234.1 Alicia and the Winterwight

[Corwin]

[23:17] <Kotono> -------
[23:19] <Kotono> Ah, home. There are things to come - reporting in, dealing with wealth and magic and a dozen other things, training, going to see Shankar - but for the moment, Alicia can relax a little bit. It's then that she hears, "Alicia?" Antenora's voice, calling. "Alicia?"
[23:21] <Alicia> Both Alicia and Marie perk up at the former devil's voice, the former standing up. "That's Antenora. You'll like her," she tells Hugo, going out into the hall to greet her friend.
[23:23] <Kotono> Antenora walks in. Her head is held high, a spring in her step. "Oh, there you are!" With a spreading smile on her face, "I'm back. And...hm?" Looking over Alicia's shoulder, "Who's that?"
[23:25] <Alicia> "Marie's named him Hugo. We found him in the ruins," Alicia explains, ushering Antenora into the sitting room. "Hugo, this is Antenora. Antenora," she repeats, holding his gaze and indicating the other white-winged woman to make sure he gets it. "Say hello to Antenora?"
[23:25] <Alicia> Marie just grins and waves.
[23:25] <Kotono> "Antenora?" Hugo look sto her, smiling openly. Antenora smiles as she goes to sit, working off her breastplate.
[23:26] <Kotono> "Hello," Antenora's smile is a tired one, hint sof it creeping in. "He's...wild? Unlearned?"
[23:27] <Alicia> "There's a lot to go over," Alicia admits, taking a seat herself. "The gnomes, they experimented on breeding outsiders together. Hugo was born of an angel and a yugoloth, and left alone. He's learning fast, but it's best to think of him as a young child."
[23:29] <Kotono> Antenora looks to Hugo with lidded eyes, while Hugo smiles disarmingly. "I wouldn't have guessed Yugoloth. He's either very innocent or a very good liar already. Considering the Yugoloths, one would normally worry it's the latter."
[23:30] <Kotono> Hugo turns back to Marie, "Marie! Marie!" He sing-songs to her. "Antenora! Alicia!"
[23:31] <Alicia> "The gnomes thought him incapable of learning, but I don't think they really tried," Alicia reaches over to pat his arm fondly.
[23:31] <Alicia> "He's a sweetheart!" Marie affirms. "You just have to be patient - I know he understands me."
[23:32] <Kotono> Antenora stops unbuckling her breastplate, going to ruffle his hair. "You're in very safe and good hands here. The right side of your heritage will come to shine, I know it."
[23:34] <Alicia> "He's better off than the others we found, anyway. There's one born of slaad and inevitable - I know, just trust me, the gnomes found a way. It seems entirely unaware of its surroundings, so we're unsure what to do with it. The other we found was born of Brachina and Lilitu..."
[23:34] <Alicia> "I'd hoped that since she'd never actually known either Hell or the Abyss she'd have potential, but despite being able to reason she was still needlessly hostile right to the end..." she sighs and shakes her head. "Anyway, I've got a lot to tell, but I'm sure you do as well - how did your quest go with the bow?" she asks, moving on.
[23:37] <Kotono> "How-" Antenora sputters before Alicia cuts her off. Instead, after a moment to put aside her breastplate, "It went well." With a slowsmile that covers all her face, "It was an object lesson and one I feel I learned from. I fulfilled my own expectations, and I hope I fulfilled Mystra's."
[23:38] <Alicia> "That sounds promising," Alicia smiles, "So, tell us all about it?"
[23:41] <Kotono> "I left and I travelled. Mists enveloped me." So Antenora begins, letting her gaze settle out to nothing at all. "I found myself near an isolated valley and village. Snowcapped mountains as far as you can see, and it reminded me so much of Ysgard that I thought I'd returned there. Do you remember the valley where we fought the spawn of Jorgumandr?"
[23:43] <Alicia> "Tall glaciers and mountains all around rich greenery and fast flowing rivers?" Alicia smiles slightly in recollection as Marie entertains Hugo by providing visual aids to the story, quietly explaining in her illusion what mountains and glaciers are.
[23:45] <Kotono> Hugo watches, the illusions keeping him well occupied. "Yes, just that. I went to the town. It's name is Lillien. The people there looked happy, but yet...something was wrong. The happiness was..." Biting down on her lip, "That evening I spent some time talking to the man who ran the inn. There wasn't something right in his eyes. Like he was despairing and couldn't quite hide it."
[23:47] <Alicia> "They were pretending? Or enchanted?" Alicia asks, leaning forward as she listens.
[23:50] <Kotono> "Pretending, as I found out. They had been happy until not long ago, but..." Holding up a hand, "That's getting ahead of myself. I knew something was wrong, so I talked to other people, trying to loosen tongues. But I saw the same thing in them and I started to suspect. So I chose to stay overnight and began to get to know the people of the town."
06[23:51] * Alicia nods. "Nothing untoward happened while you were sleeping, I hope?"
[23:54] <Kotono> "Oh no. I spent the days talking to them, learning about them. Since about a month ago, things had gone wrong. Little but important things. A son and father had gone to quarrels and were not speaking. A husband and wife grew apart. A section of the crops went afoul. A young baby grew dreadfully ill. That last one I was able to dissolve myself."
[23:55] <Alicia> "That's good," Alicia smiles approvingly. "So what was at the root of it? And how did you find it?"
[23:56] <Kotono> "Well, I had to reveal myself to do it. The mother and father wouldn't leave the babe's side." Antenora looks away, lost in her own thoughts as she speaks. "I couldn't have lied to them anyway, I suppose, when they asked after how I cured them. Oh, I could have misidirected them, but the looks of hope they got when the child was cured..."
[23:57] <Kotono> She stops there a moment, "This is also why I never became a Brachina. I'm not that good a storyteller. I skipped that part."
[23:58] <Alicia> "You had the option to become one?" Alicia blinks in surprise, before shaking her head, "Nevermind, that's besides the point. Just carry on at your own pace?"
Session Time: Sat Jun 27 00:00:00 2009
[00:01] <Kotono> "Not that I'm aware of. It was just a turn of phrase. I should have mentioned I was wearing my ribbon until then." Nodding to Alicia, "It caused a stir in town. An angel from above had come and saved little Adam. I couldn't hide then, and to be honest, this worked to my favor. The villagers of Lillien looked at me like a savior, so I gave them one. I put to rest the argument between father and son, I helped mend the wound between spouses. I sp
[00:01] <Kotono>  I put to rest the argument between father and son, I helped mend the wound between spouses. I spent a few days curing all the little ills that had taken the town...but that doesn't explain why they happened, did it?"
06[00:02] * Alicia shakes her head. "But if it was something setting it deliberately then you'll have made yourself a fine target, I imagine?"
[00:04] <Kotono> "Exactly." With a wince as she rubs her chest, "I suspected there might be something to that. I didn't think I'd been sent here for no reason, so I was going to leave the next day to search around the town for evil. I had a few of the villagers stay near my room while I slept. They were to have sounded an alarm if something happened, but my foe was too smooth for that. He was able to bypass them with charm magic and come right into my room."
[00:04] <Kotono> but my foe was too smooth for that. He was able to bypass them with charm magic and come right into my room."
06[00:05] * Alicia echoes the wince sympathetically. "Caught you asleep?"
[00:08] <Kotono> "Yes. I should have known better, in retrospect. The old me would have lied to the villagers and been awake the entire time," Antenora winces, "I was lucky, he didn't land a killing blow, but he got me good.  Fortunately, I was able to blind him with a Holy Smite before he finished me off. I got a good look at him then." Now her gaze travels to Alicia, "The fallen planetar was terrible to behold. The fallen astral deva there was just as heartb
[00:08] <Kotono> "The fallen planetar was terrible to behold. The fallen astral deva there was just as heartbreaking."
06[00:10] * Alicia makes a face, nodding. "Yes, I can imagine it would be," she agrees as Marie shows Hugo a picture of Latha and explains about astral devas.
[00:11] <Kotono> I grabbed my spear and we did battle in the room. Neither of us could land another blow immediately. As we went back and forth, he sneered how that a prissy little angel could never understand how rotten the entire lot of mortals were."
[00:12] <Kotono> Hugo continues to be entranced by the images, watching along to Marie's magical aides.
06[00:12] * Alicia covers her mouth as a choked giggle threatens to emerge. "There's something so deeply ironic about this confrontation when you think about it," she admits.
[00:13] <Kotono> "That was the point." Antenora's smile becomes wistful, "That was definintely the reason Mystra sent me there. I started bantering and sneering at him back in Infernal, saying the vile things no angel should ever know. I was buying time to keep healing my wound and trying to throw him off, and it worked in both ways."
[00:14] <Alicia> "Oh? I don't suppose he caught a clue about where he was headed and wised up, did he?" Alicia asks interestedly.
[00:16] <Kotono> "Oh, he already knew." That draws a sigh, "The first few moments I don't think he believed it. But as I went on, he started to. At first he laughed, but it turned to bitter tears. He screamed and raged at me, asking what I had seen that gave any of this a damned point. He just started screaming at me. He asked me what point was there to helping the villagers and saving them from his work. They'd just die in gratefully and 9 out of 10 of them w
[00:16] <Kotono> They'd just die ingratefully and 9 out of 10 of them would go to Baator or the Abyss or somewhere in between."
[00:16] <Alicia> "What did you tell him?" Alicia asks, keen to hear Antenora's answer to that question.
[00:18] <Kotono> Here Antenora stops, "That I loved the friends and family I had here, and that this was more reward than all of Asmodeus' coffers and power could ever give me. I asked him if he was happy with how he was. He didn't answer that, not right away."
06[00:19] * Alicia nods. "So what did happen?"
