be revealed, let my guiding light show the way!"
[20:40] <Alicia> roll 1d100 spell failure
06[20:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 spell failure and gets 33." [1d100=33]
[20:44] <Kotono> Alicia's silver coin glows with light! With a few ooohs and aaaahs, "Oh, that's so precise! You even managed it while standin gin that armor! Impressive!" Another smiles widely at that, "Wooooow!":
[20:47] <Alicia> "It took years of practice to be able to compensate like that, which admittedly could've simply been spent on learning new spells," Alicia concedes as she flips the coin. "But this is the path I've chosen - what you'll probably find is that every mage has their own opinions on the best way to master their magic, and I'm sure you'll all find your own paths as well, given time."
[20:48] <Kotono> "I can't imagine learning magic then bothering with that armor," One of the women admit. "If you're casting magic, can't you control things without evne needing that?"
[20:52] <Alicia> "There are spells that can protect as well as any armour," Alicia agrees, "But often they have short durations - great if you know you'll be facing combat, but if you're surprised it means you have to spend time on bolstering your defences even as you're being attacked."
[20:52] <Alicia> She then shrugs, "Of course, if you intend to use your magic solely for peaceful purposes you might not worry much about such, but it's a good idea to consider the possibility that others won't honour your pacifism."
[20:55] <Kotono> "Indeed," The boy says, "I mean, no one wants to mess with a wizard! But there are some stupid people out there"!
[20:56] <Alicia> "Not to mention other wizards who think their magic is better than yours!" Marie reminds him.
[21:03] <Kotono> "Those too," Laughing nervously at that, "Have yout wo met many of those?"
[21:07] <Alicia> "A few," Alicia nods. "Mostly we battle things like dragons, demons, and devils, but there are a few misguided people who want to try their luck. Still, you should be focusing more on your studies than thinking about such conflicts," she then chastises.
[21:11] <Kotono> "Thank you," The boy quickly nods, as one of the women laughs. "We shouldn't worry so much about battle, should we?"
[21:15] <Alicia> "Not at your age, no," Alicia shakes her head. "Ideally you'd never have to, but life isn't really that simple. Anyway, I should probably get going, but before I do how about I show you a few tricks with prestidigitation that I learned when I was starting out? They're perfect building blocks for moving onto more advanced spells."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Sure!" The acolytes call.
[21:20] <Alicia> Casting prestidigitation herself, Alicia proceeds to demonstrate the simple exercises she was taught herself so long ago at her home temple in Kelara, basic conjuring and alteration of magical substances that aren't useful in any real sense but help to reinforce certain fundamental arcane concepts that underline a number of first circle spells.
[21:27] <Kotono> This goes well enough, the students impressed greatly by it. Thus Alicia heads along...OOC: What are your plans now? You were going to rest and go back to Wetwind Harbor?
[21:29] <Alicia> OOC: didn't Jessica want to talk to me?
[21:30] <Kotono> OOC: Sure.
[21:30] <Kotono> That evening, once the lion's armor is removed and Alicia is settling down to eat and rest? It's quiet in the house, that is, until Jessica comes in. A radiant smile is on her face, humming music to herself. "Sister!"
[21:31] <Alicia> "Hello, Jessica," Alicia greets her sibling. "Antenora said you were looking for me, earlier?"
[21:33] <Kotono> Jessica smiles from ear to ear, her hands behind her back. "Sister..." She sits down besides her. "You've seen a lot of gemstones and jewelry, haven't you?"
[21:35] <Alicia> "I suppose... I've never been particularly fussed for them, but I've seen a lot," Alicia agrees, wondering where this is going.
[21:36] <Kotono> Presenting her hand to Alicia, she can see a pleasant gold ring with several small gemstones on it. "How does this one look?" she asks.
[21:39] <Alicia> Not being entirely dense, Alicia figures out where this has went. "Oh, sister!" she starts to smile, "It's lovely - does that mean Roald...?"
[21:40] <Kotono> Blushing all over, "He did!" She squeals! "It was so incredible, too! He got on his knees and everything right at the perfect tim eand...!"
[21:42] <Alicia> Getting up, Alicia wraps her arms around the older woman in a hug, "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" Part of her can't help but wonder what Beth would've made of all this, but she's still sincerely happy on Jessica's behalf.
[21:47] <Kotono> With a tight hug back, "We're talking about the spring, maybe. But I'm so happy! He's such a good man, Alicia."
[21:50] <Alicia> "If he makes you happy then that's all that matters," Alicia replies sagely as she seperates a bit to study Jessica's expression. "Gods, you really do look blissfull, too. Have you told anyone else?"
[21:51] <Kotono> "Just Antenora," She gushes, "I was waiting to tell you first, but I was too excited!" Hugging Alicia again, "I think that trip to Evergold is what finally made up his mind, too. Oh sister!"
[21:55] <Alicia> "Marie will be happy as well when she hears," Alicia smiles as she goes to sit down on the couch, gently pulling Jessica along with her. "I really should get to know him if he'll be joining the family - same with his own relatives. Does this mean you're getting along better with his mother?"
[21:56] <Kotono> "Well..." Rubbing the back of her head, "Welle nough. We don't really get along that well, but we're restraining each other. Roald got a little upset with her about it and that helped."
[21:57] <Alicia> "Ah, well, can't have everything I suppose," Alicia shrugs. "So long as you two are happy that's the most important thing."
[22:03] <Kotono> "Thank you. I'm just glad you're happy for me, Alicia!" Smiling broadly now, "I suppose I'll need to take him to Kelara at some point to meet the family and spend more time with everyone here. Well..." Blushing a little, "I think he's a little intimidated by it. He really looks up to Seira and the Crimson Guard for something they did for him years ago."
[22:06] <Alicia> "Just say the word and I can take you there - I'll probably be heading back myself shortly, anyway," Alicia replies. "Past that... where are you two going to live?"
[22:07] <Kotono> "We don't know yet. He has the idea of going to Valandia lately, maybe...or maybe Kelara...but I want to stay here, too." Blushing even more, "So we really don't know, Sister."
[22:08] <Alicia> "Well, Spring's a ways off, so plenty time to figure it out," Alicia gives Jessica's hand a comforting squeeze. "It's too early to worry about the details for now, anyway."
[22:09] <Kotono> "Antenora said we should stay in Balmuria, but..." Shaking her head, "I think she was thinking only of safety. I know she meant well by that, but...that shouldn't be the only reason, either. It's not fair of Roald's stuck here forever because of me, either."
[22:11] <Alicia> "It's not like you've personally been attacked, anyway," Alicia admits. "You have that tiger and we'll pick you up another one of those bracelets as well, so if trouble does find you then help is near no matter what. Obviously I'd miss you if you moved away, but with teleportation I can visit no matter where you are."
[22:15] <Kotono> "Thanks," Hugging Alicia again, "But...Oh Mystra, I have to get a dress and bridesmaids and a celebration...Alicia..." Blushing a little, "I hate to ask but can I borrow a bit of money for all of this?"
[22:17] <Alicia> "Traditionally the bride's family does pay for the wedding, so don't worry about it," Alicia waves that off. "Speaking of that, though, if you want to put your rogue hat on I've got a couple of locked and trapped chests in the study that I need opened. Think you could help out?"
[22:20] <Kotono> "OF course," Jessica says agreeably, "Lead on, sister?"
06[22:22] * Alicia leads Jessica through to the study where the three chests are. "They've got magic traps on them, but I can suppress them for a bit if you think they're dangerous - want to have a look, first?"
[22:31] <Kotono> Thus the two go in there. Jessica nods as she kneels next to them, searching!
[22:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
[22:32] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 21." [1d20=9]
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 13." [1d20=1]
06[22:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 23." [1d20=11]
[22:32] <Kotono> After a few checks, "Okay, I think I've found at least one of them. They're not too dangerous unless you trip them while accidentally disabling them," she says. "Or if you intentionally spring them."
[22:33] <Alicia> "Want me to dispel them just in case while you disable them?" Alicia offers.
[22:36] <Kotono> "Oh, just stand back," Waving a hand, "What's te worst that could happen...which means yes, dispel them," she adds a moment later. "I'm getting far too cocky."
06[22:38] * Alicia laughs a bit and casts detect magic so she can properly see the auras and then attempts a targetted dispel on the one Jessica's at now.
[22:38] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10
06[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 and gets 20." [1d20=10]
[22:38] <Alicia> roll 1d4
06[22:38] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4 and gets 1." [1d4=1]
[22:39] <Kotono> "Right!" Jessica quickly works while Alicia's magic is in effect!
[22:39] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[22:39] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 32." [1d20=20]
[22:39] <Kotono> "Got it!" Jessica says, "That one was pretty easy."
[22:40] <Alicia> "Okay, now the middle one - you can try picking all the locks once we have the traps disabled," Alicia suggests as she makes another dispel.
[22:40] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10
06[22:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 and gets 19." [1d20=9]
[22:40] <Alicia> roll 1d4
06[22:40] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4 and gets 3." [1d4=3]
[22:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[22:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 15." [1d20=3]
[22:40] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[22:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 31." [1d20=19]
[22:41] <Kotono> It takes a bit of fiddling, but then, "Got this one, too!" Jessica looks up, "One more?"