[00:21] <Kotono> "He said I was a fool and flew out the window. I grabbed the bow and followed. He wasn't really hiding his flight very well, unless he thought the dark would get rid of me. We flew up into the mountains. Near the top of them, he turned to me and cursed me. He kept cursing me, angry as you can imagine. He'd plead to the light dozens of times, asking to be shown some reason to keep believing, to have hope."
[00:21] <Kotono> asking to be shown some reason to keep believing, to have hope."
[00:23] <Alicia> "And who knows how many he ignored?" Alicia asks despairingly, encouraging Antenora to go on.
[00:25] <Kotono> "Yes. I told him that it's not that they weren't talking, it's that he wasn't listening. You don't get a big blazing storm in the sky to tell you. You see it in every face you help, and in every heart you lift up. He didn't have any part of it. He said he'd kill me...and I knew then I'd have to kill him. I was faster than he was, so I drew the bow and fired, while whispering a prayer to Mystra. It was a good shot, right into his mouth and thro
[00:25] <Kotono> while whispering a prayer to Mystra. It was a good shot, right into his mouth and through his tongue.
[00:26] <Alicia> Alicia and Marie both wince a little at that visual. It certainly doesn't find its way into the eladrin's illusory pictures, that's for sure.
[00:28] <Kotono> "He didn't attack after that. He was hurt very badly...and I think he'd realised that the battle was lost. He simply fell down to the mountain instead, lying there. He couldn't speak, but he talked into my mind. He said he hated me and he wanted me to finish him off."
06[00:28] * Alicia nods wordlessly, wondering if Antenora did as he asked. She'll find out in a second, anyway!
[00:30] <Kotono> "He was lying. I was sure of it. There was real regret in his voice, he was trying to hide it, but it was there. I thought then that maybe there was still a little bit of hope in him. Hope he wouldn't go screaming down into the Realms Below when I finished him. I wasn't entirely sure - I could have been hearing what I wanted to hear. I know that as soon as I saw him, I'd hoped that I could help him."
[00:30] <Kotono> I know that as soon as I saw him, I'd hoped that I could help him. No matter how sure my instincts were...I couldn't be sure, not up here." Antenora  taps her forehead.
[00:32] <Alicia> "So what did you do?" Marie blurts out. "Don't keep us all in suspense!"
[00:34] <Kotono> "I sat down next to him and tossed the bow to the side. I told him I wasn't a devil who was going to thoughtlessly slaughter him. I told him that I'd seen so much good and that there was still good in the world for him to find." With a chuckling smile, "If this was a bard's tale, we'd be living happily ever after from when I said that. He just got mad again. We went back and forth, arguing for most of the night. He was so angry and so complete
[00:34] <Kotono>  We went back and forth, arguing for most of the night. He was so angry and so completely in despair, like the poor people of Lillien. He spread it to them out of malice, certainly. But he also wanted simple comfort that he wasn't the only one who was without any hope."
[00:37] <Alicia> "Living happily ever after like you and Alicia are?" Marie wonders quietly.
[00:37] <Alicia> "Shush, Marie," Alicia hushes her familiar, before smiling at Antenora. "Go on, how did things turn out?"
[00:40] <Kotono> "There's no happily ever after in the Prime. It's just not possible," Stretching back, "When we get to Dweomerheart now..." A stop as she considers a little, "Anyway. I slowly wore him down with one point: Were you happier before you fell? He kept denying it, but every time it was a lie.  Over the night, the words grew in how hollow they were. Finally, before sunrise, he bitterly what help there was." Thinking here, "I didn't really do it all
[00:40] <Kotono> he bitterly what help there was." Thinking here, "I didn't really do it all myself there, but I waved my hand in front of his face. His eyes widened and he said one word, "Dweomerheart.""
[00:42] <Alicia> "He said Dweomerheart? He was one of Mystra's?" Marie's eyes widen. "What was his name? He might've been somebody I know!"
[00:44] <Kotono> "No. When I said it wasn't really my doing, I meant that I didn't meant to wave my hand in front of his face. I can do it now - it's magic. Vision of Heaven, the name is. It's a simple magic but one I can take to my heart. He said he'd seen Dweomerheart, and for a moment, his heart was softened. I pounced on it and told him that he needed to go there. Go there and ask for help. I put everything I had left into that request...and he did. He shi
[00:44] <Kotono> Go there and ask for help. I put everything I had left into that request...and he did. He shifted himself away."
[00:47] <Alicia> "Ahh," Marie is mollified somewhat.
[00:47] <Alicia> "That sounds wonderful, Antenora," Alicia beams at her friend. "To be honest, you probably handled that even better than I would have done. You should be proud of yourself."
[00:48] <Kotono> "I did what I think you'd do with all your wisdom," Smiling warmly to Alicia, "I laid there awhile and fella sleep with the dawn. I dreamed, I dreamed of him. I don't remember it very well, but I remember just enough to feel that he has a long, hard road ahead with many pitfalls...but there's a little bit of light at the end of his tunnel. When I awoke, it was around high noon. I went to get the bow after I got my bearings. It wasn't remarkabl
[00:48] <Kotono> I went to get the bow after I got my bearings. It wasn't remarkable any more. Just an old bow that fell apart into dust when I tried to pick it up."
[00:49] <Kotono> "And..." Antenora continues on, "As wonderful as that was, it was handed to me. The chance to save himself was still within his heart. For all the despair he had, he still clung to the hope there was some point to his life. I was just the tool Mystra used to turn him away from his downward spiral."
[00:50] <Kotono> There's a pause as she looks to Alicia, into her eyes, "I'd like to get through to someone who doesn't have that one day. That will mean far more, to save someone who never had a chance."
[00:52] <Alicia> "Perhaps so, but it was still up to you how you confronted him. He might have had more of a chance than others, but it was still within your power to snatch it away from him," Alicia reaches over and clasps Antenora's hand approvingly for a moment. "What you did mattered, Antenora."
[00:54] <Kotono> "I know. I don't deny that...I just want to do what you did for me." Going to fold her hand over Alicia's while it rests on her shoulder, "My reward came from the struggle. The magic to sense lies rests within me now, as well as Vision of Heaven. Also..." Antenora uses her other hand, taking out a small pouch. She presses it into Alicia's other hand. "These were found by the villagers working the fields."
06[00:55] * Alicia curiously accepts the pouch and opens it up. "Hmm?"
03[00:56] * tai-queasy is now known as taifk
[00:58] <Kotono> From the pouch, seven blue-white gemstones fall into Alicia's hand. Each one is like a small star, catching the light to shine. "I think you should have them. You helped slay the Spark Hunter as much as I did."
[01:01] <Alicia> "If you're sure," Alicia nods. "We found quite a lot from the gnomish ruins ourselves, but I'm thinking of giving a good portion of it to the church of Mystra in Kelara to fund an alchemy college - we find a lot of potions that aren't easy to reproduce with normal techniques, so I'd like to encourage study in that direction," she explains.
[01:02] <Kotono> "Contribute it to that then." Antenora turns to Marie, "Mystra would like anything that spreads more magic, wouldn't she?"
[01:02] <Alicia> Marie nods with a cheery grin on her face. "Tell her about the lust potions, Alicia!"
[01:02] <Kotono> "...." Antenora doesn't reply, but raises an eyebrow to Alicia. With a dry tone, "Really?"
[01:03] <Kotono> Hugo finally snaps out of his picture-daze, "Lust? Alicia? Marie?" He repeats, scratching at his head.
[01:04] <Alicia> "Don't worry, lust is just for older people," Marie reassures Hugo as Alicia briefly glares at her familiar. "It's not as good as love, anyway."
[01:05] <Kotono> With an amused chuckle, "Oh, there HAS to be a story about this. Mistaken imbibage? Secret liasons between forbidden romances?"
06[01:05] * Alicia sighs. "I mentioned earlier about the gnomes finding ways to overcome certain barriers? We found some potions there that... well, they have an aphrodesiac and fertility effect. Seira wanted one but I've taken all the others for safe keeping. But the fertility aspect makes them worthy of study!" she concludes a bit defensively.
[01:07] <Kotono> "I see..." Antenora pouts, before looking to Alicia, "It's not like you'd need a potion to get anyone you wanted, so I suppose that's logical enough." After leaning back into her rest, "What about you? How were the ruins?"
[01:09] <Alicia> "They were suffused with wild magic. I don't know if you've ever dealt with it before, but it was a tremendous pain - our spells were half as likely to cause horribly inconvenient random effects as go off normally. We'd have smoke coming out of our ears, have all our languages mixed up so we couldn't talk. Once Demedais even got turned into a woman!"
[01:10] <Kotono> "That sounds horrible and chaotic," Making a disgusted face, "Yes, that would make everything far more difficult. Marie must have loved it."
[01:14] <Alicia> "No I didn't, because it made Alicia lose her mind for a minute and I thought she was dead!" Marie blurts out indignantly. "Do you have any idea how awkward it was explaining things to Jessica when things suddenly pinged back to normal right after I'd broken the news to her?"
[01:14] <Alicia> "I'm just lucky you weren't here, you'd probably have killed me..." she grumbles.
[01:15] <Kotono> "..." Running a hand up and down her face, "Were there any events that weren't horrible abortions of terror thanks to Wild Magic?"
[01:17] <Alicia> "Thank you, Marie," Alicia sighs. "One time it healed everyone right after a difficult fight, and another time we were all granted the stoneskin spell when Seira cast it on herself. Those are the only two I can think of offhand. Fortunately I was able to undo the gnomes' tampering and restore the Weave to its proper state before we finished up there."

[Corwin]

[19:30] <Kotono> > "I see..." Antenora pouts, before looking to Alicia, "It's not like you'd need a potion to get anyone you wanted, so I suppose that's logical enough." After leaning back into her rest, "What about you? How were the ruins?"