[22:41] <Alicia> "Here we go," Alicia again dispels the magical trap on the last one.
[22:41] <Alicia> roll 1d20+10
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+10 and gets 27." [1d20=17]
[22:41] <Alicia> roll 1d4
06[22:41] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d4 and gets 4." [1d4=4]
[22:41] <Kotono> roll 1d20+12
06[22:42] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+12 and gets 27." [1d20=15]
[22:42] <Kotono> "That's the last of them," Sitting upat that, "Maybe I was right. Those traps weren't much of anything to disable."
[22:43] <Alicia> "Better safe than sorry - not like I had any reason to hoard my spells anyway," Alicia shrugs amiably. "Think you can pick the locks on them, now? I probably should've just looked for the keys while I was there, but it just never occured at the time..."
[22:44] <Kotono> "That will be easy enough without traps," Jessica gets to doing just that! Soon the chests pop open! OOC: Taking 10/20 since she can keep trying until she succeeds here.
[22:46] <Alicia> Once they're all open Alicia tries to estimate the value of the gold bars, assuming they're of a standard trade size.
[22:46] <Kotono> The gold bars are around 10k gold or so. Ballpark.
[22:49] <Alicia> "Not a bad haul indeed... those silks are probably worth a lot as well, not to mention the bag of gems Marie found," Alicia remarks. "Well, I'll deal with it tomorrow since I have to go back to Wetwind, anyway. Thank you, Jessica."
[22:49] <Kotono> Going over and hefting a gold bar, "Mmmm. What are you going to do with it all? The normal?"
[22:53] <Alicia> "Well, I may be getting into business myself," Alicia admits. "This all came from an imp that was running an inn/bordello."
[22:53] <Alicia> "If I just leave things then his underlings will just take over the business which is no good to anyone. And if I get rid of them then the women working there will be forced onto the streets. So I was thinking of arranging a takeover and seeing if I can get the place run along more respectable lines."
[22:56] <Kotono> "So...how do you make a bordello respectable? Turn it into a normal inn?" Scratching her head as she eyes Alicia, "Any ideas?"
[22:58] <Alicia> "Well I'd have to see what I have to work with, but I'd take Seira's inn as a good model to follow," Alicia agrees. "Even if they're being used as whores, the women working there surely have other skills that we can hopefully nurture so they can prosper without degrading themselves and relying on fleeting beauty."
[22:59] <Kotono> "I suppose. Still...Did Evergold rub off on you? The entire thing seems like you mean well, just not what you normally do. You go around and smite evil, not worry about women in cheap whorehouses." With a long look at Alicia, "Better than them being whores, though."
[23:02] <Alicia> "Maybe it did?" Alicia responds with a slight smile. "To be honest I don't usually have the need to get involved as such, since most of the foes I face don't support the livelihoods of innocents."
[23:02] <Alicia> "Besides, that imp said they were better off with the money they earned working for him... I'd hate to think that they'd be worse off for my intervention in killing him, so I suppose I want to ensure things will work out."

[Corwin]

[20:54] <Kotono> ---
[20:56] <Kotono> OOC: Oh yes, roll your TP. Dhur.
[20:57] <Alicia> roll 1d100 seen casually?
06[20:57] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 seen casually? and gets 63." [1d100=63]
[20:57] <Kotono> Woosh! Alicia appears in the alley near the dock at just past the early morning. The docks are busy, ships being loaded and people hustling. The curses and songs of sailors are heard, the wind carrying the merciful moisture of the endless sea.
[20:59] <Alicia> While the imp was certainly informative, Alicia wants to learn a bit more about the operation he was running, so she heads out into the city and starts to ask around a bit concerning the Sultan's Pride, trying to find out the local opinion on the place and its staff.
[21:01] <Kotono> OOC: Gather info check it up.
[21:02] <Alicia> roll 1d20+15
06[21:02] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+15 and gets 21." [1d20=6]
[21:04] <Kotono> The Sultan's Pride is a special inn for those who have money or desires. It's talked about relatively openly by the people. It's a sanctioned establishment where the women are servile and often unclad. It's been growing in popularity lately and attracting good, wealthy patrons.
06[21:11] * Alicia really does loathe the Desert Fiefdoms for their attitude towards women. Likely as not if she did try to reform the place along more respectable lines it would be given a wide berth by the locals - to say nothing of sailors who'd surely only have one interest. Still, she's chosen to make the effort, so she'll see it through.
[21:11] <Alicia> Finding a private spot, she transforms Marie into her aasimar form (albeit slightly taller and better filled out than normal, to properly fit her new attire) and has her get dressed in Alicia's plainswalker's robes. Then she casts Voice of the Archon on her familiar, and message so they can stay in touch, and the duo then head to the Sultan's Pride itself.
[21:13] <Kotono> The Sultan's Pride has a sign in front of it, the building painted a reflective white. It's of a rich, old man sitting on cushions and being fed grapes by a pretty woman. The doors are currently closed.
[21:17] <Alicia> They've discussed what's involved, so Marie knows her part. While Alicia waits nearby, the eladrin goes to knock on the door!
[21:18] <Kotono> The door is knocked on! After a few moments, a sweet woman's voice calls from the other side. "We're closed right now, we're cleaning up. Come back in a few hours for normal business."
[21:19] <Alicia> "I'm looking for Yildiz," Marie calls back in her own sweet voice.
[21:20] <Kotono> "Oh yeah, what for?" The voice asks right back.
[21:21] <Alicia> "An offer! One he can't refuse!" Marie sing-songs. After catching a glare from Alicia she coughs and dampens her enthusiasm, "Ahem. It's business," she concludes.
[21:26] <Kotono> A little slit-hole opens the door. You see a woman's eyes, looking MArie over. "Ah, very wlel. Hold on." The door is opened after the sound of a latch is heard. Just inside is a pretty woman in a mundane white robe, gesturing you inside. "This way."
[21:27] <Alicia> Naturally Marie is checking for any evil auras as she steps inside and smiles at the woman. "Thank you."
[21:30] <Kotono> The woman isn't evil. Inside is a short hallway with a few side niches with stools. They're all currently empty. The woman has raven black hair and light brown skin, hair kept back in a ponytail. Past this is a large open serving room, soft chairs and sturdy wooden tables about. A bar is here, as well as several doors. Sitting at one table, working over some scrolls, is a scrawny man. He has a stubble of beard, the hints of gray in it showi
[21:30] <Kotono> is a scrawny man. He has a stubble of beard, the hints of gray in it showing his older age. He looks up, scowling, "Yeah? What is it? I heard you from the door, what do you want?"
[21:31] <Alicia> Is he evil?
[21:33] <Kotono> OOC: Faint evil.
[21:35] <Alicia> "How about we talk in private?" Marie suggests with a winning smile. "There's a few things we need to talk about, and I've got an offer for you as well."
[21:36] <Kotono> "This is private," Gesturing about, you see only the woman who let you in is in here besides the two of you. "Looking for work?"
[21:38] <Alicia> "Hahaha," Marie laughs indulgently at the implication, before shaking her head and tossing her pale lilac hair in what she thinks is a haughty gesture. "No, not exactly. Alright then, first thing's first - how much do you really know about Mr Radafi?"
[21:39] <Kotono> With a long sigh, "Stop being indirect. Cut it out and get to the point. I don't have patience for these sort of question and answer games."
[21:41] <Alicia> "Fine!" Marie claps her hands together. "Showing works better than telling, anyway - be warned, this is quite graphic," she cautions with a warning glance to the lady present.
[21:42] <Alicia> She then gestures to the side and conjures up an illusory image of Mr Radafi writing at his desk. Then a hideous looking demon enters the scene, prompting Radafi to get on his knees and make begging gestures. The demon proceeds to eviscerate Radafi, who transforms into an equally hideous bloated little imp in agonisingly detailed slow motion as he expires.
[21:42] <Alicia> The demon turns its nose up disgustedly and walks off the scene before both vanish.
[21:43] <Kotono> Folding his hands together, "Magic? I assume this means that Mr. Radafi is now...indisposed?" His voice says brusquely calm throughout. He only raises a single eybrow at the display of violent imp murder.
[21:45] <Alicia> "The scene you just saw was witnessed by someone we had monitoring him, yes," Marie nods. "Not to shed any tears, as an outsider this means he's not quite dead, but I still wouldn't count on seeing him any time soon. Unless you had plans to visit Hell yourself."
[21:46] <Kotono> "What do you want, then?" Asking this as he looks Marie over, "Are you here to kill me as well?"
[21:52] <Alicia> "Do I look like a demon to you?" Marie asks in mock offense. "No," she shakes her head and smiles. "I'm here to buy you out."
[21:53] <Kotono> "Really?" Raising an eyebrow again, "How much? This place makes money hand over fist. With Radafi gone..." Smiling a little, "My cut just went way up."