[19:30] <Kotono> <Alicia> "They were suffused with wild magic. I don't know if you've ever dealt with it before, but it was a tremendous pain - our spells were half as likely to cause horribly inconvenient random effects as go off normally. We'd have smoke coming out of our ears, have all our languages mixed up so we couldn't talk. Once Demedais even got turned into a woman!"
[19:30] <Kotono> > "That sounds horrible and chaotic," Making a disgusted face, "Yes, that would make everything far more difficult. Marie must have loved it."
[19:30] <Kotono> <Alicia> "No I didn't, because it made Alicia lose her mind for a minute and I thought she was dead!" Marie blurts out indignantly. "Do you have any idea how awkward it was explaining things to Jessica when things suddenly pinged back to normal right after I'd broken the news to her?"
[19:30] <Kotono> <Alicia> "I'm just lucky you weren't here, you'd probably have killed me..." she grumbles.
[19:30] <Kotono> > "..." Running a hand up and down her face, "Were there any events that weren't horrible abortions of terror thanks to Wild Magic?"
[19:30] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Thank you, Marie," Alicia sighs. "One time it healed everyone right after a difficult fight, and another time we were all granted the stoneskin spell when Seira cast it on herself. Those are the only two I can think of offhand. Fortunately I was able to undo the gnomes' tampering and restore the Weave to its proper state before we finished up there."
[19:30] <Kotono> "Excellent," Antenora's gaze settles on Hugo for the moment, "How're you adapting?"
[19:33] <Alicia> "Well enough. Since I can see much much better now, it was actually quite interesting looking at all the strange disruptions in the Weave there... oh, and look at this," she gets the study prism from the table and hands it to Antenora. "You'll need Marie to translate, but try thinking of a type of outsider?"
[19:36] <Kotono> Antenora takes the prism. An image of a little courre eladrin springs to life! "Yes, I can't read this at all. What script is it in?" Antenora looks sideways to Marie.
[19:37] <Alicia> "Gnomish," Marie provides, floating up to read off what the gnomes had to say about her quiet but dignified people.
[19:38] <Alicia> "Speaking of, what's Dawnhope up to lately? She's not around very much that I've seen," Alicia muses.
[19:43] <Kotono> "I saw her when I was walking back. She was fluttering around the Temple of Mystra," Lying back heavily into the chair, "Wonderous, if you can read Gnomish." Marie can see that it gives a basic rundown of how eladrin and courre work. Obviously Marie knows most of this. It recommends squashing them in one blow as they're fragile.
[19:44] <Alicia> Marie's expression is a study in pique as she reads it off. "I'm not even going to bother repeating it. Even if it's sort of true, they really need to work on their tone," she complains.
[19:45] <Kotono> "Oh?" Raising an eyebrow to Marie's reaction, "What vile slanders did it enspouse?"
[19:46] <Alicia> "Yes, the language barrier is a problem, but it's so much more intuitive than reading a book," Alicia smiles. "I'm hoping the design can be copied so more can be made, covering other topics and in proper languages."
[19:46] <Alicia> "It talks about how delicate we are. Just... in a rather unkind manner," Marie replies with a frown.
[19:47] <Kotono> "They were evil heretics? Did you expect them to have roses and rainbows? Still, the design is good..." Sitting back, "Now that this is done, what's the guard doing?"
[19:49] <Alicia> "There's such a thing as scientific objectivity, regardless of your viewpoint," the eladrin grumbles.
[19:49] <Alicia> "Well, I've been preoccupied myself with those ruins, so I haven't actually been much involved with the guard while you were gone," Alicia admits.
[19:49] <Alicia> "Pollyanna's claimed the First Resort. It's a powerful bow, so hopefully it'll serve her as well as that sword does Seira, or the shield does Demedais."
[19:54] <Kotono> "Good." Quiet for a little more time, "Is Hugo staying here or is this temporary?"
[19:58] <Alicia> "He doesn't really have anywhere else to go, and he isn't able to live on his own," Alicia replies sadly. "It's not perfect, but at least one of us can be around to look after him, this way. I was thinking of introducing him to Rosamund as well, since her foals are young it would give him others he could relate to better."
03[19:59] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@24-176-58-249.dhcp.klmz.mi.charter.com) has joined #dunes
03[19:59] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
[19:59] <Kotono> "It's fine." Now with a growing smile, "He's like a child. He fits in perfectly to us, doesn't he?"
03[19:59] * Taishyr is now known as xorntoro-quasiafk
[20:01] <Alicia> "He is," Alicia reaches over to fondly ruffle the hybrid's hair. "Regardless of his blood, he's an innocent and he deserves a chance in life."
[20:04] <Kotono> Antenora does the same. As Hugo smiles and laughs, "I can't believe there's any Yugoloth in him. His angelic side seems to have overwhelmed the accursed blood within him."
[20:08] <Alicia> "He's never known the Heavens or Gehenna. He's as innocent as any mortal child could be," Alicia smiles wistfully. "Of the three cross-breeds we found, he's probably the most fortunate, having that potential to grow."
[20:10] <Kotono> "Lucky. Dear child, we'll make sure you grow well." Antenora goes to gently pat his cheek, as Hugo smiles. "Grow! Grow?"
[20:10] <Alicia> "You don't really want to grow," Marie assures him. "You're already big enough as it is."
[20:12] <Kotono> Chuckling, "Maybe he'll be as large as a titan? With the two bloodlines, who can know?"
[20:15] <Alicia> "Physically I think he's done. We just need to stimulate him a bit and help him realise his mental and spiritual potential... Hmm, since we're all here, how about we stretch our wings and go visit Rosamund today? Hugo's been cooped up in here a lot, so it'd do him some good," Alicia suggests, getting up.
[20:18] <Kotono> "Yes, yes." Putting her breastplate back on, "If we keep this up, perhaps Balmuria will one day be closer to the Heavens than the mundane world? Unicorns, eladrin, angels..."
[20:19] <Alicia> "Certainly makes for a more interesting place to live," Alicia smiles, pocketing the study prism and offering Hugo a hand. "Come on Hugo, we're going outside. Stretch those nice wings of yours!"
[20:24] <Kotono> Flying out is a pleasant time. The day is warm and bright. The four celestials head eastward, towards Rosamund's grove. As you approach, you can see that the trees above seem to throb and glow with life. Despite winter's steady creep into the land, it's warm as you approach. OOC: Make a spot check, Alicia?
[20:25] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8
06[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 and gets 18." [1d20=10]
[20:27] <Alicia> "Pixies?" Alicia points out the little figures flitting above the treetops for the benefit of her friends, flying down towards the little beings while Marie stays protectively near Hugo, since they might tease him and that would be sad.
[20:28] <Kotono> "I see them," Antenora follows Alicia. As the two fly down, a four-set of the little fey fly up. "Hi!" One babbles and waves, "You look trustworthy! Are you here to see Rosamund and the foals?"
[20:29] <Alicia> "That's right, we're friends of hers," Alicia smiles nicely. "My name's Alicia, this is Antenora, Marie, and Hugo," she introduces her friends as well, Marie waving from the back and encouraging Hugo to do the same.
[20:30] <Kotono> Hugo does so, smiling widely. "WEll...okay." The pixies fly away and apart, clearing the way for the group.
06[20:31] * Alicia shrugs as the pixies flee. "They seem well intentioned," if abrupt. "Come on, lets land and walk the rest of the way?" she suggests, descending down to the ground.
[20:34] <Kotono> The party does so! As they descend they see Rosamund. There is indeed a foal, a beautiful baby unicorn wobbling as it follows it's mother and father around the grove.  Little animals, like rabbits, feral cats and deer idle about as well.
[20:35] <Alicia> "Rosamund! Hello!" Alicia waves, landing lightly on the ground perhaps fifty feet from the unicorn and walking the rest of the way.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Oh, Alicia!" Staring at her with wide eyes, "Oh...Alicia?!"
[20:38] <Alicia> "Like the new additions?" Alicia flexes her wings behind her with a smile before she folds them up as neatly as they'll go so they don't get in the way while walking. "Don't worry, I haven't died. It's just been a busy month, that's all."
[20:38] <Kotono> "It's been a long time," Antenora stays back behind the others, "You lookw ell."
[20:39] <Kotono> As the baby unicorn watches the party, creeping back behind it's mother, "I don't think I've met you..." she furrows her brow as Antenora speaks, "It's been a very busy month here as well. You met the fey above?"
[20:39] <Kotono> Rosamund's mate hangs back, an air of immense, quiet dignity around him.
[20:40] <Alicia> "Yes, the pixies? They seemed to approve of us well enough," Alicia nods before kneeling down to regard the foal. "Hello, little one. I'm Alicia - what's your name?"
[20:42] <Kotono> "A...Agrippa," The little unicorn hides behind his mother still. Rosamund smiles and bends down, licking the head of her child. "Agrippa is a timid foal and still new into the world. Do not be offended."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Bravery will come in time," his father says with heavy intonations. "He is but young and innocent yet."
[20:42] <Kotono> Antenora just smiles, "Nevermind it, then."
[20:45] <Alicia> "It's fine. You're a very handsome unicorn, Agrippa," Alicia compliments the young one. "You've met my familiar, Marie," she indicates the eladrin as she stands up, going to take the hand of the hybrid,
[20:45] <Alicia> "And this is Hugo. Despite his appearance, he's an innocent new to the world as well, and I thought it might do him some good to meet you. Say 'hello', Hugo?" she encourages, gently waving his hand.
[20:54] <Kotono> "Hello!" Hugo comes up to the unicorns, reaching out to rub Rosamund's horn. "Hello1"
[20:55] <Kotono> "Oh, I had almost thought you a child-pixie for a moment," Rosamund smiles, "The fey's resurgance has brought some out here within the past times."