[21:56] <Alicia> "Please," Marie laughs softly. "Radafi underpinned this establishment - its foundations are going to get rocky enough with him gone. More pressingly, however..." she saunters closer, "That demon you saw there isn't dead - our spy certainly wasn't going to stop it. Now if it could find Radafi, it surely knows about his associates, just as we do..."
[21:57] <Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check, Marie?
[21:58] <Alicia> roll 1d20+22 yay for not being tiny
06[21:58] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+22 yay for not being tiny and gets 25." [1d20=3]
[21:58] <Kotono> roll 1d20+8
06[21:58] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+8 and gets 11." [1d20=3]
[21:59] <Kotono> The man's eyebrow twitches several times, as he blows out a long breath. "That's a...good point. How much money are you offering?"
[22:01] <Alicia> "Four thousand gold," Marie answers a bit below the limit Alicia had given her, wanting to leave room to manuever if he puts up a fight. "More than enough for you to start a new life somewhere far away and safe..."
[22:08] <Kotono> "Hmph." Eyeing Marie suspiciously, "Y-you gotta do better than that," he says, crossing his arms. "I got all the women I want here. I see a girl dancing, I can have her in the back in 2 minutes. It's a dream job."
[22:10] <Alicia> "Have you ever met a succubus?" Marie wonders idly, before shaking her head. "No, I don't suppose you have, otherwise you wouldn't be standing here talking to me... Five thousand, and I promise it's a better offer than you'll get from anyone else."
[22:13] <Kotono> After a long moment and a gulp down of air, "...F-fine," he snaps, "I get the message."
[22:15] <Alicia> "Excellent!" Marie claps her hands together. "I have an associate who'll arrive with the money momentarily - it's not the sort of coinage a lady should carry around, after all. In the meantime lets get to the paperwork, shall we?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Feh," Standing up, "I keep it in the back. Stay here. You," Glancing at the quiet, obdient woman behind Marie, "Go get a signatory offical to witness this."
[22:17] <Alicia> Marie smiles at her new employee as she settles in to wait. Meanwhile Alicia teleports back home, intending to collect both Antenora and a crate with enough of those gold bars to cover the 5,000gp fee.
[22:17] <Alicia> roll 1d100
06[22:17] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 and gets 74." [1d100=74]
[22:20] <Kotono> The teleport goes without incident. They all return, Antenora in tow. They return, finding Yidliz waiting with some papers and a older man in white wrappings. He sits, looking bored. Antenora and Alicia gets some looks, Antenora's armor and gear moreso.
[22:22] <Alicia> "Ah, you both made it," Marie nods in greeting to the duo as they enter with the crate carried between them. "If you'll just set that down over there my friend here can check everything's in order then we'll sign the paperwork, shall we?"
[22:22] <Alicia> "Oh, to make an old woman labour under such a burden," Alicia all but rolls her eyes as she helps Antenora set the crate down and pops the lid.
[22:29] <Kotono> Antenora helps but it down, before Yidliz slides a paper across the table to Marie. "Here, whomever is going to sign it, sign it. Also, what's in the box?"
[22:31] <Alicia> "The gold, of course," Marie answers, pointing to the neatly stacked gold bars now on display after Alicia's opened the box. "All yours, now." With that she goes ahead and signs 'Marielle' in loopy flowing script.
[22:32] <Kotono> "Yeah, done. Dammit." Rubbing his temples, he looks to the robed man. He looks over the signature and signs besides Marielle's(His name is Mezli). Then Yidliz signs, the man repeating the process after. He then speaks, "I have witnessed and co-signed. This deal is done."
[22:35] <Alicia> "Alright then," Marie nods cheerily. "Now, I suppose most of the staff won't show up until later, but are any around now?"
[22:38] <Kotono> "A couple. The first batch of girls is getting ready, we open soon enough," he says. "I can call them out or take you to them."
[22:41] <Alicia> "I should at least say hello, and I'll want to chat with everyone when they get here," Marie agrees. "I'll want to put my own spin on how things are run here, after all."
[22:44] <Kotono> Antenora can't help but shake her head, and to Alicia, 'I'm almost worried on what Marie's planning now. Why'd you have her sign?'
[22:45] <Alicia> 'My name's well known,' Alicia replies, 'I'd rather not have this place targetted for being associated with me. Don't worry, though, Marie won't do anything without my approval.'
[22:50] <Kotono> "This way," Yidliz shrugs, leading Marie back. OOC: Antenora or alicia coming?
[22:51] <Alicia> OOC: we'll stay with the gold
[22:54] <Kotono> Marie goes on back. In the bakc ia  large dressing room. About five women mill about here, black haired. They range from robed to entirely naked, preparing, brushing hair, using wet clothes to bathe themselves, chatting, and so on. When Yidliz enters, they all shut up and stop, looking right to him.
[22:54] <Kotono> "It happened like I said," he says, "This here is Marielle. You listen to her now." He says, before leaving the room.
[22:58] <Alicia> "Hi there," Marie smiles engagingly to the group, counting on her innate charm to disarm their natural apprehension. "You all don't need to worry about getting dressed up... or undressed, as the case may be," she giggles nervously,
[22:58] <Alicia> "Since we won't be opening tonight. You'll still be getting paid, of course, but for today I'm looking to get to know everyone and find out where your skills lie - there's going to be some big changes around here."
[23:01] <Kotono> "Oh," The unclad girl looks at Marielle with long eyes, "You don't look like a native of here."
[23:06] <Alicia> "Well spotted," Marie smirks and taps one of her outrageously pointed ears. "But even so I'm hoping we can all get along - I want this to be a safe and happy workplace for all of us, after all. Now, I'll be interviewing each of you later on, along with everyone else when they show up, but I really just wanted to stop by and say hello first off... so hello!"
[23:09] <Kotono> One of the women, wearing a silken shrift that hides just enough to tease, nods. "Hello, ma'am," she says respectfully. The others murmur this as well.
[23:13] <Alicia> Well, Marie can't really blame them for being guarded, considering what their previous boss admitted to doing with them. "Well, that all said, you can relax for now - I'm sure we'll get to know each other more in the days ahead," she smiles brightly. "There's going to be a lot of changes in how this place is run, changes that I really hope you'll agree with me are for the better."
[23:13] <Kotono> There are more murmurs there, a normally dressed girl quietly asking, "What changes, ma'am?"
[23:16] <Alicia> "No prostitution," Marie replies bluntly before starting to ramble as is her habit. "Now, I've heard that this sort of thing is common and accepted in the Fiefdoms, but I can't believe any of you enjoy it."
[23:16] <Alicia> "And trust me, where I come from no one needs to pay for sex to have a good time, so I'm certain we can still run a flourishing establishment without that particular line of business, thank you very much."
[23:18] <Kotono> The women look at each other long, "But ma'am," the unclad one says with a bit of energy to her voice, "That is what paid us the best of our jobs. Lying with men kept us well enriched."
[23:27] <Alicia> "Rich in wealth but not in spirit!" Marie retorts, before momentarily looking abashed. "Look, everyone needs money to get by, I understand that, but there are better ways. I don't want to judge you for how you get through life when it doesn't really hurt anyone el..." she then trails off vacantly for a moment before her mind catches up.
[23:27] <Alicia> "Wait a minute! It does hurt people! Those men who buy love are only perpetuating their own inability to relate to the opposite sex in anything except a twisted mercantile fashion! Nobody's a winner from prostitution!"
[23:27] <Alicia> Content with her sudden burst of insight she goes on, "And anyway, even if you can make money now, do you think it'll still work when you start to become grey and saggy? Listen, if any of you really want to live that life, I can't stop you - you can walk out the door."
[23:27] <Alicia> "But if you stay I can promise that you'll not only be paid well, but you'll be treated well, too. And given a chance to learn skills and better yourselves so you can take life on your own terms and not be dependent on the carnal urges of rich deviants!"
Session Time: Sat Mar 07 00:00:00 2009
03[00:29] * Celenu (WinNT@user-544627a2.lns2-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) has joined #evildunes
02[00:34] * Alicia (WinNT@user-544627a2.lns2-c12.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (Ping timeout)
03[00:37] * Celenu is now known as Alicia
03[00:38] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Alicia Alicia
03[00:42] * Demedais is now known as Anansifk
[00:45] <Kotono> The women all listen, nodding in the right places. "But..." The unclad one looks up here, "Ma'am...we're making more money doing this than we could as bar servants or housecleaners or common workers. If we save up well, we'll have neough for when we get old."
[00:45] <Kotono> Another nods to it, wearing a robe and brushing her hair. "Yes ma'am," she agrees.
[00:50] <Alicia> Marie's starting to wish Alicia was here, she'd surely be more convincing. "You're really dead set on living that way?" she asks, mystified. "I honestly didn't expect that..."
[00:54] <Kotono> Another speaks, "Ma'am...We know the bosses get most of the money, but they still pay us better than common work to do this." Blushing and looking down, "Serving men while they look at my naked body and occasionally letting one have me isn't such a bad price."
[00:54] <Kotono> "Well, it pays the best," The naked one just shrugs at that, "Can you pay that well for something else?"