06[20:57] * Alicia and Marie both stay somewhat close to make sure Hugo doesn't do anything impolite or get startled. "Every time I visit this grove looks more and more lively. Besides the pixies what other new arrivals have you seen?" Alicia asks.
03[20:59] * Kotono is now known as Ana_Bo_Banana
[21:01] <Ana_Bo_Banana> "Many glimpses of various fey, but mostly further to the east. The pixies say that a large number of fey were freed and that's revitalized the fey communities around here."
[21:03] <Alicia> "Well, so long as they're friendly they can only brighten these woods up," Alicia affirms happily. "I presume things have been peaceful and quiet for you three, then?"
03[21:03] * Ana_Bo_Banana is now known as Kotono
[21:04] <Kotono> "Very much so," Rosamund goes forward, looking at Alicia's wings. "You remind me of a pegasus now."
06[21:06] * Alicia laughs a little. "We should introduce you to the four pegasi living in Balmuria some time," she notes, flexing her new limbs for inspection. "Mystra rewarded me for helping to expose and destroy an unnatural being from outside of the planes that had been slaying mortal heroes for thousands of years. You can see Antenora's been similarly blessed."
[21:10] <Kotono> With a blink at that, "Oh...oh! I remember you now! You look so much different!" Rosamund blinks, "You were with Alicia, but you looked..."
03[21:10] * Cidward is now known as Devourlord_Sierra
[21:12] <Alicia> "Like a devil?" Marie suggests, having heard the story of how Antenora and Rosamund met.
[21:14] <Kotono> "Yes!" Rosamund exclaims. "You look much better now!"
[21:15] <Kotono> "I like hearing that," Antenora beams with pride, "Thank you, Rosamund."
[21:17] <Alicia> "Things have turned out well," Alicia agrees. "Besides that we've been continuing to investigate gnomish ruins - that's where we found Hugo, like you he was a prisoner in one."
[21:24] <Kotono> Rosamund goes to kneel in the grass, her foal lying against her inner stomach. "Hugo's eyes shine like a child's. I am relieved he's freed, no one deserves that."
[21:26] <Alicia> "Hopefully his story will have a happy ending as yours did," Alicia sits down as well, smiling at Agrippa. "Now that he has others to talk to and learn from, he can make up for all the time he's lost."
[21:34] <Kotono> Antenora sits right behind Alicia, as Hugo continues to look about. A pixie flies down, Hugo chasing it as the pixie laughs. "It will be good," Rosamund rests her head, "I am glad you came today, Alicia. It helps banish the nightmare I had."
[21:35] <Alicia> "Do you want to talk about it?" Alicia asks, briefly glancing at Rosamund's foal as Marie flutters away to keep an eye on Hugo.
[21:36] <Kotono> With her husband going to lie next to Rosamund, "It was a very brief dream, just one lingering image in my mind. I saw the forest, dead and frozen over. It filled me with a terror that woke me from my rest."
[21:40] <Alicia> "Well, we are coming into Winter, aren't we?" Alicia wonders, "Hopefully it's nothing. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to check with the followers of Jannath if they have felt anything amiss in the land, though - have you had any contact with them?"
[21:40] <Kotono> "Not lately, though I can if I desire," Rosamund goes to tend to the little foal, resting it against her side.
[21:45] <Alicia> "They could perhaps reassure you, or let you know if any action should be taken," Alicia smiles, glancing briefly at Antenora.
[21:47] <Kotono> Antenora meets Alicia's eyes, a little worried look as she does so. Rosamund inclines her head to that, "I believe I will."
[21:50] <Alicia> "It would be a good idea. Dreams are often just that, but if they stay with you into your waking hours then it never hurts to seek reassurance, lest they drive you to distraction," Alicia volunteers. "I recently made the acquaintance of a fey spirit of ice and snow who would likely enjoy your nightmare, but fortunately she is thousands of miles away, on the mountains at the edge of the world."
[21:53] <Kotono> "Dreadful." Rosamund curls her foal closer to her.
[21:55] <Alicia> "In her own way she embodies a part of the natural world. Just so long as she stays to the rightfully frozen peaks of the far North and doesn't seek to bring frost to the living forest..." Alicia smiles reassuringly. "Please, don't worry about such things. If it does turn out that there is a malign influence on your forest, we'll gladly lend our aid to excise it."
[21:57] <Kotono> "Thank you," Rosamund lays her head down, "Stay if you wish, Alicia. I am still recovering from foaling - my energy is not so great as it should be."
[22:00] <Alicia> "Hugo seems to be enjoying himself," Alicia glances over where he plays with Marie and the pixies. "And I enjoy your company as well. It has been a long week for us, so It'd be nice to relax here for a spell. Perhaps in the evening we can seek out those who dance for the Earth-Mother and see if they have felt any ill omens of a cold Winter?"
[22:03] <Kotono> That evening, Rosamund rises. "Which of you will come,"
[22:03] <Kotono> OOC: Gah.
[22:03] <Kotono> That evening, Rosamund rises. "Which of you will come," she asks as pale moonlight filters in through the trees.
[22:05] <Alicia> "I will. Marie, Antenora, will you two stay here to help look after Hugo and Agrippa?" Alicia looks to her two celestial friends as she likewise stretches her legs.
[22:07] <Kotono> With a little nod, "Sure. Hugo," Antenora calls him, as Rosamund begins to travel towards the east.
06[22:08] * Alicia flaps her wings and flies just above the ground, it being quicker than walking and letting her match pace with Rosamund more easily.
[22:13] <Kotono> You travel for a few hours. The forest grows thicker around you, night's embrace becoming all suffocating. It is then you chance into a clearing. Here, women dance. Chants to Jannath, the Earth Mother, can be heard all about. Moonlight shines down from above. Amid them is a creature with stag's antlers, elf-like but smaller, about the size of a dwarf and so thin as to be a waif.  Of all of them, one of the women comes forward. "Praise be to Ja
[22:13] <Kotono> Of all of them, one of the women comes forward. "Praise be to Jannath, Rosamund. Praise be to you, noble angel." The woman kneels before Alicia. "What tidings from the glorious hereafter do you bring?"
[22:15] <Alicia> "Rise, I come not from the hereafter," Alicia bids. "My name is Alicia Reynes and I have spoken with some of your number before... you know Elina?" she asks, recalling the name of the ambassador to the giants.
[22:17] <Kotono> "I know her," The woman has wild blonde hair and wears homespun clothes with a cloak. "She frolics beyond here in celebration of Jannath. Why have you come to us then?"
06[22:19] * Alicia can't hear that word without thinking of stuck up nymphs these days... Nevermind. "Rosamund has felt an ill omen, and we wished to consult with you who live in harmony with the land to see if it is groundless or a herald of something more," she begins before looking to the unicorn, "Tell them of your dream, Rosamund?"
[22:21] <Kotono> "I saw the forest, dead and frozen over. It filled me with a dreadful terror," Rosamund whinnies softly, "It stirred me from my slumber."
[22:22] <Kotono> "An omen of a harsh winter? But the winters here are fair and light." The Jannath worshipper considers a time, "I can beseech Jannath with an augur to reveal truth and illumination."
[22:23] <Alicia> "We would be grateful for your aid in this," Alicia bows respectfully. "Whether it be to set Rosamund's mind at ease, or warn us so we can prepare or perhaps forestall this ill-omened Winter."
[22:23] <Kotono> "It shall be done. Until then, partake of our worship. Join the revelry," She beckons, "I will come to you when the augur is cast."
[22:25] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia smiles, patting Rosamund's neck and leading her towards the dancers.
[22:27] <Kotono> A time passes in sublime revelry. It's almost like a trance, singing and dancing in celebration of the higher power Jannath. You are taken from this, lead away by the priestess. "The augur is complete. Jannath had this to say: 'In dreams lie the fragments of potential, from the dizzying heights to the opposed, deepest depths of bondage.'
06[22:30] * Alicia is happy enough to celebrate Jannath, as she is any good-aligned deity, and so participates with enthusiasm in the celebration. When told of the augury, she considers. "So, the first part is confirming that Rosamund's dream could come to pass," she muses, covering the obvious. "But... dizzying heights? Depths of bondage?" she's less sure about that.
[22:31] <Kotono> "It speaks in riddle and metaphor," Rosamund considers this a time, "What are the keys to understanding it?"
[22:35] <Alicia> "Dizzying heights could refer to something in the mountains? The Galkass Mountains are nearby, as are the Enaldis, comparatively," Alicia muses. "The spirit of frost I spoke of earlier dwells in the truly titanic mountains at the far edge of the world, but they're tremendously remote from here."
[22:37] <Alicia> "As for depths of bondage, I'd take that to mean something enslaved. So either something freezes the forest to enslave those within, or something enslaved is responsible for the freezing?" she continues.
[22:37] <Kotono> "It also said the fragments of potential. Maybe it's talking about possibilities? Be it that spirit of frost or other potentials we don'tknow of?" Rosamund thinks, "Perhaps something sleeping or isolated?"
[22:39] <Alicia> "Perhaps. There are many sleeping beings that are slowly rousing into this new world," Alicia nods. "You know Jannath's will better than us," she looks to the priestess, "Can you interpret the meaning better?"
[22:40] <Kotono> "Jannath has chosen to speak in an indirect fashion. There are meanings within that elude me; I asked in the name of Alicia Reynes, who came to us for knowledge. The dizzying heights I do believe you may be correct on. For do you not get dizzy in high mountains and is the air not thin?"
[22:41] <Alicia> "That is so," Alicia nods. "And none more so than the great peaks far to the East," she frowns thoughtfully.
[22:43] <Kotono> "Perhaps this ice spirit is more of a danger than believed?" Rosamund whinnies very softly.
[22:45] <Alicia> "Perhaps. But I'd think her happy dwelling in her forever frozen land undisturbed than trying to cause trouble here. As unsympathetic as she is, she did not strike me as the type to deliberately seek out trouble," Alicia considers. "Which leads to the part about bondage. Perhaps another would seek to use her?"

[Corwin]

[17:28] <Kotono> * Alicia is happy enough to celebrate Jannath, as she is any good-aligned deity, and so participates with enthusiasm in the celebration. When told of the augury, she considers. "So, the first part is confirming that Rosamund's dream could come to pass," she muses, covering the obvious. "But... dizzying heights? Depths of bondage?" she's less sure about that.
[17:28] <Kotono> > "It speaks in riddle and metaphor," Rosamund considers this a time, "What are the keys to understanding it?"
[17:28] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Dizzying heights could refer to something in the mountains? The Galkass Mountains are nearby, as are the Enaldis, comparatively," Alicia muses. "The spirit of frost I spoke of earlier dwells in the truly titanic mountains at the far edge of the world, but they're tremendously remote from here."
[17:28] <Kotono> <Alicia> "As for depths of bondage, I'd take that to mean something enslaved. So either something freezes the forest to enslave those within, or something enslaved is responsible for the freezing?" she continues.
[17:28] <Kotono> > "It also said the fragments of potential. Maybe it's talking about possibilities? Be it that spirit of frost or other potentials we don'tknow of?" Rosamund thinks, "Perhaps something sleeping or isolated?"
[17:28] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Perhaps. There are many sleeping beings that are slowly rousing into this new world," Alicia nods. "You know Jannath's will better than us," she looks to the priestess, "Can you interpret the meaning better?"
[17:28] <Kotono> > "Jannath has chosen to speak in an indirect fashion. There are meanings within that elude me; I asked in the name of Alicia Reynes, who came to us for knowledge. The dizzying heights I do believe you may be correct on. For do you not get dizzy in high mountains and is the air not thin?"
[17:28] <Kotono> <Alicia> "That is so," Alicia nods. "And none more so than the great peaks far to the East," she frowns thoughtfully.
[17:28] <Kotono> > "Perhaps this ice spirit is more of a danger than believed?" Rosamund whinnies very softly.
[17:28] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Perhaps. But I'd think her happy dwelling in her forever frozen land undisturbed than trying to cause trouble here. As unsympathetic as she is, she did not strike me as the type to deliberately seek out trouble," Alicia considers. "Which leads to the part about bondage. Perhaps another would seek to use her?"
[17:29] <Kotono> "Perhaps," The follower of Jannath replies, "If you have your own augurs, perhaps others will find out more revelations?"
03[17:29] * Ebiris is now known as Alicia
[17:32] <Alicia> "I'll investigate from my end as well, yes," Alicia nods thoughtfully. "This gives us all cause to be concerned, so hopefully if a threat does arise we'll be able to react before it becomes severe. Thank you for listening to us."
[17:33] <Kotono> "Do you wish to return now?" Rosamund stays close to her, "Otherwise, we will be drawn into the revelry and the night will pass us by."
[17:35] <Alicia> "Lets go, we've dallied long enough, and we'd worry the others if we were gone all night," Alicia shakes her head. "Blessings of the Weave upon you," she then smiles to the priestess, preparing to depart.
[17:37] <Kotono> OOC: Heading back? Going to d anything/want to takl to anyone about this immediately?
[17:39] <Alicia> OOC: Not immediately, but tomorrow I'll hit up Shankar and ask if he can cast Divination on the subject
[17:40] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[17:46] <Kotono> Well, rain has to come some days. Even if it's a day Alicia has to go out. At least the temple's not far, it's no fun to walk in a heavy rainstorm. Inside dry quarters within the temple of Mystra, Shankar casts Divination on Alicia's request. "Mystra has spoken," Shankar goes to sit, "Her wisdom is: 'In shadows high and low lie doors that should not be opened; keys in reach can pave the way to prosperity or winter's ruin."
[17:46] <Kotono> opened; keys in reach can pave the way to prosperity or winter's ruin."
[17:52] <Alicia> "Hmm. Another reference to heights and depths, much as Jannath gave," Alicia looks thoughtful. "Speaking of doors best left unopened, I'm reminded of the Winterwight held within the gnomish ruins we recently explored. That was deep underground, so perhaps it's a reference?"
[17:53] <Kotono> "A Winterwight? What is that?" Shankar asks, "I've not heard of such a creature in my studies."
[17:56] <Alicia> "It's not one I'd heard of, either," Alicia admits. "What we've found indicates it to be a tremendously powerful undead creature, for the gnomes apparently considered its escape to be the worst thing that could happen to them. When I saw it, it appeared somewhat like a wraith, and was bound with walls of force and intense conjured flames."
[17:57] <Alicia> "We chose to leave it alone at the time, since it appeared well bound, but perhaps we should take more final steps..."
[17:58] <Kotono> "A nightmarish creature...hm..." Shankar considers, "Perhaps you should. It would be prudent to see if we can find anything to tell us more about such a creature. I could send word to Dweomerkeeper Taldeer to search her libraries, as well as checking our libraries and those within Balmuria, Victoria and Valandia."
[18:00] <Alicia> "It wouldn't hurt," Alicia nods. "Unfortunately Demedais is indisposed at the moment, and I'd prefer to wait on his return before risking combat with such a creature if at all possible."
[18:00] <Kotono> "Yes. By that time, perhaps we will have found some lore that would aid us in assessing this 'winterwight'." Shankar rises, "Mystra's work is never done."
[18:05] <Alicia> "Speaking of lore," Alicia takes out the study prism. "I found this in the ruins as well. It's a fascinating magical device that stores information like a book, and divines your intent based on what you're thinking so it can display relevant information. This one is devoted to extraplanar creatures, and the information is all held in Gnomish, but regardless it's a wondrous concept."
[18:05] <Alicia> She sets it down on the table. "Perhaps some of the acolytes could make a project of studying it and seeing if we could make our own version? If successful it would be like having an entire library fitting into your pocket, without even having to spend time searching to get the information you want."
[18:08] <Kotono> "A handheld library. Fascinating," Taking the prism and balancing it in his hand, "Mystra would praise such an innovation. With it, we could store not only that, but lore. We lost so much in the past, so much of Mystra's knowledge. If there was a better way to record it, perhaps..."
[18:11] <Alicia> "Books can be magically preserved, but even so a crystal is by its nature immune to the ravages of time. Perhaps it would even be possible to incorporate Magic Mouth type spells so that it can read information to you aloud? No doubt there are many more possibilities," she smiles,
[18:11] <Alicia> "Regardless, I'll leave it here for now and we'll see if those more skilled than I at magical artifice can make something of it?"
[18:11] <Kotono> "It will be done, by Mystra's will." Shankar takes the prism into both of his hands.
[18:23] <Kotono> OOC: Make relevaant TP roles then? Cold res 30 and voice of the archon?
[18:23] <Alicia> roll 1d100 rest stop studied carefully
06[18:23] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 rest stop studied carefully and gets 7." [1d100=7]
[18:23] <Alicia> roll 1d100 entry chamber of dragon's lair studied carefully
06[18:23] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 entry chamber of dragon's lair studied carefully and gets 95." [1d100=95]
[18:24] <Alicia> OOC: off target
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 1d10
06[18:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 5." [1d10=5]
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 1d10
06[18:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d10 and gets 7." [1d10=7]
[18:27] <Kotono> roll 1d9
06[18:27] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d9 and gets 8." [1d9=8]
[18:28] <Kotono> Alicia stands in the forest. Chilly air blows through the trees, magic serving her well to ward away the chill. Amid the forest, Alicia can hear the laughter and play of children.
[18:29] <Alicia> Looks like she missed. At least there's no sign of anything hostile here, though. Regardless, she doesn't linger long, simply recasting her spell.
[18:29] <Alicia> roll 1d100 entry chamber of dragon's lair studied carefully
06[18:29] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 entry chamber of dragon's lair studied carefully and gets 26." [1d100=26]
[18:30] <Kotono> Woosh! Alicia appears without incident this time, unharmed and safe. The air is thin as always, the chill blocked.
06[18:32] * Alicia doesn't advertise her presence loudly, but nor does she attempt to conceal it, merely walking throughout the icy caverns here in search of Neve. It's possible she could be elsewhere, but Seira seems to have been able to find her here on previous occasions.
[18:40] <Kotono> Alicia finds Neve just as she starts to walk out of the entry cavern and towards the dragon's lair. She glides across the floor on a sheet of ice, each step more like a gentle dance. Covered with her fur coat, she looks at Alicia long. "Sei...no, you are not her. Alicia, the other one. What is it you require of me?"
[18:44] <Alicia> "Hello, Neve," Alicia greets the fey carefully. Having called in her debt, she knows Neve doesn't owe her anything, and could probably give it a good go of things if she decided she wanted Alicia dead. "I wished to talk with you, if you will indulge my company."
[18:44] <Kotono> "Speak." With a slow, probing look to her, "What drives you to come all this way?"
[18:49] <Alicia> "Far to the South, in more temperate climes, omens are stirring of a dire Winter to come," Alicia begins, "As a spirit of Winter's harshest aspect yourself, I felt your own knowledge might have some relevance towards what may threaten the land."
[18:51] <Kotono> "Ah, then your climes are honored by winter's coming," With a lazy look towards Alicia, eyes hidden by her bangs, "But is that not a journey of months to reach your home? How should I blindly know anything of what is to come there?"