[00:58] <Alicia> "Yes!" Marie insists, knowing Alicia's stubborn enough to run this place at a loss if she has to. "If it's just about the money, don't worry - you will be paid as much as you were before. We can make this place a success without selling our bodies, trust me. Seriously, if everything else is equal, wouldn't you rather a job that didn't involve screwing an endless parade of strange men?"
[00:59] <Kotono> "Well..yes," The naked one admits, "Easier work for the same pay? Certainly, ma'am."
[00:59] <Kotono> The silk clad one considers, "What would you have us do then?"
[01:05] <Alicia> "My friends and I have a lot of ideas, but a lot of that depends on what you lot can do," Marie replies. "That's why I want you all to have a good think over your skills - or even things you're not sure about but want to try - like singing, acting, playing instruments - we can get you tuition!"
[01:05] <Alicia> Feeling that she's winning them over, Marie's exuberance returns, "We can get exotic wines and delicacies from all over, that's sure to bring in lots of patrons even without the sex. But that doesn't mean we'll scrimp on the entertainment - certainly I know you can all dance, if nothing else."
[01:05] <Alicia> "What I'm saying is, we're going to turn this into a fantastic place where all sorts of people can come and expand their horizons, not just a sordid den of vice for rich old perverts and sailors! Instead of being another seedy Fiefdoms bordello, this'll be the best darn tavern in the world!"
[01:06] <Kotono> "As long as we get paid, yes!" The naked woman says quickly, with a hint of energy. A few calls of that go up to Marie's words!

[Corwin]

[20:08] <Kotono> -----(Stone Ko)--
[20:13] <Kotono> Severla days later, Alicia is passing through Kelara on business. As she approaches the Temple of Mystra there, she notices something. It's edifices above have some additions. Beautiful stone angels have been added to the roof, gazing out serenely over the city. Finely carved swords of stone, etched with flames, point to the sky in their hands. They're striking, made of a polished-smooth gray stone.
06[20:15] * Alicia was going to head in to pay her respects anyway, and takes approving note of the new decorations as she heads inside.
[20:18] <Kotono> Inside you find Taldeer in her rooms in due time. She's scouring over a pile of loose gemstones with a critical eye, motioning Alicia over. "Hold on..." she mutters.
06[20:18] * Alicia goes to take a seat and patiently waits for the cleric to finish what she's doing.
[20:19] <Kotono> It takes a good twenty minutes before she's done, wiping her brow. "Ah, sorry. Oh, did you see the statues out front? You haven't been here since they were installed, were you?"
[20:20] <Alicia> "I was going to say, yes," Alicia nods. "They look very striking - I approve."
[20:22] <Kotono> "They're more than just apperances. That dwarf has been quite busy," Gently starting to put the gems away into a silk bag, "They're animated and possess fearsome defensive powers when properly invoked."
[20:24] <Alicia> "Really?" Alicia's eyes widen. "That's incredible - certainly I'd hope they'd never have to be used, but even so... Did I tell you about the attack on the temple in Balmuria? We could certainly have used such defences, then."
[20:28] <Kotono> "I heard, yes." Smoothing over her robes once she finishes, "From what he says, he's spent his life recovering methods of stonecraftsmanship. He's found a way to animate statues far better than simply making an Animated Object. I don't think they're true golems inthe sense of the word, but they're far from useless."
[20:31] <Alicia> "That's fantastic," Alicia smiles. "Has he shared his methods with the church? Certainly this is the sort of knowledge we should be preserving ourselves."
[20:35] <Kotono> "It's a difficult lesson to learn, for it relies on being a stone craftsman beyond normal peer." Rubbing her temples at that, "Some of the theory is useful, and we have a few starting to study stonework. But direct replication isn't possible without aid. A bound Earth Elemental or like creature might be able to help that, but I won't be experiementing until he's done here, out of respect for his work and what he's doing in thanks."
[20:35] <Kotono> done here, out of respect for his work and what he's doing in thanks."
06[20:38] * Alicia nods. "Fair enough. On a similar note, though..." she fishes in her backpack and produces a leather-bound book which she slides across Taldeer's desk. "I had my familiar translate and revise the gnomish magical theory that David used, and the acolytes in Balmuria have transcribed a few copies. Someone here might find it interesting."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Oh!" Taking the book and opening it quickly, "Oh yes, I'll have a good read of this. Thanks, Alicia."
[20:42] <Alicia> "It's an interesting approach to magic, and despite the source there's nothing particularly objectionable in there," Alicia smiles, leaning back. "So, is Rubri'granit still here, then? What's he up to now?"
[20:46] <Kotono> "He's 'whipping the smiths and stonemasons into shape', to take his words. He's taken anything even tangentially related to our church and is trying to improve them," Folding her hands together, "He keeps saying that he's going to use the extra time he's been given to improve the world and to spite that, ah, the phrase he uses is 'Dark Shadow Rutting Bitch'."