06[18:56] * Alicia smiles as she approaches the ivory-haired woman. It's not that nice a smile. "I do not expect you to know specifics of matters far beyond these mountains, Neve, I am not quite so foolish. But even so, you should not underestimate the wisdom you hold. Knowledge of others like yourself."
[18:56] <Alicia> "An understanding of how one might go about bringing the icy frost of the mountain to green forest that barely knows the touch of snow. Perhaps even more, lore beyond my limited mortal understanding, might swirl like a blizzard in your mind, any fraction of it potentially the key to this puzzle."
[18:59] <Kotono> Neve's own smile is like winter, Alicia's wards doing nothing to stop a chill that passes down her spine. "This puzzle you speak of. Do you have any parts of it, or is it merest fancy and shadows, signifying nothing?"
[19:05] <Alicia> "A unicorn nightmared of her forest consumed in frost where nothing lived," Alicia explains, doing her best not to shiver. "Druids beseeched Jannath for wisdom and were told that in dreams lay fragments of potential, from dizzying heights to opposed depths of bondage."
[19:05] <Alicia> "Mystra herself has said that in shadows high and low lie doors that should not be opened, that keys in reach can pave the way to prosperity or Winter's ruin."
[19:05] <Alicia> Taking a deep breath of the thin chilly air, she concludes, "Those are the omens I spoke of." She hesitates for an artful second before regarding Neve innocently, "We are very high up, are we not?"
[19:07] <Kotono> "Ah, but I have no plans to travel to your realm. That is, unless Seira takes me there. Perhaps the folly lies not with me? Or perhaps she wishes to use what she does not understand," With a chill in her voice, "We are very high up. As to what lies beneath I know not."
03[19:10] * Shizuru is now known as Seira
[19:10] <Alicia> "Yes, Seira is very fond of you," Alicia agrees with a hooded look towards the cruelly beautiful fey. "Well, it seems we have naught more to discuss, so I shall focus my search in another direction."
[19:11] <Kotono> "Indeed." She starts to turn away, a lazy glance over her shoulder, "Do you have any other avenues to pursue this on, or was I your own shining hope?"
[19:13] <Alicia> "I have another, although I confess that dealing with you was preferable, perverse as it may be. Tell me, Neve, you mentioned having an affinity for Auril before. Have you ever heard of a creature called a Winterwight?" Alicia asks as the icy woman looks back.
[19:15] <Kotono> Neve's gaze narrows, her walking away stopping like a snowflake hitting the ground. "...A winterwight, you said?"
[19:18] <Alicia> "So you have heard?" Alicia smiles cooly. "Perhaps then you see why you seemed like the more agreeable option in my position then, yes?"
[19:19] <Kotono> OOC: Make a diplo chec?
[19:20] <Alicia> roll 1d20+42
06[19:20] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+42 and gets 48." [1d20=6]
[19:22] <Kotono> "What business do you have with the children of Auril and Shar?" Turning to Alicia now, face starkly cold as she peers into Alicia's eyes, "I know of such a creature."
[19:23] <Alicia> "I know where one is currently bound, deep in the bowels of the earth," Alicia replies. "Given these omens, however, perhaps it is not so securely bound as first appeared..."
[19:26] <Kotono> "If I were you..." With a chilled, dead gaze, "Disturbing a winterwight is a good way to shuffle off this mortal coil. I am in the incarnation of winter and my power is nothing to the power of a winterwight. Unless, of course, you wish to freeze to death while your soul burns in cold fire forever."
[19:32] <Alicia> "Your power is formidable, Neve, yes," Alicia agrees, "And from all I have learned, the Winterwight is likely stronger than anything I have fought before - between its origins and its age it is surely a terror to be feared. But if it were to be loosed upon the world..." she shakes her head grimly.
[19:32] <Alicia> "You've felt the taste of undeath yourself, Neve. It is far worse than brutal frost or searing inferno. Such a thing must not come to pass."
[19:36] <Kotono> Neve's own smile is still cold, though her eyes flicker down briefly, broken. "...It may be so. It may be so. If you wish to throw away your life, fight it. However, if you listen, your death will not be in vain."
[19:37] <Alicia> "If you wish to share your wisdom, I will hear you," Alicia replies seriously.
[19:40] <Kotono> "In the distant past, far distant from mortal reckoning, Shar attempted to court Auril into her grasp. To take her and consume her, as the legend goes. In the end, she failed and a battle broke out amid the two. Shar's chakram flew, splitting the arm of Auril. But the blow was not fatal. Auril's frozen blood splashed, but she was able to escape. In her fury, Shar swore a horrible curse. It is said that the curse and Auril's blood attracted one
[19:40] <Kotono> In her fury, Shar swore a horrible curse. It is said that the curse and Auril's blood attracted one another. Perfect cold and perfect hateful emptiness. In that moment, from that union of blood and magic, came the birth of the winterwights."
[19:41] <Alicia> "So that's it..." Alicia murmurs, frowning as she processes it. "I knew they were spawned of some union between the two Goddesses, but not that it was like that..."
[19:45] <Kotono> With a snort, "A mortal creature would attach all sorts of crudity to it. The truth is far, far more terrifying." With a faint, reluctant smile, "Blight-Fire. It is true power of a winterwight. Should it touch you or wound you, you will burn away from the inside with a black, ice cold fire. Woe onto you, for no means of mortalkind can reverse the damage it does."
[19:48] <Alicia> "It's not dissimilar from the story of how Mystra herself was born of the battles between Shar and Selune at the dawn of creation... such beings must indeed be powerful," Alicia nods slowly.
[19:48] <Alicia> "Blight-Fire I have heard of as well. Even the gnomes with all their perverse magical skill had no way of reversing it... and still they dreamed of controlling it nonetheless," she concludes with a snort of her own.
[19:51] <Kotono> "There is one hope," Going on, "Bring the strongest fire you have. Not weak fire - mere rays of fire and fireballs will freeze before they can touch it. But perhaps if you can mount truly mighty heat, you have a chance to burn it away as you die."
06[19:55] * Alicia hefts Hell Striker a moment. "This blade can burn even devils inured to the flames of Hell. Perhaps there are ways to bring forth even mightier fires, however..." she considers thoughtfully. "Perhaps in the Elemental Plane of Fire..."
[19:59] <Kotono> "On those matters I can help you not," Neve resumes her leaving of Alicia, "May Auril watch over you in your fool's quest."
06[20:00] * Alicia can't help but smirk a little. "May your mountains be ever frosty, Neve," she returns, teleporting away.
[20:00] <Alicia> roll 1d100 rest stop studied carefully
06[20:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 rest stop studied carefully and gets 21." [1d100=21]
[20:00] <Alicia> roll 1d100 home very familiar
06[20:00] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 home very familiar and gets 40." [1d100=40]
[20:10] <Kotono> OOC: Going to do anything else immediately, Alicia?
[20:14] <Alicia> OOC: I'll wait on Deme finishing his courtroom drama so we can go kill the winterwight, now.
[20:15] <Alicia> OOC: Actually, I'll give him a sending and ask how long he expects to take, if it's a while I might do something else in the pursuit of epic fire.
[20:19] <Kotono> OOC: The sending'll hold a bit until Deme gets a bit into the Mechanus stuff, obviously. In the meantime...
[20:24] <Kotono> Alicia heads home. Just as she settles into practice with Antenora, with Marie and Hugo watching, "Ma'am!" Standing at the entrance of the backyard is Jessica, escorting a soldier. "Commander Oberuth requests your presence, ma'am."
[20:25] <Alicia> "Ah," Alicia stops in the process of holding back one of Antenora's strikes, smoothly straightening out. "Did he say what it's about?" she asks, turning to the soldier.
[20:25] <Kotono> "He says it's a matter relevant to the Guard and you in particular." He says, "That's all, ma'am."
[20:25] <Kotono> Antenora lowers her spear, glancing back to the soldier. "If you desire company..." she leaves it open.
[20:27] <Alicia> "Alright, I'll head over to the garrison now," she nods. "Don't worry, Antenora, this shouldn't take long. I'll be back shortly," she smiles, putting her quarterstaff against the wall and heading off with a wave for Hugo.
[20:29] <Kotono> Commander Oberuth is found at the garrison. He's in a larger meeting hall, a group of people walking out of the hall as she approaches. As she heads inside, she finds Eudard there, in discussion with the Commander. "...of the entire enterprise. It's only proper that he be given the praise for it." Eudard says, as Oberuth leans forward, hand steepled beneath his chin.
06[20:29] * Alicia knocks on the doorframe as she pokes her head in. "I'm not interrupting am I, sir?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "A little. You're authorized to here this, so you can come in." Oberuth looks up. Eudard nods deeply to Alicia. "I was telling the Commander of our successed in stamping out the plague in Parsifal and that we should give Helm his proper thanks for his blessings on the endevour."
[20:31] <Kotono> *hear
06[20:32] * Alicia nods. "Good work with that, I heard about it myself," she smiles as she walks into the hall.
[20:32] <Kotono> "What I suggest is that the Temple of Helm be bequeathed extra lands, so that it may build and expand itself. Helm deserves a worthy hall for his reverence." Eudard's words are filled with passion.
[20:33] <Kotono> "It was good work. As to your suggestion, it will have to be duly considered." Oberuth unfolds his hands, sitting up straight. "I will pass it on forward."
[20:35] <Alicia> "Isn't the temple of Helm already the largest in Balmuria?" Alicia raises an eyebrow.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Helm's worship must be spared no expense," Eudard stands then, "But I will leave the matter to those who rightly decide it." Eudard leaves them.
[20:37] <Kotono> Once Eudard is gone and the door is closed, "Ah yes. I heard you were back in the city. I've been needing to get the guard together for a report on what you accomplished, but the resolution of the plague mission was consuming."
06[20:38] * Alicia nods. "In truth I've barely left. All of our trips to the gnomish ruins were carried out over short periods and we teleported back here when pressed," she admits.
[20:39] <Kotono> "Magical travel." With a long, drawn out sonrt, "What trip is it if you can go home whenever you wish? Regardless, I've called you here because our city has been sent a gift from creatures who claim they were freed by the Crimson Guard."
[20:41] <Alicia> "Really? Who were they and what did they give us?" Alicia asks, smiling pleasantly.
[20:43] <Kotono> "Eladrin. In other word, holy elves." Now resting back, "They left three gifts. The first was several sacks of grain seed. This seed, according to them, will grow better and be far hardier than our grains. While it will not last past the first planting - it cannot fully thrive and survive in this realm - the results of planting it will make our local grains heartier within a few planting years."
[20:44] <Alicia> "That's a fine gift. Will it be distributed to local farmers?"
[20:45] <Kotono> "Yes, across the Baronies. We are rich in food, yet you can never make too much. At worst, we trade more to the Fiefdoms." Oberuth smiles a little, "And more commerce means more money and more prosperity. At best, if it is true, it may stave off hard years from droughts and failed harvests."
[20:47] <Alicia> "Excellent," Alicia smiles.  "Less hungry mouths is always a good thing."
[20:50] <Kotono> "The second was a gift of mounts. A pair of fine warhorses, touched by the Heavens. The term is 'Celestial creatures'. There were two other mounts - pegasi, also celestial."
[20:51] <Alicia> "They should get along well with the pegasi we already have. Unlike normal horses they can think and feel, so we should treat them kindly," Alicia volunteers. "Are they in the stables?"
[21:00] <Kotono> "They are. More pegasi are useful, and the other two horses will make fine ceremonial mounts." Now Oberuth pauses, "The third is here." Oberuth takes out a clay tablet, carved with letters that seem to writhe with golden fire. "It's for, an dI quote exactly, 'For when you need to have a party in battle.'"
03[21:02] * Sierra_Comatose is now known as Sierra_OHGODTHELIGHTTHELIGHT
[21:04] <Alicia> "That reminds me of a particularly mean spell that certain fey favour. Forces you to dance and caper... hard to fight when you're forced into that," Alicia observes, picking up the tablet, her eyes turning blue as she studies it...
[21:04] <Alicia> roll 1d20+8 spellcraft
06[21:04] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d20+8 spellcraft and gets 12." [1d20=4]
[21:05] <Kotono> "Speaking from experience?" Oberuth asks with a tiny little smile. Alicia can't make out the magic around it, though it is magical. The words are in Celestial, if she cares to read them.
06[21:06] * Alicia does read the words! "Yes. Those pixies will never know how close they came to receiving a few bruises," she chuckles.
[21:08] <Kotono> It looks to be a dreadfully powerful tablet. It calls the power of Armageddon; summoning first a handful of astral devas, then few tulani and finally a solar. However, to invoke this power is incredibly draining - only someone who is Good may do so, and they will be utterly exhausted in every way after finishing the incantation.
02[21:10] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@24-176-58-249.dhcp.klmz.mi.charter.com) Quit (Ping timeout)
[21:10] <Alicia> "Oh my..." Alicia pales. "Have you read what it says?" she looks up to Obureth.
[21:11] <Kotono> "Not deeply," Oberuth stops then, looking down at it, "What's gotten you so drawn?"
[21:13] <Alicia> "This is... immensely powerful," Alicia waves the tablet before her. "It summons forth a large group of incredibly powerful celestials - astral devas are potent themselves, but it also calls a tulani eladrin and a solar!"
[21:25] <Kotono> "They were truly grateful?" Oberuth ventures, "A solar is a greater angel?"
[21:28] <Alicia> "Among the greatest, certainly," Alicia nods earnestly. "I had the honour of fighting alongside one, once, and was truly humbled by his power."
[21:29] <Kotono> "The tablet was for the Guard. Keep it safe for all of you and as an ace in the hole." Oberuth goes to settle back, "More insurance never hurts, especially if the devils ever mount a full on attack against us."
[21:32] <Alicia> "Indeed," Alicia nods, opening up her portable hole and carefully putting the tablet inside. "If we were ever overwhelmed there are few things in all the realms that could stand against such a force."
[21:36] <Kotono> "Make sure you get it analyzed," Oberuth says, "That's not a tool to be taken lightly. Anyway, that's all. Dismissed for now."
[21:37] <Alicia> "I'll have Seira take a look at it properly when I have a chance," Alicia nods as she stands up. "Thank you, sir." With a salute she's away!
[21:51] <Kotono> Alicia heads back home. On reaching there, Antenora is waiting. "What was all that about?" she enquires, "Do you want to continue the practice?"
03[21:51] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@76.236.176.211) has joined #dunes
03[21:51] * ChanServ sets mode: +o Taishyr
02[21:52] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@76.236.176.211) Quit (Broken pipe)
03[21:52] * asdgsdfasdf (~ferixstad@adsl-76-236-176-211.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[21:53] <Alicia> "The eladrin we rescued from those ruins were grateful," Alicia begins. "So grateful in fact, that they donated several celestial steeds and sacks of celestial grain to Balmuria. More than that, though, they've given us an item that - if I'm reading it correctly - can summon a large number of powerful celestials to our aid in battle."
03[21:57] * asdgsdfasdf is now known as asdgsdfasdfhdfgsdfgjfghdfgh
[21:57] <Kotono> "Excellent!" Antenora brightens, "How many is a large number?"
[21:58] <Alicia> "If I'm reading it correctly? Five astral devas, three tulani eladrin, and one solar," Alicia replies, still a little bit thrown by having such power available.
[22:00] <Kotono> Antenora whistles at the last, "A solar?!"
[22:02] <Alicia> "That's what it says," she nods. "Also it's incredibly draining to use, but even so... if we ever find ourselves overwhelmed, such a force could easily turn the tide."
[22:03] <Kotono> "A solar?!?" Antenora repeats, "Mystra...by Mystra...that sort of power to call on!" Nearly wobbling, Antenora takes Alicia's shoulder. "It could turn the tide of our greatest battles. Esthan, even."
06[22:05] * Alicia nods. "Even so, it'll need to be kept carefully in reserve for when we truly need it, not squandered on the first thing that catches our attention..." she exhales deeply, chuckling a little. "Still... yes. It is a lot to handle, isn't it?"
[22:09] <Kotono> "With all the respect and honors we are given...Are you sure that Mystra wasn't your grandmother or such, Alicia?" With a teasing, heady smile as she stays right next to her, "It would explain much."
06[22:11] * Alicia snorts lightly. "My grandmother was a crazed old bat. It would only raise far more alarming questions," she returns.
[22:15] <Kotono> "So was mine...perhaps literally, I was never clear on that," Antenora chuckles, "What was your grandmother like?"
[22:18] <Alicia> "Very old," Alicia starts off blandly. "She died when I was fairly young, but I can remember her well enough. Always picking fights with mother and bullying father. She'd hit Beth and I for imagined slights whenever she could, but we got good at avoiding her."
[22:21] <Kotono> Antenora's eyes widen a little, "Did your parent sintervene?"
[22:25] <Alicia> "Mother and her would fight occassionally," Alicia shrugs. "Granny didn't care, though. There'd always be something to set her off on one of her rants. In retrospect I feel a little sorry for her, but as a child all I wanted to do was avoid her."
[22:26] <Kotono> "Better than fighting back..." Antenora murmurs. "That was for the best then."
[22:29] <Alicia> "Oh, don't make that face," Alicia gives her friend a playful nudge. "It's ancient history, and it's not like she ever really hurt us."
[22:31] <Kotono> Nudging Alicia back on the hip and side, "Yes, I know. Just...childhood memories. I told you how young Erinyes grow up and train with each other, didn't I? It brought back memories I'm trying to forget very hard."
[22:32] <Alicia> "Ah, sorry," Alicia looks apologetic. "And I was only trying to lighten the mood, too..."
[22:33] <Kotono> "Don't apologize." Antenora puts a smile on, "Alicia,  you can change your shape in different ways now that you've ascended?"
[22:36] <Alicia> "Yes," Alicia nods, happy to expound on practical magic, "The alter self spell is fundamentally based on the nature of the original - as a human I could transform myself into similar beings, such as elves and gnomes, but say a dragon or a bird would be out of reach."
[22:36] <Alicia> "Now I can use it to assume the form of outsiders, but my previous forms are barred to me. Fortunately aasimar can pass well enough for human, as you can see," she spreads her arms, showing off her current form which does indeed look like classic Alicia.
[22:38] <Kotono> "Including things of a certain size within yourself?" Antenora smiles, "And yes, it's nice to see you with and without your change."
[22:40] <Alicia> "Yes. Turning myself into a playmate for Marie is an impossibility - she's just too small," Alicia chuckles.
[22:42] <Kotono> Antenora snaps her fingers, before, "But a Lantern Archon isn't? In both her case and your case?"
[22:44] <Alicia> "That's right, they are pretty big," Alicia nods, before eyeing Antenora oddly. "Why, do you want me to turn her into one?"
[22:45] <Kotono> "Of course." With a sweet smile, "It would do her some good. For that matter, you could be her playmate then, as you so aptly put it. Another spell isn't out of your reach."
[22:46] <Alicia> "Nothing to stop me turning you into one, either, in case you'd forgotten those times I made you into an aasimar," Alicia retorts.

[Corwin]

[17:58] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Ah, sorry," Alicia looks apologetic. "And I was only trying to lighten the mood, too..."
[17:58] <Kotono> > "Don't apologize." Antenora puts a smile on, "Alicia,  you can change your shape in different ways now that you've ascended?"