06[20:49] * Alicia laughs a little. "That's certainly a healthy attitude to take out of things," she notes. "I'd thought he might be impatient to return home, but I suppose if this is how he wants to use his time then more power to him."
[20:50] <Kotono> "Yes. I approve of it," Taldeer says, "Now then, what brings you here today, Alicia?"
[20:52] <Alicia> "Well I was passing stopping in Kelara anyway so I thought I'd drop off that book and check in to see how things are doing," Alicia replies. "And from the looks of it they're doing well, which is gratifying."
[20:53] <Kotono> "Yes." Smiling a little now, "What of faraway Balmuria?"
[20:56] <Alicia> "Things are rather peaceful for the moment, which is nice," Alicia thinks of a few notable happy events and smiles wistfully, "My sister is getting married in the spring, and a unicorn I know is expecting to give birth in just a few weeks."
[20:59] <Kotono> "Oh, congratulations!" Brightening at that, "Beth...it's amazing she's turned her life around so much, even with all that's happened."
[21:01] <Alicia> "Well... she's not really Beth, not any more," Alicia concedes. "But she's happy, and I hope if there's any part of Beth left that she's happy as well." Shaking her head she follows up with a shrug, "I'd intended to search for a way to recover her memories, but she asked me not to, so I can't really disagree."
[21:02] <Kotono> "She's wiser than Beth, then," Smiling a little to that, "To know that herself is happiness nad understand that her past self wasn't."
[21:02] <Alicia> "I sometimes wonder myself..." Alicia admits quietly, "But it's not a decision I can make for her."
[21:06] <Kotono> "Then let it be. Now then...who is she marrying, Alicia?"
[21:08] <Alicia> "His name is Roald, he's a baker. Nice young man," Alicia nods. "Younger than I'd go for, certainly, but he makes her happy."
[21:08] <Kotono> "Good for her. What of you, Alicia?" Asking this, "How is your family? How is Antenora?"
[21:12] <Alicia> "She's doing well - we recently visited Arborea and I think the experience did her a lot of good in expanding her horizons," Alicia chuckles slightly. "Certainly more than Marie's managed, bless her for trying."
[21:14] <Kotono> "She's a fascinating case from what you've told me. But Marie...she's true to her ethos and creation." Chuckling as well, "Now you're traveling the planes?"
06[21:16] * Alicia nods. "I recently had a horrible experience with a planar portal in Kesse. After that it really behooved me to acquire a way to safely travel them." She takes out her specially crafted ring and passes it to the elf to have a look, "Being able to visit the nicer ones at need is a definite plus."
[21:18] <Kotono> "What happened?" Asking that as she looks over the ring, "How nice. You know, they say those that travel the planes become part of them and leave this world behind," she remarks. "Is that true?"
[21:22] <Alicia> "Haven't left yet," Alicia shrugs. "Marie has warned me quite strongly about visiting Dweomerheart, though - and she's right. I went there to get those regeneration scrolls and I think it's best I don't return as long as I'm alive. But any one plane is infinitely big, and there's so many - I can see how people could spend their lives exploring them, with so much to see and do."
[21:22] <Alicia> "As for what happened, I was using this sword," she unsheathes the sword of the sealed gate and presents it to Taldeer, "Which inhibits dimensional travel to try and seal a portal to the Plane of Shadow. Instead it exploded and deposited me in the Abyss."
[21:24] <Kotono> "Ugh!" With a look of faint disgust, "All the horrible demons you must have endured! Thank Mystra you defeated them all and emerged out safely."
[21:26] <Alicia> "The worst part was the ones that were nice to me," Alicia shudders as she puts the sword away. "But yes, I managed to eventually find a portal to the Infinite Staircase and worked my way home from there. Now with that ring, though, I should be able to escape far more easily if something like that happens again."
[21:27] <Kotono> "Demons being nice to you?!" With a disturbed, sickened look, "Why would a demon ever be nice to you? They're the incarnations of hateful rage and whimsy. You're the exact opposite of that."
[21:30] <Alicia> "So I'd like to think," Alicia sighs, "But perhaps they thought I could be convinced to see things their way... I'd like to think that's impossible," she shakes her head, "But to be honest I felt like I was going crazy there. If I'd stayed long enough who knows what would have happened?"
[21:35] <Kotono> "Ah, that would be why. A good reason to avoid the Abyss, if you didn't have enough," Taldeer says.
06[21:37] * Alicia nods glumly. "It's not a nice place, at all."