[17:58] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Yes," Alicia nods, happy to expound on practical magic, "The alter self spell is fundamentally based on the nature of the original - as a human I could transform myself into similar beings, such as elves and gnomes, but say a dragon or a bird would be out of reach."
[17:58] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Now I can use it to assume the form of outsiders, but my previous forms are barred to me. Fortunately aasimar can pass well enough for human, as you can see," she spreads her arms, showing off her current form which does indeed look like classic Alicia.
[17:58] <Kotono> > "Including things of a certain size within yourself?" Antenora smiles, "And yes, it's nice to see you with and without your change."
[17:58] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Yes. Turning myself into a playmate for Marie is an impossibility - she's just too small," Alicia chuckles.
[17:58] <Kotono> > Antenora snaps her fingers, before, "But a Lantern Archon isn't? In both her case and your case?"
[17:58] <Kotono> <Alicia> "That's right, they are pretty big," Alicia nods, before eyeing Antenora oddly. "Why, do you want me to turn her into one?"
[17:58] <Kotono> > "Of course." With a sweet smile, "It would do her some good. For that matter, you could be her playmate then, as you so aptly put it. Another spell isn't out of your reach."
[17:58] <Kotono> <Alicia> "Nothing to stop me turning you into one, either, in case you'd forgotten those times I made you into an aasimar," Alicia retorts.
[18:00] <Kotono> "And?" Antenora says blandly, "What's wrong with that?"
06[18:02] * Alicia raises an eyebrow. "I forgot, what Marie might see as cruel punishment, you would see as adorably fun," she mutters. "Want to spend some time floating around as a big ball of light, do you?"
[18:04] <Kotono> Now with a teasing pat on Ailcia's back, "It works for fresh souls to Celestia. I don't see how it's bad for us if we want to change into it. Besides, some time in a good, lawful form will surely do Marie some good."
[18:08] <Alicia> "If you can talk her into it, I'll provide the magic," Alicia finally decides. Perhaps it would be somewhat amusing, but she doesn't want to force it on the poor coure.
[18:12] <Kotono> "I'll go find her," Antenora decides, and after a beat, "The saying is 'What could possibly go wrong?'"
06[18:14] * Alicia wants to see this, so she heads into the house. "Marie! Antenora has something she wants to ask you!" she carols sweetly.
[18:14] <Kotono> Antenora follows Alicia, "Marie?"
[18:15] <Alicia> Said eladrin flutters into the hallway on command. "Not sure if want..." she mutters suspiciously.
[18:18] <Kotono> With a pleasant, warm smile, "Come here, Marie," Antenora pats thet op of her head, "Why so supicious already? I haven't even asked you anything yet!"
[18:19] <Alicia> "I have my ways," Marie replies with a significant look at Alicia who contrives to look innocent.
[18:21] <Kotono> "Oh, of course. I can't keep secrets between you two." With an overdrawn sigh that doesn't last long at all, "Marie, wouldn't it be fun to engage in some casual shapechanging? You like to transform into your ball of light form, don't you? This isn't very different at all, except we all could do it. Besides," With a long look at Marie, smiling winsomely, "I'll be very happy if you do."
[18:24] <Alicia> "I don't like it so much ever since it started... Ohhh," she trails off in dawning understanding, before a grin splits her face. "Oh, Antenora! If you just wanted to see me naked, all you had to do was ask!" Marie giggles cutely.
[18:27] <Kotono> "No, though my ego accepts the compliment." Crossing her arms now with a cattier smile, "I'd like you to be shapechanged into another ball of light, actually. One that you think is cute, if I recall correctly."
[18:30] <Alicia> "You like balls of light, huh? Well, I've heard of stranger things..." Marie rubs her chin. "But why me?"
[18:33] <Kotono> "Because I'd be happy if you did," Antenora answers right back, "Alicia would probably like it as well."
03[18:34] * asdgsdfasdf is now known as tai-auuuuuuuuuugh
[18:35] <Alicia> "Oh, I'd be thrilled," Alicia deadpans.
[18:35] <Alicia> "Oh, well. If it brings joy and happiness to my dear friend Antenora, I'd be a horrible person to refuse, wouldn't I?" Marie reasons dramatically. "Okay, magic me up, then!"
[18:37] <Kotono> "Why thank you, Marie!" Antenora beams, "Go ahead, Alicia?"
06[18:39] * Alicia incants a brief spell and taps her familiar, who promptly expands into a large golden-glowing orb of light which bobs around where the cute little fairy fluttered before.
[18:39] <Alicia> "Huh," Marie's voice comes clearly enough from the orb as she bobs around a little, "It's kinda like my incorporeal form..." she proceeds to bump against Antenora, "Except corporeal!"
[18:40] <Kotono> "Aw, you're so cute now," Antenora says with just a hint of deadpan snarkiness showing. "Giant balls of light, the charging ram attack?"
[18:43] <Alicia> A point of brighter light appears to bubble up on Marie's surface before emitting a focused beam that zaps down between Antenora's feet, scorching the floor! "I'm always cute!" she insists, before bouncing heavily in the air as Alicia reaches over to thwap her.
[18:43] <Alicia> "Marie! Don't burn the floorboards! You'll be polishing that tonight!" she reprimands sternly.
[18:46] <Kotono> Antenora looks down, a raised eyebrow at the narrowly missing light beam! "You're always cute. You'll be cuter in your maid outfit when you clean that," Antenora reaches out to pat the ball of light atop it, "Now Alicia, since you were talkinga bout being Marie's playmate, why don't you join her?"
[18:48] <Alicia> "You first," Alicia retorts easily as Marie spins dizzily from being hit. Drawing Hell Striker, she channels another alter self spell into it and taps the former devil to transform her into the lowliest of archons.
[18:50] <Kotono> "Alic-" Antenora begins, turning. She turns right nto Hell Striker, transforming! A ball of light floats where Antenora was, "-ia. It jerks up and down in the air, "Alicia!"
06[18:54] * Alicia smoothly puts her sword away and grins. "Now I have two cute little lanterns to light my house!" she beams as Marie floats over and experimentally bumps into Antenora.
[18:55] <Kotono> Antenora bumps Marie back slowly, before flying around Ailcia's head in a frenzy. "Alicia! That was a perfectly good plan I had! How dare you change me before I could sweet talk you into changing first?!" Antenora's voice is filled with indignation.
[18:57] <Alicia> "The problem is, Antenora, once I'm changed I can't change anyone else," Alicia explains reasonably, holding up a hand and waggling her fingers. "No hands, no spells, see? And I didn't want to deprive you of the experience."
[18:59] <Kotono> "That was the point!" With a little whimper that spreads through her entire body, "I wanted two cute lantern archons to fly around me!" She settles onto Alicia's head, sighing grandly, as she half rests/half floats there. "You always see through my plans."
[19:02] <Alicia> "It is nice like this. All round with no angles," Marie opines pleasantly as she floats around Antenora and Alicia.
[19:02] <Alicia> For her part, Alicia relents. "Oh, alright. Come down off my head and I'll change you back," she offers.
[19:04] <Kotono> "It is. Very smooth," Antenora flies down, "Or you could change. I'm not really mad." With a softening in her voice, "I'm surprised you got me so quickly, more than anything else. Also, Marie...what's the appeal of Alicia's head again? I don't really see it."
[19:06] <Alicia> "Well you wouldn't," Marie replies condescendingly. "Only those of us with certain stature and shape can properly enjoy it."
[19:07] <Alicia> "That just sounds unsettling..." Alicia mutters as she duly casts a spell to turn herself into a lantern archon, slightly paler in shade then Marie. "Oh... it's a bit like magical flight, but not," she notes as she bobs around. "A cross between that and swimming... no, floating?"
[19:14] <Kotono> "I like it. Less work than my wings," Antenora floats around the two, "Different. It's very different. So...what should we do now?"
[19:16] <Alicia> "Umm... you know, when you're a perfect sphere with no limbs, there's not really that much you *can* do..." Alicia states after a moment's thought.
[19:18] <Kotono> "We could...or..." Antenora starts a few times, "You know what, you have a very good point. We could go visit someone like this for the reactions, maybe, but..."
[19:19] <Alicia> "Seems a bit too much like showing off," Alicia notes. "How about I turn you back, you can marvel at having Marie and I floating cutely around you for a moment, then we can finish our sparring?"
[19:24] <Kotono> "That's agreeable," Antenora floats closer to Alicia. "Say Marie. Are you feeling more together yet? More organized?"
[19:28] <Alicia> With a word from Alicia, Antenora is restored to her natural form. "Can't say I feel any different," Marie replies brightly. "Well, that's probably not true - I bet I feel a lot different. Why don't you touch me and find out?" she suggests.
[19:29] <Kotono> Antenora reaches out and touches Marie, "You feel...soft and ball like?" Antenora frowns, "You're very warm."
[19:30] <Alicia> "That's the warmth of my love for all things lawful!" Marie simpers, giggling.
[19:32] <Kotono> "I can feel it. But you need more. Not just a warmth, but an inferno." Antenora waggles a finger in front of Marie. "Right, Alicia?"
[19:34] <Alicia> "Oh, she's fine," Alicia attests, floating over and bumping against Marie, receiving a bump back before she reverts to her natural form. "Anyway, we've got a sparring session to finish, don't we?"
[19:47] <Kotono> "Yes, shall we," Antenora agrees. OOC: Skip along a bit to other stuff now since this ran it's course?
[19:48] <Alicia> OOC: yeah, might as well just pause me unless I get random encountered, since my plans really depend on how quickly we can get the gang together for winterwight slayage
03[19:52] * tai-auuuuuuuuuugh is now known as Demedais
[20:03] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[20:03] <Kotono> OOC: Pause you for the moment then.